Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

Jennifer, if we are going to make, I'll let you know. I've mentioned it to Maryellen also and with a couple of days notice, she might come up from south Florida. That would be fun!

oh Jennifer-I already know I won't be there on 18th. too bad. It would towards the end of the month if we get there. There is chatter about my step son coming to one of his siblings house to save us some driving.
But I will let you know!

tha't so nice if you Jackie. I'll keep you posted.

Any moms in the VA Beach area. The young lady that I have been trying to help with lodging-looks like she has found a room to rent. But needs furniture. Does anyone in that area have some old stuff bedroom stuff they want to get rid of either real cheap or free? Or know of any good thrift stores she could check into?
She is a college student with 2 jobs, so has a real tight budget.

sue, tell her to go to yard sales..get a map and a newspaper list of yard sales that sound inteesting.People move alot in Va Beach area and u can find good deals on furnishings.

thanks for the tips ladies. I'll pass it on to her. I'll be there soon, and can help her if she hasn't found anything yet.

congrats Desiree!

My son is an E-4, has been in 1 1/2 years and returned from his first deployment in April. He stayed on the ship for 3 weeks and then moved into brand new barracks (Camp Allen) on base. He would have had barracks available earlier but his paperwork was inadvertedly misplaced.

Jac: He really likes where he's at. Next to the shooting range and golf course and about 15 minutes away from the ship. 2 bedroom/2 bath, shared living & kitchen. Bedrooms have small porch. He's a happy camper.
Starts school on Monday for 3 weeks. He'll miss a 3 day trip with his ship, it's coming out of the yards finally. I think they unloaded the barge this week.

Jac: make sure John asks his chief to start the paperwork for the barracks. That way he won't have to wait at all when he returns.

My son made it to Norfolk and was able to find a nice apartment to rent. He also re-enlisted for another 3 years.
Thanks for everyone's help.

Shannon, thank you so much! I will be in VA Beach about the 20th. I spoke to her early this morning and she was going to check out something from Craig's list, but I haven't heard back from her. I will pass the information along to her.

Shannon, I did not get the email with your numbers. could you re-send? thanks.

Lisa, I have a friend with a Sailor on the Vinson. Go join the Vinson group. There were a lot of pictures posted from the Vinson today. Find Molly(Snipe Mom) and tell her I sent you to her to find out about your Sailor. She is on top of everything Vinson!! :)

Lisa, this link will take you to the Carl Vinson group:

Click Here

Tracy: what ship did you get to tour?

I'm in VA Beach right now and my only tour has been the kitchen. and i am loving
it! my son and his roomies all had special requests for baked goods-so what is a mom who loves to bake do? haha.
actually, after spending 6 days and night abroad the Lincoln last fall, I am content with that as far as ships go.

Hi everyone My Son is in Norfolk on the Mason. I have seen him once. He got back in April! I'm going to visit him I hope sometime the end of August. He calls but it's not the same then seeing him. He's been in the Navy for 11/2 years his my youngest, He left after high school. His sister got married the year before and now I'm without any Kids.I'm not sure what to do still, I miss both of them and there friends. We were the placesall the kids came too. What a change it's been.

Tracy: I got a chance to see the USS Wasp while I was in Norfolk. She's a HUGE ship and is beautiful at night when she's lit up.

Boy Lori, you and I have a lot in common! My Sailor is in Norfolk on the Ramage. He returned from his first deployment April 1 and he's been in the Navy 1 1/2 years also. He's also my youngest and now I have an empty nest. Hard to get used to isn't it? Matt will be home either for Thanksgiving or Christmas. I haven't decided yet if I'm going back to visit him this fall. He deploys on a Med cruise around the first of the year.

hi ladies, I'm still here and looking for some really cheap living room furniture fora couple of young college students. they have bedroom, but no living room. if you have any ideas, let me know.
I'm still baking. haha

