Jamberry Releases Disney Collection II ⭐️Time Sensitive⭐️

Wear your love for your favorite Disney Characters everyday!! 

Available now:

Ariel*

Aurora* 

Bambi

Mickey Mouse

Minnie Mouse*

Snow White

Mickey & Friends (Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Pluto) will be tagging along.

*Goes into the vault May 23, 2016

Paradise_Found.Jamberry.com

Thank you Disney Collection by Jamberry!

Diversification

Aloha!

When I retired me and my husband decided I earned my time to stay home with our two darling daughters, but I got bored and diversified with direct sales. I chose companies that I loved while I was on active duty and added true value to my family's life. 

I hope to hear from any of you looking for life hack products, money & time savers or career opportunities.

Please feel free to PM me or email me at char.duff.paradise.found@gmail.com

AdvoCare: www.advocare.com/1203902

Doterra: http://mydoterra.com/paradisefoundbychar

Pikle: https://parties.inapikle.com/Paradise_Found

Stampin' Up:

https://mypaperpumpkin.com?demoid=2148582

Jamberry: http://Paradise_Found.jamberrynails.net

Jinx

This is a cat named Jinx or Madam Meow Meow. She's tucked in a blanket. My favorite blanket and sleeping. I wish I was this cat, tucked in my favorite blanket, asleep too. I am not this cat. I am her staff and will let the Madam sleep as I awkwardly try to get comfy without disturbing her. 

I had forgotten how our pets are so much like toddlers. As a mom, I never was able to go to the bathroom alone without hearing "Mom, Mama, mum, mammah, mummy, mum, mommy, momoh, ma" until I responded or opened the door until my children were at least 5 or 6. With this darling kitty, I cannot even take a shower without her in the room. She is possessive of me too. Forget about cuddling with my nonfurry children. She will insert herself between us and nibble on the children until they go elsewhere. <sigh> at least I'm loved and fought for right? Don't worry too much for my nonfurry children, we still have cuddle & reading time. We just have to shut the door with the Madam outside of the room. She regales us with a dirge of pitiful caterwauls that would put a Siamese to shame. 

I sometimes wonder if she thinks I'm in danger and she's trying to save or protect me. Kinda like Clovis in Stephen King's Skinwalkers or the Cat in Cat's Eye, that protects the children from the gnome/mini troll that steals children's breath. I now see why a woman would've  been branded a witch for having a cat as her familiar, because Jinx sleeps at my left shoulder (normally, but not tonight), "talks" to me during the day, waits by the door while I'm away and greats me when I get home. Oh the life of this sweet kitty. No wonder the Pharaohs of Egypt thought the cat was a divine creature. If I were to reincarnate, I'd like to come back as a cat. Wouldn't you? 

New Year's Eve 2015

The last time I posted here seemed like a million years ago. Life for me and my family has changed so much since my retirement. I've branched out to try new and interesting things. Right now I can only think about Fukubukuro. The obsession is real. I've even jumped on it for my Jamberry Business. Starting with my Pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/210613720050212189/ 

I'm excited about putting the bags together and finding just right items to make it worth my clients while. Jamberry has been very good to me and I intend to pass on the positive energy. More to come...

Forever and a day...

Late Entry From September 2010.

I've been so out of the loop lately.  I took all my goal setting to heart and started getting serious about my degree. So yes, now I have my Associates. That piece or paper and a dollar will get you two cherry pies at McDonald's. It seems as if my tone is is a bit more cynical than normal. If you noticed this new nuance of mine, then you are quite perceptive and in tune with the world because yes I am tired!  I am sick and tired of the divisive nature of the mainstream media.  People are being categorized as being Left-wing Liberal Communist Pigs or Right-Wing nut jobs incapable of intelligent thought or the ability to separate glass, plastic and compost appropriately.  It's not my intention to bash anyone's political party or instill a negative attitude into a fresh faced coed, but to stage a decompression stop so I may blow off some of this hot air. 

