....Tickle Ray Pink....

Boot Camp Day 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 It's that time of year again.  If there's a bug or cold floating anywhere near me I am sure to catch it and nurse it for a few days.  I blame Davey boy this time.  He's the one who brought this mess home!  But I'm feeling better now.  My throat no longer feels like a cat scratched the back of it! 13 days early! That being said, there wasn't a whole lot to report on Saturday. I spent most of the day in bed, and finally James convinced me to get some food.  Since I wasn't cooking, and James' cooking skills are.. well.. let's just say we went out. :)  That was Saturday.. exciting huh?  But I did enjoy my eggplant parmesan. For two days.  The portions were huge.  Sunday- I wanted to go to church, but I pretty much lost my voice.  I didn't think it was a good idea to prepare food when I was sick.  So I spent another day in bed.  This is my gripe.  James gets sick- he spend...

Boot Camp Day 7 and 8 You'll have your good days and bad days. I woke up on Thursday with a heavy heart. I wasn't sure why.   As usual when I wake up I check my phone.  My best friend lost her Grandma.  My heart was even heavier for her.  Every story I have ever heard of her Grandma was surrounded in love and devotion. I had put it off as long as I possibly could.  The task I dislike the most.  Grocery shopping.  Since Daniel got his license it had been his job to do our grocery shopping.  At first he loved it, I think it made him feel grown up and independent. Then he joined my feelings on the issue and began to not like it as much. But he still did it.  He was thoughtful about it, bringing home a little something special for each of us.  Like coffee for me, a snack for James, David's favorite cereal.  Just another way he showed his love and thoughtfulness.  There were times when we'd go together- especially if w...

Boot Camp Day 5 and 6 November 7, 1993. That's when Daniel was born.  He completely changed our lives.  I remember when he was about a week old, I asked James how did we live without him?  Dang.  I suppose it's lesson time. I, like many parents, have been spending some time reading various navy forums.  From facebook pages, to navyformoms.com and navydads.com I've been on them all.  From my reading I gleaned one pretty intriguing fact.  Sailor recruits that need security clearance may be able to call home for more information. I told James this and tried to not get my hopes up.  It was just a little hope that maybe.  Hope realized!  Daniel called us yesterday because he needed some of my information.  What an absolute gift.  It was only 3 minutes, but we soaked in every second.  He sounded really good.  I asked the momish questions. Are you getting enough sleep?  How are the push ups and sit ups?  But re...

Boot Camp Day 3 & 4 Bad News- Good news-Ok News I guess first the ok news.  I did go to church yesterday- sort of.   It was pretty much like I expected.  I walked into the teen room and immediately walked out crying.  But I pulled it together to walk back in, only to cry.  6th grade girls are wonderful.  Full of empathy and an eagerness to help any way they can.  There's about 4 of these girls that are always together.  And like most 6 grade girls they are loud and crazy, but full of love.  As soon as the music was over they were all there giving me hugs and trying to make me feel better. After that, our kitchen crew met and made plans.  It was fun and they had me laughing in no time.  I really did not want to go into church, but James wanted to during the music, which always includes the hand shaking time.  Tough. And yes, many came to show their support, and yes I broke down.  Justin hugged me, let me cry a ...

Navy Boot Camp Day 2 "Can I keep you forever?"  This is a question I ask Daniel all the time.  And I do mean all the time.   When he was a little itty bitty guy, he'd say a resounding "Yes!"  As he got older he thought about it more, and one day he said "No Mommy, one day I want to grow up and get married."  Talk about knife in the chest!  But then he'd feel bad and curl up next to me and tell me no matter what he'd always love me.  Then as a teen in high school, when I asked he'd just say "Nope."  And then came the kicker.  Months ago, he started telling me not to worry about it.  When I got old he'd just put me in a home.  Little brat!  But anyone who knows us, knows how much Daniel loves his mom.  He'd come find me when I was teaching in school.  Sometimes just to beg for money, or beg me to go get him Chinese food.  Sometimes just to say hi.  But almost always before he left he'd give me a kis...

Navy Boot Camp- Day1 So here we are.  January 11, 2013.  I last saw Daniel 24 hours ago. You're going to have to forgive my rambling, but I feel like if I write my feelings out, it'll make me feel a little better. I'm going to be honest.  The last two days have been just amazingly tough.  We want our boy to be independent and productive.  To have the confidence to start making his own mark in this world.  And yes, we're proud of him, and so excited for him.   But it's overwhelming- this sense of loss I feel.  Not for Daniel- I mean he's alive and well- albeit probably quite exhausted.  But the loss of how our family was for the last 19+ years.  To walk downstairs and see his couch was empty and in it's place is difficult. You see, he has his own couch, that every morning he'd pull out from the wall so he could watch tv easier.  I asked him 1000 times to please put that couch back every night.  Now David has claimed ...