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Comment by AJ on February 25, 2011 at 10:09am

Hey Mary - you must be a bit more HOT than you think! It's how you use what you've got ... right?, big or small? Just teasing you here ...... however, my humble opinion is that your rates are not high enough. $10 for every 10 minutes is a minimum ..... and in Colorado, we can pay $85 - $135 for that hour. I'm not saying you'll be able to get those rates in Iowa, but I bet you can do that $60 for an hour (especially since you go over) ... then plus tip. It is always hard to place an appropriate value for one's service and time ... and to value yourself enough to raise your rates. How long have you been at $40? Okay, I totally get that this was unsolicited advice .... the worst kind really ..... but hey, we've got a roof to pay for ... and tickets to graduations, homecomings, etc.! I'd be happppppyyy to pay you $60 plus tip. So there!

Okay girls, I received my first email from the ship ..... and yes, he's sick, but said it isn't so bad. He would downplay it though ... not wanting to look weak. I also received my first official sort of scolding from him, not really harsh, just direct. Ouch. Remember the whole passport thing? Well, wanting to do the absolute best and most appropriate and safe thing for him with this passport, I wrote the ombudsman for their advice. This is what they are there for. I think I posted their response from them to you guys yesterday. It seemed so thorough and complete and I was so impressed by their responsiveness and thoroughness. I was proud of myself for thinking of it. So, because they called the Command Master Chief on the ship to get the best answer and because it was about something important like a passport ..... apparently one of the Master Chiefs called Aaron in to talk to him about the need for the passport for emergencies. It doesn't sound like he got in trouble .....and why would he? ....... but, I think it felt like trouble to Aaron and unnerved him or whatever ....... so he thinks I wrote the Command Master Chief myself and told me not to do that ..... (really? would I write the Command Master Chief???????!!!!!) ..... and not to write the ombudsman team either (without asking him) as they are pretty official too. I think I wrote you yesterday that the ombudsman are typically spouses of Sailors deployed and they seem to really care about their work and I admire them for that service. So, sensitive territory here. Guess I could have let him just have his dad mail it, risking it being lost, and not have tried to determine what was what in the situation. So, learn from me what you will. I am fairly confident that the Master Chief was not on his case but making sure he understood and that it is A's sensitivity to looking bad. Sigh and double sigh.

Do you guys like scones? I have such a great recipe for an almond scone. I made some this morning as comfort food. Yummy. If you want, I can share the recipe.

I have a photo to share this morning and will send it separately. Don't want to lose this. :)

Comment by nicole~a sailors girl(: on February 24, 2011 at 11:40pm

hahaha,my job is to get good grades, but having a car is a privlidge, and not much of one if icant afford gas to drive it. i refuse to rely on my grandma and aunt and dad for gas money. they have to fill up their vehicles. i'll find a means of getting gas. me and the boyfriend split the driving since he lives about 20/30 minutes away. he comes here for now since i dont have my car fixed or a job. and ill go there when i have a car and a job.

YES, PROM PIMPING!

Comment by nicole~a sailors girl(: on February 24, 2011 at 6:30pm

haha, thank you ladies!

no d o, the boyfriend wants to drive, and being that we have to get the windshield on my car fixed before i can drive, i agreed to him driving. i won't be out cruisin much. gas just hit 3.35$ here, and without a job, i can't afford it. I am looking for a job and have been, it's just pretty impossible aroundhere, because of all the lay offs.

Comment by d o on February 24, 2011 at 5:25pm

First of all, Mrs. B you do know what causes pregnancy right?!  Well we know you're not going to stop that, so some how you're going to have to find an effective way to..........block the seaman.  I know, I know jokes are for Moped Massage Mary to make.

Speaking of which, do you wear black leather when you do those bamboo massages to make $2000?  I think the prom idea might help you hold on to your dignity a little longer.  I empathize with your situation and will believe for a miracle with you.  Did you all ever see the movie Oh Brother, when the lead character would say "D** we're in a tight spot!", that's been one of our sayings this last year.  I hope you will get a happy ending too.

