Preparing to break the bubble.

A couple that we knew from our last duty station is going to be coming here this summer to attend the next academy class.  They're currently stationed in Colorado (luckies!) and decided to drive down and check this place out and see about schools for their kids.  It's interesting now to look at our last 10 months here through new eyes.

We've very much been living in a bubble.  Everyone here is walking the same path, military wise at least.  It's almost like a frat house for the guys.  They have all these buddies here, old friends and new, and we all live within the same little neighborhood.  We all came here at the same time and we'll all leave around the same time.  It's an odd thing in the military.

What makes the bubble rather unpleasant is times like this when there is a lot going on that stressed people out.  I swear you can almost see the cloud of tension hanging over the streets.  People preparing for separations, people getting ready to move to new countries, people who still don't know where their assignment will be.  The overall attidude in everyone I talk to is, "I'm really ready to be done with this and move on."  The cheerfulness of last year has disappeared.

I'm trying not to fall into the negative gloom.  I told DH that I was staying home from all social events this weekend.  I just want to relax and rest and catch up on some sleep and not have any more of those conversations that make me scowly.

It's a little thing, but I must admit, I get really happy every time I open the coat closet.  At the Old Navy outlet, I found a belted trenchcoat in a bright burnt orangey-red.  Price?  $16.  I haven't had a colorful coat since I was a kid and I can't wait for some foul weather to wear it in.

Look what Alex ordered that's making him very happy:

   

Iron Maiden Vans.  We had to do a lot of online searching to find him the right size.  That would be size 13.

Grace is now wearing contact lenses. I know 11 is a bit young for it, but she seemed like she was ready and I wanted to give it a try before we moved overseas.  She does handle personal hygiene matters very responsibly and she's motivated to be able to wear sunglasses.  At first, she had a very hard time putting them in and taking them out.  After only a few days of practice, she's doing great.  It was hard for me to watch her try and try and then blink at the wrong moment and not get it in.  I've worn them since I was 14 and can pop them in without a mirror.  While driving on an interstate.

Comments

[Chris]

Are you one that puts the lens in your mouth to moisten it? I can't watch people do that. I am afraid they will swallow it! Eldest started wearing contacts at 13, so 11 doesn't seem all that young.

[Suna]

Oooh, my son got me Converse All Stars with a "The Who" theme, so I know how happy your son is! And my older son started contacts very young and I was quite impressed and surprised at how well he has taken care of them. He's never even lost one yet, and he's 18.

[amy]

I think I started contacts in high school too. I asked at my last appointment about getting them again, but the doctor advised against it. Sob. I have prescription sunglasses because glaucoma runs in my dad's family. But I bought new glasses at the end of last year and feel marginally hipper. Now as long as the baby doesn't break them...

[Krista at AfternoonMoon]

you can do it, but you dont... right?

As in I "could drink coffee while talking on my cell phone and dreaming about Malabrigo all while shifting into fifth gear" The abililty is there, I just dont use it that often?

Fortunately, there are not pictures to prove it. Smart on the not letting the energy-sucks, suck you down. I say have your own small gathering with an expressed invitation forbidding anyone to talk about moving. That way you can still be a bit social, but dont have to deal with the moving talk.

[Anne boyer]

Smart to stay out of the maelstrom! ;) Enjoy the last days there as much as you can! Sounds like you've got a plan on how to get through it emotionally. Good luck with the packing and planning ahead. You'll do great. I'm jealous that you'll be on foreign soil. Take all advantages to travel that you can!!!!

[Barb]

You know, I think that stressed out vibe is everywhere these days. It's probably especially bad on base where major life changes are orchestrated in such a mass movement, though.

I think my eleven-year-old would be ready for contacts, too. She's that kind of kid. But my little one? Maybe when she's 30.