I was able to go on leave, starting Thursday afternoon (the 21st) and ending very early this morning in order to have ample time to visit with my parents who were driving over from visiting my Grandparents in North Carolina and my husband who flew in for the occasion.
It was a good thing that Mom called me a couple hours before they arrived. I took a nap immediately upon getting home... still in my black turtleneck and long johns. This gave me time to straighten up the house a little and do the things I was putting off for so long... like clean off the table and do the dishes. They arrived just when they said... around 5:30. Showed them the house for a second, then we went to check in to their motel along Ocean View Ave. They even had a room with a view of the bay! Then I introduced them to our nice, local seafood restaurant, the Ship's Cabin, another couple miles up the road. Mom tried scallops for the first time, Dad had some well done swordfish, and I was happy with jumbo shrimp. We were the only ones in the dining room for a long time (and at a booth by the window on the bay) and had a good time just sitting and visiting. They were duly impressed with the piping hot, delicious bread they serve. On our way to pick up Mike from the airport (just afterwards) we swung by the local grocery store to pick up the makings of the next day's dinner. Also stopped by Hampton Blvd. to get Mike a late night snack of his favorite fried chicken so he would have something to eat after a weary journey.
Friday! We had a big breakfast at home, and my, was it a pleasure to host my Mom & Dad. We had eight scrambled eggs between us, bacon, toast and muffins, besides milk and juice. Since the weather promised to get worse the next day, we decided this would be the best for a trip to the Jamestown Settlement, just a mile south of the original archaeological site (will have to go back to see that sometime soon). I loved the people in costume, and especially the firing of the sixteenth century reproduction rifles. And the reproductions of the Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery were very interesting to look over. We came back the long way around, crossing the James river by ferry to Scotland, then stopping in Surry for gas and getting back on I-64 via the James River Bridge and Mercury Blvd. When we got home, we made a feast for dinner: 2 hamburgers each, french fries, applesauce, and corn-on-the-cob. Then we set my laptop on the coffee table and sat down to watch a Bugs Bunny cartoon and the film Thor because no one wanted to say goodnight yet.
Saturday we managed to start a little earlier with more of a rest. Along with what we had the day before for breakfast, we added Eggo waffles to the mix, as well as eggs individually prepared. On the agenda this day was a trip to the Naval Base for a tour of it and my ship. I didn't mind coming in like this on my day off to show them around; it ended up being a lot of fun, and I know they all enjoyed it too. Finished going around the base, then we stopped at the NEX complex so Mom could get a magnet. :) Right from there we headed off to Virginia Beach to a Cafe Theater to watch last year's Les Miserables with Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Russel Crowe... all of which I usually like, and which I was very surprised at their ability to sing. I thought it very bold of Hollywood to do a musical; although long, it was very well done. We went back down Independence Blvd. to V.B. Blvd. where we had a marvelous dinner at the Macaroni Grill just before the rush. I got a build-your-own again with bow-tie pasta, Alfredo, chicken, mushrooms, asparagus and sweet peas. So good! Went back home and watched OSS-117 (with our famous French couple from The Artist) and laughed at it's silliness. Unfortunately, Mom & Dad's time was short here as they had to drive back to North Carolina in the morning. It was a wonderful thing to show them my place here in Virginia.
So Mike and I had a wonderful Sunday and Monday to ourselves. Sunday morning, we took the Lord's advice and rested. And how sweet that was! We went to breakfast at the Sandfiddler Cafe just after noon... and then we continued on to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (a 17.6 mile span), stopping at the gift shop (LOL), then going on to Kiptopeke State Park on the bay-side of Virginia's Eastern Shore. We walked along the beach, listening to the waves and the tinkling of the broken shells as we picked up a few good shells. There was only one other couple there and they had a very playful pup with them. After returning to Virginia Beach, we had dinner at the Abby Road Pub & Restaurant for some Beatles-themed burgers. Not only did we listen to Beatles songs on the way there, but they played lots of them as we ate. Poor Mike could barely finish his dinner, he was singing along nearly the entire time... lol! For laughs, we watched the world's worst movie ever (accompanied by Rifftrax), which is Birdemic: Shock and Terror from 2005. Goodness, it was so shockingly awful... it's not even worth mentioning.
Our last day of this marvelous weekend, and we took a day trip down to North Carolina. I have always wanted to visit the Wright Memorial at Kill Devil Hills (near Kitty Hawk), so we did. The fact that Roanoke Island (the lost colony) and one of North Carolina's 3 state aquariums were nearby didn't hinder us either. It was less than a 2-hour drive each way, and on the way back we were treated to a lovely sunset nearly the entire way as we listened to some Newsboys praise music. Everything we saw was really lovely... and it wasn't crowded at all since the weather was so invigoratingly cold. Back in Virginia Beach on the way back home, we stopped at Red Lobster to spend our Christmas gift cards for our goodbye dinner.
Very early the next morning (3:45 wake up!) we got ready fast and I dropped him off at the airport on my way to the ship for my duty day.
Jw
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
A Breather
A two-day respite for the weary! After a month at sea, two afternoons and evenings at home really felt like a holiday, times two!
Monday, which actually was a holiday (to honor our Presidents), we pulled into Norfolk. They put out the Liberty Call at 11:15, and by 11:30, I was dropped off at my car with my bags. Didn't even have to get worn out with a long walk. The first thing I did was get some groceries on Hampton Blvd. I dropped them off at home, tried to locate a couple packages I had shipped here, talked to Mom for a few minutes, then drove over to Little Creek Blvd. for a fantastic Mexican dinner. Stopped by the thrift store down that way (where I had gotten a few things when I first came to Virginia), including a two-volume illustrated history of the presidents, fittingly.
