~Snowbird Chat~

[Disney Mommy 3]

Sarah, I hope will be posting soon! She did post a little comment on FB last night....(well,sometime yesterday)..she was a bit sore and thankful for her medz!! Ha!!! Maybe today she can visit us over here!!!! I hope she is sleeping!!!
Well,,.It's midweek friends....can ya'll believe we are amost mid-month? How weird is that? All of ya'll with some nice fall weather.... I am sooooo jealous! I opened the door this morning to let Annie out...the heat & humidity hit me in the face like a wet towel.It really is gross here today!!! cooler weather should be coming back this weekend...we need another break!! Ha!!

 

[danceintherain]

Sarah--good luck today! We're all thinking of you and praying for you.



Becca--how exciting! I would try to find out excatly where you're going...once you know, you can start to learn about it, and that makes it less intimidating. I have lived in Korea twice, for two years each time! 1976-1978 (I was 7-9...Dad was Air Force), and more recently 2004-2006 (DH is also Air Force). I enjoyed it both times. Lots of great travel opportunities--in addition to Hong Kong Disneyland, don't forget Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea, which is supposed to be the MOST FABULOUS of any of the Disney parks worldwide! We took a fascinating trip to China and great beach trips to Thailand and Saipan. It can seem a little overwhelming to contemplate such a big change, but the support network among the military families is really remarkable. One of the things we have enjoyed most about our overseas assignments is the sense of community.

Thanks! I've been looking at tons of Military message boards, and everybody is pretty much saying, 'it's horrible there, stay home.' Obviously, I'm familiar with message boards, so I know that they're opinions aren't necessarily realistic, also they're often out-of-date.
And Tokyo Disneyland! I almost forgot, I knew there was one closer, but I couldn't think of it.

I finally saw his RFO (Request for Orders) and was able to search some of the acronyms and other info they had on there, and it's definitely Korea. Camp Casey to be exact.
Also, apparently they're not his actual orders, so they could still change it on us. (apparently Logan knew this already, but didn't mention it to me) The "pinpoint" orders probably won't come until a few weeks before we leave, but that's ok. S. Korea is probably the furthest away possible place, so it should be easier to adjust to anywhere closer if need be.

I've done a ton of research into it, and apparently he's getting stationed there at a good time, because they've just passed new regulations that increase the number of Command Sponsored accompanied tours. I could still go if we don't get command sponsored, but we would have to pay entirely out of pocket, so it would be less financially feasible. If we don't get Command Sponsored, then it would only be a 12 month tour though, instead of 24 months.
Apparently Camp Casey has no on-post housing though, so if we get Command Sponsorship we can either live in a town nearby, or apply to live in Yongsan. If we go with Yongsan, then Logan would stay at Camp Casey during the week, and come to me on weekends. Even though I would see him less, I am beginning to think this might be the better option, because I would have access to amenities, which I wouldn't get if I was living closer to him. Also, apparently his training and work at Camp Casey would be very intensive and involved, so even if he was coming home every night, it might be very late anyways. Obviously, this is something we'd have to discuss, but Camp Casey is an 1 1/2 hour subway ride into Seoul, which would probably make me feel isolated even if there were a lot of other military spouses in the area.

BTW Korean websites are soo much easier to navigate than Czech ones.

On a Disney note, I'm pretty sure we'll cancel our trip in December. We need to be saving as much money as possible, and go visit as much family as possible before we leave. The date on the RFO was Sept 9, 2010, so that gives us almost a full year to get ready to go. I'm really glad I get this much time, because I know it doesn't usually work like that.

The reaction that surprised me the most was my little sister, she was noticeably sad about us going. I told her she'll just have to come visit me while I was there, but she still doesn't think she'll get to see me enough. I think she'll probably get to come with my parents in the summer of 2011 though. It will be a high school graduation trip for her.

In other news, apparently my youngest brother has the H1N1 flu. It was going around his 7th grade class, and he picked it up. He's on medication for it, so hopefully he's ok.

 

[sarbah77]

Sarah, I hope will be posting soon! She did post a little comment on FB last night....(well,sometime yesterday)..she was a bit sore and thankful for her medz!! Ha!!! Maybe today she can visit us over here!!!! I hope she is sleeping!!!
Well,,.It's midweek friends....can ya'll believe we are amost mid-month? How weird is that? All of ya'll with some nice fall weather.... I am sooooo jealous! I opened the door this morning to let Annie out...the heat & humidity hit me in the face like a wet towel.It really is gross here today!!! cooler weather should be coming back this weekend...we need another break!! Ha!!

Hi ladies! Here I am! I blasted a quick message out to Facebook last night and then went to sleep.

Surgery went FINE. The opening wedge in my leg is bigger than the doctor had hoped (just a bit over a centimeter, so I'm trying to figure out how much taller that makes me) and the pain is well controlled by my medication. I am home, now, which is pretty awesome.

Of course, if you'd put up with the terrible nurses I did, you'd think it was awesome, too.

