Hi all. I haven't posted for awhile. Good news over the holidays. Our DS proposed to his GF and he accepted. We are very happy or him and absolutely adore our future DIL. No date yet. We do have a year........2015.
I am going in Friday for a complete plumbing removal. All fine, but want to make sure that problems in the last year doesn't turn into anything worse. Seriously though, I am looking forward to be off for a few weeks.
DS hasn't been flying much. Anyone with a SNA out in Lemoore knows that they are short of planes and money. It is frustrating for him as he almost lost his NATOPS rating for being just an hour short. They are having problems keeping the fleet supplied with SNAs due to this. I guess Oceana has the planes and money, but can't keep up with the demand. Sort of a vicious circle. DS is training in the SIMS for the West Coast Demo team but they can't fly actual planes yet or even at all. The whole season is up in the air right now. He has said that it is the most intense flying that he has done in his almost 7 years of flying Super hornets.
Well,the pup I saying it is bedtime. Have a great week everyone.
Having delays in Oceana as well AH. DS has been bumped two classes so far, and he'll be there 6 months before he even begins classes. He's going to work on getting his commercial license in the meantime, and is trying to get sim time. Very frustrating for them.
Kris P - Just posted on NFO, but wanted to also congratulate you and DS here on Top Gun. Conor did teh two month course last year. It was awesome, but they work them 24/7.
It's a great honor and nice to see our guys rewarded for all their hard work.
Several months to go before we will find out where DS will be after Japan. Atsugi got 8" of snow over the weekend and basically shut down. In Chicago, we are getting so used to it that a snow like that might not even rate a snow day at my school. On the other hand, these actual temps of sub-zero have already lost us 4 days. My mantra is "Every day is one day closer to Spring!".
Congrats on the lovely winging, Barb. Now the adventure really begins!
Good luck to all with the crazy weather this year. Hope you all stay safe and warm.
It is just crazy all the delays. My DS hasn't had that many delays over the years. The hardest are during training. It just doesn't make sense to keep the SNAs out there when apparently there is need in the fleet. I understand that some of their instructors are being sent out to the fleet. So far, DS hasn't been called back up to the fleet, but I know it is a possibility.
Oh happy day....leaving tomorrow for my brother's wedding in Florida. Both my kids and their spouses will be there for the festivities. It may be the only time we are all together for 2014, so I'd better take the Christmas card picture!
Suzie, how are you doing? I have been thinking much about you and your DS and SERE. Prayers for comfort.
My husband is helping DS prepare for move to LeMoore. We drove to Memphis to exchange DS's dog and my husband. My tears were for saying goodbye to my son before his move and SERE, leaving my husband behind for ten days and giving back his little dog that, okay, I had grown ridiculously attached to!! They headed back to Kingsville and me, alone, to MI.
I think our winging gifts went over really well. The sibs gave him the matted artwork of his three aircraft, we gave him a goPro camera and I made him a book of the last two years' journey. My daughter arranged for a flag to be flown over the Capitol. The aunts and uncles gave him an engraved Navy box from Things Remembered. We had the cousins all write notes to go inside. Thank you all for the great ideas posted here from over the last couple of years!
I heard about a company that makes vintage-looking squadron posters. Let me know if you would like the link. Leslie, thanks for the charm detail too.
Someone here was doing a patch board, can you share a picture of the finished project please. Have a son coming up on a birthday and it would make a great gift for that hard to buy for son. Thanks!
When our LO winged, hubby found a jersey case on ebay that he used to mount the patches, and pics. The pic at the bottom of the case has my hubby's great grandfather pictured as part of the USS Missouri battleship crew in 1912. :-)
I know we are all always looking for that unique gift for our LOs. I ran across this through my DIL and thought I would share. Very Respectfully Made is the home business of a Navy spouse. http://www.veryrespectfullymade.bigcartel.com. There are some great pillows available, I think I'm going to be doing a lot of shopping. I'm going to copy this over to the Moms of Officers site too.
Dawn, V-21 or V-22? There is a group of V-21 wives that have almost reached the 20 they need, I found them on Facebook. My son was V-22...I would almost think about just fronting the $$ for the order because I'm pretty sure it would be easy to turn around and sell them to the SNAs still there.
