Moose.....I want to know how something like that could happen!! I mean, for pitty sakes, weren't their baracks secured while they were gone? There is NO excuse for this kind of crap!! Kelcie hasn't dealt with having her stuff stolen since she first arrived and was on "the barge", but onboard, her berthing is in "legal", with only a very limited number of other females. I know that security did some searches of berthings during this last little cruise, and there were quite a number of busts as a result, but that was on board, meanwhile, their base housing is getting ripped off :-( :-( It is just such a shame, as everybody before me has also said.
On a better note......congrats Sandra. You have plenty of reason to feel proud!!
hey all! i'm coming to you from japan! :) my sailor is always the last group to get off the ship, so it was about 8 hours from the time they pulled in to when i saw him. i did not get to see the gw yet. we are currently staying at a friend's home on the ikego base while we try to get our place furnished w/ internet/cable. the friend i am staying with was at work when the ship came in and i wasn't feeling brave enough to venture to the yokosuka base alone. hopefully, next time! i hope all of you have been able to speak w/ their loved ones and how great it feels that they are back for a good while!
i've been reading some of these previous posts and i can't believe that the theft is still going on! i guess it will always happen, but it's just absolutely awful. i know that my sailor says you have to lock, double lock, and THEN triple lock everything down because you can't be that trusting. i can't imagine coming home to find your valuables missing. :(
so i've been here for almost a week now and so far, i've managed to check out some shopping areas and some yummy restaurants. my "host friend" has a car here and has been driving us around, so i haven't been able to get acquainted w/ the public transportation here much. however, it looks VERY complicated as nothing is in english. i guess i expected more of the folks here to know some english since it's near a base, but you'd be surprised. for example, i went to starbucks and asked for something "decaf" and they did not understand me! so it will take me awhile to get accustomed to all this. anyways, here are some pics :)
1st- the "famous" ferris wheel in yokohama.
2nd- these vending machines are EVERYWHERE & has some crazy drinks! this morning, i got a hot can of pancake w/ syrup and butter- flavored drink!
3rd-this is a toilet in a public bathroom. it has heated seats (among other features) AND it plays sounds (like a rainforest, waterfall) for the shy, so no one can hear you "go". haha!
abc, It is so good to know that you are safely in Japan and most important, with your sailor again. I am sure that is wonderful and worth the long wait for him to get off the ship.
I love the pictures. At first I wondered why they would want songs on the toilet and then I read your comment about hiding the noise. Now sometimes that would be great to have. I had a friend whose powder room was immediately adjacent to the family room where everyone gathered. All noises came through loud and clear so I would use another bathroom. Now music would have been perfect.
Stephsmom, I know your daughter will be so pleased to put the cruise book behind her. It may be fun to work on but what an accomplishment to have it finished.
Talked to Kelcie for a little bit this evening. She said things are quieting down, as sailors head for home on leave. To each of you that gets to have your sailor with you this holiday season. ENJOY!!!! Our time with them is SO precious to us. Soak in every second you have!!
Ooh-Rah! Okay, that's a Marine cheer but I don't know any for the Navy except, "Beat Army!" Somehow that's not appropriate in this case. Well, Katlanta, the hours of countdown begin for serious now!
hi all! haven't been able to get on because i don't have internet yet at the new home... for those who have their sailors home already, consider yourself very lucky! got some bad news just a few hours ago... that's all i can say for now. :(
anchorsmom, I also missed a 4:45 am call, but then was able to talk to Kelcie very quickly as she called back this afternoon. Needless to say, I was not about to leave home for one second. Praying with everybody else that cool heads prevail. abc, you are especially in my thoughts and prayers. We are all here for you, just wish we weren't so darn far away right now. Glad you have at least one friend there who can be with you right now.
Just spoke with my son who is stationed on the George Dub, he says they may be deployed again?? I just got the pit out of my stomach from when they were gone last time! Help!
