just because

This book caught my eye, I have never read anything by Mary Gaitskill. But she uses South eastern Michigan as the backdrop of several of her short stories. This I found interesting. Don't Cry is a book filled with short stories all with strong theme's. I am typically not a short story reader, I really like the idea of the novel, the need to know more, the rest of the story but Gaitskill is good. I might add more of her to my reading list.

Meanwhile, I found another blog that I can keep my eyes open for good reads.

summary

I returned back to the heat of Texas late Monday night.

The daughter is now "settled in" to the unsettling affair of basic training.

She is at the Reception Company and will not start basic for a few more days.

At least she can use her phone a little bit. After tomorrow I am sure it will be tough to communicate. I have her address if you need it.

Mob training is what it is. The days are ticking by.

Nothing significant to comment about that.

I will say that I ran 3.6 miles which may not sound like much, but it what with the Battery at 5 am, so I has a mini celebration - yeah.

What is great news is that I just finished reading a great book.

Loved it. Seriously, I judged a book by it's cover on Amazon.com and it did not come back void.

I recommend reading it...

I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti by Giulia Melucci

I really enjoyed reading about her life. A life I might like, especially her uncanny ability to cook great Italian food, travel and then write an engaging memoir. Not to mention she works in the publishing industry and loves to eat... Hah.

pass this along - every bit helps

Homemade 409
2 Tablespoon distilled white vinegar
1 teaspoon Borax
1/8 cup Dawn dish soap
1 cup hot water

Pour vinegar, borax, and hot water into spray bottle. Then continue filling spray bottle with cool water.
Add dish soap last. There is no need to shake.

Homemade Laundry Stain Remover
1/3 cup Dawn dish soap
1/3 cup ammonia
3 Tablespoon baking soda
1 cup water

Mix all ingredients together and store in an empty spray bottle. I was skeptical of this one at first, but since I have two boys who are dirt and grass-stain magnets I gave it a try and I've found that it has never let me down!

Four quick Days

I am down to just a few hours left before my pass leaves.
I have been eating like crazy. I think food is definitely the source that holds us together! Whew.
I need to do just a few last minute activities, pick up stamps and take a long hot bath. Then it is off to barracks living again.
The daughter is ready for the most part.
We had to do an impromtu front brake job on her car yesterday. It was fun to see all the uncles in the garage huddled around her car and all of the ladies in the house cooking... Between four uncles and a supervising grandpa the brakes pads were changed in no time. She will not be driving this car for months, but at least the necessary is done.
I sorted through over a month's worth of mail and cancelled the home milk delivery. So, the reality of being gone for over 9 months is here!
We printed about 150 photo's at Walgreens yesterday and I have them all put away in the album and have my stack I am taking with me ready.

Will keep you posted.

I should have the daughter's basic training address by next week, so please ping me if you want to send her a card or postcard or note. Mail is the highlight of any long term military event!

Happy Memorial Day and Thank you for Serving and Serving those that have Served.

craziness -

snaps from today

Another weekend done.
Checked off.
Looking forward to next week for sure.
NSTR - Nothing Significant to Report.

I will say our section is like a giant Petri dish. Alot of personalities swimming in circles.
I ordered two great books from Amazon. - Will keep you posted.

PAO

To read along the way
Check out some of the facts on My life as a military journalist.

Still loving Memoirs...

I am just finishing I Was Told There'd Be Cake by Sloan Crosley
Author Website

Sloane Crosley’s essays have appeared in various publications, including Playboy, Salon, the New York Times, and the Village Voice, where she was a frequent contributor. She also wrote the cover story for the worst-selling issue of Maxim in that magazine’s history. She lives in New York City.

I am finding reading and walking to be my outlets, I had to send my crochet items forward. I am developing a pretty good list on Amazon and have a budget of 2-3 books each order.

It is the small things.

The two busiest folks in the Battalion right now are the Chaplain and the Legal guys. It is very interesting to watch the details unfold.

Notes from the week:
Very humid. I Think my body finally understands the weather down here and now I sweat any time I walk a few blocks!
Mother's Day was relaxing other than the obvious work.
The female barracks situation continues to be much like a combination of a middle school and pre-school classroom. Little one's that do not know how to pick up after themselves and really hormonal whiney girls.
I go on pass in less than a week...
My daughter graduate's High School next Saturday.
My daughter leaves for Basic in ten days.

Breathe in, Breathe out.

Just finished reading Powder....

Powder
I read this anthology in one barracks day... Remember in the barracks I have no distractions, dishes, laundry, work email and etc... It is easy to read and I enjoyed reading for other women that have served.

Article on Cross Cut.com

Powder: Writing by Women in the Ranks, from Vietnam to Iraq

Edited by Lisa Bowden and Shannon Cain
POWDER brings us poetry and personal essays from 19 women who have served in all branches of the United States military. Contributors to Powder have seen conflicts from Somalia to Vietnam to Desert Shield. Many are book authors and winners of writing awards and fellowships; several hold MFAs from some of the country’s finest programs. The essays and poems here are inspired by an attempted rape by a Navy SEAL; an album of photos of the enemy dead; heat exhaustion in Mosul; a first jump from an airplane; fending off advances from Iraqi men; interrogating suspected terrorists; the contemplation of suicide; and a poignant connection with women and children in Bosnia. Their writing exposes the frontline intersection of women and soldiering, describing from a steely-eyed female perspective the horror, the humor, the cultural clashes and the fear.

thoughts

I am the female barracks nco for my Battalion.
When you get that many females jammed in one building people get cranky and crabby.
I am laughing alot inside! They are sweating the small things.
I was called yesterday by the other female from another state that my females did not take out the trash! Lordy!
I am very thankful that E-7's and above have their own CHU's in country.
You just got to laugh.

BTW - someone told me today that I should be seen and not heard today. I told them too late. Pompous jerk. I will out work him any day.

My dh and daughter are working on the back yard! Yeah! We have less than 15 days until graduation.

Good things:
The rain has been a minimum.
I have a bottom bunk.
I have not ran into any critters so far, they say snakes are in these parts... I say no.

Funny things:
I have been wearing sunglasses for two weeks straight (eye pro is mandatory) - what a great idea!
The humidity is amazing here. I know why Texans have big hair, they really cannot help it.

My boots are not going to make it - I will need to buy new one's soon! The gear is heavy and we are only wearing it a few hours. We must practice more!

Looking forward to seeing some of you in a few weeks.

Thanks for the support. See you.