enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

one month down.

Onemonth

The thing about deployments is…they suck.

That's really the bottom line. At least from where I am sitting.

But sadly, they are a part of the game for us and so we keep going.

I have some days that are great and I'm feeling good about my routine. And others where my friend, Self-Pity comes over for a slumber party.

Seeing my girlfriends often makes a world of difference. Mailing Paul a card almost daily is actually really fun. And not to be too melodramatic, but video chats are saving me. And actually, saving us. It is so difficult to keep up the connection when half the globe separates you and being able to see him and re-memorize his mannerisms and witness his smile makes me feel so much better. It makes me feel like this whole situation is a tiny bit less of a bad joke.

I know how blessed I am that he is safe and has so much access to the internet. For those things, I am so grateful.

And with that, we keep trucking. One month down. Too many more to go.

*photos were taken last spring with the PictureShow app for iPad & they are some of my favorites.

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27 responses to “one month down.”

  1. Tsila Sofer Elguez Avatar
    Tsila Sofer Elguez

    It’s nice that you also write about the difficult parts of life

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  2. Lauren Avatar
    Lauren

    Hang in there Elise. I’m glad you can see the positive side of things. I’m thinking of you at this time…and I hope it flies buy so that you’ll be reunited safely together soon x

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  3. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    You are doing great – hang in there! I think about you often 🙂 You have a lot of people rooting for you!

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  4. Julia Avatar
    Julia

    Keep hangin’, Elise. We are so grateful to those who serve. Thank you to you and your hubs!
    [Just found your blog the other day and um, it’s a li’l bit awesome!]

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  5. Lisa Fine Avatar
    Lisa Fine

    Your strength and positive attitude are amazing. Keep hanging in there.

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  6. Jess Avatar
    Jess

    Those photos are so cute!
    The time will fly bye, your doing well!

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  7. desiree Avatar
    desiree

    Hang in there, this will make you stronger! Love that your positive about things.

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  8. Stephanie Howell Avatar
    Stephanie Howell

    Hoping you continue to feel better and more positive every single day. No advice here, I promise…just trying to tell you I’m proud of you. The first one is the hardest.

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  9. Beth Avatar
    Beth

    Yep, deployments suck. We are in week 12 of ours and some days seem to drag by. Luckily, others go quickly and I’m finding it hard to believe we will be at our halfway mark in less than two weeks… You can do it! I’m so impressed that you’re mailing something almost every day – you are now my official inspiration. Thanks for posting about this. : )

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  10. Momma Yen Avatar
    Momma Yen

    As the wife of a disabled veteran, I can deeply sympathize with you hun! I’m so happy you get to see him on video. That’s something we never got. Just stay strong and know that there are a lot of people out here who know where you are coming from and support you. 🙂 Hopefully it’s not a long deployment. Hubby’s 1st deployment was a year and he didn’t meet our daughter til she was 5 months old.
    Just stay positive and remember that even though it sucks, it really will show you how strong you can be, and how strong you both are together! And feel free to email me if you ever want to talk.

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  11. Molly Avatar
    Molly

    I really think about you guys often as if we were friends in real life. You are both strong. If anybody can do this, you two can.

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  12. cinback Avatar
    cinback

    Hang in there Elise. My husband’s favourite saying is “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” and most days… he’s right! Blessings on you.

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  13. Amy --- Just A Titch Avatar
    Amy — Just A Titch

    I’m thinking about you both—such a sacrifice. I admire your strength!

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  14. victoria | vmac+cheese Avatar
    victoria | vmac+cheese

    Elise, you are so, so strong. I really admire your positive thinking and attitude. Hang in there!!

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  15. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    Keep on truckin, is right!! My fiance and I are currently in different states, also one month down! I completely agree with you on the video chats – life saver!! Wishing you happiness and strength today. And if its a sucky day, its ok to say that. Just means tomorrow will look even better 🙂

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  16. Amanda Abernathy Avatar
    Amanda Abernathy

    I’m so glad you have friends that are helping make this situation easier. And writing is always fun. The guy I was dating went on 4 deployments while we were together. Got back a month ago and decided he just didn’t want to see me anymore. 🙂 Stay strong. The time will be over before you realize it.

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  17. Skye Avatar
    Skye

    I’m glad you get to video chat! It also seems like you’re doing a good job staying active and doing lots of projects. I really admire your ability to do that and I think it will help you get through this.

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  18. Victoria Klein Avatar
    Victoria Klein

    The military lifestyle is one heck of a rollercoaster, no? My husband hasn’t deployed yet, but it’s very likely that he will mid-next-year. The thought of it is just so paralyzing, but I know that we’ll both make it through because that is the only option 😉

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  19. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    What a jerk! Sorry to hear that.

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  20. Dayna Avatar
    Dayna

    Currently being in the Navy and having done two deployments..just know that it sucks for him too! The hardest thing is being away from your loved one an only having limited time each day to communicate with them, especially if you are used to having the other around all the time. Trust me..it will get a little easier and the homecoming is the absolute best feeling in the world. Like on love actually at the very beginning when he is talking about being in an airport..but a million times better 🙂

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  21. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    I am so excited for the homecoming. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.

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  22. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    one day at a time, it really is a roller coaster, isn’t it? After this first month you should find yourself in a bit of a groove, your new routine, and time will start to fly. Then bam, you might hit a wall when you realize time isn’t going fast enough…up, down, all around, however you handle the roller coaster, you’ll make it through. Hang in there.

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  23. Marissa Avatar
    Marissa

    My thoughts are with you guys for a quick and safe deployment for your hubby! Thank you both for the sacrifices you make for our country.

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  24. Nessa Avatar
    Nessa

    Hang in there… you are doing all the right things, keeping busy, reaching out to friends and family and recognizing the crappiness of it all. My husband was abroad for med school for a year – only saw him once. Not quite the same as for you – but I know the lonely feeling.

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  25. Leah Bean Avatar
    Leah Bean

    I get freaked out about losing our connection if I go a few days without talking to my bf, and he’s only an hour away by car. I can only imagine what it’s like for you, Elise. And I’m glad you write about the difficult things. That’s real life. The real stuff of life. You’re so strong, both of you, and you’ll grow from this. Promise!

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  26. Jenn Avatar
    Jenn

    video chat IS the best. My man and I have endured deployments and we currently live 8hrs apart. skype dates and facetime are where it’s at for now. video chat is great even when it’s with girl-friends. I got to skype with my friend that is deployed and it was so great. YAY for technology!! I don’t know how couples/families did it way back in the day.

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  27. Christy Avatar
    Christy

    Being far away is so hard! But i do think the internet (especially Skype!) makes it just a little bit easier.

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