Sub BALL

What a wonderful evening.
More on the night later- We just wanted to get the picture up.

Samantha and Joe ( who has duty today- two thumbs down! )

Busy Busy-

When Joe gets home initially, there is always so much to do/catch up on. It finally gets relaxing after the first week or so. So- we're there. It's relaxing to come home to him and vice versa. Our schedules still clash, but we deal. He was home alone the last three nights while I was in PA for work. And that will happen again next week. It's a bit sad with the deployment looming in the distance- but it's work and we have to pay our bills. We jump on our webcams and talk through SKYPE-so that's fun. We actually figured out how to play WOW while I was away. Not the same as playing in the same room-but it was close enough.

We had a little dramatic situation on our end with the Amazon Kindle this past trip, but I'll let Joe explain that to you.

BB's bridal shower was last weekend and that went well. Luckily it was a mixed shower-so Joe was able to come with me. It was a long day-so I was happy about that. I hate when we're apart on Sundays.

Other then that- we're looking forward to Sub Ball this weekend at Foxwoods. Pictures of Joe in uniform to follow. We're hoping to get to Maine the weekend after that- We haven't seen his family yet since he's been home and we miss them. Joe has duty on Sat- but we're (unless it rains) going to do the Blessing of the bikes on Sunday. Gotta get the Harley blessed for riding reason. Should be a good time.

Joe should post later.
Love you all!
Samantha

He's HOME

YAY
I love when we are in the truck and he sings...."Our house...in the middle of our street...OUR house.." It makes me laugh and I got to hear him do it this weekend. I sing it sometimes too-but never when it's just me pulling up to it.

We spent a lot of the weekend goofing off and catching up on things. Joe's sleep schedule was really confused. We ended up both being up at 3:00am on SAT. Kind of silly. We got a lot done this weekend too. My car needed new tires and we had a few other stops and errands. All in ALL it was a relaxing weekend.

And...our big news *drum roll* - Joe made chief boards. AGAIN. He is still up early this year...but we're really crossing our fingers. We'll find out July/August. This is one of his bigger career moves and it's very exciting. I'm so proud of him.

He has DUTY tonight ( two thumbs down ) so I'm off to Alicias- Lucky for me her husband Drew has duty too.

A special shout out to Alicia, Joy and Jeannie over at SWC for cheering us on for the boards. You guys are special ladies- I don't know what I would do without you!

xoxoxo
Samantha

Wonderful Ladies!

Hosted a Navy wife stich and bitch last night. It was a lot of fun. We always have a great time. I also find it to be a great time passer when Joe's away. It's very interesting to "bitch" with each and every one of them. Even though we have one very very LARGE thing in common- we are all so different. It's a great way to get coping skills, recipes, perspective and ... lots of laughs! I really, really, really enjoy having them all over!

Other then that... I just can't believe March is almost over. Where is the time going? I switched our banner outside from Easter to the American Flag. I have a really cute Rain one for May, but nothing before then. I love to switch the banners and wreaths. I think it's my favorite thing about owning a house.

I spoke again yesterday...but lucky for me it was in CT! I love that. I was in Vermont the day before, 8 hours of driving- exhausted! I came home and slept until 11:30, brushed my teeth and slept until 6:45. So.. I ended up being well rested for the two speeches yesterday and my company.

Missing my sailor :) He's such a cutie......
Samantha

Easter wishes...

.. It's hard to spend holidays apart. That might be my least favorite part of the "being away" thing.... I think about him and worry that he's not sleeping, eating enough... and even sillier things like that he has to use *gasp* powder creamer! Poor baby! I know, I know. I just know he deserved a great Easter weekend and chances are he worked like crazy, hardly slept, hardly ate and had to use powdered creamer in his cup of coffee!

The Easter bunny here is VERY funny. Some how, there were packed Easter presents in the good ole sea bag...but he came and delivered a big Easter Basket here for when Joe comes home. I think he couldn't help himself or something. Lucky for me, The Easter bunny knew I would be in RI at my Mom's house and sent mine there.

Joe did get a chance to tell me that he had fun with the antique cribbage board that the Easter bunny sent on with him. He's going to do some research about it when he gets home. I'm sure we can post a picture or two as well.

Hope you all had a great Easter with friends and family!

Samantha

Moving along.....

Life is just moving along.... I can't believe it's mid-March! Oh- and Happy belated St Patty's day to everyone!

I didn't do much to celebrate- Although the Friday before I went out with my good friend Alicia and her husband. We were joined by some of the guys on his boat. We had a really nice time in Mystic. With all the boat talk/stories- I felt like Joe was home! And then when I got home- I opened (early-don't tell Joe) my St. Patty's gift he left behind for me. He got me *drum roll* LEGOS! I can't wait to have a little time to put them together. I'm getting quite the collection from him!

Easter is so early this year! Joe laughed when he spotted wrapped Easter gifts in his sea bag. I said, " Listen...the Navy can't take away the Easter bunny too...". He just shakes his head at me. I'm serious. I can make this navy career work for however long he wants... but he'll have to make room in his sea bag. Secretly- he loves it. In other news, I sent all of our Easter cards out without postage- so I've been slowly getting them back and trying to get them back out! Annoying! Oh, and another secret... He got me peeps for Easter( I just couldn't wait!). Yum. I like them stale though- so I had to open the plastic on them. I can't wait to enjoy them in a few days.

Not much else to currently report. I had a great Navy wife get together this past weekend. We all had a lot of fun. It's great to meet people off my favorite website: http://www.submarinewivesclub.org/. If you're not a member ( and a sub wife, mom or dad ), check it out. Really great group of women(and men)!

More later!
Samantha

Exhaustion....

I've been so tired- it's been hard to get on here to blog. I left the house Thursday morning at 3:45AM and I actually got back in the house at 11:30PM. Long Long day in airports, rental cars, schools etc. I was speaking in Penn! My body aches. My throat hurts. I have been so busy this entire week that I haven't even had a chance to be sad that Joe's not here. But then as I make my way off the last plane in Hartford to see people running into the arms of the ones they love knowing that Joe could make everything better right now....made me realize how sad and lonely this life can be. I miss him every day but I hadn't had time to feel gloomy until then. My voice is gone, my body aches and I could have used a nice cup of tea and a shoulder rub. It made me so sad to think that he wouldn't be waiting for me anywhere in the terminal, but worse... he wouldn't even be there when I got home.

Eh, such is this wonderful military life we are part of....

I finally got my tired butt home and put on my Jammie's. I wanted to make sure to log on the computer and send off my nightly email to Joe and whew -surprise!! My silent prayers answered. Not one, but two emails from him. And as I was putting my Jammie's on, I spotted my gleaming pile of cards and gifts from him. I was cheered up instantly. He's so very thoughtful. He is making the biggest sacrifice but.... I can't tell you how how nice is is to know he recognizes mine as well.

Friday was a long day with the girls. Regan was very under the weather. I was exhausted when I got home and ready for bed. Alicia called me and coaxed me out in Mystic with her husband and his friends from his boat. She's such a good friend to me, I had to go. We had a great night and I finally fell into bed around midnight to get up at 7:00AM to get off to RI to work at my moms Salon for the day. Back home last night to meet Becky and BB for a girls night and then up this morning to get ready for the At Home American party I am hosting at the house today!

Whew! When everyone leaves.... big cup of tea.... and a pair of Joe's Jammie's...and I'm good for the night.

Take care!
Samantha