I got a phone call this morning from Ritzy informing me that he had safely arrived in Kuwait. YEA!!!!!! Now, at least he is officially on his way home. Who knows how long it will take....The army sure does not get in a hurry about anything.. He has to use the AT&T international phone cards so our time on the phone was limited to only 10 minutes. He has 2 cards that I had sent to him, but we were trying to save the minutes since each card only carries 20 minutes. A person would think these calls would be free for our soldiers........
Hopefully he is out of there and on his way back to the United States before those cards run out. If needed, the USO hands out free cards also, and this armywife sure appreciates that......
I think these days seem to be going by even slower that all the rest from the past year.
I visited my sister (Nana) tonite. "Sissy" was down there. I went early enough so she and I could spend some time outside. She had fun running around chasing the cats and dogs. I showed her something pretty gross tho. One of the cats was eating something and I realized it was a frog. There was just a leg and part of it's body left. I told her to look and she made a funny face and said eeww!!!! She just about picked it up when I stopped her. This child is a tomboy for sure ;-)
It started getting dark and the mosquitos started eating on me so it was time to go inside. Big brother asked if I wanted to watch a movie with him and since it was only 7pm I said sure. So "Bubba", Sissy, and I watched "Fantastic 4". A pretty good movie. I believe it was the 2nd one.
I had not seen it yet. After the movie I decided it was time to go. This was the boy's night to spend the night with Nana, so I dropped "Sissy" off at her house. The first thing she said when she got in the truck was " "wanna go to your house?"........ I told her I didn't think so........not used to having a 3 year old around the house.....anyway I am not sure she would stay long before she said either "momma's house or Nana's house"........
I already sent Ritzy an email, although I am not sure if he will be able to access the internet while in Kuwait. I have some business to take care of tomorrow, so I had better call it a day.
Ritzywife is out, til later..........

That is what I am asking tonite. For the past few days Ritzy was supposed to fly out of Iraq,,,finally!!!!!! But every time his flight was cancelled. I would be so heartbroken when I would receive a call on the cell phone and it would be that all familiar number that I have seen for the past 9 months while he has been in Iraq. These past few days have been an emotional roller coaster for me, and I would bet Ritzy feels the same........
He called this morning and said he was due to fly out in a couple of hours. I told him to call if he didn't. It is now late at night and I haven't heard from him, which I am taking as a good "sign" that he is now in Kuwait ready to begin his trip back home.
Don't know if I will be able to sleep tonite..........
Earlier today while running around "sissy" called and said- "will you come get me??". It was sooooo cute. Well, I was busy during the day, but this evening I loaded the dishwasher after supper then went down to my sister's ( Nana's) and got sissy. Brother was playing with a cousin.... Me and Sissy went to the convenience store across from my house and I let her get whatever she wanted for bubba, the cousin and her. She had fun. It was funny, she walked in and said she wanted a fishing pole, I told her not this time ;-)
This time, I told her she could get something to eat and drink. She picked "Mountain Dew" for her and brother's drink.......hope they don't keep mom and dad up, hahahaha!!!!!!
It was dark about that time and she wanted to come to my house. I think she just likes to go...... Typical girl ;-)
Cooler weather is supposed to move in here in Oklahoma. It is going to be just wonderful fall weather for a while. We better enjoy it while it lasts.
I don't know if he will be able to access a computer, but I am going to leave here and send Ritzy his nightly email. Ritzywife is out for now........