Sandra, I was not in the military myself but my father was. I remember during the crisis in Lebanon in the mid/late 50s, my father would be called out at 4:00 a.m. We lived in Naples, so the Americans that were evacuated arrived there. One time, the ships were visiting Naples and anchored out in the Bay. We had spent one evening on dates, visiting the carrier and had plans for the next day. When we awoke, there were no ships there. That was frightening.
Another time, when I was in college in Munich, the school was located on the military base. The Russians were rattling chains and had given the US an ultimatum. It was in the middle of finals and the day before the deadline, we sat and debated whether we should study or party in the local Gasthaus. If it were our last night on earth, partying had much appeal. On the other hand, if it was nothing more than chain rattling, we would regret not studying. Finally, good sense prevailed and we studied. The next morning we had to go to classes, dodging soldiers in full battle dress running here and there. In the exam all was quiet when all of a sudden a car backfired outside. Pencils went flying into the air. We looked around rather sheepishly but realized that tensions were high.
Well, I know that tensions are high for me. My stomach is churning and head aching. I was encouraged to read the report about N. Korea backing off some. I pray that negotiations can restore some peace there.
In the meantime, let's hang together and pray that this soon passes. Many hugs.
Don't want to get everyones hopes up, but there is some good news. They are on standby. It's official. Daughter told me than she said I could tell you all. It's official on CVN. Still have standby, but not leaving yet. Yay!
hello folks. glad to see that the gw is still around! took a few pics that i'll upload later...it won't let me do it right now for some reason. it's pretty massive and impossible to capture the whole thing in one shot! i was able to go past it tonight and it is lit up beautifully for xmas. :) i got a chance to go on it a few days back and although i was only in there for a short while, i got a good taste of what it must be like to LIVE on that thing for months at a time...and it seems pretty awful! haha. it's cramped and VERY confusing. i have new level of respect for our sailors! hope everyone got to talk w/ their sailors and if i don't get back on by the weekend, a VERY merry christmas to you all!
oh, also to grandma, they are on a 24-hr. tether...which means they must be ready to leave within 24 hours at any time.
not to worry, ladies...i don't think the earthquake was anything major in this area. most people didn't even feel it. haha. i DO remember laying on my couch and thinking "is the couch shaking???" and then i found out later that there had been an earthquake. i haven't heard of any damages/injuries... it seems like it's always SOMETHING lately, huh? :)
abc, I would imagine an earthquake in Japan is kind of like one occurring in California. If it doesn't do major damage, no one notices. I am glad there were no damages or injuries.
When in 1989 there was an earthquake near San Francisco, we were five minutes from landing at SF. All of a sudden, the pilot came on and said, "folks, we have a problem, I have lost communication with the tower, so I'm flying out over the ocean to see what is going on." We looked out the plane window and we could see other planes doing the same thing. Then the pilot announced there had been an earthquake. Now my mom's side of the family is in the Bay area so I've been there many times. My reaction was no big deal, earthquakes occur out here all the time. But then when he said part of the Bay Bridge was down and we could see smoke coming up from SF, we realized it was a bit more than the typical earthquake.
dc g'mother- that sounds like such a scary experience! i've only experienced one tiny earthquake before. being from chicago, it doesn't happen often, but i do remember there being one in '08 or so. i guess i'll be VERY used to them by the time i'm through w/ japan.
SueS- thank you for the "japanese lesson". :) i can use all the help i can get! i will make sure to write this down in my little notepad...although when i ask this and they answer, i will have no clue what they are saying! hehe. hopefully over time, learning some japanese will get easier because right now, it seems impossible. i've just learned to speak english words w/ an english accent. for example, the other day, i was trying to order a "milk tea", but she didn't understand me. so now i say "mil-ku tea"...and she gets it! :) oh, also, the 73 is lit up and there are SOME lights on the ship...there were cute candy cane lights up also, but since the 24-hr. tether, i haven't seen those on.
