Saturday, June 24th - Photos from Homecoming (and more). Happier than Ever!

The past three days have been so restful for both of us, despite the fact that Steve had to report to work on Friday for re-integration briefings, medical screenings, and other 'stuff' of military importance. It wouldn't have mattered to me if he had to work a 16 hour day. Just knowing that he is home and safe is enough to keep us both smiling.

Jet lag has taken its toll on Steve. The first two days he was home included a lot of naps and drifting off to sleep at odd moments during the day. Many times, I joined him. Such a calmness has come over us, as we get used to sharing the house and time with each other. We're probably still in the 'honeymoon' period that I've read about. There haven't been any disagreements, and we both seem to be bending over backwards to accommodate each other and respect each others space.

While we're generally very cognizant and respectful of these things normally, I suspect there will be a few power struggles in our future as Steve reintegrates himself as the 'man of the house'. Our heads aren't buried in the sand. I've been running things around here for ten months without his help. I've gotten into certain routines regarding housework, running errands, bedtime, playtime, etc. And now my routine is being altered a little bit at a time. It was a little bit tough to see the sink full of dishes this morning, especially when I have become accustomed to putting them directly in the dishwasher. And the piles of army 'stuff' that are strewn throughout the house are also something to get used to again. I'm certainly not angry about these things, but they are a stark reminder that there will be many adjustments in the weeks (and maybe months) ahead.

All in all, it is so nice to have the love of my life beside me in bed at night. To be able to hold him and tell him I love him without having to use a webcam or instant messenger, is worth many sinks full of dishes and an entire house full of clutter. If anything, this deployment has taught us a most important thing. Being apart for long periods of time is not something we ever want to do again.

We still have about a month before the rest of the Stryker Brigade comes home. Many of my friends are still waiting for their reunion day. I am careful to keep my joy in check when I am around them, because I don't want to cause any distress or appear to be 'gloating'. There is quite a bit of envy and jealousy already being expressed in the military community, and while it's understandable, it did make me feel guilt at having my husband come home first. This was not something we had any control over, and yet some wives felt the need to say hurtful things or snub us. At first my feelings were hurt, but now I ignore it. I won't allow anything to overshadow the happiness that Steve and I are feeling. If the situation were reversed, they wouldn't appreciate snide comments and immature behavior, so I don't know why it is so easy for them to behave this way. All I have ever wanted was for all of our men and women to come home safe. Rather than look at an early homecoming as something to be jealous of, why can't people be happy that we got a portion of our soldiers home safe?

Here are some photos I took at the Redeployment. I continued to take photos until the soldiers got into formation. After that, Rachael and Susan snapped photos. I got some pictures of Steve and I from Susan (I posted them in my last entry), but haven't seen the ones that Rachael took. I'll try to share them at a later date.

The first bus pulls into the Holding Area

All the buses are in, and they are getting into formation

Marching to front and center for speech and dismissal

Waiting to be released to family and friends

Steve and I have been out searching for a car for me. My Nissan's battery is dead now. We're just so tired of messing with that car. I want something dependable. We visited the Chevy dealer in Fairbanks first. The salesman was a young and new salesman who used to be in the military. Things were going well, until he had to get another salesman to 'make the deal'. The second man - Gary - was older (white haired), and immediately rubbed both me and Steve the wrong way. When he started talking down to me with a condescending attitude and directed his comments/questions at Steve even though we told him that I was buying the car, we decided to walk out. I feel bad for the young ex-soldier. He was doing a great job until Gary got on the scene. I wonder if Gary, still living in the dark ages, know how many sales he's lost because of his unwillingness to treat females as intelligent buyers? I emailed Chevy headquarters about my experience, so that they are aware of the situation. I wish I knew the young guys full name. I'd really like him to know it wasn't anything he did. Nevertheless.. Bye Bye Chevy.

I spoke to a few friends up here who have visited the Ford dealer. I'm not getting any glowing reports about them either. One woman was told to "come back and buy a truck, when your husband comes home from Iraq". She had loan approval and the money to spend, and the salesman only wanted to deal with her husband. What is with these salesmen? Is this something that is common in Fairbanks, or are women all over the country still being treated like second class citizens when it comes to purchasing a vehicle?

We're quite limited on where we can buy up here. Now I know why most people drive the 350 miles to Anchorage to purchase a new vehicle. That might just be the only option we have left. There are a few more dealerships to check out here in Fairbanks. Honda, Toyota, and Aurora Motors (not sure what they have on the lot). There's also a Nissan here, but after what they pulled on me last year (they charged me $210 for diagnostics, and told me my car needed a new engine; a part-time mechanic found out it was only a loose wire that kept my car from starting), I refuse to give them any business. Buying a new car is so stressful! UGH!!!

On a happy note, here are some photos of flowers and a moose I saw while out driving with Steve last night.