Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Had to break it up into two posts.  Sorry.  too long.

BelovedbyHim:. He told me to not touch his dress uniforms. He said he hasn’t worn them enough to worry about lol the NWUs I asked if he wanted fabric softener in them and he said “I don’t know. I just use Tide Pods.”

Shanny ~ WHHHAAAAAAT??? LOL! Had to join in on the yelling :) That's too funny! Isn't it like a young man to think that his super mom needs/wants/should do his laundry. Yeah we don't mind it at all just as long as he hangs out with you while your doing it!

Belovedbyhim ~ Thank you as well on the food list. I'll be copying that down :) Yes, very chatty! I love that we have so many new moms on the site ~ good times! 

Shortcake ~ It's good to hear that your husband is doing well from a rough go of kidney stones. That all sounds very intense. 

We'll be waiting on pins and needles right along with you while you wait for your Sailor call! We love this time that the calls are coming in! HOOYAH! 

Northwoodsmom ~ I believe I have a copy of Op. Petticoat with my Cary Grant box set. I'll have to watch it again :)

Shanny - my son used to split time between our house and his grandparents house before he left for RTC.  He would bring dirty clothes to my Mom's because he knew she would do his laundry, where I was a mean mom and made him do it himself lol.  I caught on to this maybe a couple months before he left when my mom said something about my son having holes in the toes of his socks that she mended.  He didn't even tell me he needed new socks!

You ladies have some beautiful Ideas. Great Job!

VintageGal - big pins and needles.  My stomach is in knots, but it helps so much reading through all of the posts and staying in touch with all you ladies :).

Phoenixmom and BBH- I agree. I was shocked this morning as I was driving into work that people didn't try to run me over. It was raining pretty good and hard to see on these back streets so I was taking my time. Nobody tried to pass and rush this time!! Lol

BBH- Thank you!! We have had our moments are he is learning to spread his wings but has not been respectful some times so this is a great opportunity for us to be together and have some long over do mom/son time.  :)

They are going or coming down south from Florida. If things change and they want to go up there I will definitely let you know. Thank you for the offer. 

Northwoodsmom- Thank you so much. And no worries and don't feel bad about complaining it is ok. 

You brought a tear to my eye. I thank you ladies every day because when it's hard for me at home or when I'm missing him a tad to much this group and you ladies take my mind off of thinking/missing him and I get to help you ladies out. I say it's a win/win situation.  :)

And I love knowing about stuff before he does!!!! Lol

It kills him and he'll say Oh let me guess your Navy moms told you!!! Lol I say yes they did or do!!! Lol

If you can, can you tell me how you made that. It is beautiful and I love that!! You did an awesome job!!

Shanny- I love it. Mine does that to.

Phoenixmom- I love that!!!

Where did you get them?

Partyofseven ~ I seriously just realized that you were now talking about the fact that your son could be coming home as the reason why you were tidying up his room! I was sitting here eating my lunch and it hit me LOL so exciting!

Phoenixmom and partyofseven ~ drive safe in that rain! 

my son also thinks it’s hilarious that I’ll know things before or right along with him about what’s going on. Of course his mama is finding ways of fighting insider information! On a smaller scale whenever he needed help finding something he would just come and find me and say mom I need you to look for this because I know you’ll find it in a second. Yep! I’m sure you all can relate LOL

I bought the little tea light holders and my daughter stenciled it and we bought stuff to decorate. Got the Idea from pinterest. really inexpensive.

Ok Ladies I am out. I wanted to let you all know I may not be on until next week if that, I have a lot going on that needs to be tended to as today was an extremely rough day! Wishing everyone well. may the letters and calls come through for you all. Good Night!

Pboenixmom- Sending u big hugs and love. Prayers for a better day. ❤

So my boots came. My brother wanted me to try them on because he thought they looked small...  ARGH they don't fit. Seriously wanna cry. They don't have that color anymore.  :( oh and my kid left 2 pens in his NWUs. He is lucky the pens didn't explode. Very lucky

partyofseven, painting the bottle was pretty easy once you spray it frosted glass. My brand was Rust-Oleum and I got it at a hardware store. You can use any bottle, mine was a Jim Beam bottle , the girls at the bar save me all kinds of bottles. After the bottle dries you can take a pencil and lightly draw your design. If you Google Navy Anchors they have tons of them. Then I just painted it. I do use a diamond cutter to put a whole in the back but now they have bottle lights at hobby lobby and you don't need to drill the holes. It was one of my crafts I did to keep myself busy during my son's Boot Camp. I love painting bottles and vases. Good Luck!

This is the case I did for my sister, she loved it.

