Hello Carter Hall

Greetings,

They are back...

A little early.

Hard to see them with the fence... and sign, but they are back...

for a little while at least!

For a very short while...


Blessings,

Gas Fire

Greetings,

Just giving you an update....

Remember the lightening strike I was talking about...

Well, it struck less than 2 BLOCKS from where we were walking...

LESS  THAN  2  BLOCKS!

NORFOLK

A tree caught fire in the  block of Mayflower Road during a thunderstorm Sunday, and a ruptured gas line fed the blaze.

Thunder rattled the Colonial Place neighborhood shortly after 11 p.m., and soon after the fire sparked, the smell of gas was prevalent. Battalion Chief Harry Worley said it appeared the storm was to blame for the fire and underground gas line rupture.

Norfolk Fire-Rescue evacuated residents in two homes and protected someone in a third home while firefighters worked to contain the blaze.

Firefighters weren’t going to extinguish the flames until the gas line could be safely turned off by Virginia Natural Gas, Worley said.

A representative from Virginia Natural Gas was on the scene by about 12:30 a.m., but Norfolk crews had to continue to contain the blaze until more gas line workers could get to the neighborhood to dig around the broken gas line and pinch it off.

The fire was called under control at 1:24 a.m.

Crews continued to work at the scene, and the evacuated residents were allowed back in their homes.

Gas company crews returned to the scene this morning.

We almost died!


Blessings,

Busy schedule

Greetings,

Things have been so busy here lately...

and for once not he house projects.

We have been blessed with visiting friends.

Geographically, we are situated perfectly for incoming flights from Greece.

In addition to our company... I have been active in our ship's FRG.

Bounce house excursions... bowling alley fun.

Looks like it's going to be another busy summer.... we love it... it's all we know!

Blessings,

Lightening

Greetings,


Okay... so this is the closet I have ever been to lightening....

Kim and I (our neighbor Paul's ((from Greece)) wife... she came to visit us for the week) were taking Miss Peabody for her nightly stroll / bathroom break.

When we started the walk we heard some low rumblings from a quite a distance away.  we are both from Florida... we know what a thunderstorm sounds like.  We know how to gauge the distance of an oncoming storm.  For Floridians... this is just who we are.  When you grow up around daily thunderstorms... you just know these things.

So off we venture around the block... mind you this is at about 10:30 at night.  Round the block / blocks we go... around the bend and by the river.  it makes for a very nice walk.

We are quite enjoying ourselves.  Nice breeze... a little humid... fresh smell of oncoming rain in the air... great conversation.

Just before we turn the street ... unto our street... we see a flash of lightening that sears our retinas.  It was like the lightening was lingering above us.  It lite up the sky and just seemed to stay there.  that, or we were just awe struck.

We unanimously decide to head home.

As we are 1 block from home.  We are on our street... just a few houses away.

Simultaneously a piercing strike of lightening and a jolt of thunder that rocked your very core feels like it hit us.

Literally, I thought it had got me.

Before I can even process this thought... Miss Peabody, which is on the lash that I am holding... is startled with a jump and runs as fast as her little short legs will take her.  I... in a temporary cast.... have no choice but to be dragged / run with Miss P.

Fortunately, Kim catches up with us just as we are climbing the steps to our house.  Crazy how Miss P went straight to our house.  At the point I thought the lightening got us... I would have went unto anyone's porch.

Once inside ... the electricity goes out.  Feels like Greece a little.

Rushing around to find candles... I realize that the thunder and lightening were together.  You know that ole saying count how many seconds were between the lightening strike and the role of thunder and you will know how far away it is in miles.

Well, this one almost got us.

Seriously... I think this is the closest I have ever been to the zero second timing.

Definitely need to count one off on the "Lives left" list.


And FYI... lightening can strike you up to 10 miles away... I did not know that!


Blessings,

Operation Backpack for the ship

Greetings,

The USS Carter Hall's  FRG (Family Readiness Group) is working on our very own Operation Backpack.

Our goal is to supply 50 kids with backpacks filled with school essentials.

We took the local school supply list.... added up the required items... and I almost fell out.... the costs can be a little intimidating.

Over $57 dollars for school supplies (and that's buying the cheap stuff).

Imagine when a family has 3 or more kids.

SO ... we are have been school shopping...

A little bit of this...

A little bit of that...

Non-toxic glue sticks... for those kids who like the taste of glue!

And you can never have enough Germ-x when kids are around.

Hopefully, this helps a few of our families in need.

Now to find backpacks...


Blessings,

A Nasty Spill

Greetings,

Waking up too ...

and sleepily coming down the stairs...

Animals starving...

and running down the stairs with you...

Junk piled on the stairs...

siding stepping all the junk...

and missing the last 2 steps...


equal:

and

Try driving to the emergency room with stabbing pains in your right foot.

Deployment might turn out to be a little tricky!