We had a great time at the wedding and I indeed got a family pic. I'm waiting for my daughter to send it to me...as it was on her camera. It was marvelous having all my "kids" there...and seeing extended family too. Got to hear lots about flying, so we were very happy!
Barb
I did request for VT-22. They have email on the site people can send request to and as you said if they get enough they make one. Maybe they will get enough!
Barb. They answered my email said they are working on kingsville one now and sent me picture. Doesn't say VT22 or 21 but has the plane and says kingsville
I knew you ladies would be the ones to share this with! Dawn, would you share the picture they sent you? That's awesome! Thanks.
NFAO, great print! I will try to post a photo of the one we got...we ordered from a nice older gentleman from Pensacola.
That's it Barb. Just got home from work and was going to try to figure out hoe to post it. They asked for comments (I think from you also). I had thought plane should be more orange. Don't know if they can add squadron number or if they want generic for both
This is from the poster people
We are contemplating doing three posters. VT-21, VT-22, and then just a standard Kingsville NAS poster. We are thinking about adding customization to it as well. This would allow you to add custom text to the poster, things like name, rank, and dates stationed there or anything else you would want to put on there
Nancy W...Yes, hearing their voice is heaven on earth. I am waiting for that also. Not sure when mine will be back in the US, but I understand it will be soon.
Suzie, hugs to you, so glad to hear. My DS has found a great house and is very excited for his move. SERE comes up in just a couple of weeks so my apprehension is building. His birthday is shortly after his return so we're thinking of flying out for a visit then. Have a good weekend everyone!
Nancy was so right. My DS also indicated that those putting on SERE do want them safe but are trying to teach skills. DS said he never wanted to do it again, but thankful he did it.
I was stressed about thinking about my son going to SERE. At a party on his winging weekend, I told him (JOKINGLY) to make up a story for me when he went, like that he was going on vacation or camping or SOMETHING. Well, the dear son decided to do that!
He called after the week in the classroom and said he was going to be standing some extra watches in his new squadron, and wouldn't have his cell phone available. He said he was working on my birthday so wouldn't be able to call... this was an early bday call.
THEN my car was rear-ended the day before he got out of the field... and I was on lots of pain med... wondered briefly about him not calling (my dh texted our sons to let them know what was going on, the other two called me!) but figured he was still busy.
He called when he got out of the field, asked about my accident, and then said, "Now are you ready to hear something?... I just finished SERE." In my drugged state I said NO, SERE is two weeks. I talked to you a week ago!" He said yeah, Mom, two weeks.A week in the classroom, a week in the field."
My first response was thank you for not telling me! But then I realized that I really wish I had known and could have been praying for him.
And then wondering if MY responses to what HE is doing stress him out. So I am trying to learn, bit by bit!
In the end we have laughed a lot about this. Apparently he had told his older bro but not my dh, he wanted someone to know where he was but didn't want Dad to have to lie to me :) Crazy kid. Proud of him!!
Navy wife and mom. Thank you for sharing. Always great to hear of our Navy helping. And especially great for you hearing of something your DS is doing!
Our DS is also in Fallon for training, getting there this past week from Japan. My thoughts and prayers for this aviator and his/her family. We got a text last night from him, but he did not mention the incident.
Glad to hear we have more graduates from SERE. Our DS was in Maine year before last when the hurricane went through. Didn't give us details but said they made sure they were safe when the weather was at its worst.
DS is with the Royal Maces in Atsugi/USS George Washington. He is on about the same schedule as Nancy's DS.
We were able to visit Japan for 16 days in Dec. The weather wasn't great, but all I wanted to do was sit and stare at him (and yes, it did creep him out!!) He has a condo close to base and another in Tokyo, so we were able to stay in Tokyo for part of the time. While in Atsugi, we stayed at the Navy Lodge and the Gateway Inn on base.
I am not big for sushi, curry, or fish, so I ate a lot of rice and American food on base! DH and DS ate their weight in fresh sushi. We did ride public transport most of the time we were there. Very fascinating place, but I have no desire to go back.
