I think "spell check" & "grammar check" can sometimes make this grammarian & not too shabby speller talk to the dust bunnies under the frigidaire!
Glad Cooper (my maiden name) is on property. Don't feel like the Lone Ranger 'bout the crying. Alex & I sobbed before, during & after our farewell. Got so bad we pulled off 85/40 in NC. Cried & cried. I'm still in waterproof mascara & eye liner. This summer's leave was almost as bad & he may stay a third year to get K9.
"Keep the faith, Keep Calm & Carry On", & It's All Good" is the mantra. And we're here to listen.....
Miss Suzanne - thought about Mike being a "chew toy". I don't think so. I think mine is the "toy" or "chewee", yours has been promoted to "Alpha" or "chewer enabler"! What'cha think!
Donna - would love to be a fly on the wall for that class! I'm not sure who I'd bet on....out guys have been messing with MWDs & now with the "devil dogs". With that in mind, I think they'll hold their own! HOOYAH Handler & Chew Toy MAAs!
I have talked to Cooper again. He really seems to enjoy Bahrain! Everyone there has been so nice. Thank you Everyone! He is learning the ropes and waiting for more arrivals from San Antonio. I am so relieved!
@ Nancy - yea! Glad you got some good news! While scared to death for our kids, it's great when you know they are doing something they love with wonderful new friends. We really are the lucky moms, our kids are productive people taking on jobs that make a difference on the planet. Isn't that what we hopes & dreamed? On the other hand, did the little buggers have to do it on the other side of the globe?! lol. : )
Yes! I am so happy for Cooper!! He loves the Navy! It is the way the world goes round- I was in South East Asia for a good share of the 80's- my folks hated it! They are in Minnesota and could not understand why anyone would want to leave? Now, I know their grief of having me so far away! He is in his element there. He is his own man, that is so great!
PS: @Stevesmom - Michael says that it's kinda hard to get along with the Marines, as (the ones he's around anyway) they like to cause trouble. Telling him he's mopping the wrong way - a bunch of petty stuff like that.
Michael says he can't wait until he's fully graduated so he can run into them as a "cop with a vicious dog" LOL! ;)
I'm sorry its taken me so long to answer you ladies, but I've been sick, & not able to get online.
Chriswick, Stevesmom, & Jill H - thanks for your encouragement regarding Michael's new job as a dog handler. Its appreciated by both of us! (I tell him a lot of what is posted here)
Chriswick - "Chewer enabler" - LOL!
MamaBecky - congratulations!! As soon as I'm up to it, I'll do some happy boogieing right along with you! :-)
Suzanne - instead of "Hooyah" it'll be
"WOOF-YAH"!
Don't worry 'bout the Marines being snarky, Chris & Steve & maybe Leo will put it all into perspective for them...maybe we should worry for, oops, 'bout the Marines?!
Read on 5th Fleet FB that the Abraham Lincoln battle group is "in town". Bet our boys & girls are busy!
@ Donna - caught a quote from NCIS that may fit our guys;
NCIS Kate Todd to Gibbs;
"Do people react that way because we're NCIS (MAA K9), or do you (we) have that effect on them?"
Gibbs reply:
"I like to think it's me (us)."
: )
Ya mean it wasn't Steve's Leo munching on them? Awwwww. : )
Glad they gave Brian a go! So many opportunities for our kids to get to know new people! Shoot, Chris's FB Friend list looks like roll call at the UN. Friends from across the US too. WOW.
NOT ignoring comments to me (thank you!) I'm still struggling with being down with my pain, (& my medisons are all screwy on top of it!) so I haven't been, and can't be online for very long. :(
Hi, I sent a box off to Cooper with some "Huggable Hanger" and a Camera last Wensday. This was the first box ever for me to Bahrain. The Postman said to send it Priority- I did. About how long does it tie to get a box over there? Is it best to send Priority? And yes- I said Huggable Hangers- he loves the way the uniforms hang on them and his Civilian clothes! HMMMM? This was the guy who did even pick up sox! Thanks Navy!! Good job on the finishing work! Hello to everyone! I guess a whole bunch of people arrived there on there Thursday- today! I hope they like it as much as Cooper!