Leadership

Another Late Entry this is from August 2010


If you ask different leaders what their one piece of advice would be to their protege you might hear a few different answers:
"Lead from the front" is common.  This is usually heard when the unit or command you belong to run in formation... often.  I admit, I am not a runner. A sprinter yes, runner no.  Does this come from a "Hurry up and wait" acceptable norm?  Maybe, but more than likely it's because I ran track in my youth and played basketball.
"Take care of your people" is good too.  It's good practice to not burn out your work force.  You want to make sure they come back the next day.  People who are taken care of do better work. Compensation isn't just found on a pay stub, but in recognition and appropriate discipline and structure.  Those wayward members of your team who seam aimless probably are.  The greatest thing you can do to care for your people is to see that "light" go on behind their eyes, when they "get it" and know what to do with it.
The final piece of advice I've heard quoted is "What is popular isn't always right, and what is right isn't always popular."  This is the reason I am breaking my silence on my blog.  What you're about to read isn't popular, but I think it's right. You'll probably defriend me or unfollow me, and more than likely blast me a response.

Sometimes with courage comes a little pain.

Don't Ask Don't Tell Repeal

The survey response was under 30%. Really people, you have no opinion about the repeal of DADT?

Military Voting Rights in Jeopardy WHAT!
We serve to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. The 15th, 19th, 24th and 26th Constitutional Amendments identify reasons why every US citizen should not be denied the opportunity to vote, it's up to the states to grant the right to vote. Service-members and their families are sometimes stationed overseas and not every GWOT service-member is stationed in a tax free-zone. If these eleven states want to take away our ability to vote because we happen to be stationed in a far off locale preventing us from "popping" into the local voting precinct to make our voices heard, I think our required state taxes for those same states should be exempted until the procedural issues are fixed. It's easy enough to check how many tax dollars these Military Unfriendly states are due to lose. If any service-member is interested in changing their state of legal residence (which can be changed at anytime) the DD Form 2058 can be found here: http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/infomgt/forms/eforms/dd2058.pdf
BTW: The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania NEVER seems to have any problems getting an absentee ballot to me.

Military Life and Politics

Late posting:  I've been urged to start blogging again.  This was written prior to the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. It was really just a vent about the Army order for military personnel in war zones. No response is required.

I have to preface this as:

I am not speaking on the behalf of the US Navy, DOD, or US Government.

The last couple of months have brought a few issues to the surface in regards to military life.  The first was war zone pregnancy, and the second is the discussion surrounding the proposed repeal of "Don't Ask.  Don't Tell."  How our leadership treats these issues affect me and my fellow service members.

As a mom who happens to also be a sailor, I take sexual responsibility and parenthood seriously.  I have nine years between my first and second child.  I'm not being judgmental but the guys you serve with are your brothers, add to that idea, the service members were in a war zone.  Really?!  People couldn't control their urges long enough to wait until they were safe?  (Safe in ALL meanings of the word.)

On the other hand, the military has an unsupported portion of it's population who must hide its sexual identity. How can anyone serve in the military with Honor, Courage and Commitment if they have to lie daily to their co-workers, supervisors and subordinates?  For me it's a no brainer.   

Bootcamp Best Friend

Sixteen years ago today I was on bootcamp day 2:2 or so.  Not too long ago my Best Friend from K026 found me on facebook and shocked me some pics of us from that time and now I share them with you.  Thanks for the memories Heather... I wouldn't have stayed "sane" without you.

Today in my history: September 5, 1993

Today in my history: September 5, 1993

           I’m reenlisting in a few days. I’m not sure about others but whenever my personal Navy anniversary arises it’s time to revisit the reasons I volunteered to join the service. This isn’t the kind of blog entry to stir your patriotic juices or to teach a lesson, it’s just another piece of my personal puzzle more of an adjunct to my last entry.

Sixteen years ago today was a Sunday, which meant I was going to work at Gymboree. It was also my last day coordinating outfits for toddlers. I originally chose to work at Gymboree because there was nothing there I would want to spend my paycheck on! It was a great job but without benefits. The place was filled with happy music, colors and little clothes making it an easy job and a joyful part of my week.

