Odds "n" Ends

This week was filled with a lot of random topics addressed below:

1. Combat Operational Stress (COS)

Combat Operational Stress is the new buzz word in the military therapeutic communities (i.e. chaplains, doctors, pscycholigsts, etc). PTSD is located at one end of a LONG continum of reactions to deployment and combat. Most people don't come back with full-blown PTSD, they normally come back with COS, and if it is left untreated then it could turn into PTSD; and most people returning from deployment experience some degree of Combat Operational Stress (COS).

Operational stress is a NORMAL reaction to an abnormal situation (deployment), and it also feels similar to (reverse) culture shock where a person has not fully submerged back into "life" in the United States or a foreign country. Since our unit was not involved with combat (more like drinking and boredom rather than combat) we aren't going to experience the combat stress; but I have discovered during the past week that operational stress is alive in my life. I didn't even realize it until I had lunch with a friend yesterday. I explained to her after work I have all these plans of things I need to do like wash my car, work out, run little errands. But, I get home and I do nothing but stay on my sofa watching hours of tv. It's frusterating because I want to do something, but don't do it. She had similar experiences when she returned from deployment. Comparing notes, we both worked 15-hour days and were "on" for six months straight without taking a break (even though we have liberty, we were not "off" ever). After the excitment of returning we start calming down and readjusting to life. The coming home and staying planted on the sofa is part of this "calming down." Luckily most COS fades off eventually. I just need to edge myself off the sofa to get fresh air and workout.

But, in the immortal words from my 12-Step friends of Bill W., "Easy does it...."

2. Homefront

Well, I look forward to getting out today. I'm actually pretty excited because this will be one of my last trips to the storeage unit, and my home will be mostly comeplete (am looking for a kitchen table)! As soon as I get these plastic bins out of my living room my space will be completley moved into, such a wonderful feeling! Pix are coming soon.

3. Frost

For the first time that I can ever remember we had frost on our cars this week. I know the rest of the country had this artic weather blast, amongst our 70-degree days we had one morning with frost on our windows (yeah!).

4. Scrapbook

I'm starting my 1st large scrapbook project. I've completed a small one before, and the large ones seem so daunting. But, what I have discovered is to take one page during one day at a time. Each page takes about 1 hour, so in a month I should have a completed scrapbook. I have one completed page, and I'm looking forward to doing the 2nd page (work on weekdays only). Putting this together is helping me work out some of the COS issues, but as with my life the key words in the scrapbook area are, "Easy Does it."

5. Clean House

A lot of my COS time is spent on the sofa watching the Style Channel and "Clean House," where the show goes to peoples' houses filled with junk and clutter. They pretty much get rid of the entire house in a yardsale and take the proceeds, and redecorate the home. I've learned so much about the psychology of clutter and grief. Many times the clutter is born out of grief or some dysfunction in a family's life. At the end of the show they will have to have worked through their issues. I've taken a cue from this show and have really started cleaning my clutter, and my new home looks amazing! I feel so rejuvinated, and it is really helping to work through the OS! Now, I just need to find a yard to have a yard sale. But, my proceeds are not going to be used to buy recorating stuff, they will be used to pay off credit card.

6. He's Just Not that Into You

I read that book in honor of the movie coming out next week. Well, it really made me re-think my approach with men in my life, and the possiblity of being alone. A book worth reading if you are single and looking.

7. Preggers
Living in So Cal people use this word, but I hate it. I prefer pregnant. But, nonetheless I have found out that two of my friends are pregnant! I'm so happy for them. God bless!

8. PANCHO!!!!

The plane tickets are bought! I'm bringing Pancho back with me (yeah!). See attached photo of my beautiful doggie :-)! The brown one is Pancho & the white one is Fabio.

Well, these are some of the highlights of my week. I hope yours has been amazing!