i have now been here for about 2 weeks and i still have a LONG way to go. :/ it seems that my sailor is either working or has duty everyday, so we haven't had a whole lot of time together. here's something cool. we have tickets to go see the imperial palace soon! i guess it's only open to the public twice a year...on new year's and the emperor's bday... am also planning on seeing tokyo soon, as i haven't done that yet!
i will do my best to check-in frequently with updates. :) until next time, everyone!
abc, my brother and family were stationed in Atsugi when his children were small. My SIL laughed about the fact that the children did all the translating. One of my nephews, only a young child ... K-2, fell in love with Japan and now is fluent in Japanese. I guess the fact that he has a Japanese wife helps a lot. :-) If you can find a Japanese wife who will talk to you only in Japanese for an hour or so, you will find that you pick it up rather quickly. Full emersion is great even though at first you do a lot of pointing and are corrected ... just like babies. You need to hear it, try and equally important be corrected.
SyracuseConnie, thank you so much for posting that beautiful poem, my sailor will be away for the first time this year for Christmas. Not sure I am prepared for this, it's so hard when you have had 18 years of them around the tree and then nothing...hoping God Blesses all of you wonderful ladies and your sailors during this Holiday Season! Love to you all!
Merry Christmas and God's Blessings to you all! Got a Facebook message from my boy this morning, he is homesick and missing the family. I started crying and it's not getting any easier knowing he is half a world away for the first time. Hoping I can get it together and not break down all day tomorrow. On a lighter note I finally got a picture of me and my sailor for a profile picture, now I can show him off to all my new friends!
Great news, liljanet. I would think that your son at home for New Year's Eve would be a fantastic way to begin the new year.
Hugs, Jennifer. Remember the good times. Think of your son being down the street with friends and not halfway around the world. Maybe that would make it easier.
Merry Christmas to all my new friends here at N4M. Had a really good day with family despite the fact that Zach is away this Christmas, had a brainstorm to take pictures of each family in front of the Christmas tree and put it in a photo book for him. Hopefully he won't feel so homesick! Hope you all had a wonderful day, I know I sure did! Blessings!
Congrats on your son making it home safely and giving you such a nice surprise for Chirstmas! I am sure you were really enjoying the season so much more! Love to you and all your family!
SueS, you and I share the same date for anniversary. We are married a bit longer than you and your husband. Last year we celebrated our 50th and DH suggested we go to Portland for a special celebration. We found that there was only one problem. Virtually all the special places were closed for the season and would not reopen until May. The one place we did find open was participating in Maine Restaurant Week, a week where the restaurants offer a fixed price menu, and we were not really in the mood for an Italian dinner for our celebration. So we stayed at home and fixed what we really wanted.
Ginnylynn, enjoy your month with your son. I can imagine that this is a special time for you, especially knowing that at the end of the month, he will be much closer to home.
Mary, you are clever! I did not think of doing something like that ... well actually we couldn't get video from her end but I didn't think of it anyway.
Mary, you do have to wait for approval to post it to your page; however, for some reason you can post it directly on this group without approval. Click on the Image icon (second from left). Then you will have the option to select a file from your computer. There are other options (new so I have not used them). Click OK and the picture will appear. It used to be that the picture would not appear until you added the comment.
Well it's almost 2011 and I pray for peace in the New Year.
Did the USS GW get back to base? We didn't hear from my niece since the Sunday before Christmas when they were getting ready to leave port again. Wondering how the Skype worked for the one family that had the picture below, especially if they were out to sea??? Didn't think it would work from the ship. Still wating for Kelley to get her navy email address. This is her first year in the Navy and she stilll needs to learn the ropes. I appreciate any updates.
Katlanta, That is fantastic. You are being recognized for the years of hard work and dedication that you have given to the company and that is fantastic. Happy Birthday!
