Chicago Mom's

Oh yeah I can spell...its playing not palyin. Mary and I have been hitting the beer again while watching the Cubbies!! LOL

Go White Sox! My friends were there they said it was very cool to watch! I am back from my girls trip to Memphis. Check out the navy duck I found in Memphis!

Collette hope you had a good time!! You bought one of those cute ducks for all of us right??

That cute duck in a bar of soap was $9...but if people are interested I am sure I could order some and have them shipped. It's from the store Lansky's which is where Elvis used to shop for clothes.

Chicago moms road trip to memphis to get the ducks anyone?LOL!

Hi all, My finally got his orders and is going to Norfolk VA I am so happy for him!!!

So when and what time are you picking me up Paula? Even thou Lemoore sucks I will take it at this point. Still waiting for the chain to approve Jason's leave. Paula they say Norfolk is nice good for him, at least is not to far from here!! :)

I will call them and see if we can have an order shipped. I am sure we can. My son classed up today! He starts his corpseman school at Great Lakes. I get to see him tomorrow for half a day - he spening the other half with dad. I have decided to volunteer with the USO at Navy Pier. They sent me an email yesterday that I have my volunteer training in two Saturdays. Should be fun! Anyone want to join me? I put myself down Sunday once a month.

I would love to do tht Collette but, I think I would like to do it at one of the airports. Anyone know what ORM stands for?

ORM stands for Opertional risk magmt.

A friend of mine volunteers at the USO at the OHare airport and she really enjoys it. They have allot of support for our troops.

Anybody up for going to the white sox game on Wednesday June 2 for Navy Night?

http://navyformoms.ning.com/events/chicago-white-sox-navy-night. Dinner and ticket is $50 or tickets are discounted.

I saw my sailor this weekend! He starts school today! He looked and sounded so grown up!

Here is the info on volunteering for USO. I just filled out the form and then they emailed me a training date.
http://affiliates.uso.org/illinois/default.cfm?contentid=429

Navy Duck update...
Lanskys special "duck store" - Lucky Duck is willing to ship us ducks. They are $8.25 each. They currently have two in stock but could order more for any crazy navy moms...I am working on a couple other online options which look alot cheaper...I will keep you all posted.

OK tjis is a new low for me to want to go to a sox game....but I wqant to go. I am more about the Navy than the sox thou!! :)

Collette glad you got spend time with your son.

Paul S, that is so cool that your daughter played hockey. Stephen started when he was around 8 and played all through high school, boy I miss those days.

LOL I love the duck!!!

MissMySailor, Norfolk VA, way to go, that is close to home, well closer then Italy.

lewismom, I am so glad his is starting school at Great Lake, I bet he is going to love it. Keep us updated with his progress.

lewismom, I would love to go to the game but I will be in ITALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEA, I am going to be with my son!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEA for me!

Michelle, I know he is going to do great and will love where every he goes. Where does he want to go? I leave the 25th of May!!!!!!!!!!

Hi all, My son came home today he will be here 16 days then heads to Northfolk Va. Now my 2 sisters and I surprised him then we picked up grandma and went to Cheeseburger in Paradise (first time and it was good) so we did have a fun afternoon together.....BUT at lunch he got a call and a bunch of his friends came home from college and his one friend called to let him know all were in town and ready to party. OK I was very hurt and disapointed that he made these plans for the first night home I assumed he missed me as much as I missed him and we were going to have dinner and hang out. Ok be truthfull do your kids do the same and am I over sensative?

I have been packing waiting for Paula S to pick me up for our trip to Lemoore, that why I haven't been on!!:) Michelle your right they are going to send him wherever they need him. Hopefully it will be somewhere exciting!! Paula don't be hurt. I think they all do that. I am wanting my son to come home so bad and I know that when he is here he won't be home at all. Go figure. There is one thing I did to make sure I saw him thou, I had all of his friends to the house so I could see him. I think he will stay home with you for the next couple of days.He's loving his freedom right now!! :)YAY for Debbie Italy!

Thelma and Louise watch out...what fun we could have. Its ok mine changed the date on his leave chit hoping to get approved with the date cahnge. I'm taking all bets.... hpoing to be home middle of May. If not approved I just might be flyong with you to Fresno. I'm done working June 8th. schools out for summer, no more teachers dirty looks.

missmysailor - I agree totally normal...my son looked at me last weekend after speding part of the day with me and family and part with his dad and told me he was done with family for a while...he needed to keep his sanity LOL.

And if you think about - how much time do any of us spend with our parents?

