PIR 5/21/10

I like that! Walking billboards so proud of our sailors!

Colored ribbons are fine, too, though I like the idea of having the ship and div #s on there, too. The ribbons would be good for the weekend, though I would like the buttons for PIR.

I am sorry I am late joining into this conversation...I just got home from work! I think the buttons and ribbons both sound like a great idea. I don't have a Michaels close to me but I think maybe Hobby Lobby might have the "make it yourself" buttons...I will call there to see or go by tomorrow.

I have one question though if anyone knows the answer...I have been looking at apartments in Great Lakes because that is where my hubby has A school. Some of the apartments have a "military clause" or say "military friendly" and I dont' know what this means. If an apartment does not have special guidelines does that mean that military people can not live there? Thanks to anyone that might be able to help and thank you all for being a great support. I just found this website a week ago and even though it is almost over I am so glad to find people that can relate to what I am feeling!! I look forward to meeting you all!

Maybe we could make our own homemade ribbons and each color could stand for a division? Such as moms/fiancees/wives/girlfriends can wear:
Blue- DIV 189
Green- DIV 190
Orange- DIV 191
Yellow- DIV 192
Etc... ?

Good evening all. I think I read where Mikesproudmom was going to a meet and greet in Ohio this past weekend and was going to pick some brains their. I have not seen post in a while. Maybe she got some ideas or supplies from that. However, just let me know what everyone has agreed to do and I will do it. I know that my daughter was not sending her pictures home. She is giving them to me after PIR.

tammy I know you can pay for the pictures at PIR and I'm pretty sure the recruits can have it debited from their accounts just like NEX purchases.
As far as pins or ribbons, I think we can do both whoever is more comfortable with what as long as we know one or the other symbolizes a n4m.

Dont forget about us navy sisters :)

I like the idea of wearing ribbons!

All great ideas ladies.. let's decide. We only have 8 days...can you believe it? I'm so excited I can't concentrate.. printing the gate pass just started the adrenaline going...so psyched!!!

my boyfriend already notified us that he is a honor grad

To curb my growing excitement about the graduation coming up (because seriously I'm ready to explode and want to drive there right now and camp out front) I've decided to put all that energy into anticipation of Letter Day. So hurry up Thursday! :)
I hope everyone else is keeping busy and focusing those energies! I think if I refinish one more piece of furniture or start one more project in my mother's house, she'll kill me! I nest when I'm anxious. But, she has been awesome letting me stay with her while Perry has been gone. We've enjoyed having the alone time (I'm an only child and she's divorced). On the upside, her house looks phenomenal! Haha

In a previous letter from my son he mentioned that we was nominated to be an honor grad. I guess we will find out for sure in the coming week. Where did you hear that there is special seating for honor grads?

Home from work and making lemon cupcakes for my daughters 15th b-day... So I thought I'd take a peek on the computer. Congrats to all Moms and family members of honor grads. Thats awsome! I really like both ideas for the meet and greet... colored ribbons and the pins.

Check around and see what others are doing. I'll go along with anything, just as long as we have the buttons and something that identifies the division. I'm so excited I couldn't sleep last night.

OH, and congratulations to all the honor grads and their families!! That is so awesome.

I have not been able to sleep these last couple nights either. I was planning on leaving on Monday to start my trip north but I think that Saturday or Sunday sounds better! Not that we get to see him any sooner but just knowing that we are on our way will hopefully calm my nerves a little!

I understand; I'm sure all of you are so anxious to see him. I'd leave now, if I could...but then I would probably go crazy up there waiting. :)

I know some of you ladies get your letters today! Don't forget to keep us informed! I can't wait to hear how they are all doing.

I just got home and for the first Wednesday since he left, I did not get a letter. I'm so nervous that something's going to go wrong here at the end. If anyone from our division hears from the recruit please post and let me know if everything is alright. Maybe the mail just got delayed and I'll hear from him tomorrow.

Gloria, I get letters on Thursdays so I will definitely fill you in as soon as I know anything! ksunagel is right, maybe it will be in the mail tomorrow. Keep your chin up and just think, next week you'll be face to face with him! Try to hold on to that joy.

My last two letters have come on Wednesday, but I'm trying to stay calm so I don't end up disappointed. And I haven't had any phone calls since April 19th, so I'm concentrating on the "I'm a sailor" phone call next week.

OK not sure how I got one....05/11/10..
Very Postive...Countting down the days!!!!
Asked his g/f to find the Steak House....He is ready to Eat!!!!
And He is Buying...lol
Says Div.193 is Ready for BS !!!!!
Will Talk Then....

My letters were coming in on Wednesdays for the first couple weeks then they started coming in on Thursday or Friday. It is really tough when you are anxiously waiting for it and then it doesn't come. I ran home today at lunch, like usual, to check the mail and the darn mail hadn't even come in yet so I went all that way for nothing! So I have to wait to see anyways. I am really looking forward to my call tomorrow. My husband said in one of his letters that div. 189 would be making calls around 2 - 3 central time so I will be waiting with cell phone charged and volume on high so I don't miss it!!