Hey ladies, I haven't been on for a while so I hope all is well with everyone and you all enjoyed your holidays with or without your sailors. Ours was the first year without so it wasn't the same but we all survived...now I have a proposition for all the moms of sailors on the G Dub. I am the Girl Scout leader for the Troop my daughter's are in and we have decided to adopt the entire USS George Washington ship as our "support our troops" campaign. That being said it is Girl Scout Cookie Time and we are trying to get a box of Girl Scout cookies into the hands of each sailor on the GW. We have had several people in the community offer to buy cases to help us with this project and I am now asking you moms if you would help us meet this goal. The boxes are $4 each or a case for $48. My girls will do a fund raiser to make the money for shipping. If you are interesed please let me know; my personal email is daily-blessed@hotmail.com. Any help you can give us in treating these sailors to a taste from home is greatly appreciated! My girls are excited to help make this dream a reality for their big brother! Thanks!
Jennils, while I think it is a great idea, I do have a question or two. The first think that popped into my mind was the problem of distribution of all the boxes. The boxes have to be shipped to a point of contact. There is a Navy mom, Pat, who has been in charge of two Christmas goodie-bag projects for carriers. Christmas 2009 the group shipped to the Nimitz and Christmas 2010 they shipped to the Truman. Make me a friend and I will put you in contact with Pat, or you can search for her group for last Christmas. She found that you need to work through the Command Master Chief. I am a member of Heads at Ease and we contributed pillowcases for the Lincoln this past Christmas. Again, things did not get really rolling until the CMC was involved.
The second question concerns the overall cost. How many boxes are in a case (12?) and how much would it cost to ship a case? How many cases would be needed? For example, if you calculate a half box per sailor, it will cost over $10,000 for cookies before shipping. If you can fit a case into a fixed-price APO/FPO box, you are looking at an additional $2000+ for shipping.
Truly, I am not trying to be a wet blanket but I know that we need to have a plan of action to pull this off.
Jennils, do you live near a Navy base? Possibly they could work with you also. I know all the Lincoln pillowcases were shipped to Everett and then taken to the ship via cog.
Ladies, thanks for all the good information. I am now realizing that this project may take a little doing! :-) Does anyone know how how I can get in touch with the CMC? Secondly, I realize that we may not be able to get a box to each sailor, but I figure if they get enough that everyone could have some in the mess hall that would surely be better than nothing at all?? I have been in contact with my son and I know that being away from home for the first time he is lonely and homesick. I am just trying to make their stay on the GW a little more comforting. My Girl Scouts are going crazy for the idea and the local papers here are going to run the story along with a picture of the Troop. We are hoping to touch the hearts of the sailors. @ Navy Ma I have been in contact with the postmaster in our tiny little town and she assures me we will get the best possible rate for shipping! So I have already had one lady contact me wanting to donate and we are going to spend some time contacting local businesses in the area about contributing cases. There are 12 boxes to a case so maybe not a box for every sailor, but a load of Girl Scout cookies is certainly better than no cookies at all :-)! Thanks for all the suggestions and help! I am looking forward to doing something good for our GW sailors!
Jennils, I do agree that GS cookies say "home" to most people ... besides they are good. I also agree that a load of cookies is better than none at all. If your son is willing to be a POC, perhaps he could see that the cookies go to each of the mess halls. I think the CMC might be a better contact for coordinating cookies to each mess hall. I would start with the Ombudsman. I would stress that you want as many cases as possible to go to each mess hall. While doing the whole ship sounds fantastic, doing a manageable job well is a great way to go.
Tell your Scouts that I give them a BZ for a great idea and enthusiasm. Wouldn't it be great to have them start a campaign for the National GS starting a "Support Your Troops" activity in conjunction with the GS Cookie activity?
Anchorsmom, Even if they are selling GS cookies, I think that the sailors would love receiving some from a Scout troop at home. There is something special about having the love and care of children. I know that we always get the best responses when children write notes to military.