I learned a long time ago when my son went to live with his dad for several years that the key to enjoying your kid when time is limited is to let them know that you expect them to spend some quality time (an hour or two - or maybe dinner, etc) with you inbetween friends and ask them what they want to do with you and then enjoy that time...I would much rather have a few fun hours than an entire day with kid who would rather be somewhere else. Sometimes our kids take us for granted so it is important to let him know you need some time too - even if its only an hour and then find things you can both enjoy!

Paula - that's what I getting at - its those traditions that we set up they don't take all day but what great memories they make! I used to spend and hour or two making cookies with grandma and I remember and treasure that more than other times. 60 years is amazing - by the way! You are lucky you have parents like that.

Diane, us Navy moms have to stick together, thats why we have each other!!! ♥

Hi all, Thanks for all the advice about time with my son while he is home. I changed the huvering after listening to you all and encouraged him to spread his time with his friends and favorite aunt. (remember I usually ask him spend most of his time with me) he was so excited and happy I would drive him to his friends after dinner and this weekend he is at his aunts in Orland Park they are going to Ruth Chris tonight for her son's b-day I will head over tomorrow afternoonn to get him. You all were right we are havig more fun and he is more relaxed kowing I want him to do what he wants and I cherish my time with him. He was out during the day Fri and came home unexpected, he said he wated to have dinner with me then he will go back out...LOL Thaks again!!!

Diane - any time...I think its interesting how many paralells there are between our sons!

Missmysailor - Congratulations! My son actually called me on Friday to talk - first time...that was pretty cool even though he was kinda down.

MaryK - Welcome!

To everyone - thanks for being such a great group! Last week was tough for me - the house just seemed so empty. And then as I was reading posts - it hit me - Here I am moping about missing him and on the other extreme Paula is wondering what life will be like once her daughter returns home. LOL. I am going to embrace my silence just like Paula will soon be embracing her daughter! I have been much happier since I made peace with my empty house. Thanks for just being there!

Ladies I am reading about our sailors and they are just amazing, and to have more than one child in the service God Bless. I haven't been around much lately either so much to do and when the weather gets warmer I am outside. Miss you ladies!!!

Anna, how are you. We need another outing soon. Well we have to get rid of that ash in the sky by May 25th because nothing can keep me away from my son. LOL Anna I am working on it, my daughter has a big test coming up her MCATS so when that is done and I am sleeping again I will start to pack. Thanks for asking.

LOL Diane, thank you so much, I need all the fans I can get.

Talk to Stephen he was worried I told him a would buy a big fan and blow it away. no one or nothing can keep me away. LOL Diane you are going to see your son, I am so happy for you, 7 months is a long time.

Good humor...I guess I am adjusting to my silence because when son called last night and asked if I could meet him for breakfast Saturday morning - I had to tell him no. When he asked what could be more important than him...I told him I was going to my USO volunteer training. LOL life goes on and hopefully he will have time in the afternoon.

LOL, I think sometimes our children think we have nothing to do all day. Lives do continue without them. Have fun at the USO training, that is pretty cool.

LOL thanks for the box fan, I may need it. Annie, you are going to have so much fun, I will be thinking of you, take lots of pictures. We are going to Paris first and that airport was closed not sure if it still is or not.

Michelle, how are you? How is that Sailor doing? I have given money for the USO there they helped my son when his flight was late.

I had to brag a little about me son!


-----Original Message-----
From: matt matt [mailto:a_a_matt@hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, January 18, 2010 11:15 AM
To: Collins, Stephen E SN USN NCTS NAPLES
Cc: Lange, Kurt PO1 USN NCTS NAPLES
Subject: Thanks very much!

Sn Collins and Mr. Lange,

Thanks very much to Collins for helping me out with accessing some
reports needed ASAP for a high profile mission to Europe tomorrow. The
transit nature of our flying hinders us from getting .mil access to the
PCs on most DOD bases so when we really need it, we can't use it.

I called Collins to check on availability of my EU network access and
the work was still pending (just came in theater friday) and today is a
holiday... but tomorrow is my first mission. go figure. So Collins
offered without me asking to track down the reports and email them to
me... BZ!!! without them, it would have been flight planning in the
blind.

Mr. Lange, make sure Sailors like Collins gets an atta boy in front of
his peers... it's steps taken by folks like him that allow operators
like me to get my job done in this chaotic, "technology challenging" and
fifedom bureaucratic world DOD forces me to work in.

Regards,

LCDR Al Matt
Operations Officer, VR 54
USNR/ Selres Aviator

Thanks ladies, it did put a big smile on my face.

How is everyone doing?

Laura is home, where are the pictures!!!!! Oh yes she has the wedding coming up she is really busy.

