Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Good Morning All, BRRRRRR! It is a chilly morning today! Hoping you all are staying warm and doing well!

Well they started on ripping out walls in my Kitchen and floors, My daughter called me yesterday prior to coming home and asked "MOM are you sure you want to come home"? when I stepped into the house I about had an OCD attack, my anxiety raised so High! My house is a dirt ball, all I could think is man do I have my work cut out! I will need to paint and take everything down and dust and clean. setting up for my Carpet and furniture to be cleaned OH MY! my daughter was telling me to breathe, everything will be fine! I think I may just cancel Christmas as I did Thanksgiving, meaning no cooking or entertaining. GEEZ! Hopefully by this weekend I can begin to start some of the cleaning and taking down the drywall and Concrete should be sanded and filled, Home depot here I come for drop cloths as my Flooring is a special order so Kitchen will be done before my floors I can handle that. It's all the rest that tires me out just thinking about it!.

Well I would like to welcome the new comers to the site, So glad that you found us. This site will give you much needed information to begin your Journey! Welcome and (((((((Hugs))))) to you. And Congrats to your new SR. (Seaman Recruit)

Morning Prayer for scripture Below:

Thank You Father, for the cloud of witnesses that demonstrated a quite confidence in You. Hush my heart today I pray, and help me, like them.. to fix the thoughts of my mind and the meditation of my heart on You alone and quietly wait in silence for You - knowing You are my Rock of Salvation, my Defence and Defender - my Lord, my Life, my Way - and my All in All, in Jesus name, AMEN

Thank You Beloved for putting all the information down for the New comers, Hope you got some rest and are feeling well.

Well me and my Grandson went and tested for Covid Sat. and our results came in and they are NEGATIVE, Thank You Sweet Jesus!

C'Mom I would never deny anyone who would like to eat tamales and learn to make them. Every year we have one or two new friends or neighbors who want to join in and help and they leave with 4-6 doz tamales for their effort! so Come on down any time!

NorthWoodsMom I have never eaten anything Polish I do make potato pancakes with cheese a side of Pork chops and Chili rellenos. Thanks for Sharing!

Our Heritage if you ever come into a Hispanics home you will always find home cooked beans, usually for every meal they would do beans. I always had them because my Son and Husband were Beaners! LOL! probably didn't sound right or nice but true!

Good morning ladies,

Phoenixmom - my goodness I can only imagine your reaction! Had they not covered your furniture before they started?! If there’s a budget for a shop vac I would purchase one. Holy moly! Hopefully the workers are courteous with their mess. 

ladybluefire - A math book from the 1800s? Seriously? Interesting :) Last weekend my daughter wanted to go to CFL but the line was literally snake through the parking lot and I said no flippin way! So we went next-door and had a sandwich from the corner bakery which had no cars in line. Dang CFL is popular! 
kudos to you for everything you’re doing with organizing and schooling :) 

Doribry - yeah I don’t we just love that no news is good news. Still doesn’t change the fact that we worry. I hope everything’s going smoothly. 
I was going to ask you ladies all the same thing. What do you get a sailor who can barely store anything besides their clothes?

C’smom - hopefully your son leaves for a school soon. My son was waiting for a few weeks to leave. It’s crazy! So as of right now my sons tickets are for the 18th through the 26th. I hope nothing changes so that he can still come home. He wanted to be back a day early because on time is late in the military lol hope you hear word soon! 

Mamasita - Again, Welcome! The admin and ladies alike are so wonderful and have so much information to share! 

hope everyone has a fabulous day! Time to get ready for work! 

A re-post from Mrs. PartyofSeven:

The second link is for you to sign up for informed delivery so you can see what mail is coming. You will want to sign up for this so you can see when your letters are coming from your SR. (Sailor Recruit).

You will want to start writing now and when you get your form letter you can mail the letters off right away.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask as someone will answer. 

 First Things First-- The Quarantine Edition  

Informed Delivery®

Partyofseven - thank you for the verse <3 have a wonderful day! 

PIR DECEMBER 2020

VintageGal they did Cover the house with plastic and sealed it but dust still got everywhere. I will be spring cleaning in December that's for sure! but I will start the New Year with a fresh start!

