[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

No kidding, huh? The first boat tour my husband did...my power windows got stuck in the down position. One time, the a/c went...mind you it was during the summer in the AZ desert. Almost always, a child or two gets sick, and the power goes out. Stuff like that...

I've been lucky in that my friends' husbands or a neighbor or two have always helped me out when things had broken. Usually, though, I tried to line up some volunteers ahead of time, though all of this occurred on or near a base when we were on active duty.

Now that dh is a reservist, I fear the hardest of military times is yet to come. I pray a lot, and have a strong faith in God; this keeps me going. And I'm sure when things will break, I will be resourceful and find someone willing to help. The challenge for me will be how to combat exhaustion. I have yet to find something to get me through those days upon days of little sleep due to the fact I'm a mother of young children.

Someone ping me, please, if there's word that a group might be setting up in my area.

[mystery-ak]

I think it's a given that as soon as they leave, things break down...dryer burning up, kids always get sick, lights coming on my cars dash....never fails....I think I have found someone I can call to fix whatever happens.

[HiJinx]

You two really are making some wonderful points that others who are in your shoes need to heed...Gator Girl is in Florida, wife of a Reservist, aren't you?

There's a big difference between being the spouse of an active-duty servicemember surrounded by others like you and being the spouse of a reservist or N.Guardsman. Your support network in the latter case tends to be family or very close friends...and sometimes, even then they don't realize what you're going through.

The best thing you can do for your family if you know your spouse could be deployed is to find someone now who can help you later. And remember, that obligation can work both ways.

As for finding time to sleep...I don't know...I really don't know how Mrs. HJ managed it...friends to take our boys for an overnighter, I guess.

God bless you all, you're stronger than most!