Cougar Bait II

Okay. So, as I said in my earlier post, my special guy has recently confessed to a fear of cougars. And, while there are no big tawny felines roaming around his FOB...there are some cute, older women cuddling up inside his computer.

THIS is the kind of cougar who makes her way via email to Afghanistan:

Okay, okay. Demi hasn't actually contacted my husband. But, he's just as cute as Ashton...and I thought it'd be a good illustration.

Apparently Mr. Deem has had quite a few letters from older women from the Adopt a Soldier program. Now, in the information that's given to them, I'm guessing it states that Mr. Deem is married with FIVE  (FIVE!)  children. All of the women have mentioned his children.  Apparently it does not say, "happily married," and this is where the gray area is discovered.  I always knew that a cute guy with kids was actually a turn-on to a lot of women. The proof is in the pudding. Or, in the long-vaguely- seeking-emails, so to speak.

On several occasions this man of mine has been out and about with the kids, say shopping on a Saturday morning. And, has come home SHOCKED because he thought a clerk or fellow shopper was flirting with him. "But, I'm sure I misread it...because, I had the kids with me!" Nope. Sorry buddy.

So back to the Adopt a Soldier program. Mostly, these letters of course, are completely well-meaning, and VERY appreciated. I just can't shake the feeling that a few are using it as some kind of matchy-match.com scheme. Which is probably great for single soldiers. 

Humorous, and not so great for the guys separated from their families and...wives.

____________________________________

I've lost 20 lbs so far and looking to do more. But more than anything I love the feeling of being more fit. I'm definitely a girly-girl underneath all that and would like to eventually meet a guy who appreciates me :) I'm on the lookout. It's tough though being older and recently sort of back in the game.

If you'd like to know anything about me please feel free to ask. Also if you need/want anything just let me know and I'll do my best to get it out to you. 

_____________________________________

My name is (OMITTED) and I have just adopted you. Aren't you lucky?  *Winking*  

If you have access to email, feel free to let me know what kinds of things you would like to receive in a goody box. Since I have never been deployed and it is way too long ago that my ex was(also, I'm old) I've totally forgotten what things are best.  Anything that you want and/or need and I will do my very best.

P.S. I'm attaching a picture because I feel it's always nice to put a face to a name.  Yes, that's actually me. I know I look much younger than 43. :) 

 ___________________________________

These are excerpts from (long) letters he's gotten from two of his pen pals. And...DANG if the last one did really look 30! I know that these aren't a big deal. And, I really am thankful that there are people willing to support and appreciate what our soldiers go through. 

But still...I mean. Come on! How can I not laugh? I think I need to write about boundaries next. Hedges people!

Mr. Deem told me he would not like to write back any (crazy) single ladies at this time, and since he knows I would get mad at him for asking for a big screen t.v., there's really nothing he would like to get from them in a goody box. 


His words, not mine.

Ah. Sometimes I'm really happy I married such a cold-hearted guy...

Cougar Bait

So yesterday's post was a little random. Bronchitis, sick kids, holiday crazies, and separation from family. It all added up to me feeling in awe of the road to our daughter.  I am so incredibly thankful to spend this Christmas with her. I realize I haven't gone into how our adoption processed all that much. And, rather than fill you in at this time--I'm going to completely change subjects.

Ha.

Please bare with me. I want to talk to you about an interesting phenomenon:

My fear of cougars.

Having spent the past 12 years or so in eastern Oregon; I've had a chance to learn a little bit about this big cat. I'm not an expert. I've never been hunting a day in my life. But, what I know is from my own experience. People in Portland say we are lucky to have such a majestic creature in our back yards. They are right; what beautiful animals!  However, obviously they can be dangerous.  And, I harbor a totally exaggerated fear of them. One of my favorite things to do in our valley, was go on hikes with my girlfriends. Imagine waking up at the crack of dawn to meet up with a buddy. Walking five minutes and being surrounded by the sounds of the forest. To be able to stand back, as a herd of elk tramples across the path ahead of you. To hear the calves call to their mamas. The smells. The sounds. The beauty. *ahhhh* 

Part of the beauty of La Grande and the surrounding areas, is also the Mule Deer. They are everywhere. In your backyard, in your front yard, down town, at school. Everywhere. A couple years ago, I had just finished a nighttime jog. And, as I came around a corner to head home, very nearly missed running smack dab into a huge buck. He was hanging out in the middle of my street. I stopped about two feet from him, and slowly backed up.  I appreciate that he didn't go all postal on me, and instead just dismissed me disdainfully as he snorted and walked away. Deer, deer, deer.

 

They attract cougars.

The Grand Ronde Valley is one of the largest completely enclosed valleys in the world. Mountains are in everyone's backyard. It is seriously some of the most beautiful landscape I've ever seen. There are deer, elk, wild turkeys, and of course...cougars close by. My hiking buddies and I have walked along snow-covered paths with cattle, deer, dog, cougar and our own tracks all intertwined.  I've even seen the leftovers from cougar kills. 

Being a fairly small person...I often felt like I would be the prey in any given group. Cougar bait. When we would go on hikes, I constantly checked trees, made noise and scanned the horizon. There's just something SO creepy about the thought of being stalked.

I guess I'm not alone.

I found out that a certain guy I know has a similar fear in his new home.

 

"They have cougars in Afghanistan?" You say?

Well, no.

Not this kind...

(To be continued...)

We've been waiting for you...

Abaynesh,

We are not complete without you.

We love you now.

 Even with the love we have for you today. And, the love that will grow in tomorrow...our love pales to the powerful love and grace our Heavenly Father has for you! You are a miracle, and so beautifully designed by Him. He has placed you in our lives--and for that we are so humbled and thankful.

 We are broken-hearted with you, that you cannot be with your first momma and daddy.

 We think of you continually. Even though we are sad to be apart from you, we have prayed that God would fill you with peace. And, lots of smiles! We pray that you would know joy.

You are more precious than gold. We will come for you soon! We love you baby girl~

 Your Family

(March 2010)

__________________________________________________________

                                                                                         

Reagan found her stocking the other day, while we were unpacking Christmas decorations. It made me realize how long we have been waiting for her. I bought that stocking around Christmastime last year. We started with our adoption agency in October of 2008.

She opened the tub, and went straight for HER stocking. Something about seeing her hold it filled me with thankfulness and awe.

 I'm so glad she is spending this Christmas with our family, and not in a care center...