The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

It has been a crazy few weeks around here adjusting to a newborn in the house.  I am sleep deprived, but doing pretty well.  Meeghan is a pretty good baby so I can't complain too much.

Now for the highlights of the past week:

The Good:  We found out that another guy that was in the same situation as the husband was approved to switch pipelines.  That gives us hope that he will be approved as well.  He has been transferred to the Wing which is the first step to approval.  We also found out that the guy was given PCS orders which is such a huge relief.  We have been trying to decide what to do about the living situation.  The base is less than 50 miles so we weren't sure if they would consider it a PCS move.  We were trying to decide between paying out of pocket to move, using the tax refund to buy a second car so the husband can commute, or having him geo-bach.  If they pay to move us, that is such a weight off our shoulders.

The Bad: It took 4 months for this guy to hear something which means we still have possibly have another 3 months of waiting around to hear the verdict.  That is a long time to hang in limbo especially when you are ready to move on with training.

The Ugly: Last week Hannah developed hand, foot and mouth disease.  I was so freaked out since Meeghan was only 7 days old at the time.  Luckily, we were able to keep Hannah away from her so she didn't get it.  Hannah is finally feeling better, but I am not sure when to allow her to play with other kids.  I don't want to kids to get sick right at Christmas.  However, Hannah needs to play because she is tired of being cooped up.  She is definitely needing to get out and play.  She woke up at midnight last night and didn't fall back asleep until 6:30.  I can't wait until I can leave the house again!

Other than that, we are preparing for Christmas here in Texas.  It will be my first Christmas spent away from family.  Last year we made the drive, but I didn't want to do it this year.  Now I wish I had agreed to it because it doesn't feel the same.  At least this year we can start to make our own family traditions.

The next stop on the Navy train is...

Texas!

My husband completed primary this week and selected today.  For those not familiar with how Naval aviation works here is a quick summary.  The students go through primary where they learn the basics of flying.  Towards the end of primary they can put in their preference on which pipeline/aircraft they would like to fly for their specific branch.  For my husband he wanted tailhook so he can fly the C-2.  Tailhook is on of the most competitive selections since it includes the fighter jets.  They receive a total grade at the end of primary as a way to "rank" them against the other students selecting the same day.  It is all based on scores, input from class advisers and others, their preference, and of course the needs of the military.  He was a little worried because he heard rumors of a helicopter draft, and he did not want helicopters.  Luckily he was put on stand by a lot the last few weeks so his selection date was pushed back.  It worked out well for him since he did receive tailhook!  He was so excited!  I don't think I had seen him so giddy in a long time.  He actually put Mississippi as his first choice, but is being sent to Texas so our plans are a little shaky right now.  We weren't even thinking Texas right now. We figured Texas would be his next stop. All this means is I will be spending the next year in Texas.  I have never even visited the state so it will be new to me.  I am very proud of him.  I know he worked really hard to get to this point.

So now I only have a few weeks left in Florida, and I am going to squeeze in all my "lasts".  I will be sad to leave Florida.  I have met some great people here, but I know this is how life with the Navy is.  Chances are good I will run into some of these people again since their husbands are also pilots so I have that to look forward to in the future.

I guess the purging of household goods will begin soon so there is less to pack.  Ah moving...we meet again.

Dining Out

On Saturday, I attend my first Dining Out with my husband.  It was mandatory so he had to go.  I decided to go with him since we hardly get to go out without Hannah.  It was $40 a person so I was hoping it would be good.  It was interesting.  I understand the Navy is very in to all their traditions, but at one point I just wanted everybody to shut up so I could eat.  We usually eat dinner around 5:30 or 6.  I think we were finally served dinner around 8, and it was cold.  It was prime rib served cold.  I inhaled it, but it was not the best.  The servers had the food out and ready to serve except people kept making other people go to the stupid grog, and so it was another 5-10 minutes before the food reached the tables.  It was such a tease!  I could see it, but I couldn't have it.  I am terrible at making small talk so I wasn't much company for the others at the table.  Actually I made a fool out of myself because I started crying.  I sent a text to the woman watching Hannah that it was going to be later than I thought since they were running behind.  She replied saying it was okay, and that Hannah was asleep in her daughter's room so it was like a slumber party for them.  For some reason it made me cry.  I can't explain why, but it did.  I am pretty sure the others at the table thought I was crazy.  We did sit with a guy who is a member of the French air force who is here for flight training.  It was interesting to see what he thought of all this.  He looked bored most of the time.  All in all, it was pretty much what I expected.  Lots of drinking (cash bar), all the branches making fun of each other, and instructors going wild.  I guess that is what happens when you put a bunch of pilots together in one room.  I know for next time, look for a dress sooner than the week of the event so I can have it tailored, eat before I go or plan on stopping at Taco Bell after, and drink heavily (which I didn't do).

My dress is from Goodwill.  Score!