Well, it is almost time to wrap up this semester and move on to my next class. I can't believe it has gone by so quickly and it is already time to turn in our finals. Phew!
Still truckin' along with applying for jobs, tweaking my resume and coordinating my retirement ceremony. I am trying to get ahead of the game, becuase I know October 1st (my ceremony date) is going to sneak up on me. Oh yeah, I also just found out I will be doing my clinicals in November instead of February 11' like I had thought. I am scrambling to get all the paperwork done... goodness.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
The End is Near
So, its about that time, time to go, time to end it all! Class is almost over, it is hard to believe it has been 9 weeks already. what is even hard to believe is I still have 2 pages of my term paper to write. Of course I my academic advisor saddled me with two classes this semester that required a term paper at the end of the course! Not technically his fault, but it has definately tested my dedication to online class taking!
On top of my classes, I am desperately trying to get a resume written. I will be out of a job in November, and unfortunately Chief retirement pay just doesn't cut it! One cool thing that is happening this month, my youngest is starting PreK4. I am not sure whether to be totally ecstatic or mortified. My baby is growing up and there is nothing I can do but hold on and cherish each moment!
I have enjoyed the class and will, hopefully, keep up with this blog.... Lets see how much time I have available.
On top of my classes, I am desperately trying to get a resume written. I will be out of a job in November, and unfortunately Chief retirement pay just doesn't cut it! One cool thing that is happening this month, my youngest is starting PreK4. I am not sure whether to be totally ecstatic or mortified. My baby is growing up and there is nothing I can do but hold on and cherish each moment!
I have enjoyed the class and will, hopefully, keep up with this blog.... Lets see how much time I have available.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Leaving It All Behind
Retirement: withdrawal from one's position or occupation or from active working life. This is a definition from the dictionary of the event I am about to journey into, come November. What this definition doesn't cover is the absolute fear at the very thought of undertaking this particular endeavor.
As of December 01, 2010 I will no longer be a Chief in the United States Navy. I will be a civilian, ugh. I will no longer have a guarnteed paycheck, insurance, dental or medical coverage. I will receive a retirement check - this will cover my mortgage, with a bit left over. After 20 years I am going to have to start anew. Beginning with, my resume.
Wish me luck!
As of December 01, 2010 I will no longer be a Chief in the United States Navy. I will be a civilian, ugh. I will no longer have a guarnteed paycheck, insurance, dental or medical coverage. I will receive a retirement check - this will cover my mortgage, with a bit left over. After 20 years I am going to have to start anew. Beginning with, my resume.
Wish me luck!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
What A Week!
It's amazing how so much can happen in one week.
Let me start from the 21st; this was my oldest daughters birthday. I had this awesome day planned, we were going to go to a spa for a mother/daughter day..... yeah, that didn't quite work out. After we got through runningin the morning my daughter showed me her hands, they had a strange rash on them (palm side). After looking her all over I discovered the rash covered her entire body; shoulders, hands and lower back were the worse for wear. Took her to the doc and she was diagnosed with Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease. Mind you this is the one I had to take in the week before for strep throat. Happy Sweet 16th Birthday!
That was the start of the fiasco week. After picking up some meds I took her home and spent about 3 hours getting her settled. Well, during that 3 hour timeframe someon decided to help themselves to the lawn mower and weed eater that was sitting in my garage. I had left the garage door open (like I have so many times before), but, dang it, I WAS HOME! To make matters worse, they weren't even mine. A friend had loaned them to me because my mower bit the dust. So now I have to not only buy a brand new mower and weed eater, but I still don't have one of my own. Police report was filed and insurance called, but my deductible is $500 so it is pretty much useless for me to claim it.
My work week went along normal parameters; busy, hectic and stress filled. That isn't a big deal, used to those type of work days! Some come around to today, today is my duty day. In the military, when you stand duty, it is normally a 24 hour evolution. My duty is no different. One small thing about today, its my birthday! Yep, standing duty on my birthday. There is one small, shining point though, this will be the last time I have to stand duty for the military!!!! I am officially of the watchbill because I retire in November!
I am hoping this upcoming week will be a bit less; eventful!
Let me start from the 21st; this was my oldest daughters birthday. I had this awesome day planned, we were going to go to a spa for a mother/daughter day..... yeah, that didn't quite work out. After we got through runningin the morning my daughter showed me her hands, they had a strange rash on them (palm side). After looking her all over I discovered the rash covered her entire body; shoulders, hands and lower back were the worse for wear. Took her to the doc and she was diagnosed with Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease. Mind you this is the one I had to take in the week before for strep throat. Happy Sweet 16th Birthday!
