The Map

Greetings,


So I have decided on one of my deployment ideas / goals...

I want to visit all 50 states while Harry is deployed.

All 50.


Let the state hopping begin...

VIRGINIA:  ü

1 Down... 49 to go.


Blessings,

The Barkers

Greetings,

Even though it seems I have been MIA since Harry went away... I have been here.

With  The Barker's!

The Barker's do not always dress like this... only at last year's Fall Festival in Greece.  But it would be funny if they did!

So The Barker's came to visit The Hansen's, but now it's minus Harry.... so we are going to have a great time (with or without Harry)  he keeps calling to see if we are having fun without him.

And we are!

On the schedule... Virginia entertainment with a road trip to DC.

Whooah!

I love me some DC.

So do not fret... I am here... not pouting in my room.  Or sulking in front of the t.v..  I am being comforted by my Grecian visitors and lots of shopping.


Blessings,

And so it begins

So it has begun...

D E P L O Y M E N T

Day 1.

Blessings,

MilSpouse #10 Fill-in

·  What secret indulgence do you act on while your spouse is away? (from Devil Dog Darling)

I do not clean or do laundry on a daily basis… only when people are coming over … then I run around like crazy trying to clean up everything.  I only do laundry when I need clean clothes, which is not often (I have a lot of clothes)

·  If you were a spice, what would you be? (from New Girl On Post)

coriander, cumin, fenugreek and turmeric = CURRY

·  Where do you go for support when your significant other is deployed? (from Texas Meets Washington)

I choose to stay at home it’s where I am most comfortable.

·  What is the oldest thing you own? (from A Troop’s Girl)

Our “new” house…  it’s almost 100 years old

·  How did you vision your future pre-military? (from Daddy’s Duty)

Never really thought about it…. And no need to now!

This morning I waved good-bye to Harry's deploying ship.... so keep the USS Carter Hall in your thoughts and prayers as we figure out life without our significant others for the next 9 + months.

Blessings, 

Fair Winds and Followings Seas

The traditional farewell (or toast) of a mariner is wishing a friend "fair winds and following seas." The full version is "Fair winds and following seas and long may your big jib draw!" "We bid shipmates farewell with this naval blessing because it represents the ideal underway conditions for which Sailors yearn."

'Following sea' refers to a sea swell that doesn't overtake the ship. It is very difficult to control any boat or ship when the swell overtakes it and shoves it forward, causing the boat to skew broadside-on to the wind and swell. Boats often capsize under such conditions.

The phrase may also be considered a Naval blessing as the person, group, or thing to which it is said departs on a voyage in life. It is often used at a "beginning" ceremony such as a commissioning ceremony of a ship or people, as well as in retirement, change of command, or farewell ceremonies.





And they're off... for a very long time!  My thoughts are kinda jumbled right now... so I will post more about the Big D (deployment) when the realization of Harry being gone over 9 months sets in...




Blessings, 

Deployment ideas

Greetings,

Okay...

I need some ideas as to what I am going to do while he is away!

So let the ideas flow...

Please remember who you are addressing..

i.e....

I will NEVER run a marathon!

I will NEVER even attempt to train for a marathon... not even the slightest possibility!

I need normal ideas...


like


Take a class... (in what)

Lose 10 pounds (as if)

and that's where I draw a blank!  I thought I had another moth to figure out what I wanted to do while Harry is away.


I need ideas / goals that I can actually attain...


So send them my way!


Blessings,

Award

Greetings,


Here's Harry receiving his AirForce Achievement Medal.

It may seem strange for a Navy guy to recieve an Airforce medal... in Greece, Harry was the Chaplain for a few Airforce folks at a base in Northern Greece.

Congrats Harry!


Blessings,

And he's home again

Greetings,


Harry made it back today, but this is it.... his last few days at home!


 We headed to the movies... Inception.

I guess if we carry on as usual it does not feel so real that in a few days he will be gone!

Or maybe this is all a dream (Inception joke)


Blessings,

Friday Fill-in

Greetings, 


This week I have decided to participate in the military spouse Friday Fill-in


So here are this weeks questions ...

