Ball...

So I didn't want to not post anything today..I feel like I'm on a roll. This isn't my only post on this subject so do not fret, I will go into detail later on any misconceptions, inaccuracies, questions, ect as well as just the ceremonies, traditions and how and why the Marine Corps Birthday came to be.


I do hope everyone is going to have an amazing weekend celebrating the Marine Corps birthday!! All of the prestige, traditions and brotherhood will be in full force over the next few weekends.


I can't wait to hear about all the glamorus locations, decorations and parties being attended!! Becoming a princess for the night for your prince is something I personally love to get the chance to do. It doesn't always have to cost a fortune but as long as you love it that's all that matters! So ladies, soak up all the compliments, take in all the sights of the evening and as many pictures as your camera will take!! This is a moment to be honored and celebrated! Tell your husband he looks amazingly handsome, get him a shot then out on the dancefloor!


Have a great time all! Our Ball is tomorrow so I won't be posting again until Sunday. Be safe but enjoy yourselves ladies. Live in the joyful moments..



Semper Fi!

New Friends...

After crying, being irritable, overly emotional and just feeling down about him being gone for a day or two, I found myself having to suck it up quick because the holidays were on their way! Before I knew it my kids needed Halloween costumes, I was putting up my Thanksgiving décor and preparing for my mother, mother-in-law and extended families visit for the holidays.

At this point right after the MEU left things were coming naturally and at a steady and constant pace for me. I was acclimated for the most part to my immediate surroundings and the San Diego area, I had gone to my L.I.N.K.S class, FRA (Family Readiness Assistant) training, FRA-OMBUDSMEN volunteer recognition luncheon, LES Seminar and started the girls in school and baseball. I had also made so many new friends!

I believe Angela came first. Her husband and I worked together since he was on the RBE (Remain behind Element) which supported the Marines on the MEU from the command post on base here. She is a FRA for her husband’s company and even though I had seen her before in the FRO’s office we hadn’t really hung out just yet. We eventually grew on each other and it came in handy because we could brainstorm on Family Readiness ideas, events, meetings, resources, ect. to help our families before, during and after the deployment. Angela grew on me so much she is now part of our very small group of people we call our family. I know I can go to her for anything and she’ll help me get through it. The same rule goes for her or anyone else in my Marine Corps family. We love learning new things, are both trying to better ourselves through continuing our education and love to volunteer. Angela is a native Northern Californian who has a bloodline a lot like my Heinz 57 version; she’s mixed with a little of everything. LOL! She’s a very beautiful young lady who has a heart of gold, is patient, kind and understanding. We’ve been through so much together and it’s only strengthened our friendship.

Gaby and I met because of our Marines. They are in the same company and very good friends. Sometimes just a similarity doesn’t always mean the wives will get along at all but in this case luckily it did. LOL! Before I even got to meet Gaby our ingenious husbands came up with a plan! They got us basically to agree to a food swap. She would provide some homemade tamales for my husband and I would make a homemade cheesecake for hers. Our husbands both love the others cooking! HILARIOUS! She is another Native Californian who has a big heart, loves to travel and is very wise beyond her years. Sometimes I feel like she’s more of a friend to me than I am for her but I love having her around! She accepted my silly southern ways and analogies for what they are and has always been willing to be there for us. The first day I met her she came to watch New Moon with me on the opening day. We talked for over an hour after the movie and found out we have quite a bit in common because I think our husbands are a lot alike and so are we. We both admitted in the beginning that we weren’t into causing or being involved in drama and love shopping for anything but clothes for ourselves. During the MEU deployment we became quite close and to the point that we went to lunch regularly, planned dinners to pass the time and discussed the Marine Corps life over wine a time or two. LOL! To this day she still comes to my rescue! By the way if you’re ever looking for a good red wine that’s sweet like a dessert wine it would be Stella Rosa! THANK YOU GABY!