That was the start of the fiasco week. After picking up some meds I took her home and spent about 3 hours getting her settled. Well, during that 3 hour timeframe someon decided to help themselves to the lawn mower and weed eater that was sitting in my garage. I had left the garage door open (like I have so many times before), but, dang it, I WAS HOME! To make matters worse, they weren't even mine. A friend had loaned them to me because my mower bit the dust. So now I have to not only buy a brand new mower and weed eater, but I still don't have one of my own. Police report was filed and insurance called, but my deductible is $500 so it is pretty much useless for me to claim it.
My work week went along normal parameters; busy, hectic and stress filled. That isn't a big deal, used to those type of work days! Some come around to today, today is my duty day. In the military, when you stand duty, it is normally a 24 hour evolution. My duty is no different. One small thing about today, its my birthday! Yep, standing duty on my birthday. There is one small, shining point though, this will be the last time I have to stand duty for the military!!!! I am officially of the watchbill because I retire in November!
I am hoping this upcoming week will be a bit less; eventful!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
La La La
I can't believe we are already halfway through the semester. I have my final due in this class and another 6-8 page paper due for my other class. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed but I know I will forge forward and get done what needs to get done.
On a brighter note, I am having a blast with all my girls. Its been great just being able to hang out with them. I only get my two oldest twice a year and we always try and make the best of it. This year my oldest has her learners permit, so I have been letting her take the wheel. She has to have 45 hours of drive time before she can get her drivers license, it has been interesting. I now know what I put my father through when I was learning to drive; sorry dad!
This week I also learned that when you live in New Orleans and its the wettest time of the year, it is a very bad idea to let the lawn mowing fo for two weeks. I spent 2 1/2 hours on the front portion of my yard; it normally only takes me an hour. My lawn mower kept cutting out and I actually ran out of the plastic string for my weed eater.... ridiculous. So, weekly lawn mowing is in order - check, check!!
I am currently finishing up some homework, doing laundry and chillaxin' with the kiddos. Tomorrow is the beginning of a new work week, yay! Hope everyone had a great weekend, see you in seminar.
On a brighter note, I am having a blast with all my girls. Its been great just being able to hang out with them. I only get my two oldest twice a year and we always try and make the best of it. This year my oldest has her learners permit, so I have been letting her take the wheel. She has to have 45 hours of drive time before she can get her drivers license, it has been interesting. I now know what I put my father through when I was learning to drive; sorry dad!
This week I also learned that when you live in New Orleans and its the wettest time of the year, it is a very bad idea to let the lawn mowing fo for two weeks. I spent 2 1/2 hours on the front portion of my yard; it normally only takes me an hour. My lawn mower kept cutting out and I actually ran out of the plastic string for my weed eater.... ridiculous. So, weekly lawn mowing is in order - check, check!!
I am currently finishing up some homework, doing laundry and chillaxin' with the kiddos. Tomorrow is the beginning of a new work week, yay! Hope everyone had a great weekend, see you in seminar.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
One of Those Weeks
Have you ever had one of "those" weeks. You know the kind where you anything and everything can and will go wrong. Murphy must have been working overtime for me; as you can see by the timing of my post.
Having all my girls with me is amazing, but it definately takes some adustment and fine tuning. Between my oldest daughter going to the doctor for strep throat and dehydration, my youngest throwing a 102 fever for two days, school work, and work.... I have been knee deep in chaos.
La sigh.....
Having all my girls with me is amazing, but it definately takes some adustment and fine tuning. Between my oldest daughter going to the doctor for strep throat and dehydration, my youngest throwing a 102 fever for two days, school work, and work.... I have been knee deep in chaos.
La sigh.....
Monday, July 5, 2010
4th of July
My 4th weekend started by going to the airport to pick up a friend that was in from Sicily. She is a Master At Arms K9 and will be heading to Kuwait in a month after some stateside training. She was supposed to fly in at 8:50 pm, then 9:30 pm, then 10:00 pm... She finally made it at 10:45 pm; yay for mechanical difficulties.
On Sunday we went over to a friends house for yummy food, pool time and good friends. Our crew (which consisted of me, Darby, Chloe, Sadie and Steph) left around 4 pm. We headed out on the hour and a half trip up to Gulfport, MS. It was then when I found out my TomTom is bent on sabotage! It took me out to the boonies instead of the civilized Hampton Inn. So then it took another 30 minutes to figure out where we really needed to be.
After checking in to the hotel we met up with a couple of other military members who were about to be shipped out for a stint in Kuwait and Afghanistan. Our new found friend Derek bought fireworks so we all went down to the beach. It was actually pretty amazing; when we got there people were lighting fireworks up and down the beach. Fireworks were going off as far as the eye could see, it was great.
