Memorial Day and The USS Biloxi

I have had so much fun being able to be with my husband this long weekend!

Today we were going to take a walk to see the superstructure from my grandpa's ship he served on, but I got sick.  So, instead we are inside our hotel as I guzzle down orange juice, drugs and try to sleep off this head cold that's pounding through my skull.  I was hoping to make a post about actually seeing the navy ship, but instead I will have to do my remembering for Memorial Day a different way.

This is a book that my Grandpa showed me when I got so excited about seeing his ship... well, part of it anyhow.  The ship itself has been scraped, but he mast like thing, the superstructure, and the bell, both reside in Biloxi, Mississippi.

These are all the battles that the USS Biloxi was in.

This ship was a lucky one because there was a Japanese suicide bomber that crashed into the side of the ship and left a large bomb that did not go off.  The right side of the ship in this picture is where it hit.

This is the bomb that did not go off.  They proudly had it up on display.  You can also tell how old this book is by the wordage on this page....

This ship was also known for it's captains making the environment on board a little more merry than other ships.  They knew that by having happy men, they were more likely to hard workers and they would work better together.  I can imagine how easy it would be to get sick of the people you had to work with, day in and day out, in a confined space.  This is a chimney they put together around christmas time with some sailors pretending to warm their hands by the hearth.  Hohoho, Merry Christmas!

Everyone standing at attention for inspection.

This ship was also special because it was chosen to have a camera crew take pictures of what life was like on board to show the people back home what their sailors did while away.

Obviously, it wasn't all hard work.  They got to have some leave time and relax.

This is the library on board.

The boys swabbing the deck.

It was very exciting to get mail from family and friends and they often traded fuel and ice-cream for US mail.  This was one of the things that the captains worked really hard at getting for their men on board to keep up moral.

One of my other favorite stories (that doesn't have a picture to go with it) is that the men liked to go swimming in the ocean.  In the morning they would have time to jump off and swim for a while before things got started.  This became a problem when they moved into shark infested waters.  But no worries, they still got their swim time in.  They just had a few people up top, watching out for sharks with guns in hand.  They said that they hardly ever needed to use the guns.  The sharks knew what was up when they pulled out the firearms and didn't give them any trouble.  I can just see those sailors positioned looking over their fellow crew members, gun in hand.  Just so that they could have a good time swimming around.  Makes me smile.

I think this photo is particularly fun.  They are ironing their uniforms with these fancy irons.  There is a press for the collar, and there's one for sleeves, even a super long one for pant legs.

I'm sad that I can't make the walk into town to actually see this piece of history for myself, but I will be back to visit again.  I know I wont be able to stay away from Mississippi for 5 more months... even though the weather here is more than enough to make me stay away.  I actually feel like I'm swimming rather than walking everywhere I go.

I hope your memorial day has been more eventful than mine.  Although, I can't say that spending a day with my husband in anyway could be bad.  Best sick day ever.

I Might Be A Bad Person and Other Uses For Mouthwash

This is a torture device.  And I'm not talking about the burning sensation that happens when you swish this stuff around your pearly whites, although that is not a favorite of mine.  This is a prison cell for my latest house guest.  A spider had the nerve to sneak up on me while I was brushing my teeth.  He was practically on my foot and I had to go into action with what I had.  Normally, I would yell for a husband to come rescue me and he would laugh at my silly fear and either flush him or escort him outside.  But the husband is a few thousand miles away and this guy was so fat I could not pretend that he was not there.  This spider was going to haunt my dreams.

It's happened before.  I slept in my little sister's room for a week, once upon a time, because I saw a spider in my bedroom and then crazy thing went all ninja on me and I couldn't find it when the escorts came to show him the way out.  I would have stayed in her room for a month, but she kicked me out.

So I made sure that I knew where this one was.  He's probably going to die in there unless I get the guts to move him.  But he be scary!  I mean... look at those fat legs trying to figure out what's going on through the cup!

I feel bad for trapping him.  I should let him free..... outside, so he can eat all the other bugs I don't like.  But I'm too chicken.  I think it is easier to live with the guilt of starving a creature to death then risk it getting out and allow it to wreak its havoc on mankind.

Does that make me a bad person?

I dunno.  But I do know this means I wont be using mouthwash for a while.  That makes me happy.

Rounding up Cattle in The Backyard

I love that I can stop by my dad's house after work and find some of the most unlikely things happening.  

Last weekend, we all got a lesson on ropen cattle.

This is my dad's homemade spotted cow.

And this is how you swing the rope.  Don't you wish your dad was cool enough to have his own cattle roping game?  Yeah, I know.  You're pretty jealous.  It's okay.  I would be too if he wasn't my dad.