My weekday job was as a Teacher’s Assistant at the Rockville, Maryland Treatment and Learning Center. It was another rewarding job but without health benefits. The children were speech delayed 2-4 year olds, some were abused others had other types of developmental delays. I enjoyed the personal satisfaction of watching my students grow and overcome their disabilities or learn new life skills. Watching the light bulb above their heads go on and their eyes light up with understanding were addictive but it wasn’t enough to hold me there. My mentors were professional women who taught by example and were generous with their time whenever I had questions.

My final job was at Natural Wonders. It was by far the coolest place in the mall to work. Amongst leadership skills, display techniques, and shoplifter spotting, I learned how to juggle! I had the most seniority at this job but without a college degree I would never make it to manager or earn benefits. This is job where the manager had been in the car accident and spurred me to join the Navy.

I actually went to the recruiter’s office on August 11, 1993 and went to the Baltimore Military Entrance Processing Site (MEPS) and entered the Delayed Entry Program on August 13, with a shipping date of August 1994. Imagine my surprise when I got a call on September 2 that an opening came up and was to leave in ten days! Now I had to tell my parents that I joined the Navy… and that is another story.

Ask not what your country can do for you, Ask what you can do for your country

Yesterday, I witnessed the retirement ceremony of a Hospital Corpsman Master Chief Petty Officer. He read a Woodrow Wilson quote during the ceremony that I felt represented my feelings of Naval Service:

"You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand."

~ Woodrow Wilson

My enlistment began toward the tail end of Desert Storm 1. Like my peers it was a call to serve our country. During my junior year we all took a career indicator. Imagine my shock when it indicated I was suited for military service, healthcare industries, and environmental conservation (park ranger). I graduated from high school, took a few classes & had 3 jobs. Yes, I had 3 jobs all part time with no benefits. One of my managers was involved in a car accident (her fault) and required physical therapy and corrective surgery. Her benefits barely covered it. This shocked me into realizing I wasn't immortal and needed to protect myself. Were my enlistment intentions completely altruistic? No and I admit this freely. There was some talk of money for college but the military draw for me was strictly patriotism and healthcare benefits. I know the recruiter at that time saw me as a minority female. Lucky for him I suppose. Luckier for me, to get a Navy job that truly fit my skill set.

Recently I've become aware of a subsection of military enlistment, I was never sensitive to these sailors who enlisted strictly for college money. It seems more and more of the junior sailors have been sold on the promise of college money and tuition assistance. Some of them think that the military pays really well!?! I made equal the amount of money my senior year with 2 part time jobs as I did my first year of enlistment. The year prior to enlistment I made MORE! I wonder if these new joins in DEP realize during the first year of enlistment they spend it in training (if they are lucky enough to get a technical job), normally not allowed to have a car on base and are not eligible for certain pays because of their student status.

I am aware of Officers who have commissioned to help pay off their student loans. As far as I'm concerned, that is like indentured service. I am most impressed and proud to serve with those officers elevated from the enlisted ranks of E-5 thru Chief. They know sacrifice, they know what a watch is about, they know how to follow and they know how to lead.

To those who are only enlisting for the "money," I suggest you look deeper into yourself and find another more spiritual reason to sustain you while standing a 12 hour watch, in the rain with no umbrella.

"I would rather belong to a poor nation that was free than to a rich nation that had ceased to be in love with liberty."

~ Woodrow Wilson

First Week Back

Hello again dear friend, sister, brother, doc, kid, mom, dad, unko, tita, tweep,

It has been a tumultuous week to include but not limited to 0530 muster times, skipped lunches, moldy chairs, mega-full inboxes, an extremely helpful NMCI tech (<3>

"Make sure you take this with food and plenty of water,

three times a day for at least three days

to reach it's peak effectiveness.

Remember if it sits in the bottle it won't do you any good."

~or~

"Apply this twice a day to clean and patted dry skin.

Remember if you put it on dirt it's not going to work."

I bet those patients of mine just walked off shaking their heads wondering what was I thinking. I know better that they probably have a two year supply of ibuprofen and mupirocin in their medicine drawers, cabinets, storage sheds...

