NYE Western Cruise 2008 - New Thread

[Aisling]

Adrian told us last night he's moving back home!

He's realized that living in the city "part time" just isn't worth the expense~

He's also talking about going into the Coast Guard reserves! I am ok with it cause the CG is the only military branch that is pretty much guaranteed to stay stateside. Adrian is going to take the fact that they'll pay his college tuition and run with it...I am very proud of my Boy~

I have a high school friend who joined the Coast Guard right out of h.s. and LOVED it. He retired a few years ago with 20 years under his belt, a fantastic pension and benefits for life, and is now working "for the fun of it" as a supply chief at the police department. Through the Coast Guard, he got a low interest mortgage for a beautiful home, a college education (only went for his associates), and had the luxury of working the coastline close to home. He met his lovely wife through the Coast Guard, and has a wonderful family. She also retired at age 38 after 20 years of service, and got a job in a fiber optics company managing communications, which she learned from the Coast Guard. I say to Adrian GO FOR IT BABY!

 

[disneykelly73]

Hi everyone,

Brian and I got back in at 130 this am from Canada.. OMG.. got hung up at the border crossing.. LONG TIME... most cars were having their trunks searched. I am EXHAUSTED!!!

Brian joined the US Coast Guard 13 yrs ago. I think he thought it would be temporary, but found it to be a good gig. He has lived in Key West FL, Hawaii, Newport, RI and now in MA. Adrian should apply to the US Coast Guard Academy in New London CT. Its the one thing that Brian says he would have done different. He can become an officer, while obtaining his education there. They pay for it, plus they pay him while in school. Its worth looking into. If Adrian has any questions, he can talk to Brian. I can make his phone number available to you guys!!! Plus, he can chat him up on the cruise... that is if the kids are still going!!

Oh.. missed my normal weigh in night, will probably weigh in tonight.. hopefully its a loss or the same, as I counted points ALL WEEKEND!!

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Thanx for the school details Kelly (and Brian.)

I will absolutely pass this on to him!

I know it's a good move for him if he does it right~

He's not much of a talker but I will mention Brian to Aidz and see if he's interested in speaking with him as someone actually in that branch of the service. I have to cancel our second cabin cause the kids are definitely not going.

My friend Rose wanted us to go to WDW in October but I have pretty much decided if we're going anywhere it'll be the cruise come December. I can save us mucho bucks not giving in to the temptation and staying home this Halloween.

Orlanr, Your ketchup pack idea is hilarious but would probably work

 

[trinibjill]

Adrian told us last night he's moving back home!

He's realized that living in the city "part time" just isn't worth the expense~

He's also talking about going into the Coast Guard reserves! I am ok with it cause the CG is the only military branch that is pretty much guaranteed to stay stateside. Adrian is going to take the fact that they'll pay his college tuition and run with it...I am very proud of my Boy~

Well - well - well -
sounds like what his grandmom did (me) Moved out of the house - went to south jersey for a while - decided it wasn't what I wanted - moved back home & went into the Navy. Got a education - each class I took I was either 1st or 2nd in my class. Was just average in high school cause I didn't really like it.
I retired out of the military with 21 yrs 3 mos 19 days & was a Sergeant First Class.

 

[disneykelly73]

Wow Jill.. that is impressive. Brian is currently a 1st class Petty Officer, he is hoping to make Chief shortly.. He did really well in the tests this year, but last years group still havent made up to the number he ranked.. so its now a wait and see game.

Tigg, there is no guarantee that he wont go overseas, however, the ones that go over are protecting the ports for the Navy ships.. They dont see the front lines or anything like that. The ones they send I believe are a bit more experienced anyway, and are usually specialists... There is a unit called the MSST.. they are a type that might get sent.

Brian used to do the Cuban migration details when he was in Key West..

Its def. a learning experience, and a tight nit group of soldiers.

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Mika lost her battle with cancer today, her heart just couldn't handle it - she went into cardiac arrest about two hours ago

 

[Aisling]

OMG I don't know what to say! My thoughts are definitely with you guys right now. Thank God you had that last vacation with her, she was so loved! Hugging you J. family!

 

[trinibjill]

Sent you an e-mail. There are tears in my eyes & heart. She was a great companion. She wasn't just a dog. She was family.
LYMI Mom

 

[CADZNYCHC]

ohhhh Colleen ....I am so so sorry....i know exactly how you feel....I know Mika was one of your kids...just like Niner! Just know that Mika is just over the Rainbow Bridge where she'll wait with Niner & Betsy's Sultan Peppah until you meet up again.....

 

[artman]

My thoughts and prayers are with you Tig.

 

[Anjelica]

I am so sorry Tigg.....

 

[disneykelly73]

Colleen, I am so so so sorry. I know your pain and I wish I was there to give you a hug and comfort you. I am actually crying at my computer thinking about your pain and that Mica is gone.

 

[nskjerven]

Such a wonderful smile. She is running on the beach in doggy heaven

 

[Anjelica]

"You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us." - Robert Louis Stevenson

 

[magicalfam5]

Colleen, I am so sorry It must be so hard for you. I'm sitting here crying as if Mika was my own. I love the picture of her. The picture of her in the mirror looks like she's looking down from the sky.

Judy

 

[CADZNYCHC]

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

 

[magicalfam5]

Brenda, you have me sobbing again.

Judy

 

[trinibjill]

I'm doing my darndest not to sob. I do have a huge lump in my throat.

When my two boys (cats) died I carried them home in my car from the vet. They died months apart. They were 14 years old.

I buried them together out front. There is a big stone cat there & a stone bench. This was the first year I could sit out there for any length of time.

Had to get another one right away.

 

[Aisling]

Oh Brenda, what a beautiful tribute to beloved pets. I'm all choked up. I know Tig will appreciate you posting that.

And Jill, that memorial spot is also beautiful. I've never been a pet owner, but just from the emotion I'm feeling now, I can understand the love you all have for your animal family members.

 

[CADZNYCHC]

When Niner passed, we had him cremated & the day after we picked up his ashes, the vet delivered a single rose & a beautiful copy of that poem. It has been many years now (4.5) - but i still miss that boy & cry often for him....