Afternoon Ladies. No letter here. I was hoping for one, but my usual mail day from her is Thursdays. I wish 192 could have gotten to call home more than once but I did get a 2 second call last Thursday asking me to mail her bank card to purchase her pictures. It was short and to the point and she said that she probably wont call again until after BS on the 17th. So If anyone gets letters today from 192, let us know what is going on. I know, at least for me, I crave any little tidbit of info.

The excitment of PIR is rising daily. I wish I were so crazy busy at work. My boss retired 2 weeks ago and I have been picking up the slack until we find a replacement and it's really getting to me. I am going to enjoy my 5 days off for PIR and then back to work for more craziness. At least I will be able to brag about her and show everyone pictures from the weekend.

I will check back here later if I am not snoozing.

Got a letter today. He sounds sooo much better than the last one. It appears they will go to battlestations today oh, I'm so nervous. They are not working together as a team and that is not good. Said gas chamber was horrible but he made it through. Said he was tough but even a tough boy has to rest his tear gas eyes. He's now a section leader, I'm so glad all his effort and hard work is finally beginning to pay off. I'm sorry for those who didn't get letters today and hopefully they will come tomorrow. Only 8 more days!!

Can't sleep, can't concentrate.. making silling stupid mistakes. Guess my mind is not here. Wish we had a 2nd phone call by now. Hope tomorrow's letter is full of information. The next week can't go by fast enough. Feel totally ditsy... I'm thankful my employer is understanding.... and have a sense of humor. I am definitely not myself these days...

Got a letter today. Kind of short but he said Battle Stations is tonight. He said he made it through the gas chamber ok and ordered me some pictures. He is very excited about graduation....

I got a letter. Jason said they had a dress inspection. He got a 5.0. Said the division got a 4.5. The Petty Officer was pretty happy with that. He said they had an hour of IT (intensive training) the other day. He believes that the Petty Officer was mad because some of the guys still don't know how to march correctly. The Petty Officer was trying to get the ones that don't care to quit or move to another division. Battlestations is tonight. We'll be getting the "I'm a Sailor" call sometime tomorrow after they finish. Can't wait to talk to him. That's all I thought about all day at work. This is almost as hard as when they first left. I know they'll make it through. Let's all send up prayers for them tonight

We bought tickets for Six Flags on-line. They are cheaper (amost 40%) than buying them at the gate. They work for any day. Just look up Six Flags in Waukegan-Gurnee....

Yahoo!!! I got a letter too (Ship 6. Div 927)! Last Friday they had the gas chamber. On Monday they had final personal and material inspection. Tuesday, final PFA, Wednesday (today), they have their final academic tests (on everything!) and they "get to fight real fires," Thursday is drill practice for Friday's PIR performance, Saturday is Captain's cup (giant athletic competition that she says will be "sooo much fun." And on Monday, May 17th at 2000 hours, they begin BattleStation!! I can't wait for that Tuesday morning call. She always sounds so upbeat in her letters. It sure makes me happy! Did you all decide about what color of ribbon or will you have buttons? Thanks for the advice on Six Flags...we are planning on going there too.

Yahoo!!! I got a letter too (Ship 6. Div 927)! Last Friday they had the gas chamber. On Monday they had final personal and material inspection. Tuesday, final PFA, Wednesday (today), they have their final academic tests (on everything!) and they "get to fight real fires," Thursday is drill practice for Friday's PIR performance, Saturday is Captain's cup (giant athletic competition that she says will be "sooo much fun." And on Monday, May 17th at 2000 hours, they begin BattleStation!! I can't wait for that Tuesday morning call. She always sounds so upbeat in her letters. It sure makes me happy! Did you all decide about what color of ribbon or will you have buttons? Thanks for the advice on Six Flags...we are planning on going there too.

I got a letter today as well!! His bunk mate is last name Martin but they call him Marv for whatever reason..he is nuke. He said that he and Marv help each other out a lot. He also said that the division is not working really well together so I am hoping they have pulled it together for battle station because he didn't want to get pushed back a week. I guess I will find out tomorrow when he calls...I am really ready for that call. I am going to go into work early tomorrow so I can take a long lunch and not have to rush off the phone!! 8 more days...we can make it!

Got a letter on Monday, such a surprise! He said he stayed up late Wednesday, in hopes of making my Monday that much better! So sweet that he gave up sleep for me! :)) I thought it was really funny when he said: "Now a serious question, this has been wandering around the division with all the guys: what the heck does PIR stand for?!" Hahah they knew graduation, but didn't know what it actually stood for! That made me laugh a little. Said gas chambers was insane!!! They're in battle stations RIGHT NOW! I can't believe we're finally there! Tomorrow, we'll have talked to our Sailors! :)) Hope everyone gets letters / "I'm a Sailor" calls tomorrow!!! :)

Tammyw...thanks so much for info on 192, It sounds like they are all still doing great. I can't wait til the mail come tomorrow. I think I will have my hubby bring her letter to my office if it comes in before noon. With my crazy schedule at work, I never know when I can take lunch. Today, my lunch came and went and I ate some peanuts that were in my desk. Lord know how long they have been there but I ate them. I am still alive so I guess they were fine.