(complaining ahead - I'm not offended if y'all skip by it!)
First off, the anesthesiologist was arrogant enough to assume that he knew better than me and the last anesthesiologist, so I was pretty ill from the anesthesia. Then, for whatever reason, no one ever considered trying a different anti-nausea medication, so it was about 30 hours between meals.

So, day nurse #1 also got mad at me because I wouldn't use a bed pan. In a shared room with only a curtain separating me and my roommate. Instead, I got to use a commode that was set up next to my bed. Ugh. She and the aide took my crutches (I wasn't allowed to move on my own) and left me for a few minutes. That was painful and terrible. Then, as I ended up with a migraine and asked for ANY pain medications, she managed to forget and then her shift ended. Because I was ill, my roommate turned on her tv (can't blame her) to mask the noise. Then took a cell phone call on speaker phone with her lights on.

Night nurse was super and made up for the day nurse. She got me my Tylenol, got me some medicine for the leg muscles that were cramping and - GET THIS! - called the doctor and got better anti-nausea meds for me. By this morning, I was able to stomach food again.

Sadly, day nurse #2 wasn't much better than #1, though she wasn't mean. She'd just forget to give me my narcotics and forgot that I was on the commode without my crutches. I was never so happy as when the food stayed down and physical therapy cleared me to go home.

Is that TMI? Sorry, ladies! it was pretty terrible, though it was probably better that I was sick at the hospital than at home. I've been great since then... a little dizzy and a bit sore (ended up traveling home right as the pain meds ran out). I have this amazing medicine-free thing called "Polar Care 300" which is an ice pack that's under my bandages with a tube that circulates cold water right to the wound site. HEAVENLY!

But most importantly, thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. I know that all of them have helped me endure and handle the pain. It's wonderful to know that so many people care for me and that, no matter how those thoughts are expressed, the positive vibes have been wonderful!!
and

Also, crzyred, since the surgeon DID break my leg, I suppose it was a perfectly fine thing to say!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Sarah - so glad you're home and doing well now!! Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Meghan..what a sweet memory for Madison!!!!! I know ya'll get sick of the long brutal winters...but ya'll have NO idea how boring our winters are...just plain yucky!! Not even pretty snow to play in...just wet and nasty. Ok...pity party's over!!! Ha!!

Yeah and if we get anything here, it's just little ice pellets kinda the size from a slushie. Although last winter we got enough snow to make a pitiful really really small snow-Mickey in our front yard. Although I might not love it as much if I had to deal with it everyday in the winter.

LOVE the pics of the girls playing in the leaves. Madison loved helping Tony rake the leaves and then jumping in them. So far, we don't have enough leaves on the ground to even make a small pile. I know it must stink to have snow in October, but those pictures are just beautiful!!! I love the first snowfall when everything is just beautifully white and powdery. We're supposed to get some rain/snow mix later this week. Yesterday was actually the 3 year anniversary of our October Surprise snowstorm.

It snowed overnight, but the trees still had their leaves. The trees couldn't handle all of the leaves plus the snow, so hundreds of trees were damaged. There were limbs all over the place and the area was without power for a long time. We lost power for 3 days, but my parents were without power for 8 days!! I'll never forget Madison opening her birthday presents dressed in layers upon layers of clothing. (her birthday is the 15th) We still had her birthday party at my parents house (with no power) and all of my relatives from Syracuse made the drive to celebrate with us. They couldn't believe their eyes once they got here!

Yeah, snow can be really pretty - as long as it is near Christmas time!! One reason I love living in Minnesota is the change of seasons, it's just that winter is a particularly long season! I only like the snow for about 2 months. Then I've had enough. That's why it was so nice to go to WDW in Jan/Feb. Really breaks up winter. This year will be tough going early Dec and then suffering through til spring! Might have to go somewhere warm during spring break!

Becca - good luck with the military decisions and all that! It sounds challenging! But it's always a great experience to live abroad somewhere!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Becc...glad you are getting time to prepare and start saving your $$$...glad your family is planning a visit already!!
Sarah~ glad you are home and chatting!!! Some nurses are just great...some are NOT!!!! I had one after C-Section #1 who just kept on 'forgetting' my pain meds....this was the day of... so I was half-dead to say the least!!!!! How do they forget to give a c-section patient pain pills? WOW!!! But.. the good ones are pure bliss!!!!!Of course, with those ladies...everything is sugar, honey, sweet baby, and make you feel like your mamma is taking care of you!!

 

[Lil'Mermaid75]

Sarah - so glad you're doing okay. My DH had one of those polar care water brace thingies after his knee was operated on. They're pretty slick!!!

 

[danceintherain]

Becc...glad you are getting time to prepare and start saving your $$$...glad your family is planning a visit already!!

I'm really glad for the extra time too! I just realized last night that if my family comes during the summer they're considering, it would be right before our mid-tour trip home. I suppose it would still be ok, I would just get to see them twice in a 3-month period, and then maybe not see them again until a whole year later.

