We were up at 0415 this morning and got dressed and packed and bags out to the van. Then we partook of the free continental breakfast at the hotel before checking out and heading to the airport, which was right next door to the hotel. We got a parking spot and got our boarding passes and got the suitcase and Robert’s booster seat checked through. We headed to security and didn’t have any problems there. Nothing like walking barefoot in the airport. Yes, we had to take our shoes off. Robert was really cooperative, but I think it helped that I had talked to him about it quite a bit in the past few days. Then we waited for our flight, but not a super long wait. The first flight was from Syracuse to Detroit wasn’t bad until near the end when we hit some turbulence. From Robert – "Oooh, that was fun." LOL Then at Detroit we rode the tram from one end of the terminal to the other to get to our next gate. Our flight ended up leaving an hour late as the Captain was coming in on another flight and it got there late. So we finally got headed to Milwaukee, an uneventful flight. We got our suitcase and the booster seat and went to the car rental place. We have a Pontiac G6 for the weekend. It’s a really cool little car, and it even has a sunroof! We stopped at Target for a few things after we left the airport and then got on the road headed north. We stopped for lunch about 45 minutes on the road – at a little Mexican place. The food wasn’t bad and it was nice having Mexican food for a change. Then we got back on the road, and soon Robert had fallen asleep while watching the movie Cars on our travel DVD player. Just north of Green Bay, we stopped for a walk around/stretch break. There was a big fireworks store there, so we walked around in there. There was a play area for kids, so Robert and I played and Ryan walked around the store. Then it was on the road again. We stopped a few more times for potty stops and we finally got home to Mom & Dad’s shortly before 8. Dad and Rick were at the play, but Mom was home, and she took us out for pizza for supper. Once we got back to the house, we played for a little bit and then got Robert off to bed. I’ll be heading that way shortly as well – it’s been a long day.
Monthly Archives: June 2009
Riverfest and a hotel
This morning we got up and ready and got the van loaded and kitties rounded up and into their carriers and we headed out. We dropped the kitties off at the vet for kenneling for the week and then headed to Alexandria Bay for Riverfest – a special day for Soldiers & Families at Ft. Drum to enjoy the Uncle Sam Boat Tour and Boldt Castle. There is a free picnic lunch provided for us at the castle as well. Be sure to click on the links to see more about each. It was a good time despite the rain. This was my 3rd time doing this and Ryan and Robert’s 4th time (I was in Iraq last year). After we got back to the mainland, Robert got to play in the bounce houses for a little while and then we got in the van and headed to Syracuse. We went to the mall for me to exchange the paperback version of "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini for the hardcover illustrated version. Then Robert got to ride on the carousel. Then it was off to the Olive Garden for dinner. We don’t have one in Watertown. It was actually kind of a disappointing dinner tonight. Note to self: seafood and pasta does not work well together for me. No more shrimp with pasta at the Olive Garden. After dinner we finally headed to our hotel. We knew it was close to the airport, but we didn’t know how close. Tomorrow morning when we leave out of the hotel parking lot, we’ll turn right and just about be in the airport parking lot. It’s THAT close. We got settled in our small room – Robert is sleeping kind of under the desk on the floor. Robert played for a while and I crocheted and pretty soon he was asking to go night-night. That doesn’t happen very often with him. Of course, he was still awake for probably another hour, but he’s asleep now. I’ll be heading to bed very soon as well.
Today’s high: 63
Current: 62
BQ Troop Return, Hair Cuts, and Packing
No PT this morning so I slept in a little. Good thing since it was SUPER late when we went to bed and I didn’t sleep well at all. I know I was awake at 0300 and at that point decided I wasn’t getting up for a run. I went in for 0930 formation, and then after formation, the Brass Quintet headed to the gym to play for a Troop Return Ceremony. It went well, and was short as always. After the ceremony, I was done for the day and I headed home. We had a very productive day. I went through the boxes in the guest room way upstairs and got a huge box ready for the thrift store, and some trash as well, including 5 empty boxes!! I still have 2 boxes in the stairwell that I need to go through but those will wait until after we get back from Michigan. We headed out and Ryan and Robert got haircuts. Then it was into town to Target for a few things. And then to the mall for a haircut for me. While we waited the half hour until they could get me in, we went to the bookstore and Robert got to pick out a couple of new books for on the plane on Friday. I got my hair cut, and it took as long to dry it as it did to wash and cut it. And the guy that cut my hair had me stand up while he was cutting it since it’s getting so long. Then we made a quick stop at Michaels for a dry erase activity book for Robert and then to Friendly’s for dinner. And then it was home to get packed for this weekend. Robert got a long bath while I was packing. I only packed for a weekend for three people, but wow. Not easy, but we got it done. Then Ryan got Robert off to bed and I got my carry on (laptop backpack) and Robert’s carry on packed. All I have to do is put my laptop and cords in in the morning. I crocheted for a bit more just to relax from all the go-go-go, and now I’m finishing up on the computer so I can get to bed.