Well we have begun the project and have already had cases donated. I am making contact with my son to see if just shipping them directly to him would be ok. I know he would disperse them (except maybe the Thin Mints LOL). My GS Troop sent our first installment of letters today, we plan on writing the ship every month and sending a box of care package items to be passed out to the ship. The girls were so sweet with what they wrote and brought tears to my eyes to see such enthusiasm at such young ages. My favorite part of my daughter Abigail's letter to the ship was "Thank you for saving the world." Nothing like a 5 year olds vision! Thanks so much for the encouragment and we will push forward to send as many boxes as possible to our dear sons and daughters!
@ Mary, yes he is into having a lot of fun and trying new things all the time! He has made friends on the ship and is constantly looking forward to his weekends off! Add me as a friend and we can share information privately. Thanks!
Cookie donations are going well, thanks to all of you who have purchased from any Girl Scout to help supply our sailors. They will be so thrilled!
Well off for day #2 of college...wish me luck, 1st day of A&P, I'm gonna need it :-)!!
My g'daughter can tell me how to meet up with you. It is not that far but takes some time. She will be working so if you want to meet up for a day trip that would be great.
Mollie...Kelcies Mom
Moose.....I want to know how something like that could happen!! I mean, for pitty sakes, weren't their baracks secured while they were gone? There is NO excuse for this kind of crap!! Kelcie hasn't dealt with having her stuff stolen since she first arrived and was on "the barge", but onboard, her berthing is in "legal", with only a very limited number of other females. I know that security did some searches of berthings during this last little cruise, and there were quite a number of busts as a result, but that was on board, meanwhile, their base housing is getting ripped off :-( :-( It is just such a shame, as everybody before me has also said.
On a better note......congrats Sandra. You have plenty of reason to feel proud!!
Dec 15, 2010
abc815
hey all! i'm coming to you from japan! :) my sailor is always the last group to get off the ship, so it was about 8 hours from the time they pulled in to when i saw him. i did not get to see the gw yet. we are currently staying at a friend's home on the ikego base while we try to get our place furnished w/ internet/cable. the friend i am staying with was at work when the ship came in and i wasn't feeling brave enough to venture to the yokosuka base alone. hopefully, next time! i hope all of you have been able to speak w/ their loved ones and how great it feels that they are back for a good while!
i've been reading some of these previous posts and i can't believe that the theft is still going on! i guess it will always happen, but it's just absolutely awful. i know that my sailor says you have to lock, double lock, and THEN triple lock everything down because you can't be that trusting. i can't imagine coming home to find your valuables missing. :(
so i've been here for almost a week now and so far, i've managed to check out some shopping areas and some yummy restaurants. my "host friend" has a car here and has been driving us around, so i haven't been able to get acquainted w/ the public transportation here much. however, it looks VERY complicated as nothing is in english. i guess i expected more of the folks here to know some english since it's near a base, but you'd be surprised. for example, i went to starbucks and asked for something "decaf" and they did not understand me! so it will take me awhile to get accustomed to all this. anyways, here are some pics :)
1st- the "famous" ferris wheel in yokohama.
2nd- these vending machines are EVERYWHERE & has some crazy drinks! this morning, i got a hot can of pancake w/ syrup and butter- flavored drink!
3rd-this is a toilet in a public bathroom. it has heated seats (among other features) AND it plays sounds (like a rainforest, waterfall) for the shy, so no one can hear you "go". haha!
Dec 15, 2010
DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor
abc, It is so good to know that you are safely in Japan and most important, with your sailor again. I am sure that is wonderful and worth the long wait for him to get off the ship.
I love the pictures. At first I wondered why they would want songs on the toilet and then I read your comment about hiding the noise. Now sometimes that would be great to have. I had a friend whose powder room was immediately adjacent to the family room where everyone gathered. All noises came through loud and clear so I would use another bathroom. Now music would have been perfect.
Stephsmom, I know your daughter will be so pleased to put the cruise book behind her. It may be fun to work on but what an accomplishment to have it finished.