·  If you could be a fugitive from the law for whatever reason, what would your crime be?

Obviously, from my crimes earlier this week… Hit and Run

·  How long do you think you will be a military family?

Until Harry retires or I get him fired!

·  What’s your favorite recipe?

Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookies.

·  What would you want your last five words to be when you leave this life?

Should have washed my hair?

·  Where do you hope to retire?

Sunny Florida

Look forward to next Fridays Fill-In

Blessings,

A Minor accident

Greetings,


"They" say everything goes wrong when the "men" leave.... well

During an unexpected torrential rainfall that flooded the streets of Norfolk, I had a little accident.

A guy was running through the crosswalk, there were moving trucks obstructing my sight line...

so as I slowed to make a right hand turn... out of the corner of my eye I spot the guy for the first time....he had his head lowered against the wind and rain and I assume never saw me.

I slammed on the brakes...  slide up to the intersection...


and WHAM!


I hit him...

I hit him in the front of the truck and it rolled him up onto the hood.  (Oddly, just like in the movies... it was surreal)

Before I knew it... he was plastered on the hood of Harry's truck.

I was in shock!

I just sat there in the middle of the intersection!

And the crazy thing is....

the guy rolled off and ran away.

Without ever looking back at me.


He just kept running...

I pulled over and tried to figure out what to do next.... call the cops ... try to find the guy..?


I was in shock!

I think I am still in shock.

I hope and pray the guy is okay.  I wish he would have at least stopped running so that I could see if there was anything hurt or broken with him .


I have never ran over some one before... and I hope I never do it again!


The craziest things happen to us... who hits someone then has that someone just run away.  It felt like it was all a dream  or something...

Support for Pakistan

26th MEU to support Pakistan relief efforts

More than 2,000 Marines and sailors from Camp Lejeune’s 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit received orders to deploy a month ahead of schedule this week in order to bring aid to the monsoon-flooded nation of Pakistan.

Late Thursday night, unit officials announced that the MEU would deploy with the three ships of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group later this month to bring humanitarian aid and assistance to Pakistan.

Monsoon rains at the beginning of this month brought rising floodwaters that have killed more than 1,600 and threatened tens of thousands more with waterborne disease. In addition to $71 million pledged in emergency assistance, the United States has so far provided aid in the form of elements of Camp Pendleton’s 15th MEU, including CH-53E Super Stallion and CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters.

The 26th MEU, which returned from its most recent deployment last March, was scheduled to deploy at the end of September, unit spokesman Capt. Richard Ulsh said. On Wednesday, Marines and their family members were informed about the change in schedule.

The Kearsarge ARG includes the U.S.S. Kearsarge, U.S.S. Carter Hall, and U.S.S. Ponce. Elements of the MEU include Battalion Landing Team 3/8, Combat Logistics Battalion 26 and an Osprey squadron, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 (reinforced).

Lejeune’s 24th MEU, which returned home from a seven-month deployment this week, were the first to use Ospreys in a humanitarian mission in February when it deployed to Haiti in the wake of a devastating earthquake.

Ulsh said that there were no current plans to bring additional equipment or troops to assist with flooding relief.

This won’t be the first time that the MEU has come to the aid of flood victims. In June 2008, while completing an urban training exercise in Indiana, troops from the unit rushed to the aid of local rescue workers when parts of the state flooded with up to 11 inches of water, providing Sea Knight helicopters for equipment evacuation and documenting the storm damage.

“The 26th MEU is anxious to provide the much needed assistance to the government of Pakistan,” Ulsh said. “More importantly, we know we can bring some reprieve to the Pakistani people and look forward to doing that as soon as possible.”

With a quarter of the country affected by the flooding, Pakistani and UN officials fear the toll that waterborne diseases, including acute diarrhea, malaria and skin ailments, may take on the population.

The MEU’s commanding officer, Col. Mark Desens, said that the unit was up to the task.

“This is an opportunity for 26th MEU Marines and sailors to help a key partner nation,” he said. “We have a versatile and flexible force that we will use to alleviate suffering of the Pakistani citizens affected by this disaster.”

