GROTON, CT. SUBSCHOOL & "A" SCHOOL MOMS

Yolanda - Fair weather and following sea's for your sailor son! I keep him in prayer.  Please do stay in touch here in NAVY MOM LAND. 

Yes - to ALL N4Ms, A Happy, Healthy and Blessed New Year to you and yours. Our family has cherished every single moment we have shared with our Groton Sailor here at home. They will all soon be off to new schools and adventures. The NAVY MOM'S  will ALL be here to keep them in prayer for guidance and we are here for each other - we WILL get through it. Thank you for being out there! Love you all my Navy Mom Sista's! Big huggs!! Hooyah!

God bless and guide ALL of our military. 

Hi all is anyone glued to the weather channel like I am? Can't believe how cold it is right now in Groton. Absolutely brutal weather going on. I just checked accuweather.com on my phone and it says 10 degrees with a real feel of....-16!   I can't relate in the least living here in California. 

I am hoping all of your Sailors are safe and warm and hopefully not stuck at an airport but if they are at least they have the comforts of the USO. Praying for safe travels back to base for all!

Happy New Year to my fellow Navy Moms!

My son and daughter-in-law left California today.  Flight delayed almost 3 hours when they arrived in Chicago.  Drive from Hartford to Groton took about 2-1/2 hours.  Been up since 3 a.m.  Long day but they made it safely.  Miss them already.

Morning all.  My son is somewhere over Wisconsin as we speak, flying into Boston.  I'm really hoping there are no problems there today but I haven't looked yet.  Got him to LAX at 5:30 for a 7:15 flight.  :(  So hard to let him go but I'm so happy he was here for two weeks.  His buddy from Iowa is still here so I sort of have a son around!

Kevsmom, when we lived in Illinois one time the wind chill was -50!!!  The news said not to leave your kids at the bus stop or they could freeze to death-needless to say, we didn't leave the house that day.  It's an unbelievable type of cold, nothing comes even close here in CA-maybe up at Tahoe, but not where you are and certainly not down here.

I wish all the Sailors a safe trip home, and pray for the comfort of their families.  God Bless!

OklahomaMama, I would suggest checking the Connecticut Department of Transportation website. That should give you an update on road conditions. They will list where there are any hazards or incidents. Weather conditions at this time of year can change quickly. 

mrsb and Sharon; I know you're missing your boys. Sounds like many of you were fortunate to have those two weeks together, such a blessing. When our Sailor was here in Oct. it was super quick he arrived late evening the 17th and we said our goodbyes at 6am on the 22nd. Not complaining though I'm very thankful for those four short days. Now we're hoping we can be there for A-school graduation. Whenever that is I haven't heard a date yet, anyone know?

Continuing to pray for safe travels for all the Sailors!

OklahomaMama, and I forgot to mention of course to check N.J. road conditions too since of course that's where his journey begins. All states have a DOT. 

So we left home at 4:00 am yesterday to get sailor to LAX for his flight. He arrived about 10 minutes early to Midway in Chicago and had about an hour layover. That flight got delayed by a couple hours til 2:40 pm.Then that got canceled, so he spent the night in the USO lounge. The earliest flight he could get on was for tonight a little after 8 Chicago time. That got canceled around 4:30 Chicago time today. :( 

At least he got a hotel room for tonight. But it stinks.

Aw, Annette, I'm so sorry to hear that.  We were also up at 4 this morning to get to LAX; amazingly there was no traffic!!  He got into Boston ok and is now on the train back to Groton.  He said his feet were frozen as he wore his Van's back instead of something more sensible.  I don't know when he'll be back in barracks but it sure must be cold,  I hope your son at least will have a good nights sleep and a very hot shower.  Praying for you and him and all the others who are stranded.

Kevsmom93, thank you for the weather update. My Son is packing in front of me right now and I am trying to be strong and smiling, when in truth, i am so distracted. Can't even read all the N4M posts as hard as I am trying. Yours caught my eye and I just told my Sailor of the weather there to make small talk. I just love watching him here. He leaves tomorrow at noon, our time. It is just hard. I am happy for all the time we all did spend with him and grateful for him making me his number one! I invited his fiance to come with us everywhere we were and she was great about it. I took lots of pics and can look at them and relish the moments we had together. right now, i'm going to check out here and go hug him.  Again, and again! God bless us all.

He finally landed in Providence at about 4:30 pm EST today!

Kevsmom93, our visit was short too. Leave was 6 days and we lost 2 to travel but so thankful for our time together.  He could be underway next year so I'll take any time the Navy is willing to give. 