I sure do like the snow pictures Iris.  Today's was better, but I'm sure you feel like that's enough.  I've been trying to explain to my boys their whole life that if you've been collecting shoes for as long as I have, you're bound to have a lot.

AJ I'll get those pictures on one day when one of the boys come home.  The one of my husband is the funniest.  He's got the dixie cup on w/ his popeye face.  Oh my goodness, when did we get old?! 

Thanks for all the good tips-sorry about the TP. What a predicament! Do you think the senior officers scooped it up for a joke?  I have never heard of ombudsman, but it sounds important, can you give us more information about that.  I can see why you wouldn't want a military passport in the middle east, you'd feel like a sitting duck.

Nicole, are you driving your group to the dance?  Now that you've got wheels, will we ever hear from you again?

Comment by AJ on February 24, 2011 at 2:28pm

Wow - Mary - $2,000 would go a ways on that new roof!  Just sayin' .....!

How much do you charge for an hour and a hour and a half?  I bet your prices could indeed go up.

Comment by iris - Wahiawa, Hawaii on February 24, 2011 at 1:57pm

Good Morning Ladies. A little more respectable showing of snow today. But it will all be gone by tomorrow most likely. I took a few more pics that I'll share.

 

Okay I have to share a funny thing. Haley and I were skyping yesterday and she gave me her new address.  When she was home, we went through all her boxes and made a box that I am suppose to ship. It has her important papers, spotting scope, books, etc... that she'd like there in Hawaii. But what does she ask for? Not her improtant paperwork, nope, SHOES! Lol... I busted up laughing when she said that. She needs them for the country western bar she's going to. She only has her tennis shoes to wear. That's my girl. It's funny if you realise my husband calls me Imelda Marcos because I have 17 pairs of converse and as many or more of other shoes. Anyhow, we both had a good laugh and I'm sending her her shoes later today.

 

Wow - it's just been quite the ride hasn't it ladies. Remember when we first met during boot camp and now, well more changes and more challenges for us to get use to. Crazy!

 

AJ - I'm glad you are feeling a tiny bit better. You will have your good days and bad ones, but hopefully more good than bad. Just hang in there and concentrate on shooting rainbows out your......well you know what I mean. =)

 

Going to make this short cause I promised myself a 40 minute work out today. Hopefully I can do the whole thing. I'll whine to you tomorrow about it.

 

Hugs and have a fabulous day.

Comment by AJ on February 24, 2011 at 1:08pm

Mary - College classes ... of course.  That only makes sense.  I am happy to report that Aaron is taking 3 classes on this deployment!  Yay!

And about this winning lottery ticket .... don't you hate it when they give your winning ticket to someone else?!!?!  That happens to me all the time too.

And I forgot to say earlier that it would be good for Dereck to go ahead and get his passport so he doesn't leave without one and so he doesn't have to pay expedite extra fees if he waits too long.

Did you get the massage?

Comment by AJ on February 24, 2011 at 11:32am

Dyl's Mom - Thank you for your prayers and lovely, positive thoughts .... so very appreciated.  One day closer .... one hour closer ..... sigh.

What a frustration it must be for Dyl to be on hold for potentially 8 months - he's been ready to leave GL for a while now hasn't he?  I hope this long wait time for classing up for Dyl and Dereck pays off in the end.  I wonder how the Navy helps them stay motivated with such long holding periods.  I guess he has duty days during the week.  At least winter will be coming to an end up there .... maybe they can get over to Lake Michigan for some fun.  

I wish I had the money to bring you all down here for a week to ten days for some girl fun.

d o - I am diggin' your husbands feedback - thank him for me.  It means so much to me that you would include us in your prayer list.  Thank you for that.

I am so sorry to hear the news about the Carpenters.  That is our worst fear ever.  I could barely read the words in the sentences of your sharing.  Oh how my heart aches for his wife and soon-to-be-born baby.  Please God, give her strength now to deal with this tragic loss and grief.  Please bless her life in unimaginable ways going forward.

