thankful for a thanksgiving together

Since things in the army are always changing, it is perhaps a little premature to be thankful for a Thanksgiving that is actually spent with my husband. But, we've been told that Jerry's departure date will be December 4, keeping him home with me for our first Thanksgiving together in three years. We're also being led to believe that he may be given a few days off for family time around Thanksgiving to help make up for the long hours and weekends being worked until then. So that's encouraging.

We're coming into the final stretch leading up to deployment. And I have to admit that I'm feeling it. I already see myself putting a little space between the two of us. Not in a negative way or anything. I just find myself more willing than usual to go off by myself and give him alone time to play video games or whatever. I'm usually really demanding of his time so this is somewhat unusual for me :-) I guess I'm accomplishing two things by doing this. I feel he deserves time to do things he enjoys. I mean, he's giving a year of his life to the army and to our country. I figure the least I can do is let him have some time to do the things that he likes and finds relaxing. And I think it also helps me prepare for the separation. In the past, leading up to lengthy separation, we've found ourselves drifting apart in a much more negative way, brought back together once we're apart. And that's always felt pretty bad. Things feel much better between us this time around. Though we're spending more time on our own, the time that's spent together is really good and connected. But no matter how good this part is, I'm sure it's still going to hurt like hell when he leaves.

I received a call today about setting up an interview to work at the PX. Right now, I think a part-time job in a retail setting would do worlds of good for me. Not only will it give me something to do with my days, especially when Jerry's gone, but it'll be a fairly social job with a lot of interaction with people.

Christmas is on its way and I must say that being in Germany during this time of the year is pretty wonderful! Throughout the country you can find outdoor Christmas markets where you can purchase ornaments, table linens and gifts as well as Gluewein (mulled wine) and Lebkuechen (German gingerbread). German Christmas ornaments are pretty cool. They have ones that are delicate and beautiful as well as ones that are a little more fun. My favorite are the wooden ones with strings to pull to animate the ornament. My favorite so far is a wooden frog whose legs move when you pull the string!

It's getting late in the day and I still have a bunch of things on my to do list. So I'm off for now!