Yes, I’ll admit it – I’m one of those knitters and I’d suspect you are too If you’re like me, you’re downright proud of it. If you don’t want to become one of those knitters: here are the warning signs.
1. Your friends ask “did you make that?” when you wear anything knitted.
It’s flattering that they think that much of your knitting prowess, but at some point it’s just embarrassing to have to admit “no…I bought it at the GAP”.
2. You hit the yarn store in the face of emergency.
Most people would consider groceries, firewood or batteries the essentials in the face of an oncoming weather disaster. All you can think about is all the free time you’ll have to catch up on your knitting.
3. You improvise knitting tools when you’re without.
You know that feeling, you’re just getting rolling on an exciting new project and realize you don’t have a stitch marker. A wedding band is shaped just like a stitch marker…. your spouse will never notice right?
4. All your friends ask for knitting lessons.
Yep, it’s like Jr. High all over again except that now you’re one of the cool kids. Plus, knitting is a much better life skill than spit-wads.
5. You carry a camera to the mall.
Because you’ll never know when inspiration will hit you. Don’t tell me you’ve never seen a cute little cowl or wrap on a mannequin and thought…”I could totally make that”.
6. You stop strangers to talk knitting.
We all expect to find kindred spirits in the yarn aisle, but there’s nothing better than connecting with a total stranger who shares your passion. Whenever I spot someone wearing what looks like a hand-knit, I always pay them a compliment. It never fails to spark a fruitful conversation.
7. You spend more time on Ravelry than Facebook.
And who could blame you? There’s no Farmville, no annoying personality quiz requests, and no ex-boyfriends!
8. You get your book club books on CD.
There are only so many hours in a week for knitting, right? Why waste two hands holding a book when you can listen and knit at the same time!
9. You knit in your sleep.
Well, dreams that is, all my best designs happen in my sleep. But how much more knitting would I get done if I could figure out how to do it in my sleep!
10. You read knitting blogs!.
And I love you for it. Seriously, Thank You so much for dorking out with me over how cool we all know knitting is.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Signs...
I found this on a knitting blog (yes, I follow knitting blogs because I am super cool) and thought I'd share. I personally find this hilarious! The blog is mypurlsofwisdom.wordpress.com
Monday, January 9, 2012
Haven't done one of these since Myspace! Throwback
1. FIRST NAME?
Andrea
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
I think I was named after one of my mom's neighbors growing up.
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?
I don't even remember.
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Yup! It's pretty nice.
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT?
Corned beef
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Yes, because I'm super fun to knit with.
7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL?
I've tried and failed at journaling several times over.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes, I'm rather attached to them (ahahaha!)
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
No, but I would skydive.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Honey Bunches of Oats
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
No, because I don't really wear shoes with laces anymore.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Not particularly. Mike makes me feel pretty shrimpy.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
Mint chocolate chip
14. SHOE SIZE?
Gigantic... and by that I mean 9.
15. RED OR PINK?
Red!
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
I don't think before I speak most days.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
Malorie, hands down. And the Salty Sheep crowd.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
No. No no no.
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Black sweater, black boots, and blue jeans.
20. LAST THING YOU ATE?
Grocery store sushi, because I'm so classy.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Christian internet radio.
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Aubergine
23. FAVORITE SMELL?
Apples and cinnamon.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Mike25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO?
Smile26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON you stole THIS from?
She's pretty cool.
27. FAVORITE DRINK?
Diet Coke runs in my veins.
28. FAVORITE SPORT?
Football. Skol Vikings!
29. EYE COLOR?
Green/blue/grey, depending on the light.
30. HAT SIZE?
There are hat sizes? I don't know, I knit my own custom. Usually they're one size.
31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Yes, and glasses. I'm slowly but surely going blind.
32. FAVORITE FOOD?
Do fried pickles count as a food?
33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Both. The Scream series is scary and still has semi-happy endings.
35. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Depends on my mood. Right now I'm pining away for beach weather.
36. HUGS OR KISSES?
Both.
37. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Fried bananas from Sake.
40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING?
None, at the moment
41. WHAT’S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
Don't have one.
42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV?
The Broncos dominating the Steelers. It made me happy.
43. FAVORITE SOUNDS?
Waves on the beach.
44. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES?
Who can answer this question?
45. THE FURTHEST YOU’VE BEEN FROM HOME?
Germany. I suppose that was my home for a while though. Guatemala?
46. WHAT’S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT?
Sarcasm.47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Bavaria.
48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
I stole it from a blog.
