Northwoodsmom - For me the hardest thing is dealing with the unknown, or what should I expect. It is sort of ironic, that I am less concerned about my son being out to sea currently than I am trying to figure out A school graduation, PS, or even Prototype. But I know the protocol for my sailor currently and so I am less concerned about him than I am about other family members. It doesn't mean I am any stronger, it just means my focus is elsewhere, and so my concern for my sailor is not as great or shows as much for him.
I hope that for some of you, there is sunshine in your area. It is always more difficult for me to be cheery and feel as productive as I should be when it is rainy and drizzly outside, even when I know we need it.
B'sNukeMom - usually starts these questions, but I thought I would present my own today to help us look ahead to brighter days. - Please share something that is a favorite for you at Springtime or Easter.
For me it was always seeing the first little crocuses, purple, yellow, and white start to bloom that my father planted next to our front sidewalk. I had to borrow a picture from the internet as I did not have one of my own handy.
I enjoyed watching the ants on the peony buds each spring in Montana where I grew up. I'm not sure if it's true, but we always thought they were helping open the blossoms.
Daffodils--particularly the Ice Follies and the Thalia's. My late husband and I planted so many, and each spring as I make the rounds, he is with me still.
I also love, love, love the emergence of the bleeding hearts. One year, not too long ago, they were up in all their glory beneath my bedroom window. Then we had a miserable, sleeting, heavy, icy rain. Temperatures in the teens followed. Every last one of the bleeding hearts was a sodden mound of slimy mess. I left with my son for spring break, and when we returned new shoots were pushing through it all--not to be defeated. They may not have been as full as the first round, but in my mind they were even more beautiful. It was a teaching moment--to not lose faith.
The weekend was crazy with everything shutting down. We're still here at work but just trying to be extra careful.
Youngest is trying to figure out if he can come home since UNL switched all classes to online (and told everyone to go home) and cancelled all sports. Since he's a coach he doesn't have anyone to coach right now lol. We had already booked him a flight for when school was out for Spring Break but that's not for another week. And now we are worried the flight might be cancelled.....still trying to figure out what to do.
Hubby is feeling better today - our arms still hurt but we knew to expect that....
When I was a little girl, we were always in FL with my grandparents for Easter. They would tell me to watch for the "first" robin to return and to look for the Easter Bunny's helper who would be in the yard watching me. Sure enough I always saw the first robin (probably never left Florida) and always a bunny in the yard spying on me (precursor to elf on a shelf maybe?).
If find myself in Florida awaiting the return of work. As I walked my dogs today, I found myself looking for robins and bunnies :)
I've enjoyed reading everyone's comments about spring in my regular email feed. Thanks for sharing, I hope we have more tomorrow.
Did someone mention on here about their sailor not being able to check emails on their ship very well? I am assuming that it may depend on the ship and possibly the job your sailor has. Mine made a surprise call from the ship this evening, but said he is able to check his email almost daily and to please keep him posted with how things were going, at least for the family on the Homefront. He did indicate though that he has very limited email storage so, I usually send my messages to both his regular email and also to his ship email. Also, sometimes he manages to read the emails, but doesn't get a reply sent back.
I am thankful for information that our ship ombudsmen shares with us and so I already had a heads up as to the nature of my son's call. This is why it is important for even our single sailors to have their parents on the ombudsmen contact list so that you can sign up for their FB pages or other methods of communication. I know you all try, I just wish I could help you encourage them to do it, if they have not done so already.
I LOVE Spring! Up here at the top of NJ it takes a long time to get here, but it is so welcome when it does arrive. Daffodils are my favorite, and we do have a few starting to poke through the ground, now. Also, when my son enlisted in the Navy this past Fall, my husband and my son prepared a new flower bed near our garage that has blue and white hyacinth and yellow tulips, to represent the Navy colors. The plants are already popping up a little, so I will post a picture once they bloom (hoping the deer don't eat them)!
If you have a moment in all this craziness, please say a small prayer for my son. His A School class has not been following proper procedures (not handing in in homework properly or on time) so they have been getting punished for the last few days and a senior chief is coming in to give them "upper level counseling" today. He also has a test today and another on Thursday, so he is starting to feel stressed already and it is only his third week of class! :(
SuzyPWarrior my daughter was planning a surprise trip home after A school and now that too has been canceled. We were supposed to go to SC this Friday but with all their restrictions and the stuff going on in the country we have canceled our trip. I'm super bummed out and so is she! Talk about terrible timing. Stay healthy!
Velvetenor - Prayers for peace, rest and the proper perspective of confidence for your sailor. This is a tough adjustment time and different classes will respond differently. They (command) are wanting to see who really is going to be able to "cut it" as a Nuke. They have high standards - my son would even say it is Perfection, most likely if you ask him. So, being sloppy with simple things like turning in work is not acceptable. Encourage your son, to do what he knows to do. Do his best on his tests and take every opportunity he can to go in and get one on one instruction, if needed and to always be making the effort to study. There is a balance, but in these first few weeks, it is not unreasonable for him to need or should be studying more than he may be required to do. Their mandatory study hours will get changed based on their test scores. My son was always happy if he was on voluntary hours because he wasn't "required" to be there at a certain time, but that did not mean he wasn't still in the Rickover, studying every bit that he could.
Hopeful your deer don't eat your flowers, they sound like they will be lovely!
Chipmunk, I noticed on my daughters ship that computers were available in the library for general use. In the nuke training room there were computers that only they could use. It didn't appear that other departments had the same luxury, of course I wasn't everywhere. I know my SIL has limited email checking on the sub.