They are priceless. I spent most of the day at a friend's house. She asked last nite if I could come over cause she and her husband were painting the living room and she wanted some "guidance" on how to paint it. They were using 2 different colors. We looked and decided how it should be done. She and I were chatting away, while her hubby was working. Isn't that the way it is supposed to work ;-) I guess he had taken a few days off work and I asked him how in the world he got talked into painting when deer season opens up the 1st of October. She said shhhhhh!!!! He was wondering the same thing I think, hahahaha!!!!!
Anyways, they got the job done and it turned out really pretty. I stayed for supper and enjoyed a good meal with good friends. What more can you ask for. The only thing that was missing was Ritzy. We talked about how we all need to get together after Ritzy and I return from our trip to Wisconsin when this deployment is over... That is if he ever makes it home from this deployment.
Just today I learned his fly out date from Iraq was pushed back another day ;-(
He should be home in less than 2 weeks. This waiting is for the birds!!!!! Although I am not sure they would like it either.......
The daughter and boyfriend, & my neice & my sister and her hubby went to Tulsa tonite to a Rascal Flatts concert. Hope they had fun ;-)
It's about time to check my email to see if Ritzy has answered, so Ritzywife will catch you later........

You have all heard it...if you don't like it, stick around a while, it's guaranteed to change.
Ritzy was supposed to leave Iraq today and go to Kuwait to wait on the rest of the soldiers in his company til after the 1st of October . Well, his leaving has been pushed back a few days, and now the whole company can all leave together a little sooner. That is better I am assuming, because the sooner they all get to Kuwait the sooner they get to head back to the states......
The son and I had fun this evening......NOT!!!!!! We had to replace the drive belt on the Grasshopper mower. What would have probably taken Ritzy a few minutes took me, the son, and the daughter's boyfriend a couple of hours, but---- WE DID IT!!!!!!
He finished mowing the lawn, thank goodness.
I am really missing Ritzy, and am anxious for his return. I am still confused as to how that is going to play out too. I have heard or seen about 2 or 3 different scenarios about when and exactly where that return is going to happen. Won't know til the last minute, I bet. They better get with it, there is not much time left ;-)
All I know is that when I get the call that he is on his flight to Oklahoma, I am dropping everything and jumping in that new truck and going to meet him!!!!!!!!
They had better look out for that red Ford and the woman behind the wheel, hahahaha!!!!!
Just warning ya!!!
I should be in bed, but like I have stated before, this deployment has me keeping strange hours.
I don't have any running around to do tomorrow, so I guess I can stay up a little later.
I am also waiting on some clothes to dry, and I think I just heard the buzzer ;-)
I am getting ready to check and see if Ritzy has emailed me yet. I sent his earlier. So, Ritzywife will catch you later........

It has been a couple of days since my last post. Thought I better let ya know that I'm still "kickin' ;-)
I was sad to learn of the loss of some of our Oklahoma and Texas soldiers in that helicopter crash in Iraq a couple days ago. Makes me realize Ritzy isn't "safe" until I can see him with my own eyes. He only has a couple of days til he flies out of Iraq and believe me I am gonna be praying that whole time.
I just returned from my sister's house where my niece just cut and colored my hair. It feels wonderful..........ah!!!!!!!
Didn't want any of that gray showing when Ritzy returned ;-)
Not much to report from here lately. Only that the weather has been perfect - cool nights and warm days. I just wish I could open up the house and enjoy it, but because of that wonderful little plant here in Oklahoma called "ragweed" it is impossible for me to do that. I am allergic to it and it gives me fits.
A few years ago I was having a terrible problem around this time of year and my doctor told me to never open up the house this time of year again. I thought I was never going to recover from that attack.
I have another baby shower to attend tomorrow. A cousin and his wife are expecting their first baby......(they don't have a clue as to what they have gotten themselves into, hahaha!!!!)
All I can say is that when I am in a store shopping and I hear those little ones crying and whining I just chuckle to myself and thank God that I am thru with all that!!!!!!!!
I think it is about time for me to go take my bath and get ready for sleep. I still have to email Ritzy. He called this morning and asked what I was doing and I told him I had just gotten out of bed. Wouldn't have been so bad if it had not been after 10:00am. He said "WHAT!?!" I said I know, but I didn't get to bed till 2am. He asked why and I keep telling him that since last October when he left for this deployment, my hours are all mixed up and have not been anything near "normal", whatever that is anymore........ I hope to go to sleep earlier tonite, but who knows???? Anyways Ritzywife is out of here for the night...........hopefully to get some decent rest!