So Looking forward the New Year as the last two years were Horrible/Tragic for me. My life changed in a matter of a day/overnight in 2019. and losing my Husband in June was the worst for me then came the Breast Cancer. So I am over coming all this and ready for a Brand New Year Just wish Covid wasn't included.

Phoenixmom - That’s good to hear I’m so happy for you! I’ll be there two to make tamales with the group! My grandmother always made pots of beans I know my mom is making them more often. She makes so much and has me come over with a container to take some and boy are they delicious! My grandmother told me that when she was growing up in Redlands California in a predominately white neighborhood my great grandmother would shut up the house so her neighbors couldn’t smell them and always made homemade tortillas and beans. For Pete’s sake I don’t know why it would matter. But I guess those were the times. 
You crack me up! Beaners! Lol 

If your SR is in ROM or boot camp, the only thing you can do for Christmas is a nice card, no music , no voice recording, no confetti, no glitter.  Not even a stick of gum.  A few photos are welcome.  Take pictures of your tree, perhaps?  

LOL, I never get the same Instacart shopper twice until now.  The sideways pie person got this last order.  Broke an egg, missing two cans of paid for chicken broth, and bought the wrong cough syrup. I cannot have certain ones, so I was specific, and yet they messed up.  Instacart is going to hate me they have to give refunds so often.  Maybe she'd pay attention if I stiffed her tip instead of giving fewer stars.

Chik-fil-A doesn't do it for me, way too salty.  Most fast food chicken is too salty for me.  I had to go low sodium years ago, and now I can't stand most drive through foods other than the rare Whopper Jr. (mustard and pickles only).  The best fried chicken is at a little hole in the wall restaurant, one serving of their chicken and waffle is two meals for me.  In-and-Out likewise doesn't thrill me, it's not bad, but it's not something I would go out of my way for.

Those lists where they asked have you eaten exotic foods?  I score very high.  Thank you, U.S. Navy and the overseas career it gave Dad when I was a teenager, and my own proclivity for travel now (well, eventually again).  I don't eat a lot of common American foods, but that's because I have food sensitivities associated with my arthritis.  No nightshades, which is essentially white potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, and sweet peppers.  Oh, I can eat those things, but it causes a great deal of joint pain, so I have to decide what and when.  No sweet BBQ, no red salsa, no regular pizza, no spaghetti, it's all very sad.

Good Morning Mrs. Anti M, I have not gotten used to ordering groceries yet, although my daughter wishes I would. But I just cant see someone picking my Fruit or veggies, meat. so I continue to go shopping on my Own.

Vintage - no joke even with the cars wrapped around the drive thru - I have been in and out of CFA in 5 minutes. 
The other place my kids worked? PDQ - 4th car in line and 20 minute wait.

My son;s (sailor 3) FAVORITE thing was to be the CFA baby cow.  Here he is - and if you look closely you will see a bow on the head - he was a "cheerleader".

He was also the baby cow in the parade last Christmas. He had a blast!

Good morning, I just got a call from my daughter. Here I am once again thinking we are good, but nope. She is still injured, could not pass her run. She said good news is she will be home for Christmas, bad news is she will not be a sailor. BUT she can try again in 6 months. I am heartbroken for her, 3 months of work! But I know God has a plan. Does anyone have any experience with this? How it all works from here?

Shoosh Let me give you site that can answer your questions, and I am truly sorry for this, (((((((Hugs))))))))) to you and your Daughter. She will be sent to ship 5 and await coming home.

Ship/Division--How it Works

Read under ship 5

C'sMom - Take a deep breath!! I know everyone really wants their sailors to come home but sometimes it really is better to just do your holiday and family time on a different schedule than what the rest of the world does it as. More on that in a couple of days, hopefully -- 

There are lots of options for buying tickets online, but the best option is what is the airline that has the best routes from where your sailor is to where you are and how close is your airport?   Flying cheap is not always the best if it means a long layover and spending all day at the airport by themselves.  

I also personally think that since he is reserves it really would be best for him to just get all of his schooling done and then fly home . I know that is probably not what you want to hear but for our sailors who have not had leave for a year, they handle not seeing family maybe a little easier than those who this is all new to them. 

Hugs!!