Tuesday we were let off in the early afternoon again. I came home and made my salmon and shrimp dinner that I had in the fridge from the day before. I was so pleased to just spend another evening at home. It felt like another holiday, even though I had duty the next day. The package of things I sent to Mike while in Florida was sitting on my doorstep when I got back from work and it was a little trip down memory lane. There were things in there that I had completely forgotten about: the decorative tile with a koi swimming in a lily pond from the Jacksonville Zoo... it was like Christmas. :) I managed to find my Soaps & Suds laundry card in there, so that evening I went out to Ocean View and did a big load. While it was drying, I crossed the street and picked up a couple movies at the rental store with a coupon that had come in the mail and got a cup of coffee at McDonald's as well.
Jw
Monday, which actually was a holiday (to honor our Presidents), we pulled into Norfolk. They put out the Liberty Call at 11:15, and by 11:30, I was dropped off at my car with my bags. Didn't even have to get worn out with a long walk. The first thing I did was get some groceries on Hampton Blvd. I dropped them off at home, tried to locate a couple packages I had shipped here, talked to Mom for a few minutes, then drove over to Little Creek Blvd. for a fantastic Mexican dinner. Stopped by the thrift store down that way (where I had gotten a few things when I first came to Virginia), including a two-volume illustrated history of the presidents, fittingly.
Tuesday we were let off in the early afternoon again. I came home and made my salmon and shrimp dinner that I had in the fridge from the day before. I was so pleased to just spend another evening at home. It felt like another holiday, even though I had duty the next day. The package of things I sent to Mike while in Florida was sitting on my doorstep when I got back from work and it was a little trip down memory lane. There were things in there that I had completely forgotten about: the decorative tile with a koi swimming in a lily pond from the Jacksonville Zoo... it was like Christmas. :) I managed to find my Soaps & Suds laundry card in there, so that evening I went out to Ocean View and did a big load. While it was drying, I crossed the street and picked up a couple movies at the rental store with a coupon that had come in the mail and got a cup of coffee at McDonald's as well.
Jw
Sunday, January 13, 2013
East Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth & Norfolk, and Back Again
A rather full day of sightseeing, eating out and shopping... making one big circle around Hampton Roads.
Got up before 8am again (just barely), and this time went back to my favorite cafe in the area... the Sandfiddler Cafe in East Beach, just five miles down the road from here. From there I continued on the freeway to the Greenbrier Mall, where among other things, there is a Coast Guard Exchange. I got the idea during my last underway of buying the solid blue Coast Guard parka (same style as ours) to go along with my solid blue coveralls (since the only working coat we have is the black liner to the camo parka). Have to get permission to wear it though, so we'll see what they say. I can return it when we get back if it's a no. It was fun to see what they have in a CGX, as they call them, anyway. Got a frame at Michael's and a couple books at B&N while I was waiting for it to open.
Then I got back on the freeway and swung around I-64 and I-464 back to Portsmouth. Found free parking (the town is dead on Sundays in the winter!) and had some lunch at a Chinese buffet. Stopped in a Dollar store for a couple things, then made my way to the waterfront and the Naval Shipyard Museum. This was a pretty awesome collection and presentation for a little, one-room building and a $2 admission. There was yet another piece of the CSS Virginia, along with models and photographs... and a woman's 2nd class US Navy uniform from WWI! They say there were over 11,000 Yeoman (F) [for Female] during the war that held stateside jobs... sort of a precursor to the WAVES. Loved the wool skirt and cape... ugh! They were nicknamed the Yeomanettes. :)
Next on the haphazard agenda was a trip across the Elizabeth River to the MacArthur Memorial Museum. I had been trying to find a good time to go for a while, and this was it. They had a half-hour film in one building, then the former City Hall/courthouse was the actual memorial. He and his wife are buried there... the rotunda has famous quotes by him, the names of all his military campaigns, and flags of all his commands. The museum starts just outside it and wraps around and to the second floor. At the very end are his famous cap, corn-cob pipe and sunglasses, just as you see in all the pictures. Although marked with lots of questions about his last campaigns, it was very impressive, and interesting to look at.
I tried stopping at Bob's Gun Shop on Granby St, just to look around, but it was closed. I continued on my way and went to dinner at The Ship's Cabin, a seafood restaurant across the street from the breakfast place. Back at home (whew!), I watched the other movie I rented the other day... The Descendants (2011, George Clooney) that I've always been sort of interested in seeing since it came out. It ended up being pretty good, although kind of heavy. Set and filmed on location in Hawai'i, so there were lots of scenes that made me remember my trip to Oahu in 2007. Returned the rentals, and then here I am. Staying up too late one more time. :)
The oddest thing about today was the fact that I forgot to bring a camera and my phone's battery died while I was in Portsmouth. So I saw two museums without any way of taking pictures... it was a new experience for me. Oh, and while I was getting gas (same town), an ambulance came to the intersection nearby with sirens and lights going... and two cars continued through the intersection as if nothing was happening... and I managed to navigate all these roads without any electronic device after Chesapeake! Good-ness!
Fun day!
Jw
Got up before 8am again (just barely), and this time went back to my favorite cafe in the area... the Sandfiddler Cafe in East Beach, just five miles down the road from here. From there I continued on the freeway to the Greenbrier Mall, where among other things, there is a Coast Guard Exchange. I got the idea during my last underway of buying the solid blue Coast Guard parka (same style as ours) to go along with my solid blue coveralls (since the only working coat we have is the black liner to the camo parka). Have to get permission to wear it though, so we'll see what they say. I can return it when we get back if it's a no. It was fun to see what they have in a CGX, as they call them, anyway. Got a frame at Michael's and a couple books at B&N while I was waiting for it to open.