JayDee659 - Thanks! I knew subs had limited email, but I was wondering if other ships or even departments had limits as well. I am very thankful that our Ombudsmen posts what she is able when they are out to sea and at other times also. Yesterday she was even able to post a letter from the captain regarding how they were doing on the ship, so that was nice to read as well, since I didn't really have a chance to ask my sailor. And honestly, he is focused only on his section of the ship that because of the pictures which are posted, I usually know more than he does about the rest of the ship.
potterycat - I am saddened to hear that your plans are having to change as well. I don't have anything official but what I am ascertaining is that each command is setting up there own limits when it comes to liberty. I know what my sailor's liberty limits are for when they are off the ship, but that doesn't mean it is the same for others.
Thank you, Chipmunk, for that perspective. My son said that he is doing well, so far, and it's just frustrating to him when others don't follow the process. His words were "It's so easy to NOT get in trouble here - just do what you are told, and nothing else", which I find funny, since he certainly didn't always do what he was told while he was living at home - LOL! But the Navy has definitely changed him for the better, in that regard.
He's working hard to keep his GPA above a 3.6 so that he can be put on voluntary study hours. The class average is currently a 3.2, so they are doing pretty well academically, but it's the little process things that are tripping some of them up, right now. It was the same in BC, as the division was learning new things and some were struggling with marching or folding, or other "basic" tasks. So I reminded him of this when I spoke to him yesterday, that this too shall pass, and he should just keep focused on doing what he is doing, and helping others when he can!
Hi all - thought I checked in this morning but I didn't! Hope everyone's Tuesday went well.....busy day here at work - we're still open but not sure for how long. Had multiple meetings discussing COVID safety - trying to make sure my yard understands the seriousness of it. All our local bars/restaurants are closed as of now. Schools are all closed, it's just kind of eerie out. I did get plane ticket for youngest changed. And I only spend 2 hours 27 minutes on the phone last night! I was pretty happy with that lol! And they waived the change fee because of what's happening. So he'll get home on Thursday and will stay at least 3 weeks. It will remain to be seen whether or not he can fly back to NE on 4/9.
B'sNukeMom, while our corporate employees are working from home, our plants carry on. They have daily meetings via conference call and I'd imagine that once the OEM's start shutting down we will have to scale back. But this too shall pass.
My husband ran to Sam's Club at lunch and walked out with everything on the list plus TWO (2) 12 packs of Northern TP. He said it's not on the shelves but they are distributing it in the back to make sure nobody hoards. Makes my heart feel happy.
Velvetenor - Just like they had to develop a teamwork attitude in BC they also need to do that in their classes. Not everyone studies the same way, or is the best at one subject or another. I recall my son sharing different things during A & PS about studying, working on problems, struggling through the entire process and they all encouraged each other. And yes, it was many of those little things. - The Navy has their way of doing it, their way to answer questions to some extent and their way of showing the work. Part of that has to do with the intense training schedule, mass amounts of papers to grade through, tests, etc. These young men and women come from varied backgrounds, different emphasis may have been placed on different aspects of studying, homework assignments, tests and grading - good or bad habits for a disciplined study regime may or may not have been established. We are talking about some of our brightest, most intelligent kids across the country, but some of them may have never had to crack a textbook, or study at all to pass their tests. They may not need it here either, but the discipline of doing the work, going through the thinking process, evaluating what they are learning and getting it grounded into their brain requires more than mere memorization or computation. Developing all of this in these sailors in such a short period of time is vital to each step they take along the way. My son shared with me once early on, about something with computation and he was struggling because he wanted to be able to do it a certain way and they wanted something else done instead.
It is a growing and learning process for all of them and A school is also where the largest "weeding" out comes. (The word my son used is not coming to mind.) It is a time to determine if this is really where they belong in the fleet, whether the sailor decides or command decides and that is part of the pressure our Nukes are under, both internally and externally. So mom, your encouragement to your son, is good advice. Keep his chin up, help his fellow sailors, and continue to develop his own best regimen for finding the balance between study, rest, PT, eating, and just down time.
Potterycat - please keep us posted. Hopefully the quarantine is being done as a precaution. Ellen0502 just posted the latest from RTC and they will not even be live streaming PIR nor will they be holding the ceremony in a large group setting for both the enlisted and officers.
I hope some others will share their favorite springtime memory or activity. And do keep us posted on how things are with you. I honestly find out more of what my "neighbors" around the states are dealing with or going through from this site than any news I could spend time listening to.
The disappointment we feel for our kids accomplishments not being acknowledged as well as their safety, concerns of how to pay bills and buy groceries as our jobs come to a standstill, worry for our older family member and the fear of the unknown makes this such a trying time. We have to remember though that this country has been hit hard time and time again and we always recover. Hold tight to your faith and don't lose hope. NMH to all of you!
SubMom - Well said. I am paraphrasing, but my husband likes to comment that "we (mostly those of us in the US) just make up problems, because we don't have any real problems/hardships to deal with." Our ancestors before us had some much tougher problems. Yes, we will get through this.
I don’t always get a chance to post, but I do try to keep up with everyone. They are pretty much locked down where my son is, duty personnel only on base. He’s pretty bummed that all the gyms are closed - I told him there are plenty of ways to stay in shape without going to the gym, you might need to get a little creative is all....
I work in the vision center at a major retailer and they've now stopped doing new eyeglass orders and are cutting hours starting today. I'm returning from 11 days vacation tomorrow. My manager is helping find us hours in other parts of the store. Our store is opening only to associates for the last 1 1/2 hours today in hopes that we can get needed supplies. I've been able to find what we need so far, just had to look elsewhere.
Please keep the new recruits and their families in your prayers.
This was posted this morning from RTC:
Effective immediately, the U.S. Navy is suspending all Recruit Training Command (RTC), in Great Lakes, IL, and Officer Training Command (OTC), in Newport RI, formal, large-scale graduation ceremonies until further notice as part of its proactive approach to protect our mission and limit the potential spread of COVID 19.
Recruits, Officer Candidates and students will continue to graduate, but the transition from Recruit or Officer Candidate to Sailor will be marked by small, internal events which cannot be live-streamed.
