Eye in the Sky

This blimp was released above FOB Shank, in Afghanistan, at the beginning of August. It constantly surveys the area for "bad guys". All incoming has virtually stopped. I can breathe a little easier, just a little, knowing this.

Home Sweet Home

I know, I know. I sort of fell off the face of the earth, well, the bloggy earth anyway. I just haven't been in much of a bloggy place. I haven't been posting or reading. It's not like there hasn't been anything going on around here. A LOT has happened and I have so much to share and I really want to get back to regular posting. Maybe today can be the start?

Let's catch up! What have I been doing for the last month and a half?

We packed the house over a period of months. My sister was amazingly helpful, coming over weekly to help. She totally rocks! The Lizard King came home on leave on Thursday, June 24th and the whirlwind began. He got to see the house for the first time, which was so exciting! The next day, play structure construction began.

Here is the house, well, some of it anyway.

You will have to wait to see the rest of the house another time. There is still so much more to do! We moved on the 26th of June and spent every day LK was home working on the house. Before we knew it, it was time for him to head back to Afghanistan. That was an adventure as well! LK was on the KLM flight that turned around over the Atlantic. He did make it safely back to Afghanistan...eventually.

Now I need to rewind just a bit. Before LK came home, before we even closed on the house, we hired an attorney. We tried to handle things on our own with Needy Evie, the evil ex-wife. I told you about her here and here. I did all the work and gathered all the information, copied it and mailed it to the attorney. Needy Evie was served. She had until June 29th to respond. On June 28th she called the attorney's office and said that she wanted to come in and sign the papers stating that we were done paying her alimony. We were stunned. Could it really be that simple? After all these years and all the grief she has given us, would she really go down without a fight. We had a hard time believing it, but it was true. She signed!! The attorney overnighted the papers for LK to sign. This week the judge signed the papers, too. It is done. It is over. After 10 long years, Needy Evie is out of our lives for good.

Now I am working on unpacking and making a home for us. The Lizard King will be home on September 18th, Princess' birthday. We have so much to look forward to, but more than anything we are looking forward to being together as a family.

So, what's up with all of you?

Lizard King and Unschooling

A long time ago I made a list of all the qualities that I was looking for in a man. I had been through so many bad relationships. I was going to find the perfect man for me or I had no interest in having a man. I came across that list no too long ago and was reminded that the Lizard King met each and every requirement on my list.

I feel so blessed (yes, I still use that word;) to have such a supportive husband. It seems that no matter what I decide to do, he is always behind me 100%. He is amazing. Always has been.

As I sat reading The Unschooling Handbook two or three years ago, I would randomly share eye opening ideas with LK as I encountered them. It all made so much sense to both of us. The more we read the more we were fascinated and knew that this was our path. When I decided to try doing more schoolwork, a slightly more traditional style of homeschooling...slightly...LK was supportive. And when I realized that it wasn't working for us and dropped the schoolwork, LK was behind me all the way.

There are two reasons he is so supportive of our unschooling choice. 1. He sees that it works and not only that, it works well. 2. LK was a bit radical in his day (as was I), a little rebellious and liked doing things his way. Unschooling is his last little bit of rebellion.

Whatever his reasons, I am grateful to have such an amazing husband...now if I could just have him at home, life would be simply grand.

Lizard King & Shady Lady Flashback

Princess and I are home. I've been unpacking, doing laundry, getting the house in order and all the things we do when we get home from vacation. We are, of course, missing the Lizard King. I have a ton of photos from Mexico to sort through and choose which ones to post here. I hope to do that soon.

For now, I wanted to share this old photo I came across. This is our engagement photo. Yes, this is the Lizard King and Shady Lady almost a decade ago, back when LK had red hair and I looked a hell of a lot younger...sigh.

Random Thoughts

We leave for Mexico in TWO DAYS!!! Laundry is done and we are almost totally packed. I can't believe that we're going on vacation again. This is so unlike us. Jamaica in September, Disney World in December and now Cancun. It's crazy! This is the last vacation for a while. I foresee the next vacation being a staycation.

We can't wait to see the Lizard King. It still overwhelms me sometimes how much I love him. Being apart for so long is the hardest thing I've ever had to do.

I wandered away from unschooling for a while. It was immensely helpful in showing me that unschooling is the right path for us. With my whole heart and soul, I truly believe in unschooling. It is an amazing thing. I am grateful to my friends in real life and my bloggy friends who have helped me to find my way back to unschooling.

I want to know why some family relationships are so difficult. (I'm not talking about LK or Princess.) I also want to know why I trust relationships too soon and divulge my safe place, rendering it not so safe anymore. Then I wonder if I just shouldn't care and then deal with the repercussions.

I just discovered "Heroes", the TV series from back in 2006, on Netflix on Demand and am totally addicted.

We break ground on our new house the Monday after we return from Mexico. Princess wants to be an architect when she grows up. She and I will be setting up chairs to watch the process and progress.

I recently discovered that I am an introverted extrovert. Now I have to figure out how to find my balance. It is something that I have been struggling with lately.
When we were in Florida, I thought I would blog everyday but we were exhausted. I plan to blog from Mexico, but we'll see what happens. I don't know that I'll be reading everyone's blog everyday. I know you all will understand my absence. Right?

Afghanistan in Pictures

Some bloggy friends asked for more photos from Afghanistan. These are in no particular order.

LK having a baaad day...by the way, everything there is made out of plywood. Nice desk, huh?

Some Bosnian guys who work for LK

Locals working

mail helo

Transport via helicopter for contractors is the only and safest way.

Walls around the FOB are thick.

Building a snowman

Offices...yes everything is plywood and tents.

Did I mention Jamaica & Afghanistan?

On September 22nd we are joining our friends as they renew their wedding vows in Jamaica. The Lizard King was just home for a visit about 2 and a half weeks ago. The plan was that he would meet us in Atlanta and we would fly together to Jamaica. We were all looking forward to spending a whole week together.

The Lizard King emailed me on Monday with bad news, ugly news and good news.

The bad news: he was leaving for Afghanistan in a week. Yes, my bloggy friends. They need LK's expertise in Afghanistan. They asked him to go over. It will be a shorter trip and he assures me that he will be safe.

The ugly news: he will not be able to go to Jamaica with us.

The good news: he is spending a long weekend with us.

He arrived yesterday evening.

Right now I am trying to focus on the "I get to spend time with my husband" part. I'll think about the Jamaica vacation without him later.

He's Home!

The Lizard King landed late last night. It was a late night, but a good one. We're hanging out this morning and leaving for a camping trip (Princess and my first camping trip) this afternoon. It is amazing to be together again.

Ta-ta for now dear bloggy friends. I shall return on Monday.

Another Modern Day Love Letter

I've gotten several modern day love notes over the last couple of weeks. Some the Lizard King texted, some were in email. This is the most recent email. I received it yesterday.

Just a reminder to let you know that I love you....

without you, I would have no life worth living...

You and Princess bring me nothing but joy every day.....

And I so do miss you both...

Isn't he the sweetest man? I do miss him so...and love him more than I can say.

Happy Tuesday, everyone!