 

[Monny2AE]

A friend of mine just called me and I was floored to see her # on the caller ID because she was supposed to leave for Disney this past Monday. Her little ones are both sick- suspected H1N1. They had to cancel the trip and don't know when they will reschedule it. They were scheduled for the MNSSHP tonight and her kids are devastated. She lost out on her trip insurance $, MNSSHP ticket $, and flight $ !!!!! I feel so bad for her.

I'll definitely be calling to add that trip insurance now. I'd rather lose out on the cost of that than the cost of the whole trip.

Sarah- glad you're not in too much pain and that you're home. Nurses are hit or miss. My SIL is an OB nurse and even she complains about some of the other nurses she works with.


Becca- I'm glad you guys are getting things pinned down- well sort of! I hope it all works out that you get to stay near or with him. Seeing him every weekend is better than not seeing him for months or a year . If you get bored over there you know we're always here for you to chat with!
Hope your little brother is feeling better soon!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Oh kim! Your poor friend!!!!!! That's terrible!!! I always get the insurance..what's $100 if you might be out $3000 or whatever. You just NEVER know.....we got sick one year the day before we left...we were able to go ahead and go...but one day earlier and we would have had to cancel!!!! I just dont like the risks. Are her kids ok? I know some people are getting it severly, and others are just fever, aches, sore throat. Are your kids finally better?

 

[Dancegrl624]

My baby is 7 years old today!!!! I cannot even believe it. Her school got out 2 hours early today, so that was pretty cool. My DH and I then took her to see "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" and we had the theater to ourselves! After the movie, which we all enjoyed, we went to dinner at TGI Fridays. Very delicious! Time just flies by so fast. I can't believe how old she is. It makes me so sad.

 

[Monny2AE]

Oh kim! Your poor friend!!!!!! That's terrible!!! I always get the insurance..what's $100 if you might be out $3000 or whatever. You just NEVER know.....we got sick one year the day before we left...we were able to go ahead and go...but one day earlier and we would have had to cancel!!!! I just dont like the risks. Are her kids ok? I know some people are getting it severly, and others are just fever, aches, sore throat. Are your kids finally better?

I'm calling tomorrow to add the insurance. Especially with this flu season they are predicting. My kids still have the lingering cough- mainly at night/early morning but it's just about gone now. Hopefully we'll get all the germs now and be healthy in January!
My friend's son is doing better. The fever is gone but the other flu symptoms are still there. Her daughter started with it today. She's had a rough week. She called me just to vent and have someone understand her disappointment. She kept thinking that she should be getting her kids ready for the MNSSHP instead of doping them up on meds. Poor thing. This was going to be her kid's first trip.

My baby is 7 years old today!!!! I cannot even believe it. Her school got out 2 hours early today, so that was pretty cool. My DH and I then took her to see "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" and we had the theater to ourselves! After the movie, which we all enjoyed, we went to dinner at TGI Fridays. Very delicious! Time just flies by so fast. I can't believe how old she is. It makes me so sad.

Happy Birthday to Madison!!!!!!


How nice you spent some quality time together on a school day! What a treat! ​

 

[Mndisneygirl]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADISON!!!



Kim - such a bummer for your friend. I can't imagine having to do that.
Trip insurance - never had it. Been considering it - what does it all cover and how soon do you have to get it? DH and I have been considering going on a Mediterranean cruise (Someday) but I fully intend to get insurance for that one if we ever do it!

 

[crzyred]

Happy birthday miss madison!!!!!!!!!!

 

[snykymom]

My baby is 7 years old today!!!! I cannot even believe it. Her school got out 2 hours early today, so that was pretty cool. My DH and I then took her to see "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" and we had the theater to ourselves! After the movie, which we all enjoyed, we went to dinner at TGI Fridays. Very delicious! Time just flies by so fast. I can't believe how old she is. It makes me so sad.

to Madison!
Time does fly, and it only gets faster. But don't be sad - each stage is better than the previous! And now that my d is almost grown, it's great to see what a wonderful woman she's become, and to be able to count her as a friend. This is how it should be.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Happy Birthday Madison

Happy Birthday from your friends in Texas!! We love you!!!!!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Just heard from a friend of ours at church --her son who is 12 was diagnosed with the Swine Flu this morning. YIKES!!! I guess it's just everywhere.

 

[Dancegrl624]

Thank you for all the birthday wishes for Maddie. She's home sick today with a fever (poor thing) and I just showed her all your posts. She was very excited! She is feeling much better right now (after some children's ibuprofen this morning and a nap) and is playing her DS. I told her that even though she is feeling better, she needs to take it easy today. Her birthday party is tomorrow at Chuck E. Cheese and she needs all the rest she can get!

 

[Monny2AE]

Hope the birthday girl is feeling better soon!

 

[Dancegrl624]

Hope the birthday girl is feeling better soon!

She is much better, thank you. She's been coloring, playing her new Wii game (Wii Sports Resort), reading, etc. She is definately feeling like herself again!