Then I got back on the freeway and swung around I-64 and I-464 back to Portsmouth. Found free parking (the town is dead on Sundays in the winter!) and had some lunch at a Chinese buffet. Stopped in a Dollar store for a couple things, then made my way to the waterfront and the Naval Shipyard Museum. This was a pretty awesome collection and presentation for a little, one-room building and a $2 admission. There was yet another piece of the CSS Virginia, along with models and photographs... and a woman's 2nd class US Navy uniform from WWI! They say there were over 11,000 Yeoman (F) [for Female] during the war that held stateside jobs... sort of a precursor to the WAVES. Loved the wool skirt and cape... ugh! They were nicknamed the Yeomanettes. :)
Next on the haphazard agenda was a trip across the Elizabeth River to the MacArthur Memorial Museum. I had been trying to find a good time to go for a while, and this was it. They had a half-hour film in one building, then the former City Hall/courthouse was the actual memorial. He and his wife are buried there... the rotunda has famous quotes by him, the names of all his military campaigns, and flags of all his commands. The museum starts just outside it and wraps around and to the second floor. At the very end are his famous cap, corn-cob pipe and sunglasses, just as you see in all the pictures. Although marked with lots of questions about his last campaigns, it was very impressive, and interesting to look at.
I tried stopping at Bob's Gun Shop on Granby St, just to look around, but it was closed. I continued on my way and went to dinner at The Ship's Cabin, a seafood restaurant across the street from the breakfast place. Back at home (whew!), I watched the other movie I rented the other day... The Descendants (2011, George Clooney) that I've always been sort of interested in seeing since it came out. It ended up being pretty good, although kind of heavy. Set and filmed on location in Hawai'i, so there were lots of scenes that made me remember my trip to Oahu in 2007. Returned the rentals, and then here I am. Staying up too late one more time. :)
The oddest thing about today was the fact that I forgot to bring a camera and my phone's battery died while I was in Portsmouth. So I saw two museums without any way of taking pictures... it was a new experience for me. Oh, and while I was getting gas (same town), an ambulance came to the intersection nearby with sirens and lights going... and two cars continued through the intersection as if nothing was happening... and I managed to navigate all these roads without any electronic device after Chesapeake! Good-ness!
Fun day!
Jw
Saturday, January 12, 2013
North, To the Heart of the Confederacy
A day trip to Richmond.
While last night I enjoyed a late lunch with a couple sonar tech friends at a local sushi place, my first trip to a movie rental store in ages, watching the rental movie The Princess and the Frog (Disney, 2009), a trip to VB for poster frames and a late Mexican dinner, setting up the posters back home and finishing the puzzle too... this morning I finally got 8 hours of sleep. Woke up to a refreshing shower and a good breakfast before I headed off on today's adventure. I almost changed plans and went south to Roanoke Island, NC (aquarium, history, location), but because of the dense fog and the fact that I had already put this trip off once made me go with my original plan. That and the only local Post Office open on Saturday is on the way in Hampton (had a couple things to get off).
Miraculously, I made it to the Museum of the Confederacy without any wrong turns (and without GPS). The first thing was a guided tour of the restored White House of the Confederacy. It was used as a Union HQ and schoolhouse after the war; it was saved from destruction by a group of women in 1896 and turned into a museum. With the expansion of the collection over the years, they built a museum next door and restored the White House to the way it was when the Davis family lived there. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and very intense as he pointed out details in all of the rooms, like how the gas chandeliers, cotton floor mat in the entry and squares of marble-looking wallpaper were the latest and greatest of the period. Lots of originals and the rest were period or reproductions... all patented and copyrighted, so there was no touching or picture-taking allowed! :)
The museum next door was filled with originals... pistols, sabres, saddles, belts, field glasses, boots, etc. of Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, George Pickett, Jeb Stuart, John Hood, and others. Incredibly cool to look at. In the spirit of the place, I bought a beautiful, hardback, recreational reader's biography of Robert E. Lee (lots of full page pictures). Also a mini booklet biography of Grant (hey, I am a northerner!), and Hospital Sketches by Louisa May Alcott. The bookmark, patch and letter opener sword were also nice.
From there I was famished and located a sandwich shop down by the river. Had a "cheeseburger in a skirt", meaning it had a skirt of grilled cheddar cheese all around it. Watched the stuff on ESPN about the NFL playoffs and looked on my map at all the places I wanted to see with my remaining hour. Ended up driving to the capitol and the Justice John Marshall house, just looking from the outside. Then I went back to the waterfront and to the Tredegar Iron Works and NPS visitor center for their last half hour of operation.
And miraculously, I made it back onto I-64. GPS freaked out on me, so the Lord blessed me as I found the right on-ramp pretty soon. The drive back was all in the dark, and I got a bit sleepy, but made it home safely despite this and all the obnoxious drivers who acted like they would drive right over me if they only had a big enough vehicle.
While last night I enjoyed a late lunch with a couple sonar tech friends at a local sushi place, my first trip to a movie rental store in ages, watching the rental movie The Princess and the Frog (Disney, 2009), a trip to VB for poster frames and a late Mexican dinner, setting up the posters back home and finishing the puzzle too... this morning I finally got 8 hours of sleep. Woke up to a refreshing shower and a good breakfast before I headed off on today's adventure. I almost changed plans and went south to Roanoke Island, NC (aquarium, history, location), but because of the dense fog and the fact that I had already put this trip off once made me go with my original plan. That and the only local Post Office open on Saturday is on the way in Hampton (had a couple things to get off).