Oh!! Valentines goodies!!! That is a good Idea! I would have totally forgotten to send stuff! I will send some See's Candies for Cooper and his friends. Thank you for the info on the mail! I hope his stuff gets there soon?
We are Skyping with Michael now. Makes me feel like he's just at his new apartment, rather than so far from home! (The magic of the Internet, gotta love it!)
They put him with a new dog, a Dutch Shepard who likes to jump leash and make her handler's hand a chewtoy...ouch! I guess the thought is that if they can work with "broken" dogs well, then they'll be excellent with the good, well-trained dogs!
Thank you for all the well wishes, I appreciate it! :) I have a chronic illness that's been going on since 1998. *sigh* I hate it when my son knows I'm ill while he's gone...he worries about me, when he just needs to concentrate on getting himself thru C School!!
Congratulations Donna! *doing the Cha-Cha for you*
Hey there short timer, a few more days till your honey gets home!
No calls since Christmas Day. Driving me nuts. We see him online, & on FB. I try to message & chat, but rarely get anything but an ocassional monosyllabic response. Unless, he wants something. I shouldn't gripe.... But I am wistful reading how some of us get calls daily, weekly, etc. SIGH
I'm sorry to hear that Christine, God bless you!
And that's a great way to handle things with you're Sailor... I'll have to remember that, definitely! Thanks! :-)
Donna - nah on the "ET phone home". He'd hate knowing I was griping out loud about him. He's probably stressing about the inspection coming up. Could be a "make or break" for him getting handler school. But I'm just guessing.
Ahhhhh, guilt. Nah, we're originally from Miami, FL the land of guilt & I learned it from my college roommate's bubbie Stein. It won't work on him, he's has natural & an environmental immunity! : )
He just is very focused on his new life, as he should be. This is like his "college" time. He went community college, but it just isn't like going away college. I just am too invested in him. He is an only, I was 37 when he was born & we weren't supposed to have been able to have kids. He was a wonderful surprise & we'd been buddies.
I just miss him
Doing the "I got a phone call dance"! He says the kennel inspection is over and turned out well. YEA! He's happy, healthy & chilling out finally. Been having "fun" playing (aka sparing) with friends & the Marines, learning some new (to him) martial art. Apparently, being a NAVY chew toy isn't enough abuse for him. : )
LOVED our call, so am good for a bit! Thanks for commiserating with me in my time of need. He says since I added "Whatsap" free texting, we may hear from him more often! It was $.99 + tax for iPhone. Don't know 'bout Droids cost.
KathyB - that trip to the nursing home must have been a hoot for all concerned. Sweet of you to do it. Has your DD's furry friend asked for a do over yet?!
Congratulations Chriswick! I'm so happy for you that you finally got to talk to him! :-) Also, I wasn't supposed to be able to bear a child, either... and i call Michael my "Miracle Child" as well.... funny how much we have in common, huh?
Michael got bit pretty hard last week, and b/c his dog likes to jump leash, he got bit again Friday. The first bite was pretty nasty, & the instructor was over there fairly quickly to tell Michael what to do, so even tho it was bad, it wasn't as bad as it could have been. I told him to bite her back...but apparently that's ot how they discipline the dogs... lol! :-)
Good luck with the entire wedding preparations, Jill!
I'll be getting my medicine on the 14th, so that will do me a world of good...
We don't refer to Chris as a "miracle", more like a pain in the a__! After many miscarriages a year for 15 years we should have known he was destined to be so! Tenacious little bugger that he is! Best thing I've ever done or ever do.
Yea meds! Hope they kick in quickly & get you in a better place. This "living" thing, ain't for wimps!
Got through my first day (Listening test) of ESL yearly student testing & live to tell the tale! Got the rest of the month to go, but happy with the start. Whew! Was soooo nervous. Assignment ends 3/2. Am enjoying the new skill set! Love learning new things, but can be scary. Don't want to mess up & not give the kids what they need. Although, I wonder how the regular classroom kids would do. Hmm, would love to explore that facet.