Ladies-  Thank you all for your kinda words and information. Sorry it took so long to reply but a had to work. I have read through all the information and have calmed down. It’s just hard the not knowing!  I will continue to tell myself no news is good news and try to keep myself together. Again Thank you all!

Chipmunk- Yes I have signed up for the informed delivery and it is working. Thank you for your support.

Shortcake I was so emotionally raw the night of his call that my imagination just got away from me. I read a saying the other day that really hit home and I'm trying to be conscious of it. "“There’s a huge amount of suffering that is generated not by the actual challenges of life but by the fictitious problems that the mind generates.” 

I only teared up twice today(although the day isn't over yet, haha!), once when I was telling my daughter in law about the night we dropped him off and then in the car on the way home and that just happened randomly. My eyes are just not trustworthy these days and give me no notice before they start leaking! We have family in Santa Rosa and a close friend in Napa and those fires were no joke! We've had our share down south as well but not quite as bad. 

mom2blondies:. This week I can join you in the random leaking from the eyes (or Navy Mom Allergies as we call them).  I swear I think I’ve cried as much this week as I did when he left!  I don’t know how I will handle dropping him off and leaving him at the airport again and driving the two hours home alone

VintageGal The story of my son and his girlfriend is not a long or interesting one really. They met at/in (not sure what the right way to say that is) DEP so they were both already enlisted and just waiting for their ship dates. They got paired up as PT partners at their very first PST and then started working out together and discovered they have a lot in common so started doing activities/hobbies together and it just grew from there. They were originally supposed to leave on the same day which I was slightly concerned and asked my son, "Is that going to be distracting?" and he said, "Maybe, I guess we'll see." but then she got moved up to the week before him.

VintageGal: thank you for more movie titles! Excellent! 

Have a peaceful night Navy Moms! Hugs and prayers!

Phoenixmom ~ We will surely miss you! We understand that home and family have to come first. I pray that everything goes smoothly for you during your renovation. Big hugs to you and your family! 

Northwoodsmom ~ you are so very talented! I love your glass paintings. I really want to use your blue bottle idea. I wonder if there’s any need engravings on the sailor Jerry bottles? I wanted to get my husband a couple of their posters as well for the garage. He’s a bartender so I know that he’d love a blue bottle. 

mom2blondies ~ Hey what a great story! I guess it might be a stretch but do they have the same rate? HA! After my son left for Boot Camp there was no way I could talk about him without crying. Seriously the day after my son left I was in a work meeting and we were giving celebrations to start the meeting. I thought that maybe I could celebrate my son and get through that. Nope! I choked up while talking and then started crying after I had muted myself and had to walk off screen. What made me think that I could talk about it I front of people? Then my coworkers were texting me are you OK? Sweet but no I was not! Lol sooooo not ok! This is why I am so glad for this group of women otherwise I might be bundled up in a corner somewhere! 

Warriorprotector ~ You are so welcome! enjoy! You have a restful night as well! 

Manycolors ~ we’re all rooting for you and hoping that you get a letter or at least an address very soon BNMH!! Just wait till you see his handwriting! Forget about it! Tears city! <3

Shanny ~ My son hasn’t even gotten here yet and I have been running down all of the things that you’ve been saying in my head! Not exactly because you said it but because I am picturing everything that will happen and then him having to leave again. I need to just be thankful but I know I won’t want him to leave. 

Belovedbyhim ~ Thanks for the gift ideas :) have a great night! 

Chipmunk and partyofseven ~  have a great night! 

Shortcake ~ part of my post to mom2Blondies was supposed to go to you as well! BNMH!! Sleep well mama :) 

VintageGal: What do you mean by "same rate"? I'm going good talking about him with my husband. We were talking tonight about how he is going to love bootcamp. I know that sounds strange but he was really looking forward to the challenge and I'm almost thinking he will be disappointed that it isn't harder....he is an odd child! I took the day off the day after we dropped him off because I didn't know how I would be but then went back to work the next day. I was doing good with my co-workers asking me about how it went and how I was but then the senior Dr. (he is a father figure in the hospital) asked me and I couldn't talk. He just hugged me and didn't ask me anything else and I ran into the bathroom to compose myself. 