This decision was made after considering recommendations from CDC and medical professionals, to support the well-being of our students and staff, and to maintain our mission essential function of providing basically trained Sailors to the fleet.
While graduation is an important symbolic event for Sailors and their families, it is not essential for training, and in light of concerns in gathering large groups of individuals together, it would be inappropriate to continue the ceremony at this time. We will continue to closely monitor the situation, and will resume graduations and guest attendance as soon as it is safe to do so.
Continuation to follow-on training will continue and be executed in a manner that allows for controlled travel, which keeps the safety of everyone as our top priority.
I've also seen some museums are doing virtual tours. If anyone else has some fun links to share please do so! Maybe I'll make a discussion up above so we can put them all in one place ;-D
Hello Everyone! Checking in! Steady rain here today, but the ice follies are blooming. One Chicago son (and SO) are sheltering with me here in South Central Indiana, and my eldest Chicago son is with his fiancee and her parents in Minnesota. SO relieved they are out of Chicago, but I woke up this morning worried about their houseplants (!!). One son is worried about a layoff (golf industry), and I am concerned that our two businesses may have to shut down, but for now, we are grateful for our health and the support of family and friends. We will weather this storm!
My MMN son just had his weekly exam ("Exam went well!!"), and he is moving quickly toward A-School graduation. Spirits seem high, but then this child is a role model for positivism. I cherish him.
I shall continue following everyone's posts and holding all of you close--our stories and shared experiences will help keep us strong. I so very much appreciate the positive tone of this group.
Spring begins at 11:50 p.m. EDT today!!
Finally, check out the Shedd Aquarium posts. Because the Aquarium is closed to the public, the penguins are allowed to roam. Love it!
Stay well. Stay warm. Positive thoughts out into the Universe.
Roll call response. Stoped by the office to pick up stuff needed and it was a ghost town. I am NY and as of this afternoon business are ask to keep 75% home on any given day. Restaurants and bars can only server delivery or takeout. Try to do that one meal a day for the time being to help them.
But we are good. Food in the pantry, tp in the closet, meds for a month in stock (mostly for my elderly dogs), so far everyone heathly- mostly. Sprained my knee in a work fall so been working from home a few days a week anyway. Finally got to go to ortho but that is now canceled for at least 4 weeks. So many things I want to be doing since I am home hurt to much. Oh well.
I do not have any links to share right now but I love my traveling friends who are posting pics from past adventures on their FB pages.
It is an early bird migration in here and one of my favorite spring time past times is to get out my camera and go to the woods or to the lake to watch.
Tried to post a pic but it kept giving me en error. thoughts?
Checking in from the PNW. I had surgery three and a half weeks ago, so have been essentially self-quarantined for 23 days now, while I recover. As luck would have it, before surgery I stocked up on a few things that are now hard to come by. My challenge now is to get groceries. I cannot yet navigate the store, and there are no delivery slots available. Otherwise, I'm bored, but healing well, and sending good thoughts to all.
Just checking in. All is well in Northern WI. Our area of the state currently does not have any confirmed corona virus cases, For which I am very thankful. Only essential businesses are open but we are able to order out at all the local restaurants. I am missing my workouts at the local Y, but I will survive.
My ETN son was scheduled to come home for a visit later this month, but that will have to be rescheduled. He was also scheduled to come home during Christmas, but his sub’s underway was extended, so we missed him then too. He seems to be in good spirits, although disappointed in the change of plans.
My husband and I have a trip planned to California to visit our daughter and SIL, but those plans may also need to change. Time will tell.
Checking in from NJ - we are all healthy here, and we have enough food/supplies to get us through several weeks. I work from home normally, so my job hasn't been affected much at all, but by hubby is WFH now, and my daughter is doing all of her classwork online, so we are all here together, except for my Nuke. It will be unseasonably warm tomorrow (mid-70's) here, but it will be raining all day. :(
Teenage daughter is mad at me because I won't let her hang out with her friends, even outside, but I know she understands, she's just being an emo 17-year-old.
I'm feeling very torn about the fact that we still have plans to drive down to SC in April to see my son, but I am not sure if we should go. Aside from driving down to visit him, we were bringing his car to him, since he has had to Uber to get anywhere, so far. Obviously, if they decide that they will not be allowing the sailors to go off base for liberty, then we won't go. But if that is still allowed - I really want to go. We are keeping ourselves under quarantine here, so that we will be sure that we are not exposed before we leave, if we decide to go. We will wait and make that choice as it gets closer, and we have more information about the risks involved.
Checking in from south central WI. Lots of cases in our county, everyone at home healthy for now. Kids have been at home since last Friday afternoon. No plans for them to leave any time soon. Husband and I both still going to work. Our sailor passed PS comp on Tuesday and we're supposed to be out there to see him but (obviously) canceled our trip. He's busy moving out of the BEQ's into the apartment they have leased. Excited for him to start Prototype (he doesn't have to wait too long). Well wishes to all of you!!
Checking in from far northern Wisconsin. It is a brutal day out there, freezing rain and snow. Yuck! Trying to brainstorm to figure out what to feed the school kids through this. Administrator wants cold bag lunches, DPI still wants you to follow their guidelines and only half the stuff I ordered came in. Figures when it rains it pours, thank the good Lord that I am still working. Sure I will figure something out, just kind of sucks and it is another product of the coronavirus. Things are messed up everywhere, but we will weather the storm and eventually God will bless us with a rainbow. Stay strong and in prayer.
Checking in from VA. Beautiful day here - temps in the 70's and we're seeing sunshine for the first time in days! Nuke made it out of Bremerton for leave before they canceled leave and just left to go back this morning. So thankful to have had the time with him. He's not thrilled to return, but life goes on, I suppose. With all the closures, I've been off work too, so we really got to spend time together. Even though there's a lot of uncertainty out there right now, I'm just thankful we had the chance to enjoy time with our son.
