Hurricane Ike

My thoughts & prayers are with all that have been affected by this monster. I woke this morning, turned on the TV to find out what was happening & was glad to hear it wasn't as bad as predicted but it is pretty horrendous down there. I must admit that I was very happy to hear that San Antonio was fine & that "The Communicator" would have to wait til another time to see his first hurricane. He was like those people who come here & are all excited when they feel an earthquake....of course those folks weren't here for Loma Prieta Quake in '89. I have been unable to reach a friend in Houston who told me last weekend not to worry about my son that all would be well. Please call me Vickie when you get your power back up!

All is well

He called & no problems. I guess whoever placed him in the room never noted it so the day folks had no idea where he was just that he had checked in the night before. Whoever was given the task of locating him went room to room asking "Is ther a Dresser in here?" Well you know where that went. "Sure, we have a dresser...and a desk & a chair....". By the time he was introduced to the Company he was famous. "Oh! You're the Dresser!!!"

Friday night he had a great time. They have a rec center there with a BOSS program. He loves it. I found out today that Tim McGraw will be there next week but tickets were given out yesterday. Hopefully he can get one.

THEY'VE LOST HIM ALREADY?

Our phone rang at 6:00 am this morning. Steve grabbed it as he was still home...I heard him talking but wasn't really sure what the conversation was about. He came back in a little bit later to tell me it was his Drill Instructor (DI) & they were looking for our son...he hadn't showed up for Formation. He didn't need to report til midnite that night so not sure what this was all about. I had last heard from "The Communicator about 8:15 pm PDT that he was at Ft Sam Houston (FSH) but they didn't know what to do with him & he was waiting outside of Delta Co for Van to pick him up...he would call later. Well he didn't ...I tried to call him but it went straight to voice mail ...I went to bed. The DI had asked Steve for the cell phone of "The Communicator". I checked to make sure he gave the right number...he hadn't . I got up...call "The Communicator" to find out what was up. He said they didn't know what to do with him so put him in a private room & he went to sleep. No one came to wake him up. He was sure this was major F**K Up for him. I tried to call the number of the DI & of course it was one of those you cant' call....like a pay phone. So...he said he would take care of it...2 Soldiers had just come in. They have found him. Will call me later.

LOOK OUT TEXAS HERE HE COMES!

Well due to his ankle injury "The Communicator" will need to change his MOS so he is heading to Ft. Sam Houston this afternoon. He is so happy to get out of Ft. Gordon.....and I'm really happy for him also. Now to see if they will be doing the surgery to repair the ankle now that the damage has gotten worse being it went so long (plus he had to do PT with the injury) & the tendons have now fused together. As this is where the medical training is done I think it would be the right place to do it. Will keep ya'll posted.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SON

22 years ago my day started off pretty much like they all do when you are 7+ months pregnant but boy it sure didn't end that way. I was to have a Tupperware Party that evening & was cleaning up our apartment in preparation when I realized that something was wrong. I immediately called Steve at work to have him come home...then called my OB/GYN. Dr. Gary told me to head for the hospital. As I waited for Steve to get home I called the Tupperware lady & a couple of my friends to let them know there would be no party this evening but would keep them informed.

When Steve arrived we headed out & about half way to the hospital I started feeling labor pains. My Dr was waiting for me as I got there & after a while decided to send me on to Alta Bates in Berkeley. He explained that they would be able to stop the labor & if not at least I would deliver where they had a NICU & I would be in the same hospital as the baby....otherwise if I delivered there the baby would have to go to Children's Hospital in Oakland....not good to be separated. So I was gonna go on an ambulance to Berkeley so they could stop the labor & I sent Steve home to get my bag so I had my things as I would prolly be there awhile. My Dr. assured me that all would be well & not to worry. He had never lied to me before.