As a junior Corpsman on any given work day morning, I would wonder if my turn to languish in the refill department had come or if I was to man the front-lines and placate diabetics or other regular customers of the pharmacy. The normal day time front-line experience is beyond any bad day at a grocery check-out. You're pressured to lick, stick, and pour at high speed to keep wait times down, all the while silently freaking out and getting OCD because you don't want anyone to die on your watch. Oh did I forget while standing on linoleum in dress shoes at 4 hours at time, doing the pee-pee dance while smiling.

During the work week we had Red Cross volunteers. The Red Cross volunteers usually were retired Chiefs or spouses of officers. They taught me as much about the Navy and how the "system" worked as much as my first Chief did. These folk gave selflessly of their time and patience to help us hold back the onslaught of sick and tired patients. Our volunteers were paid in hugs, conversation and thus avoided being put out to pasture. As staff we would know when one of them started to take a turn for the worse. It would start out they came by every Tuesday and Thursday, then just Tuesday's, then every other Tuesday. Each visit would get shorter too, from a half a day, to a few hours, to "Just wanted to stop in and drop off these Blueberry muffins." Then you'd make rank or go TAD and when you get back you'd find out they had passed away.

My favorite times were when I stood weekend independent pharmacy duty on the first payday weekend. This is when the lonely WWII veterans or their widows would make the trek to our clinic or hospital to get their refills for the month. This also when they would do their monthly commissary shopping for groceries.

I was amazed at the stories of sacrifice and heroism both groups would share. The grace the widow displayed when sharing her wedding anniversary, his birthday, 0r how they celebrated VJ day, she seemed at the brink of tears, never to overflow but just misty. The men would tell stories of storming Normandy and the brothers they left there, and ones who came home not quite right. Somedays it was like the live version of the Notebook and on others Saving Private Ryan.

I guess I have waxed nostalgic long enough. This is Friday and I was going to accomplish this past week has either been done (if really important) or is no consequence to the the bean counters (my delicate laundry items). Priorities... Eh! I try not to dwell on the past and keep moving forward. Walt Disney said it best:

"We keep moving forward,

opening new doors, and doing new things,

because we're curious and

curiosity keeps leading us down new paths."

This may have seemed choppy and disjointed but I had to fit it. I wear so many hats but,

I am thankful to be an American, US Navy Corpsman, wife of a US Navy Corpsman, Sister of a US Marine, the daughter of US Navy Corpsman (RET), daughter of a legal immigrant, and my kids' mom.

What's up? You may have asked & hopefully I answered.

It's been nearly a month since my last transmission. You, you know who you are, have been bugging me for another blog entry. Golly, I've been busy Beev. Let me list the ways.

• I'm a year older (sorta). Had a Birthday anyway.
  
• Made pleasantly aware I'm married to a Champion, USN Atlantic Fleet Individual Rifle First Place Winner.
  
• Lived in a Marriott for 14 days (Charleston, Cocoa Beach, Charlotte).
  
• Proud mother to a newly potty trained two year-old.
• Completed seven books via my eReader Pro app for iPhone:

The Complete Demonica Series by Larissa Ione. Sinful reads perfect for lonely nights.
Slan by A. E. Vogt. How do we know our children won't surpass us?
Dead and Gone Southern Vampire Series Book nine. Dear Sookie, stay sweet.
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. Genius isn't everything, hard work, luck, and a the perfect birthday make all the difference.
Lizard World by G. Bryan Smith. What's the meaning of slavery and when is it okay...

• Was a techno-weenie by utilizing data merge to create 40 gratitude letters and labels on behalf of the USN Shooting Team, and crunched their post Atlantic Fleet Match Surveys into something neater with a graph.
  
• Helped an old man with his luggage.
  
• Saw four movies:

Star Trek - Awesome! I'm totally loving the ST, STNG, Enterprise, and other SCI-FI easter eggs.

Wolverine - Hugh Jackman.

Terminator - Unhappy about the ending. I think they killed the franchise.

Angels & Demons - I can't wait to read the book! It was a fun ride.

• Saw three for real, not digital, IMAX's:

"Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3-D" - Tom Hanks narrated, but other well-known actors added their voices to this spectacular film.

"Space Station 3-D" - The 3-D imagery was super cool. Tom Cruise's nasally voice was distracting.