Blessings,

Article of interest

Civilians rushed to aid Marine pilot in Ocala National Forest

Pilot ejected, was flown to Shands in Gainesville

SALT SPRINGS — Brandon Coon was raking leaves at his grandfather's home Sunday evening when he saw that a passing military jet was in trouble. SALT SPRINGS — Brandon Coon was raking leaves at his grandfather's home Sunday evening when he saw that a passing military jet was in trouble.

The teenager ran to get his grandfather, Gerald Sherrer, 59, and the two jumped into a pickup and raced toward the area where the plane had disappeared.

At the end of Northeast 77th Street, where it meets State Road 19, Brandon first spotted a mushroom cloud. Then he saw the pilot drifting toward the ground in his parachute.

The pilot appeared motionless, his chin drooped against his chest, as the wind carrying him west of SR 19.

Sherrer told Brandon to keep an eye on the pilot. They turned west on Forest Road 46, which used to be called Forest Road 10, and drove down the clay road until Brandon lost sight of the pilot.

As the truck came to the top of a ridge, Sherrer said he believed the pilot should be somewhere close, just out of sight.

"That's when I saw the flare," said Brandon, who held the flare shell in his hand, a gift he later received from the pilot.

The pair walked 100 yards and found the pilot, U.S. Marine Capt. Jarrod L. Klement, 29, who was still in his parachute harness. He was alive and alert.

"Who are you?" Klement asked.

Brandon and Sherrer helped Klement back to the pickup, where the pilot sat down on the tailgate and called his wife to let her know he was OK.

Klement told the pair he blacked out after he ejected and that his back hurt. Brandon noticed he had burns on his hand.

Moments later, area resident Erica Dahl, who had also seen the distressed plane, pulled up and Sherrer told her to go to the highway and flag down law enforcement or rescue officials and lead them to the scene.

Military investigators were expected to comb through the wreckage this afternoon looking for clues about what caused the Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier to go down about two miles south of where Klement landed.

The crash site is directly across from Silver Glen Springs, somewhere near the Yearling Trail, in a remote, unpopulated region known as Juniper Wilderness Area.

Though the pilot suffered just minor injuries, he was flown by helicopter to Shands Hospital in Gainesville.

"We (Marine Corps) are very thankful, very grateful and very pleased that no one was seriously injured and no one was killed and our Marine was able to walk away and that he was OK," said Marine Gunnery Sgt. Bryce Piper, a public affairs officer with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Air Unit out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Piper said the unit deployed on three U.S. Naval ships out of Norfolk, Va., to undergo training exercises before deploying overseas. By Sunday evening, the fleet had reached the east coast of Florida near Jacksonville, he said.

He said the fleet — which included the Navy ships U.S.S. Kearsarge, U.S.S. Ponce and the U.S.S. Carter Hall — were performing humanitarian aid training.

The plane took off from the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Kearsarge and flew inland. Piper said he had just arrived at Naval Air Station Jacksonville when he heard something had gone wrong with the mission.

Moments later, area resident Erica Dahl, who had also seen the distressed plane, pulled up and Sherrer told her to go to the highway and flag down law enforcement or rescue officials and lead them to the scene.

Military investigators were expected to comb through the wreckage this afternoon looking for clues about what caused the Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier to go down about two miles south of where Klement landed.

The crash site is directly across from Silver Glen Springs, somewhere near the Yearling Trail, in a remote, unpopulated region known as Juniper Wilderness Area.

Though the pilot suffered just minor injuries, he was flown by helicopter to Shands Hospital in Gainesville.

"We (Marine Corps) are very thankful, very grateful and very pleased that no one was seriously injured and no one was killed and our Marine was able to walk away and that he was OK," said Marine Gunnery Sgt. Bryce Piper, a public affairs officer with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Air Unit out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Piper said the unit deployed on three U.S. Naval ships out of Norfolk, Va., to undergo training exercises before deploying overseas. By Sunday evening, the fleet had reached the east coast of Florida near Jacksonville, he said.

He said the fleet — which included the Navy ships U.S.S. Kearsarge, U.S.S. Ponce and the U.S.S. Carter Hall — were performing humanitarian aid training.

The plane took off from the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Kearsarge and flew inland. Piper said he had just arrived at Naval Air Station Jacksonville when he heard something had gone wrong with the mission.

Moments later, area resident Erica Dahl, who had also seen the distressed plane, pulled up and Sherrer told her to go to the highway and flag down law enforcement or rescue officials and lead them to the scene.

Military investigators were expected to comb through the wreckage this afternoon looking for clues about what caused the Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier to go down about two miles south of where Klement landed.

The crash site is directly across from Silver Glen Springs, somewhere near the Yearling Trail, in a remote, unpopulated region known as Juniper Wilderness Area.

Though the pilot suffered just minor injuries, he was flown by helicopter to Shands Hospital in Gainesville.