Dec 15, 2010
Mollie...Kelcies Mom
Dec 16, 2010
DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor
BZ to your son, Sherrill. Tell him his conduct with notification to his mom leaves a bit to be desired.
Katalana, enjoy your visit. We definitely understand the tracking and checking.
Dec 16, 2010
DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor
Ooh-Rah! Okay, that's a Marine cheer but I don't know any for the Navy except, "Beat Army!" Somehow that's not appropriate in this case. Well, Katlanta, the hours of countdown begin for serious now!
Dec 16, 2010
DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor
Jenny, Good idea about mailing the video to your sailor. I asked my g'daughter if she saw it but she didn't. :-(
Natalie, what a wonderful Christmas present!! I wish it were on video too so we could share your joy.
Dec 19, 2010
abc815
hi all! haven't been able to get on because i don't have internet yet at the new home... for those who have their sailors home already, consider yourself very lucky! got some bad news just a few hours ago... that's all i can say for now. :(
Dec 19, 2010
abc815
thank you, bigDmom. i have a few "things" going on right now and this was the last thing i needed to happen at the moment. :(
Dec 19, 2010
Janis
Not sure if what you all heard is what I heard from my daughter (we just signed off of Skype).
Dec 19, 2010
abc815
i think we are all in the same boat *wink*
Dec 19, 2010
Mollie...Kelcies Mom
anchorsmom, I also missed a 4:45 am call, but then was able to talk to Kelcie very quickly as she called back this afternoon. Needless to say, I was not about to leave home for one second. Praying with everybody else that cool heads prevail. abc, you are especially in my thoughts and prayers. We are all here for you, just wish we weren't so darn far away right now. Glad you have at least one friend there who can be with you right now.
Dec 20, 2010
jennils
Just spoke with my son who is stationed on the George Dub, he says they may be deployed again?? I just got the pit out of my stomach from when they were gone last time! Help!
Dec 20, 2010
DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor
Sandra, I was not in the military myself but my father was. I remember during the crisis in Lebanon in the mid/late 50s, my father would be called out at 4:00 a.m. We lived in Naples, so the Americans that were evacuated arrived there. One time, the ships were visiting Naples and anchored out in the Bay. We had spent one evening on dates, visiting the carrier and had plans for the next day. When we awoke, there were no ships there. That was frightening.
Another time, when I was in college in Munich, the school was located on the military base. The Russians were rattling chains and had given the US an ultimatum. It was in the middle of finals and the day before the deadline, we sat and debated whether we should study or party in the local Gasthaus. If it were our last night on earth, partying had much appeal. On the other hand, if it was nothing more than chain rattling, we would regret not studying. Finally, good sense prevailed and we studied. The next morning we had to go to classes, dodging soldiers in full battle dress running here and there. In the exam all was quiet when all of a sudden a car backfired outside. Pencils went flying into the air. We looked around rather sheepishly but realized that tensions were high.
Well, I know that tensions are high for me. My stomach is churning and head aching. I was encouraged to read the report about N. Korea backing off some. I pray that negotiations can restore some peace there.
In the meantime, let's hang together and pray that this soon passes. Many hugs.
Dec 20, 2010
Janis
Don't want to get everyones hopes up, but there is some good news. They are on standby. It's official. Daughter told me than she said I could tell you all. It's official on CVN. Still have standby, but not leaving yet. Yay!
Dec 20, 2010
jjjjanet
We really hope that after Christmas trips home will get to take place.
Dec 20, 2010
DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor
Stephsmom, I am so glad that Stephanie made it home safe and sound. Enjoy your time with her.
Dec 20, 2010
abc815
hello folks. glad to see that the gw is still around! took a few pics that i'll upload later...it won't let me do it right now for some reason. it's pretty massive and impossible to capture the whole thing in one shot! i was able to go past it tonight and it is lit up beautifully for xmas. :) i got a chance to go on it a few days back and although i was only in there for a short while, i got a good taste of what it must be like to LIVE on that thing for months at a time...and it seems pretty awful! haha. it's cramped and VERY confusing. i have new level of respect for our sailors! hope everyone got to talk w/ their sailors and if i don't get back on by the weekend, a VERY merry christmas to you all!
oh, also to grandma, they are on a 24-hr. tether...which means they must be ready to leave within 24 hours at any time.