And then someone else pulls the rope on the front "cow" so it's more realistic... real cowboys don't rope non-moving cattle --- of course.

And that's how you rope a steer.  Kinda.

Sometimes, it is easier to practice on the little cow that doesn't move though.  My youngest kid brother put forth some good effort ropen this little guy.

But don't let his size (and lack of mobility) fool you.  He's still hard to catch.

hehe... my family is awesome :)

These are a few of my favorite things

I saw this brown paper package when I came home today!  I love getting packages in the mail!

I love them even more when they have my cap and gown for graduation...

I'm getting excited about Oregon State's Commencement ceremony next month!  And I am very happy that I'm no longer a starving student!

I bought my ticket to Biloxi!

I bought my incredibly expensive ticket to Biloxi!  It's funny because Nathan and I had originally planed this trip for the end of June and somehow it got moved up to the end of May.  Say what?  I'm going to see him next week?  Yuppers.  I'm more than thrilled.  He's been doing great over there and has quickly earned the ability to wear civilian clothes.  Everyone else is a little miffed at him for earning that so fast.

I bought a return flight home, but we'll see if I can bring myself to get back on the plane to live like a single girl again.  Being married is the best thing to ever happen to me.  I love love love being married!  And this whole living way away from my husband is still a little ridiculous to me.  You'd think that eventually I'd get over it.  That I'd stop singing that old tune, "I can't wait to see my husband," but I have honestly never been happier.  I've been a little spoiled with him, so I guess it's good that we have this separation thing so life is a little more fair for everyone else.

The craziest part is that we don't even know if he will be allowed off base by then.  He has a meeting next Sunday where he learns about his ability to go off base.  But the 4 day weekend is just days away from that and there was no way I was going to wait till then to buy the outrageously priced tickets!

So now I'm planing outfits for the muggy weather and wondering how big and frizzy my hair is gonna get down there.

A Kick in The Pants, Bob Harper Style

Sometimes I fall off the healthy train and I need a little help getting the motivation to get back on.  I enjoyed my time of watching netfix back to back and eating ice-cream for dinner, but I know that I do not want to become a military BMW (Big Military Wife).  I learned what a military BMW was from my brother when he attended his Air Force graduation and watched all the Air Force big wigs takes their seats next to their large wives.  I laughed so hard when I learned about that acronym and how well known it is in the military.

It's hard being a military wife and I would love to turn to food for comfort... but I am well aware of the side effects, so that is not an option.  Which leaves me with the other option, watching what I eat and exercising.  Ugh, that takes so much effort!  I wish I could just go back in time to when I loved to workout, when I needed to workout to complete my day.  It was easy then.  I had runners highs then.  That starts the cycle of doubt, where laziness kicks in and I start to remind myself how much I love to sit and read.... with a slice of fresh baked pie, melting a cool scoop of ice-cream on top.  I'm already salivating.

I need to shake the laziness away, so this is my plan... in every situation I ask myself, "What would Bob Harper do?"  If you don't know who Bob Harper is, you are missing out on life!  He's a trainer on The Biggest Looser (probably my favorite TV show).  He is truly inspirational.

http://www.mytrainerbob.com/

He can be sweet when he's helping the contestants deal with emotional difficulties and scary when he's helping them burn fat and gain muscle.  He knows just how far to push and every week I see him helping these people on the show realize their potential.  I need that kind of kick in the pants to realize that I can do more, to instill confidence in myself.

So, in the morning when I think I want to skip breakfast or grab something unhealthy, I ask, "What would Bob Harper do?" and then I eat oatmeal and fresh fruit.

When I want to sit down and catch up on Episodes of New Girl, I ask, "What would Bob Harper do?" and I save the show as a reward for finishing a workout.

When I'm feel my feet starting to drag in a run, I ask, "What would Bob Harper do?" and I push harder.

When I realize that I'm terribly board with my run because I am so out of shape, I ask, "What would Bob Harper do?" and I come up with a game to keep it interesting.

A week in and I'm still going strong.  And I'm super sore!  We'll see if I can keep this up!

I'm just going to remind myself, "what would Bob do?"

Thinking About My Airman

I don't know who to give credit for this photo, but props!

My new favorite thing to do is facebook stalk Nathan.  This photo has been floating around and I must say... it's impressive.  He's on the far right and the scary guy in front is his TI (training instructor).

Planing a Trip to Biloxi

As soon as I got home from Texas I was online looking at plane tickets to Mississippi, which is where Nathan in now stationed.  He is in the phase called "Tech School" where he learns about his job that he will be doing for the next few years.  He will be working in Client Systems, which basically means, he will be the "Geek Squad" for the Air Force.