Hi Lori and Melissa...know how you feel...Josh is my youngest and the last to leave the "nest". I have six now that are on their own as well as . This empty nest syndrome is tough to handle some days! But that's the result of raising them to think on their own and be comfortable with it. Can't hold on to them forever. I'm lucky because I hear from them each day when they call and five are within a ten mile radius from me. Josh is on the USS Monterey in Norfolk. He's 23 and the other five are in their forties! Lucky me!!!

thanks for the tips, always

Hi all,

It's been a while since I gave you an update on our weekend activities. So here is last weekend. We adopt all of the servicemen and women who come to our home as our own "sons" and "daughters" so naturally, when they get married and have children they become our adopted grandchildren. This is the latest - a granddaughter! :)

Saturday Evening (July 18, 2009)

We had Randy (Marine Cpl) and Nikki and little Sarah here visiting us for the weekend from Camp Lejeune North Carolina. It was fun making and eating home made pizzas and playing catch phrase with them and Savannah and Brandon (Oceana), and Trever (USS Gunston Hall). We all shared prayer requests and prayed together. Check out the new pics.

Sunday (July 19, 2009)

Had a great day today! Sunday school was good, the lesson was about about faith. Worship was excellent. Pastor Rodney preached about Satan wanting to sift us as wheat - don't let him! Then Savannah and Brandon (Oceana), Brian and Sarah (my daughter and son-in-law), and Randy (Marine – Camp Lejeune, NC) and Nikki and Sarah Mayzak enjoyed a pot roast, potatoes and carrots, followed with apple crisp and ice cream for dinner at our house. We watched two chapters of the book of Matthew on video. Then prayed for Randy and Nikki before they left for home.

All in all, a very good weekend! Thank you Lord!

Blessings on all of you,

John

Teresa:
This mom may have a sailor on the USS San Jacinto:

http://www.navyformoms.com/profile/JoAnn

Ladies, this was posted in the Molly's adopt a sailor room. Can anyone help?

Update on Michael Sheppard from Denise Holland: I am looking for anyone that is in Norfolk area and in Richmond. As some of you know my son was in the motorcycyle accident in July. Still in the Naval hospital in Portsmouth he is feeling soso very lonesome. I was just wondering if there was anyone out here that has the time to look in on him. Someone that could take maybe a magazine or too to him. Maybe even a milkshake.He has a girlfriend there but she often forgets to take things to him. I will pay for anything that is taken to him. The care he is getting at the hospital is ok. They don't do very good about keeping him clean. He skin is pealing very badly. I do know that it is because he hasnt been abule to take a real shower in 40 days as of today. I called the charge nurse last night and told her that it isnt ok for him not to be clean. I forgot to check to find out how often his bedding is changed.
He has been in the Navy for 11 years and some of you new Navy moms that have question maybe he can help you. He really is a wonderful person to talk too.
Once he gets to Richmond he will not have any visitor until the weekend when is GF can get up there. If there is anyone that know anyone that could help her in getting a place to stay over the weekends that wouldnt cost her a whole lots. Like everyone else they have bills and money is tight. It will be so hard for her to go there every weekend. With gas and food and a motel. I dont think she will be able to go every weekend. I dont want her sleeping in the car. Most of the time I am sure she will be taking her 8 year old son.
If there is anyone out there that can help please email me. As I said I will make sure that I send to money for anything you do.
Thanks so much for reading this.
Denise Holland
A seabee's mom

Congratulations USS Mitscher! Soooo very glad to have you all back home safe and sound! Prayers having been answered! What an awesome welcoming it was, even if the rained drenched the earth, it did not the spirit!

Denise,
when he gets an address would you give it to me? I have a friend who will have her church send cards, They aren't in Richmond though.

They are sending ships out in Florida from what I've heard so far. They are far better off at sea than at the pier.

She may have heard that. All it means is they are aware and are putting the wheels in motion so IF they have to they are ready. It's pretty early and it looks like Mr. Hurricane Bill hasn't really decided where to go yet. My son's first outing on his ship was to avoid Isabel several years ago. I got a quick hi we're leaving call and they were outa there.