Checking in from Florida. My husband and I are healthy but two days of working at home together might prove a challenge. I brought both the dogs and the cat with me, they are finally starting to adapt to this new place.
Restaurants are either supposed to be take out/delivery only OR have they can be filled to 1/2 capacity. I haven't heard any official reason, but I wonder if the 1/2 capacity is for tourists who are stuck?
Both my daughters are well. My Nuke SIL has left his last port and they are silent for now.
I'm helping my boss track all our customers/vendors who are shutting down. Considering our commodity, it's a little unnerving, but we will all get thru this. Hang in there ladies.
Checking in from Washington. Hubby and I have been helping my son getting his house ready to sell here in Bremerton. His furniture has already been picked up so in a empty house he sits waiting out the DOD travel band. Mom to the rescue with kitchen supplies from our RV. We are both retired so figuring out how to gt work done . We live in a county the size of Rhode Island but only 20k people which made social distancing easy. Looking forward to this passing and recovery of those effected.
Happy Spring Everyone! WA state here, and I will admit how different life is. My sailor is scheduled for an upcoming deployment on his boat, but I haven't heard whether or not things have changed (and likely I won't).
I am still working, however we have postponed all preventative, non-urgent appointments. Patients are screened at the entrance and visitors are not allowed in unless they are accompanying a minor or with a patient that needs assistance. Our schedules have decreased by nearly 70%.
In following the social distancing guidelines, I went for a beautiful 10.5 mile solo hike on Weds. Did not see ONE human. The most amazing and incredible moment with this bird made me feel so peaceful and serene. Thought I would share.
Checking in from Virginia. We are located between Richmond and Williamsburg and are staying healthy for now. I am working from home thanks to my company being proactive and my husband works at the Naval base so he is on a rotating shift as his work is more onsite assistance.
The county just to the east of us and northern VA area are the two areas that are having issues. All the schools are closed down until mid-April and the universities are all doing on-line classes possibly for the rest of the semester.
The husband was able to go see our sailor in Charleston this last weekend and all things seem normal down there. He is currently in PS and says things are normal and he doesn't know of anyone that has been quarantined or tested positive so I was glad to hear the news. Unfortunately we had to cancel our vacation with the in-laws as they are in the high risk group and we wanted them to stay home to alleviate the possibility of them becoming sick.
Staying positive that most are doing what they should to be safe and praying for all who are affected by this and all our military members.
All is well in Boston. Sailor in VA, working the night shift and keeping his family safe. We are actually an hour outside of Boston, on 40 acres, so every day is an opportunity to run in a different direction, without seeing a soul. My construction company is still building homes, while keeping clients at a distance, as well as my contractors.
Hi ladies, checking in from just outside Richmond, VA. It is currently in the low 80s here, perfect for the arrival of the equinox tonight. I work in an area hospital and I am amazed at the number of folks who are still coming in for outpatient studies. Everyone is being screened before they enter the building. My Nuke son and his family are doing well in SC and I just returned home from visiting my daughter in TN. My youngest is taking welding classes, which have been postponed until further notice. Everyone, please follow all recommendations about distancing. Sending happy thoughts to all.
Check in from south east Wisconsin... I'm WFH now for the past two weeks. I live right on the Wisconsin/Illinois border and the virus is now in community spread. My husband and daughter are both still working onsite for their jobs. I'm feeling the stress as my job is all COVID-19 planning... all day long. It hit me yesterday afternoon and I had to send my sailor a quick text to ask him to check in. Thanks for the link to the puppies... was just unwinding and watched... made me smile! My own pup is now 12 weeks old and is quite the handful! Hope you all stay safe and healthy!!!
Checking in from Southwest Michigan. Surprisingly this portion of the state has been relatively quiet with regards to COVID-19. I know it is just a matter of time though. My husband and I are still working. It is very eerie driving through downtown- businesses closed and no cars in sight. Hoping the rain ends this weekend and we can get out for some walks! Our son is on the west coast and is preparing for upcoming deployment. Praying his crew stays healthy.
Chipmunk
Northwoodsmom - For me the hardest thing is dealing with the unknown, or what should I expect. It is sort of ironic, that I am less concerned about my son being out to sea currently than I am trying to figure out A school graduation, PS, or even Prototype. But I know the protocol for my sailor currently and so I am less concerned about him than I am about other family members. It doesn't mean I am any stronger, it just means my focus is elsewhere, and so my concern for my sailor is not as great or shows as much for him.
Mar 16, 2020
Chipmunk
Good morning everyone!!
I hope that for some of you, there is sunshine in your area. It is always more difficult for me to be cheery and feel as productive as I should be when it is rainy and drizzly outside, even when I know we need it.
B'sNukeMom - usually starts these questions, but I thought I would present my own today to help us look ahead to brighter days. - Please share something that is a favorite for you at Springtime or Easter.
For me it was always seeing the first little crocuses, purple, yellow, and white start to bloom that my father planted next to our front sidewalk. I had to borrow a picture from the internet as I did not have one of my own handy.
Mar 16, 2020
helena2000
I enjoyed watching the ants on the peony buds each spring in Montana where I grew up. I'm not sure if it's true, but we always thought they were helping open the blossoms.
Mar 16, 2020
ShipOfDoodles
Daffodils--particularly the Ice Follies and the Thalia's. My late husband and I planted so many, and each spring as I make the rounds, he is with me still.
I also love, love, love the emergence of the bleeding hearts. One year, not too long ago, they were up in all their glory beneath my bedroom window. Then we had a miserable, sleeting, heavy, icy rain. Temperatures in the teens followed. Every last one of the bleeding hearts was a sodden mound of slimy mess. I left with my son for spring break, and when we returned new shoots were pushing through it all--not to be defeated. They may not have been as full as the first round, but in my mind they were even more beautiful. It was a teaching moment--to not lose faith.