Miraculously, I made it to the Museum of the Confederacy without any wrong turns (and without GPS). The first thing was a guided tour of the restored White House of the Confederacy. It was used as a Union HQ and schoolhouse after the war; it was saved from destruction by a group of women in 1896 and turned into a museum. With the expansion of the collection over the years, they built a museum next door and restored the White House to the way it was when the Davis family lived there. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and very intense as he pointed out details in all of the rooms, like how the gas chandeliers, cotton floor mat in the entry and squares of marble-looking wallpaper were the latest and greatest of the period. Lots of originals and the rest were period or reproductions... all patented and copyrighted, so there was no touching or picture-taking allowed! :)
The museum next door was filled with originals... pistols, sabres, saddles, belts, field glasses, boots, etc. of Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, George Pickett, Jeb Stuart, John Hood, and others. Incredibly cool to look at. In the spirit of the place, I bought a beautiful, hardback, recreational reader's biography of Robert E. Lee (lots of full page pictures). Also a mini booklet biography of Grant (hey, I am a northerner!), and Hospital Sketches by Louisa May Alcott. The bookmark, patch and letter opener sword were also nice.
From there I was famished and located a sandwich shop down by the river. Had a "cheeseburger in a skirt", meaning it had a skirt of grilled cheddar cheese all around it. Watched the stuff on ESPN about the NFL playoffs and looked on my map at all the places I wanted to see with my remaining hour. Ended up driving to the capitol and the Justice John Marshall house, just looking from the outside. Then I went back to the waterfront and to the Tredegar Iron Works and NPS visitor center for their last half hour of operation.
And miraculously, I made it back onto I-64. GPS freaked out on me, so the Lord blessed me as I found the right on-ramp pretty soon. The drive back was all in the dark, and I got a bit sleepy, but made it home safely despite this and all the obnoxious drivers who acted like they would drive right over me if they only had a big enough vehicle.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Napping and Puzzling
As for today after work... I found my Christmas present (framed cross-stitch of 1 Cor. 13) on my doorstep when I pulled up. In perfect condition, as promised, and sitting comfortably upstairs in my bedroom. :)
First order of business was getting something to eat! I was starved! Ate up the remaining salmon steak that I had cooked the night before, grilled some zucchini and yellow squash, had a marvelous salad, and finished later on with some bread and a bowl of chicken noodle.
I worked a lot more on my puzzle, getting it pretty close to being done. Between working on it, I shut my eyes and leaned back on the couch for a pleasant little nap. Got up the gumption to take care of a few phone calls, and felt better when I did.
Jw
First order of business was getting something to eat! I was starved! Ate up the remaining salmon steak that I had cooked the night before, grilled some zucchini and yellow squash, had a marvelous salad, and finished later on with some bread and a bowl of chicken noodle.
I worked a lot more on my puzzle, getting it pretty close to being done. Between working on it, I shut my eyes and leaned back on the couch for a pleasant little nap. Got up the gumption to take care of a few phone calls, and felt better when I did.
Jw
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
One-and-a-Half Day Weekend
Friday afternoon I spent pretty leisurely. I got my "compact" puzzle out... a lake-side sunset theme (that I bought in Florida). Turns out although it's 500 pieces, it's only 8" by 10" in size. So each piece is a little smaller than a dime! A little challenging when piecing together, but that makes it fun. I cleaned up a bit around the house, then had mac'n cheese for dinner as I watched two episodes of Tintin, and then a present from Linda, The House Without a Christmas Tree, which I enjoyed very much (thank you!). On the way home from work, I picked up my dry-cleaned dress blues, and also a lasagna dinner from Mike's next door (I successfully kept the lasagna off the blues) which I brought home to eat. :) This felt like the first day I didn't have to do something to take care of, or set up the house... only live in it... and suddenly I was very lonely. Talking to Mike really made me feel better.
Saturday I slept in way too long for my plan from the night before of heading to Richmond for a day trip. So I took it easy instead, had a nice breakfast, then took a shorter trip to the Virginia War Museum in Huntington Park, Newport News, on the east side of the James River. Been curious about it for a while, and I'm very glad I made the effort. Not only did they have a wonderful collection of things from every American war (including an original G. Washington letter and Capt. Harry S. Truman's WWI helmet), but they also had a very unique display of things from Germany, Japan and Italy during WWII.
After two hours in the museum, I stuck around outside and watched the sun set over the James River bridge from a park bench. I opened up Andrew Nelson's new book Fight for Grace for the first time, and really enjoyed that too. He was my small group leader in San Diego, so it's really neat to read his stuff! Stopped by Food Lion on the way home for hamburger and things, and made an amazing dinner while I watched Bing Crosby in Going My Way. Before stopping by chat, I got into searching for a particular Navy poster on allposters.com, and after looking through nearly 2,000 posters, I found it! It's the "Enlist and Help Him" one that I have on my Navy Times. Also picked up the "For Liberty's Sake" one while I was at it. :)
After Sunday's duty day, I was excited to be let off early on Monday. Unfortunately, I locked my keys in my car and had to wait a good long while for AAA and the Navy Police (escort required on base). The sonar tech I was driving home took me out to eat at Burger King, then I returned to the base to take a shower and do all my laundry. Had to break a $20 at McDonalds (coffee & cookie) so I could use quarters for the laundry. :) When I got home, I watched My Favorite Wife (Cary Grant), had Hamburger Helper for dinner, and had another nice long talk with my darling.
This afternoon I did a lot more on my puzzle (which is comfortably sitting out on the coffee table, as I intended it to be used for), ate some freshly cooked shrimp, salmon steak (that I picked up at the commissary on the way home), and brussel sprouts from the fridge, as I watched Hitch (Will Smith, 2005).
Jw
Saturday I slept in way too long for my plan from the night before of heading to Richmond for a day trip. So I took it easy instead, had a nice breakfast, then took a shorter trip to the Virginia War Museum in Huntington Park, Newport News, on the east side of the James River. Been curious about it for a while, and I'm very glad I made the effort. Not only did they have a wonderful collection of things from every American war (including an original G. Washington letter and Capt. Harry S. Truman's WWI helmet), but they also had a very unique display of things from Germany, Japan and Italy during WWII.
