Right before the husband deployed, I made a mental list of all of the things I wanted to accomplish when he was gone. Sweet, naive, pre-deployment me thought I’d have MORE time to get things done (you know, like at night instead of just watching TV on the couch with the husband). HA!

Have I lost that baby weight I was determined to lose? No. Have I organized our entire house? Eh, only kind of. Have I found time for me every day? No. Have I read all of those books I wanted to read? Not even close. Have I sewn that quilt I was set on making? ….I’ll let you guess…

Even though I haven’t done any of those things, and if I’m being realistic, probably won’t by the time the husband gets home (middle of deployment me is much wiser), I’ve been able to accomplish other things.

Can I check my tires and fill them up without help now? Yep. Can I change the oil in my car? You betcha. Can I fix the lawn mower, mow the yard 1.5 times, break said lawn mower (stupid gardening hose) and then fix the same mower again? You bet your booty I can! Can I evacuate from a hurricane with two cats and a toddler and survive hotel living with the three of them? Barely, but yes!

While I’m a little disappointed I haven’t made much of a dent on my “To-Do” list this deployment, I’ve honestly never been more proud of myself. It may seem silly that I’m pumping my fist in the air and patting myself on the back for things I probably should have already known how to do (except the evacuation because nothing can prepare you for that), but gosh darn it y’all, I don’t even care! I’m celebrating me right now, baby weight, unorganized house, full “to-read” book list, quilt-less home and all.