Stay well, everyone. (Insert heart emoji here...)
Mar 16, 2020
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Hi all - Happy Monday!
The weekend was crazy with everything shutting down. We're still here at work but just trying to be extra careful.
Youngest is trying to figure out if he can come home since UNL switched all classes to online (and told everyone to go home) and cancelled all sports. Since he's a coach he doesn't have anyone to coach right now lol. We had already booked him a flight for when school was out for Spring Break but that's not for another week. And now we are worried the flight might be cancelled.....still trying to figure out what to do.
Hubby is feeling better today - our arms still hurt but we knew to expect that....
Mar 16, 2020
SubMom
When the birds start returning I know spring is close. I love listening to them sing!
Mar 16, 2020
JayDee659
When I was a little girl, we were always in FL with my grandparents for Easter. They would tell me to watch for the "first" robin to return and to look for the Easter Bunny's helper who would be in the yard watching me. Sure enough I always saw the first robin (probably never left Florida) and always a bunny in the yard spying on me (precursor to elf on a shelf maybe?).
If find myself in Florida awaiting the return of work. As I walked my dogs today, I found myself looking for robins and bunnies :)
Mar 16, 2020
Chipmunk
I've enjoyed reading everyone's comments about spring in my regular email feed. Thanks for sharing, I hope we have more tomorrow.
Did someone mention on here about their sailor not being able to check emails on their ship very well? I am assuming that it may depend on the ship and possibly the job your sailor has. Mine made a surprise call from the ship this evening, but said he is able to check his email almost daily and to please keep him posted with how things were going, at least for the family on the Homefront. He did indicate though that he has very limited email storage so, I usually send my messages to both his regular email and also to his ship email. Also, sometimes he manages to read the emails, but doesn't get a reply sent back.
I am thankful for information that our ship ombudsmen shares with us and so I already had a heads up as to the nature of my son's call. This is why it is important for even our single sailors to have their parents on the ombudsmen contact list so that you can sign up for their FB pages or other methods of communication. I know you all try, I just wish I could help you encourage them to do it, if they have not done so already.
Mar 17, 2020
Velvetenor
I LOVE Spring! Up here at the top of NJ it takes a long time to get here, but it is so welcome when it does arrive. Daffodils are my favorite, and we do have a few starting to poke through the ground, now. Also, when my son enlisted in the Navy this past Fall, my husband and my son prepared a new flower bed near our garage that has blue and white hyacinth and yellow tulips, to represent the Navy colors. The plants are already popping up a little, so I will post a picture once they bloom (hoping the deer don't eat them)!
If you have a moment in all this craziness, please say a small prayer for my son. His A School class has not been following proper procedures (not handing in in homework properly or on time) so they have been getting punished for the last few days and a senior chief is coming in to give them "upper level counseling" today. He also has a test today and another on Thursday, so he is starting to feel stressed already and it is only his third week of class! :(
Mar 17, 2020
potterycat
SuzyPWarrior my daughter was planning a surprise trip home after A school and now that too has been canceled. We were supposed to go to SC this Friday but with all their restrictions and the stuff going on in the country we have canceled our trip. I'm super bummed out and so is she! Talk about terrible timing. Stay healthy!
Mar 17, 2020
Chipmunk
Velvetenor - Prayers for peace, rest and the proper perspective of confidence for your sailor. This is a tough adjustment time and different classes will respond differently. They (command) are wanting to see who really is going to be able to "cut it" as a Nuke. They have high standards - my son would even say it is Perfection, most likely if you ask him. So, being sloppy with simple things like turning in work is not acceptable. Encourage your son, to do what he knows to do. Do his best on his tests and take every opportunity he can to go in and get one on one instruction, if needed and to always be making the effort to study. There is a balance, but in these first few weeks, it is not unreasonable for him to need or should be studying more than he may be required to do. Their mandatory study hours will get changed based on their test scores. My son was always happy if he was on voluntary hours because he wasn't "required" to be there at a certain time, but that did not mean he wasn't still in the Rickover, studying every bit that he could.
Hopeful your deer don't eat your flowers, they sound like they will be lovely!
Mar 17, 2020
JayDee659
Chipmunk, I noticed on my daughters ship that computers were available in the library for general use. In the nuke training room there were computers that only they could use. It didn't appear that other departments had the same luxury, of course I wasn't everywhere. I know my SIL has limited email checking on the sub.
Mar 17, 2020
Chipmunk
JayDee659 - Thanks! I knew subs had limited email, but I was wondering if other ships or even departments had limits as well. I am very thankful that our Ombudsmen posts what she is able when they are out to sea and at other times also. Yesterday she was even able to post a letter from the captain regarding how they were doing on the ship, so that was nice to read as well, since I didn't really have a chance to ask my sailor. And honestly, he is focused only on his section of the ship that because of the pictures which are posted, I usually know more than he does about the rest of the ship.
potterycat - I am saddened to hear that your plans are having to change as well. I don't have anything official but what I am ascertaining is that each command is setting up there own limits when it comes to liberty. I know what my sailor's liberty limits are for when they are off the ship, but that doesn't mean it is the same for others.
Mar 17, 2020
Velvetenor
Thank you, Chipmunk, for that perspective. My son said that he is doing well, so far, and it's just frustrating to him when others don't follow the process. His words were "It's so easy to NOT get in trouble here - just do what you are told, and nothing else", which I find funny, since he certainly didn't always do what he was told while he was living at home - LOL! But the Navy has definitely changed him for the better, in that regard.
He's working hard to keep his GPA above a 3.6 so that he can be put on voluntary study hours. The class average is currently a 3.2, so they are doing pretty well academically, but it's the little process things that are tripping some of them up, right now. It was the same in BC, as the division was learning new things and some were struggling with marching or folding, or other "basic" tasks. So I reminded him of this when I spoke to him yesterday, that this too shall pass, and he should just keep focused on doing what he is doing, and helping others when he can!