Safe travels to all.

Yes, Sharon - we will take any time the NAVY is willing to give! Having our Sailor home was wonderful - never enough time. He sure did enjoy the So. Cal. weather! He wore his flip flops and shorts most of the time. Our Sailor left L.A.X Sunday a.m., he was supposed to fly into Hartford ALL flights were forced to land in Boston. His large bag was lost, phone battery dying (did not have charger on him!....not sure why), trying to figure out how he was going to get to Groton from Boston - this NAVY Sailor was upset! He finally made it back to Groton very early this a.m. - American airlines delivered his large duffle bag this evening. ...along with a bunch of other Sailor duffle bags! Oy  - was not an easy sleep last night! Our Sailor is happy now - a lesson in there somewhere!

I hope ALL of your Sailors are safe, happy, warm and dry! A big NAVY MOM hugg to ALL as we re-adjust our  hearts and homes without our Sailors. 

fathomom, so sorry to hear of his troubles!  I know that my Sailor left LA for Boston friday morning and took a shuttle to the train station?  I have no idea where that would be-met up with some other sub school Sailors, got to Groton and took a cab to the base.  It was a 14 hour trip from when we left our house until he got to the barracks.  The weather certainly did not cooperate for anyone.  I'm just hoping everyone got back to base safe and sound.

My sailor will most likely spend 5 years in Groton if his current assignment stays the same. Not sure how I want to handle future winters.

Good Morning FATHOMOM     I sent you a friend request as I believe my son knows your son up there in Groton.  I want to talk to you privately as my son went to pick a guy up in Hartford Airport.  I hope they know each other.  It is cold here in Florida this morning and my stupid keyboard is sticking. UGH!

My son said the black ice is so bad, some of the classes had to be cancelled.  He said some of the guys had to hold hands so they didn't  fall down.  That would make a real picture.  A group of sailors holding hands, coming down a hill. LOL

Anyway, below zero  is just to darn cold! That is why I live in Florida. We are at freezing this morning  for the first time  in three years. My Hibiscus are in full bloom and frozen.

It is actually a very strange sight and our friends in Plant City are spraying water on the strawberries so they don't loose them.  We are totally unprepared here and the sun will probably burn the frost off by 11 am.  CRAZY!

I asked my son 16 times to get his car winterized.  He said - mom it will be OK!

He has no clue.  REALLY!  He will be buying a new car soon - his old one will have a cracked block.  Is your son or daughter as stubborn as mine?  My husband says he gets it honestly! LOL

Sorry to hear about your hibiscus navymom2013!  Mine isn't blooming at the moment but they are so pretty when they do!  I'm in So Cal so am not having frost issues right now.  We have in the past though.  I have a picture of snow on my bird of paradise-kinda weird!  Fathomom's son was kind enough to take my son to the Boston airport before Christmas.  It's so nice how they help each other out!  Oh, and that would be a really great picture of the Sailors holding hands coming down a hill!!  :)

I bet they are stylist613!!!  We're just not used to that kind of weather!

navymom2013, we drove our son's car from CA to PIR then out to CT. Once there we got him another oil change. They mentioned the radiator fluid was 90% water (which makes sense, being in sunny So Cal!). So we left him with instructions for what he needed to do it himself, and info on the cost to have the mechanic do it. It was early November before he finally got it done, with the help of his roommate, a machinist mate. We had suggested it be done before October, so thank goodness he didn't have any problems before then! Though he had to use the ice scraper before he got that job done!

Thanks navymom. It is wonderful how our guys help each other out - even if they have to hold hands to do it! I need to ask how our Sailor made it home from Boston- we forgot to ask! We had so many other questions for him. I will ask today. He had class Monday a.m. then needed to catch up on some sleep he had watch that night.

I agree with the stubbornness..I have mentioned several times for our Sailor to go to the NEX and buy some snow/winter boots. He has been walking around in his regular boots! Oy, these California boys really don't get it , yes, our son fell too. They will learn eventually. My husband had reminded our son several times about winterizing his truck - he did. He is now learning how to maintain it in this very cold weather. Another learning adventure!  Oh,  So. Cal. people - we truly do not know cold weather and how to function in it. Soon our So. Cal. Sailors will! Hooyah! I keep ALL of our Sailors in prayer - always!

Good morning ladies!  I hope all of you are doing well on this blustery, monday morning!  Anyone on here have a son from Arkansas?  My son met several Groton Sailors when he was on the train back from Boston after Christmas and is friends with "Arkansas".  Just wondering!

