You Know What....?

Guess... no, really, try to guess what.

Ok, never mind, I'm only kidding. You don't have to guess what throughout this whole blog. I love having Wayne on our team because he gives us that "guy's" perspective that, so many times, goes unnoticed in Army Wife land. I mean how many of us ever thought about the ability to pee outside when deciding whether to live in military housing? I can guaran-darn-ty you, not many, if any, of us.

I sat at Panera Bread by my lonesome today eating lunch and going over my "blog" notes. Reading my blog, which I wasn't feeling, I thought about how darn funny Wayne's "no More Peeing Outside" was. I read it again. Still funny. But, this time, something clicked. his blog was pretty darn close to giving the full reality of living on post. No, you probably should not walk around shirtless (ladies too...i know that stinks), and no, you definitely should not pee outside. I will not, however, say that my soldier has never done "it". You know what? After living on post for the past ten years, I'm over it.

Yes, living on post has been great most of the time. In fact, most of the time covers every installation aside from Fort Stewart. In fact, yesterday, I received a citation for having beautiful gray curtains (no, really, they were 40 bucks a panel). In one room. Apparently I did not read the housing manual that the lovely Balfour Beatty lady gave me when I moved into my newest house. The new house that does not have white mini blinds because they don't feel like providing them. For those who have not paid attention to their housing manuals, do it. There is a lovely new clause that BBC has added that states our window coverings have to be white or cream colored. Lovely. I have never, in 10 years, been told what color drapery I can have, but that's beside the point.

My point is; I think I want to pee outside! My reasons for living on post are varied, but mostly I felt that post was a safer place to be for my kiddos. By the way, so not true. As with everywhere, trouble can find kids on post just as easily as off. In the past few months, I have really been contemplating moving off post. I think that every installation is different, though... i loved living on post at Bliss and Sill, but here at Stewart I feel like so much could be said for moving off. Richmond Hill and Savannah sure have their draws (like, being closer to the Ocean). I want my own space... I want to be able to have a garden, which is also not allowed on post (they don't want to draw rodents...oookkkaaayyy?), and I want my hubby to feel comfy walking around shirtless cause he's hot and I like it; and I prob. would not mind it if he did pee outside once in a while (:P).

So, folks, just like with everything, each and every installation is different. In some places I know that on post housing is the place to be, and in some places, it so isn't. Check out the area, and most definitely, READ that housing manual. I wish someone would have been able to give me that advice when coming here...aside from Tara, who told me exactly where I wanted to be while at Stewart (I just did not listen). Let me rephrase that, when people offer advice, listen to it. There are lots who have been in the same predicament and have tons of advice...filter through it. And finally, "home" is where your soldier is... but you better make dern sure it's a good place to be cause if you ain't happy, chances are, your soldier won't be either.