Nothing too out of the ordinary to report. The five toy soldiers I ordered came in the mail safe and sound. And I watched a few more movies from the rental store... A short documentary-type film about Joan of Arc, and The Other Boylyn Girl. This was Monday, because after I finished watching, I got on Facebook and discovered my husband missed death or disaster by a mere nine miles. An F-5 tornado ripped through Moore, next door to the classic theater we both love going to. Duty was Tuesday, then on Wednesday and Thursday, spent mainly unwrapping the knights and going to Ocean View for dinner. One night there was a live big band concert in the park on the water and I stopped by for a listen.
Friday evening I went out to Outback Steakhouse for a fantastic dinner. I had tried to give blood on base, and my iron level was just barely enough to give. The doctor couldn't find a big enough vein though, so I was turned away. The steak I had was delicious, so the day ended pretty well.
Saturday was my friend's Memorial Day party at their home in Chesapeake. Got to meet a bunch of their friends and neighbors (some for the second time) and enjoyed the burgers and sides that everyone brought. Left in the evening and went straight downtown to catch a viewing of Star Trek Into Darkness. This I enjoyed quite a bit, although I'm not a fan.
Sunday I went to Hampton for look around and to get out in the sun. Explored the beach, had a fantastic lunch at a local Italian restaurant (and got to watch a softball Super Regionals game on ESPN on their TV). Then I returned to Fort Monroe to look around. It was a beautiful day outside, so I walked around on top of the fortifications before heading through the Casemate Museum. I finished listening to Huckleberry Finn in the parking lot! When I got home, I watched a movie, and managed to vacuum and do the dishes, then did my laundry in Ocean View.
Jw
Monday, May 27, 2013
Sunday, May 19, 2013
A Few Hours and a Fantastic Weekend
Because of the craziness at work this week, I didn't have much time to myself. With the time I did have, I finished organizing the paper stuff in my house... brochures, programs, tickets, documents, etc. It was the last set of things that needed going through, and although it took me a couple nights (Thursday and Friday), I managed to get through it. I also picked up the last of my home improvements... a bunch of frames from Michaels on Friday... set out my 31 postcards (from recent trips) and put them in a couple small poster frames in groupings. Also found a big 22x28 framed picture of something that vividly reminds me of a very special day in college... for $20! Put that and one of the Sleeping Beauty posters up in the bedroom for a big improvement. Panera Bread sits right next to Michaels, and I had an old favorite combo... veggie sandwich and creamy tomato soup for a convenient dinner.
Saturday I picked up the last of the Walmart.com orders... a big brown carpet for the bedroom. It's looking nice and cozy up there now, with the art and the furniture and the little lamp. A marked improvement from a mattress and a dresser. I also broke down and bought the small matching pillow to the comforter (that I bought about a year ago...), and finally found a simple weight scale. My weight always hangs heavy on my head right before the PRT... LOL... so now, I can keep better track of how I'm doing.
But goodness, that wasn't all I did on Saturday! I started off going to Newport News for a toy soldier show at the Virginia War Museum. This I remembered on Friday after checking out the website from a catalog I found while going through my stacks of papers. So it was... perfect timing! I bought three figures online,
and at the show on Saturday, I bought a Spanish-made French Cuirassier on horseback (1806 period), and a English-made 1950s mounted knight.
After dropping them off at home, I continued on to a Greek Orthodox Church in Norfolk for their annual Greek Festival... lots of great Greek food: I had a lamb gyro, a delicious Spanakopita (phyllo pie with spinach and feta cheese), a Greek salad, some buttered rice, and a piece of Baklava to finish! Then I stopped by the church to look around... they have lots of medieval paintings of the saints, apostles, Christ, and Mary. It was very interesting to look at, and I picked up a handout history of their church. Went right back home and watched the first couple episodes of Downton Abby, which I've been rather interested in seeing since it came out. I enjoyed it at first, but but into the fourth episode, things were sprawling out of control, just like they did in Upstairs/Downstairs... whiny, bratty daughter who is "so oppressed"... and gets into lots of trouble and whines about having to get married to get out of it.
But, by today, I made it to the sixth episode where people seem to redeem themselves and all seems pretty much to be righted. I don't think I want to watch any more though... I know it will delve into scenes of hard emotion where everything spirals out of control so you have to watch the next season. I don't think I want to get that far into it. I enjoyed it where it is now, and I don't want to go through the heartbreak of the great war yet again. As things are now, people are getting engaged and they are happy... so I'll leave it at that.
