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Comment by Marianne on April 1, 2012 at 5:43pm

Great to see people back online. I've also been reading the Aviation site, but as we know, our LOs are in a different place sometimes.

Lou2939 -Glad to know that winging was so nice. We loved ours at Norfolk back in August, too.

AnnfromLa. -  We all know that primary is pretty brutal and the schedules seem to change from day to day, so just hang in there with lots of support. Conor was super frustrated at P'cola because he would finish up one session and scheduling backups would have him sitting around before he could start the next. Seems like it was a little better when he got to intermediate, but still a lot of 70 hr. weeks and then "golf time"! (Or worse, busywork time.) Norfolk was a lot better in the planning dept.

Kris, thanks for asking about Japan. His furniture finally got there in February! Boy, was he thrilled to get off that futon. His roomie's stuff arrived in January, so they had a few things, but Ian had arrived in September, so he'd been waiting even longer than Conor. Makes me wonder what the ones with children manage to do. They've been in Guam for six weeks and get "home" next week. Sent his Easter package off yesterday in hopes that it won't end up on the ship. So far deliveries have been pretty fast.

The funniest request has been for hot sauce! Apparently most of the squad is finding Japanese food to be pretty bland. My daughter and I have been having a contest to see how many varieties we can send over. I really laughed when my guy told me that he loved the very little (1-2 servings) ones I sent and carries one around in his flight suit.

Scotland, wow! You will really love it, though be prepared for VERY cool nights even if you go in summer. It's really easy to get around on trains and buses. In fact, I've only had a car there once, and that was up in the lake country. I am uncomfortable driving on the "wrong" side at the best of times (once went around one of those circle intersection in Sydney 3 times because I couldn't figure how to get out), and in some areas of Scotland everything still stops for the sheep. Where will you be?

We are keeping our fingers crossed for Christmas in Japan. It seems to be our best bet for timing, but their life is so unpredictable! I can just see us getting there and something will come up. Younger son just finished at Northwestern and is taking a gap year working at the Univ. of Chicago before applying to MD/PHD programs, so he is hoping they will be able to travel together a bit in the East after we fly home. Number 1 son has plenty of leave saved up,, and that way he can make the 96 hr. rule if they invoke it.

Kris, it's hard, but kudos to you for raising such independent children. I've taught college, law school, and now high school, and it really scares me to see how dependent today's youth are. It's hard on all of us, but at least we know that we are the opposite of helicopter parents.

Hope you all have a great Easter, Passover, or just a wonderful spring weekend next week.

 

Comment by AnnfromLouisiana on March 30, 2012 at 3:57pm

Hey KrisP He was original thinking P3's but I think he isn't as keen on that as he once was. I think he's trying to learn as much as he can before deciding what he would really like to do. I'm sure he'll figure it out and make the most of whatever opportunity he gets. Of course he doesn't always remember to share his thoughts and assumes we know what's going on. So who knows. Haha

Comment by AnnfromLouisiana on March 28, 2012 at 3:59pm

Hey Kris P, thanks for asking. My son is doing great. He's still in primary on the ground right now. He should start flying again this week or next. He's enjoying the training and says though it has gotten harder he's still doing very well. So all good news here. We hope to see him next weekend for Easter. It sounds like your sons have done very well. Congrats to you. I know you are proud. And congrats to lou for the winging as well.

Comment by lou2949 on March 28, 2012 at 12:40pm

Kris, Japan..my son would love to go to Japan at some point in his career...and, Scotland.....how wonderful and a flyover too.....great stuff. Our son's winging ceremony was earlier this month in Norfolk. It was everything everyone said it would be....such an exciting and happy event. We celebrated for 5 days with family and friends. He has about 2 weeks left in training on the E-2....he loves it!!! Also has a 10 month deployment coming up pretty soon as well so a lot going on with our DS. Thanks goodness for the great communication we have now while they're away...this will be his 3rd deployment since 2003....hope everyone is doing well..we need more activity on this site....

Comment by AnnfromLouisiana on February 3, 2012 at 8:17pm

Hello.  I'm new to the group.  My son recently took his first flight in a T-34.  He still has a long way to go but he is looking forward to it.  I'm sure I will have questions.  I see there are veterans who will be able to answer them for me.  Look forward to getting to know the group.

Comment by Marianne on December 31, 2011 at 12:17pm

Wishing all of you and yours a happy, healthy, and SAFE New Year. Christmas was hard; first time in 24 yr. that Conor wasn't home. Guess I'd better get used to it, if one ever does. He seems to be adjusting well to Japan, though I could tell he was a little sad when he called on Christmas Eve.

Still waiting for his furniture, etc. Now scheduled to arrive sometime in February. I just hope it gets there in time for him to unpack before they head out to sea. Anyone else in VAW 115? Conor is really happy with those he's met.

Happy New Year!

Comment by Marianne on December 13, 2011 at 11:49am

Kris, that is SO great to hear (both that the Packers showed their gratitude AND you got to join your son for the second half). Hmmm,at this point I'm definitely rethinking my allegiance to Da Bears!

It's really good to hear when people show their appreciation for the military. Even some good friends don't really "get it" in terms of what we live with. God bless all of you for understanding! On the other hand, some people are great. I volunteer usher at several venues in Chicago. Saturday I was working at the Nutcracker and saw two midshipwomen who had nosebleed seats. The management actually let me move them to two seats that were going for $110 apiece!

Probably won't make it to Japan this spring. I am applying for every teacher exchange trip I can find that will pay my way! problem is that ship will most likely be out all summer.

Bakinggals looks awesome! My daughter is going to sign up to bake. Thanks for the tip.

Comment by rokymtns on December 11, 2011 at 9:50pm

Thank you Marianne.  My son will be P3 in Hawaii.  Thanks for the warning on shipping their belongings.  I am also a veteran of the FPO/APO flat rate boxes.  I'm a 3-year member of bakinggals dot com - we ship homemade cookies/goodies every month to those serving in harms way.  It's a wonderful organization.  We are also on fb "Operation Baking GALS" (Give A Little Support).  On the website you can nominate your LO to receive some goodies if they are deployed.

Comment by Marianne on December 11, 2011 at 6:20pm

Congrats on the winging, rokymtns! Where is he going to be stationed? What type of plane is he on? My son was the only one in his group who opted for Japan; one went to Mugu in CA and the other three stayed in Norfolk. Don't be surprised if he is still in Jacksonville for a while. Conor was still in Norfolk for three months after winging. When his orders came through at last, it was all rush, rush, rush. Glad Kris had warned me about the slowness of the Navy shippers; he was in Japan five days before they picked up his stuff in VA. I jts finished sending off all the extra uniforms and stuff he had brought home in case something like that happened. The local post office knows our family well! Love those special FPO/APO flat rate boxes. They go priority at no extra cost and there is no weight limit. You can also order the boxes online and the PO delivers them to your home free. Oh, the tricks we learn.

 

 

Comment by rokymtns on December 11, 2011 at 4:02pm

Kris - that's awesome!  My sons winging was very nice.  There was a coffee and donut reception before, then the winging and cake afterwards.  They also had a hanger and plane tour which was great.  Let the journey begin!

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