{Nicky}
For those eagerly anticipating our arrival, we're leaving within the hour for MN! Dixie is very excited, as she is for any adventure, Scott is dead on his feet because he had duty last night (no worries, I'm driving!), and the cats...well...they, of course, are in hiding. The hardest part of the whole day will be getting them into their crate.
We'll be seeing you soon!
8.29.2007
8.28.2007
Family & Friends Day Cruise
{Nicky}
This past Saturday was the Ike's Family Fun Day Cruise. What a day! Scott and I were up and to the ship by 4am--old hat for Scott, but way too early for me! The ship was boarding the guests (estimated 4,000) from 4am to 6:30am, so we thought if we got there earlier, we'd beat the long lines. Not quite! We had to wait in line a bit before boarding, but were on board at least by 4:30am. We grabbed breakfast, and ran to Scott's office so that he could check in, and then....we sat. In a hot, crowded hangar bay. Until 7:15am, when the ship finally pulled out. Then the fun began!
It was so amazing to be watching out the hangar bay as the aircraft carrier pulled out! We crossed over the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, and then, most amazing for me, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel! It was so cool! Scott took me to the back of the ship, so we could watch from the fantail section. I loved it! The breeze was really nice back there, as that part of the ship was still shaded. The sun had just risen, we were being escorted by helicopters and the Coast Guard...it was just cool.
Then, we made our way up to the flight deck so that we could watch an air show. It was so so hot up there--Scott was in full uniform, and standing in the sun. We watched a couple of jets take off and land, and that was great! But I still have my cold, so I was up on the flight deck hacking up a lung, and Scott was sweating bullets, so we decided to go back downstairs to the hangar bay, where it was marginally cooler. While Scott ran down to berthing, and I was sitting watching the water, I heard a "BOOM". I sat there thinking, "What was that?" I saw a jet fly up from the horizon and go above the ship, and shortly after heard another "BOOM"--and it hit me--I had forgotten that there was going to be an air show with jets breaking the sound barrier! And we missed it! I was bummed, to say the least.
And then, the day got really. really. really. really. long. Scott and I ended up sitting in the first class mess deck, nodding off across from one another for pretty much the rest of the day. And we were not alone! Every where you looked, families were crashed all over the mess decks and hangar bay. It was hot, and while there were activities for the kids, the adult activities were a little underwhelming, and not as appealing in the heat and humidity. Scott and I both agreed that the day should have been cut in half, at least.
We pulled back in, and I was finally off the ship by 4:30pm. Scott, of course, had to stay on until about 7:30pm to shut down the reactors. It was a long day. All in all though, I got to spend the whole day with Scott, and that was the best! And we have some good memories from the day.
This past Saturday was the Ike's Family Fun Day Cruise. What a day! Scott and I were up and to the ship by 4am--old hat for Scott, but way too early for me! The ship was boarding the guests (estimated 4,000) from 4am to 6:30am, so we thought if we got there earlier, we'd beat the long lines. Not quite! We had to wait in line a bit before boarding, but were on board at least by 4:30am. We grabbed breakfast, and ran to Scott's office so that he could check in, and then....we sat. In a hot, crowded hangar bay. Until 7:15am, when the ship finally pulled out. Then the fun began!
It was so amazing to be watching out the hangar bay as the aircraft carrier pulled out! We crossed over the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, and then, most amazing for me, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel! It was so cool! Scott took me to the back of the ship, so we could watch from the fantail section. I loved it! The breeze was really nice back there, as that part of the ship was still shaded. The sun had just risen, we were being escorted by helicopters and the Coast Guard...it was just cool.Then, we made our way up to the flight deck so that we could watch an air show. It was so so hot up there--Scott was in full uniform, and standing in the sun. We watched a couple of jets take off and land, and that was great! But I still have my cold, so I was up on the flight deck hacking up a lung, and Scott was sweating bullets, so we decided to go back downstairs to the hangar bay, where it was marginally cooler. While Scott ran down to berthing, and I was sitting watching the water, I heard a "BOOM". I sat there thinking, "What was that?" I saw a jet fly up from the horizon and go above the ship, and shortly after heard another "BOOM"--and it hit me--I had forgotten that there was going to be an air show with jets breaking the sound barrier! And we missed it! I was bummed, to say the least.