"Star Trek: IMAX" - The first five minutes had me crying again, the IMAX theater's sound quality is unmatched, and the huge screen made things I missed the first time pop out more.

What haven't I done?

• I haven't walked past a vagrant without saying "Hello" or a panhandler without giving them $0.50. - It's my Karmic debt and charitable donations go far to dig you out of the hole.
  
• Dined on McDonald's/ Burger King ... - If you haven't shopped at Trader Joe's or Farm Fresh you are missing out, no need to get Fast food. Real food is easier and better for you.
  
• Dined at Bennigan's. I was crushed when my little family discovered the Monte Cristo is no more.
  
• Left my hovel without an umbrella. - It's like the Eurythmics are on tour to every state I'm in!
  
• Tried something new daily. - Food or exercise mostly.
  
• Watched SCI-FI or BBC America. - I'm tweaking...
  
• Escaped the pull of the Season finale of "American Idol" or this season's start of "So You Think You Can Dance."
  
• Not read at least 3 chapters a day.
  
• My ode to my Mom Blog. While Hubby and I were TAD Mom took care of the girls. They are GERM Magnets/Multipliers. Poor Grandma has been down with a bug since this past Thursday.
  

**@NAVYCS LUMPIA recipes will be posted! Your patience is appreciated.**

I have so many new followers on Twitter and I have been a poor Tweep. I refuse to Auto-DM. So as a blanket to all of you.... Mahalo for your follow. I really do add each of my valuable followers manually and check out their websites or blogs. My #FollowFriday recommends are not filled with everyone in my follow listing but of real tweeters who ADD something positive to my life. Maybe a blog on them would be in order? Hmmm.

Until next time, treasured surfer.

Plain Jane Celebrity Nexus

Recently I've been sucked into the vortex called Twitter.  It's where normal people tweet and the famous broadcast.  I have "met" so many interesting people.  Connected with people from all over the world.  I've enjoyed #MFZAR conversations, #punday, and #followfriday.  It's incredible how this social network has let us normals mingle with the abnormal, beautiful, scary, brilliant, nerdy, geeky, sweet, naughty, famous, infamous and helpful tweeps.  

It has it's pitfalls.  Watch out for the #failwhales, the MLM's, and Decepticons who autobot DM (direct message) you. Or those lovely twits who tweet the same thing over and over again.  Fortunately you can choose not follow them or block them. ;)  Never feel guilty about unfollowing someone who mars your sTweet experience.  It's your experience!  If you find someone that nourishes your mind, body or soul... TELL the TWITTERVERSE!!! The greatest compliment you can give is to #followfriday them or RT (retweet) them.

It's important to be yourself and make an effort to be nice.  If you can't say anything nice unfollow someone.  I unfollowed a poor lady because I couldn't be nice.  She had multiple diseases or medical conditions who announced via Twitter that her husband wanted a divorce.  Hello LADY roll your chair away from the computer and have a real conversation with your husband and family.  You were tweeting 45 times an hour!   I call it divine intervention.  She needed to get re-engaged with what was going on with her family instead of typing "LOL!!!!!" every 20 seconds.  I'm not Dr. Phil but I'm sure he'd say the same thing.

One of the greatest boons to using Twitter is that you still can connect with your friends without them sending you their top 5 , or hugs, plants, flowers, eggs, smurfs, or soul food.  Don't get me wrong, earlier this year I was on convalescent leave for 42 days and needed virtual human contact.  I was so lonely, stuck in bed, and on serious pain killers.  The wait for someone to challenge me to some "Who's your 80's Tiger Beat Heart Throb" was like sticking bamboo underneath my fingernails... PAINFUL!  I was addicted and facebook was my crack. 

Will I have a facebook relapse?  Chances are slim.  I got put on the patch and it's called Twitter.

Marlo's Benefactor of Sixth Grade Knowledge

Recently, my sister was attacked verbally by someone evil. This demon goes by "Skip".  I have belittled old Skippy in public.  I am sorry a tad for the way I degraded him.  Maybe his mother really was a prostitute, maybe that was her way of paying the bills.  I don't know.

