Japan Moms

T ... yay for visiting sons!

And thank you for the birthday gift, I love it!  The book box is my very favorite.  

Hi

Thank you for the well wishes and:

I GOT THAT FIRST HUG !

But he is not in the mood - yet - for photos. Working on it.

Yippe - you got it Anti M. I was a bit worried, because it was the only package I had. I worried it was not enough padding to protect the box. And yes - IT said it belong to you. So very happy you are enjoying it.

Glair1 - that posting is from a Pan Mom for long ago. It might even be from Blondie. And we all here love it and agree - it is true. Now you have to share when you hear the ring and KNOW it is your sailor :).

Need to get. Sailor taking us out to dinner tonight. Now if only he was in his uniform. Hey - I love to show him off.

Have a great night all hugs

Hi Everyone! I just wanted to remind everyone that if you haven't yet been in contact with your loved one's command ombudsman, you should reach out and join their FB pages and ask to be added to the mailing lists. Ombudsmen are the official liaisons between the command and their families. With this said, if anyone's loved one is associated with US Commander Seventh Fleet Staff in Yokosuka, please let me know as I am one of the two ombudsmen for the command. Thank you! :)

Wyette,

Does this include those who work at the Hospital? 

Welcome Lkeej I found my sailors on his ships website (not FB page) in the contact us area. There may be other ways. 

glair1 am running out the door to work but hought I would leave you this quickly. My sailor is onboard the Blue Ridge has been 2 years. They are under way. Yes, he will be on base for a bit. They will love it. Here is a link to their website. http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/lcc19/Pages/default.aspx#.Vtb7p_k...    you should be able to find all the info you need. K GTG will check back in with you guys later. 

Congrats on having your sailor home T-Lynn Hugs from us. 

laterz. 

http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/lcc19/Pages/default.aspx#.Vtb7p_k...

my sailor is in Yokosuka and on the Chancellorsville. have not made contact with the ombudsman, but do have the contact info from the Chancellorsville navy page.  I also follow the cruiser's FB page.  my sailor tends to be pretty independent.  I believe he's underway again

HI

It is chilly here. You know that damp feeling at times and then teh wind comes around teh corner and hits you in the face cold.

No - sailor only here a short visit. Too short for me, but will take any time I can get.  He is in training for a few more weeks in the state of Indiana.  That is why he got to come home. maybe he will get to come home again one weekend - maybe.

Maggs!!!!!!!  So good to see your words!!!! But gee - I am so sorry. what a shock to all of your family. Gentle hugs to you and family. hey - will start that positive list again. I will put your son first to find a job.  And great news about hubby and I say let him annoy you !!!!  Now I wonder what Angel is up too.  shark is starting her walk abouts. Spring is near.

Had great time with sailor at home. Hopefully I will share some pictures soon. 

Need to get, this was my first chance to get on and chat

hope all hear from their sailors soon and hope all have a great weekend... hugs

HI

 We are lucky Maggs, no hole digging here. Shark will not go out! She likes to look through the screen at out, but not out. I know - weird turtle. The most she will do is try to dig under teh coach. It looks funny too, she can only get her front half under - the butt sticks out. But she is happy.

Glad I peed before I read you post Maggs. Oh I can see your yard. And yes, the memories of letting the kids cry. Congrats to sailor and all A's. I will not mention that B. ANd also to your nephew for his lead in teh musical. 

Very happy sailor is coming home for this and for you to get a First Hug.  by the way - Happy Mother's Day

 hugs all

kim those pictures are precious

I love reading all the stories.  I haven't posted much.  We visited sailor this weekend.  Grandson has a new military haircut.  He loves mommy's cooking.  She taught me how to make Miso soup and rice balls.  I took the ingredients home, I'll let you know how I do.  Son is looking at orders.  The first 5 he applied to are Japan.  I'll miss them if they go. 

Glair1, they will have to use the ships computers while they are underway.  All emails may be monitored.  They can use their personal computers when they are in port.