Andrea
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
I think I was named after one of my mom's neighbors growing up.
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?
I don't even remember.
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Yup! It's pretty nice.
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT?
Corned beef
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Yes, because I'm super fun to knit with.
7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL?
I've tried and failed at journaling several times over.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes, I'm rather attached to them (ahahaha!)
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
No, but I would skydive.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Honey Bunches of Oats
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
No, because I don't really wear shoes with laces anymore.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Not particularly. Mike makes me feel pretty shrimpy.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
Mint chocolate chip
14. SHOE SIZE?
Gigantic... and by that I mean 9.
15. RED OR PINK?
Red!
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
I don't think before I speak most days.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
Malorie, hands down. And the Salty Sheep crowd.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
No. No no no.
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Black sweater, black boots, and blue jeans.
20. LAST THING YOU ATE?
Grocery store sushi, because I'm so classy.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Christian internet radio.
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Aubergine
23. FAVORITE SMELL?
Apples and cinnamon.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Mike25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO?
Smile26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON you stole THIS from?
She's pretty cool.
27. FAVORITE DRINK?
Diet Coke runs in my veins.
28. FAVORITE SPORT?
Football. Skol Vikings!
29. EYE COLOR?
Green/blue/grey, depending on the light.
30. HAT SIZE?
There are hat sizes? I don't know, I knit my own custom. Usually they're one size.
31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Yes, and glasses. I'm slowly but surely going blind.
32. FAVORITE FOOD?
Do fried pickles count as a food?
33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Both. The Scream series is scary and still has semi-happy endings.
35. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Depends on my mood. Right now I'm pining away for beach weather.
36. HUGS OR KISSES?
Both.
37. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Fried bananas from Sake.
40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING?
None, at the moment
41. WHAT’S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
Don't have one.
42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV?
The Broncos dominating the Steelers. It made me happy.
43. FAVORITE SOUNDS?
Waves on the beach.
44. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES?
Who can answer this question?
45. THE FURTHEST YOU’VE BEEN FROM HOME?
Germany. I suppose that was my home for a while though. Guatemala?
46. WHAT’S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT?
Sarcasm.47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Bavaria.
48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
I stole it from a blog.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
A Knitter's Night Before Christmas
I found this on andrea-needlenotes.blogspot.com! It's too good not to repost!
'Twas the night before Christmas and all around me
was unfinished knitting not under the tree.
The stockings weren't hung by the chimney with care
'cause the heels and toes had not a stitch there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
but I had not finished the caps for their heads.
Dad was asleep; he was no help at all,
and the sweater for him was six inches too small.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I put down my needles to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
tripped over my yarn and fell with a crash.
The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow
reminded me how much I still had to go.
Out on my lawn, I heard such a noise,
I thought it would wake both Dad and the boys.
And although I was tired, my brain a bit thick,
I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick!
What I heard then left me somewhat perplexed-ed,
for not a name I heard was what I expected.
"Move Ashford; move Lopi; move Addie & Clover;
move Reynolds; move Starmore; and Noro - move over!"
"Paton, don't circle round, stay in the line.
Come now, you sheep, you'll work out just fine!
I know this is hard being just your first year,
I'd hate to go back to eight tiny reindeer.
I peered over the sill; what I saw was amazing,
eight woolly sheep on my lawn all a 'grazing.
And then, in a twinkle, I heard at my door
Santa's coming across the porch floor.
I rose from my knees and got back on my feet,
and as I turned round, Saint Nick I did meet.
He was dressed all in wool from his head to his toes
and his clothes were hand knit from above to below.
A bright Fair Isle sweater he wore on his back,
and his toys were all stuffed in a aran knit sack.
His cap was a wonder of bobbles and lace,
a beautiful frame for his rosy red face.
The scarf round his neck could have stretched for a mile,
and the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.
The backs of his mittens bore an intricate cable,
and suddenly on one I spied a small label.
SC was the duplicate stitch on the cuff,
and I asked "Hay Nick, did you knit all this stuff?
He proudly replied "Ho-ho-ho, yes I did.
I learned how to knit when I was a kid."
He was chubby and plump, a quite well-dressed old man,
and I laughed to myself for I'd thought of a plan.
I flashed him a grin and jumped in the air,
the next thing he knew he was tied to a chair.
He spoke not a word, but looked in his lap
where I'd laid my needles and yarn for a cap.
He quickly began knitting, first one cap then two;
for the first time I thought I might really get through.
