He said yes, he's going

coasterqueen wrote: Well Dh and I talked on the phone just a bit ago. I told him my fears, not my fears of me not handling it (I just can't do that) but all my other fears and he knows. He really wants to do this. I don't understand why. I don't understand why he wants to be away from his children, but this is what he wants to do and I have to accept it. We have talked here and there about how things will run while he is gone and my parents signed on to help as much as they can, including feeding the kids and I a few times a week so I don't have to cook. They are going to pay for someone to mow our acreage while he is gone as well. I just wish they would pay for a cleaning person too. We will do everything in our power to make this as easy on the girls as we can. I guess I'm going to have to save my mental breakdowns for late evening or work.

We don't know when he will go. He has to take a 3 day class on federal electrical laws before he can go out there. Also FEMA hasn't given them their assignments, they have only asked for people to be on standby at the moment. That is mainly because they don't know where they are going to house them at the moment, etc.

I have been assured that they will keep him safe but I don't buy it one bit. I'm so scared for his safety. Just one more thing to worry about.

I'll let you all know when he does go. I do know he's asked to stay here until after Sept 10th, which is when we are having Kylie's birthday party. Please keep him in your p&pt's please.

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: Oh, honey. He doesn't want to leave the kids. He wants to help out where he can. Your parents being nearby will be an enormous help to you. And you will do just fine. Losing your marbles and having stressed out rantings online is allowed. You will get through this and it will make you both stronger, as a couple and as individuals. Good luck.
PS If you want any simple recipes, let me know. Or maybe I can figure out how to send you some frozen dinners that you can defrost.

kimberley replied: oh hon, i am sorry. i know this isn't what you were hoping for, but hang in there. we are here for you and it sounds like you will have some extra help. sending tons of P&PT to you, DH and the girls.

TANNER'S MOM replied: Karen,

My heart goes out to you. I can imagine all the thoughts you are having. This will work out.. Dh will go and come back and you will be a stronger more confident person when he gets home.

I am thinking you and your DH..everyone will be fine.. I promise!

Prayers for you,

Love,
Mel

DansMom replied: Don't be afraid to ask for help from friends and other family too. If anyone has ever offered, now is the time to take them up on it. A limited diet can still be nutritious---peanut butter and jelly sandwiches every night is fine, really. Or noodles sprinkled with cheese and a can of green beans and hot dogs. I know the worst part is that you'll miss him and worry about him---we'll all be praying for his safety and here to support you as much as we can.

gr33n3y3z replied: ((((((((( Hugs )))))))))))
You and the girls will be fine
Like everyone said we will be here for you

Hillbilly Housewife replied: Yikes.... good luck to you.

If you want simple easy nutritious recipies, let me know - I`m the queen of no-fuss-no-mess-no-burn cooking

ediep replied: yikes!!! Karen, I'd be so upset too!! I'm sure it'll work out fine for you! Your family helping will be great!
Good Luck!!!!
(((((((HUGS))))))) for you and the girls!

Kaitlin'smom replied: oh Karen I know its not going to be easy, want me and Kait to come stay with you for a few days? really if there is anything I can do let me know or if you just want to rant you can pm me or what ever you need. We will be here for you.

My2Beauties replied: I'm sorry Karen! I know this isn't what you wanted, you will be ok I promise. We are here for you and if you need something please let us know!

5littleladies replied: Lots of Hugs Karen!! I can only imagine how difficult this is for you but I know you and the girls will do just fine. Hopefully the time will just fly by!

amynicole21 replied: I'm sorry, Karen

punkeemunkee'smom replied: Karen we will be here for you! It is something to be proud of to be married to a man that wants to offer his services in a time like this! Let me know if there is anything I can do to help-I am apart from dh alot so if you need to vent I am here!

kit_kats_mom replied: we are all here for you dear.

you may really suprise yourself too. For some reason, when my DH is out of town, I manage to not only take care of the girls but the house stays tidier & I often even get small projects done. It's nuts but I guess he's messier than I think he is.