Although it is actually not Fall yet, you can sure feel it in the air here in Oklahoma. It feels wonderful ;-)
We have had clear skies, cool nights and warm to cool days. I love it!!!!!!! Better enjoy it while it lasts tho, you know how fast things can change here in the Sooner State...........
I bought some Fall decorations for my lawn and patio. Haven't had time to put them out yet. Went to town with Mom today. We had to buy baby shower gifts for a cousin. Boy them babies sure are plentiful this year, hahaha!!!!. I know about half a dozen young couples expecting their "little bundles of joy". All I can say to them is enjoy those kiddos before they get old enough to start getting sassy and thinking they know more than you ;-) The time goes way too fast......
Speaking of time. It's a funny thing, it goes way too fast raising your family, but when you have someone gone it seems to drag by. Ritzy's being gone has seemed like an eternity for me. It is just about over tho. He only has a few days left in Iraq, and a couple to three weeks before he should be on the last leg of his trip back home...........I will be elated when I get that phone call that tells me it's time to go pick him up.
I went down to my sister's (Nana's) tonite to see the kids. I never evenmade it in the house before "Sissy" caught me at the door and said: "outside?" I said, sure. That child ran like it was the first time she had ever been outside in her life. She was all over the place. I just let her run that energy out. We stayed out until the mosquitos started having us for dinner. I was leaving and she came to the door and said she was coming home with me and I told her that I didn't think so ;-)
I am about ready to send Ritzy his daily email so I am gonna end the thoughts right here for today..............

Let's see, how do I describe it???? Blah, boring, yuk........yup that will work.......Here in Oklahoma we are dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. It was dark, cloudy and rainy all day......What a way to spend a Saturday.....I was so bored I took a nap from 2-5pm. Don't let Ritzy know........Oh yeah, earlier he told me he did the same thing, so he better not say a word ;-)
Right now the son and the future son-in law are in the living room playing Call of Duty.....Just wonderful.....instead of being on the same team they are fighting each other.......and it sounds like they are liking it.....
Looks to be "soupy" tomorrow too. This has been a crazy weather year here in this part of the state. I am almost afraid to see what winter is going to bring.
Ritzy is almost finished with this deployment and ready to begin his trip home. We sure do miss him. I just want to take a moment and thank all of our soldiers and especially our Oklahoma National Guard. We have prayed and thought about you always this past year. Have a safe trip home!!!!!!!
This being Saturday night means I still have to study my Sunday School lesson for tomorrow. I still have to send Ritzy his "daily report"...although there ain't much to report from here today......
Oh, well I guess everybody needs a slow day like this once in a while.
Unless I think of something "wonderful" to write, Ritzywife is out for now ;-)

It's actually early morning. The daughter and I are still up at 1am. She came in here cause she could not get comfortable in her bed. She is still recovering from her surgery. Who knows why I am still up....... It's been this way for the last year, with Ritzy gone on this deployment.
I was making her birthday card when she came in here. I told her she was supposed to be asleep. Well I got the card finished anyways. Her birthday is today September 9.
I was getting kind of hungry but was not going to do anything about it til she said she wanted a piece of key lime pie. I thought that sounded pretty good. So, here we are at 1am in the morning eating pie together. It sure is good.
It is so hard to believe she is 22 years old today. Where did the time go????
Then, I sit here waiting on the end of Ritzy's deployment and time can't go by fast enough......What's with that?????
I sure hope I get to feeling sleepy soon. ( I am sure that pie is not helping , haha!!) I have already emailed Ritzy. I just checked to see if he had answered and I guess he has not had time to email me back.
The weather is supposed to cool off here for tomorrow. Sure can start to feel Fall in the air.........
This year, to me Fall means Ritzy returns home, yea!!!!!!!!!
I really need to get off here and get some rest. Ritzywife will catch you later...........................