Hi ladies, My son got to Groton on Saturday night and starts BESS today. Since I'm a planner I wanted to get things going for us to spend spring break/Easter in Groton. We were able to stay at the Navy lodge for PIR, would we be able to do that again? Thanks!

Hi! Ginger Matt's Mom -  I did stay at the Navy Lodge in New London Groton, CT.

Everyone there is so friendly but they only have a certain number of rooms and booking as advance as you possibly can is a great idea as you may have to go with plan B. Make sure that your son calls them to help you out with reservations as I think he has to give them some information before you can stay. I hope you have fun and you are picking a great time to see things bloom again after a cold winter.  There is so much to see in that area.  I am also looking forward to going for my sons A School Graduation around June.                                                                                                                                                           

Welcome to the Groton family Ginger!!!

Welcome to our little group Ginger Matt's Mom :-D How wonderful that you're planning a trip to Groton. Our son has been there since arriving in June of 2012. He just started A school along with mrsb's son and many others of course. We have yet to make a trip to the base and recently our son requested we not be there for his A school grad. He doesn't want to use any leave time as he's saving it for when they get to come home before they're assigned to a "boat." I have to admit that was difficult to swallow since we thought all this time we would finally get to visit the base. But I guess it will have to wait for now. Good luck to your son I know mine is really enjoying CT and the surrounding areas. 

FATHOMOM, I ordered snow boots from Lands' End for our son last November. But they still have to get around base in their black safety boots and he told us everybody was falling last week. He fell once himself and actually saw three guys go down that were walking. He said up until a few days ago there was still ice but that now it's gone. Not sure about the parking lot they were using for snow storage. They had to put it somewhere apparently!

Is everyone getting back into their schedules now that their Sailor's have went "home?" 

mrsb surely Arkansas must have a name...? I hope you find out from your son :-)

KKristen, you're funny!!  Sounds like you have a happy spring ahead of you!  I'm in SoCal too-really do wish it would pretend to be winter here, at least for a few days!!!

Hi Kkristen -It is good to stay busy but you wrote the book.  Well I am in Florida and I am waiting for Summer again.  Today it is raining and dark like NY right before a snow storm.  Sunshine is good for the soul!  The flowers are being put in the dirt and soon will be blooming. My roses love this kind of weather and they are so pretty right now.  I just bought some geraniums to fill two large pots by the driveway when I have time.  That is what I call busy.  Have a great week y'all.

We certainly need some winter rain here in So Cal. And I love the cooler weather. Hubby said it was 72 in Anaheim this morning when he got to work around 5:50. It was 52 here in Laguna Niguel when he left. Ugh. They say the Santa Ana winds are expected to die down this afternoon, they have not been terribly bad down here.

Welcome Ginger - congratulations on your Sailor starting BESS. we visited our son @ Groton in October and stayed at NAVY LODGE. It is not too far from the base, rooms were clean and quiet, if your son has a blue card he can stay with you for a few days (something different for him), great price and yes, your Sailor will have to check you in w/his military I.D. - Enjoy!

Kev'smom - well I guess our Sailors will continue to slip if they must wear their safety boots. I am happy that the ice is gone for now, they are too! Don't feel too bad about not attending A school graduation - our son said the very same thing. Yes, they want to save their time for coming home before being assigned to their "boat". Our son recently started A school too - where does time go? We miss our son terribly and some days seem to drag, yet on the other hand he is in A school -our submariners have been waiting so long for this! 

KKristen - Oh, the blessing of a grandchild - congratulations. And mother of the bride - hooyah! You be sure to enjoy the day....getting up to that day may be tough - we are here for you. It will be a beautiful celebration I am sure!  

Our home is back into routine since our Sailor returned to Groton. Miss him lots. Our youngest turns 21 this week (wow!) , we have some retirement gatherings coming up.  I agree, Annette, We DO need a little rain here in So. Cal. The weather could not have been more beautiful for our son's Christmas visit - our Sailor misses the warmth too! The wind has been crazy here. I could here our wind chimes being whacked around all night - even this a.m.! My roses have lost their petals all over our yard. Navymom - your blooms sound beautiful - maybe you can send a little rain our way?

God guide and bless our Sailors! Hooyah! 