Good Morning Anti M, shame on your instacart deliverer. That's what I do in my spare time and I would definitely be more considerate and get the order correct the first time or replace the items that were wrong. Ugh. 

LBF- That is adorable. We love that place.  Lol

Shoosh- Good Morning, I am sorry to hear this but God does have another plan for her and thank her for her service and for trying. No one can say she didn't give it her best shot. And your right if she wants to retry again she will know what to expect. Big hugs to you and her. 

The information that Phoenixmom posted is really good to know. As always if you have any more questions please don't hesitate to ask.

Phoenixmom- Good Morning, oh my goodness I think I would have had a heart attack to if I had seen my room looking like that. Don't overdo it and just know how pretty it will be when you have finished everything.  :)

VintageGal- Good Morning and you are very welcome. Hope your day is going well. 

Have to take care of some things that have come up in the family area. I might have some good news in the next two weeks here's praying that it works out.  

Good Morning, Wow! I was way behind...but think I may be a bit caught up... I am sticking around even tho my brand new Sailor is sitting in waiting at A school...Love this wonderful group of women & support.  

Plus it is the Only Mom support I have starting on this new life as a Navy Mom.  
Welcome to all the New Moms!!!! this is the BEST place.

VintageGal:  the leather tactical wallet sounds like a GREAT idea.  Only things I have to wrap thus far for my Sailor are 2 Navy coasters that go in car cup holder and his favorite special soap & a storage bag for it...  I did tell him that Dad & Mom would pay his car registration due this month as his birthday & Christmas gift...he has a new car he bought recently so his registration not cheap.   Then throw in plane tickets home for "supposedly allowed leave for Christmas from A school holding"... he asked to fly 18 return on 25th so that is what I booked looking at layovers that were not where he might get snowed/iced at airports... and not 3 hour layovers.  my max I was willing to let him sit in airport was 1.5hrs.  so I booked both flights with 1 hour layovers --

PhoenixMom:  Tamales!!! omg, I haven't had a good homemade tamale since leaving my home state, Texas (read about 30 years now).  

Shanny:  I want a picture of your boots...Sounds like a GREAT deal on them.  I am big on boots/booties & shoes...A heck, let's be honest I am big on clothes & shoes both for work and for riding...hahahha!!! Much to my dh chagrin as I have taken my 1/2 of our little closet plus over half his side...

Well work is crazy here...phones won't settle down as lots of technical issues for staff and parents...so off I go...

Hang in there!!    and stay Healthy!!!!  

Prayers for each of us and our kiddos as we all learn a "new normal of No News is Good News"...

C;sMom:  For tickets look online to find the airlines that fly to your nearest airport & where your SR/Sailor is located nearest airport.  Then I checked prices at Expedia.com and then on the airline themselves to find best route.  refundable tickets were over 1500.00 so went with my second option which was transferrable dates for a fee...  Best of luck!!!

Shoosh:  I'm heart-broken for you!  But God DOES have a plan.  She can try again in 6 months, or He has a better idea for her.  Its one of those things where she might not see it until she is down the road a bit.  

Chipmunk:  i was actually prepared mentally and emotionally for him to not be home for the holidays because that's what we thiught when he enlisted.  But now some people are saying that the whole school may be shutting down for 2 weeks, plus 2 weeks quarantine.  So what would he be doing down there for 4 weeks if he doesn't come home?  Can't really worry about it now, I guess, because we can't do anything until he gets down there.  

NewMilMom:. These are the bots I ordered!!  Well my brother caught me looking and ordered them for me for Christmas. He wasn’t going to tell me but was afraid I’d order a pair myself!  I’m in the line at grocery store will catch up when I’m home

I can’t seem to find Navy ornaments but found this one today...  btw why are lines so long in the grocery store but only 2 check out lanes open?!?!

Shoosh:. Big hugs for you and your daughter!  Time for her to heal and of this is what she really wants, condition and try again. I am so sorry for you and for her!  Wish I had advice 

I like Shanny! very cute!

Shanny I posted a Pick on my page of the clubhouse my daughter built out of Pallets. tell me what you think. she just whipped it together LOL!