AS for wifi on ships, sometimes they are not allowed to use their own devices to access it, and must wait in line to use the ship's computers.  Every communication to and from a .mil email address is screened, and sometimes read by others.  Keep it light, keep it clean, and never ask your sailor to violate OPSEC.  Most of the time, if they have a laptop, they use it in port, or as a game and video player.  Cell phones are near useless.  There is a legendary story of the sailor who used his phone on deployment to listen to music and got hit with a four digit roaming charge.  

HI

Kim - What a darling he is. He looks good in his military hair cut. And YES - please tell us how you do making the soup and rice balls. If it is easy please share. I cannot believe how big he is. Ge- back to Japan? Well, at least he knows Japan and there is family there.  But I feel your heart. Hope all works out for everyone.

Maggs- So now the Shadow lurks outside your home. i could see Angel doing all those runs as you shared. I was grinning and laughing. Thanks - I need those.  Now do you think the kitten Scoby will copy Angel - I mean the Shadow?  How you doing too?

Blondie! Hey - I thought babysitting the boss' kids had stopped? And she dares say - "things are running smoothly" ???? You are too nice. Good = your daughter is coming and her hubby too. GET those hugs. And have a great visit.

Glari1 - yes - please ask

Sorry hit the wrong key.

I was about to say - yes - make sure about using his cell phone on ship. Roaming does happen and it cost.  Do hope you get to talk with him. You will be fine and just come here and let us know he is ok. Then you can cry on our shoulders. WE all have done that.

Oh Blondie - forgive me - I am sorry about your loosing a family member. take care.

Riker a a stylist trike

He loves books

Uncle ( that's my sailor) and Riker in a coffee shop - Riker blowing kisses to mommy

New hair style. What does everyone think?

My three handsome boys

love the pictures and the new hairstyle   Precious

Every ship in Japan has a unique FPO address, you can google it.  One he is there, he can update you with the address with his department or division information.

You will use US mail, regular postage. Packages require customs forms, you can get those at the post office too.  You can go to USPS online and order FPO/APO flat rate boxes.

Please help with any ideals for low priced commication for our son in Japan it hasn't been a problem yet because he was deployed for the past 5 months.Now he's back in port and we would like to talk and text as much as possible.Any ideals would be appreciated so I can pass it along to him.

pizzamom - we use whatsapp. on any phone. its free- calls or texting.  :) Skype.  my son is in Yokosuka - that's all we use.

pizzamom, we use the "Line" app.  Also free and we can text or call using it.  We have Skyped also in the past.  My son is in Yokosuka as well.

So for anyone who uses WhatsApp, where does your sailor usually go for the WiFi to contact you?  My son just arrived there this week and will be living on the ship for the time being. 

HI

Top Of the Morning to all !!!

And first off: ( everybody sing loudly)

Happy Birthday Day to Kathy

Happy Birthday to Kathy

Happy Birthday fellow Navy Mom

Happy Birthday to you,

Now go get your Irish on!!!!

Thank you , I think my boys are good looking too.

blondie, glad you had a great visit. Oh if only you could have video Conor! That had to be so fun/cute. Sorry about flooding - not fun.

Yippee Glair1. Glad to hear you have your Navy Mom and Sailor connection!! Don't worry, it stays with you.

Maggs, now you are Scottish - but are you getting a wee bit of Irish on? I know Angel is.

Here waiting to hear from sailor and information about Riker.

1. Sailor text this morning - in doctor office - very ill.

2. Riker has now come down with a bad cough with runny nose. Plus, those two molars came through. So diaper rash came back.

Keep you posted on things here.

Right now I feel the need to get some Irish on.

hugs all

Maybe this will help my sailor.

Hey two of them. Does this double the Pots of Gold?

Hey Moms = take time to read AntiM's discussion. It does affect all at times.

That is awful.  The Japanese people are so gracious and for one of our own to commit such an act is disgraceful.  I know my son and his friends will be bummed if they are punished because of one dumb arse. 

The left side on your double rainbow almost looks like a tornado.  Beautiful though.

Happy Green Beer day to all.

HI

I thought St. Patrick was born in England. Hey Maggs share the answer. I think your right - it looks like a tornado. And here I thought we all get double . Well cool pic.