After two hours in the museum, I stuck around outside and watched the sun set over the James River bridge from a park bench. I opened up Andrew Nelson's new book Fight for Grace for the first time, and really enjoyed that too. He was my small group leader in San Diego, so it's really neat to read his stuff! Stopped by Food Lion on the way home for hamburger and things, and made an amazing dinner while I watched Bing Crosby in Going My Way. Before stopping by chat, I got into searching for a particular Navy poster on allposters.com, and after looking through nearly 2,000 posters, I found it! It's the "Enlist and Help Him" one that I have on my Navy Times. Also picked up the "For Liberty's Sake" one while I was at it. :)
After Sunday's duty day, I was excited to be let off early on Monday. Unfortunately, I locked my keys in my car and had to wait a good long while for AAA and the Navy Police (escort required on base). The sonar tech I was driving home took me out to eat at Burger King, then I returned to the base to take a shower and do all my laundry. Had to break a $20 at McDonalds (coffee & cookie) so I could use quarters for the laundry. :) When I got home, I watched My Favorite Wife (Cary Grant), had Hamburger Helper for dinner, and had another nice long talk with my darling.
This afternoon I did a lot more on my puzzle (which is comfortably sitting out on the coffee table, as I intended it to be used for), ate some freshly cooked shrimp, salmon steak (that I picked up at the commissary on the way home), and brussel sprouts from the fridge, as I watched Hitch (Will Smith, 2005).
Jw
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Evening at Home
Today I've kept busily inside (mostly). I did manage to stop by the NEX on my way home after dropping off my dress blues at the dry cleaners and trying out that little Filipino restaurant next door. But other than that, I've stayed home. Took out the trash, swept the porch, put up a new flag, built my other bookshelf, organized my movies and books, and finally, heated a frozen rigatoni & chicken dinner, had a P&J and milk, and lastly, coffee and cookies. This may sound very hum-drum to a civilian, but to me it's like a vacation.
Jw
Bit of rain water standing where the trash bins were. Took it a while to sink in.
Jw
Bit of rain water standing where the trash bins were. Took it a while to sink in.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
A Couple Firsts on New Year's Day
Getting home after my duty day called for another 3-hour nap. I was beat down tired from staying up all night with the last watch. Fell asleep with my black long-johns and turtleneck still on. It felt wonderful! Then I caught up with Mom & Dad on the phone, then decided to head downtown for a look at the MacArthur Museum... which ended up being closed for the holiday. To not waste my trip, I decided to go to the Nautilus Museum/USS Wisconsin/Hampton Roads Naval Museum on the waterfront instead. Left the car in the garage and just walked the few blocks.
Had a really lovely time. I do so love looking at historical pictures and artifacts that have to do with my service. At first I didn't think much of it, but once I got into the meat of the museum, I found it fascinating. Besides having really important things, like the Union Jack from the USS Maine, in the WWII section there was a "Soundman's" service blue uniform (forerunner to my rate of Sonar Tech)... and also the dress uniform of Thomas Truxtun's relative, Commodore William Talbot Truxtun, who served in the 1880s. But what really knocked me out was the film shorts from the Spanish-American War... !
I bought way too many things from the gift store... one was a guide to Navy medals, badges and insignia since WWII... very cool! a CD of loon music, a present for Mom, a present for my Darling, a magnet, a BB-64 patch, a red garden banner (pictured), and a deck of cards of US WWI & II posters.
You may ask why the Marine flag... well, the Navy one wasn't as cool, and I folded over the part on top that says US Marines. Since their core values are the same as ours, I thought it just fine. Not to mention the 2nd guy from the right (without a rifle) is a Navy Corpsman, and the quote on the monument is from Admiral Nimitz. Okay... I proved my point.
Walked back to MacArthur Center Mall for a burger and shake at Johnny Rockets. Made it in there two minutes before they closed! Gee, they close early! 6pm! Then I decided to poke around the mall. Bought gummy bears at a candy shop for the next underway, then looked in on one of those cheap art galleries. Here comes my first first... I ended up buying one... a very lovely still-life original oil painting...
Then I left the mall and stopped by the little ice rink on the other side. I have never ice-skated as an adult... and I was terrified as soon as both feet were on ice. Went around three or four times... by the end I was even going little distances without hovering over the wall with my hands. :)
Got home and impulsively watched Holiday (1938, Cary Grant) and stayed up way too late! During stand-down I feel as if I'm still on holiday, but I still have to go into work pretty early! When will I learn? :)
Jw
Had a really lovely time. I do so love looking at historical pictures and artifacts that have to do with my service. At first I didn't think much of it, but once I got into the meat of the museum, I found it fascinating. Besides having really important things, like the Union Jack from the USS Maine, in the WWII section there was a "Soundman's" service blue uniform (forerunner to my rate of Sonar Tech)... and also the dress uniform of Thomas Truxtun's relative, Commodore William Talbot Truxtun, who served in the 1880s. But what really knocked me out was the film shorts from the Spanish-American War... !
You may ask why the Marine flag... well, the Navy one wasn't as cool, and I folded over the part on top that says US Marines. Since their core values are the same as ours, I thought it just fine. Not to mention the 2nd guy from the right (without a rifle) is a Navy Corpsman, and the quote on the monument is from Admiral Nimitz. Okay... I proved my point.
Walked back to MacArthur Center Mall for a burger and shake at Johnny Rockets. Made it in there two minutes before they closed! Gee, they close early! 6pm! Then I decided to poke around the mall. Bought gummy bears at a candy shop for the next underway, then looked in on one of those cheap art galleries. Here comes my first first... I ended up buying one... a very lovely still-life original oil painting...
