The Life we Lead

Hi everyone. This is going to be a little bit different. Wait, not really. I'm pretty much going to ramble on until I'm done.

Hmm where to start.... I think I'll start with my photography. I started my own photography business. I'm not in it to get rich. I'm in it to help people who can't normally afford sitting fees and multiple prints. My prices are DAMN good prices and I stand by my work. I am learning to edit pictures as that's something I've never done. I know I'm not the BEST but I do know I'm good! I don't even care if you don't like me, I guarantee that you'll love the photos and will come back for more.
facebook.com/michelemccannphotography

I am missing my kids a lot this month. They've been in Wyoming with their paternal grandparents for 2 weeks and will be there until the end of the month. They're everything to me. We will be going up camping with Tye's great grandma and other family. I'm looking forward to it. I love them to death. I miss them and haven't seen the majority of them for 3 years or so. I, for one, adore my family, whether it's family that I'm married into or it's friends I've adopted as family, or my own family. I don't get along with the vast majority of my blood relatives but I do love them.

 Life is hard for everyone. We all fight for everything, working our butts off just to survive in this big, bad world. I used to be one of those who would complain about my spouse being gone. I love Tye to pieces and it's way hard having him gone three weeks at a time for work. He's my world. I am lucky, however. I get to see him whenever I am able to drive up to him, even if it's just a few hours. I get to talk to him daily, by either text or phone. I get to spend a solid week with him after his three week stint. Yeah, your hubby might be gone over night. It sucks. Yeah you might not get to see him for months or even years at a time. It sucks! You learn to deal. It never gets easier. 

Never be afraid to speak your mind. If you voice your opinion and people try to push you down, push back. They are no better than you. We are equal. I got into an argument with one of my previous professors about me saying "When I was younger, I didn't view my friends as Black, White or Hispanic." She told me that I  had to be "extreme white" to have views like that. I told her no, what I had with my friends then was real. I didn't see color, I saw personality. There are many people who are way ugly by learning of their personality. Looks aren't what makes you beautiful. If you have an incredible body, gorgeous face but a personality that just sucks, you are one of the most ugly people around. What happened to "we are American"? We are equal, we are all the same. You aren't better than me. I am not better than you. I'm an American Mutt and damned proud of that fact. I have friends who are White, Hispanic, mixed, Mormon, Baptists, Christians, tall, short, thin, bigger, and other differences. Why judge people by looks or backgrounds or religion? I believe in this, you believe in that, awesome, let's go have pizza. To put it bluntly, people suck. We are ruining our own country. Putting it in hands of those who scream "racist" when that has nothing to do with it, who take advantage of everything they can. Yeah, you gotta live for you, no one else. But really? Why not fight for what you want? Why not do the best you can in everything? Why not prove you are better than that?

What is Deployment?

Okay, I am going to write this for the MANY people who argue with me that Tye was not "deployed" in the military because he was stateside. In 2003, Tye was DEPLOYED to Fort Polk, Louisiana. Yes, that is a real deployment. Just because he was not sent over seas does not mean he didn't fight for our freedom! Lookie here:
"The deployment phase of the cycle begins with the physical movement of individuals and units from their home installation to the designated theater of operations. This phase of the deployment cycle can be a stressful time for servicemembers and their families as they face the realities of a deployment and what that means for them. The remainder of the deployment phase primarily involves the performance of military duties in support of the mission either in the theater of operations (overseas) or within the United States. Near the end of the deployment phase, the unit will begin preparations for its return to the home installation, culminating with the unit’s redeployment home." (Deployment, n.d.) This CLEARLY states that the deployment of our military members is ANYWHERE in this world.

The reason I felt the need to share this is when I proudly say that my husband had been deployed, many, many people argue with me. They say that "They are only deployed if they go overseas." This is a false statement, obviously. Being away from family and friends, if it's to Louisiana, Kenya, Iraq, Germany, is not easy on anyone. It's not the best lifestyle, and it is hard on both the servicemember as well as their family and friends. I was lucky enough for my husband to get out of the military when Kylie was young. I'm sorry but I am a family person, as is Tye. Yes, right now he is away from home 3 weeks straight then home only 1 week, but let me tell you, that week he's home every month, is always the best week when it comes to memories and family fun. I'd rather him be away from home for 3 weeks at a time than 6 months -2 years plus. My husband is my dearest friend, I stood beside him when he was in the military, I stand beside him now, working his butt off in the oilfield. He is a good man and deserves more respect than what many people give him.

Before you try arguing with me, you might want to check who you are talking to. Check your facts. I will never stand down when I know what is right. People who fight stateside deserve the same love and respect that people who fight in Iraq deserve.



Reference:
Deployment: An Overview. (n.d.). Military.com. Retrieved March 18, 2013, from http://www.military.com/deployment/deployment-overview.html?comp=7000023443512&rank=1