Cooking..FINALLY

I have finally decided to cook. Not only is Joe happy about this decision-but I am finding great satisfaction from this decision as well. I've tried a few things- but last night I tried the following recipe and it was awesome!

Pork Tenderloin in Bourbon

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup bourbon
2 tablespoons brown sugar ( I added another two and did a dry rub first! )
2 cloves garlic, halved ( I used about 4 )
3 pounds pork tenderloin ( Mine was 2.7 )

DIRECTIONS
Mix together soy sauce, bourbon, brown sugar, and garlic. Pour over pork, cover, and refrigerate at least 2 hours, turning occasionally.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Remove pork from marinade, and place on rack of shallow roasting pan.
Bake for 45 minutes or until meat thermometer registers 160 degrees F/71 degrees C.

The only thing I added is when I removed the marinade I put it in a small "simmering" pot on the stove. I removed the garlic from the marinade. When there was ten minutes left for my tenderloin, I added about 4 tablespoons of brown sugar and reduced the marinade to a glaze ( Joe helped me a little on this one...)

We served with asparagus and it was YUMMY.
:)Samantha

Being Proud....

Somewhere along the way with Joe, I lost track of overly independent Samantha. I think it is good that she is a bit lost because overly independent Samantha was at times very cold and judgemental. However- With deployment looming in the distance it is time to at least find the independent Samantha. It's wonderful to be in a relationship where the other person can stand on their own two feet. Previous to this relationship, I did everything because...well My way WAS the best way. Joe and I have enjoyed making our life...just that- Our life. We combined ours ways to form the "best" ways for us. This is all coming to end soon. Soon I will have to do everything..and for that... I will call upon my youthful Samantha to step it up. The Samantha who is here and now is sad just thinking about him leaving. Maybe she's in love... you know, the kind of love you read about. I've decided that is what it is. But She and her wonderful Joe deserve a sane woman on the pier. One for the goodbye and the hello. So I'm working on it. Everyday finding happiness and excitment with this "time" I will be filling. Nothing can replace Joe. Nothing comes even close to the happiness we provide each other on a daily basis. Knowing how amazing he is should make this upcoming deployment that much easier. I'll be able to explore some of my own interests, make my own schedules and enjoy all that life has to offer. I can share it all with him when he gets home. He'll be doing similar things. Exploring places I haven't - to share his thoughts and insights when he arrives back home.

..... Joe has duty today and I am busy preparing for deployment. Things for him. Projects I have been working on and am still trying to finish up. I can't share these with you because they are all surprises for him. I'll make sure he takes pictures/writes about them when he's in port- so you can share in the "fun". As I was researching a few things... I came across some very interesting information about Joe's life/job that I wanted to share with you.


It's important to know that when I met Joe- he expressed his feelings about staying in for the full 20 years+. I agreed to support his decision. I have always wondered though...What is it that lures him to continue in a career where he spends the majority of his time in cramped quarters, under great psychological stress with danger around every corner? I believe I found a few good reasons. These only remind me of how amazing Joe(and the rest of the "secret service)is.

I read a lot about the bond of his co-workers. I see this a lot. I feel it a lot myself. It's instant family. It has to be. No one understands better the emotional rollercoaster that is deployment. The stages. The cycles. Well- It's the same for Joe. No one understands his life as well as his co-workers. In addition it is true that no other branch of the military service does TOGETHERNESS mean more then for our "silent service". Each man is completely dependent upon the skills of every other man in the crew. This is key for survival. Each man knows that his life depends on the others creating a bond that is challenging but also comforting. The pride that comes from REALLY being part of team(an elite corps) is part of wanting to continue.

