Monday, July 23, 2007

Random Reflections on Being Home

I should organize my thoughts into some coherent format, but lately my thoughts are scattered all over.

I came home to a new house, since my wife moved us from Chaska to Owatonna. I'm still in awe of her accomplishment, since selling and buying a new house is traumatic for a couple, all the more so for (temporarily at least) a single mom.

My house is on a corner lot, so front and back are relative terms. Front to me can mean facing either street.

I haven't met any of my neighbors.

I do the bulk of the cooking in our house, and I enjoy the heck out of it. My new kitchen is twice as large as the old, and I have no idea where anything is.

My kids now sleep upstairs, and my wife and I sleep on the main floor.

I can use the bathroom without leaving the building.

I can shower without wearing flip-flops.

Food is now conveniently located in a device called refrigerator. I pick what I want, cook it, and then eat it. No citizens of India have been involved in the food preparations.

Stuff falling from the sky is no longer called incoming. It is referred to as rain. It still freaks me out when it comes in the middle of the night.

I no longer have to look at dead animals by the side of the road for wires coming out.

I have to decide what to wear, rather then calculating how little of a PT uniform I can get away with.

I haven't cleaned my weapon in over a week. In fact, I haven't even carried one.

Instead of 10 channels of AFN, I now have 549 channels to choose from. I can record a show and watch it later. But how do I decide what to watch?

There are way too many light switches in this house.

Couches are much more comfortable than the $7.95 PX folding camp chair.

Beer tastes good.

Snoring makes my wife crabby.

My wife's car doesn't have padlocks or combat locking doors,

Traffic doesn't come to a halt when I get on the freeway.

Beer tastes good.

Milk here is real, has no expiration date, and is not shelf stable.

My family and I continue the adjustment process, and life goes on.

4 comments:

Kelly said...

Since my husband's been home (1 week now), I've learned to qualify all my complaints about how hot it is outside by adding "FOR MINNESOTA." Heh heh heh. For us, it seems as though it is easier to adjust to the big things (i.e. a new home) as compared to the little, everyday things. Even so, it is great to have you guys home (even if my weather observations are mocked and I have to tolerate a snoring husband who steals my covers).

Anonymous said...

Thank you for all you have done for all of us and welcome home!!

I have been reading your blog for a long time now and have never posted...until now. I just wanted to let you and your family know that many of us appreciate that you are still updating, it really helps.

GF of a Soldier

Anonymous said...

Great post - it really made me realize how I take all of your "observations" of daily life for granted. Welcome home and enjoy that beer!

The Lady Logician said...

I'm not surprised at all your wife accomplished in your absence. Army wives have to be able to do anything and everything while our men are out doing their duty! We learn fast how to do what needs to be done! It is our job.

Welcome home again Dave. We are all so grateful for all you have done.

LL (whose husband was US Army Signal Corps in the 1980's)