Jackie and I met because our husbands work together as well. They have been together almost from being assigned to their unit and have so many common bonds. Jackie is a uniquely gut busting hilarious lovely young lady who’s from the Hill Country in Texas. She is an international traveler, loves to laugh and is on her way to become a very talented cook!  There are so many Jackie jokes I have to tell on here it is so important. Jackie has a funny way of telling jokes and not knowing they are jokes until we’re laughing at what she said, she’s catching on though now and I told her to have her husband write some down for us to go up on here. She hasn’t been here a year yet but has caught on well and very fast to the lifestyle here.

LOL! We try and get together often for dinner parties which of course includes all 4 families with our kids. It can be hectic but is always a good time. We get to have some good food, lots of laugh and good company! I love these ladies to death and couldn’t think of anyone else to have as long time friends! I hope that we will be friends forever and stay in touch no matter where we are in or out of the country.

First MEU Deployment...

Please always remember with anything in the Marine Corps nothing is ever set in stone so do not hold your breath for any time frame, departure date, homecoming date, meeting time, moving date, leave period, bonus pay date, ect.

The summer of 2009 was over and MEU (ship) deployment was coming fast and I had to do something! I eventually got the opportunity to volunteer more and more for the Family Readiness Officer of Anthony’s unit. Keeping busy during the deployment was my coping method. Organizing things for and working with others helped me not focus every little stressor during Anthony’s absence that were not within my reach and that I couldn’t control.

Anthony’s unit was going to be part of a Battalion Landing Team or BLT. Not quite like a BLT sandwich but it is exactly as it sounds a big mess of all MOS’s (jobs) put together on several ships to tour the seas for different reasons. Some ships had sailed a week earlier while one had stayed back for repairs. So thankfully we got additional time together! We didn’t really know when he was going to go but we knew it was coming up and fast. Early one morning Anthony called me after being at work for an hour and said “we’re leaving soon”. I didn’t really know what to think and how serious to take him since that can mean anything from don’t plan for the BBQ this weekend to don’t make the lasagna tonight. We were informed on a couple hours notice of this deployments departure. Right after he called the plan was to head home, pick up his gear and us to head back to work and prepare for the bus ride to the ship. So this was it for us, our big day, and the big emotional roller coaster moment. This was my first time experience since I’d never been to a send off, deployment day, or anything. We typically said goodbye at the airport and I’d go back to my normal or should I say (maybe not so normal) Geo-Bachelor life. I didn’t know what to expect, how to feel, how not to feel, how to react, how NOT to react, ect. I knew it was going to be sad because of his absence and missing the upcoming holidays. I also knew that I was a pretty strong and independent person and he was just going on a ship for 6 months or so and that I shouldn’t be too overwhelmed or overemotional. I knew we’d have email, Skype, phone calls and mail so this should be a cake walk. Thank goodness Maggie went through all of this with me and we both had each other to talk to, vent to, drink wine with and complain about the house falling apart because the men left. I believe the kids were able to cope better since Maggie’s kids, and so many other military families kids were going through the same feelings at the same time all in our little military community bubble.

The unit held a send off at the UMA lot (basically a huge parking lot) filled with 7 tons, busses, Marines, family members, kids, dogs and friends not ready to say their goodbyes just yet. We waited for hours and hours while gear was loaded, signs were painted and coffee was brewed. People had started leaving, the tears were falling, and the last kisses for months had begun. I had helped set up, clean up as the evening wore on, painted signs and spoken to all my company wives I knew and tried to assure them they’d be getting the latest information from our FRO and command ASAP. Anthony pulled me aside and told me that he felt it was time for me and the girls to go home. It was getting late, they were about to leave anyway and there was nothing more for me to do there. All of a sudden that was when the unexpected waterworks hit me. I didn’t know why I was crying. It really hurt to know that he wouldn’t be coming home with us, eating dinner with us, going to the movies with us and Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners. I was sad, hurt, mad at the Marine Corps, and kind of scared. Scared for what? I thought maybe the bus wouldn’t make it, that he’d get hurt on the ship, that he’d not get along with his co-workers aboard the ship, that he’d get hurt on missions when he got overseas, he’d get sick again with pneumonia, swine flu or bronchitis. There were so many insecurities I had about the whole situation but I know now that it is all normal, it’s a control factor for me. We’d prepared diligently for the deployment by preparing our families, organizing Wills, Powers of Attorney, passwords, ect. After all of that the one thing I couldn’t control and secure was my husband’s safety and health. To make matters even more emotional the ship stayed docked overnight and I persuaded Maggie to come to the send off with me at Point Loma.  With time though I eased up on my anxiousness thanks to Maggie, the FRO, my RBE (Remain Behind Element) co workers and friends because I think it would have turned into an obsession to know how he is, where he is, what he’s doing, what he’s not doing, ect.