Mar 17, 2020
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Hi all - thought I checked in this morning but I didn't! Hope everyone's Tuesday went well.....busy day here at work - we're still open but not sure for how long. Had multiple meetings discussing COVID safety - trying to make sure my yard understands the seriousness of it. All our local bars/restaurants are closed as of now. Schools are all closed, it's just kind of eerie out. I did get plane ticket for youngest changed. And I only spend 2 hours 27 minutes on the phone last night! I was pretty happy with that lol! And they waived the change fee because of what's happening. So he'll get home on Thursday and will stay at least 3 weeks. It will remain to be seen whether or not he can fly back to NE on 4/9.
Hope everyone is doing well and staying safe!
Mar 17, 2020
potterycat
My daughter informed me her classmate, that sits right behind her, has been quarantined. :(
Mar 18, 2020
somar
Oh no
Mar 18, 2020
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
potterycat - yikes!
Mar 18, 2020
JayDee659
B'sNukeMom, while our corporate employees are working from home, our plants carry on. They have daily meetings via conference call and I'd imagine that once the OEM's start shutting down we will have to scale back. But this too shall pass.
My husband ran to Sam's Club at lunch and walked out with everything on the list plus TWO (2) 12 packs of Northern TP. He said it's not on the shelves but they are distributing it in the back to make sure nobody hoards. Makes my heart feel happy.
Mar 18, 2020
Chipmunk
Velvetenor - Just like they had to develop a teamwork attitude in BC they also need to do that in their classes. Not everyone studies the same way, or is the best at one subject or another. I recall my son sharing different things during A & PS about studying, working on problems, struggling through the entire process and they all encouraged each other. And yes, it was many of those little things. - The Navy has their way of doing it, their way to answer questions to some extent and their way of showing the work. Part of that has to do with the intense training schedule, mass amounts of papers to grade through, tests, etc. These young men and women come from varied backgrounds, different emphasis may have been placed on different aspects of studying, homework assignments, tests and grading - good or bad habits for a disciplined study regime may or may not have been established. We are talking about some of our brightest, most intelligent kids across the country, but some of them may have never had to crack a textbook, or study at all to pass their tests. They may not need it here either, but the discipline of doing the work, going through the thinking process, evaluating what they are learning and getting it grounded into their brain requires more than mere memorization or computation. Developing all of this in these sailors in such a short period of time is vital to each step they take along the way. My son shared with me once early on, about something with computation and he was struggling because he wanted to be able to do it a certain way and they wanted something else done instead.
It is a growing and learning process for all of them and A school is also where the largest "weeding" out comes. (The word my son used is not coming to mind.) It is a time to determine if this is really where they belong in the fleet, whether the sailor decides or command decides and that is part of the pressure our Nukes are under, both internally and externally. So mom, your encouragement to your son, is good advice. Keep his chin up, help his fellow sailors, and continue to develop his own best regimen for finding the balance between study, rest, PT, eating, and just down time.
Mar 19, 2020
Chipmunk
Potterycat - please keep us posted. Hopefully the quarantine is being done as a precaution. Ellen0502 just posted the latest from RTC and they will not even be live streaming PIR nor will they be holding the ceremony in a large group setting for both the enlisted and officers.
I hope some others will share their favorite springtime memory or activity. And do keep us posted on how things are with you. I honestly find out more of what my "neighbors" around the states are dealing with or going through from this site than any news I could spend time listening to.
Mar 19, 2020
JayDee659
Ladies, the AKC has started a 24/7 All Puppies All the Time channel to help us de-stress. I have to admit, watching puppies makes me smile. Here's the link for those of you who enjoy dogs: https://akc.tv/puppies?utm_campaign=20200318_nibble-covid19_puppies...
Mar 19, 2020
SubMom
The disappointment we feel for our kids accomplishments not being acknowledged as well as their safety, concerns of how to pay bills and buy groceries as our jobs come to a standstill, worry for our older family member and the fear of the unknown makes this such a trying time. We have to remember though that this country has been hit hard time and time again and we always recover. Hold tight to your faith and don't lose hope. NMH to all of you!
Mar 19, 2020
Chipmunk
JayDee659 - Puppy videos sound like fun! Thanks.
SubMom - Well said. I am paraphrasing, but my husband likes to comment that "we (mostly those of us in the US) just make up problems, because we don't have any real problems/hardships to deal with." Our ancestors before us had some much tougher problems. Yes, we will get through this.
Mar 19, 2020
bigsky21
JayDee, love the puppycam :)
Here are a couple of my favorites...
FPL’s manatee cam:
visitmanateelagooncom/manatee-cam
and the webcam at Dolphin Research Center:
dolphins.org/plan_your_day?aid=6
I don’t always get a chance to post, but I do try to keep up with everyone. They are pretty much locked down where my son is, duty personnel only on base. He’s pretty bummed that all the gyms are closed - I told him there are plenty of ways to stay in shape without going to the gym, you might need to get a little creative is all....
Stay safe everyone!
Mar 19, 2020
helena2000
I work in the vision center at a major retailer and they've now stopped doing new eyeglass orders and are cutting hours starting today. I'm returning from 11 days vacation tomorrow. My manager is helping find us hours in other parts of the store. Our store is opening only to associates for the last 1 1/2 hours today in hopes that we can get needed supplies. I've been able to find what we need so far, just had to look elsewhere.
Mar 19, 2020
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Please keep the new recruits and their families in your prayers.
This was posted this morning from RTC:
Effective immediately, the U.S. Navy is suspending all Recruit Training Command (RTC), in Great Lakes, IL, and Officer Training Command (OTC), in Newport RI, formal, large-scale graduation ceremonies until further notice as part of its proactive approach to protect our mission and limit the potential spread of COVID 19.
Recruits, Officer Candidates and students will continue to graduate, but the transition from Recruit or Officer Candidate to Sailor will be marked by small, internal events which cannot be live-streamed.