Hope your day is a wonderful one!
Jill - We've been invited to delayed receptions, it truly doesn't lessen the mood, you're there to celebrate the joining of two lives. Maybe film the actual ceremony to share with everyone! And the civil ceremony isn't always a cut & dried format. Some JPs & Notaries do lovely versions.
Kathy - Duke seems like a great sub for your little Mommy. Bet he enjoyed the attention as much as the residents enjoyed giving it!
I'm so happy for you Donna! :D
*doing the happy dance, doing the happy dance*
Jill - yes, I've been disabled since 1998. I've had 3 brain surgeries, and tho the tumor is gone, I suffer dibilitating headaches. It really blows, but i could be so much worse off than I am, so i can't complain too much! :)
Well ladies, since my husband spilled the beans to the "sand sailor" during our recent phone call and it's no longer a state secret from "Gary Cooper", I can safely report that the photo at the left needs to be updated. Since this past August after Chris returned to Bahrain, I have been doing an impression of the "incredible shrinking woman"! The MA3 was all in my business about going to the gym with him during his visit and guilt tripping me (told you he came by it naturally) that my lack of a healthy lifestyle would exacerbate my disk (2) problems and could prevent me from making his life miserable in the future and that he was really upset about it. Sooooo...I have shrunk from a dowdy (I'm 59) 177 down to a svelt 137 as of today's weigh in. Guess you could say I did my own version of "anchors aweigh". Two more pounds to my goal weight!!
Can I celebrate with a chocolate eclaire?! NO? awwwwwwww, rats!
I have heard that the fleet is watching for Iranian ships to be packing explosives for suicide runs into our smaller ships. That seems to be the "chatter". According to Admiral Fox-we are well prepared for this. I hope so as my sailor IS on a smaller ship in that region.
For sure! It seems the Coast guard that is there are the folks who are at the front of watching out for any small ships like that. I, too pray for all our men and women, and I know they are trained and vigilent. I may wear out some rosaries!! I will post what I hear, and hopefully it will start to calm down there some. My son loves his work, he feels bored at times, but he has not been negative about Bahrain or Dubai yet. Hopefully he will be back in Bahrain and finally open his Christmas boxes!!
chriscwick
Glad Cooper (my maiden name) is on property. Don't feel like the Lone Ranger 'bout the crying. Alex & I sobbed before, during & after our farewell. Got so bad we pulled off 85/40 in NC. Cried & cried. I'm still in waterproof mascara & eye liner. This summer's leave was almost as bad & he may stay a third year to get K9.
"Keep the faith, Keep Calm & Carry On", & It's All Good" is the mantra. And we're here to listen.....
Jan 13, 2012
Miss Suzanne
He is now officially a "chew toy"! lol!
Jan 14, 2012
chriscwick
So happy for you, your guy & the fanged one! Keep fingers crossed Chris can go K9 after Bahrain. He wants it so badly.
Jan 14, 2012
chriscwick
Jan 14, 2012
Nancy Cooper's Mom
Jan 14, 2012
chriscwick
Fair winds & following seas.
HOOYAH for the happy dance!!
Jan 14, 2012
chriscwick
Jan 18, 2012
Nancy Cooper's Mom
Jan 18, 2012
chriscwick
Jan 18, 2012
Nancy Cooper's Mom
Jan 18, 2012
Miss Suzanne
Michael says he can't wait until he's fully graduated so he can run into them as a "cop with a vicious dog" LOL! ;)
Jan 19, 2012
Miss Suzanne
Chriswick, Stevesmom, & Jill H - thanks for your encouragement regarding Michael's new job as a dog handler. Its appreciated by both of us! (I tell him a lot of what is posted here)
Chriswick - "Chewer enabler" - LOL!
MamaBecky - congratulations!! As soon as I'm up to it, I'll do some happy boogieing right along with you! :-)
Jan 19, 2012
chriscwick
"WOOF-YAH"!
Don't worry 'bout the Marines being snarky, Chris & Steve & maybe Leo will put it all into perspective for them...maybe we should worry for, oops, 'bout the Marines?!