A spokesman for Headquarters Marine Corps told The Daily News he was not aware of current plans to send additional Marine units to the country.

http://www.jdnews.com/news/26th-81507-support-efforts.html

It's officially out...

From the Department of Defense

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Department of Defense announced Aug. 13 the deployment of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (KSG ARG) and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU).

The combined Navy and Marine Corps team will leave later this month to bring significant heavy- and medium-lift aircraft and other assets to support flood relief efforts in Pakistan. The Kearsarge ARG/26th MEU's capabilities will allow sailors and Marines to provide food, water, transportation, and other support, in partnership with their military, to those in need.



The KSG ARG is comprised of commander, Amphibious Squadron FOUR (CPR-4), the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge, the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall and the amphibious transport dock ship USS Ponce.

http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=55326


We were gearing for a late September early October deployment.... needless to say Harry will be leaving a lot sooner!

Please keep these guys and gals in your prayers as they prepare to leave!

Blessings,

Where's Waldo...

Greetings,

That's how I feel with Harry right now...

He's here.. then he's gone.

Then the ship roles back in and with a sea of people... I must find him again.

Then he leaves... again.

Then unexpectedly... he returns and I must find Waldo again.

Only my Waldo wears the same exact attire as a few 100 other folks, which makes it a little difficult to spot him in the crowd.

Maybe if he dressed a little more like the Real Waldo.... I could find him easier!


Blessings,

Not so Fast...

Greetings,

Well...

he's gone again!


And I am not sure when he is coming back...?

Just keep us in your prayers as we navigate the waters of uncertainty... and a rapidly approaching (as in way sooner than expected) deployment!


Blessings,

Scheduling

Greetings,


Not sure what kind of schedule we are on but...


He's back...

for now.


Blessings,

All is cool again

Greetings, 

Finally...

air conditioning again!

I can deflate the air mattress and move back upstairs to the bedroom.  At least we had downstairs air conditioning.  By the time the technician came the upstairs thermostat read 91 degrees.

It has been unbearably hot!


Blessings,

Ah, sneaky sneaky...

Ah Navy....


you sneaky sneaky bugger you....


More to come when OPSEC allows.

For now... just know the Hansen Household just got turned upside down!


Blessings,

Deployment etiquette

Greetings,


TO ALL Military Spouses...

I have a few questions...


Is there some form of military deployment etiquette?

For example:

While on deployment:

1.  Is it bad form to put away (store for the several months) your husband giant / in the way / takes up too much counter space / messy coffee pot?

2.  Toss out his new tooth brush because by the time he returns it will be old?

3.  Change his preset radio settings to yours?

4.  Cancel the Golf channel on the cable line up?

5.  Remove his Favorites bar on the computer?  Again with the golf ... and Bloomberg ticker!

6.  Rummage through his old clothing and toss out the "out of date" stuff?

7.  Take the closet space for yourself now that there's more room?


and last but not least...

8.  Sell his truck and buy a Porsche?

Just wondering if there is a proper etiquette for handling such matters?


Blessings,

Check

For deploying families....

Are you're affairs in order?

Deployment Checklist

General

 Attend mobilization meetings and take notes
 Know the exact name of unit
 Know the names and ranks of chain of command
 Have a copy of your service member's orders
 Know service member's travel itinerary
 Know service member's full name, social security number, and complete military address
 Have emergency plans in place

Your Finances

 Plan ahead
 Discuss what and when bills are due, where receipts are kept, etc.
 Have enough saved
 Create family budget

Around the House

 Extra set of car keys
 List of repair persons to call
 Location of utility (water/electricity/gas) shut off valves
 Know your neighbors

Family Matters

 Child care plan
 Elder care plan
 Emergency plan for pets

Legal Affairs

 Have Will
 Have Power of Attorney
 Have Military I.D.

Communications

 Pre-addressed, stamped post cards, pens
 Seek counseling if necessary

Red Cross

 Know how to contact your local American Red Cross
Know name of local Red Cross
 Know address of local Red Cross
 Know telephone numbers

Duty hours
After-duty hours

Please note...

the check marks are not things I have accomplished, but marks that came with the form.

My list is less than 25% completed.  I am such a role model...



Blessings,