And then, the day got really. really. really. really. long. Scott and I ended up sitting in the first class mess deck, nodding off across from one another for pretty much the rest of the day. And we were not alone! Every where you looked, families were crashed all over the mess decks and hangar bay. It was hot, and while there were activities for the kids, the adult activities were a little underwhelming, and not as appealing in the heat and humidity. Scott and I both agreed that the day should have been cut in half, at least.We pulled back in, and I was finally off the ship by 4:30pm. Scott, of course, had to stay on until about 7:30pm to shut down the reactors. It was a long day. All in all though, I got to spend the whole day with Scott, and that was the best! And we have some good memories from the day.
8.22.2007
Slow and Steady
{Nicky}
Things are moving along at the house. 4 of our major appliances were taken out by the water, so yesterday, the furnace was fixed. We're moving forward on the other three, and we're on waiting lists to get a cleaning crew down there to sanitize and clean the basement.
However, our wonderful family has stepped up in ways that make me proud to be one of theirs. My dad has spent his days off waiting for, and communicating with cleaners, repairmen, and even took a beer and a floor squeegee downstairs to get rid of as much left over grime as he could, until the cleaning people can get to the house!
My mom, too, has offered to don her plastic gloves and grab a bottle of bleach and get down there--this from the woman who went through the horror of helping me clean up the LAST time this happened!
My sister has spent more of her free time than I can count tracking down water damage cleaners, asking when they will get to us, moving on to the next if one is unsatisfactory in its service. She has planned her days around appointments at the house, and at this point, this is all old hat to her, as she organized the majority of damage control after our renter left the home last February.
My Aunt Cindy, our realtor, has called me throughout each day to update me on news she's heard concerning city help with the water damage, and has networked with people she knows in certain trades to get all necessary repairs on the house done as quickly and as inexpensively as possible. This includes major help from my Uncle Duane and my "brother-in-law" Brad (Jill's husband).
Scott's family has emailed us to congratulate on us on the sale, and to offer support and encouragement while we deal with this mess.
There are just not enough ways to say thank you. I wish I knew more ways to tell all these people that I love how much this all means to us. And I know that they don't care about anything more than a thank you--like my aunt said to me this morning, "We do this because we're family."
We are so blessed.
Things are moving along at the house. 4 of our major appliances were taken out by the water, so yesterday, the furnace was fixed. We're moving forward on the other three, and we're on waiting lists to get a cleaning crew down there to sanitize and clean the basement.
However, our wonderful family has stepped up in ways that make me proud to be one of theirs. My dad has spent his days off waiting for, and communicating with cleaners, repairmen, and even took a beer and a floor squeegee downstairs to get rid of as much left over grime as he could, until the cleaning people can get to the house!
My mom, too, has offered to don her plastic gloves and grab a bottle of bleach and get down there--this from the woman who went through the horror of helping me clean up the LAST time this happened!
My sister has spent more of her free time than I can count tracking down water damage cleaners, asking when they will get to us, moving on to the next if one is unsatisfactory in its service. She has planned her days around appointments at the house, and at this point, this is all old hat to her, as she organized the majority of damage control after our renter left the home last February.
My Aunt Cindy, our realtor, has called me throughout each day to update me on news she's heard concerning city help with the water damage, and has networked with people she knows in certain trades to get all necessary repairs on the house done as quickly and as inexpensively as possible. This includes major help from my Uncle Duane and my "brother-in-law" Brad (Jill's husband).
Scott's family has emailed us to congratulate on us on the sale, and to offer support and encouragement while we deal with this mess.
There are just not enough ways to say thank you. I wish I knew more ways to tell all these people that I love how much this all means to us. And I know that they don't care about anything more than a thank you--like my aunt said to me this morning, "We do this because we're family."
We are so blessed.
8.19.2007
When It Rains...
{Nicky}
I received a phone call from my sister this morning. She's been living in our MN house while it's been on the market. Her call was to inform me that there was so much water in the basement of the property that it was covering the bottom two steps. Apparently, it had rained up there. And rained. And then rained some more. 10 inches in a 24hr period.
So. Needless to say, I've been a wreck all day, trying to figure out what steps to take and in what order. I have been on the phone with my parents a LOT. Your job as a parent is truly truly never done, I've decided. They've been great, really great at keeping me as calm as possible, and helping me out physically, as I can only direct from down here.
Scott was able to call and talk to me today, which was wonderful. He also is so amazing at keeping my chin up, and keeping me sane and calm. He's so optimistic. I'd be lost without him.