Today’s high: 75
Current: 70
This morning PT accountability was at the gym. After I was accounted for, I went to the soccer fields across the street and did 10 soccer field intervals. I ran fast the length of the soccer field and then did an easy recovery the same length. It was a good workout. But my shoes and socks were SOGGY after. Between the rain yesterday and this morning’s dew, the grass was pretty wet. After a trip home to change and eat and pack my lunch and check my e-mail and stuff, it was back to post. I went to my clearing briefing and got my clearing papers!!! Woohoo!! After the briefing, I did a lot of clearing – most places it’s just a matter of bringing your clearing papers, showing a copy of your orders and then you get a stamp and a signature. I went to CIF to make my appointment to turn in my little bit of equipment that I need to turn in. Then I went back to the band hall and sat in my office for lunch. I got an hour of stitching done after I ate. After lunch I checked my e-mail and then went and tried to clear medical, but they won’t do it more than 10 business days before final out date. So I couldn’t do that. I figured dental would be the same. Then I went to my Finance Briefing so I can get the travel advances and other moving money. That took about 8 minutes. Then I had an hour to kill before Brass Quintet rehearsal so I went and cleared one other place. Rehearsal went well for the gig we have tomorrow.
Then it was home for supper and the guy from the rental management company came over and looked at our house and we talked about all kinds of stuff. There are a few things that are negatives – no back yard, the neighbor’s house is an eyesore, no heat/cooling on the 3rd floor. So it’s going to be listed at $1150 a month. Not quite what we were hoping for, but we’ll make do. As long as it gets rented. . . And speaking of houses, the one we were looking at in AZ is not going to happen. One of my friends there called the company and they said that it’s a really run-down house and not even worth looking at. Now if only they had told ME that one of the two times I had called about it. Hmm. . . But I’ve found a few others from a different company and e-mailed them to my friend to check out for me. Not going to get my hopes on any of them this time around. No pools. But we’ll live.
I spent the evening looking for hotels in Niagara Falls, Canada, for our two nights that we’ll be there. We’re going to do some touristy stuff during our travels to Arizona, Niagara Falls being the first stop. So there are hotels that accept pets and hotels that have internet, but the pet hotels don’t seem to have internet. I guess we’ll have to live without internet for 2 days. Booo.
Way late for bed again. I guess I’d better get some sleep.
Today’s high: 76
Current: 58
Day off
Today really was a day off. I slept until almost 9 this morning and that sure felt good. Ryan and Robert took a trip to the dump with another 275 pounds of junk. How in the world did we accumulate that much?? Hmmm. . . At least it’s gone and we don’t have to move it. I made a few calls about the house we’re looking at in Sierra Vista. One of my friends in the band at Huachuca is going to go look at the house and take more pics for us and we might make a decision before even setting foot in it. The price is definitely right, especially now that they’ve dropped the rent by $100 a month. 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage, fenced back yard, in ground pool (and the pool maint. is included in the rent), fireplace in the living room, decent looking (from the one pic) kitchen. 7 miles to the band hall, 3 miles to the church we’re looking at, 1.5 miles to the community college, and a block from the elementary school. Keep your fingers crossed that it gets a good review from my friend and that if it does get a good review, that we’re able to get it! This afternoon I spent a couple hours in my craft area getting things organized and cleaned and ready to pack. I still have a little bit of work to do, but it’s a lot better than it was. Then it was off to softball practice on post. We didn’t have the whole team there, but since it was a day off, some were probably doing other things. Then after practice we went to the PX for a few things and then to Burger King for supper. Then it was home for dessert (butterscotch pudding that Ryan had made). After Robert was in bed, I got my stitching out, and then my sponsor from Huachuca called and we talked for a little while. Then I stitched for a little while.
Today’s high: 67
Current: 57
Super Sunday
This morning we were all up earlier than normal for a Sunday. And boy was there a good smell coming through our open bedroom window. The Elks Lodge (like a block from our house) was having a chicken BBQ today and we woke to the smells of chicken cooking. Yum! Church was good and then after the service we went into Watertown to have lunch at Bob Evans. Then we stopped at the mall so Ryan could talk to one of his friends from school (he works at Dick’s Sporting Goods) and we browsed the Hallmark store as well. Then it was home and we got to work. Ryan started working on cleaning/organizing the garage. I got the lawn mower gassed up and mowed the jungle that our front yard had become. We let Robert play with the hose – he had a cooler out there for his squirt gun, but he had fun filling the cooler and dumping it. And making it "rain." And he got to spray down some stuff that Ryan brought out of the garage that needed to be cleaned. Once I was done with the yard, I helped Ryan with the garage. He filled up several large trash bags and put a few larger things in the back of his truck for a trip to the dump tomorrow. We think the garage is pretty much ready to be packed now. Then we headed to the ice cream place for our Sunday evening treat. After we got home, Robert and I started tackling his toy explosion area. That’s what it looked like – like a toybox had exploded. The hutch from Ryan’s old computer desk is a great place for toy storage – lots of shelves for "garages" for wheeled vehicles, and Robert has a LOT of cars and trucks and stuff. We still have some more to do, but sure made a huge dent in the pile!! After Robert was in bed, I made my weekly phone call home to Mom & Dad and then I stitched on Lady of the Flag.
