Completion!!

Well, I did it. I finished "The Blithedale Romance."

Strangely enough, after all that talk of it practically putting me to sleep, when I f i n a l l y hit the good part (around chapter 14) I couldn't put it down. It is still heavy reading, but when the plot finally "thickens", it thickens nicely. It goes from a watery chicken broth to a nice thick potato soup with chunks of carrot and celery for flavor. Yummy!

And really, I think that the last line is my favorite in the whole book. Totally worth the work of the rest of the book.

So, after all my negative talk earlier, have I now inspired you to go pick it up and give it a try?

I am ready for something lighter now. I need a slight rest for my brain. Teaching medieval history, multiplication, and trying to keep with Hawthorne has worn me out. When Andy tried to talk me into Tolstoy as my next read I only considered it for about 2 seconds.

Then I decided that since Hawthorne had already kicked my butt this month, I think my butt deserves a break. I am moving on to the Percy Jackson series. Books written about Greek mythology for middle schoolers - surely they can't be too overwhelming!

Andy is actually reading "The Art of War". It seems that war has not changed much in 2400 years. Or at least the tactics behind organization, and leadership, and long term winning... which is more what the book appears to be about.

Andy thought it would be useful reading in preparation for becoming an Officer. Just a chapter or two into it now, he thinks it should be required reading for officer training school.

And that leads up to.... The decision has been officially made now. We are moving forward to apply for the Army Officer program. We still have some paperwork to do, and letters of reference to wait for, and the AF has to actually release him. But, we are planning to officially apply within the next month for a position as an Officer in the United States Army.

Positions are available there.

They are not, for him, in the AF.

Nothing is promised. Nothing is certain. But it holds potential, and we are hopeful. It feels right, and it seems time for Andy to use this education that he worked so hard to achieve. Three deployments and a remote tour, plus the addition of two children to the family, working full time always, and he still managed to complete his degree. I think he deserved to at least have the chance to apply for the program.

Prayers would be greatly appreciated, because our life is sort of a waiting game right now. How long will the paperwork take? Will they accept him? If so, when will they get him into training, and what career field will they place him in? (his degree is in management and logistics) Overall the question is, where will we end up?

As any of you who are military already know, that thought already hanging in the back of your mind plays havoc on your ability to be much of a friend. People you already know you start backing away from, just for "practice", so it doesn't hurt quite as bad when you have to leave. New people, well, who needs to meet new people? Run inside, close the door and paint a red cross (proclaiming black death... I told you we were studying medieval history!) to scare them away. I am working very very hard to NOT do this, but I catch myself on occasion backing away from people, rather then walking toward them.

AHEM

I think that is enough confession for one night.

The book was great.

The Army is a hopeful possibility.

I am fighting my demons!

Life is good. God is great. How can I ask for anything more?