Dec 21, 2010
DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor
Dec 21, 2010
abc815
Dec 22, 2010
DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor
abc, I would imagine an earthquake in Japan is kind of like one occurring in California. If it doesn't do major damage, no one notices. I am glad there were no damages or injuries.
When in 1989 there was an earthquake near San Francisco, we were five minutes from landing at SF. All of a sudden, the pilot came on and said, "folks, we have a problem, I have lost communication with the tower, so I'm flying out over the ocean to see what is going on." We looked out the plane window and we could see other planes doing the same thing. Then the pilot announced there had been an earthquake. Now my mom's side of the family is in the Bay area so I've been there many times. My reaction was no big deal, earthquakes occur out here all the time. But then when he said part of the Bay Bridge was down and we could see smoke coming up from SF, we realized it was a bit more than the typical earthquake.
Dec 22, 2010
abc815
dc g'mother- that sounds like such a scary experience! i've only experienced one tiny earthquake before. being from chicago, it doesn't happen often, but i do remember there being one in '08 or so. i guess i'll be VERY used to them by the time i'm through w/ japan.
SueS- thank you for the "japanese lesson". :) i can use all the help i can get! i will make sure to write this down in my little notepad...although when i ask this and they answer, i will have no clue what they are saying! hehe. hopefully over time, learning some japanese will get easier because right now, it seems impossible. i've just learned to speak english words w/ an english accent. for example, the other day, i was trying to order a "milk tea", but she didn't understand me. so now i say "mil-ku tea"...and she gets it! :) oh, also, the 73 is lit up and there are SOME lights on the ship...there were cute candy cane lights up also, but since the 24-hr. tether, i haven't seen those on.
i have now been here for about 2 weeks and i still have a LONG way to go. :/ it seems that my sailor is either working or has duty everyday, so we haven't had a whole lot of time together. here's something cool. we have tickets to go see the imperial palace soon! i guess it's only open to the public twice a year...on new year's and the emperor's bday... am also planning on seeing tokyo soon, as i haven't done that yet!
i will do my best to check-in frequently with updates. :) until next time, everyone!
Dec 22, 2010
DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor
Dec 23, 2010
DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor
Dec 23, 2010
jjjjanet
Constance,
May I post your poem on my Facebook page?
Dec 23, 2010
jennils
SyracuseConnie, thank you so much for posting that beautiful poem, my sailor will be away for the first time this year for Christmas. Not sure I am prepared for this, it's so hard when you have had 18 years of them around the tree and then nothing...hoping God Blesses all of you wonderful ladies and your sailors during this Holiday Season! Love to you all!
~Jennifer~
Dec 24, 2010
jennils
Dec 24, 2010
jjjjanet
Dec 24, 2010
DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor
Great news, liljanet. I would think that your son at home for New Year's Eve would be a fantastic way to begin the new year.
Hugs, Jennifer. Remember the good times. Think of your son being down the street with friends and not halfway around the world. Maybe that would make it easier.
Dec 24, 2010
DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor
Dec 25, 2010
jennils
Merry Christmas to all my new friends here at N4M. Had a really good day with family despite the fact that Zach is away this Christmas, had a brainstorm to take pictures of each family in front of the Christmas tree and put it in a photo book for him. Hopefully he won't feel so homesick! Hope you all had a wonderful day, I know I sure did! Blessings!