It is amazing. Takes teamwork to get done. The ships that can not leave a tied to the piers or moved to safer mooring but the crew is still recalled. He actually had "fun" riding the seas.

Suzann, nothing was said about specific ships, headings, dates, etc. It's standard procedure for storm prep. We're not trying to compromise your child's safety but realize we are discussing exactly that....safety. Some of the newer Mom's may not know what procedures are when a hurricane comes up the coast. all they may know is all of the sudden their sailor doesn't answer his phone. They may not be aware the ship was sent out to ride out the storm. Hurricane/Typhoon procedures are common maritime knowledge.

my son is stationed there.

he's here for a visit. I'll ask him and get back to you Carolyn.

Sue, give Ben a big hug for me! He's such a sweet kid. Opps, Sailor!!

will do Melissa.

When I joined this group, it was wild. Don't know why it's so quiet.

Hi ladies, lots of us spend alot of time in Molly's adopt a sailor room. Check it out. Always lots of happenings there.
And I started a new room for Heads at Ease pillowcase project and that takes uo alot of of my time.
My sailor just went back to Virginia Beach. it feels kind of lonely without him.

is someone else going to ride along to change off drivers? We moved my former DIL from AZ to Virginia Beach. 3 cars, 3 drivers, dog, cat and stuffed cars.
what route are you taking? What does DITY mean?

will you come thru Tucson? yes, I know about those moves too.

sounds like you will go thru Phoenix. I was going to offer you a place to stay overnight to help with expenses. Let us know your route. Maybe we could get you some Navy mom lodgings on the way.

have fun cooking Carolyn! I was at my son's this summer and did that, and then he came home in Sept and did it again. And loved every minute of it. One of his local friends asked him late one night "you got any food in there". And he said "man, are you kidding? you know my mom, she likes to cook". and then they come in late and wipe me out-BUT who cares. I'll cook again, Right? And now I feel like crying. haha.

Teresa, you are so right about that. I saw that too with my son and their buddies. I think they are making life long friends.

you go Francine!

Karol, we all have out talents. so no worries. I had to laugh about the smoke alarm, cause I usually set that off with the microwave.

Hi all,

I haven't been on here in a long time! I've missed being here, but have been really busy. I am now the Senior Adult Pastor and Pastoral Care Director at our church which keeps me going.

My daughter and her husband have made Yvonne and me new grandparents for the first time - a grandson who they named Jacob Benjamin. Fortunately they live about half an hour from us so Yvonne makes sure we go up to see him every week.

Our ministry to the military also continues every weekend in Virginia Beach. We're actually waiting for some of our sailors to come over this evening. Praise God, isn't life fun! :)

And, oh, by the way, we are also babysitting a green parrot for a neighbor friend of ours. What a hoot that is! If we walk out of the room he says "Come here." We're trying to teach him how to say "praise the Lord." If we walk out of the room he will sqwak litke crazy! Yvonne will put the towel over his cage and you hear this little voice say "oh oh." Then, as we walk away he'll say in a tiny voice "Heeelp. Heeelp." Then he quiets right down.

Karol, what time is your son arriving tomorrow?

Angela, what is C9? do you mean she is sleeping in her car?

Karol, what base is he on? I have no idea what is next. My son went to A school in VA and then got stationed there.
I wish I'd had some information on his flight, as I was going to ask my son to pick him up. sorry that we didn't connect on that.

Welcome Deborah! My son is stationed on the Ramage and his best friend is on the Porter. I stayed at the Navy Lodge and loved it. Your Sailor has 24 hours to sign you in. I also have stayed at the Marriott near the airport and it was very nice.

The Navy Lodge in Norfolk is very nice, $62 nite, 2 queen beds, large bathroom with large dressing area and a kitchenette with table & chairs. It's very close to base making it easy to get to homecoming. The whole thing was recently remodeled. I stayed there last April for 4 nights.

I am so glad to hear that you made to Norfolk. Have been praying and worrying about you all!
There are 2 people on here that I am also friends with. I'll pm and ask them to check in and see if they have some information.