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Back From Disneyland!

Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007 12:04 am
by Maureen
Hey folks,

I breezed by the forum tonight, but we just got home a few hours ago! We all took a last minute family trip to Anaheim for the last 5 days. For you newcomers, our son and our sort of adopted son ship out for the Army this next Tuesday. They will be in basic training in Fort Benning GA for Ryan and Ft Knox for Daniel about the 21st of this month. They will be in reception until then!

The boys took a side trip home to visit other relatives. They arrive at 6:30 am and I have to be there to pick them up!

I can give you other ladies out there a sure fire diet method! Have a child join the military and try to follow them before they ship out! I've lost 15 pounds without even trying! Maybe I should patent the 'Mommy melt down diet'! I tell ya, it works like a charm for me LOL!

Anyway, we're back home. The boys leave early Tuesday morning for MEPS. They then ship out from Sacramento the 12th.

My sister greeted me with paint chips tonight for their bathroom and bedroom. They will revert to guest bath and office. She knows that I need to keep really busy to keep things in check! I'll be working it off LOL!

Oh yeah, it's been hot here, and in central cali (yep, I was in Stockton for a few hours JD, I waved hi to you further south in Fresno), then on to Santa Cruz, up to San Jose, down to Anaheim. We were visiting Daniel's relatives. It was really crazy, but well worth it!

I'll be back to actual work Wednesday, as well as back on the forum irregularly.

Maureen 8)

Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007 12:32 am
by Mark
Two years ago when I was in Anaheim at a conference, I was on a shuttle bus went right by the gates of Disneyland. Does that count as going??? If my family would have been along, I'm sure they would have gone.

Otherwise, we're hoping for another Florida Keys trip this winter. However, family is pressuring to go to Disneyworld. Sure, my son is at the perfect age for going, but I'm not too excited about shortening an already too-short Keys trip to see Disneyworld. It'll probably end up being one of those 'gotta do what a parent's gotta do.'

Mark

RE: Back From Disneyland!

Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007 1:12 pm
by JD
Hi Maureen,

3 cheers for your boys! I imagine it can be a little stressful on you before they ship out. I think it will be a good experience for them. It was for me (overall). I did my basic training in Ft Knox also.

Stockton is just up the road a couple of hours. I used to live there many years ago. Just south of town you may have noticed an old abandoned drive-in theater, named US 99 or something like that. I used to be the projectionist/manager of that theater when it was the Crest Drive in.

Mark- I think I mentioned this before, but we have stayed at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge a few years ago. 1st class place and service. Having the African wild animals in a "natural setting" just out side your bedroom's lanai was very cool.

JD

Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 11:10 am
by Harry
Hi

Brings back memories. My induction center was Ft Jackson, SC. Basic and AIT was Ft Gordon, Ga. Jump school Ft Benning. Good luck to the boys.

Mark - don't forget Busch Gardens in Tampa. Neat roller coasters and more.

Harry

RE: Back From Disneyland!

Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 5:21 am
by dandjbarrett
My hat's off to your sons and to you, Maureen. My son is a lifer in the military and I can testify to the sleepless nights, anxieties, etc. of being a military mom. My best to you and your boys.

RE: Back From Disneyland!

Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:49 pm
by lonestar1947
I was at Ft Knox, back in the late 70's during a trip with the Boy Scouts; they have a great museum honoring General Patton there also.

RE: Back From Disneyland!

Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 5:38 pm
by readysetgo
Hi Maureen,
Just wanted you to know I'm thinking about you. When my son left home it was really bad. I had to keep reminding myself that I would be ok in time and that all the moms that I knew who had already been thru this had ended up happy again, laughing--back to normal. It seemed at times when my son left home that I would never be normal again or happy but it does pass even tho you'll always miss him, you do get use to it. So just keep reminding yourself of all the other mothers out there who have been thru the same thing. I'm sure everyone on here will include your son in their prayers.
RSG

RE: Back From Disneyland!

Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 12:03 am
by Maureen
Hi All!