Otherwise today, I've mowed and trimmed the lawn, did the dishes, not ate too much (fried egg and cream of wheat for breakfast, sandwich/carrot/cheese roll-up for dinner), and managed a brilliant strategy for working out and doing my laundry at the same time: Q-80 on base provides washers and driers, and while I first washed, I went in the gym for a 12-minute PRT-type bike ride (134 calories!), then after I went and put them in the drier, I did 1,000 yds at the pool. Came home for the shower, and all was in order!
I missed church tonight though... and I felt kind of lonely after I watched a very silly film from 2009... 17 Again. I remember seeing the ad in the paper for it when it came out, so I didn't mind the $1 rental fee to be satisfied. It was obvious in a lot of ways, but it was funny in places and entertaining. But as for being lonely, I prayed to the Lord and thanked him for all the good things he's given me, and I felt a lot better.
Jw
Saturday I picked up the last of the Walmart.com orders... a big brown carpet for the bedroom. It's looking nice and cozy up there now, with the art and the furniture and the little lamp. A marked improvement from a mattress and a dresser. I also broke down and bought the small matching pillow to the comforter (that I bought about a year ago...), and finally found a simple weight scale. My weight always hangs heavy on my head right before the PRT... LOL... so now, I can keep better track of how I'm doing.
But goodness, that wasn't all I did on Saturday! I started off going to Newport News for a toy soldier show at the Virginia War Museum. This I remembered on Friday after checking out the website from a catalog I found while going through my stacks of papers. So it was... perfect timing! I bought three figures online,
and at the show on Saturday, I bought a Spanish-made French Cuirassier on horseback (1806 period), and a English-made 1950s mounted knight.
After dropping them off at home, I continued on to a Greek Orthodox Church in Norfolk for their annual Greek Festival... lots of great Greek food: I had a lamb gyro, a delicious Spanakopita (phyllo pie with spinach and feta cheese), a Greek salad, some buttered rice, and a piece of Baklava to finish! Then I stopped by the church to look around... they have lots of medieval paintings of the saints, apostles, Christ, and Mary. It was very interesting to look at, and I picked up a handout history of their church. Went right back home and watched the first couple episodes of Downton Abby, which I've been rather interested in seeing since it came out. I enjoyed it at first, but but into the fourth episode, things were sprawling out of control, just like they did in Upstairs/Downstairs... whiny, bratty daughter who is "so oppressed"... and gets into lots of trouble and whines about having to get married to get out of it. 
But, by today, I made it to the sixth episode where people seem to redeem themselves and all seems pretty much to be righted. I don't think I want to watch any more though... I know it will delve into scenes of hard emotion where everything spirals out of control so you have to watch the next season. I don't think I want to get that far into it. I enjoyed it where it is now, and I don't want to go through the heartbreak of the great war yet again. As things are now, people are getting engaged and they are happy... so I'll leave it at that.
Otherwise today, I've mowed and trimmed the lawn, did the dishes, not ate too much (fried egg and cream of wheat for breakfast, sandwich/carrot/cheese roll-up for dinner), and managed a brilliant strategy for working out and doing my laundry at the same time: Q-80 on base provides washers and driers, and while I first washed, I went in the gym for a 12-minute PRT-type bike ride (134 calories!), then after I went and put them in the drier, I did 1,000 yds at the pool. Came home for the shower, and all was in order!
I missed church tonight though... and I felt kind of lonely after I watched a very silly film from 2009... 17 Again. I remember seeing the ad in the paper for it when it came out, so I didn't mind the $1 rental fee to be satisfied. It was obvious in a lot of ways, but it was funny in places and entertaining. But as for being lonely, I prayed to the Lord and thanked him for all the good things he's given me, and I felt a lot better.
Jw
Sunday, May 12, 2013
More of the Same!
When you're speaking of relaxing, watching movies all day, and only taking breaks to play with very lovable dogs, more of the same is exciting!
I re-watched a scene from Arn, then tried out Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, which I really enjoyed. It has a very odd sort of reality to it, and it was very moving. I wonder how much of it was based in actual events, and where the fiction started. Very fun to watch! I looked at a couple cartoons from my Warner Bros. disc, and finished the day with a re-watching of The Borne Identity.
