Mom Letter #7 - February 29, 2008 - Reporting weather from Chicago to be 37 WOOHOO!!!
Dear Thom,An army 2Lt. is taking his platoon on patrol when his scouts come running back and say" "Sir, there's a Marine standing in the way of the road".
The Lt. scoffs and sends a fire team to go investigate and remove the Marine. They approach the Marine and he begins to head for a small ridge on the side of the road and motions for them to follow. As the rest of the platoon advances and takes cover they hear yelling and screaming.
The Marine emerges a couple minutes later and dusts himself off and again stands in the middle of the road. The Lt. curses and calls for a squad to remove the Devil Dog. He again heads down to s small ridge and they follow. Once again there is blood-curdling screaming and weeping.
And AGAIN the Marine emerges and dusts himself off. Bewildered and pissed off, the Lt. sends all but his platoon Sgt. down and says "Eliminate the Marine. They run towards him and again follow him to the ridge. The screaming begins again and suddenly a specialist comes running up, bloody, his cammies all mangled.
The Lt. is in shock and says "What the hell is going on out there soldier?" Gasping for breath the soldier replies, "Its a trick sir!! There's two of them.....
That’s all … thought we’d start with a smile!
Dear Thom again … how are you doing? I’m doing fine – though I stayed home today, because well, lets’ just say I stay home some days. I think its sort of like “skippin.”
We had that state inspection on Wednesday and Sr. was out on a dentist appointment, which meant I was the senior staff on duty YEEKS! Hehehe, but we hung tuff. Well, a little nervousness aside. Neither of the other two Q’s were finished with their work, but I covered while they scrambled … I OF COURSE was ready hehehe. I umm planned that! Makes me look good!
I went through policies and procedures with one of them and general enrollment and staff questions, and then invited him to roam through the building doing interviews with staff and clients, and phone calling parents while I went through client and staff records with the other. It’s kind of a big deal. You get these surprise inspections once a year and they make or break you. All in all? We came up with a 99%. We got hit with 2 problems – both from the new Q. She had missed MY first aid session heheh (I umm just set it up with a pro – cuz I’m the staff trainer) and so her First Aid and CPR were not current. AND, she’d loused up on the newest client by giving her first annual one month later than it was supposed to have occurred.
Ugh! Otherwise though we were all good!
No thanks from Sister though … she kept saying to the state people you should have called so I could have been here. She sort of missed the boat … the rest of the staff and me WERE here and we did fine. *Sigh*
Ok, nuf of that stress for the week. We knew it was coming soon. So, talking about stress how goes it in San Diego? I was just watching 2 minute video clips of Marines talking about their experience and values and if they talk about boot camp at all, they all rank it very high as the experience of a lifetime. Nobody forgets boot camp. Maybe you are making memories? I hope that you will be sharing some of your experiences. Maybe not the first time, but soon after, I know you’ll be adding your excellent sense of humor to the story and what might start out first to be untasteful a thought - in some form or fashion will become the brunt of your arsenal of endless stories and jests. So maybe it’s not intolerable what you are going through, maybe its just yet raw material humor? Hmm? Ok, 100 push-ups … nothing funny about that? Can see a point there. Be quiet Mom!
It’s much easier being here not knowing exactly what your going through. Maybe the worst of his day today was that he fell out of step while marching or the toast was cold. Maybe your actually having fun hanging out with a bunch of swell guys and they are all having a bunch of fun hanging out on the obstacle course and doing wind sprints at the chow station? Could be? God Bless you Thom wherever you are and whatever you are doing! Ya gotta know that we are still loving the hell out of you from back home here! So just stay safe and healthy and all will be well! If I could have slipped you anything it would have been the purell hand sanitizer. I’m pretty sure it’s the germs that are your worst enemy … Try to avoid getting sick, k?
That’s pretty much a direct mom directive!
Hmm, what else is happening around here? Well in real time, you are coming over tomorrow. Yeeks. Where did I leave those questions I was working on and when am I going to get to picking up the house? Wow! Isn’t that pretty amazing … you know you have become an adult when your mom picks up the house “for” you instead of “after” you! We’re holding back on the kitty litter until right before come to get the best cleanest affect. *Sigh* the rest is gravy.
Ok, here are the questions that we have so far that we’re going to go over …
1. Where is your car going to be stored, who will have access to it, and how is the payment going to be made?
2. Will all your furniture just be split between Bobby and Joe if they decide to break up? Alex will keep what he has?
3. What are you doing with the things they don’t want like your personal belongings?
4. Do you need storage space?
5. Will you need to keep up your insurance while you are gone? Would the car be insured if someone drove it?
6. What shape is your address book? And, can I have a copy in case your DI messes with yours?
7. Can I make labels to send you in regular envelopes?
8. Does your recruiter have my address and phone number?
9. Did you list yourself as having two mothers or do I get to be it?
10. If anything were to happen to you would they come to me directly, or would it just go to your dad? Basically, it’s been about 5 years or so (Maury’s wedding) since we’ve talked and I’d like not to be routed through him.