I leave for Dubai on Tuesday. My sister is an international teacher, finishing up her 2nd year there. She moves to India in July.
This seems to have been a travelling year for me. UK, Hawaii, Mexico, Japan and now Dubai. Just took a nursing job outside of Nashville that starts the Monday after I get back. I am ready to stay close to home!!
It is a nonprofit started by a girl I know and several others, to address education and access to sanitary pads for girls in India. Imagine having stay home each month because you only have rags. It was a volunteer experience at a girls home in India several years ago that made her aware of the problem and it's scope. It affects women's access to education and the workforce. They have saved the grant money they have received so far as they are looking for a source of pads that can also increase jobs for women.
JudyM
MaryD, my son said the same thing. Glad he did it, does not ever want to do it again.
Feb 10, 2014
Dawn
Feb 10, 2014
AH
Hi all. I haven't posted for awhile. Good news over the holidays. Our DS proposed to his GF and he accepted. We are very happy or him and absolutely adore our future DIL. No date yet. We do have a year........2015.
I am going in Friday for a complete plumbing removal. All fine, but want to make sure that problems in the last year doesn't turn into anything worse. Seriously though, I am looking forward to be off for a few weeks.
DS hasn't been flying much. Anyone with a SNA out in Lemoore knows that they are short of planes and money. It is frustrating for him as he almost lost his NATOPS rating for being just an hour short. They are having problems keeping the fleet supplied with SNAs due to this. I guess Oceana has the planes and money, but can't keep up with the demand. Sort of a vicious circle. DS is training in the SIMS for the West Coast Demo team but they can't fly actual planes yet or even at all. The whole season is up in the air right now. He has said that it is the most intense flying that he has done in his almost 7 years of flying Super hornets.
Well,the pup I saying it is bedtime. Have a great week everyone.
Feb 11, 2014
NOAM
Having delays in Oceana as well AH. DS has been bumped two classes so far, and he'll be there 6 months before he even begins classes. He's going to work on getting his commercial license in the meantime, and is trying to get sim time. Very frustrating for them.
Feb 11, 2014
Marianne
Kris P - Just posted on NFO, but wanted to also congratulate you and DS here on Top Gun. Conor did teh two month course last year. It was awesome, but they work them 24/7.
It's a great honor and nice to see our guys rewarded for all their hard work.
Several months to go before we will find out where DS will be after Japan. Atsugi got 8" of snow over the weekend and basically shut down. In Chicago, we are getting so used to it that a snow like that might not even rate a snow day at my school. On the other hand, these actual temps of sub-zero have already lost us 4 days. My mantra is "Every day is one day closer to Spring!".
Congrats on the lovely winging, Barb. Now the adventure really begins!
Good luck to all with the crazy weather this year. Hope you all stay safe and warm.
Feb 11, 2014
AH
It is just crazy all the delays. My DS hasn't had that many delays over the years. The hardest are during training. It just doesn't make sense to keep the SNAs out there when apparently there is need in the fleet. I understand that some of their instructors are being sent out to the fleet. So far, DS hasn't been called back up to the fleet, but I know it is a possibility.
Feb 11, 2014
CheriH
Oh happy day....leaving tomorrow for my brother's wedding in Florida. Both my kids and their spouses will be there for the festivities. It may be the only time we are all together for 2014, so I'd better take the Christmas card picture!
Feb 12, 2014
Barb
CheriH, enjoy!
Feb 12, 2014
Barb
My husband is helping DS prepare for move to LeMoore. We drove to Memphis to exchange DS's dog and my husband. My tears were for saying goodbye to my son before his move and SERE, leaving my husband behind for ten days and giving back his little dog that, okay, I had grown ridiculously attached to!! They headed back to Kingsville and me, alone, to MI.
I think our winging gifts went over really well. The sibs gave him the matted artwork of his three aircraft, we gave him a goPro camera and I made him a book of the last two years' journey. My daughter arranged for a flag to be flown over the Capitol. The aunts and uncles gave him an engraved Navy box from Things Remembered. We had the cousins all write notes to go inside. Thank you all for the great ideas posted here from over the last couple of years!