Shanny: I'm sorry you are having a rough week. I'm anticipating those myself. I've never been away from this kid for more than 2 weeks since the day he was born! He moved out for 4 months last year when he went through fire academy but he came home on most weekends and I could call/text him in the evenings. About 2 weeks before he was leaving I had a total meltdown in Target when I came to the Christmas trees and it hit me that he will be gone for Christmas, New Years and his birthday!! I went and hid in the empty toilet paper aisle and texted my daughter in law who did a great job of talking me down so I didn't have to abandon my cart and leave, haha! My oldest moved out last year October but is just 30 minutes away and he picks up his mail weekly. I feel like the combination of no contact/empty nest/covid is making it all feel like a much bigger loss.  

mom2blondies, you are in my prayers this morning, I can feel your aching heart. My son also loved Boot Camp because it was a challenge. Of course he had plenty of training because he would piss me off so bad the last couple of years he was home I must of all ready sounded like a drill sergeant to him. Couldn't get him motivated in anything, now he is out there rocking the Navy. God works in mysterious ways and I am so grateful. Hang in there and trust that he is where he needs to be right now in his life.

Good Morning Ladies and welcome to all of our new moms,

Shortcake- You got this!! You are almost done!! It won't be long now.

VintageGal- These feelings are totally normal. You will see how much more independent they are and that's a good thing. We want to still do things for them and that's ok and mine will say it's ok mom I got it.  :)

But he does still like for me to cook for him and that makes me happy. We were talking and he doesn't eat a lot of snack foods now so I said ok we can go to the store together then. Lol

mom2blondies-It does get easier, it really does. You will still have those Navy allergies but not like when they first left. Prayers for you and hugs!!!

Northwoodsmom-Thank you. When I was younger I dabbled in Sand art and cutting glass but I can't remember the name of it. So thank you I am going to try this and see how I do.  :)

Shanny- Good Morning, Try not to focus on when he's not there and if you need to cry let it out so you will feel better. I still get teary eyed when he leaves. Like BBH said have him call you or text you before he leaves on the plane. That's what mine and I do. We text all the way until he gets back to base.

Manycolors-Good Morning, How are you? 

Congratulations to all of our brand new Sailors this morning. May God protect you and be with you as you go on this new journey. Congratulations again.

Remember to wear your RED today. It is to remember everyone that is deployed. 

My sons are in New Orleans and already having adventures. Lol These young adults I tell ya. 

You try to talk them thru their plans do you have enough money for the trip, how long will you be staying in hotels, what about food and gas are you covered? Oh mom don't worry I got it covered!!  Ok son!!

There eating like kings cause their in the french quarter. SMH.

Reminds me when my brother who was 21 at the time hitchhiked from Va to Az by himself. He made it and had the best time doing that. Of course he never did it again!! Lol

I just wanted to share that little story. Lol

Got my red on!

Vintage, that was so funny you mentioned Sailor Jerry, I was in the store before mine left and when I saw it I had to get it, for more reasons than just the Sailor. My son's going away party he begged me to do a shot with him before he left. How could I say no, it was the most awful thing I ever put down my throat. A glass of sweet wine is about the extent of my drinking abilities, I just don't like anything that burns your throat and your gut. What a mother won't do for their children. You just reminded me of our last days together before he became the property of the U.S. Navy.

Good morning everyone!! I am still catching up and have much to do today. I need to get out for a walk, as it will remain cold and cloudy today - then I will get my RED on!

Partyofseven - my brothers use to hitchhike from their small college town to where they needed to catch the bus to get home for Christmas. That was years ago! That was also when we would return the favor and pick up a hitchhiker.

May they have safe travels!!

Everyone enjoy your day!! Remember, if your question gets missed to ask again or send a PM to one of us and we will answer it that way. Be sure to read my discussion above if you need help with that. 

I added a new discussion that I have wanted to do for a few days now. It is a place to share your holiday recipes, traditions, just anything you would like to put where we can easily find it. So if you posted some yummy party recipes recently, feel free to share them there as well. 

Good morning ladies, 

Partyofseven ~ how fun for your boys to be on a trip to New Orleans together! I hope they continue to have a blessed and stay safe in their travels. I could see my boys doing that together in the future. My sailor loves New Orleans style food and my youngest just loves to eat! 
I absolutely agree with you help seeing a independent young man. We got to FaceTime him last night and had the best talk. I really don’t think he’s bringing much with him. He asked me what uniform I wanted him to bring home to see him in. I haven’t seen a picture or a FaceTime with him in his dress blues so that’s what I asked for :) he said I’m trying to think of what I want to fly home in. He said what would you think if I just came home and shorts and T-shirt? I said honey you could come home in a clown suit and wouldn’t care I just want to see you! Also, he showed me that he loves his trail mix and protein bars. So I might just get him a box of each. 