After some pep talks from the Col’s wife, a MARSOC wife (Special Forces) and many others, I realized he’s at work and will call, email and write me whenever he gets a chance. I am very thankful that seasoned Marine Wives were able to put into perspective his job, his duty and my role in all of this. My job is to go on with life, maintain sanity and normalcy for my household, busy the girls, Wyatt Earp, support him and send care packages. I tried to keep thinking and encouraging my wives to imagine what wives from the early 20th century went through not having the communication advancements we have today. No email, not always a phone to call and mostly just the postal service. The whole “Semper Gumby” status is definitely in effect whenever there is any kind of deployment. The definition is basically be flexible and prepared because information and things may and probably will change a few times due to many different reasons. On this particular MEU there were some “probably too much fun” ports (stops in different countries for rest and relaxation or mission readiness) for me and some that were a physical and mental challenge for my husband. This MEU situation came and it tested my strength as a person, a woman, and a Marine Corps wife. I got to see how it could possibly be for the next 20 years. OH! I can't forget how I started hanging with my latest muskateers during this deployment.  Gaby and Angela's story will come soon enough...for Gaby and I our husbands got in the men were in the "best shape of their lives" during this MEU and proceeded to tell us every phone call and email at least twice.  We tried but it just wasnt going to happen overnight.  LOL! The best thing about MEU deployments ladies is that our hard work is repaid in GIFTS!!!!  These men have time to shop at ports and bring back the BEST loot!  I swear if you need silk sheets, M.A.C. Makeup, jewelry or jewelry boxes, pearls, ect they will be able to find it!

With a strong support system and even stronger relationship together we got through the ups and downs of this deployment and can’t wait for what lies ahead.

First Friends...

One of the first of many bright spots of my early experience in California was when I met my one of my neighbors, Stacie! When we first got moved into our house we BBQ’d a lot with charcoal which I’ve learned along the way is not what most people use in this state. We’d been here maybe a month or so through the billowing smoke of my BBQ pit in our patio I saw my fellow neighbor just one door down who was also partaking in the Sunday BBQ tradition. She politely said hi and asked where we were from. (That question is one of the first things most Marine Corps spouses ask one another…and most are from the South and tend to stick together throughout changes in units, duty stations, states, and even countries!) I quickly responded by almost shouting “TEXAS!!” She laughed and said that her husband was from there and from a town very close to my home town! Needless to say, we hit it off; she took me under her wing and helped teach me how it is on base, the cool things around the city and all the juicy gossip on our block. Stacie is a native Californian; she was one of the first to prove my initial theory wrong about Californians. She blew my prior misconception out of the water that not all or even most people who live here are mean, rude, standoffish and not cordial it’s just some that just so happened to give off an awkward first impression on me. Stacie was a proud Marine Wife, a spunky young lady and mother of two cutie pie boys. She’s an energetic cleaning machine, with all the latest and greatest tips on almost everything! She taught me how I have to use Lemi-Shine in my dishwasher since the water on base is full of calcium. She also taught me the best places to find deals on everything from groceries to retail stores here in Oceanside. Her husband is a great guy and one of the first impressions of a Marine besides my own husband! We spent many a afternoon watching her husband and our kids slide down a hill on cardboard boxes that is cushioned right behind our houses that leads up to another street with more base houses. Stacie introduced me to my next partner in crime, Maggie who was also my neighbor in front of my house on the block. Even though Stacie’s husband eventually got out of the Marine Corps, cross decked to the Army and they’re now in on the East Coast; we still keep in touch and when she’s in town we try to get together for fish tacos and good conversation every time!