Then I left the mall and stopped by the little ice rink on the other side. I have never ice-skated as an adult... and I was terrified as soon as both feet were on ice. Went around three or four times... by the end I was even going little distances without hovering over the wall with my hands. :)Got home and impulsively watched Holiday (1938, Cary Grant) and stayed up way too late! During stand-down I feel as if I'm still on holiday, but I still have to go into work pretty early! When will I learn? :)
Jw
Sunday, December 30, 2012
A Whale of a Good Time
After being let go from our holiday stand-down turnover day around 2pm, I raced home, changed into jeans, t-shirt and a sweatshirt (along with the knit winter Husky hat from my husband) and went on a shopping trip to the Pembroke Mall along Virginia Beach Blvd.
My mission was pretty simple: a frame for my 2'x3'48-star flag (from Florida), and some more of those Nike dri-fit crew socks that are so comfy. I went to Michael's first, found a perfect frame for $15, and a couple small posters as well. Had lunch in the same mall... mac'n cheese at Panera, and a chicken bowl at Chipotle, just one door down. Walked across the street on a whim to poke around B&N, found a half-price Tintin calendar, a book about Revolutionary War newspapers (from both sides), a neat bargain book about WWII battles (to compliment the Civil War one I bought a while ago), and a few magazines (BBC WWI Story - already read and enjoyed the WWII one last year, the next MHQ, and a scholarly-looking one about the Civil War).
Goodness! So much fun! Next door was an f.y.e.(bargain DVDs) and I picked up an animated version of Make Way For Ducklings (and more Robert McCloskey stories), the romantic comedy Hitch (Will Smith) for a dollar, Megamind (on sale), and a set of Star Trek II & IV.
Back across the street, I picked up a couple of essentials from Walgreens, then drove over to Kohl's for the socks. Besides getting 3 packs of those on sale, I ran into some great after-Christmas sales and updated my wardrobe for the first time in a while... 4 pairs of pants, a top, an undershirt, a knit purple sweater, and some new slippers... all for $126. The receipt says I saved $187! A fair deal! :)
And I stopped by Target for another essential, and returned to Michael's for really cheap Christmas wrapping paper. I am prepared for next year! :)
Jw
My mission was pretty simple: a frame for my 2'x3'48-star flag (from Florida), and some more of those Nike dri-fit crew socks that are so comfy. I went to Michael's first, found a perfect frame for $15, and a couple small posters as well. Had lunch in the same mall... mac'n cheese at Panera, and a chicken bowl at Chipotle, just one door down. Walked across the street on a whim to poke around B&N, found a half-price Tintin calendar, a book about Revolutionary War newspapers (from both sides), a neat bargain book about WWII battles (to compliment the Civil War one I bought a while ago), and a few magazines (BBC WWI Story - already read and enjoyed the WWII one last year, the next MHQ, and a scholarly-looking one about the Civil War).
Goodness! So much fun! Next door was an f.y.e.(bargain DVDs) and I picked up an animated version of Make Way For Ducklings (and more Robert McCloskey stories), the romantic comedy Hitch (Will Smith) for a dollar, Megamind (on sale), and a set of Star Trek II & IV.
Back across the street, I picked up a couple of essentials from Walgreens, then drove over to Kohl's for the socks. Besides getting 3 packs of those on sale, I ran into some great after-Christmas sales and updated my wardrobe for the first time in a while... 4 pairs of pants, a top, an undershirt, a knit purple sweater, and some new slippers... all for $126. The receipt says I saved $187! A fair deal! :)
And I stopped by Target for another essential, and returned to Michael's for really cheap Christmas wrapping paper. I am prepared for next year! :)
Jw
Sweet Christmas At Home
I had two days after we pulled in from our long underway to rest and recuperate before it was time to get on a plane for a long flight across the country. The afternoon we pulled in, I drove three of my friends to their respective places. My friend from food service on the ship needed a ride to the mobile phone store nearby, so I took her. She then took me out for dinner... and I picked Mike's Pizza (she had never been!) before I dropped her back on base. Took care of some errands after that... got my dress uniforms fitted with my new rank, and picked up some breakfast stuff at Food Lion. It was so exciting to be free for once!
The next day, Thurs. Dec. 20th, the Navy gave to me as a free day off work. I slept in like you wouldn't believe, ate breakfast at home, wasted time at the NEX, and stocked up on snacks for the next underway. I was supposed to have a dentist appointment, but I had forgotten to get my record off the ship. After finding out it was hopeless, I set off for downtown. Had Chipotle for lunch (discovered one in Ghent... just north of downtown) then decided on the spur of the moment to head to MacArthur Center Mall and take in The Hobbit (3 hrs) and Lincoln (2 hrs) back to back. I had to laugh when I needed a bathroom break in the middle of The Hobbit. I enjoyed it, although it had an abnormal obsession with orcs and wolves. I intentionally went to Lincoln 15-20 minutes late (stopped in B&N around the corner to kill time) so I wouldn't have to sit through seven trailers as I had to for the first film. I ended up seeing one and a half by the time I returned! This movie was great! It was only about the passing of the 13th amendment, and I was very impressed with Daniel Day Lewis... and I loved how they ended with his 2nd inaugural address after he died... so it could end on a hopeful note. I had a burger at Chili's in the mall for dinner, picked up a couple things at Walmart on the way home, then finally crashed. I think I fell asleep on the couch after talking with Mike.