I heard about a company that makes vintage-looking squadron posters. Let me know if you would like the link. Leslie, thanks for the charm detail too.
Have a great evening all!
Feb 19, 2014
Paymaster
Someone here was doing a patch board, can you share a picture of the finished project please. Have a son coming up on a birthday and it would make a great gift for that hard to buy for son. Thanks!
Feb 19, 2014
Paymaster
Thanks, Suzie! Looking forward to the patch frame.
Feb 21, 2014
NOAM
IMG_0365.JPG
When our LO winged, hubby found a jersey case on ebay that he used to mount the patches, and pics. The pic at the bottom of the case has my hubby's great grandfather pictured as part of the USS Missouri battleship crew in 1912. :-)
Just another option.
Feb 21, 2014
Paymaster
NOAM....Thanks for yet another good idea. Love seeing all the clever ideas.
Feb 22, 2014
Helomom
Feb 22, 2014
Dawn
I would like the link for the vintage squadron posters. Thank you
Feb 23, 2014
Barb
Hi Dawn,
Here's the link: http://www.squadronposters.com
If you don't see your LO's, they will create one if there are 20-30 requests.
Suzie, there's one for Vance AFB T-6! Who'd have thought! They don't have one for Kingsville yet though :(
Hope all is well with everyone.
Feb 24, 2014
Dawn
Feb 24, 2014
Barb
Dawn, V-21 or V-22? There is a group of V-21 wives that have almost reached the 20 they need, I found them on Facebook. My son was V-22...I would almost think about just fronting the $$ for the order because I'm pretty sure it would be easy to turn around and sell them to the SNAs still there.
Feb 24, 2014
Dawn
VT 22
Do u know the price for the minimum 20?
Feb 24, 2014
CheriH
Barb, I got your letter...thanks!
We had a great time at the wedding and I indeed got a family pic. I'm waiting for my daughter to send it to me...as it was on her camera. It was marvelous having all my "kids" there...and seeing extended family too. Got to hear lots about flying, so we were very happy!
Feb 24, 2014
Dawn
I did request for VT-22. They have email on the site people can send request to and as you said if they get enough they make one. Maybe they will get enough!
Feb 24, 2014
Dawn
Feb 24, 2014
NFAO
another site where we ordered a print for our son who was in VT22 is:
http://www.squadrongraphics.com/p-1313-t-45a-goshawk.aspx
Feb 25, 2014
NFAO
I just looked at the posters on the site that was mentioned below - they are really cool!!!
Feb 25, 2014
Barb
NFAO, great print! I will try to post a photo of the one we got...we ordered from a nice older gentleman from Pensacola.
Feb 25, 2014
Barb
Hello! I just heard back from the Squadron Poster guys. Let's see if this image works:
Feb 25, 2014
Paymaster
Nice Barb!
Feb 25, 2014
Dawn
Feb 25, 2014
JudyM
Very cool! I will have to send the link to my DS and see what he thinks.
Feb 25, 2014
Dawn
Feb 25, 2014
Dawn
Feb 25, 2014
Dawn
We are contemplating doing three posters. VT-21, VT-22, and then just a standard Kingsville NAS poster. We are thinking about adding customization to it as well. This would allow you to add custom text to the poster, things like name, rank, and dates stationed there or anything else you would want to put on there
Feb 25, 2014
NFAO
WOW!!!
Feb 26, 2014
Barb
Hi Leslie,
I bet it's the same kind of thing...if they can reach a minimum order, I bet they would create one. Everything looks vintage in art deco! :)
Feb 26, 2014
Paymaster
Nancy W...Yes, hearing their voice is heaven on earth. I am waiting for that also. Not sure when mine will be back in the US, but I understand it will be soon.
Feb 27, 2014
CheriH
Oh hallelujah Suzie! So glad to hear he is done.
Feb 27, 2014
Dawn
Feb 27, 2014
Barb
Suzie, hugs to you, so glad to hear. My DS has found a great house and is very excited for his move. SERE comes up in just a couple of weeks so my apprehension is building. His birthday is shortly after his return so we're thinking of flying out for a visit then. Have a good weekend everyone!