The daughter did ok today. She is still in pain from the gas that was pumped in to make it easier for the Dr. to see. I had mom stop and get her some Gas-X . I saw online that it could help, but I was kind of skeptical of it until my sister-in-law called and asked how she was doing and I told her. Her son had the same problem and she said the Gas-X worked for him, so I got off the phone and called mom before she left the grocery store. Her boyfriend just arrived here from working all day. They are now watching the University of Miami and the Florida Gators play football. You see, he is from Florida.........he can't help it ;-) We will let that slide,,, I guess........ He is a pretty good guy.........

Talked to Ritzy today. The time for him to leave Iraq is slowly getting here. Not much longer at all. Just a couple of weeks. Still not sure when they will actually be back in the states, tho.... I don't care, I just want him out of there.......We were talking about our upcoming trip to Wisconsin and how much we are going to enjoy that time together.

This is Saturday nite and that means studying my Sunday School lesson so I will be ready to teach tomorrow. Emailing Ritzy and filling him in on things happening on the homefront. Still have to take that bath, too. I have some paperwork to do for the church business meeting Wednesday nite. I don't know if I will do it tonite or Monday. Sooooooo, Ritzywife is out til next time.................

Today was the day that the daughter had her gall bladder surgery at Tulsa. Had to have her down there at 9:30. Everything went well. The Dr. told me that she is going to feel a LOT better now that that thing is gone. I guess it was inflamed. I told him she had been having trouble for the last 4-5 years. He said he believed me by the way it looked. After returning home, her boyfriend watched her while I had to go to Vinita to get her some pain pills, and a few things for her to eat while she is recuperating.......
She is laying on the couch watching tv right now.
Ritzy called while she was in surgery. He had some good news. He gets to leave Iraq a little sooner than we expected. YIPPEE!!!!!!! I know he still has to wait in Kuwait, but at least he is out of Iraq........
I am going to REST tomorrow!!!! Gonna try anyways, we will see how that goes. The daughter's boyfriend is spending the night and taking care of her, which I think is so sweet. But......he has to work tomorrow and with him gone guess who gets to attend to her "needs". You guessed it.......Mama!!!!!!!!
It was a beautiful day here in NE Oklahoma. It started out pretty foggy tho. Sure was fun driving to Tulsa in that stuff ;-) But by noon it was clear and sunny with a cool breeze. Sumthin' tells me Fall is not too far away!!!
I still have a few things to take care of tonight, like doing a load of laundry, emailing Ritzy, etc....So I am gone for now...................

The remnants of Hurricane Gustav decided to visit the Sooner State today. Made for a soupy day outside. Cooler temperatures too!!!
I was telling the daughter's boyfriend that the change in our weather right now is ususally what Ritzy and I experience when we go visit his family in Wisconsin this time of year.
My sister and I went to Tulsa with Mom. She had a Dr's appointment. After that we ate lunch at Pizza Hut, then we went to the hospital to visit our cousin. He seemed to be doing ok. We left there and were on our way home.
On Wednesday's I ususally don't fix supper because there isn't time to clean up the kitchen before church. But............the daughter asked if I had the "stuff" for chili. I said I would look. Somehow I ended up making a pot of chili before church. Didn't even eat any myself. The kids said it was good tho.......
I am sitting here eating cheese and crackers for my supper ;-)
Ritzy called just as we were pulling into the Pizza Hut parking lot. I went into the building talking on the phone. I filled my salad bowl while talking. Told the waitress I wanted tea, while talking......Mom explained to her that I was on the phone with my hubby who is in Iraq. The waitress was so nice, she brought me tea without me asking, a to-go cup and a box to take home some food because mom and the sister were finished by the time I got off the phone. They told me to go ahead and finish my lunch, so I did. I grabbed my ticket and mom was looking for it, I told her I had it and she told me to give it up..........almost 50 and still gotta obey the parents. guess you never outgrow that, huh???
Anyway as we were at the counter, that waitress told me they were thankful for our soldiers, she also told me that when Ritzy gets home that we could come in there and the meal would be free. That just made my day. It is so good to see people recognize and appreciate what our military families are going thru.
I have one more day of "rest" before the daughters gall bladder surgery Friday. I better enjoy the peace and quiet tomorrow, hahaha!!!!!!!
I still have to send Ritzy his daily "report" , so Ritzywife is out for now.............

