No Sparks

I read the latest Nicholas Sparks Book The Lucky One.  I know he's not quite considered a literary great, but I was disappointed.  His books are always easy reads and somewhat entertaining, but I found that this was following the same course as most of his books--main characters forge a relationship, there's a storm and a fight, then the end.  It's not that I expected much more, but the ending totally left something to be desired.  I felt like the curtain fell before the last act was through.  I felt cheated.  I do not like when I come to the end of a book feeling like I wasted all that time reading it.  Endings are very important to me, and I just didn't see the sparks in this one.  

Quiet Dinners

One might have thought that the quiet, lonely dinners would end when my husband returned from Afghanistan.  They would be wrong.  

True, I have Ryan to eat dinner with, but he's really not too talkative yet.  Our conversations usually begin and end with one syllable words that don't really refer to anything.  

It's after 8:40 p.m., and Pat's still at work.  Last night he got home at 7 p.m.  I've been trying to remind myself that the people I know in the civilian world often work such hours, so what right do I have to complain.  I think my griping stems from the fact that he goes away usually for a year at a time added to theses long hours so that when he is home I don't see him.  Thankfully I still have a year before the next year long absence, but yes, it is already planned and scheduled. 

Don't get me wrong, I am very happy to have him home.  I know I am lucky to have him sleep in my bed at night.  I just wish we were able to enjoy the time we have together a little more.  Hopefully things at work will slow down soon.     

Irish

We all consider ourselves a bit Irish in this house, but Abbey found out it's not always easy being green!