Windy????  Good Lord, when will this end???  We live in the "wind tunnel", near the 210 and the 15 for anyone in the IE.  If I had known about the wind when we moved here I would not have picked this place!  What's left of my roses are just sticks with no leaves-in fact there's nothing really green left in my yard.  The winds take a terrible toll on everything out here.  Please God, stop this wind and bring us some rain!!!

mrsb, Our temps are in the low 70's well above average. Oh my goodness I DO NOT miss Santa Ana's in So Cal...yuck just awful. Something about that dry hot wind makes everyone grumpy especially for you and me since we work with special ed. students. Sadly the wind is extra hard on them :-(   We also have a dry wind in Nor Cal called "Diablo." But I have to say they aren't nearly as bad as what So. Cal can get. The difference is you have to concern yourselves with dry fire conditions we have to worry about giant pine trees toppling (oh my :O)         I'm sorry you're so miserable try to hang in there and let's pray for rain for all of Califorinia! The high sierra's are practically devoid of snow which means no water for our poor state!

FATHOMOM, Thank You for saying that your son is also trying to discourage you from visiting for graduation. Now please don't get me wrong but what I mean is it's comforting to know our son isn't the only one discouraging their family not to attend A School graduation. Our son is very independent and I sometimes need to know what others are doing so I can make a fair comparison. He's a sweetheart of a kid but he does not pine for home which we're glad of for the most part (sometimes I wish he would pine just a teeny bit :-/) What he really pines for is his little brother who is at Corry Station in Florida. But I am going with good things come to those who wait (and wait..) and like you also say we will see them come home before they go to their "boat."

Navymom2013, Wow, roses and geraniums in January that's amazing :-D

Kevsmom and fathomom, my son also mentioned that we don't "need" to go out for A school graduation.  He also said that he would rather come home before he gets to his boat.  We may as well save our money I guess!  We all seem to be in the same boat, so to speak!!!

My son finished A school right after Thanksgiving and is now in BES.  He seems to be having a very hard time with it. Since he has 4 years of college, I really am surprised that he is having a hard time with this program.  Have any of y'all (expression we Southerners use all the time) heard from your Sailor that this program is tough?  Maybe it's just a concept he doesn't grasp, but every time we talk about class, he seems really down that he is not getting it.

Hi Jachay! Welcome, I don't think I've seen you here before.  With 4 years of College, shouldn't your Son be an Officer? Seriously! He must be way higher rate than my Sailor! Sorry I can't answer your question though, like yvette and many others on here, my Sailor Son went to BESS school first and graduated first before going to Techno, which he is currently taking right now and due to finish soon so he can go to A School, hopefully  in March, if there is no wait list, which they actually call Awaiting Class Up ACU. :-)  Again, Sorry I could not answer your question. God bless our Sailors, God bless all in our Military, and their loved ones!

Good Morning Everyone!  Jachay - my son went to BESS first also, I guess we just don't get what is happening with your son and you might not either as he is not explaining to you correctly.   If he is having such a problem, he needs to talk to someone there and I know there is someone - maybe the chaplain- this is not religious but he might be able to lead him in the right safe harbor.  My son also has a four year degree but he is an E-3 because of his age so sometimes they don;t go in as officers with a four year. I am really sorry that you are worried about him not getting it.  He might just not be cut out for what he is doing - he needs to speak to someone.  We as moms are NOT the person who can make it go away.  Good Luck and I pray for your son that he understands what the demands of being in the NAVY, are.  God bless all the guys and girls as they don't always understand what is going on and just have to keep trying.

They protect America and that is hard work.

Jachay, sorry your son is having problems. Mine usually had night school in ATT which he did after BESS. ATT was move at your own speed, but they expected them to stay about 1/2 day ahead of the class, and if not they had mandatory night school. It was a lot of math which was never his strong suit. I know BESS has a lot of history and general submarine systems, etc. He will get it, just needs to hang in there, and maybe look for a buddy to help him out, study with him, etc. Best of luck!

Well ladies, my son will be in Groton next week. He was suppose to PIR 11/22 but had an injury and finished boot camp last week. They have told him now that he will head out next week.

Tidefan - wonderful.  My son loves Groton although this is hardly the time of year to just be getting there.  It is so beautiful in the spring time - a little cold right now.  He will get to use his Pea Jacket alot.  Tell him Thanks from Navy for Moms for serving.  Congrats.

thanks navymom2013

Hello tidefan!  I remember you from BC for moms!  So glad your son will be joining all of ours!  My son loves Groton as well, and doesn't even mind the cold-too much!!!  Except for the day he flew back to Boston after Christmas; he was wearing Vans shoes and his feet were frozen by the time he got back to the base-silly boy!

thanks mrsb