Checked onto leave when I left the Quarterdeck at 1pm on the 21st. By the time I got home I was absolutely wasted... probably stayed up way too late. Slept for 3 hours solid until the guy from the housing office came by to change my lightbulbs. He turned out to be married to a big Narnia fan, and he started talking C.S. Lewis trivia after he saw my collection of Narnia pictures at the top of the stairs. After all that, I got in the car, returned my broken frame to Walmart, and treated myself to Red Lobster one more time. :)
My plane didn't leave until after noon on the 22nd, so I had plenty of time to sleep, eat breakfast at home, clean up a little and pack before my friend from the ship came to drive me to the airport. It was my first time flying out of Norfolk... and I enjoyed its small and easily navigable halls before my flight. Found out that I could check both my bags for free on Delta... so I had to get a pair of headphones, as all that was in my bag. Burger King made a good lunch, and soon I was onto Atlanta. The four-hour ATL-to-SEA flight went by pretty well too... I watched nearly the entire Husky bowl game for free on the little screen at my seat. That was a great diversion. Got in at 6pm Pacific, found my family waiting for me, and soon we were off home. A spaghetti dinner, backgammon and Phase 10 games awaited me there, as well as my puppy. We returned to the airport at around 11:30 for Michael's plane, and he got in on the very same one as my brother's friends... so we met up again, and my brother changed his plans and came home with us.
The 23rd: Ahh! Relaxation! Finally at home with my husband and my family! How long we all had been anticipating it! After a leisurely breakfast, we were driven to my family's church for a Christmas music concert. My niece had some speaking lines and sang in the children's choir, so we enjoyed it very much. And miracle of miracles, my friend Julie was there too! Apparently, her family goes there too! We sat together and planned a day that we could get together again. Back at home, we took the dog for a walk, had a late lunch with the family, then packed into the car again for a trip to Everett and the Olympic Ballet's Nutcracker. I had been to it a few years ago, and remembered it without a love story... but they changed it this year, just in time for Mike to see it and think that everyone in the Northwest is obsessed with Drosselmeyer. :) Mom and Mike picked up a pizza for dinner when we got home.
Christmas Eve: Quiet morning... breakfast, dog-walking, finished Christmas shopping... lol. Took off for lunch in Woodinville with the Hertzbergs just before 1pm, then met up again at Canyon Hills Church for a wonderful candlelight service. Back at home (and after finishing the Thai take-home dinner) we gathered in the living room for putting ornaments on the felt wreath and singing Christmas hymns and songs.
Christmas Day! It came so fast this year! Traditional breakfast and gift opening, except without the relatives! Gramma Payne was laid up from falling the other week. Thankfully, we were able to drive out to Monroe and visit her and my Aunt & Uncle at their house that evening. For the ease of all, Mom and I planned a chicken dinner and it was waiting for us when we got home. Crispy red potatoes, corn-on-the-cob, and cranberry sauce completed the meal. It was so, very nice! As for the gifts, ours were very popular with the niece and nephew (which is always a lot of fun to watch) and Mike surprised me with the next season of Tintin, just released. I opened my package from Linda, also, which contained lots of good surprises! Thanks! And my sister cross-stitched a gorgeous 1 Cor. 13 passage and the family had it framed! They'll be shipping it soon!
Dec. 26th (New Year's Eve observed): Mike and I had our usual morning which included a lovely walk around the park with the dog. Julie soon came over in her rental car and picked us up for a day downtown together. After finally finding a suitable place to park the car, we poked around Pike Place Market, watching the salmon-throwing, and munching on a couple donuts. Then we stopped by the Old Curiosity Shop on our way to the Bremerton Ferry for a two-hour, round-trip, walk-on ride. Lots of time to sit and chat, or get up and drink in the bracing winter wind. Back in Seattle, we walked over to the brand-new Ferris wheel on the waterfront... the Great Wheel of Seattle. Then it was time for our annual special dinner at Ivar's... and Julie and I both got the big bowl of seafood! So good! And filling! She drove us back home as it began to rain, and only stayed long enough for me to help her find her way out of my confusing neighborhood! :) We finished the evening with a viewing of Bolt, which was fun to introduce to Mike.
Dec. 27: Another nice, easy day with not too many plans. At 1pm everyone gathered in Lynnwood at the Alderwood Mall for a family portrait. It ended up going off very easily and painlessly... our photographer learned quickly that I needed to be surprised with the flash if she was going to get one with my eyes open. :) Did a little shopping after that... my darling Michael bought me a Washington Huskies winter hat, then we picked up a few things at Fred's on the way home. We ate tacos, played games, and watched a couple of fun movies, starting with Bachelor Mother (1939, Ginger Rogers, David Niven) before dinner and finishing with The Artist afterwords.
Our last day came way too soon! Friday, the 28th, started as all the others, but ended extremely well. Mom treated my sisters and I and Mike out to the Chinese restaurant Chan's Place (while the other guys all participated in my brother's LAN party) and then took us all to a production of Fiddler on the Roof in Issaquah! It was wonderfully fun! I even enjoyed walking the small-town main street in the freezing cold with the full moon overhead, arm-in-arm with my husband.
Our flights out on Saturday morning were so near together, I was able to sit with him at his gate. We had breakfast together while he waited, and we waved goodbye until he disappeared from view and boarded. I was glad to be able to see his plane taxi from my concourse, opposite his. Now we're just waiting until next time. :)
Jw
The next day, Thurs. Dec. 20th, the Navy gave to me as a free day off work. I slept in like you wouldn't believe, ate breakfast at home, wasted time at the NEX, and stocked up on snacks for the next underway. I was supposed to have a dentist appointment, but I had forgotten to get my record off the ship. After finding out it was hopeless, I set off for downtown. Had Chipotle for lunch (discovered one in Ghent... just north of downtown) then decided on the spur of the moment to head to MacArthur Center Mall and take in The Hobbit (3 hrs) and Lincoln (2 hrs) back to back. I had to laugh when I needed a bathroom break in the middle of The Hobbit. I enjoyed it, although it had an abnormal obsession with orcs and wolves. I intentionally went to Lincoln 15-20 minutes late (stopped in B&N around the corner to kill time) so I wouldn't have to sit through seven trailers as I had to for the first film. I ended up seeing one and a half by the time I returned! This movie was great! It was only about the passing of the 13th amendment, and I was very impressed with Daniel Day Lewis... and I loved how they ended with his 2nd inaugural address after he died... so it could end on a hopeful note. I had a burger at Chili's in the mall for dinner, picked up a couple things at Walmart on the way home, then finally crashed. I think I fell asleep on the couch after talking with Mike.
