RachelLynMitchell

Private Mitchell

When my husband joined the Army, there were a couple realities I knew I would have to face: My best friend and I would undoubtedly be separated for extended periods of time; We could be moved multiple times, away from comfort and what we know; And the biggest fear of the risk and endangerment that deployment brings.
Since moving to Washington, deployment has been an ever-present ghost, haunting me. I have accepted the possibility in my mind, because all the signs were there. A soldier and friend with which he trained during AIT was placed in a Stryker brigade opposite of his and is leaving this weekend for Afghanistan. He was told after handed his orders for Fort Lewis that he will be deploying, all of the training camps commenced. Jesse’s brigade has been following right in their footsteps not five months behind. A trip to California for training this June made it positive in my brain that he’d be notified soon.

We learned on Friday that Jesse is in fact going to be deployed.

This is what we have prepared for. Jesse is ready to display the skills he has learned and I am confident that the nine months he is away will be less than difficult for both of us. Of course, acceptance will become harder as d-day approaches.
No details as of yet on precise date and location, but we do know it will be in the late fall, and definitely Afghanistan. His mission statement lists many reasons, one being as a response to September 11. Another and the brightest one on the page, for me, states that they are to complete training of the Afghan soldiers in order to disengage U.S. forces. Jesse’s deployment should be the last deployment for 9/11 causes to Afghanistan from JBLM. After 10+ years, I say it’s about time!

As soon as I hear more details, so will you. Please keep him close in your thoughts as that time nears.

(Source: icanread)

Sunday Grill-Day, April 22
Baked potatoes and steak from master chef Mitchell. :) Delicious!

For My Heart

I went grocery shopping about two weeks ago, knowing that I wanted to start eating healthier but not knowing what to buy… and since I’ve become a cashier at Walmart, I’ve obsessed over this entire “price matching” scene. (Which is pretty awesome, by the way, especially when your store throws half the policy out the window increasing the power of the dollar in the customer’s wallet [I imagine this will catch up to store #3792 fairly quickly.]. “Hmm… Buy one, get one free? Sure, we’ll match that!”) Things like brownie mix, Cheetos, Pizza Rolls (Jesse)… filled my basket. I receive 10% off fresh produce, but I think I bought a bag of potatoes, an onion, and some strawberries. It’s really sad, I know. I failed.

Also, as a cashier, I know all of your dirty secrets. (I had written a briefing of one account involving condoms and a teenage mother but how judgemental I was disgusted me. Besides, I am sure your imagination can populate this left-out example.) More to the point, I know what you’re family is eating, or not. (Oh, and quit buying Coke and candy with your food stamps. Just slap me in the face why don’tya’.) I’ve tried dividing it into cultural differences, but it affects us all the same. A gentleman bought Hot Pockets, various freezer meals, and Pop Tarts. I suppose when my inner-thoughts appeared on my face (as they some times do), he scoffed, “No way is this for me, I have teenagers at home.” I should have replied, “Oh, so this is how you feed the growing generation? How perfectly wonderful.”
I could go on about this dilemma, but I won’t; That’s not what this post was to be about. Use your microwave for good, (like fast, healthy baked potatoes) or get rid of it.

Sorry for the tangent.

Anyway.
That crap food is almost gone, thanks to Curtis (aka: Cookie Monster) and Jesse (Garbage Disposal). I have done my research and have a few recipes up my sleeve. I won’t be grocery shopping for another day or two, but I will make a list by tomorrow and, for accountability purposes, post here.

I’ve dabbled into a few areas like vegetarianism. I like that you’re allowed dairy products and eggs, because I’m totally confused on this vegan train. I mean, where do you get your protein? Beans are good, but they’re not something to toot about. (Like what I did there? Too obvious, sorry.) However, with Jesse (for a reason yet to be named as details are still pending) working to be in the best shape of his life, those are really just not an option. I’ve come around to a lot of vegetables since turning 22 (aging taste buds). Zucchini is seriously my new favorite. And I love, love cooking a meal from scratch. Can you believe I was searching pub after pub for a turkey burger comparable to McNellie’s in Tulsa? I’ll see what I can conjure up at home so I can save my liver from all the Guinness.

This is what I’ve come up with:
Lean proteins: Chicken, turkey, fish, beans, etc…
More vegetables, fruits.
Less pasta, bread.

I’m not going to cut out everything, that’s just crazy talk. I know what correct portions are, I just need to apply that knowledge.

Every meal homemade. We are already not eating out as much as before, mainly because it’s just not in the budget after two car loans, so that’s good. Nothing fried, only baked or grilled. Sweets and junk food are out, except they made their way in a couple weeks ago due to hormonal cravings and 75% off Easter candy.

Suggestions, motivational words, and the like are all welcome. :D
It’s time to correct things.

Next post: “Exercise. So this overweight ginger walks into a gym…”
This will be a good one, trust me!

LOVE MUM.

(Source: icanread)