Read on 5th Fleet FB that the Abraham Lincoln battle group is "in town". Bet our boys & girls are busy!
Jan 19, 2012
chriscwick
NCIS Kate Todd to Gibbs;
"Do people react that way because we're NCIS (MAA K9), or do you (we) have that effect on them?"
Gibbs reply:
"I like to think it's me (us)."
: )
Jan 20, 2012
chriscwick
Glad they gave Brian a go! So many opportunities for our kids to get to know new people! Shoot, Chris's FB Friend list looks like roll call at the UN. Friends from across the US too. WOW.
Jan 20, 2012
chriscwick
Jan 21, 2012
chriscwick
I agree about "pecking order", they have to get a measure of the person they're putting their trust in.
Jan 23, 2012
chriscwick
Jan 24, 2012
Miss Suzanne
NOT ignoring comments to me (thank you!) I'm still struggling with being down with my pain, (& my medisons are all screwy on top of it!) so I haven't been, and can't be online for very long. :(
Jan 26, 2012
chriscwick
Karhy - she'll get through, after all she's yours !
Susanne - hope meds & ailment get straightened out soon. (( U ))
Jan 26, 2012
Nancy Cooper's Mom
Jan 27, 2012
Mom2aSailor
You can get the military boxes from the PO, whatever you can cram in there, ships.. the biggest box is $12.95. (Normal is $14.95)
Jan 27, 2012
Nancy Cooper's Mom
Jan 27, 2012
chriscwick
Picked up some Valentine goodies at Target today, didn't have an afternoon sub job. Bleah! Fun anyhow.
Jan 27, 2012
Nancy Cooper's Mom
Jan 27, 2012
chriscwick
Jan 29, 2012
chriscwick
Jan 29, 2012
Miss Suzanne
They put him with a new dog, a Dutch Shepard who likes to jump leash and make her handler's hand a chewtoy...ouch! I guess the thought is that if they can work with "broken" dogs well, then they'll be excellent with the good, well-trained dogs!
Thank you for all the well wishes, I appreciate it! :) I have a chronic illness that's been going on since 1998. *sigh* I hate it when my son knows I'm ill while he's gone...he worries about me, when he just needs to concentrate on getting himself thru C School!!
Congratulations Donna! *doing the Cha-Cha for you*
Jan 29, 2012
chriscwick
No calls since Christmas Day. Driving me nuts. We see him online, & on FB. I try to message & chat, but rarely get anything but an ocassional monosyllabic response. Unless, he wants something. I shouldn't gripe.... But I am wistful reading how some of us get calls daily, weekly, etc. SIGH
Jan 30, 2012
chriscwick
I am a devout worrier when he goes all "Gary Cooper" on us.
Jan 30, 2012
Miss Suzanne
And that's a great way to handle things with you're Sailor... I'll have to remember that, definitely! Thanks! :-)
Jan 30, 2012
Mom2aSailor
chriswick,
I'm sorry you don't hear much from your son! :( My daughter calls quite a bit and we fb alot. Maybe b/c she's a girl and likes to talk! LOL
Jan 31, 2012
chriscwick
Jan 31, 2012
Miss Suzanne
You could always do what I do when my son acts less than acceptable:
"I spent 23.5 hours in labor with you, and THIS is how you repay me?!"
I love to lay on the built with that line...but now he just rolls his eyes and says it along with me!
/laughing
Seriously tho, I'll say a prayer for you and your son to have more communication.
Jan 31, 2012
chriscwick
He just is very focused on his new life, as he should be. This is like his "college" time. He went community college, but it just isn't like going away college. I just am too invested in him. He is an only, I was 37 when he was born & we weren't supposed to have been able to have kids. He was a wonderful surprise & we'd been buddies.
I just miss him
Jan 31, 2012
chriscwick
Feb 1, 2012
chriscwick
LOVED our call, so am good for a bit! Thanks for commiserating with me in my time of need. He says since I added "Whatsap" free texting, we may hear from him more often! It was $.99 + tax for iPhone. Don't know 'bout Droids cost.