Collette, how is your sailor doing?

Thanks Paula. Getting ready for the wedding and your daughter is coming home?

WOW! You are very busy. Way to go Holly! I am so happy for her. My parents will be married June 28 for 66 years, that is a long time. Keep us updated Paula.

Oh my goodness...we all have so much going on its hard to keep track of everyone! Congrats to Stephen! The USO looks like its going to be fun. I am thinking of asking my dad who lives near Navy Pier to join me. Its really amazing how much the USO helps families and soldiers/sailors. My first official volunteer day is the 23rd.

I did not see my son this weekend but thats okay I talked to him and he sounds tired and like he is trying to adjust to Navy life. He was going to go check out the USO at Great Lakes on Sunday. He called me to find out if I knew the hours at the USO and how the my training went. LOL.

Are we getting together in May or June ladies...this is the last week in April...so lets get a date out there!

Ok I just got the call...my son will be home n 14 days!!YAY!! We all know that he won't be home when he's home but I'm ok with that ...LOL He hasn't been home in 14 months!! I won't know what to do both of my kids will be in the house at the same time.I miss the Mom he's touching me. LOL 60 and 66 years thats a loooong time!! Congrats to them, and to Stephen too!! Collette you are making me want to do the USO thing.

Hi all,
I am all for getting together and meeting let's pick a day for next month.

Becky you should do the USO...besides that it gives me a way to feel like I'm helping...I am doing it partly because it gives me peace of mind to think that if I am helping sailors whose families aren't around that when my son needs help and I am not around someone will be there for him...and guess what...it's working already! My son texted me yesterday that he ran into a snag with something and he was at the USO at Great Lakes and they were helping him figure it out! YEAH! The woman at the USO said that during the summer they get swamped with sailors who just hang out relaxing all day watching movies and eating the food the USO buys for them. It made me realize how much some of them just need a place to hang out and relax...especially when you think about all the other things they could be doing at Navy Pier.

Collette I will do some more serious thinking about USO after my son gets back to Lemoore after his visit. I'm sure I will be needing something to do after he goes back. 13 days and counting now!!:)

Hey Paula I guess I won't be going with you to Lemoore after all.... :( VFA 41 is probably sad to be losing such a great sailor.

Hi friends,
GREAT NEWS!!!! Today was my last day of Chemotherapy!!! I am so over being
too tired to even go to the store. My son has been home for 16 days (I added some more pics) he was so sweet to me when ever we went out he would say mom you don't have to wear a wig I am proud of you just the way you are (bald) I would say but your friend... He said who cares you look great.

So can we all give some dates in June that would be good for a get together. Collette mentioned having one and I would like to help plan one with her if that is ok Collette. Let me know Collette.

Paula S. my sons coming home in 10 days I won't need to go to Lemoore!! :) Paula good for you that chemo is over!!

Paula I am sending you a hug and congratulations on making it through chemotherapy! How does one celebrate something like that? I am so proud of your son! It must be relief to him to be home while you are finishing up! What a blessing.

I was the one who was confused...I soon as I typed 41 I knew it was wrong>>>OOOPS. Mary and I were hitting the green beer again after St. Patty's day is that wrong???We just haven't told you guys were hitting the beer without you guys. :) Mary where are you?? Haven't heard from you in awile.

How do we celebrate we go out and drink. LOL I am glad it is all over for you the chem. How are your feeling???

Everyone have a great weekend. I would love to go out let me know of a date, maybe I cannot go until June I am getting close to my trip and my weekends are filling up.

I got all excited it was my last one but I still have this crap to go through before I feel better but I am luckier than so many. I will be ready to party in June and I want to meet you all.
Chicago mom's would that mean Oak Brook as a middle place to meet? I am good any weekend in June except the 12th and 13th, should we pick a Sat or Sun? Let's do this every one here is so nice. Paula

Oh Mary that stinks! Work dramas can be sooooo draining!

The fourth weekend of June would work for me. Paula what does your crazy schedule look like in June? I know you listed off so much wedding stuff you had my head spinning. I have a wedding out of town on the 19th but you are right...we will never get a date everyone can make. I am still going to the White Sox on June 2 for Navy night which is a Tuesday night if anyone wants to join let me know we have to put in a ticket order by May 10 or 12th. Oakbrook is fine with me but since you and I are new we should check with the group - they try to rotate all over the Chicagoland area and I don't know what area is next.

I got to have breakfast with my son this morning! Then we went to Nex and shopped. Got a new Navy mom shirt...that makes four.

My nephew is getting married on June 26th other than that I'm good for any date.