What a ride! It was rush hour & the freeway was packed as it usually is here at that time of day. The driver got over to the center divide & hauled a** to get me to the hospital. As I was on my back I couldn't see anything but the nurse had white knuckles so maybe that was a good thing. We arrived at Alta Bates & they couldn't find where I was to go so we stopped on each floor while going up on the elevator. Finally I was where they needed me to be.

I was prepped & the Dr. decided to do an ultrasound. I was told I had a Placental abruption & needed to do a c-section immediately. Tried to call Steve but he wasn't home so called a friend & let her know what was going on so she said she would keep trying to call the Apt. The then took me to delivery & put me to sleep. The next thing I remember is Steve talking to me in recovery....he got to the hospital just before the baby was born....letting me know that baby was ok & that we had a son. "The Communicator" was born at 7:26 pm, was 2 lb., 15.6 oz & 16 inches long. I didn't get to see him until the next day & didn't get him home for 7 weeks.

The rest, as they say, is history.

A few days old....

His 1st Birthday.....5th Birthday....
And I've never hosted another Tupperware Party to this day.

PS....he sent this today....him at 22 years old offically!!

You can leave him some birthday love ....he will be checking here later.

"THE COMMUNICATOR"

While "The Communicator" has been home one of is Battle Buddies from AIT showed up and he actually had some photo's he took of the Barracks & of MY SON!! Not what I have really been wanting but it's better than nothing.....thought I would share one.

LUNAR ECLIPSE

"The Communicator" called this evening & asked me to go outside & look at the sky. After I was outside he told me to look at this moon so we could see the Lunar Eclipse together. Sometimes he can just be the sweetest, most caring person ever....I cherish those times.

Heading back to the Army

Well we headed to the airport to see "The Communicator" and the soon to be ex (he was already telling me he was gonna do this). As we couldn't get both in the truck someone else drove them to SFO for a very emotional send-off. She was from Tennessee so she had a different, earlier flight. They said their goodbyes & we headed to his gate.



We were able to go all the way thru security & go with him until he boarded.


Got a photo taken with him....


And one with his Dad...

A final family picture for this trip...

Here is his plane....

I will never get used to these good-byes.....ever!

Our 2007 Holiday Picture

Even tho "The Communicator" was on leave for two weeks we barely saw him as he decided to go on a road trip to Washington State (my first Christmas without my son here) with friends & a new girlfriend (is anyone keeping count on these?). We did get to pin him down the night he had to fly back...of course we couldn't get him in a uniform at all...for a Family Photo in front of the tree. This is it...

An Army Wife's Love for her Soldier

This was made by the wife of one of "The Communicator's" Battle's at AIT who was recently deployed to Iraq. They just got married in March of this year. This gives you an idea of just how much our service men & women (and their families too) give up to protect our freedoms. Please watch.

2Peas Challenge for Sunday

2Peas Challenge: Make a list of your top ten things on your mind right now. At the time you blog. Date it.... mark down the time.. and just number 1-10 and write the first 10 things that come to mind.. no censoring.

7/29/07 @9:36PM PDT

1. When is 'The Communicator' gonna get his orders for perm. duty station?
2. Is he gonna stay safe where he ends up?
3. Will he be home next month on leave?
4. I need to get this house organized big time.
5. I need to loose some weight.
6. I am blessed to have my new friends.
7. Thankful that I still have my old friend.
8. Need to get some scrapbooking done this week.
9. Need to order some photo prints.
10. Need to get a couple more packages ready to mail.

21 DAYS UNTIL HE'S 21

Still havent' heard from 'The Communicator' since his Wednesday morning call to tell me his phone had been stolen. Have no idea if he hasn't been able to get it replaced, if he is in the hospital, he's mad at me or what. UGH! Trying to keep busy so I don't stress but it's hard. Maybe in 21 days he will magically be more responsible????