So. There we are. Tomorrow, hopefully, we'll line up a cleaning crew to prevent mold (the water has all drained now), and get the ball rolling to finish the clean-up. And hopefully, that will be that.
I received a phone call from my sister this morning. She's been living in our MN house while it's been on the market. Her call was to inform me that there was so much water in the basement of the property that it was covering the bottom two steps. Apparently, it had rained up there. And rained. And then rained some more. 10 inches in a 24hr period.
So. Needless to say, I've been a wreck all day, trying to figure out what steps to take and in what order. I have been on the phone with my parents a LOT. Your job as a parent is truly truly never done, I've decided. They've been great, really great at keeping me as calm as possible, and helping me out physically, as I can only direct from down here.
Scott was able to call and talk to me today, which was wonderful. He also is so amazing at keeping my chin up, and keeping me sane and calm. He's so optimistic. I'd be lost without him.
So. There we are. Tomorrow, hopefully, we'll line up a cleaning crew to prevent mold (the water has all drained now), and get the ball rolling to finish the clean-up. And hopefully, that will be that.
8.18.2007
Oh Happy Day!
{Nicky}
We received some great news last night! Our property in Minnesota sold! We will be closing on it when we arrive in Rochester at the end of August.
It's so nice to close that chapter in our lives. It's a cute little home, and I think the new owners will really be happy there. I was. After all...that's where I met the man of my dreams!
We received some great news last night! Our property in Minnesota sold! We will be closing on it when we arrive in Rochester at the end of August.
It's so nice to close that chapter in our lives. It's a cute little home, and I think the new owners will really be happy there. I was. After all...that's where I met the man of my dreams!
8.15.2007
Glum
{Nicky}
Today was supposed to be a special day for Scott and me. For his "Welcome Home from 8 Months of Deployment" present, I had purchased two tickets to see the Dave Matthews Band perform.
Tonight.
And I am here at home, and Scott is out at sea. AND we're out $156.00. (the timing for that, by the by, isn't great, to top it off.)
Again...I find myself marveling at the timing of the United States Navy.
**As a post script to the day, I would like to add that I did get to talk to Scott on the phone tonight, and that cheered me up considerably!**
Today was supposed to be a special day for Scott and me. For his "Welcome Home from 8 Months of Deployment" present, I had purchased two tickets to see the Dave Matthews Band perform.
Tonight.
And I am here at home, and Scott is out at sea. AND we're out $156.00. (the timing for that, by the by, isn't great, to top it off.)
Again...I find myself marveling at the timing of the United States Navy.
**As a post script to the day, I would like to add that I did get to talk to Scott on the phone tonight, and that cheered me up considerably!**
8.12.2007
Poor Dixie
{Nicky}
I feel so bad when Scott's away. Dixie loses her best playmate! I mean, she and I will tussle, but her dad is a whole different story! He'll start rough housing with her at a moment's notice, and she loves it!
So yes, Scott is gone again. Not for as long this time, but I'll be honest--any amount of time is too long for us. Yesterday we drove to Williamsburg to spend the afternoon. I'm still pretty sick, but our time together is so limited that we decided to make the most of it. We had a great afternoon just bumming around. The best days we spend together are those that we just end up laughing at everything and nothing!
Lately, every store I enter is decorated for fall/Halloween. It's amazing, and I know I say this every year, but the holidays just keep starting earlier and earlier! And, to be honest, I'm the exact sucker these stores are fishing for! I love fall, and I really love Christmas! And this year, I am so so excited to decorate our home for both seasons. Scott and I haven't had a Christmas together in our own home, so this year will be really special.
But again, I'm getting ahead of myself. Still a bit of August to get through! The next week and a half is my big focus right now. Then Scott will be home, and things can get back to the way they're supposed to be!
I feel so bad when Scott's away. Dixie loses her best playmate! I mean, she and I will tussle, but her dad is a whole different story! He'll start rough housing with her at a moment's notice, and she loves it!
So yes, Scott is gone again. Not for as long this time, but I'll be honest--any amount of time is too long for us. Yesterday we drove to Williamsburg to spend the afternoon. I'm still pretty sick, but our time together is so limited that we decided to make the most of it. We had a great afternoon just bumming around. The best days we spend together are those that we just end up laughing at everything and nothing!