"We (Marine Corps) are very thankful, very grateful and very pleased that no one was seriously injured and no one was killed and our Marine was able to walk away and that he was OK," said Marine Gunnery Sgt. Bryce Piper, a public affairs officer with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Air Unit out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Piper said the unit deployed on three U.S. Naval ships out of Norfolk, Va., to undergo training exercises before deploying overseas. By Sunday evening, the fleet had reached the east coast of Florida near Jacksonville, he said.

He said the fleet — which included the Navy ships U.S.S. Kearsarge, U.S.S. Ponce and the U.S.S. Carter Hall — were performing humanitarian aid training.

The plane took off from the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Kearsarge and flew inland. Piper said he had just arrived at Naval Air Station Jacksonville when he heard something had gone wrong with the mission.

http://www.ocala.com/article/20100719/ARTICLES/7191008/1402/NEWS?p=1&tc=pg

Chores sans the husband

Greetings,


My new chores include:

let dog out for bathroom

feed the dog

feed the cat

walk the dog

pick up dog pooh while on the walk

replenish electric water bowl

clean liter box

take out trash



I think I am ready for Harry to come home and resume his chores!

I could not imagine these women who have 3 + kids ... I just have 2 pets!


Blessings,

Dead Sea

Greetings,

I remember this trip well...

the dead sea.

the heat.

the stifling heat.

to bitter taste of salt.

to stinging pain when a splash gets in your eye.

the ability to float.

to float uncontrollably even when you try not to.

to strength required to keep your legs beneath you when they just want to float to the surface.

the sticky feel of salt.

 the smell sulfur on your skin when you get out.

the feel of a mud bath when you wash off.

the cheap alternative to a body scrub.

the smoothness of how ex foliated skin feels.

the way for days afterwards you skin just glowed!

But most of all...

I remember the heat!

Blessings,

Kristie

AVV..amphibious assault vehicle

Greetings,


I am impressed with the MC (military name for photographers) photo capabilities....

ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 13, 2010) An amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) approaches the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50). Carter Hall is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) participating in a Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) off the East Coast of the United States. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kristin L. Grover/Released)


Seriously... this photo looks like a recruitment advertisement.


Blessings,

Cat with a Fed-ex Hat

Greetings,

Oliver sleeps most of the day away.

There are hours where I have no clue where the little bugger has beaded down.

Eventually, he will crawl out of his slumber and grace us with his presence.

As he comes strolling into the kitchen for some kitty treats... I see this stuck to his head...

Obviously he has been sleeping on a Fed-ex box..

I'm not sure if he knows its there...

but I am not going to take it off.

It's too funny.. so I will see how long he walks around the house, strutting his stuff....

with a Fed-ex sticky on his head.


Blessings,

He loved airplanes

Greetings,

And now he loves him some ships...

when you combine the two:

an airplane on a ship....

(July 7, 2010) The amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) departs Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek. Carter Hall is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) participating in a Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) from off the East Coast of the United States. COMPTUEX is designed to provide realistic training environments that closely replicate the operational challenges routinely encountered during military operations around the world. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kristin L. Grover/Released)


Well... he is just more than one person can stand! (means he is very excited)


I think Harry may be having too much fun for this to be called work!

Blessings,

Maybe a little bored...

Greetings,

With Harry gone...

I am getting kind of bored.

Wonder what I am going to do when he leaves on the BIG deployment??


Blessings,

More from Harry

Greetings,


NORFOLK (July 7, 2010) The amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) departs Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek. 


Carter Hall is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) participating in a Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) from off the East Coast of the United States. 


COMPTUEX is designed to provide realistic training environments that closely replicate the operational challenges routinely encountered during military operations around the world. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kristin L. Grover/Released)

Harry is enjoying himself...


He will do anything to get out of house work!




Blessings, 

A closet... finally

Greetings,

The corner unit is the start....

Of my world of organization...

And a shoe rack...

Finally!

Thank God!




Blessings,

More from the Carter Hall

Greetings,

(July 7, 2010) The amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) departs Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek. Carter Hall is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) participating in a Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) from off the East Coast of the United States. COMPTUEX is designed to provide realistic training environments that closely replicate the operational challenges routinely encountered during military operations around the world. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kristin L. Grover/Released)








Blessings,

Excerise

Greetings,

Here is an article from the USS Carter Hall...

(July 7, 2010) Sailors wait to direct a landing craft air cushion (LCAC) as it approaches the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50). Carter Hall is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group participating in a composite unit training exercise (COMPTUEX) from Virginia to Florida. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kristin L. Grover/Released)

I might add... Harry is the new PAO (public affairs officer) a collateral duty.  So he is in charge of sending the photographer out to capture these candid shots... then submit them to the navymil for publication.

Poor ship... they have no idea how much Harry loves to promote... promote.... promote.

And the poor photographer... she has no idea what Harry will have in store for her.  I see LCAC rides, helo flights, very interesting things in her future.  I hope she likes adventures...?


Blessings,