Two Long Weekends!

Well, I've somehow kept busy enough to keep away from here for over two weeks after pulling in from ten days out. So... it's been a while.

Way back on Saturday morning, the 23rd, just after 8am, I found myself back at my car after over a week at sea and a long night of standing watch. It is always such a pleasant feeling to find yourself back on land and back with familiar things. The first thing I saw in my car was a Virginia Symphony ad for a pops concert that very night in downtown... an evening with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. I had left it there so I wouldn't forget about it, I suppose. Well, the first thing I did, even before going home was to head over to my favorite diner, the Sandfiddler Cafe, for my favorite... western omelet with hash and pancakes. After resting at home for a while, I headed out to Virginia Beach for a DVD player (for my new TV) and a couple frames for a couple puzzles that I didn't feel like breaking up.

The concert ended up being very crowded at the Chrysler Center downtown. I barely made it there in time because it was so hard to find parking. Ended up leaving the car at the MacArthur Center Mall garage, then walked the block or so back to the symphony. Then when I finally got to my seat in the back row, there was someone sitting in it! She got up and mentioned that she was only sitting there to be next to her friends, so I offered to take her seat, wherever that was (the one I bought was the cheapest price in the house, so it wasn't too magnanimous of me). She gave me her special seating in the second row on the extreme right... a view to die for, right behind the piano so I could even see the fingers fly! What a trade!

As for the concert itself, gosh, did I enjoy it! They're celebrating their 20th year this year and still have all their original members... I did want to swing in the aisles, as the flier advertised I would, when I heard them play. They were very energetic, and played very light, happy, jazz, swing, big-band and Dixieland sounds. At intermission, I ran out to the foyer and bought their new album Rattle Them Bones before the table got swamped. And I've been listening it in my car ever since. I was surprised by a sweet love song half-way through the album on the way home that they didn't play at the concert... called It Only Took a Kiss. Immediately, I was swept away with it as it plainly described my own love with Michael.

Sunday the 24th I took pretty easy. I finished the Sleeping Beauty puzzle I had started before the underway... then I watched the first episode of Horatio Hornblower, made a very quick trip back to Best Buy to return the B/R player that wouldn't respond in the menu screen for a cheaper, but more reliable DVD player (saving $30). I started another puzzle (backyard birds this time), watched the extras disc of Sleeping Beauty to test out the new player, and ended up watching the entire "making of" film and found it very interesting. Interviews with the artists and actors, and lots of neat pictures and footage of what they went through to bring it all together. Actors in costumes, going through the motions for the artists. Casting selections, and inspirations for characters. Then I made a delicious dinner of shrimp, scallops and asparagus, and watched the live feed of Mike's church in Norman for service that night at 7pm, my time. I even saw him shake hands with people on screen during the meet & greet part.

Monday the 25, I turned 30 years old in the morning while working on a couple checks on the Sonar Dome at work. No one remembered, but before I came in, I had a message from my parents and husband on Facebook... what more could you want? :) And then I was let off early because of the evening class I had to attend, starting at 6:30 pm, lasting for 4 hours. So it was about noon-ish when I got groceries and gas at the commissary. Since I woke up late that morning, and had to rush to work, I made an excellent breakfast for lunch when I got home around 12:30. After that I worked on my puzzle, took a nap, and managed to stop for Burger King before making my way back to base for my class in Divisional Safety Petty Officer training. Oh, joy!

Because it was a two-day class, my supervisor (Senior Chief) let me off of work on Tuesday the 26th. Another fine birthday present, I think. I slept in, had cereal, watched Sleeping Beauty for a belated birthday movie, had Pad Thai shrimp for lunch, went to the shooting range on the Marine Corps base to shoot my own pistol for the first time (enjoyed it quite a bit although I was limited by the one clip of 15 rounds I brought with me... they were out of it at the store), then continued on directly to the laundromat in Ocean View and read more in The Caine Mutiny while I waited. More puzzling at home before the last installment of my class that night. Also got in a nice long call with my parents and sister Meg before talking with Mike.

Wednesday, I was allowed to come in late again! What a week! Slept in again! Didn't have to be in to work until 11am, so I heartily enjoyed a full breakfast. All I had time to do at work before we were let go to work out was get the divisional safety binder in order. And after the 30 minutes on the elliptical, another STG and I went to a public indoor pool in Norfolk for a wonderful half-hour's swim. I only did 600 yds, but that was because I stopped and talked with my friend more often than not. After dropping her back at her house, I returned home for a shower, then went down the street to Franco's Italian Cuisine for dinner and enjoyed spaghetti with meatballs the size of baseballs, hot bread and decaff for a treat. The next day was my duty day, so I saved half the meal for dinner on the ship (which ended up being much better than what they served!).