He put heels on the stockings and toes on some socks
while I sat back drinking scotch on the rocks!!
So quickly, like magic his needles they flew,
that he was all finished by quarter to two.
He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free,
and over his shoulder he looked back at me.
And I heard him exclaim as he sailed past the moon
"Next year start your knitting some time around June!"
'Twas the night before Christmas and all around me
was unfinished knitting not under the tree.
The stockings weren't hung by the chimney with care
'cause the heels and toes had not a stitch there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
but I had not finished the caps for their heads.
Dad was asleep; he was no help at all,
and the sweater for him was six inches too small.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I put down my needles to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
tripped over my yarn and fell with a crash.
The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow
reminded me how much I still had to go.
Out on my lawn, I heard such a noise,
I thought it would wake both Dad and the boys.
And although I was tired, my brain a bit thick,
I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick!
What I heard then left me somewhat perplexed-ed,
for not a name I heard was what I expected.
"Move Ashford; move Lopi; move Addie & Clover;
move Reynolds; move Starmore; and Noro - move over!"
"Paton, don't circle round, stay in the line.
Come now, you sheep, you'll work out just fine!
I know this is hard being just your first year,
I'd hate to go back to eight tiny reindeer.
I peered over the sill; what I saw was amazing,
eight woolly sheep on my lawn all a 'grazing.
And then, in a twinkle, I heard at my door
Santa's coming across the porch floor.
I rose from my knees and got back on my feet,
and as I turned round, Saint Nick I did meet.
He was dressed all in wool from his head to his toes
and his clothes were hand knit from above to below.
A bright Fair Isle sweater he wore on his back,
and his toys were all stuffed in a aran knit sack.
His cap was a wonder of bobbles and lace,
a beautiful frame for his rosy red face.
The scarf round his neck could have stretched for a mile,
and the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.
The backs of his mittens bore an intricate cable,
and suddenly on one I spied a small label.
SC was the duplicate stitch on the cuff,
and I asked "Hay Nick, did you knit all this stuff?
He proudly replied "Ho-ho-ho, yes I did.
I learned how to knit when I was a kid."
He was chubby and plump, a quite well-dressed old man,
and I laughed to myself for I'd thought of a plan.
I flashed him a grin and jumped in the air,
the next thing he knew he was tied to a chair.
He spoke not a word, but looked in his lap
where I'd laid my needles and yarn for a cap.
He quickly began knitting, first one cap then two;
for the first time I thought I might really get through.
He put heels on the stockings and toes on some socks
while I sat back drinking scotch on the rocks!!
So quickly, like magic his needles they flew,
that he was all finished by quarter to two.
He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free,
and over his shoulder he looked back at me.
And I heard him exclaim as he sailed past the moon
"Next year start your knitting some time around June!"
Monday, December 5, 2011
Transitions
***Disclaimer*** This is basically a stream of consciousness - I don't think I was going anywhere in particular when I started, so it's kind of all over the place.
Transitions are hard. I'm in one myself, at the moment, which is what got me thinking on the topic of life stages. I'm still sorting this all out myself, so bear with me.
Being a kid is easy. Yes, all kids go through rough times, but all in all childhood is pretty good. Adulthood isn't half bad either. It's hard to DO adult things sometimes (support yourself, spouse and kids if you have any, keep a full time job, generally balance life), but to BE an adult is not half as difficult as we convince ourselves that it is.
No, the hard thing is to go between the two. I'm sure everyone remembers the "kids' table" at family holidays. The adults got the big fancy table with the heavy serving platters of food, and one adult would bring some over so the kids could serve themselves without making a mess all over the place. Adults would have boring adult conversation, and the kids would make faces and shriek with laughter and the dumbest of jokes. There was quite a bit of distinction between we silly kids and the laden-with-responisbility adults. There was no mistaking one for the other.
See, the problem is that at some point, the kids need to graduate to the adult table. It's weird and sometimes difficult and dramatic, but it's got to happen sometime. Sometimes I think I got the good end of the bargain when I got married and then immediately moved away. My leaving forced my family to look at me as an adult with my own responsibilities who takes my own chances. I got a real opportunity to develop my adult personality the way that I want it to be. I got to choose all new friends, I got to limit the influence of my "old" life and I got to do it my own way. I didn't even have to step on toes to do it, because who expects the daughter/sister/cousin who moved 1,500 miles away to keep up the exact same volume of communication with those "back home"? I got to experience my own triumphs, my own failings, and my own hardships while dealing with me in my way. I really liked the independence-building aspect of being a Marine wife.