11. What are your plans for the day/weekend that you are leaving? I know the recruiter wants you at the hotel by 8 pm. So I figure he’ll get you anywhere between 5 – 7 pm depending on where you are going to eat that last dinner.
12. When do we say goodbye so I can cry to pieces formally?
13. Is there anything I can do for you before you leave?
14. Are there any nagging threads?
15. Do you want to talk about what you are thinking about right now?
16. Can we talk about it some more?
17. Is it ok that Rich comes to the graduation?
18. Do you know if anyone else is thinking of going to the graduation ceremony?
19. Did you tell Jacki and your recruiter about Marineparents.com if they didn’t know already?
20. Are there going to be people that see you off at the airport? Should there be?
21. Is there anything you want for safekeeping – special? Is someone taking care of it – especially if Joe needs to move?
22. Is there something about yourself that you can tell me that would make me understand you better? I feel like I’m just getting to know you…
Better come back later…
It’s hard thinking of the questions because it means acknowledging that you are really leaving and at the present time it means that you are leaving just 9 days away. The weeks are going by really fast. I can’t begin to tell you the amount of time I’m spending in “MarineWorld.” It’s kind of a space I stay in and feel most safe in. I’m not really sure why I’m acting this way, although I see it in some of the other parents too. There are some of us that hit the [message] Boards everyday scanning for any new piece of information. I guess there is somewhat a little desperation to it, but then there is this other side of it where you feel connected. I’m pretty sure there is a better balance.
I don’t know how you are doing with your people balance. It’s my thought that you are with people now 24/7. I don’t know how that is for you. You are sleeping, eating, showering, drilling, schooling, whatever with people and they are pretty much the same people so you must be having feelings about them. I’m guessing most the feelings are good in a getting close feeling. Maybe though not close enough you want to share toothbrushes. I’m thinking they do let you sit down in a toilet with the door shut, don’t they? There’s at least that much privacy? Hmm, I’ve been told you now refer to it though as the “head.” Hmpf! Seems more appropriately that it should be called “The Tail.” But, that’s just another crazy mom’s opinion. I’m sure the Marines are running the joint just fine.
It’s just that I’m having those same kind of questions as when you went away to school those first years and I was hoping you’d learn to socialize well and have plenty of friends. Certainly, not be the kind to become a class bully. MAYBE even go to the front of the class and become Chief Indian! Hmm, I think now days it’s a much bigger deal … everyone’s grown up haven’t they? It’s still important to be in charge. But, to do that you have to think big – what is it they need maybe balance trust, patience and that which allows mother birds to push baby birds out of the nest. Hmm, thinking you got all that in diamonds Thom. I will be so proud to see you at graduation. I might have to get some sun glasses so I can figure out which one is you from a distance – I figure you’re going to sparkle and shine so bright I won’t be able to look at you direct.
Oh dear here I went again … I’m sorry … in a few paragraphs I could have you challenging Obama for Presidency. See this is what being a Mom is all about. You never quit believing in your kids no matter what! That’s about how I feel. And, for that matter you’ve never given me a reason not to believe in you. Be confused by you yes, but never stop believing in you. Heaven forbid not! Cuz your THOM!!!
Hmm, maybe we need some news stories. Let me see what’s up there. Remember you can always write and tell me ok, Mom you can add some pictures
Hmm for some reason Prince Harry – of ENGLAND … you should know that! Has just been pulled out of Afghanistan where he’s been secretly serving his deployment. He’s 23 … I think you were born almost if not the same date of his brother … hmm, that can be checked. Ahh you are slightly older your birthday is April 25th and Prince William’s is on June 21rst 1982. Maybe that makes you more princely AHA! Anyway if you allowed pictures I would have sent one of Prince Harry holding his machine gun.
Obviously only ONE of you had enough intelligence to go on to Intelligence … Hmpf!
Wow! Today is Leap Day … forgot … happy Leap Day Thom! Umm, nothing more on that.
Turns out there’s no real Leap year festivities. Just people with birthdays get a little nutty.
This is your sports story …
QB Anderson Agrees Deal With Browns
By TOM WITHERS,
Associated Press
Posted: 2008-02-29 10:20:02
Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson wasn't a free agent for long.
Anderson has agreed to a multiyear contract to stay with the Browns, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract had not been completed.
General manager Phil Savage believed if Anderson had gotten an offer from another team, the Browns probably wouldn't have been able to keep him.
The team had been negotiating a three-year, $20 million deal for Anderson.