Yesterday morning we headed out over the hill to meet Carrie at Stamper's Warehouse for their annual Flea Market. It was in full swing when I got there. I went in & posted an up to date flyer for the Cards for the Troops project showing what we need & dates needed by. I then headed out to see what treasures I could find. The first thing I grabbed was some trading card protector pockets which I plan on using for my Cuttlebug embossing folders & maybe the Sizzlet dies if I have room left over. I found a couple of Stampin Up sets I thought I might like......I was looking but unable to find Carrie anywhere. Then my cell rang.....it was Steve looking for me (does this give you an idea how crowded it was). Carrie was at the other end & she had found some Military stamps for me. YAHOO! Finally found her & got what she found.....including some Hedgehog stamps. I looked around some more & then decided to get in line. Well I had put the sets back that I had but I then found "Power Up" Set for $6.....looks brand new! I grabbed that & got in line. I had 8 stamps & the set plus the protectors. Then.....I saw one of the much sought after "Target Document Boxes"!! This is the first time I have seen one. It was blue.......marked $1........and looked perfect so I got it too. Now I can die a happy women. LOL! I have one set of foam stamps that didn't have a home so this will be for them. Did a quick run thru the store where I got a couple of kewl things to make cards for a couple units I know & we left. Took Carrie home & then stopped to get Cocoa some goodies at Three Dog Bakery before going back over the hill & home....briefly.

I called Tom to see if he needed us to pick up anything before we came & he said "Ice". Grabbed what we needed to take & went out the door. Quick run into the store & we arrived at Tom's. It was a very nice day...... was just a small group of us but a good group. Good people, good conversation & great food. Lt. Ballard was honored in a very good way.......he shall never be forgotten.

After the late nite last nite we slept in til about 9:30 am. Watched the news......drank coffee....checked my email.......read the paper.....showered & dressed. Then outside to tackle the side of the house which I hadn't done in awhile. It really was a mess out there. Trimmed back the roses & other plants........pulled weeds....cleaned up the leaves & such on the ground....then added some new topsoil. Steve then mowed the lawn & we had the green waste full. There is a lockout for our garbage drivers currently going on here so hopefully the green waste will get picked up this week so we can do more work. It was a productive day tho.

Tonight Steve fixed us some buffalo chicken salads......very good! We then caught up on some TV that was Tivo'd. Finished up the night with Army Wives. That show is so awesome......cable just keeps getting better & better.......wish network tv would take a lesson ya know? So now I'm doing my daily/weekend post & Steve is sketching a bit. Off to bed soon..........Hope everyone has a great week.

If you haven't voted for Melissa yet it isnt' too late......just need to send an email........no other signing up for anything.

ONE YEAR IN THE ARMY (SORTA)

Today is the 1 year anniversary of when the recruiters came & took 'the boy' away. It's a day I know that no one else will remember but me.....even DH thought it was later in the week. I was reading the 360 yahoo blog back from the beginning the other day & wow......what a difference a year makes. 365 days ago I was sobbing in my driveway, shaking my finger at the 2 recruiters who had come to pick up 'the boy' & telling them that they had better bring him back in better shape than he was in at the time or I was suing the lot of em!!! ROFLMAO! Yeah.......wish someone had taken photo's of that. My neighbors were out watching the whole thing....I sure was a sight to see I'm sure.

I would have bet any amount of money at the time he would have been home in less than a month....no way would he make it thru BCT. I am so proud that he proved us wrong. He still has work to do but don't we all? Can't wait to see what this year brings......as long as it's not a wife & child.......I think he still needs enough work that he should put that off I'm hoping til his time is over. He can wait 3 years right?

More cards got sorted today. I still have more fronts to make into cards but I think I will get done in time. I do know that more cards are coming. I sure hope I get a total of how many packages we will be sending soon so I can get these cards bagged up. Will have to shoot off an email to our label gal tonite.

Well I'm gonna get back to my cards. If anyone would like to leave a congrats for "The Communicator" formerly known as 'the boy' you can do it in comments & I will forward em along. Have a good evening.

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