Maggie is a Navy wife, mother of a handsome son and beautiful little girl. I know what you’re thinking Navy wife, it was a new concept to me too but at the time I didn’t know that Navy, Marine Corps, Army, ect all comingled on the same Marine Corps base. LOL! Silly I know! I was uneducated on the issue but learning everyday! Maggie is another one instrumental to my initial progress and blossoming here. She’s another good example of a great person whom I couldn’t have gotten where I am now without her influence. She’s a ball of energy I could barely keep up with at times. We found out not too long after we met that our husbands were both in the same unit and that they would be deploying together. This cemented our friendship even more since we’d be going through very similar emotions and situations at pretty much the same time. Maggie’s a lighthearted nature girl from the Northwest with German roots very much like myself. Since both of these ladies lived across the street or next to me if I needed anything I’d just go get it from their house. I loved being able to walk 20 steps from my house to see a friend who was a lot like a family member. Like Stacie; Maggie expanded my knowledge of my surroundings. We were inseparable pretty much from the start. Since I didn’t have much to do and before I got heavily involved in Anthony’s unit I babysat her kids while she went to work. It all was a lot of fun! Maggie eventually moved to from across the street to a brand new house on base but only about 10 minutes away from us. She’s gotten reacquainted with her passion of painting and also into photography. She has a very good eye for the best shot. I don’t know if Stacie and Maggie realize how much they helped me get out of my funk, feel comfortable in this place and get me out of my shell. They are some of the most funny, energetic and outstanding ladies I know and we will be friends for many years to come.

Once I got to know more about my surroundings, the FRO (Family Readiness Officer) for Anthony’s unit, people at the girls’ school, and baseball practices I got to know so many other unique and interesting ladies like Angela, Gaby and Jackie to name just a few. All of our lives may be different but we share a common bond and our stories are so very far from over...

"WE'RE NOT IN TEXAS ANYMORE!!!"

Initially upon getting to our base housing community, settling into our beautiful new house and putting our foot in the door I knew I was not in Texas anymore. This land called California was a complete culture shock compared to what I have known for 20+ years in the bold state of Texas. We say what we mean and mean what we say, our integrity and character stands for more than money and are just all around naturally polite but stubborn people. A true Texan to me is someone who is strong minded, not scared to let you know their opinion, doesn't apologize for voicing their opinion, and would take their shirt off of their back to help out another person in need. No we all don't own farms, chickens, cows and horses. No we do not ride said horses to work or the corner store. I got that question from someone here in California when I was carded and just stared at the waiter like he was the crazy one. Come on guy!! Really?! LMAO!! But yes it is true that everything’s bigger in Texas from the food, vehicles, cities, people and our hearts. LOL. In California things are just not that way. For the most part people are not very cordial and typically don’t even look you in the eye. People here at first sight to me were a lot like the scenery very beautiful. From head to toe some of these people are just unbelievably perfect. 

My first encounter with a typical Californian happened at Wally World where a senior citizens car hadn’t started. I offered politely if he needed any assistance and offered to jump him with my Chevy truck still equipped with standout Texas license plates. He looked up at me with peering eyes and then looked back down under the hood of his car without saying a word to me. I thought, “What did I do wrong? Was I mean, rude or inappropriate? I don’t think so, okay fine then sit here and wait for your AAA then!” I understand people being cautious and everything now a days but my goodness. I took it very personal and was kind of hurt. I was just trying to help and he completely ignored me. What I have learned being out here a little longer is that there are salesmen everywhere. I will give him the benefit of the doubt and maybe he thought I was going to try and get him to subscribe to Texas Monthly or something.