I think people who always stay close to home (whether physically or mentally/emotionally) get the short end of the stick by not allowing themselves the time and space to stand on their own two feet. You need a little unsupported figuring-out time, you know? At least, I did. I really did. I wouldn't do anything differently.
I think the adult table inhabitants need a little time away from their kids, nieces/nephews, family friends and the like as well. We young adults need to adjust our perceptions of ourselves to be able to encompass the new responsibility and priviledges that we acquire as part of the wide grown up world. The same goes for the adults in our lives. It's so easy for parents, etc. to keep thinking we're their babies, only bigger. While it's a nice sentiment, it's not all true. We ARE the same kids they've raised from the start, but we've now been bumped, bruised, grown and molded by our experiences in and out of their care. We're their peers now. Well, sort of. The parent-child situation is an odd one that doesn't fit in with the rest of the adults in the world - I don't know if you can ever really be your parent's peer. That comment was more aimed for older family members, coworkers, fellow churchgoers, that sort of thing. Anyhow, we're different people from when they raised us now. Not better or worse, just different after we've been on our own.
Wow, I'm not sure where that came from. Just what's running through my overtired, wondering mind these days.
Transitions are hard. I'm in one myself, at the moment, which is what got me thinking on the topic of life stages. I'm still sorting this all out myself, so bear with me.
Being a kid is easy. Yes, all kids go through rough times, but all in all childhood is pretty good. Adulthood isn't half bad either. It's hard to DO adult things sometimes (support yourself, spouse and kids if you have any, keep a full time job, generally balance life), but to BE an adult is not half as difficult as we convince ourselves that it is.
No, the hard thing is to go between the two. I'm sure everyone remembers the "kids' table" at family holidays. The adults got the big fancy table with the heavy serving platters of food, and one adult would bring some over so the kids could serve themselves without making a mess all over the place. Adults would have boring adult conversation, and the kids would make faces and shriek with laughter and the dumbest of jokes. There was quite a bit of distinction between we silly kids and the laden-with-responisbility adults. There was no mistaking one for the other.
See, the problem is that at some point, the kids need to graduate to the adult table. It's weird and sometimes difficult and dramatic, but it's got to happen sometime. Sometimes I think I got the good end of the bargain when I got married and then immediately moved away. My leaving forced my family to look at me as an adult with my own responsibilities who takes my own chances. I got a real opportunity to develop my adult personality the way that I want it to be. I got to choose all new friends, I got to limit the influence of my "old" life and I got to do it my own way. I didn't even have to step on toes to do it, because who expects the daughter/sister/cousin who moved 1,500 miles away to keep up the exact same volume of communication with those "back home"? I got to experience my own triumphs, my own failings, and my own hardships while dealing with me in my way. I really liked the independence-building aspect of being a Marine wife.
I think people who always stay close to home (whether physically or mentally/emotionally) get the short end of the stick by not allowing themselves the time and space to stand on their own two feet. You need a little unsupported figuring-out time, you know? At least, I did. I really did. I wouldn't do anything differently.
I think the adult table inhabitants need a little time away from their kids, nieces/nephews, family friends and the like as well. We young adults need to adjust our perceptions of ourselves to be able to encompass the new responsibility and priviledges that we acquire as part of the wide grown up world. The same goes for the adults in our lives. It's so easy for parents, etc. to keep thinking we're their babies, only bigger. While it's a nice sentiment, it's not all true. We ARE the same kids they've raised from the start, but we've now been bumped, bruised, grown and molded by our experiences in and out of their care. We're their peers now. Well, sort of. The parent-child situation is an odd one that doesn't fit in with the rest of the adults in the world - I don't know if you can ever really be your parent's peer. That comment was more aimed for older family members, coworkers, fellow churchgoers, that sort of thing. Anyhow, we're different people from when they raised us now. Not better or worse, just different after we've been on our own.
Wow, I'm not sure where that came from. Just what's running through my overtired, wondering mind these days.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
10 on Tuesday
I've been having trouble with inspiration for this blog lately, and I just realized when I saw a friend's blog, 10 on Tuesday is perfect for me! Let's begin, shall we?
1. Today's my birthday. Know what awesome presents I got? My husband got me a Vikings #12 jersey (PERCYYYY!), my parents got me a huge Vera Bradley bag for travelling (it was going to be a knitting bag but it's a tad big for that), and my sister went in on a Chi hair straightener with me. I needed one anyways, and it was on super-sale, but I still needed some convincing so I called Manda, who is always up to the challenge of talking me into buying things. So I got one and love it! Even though I haven't used it yet.
