Monday, February 27, 2012

Vapor Rub Tissues

Last week I was awesome.  I said goodbye to my DH at the airport, gave myself the rest of the day for some therapeutic wallowing, and woke up Tuesday feeling strong and ready to roll.  I stuck to my R.I.C.E diet like a champion.  That's my list of coping mechanisms.  Anyone who's going through something needs a list.  I attended a seminar about how to survive military deployments a couple years ago, given by an author who wrote an encouraging book on the subject.  She suggested making a physical list of things that help you feel better, and to post that list somewhere obvious, like the bathroom mirror.  If you begin to notice you haven't been doing anything on that list for awhile, that's a sign you're slipping, and might need some help.  This time around, my list is my RICE diet.

Reading
Indexing
Crocheting 
Exercise

Those are a few things I enjoy, keep me busy, and make me feel better.  I fully embraced all of them last week.  I started a new book, and stayed up late a few nights getting lost in it's pages.  I began a list of little crocheting projects, and looked up some new patterns to try.  I exercised 4 times last week, which took some effort, but was worth it.  I became an official "indexer".  Indexing is the process of reviewing scanned genealogical records such as birth certificates, draft papers, baptismal records, etc. and entering the basic information from them into a system that makes the information searchable and available for anyone trying to find their ancestors.  It's fun and addicting, and you can learn more about it here.  

I also found time to do all the laundry, which is especially hard the first week of a deployment, because I have to wash and fold all my husbands things he wore the previous week, knowing he wont wear them for awhile.  It's a bit of a downer, but I did it.  I kept up with the dishes, vacuumed the entire house, cleaned the curtains in my bedroom, took a field trip to a history museum, attended a church activity, and made a new friend.  A week to be proud of!!

My running start came to a halt this morning though, when I woke up with a stuffy head, and constant runny nose.  Isn't it interesting how those come together?  Interesting in a frustrating way, that is.  You'd think with the leaky faucet nose, that the pressure in my sinuses would be relieved.  Sadly no.  Taking a sick day means no exercise.  However it doesn't mean I get a break from making meals, laundry, housework, or taking care of the kids.  They have to get done, and there's no one else to do it.

They say military wives are tough, so I decided to give tough a try.  I took some Sudafed and Tylenol, and got to work.  I had to mail a package to my DH- there were some things he left at home it turns out he needs.  On the way to the post office, we stopped by the grocery store.  The girls were being loud and obnoxious, but as long as they didn't get in the way of other customers, I didn't have the energy to scold them.  I was the picture perfect example of that worn out looking mom in the grocery store, who gives homemakers a bad name.  I should have worn a shirt that said, "Deployed Dad, sick Mom, don't judge".

My attitude sank lower still we when got in line to check out.  In front of us was an airman, looking sharp in his blues (aka the more formal looking AF uniform of blue dress pants, lighter blue shirt, and shiny shoes) holding a bouquet of very pretty flowers.  My heart dropped to my stomach.  I'd forgotten about "Blues Monday".  All local active duty personnel have to wear their blues on Mondays.  When my DH is home, I love blues Mondays, because he looks dashing in his uniform.  I miss that when he's gone, and usually make a note not to visit grocery stores on Mondays, because it's painful to see all the soldiers picking up last minute things at the store for their families, knowing my husband's not one of them.  Watching the airman in front of me pay for his beautiful bouquet of light pink roses and lilies, I sighed inwardly and placed my vapor rub tissues on the counter.

I'm still awesome, and plan to pick up my RICE diet again as soon as I can kick this cold.  I'm down, but not out.  Not yet!  Maybe when I'm done with the tissues, I'll turn my tissue box into this:


The only thing that could make that more perfect, is my handsome man in his blues, hand delivering it.  Maybe in approximately two and a half months.

10 comments:

  1. Way to go on sticking to your list! I should make a list too. I know there are certain things that help me feel better too, but without that visual reminder, I tend to wallow in time-wasting activities instead. So that's a good idea. I hope you feel better soon and can get back to all your fun stuff! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. You got it girl! You're amazing and tough.

    ReplyDelete
  3. My strong, loving daughter. I am awfully proud of you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the RICE idea! When Dave is gone I usually try to stay super busy doing stuff with the kids and a lot of times I forget about myself. That's when I have melt downs and feel totally defeated! I'll definitely start working on this!
    Man! I wish we were closer to support each other when the guys are gone! Are you going to go visit your family at all during this deployment? I'd totally drive to see you and the girls if you are!
    Love and miss you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Angela, I am going to VA for my brother's wedding in April, and I'm flying out a little early, before they come back from Provo. I would love to see you! Email or call me sometime, and we'll see what we can plan. Miss you!

      Delete
  5. Best wishes Liz with your deployment. You seem to have a great plan in place. Way to go! Hope everything goes OK while he's away!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love your ideas. You are so awesome. It's hard when you get sick because there is no break... Can I see you when you come to VA?? I would love to catch up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! Email me, and we'll make fun plans. I can't wait to meet Lindon and Axel!!

      Delete
  7. I hope you feel better. At first, my medical degree made me think you were on a RICE diet for a stomach bug. I like your idea better and will proceed to tape it on my mirror.

    ReplyDelete
  8. First of all, you're amazing. Secondly, there is no way your girls were being loud and obnoxious. They just don't have it in them. Love them and you.

    ReplyDelete