This decision was made after considering recommendations from CDC and medical professionals, to support the well-being of our students and staff, and to maintain our mission essential function of providing basically trained Sailors to the fleet.
While graduation is an important symbolic event for Sailors and their families, it is not essential for training, and in light of concerns in gathering large groups of individuals together, it would be inappropriate to continue the ceremony at this time. We will continue to closely monitor the situation, and will resume graduations and guest attendance as soon as it is safe to do so.
Mar 19, 2020
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Happy Thursday.....hang in there everyone!
Mar 19, 2020
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Homecomings are being delayed too :(
Mar 19, 2020
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
ROLL CALL - Let's have everyone check in please!
JayDee and bigsky21- love the webcam ideas.
I've also seen some museums are doing virtual tours. If anyone else has some fun links to share please do so! Maybe I'll make a discussion up above so we can put them all in one place ;-D
Mar 19, 2020
ShipOfDoodles
Hello Everyone! Checking in! Steady rain here today, but the ice follies are blooming. One Chicago son (and SO) are sheltering with me here in South Central Indiana, and my eldest Chicago son is with his fiancee and her parents in Minnesota. SO relieved they are out of Chicago, but I woke up this morning worried about their houseplants (!!). One son is worried about a layoff (golf industry), and I am concerned that our two businesses may have to shut down, but for now, we are grateful for our health and the support of family and friends. We will weather this storm!
My MMN son just had his weekly exam ("Exam went well!!"), and he is moving quickly toward A-School graduation. Spirits seem high, but then this child is a role model for positivism. I cherish him.
I shall continue following everyone's posts and holding all of you close--our stories and shared experiences will help keep us strong. I so very much appreciate the positive tone of this group.
Spring begins at 11:50 p.m. EDT today!!
Finally, check out the Shedd Aquarium posts. Because the Aquarium is closed to the public, the penguins are allowed to roam. Love it!
Stay well. Stay warm. Positive thoughts out into the Universe.
Mar 19, 2020
New Adventures
Roll call response. Stoped by the office to pick up stuff needed and it was a ghost town. I am NY and as of this afternoon business are ask to keep 75% home on any given day. Restaurants and bars can only server delivery or takeout. Try to do that one meal a day for the time being to help them.
But we are good. Food in the pantry, tp in the closet, meds for a month in stock (mostly for my elderly dogs), so far everyone heathly- mostly. Sprained my knee in a work fall so been working from home a few days a week anyway. Finally got to go to ortho but that is now canceled for at least 4 weeks. So many things I want to be doing since I am home hurt to much. Oh well.
I do not have any links to share right now but I love my traveling friends who are posting pics from past adventures on their FB pages.
It is an early bird migration in here and one of my favorite spring time past times is to get out my camera and go to the woods or to the lake to watch.
Tried to post a pic but it kept giving me en error. thoughts?
Mar 19, 2020
PacNWmom
Checking in from the PNW. I had surgery three and a half weeks ago, so have been essentially self-quarantined for 23 days now, while I recover. As luck would have it, before surgery I stocked up on a few things that are now hard to come by. My challenge now is to get groceries. I cannot yet navigate the store, and there are no delivery slots available. Otherwise, I'm bored, but healing well, and sending good thoughts to all.
Mar 19, 2020
somar
Checking in. I already WFH so no issue there. My household is well. Pantry and freezer stocked, meds for two months, food and treats for the dog good.
I'm just bummed over all changes for my Drs graduation next week. Also wondering how long he will be in GL before moving on to GC for ETN training.
Daughter and I will be crafting a bunch during this uncertain time.
Mar 19, 2020
momc
Just checking in. All is well in Northern WI. Our area of the state currently does not have any confirmed corona virus cases, For which I am very thankful. Only essential businesses are open but we are able to order out at all the local restaurants. I am missing my workouts at the local Y, but I will survive.
My ETN son was scheduled to come home for a visit later this month, but that will have to be rescheduled. He was also scheduled to come home during Christmas, but his sub’s underway was extended, so we missed him then too. He seems to be in good spirits, although disappointed in the change of plans.
My husband and I have a trip planned to California to visit our daughter and SIL, but those plans may also need to change. Time will tell.
Happy Spring to all!
Mar 19, 2020
Velvetenor
Checking in from NJ - we are all healthy here, and we have enough food/supplies to get us through several weeks. I work from home normally, so my job hasn't been affected much at all, but by hubby is WFH now, and my daughter is doing all of her classwork online, so we are all here together, except for my Nuke. It will be unseasonably warm tomorrow (mid-70's) here, but it will be raining all day. :(
Teenage daughter is mad at me because I won't let her hang out with her friends, even outside, but I know she understands, she's just being an emo 17-year-old.
I'm feeling very torn about the fact that we still have plans to drive down to SC in April to see my son, but I am not sure if we should go. Aside from driving down to visit him, we were bringing his car to him, since he has had to Uber to get anywhere, so far. Obviously, if they decide that they will not be allowing the sailors to go off base for liberty, then we won't go. But if that is still allowed - I really want to go. We are keeping ourselves under quarantine here, so that we will be sure that we are not exposed before we leave, if we decide to go. We will wait and make that choice as it gets closer, and we have more information about the risks involved.
Mar 19, 2020
Navymom18
Checking in from south central WI. Lots of cases in our county, everyone at home healthy for now. Kids have been at home since last Friday afternoon. No plans for them to leave any time soon. Husband and I both still going to work. Our sailor passed PS comp on Tuesday and we're supposed to be out there to see him but (obviously) canceled our trip. He's busy moving out of the BEQ's into the apartment they have leased. Excited for him to start Prototype (he doesn't have to wait too long). Well wishes to all of you!!
Mar 19, 2020
New Adventures
FYI - just got a message from a friend who works at an historic inn in Charleston and we were supposed to see in May. "Charleston is closed"
Sorry to all who had a visit planned.