Update about my boys:

1. Older son has ear infection. Reason he was not improving. He is now on strong meds.

2. Grandson Riker - he has a yeast infection on his bottom. Explains why that was not healing. And yes, we were putting stuff on him. Now we have the right stuff! AND - he too  as an ear infection - BUT - his is worse that his daddy's. His ear drum is about to burst! No fever and showed no pain. Now he has med for that too.

3. Sailor awoke to head throbbing, sore throat and puss coming out of his eyes. Navy Doc just gave him stronger pain killers. He called as he was returning to hotel room and told me he was going to nap. (Wish I could tuck him in) BUT if he awakes tomorrow with puss in eyes again - he will go to walk in. He knows - he will have to pay. AND with him being sick - he cannot come home as he planned one more time. So I am bummed out. Can't see him before he goes back, can't care for him and can't tuck him in.

Well got to put on  my big girl panties, dry my tears - finish corn beef and cabbage dinner and take care of two other sick ones. ( Everyone please - cross your fingers that my DIL and hubby stay well!)

Hope all you have a good day and fun evening hugs

Thanks, Maggs, for the information regarding St.Patrick. I cannot imagine ordering any drink with car bomb in the name!

I am lurking here but not posting very often. Spent the day home with an intestinal bug. The cats were out of sorts because I was home and not at work and if I am home, they can't be on the counter tops. (Handy spray bottle). I am not foolish enough to think they stay off of the counters when I am not here. 

Hope everyone in need has a complete healing of body, heart, mind and spirit.

I got my cats to stay off the counters by balancing metal cookie sheets on the edges of the counter, with cans of pennies holding them down.  The cats would jump up and the cookie sheet would fall, or better yet, flip they off the counter, with a loud rattle bang!  After a couple ties of that, they stopped trying.

Good morning everyone; I just wanted to share this article because we have love ones that are already stationed in the Pacific Indo-Asian area.                                                                                                                                               http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/us-philippines-agree-on-locatio...

Hi Japan Mom's,

My son is currently stationed in Japan and will hopefully come home to Michigan soon to visit. How/Where can he get the best deals on airfare???  Thanks

There is a travel office on base, MWR ITT.  They often can offer great deals, as they tap into the same information as Kayak and other travel search sites.  Which base in Japan? We have several.

I  have  a question. Does it happen from time to time that you will not hear from your sailor for awhile. I have not heard from my sailor for over a month and a half.  I am assuming he is not able to do so. He normally emails me every week or so. Thank you

Anti M, Thanks for the information. I believe he's in Yokosuka.  He is currently underway though.

jesusintheboat - my son is also stationed in Yokosuka and is on the Chancellorsville - he's been underway for a bit and I got an email about a week ago when they were just leaving guam on their way to Malaysia.  I'd not heard from him in a few weeks. yes, once they are underway, he's usually on duty for longer days than when in port/base and doesn't get online except when in port. keep the faith. I just keep in touch letting him know I understand his time is limited and that I know he loves me.

what a beautiful pic of the bluebird.  I wish I'd gotten a pic of the cardinal that visited our frog bird bath. he was so gorgeous. spring is so full of promise and uplifting.

thank you scully_the_skeptic   i appreciate the information 

Maggs, great pics!

Jesusintheboat,  The same thing happened to me the first year my son was there.  He was in port and every minute that he wasn't working, he was enjoying Japan.  He just forgot.  He didn't realize that it had been that long.

There are long lines for the computers on the ship when they are underway and they have to walk to get wifi on base.  My son had access to a computer where he worked on the ship.  I received regular emails when they were underway because he was bored.

Maggs, you are very talented.

Sonya209, it changes every year.  I suggest you phone all the major airlines and try to talk to a person that is not from India.  I did that a couple of years ago and they set aside some airfares.

I hope everyone is well.  TLynn, are you feeling better?

LOL thanks Kim!!!

I'm not sure DREW7062, but if it is true, could your son share where he gets his from... I would really like my son not to pay an arm and a leg in airfare!!!

Thanks!