..and Lemonade Was Made!

Remember my last post where I talked about going with the flow and not stressing out so much about things? Well, I am really glad I followed my own advice otherwise I would have been stressing and freaking out for nothing! Matt, the super-amazing-pulling-rabbit-out-of-the-hat husband of mine managed to finagle a way to get both Peets and I on the same flight as him!

He called me Tuesday afternoon telling me to go to Petsmart to look for a certain sized carrier. He tells me, "if Petrie can manage to squeeze in a carrier and has the chance to ride with us, would you like that?". (well duh!)  I hightailed it to the store, frantic to find a carrier that met military airline standards yet could fit Petrie's big butt (even though he is Yorkie, the poodle in him makes him big! ) I found one, asked an employee to check him in it (the last thing I want is to be cruel to my pup..it's a long flight and at this point I have to decide: ride with us in a small space, or ride under the plan, unattended and scared, but in a big crate with his toys and treats?)  They assured me he just fits, which means he will be getting a good, short groomin' and a diet before we take off.(He will thank me later).    

See? In the end it all worked out. Even if it still were the case of me and the pup riding on another airline, that would have been manageable, but in this case, we three are happy to all be together. (phew). 


Along with figuring that out, Matt has also figured out some other shortcuts to make our transition easier:

1. he is going to get an international driver's license at AAA before we head out (so once we get there we can just buy a car and drive it off the lot. Worry about the official Okinawa driver's license later. sweet.)
2. he is going to ship one of his checked luggage off to Japan before we even leave for the airport, so that's less luggage-carrying we will have to be doing (and that saves $$$ on me checking a third suitcase...don't judge..I have many clothes)
3. he tells me we will get all of our belongings 48-72 hours after moving into our new home (ya..after all the stories I hear from other wives, that is something I will have to see to believe!)

I gotta tell ya, every now and then I have what feels like a physical panic/anxiety attack. I cannot pinpoint it. My body just starts feeling rigid, I feel hot, can't sit still, I feel the need to keep taking deep breaths, all in all I just feel uncomfortable. Almost like if I screamed into a pillow or just stomped my feel like a toddler throwing a fit then I would feel better. (am I the only one?) Well, crazy or not, my honey sure does know how to be my human Xanax. He lays me down, wraps me in his arms, and tells me step by step what he is going to take care of, and what we have to look forward to. He tells me to not worry about any documents, he has it all taken care of (I hope...knowing men I have a feeling I am going to have to do some double checking!) , he tells me the flights are booked, he is going to rent a big SUV so we can have a kick-ass road trip up to Seattle (where we are flying out of ), he tells me his plans of getting license, phone, sending luggage off...all he wants me to do is research all the nearby beaches that we have to put on our 1-Month-Bucket-List.  Oh, and research all the neat tours that they have (preferably getting the alcohol-related ones out of the way first...for "duh" reasons....did you know they have a pineapple winery/vineyard? YUM!).   So, knowing that my only duties from here on out are to look up beaches and fun tours, I shouldn't have a care in the world anymore and just trust that Matt has this all in control. 

The Okinawa dreams have started....the last time I had reoccurring dreams recently was when the wedding was getting closer and closer (OK OK..and baby dreams..have tons of those. Is it weird that it's always almost impossible to hold/pick up the baby? Like it has oil all over it or it weighs a ton. HM..)....looks like our move is having the same impact. Eeep! :D 

Until tomorrow...Night all!

When Life Gives Ya Lemons..Or Something Like That

Knowing this big move coming up would be trying on the emotions, nerves, etc etc, I have been trying to better myself in the "just-go-with-it" department (gotta say, it ain't easy sometimes!).  I know to expect many wrenches to be tossed our way (I would like to think I'm gettin' pretty good at dodging them by now..maybe I should join dodge ball?!) I know to plan the best we can, be prepared for the worst and just keep our little fingers crossed for the best.  I was given a test today.

Matt and I woke up on our little air mattress. Lazy Sunday. Snuggled the pup, talked about the fun (and what ended up being a crazy/drama-filled nightcap at the cinco de mayo party...story for a later time) we had the day before, discussed the plans for the day. All that good stuff.  Then he looks at me. "Babe..we have an issue with the flights. I'm gonna give you some options, so here me out. There are no more available doggie spots left on our military flight to Japan."  Me, "you're joking with me, right?!"   Matt, "I'm sorry babe. Our choices are, we leave Petrie behind and bring him out with us later, or I can put you two on a commercial flight, but I won't be with you. My orders to go on that military flight from Seattle."  Obviously I am not leaving my dog behind, so the only choice is to fly alone. This is where the test comes into play. Where the lemons can be made into lemonade, tequila training wheels, lemon ice tea, whatever you love lemon in, or where they can be used straight up to put that sour puss on your face. 

 Ok, I will admit, I teared up a little because I was so darned disappointed that Matt can't be with me. I hate flying. Well, I hate that I get anxious on the flights, even though I tell myself "everything will be okay, for cryin' out loud!". The anxiety does not deter me from going places (hello, for a year and a half Matt and I did the long distance thing..I flew out to see him every month when possible). I just hate not being able to control that anxious feeling! Sure, Xanax works, Nyquil, a drink, having a tv (yay Jet Blue!) but all that is forced. Okay, so I teared up (sniff sniff)  then got to business asking all the questions I had: does the military still pay for my commercial airline? (yes). Can we maybe see about upgrading me to more legroom since I cannot prepare myself to drape my legs over yours? (yes). Will I have someone help me with my three suitcases, two carry-ons, pillow, and Petrie with his crate? (yes, yes, yes and yes.) Is everything going to be okay? (everything will be perfect. I will meet you at a designated spot at the airport in Okinawa and we will greet each other with our first big Oki kiss..) More questions about layover, where I'm flying out of, etc etc.  Great. Good. Everything is going to be great. It sucks I won't have Matt there to share that experience of looking out our plane window to see the island and the beautiful waters for the first time. That would be nice, but it certainly doesn't ruin anything. I would love to have someone's hand to squeeze when there is turbulence. Looks like the neighbor will have to indulge me (haha). 

I'm tired of being stressed about things that are out of my control.  I want to just take things as they come. Worry about the things and people in my life that/who matter, and shrug off the crap that isn't worth wrinkles. Ya dig?   

My countdown widget on my phone says 57 more days until the move. That is one month and some change. Or a little less than two months. However you want to look at it! Either way, time is flyyyyyin' and I am so ready to get outta here and explore!