Farewell Sweat Home Alabama

No, that's not a misspelling. My Sweat Home Alabama. I believe that I mentioned that I have a constant sheen of sweat while residing here. I'd like to revise that. I have a constant dripping shower of sweat while living here. A sheen might be acceptable. Constant dripping, not so much. I sweat so much that I am pretty sure that walking outside equals running at a brisk pace for 60 minutes. For some reason this equation does not work out for my weight-loss plans. Probably because in an effort to counteract the gallons of sweat loss I have been eating gallons of ice cream, I mean "oranges."

You probably wouldn't guess it from my sarcastic posts, but I'm sad to leave. I'm sad that Mike will be staying here for another week and a half while I herd teenage girls up mountains and into tents. I'm sad that I will miss his graduation from ASBC. It's a big deal to have worked so hard for 6 weeks and to have to pass mental and physical tests and to learn to be a leader. I didn't realize what a big deal it is to complete this class. I am kicking myself over and over that I won't be here for the end of it and to watch him graduate. Mike has done really well and we're proud of him.

I've learned a lot about the Air Force and the kind of people that make up its leaders and I'm sad to leave these new friends behind. I have a new respect for people that are in the armed forces and the sacrifices they and their families make. I will miss the friends we made here and the small community that we got to be a part of for the last month. We've had bbqs, talked for hours on end, went to lunch, shared life jackets at the pool, visited the beach, went to museums, got heat exhaustion at the zoo, ate ice cream at ball games, went to the library, bemoaned our sweatiness together and had a great time in general. I'm so grateful to the moms and women I've gotten to know and had good times with. I'm in awe of their selfless sacrifices and steely nerves. I truly admire them and their husbands, and know that they will be great leaders and great families.

Here's just two of the families we've enjoyed getting to know. The Saucedas and the Francoms. We spent last weekend in Gulf Shores with them hanging out at the beach and eating sea food. It was wonderful. The Saucedas are off to Las Vegas and the Francoms will be stationed in Mississippi.

Farewell Alabama. I'll miss my sweat home.