Thank you for the verse. I think we could especially use this one today :) 

Northwoodsmom ~ I’m so glad that I could conjure up that sweet memory! Wow isn’t it funny how our sailors could use that line before they left home. My son said the same thing except it was sake. ;) I’m going to investigate the sailor Jerry bottle. Last night I showed my husband a picture of your blue bottle and he absolutely loved it! 

mom2blondies ~ good morning, his rate is what you call his job. I thought it was a stretch if they had maybe picked the same job in the Navy prior to meeting. 
It sounds like your son is going to flourish in Boot Camp. It gives you peace of mind knowing that he does well under pressure and likes a challenge. Sounds like our boys are very similar that regard. My son has a wicked little sense of humor but has been serious since birth. Best wishes to him! Your doctor sounds like a very kind man I’m gonna say that you really needed that hug at that moment. 

I have to tell you I heard the sweetest thing last night. My 13-year-old boy was always asking my sailor if he could one 1V1 him on the Xbox. Seems that my son was always a little too busy with work or wanted to play against his friends. Since I mailed my son his Xbox to A school, so he had it during his quarantine, he has been playing a little before bed. Last night I walked into my youngest‘s room and he was playing against our sailor and they were definitely having a man-to-man conversation and it melted my heart! My youngest definitely got the playing time that he’s been longing for! <3 

Chipmunk ~ as I was typing my post I saw that yours came in and you talk about making snickerdoodles and Oatmeal raisin cookies! Yummm Love them both! I can’t wait to read your post! Wish I had one of those cookies with my coffee right now ;) I saw a recipe for eggnog muffins with eggnog frosting on top. My boys need to have those muffins! My sailor’s favorite cookie was snickerdoodles growing up. I’ll need to check out that recipe! 

Have a wonderful day ladies! TGIF!! BNMH!! 

Remember to wear your RED! 

Rating=Job or occupational specialty

Rate=Pay Grade

Shortcake - there are 2 RTC pages and the one by Carolyn M is my FAVE! I LOVE her!!!

I just do not understand why the Navy is doing full size bootcamp when the schools are doing half class sizes. There I go trying to inject logic again! 

Glad your hubby is doing better. I swear men are just big kids! Hopefully he starts drinking more water, lol

Partyofseven - I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited for you! Enjoy that time with your sailor! Happy dance and happy tears! (your new posts just came in and it tells me I have been on here for 2 hours trying to catch up! - yikes!)

Manycolors - the not knowing IS the hardest but most of us here can fill you in on something, lol. There used to be a rough outline of each week’s training but that changed with the shortened RTC and now that RTC is back to 10 weeks (but with a different lesson added) who kn ows what it looks like.

Shanny - if his ROM is like my son’s in Norfolk then he will be able to have food delivered to the gate from wherever (grocery/restaurants) (Navy reimburses). If he is in the Navy Inn and Suites. Since he is assigned a ship he can’t have base galley food  and the ship galley is too far. He needs to look hard at his page 13. My son could walk to the commissary and get snacks.
As for laundry - on ship all their stuff goes in one bag and gets washed in the bag. (not the dress unis though)

Warrior - glad we could help and yes that recipe -  I wolf that food down - so yummy and juicy!

Vintage - A school ROM has a squad of students deliver food - my daughter had that job at one time anyway. The reason why men can;t find things - well it goes back to the beginning of time - when they hunted for their food. If it does not move they cannot see it! They are “wired” to look for moving things…. ;) sake?! Oh my I love sake and plum wine - one time we went out for my birthday and I had some - and I did not know I had too much til I stood up!  HOw SWEET your 2 boys having their guy time! LOVE tech! Seriously. Jackbox games girl!!!!!

Mom2blondes - my 1st and 2nd sailor were weeks apart and when my 2nd was in P days he saw his little sister. They both talked to their chaplain about them seeing each other - then COVID hit. What a great quote and so true. We tear ourselves up inside over what could be. I never cried so much as I did between Feb and October when all 4 of my older kids went through boot camp.

Good Morning! I just wanted to wish everyone a happy Friday and to thank you for the wonderful conversations. 

NWM - do NOT feel bad about complaining! Shoot if we compared ourselves to other people there are so many worse off out there that would make us stop complaining about everything. Your situation is yours and you can complain all you want! (that did not come out as I wanted but you get my idea) If you like sweet wine there is NOTHING so wonderful as a late harvest riesling. I buy a case of it from Ponderosa Valley (and now I am having a brain block on the name) but they are north of Albuquerque and we went there when we visited NM last year. By case I mean a 12 box of 12 oz bottles (roughly).

Phoenix - enjoy your “free time” and can’t wait to see your kitchen!

BBH - just a thick hunk of beef that has some fat - it needs to be as marbled as you can get..I can never find the right cut and I can never remember what I grab instead, lol. What list? your cheat sheet? I would LOVE it, lol.