I thought that I would breeze through this week just fine! What a roller coaster the military is these days! Not to mention mother nature sticking her head into things LOL!

After we got home, we spent every minute with the boys! Neither Warren or I could tear ourselves away from the last few days with the boys! We all flopped down Sunday in the living room with football. Warren even came home early from work! He never does that. We all went out to dinner and had a great time! Monday, I ran around making sure they all had everything they needed! Mostly making sure their finances were in order! They have to revert to old school stuff before BTC. In other words, they won't have computers handy to check on their accounts and pay bills. My how times have changed!

They left Tuesday, after a bit of drama on their part.... they didn't have everything in order. Because of that they had to spent an extra night at MEPS in Sacramento last night!

They actually shipped out this morning! Gotta love the military! Daniel's trip was very quick and smooth. I talked to him late this afternoon, he was on his way to Ft Knox and very excited! On the other hand, last I spoke with Ryan he was circling Birmingham, AL. Hurricane Humberto made travel horrible for him! He was freaking out about not being on time in Atlanta. I told him to chill.. even the military doesn't govern mother nature! Daniel talked to him later and said he had calmed down.

Mark, I've been to Disneyland since I was a teenager.. and each time I growled all the way... until you get there! The perfect time to go is at your Ryan's age! After just getting back, any time is the perfect time! I know it cuts into the Keys time... but I will promise that you will not regret it, and you, Lise and Ryan will remember it forever! Disney World has so much more to offer Than Disneyland, even with California adventure. What a blast it was!

JD, I've traveled through Fresno and Stockton many times over the years! I can't say I know both cities well, but I always love that trip! Especially from Reno down to Monterey!

Everyone else, Harry, dandjbarrett, lonestar1947, and RSG, thanks for the responses! After 34 years of raising boys, the silence is around here deafing! The empty nest syndrome hasn't set in yet.... Warren and I just keep looking at each other, like what do we do next LOL! Warren got one wake up call this morning... it's garbage day. We have to pull our big old garbage can 100 yards up to the paved street. Hmmmm, I made him pull it up in suit and tie this morning. That was the boys chores for many years. I saw the look in his eye when he came back... he was eying the neighbors two young boys. I'll take odds that by next week, he's paying one of them to do it LOL!

I'll be real honest and say that I'll be here when I get over all this! Empty nest isn't cool right now, but I'm sure it will be down the road. Right now... it's still mommy melt down time!

Maureen 8)

RE: Back From Disneyland!

Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 10:21 am
by Yanita
Hey Maureen,

Sorry I have not responded before now...even as an empty nester, adult kids still require alot of time, LOL.

The boys will do fine! And LOL, so won't you once you get past the quietness of the home and the routine changes. Trust me, you will come to love your new found time!

Take care and keep us posted on the boys basic training adventures!

Yanita

RE: Back From Disneyland!

Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 5:34 pm
by Harry
Hi Maureen

And as recall graduating from basic training was one my happiest days ever. Lots of parents were there.

Are you going to attend graduation?

Harry

RE: Back From Disneyland!

Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 11:56 pm
by Maureen
Hey Yanita! I know you've got a lot on you're plate also.. no need to apologize at all! I know you read every post! I'll get used to it in time. I'm busy cleaning their room out now! Paint and decor will follow.... easy way to work off the mommy pangs!

Harry, we would love to go back to graduation for both boys! But, they both graduate basic a day apart. I did the math, as far as plane tickets, hotels, etc, it's about $6 grand to attend both. More than we can really afford right now! Both will graduate around mid December. They will both be home for 2 weeks over Christmas. All of us decided that the money we do have will be best spent on the boys being home one last time together. Lots of football, food and good times! It's hard but between my weddings and Warren's casino business, it's impossible to really leave at that time of year. Moms deal with this issue all the time.. how can you be in more than one place at a time! Sometimes, it just can't be done! We'll have all of their friends over throughout the 2 weeks they are at home! It's not perfect, but it's the best we can do! If the military had basic training camps on the West coast like they used to, that would be another matter.