Shoosh: prayer for your daughter and also you. She probably has learnt so much about herself, how strong she is with what she has had to endure. All the new faces she has met and even a new respective on what she wants out of life. Don't think this was a waste, she will be changed and maybe more determined and want to go back and try again. I don't think it was a waste because we all got to meet You and that alone was a Blessing to all of us. Here's to Hope and a wonderful Blessed life to your beautiful daughter who we are all proud of , She never gave up and she served her country proud. 

PhoenixMom I with you on the shopping, I don't want anyone touching my food. To me it's like someone go through your underwear drawer. Maybe I take food too personal but thats the way I feel. Actually I am trying really hard to live by Faith, I mean I don't put myself endanger, I wear a mask everywhere, wash my hands and keep my distance but gosh darn if I am going to hide and become paralyzed by fear. Life is just too short and precious to waste. 

Shanny - love the ornament. Please share where you found it...  I have been looking at Etsy for Navy ornaments...ordered a sailor 1 with his name on now looking to find one to personalize with his PIR date ...

The boots are really cute!!! 

Shoosh: sorry about your poor daughter.  It is hard when the one thing you really want doesn't happen on your timeline...personally I have found that even tho I was bummed/disappointed/frustrated/angry etc...at different things I thought I wanted didn't happen the better I was in long run. But when you are young it is hard to think that way.  Maybe something better will come but, it is sooo hard when they face disappointment & pain.  Major hugs to Both of you!! and prayers for each of you.

Phoenixmom & Northwoodsmom - we did the grocery delivery a few times but, NOT vegetables or fruit ...only prepackaged things.  I couldn't have someone else picking my fresh veggies & fruit...  I was lucky tho as son-in-law went each week to local farmer's market & got those for me and his Momma.  Sometimes he did really Great and others just so so but, he tried & that is what counted. I loved he'd bring me stuff that he found & had no idea what to do with or how to cook it, but figured I'd know being a back country farm girl.  He had a few veggies he never tried before when I shared with him too.  And yes, I knew what they were & how to fix usually multiple ways...hhahahaha!!   now only wish 1 of my 3 kiddos cooked...  they and dh always leave that to me.  NONE want to bother or ???   I love to cook & bake as creative outlet just wish I didn't love to eat it all too...

Hugs!

Hi Ladies, I agree but although I have been at my Daughters house when they delivered her food these people who picked her stuff did a good job, but I have a feeling if it was me they would be to soggy or rotten! LOL that would be my Luck anyways!

Phoenixmom- That's what I do in my spare time deliver groceries so far so good.  The people I've met have been really nice. 

Shanny- Love the ornament. I have a tee shirt being made but with the cape showing. It's pretty neat.

NewMilMom:  I can’t remember where you are...  but I found the ornament at Meijer. It was $5.50. They had Army and Air Force specific ornaments but no Navy or Marines

AWWWWW, That's nice of you PartyofSeven! I need to request you! LOL!

Shoosh ~ All the love and comfort to your daughter right now. I hope she's been counseled on the best thing for her to do and to have a healthy mindset about it. (((((BNMH)))))

Shanny ~ Those are super cute boots! That's wild that the heel came off of them. I love the ornament and isn't that always the case with grocery store lines. geerrrrrr

Pheonixmom and Northwoodsmom ~ Oh my heck! One day my husband and I were at the grocery store during this pandemic and this man was literally waving his hands around in the green beans! like buddy just grab a bunch and move on! They all look the same! He wouldn't stop running his hands through them! To anyone buying green beans buy them pre-packaged just in case the guy before you took it upon himself to massage the whole lot! gross

NewMilMom ~ We're all so glad you're here! It's so nice to have moms and family who want to stick around to have that support through this time. We truly love to support each other. The more the merrier. I know I felt alone in my feelings and this site was/is a lifesaver! 

All of your gift ideas are great! Who doesn't love getting their bills paid off or tickets paid for?! I'm putting together a list that I'll share once I finish it. :)

Chipmunk

Partyofseven ~ Oh how exciting! I can't wait to hear of your news :) Nice to have some surprise in the midst. My son's package arrived at his school. He'll love to have his XBox right now since he hasn't started his classes yet. He has been working on his qualifications and he's very diligent but he's also super bored. I asked him if he could also get his hands on some study material as well. 