Checked onto leave when I left the Quarterdeck at 1pm on the 21st. By the time I got home I was absolutely wasted... probably stayed up way too late. Slept for 3 hours solid until the guy from the housing office came by to change my lightbulbs. He turned out to be married to a big Narnia fan, and he started talking C.S. Lewis trivia after he saw my collection of Narnia pictures at the top of the stairs. After all that, I got in the car, returned my broken frame to Walmart, and treated myself to Red Lobster one more time. :)
My plane didn't leave until after noon on the 22nd, so I had plenty of time to sleep, eat breakfast at home, clean up a little and pack before my friend from the ship came to drive me to the airport. It was my first time flying out of Norfolk... and I enjoyed its small and easily navigable halls before my flight. Found out that I could check both my bags for free on Delta... so I had to get a pair of headphones, as all that was in my bag. Burger King made a good lunch, and soon I was onto Atlanta. The four-hour ATL-to-SEA flight went by pretty well too... I watched nearly the entire Husky bowl game for free on the little screen at my seat. That was a great diversion. Got in at 6pm Pacific, found my family waiting for me, and soon we were off home. A spaghetti dinner, backgammon and Phase 10 games awaited me there, as well as my puppy. We returned to the airport at around 11:30 for Michael's plane, and he got in on the very same one as my brother's friends... so we met up again, and my brother changed his plans and came home with us.
The 23rd: Ahh! Relaxation! Finally at home with my husband and my family! How long we all had been anticipating it! After a leisurely breakfast, we were driven to my family's church for a Christmas music concert. My niece had some speaking lines and sang in the children's choir, so we enjoyed it very much. And miracle of miracles, my friend Julie was there too! Apparently, her family goes there too! We sat together and planned a day that we could get together again. Back at home, we took the dog for a walk, had a late lunch with the family, then packed into the car again for a trip to Everett and the Olympic Ballet's Nutcracker. I had been to it a few years ago, and remembered it without a love story... but they changed it this year, just in time for Mike to see it and think that everyone in the Northwest is obsessed with Drosselmeyer. :) Mom and Mike picked up a pizza for dinner when we got home.
Christmas Eve: Quiet morning... breakfast, dog-walking, finished Christmas shopping... lol. Took off for lunch in Woodinville with the Hertzbergs just before 1pm, then met up again at Canyon Hills Church for a wonderful candlelight service. Back at home (and after finishing the Thai take-home dinner) we gathered in the living room for putting ornaments on the felt wreath and singing Christmas hymns and songs.
Christmas Day! It came so fast this year! Traditional breakfast and gift opening, except without the relatives! Gramma Payne was laid up from falling the other week. Thankfully, we were able to drive out to Monroe and visit her and my Aunt & Uncle at their house that evening. For the ease of all, Mom and I planned a chicken dinner and it was waiting for us when we got home. Crispy red potatoes, corn-on-the-cob, and cranberry sauce completed the meal. It was so, very nice! As for the gifts, ours were very popular with the niece and nephew (which is always a lot of fun to watch) and Mike surprised me with the next season of Tintin, just released. I opened my package from Linda, also, which contained lots of good surprises! Thanks! And my sister cross-stitched a gorgeous 1 Cor. 13 passage and the family had it framed! They'll be shipping it soon!
Dec. 26th (New Year's Eve observed): Mike and I had our usual morning which included a lovely walk around the park with the dog. Julie soon came over in her rental car and picked us up for a day downtown together. After finally finding a suitable place to park the car, we poked around Pike Place Market, watching the salmon-throwing, and munching on a couple donuts. Then we stopped by the Old Curiosity Shop on our way to the Bremerton Ferry for a two-hour, round-trip, walk-on ride. Lots of time to sit and chat, or get up and drink in the bracing winter wind. Back in Seattle, we walked over to the brand-new Ferris wheel on the waterfront... the Great Wheel of Seattle. Then it was time for our annual special dinner at Ivar's... and Julie and I both got the big bowl of seafood! So good! And filling! She drove us back home as it began to rain, and only stayed long enough for me to help her find her way out of my confusing neighborhood! :) We finished the evening with a viewing of Bolt, which was fun to introduce to Mike.
Dec. 27: Another nice, easy day with not too many plans. At 1pm everyone gathered in Lynnwood at the Alderwood Mall for a family portrait. It ended up going off very easily and painlessly... our photographer learned quickly that I needed to be surprised with the flash if she was going to get one with my eyes open. :) Did a little shopping after that... my darling Michael bought me a Washington Huskies winter hat, then we picked up a few things at Fred's on the way home. We ate tacos, played games, and watched a couple of fun movies, starting with Bachelor Mother (1939, Ginger Rogers, David Niven) before dinner and finishing with The Artist afterwords.
Our last day came way too soon! Friday, the 28th, started as all the others, but ended extremely well. Mom treated my sisters and I and Mike out to the Chinese restaurant Chan's Place (while the other guys all participated in my brother's LAN party) and then took us all to a production of Fiddler on the Roof in Issaquah! It was wonderfully fun! I even enjoyed walking the small-town main street in the freezing cold with the full moon overhead, arm-in-arm with my husband.
Our flights out on Saturday morning were so near together, I was able to sit with him at his gate. We had breakfast together while he waited, and we waved goodbye until he disappeared from view and boarded. I was glad to be able to see his plane taxi from my concourse, opposite his. Now we're just waiting until next time. :)
Jw
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