Mar 19, 2020
Northwoodsmom
Checking in from far northern Wisconsin. It is a brutal day out there, freezing rain and snow. Yuck! Trying to brainstorm to figure out what to feed the school kids through this. Administrator wants cold bag lunches, DPI still wants you to follow their guidelines and only half the stuff I ordered came in. Figures when it rains it pours, thank the good Lord that I am still working. Sure I will figure something out, just kind of sucks and it is another product of the coronavirus. Things are messed up everywhere, but we will weather the storm and eventually God will bless us with a rainbow. Stay strong and in prayer.
Mar 19, 2020
HockeyLaxMom
Checking in from VA. Beautiful day here - temps in the 70's and we're seeing sunshine for the first time in days! Nuke made it out of Bremerton for leave before they canceled leave and just left to go back this morning. So thankful to have had the time with him. He's not thrilled to return, but life goes on, I suppose. With all the closures, I've been off work too, so we really got to spend time together. Even though there's a lot of uncertainty out there right now, I'm just thankful we had the chance to enjoy time with our son.
Mar 19, 2020
pandalvr
Hi all, I am in NC in my county we have positive cases (rumor has it they both are MD from 2 different practices.
I am also fortunate to have my sailor home for 30 days. He is still not sire if he is going to his PSC to Norfolk. Hopefully he is staying longer LOL
Hope all is good with everyone
pandalvr
Mar 19, 2020
JayDee659
Checking in from Florida. My husband and I are healthy but two days of working at home together might prove a challenge. I brought both the dogs and the cat with me, they are finally starting to adapt to this new place.
Restaurants are either supposed to be take out/delivery only OR have they can be filled to 1/2 capacity. I haven't heard any official reason, but I wonder if the 1/2 capacity is for tourists who are stuck?
Both my daughters are well. My Nuke SIL has left his last port and they are silent for now.
I'm helping my boss track all our customers/vendors who are shutting down. Considering our commodity, it's a little unnerving, but we will all get thru this. Hang in there ladies.
Mar 19, 2020
topdog1p
Checking in from Washington. Hubby and I have been helping my son getting his house ready to sell here in Bremerton. His furniture has already been picked up so in a empty house he sits waiting out the DOD travel band. Mom to the rescue with kitchen supplies from our RV. We are both retired so figuring out how to gt work done . We live in a county the size of Rhode Island but only 20k people which made social distancing easy. Looking forward to this passing and recovery of those effected.
Mar 19, 2020
KayCee
Happy Spring Everyone! WA state here, and I will admit how different life is. My sailor is scheduled for an upcoming deployment on his boat, but I haven't heard whether or not things have changed (and likely I won't).
I am still working, however we have postponed all preventative, non-urgent appointments. Patients are screened at the entrance and visitors are not allowed in unless they are accompanying a minor or with a patient that needs assistance. Our schedules have decreased by nearly 70%.
In following the social distancing guidelines, I went for a beautiful 10.5 mile solo hike on Weds. Did not see ONE human. The most amazing and incredible moment with this bird made me feel so peaceful and serene. Thought I would share.
Mar 19, 2020
jes12joy
Checking in from Virginia. We are located between Richmond and Williamsburg and are staying healthy for now. I am working from home thanks to my company being proactive and my husband works at the Naval base so he is on a rotating shift as his work is more onsite assistance.
The county just to the east of us and northern VA area are the two areas that are having issues. All the schools are closed down until mid-April and the universities are all doing on-line classes possibly for the rest of the semester.
The husband was able to go see our sailor in Charleston this last weekend and all things seem normal down there. He is currently in PS and says things are normal and he doesn't know of anyone that has been quarantined or tested positive so I was glad to hear the news. Unfortunately we had to cancel our vacation with the in-laws as they are in the high risk group and we wanted them to stay home to alleviate the possibility of them becoming sick.
Staying positive that most are doing what they should to be safe and praying for all who are affected by this and all our military members.
Mar 19, 2020
Johanna
All is well in Boston. Sailor in VA, working the night shift and keeping his family safe. We are actually an hour outside of Boston, on 40 acres, so every day is an opportunity to run in a different direction, without seeing a soul. My construction company is still building homes, while keeping clients at a distance, as well as my contractors.
Mar 19, 2020
NonnaB
Hi ladies, checking in from just outside Richmond, VA. It is currently in the low 80s here, perfect for the arrival of the equinox tonight. I work in an area hospital and I am amazed at the number of folks who are still coming in for outpatient studies. Everyone is being screened before they enter the building. My Nuke son and his family are doing well in SC and I just returned home from visiting my daughter in TN. My youngest is taking welding classes, which have been postponed until further notice. Everyone, please follow all recommendations about distancing. Sending happy thoughts to all.
Mar 19, 2020
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
KayCee - that picture is awesome! I love it ;-D
Mar 19, 2020
The Hammer
Check in from south east Wisconsin... I'm WFH now for the past two weeks. I live right on the Wisconsin/Illinois border and the virus is now in community spread. My husband and daughter are both still working onsite for their jobs. I'm feeling the stress as my job is all COVID-19 planning... all day long. It hit me yesterday afternoon and I had to send my sailor a quick text to ask him to check in. Thanks for the link to the puppies... was just unwinding and watched... made me smile! My own pup is now 12 weeks old and is quite the handful! Hope you all stay safe and healthy!!!
Mar 19, 2020
SubMom
Checking in from Southwest Michigan. Surprisingly this portion of the state has been relatively quiet with regards to COVID-19. I know it is just a matter of time though. My husband and I are still working. It is very eerie driving through downtown- businesses closed and no cars in sight. Hoping the rain ends this weekend and we can get out for some walks! Our son is on the west coast and is preparing for upcoming deployment. Praying his crew stays healthy.
Mar 19, 2020