Friday afternoon, the beginning of my second wonderful weekend, I relaxed at home for a while, working a bunch on my puzzle and eating some pizza from the freezer for lunch. I had to stay long enough for UPS to deliver my push-mower from Amazon (which apparently required a signature - they tried to find me at home on my duty day and left a note) before I took off for Kristin and Dan's. It finally came around 6:30, so I made it over to Chesapeake around 7:15. They waited to have dinner until I got there too... so very sweet! We had pulled-pork sandwiches and coleslaw as we watched one of the TV shows they enjoy on Hulu... called "Revolutions". Then we finished the last of the John Adams series which we had started late last year.

Saturday the 30th, slept in til 8, and then we took off to have an Easter brunch with their close friends. I loved the egg & sausage casserole best... and had a good time meeting everyone. A couple notable things I enjoyed looking at at their house:  not sure what type of fish this was, but the Naval Academy Press book dated from 1939! I was disappointed the Sears book did not have a toy section.

Upon returning to their house, Kristin and I watched the BBC Lord Peter Wimsey film (4 TV episodes) of Have His Carcase from 1987. This was the book I just finished reading underway, so it was great fun! It was the only L.P.W. dvd I could find at our library, but I didn't mind... liked it very much. Just like the BBC too... some scenes are pulled from the book word for word!. I think I shall see the two others with these actors before I watch the Ian Carmichael series. Then I picked up my book for a while (A Voice in the Wind - a Christian/historical fiction/romance novel that the other Lay Leader on the Truxtun lent me to read - after talking about it on watch together) before Kristin and Dan came downstairs and we watched a movie (Diamonds are Forever - forgive me) and more Hulu (New Girl) before going to bed.

Today! my brother's birthday and the day we celebrate our Lord's resurrection, the 31st, we all slept in. I was downstairs first, even after my shower, so I read some more in my book. There were leftovers from yesterday's brunch, and then I read some more and chatted with Kristin about church. While she went to go get ready for the day, I borrowed her sewing machine and sewed the crows and name tapes on a new pair of coveralls, then did more straight seams along a dark gray fleece blanket for the ship. When I finished, we broke out a puzzle on the kitchen table and nearly finished it before our Easter lunch of baked ham, sweet potato casserole, and green bean casserole. Mmm! Did more puzzle and then took off for an evening Easter service at the new church they're attending... Crosscurrent Church off Indian River Road in Kempsville.

What a surprise! It is so very much like the church I've been missing for ten months now... Mission Valley Christian Fellowship in San Diego. It's about the same size, also meeting in a classic, old-style chapel that is shared by another church. They only have a couple guitars and a drum set, and a very Biblical, down-to-earth, no nonsense way of teaching. I already met a couple nice young women my age who assume I'm coming to their small group too! They do communion every Sunday, and in the same manner as MVCF... everyone gets in two lines and comes to the front. Good Lord, praises for today's find! I said goodbye to Kristin and Dan in the parking lot, as we had drove separately, and we parted ways while getting on different ramps to I-64. Praise God! I am happy.

Jw

Big Indulgence

 (Doing my laundry in Ocean View... and reading the Caine Mutiny as I did.)










Friday, we were let go just after 1100. I went straight to the NEX and commissary to buy new covers and pick up food for the next day. It wasn't too long after I got home that my replacement posters (from a lost order from January) arrived. While waiting for them, I broke out my Sleeping Beauty wood puzzle (a gift from a long time ago). I also planned out what all I wanted to do before the command party that night...

First, I sold the copper trash from the ship at a recycling place downtown. It was much easier to do than I expected... there was someone waiting to weigh the metal, he gave a receipt, then the lady in the office calculated the price and paid in cash. They gave me $22 for the 8.6 lbs of thin wire that I wrapped.

Stopped by Chipotle for a quick late lunch, then went to Bob's Gun Shop with the intention of just looking around. I've been considering buying an M9 Beretta (the pistol the Navy uses), and they had a used one there on sale, and only lightly used. I decided, in the interests of getting used to handling the weapon I often have to carry, and having a weapon handy in the house (although not much for firepower), and being able to use it at any range I please, that it would be a good purchase.

From there it was just time to head over to the Norfolk Waterside Marriott to help with the command's holiday party, a couple months rescheduled. As part of the MWR team, I was assigned to give out the one free drink ticket to each attendee. The food was quite good too... a buffet with ham, steak, and flounder with crab on top. I enjoyed a glass of white wine, and danced a few times with fellow sonar techs. I had a copy of The Caine Mutiny with me at the table as I was waiting for people to check in. The Supply Officer, the Weapons Officer and the Commanding Officer all made comments... SUPPO said it was banned in the wardroom, WEPS told me to tell him first if I ever thought of mutinying, and the CO directed me to not get any ideas. LOL :)

Today I got a few errands done in Hampton... ammunition, frames for posters, and a few things at the grocery store. Since getting back I made myself some marvelous tacos for lunch, worked on the puzzle, put the posters up, and picked up a little. For the rest of the day I plan on doing my laundry, having an amazing seafood dinner at home, then going out to the symphony for the first time in Virginia. Can't wait!

Jw









It was swell! Held at Regent University in VB.