Also, make 1 or 2 "out nights" a week so you don't have to worry about cooking. Maybe Wed is pizza night & Monday is subs.

coasterqueen replied: Thanks everyone. You are all the best! I honestly don't know what I would do without you all!

Cary - I'm the PIG of our house so if we make it in 90 days and can still see one tiny speck of the carpet we'll be lucky.

I like the idea of making a schedule of what we are going to eat each night, make stuff ahead of time, go out to eat etc. So I will do that.

Since Dh could leave at any second after Sept 10 I'm trying to take this opportunity to make lists, figure out how I'm going to do this and that, I'll line someone up to mow our acreage (ooh I hope they weed eat too, lol). I'll have to clean the darn cat box ( I hate that, lol).

I know I can make mornings easier by washing my hair at night, getting all bags together, clothes out, etc.

Dh is going to teach me the budget program he uses so I know when to pay bills, etc.

I'll talk with my mom to schedule exactly what nights we'll eat over there and give her money for that. I'll also schedule nights where she can take the girls for a few hours to help my sanity. I guess I am lucky in the sense that I can recharge my "batteries" a bit at work, but work is so extremely stressful right now that that's almost impossible.

Okay, I will just have to do it, sorry I'm rambling. Thanks again and it means the WORLD to me that you are all here for me.

LeaAnn - honey, if you have any secrets about keeping your sanity, let me know.

Sarah&Mackenzie replied: Everything will be o.k.!! We are all here for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CantWait replied: I'm sorry I'm a bit lost. Where is dh going? I'm sure you'll do great. You'll find out a lot of great stuff about yourself while he's gone.

~Roo'sMama~ replied: I'm sorry I couldn't reply to this when you posted it every time I was at the computer yesterday and the day before I was holding Andrew and he was being to squirmy for me to type. Karen I'm sorry your Dh is going to be gone for so long I'm sure if it were me I'd be freaking out too. (((Big Hugs))) I hope the time goes by fast and he is home before you know it.

redchief replied: You and I talked about this before, so you know how I feel. I just got an email from FEMA requesting some of my firefighters. They'll let me know next week how many they want. Two who have worked with FEMA in the past have already been called up and are preparing to go. I may lose up to 25% of my firefighter force in this national emergency, but I'm glad my guys are stepping up to help.

I understand their reluctance to go (and they are), but I also understand their need to help their fellow Americans get back on their feet. I'm thinking this is your DH's line of thinking too. I wouldn't be accepted by them, or I would likely commit myself to the effort (I wouldn't be accepted because I'm the local fire chief and FEMA doesn't want local leaders to leave their local emergency management responsibilities).

We'll be here for you, Karen! Kudos to your DH and you for accepting it!

coasterqueen replied:
Thanks Ed. I know he's going to do good WHEN he finally goes and I just keep telling myself that. I'm glad to know I have people here to talk to and especially people like you who know first hand about this.

It's just so weird because we thought he would be going immediately (well after Sept 10 when he requested to stay til then). They've been calling him asking if he knows how to do this type of engineering, etc and so far the ones they are asking about he doesn't know so he's still waiting for an assignment. I hope when they do give him an assignment we find out what type of clothing he needs because we'll have to go buy all that stuff.

redchief replied: It sounds as if he has some specific engineering skill they feel they'll be in need of. It may be actually quite some time before his expertise can be utilized, since the most important job at hand right now is getting people safe. Good luck to you and keep us posted!

My2Beauties replied:
Um No I really don't I'm going insane as we speak. But I will say this Karen. I have surprised myself, sure I have come on here and whined and boo-hood about missing DH and having to take care of everything myself, but I've done it and managed to keep my house somewhat clean and take care of Hanna and entertain her, I have done really well! The house isn't as clean and as orderly but hey what can I say - I'm doing the best I can! I have also found things to do to occupy my time and like Cary said got small prjects done!

coasterqueen replied: Well maybe I have one up on you because I've been away from DH for months at a time so I won't miss him as much.

A&A'smommy replied: Oh I tired to reply to this last night but I had some trouble with my internet at home, I'm sorry it took me SO long to reply to this!!! I'm SO sorry I know its hard for you I can't amagine all the thoughts that must be going through your head!!!