What a cool idea to put your son's picture up at church.  Oh man, I'd love to see the professional shots you had taken.  Do you have digital or electronic copies of them?  If so, we can walk you through how to do it. 

LynB - I can't believe how long you waited to see A's photos in his dress blues.  Was it Haley who said that they had on their cami's on the bottom and only dressed up for the top half ....? .... that was a hoot.  Aaron was really sick the day of his photo ... and he looks it .... but we bought them anyway.  I opened that Coronado camera and was able to see Aaron's ship go underneath it on Tuesday.  You can click on the Panorama tab and get more footage.

Iris - I'm wondering if the St. Bernard rescue dogs have been sent to your house yet with hot chocolate and necessary supplies!  It must have taken f-o-r-e-v-e-r to shovel all that snow away so you could get out of the house.  Be careful for avalanches too ... because those can be tough.  I did hear that your area was maybe going to get 4 inches today .... is that right?  Let us know if we need to send help.

You are our anchor Iris .... have you noticed?  I'm not sure we are always aware of how deeply our actions and our words impact others .... and I want to make sure that you know.  You and the other girls here truly do have a gift to lift another up .... and I don't know how to thank you.  It would have felt so much more dark and alone and frightening without you all.  I'd love to have your mailing addresses.  If you guys are comfortable, please send me a private message with your address, please.

Anything new with Haley?  It apparently takes a little over a week to sail to Hawaii from San Diego.  But for a few days, they will be in the same place.

I've got to go find something to eat, so will catch you guys again later.

Lots and lots of love, and hugs, and thanks to each one of you!  

Comment by AJ on February 24, 2011 at 11:00am

OMG Mary!  Just getting ready to write my responses to other posts and read  your last post ....... I'm trying to imagine you as the 'Mama Prom Pimp' ... you are hysterical ....... I bet you could raise a few bucks with that idea!  You crack me up with your quick wit and humor.  So glad you are here.

I don't think I have ever 'not felt like' having a massage.  I love getting massage and would give about anything right now for one.  I'd be happy to go in your stead!  But go girl .... and enjoy the few moments of peace and pampering.  You'll be glad you did.

You are so right Mary about viewing each day as one day closer to Aaron coming back again .... and one of the Mom's on the Boxer group calculated the hours .... so only about 4,900 hours to go!

How is your brother doing?  I hope well.

Dereck seems to be making the most of his down time .... how awesome that he has a beach nearby and is enjoying it.  Yup, as far as I know, Aaron chose not to man the rails, so I have not been looking for him in photos .... and yup, someone's gotta power, and steer that ship through the Bay!

Without a doubt Homecoming will have a much different feel and the best of all reasons to go to the pier / port.  I remind you guys again, too, that there is a free military banner website for having banners made for such events.  If you want the address again, let me know.

Sorry about the burden and unexpected cost of a new roof.  That is a lot of money to almost anybody these days.  And quite unfair to be given a week's notice to remedy something to meet their requirements.  

Nicole - Congrats on getting your driver's license!  And have fun at your Sadie's dance ... will look forward to seeing your pictures.

Your idea about using my time to create a scrapbook for Aaron was sweet.  While he has been down here three times, he still might like to see photos of new things I'm doing.  Thanks for the suggestion and the care and thought behind it.

It really seems like you are checking off all of your goals in perfect order ... so glad that things are lining up so well for you.  Keep it up young one .... we are rooting for you.  I look forward to sending you cards and letters in boot camp!

Mrs. B - Keep making those contacts around you so that you have local support when your hubby leaves.  And do be careful with the pre-deployment passion .... no slip ups! .... no, you don't want another pregnancy to go through while he is away.  Save that for you both to experience more together next time.  You must be loving southern California.  What do you like the best about your life there now?  Stay as strong and as positive as you can.  A deployment of 4 - 5 months is great .... shorter than what seems normal ... you lucky girl!

Comment by AJ on February 24, 2011 at 10:03am

I'm taking notes now to respond to each of you with what you've posted.  There's lots .... and I want to catch all of you ...... so more coming.

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