So since we were Geo-Bachelor at first, I knew nothing of Marine Corps life really other than basic boot camp knowledge and some other basic information from MarineParents.com. Marine Corps life and Civilian life are completely different. I knew nothing of the wives’ lingo, that a commissary was a grocery store, support groups, base housing and the different communities all over the base, there are schools on base for only military kids, the base is like a city, buildings all look the same for the most part and the only way to tell the difference is to know the area numbers, there are different times during the day when things come to a halt, the typical duties and expectations of a stay at home Marine wife, and just what to do with myself. It didn’t help that I didn’t know anyone or have a hobby at all. Anthony was preparing for an upcoming deployment (also called a work up) so he wasn’t at home as much. I was a recluse for the first few months because I didn’t know my way around. I was just a bad combination of sad and bummed out emotions and spent a lot of time upset feeling like I should have stayed in Texas. Being homesick really sucks! I miss the things one can only find in Texas like Mrs. Baird’s bread, Blue Bell Ice Cream, Whataburger, good country music and night dance halls, trail rides, real rodeos, a deep southern accent and everyone you walk by saying, “Hi ya’ll! Good mornin’!!” I knew though that the best thing was for our family to be together.

Southern California is extremely beautiful! I now have grown to love this region of the USA so much that I speak passionately about not returning to my scorching hot and humid home state that I love so much. The weather here is what makes it so ridiculously pretty. There are 350 days give or take of pure sunshine with a normal high of about 70* and lows in the 40’s. The coast is never far away, the mountains, deserts, San Diego, L.A. and even Las Vegas are all close and I’ve never seen anything like it until we moved here. Throughout the never ending changes together we will both go through this adventure. We will continue to look forward to the future with a positive outlook because with our Marine Corps family and many other friends we’ve gained along the way it can only get better from here.

Our 1st Move...

I want to give my story a little before anything else so you know where I'm coming from. Hope ya'll enjoy it. :)

Now I knew when I met my husband, Anthony in 2003 that he had wanted to always join the military and he graciously waited a few years after I met him before doing so. What we didn’t know was that when he joined in 2006 that it would be the beginning of a non-stop lifestyle for us from then on. We married in 2007 and were a Geo-Bachelor couple (separated where he was in California and I was in Texas) for almost a year since I had a well paying job. We decided to move the girls and myself to California in late 2008, which was an undertaking none of us were prepared for.

Take into consideration, my girls and I had never lived anywhere else but Texas and more specifically my bubble called the Houston city limits. I’d never been further West than San Antonio/San Marcos so this was a lot to take in even though I tried not to show it. We had dinner with my family the night before we’d left to say goodbye. They didn’t see us off since it was going to be so emotionally hard on all of us. We left Texas very early in our pj’s, I was at the wheel as always, and the U-Haul hitched up to my truck. It was heartbreaking to leave the city lights behind. Everything I had ever known and loved from birth was in Houston; my amazingly supportive, patient and understanding family, numerous friends, small hometown comfort, my lifestyle, independence, hobbies, being Texan, and just comfortable in my skin. Cliché but so true that looking in my rear view mirror I cried knowing my life would never be the same after making that drive down Interstate 10. After going back and forth many times these last few years I know it only takes about 24 hours to get to Houston, Texas from my house. I tend to do this road trip in two days because I am the only one driving though and just stay in El Paso as a half way stopping point.

This first time it took us a little over 12 hours to get from Houston to El Paso where we spent the night. Firstly for all of the non-travelers and non-Texans; after passing San Antonio there are quite a few ghost towns, almost no radio reception and really nothing right off of the freeway until El Paso. It is a very strange sight to see freeway signs that say, “Strong Dust Storms for the next 100 miles”, tumbleweeds, and everything on the horizon be dusty and antique looking. I thought tornado, hail, strong thunderstorm, tornado and hurricane warnings were bad and have never seen or been around a dust storm. Like all stubborn Texans I didn’t think anything of it because my Chevy can conquer all! Let me tell you, the truck was pulling so hard I was sure I was going to be the stretch Armstrong toy after this trip! We finally make it though and El Paso is beautiful, unique and has amazing food. I wish I would have known about Man vs. Food back then I would have gone to the restaurants he had! YUM!