NewMilMom  - maybe one day the Navy will make sense about their leave, ha!

Sounds like homemade biscuits should be on the menu for your sailor :)

Casual dress is the least of concerns, I love me a rebel :)

rate limited again - go figure! ha!

Anyway - have a great day ladies!

Good morning everyone!!  I haven't been on since Wed. due to work and kids still at home, Wow, I don't think I will do that again.  It took me 2 hours to read all the posts since then and sure going back 12 pages was NOT far enough!!  I have missed so much.

I am sure I am missing something but here is what I can remember to comment on.

First, I haven't heard anything from my SR.  I am thinking maybe next week I should get a letter?  I am signed up with informed delivery.  I am so anxious to get that letter so we can write.  I am going to get all my letters ready this weekend to send as soon as I get his.  

partyofseven- congratulations on your Sailor coming home!!!  That is wonderful.  1 year since you seen him last.  WOW.  I am trying to prepare myself for that time frame.  Maybe I will be pleasantly surprised and it will be less.  :)  

Shanny- Glad you are enjoying your time.  Someone commented about enjoying the time currently and not letting the future ruin that time.  I need to remember that, as I am that person, I count down and think about the future and then don't enjoy the present.  Good luck on doing that.  If you figure out how to make that easier, please let me know.  LOL

Shanny, vintageGal, Northwoodsmom, Pheonixmom- I LOVE your blue candles!  I know what I am going to do this weekend, get me/make me a blue "candle" of some type.  I am going to Hobby Lobby and see what I can come up with.  :)

vintageGal - Thanks for sharing your son's story about playing the xbox.  I still have hope for my two sons.  My 16 year old will do anything to hang with his big brother my SR.  However, when home, my SR didn't want to be with his family, he wanted to hang with his friends.  Maybe now that my SR is gone, he will have a different way of hanging with his younger brother. ;)

mom2blondies- My SR is the same way.  In high school his coaches always said they would yell faster and my SR would go faster.  If the coaches yelled louder, my SR would yell louder.  I think this part of boot camp will be right up my SR alley.  LOL  I always joked that he likes to be tortured, as I hate exercise.  He is also very quiet and keeps things to himself, so as anxious as I am to receive a letter, there is a good possibility that he may not send letters.  I hope that isn't the case but I better prepare myself as I wait for the form letter.  

belovedbyHim- thanks for the Christmas ideas!  I was going to ask what kind of socks and underwear to buy them.  Once he PIR and goes to A school, I am going to send him socks and underwear but wrap them up individually so he can unwrap them....a late Christmas gift.   I joined a RTC Facebook group, I had to have permission to join.  I will need to see if Carolyn is the adm.  I haven't gone on it much as the last time I did, all there was were horror stories about what the SR were going through.  So I haven't checked in again.  I am also NOT a Facebook person.  I have an account but never on it as I work in a prison and don't post pictures or anything.  I got it initially because when my kids were younger, that is how parents would communicate.  I hated it.  

 Thanks for everyone sharing.  Nice to hear how everyone is handling things and to know we are not alone.  Have a wonderful day ladies!

prouddandgrateful-I plan on joining the facebook pages that were recommended but first I have to set up a facebook account.  I am so hesistant because I have never had any interest in having one. I do have an instagram account but with no pictures.  I just have it to follow other people.  I must sound boring.  

Good morning everyone! I love hearing all the stories with your Sailors! What a wonderful way to start off the Friday.

I hope you all have a beautiful weekend!

I'm kind of an emotional wreck today, so I'm going to go for a run.  Hopefully that will clear the huge wave of mom allergies going on. 

Big hugs!

DoriBry - NOT boring at all as I don't even have an Instagram account.  you are WAY cooler than me.  LOL I will go visit the Face book page now and see if it is more positive and has the adm Carolyn.  I will keep you posted.  :)

DorIBry:. If you don’t want to use your last name on Facebook to keep some privacy you can always set it up with First name and use your Middle name as your last or maiden name. I do better here than there because there are soooo many people active on there. But there is a lot of info on there as well specific to your sailor and his division. 

Hey wait!!! I have Facebook and Instagram!  And I have a Twitter account but have no idea how to use it or why it’s supposed to be fun...  can I join the cool kids!?!?  I get in trouble on Facebook. Because politics get the best of me when people start attacking others. I don’t get in trouble on Instagram. :)

proud and grateful:. I agree!  Carolyn is awesome!  She doesn’t play around if people do things they shouldn’t. Super supportive too!  She helped me help someone on here who lost her SR following a second ROM.