Ritzy sent me 4 letters today. This was in one of them. You see, some of the friends and relatives have sent him something to do to "de-stress" him. This picture is especially cute in the fact that he loves to cut wood, and I am sure he can hardly wait to get back and hear the hummmmmm of his chainsaws again.

I was needing a smile today because I was thinking that this being the 2nd of September means that it has been 8 months since I last saw Ritzy. I said good-bye to him on January 2nd, after his 10 day break from training. It was an unusual good-bye. Had to take him to Tulsa at 7am to catch a bus, They were all hurried into a place and I didn't see him again. I didn't even know which bus he left on. Let's just say that was NOT a good day....... It still makes me cry to think about it......He has one more month left of this deployment. I sit and wonder every day how in the world I am going to make it and can't really tell you how I have made it this long. It has not got any easier. I have just shut the feelings down I guess, because sometimes now I just don't or can't feel the way I normally would about different circumstances... To some I may sound weak. Maybe I am, who knows, but I am not going to say everything's been rosy when it hasn't.

Ritzy has had a hard time getting his sleep for some reason, and that has been on my mind a lot too.

I left earlier and just about forgot to finish ;-)

I have sent Ritzy his email, tho I might check to see if he has answered. You see his day is just starting as mine is ending. Dealing with the time difference is not easy to get used to.

I fixed Dorito Casserole tonite, the daughter and her boyfriend were just fine with it, but that son just had to ask what was in it. I told him and he about had a fit when he learned there was cream of mushroom soup in it. Guess he doesn't like the mushrooms. Well he can pick them out or fix his own supper!!!! I think he ate them anyways. One of these days he will move away and realize he had it made with "Mama's" home cookin'..........................

I have to get up fairly early in the morning, I have some running around with my Mom and Sister to do. Better get the hair fixed and the "face paint" on so I don't scare anyone with the natural "beauty"! hahahahahaha!!!!!!!!

I am outta here.........for now

I hope everyone had a good Labor Day. My mom and dad had a cookout at their house like we always do. It was the last one of the summer. Tho, sometimes we get to craving barbecue later in the fall. Ritzy called just before it was time to eat. It was good to hear his voice. I sure do miss him, especially during a holiday like today. I sit and think about what we would be doing and it makes me sad that he isn't here to enjoy the day with the rest of the family. I guess I was so melancholy today that I had my mom worried. She called later this afternoon and asked if something was wrong because I did not eat in the house with everyone else. (Me, my dad, a nephew and "Sissy" ate outside). To me if you are eating barbecue, you need to be outside ;-)
Anyways, I told her nothing was wrong in particular, I was just missing Ritzy, plus I was outside so Sissy could have someone watching her as she played. The whole day has just been so-so.
I came home around 2 and laid on my bed till 5, mainly cause I was bored.
I got up and went up to mom and dad's to get a fan and chair I had left up there and to help mom clean up the carport. Afterward I asked her if she wanted to go to the sister's with me. We went down there to play with the little ones for a while and left around 7:30.
The daughter is in here now cooking mexican food. It sure smells good, I may have to try it out.........hope she fixed enough ;-)
Gee, I am looking out the window and it is already dark at 8:12pm. I like the long summer days, usually, but this summer I have just been waiting for them to end so Fall could get her and the time would finally come for our Oklahoma troops to return from their deployment.
I don't have much to do this week.
I hope I can get some sleep tonite after doing all that "resting" this afternoon.
I think I am gonna get off here and try some of the daughter's cooking.
Ritzywife is outta here for now.