It isn't easy to qualify on submarines. It's highly selective. It's a privledge to serve on our submarines. For me- It's a privledge to serve at home next to Joe. The AIM of the submarine service is to battle danger, minimize the risk and take every measure to make certain that safety(not danger) is maintained at all times. So the question is... Are the men in the submarine service braver than those in other pursuits where the possibility of sudden tragedy is constant? Of course- I'm bias and would say YES(haha). I read that, "It is more accurate, from a psychological point of view, to say they are not necessarily braver, but that they are men who have a little more insight into themselves and their capabilities." It continues to say, "They know themselves a little better than the next man. This has to be so with men who have a healthy reason to volunteer for a risk. They are generally a cut healthier emotionally than others of the similar age and background because of their willingness to push themselves a little bit farther and not settle for an easier kind of existence." I believe that we all have tremendous capabilities but are rarely straining at the upper level of what we can do, these men are.

The country can be proud and grateful that so many of its men care enough about their own stature in life and the welfare of their country to pool their skills and match them collectively against the power of the sea.

Me? I'm just proud to love one.
And happy to support all of our troops in ALL branches of the military.

Samantha

Sundays without Joe....

You know... I don't mind duty day/night on ANY day but Sunday. I just hate when it's on a Sunday. I have no idea why-I just REALLY do.

I went out with Alicia and Becca for a girls day - so my morning/afternoon went by fast- but now...I'm home...missing Joe. ( Aren't I going to have some problems when this deployment comes- ya ya ya I know- but we're not there yet... ) I can't even tell you what I miss. It's just having him here. To smile at...giggle with...ask stupid questions ( My favorite: Tell me something I don't know? )... play video games with...make meals with. I have to wait until 7:30 or 8:00 tomorrow night to see my beloved sailor- and I am NOT happy about that.

In other news...we did have a nice weekend ( What we got to spend together ). Our friends Liz and Joe Burns gave birth to their baby girl a little earlier then expected- but we can all WELCOME Chloe Burns to the world. She was born on Valentines Day at 3:57. Both Mom and baby are well and we had a chance to visit this weekend. We also celebrated my brother Dean's 17th birthday. He can now go to rated R movies- yay! Other then that- we spent time together..argued about stupid stuff...woke up wrapped around each other and laughed. We laugh a lot - mostly about what stupid thing the other is doing....but still laughing.

Oh.. why does he have duty today...
missing my sailor a lot.
Samantha

Long day at the office

Well it was another long day night day at the office today for me. I had planned to take a class tonight since Sam was going to be away speaking but they cancelled school and I worked late so it again seem like strangers passing in the night, I know she will be home later but what a pain.

Prom...for adults...

Happy Holidays- Love the Navy

It's weird going to a Holiday party on Feb 7th- But .... welcome to the navy world.... Joe's boat holiday party was indeed last night at the Mystic Marriott.

We had a good time- Like our above prom picture? Ha-Ha. I have no idea why we stood that way!

Like I said, we had a nice time. We even won an IPOD Nano during the raffle. The food was good. Our table was fun ( Eric, Amy, Michael(8.5 months prego and adorable!), Rob, Josh, Anna, Dana and Scottie ). Our table would like to strongly suggest a new DJ for next year- but we still managed to dance and make fools of ourselves.

Joe's mom is celebrating a Birthday this weekend...so we're off to Maine!

Love,
Samantha

Surprise text message

Anna sends me this around 10:00am yesterday " Surprise! The boys will be home TODAY at 4:00". They were supposed to be home Friday. I'm already at work. Except for grocery shopping.... I have done nothing to welcome Joe home. I have a 2.5 year old and 5 month old. Cheers to being a nanny!

Oh no!

OK... Run them to my house. Put on Seasame Street. Look for the banner- can't find it. Look for the balloon maker(find it in the garage!). Run the dishwasher. Blow up some balloons. Put them on the mailbox. Change Sadie's poopie diaper on my couch(Shhh..don't tell Joe). Try to clean the bathroom with a baby..(this was fun..). Decide that it's not my fault the boat came in early...so FORGET this. Shave my legs in the sink. Leave.

Whew! I finally get Joe's call( aww...his sweet voice...I've been craving this for what seems like years now...) on my way home. I get home at 7:05. Fire going. Melting hugs. Tears. Romance. Dinner. Shower. Romance. Bed.

I still say...there is nothing like a homecoming. Even the underway homecomings- Although I know deployment homecomings are even sweeter.

Welcome home Joe- Welcome home.

Love
Samantha