On Sunday we went over to a friends house for yummy food, pool time and good friends. Our crew (which consisted of me, Darby, Chloe, Sadie and Steph) left around 4 pm. We headed out on the hour and a half trip up to Gulfport, MS. It was then when I found out my TomTom is bent on sabotage! It took me out to the boonies instead of the civilized Hampton Inn. So then it took another 30 minutes to figure out where we really needed to be.
After checking in to the hotel we met up with a couple of other military members who were about to be shipped out for a stint in Kuwait and Afghanistan. Our new found friend Derek bought fireworks so we all went down to the beach. It was actually pretty amazing; when we got there people were lighting fireworks up and down the beach. Fireworks were going off as far as the eye could see, it was great.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Road Trip
This weekend was an eventful time for me; I made the drive to Memphis, TN to pick up my two oldest girls.
The trip started on Friday afternoon. I had to stick around until four o' clock so I could attend a retirement ceremony for one of the guys that worked for me. The drive was about six and a half hours long, it was basically uneventful. Got to the hotel around midnight. First thing I noticed, there was practically NO humidity!
The girls arrived at the hotel around 11 am on Saturday. We have been apart for 6 months and it was so great seeing them again. After hugs, kisses, hellos and goodbyes to dad, we headed out for some girl shopping time. Now mind you, this is something only my babies can get me to do! I'm seriously not the a-typical-like to shop kinda girl. Once that was out of their system we headed back to the hotel for chill time.
After a bit we decided to go to the Peabody Hotel and watch the walking of the ducks. Got a few pictures, but there was a huge crowd. Next we found a great restaurant for dinner. Now here comes the 'tarded' moment for mom. As we are waiting for a table to come open, I had my back to the door and leaned against the door jam. Now, I thought I was resting on the outside of the door jam, but I was sadly mistaken. It seems my middle finger was in the door itself. So, yeah. OOOWWW! Have you ever had a moderately severe injury? My body reacted by getting very hot, sweaty and dizzy - yep, almost passed out. But, with head between my legs, finger in a napkin and ice.... I perservered. With finger wrapped, we had a great dinner!!!
Today we made the trip home. It was moderately uneventful. Lets just say this; 6 and a half hour trip, three girls and total attitudes! Yeah. But we survived! Picked up the youngest of my brood and are now settling down for some dinner (way late in the making) and watching movies.
Good times!
The trip started on Friday afternoon. I had to stick around until four o' clock so I could attend a retirement ceremony for one of the guys that worked for me. The drive was about six and a half hours long, it was basically uneventful. Got to the hotel around midnight. First thing I noticed, there was practically NO humidity!
The girls arrived at the hotel around 11 am on Saturday. We have been apart for 6 months and it was so great seeing them again. After hugs, kisses, hellos and goodbyes to dad, we headed out for some girl shopping time. Now mind you, this is something only my babies can get me to do! I'm seriously not the a-typical-like to shop kinda girl. Once that was out of their system we headed back to the hotel for chill time.
After a bit we decided to go to the Peabody Hotel and watch the walking of the ducks. Got a few pictures, but there was a huge crowd. Next we found a great restaurant for dinner. Now here comes the 'tarded' moment for mom. As we are waiting for a table to come open, I had my back to the door and leaned against the door jam. Now, I thought I was resting on the outside of the door jam, but I was sadly mistaken. It seems my middle finger was in the door itself. So, yeah. OOOWWW! Have you ever had a moderately severe injury? My body reacted by getting very hot, sweaty and dizzy - yep, almost passed out. But, with head between my legs, finger in a napkin and ice.... I perservered. With finger wrapped, we had a great dinner!!!
Today we made the trip home. It was moderately uneventful. Lets just say this; 6 and a half hour trip, three girls and total attitudes! Yeah. But we survived! Picked up the youngest of my brood and are now settling down for some dinner (way late in the making) and watching movies.
Good times!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Beginning, Middle, End
Its a fact, there will always be a beginning, a middle and an end to everything we do in life. I see it as the natural order of things, right? So, why is it that I am in the middle of finishing my degree, about to end my 20 year Naval career and beginning a new way of life? Am I challenging the natural order of my life or just testing the boundaries of my sanity?
I like the quote from Herman Melville, "Who in the rainbow can draw the line where the violet tint ends and the orange tint begins? Distinctly we see the difference of the colors, but where exactly does the one first blendingly enter into the other? So with sanity and insanity."
As I look for the blending of school, the end of my Navy life, beginning anew, and trying to keep a slightly sane existence, I welcome you to ring-side seat. This should be a heck of a show!
I like the quote from Herman Melville, "Who in the rainbow can draw the line where the violet tint ends and the orange tint begins? Distinctly we see the difference of the colors, but where exactly does the one first blendingly enter into the other? So with sanity and insanity."
As I look for the blending of school, the end of my Navy life, beginning anew, and trying to keep a slightly sane existence, I welcome you to ring-side seat. This should be a heck of a show!
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