Hodgepodge?

I wasn’t sure what to call this post so Hodgepodge with a question mark it is.  Usually I have a name before I even have all the content, but this time was different!

Before I start writing about my journey back to Afghanistan, I want to write about a few more things from my trip home. Last post I already had written so much, I was tired, emotional, and I forgot to mention some really awesome things from being home!

On my first day home, after I was reunited with my babies and we had shared our hugs and kisses, I knew I was in desperate need of a hair cut. I am lucky enough that my hair dresser lives in my neighborhood, Breah Miller who owns The Shamp Room (check her out on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/breah.miller ).  She was more than willing to squeeze me in at my convenience. Since I had not had my hair cut since May, I was in DESPERATE need of a serious trim. I also had not driven in nine months, so TJ drove me and the entire family came along for the hair cut. We wanted to stay together. Breah was kind enough to give me an amazing complementary cut. My mom will be certain to tip well next time she goes with Timyra to get their hair done!

Before I came home I asked each of the kids to pick one thing they wanted to do together just the two of use. Timyra wanted to get a manicure and pedicure, and since that sounded awesome I couldn’t say no. On Tuesday morning before TJ and I went to Hamilton, Timyra and I went to have our nails done. It was awesome sending time with her and pampering both of us. Timyra also asked if we could swim together while we were on vacation. We never really got alone time to swim, but I did have time to work with her on her strokes. I’m not the best swimmer, but I used to teach toddler swimming lessons and I was able to help her with her breaststroke. As a matter of fact, the Thursday after I left she tested out of her current swim level and has moved up to the advanced swim academy.

Timothy asked to put together police helicopter Legos. He got police car Legos for Christmas and wanted a police helicopter too. The Marine I work for in Afghanistan insisted on buying the Legos for him. It was so kind of Sarah Deal to do this for my son, he really appreciated it. If I ever get back to Afghanistan, I have a thank you for her from him. We really enjoyed putting the Legos together and we even fixed his police car Legos.  For two days we all played police with his Lego sets. Although we did have to keep Taylyn distracted because she would steal the Lego pieces and hide them in her mouth. That girl is nuts.

Now for Taylyn she just wanted to play with me at home. We did find plenty of time to play. Not only that, but while we were on vacation we slept together five of the eight nights we were gone. I can’t wait to be back home to play again. Although, I will pass on us sleeping together. I’m not sure how, but this two-year old who is tiny for her age, finds a way to take up the entire queen sized bed!

Also while I was home Robin from Grayslake Rehabilitation found the time to fit me in as well. She gave me back my running a little over two years ago and I can’t thank her enough for everything she’s given me. I told the story in my blog post For Me, For You, For Each Other. I went in for a tune up. I left there with my right side looking like I was in a bar fight and lost, but it felt awesome. The magic she performs in her words, “would make any prisoner talk,” works and keeps me moving and able to do what I love. I will never go see another physical therapist, EVER!! She also had a thank you card for me signed by so many people I couldn’t even count them all. I was so touched that all these people would take the time to write me such sweet notes of encouragement and thanks!

When I left home to journey back to Afghanistan to finish my deployment little did I know it would take me so long to get back. It was very, very hard to leave but, once I started back I wanted to get back to my room, my bed, my friends, and my routine in Afghanistan. I was delayed leaving Heathrow, so my ten-hour layover turned into a thirteen hour layover.  While at Heathrow I did pay to take a shower and it was worth every euro I spent.  The delay out of Heathrow meant I landed in Kuwait a few hours later than expected. That was just enough for me to miss my guaranteed military flight back to Afghanistan. Well I learned very quickly that without a booked seat on a flight, it’s almost impossible to get out of Kuwait. I immediately put myself on a space available list, but the list is long and the waiting began.

 

I do want to say my experience in the Kuwait airport was much better than when I left. We have to wait for a shuttle to take us back to the base and while I was waiting I decided to get some coffee from Caribou Coffee. I guess I looked so tired, and it is now Thursday and I’ve been up since Tuesday, that the barista gave me an extra shot in my coffee for free. Not all Kuwaiti men hate women, but I’m sure I also looked really pathetic!

To say I was tired, was an understatement. I had slept two days on an airplane. Then the next time I slept on a bus and on a bench in a passenger terminal.  I did get a good night’s sleep on Saturday night. I am fortunate enough to be Navy and the Air Force in Kuwait gave me a place to sleep. They were at capacity for Army, but they had room for Navy. I did have to share a room with eight other women, but it was a bed and I was exhausted.  I was able to keep that bed until there was a flight back to Afghanistan.

I continued to spend my days checking in at various times throughout the day hoping to get a space available seat. The rest of the time I worked out and read. Thankfully they have free popcorn with cheese salt.  I looked forward to my afternoon snack everyday, it brought a small smile to my face.

Finally after seven days of waiting in Kuwait I got on an airplane to Afghanistan.  This was ten days after I left the States.  I have to send a huge thank you to two members of one of the General’s Personal Security Team.  They adopted me over the week I was in Kuwait.  If it wasn’t for them I guarantee I would still be sitting there.  They were able to work magic and get us guaranteed seats back to Afghanistan.  I believe I can say with confidence I will never come back to Kuwait again.  When I leave Afghanistan for good I go through Qatar.  Although never say never, so instead of being absolute I will be confident.  I can honestly say I will miss nothing about Kuwait and I’m thankful to leave!