The 24-year-old signed with Cleveland just hours after he became a restricted free agent.
Hmm, now in Britney news … it turns up that while Barack Obama’s daughters like Hannah Montana and Beyonce they will have nothing to do with Britney or even Paris Hilton, Hmpf! and now today in the news is an exclusive where Britney’s landlord is saying that the place wasn’t current on rent … man what a rippoff. She has to pay $35,000 a month and she was just 2 weeks late, AND he already charged her $2,100 late fees … and wants her out! What a belly up kinda guy – plus he published it shheese! That’s the kinda guy that should get paid in pennies. Ahh that’s it … he’s trying to evict her anyway … Ugh!
Wow! Here’s a nice story about a shrimp fisherman who swam 12 hours to save his crewman’s life. It happened off of Australia. The guy was badly cut, bruised, exhausted, dehydrated and sun burnt … left the hospital on crutches, but his condition was good. They said almost no one could have made it, but the guy has exemplary determination like no other person. He said he wasn’t going to die out there. I bet you his father was a marine.
Hmm, that was a sad story … just heard that in some parts of South Africa they are slaughtering elephants because there are too many of them and they are ruining the food sources for other animals and humans. You wouldn’t suppose you’d like to start an adopt an elephant project when you get to Hawaii would you? I think they’d like a sandy beach! Not so sure there’d be enough room for them in Japan. Kinda a sad story … I’m sorry. I’ll find a happier one.
Ahh did I finish telling you that Sprint story from yesterday? That’s where we faded off and soon as you knew it we were looking at telephones, and then the inspectors came and before you knew it the day was over. Anyway if you don’t know it here’s the deal. “But Sprint isn't ready to lay down and die just yet. The beleaguered provider is looking to upstage its competitors $99 unlimited calling plans. AT&T and Verizon offer unlimited voice for $99, and T-Mobile adds unlimited text messaging, but Sprint is offering unlimited everything at the now industry standard price point of just under a Benjamin.
Unlimited calling, texting, data, e-mail, Sprint TV, GPS, and push to talk. Matching that offering on Verizon or AT&T would easily push your monthly bill to over $140.” Hmm, almost making it worthwhile to consider upgrading to a better phone! Not yet though … we’re thinking let’s get you through Boot camp first and THEN get the plan that allow you to call home as often as you might want wooHOO!!!! I’ll even learn texting if you want!
Ahh one more good story over here … publishing the whole story … this one is print worthy!
Google's one phone number for everything service, GrandCentral, is getting a new trial of sorts. Google is taking its 'Do no evil' mantra to the streets of San Francisco -- literally. A partnership between Google, the San Francisco city government, and Project CARE (Communications and Respect for Everybody) is offering a free phone number and voicemail box to every homeless person in the city for life.
The philanthropic program is aimed at helping the homeless not just communicate with friends and family, but also land jobs. One of the big stumbling blocks for the downtrodden is their inaccessibility. When emerging from job training programs, folks need a method of contact, preferably a phone number. By calling from any phone, including pay phones, the homeless will also be able to get a phone number and set up the voicemail box.
Project CARE also sees the voicemail box as a doorway to proper medical testing and care. If the project is successful, Google will expand it through the rest of the state, and hopefully the country.
That’s really SWEET!!!
I think I’ll end the story’s there though, cuz I see I’ve creeped this letter already up to our self-limit of 6 pages. Wow it goes so fast. I’ve got a little room here though to wrap things up. I’m not sure when you are getting time to read all these letters. I’m hoping that you save some of them for days when you aren’t getting as much from others. I know you just get 4 hours on Sundays and one hour per week night. AND, I figure that includes some good old fashion fooling around with the guys time. Hmm, or maybe your tired of each other by then? I’m not sure.
Thinking of the movies and there always being a card game or something like that going on. I’m pretty sure I read somewhere that there is no smoking during boot camp. So I know guys aren’t standing around doing that. Maybe a lot of letter reading and writing though. I hope you take to the pen. Just holler if you need more paper. I hope there will be some letters that you write to either Joe, Maury or me that can be shared so they go around further. Of course, the personal one’s they’re the best, but don’t want to take up all your time.
Thom … just wanted you to know how much I really enjoy these times I have where I get to be thinking of you rather direct or indirectly. If I were to put in a little more personally about either you or me or the mix … Hmm, what would I say? Mostly, the same thing over and over sure are proud you are my son … can’t believe how lucky I am. Just thinking of it gets me to crying all over again. Around here you get called a marshmellow though. Hmpf! I’d be a “cute one” though! Be taking very good care of yourself and know if I were there and saying good night I’d give you a great big hug and a smooch!
I love you Thom!
Mom
posted by Ann Marie @ 3/08/2008 10:07:00 AM
Comments: 0
