Tag Archives: Deployment

Smily, Happy, People

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Smiley, Happy People

Look at this photo. Isn’t it lovely. Everything is perfect about it, especially the big smiles – okay it’s a little blurred and the colour isn’t great BUT it’s perfect, to me anyway. I remember this day, it was a just before Phil left on deployment in 2011. Little Legs was 2, and I was panicking about her ‘forgetting’ who Phil was. I demanded that we all go to the park so I could take some photos of them together. My plan was some perfectly posed ones where they would look fabulously in love which I would frame and put in her room.

Obviously all of those were crap, and the photos that were just me snapping away are the best. Like this one. The one that made the frame. It shows a little girl and her daddy having fun, and shows their beautiful bond. It’s the photo Little Legs goes to, a year and a half on. She didn’t forget her Daddy, it’s hard when he comes home for sure, but they love each other very much and that is what this photo is all about.

This post is Claire’s entry into the Printerpix Photo competition.

The Gallery : Bond

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Bond

Phil’s been home for 3 months now after being away for 7. It’s been a hard readjustment for us all – especially as this house has been a germ fest and then of course, I found out I was pregnant. When he left, it took a few weeks for Little Legs to really get he wasn’t coming home – remembering of course, he goes away a lot. We saw him for two weeks in that seven months, and she was like his shadow. She adores him. When his ship came in she was delighted, excited and totally in love with him. But she has held a little something holding back, a little bit of trust or security – something I can’t put my finger on was missing. She always wanted me if she was tired, hurt, ill or just wanted a cuddle. She didn’t like Phil getting her dressed, or helping her with little tasks toddlers need help with. Until this week that is.

Twice, in the last seven days, I have been in London for the day, so Phil was her only option. And it’s what they both needed. The bond is back. She now calls for daddy, is happy for him to comfort her and the other night, I went in to my room to find that she had sneaked out of her bed and in to bed with him. We don’t normally allow it, but he couldn’t resist her. Understandably. I came in to her asleep with her arms round him. Their bond is back.

 

Post submitted for The Gallery : Bond.

 

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Top 5 Phrases That Drive Me Crazy

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I am joining in with Kate Takes 5 listography for the first time – although this is 2 months too late to actually join in but I am doing it because the topic is great, and I have a whole lot of phrases that are annoying me at the moment. All relating to Phil’s deployment …

Oh it must be like being a single mum.
Er no, actually it’s not. I mean seriously. Single mums have it a lot harder. FFS.

You’re lucky, you have the best of both worlds.
Look the only thing good about my husband being deployed for 7 months is the extra wardrobe space.

At least Little Legs is young so she won’t know what’s happening.
Again. Seriously. Jeez. Read my blog posts will you. Of course she has sussed her Daddy’s not home.

At least Sailor’s don’t die.
Halle-fucking-lujah my husband isn’t dead. In all fairness, it’s not often sailors die but what a benchmark.

Communications are so much better these days – you can skype and everything.
No we can’t. Nor facebook. Nor tweet. You get 30 mins as standard satellite phone access, which you can top up at your own cost. You can’t use any personal communication which will show where the ship is. They have no phone reception when they’re in the middle of the ocean. It normally goes when they’re 7 miles or so out. I can email. My emails can be held in quarantine for 48 hours especially if I attach a photo. We can skype when Phil is on shore. If he can find a internet cafe  or wifi connection for his iPad – which isn’t easy where he’s going.

lola

Don’t let the truth get in the way…

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HMS Dauntless

Today my husband left us for 7 months. He’s on HMS Dauntless heading to Africa and then South Africa. That’s common knowledge. So why does every single news report say he’s heading to the Falklands right now as their lead? Like this, and this, and this.

I know papers need to sell stories. I know the Falklands is topical with the 30th anniversary yesterday etc. But do remember these reporters also reported that the ship set sail to the Falklands last month…. it was in fact in Plymouth, but don’t let the truth get in the way of a good story. Sigh.

Anyway. He’s gone. We’re still here. And Little Legs thinks her daddy is ace – he’s off catching pirates after all.

ps. He wasn’t on that ferry, I was to preoccupied to take better photos a the time!