Had just enough time to get home, return the movie rentals, get a pizza, mow the yard, and pack before heading off to the ship for a Sunday evening liberty expiration.
Jw
I re-watched a scene from Arn, then tried out Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, which I really enjoyed. It has a very odd sort of reality to it, and it was very moving. I wonder how much of it was based in actual events, and where the fiction started. Very fun to watch! I looked at a couple cartoons from my Warner Bros. disc, and finished the day with a re-watching of The Borne Identity.
Had just enough time to get home, return the movie rentals, get a pizza, mow the yard, and pack before heading off to the ship for a Sunday evening liberty expiration.
Jw
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Time Off
Not much time at home this week... at least to speak of.
When I was home, I managed to do some things around the house that I've never gotten around to since I moved in. First it was the pantry/closet by the dining/living rooms. I had half-arranged things when I unpacked them, but ever since then I've dreaded going through it and straightening it out. Somehow, I got the bug to take care of it, and I did. Gathered a few things to donate, and otherwise I feel much better about the arrangement.
The next day, I did something else I'd been avoiding... going through all my clothes, trying on all my pants, and getting everything organized. One thing was very silly: I hadn't even unwrapped a half-dozen tops from my move from San Diego, just under a year ago. Overall, I feel much more put-together than I have in years.
The day after that I had duty, so it didn't matter how late I got out. I was stuck on the ship until Friday afternoon. When we were let go, I did make it home to change and eat a snack before heading out to my friend Kristin's house in Chesapeake to house and dog sit for her and her husband. They have a boxer named Rudy and a miniture shnauzer named Scarlet, and both very well behaved. I've got them for the whole weekend. I spent most of my time watching movies... Picked up a couple films at the rental store near home... Argo, the Best Picture winner, and Arn: the Knight Templer. This last was a Swedish TV mini-series from 2008... and I fell in love with it so fast that I watched four of the six, one-hour episodes, on Friday alone. Today I finished the other two, bought the first book of the series, and bought the bluray online for a gift for someone who never reads this blog. :)
Other than that and Argo, which I also enjoyed, I also watched Dave and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera for the first time straight through. I well remember many of the song scenes from a music video my grandparents showed us on a few different occasions. It was nice to finally tie it all together. Goodness, Raul needed a major haircut! And to accent that distinct music, the major lightning storm out the back window provided quite the background.
A perfect way to relax and unwind between two very stressful weeks.
Was able to call and chat with my parents and my grandparents as well, which is always nice.
Jw
When I was home, I managed to do some things around the house that I've never gotten around to since I moved in. First it was the pantry/closet by the dining/living rooms. I had half-arranged things when I unpacked them, but ever since then I've dreaded going through it and straightening it out. Somehow, I got the bug to take care of it, and I did. Gathered a few things to donate, and otherwise I feel much better about the arrangement.
The next day, I did something else I'd been avoiding... going through all my clothes, trying on all my pants, and getting everything organized. One thing was very silly: I hadn't even unwrapped a half-dozen tops from my move from San Diego, just under a year ago. Overall, I feel much more put-together than I have in years.
The day after that I had duty, so it didn't matter how late I got out. I was stuck on the ship until Friday afternoon. When we were let go, I did make it home to change and eat a snack before heading out to my friend Kristin's house in Chesapeake to house and dog sit for her and her husband. They have a boxer named Rudy and a miniture shnauzer named Scarlet, and both very well behaved. I've got them for the whole weekend. I spent most of my time watching movies... Picked up a couple films at the rental store near home... Argo, the Best Picture winner, and Arn: the Knight Templer. This last was a Swedish TV mini-series from 2008... and I fell in love with it so fast that I watched four of the six, one-hour episodes, on Friday alone. Today I finished the other two, bought the first book of the series, and bought the bluray online for a gift for someone who never reads this blog. :)
Other than that and Argo, which I also enjoyed, I also watched Dave and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera for the first time straight through. I well remember many of the song scenes from a music video my grandparents showed us on a few different occasions. It was nice to finally tie it all together. Goodness, Raul needed a major haircut! And to accent that distinct music, the major lightning storm out the back window provided quite the background.
A perfect way to relax and unwind between two very stressful weeks.
Was able to call and chat with my parents and my grandparents as well, which is always nice.
