This Summer

I have some plans this summer to stay busy. First off, I am taking two summer classes: a business class and a photography class. What does this mean? This means you can expect to be bombarded by awkwardly creative/abstract pictures and ... tips about business? 

I am super thrilled about the photo class, I think it's going to be a lot of fun and it's going to get me using my camera a lot more again and in a better way. I've already been experimenting. After the first class I immediately drove out to my barn and snapped a couple shots of Friesian Mare and Baby (also known as Ericka and Tiberius). I think they came out pretty good considering I used my 300mm lens that is known to give shaky blur without a tripod (and because I am still not totally versed in how to use it to its full potential.) 

Other than the classes, I have a surprise trip planned (more on that later) and I am hoping to take my horse to the beach and poker rides/trail course playdays this summer. He really thrived on that stuff last year and I think it's really great for his brain. We're going to be starting up dressage lessons with a really accomplished trainer shortly and I'm hoping we'll have some shows in our future for next summer. 

All in all, I have a lot to strive for this year and it's my goal to make this deployment an opportunity for opportunities. I really owe it to myself. 

Flashback 2009: Savannah

I step out into the hot Savannah air,

My sundress plastered to my body.

I look for you.

Southern jazz tickles my ears.

A static prickle dances up my neck,

Nothing to do with the simple melody.

I see you first, conspicuous in camouflage.

Your hand slips into mine,

We’ve made plans and we’re late.

Under a canopy of oak we vow,

‘Til death do us part.

Our kiss tastes of metal and gunpowder.

One more hug, just one more.

But you have to go,

There are men relying on you.

I watch you drive away.

I love you and

I pray the desert gives you back to me.

Poem copyright Ashley Graham.

What's Happening?

So I've just started this blog and it is pretty much to document things of interest while my husband (Andrew) is deployed to Afghanistan. Communication with him will not be as ample (if you could even call it that) as it was in Iraq, meaning we will not get to Skype or communicate via messaging services during his downtime unless he gets onto a computer connected to the internet, which could be rare. As of right now, he is doing his AT (annual training). He will be given a pass for 4th of July weekend and then the next time he will have pass is near the end of September. By that time he will be finishing up in Texas and the men will be headed out of country to their ultimate destination.

With all of this in mind, I have decided to try and keep a blog so that he can stay updated on some goings on when he is able to access the internet and as a way to keep me sane and give me something to focus on. More than likely, this deployment will be a year or longer and with the volatile state of Afghanistan, it won't be an easy one. Even though this blog in intended for Andy, I would still love it if friends and family would like to occasionally follow along. I will be trying some multi-media of vlogs (video blogging), creative writing, and regular blogging.

Anyway, happy reading!

Miss You Already

Missing my best friend so much right now: the person who laughs at my corny jokes, who knows I'm super awkward and weird but finds it amusing (mostly), the person who makes eye contact with me every time something happens and we automatically know we're thinking the same thing. I am missing my friend who generously allowed me to leech onto his Kindle while he was reading The Shining so that we could read it together, simultaneously. I miss my movie partner who doesn't think it's excessive to go to the theater two days in a row, or even three. I miss the person who keeps me grounded, who pushes me not to be a hermit, who won't let me become a cat lady. Missing the "hon, hon HON, HON!!". I miss my favorite person in the entire world, the one who I am so proud of for his fortitude, commitment, motivation. He seriously has the best stats roll ever. Love you, hon. Miss you so much and it's hardly been a day.