Still packing up the boys 'stuff'! I do have the color palate for that room down now! I should be painting by next week!

Maureen 8)

RE: Back From Disneyland!

Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 6:47 am
by Harry
Hi Maureen

The boys timing is excellent. The Army shuts down for "Christmas Exodus" every year for 2 weeks. Their "Christmas Exodus" will be right after Basic Training....perfect timing.

I was sworn in on 15 November...so after "Christmas Exodus" I had to go back to Basic Training. It was like having to go to Basic Training TWICE. Also I had no break between Basic Training and AIT ...which is the real training.

I remember how bitter cold it was in Ft Gordon, Ga.

Yep, enjoy the time off. One day they'll be back ... with grand babies. LOL

Harry

RE: Back From Disneyland!

Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 11:38 pm
by Maureen
Hi All!

Yep, we're trying to get used to that silence around here LOL! It's just very hard after so many years of boys running in and out of the house. We were sort of a base home for so many years for all the friends. etc!

The hardest part with the military these days, and it's not the military. It's the fact that we are so connected these days with our kids. Im's, texting, cell phones, etc. In most cases in reception and BCT that is totally cut off. Reception can last up to 3 weeks these day in the Army. Basic is 9 weeks. When you get used to being able to contact the kids at a moments notice and have to revert back 35 years, it's a shock and a half LOL! We've always been a real close family, so the no contact thing is a little trying.

Yes Harry, that Christmas Exodus hits right at the same time they are due to graduate! That's the reason that it will cost us 6 grand to attend graduation for both boys LOL! Airplane tickets and hotel rooms skyrocket after Dec. 15th! Travel from Ft Knox down to Benning, triples! Yikes!

We would rather use that money for a wonderful 2 weeks here with the boys. They will both get their discounts home for that time. Dan goes back to AIT at Ft Knox, Ryan heads to Ft Gordon. By that time we figure they are gonna want to get a taste of being back West here... there's no place like home ya know! Not to mention, they can afford the flight home and back! They can have 2 wonderful weeks home before going back. Daniel has a short AIT, he will most likely be shipping out by next March for Iraq. Ryan has a real intense AIT, he won't be out until late May, early June of next year. His job will be computer detection and repair. That's IT in in Army speak.

I'll remember to to have Ryan take his Winter clothes back to Ft Gordon! Truth be told, I've tried to get all the boys to wear a jacket when its below freezing here in the Winter! But, we have a dry cold out West here, they haven't experienced that cold Atlantic breeze off the ocean!

Thanks for the support guys, it really means a lot right now!

Maureen 8)

Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 5:40 pm
by Greg
Maureen, Dry cold?? that's a new one on me. Cold is cold, at -20 there really is no humidity, but I would hope they never see that temp. in Georgia.
Don't worry about clothes, the army will give him everything he needs and then some usually better than what he has now. Our son came home with more than he would ever use, too bad it was too small for me. Greg

RE: Back From Disneyland!

Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 12:27 am
by Maureen
Hey Greg,

A dry heat and a dry cold only happen in the high desert of the US! Let me try to put it to you this way. Normally we sit at about 8% humidity, at best. When a storm moves in, we might get to 60% humidity! Right now, we have a storm coming in big time, and we're only at 48% humidity. Keep in mind that the high desert is a very small area of the US!

The boys went up and down the coast of California before they left. That's going from sea level or below to what they are used to at 5500 feet above sea level. Our mountain peaks out here are over 10,000 ft above sea level. Ryan wasn't used to that coastal humidity out West here during the Summer! The East coast, Southern East coast has so much more humidity than we'll ever see out West here!

I just speak from experience, when it's -20 degrees out West here, it's still ummm I guess warmer than back East! We don't have that lake effect and the Atlantic playing a part. The Pacific ocean is a bit warmer.

All I know is that if I'm on the West coast, I can deal with the humidity. When I get to the East coast the air is much heavier and much colder in the Winter. I actually feel wet when I'm back there.

Best I can Splain it LOL! I'm not a a weather expert.

Maureen 8)