Jw
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Breaks Between Duty
Last Sunday was my only day off between a duty day and a week-long underway... and I spent it carefully! In fact, I planned out everything I wanted to do while on my last watch.
I came right home, made breakfast and enjoyed it a bunch. Then it was backyard time... put the new weed-whacker together ($25 from the NEX), had to make a trip to the Home Depot to get the right kind of extension cord (which interrupted the plan a bit), then whacked my weeds, planted some flowers in some new potting soil I laid down next to the shed, mowed the lawn, and refilled the bird feeder and water dish.
Then I went to go swimming. Tried the Norfolk pool first, but that wasn't open on a Sunday. Continued on to the base, where I did a 500-yard workout, and was able to teach a girl in my lane how to improve her crawl stroke. She was very thankful for the advice, and it made me feel useful and happy in turn.
Back at home I made a big sandwich for lunch, then headed over to Ocean View with my laundry. Went shopping across the street while the clothes dried, and watched a bit of the ABC presentation of Disney's Cinderella on the TVs while I waited for them to finish. It's definitely not one of my favorites... mouse voices are rather irritating after a minute... and all I can think of is Maleficent as the evil stepmother... and that is disturbing. Better to just watch Sleeping Beauty and be done with it.
Had to go straight to church from the laundry in order to make it on time. I was so wiped out from the previous day's watch and the super-busy day off, that I sat down during worship (because my right heel hurt so much) and fell half-asleep during the sermon (because I was finally sitting down). Kristin and Dan invited me out to eat at Ynot Pizza afterwords, and I had some delicious French onion soup and a Caprice salad (along with sharing some of the cheesy bread they got).
-
This weekend I had both Saturday and Sunday to myself. The first day was a bit frustrating, trying to work out plans and relax at the same time. I had just eggs and toast, and put out the birds breakfast as well (they had used up all their seeds while I was gone). I cut the grass and watered the flowers, then started putting the things that had come in the mail together... including a $16 tiny Dirt Devil with which I could finally vacuum my little area carpet... and I did. Then I went to Walmart to pick up the dresser and end table that were waiting from my online order, and tried out a Mexican restaurant on Granby street that I've wondered about before as I've passed it. It turned out being mediocre. But then when I got home, I unpacked the car... and shouldn't have, as everything was heavy and I was very full. This made my stomach upset for the rest of the day, and I ate nothing else.
So I laid down on the couch to watch A New Hope (original 1977 version) in honor of May the Fourth, preceded by a Warner Bros. cartoon. For some reason, I got into my head that I wanted to go to the Norfolk Tides game that night. I got a great seat, but I had to tell a guy a couple seats down from me in the row to not lean forward so much, so I could see the batter. It was pretty cold again, but this time it was better since I already had the third layer with me and I sat on the 3rd base line (not directly in the wind). Strangely enough, it was Star Wars Day at the ballpark, complete with pictures of characters on the screen instead of players. The Tides led off with a home run, so I thought it'd be a good game. So wrong. They didn't score again. I sat through seven innings and five opposing scores before giving up. I wanted to finish putting the dresser and nightstand together more. I didn't care that I'd be missing a fireworks show afterwords... I did get to see some after the home run, and after God Bless America at the 7th Inning Stretch.
I found out today that I missed 4 more runs by the other team in the 8th, and a couple more errors from the Tides. And I also realized today that there were three things I had wanted to do that day that I forgot about while underway... a church picnic, a live radio show production of "A Prairie Home Companion", or a symphony concert. Such is how it goes sometimes. And I also realized I forgot to sign for something on the ship and had to go back ASAP... which ended up being this morning.
I had a quiet breakfast, finished up the nightstand, went back to the ship, signed the paper, fixed my rack, and stopped by the commissary on the way back... bird seed for the back, and a hanging flower pot for the front. I then realized that I should get rid of the myriad of shipping boxes I had lying around from the new bed frame, the dresser, the nightstand, various appliances ranging back to the DVD player, lawn-mower, and weed-whacker. I completely filled up my big recycling bin with flattened and folded cardboard. Then I made myself an outstanding lunch (that I had been planning for Saturday's dinner)... shrimp, fettuccine Alfredo, Brussels sprouts, and butter-flavored Pillsbury biscuits (that my husband has mentioned).
Then I headed out to Kristin and Dan's to hang out, get instructions for house-sitting, go to a Cinco de Mayo dinner, and then church... but because the restaurant took too long, church didn't make it in our schedule.