Chipmunk ~ You had me laughing about your husbands potato and vodka joke! HAHAHA 

Enjoy your day everyone :)

Shoosh, there are many paths in life, and she can try again with this one.  be prepared for a lot of hurry up and wait.  Seps can be a real drag for them, so expect some down moods from her.  Hopefully they will want to get everyone moved out before the holiday.  It can take a couple weeks, fingers crossed for the best as quickly as they can.

Ladybluefire ~ This is true! I've only been through CFA's drive through twice and both times those kids were running from car to car getting orders! They were so courteous as well :)

VintageGal:  the boots I posted are the ones my brother bought me for Christmas because he saw me looking at them. Then he came over and saw me ordering and told me to not order them. I said why I really like them and they only have them available in 3 sizes. He said you always ruin surprises.   The ones that broke were just simple black leather ones with a couple inch heel on them. They went with everything and the heel was just enough I could pull them off with dress pants. The grey ones...  we have snow and ice on and off November through March. I have friends who swear the Sperrys are warm and do really well on ice for not slipping. But I won’t pay full price for them...  I have some of their boat shoes and love them. So comfy 

Beloved so Glad to hear you are well but busy. a Nap sure sounds good although I never have the time. I will look into a shop vac never heard of them but first time for everything.

Phoenixmom- Shop vacs are really good and clean the dirt up pretty good. 

More ideas for A school and beyond a warm, snuggly blanket, some pants and or shirts if they need them, study cards if they need them, gift cards to the gaming consoles, restaurants and if they drive gas cards. Just some more ideas.  :)

If they will be going on ship, my son was told to get a good sleeping bag instead of blankets and sheets. He is like me, and loves a good warm blanket. So a sleeping bag may be another idea for anyone looking at sea duty.  He also bought a good pillow. He also asked for a customized Yeti cup with the symbol got his rate and his name on it. 

PartyofSeven looking at shop wet/dry vacs as we speak, so that's my next purchase as I went on my lunch time to buy drop cloths as my flooring will not be put in until week of Christmas so I don't want to be stepping on Concrete. and had to buy the stuff for underneath your furniture so it wont scratch the floors. so thinking ahead!

Shanny: thanks but, no Meijer where we are at...dang, west coast...hahaha!!!

Love everyone's gift ideas!  He has no address to send packages too so until NEX gets underwear (& non-steel tip boots) in his size he is out of luck it seems...guess everyone about same size as he is. ROFL!  He is hoping he can get an address for packages when he actually starts classes.

He is Happy he can go get ice cream now...awww the little things in life.  His recruiter had told him "oh yes, they have ice cream at Boot Camp" ...but, alas no they didn't...only my boy would be bummed most about that & probably the 1st to ask that too...

We are also the "weird family" that goes to Cold Stone in a blizzard for ice cream too...my youngest 2 & I joke if it is freezing it is time to get ice cream treat.  

I have another question about flying out and back to A school.  This country always seems to get blizzards somewhere over the holidays where they are stranded at airports waiting for flights.  What happens with the Navy and in particular A school if this happens and they don't get back in time?  Does anyone know?  I've been told I over think things!  

C’sMom:  I don’t know what happens but that is a damn good question!  My son said his sponsor told him to plan to fly back a day earlier than required. That way if there are problems, he has a day of cushion in his travel. Not sure is that helps or not. So if he is required to be there on December 30th, have him there December 29th just to be safe

Oh, and Shanny, I have those same boots in a different color.  Have you ever been about 2 hours north of where you live to Rockford.  They have a Wolverine outlet Shoe Depot with lots of shoes at great prices.  A couple times each summer, they have tent sales.  I wear a size 5, and they have a whole (very long) wall full of size 5s.  It would be worth the drive for you!  :D

C’sMom:  do you love them?  I always second guess myself when I can’t try on in person!  I wear a size 6. But the last time I bought Sperry I ordered a 6 and had to exchange them for a 5 because they were too big!  
i really need to get out of my bubble more. I seriously hardly ever leave my little town. It’s probably been close to a year since I did any real shopping. My dad asked me today when I got the sweatshirt I had on. Looked at him and said about 15 years ago why?