Time for bed now. . .
Today’s high: 74
Current: 58
Violet Festival and Mother/Daughter Garden Tea
It was an early morning for us. We had bought donuts at the grocery store yesterday for a treat for breakfast this morning. We were out the door at 0600, heading to post. I had formation at 0630. Ryan and Robert followed the bus in the van and I had to ride the bus. I stitched for about an hour and then I napped. We went to march in the Violet Festival Parade in Dolgeville. It was a really good parade, about 2 miles (so they said, but it didn’t really feel like it). We stopped in front of the reviewing stand and played the National Anthem, the 10th Mountain Division and the Army songs. After the parade, I got the car keys from Ryan and he and Robert went and watched the rest of the parade. I got my stuff off the bus, got my horn put away, and changed into shorts and a polo shirt in the back of the van. I love tinted windows. LOL Then I went and found the guys and finished watching the parade with them. It was almost 2 hours long – and I don’t know how many bands. Six or seven maybe. I lost count. Once the parade was done, we went and looked at all the craft and other vendors in the park area and there was food, too, but the lines were really long so we decided to wait and eat on our way home. I stitched on the way and Robert ended up falling asleep. We stopped when we were in Lowville and had a late lunch. When we got home, I laid down on the bed for a bit and ended up falling asleep. I took about a 45 minute or so nap before getting dressed and heading to the church for the Mother/Daughter Garden Tea. I sat with three older ladies from the church – we "adopted" each other so I had 3 mothers and they had a daughter. There were little sandwiches, deviled eggs, veggies and fruit, and several desserts, as well as punch, tea, and coffee. There were door prizes, but I didn’t win anything. It was a lot of fun! Then I came home and played Chutes and Ladders with Robert before he went to bed. Once he was in bed, I stitched and we watched the Nationwide series race.
Today’s high: 70
Current: 60
Flag Day ceremony
Today was a day off – beginning of a Battalion 4-day weekend. But I was up and in uniform and out the door at 0830 to head to a local elementary school for their Flag Day Ceremony. The Brass Quintet played – we played one piece with the 4th grade band and then we were featured for a piece. It was a pretty neat ceremony. After the ceremony it was back home and I got laundry folded, more laundry started washing, and I got all my extra uniform stuff and the rest of my Army equipment packed into 3 tuff boxes, a duffel bag, and my ruck sack, ready for the packers to come in 13 days. We went to Watertown to Ruby Tuesday for dinner and then to the grocery store on the way home for a few things. And then we watched the final game of the Stanley Cup Finals and stitch. I was sorry to see the Red Wings lose, but the Penguins played much better and deserve the Cup. Congrats to the Penguins and all their fans.
Today’s high: 73
Current: 60
Rehearsals
For PT this morning I ran 3.37 miles in 35:29. I ran a 1 minute negative split, so I’m happy about that, even though it was kind of a slower pace. I was a little sore from softball practice yesterday. Once home, I got the trash out to the road for pick up, packed my lunch, got my water bottle filled, ate breakfast, and did a bit of computer stuff. After formation, we had Tattoo music rehearsal for about 45 minutes. Then we did vehicle inspections since it’s a 4-day weekend for us. By then it was lunch time so I ate and then stitched. After lunch I did a little bit of credit card stuff – yes, it seems like I do that a lot, but we’re still working on making sure everyone has a government travel card, especially since there is a TDY next week. Then at 2 we had Brass Quintet rehearsal for our gig tomorrow. That went well and then it was off to the briefing for the TDY next week. I’m not going, but since I manage the travel cards, I needed to be there to brief them about their cards and I made sure they all had my phone number in case anyone has a problem. Then it was off to supply to make a list of who has and has not turned in their clothing records updates and do one last credit card account check online. I headed home for dinner which Ryan had cooked so that was nice. Then we played for a while and when Robert went up to bed, I took a nice long shower. Then I crocheted and finished the square I started last night.
Today’s high: 74
Current: 64
Lots of marching band
Today was our long day. After formation at 0700, we got on the bus and headed to the monument by Division headquarters. We had our first rehearsal for the Command Tattoo in 2 weeks. It actually went really well, and our marching part is much easier than what we did 2 years ago. We spent a couple of hours out there, and then when we got back to the band hall, we had drill band to practice for the upcoming ceremonies. I didn’t march, but got to be part of the observers today since I’m not going to Ft. Polk for the ceremony next week. By the time we were done with that, it was pretty much lunchtime. After I ate, I got an hour of stitching done. The afternoon was spent doing a little bit of credit card stuff and then just killing time until it was time for softball practice. We got to practice on the real field today and that was nice. I played 3rd base for a little bit, but mostly I was in my usual catcher spot. Practice went really well – only one more practice before our first game in 2 weeks. Ryan’s pitching for us. After practice was done, we went to the Golden Unicorn for supper and then home for Robert to clean his toys up. After he was in bed, I crocheted and started a 12" square for my crochet exchange group. Heading to bed now – I’m TIRED.
Today’s high: 66
Current: 57
armytbonegirl 