Jw
I came right home, made breakfast and enjoyed it a bunch. Then it was backyard time... put the new weed-whacker together ($25 from the NEX), had to make a trip to the Home Depot to get the right kind of extension cord (which interrupted the plan a bit), then whacked my weeds, planted some flowers in some new potting soil I laid down next to the shed, mowed the lawn, and refilled the bird feeder and water dish.
Then I went to go swimming. Tried the Norfolk pool first, but that wasn't open on a Sunday. Continued on to the base, where I did a 500-yard workout, and was able to teach a girl in my lane how to improve her crawl stroke. She was very thankful for the advice, and it made me feel useful and happy in turn.
Back at home I made a big sandwich for lunch, then headed over to Ocean View with my laundry. Went shopping across the street while the clothes dried, and watched a bit of the ABC presentation of Disney's Cinderella on the TVs while I waited for them to finish. It's definitely not one of my favorites... mouse voices are rather irritating after a minute... and all I can think of is Maleficent as the evil stepmother... and that is disturbing. Better to just watch Sleeping Beauty and be done with it.
Had to go straight to church from the laundry in order to make it on time. I was so wiped out from the previous day's watch and the super-busy day off, that I sat down during worship (because my right heel hurt so much) and fell half-asleep during the sermon (because I was finally sitting down). Kristin and Dan invited me out to eat at Ynot Pizza afterwords, and I had some delicious French onion soup and a Caprice salad (along with sharing some of the cheesy bread they got).
-
This weekend I had both Saturday and Sunday to myself. The first day was a bit frustrating, trying to work out plans and relax at the same time. I had just eggs and toast, and put out the birds breakfast as well (they had used up all their seeds while I was gone). I cut the grass and watered the flowers, then started putting the things that had come in the mail together... including a $16 tiny Dirt Devil with which I could finally vacuum my little area carpet... and I did. Then I went to Walmart to pick up the dresser and end table that were waiting from my online order, and tried out a Mexican restaurant on Granby street that I've wondered about before as I've passed it. It turned out being mediocre. But then when I got home, I unpacked the car... and shouldn't have, as everything was heavy and I was very full. This made my stomach upset for the rest of the day, and I ate nothing else.
So I laid down on the couch to watch A New Hope (original 1977 version) in honor of May the Fourth, preceded by a Warner Bros. cartoon. For some reason, I got into my head that I wanted to go to the Norfolk Tides game that night. I got a great seat, but I had to tell a guy a couple seats down from me in the row to not lean forward so much, so I could see the batter. It was pretty cold again, but this time it was better since I already had the third layer with me and I sat on the 3rd base line (not directly in the wind). Strangely enough, it was Star Wars Day at the ballpark, complete with pictures of characters on the screen instead of players. The Tides led off with a home run, so I thought it'd be a good game. So wrong. They didn't score again. I sat through seven innings and five opposing scores before giving up. I wanted to finish putting the dresser and nightstand together more. I didn't care that I'd be missing a fireworks show afterwords... I did get to see some after the home run, and after God Bless America at the 7th Inning Stretch.
I found out today that I missed 4 more runs by the other team in the 8th, and a couple more errors from the Tides. And I also realized today that there were three things I had wanted to do that day that I forgot about while underway... a church picnic, a live radio show production of "A Prairie Home Companion", or a symphony concert. Such is how it goes sometimes. And I also realized I forgot to sign for something on the ship and had to go back ASAP... which ended up being this morning.
I had a quiet breakfast, finished up the nightstand, went back to the ship, signed the paper, fixed my rack, and stopped by the commissary on the way back... bird seed for the back, and a hanging flower pot for the front. I then realized that I should get rid of the myriad of shipping boxes I had lying around from the new bed frame, the dresser, the nightstand, various appliances ranging back to the DVD player, lawn-mower, and weed-whacker. I completely filled up my big recycling bin with flattened and folded cardboard. Then I made myself an outstanding lunch (that I had been planning for Saturday's dinner)... shrimp, fettuccine Alfredo, Brussels sprouts, and butter-flavored Pillsbury biscuits (that my husband has mentioned).
Then I headed out to Kristin and Dan's to hang out, get instructions for house-sitting, go to a Cinco de Mayo dinner, and then church... but because the restaurant took too long, church didn't make it in our schedule.
Jw
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