So far, I am a much bigger fan of Tech School then I am of Boot Camp.  I get to talk to him everyday and we've even been able to skype a few times!  We are making plans for me to come out and visit next month to celebrate our birthdays.  And I am so gosh darn excited to see him!

When my grandpa found out that Nathan was going to be in Mississippi, he told me that the ship he served on in the Navy, has the superstructure (mast looking thingy) in a park in Biloxi, Mississippi.

How fun would that be to see part of the ship that my grandpa serve on?  I decided that would have to be a must see when I go out there to visit next month.

I did some internet searching and found a tons of information on his ship, the USS Biloxi.  She was a light cruiser that was nicknamed, "The Busy Bee."

She earned nine battle stars during her service from January 1944 to May 1945 and completed one of the longest continuos tours of combat by any U.S. warship.

She never missed a major operation in the Pacific.

Her superstructure is now in Guice Park and the ship's bell is in the lobby of the Biloxi City Hall.

Photo Credit

So now, not only am I excited to see my wonderful husband, but I can see a part of my family history too!  I don't think I ever would have know about this without Nathan being stationed there.  Very cool.

San Jose Art Museum

I love visiting the Art Museum in downtown San Jose.  Sometimes they have pieces that take my breath away they are so beautiful.  Sometimes they make me think in a new way.  Sometimes I just don't get it.  This last time I didn't understand most of it.

But these pieces that hang in the front entry are always a favorite.  I could stare at these for hours.

And it was still fun sharing one of my favorite places with one of my best friends, even if I didn't appreciate most of the art.

A Weekend with My Favorite Guy

We got to spend an enter weekend together and honestly, I don't have very many pictures from the rest of the trip, because we didn't do much other than talk to each other.  Saturday he was allowed to leave base.  We did the touristy things one has to do in San Antonio, Texas. 

We went to the Alamo.

It didn't take Nathan long to revert back to his silly self....

We had a good time wandering around with his parents.  It was a beautiful day.

We went to the river walk as well.

Sunday I got to go to church with him and then we wandered around base until we came to the library and we just sat there for hours talking in the quite, air-conditioned room.  We had fun catching up.

And then I had to leave for California as he left for his Technical training in Missississippi.

I miss my Airman already.

Graduation Ceremony Parade

So Friday of graduation weekend is is the Graduation Parade.   The Airmen march out on this big field...

Do some fancy drills

Some fancy marching

And parade in front of the friends and family in the stands.

Can you see him yet?  I couldn't.  I knew that this was his flight though, so I took a picture and hoped he was in it.  He is.  But it's mostly just his hat.

Surprisingly I found him in this crowd much easier.

Here.... I'll get a little closer....

Still doesn't help.... no worries.  I'z still gots more zoom on my camera.... There he is, just left of the center!

Then I got to go tap him out again!  That means that I'm allowed to give him a hug and a kiss!  Public displays of affection are only allowed during times of reunion or celebration while in uniform.  I was definitely disappointed when I learned about that rule.  But it's been around since forever and it's important to respect the uniform.  It was really hard to not hold his hand all weekend!  I had to keep putting my hands in my pockets so that I wouldn't get him in trouble.

His flight took one last photo together.  This is everyone lining up from tallest to shortest.  Nathan's the only on not messing around.

He's so serious in these photos.

His flight TRS 320/ FLT 300

Then we got to go to his dorm where he has been staying these past 8 weeks.

This was on his bed when we got there.

I can't believe that this is how he makes the bed everyday!  He's always been a stickler about making our bed.  He likes to have all the covers nice and neat.  I could care less about my sheets being perfectly placed, so he's definitely made the bed a few times with me still in it, refusing to move from my warm covers.  Compromise, that is what marriage is all about right?  He gets to make the bed and I get my warm spot.  It's the best of both worlds.

I don't want to stay in bed if he's gonna make the bed like that though.  I may have to change my tactics.

This is some art that was on the wall of his squadron.  It might make more sense now why I drew him a sign with a gator on it... it's the mascot of the 320 training squadron.  Their art looks much more manly then mine.

Nathan showed off his military organization and folding skills too.  His attention to detail is amazing!

One side of his locker....

And the other....

Look at how orderly that drawer is!

And drum roll please..... this is a sock!  Knee high sock!  C-R-A-Z-Y!

I think I know where to look the next time I need a door stop.  His dad was impressed too.

Even though the sock was frowning at him.

This is a shirt....

And here's Nathan's masterpiece.  A towel.

All the edges perfectly aligned.  He was so good at folding towels that he did it for everyone else too.

Betcha wish you knew someone who would fold all your laundry for you with such perfection.  I'm excited that one day I get to take him home and put him to work!