The next morning, we set out just as early but not too long after getting past Tucson in the middle of nowhere the U-Haul had a blow out tire. With all the waiting and everything it took over 5 hours for the maintenance guy to get out to us and fix the problem, and then they had to give my truck a jump because I had the emergency lights on the entire time. LOL! It was not a very productive 2nd day of driving to say the least! We all got to explore the shoulder scenery on the side of the Arizona highway, the girls learned how to make dirty snowmen on the side of the road and the vital importance of being prepared with fruits, snacks, water and blankets. We ended up spending the night in Yuma & then making the remaining of the trip on the 3rd day.

Upon reaching California, I will never forget the Border Patrol checkpoint and still talk about it to this day. We passed through 3 states with no other Law Enforcement issues and when we come into the Golden State I get a rude awakening. The patrolman made Anthony get out of the truck, asked him questions, made him open the U-Haul trailer and my Igloo cooler when he discovered we were holding contraband! THEY TOOK MY APPLES!!!! I swear the guy was just hungry but apparently Texas apples not being from Washington are inferior and may contain weapons of mass destruction and therefore banned from coming into California. I thought he was kidding at first and then as Anthony entered the truck and I saw the guy with my bagged apples in his little patrol stand I was plain mad. ARGH!!! Wooohsawwww…maybe I will let go of my apples now that I have vented. We’ll see. Anyways, the energy windmills (I call them aliens) looked like something from a Hollywood movie to me and the sand dunes at the California border looked like we were in Egypt. California was turning into be unbelievable and eye opening from the start! We were on Interstate 8 and approached the City of San Diego around noon. It was very beautiful, very perfect; the landscaping, the houses tucked strategically into the mountains, the view from the freeway overlooking the harbor, the yachts and cruise ships in the water under a clear sky made everything shimmer. The beach is parallel to the freeway the entire 30 minute trip from San Diego to our base. The girls and I were hypnotized by it and just how gorgeous everything was upon first sight.

I have had friends and fellow Marine Wives who have moved from our base to bases on the East Coast, Hawaii, Japan, and Germany. I learn something new every time someone moves to a far away exotic destination. All of our situations have been an experience to say the least. I wouldn't trade this lifestyle for anything in the world. I know how tough and trying this roller coaster can be and will continue to help other Marine Corps parents, wives and family members as long and as much as I can.

INTRO

This blog/journal is intended to be about the lifestyle of real Marine Corps wives, our daily routines, and how we as wives are to make it through the start of the Marine Corps career through the end. My intent for this blog is to be inspirational, funny, and a guide to those women who will soon go through or are who are going through this chosen way of life. There are some very awesome books and websites out there but nothing is really specific to Marine Corps wives so hopefully I can help what I feel is a void somewhat. Civilians with no military background are always inquiring about the way we live. Hopefully I am able to help those I am only human and not a professional author so if and when I make an error please let me know; there are constant changes to policies and standards with the Marine Corps in which I may not always be aware of.

Marine Corps, Army, Navy, Air Force, National Guard, Coast Guard and reservists all have different jobs which branch off into a hierarchy of front line positions and support staff. Depending on which branch you are in you will experience at times similar but also very different lives being married to a military service member. For fiancée’s you will be marrying into this lifestyle and attached to it in more ways than one whether you like it or not. You’re everyday schedule, holiday planning, anniversaries, birthdays, vacations; ect will all work around the Marine Corps schedule and not your own to an extent. I wasn’t very fond of it at the beginning but have learned to embrace it and that being “Semper Gumby” isn’t so bad after all. Being the people person I am & helping out my husband’s unit has afforded me the privilege to be motivated by wives who have been there and done that already. I have met some amazing Marine Corps wives along this journey. They’ve taught me that being a Marine Corps wife in 2010 is nowhere near as challenging as ten years ago or longer. Through their stories I’ve acquired the knowledge and ability to basically roll with the punches, go with the flow, be thankful and grateful and just suck it up. There are very good and even some very bad times throughout this voyage but we have to be strong and able to overcome any obstacles that come our way. If there is anyone out there who is in need of Marine Corps information for wives, a little thicker skin, shoulder to lean on or to learn from you have come to the right place.