Lately, every store I enter is decorated for fall/Halloween. It's amazing, and I know I say this every year, but the holidays just keep starting earlier and earlier! And, to be honest, I'm the exact sucker these stores are fishing for! I love fall, and I really love Christmas! And this year, I am so so excited to decorate our home for both seasons. Scott and I haven't had a Christmas together in our own home, so this year will be really special.
But again, I'm getting ahead of myself. Still a bit of August to get through! The next week and a half is my big focus right now. Then Scott will be home, and things can get back to the way they're supposed to be!
8.08.2007
Hot. It's soooooo hot....
{Nicky}
Holy cats. Scott and I went out to dinner tonight, and our thermometer in the car said 104 degrees. UGH. When we got done with dinner, it had cooled down...it was 102.
Sometimes, it's just the PERFECT idea to sit in front of the TV with the fan on!
Holy cats. Scott and I went out to dinner tonight, and our thermometer in the car said 104 degrees. UGH. When we got done with dinner, it had cooled down...it was 102.
Sometimes, it's just the PERFECT idea to sit in front of the TV with the fan on!
8.04.2007
Hitting Home
{Nicky}
Scott was still out at sea when my mom called me earlier this week to let me know about the I35W bridge collapse (out of all days to strike against TV). As I'm sure you all know, we have a LOT of family in the area, and my mom was able to assure me that my brother and cousins were alright, which had me thanking God over and over. I then tried to get a hold of Scott's side of the family, and was relieved to hear from my brother-in-law that everyone there was also fine.
It really threw me for a loop, though. I was really shook up, simply because that could have been ANY one of us. Any one of the people we love. And all I could do was email Scott to let him know that our family was alright. We couldn't talk, reassure each other, the way we wanted to. I spent the evening praying for all that the collapse has touched. I still do.
Scott did come home yesterday, but was unable to get off the ship until early evening. That cut our night short, but we still had a good time, dinner and a DVD. Today, he was up and off again, as he has duty overnight on the ship. I woke up feeling as if our time together last night was just a wonderful dream. Man, I'll be so glad when this "out to sea" stuff is done. Which will be awhile. I tell Scott, we won't know what to do with a "normal" routine! When the ship is in the shipyards, and Scott's coming home everyday, it's going to shake up everything we know! (Happily!)
Otherwise, the Beach Giffords are pretty low-key right now. We're both fighting colds, and are content to lay low and just enjoy our time together. It looks like Scott will get some leave in early September, and we'll be back up to MN during that time. It will be much more relaxing this time, as it's a non-business trip, and Scott will have more than 2 days in MN. We hope to see a lot of people and catch up. Maybe a little cooler up there, too? We're expecting highs this upcoming week around 97 degrees! Ugh.
We love to hear from you guys! Thanks for the emails. :-)
Scott was still out at sea when my mom called me earlier this week to let me know about the I35W bridge collapse (out of all days to strike against TV). As I'm sure you all know, we have a LOT of family in the area, and my mom was able to assure me that my brother and cousins were alright, which had me thanking God over and over. I then tried to get a hold of Scott's side of the family, and was relieved to hear from my brother-in-law that everyone there was also fine.
It really threw me for a loop, though. I was really shook up, simply because that could have been ANY one of us. Any one of the people we love. And all I could do was email Scott to let him know that our family was alright. We couldn't talk, reassure each other, the way we wanted to. I spent the evening praying for all that the collapse has touched. I still do.
Scott did come home yesterday, but was unable to get off the ship until early evening. That cut our night short, but we still had a good time, dinner and a DVD. Today, he was up and off again, as he has duty overnight on the ship. I woke up feeling as if our time together last night was just a wonderful dream. Man, I'll be so glad when this "out to sea" stuff is done. Which will be awhile. I tell Scott, we won't know what to do with a "normal" routine! When the ship is in the shipyards, and Scott's coming home everyday, it's going to shake up everything we know! (Happily!)
Otherwise, the Beach Giffords are pretty low-key right now. We're both fighting colds, and are content to lay low and just enjoy our time together. It looks like Scott will get some leave in early September, and we'll be back up to MN during that time. It will be much more relaxing this time, as it's a non-business trip, and Scott will have more than 2 days in MN. We hope to see a lot of people and catch up. Maybe a little cooler up there, too? We're expecting highs this upcoming week around 97 degrees! Ugh.
We love to hear from you guys! Thanks for the emails. :-)
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