2. My mom has sushi waiting for me when I get home. I'm pretty psyched about that.
3. I put on plaid nail sticky things during my break at work today. They're freaking adorable.
4. I finished a toddler hat in ONE DAY over the weekend. I'm impressed with myself. Now to get up the motivation to do the other one, and block them so they don't look like little baby yarmulkes.
5. Knitting is probably what keeps me sane most days.
6. I'm thinking of buying a yarn winder! I can't wait to figure out if my yarn shop carries them, because I have a coupon and that would be PERFECT.
7. Thinking of 10 things is turning out easier than I thought it would be.
8. I got a new computer at work and I'm absolutely delighted by it.
9. To round out my work technology excitement, I should be getting a new printer/copier/fax tomorrow.
10. I'm going to straighten my hair before bed because I don't think I can wait overnight to use my new straightener for the first time.
1. Today's my birthday. Know what awesome presents I got? My husband got me a Vikings #12 jersey (PERCYYYY!), my parents got me a huge Vera Bradley bag for travelling (it was going to be a knitting bag but it's a tad big for that), and my sister went in on a Chi hair straightener with me. I needed one anyways, and it was on super-sale, but I still needed some convincing so I called Manda, who is always up to the challenge of talking me into buying things. So I got one and love it! Even though I haven't used it yet.
2. My mom has sushi waiting for me when I get home. I'm pretty psyched about that.
3. I put on plaid nail sticky things during my break at work today. They're freaking adorable.
4. I finished a toddler hat in ONE DAY over the weekend. I'm impressed with myself. Now to get up the motivation to do the other one, and block them so they don't look like little baby yarmulkes.
5. Knitting is probably what keeps me sane most days.
6. I'm thinking of buying a yarn winder! I can't wait to figure out if my yarn shop carries them, because I have a coupon and that would be PERFECT.
7. Thinking of 10 things is turning out easier than I thought it would be.
8. I got a new computer at work and I'm absolutely delighted by it.
9. To round out my work technology excitement, I should be getting a new printer/copier/fax tomorrow.
10. I'm going to straighten my hair before bed because I don't think I can wait overnight to use my new straightener for the first time.
Monday, October 24, 2011
This is so true.
A Military Mans promise:
I cannot promise you every night of my life. I cannot promise to be beside you for every difficult moment, every trial, and every hardship. In truth, I can promise you that I will not be with you for most. I will leave you at inconvenient times. Any special date to us may be tainted with the anniversary of the death of one of my friends. I will ask you to take over whatever life we have built together for months and years at a time. And will then crash back into that life that you have used your sweat, your tears and your heartache to keep together, and try to take it back as I knew it before.
I will shut you out at times because it will be the best way for me to hold it together at that moment. I will lie to you. I will tell you I don't know things when I do. I will not always tell you where I am going, when I will be back, or who I am with. I may not call you for weeks and months and you will not be able to call me. You will ask questions that I won't answer. You will know answers to questions that you will hope you never need.
I will share things with my brothers that you will never understand. They will know things about me that you never will. They will be a support to me in some things that you cannot be. I will miss birthdays. I will miss anniversaries. I may need time to process things that seem natural to everyone else.
It will seem that someone - or something - will always take precedence over you.
I will uproot you and ask you to re-establish our family anywhere in the world, in any season, at any time - over and over again. Sand and mud will be tracked through your halls from the boots I am too tired to take off.
I will leave you when you beg me not to. I will stand at attention while you cry beside me. I will not turn my head and I will walk away. I will knowingly break your heart. And I will do it again - and again. I cannot promise you all of me. I cannot promise you much of anything.
But if you will have me, I can promise that as I march away from you, it is not without sharing your heartache. I promise you that every time I break your heart I will be breaking mine. Every time that I cannot answer you I will be protecting you. Whenever you want to call and you have no number to dial, I will be wanting to do the same. I will protect everything that we have created together with every fiber of my being while you do the same back at home. I will honor you in everything - every moment that we are apart and every moment that I am with you. I will fight harder and push further knowing that I do so for you. And I will carry you with me in everything, until my sandy boots once again sit just inside our door.