Watching the Flyers game and wishing my daughter was here watching with me. I can't wait to write her the recap of this game.

I got two letters today, one an actual letter, one a questionnaire I had sent her. Patience starting to wear thin, says she is so tired of BC, her humor is definitely dwindling. Final PFA on Wednesday, Monday is gas chamber which she says is pretty straightforward and the easiest. Tuesday is firefighting class, Thursday they are fighting actual 14-ft fires, Friday is final drill inspection and test 3. RIght now her mood is all about determination and meeting goals, though it does break every now and then into excitement. I asked what her favorite part of BC is and she said "Ha, favorite part? You're funny, Mom! The only good part of BC is knowing how much pride I will have when I get out. And the least favorite? THe stress of knowing that I could be held back if I don't pass everything. Most improved skills: organization (not in her vocabulary prior to BC) and planning ahead (again, not in her vocabulary prior to BC). What has been the biggest help to her during BC? Letters. THey remind me that life is better outside of BC so I should get out ASAP. What has been your biggest challenge? Learning that I come off as rude and mean if I'm not careful. What have you missed the most since you've been in BC? Having my own room with a door I can close. And Daizy (the dog) and you :)

Then I asked her what she wanted to do PIR weekend and that's when we got to the ""Private Benjamin" part: haircut, pedicure/manicure, movies, facial, massage, makeover and SHOPPING!!! (I don't think there's enough time in the weekend for all that....hahaha

(ship 14 Div193) I received a late mother's day card today - my son was actually making jokes in it. Glad he still has his sense of humor. He is counting down the days and told me he was looking forward to seeing me at graduation, I know his group still has the gas chamber and BS ahead of them but he never talks about any of it. Saying prayers and hoping they do great. Does anyone else have information from this group?

TammySue, Let me know if you find out anything. There's probably someplace not too far, and it would be a nice treat for them after all their hard work. it's funny, I was thinking she would want to go an explore Chicago, but she just seems to want he comforting things. :)

I love you ladies with daughters! The detail in the letters is fabulous. My husband writes typical guy letters "we ran here, we marched there, i ate this, then i slept" If it weren't for you wonderful moms, I'd have no idea what was going on! Go Division 192!!!! (and all the other divisions too!) :)
A week from right this minute, I will be asleep in a hotel somewhere on my journey toward Chicago. Yay!

thats great tp hear all the info of you all who got letters! cant wait for letter 2marrow but mainly the im a sailor call whoo hoo cant believe they that right now they r doing bs i cant sleep aaaa

ok, couldn't sleep all night, when I did sleep it as filled with anxious dreams. I had a dream that they were running off the ship after battlestations and we were all there to greet them Brandon was looking aimlessly for me calling out Mom and I kept trying to call his name and nothing came out of my mouth. It was awful, I so can't wait to hear his voice today.

I came in to work an hour early so that when that call comes in I will have plenty of time to talk to him. I brought my cell phone charger too so I can make sure my phones doesn't go dead in the middle of the call!! I am so excited. After today, one more work day and then onto vacation to see my sailor! I hope you all have a great day and you get letters / phone calls!

I like that idea. Is there any place on there we could put div #?

my3sons - thanks for the effort on the ribbons. I think you have a great idea and please count me in. Jules (Ship 6. Div 927)

my3sons, that looks terrific. Count me in. I'm going to get buttons today.

Love it.

I can pick up buttons if anyone needs them, just let me know. ksnugal, I need two ribbons with DIV 192 if you could. I can get buttons for you--how many?

Oops, sorry, that was my3sons offering to do ribbons. Could you please do two for me for DIV 192? I can get buttons for you if you need them. ksunagel, I can still get buttons for you :)

On another note, my daughter sent me a list of things she wants me to bring in an extra suitcase for PIR and leave it in a locker near RTC, so that she can get it after they've moved to A School, because they can't take anything back with them during PIR weekend. She said a number of other recruits are doing this. Has anybody here heard anything? I don't mind taking it up, I just don't want her to get in trouble.

The Ribbons are awsome ! The phone just rang ...it wasn't my son. Oh this waiting :)

I just got my letter! He's sick. He's been sick basically the whole time. And now he has tonsillitis in his right tonsil but he said that surgery isn't an option yet so they're hoping the swelling goes down with meds.
He said that Monday the 17th is Battlestations so I should hear from him on Tuesday. Yay! Oh and he didn't get his ET job like he wanted, but he got EM so for any of you other Nuke mom's with EM's, it looks like our boys will be in school together!
Today they are firefighting and tomorrow is Test 3. He says that sometimes he thinks I know more than he does about what's going on because of the N4M site! Hahaha. He ordered grad pictures and the dvd of the graduation. The rest of his letter was a lot of I miss yous and I love yous. :) I hope everyone gets their letters! They're like my fuel to get me through the week.