Little Indulgences

Today I arranged to have dinner with my friend Cassie from work... she's got me into sushi... so we met up in Virginia Beach at a favorite place of her's near her new apartment. Delicious! I had a shrimp tempura roll, an "Alaskan" roll (salmon, crab & avocado) and then one piece of scallop over rice. Yummy!

Before I met up with her, I changed at home and finally went swimming at the nearby indoor pool on Tidewater. Only did 500 yds, as the stuff she had to take care of wouldn't take too long. It was incredibly nice to swim again... and I loved the place too. I could save $2 and swim on base (only on the weekends, now), but not only was this surrounded by a picturesque park with tall pine trees (with the sun spilling through the skylights), but there were civilians around instead of all military. Sort of a relief to be away from other Sailors at times.

After dinner, I went shopping at my favorite mall again for fun and ended up getting the WWII documentary series "Victory At Sea", a few war history magazines, and a beautiful copy of the King James Bible from Barnes and Noble... vinyl with a decorative cross, but also complete with famous illustrations from French artist Gustave Dore, first published in 1865. Finished the evening with some soup and coffee at Panera Bread as I read in one of the magazines.

Jw

Just Briefly

I was awfully disappointed this afternoon to get back so late from work... didn't pull up to the house until 5:30! It wasn't that I was stressed, in fact I was irrationally calm for just sitting through a big backup on the freeway (listening to loon and other nature sounds accompanied by music). But hey! this was my time that the Navy was eating into. And I was freezing cold with the weather the way it was (and is) outside.

So I put off going swimming yet again to rest and enjoy a quiet evening at home away from the traffic and the terrific wind. I still hear it blowing against the house, and that is rather nice when bundled up in a sweatshirt and coat, eating hot Lipton's chicken noodle soup and sipping piping hot coffee.

I watched a film my darling Michael put on my computer before he left this last time... a rather odd love story involving time travel (Berkeley Square, 1933, with Leslie Howard). After this, I was looking at my saved bookmarks on my Internet browser and clicked on my darling's church website. Ended up watching the last week's service that he told me about: an unscripted conversation with the pastor and his wife about their marriage. It was really excellent and refreshing to hear. In case you're interested, it's on YouTube.

Jw

Another Good Rest

...from the Navy. I kept pretty busy for resting, actually.

Friday afternoon I did lots... went for a short run around the housing complex, then got on my bike for the first time in Virginia, and rode the back way to the base and back in 15 minutes. Then a super-nice shower, and right afterwards, tried out the Italian restaurant Franco's in Ocean View. Then did all my laundry (a big load, indeed) across the street. Called Mike while everything was drying, and managed to get home by nine. Tried to watch Pride and Prejudice (1940), but had to stop after a half-hour or so... way too sleepy. My eyes were watering looking at the brightness, and my nose was runny from all that cold wind I got. Called Mike again from my mattress and soon I was out like a light.

Saturday, I woke up three times in the morning, but managed to stay in til 9. Went to Farm Fresh (grocery) to pick out the day's meals, then returned to make the first. Finished the remaining hour of P&P (and thought it very good, despite it's awful costumes). I caught up telling the recent story of the Navy on my Times, and fixed a few things over the phone and online. Found an archery range just 20 minutes away in Newport News... but first I made a fantastic sandwich (wheat, mayo, mustard, turkey, cheddar, avocado, sprouts, tomato, onion) for lunch before heading off on that adventure. It was a lot of fun to shoot again! I'm going to have to go there again soon! The range is in a building across the street from the store (which sells arrows, guns, knives, and fishing gear). I checked out a few model 1911s, but that would be a huge extravagance at $800. Better to rent at a range if one gets a desire to shoot. Walmart was just a few blocks away too... I've been thinking for a long time about getting a little table for the kitchen area to expand my usable space, and along with another $15 wood shelving kit, I found a descent, generic, black and silver table that fit just about the size required. When I got home, I watched one of the $5 movies I picked up at the register... The Italian Job with Mark Wahlberg. Then I built the shelves (without the directions, as this is my 3rd one) and got on chat (for the first time in a while!). And that was very fun indeed!

Today, I went straight to church in VB, hoping to run into my friend (didn't see her). And although the sermon started slow, it finished really well. Had some Chipotle after that (but had to kill a half-hour until it opened, so I poked around in ToysR'Us next door until it did; and I managed not to buy the really neat $30 FAO Schwartz 18" elephant I saw there. :) Went to the Virginia Aquarium just after lunch, and enjoyed it again. The baby turtles were bigger, the crocodile's tooth problem was no longer apparent, and the komodo dragon was actively walking around, affording many picture opportunities; with the Atlantic octopus and the lion fish as well... I really love this aquarium. I managed to find their other building down the street this time, and loved the river otters and the little owl in their aviary. Went down to the beach after that to a museum on the waterfront. Turned out to be a waterfowl museum... duck decoys and such. But even so, it was neat to look at. I've found my way back home now, built the table, watched the other $5 Walmart movie (The Last of the Mohicans, 1992) as I reprised my wonderful sandwich from yesterday (minus the sprouts) for dinner. 

Jw