I said No!

I like many other wheelchair users pride myself on being independent. There are a few, very few things that give me trouble on a daily basis. I can but hate to pump my own gas, I can’t reach the top shelf of the closet, I’ve never changed my own oil.

I was out getting some food from one of my favorite places that has been ruined for me many times by either staff of other customers who were overly helpful. At first it was the staff, the once told me I wasn’t allowed to carry my own sandwich to the table. I was fuming at the thought of not being able to handle my own sandwich. I asked to speak to a manager and asked if this was some new corporate policy. Continue reading→

It’s not about just 1 day

My husband is deployed. I have noticed some of the little things he always did that I took for granted.

Coffee does not make itself in the mornings.
Laundry does not fold itself
Laundry does not put itself away
Trash does not take itself out
The large trash can is no fun to take out
I don’t automatically wake up at the right time every day.

I miss you David. I know doing all of these little chores is your way of showing me how much you love me every day.

Happy Valentines Day!!!! I love you tons & tons.

Suicide in the ranks

As I sit here at my keyboard I am saddened by the actions of a soldier. He attempted to take his own life the other night.

Thanks the the quick actions of other soldiers that were near him, “Soldier Smith” is alive.

As an army wife I have heard the statistics and heard of this happening in other units. I never really thought about it happening in a unit I love and care about. “It’s the it wont happen to me syndrome.” (Please note as I write this my emotions are still raw, this was a recent event.)

I am happy that “Soldier Smith” survived thanks to the actions of “Soldiers Blue & Brown.” (No these aren’t their real names you just don’t need to know them.)

The Soldiers all go through suicide prevention training, my thought is why can’t spouses receive the same training on a voluntary basis?

I know the training must cost something but it may save lives. With the rate of suicide in the ranks I think offering the class to spouses and other interested family members would be an easy step.

The second thing I have to say about this is a plea. Please talk to someone if you feel depressed or worse. Even if you just know someone who has attempted suicide find a battle buddy and talk to them. The battle buddy may come in the shape of a friend relative, chaplain or spouse, just speak up. There is no harm in finding a willing ear.

I have personally spoken to several of the soldiers impacted by this incident and offered to be such a battle buddy. I assured them the only reason I would contact anyone was if I felt they were going to harm themselves or someone else.

This is not a subject to be taken lightly. For now the best I can offer are links to the signs and symptoms. Someone you know may be at risk.

Suicide & the Military

Veterans Suicide Line

Military One Source

If anyone knows how spouses and other interested family members can get free training on suicide prevention from the Army please contact me.

If you liked this post or would like to catch more of my writing please subscribe to my blog.

Another weekend rolling around

At some point last week, I decided it was time to stop letting my ankle surgery from keeping me down. It started with my husband David needing a new cover for his ACH (army helmet). So being the good army wife I was off to clothing and sales. (That’s the place on base where you buy uniforms and related items.) I got the cover and rank sewn on, nope they don’t use velcro on the helmets. I then ran a few other errands, alone. This was something I had not attempted often since the surgery.

I even managed to cook dinner. I still avoid the stove top, since I don’t want to spill anything hot on my lap.

I will say I have gained a huge new perspective on life in a wheelchair. I am thankful that my stair in the chair is temporary, and I have the option to use crutches. I now have a glimpse into the lives of our wounded warriors. Just reaching items on the shelf at the grocery store can be a real challenge. I will say my arms have grown stronger due to my time in the chair.

All of this rolling around has caused a few plot bunnies to bounce around so I need to get back to pounding keys. Everyone just towers over me for now….

My hat’s off to all of our wounded warriors. You are true heroes.

The sounds of Freedom

Tonight I sat with my injured right leg up as my husband David, watched his alma mater play in the college world series. Yep, he had a beer in hand. The game was momentarily drowned out by the sounds of helicopters flying overhead. This was preceded by artillery training.

I have heard that some people living on base complain about the sounds caused by night time training exercises, I never have. To me just like the sounds of baseball coming from the TV they are the sounds of freedom. David made the choice to join the Army, I made the choice to marry him. We then chose to live on base, so I see no reason to complain about the sounds of freedom.

I for one smile when I hear a drone overheard, or helicopters roaring about. Even our cats have adjusted, they have both grown up hearing artillery fire from training, and helicopters. I call them army cats. I completely understand that the military, especially here at Fort Bragg, needs to be ready to operate in any and all conditions, not just daylight.

So let my windows rattle, and try to drown out my tv shows. I will still smile about being part of the Army Family.

Yes I still write when the artillery booms in the distance, and think about my plot as the helicopters thunder overhead. Sometimes the noises break loose plot bunnies and cause them to hop about giving me plenty of ideas. Now if I could just keep those army cats of mine off the keyboard I might get more writing done.

(Please note plot bunnies are what I call ideas, we don’t own, nor do we want any real bunnies.)