~Jennifer~
Dec 26, 2010
jennils
Dec 27, 2010
DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor
SueS, you and I share the same date for anniversary. We are married a bit longer than you and your husband. Last year we celebrated our 50th and DH suggested we go to Portland for a special celebration. We found that there was only one problem. Virtually all the special places were closed for the season and would not reopen until May. The one place we did find open was participating in Maine Restaurant Week, a week where the restaurants offer a fixed price menu, and we were not really in the mood for an Italian dinner for our celebration. So we stayed at home and fixed what we really wanted.
Ginnylynn, enjoy your month with your son. I can imagine that this is a special time for you, especially knowing that at the end of the month, he will be much closer to home.
Mary, you are clever! I did not think of doing something like that ... well actually we couldn't get video from her end but I didn't think of it anyway.
Dec 29, 2010
DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor
Dec 29, 2010
Kelley's Aunt (USS GW)
Well it's almost 2011 and I pray for peace in the New Year.
Did the USS GW get back to base? We didn't hear from my niece since the Sunday before Christmas when they were getting ready to leave port again. Wondering how the Skype worked for the one family that had the picture below, especially if they were out to sea??? Didn't think it would work from the ship. Still wating for Kelley to get her navy email address. This is her first year in the Navy and she stilll needs to learn the ropes. I appreciate any updates.
Happy New Year!
Dec 30, 2010
DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor
Dec 30, 2010
DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor
Vicky, won't it be fun to have your son on this side of the Pacific. What will be his rate?
For those of you who have sent your sailors back to Japan, I send you many hugs. For those who have your sailors home, enjoy.
Jan 2, 2011
DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor
Jan 4, 2011
Janis
Jan 4, 2011
DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor
Jan 5, 2011
jennils
Jan 10, 2011
DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor
Jennils, while I think it is a great idea, I do have a question or two. The first think that popped into my mind was the problem of distribution of all the boxes. The boxes have to be shipped to a point of contact. There is a Navy mom, Pat, who has been in charge of two Christmas goodie-bag projects for carriers. Christmas 2009 the group shipped to the Nimitz and Christmas 2010 they shipped to the Truman. Make me a friend and I will put you in contact with Pat, or you can search for her group for last Christmas. She found that you need to work through the Command Master Chief. I am a member of Heads at Ease and we contributed pillowcases for the Lincoln this past Christmas. Again, things did not get really rolling until the CMC was involved.
The second question concerns the overall cost. How many boxes are in a case (12?) and how much would it cost to ship a case? How many cases would be needed? For example, if you calculate a half box per sailor, it will cost over $10,000 for cookies before shipping. If you can fit a case into a fixed-price APO/FPO box, you are looking at an additional $2000+ for shipping.
Truly, I am not trying to be a wet blanket but I know that we need to have a plan of action to pull this off.
Jan 10, 2011
DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor
Jan 10, 2011
jennils
Jan 11, 2011
DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor
Jennils, I do agree that GS cookies say "home" to most people ... besides they are good. I also agree that a load of cookies is better than none at all. If your son is willing to be a POC, perhaps he could see that the cookies go to each of the mess halls. I think the CMC might be a better contact for coordinating cookies to each mess hall. I would start with the Ombudsman. I would stress that you want as many cases as possible to go to each mess hall. While doing the whole ship sounds fantastic, doing a manageable job well is a great way to go.
Tell your Scouts that I give them a BZ for a great idea and enthusiasm. Wouldn't it be great to have them start a campaign for the National GS starting a "Support Your Troops" activity in conjunction with the GS Cookie activity?
Jan 12, 2011
DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor
Jan 12, 2011
jennils
Jan 13, 2011
jennils
@ Mary, yes he is into having a lot of fun and trying new things all the time! He has made friends on the ship and is constantly looking forward to his weekends off! Add me as a friend and we can share information privately. Thanks!
Cookie donations are going well, thanks to all of you who have purchased from any Girl Scout to help supply our sailors. They will be so thrilled!
Well off for day #2 of college...wish me luck, 1st day of A&P, I'm gonna need it :-)!!
Jan 19, 2011
DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor
Jan 29, 2011
DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor
Jan 30, 2011