A Military Spouse's promise:
I cannot promise that I will not become frustrated when you leave me and the world seems to fall apart around me. I cannot promise that I will not curse those who sent you when the dryer breaks, and the transmission needs to be replaced, and the dog eats the couch all in the same week - most likely the week after you deploy. I cannot promise that the sand and mud that cakes my floor will not cause me to give you harsh looks and rude thoughts. I cannot promise that my heart will not be torn in twelve different ways when you march away from me. I cannot promise that I will not let my anger show when you refuse to answer questions. I cannot promise to understand why you share things with your comrades that you will not share with me. I cannot promise that there won’t be times when my heartache makes its presence known before my pride can mask it. I cannot promise that I will not show my worry and my concern when it is best for you not to see it. I cannot promise to understand why you do so many of the things you do.
I can promise that for as many tears of sadness and frustration and anger that are shed there will be double that of tears of pride. I can promise you that for every time you are away from me, I will learn to cherish the times that you are with me. In everything I will honor you and honor your sacrifice. I can promise to teach our children to do the same. I will use every moment that you are not with them to show them the amazing man that you are through my actions and my pride. I can promise that there will never be a night where you are not the subject of my final prayer and the keeper of my dreams. I promise to try to be understanding that there are many things I will never understand. I promise to keep you with me in everything and to do my best to keep grace in this life. I will be strong for you as you are strong for me and I will carry you with me in every moment until your sandy boots again sit just inside our door.
I cannot promise you every night of my life. I cannot promise to be beside you for every difficult moment, every trial, and every hardship. In truth, I can promise you that I will not be with you for most. I will leave you at inconvenient times. Any special date to us may be tainted with the anniversary of the death of one of my friends. I will ask you to take over whatever life we have built together for months and years at a time. And will then crash back into that life that you have used your sweat, your tears and your heartache to keep together, and try to take it back as I knew it before.
I will shut you out at times because it will be the best way for me to hold it together at that moment. I will lie to you. I will tell you I don't know things when I do. I will not always tell you where I am going, when I will be back, or who I am with. I may not call you for weeks and months and you will not be able to call me. You will ask questions that I won't answer. You will know answers to questions that you will hope you never need.
I will share things with my brothers that you will never understand. They will know things about me that you never will. They will be a support to me in some things that you cannot be. I will miss birthdays. I will miss anniversaries. I may need time to process things that seem natural to everyone else.
It will seem that someone - or something - will always take precedence over you.
I will uproot you and ask you to re-establish our family anywhere in the world, in any season, at any time - over and over again. Sand and mud will be tracked through your halls from the boots I am too tired to take off.
I will leave you when you beg me not to. I will stand at attention while you cry beside me. I will not turn my head and I will walk away. I will knowingly break your heart. And I will do it again - and again. I cannot promise you all of me. I cannot promise you much of anything.
But if you will have me, I can promise that as I march away from you, it is not without sharing your heartache. I promise you that every time I break your heart I will be breaking mine. Every time that I cannot answer you I will be protecting you. Whenever you want to call and you have no number to dial, I will be wanting to do the same. I will protect everything that we have created together with every fiber of my being while you do the same back at home. I will honor you in everything - every moment that we are apart and every moment that I am with you. I will fight harder and push further knowing that I do so for you. And I will carry you with me in everything, until my sandy boots once again sit just inside our door.
A Military Spouse's promise:
I cannot promise that I will not become frustrated when you leave me and the world seems to fall apart around me. I cannot promise that I will not curse those who sent you when the dryer breaks, and the transmission needs to be replaced, and the dog eats the couch all in the same week - most likely the week after you deploy. I cannot promise that the sand and mud that cakes my floor will not cause me to give you harsh looks and rude thoughts. I cannot promise that my heart will not be torn in twelve different ways when you march away from me. I cannot promise that I will not let my anger show when you refuse to answer questions. I cannot promise to understand why you share things with your comrades that you will not share with me. I cannot promise that there won’t be times when my heartache makes its presence known before my pride can mask it. I cannot promise that I will not show my worry and my concern when it is best for you not to see it. I cannot promise to understand why you do so many of the things you do.
I can promise that for as many tears of sadness and frustration and anger that are shed there will be double that of tears of pride. I can promise you that for every time you are away from me, I will learn to cherish the times that you are with me. In everything I will honor you and honor your sacrifice. I can promise to teach our children to do the same. I will use every moment that you are not with them to show them the amazing man that you are through my actions and my pride. I can promise that there will never be a night where you are not the subject of my final prayer and the keeper of my dreams. I promise to try to be understanding that there are many things I will never understand. I promise to keep you with me in everything and to do my best to keep grace in this life. I will be strong for you as you are strong for me and I will carry you with me in every moment until your sandy boots again sit just inside our door.
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