Recap- Texas Version

Deployment Recap: Week 17

Emotional: Feeling good-I had a wild week last week with ups and downs, more ups than downs though. I've been in Texas since Friday and been happier here than I have been in months. 

Physical: A-MA-ZING. Another Personal Best in the running department- I ran the Cowtown Half Marathon on Sunday in 2:07:52, which is a 9:45min/mile pace. I've never run that hard or that fast for that long. And I felt great. 

Communication: Still none, but I've been surrounded by so many friends and family that it's been easy to have my mind elsewhere. 

Something Fun You did This week: TEXAS! Everything about being here has been fun and wonderful. 

What are you looking forward to next week: Something really exciting that I can't talk about. 

What made you happy this week: Finally making a really tough decision about work, but feeling much happier since doing so. 

What made you sad/mad this week: Work. 

What do you miss this week: I miss Lyle. I miss calling Texas home. Only 8 more years! 

Favorite song/show/movie of the moment: None really. Been too busy to think about music or movies. 

Pictures from This week:

Friday Night in Ft Worth With Madison- I've known her almost my whole life and hadn't seen her since 2001.

Camp reunion! We've all been friends since at least 1996. They are "my people". 

Gorgeous sunset in Granbury. I can't wait to see these every night when we (eventually) move back. 

The FATTEST cat I have ever met. 

Trying to stay warm before the Half Marathon Sunday morning. It was 37! Too cold for me! 

Finished! Those space blankets are amazing! 

Sunday evening dinner at Granny's with Lyle's family. 

Cousin Frank is just too cute! I love his smile! 

Out to dinner with Ann & Johnny. 

Unsweet 16.

Deployment Recap: It’s that time again

Emotional: Drained.

Physical: Fabulous- ran my fastest race ever today- the Great Aloha Run- 8.15 miles in 1:17:09 for a pace of 9:28/mile. That’s over a minute faster per mile than last year and faster than I thought I was capable of running.

Communication: none.

Something Fun You did This week: The race today was fun. And I can’t think of much else fun lately.

What are you looking forward to next week: I fly to Texas this week, so I guess I’m looking forward to seeing friends, family, running another race and eating good food!

What made you happy this week: Sweet cards from Lyle.

What made you sad/mad this week: Work stress.

What do you miss this week: Celebrating holidays and birthday with Lyle. This deployment is sucking the fun out of every major holiday and event from Halloween until Summer.

Favorite song/show/movie of the moment: every song from the City and Colour. Thanks, Spotify for lots of great new music.

Pictures from This week: Race pics to come soon, here’s a few until then.

Captain Jack at the vet. He got a great health report! 

Pretty in Pink for Valentine's Day. And my nails are a hot mess. 

The lovely tulips from Lyle. 

My last day at Weight Watchers. I resigned my position as a Leader, but I'll still be a member for life! 

Gorgeous rainbow over the harbor on my walk home from the race today. 

All smiles at 5am, pre-race!  

Week XV

Deployment Recap: week 15, been doing this so long it feels almost normal.

Emotional: I’m okay. Just okay.

Physical: Great, until today (more later). I ran that same big hill from last week again and it was much easier this time. I pushed myself and it felt great.

Communication: None.

Something Fun You did This week: A few things- Saturday I went to the North Shore to watch big waves and that afternoon I went to the South Shore to a running group friend’s birthday party on the beach. It was a blast to  meet new people, play beach volleyball and boogie board with 8 other people all at once.

What are you looking forward to next week: I start my first New-hire training group on Friday. That will be exciting. Then, on Monday, the 18^th I’m also running the Great Aloha Run again. 8 miles of fun from Aloha Tower to Aloha Stadium! 

What made you happy this week: Flowers! Lyle had flowers sent to me and they are perfect.

What made you sad/mad this week: I had a really bad day at work today- I work with a highly physical and aggressive kiddo and today was a tough day. He actually was in a great mood and was compliant, but he needed a lot of physical activity. Unfortunately this involved him randomly jumping on/at me, hitting me, pushing and trying to punch me. For 3 hours. I wasn’t able to block every attempt or protect myself and as a result I’m really sore right now.

What do you miss this week: Having Lyle here to take care of me when I’m not having a great day. Celebrating Lyle's birthday with him. He was gone last year, too. 

Favorite song/show/movie of the moment: Still haven’t watched TV or a movie (in months?), but lots of new music. Currently loving the brand new song from the Postal Service,  new-to-me music from Cloud Nothings, The Early November, Pentimento, The Menzingers and a lot more.

Pictures from This week:

Pollock-style painting at work on Friday

North Shore Parking Lot

North Shore Wind Farm! Many of you know my affinity for wind farms! 

Happy birthday to Jess! We met during a 16 mile marathon training run last fall. She's awesome

dogdog

He was thrilled I let him sleep in the room overnight. 

The view on the way home today. 

The beautiful flowers Lyle sent! 

Phó feast for days! 

Recap week 14

Emotional: It just doesn't get easier constantly saying good bye. Port calls are great but then they go away again & my emotions get wrecked.

Physical: longer runs, more CrossFit. Now if only I could stop eating junk food... I did buy a ton of produce this week & I'm working on cleaning up my eating.

Communication: they left early last week so things are silent again. And will be for the foreseeable future.

Something Fun You did This week: watched the SuperBowl with friends.

What are you looking Forward to Next Week: less work, which means chances to run errands, rest, keep the house clean and catch up on life.

What made you happy this week: successfully giving a portion of training to the new hires. Soon I'll be on my own!

What made you sad/mad this week: saying bye was sad. My phone had terrible 4g coverage last week which was frustrating. It seems to have resolved the issue now.

Something you Miss: holding hands and hugs.

Favorite song/show/movie of the moment:
Frank Turner, I recently discovered him via Spotify.

Pictures from this week: