Goodbye Tampa.

Sigh. I didn't want to have to go back to Jacksonville but duty calls. Goodbye Peanut and Jacob. Goodbye comfy bed. Good bye frog on the doormat. Goodbye hibiscus. *Stalks away to car slowly*

Sunday's Ducky Ducks

Sunday in Tampa. Slept until noon. Talked to Chris (SHF had been down for 2 days). Saw Tiff's school room (she is a 3rd grade teacher). Bought some Tupperware. Yup, very eventful.

Saturdays Dance

Tiffany's brother, Ryan, getting ready to go to his Homecoming dance. Funny story: They only lasted one hour before deciding the dance was a bust and attempting to walk home. It was a great day and very eventful I found my wedding invitations, we found Kathy (Ryan's girl) a homecoming dress and we played some awesome beer pong!!

Friday's Drive

Friday!!! Time for Tampa! :D I normally try to go down there or my girl (basically sister) drives up to see me every month. Lately it has been every other week and this month it is going to be every weekend! It is great. Tiffany is the sunshine in my life and forces me out of the house since Chris is gone. I really am lucky.

There wasn't anything planned for the weekend except for the fact that I had 3-days off. Instead of sitting at home moping around the house, Tiff suggested I came down. Needless to say, I did. She really twisted my arm. LOL

Volleyball

Today was the 2nd day of the NAVSTA sports challenge. This morning I ran a mini Biathlon that involved running and swimming and after that played volleyball. Later on in the afternoon, I even had to opportunity to race some go cart looking deals that involved pedaling instead of motoring. The competition was fierce today but I was able to remember a lot of the games were intended for fun. Although, I do have to say any competition that involves men (aka testorone) the attitudes get intensified. Navy guys apparently do not like to lose. They could be doing frog races and be getting pissed that their frog wasn't hopping fast enough. But still, it was a great day and very exhausting!

Dodgeball

Today was sports day at Naval Station Mayport (tomorrow is too) and we decided to go sit on the sidelines of Dodgeball in order to cheer our division on. LOL, here is a photo of Gina getting ready for being a sideline cheerleader. We have to be tough/prepared! This photo just cracks me up every time I see it.

Caged

Ben is the most cruel Cagemaster EVER!!! We get fed once a week and only scraps. Plus, I am stuck in the cage next to stinky Rocko. :-( Someone save me please!!

LOL - My cat Ben likes to taunt Rocko when I have to put the pup to bed. Everytime, he goes into the cage Ben feels the need to jump on top and paw at Rock through the bars. That is how I got the inspiration today. Thanks Benjamin and your antagonistic personality!!

Kissing

Who knows what I was trying to do with the photo? And even more so, why I chose the figurine. Haha... I guess I was feeling sappy. Looked down at this figurine and remembered this came from Amsterdam. This underway, "Neptune Warrior" was the first time I ever spoke to Chris. Haha, I told him he was cute. Yup, I do believe those were the first words I ever said to him. For some reason, I am really missing him today. Probably, because I woke up and immediately started watching Just Married and then just recently I was watching the news and they mentioned 3 ship homecomings and there is going to be another tomorrow. *sigh* I can't wait for his...

My new bed

This is my new bed since Chris is gone. It is a very comfortable one at that... for some reason I just can't sleep in the big honkin' one in my room. So I have learned to improvise. Plus, the bed table is a lot bigger than the one in the bedroom. I can fit more necessities on there such as: my new recipe books, Entertainment Weekly, my new friend Spook (the pumpkin in the center) and plenty of space to put as many glasses of water that I want! Oh, did I mention that I have a big 47" flat screen too. Why would I ever want to use the bedroom again?? :D (When Chris is gone that is...)

These boots were made for walking

The Countdown begins...

290 weeks down, 22 to go
(Ahem, the is 5 months!!!! AHHHHH!!!)
Goodbye boots
Goodbye Navy
Hello Corporate Job
Hello College too...

I can't believe it will have been 6 years. It is even more amazing how much I have accomplished (personally, spiritually, financially). I have traveled all over the world and met so many people. Hell, I have been introduced to so many amazing lifestyles. The experience has been fulfilling and has made me so proud. Wow. Just wow.

The road has been unbelievably bumpy and at times appearing to be never ending. Somehow, it is hard to look on the bad and I am so thankful for those lacking memories.

Some places I have been: Florida (Pensacola, Jacksonville), Illinois (my first winter), Maryland, Massachusetts (my first mission), Virginia Qatar, Iraq, Scotland, Amsterdam, Italy, Spain, Palma, Greece, Turkey, Crete, Montenegro, Croatia, Mauritania

Some things I have learned: Don't worry about your peers just be honest with yourself. Stand up for your values. Don't let a man stomp all over you; you are just as good as he is (sometimes better). Friends will come and go but it is your family (doesn't have to be blood) that will stick by you forever. KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT! Remain in contact with your shipmates because you never know when you are going to need them. Motivation. Dedication. Pride (in oneself and country).

What these boots mean: When I first put these boots on (well, not these that would just be gross) I was a lost individual, seeking guidance, a purpose. Now, when I take them off for the last time I am going to be a grown woman, a wife, someone who knows there is more to this world than myself. I may have not chosen Active Duty as a career but this part of me will never leave me. I will forever be a Sailor.

My sweet son...

Rocko
Down and dirty at the baseball field.
He played for hours.
Rested.
Was up and ready to go in another hour.
Now, I am tired.