Feb 28, 2014
JudyM
Feb 28, 2014
MaryD
Here's my funny SERE story:
I was stressed about thinking about my son going to SERE. At a party on his winging weekend, I told him (JOKINGLY) to make up a story for me when he went, like that he was going on vacation or camping or SOMETHING. Well, the dear son decided to do that!
He called after the week in the classroom and said he was going to be standing some extra watches in his new squadron, and wouldn't have his cell phone available. He said he was working on my birthday so wouldn't be able to call... this was an early bday call.
THEN my car was rear-ended the day before he got out of the field... and I was on lots of pain med... wondered briefly about him not calling (my dh texted our sons to let them know what was going on, the other two called me!) but figured he was still busy.
He called when he got out of the field, asked about my accident, and then said, "Now are you ready to hear something?... I just finished SERE." In my drugged state I said NO, SERE is two weeks. I talked to you a week ago!" He said yeah, Mom, two weeks.A week in the classroom, a week in the field."
My first response was thank you for not telling me! But then I realized that I really wish I had known and could have been praying for him.
And then wondering if MY responses to what HE is doing stress him out. So I am trying to learn, bit by bit!
In the end we have laughed a lot about this. Apparently he had told his older bro but not my dh, he wanted someone to know where he was but didn't want Dad to have to lie to me :) Crazy kid. Proud of him!!
Feb 28, 2014
Dawn
Mar 1, 2014
June4th
Mar 2, 2014
CheriH
Just saw the news article. Please let us know if anyone hears anything. Meanwhile I will be praying for all involved.
Mar 2, 2014
TennMom
Our DS is also in Fallon for training, getting there this past week from Japan. My thoughts and prayers for this aviator and his/her family. We got a text last night from him, but he did not mention the incident.
Glad to hear we have more graduates from SERE. Our DS was in Maine year before last when the hurricane went through. Didn't give us details but said they made sure they were safe when the weather was at its worst.
Mar 2, 2014
JudyM
Thoughts and prayers for those in Fallon. The weather there is bad, We have had several storms through in the past couple of days.
Mar 2, 2014
TennMom
DS is with the Royal Maces in Atsugi/USS George Washington. He is on about the same schedule as Nancy's DS.
We were able to visit Japan for 16 days in Dec. The weather wasn't great, but all I wanted to do was sit and stare at him (and yes, it did creep him out!!) He has a condo close to base and another in Tokyo, so we were able to stay in Tokyo for part of the time. While in Atsugi, we stayed at the Navy Lodge and the Gateway Inn on base.
I am not big for sushi, curry, or fish, so I ate a lot of rice and American food on base! DH and DS ate their weight in fresh sushi. We did ride public transport most of the time we were there. Very fascinating place, but I have no desire to go back.
I leave for Dubai on Tuesday. My sister is an international teacher, finishing up her 2nd year there. She moves to India in July.
This seems to have been a travelling year for me. UK, Hawaii, Mexico, Japan and now Dubai. Just took a nursing job outside of Nashville that starts the Monday after I get back. I am ready to stay close to home!!
Mar 2, 2014
Michelle
TNnm27, If your sister will be teaching in India next year, you might suggest she check out this website:
www.pasandpads.com/what-we-do.html
It is a nonprofit started by a girl I know and several others, to address education and access to sanitary pads for girls in India. Imagine having stay home each month because you only have rags. It was a volunteer experience at a girls home in India several years ago that made her aware of the problem and it's scope. It affects women's access to education and the workforce. They have saved the grant money they have received so far as they are looking for a source of pads that can also increase jobs for women.
Mar 2, 2014
CheriH
Oh my. Just read where the pilot was confirmed dead from the crash on Saturday. My heart is aching for the family. Still withholding his name.
Mar 3, 2014
Barb
What terrible news. Prayers to our Navy Family.
Mar 3, 2014
JudyM
This is too close to home for all of us. It fills my heart with sorrow. Prayers for the family.
Mar 3, 2014