KathyB - that trip to the nursing home must have been a hoot for all concerned. Sweet of you to do it. Has your DD's furry friend asked for a do over yet?!
Donna - Thx again.
Feb 4, 2012
chriscwick
A Marine Mama friend has already floated a double
date for that one!
Feb 5, 2012
chriscwick
Yes, his call did make our day!!
: )
Feb 5, 2012
Miss Suzanne
Michael got bit pretty hard last week, and b/c his dog likes to jump leash, he got bit again Friday. The first bite was pretty nasty, & the instructor was over there fairly quickly to tell Michael what to do, so even tho it was bad, it wasn't as bad as it could have been. I told him to bite her back...but apparently that's ot how they discipline the dogs... lol! :-)
Good luck with the entire wedding preparations, Jill!
I'll be getting my medicine on the 14th, so that will do me a world of good...
Feb 6, 2012
chriscwick
Yea meds! Hope they kick in quickly & get you in a better place. This "living" thing, ain't for wimps!
Got through my first day (Listening test) of ESL yearly student testing & live to tell the tale! Got the rest of the month to go, but happy with the start. Whew! Was soooo nervous. Assignment ends 3/2. Am enjoying the new skill set! Love learning new things, but can be scary. Don't want to mess up & not give the kids what they need. Although, I wonder how the regular classroom kids would do. Hmm, would love to explore that facet.
Hope your day is a wonderful one!
Feb 7, 2012
chriscwick
Kathy - Duke seems like a great sub for your little Mommy. Bet he enjoyed the attention as much as the residents enjoyed giving it!
Feb 7, 2012
chriscwick
Feb 8, 2012
Miss Suzanne
*doing the happy dance, doing the happy dance*
Jill - yes, I've been disabled since 1998. I've had 3 brain surgeries, and tho the tumor is gone, I suffer dibilitating headaches. It really blows, but i could be so much worse off than I am, so i can't complain too much! :)
Feb 8, 2012
chriscwick
Feb 9, 2012
chriscwick
Well ladies, since my husband spilled the beans to the "sand sailor" during our recent phone call and it's no longer a state secret from "Gary Cooper", I can safely report that the photo at the left needs to be updated. Since this past August after Chris returned to Bahrain, I have been doing an impression of the "incredible shrinking woman"! The MA3 was all in my business about going to the gym with him during his visit and guilt tripping me (told you he came by it naturally) that my lack of a healthy lifestyle would exacerbate my disk (2) problems and could prevent me from making his life miserable in the future and that he was really upset about it. Sooooo...I have shrunk from a dowdy (I'm 59) 177 down to a svelt 137 as of today's weigh in. Guess you could say I did my own version of "anchors aweigh". Two more pounds to my goal weight!!
Can I celebrate with a chocolate eclaire?!
NO? awwwwwwww, rats!
Me and this ship had a lot in common! LOL <3
Feb 12, 2012
Mom2aSailor
YES!!! I get nervous everytime my girl says she's going off base!!!
Feb 13, 2012
Jane-Adam's mom
I have heard that the fleet is watching for Iranian ships to be packing explosives for suicide runs into our smaller ships. That seems to be the "chatter". According to Admiral Fox-we are well prepared for this. I hope so as my sailor IS on a smaller ship in that region.
Feb 13, 2012
Miss Suzanne
Chris - congratulations on a job very well done! I know how hard that is to do! From now on your name should be the SEXY Sailor mom! ;)
Jill - thanks much for your empathy, its appreciated. Hugs to you!
Jane - please keep us up to date, will you?
Feb 14, 2012
Jane-Adam's mom
For sure! It seems the Coast guard that is there are the folks who are at the front of watching out for any small ships like that. I, too pray for all our men and women, and I know they are trained and vigilent. I may wear out some rosaries!! I will post what I hear, and hopefully it will start to calm down there some. My son loves his work, he feels bored at times, but he has not been negative about Bahrain or Dubai yet. Hopefully he will be back in Bahrain and finally open his Christmas boxes!!
Feb 14, 2012