~Public assistance is available to those who qualify.~

If she didn't qualify it's a good thing that Skippy was able to grow up successfully enough to rent internet access at an internet café. (After all he learned at his momma's knee about how to rent or lease things.)

My true feelings were slightly stifled concerning this event.  I didn't want my sister embarrassed by her sister with the Sailor's mouth. Here is the original copy of my response to Skippy.

Obviously Skip is a troll who lives under a bridge somewhere sucking the bone marrow out of the kittens he's tortured and killed. 

He is undeserving of your attention or energy since he is a coward.  Coward's by definition abuse small animals, children, their wives and their mothers.  He is turned on by the suffering others. (Please note: as he reads this he is starting to wet his tighty whitey's with pre-cum.)

He's probably still a virgin due to the fact that his mother didn't breast feed (lack of confidence.)  It's unfortunate that breast feeding isn't the normal upbringing of children today. (This is in direct relation to the rate of incarceration of violent offenders taking up space in America's prison system.)

She was a poor example of female power because she allowed herself to be routinely beaten, raped and sodomized by her johns. This was a low blow at a woman who doesn't know how to defend herself.  She was adult during most of his childhood.  She just couldn't put her big girl panties on long enough to pick herself and poor little Skippy up out of the trailer or no-tell motel they were living in and make a right turn at main street.  

I wouldn't be surprised to discover that old Skippy prefers to wear lacy pink panties while reading Marlo's blog.  I'm not talking about Murl's Country, I'm taking about Mind Your Marlo's.  Skippy still feels lost in everyday society,  He needs a constant reminder that he belongs in the here and now.  He reminds himself by wearing women's lingerie.  I think in some ways it make up for the fact that his Mommy wanted a girl to eventually turn-out.  (See Fancy: JGI)

@ MB ~ You got my number. You need me, use it. 

@ Skippy ~ I gave you wood didn't I. Too bad you can't maintain it for too long.  Make sure you have a happy towel nearby to clean up your mess.  I'd hate for you to electrocute yourself, stoking and fantasizing about wearing MYM skirts and suckling at a loving breast.

15 Books That Stay With Me

15 books that stay with me.

1. Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card 
   
2. Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Addams 
   
3. Spell for Chameleon - Piers Anthony 
   
4. Saints - Orson Scott Card 
   
5. Handmaid's Tale- Margret Atwood
   
6. Anna to the Infinite Power - Mildred Ames 
   
7. Sphere - Michael Crichton 
   
8. The Girl With the Silver Eyes - Willo Davis Roberts
   
9. The Voyage of the Dawn Trader - C. S. Lewis 
   
10. The House Between the Worlds - Marion Zimmer Bradley 
    
11. Cyteen - C.J. Cherryh
    
12. Childhood's End - Arthur C. Clarke 
    
13. Slan - A.E. Van Vogt
    
14. Women Who Run with the Wolves - Clarissa Pinkola Estes
15. The Princessa : Machiavelli for Women - Harriet Rubin

How Time Flies....

Yes it's been a long time since my last entry.  I have been too distracted to update my blog.  January was a month of upheaval and sophistry.  February a month of rest and love.  March so far seems to be a month of change and excitement.  

My New Year's Resolutions were derailed due to health issues and now they are back on track. 

1) Get Fit.

a) Continue the AB DIET.

b) Run a 10K with out vomiting or walking. (Jogging is okay.)

c) Really find out if I have ADD or just looney. (LOL)

2) Focus on accomplishing my Quals.

a) Inside Tender

b) Med Deck Tech/Sup.

3) Be more diligent in nurturing my nieces and nephews.

a) By Blood

b) By Love.

4) Connect exclusively with people and things who add to my life or make me happy.

a) Go to Disney World!!! 

b) Get rid of mementos of dark trials and tribulations.

5) Complete my book and my responsibilities toward my the other authors in my circle.

Since my brush with mortality I am pressing on with being more in the moment and not the past.  The "What ifs?" will remain unanswered. The really interesting question for '09 is "What will happen next?"

Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2008

Dear Family & Friends,

 

            This Christmas marks Mike and Charissa’s tenth Christmas together.  Our family has resisted the pull of the “Family Christmas Letter” bandwagon for the last ten years.  It’s always been a question of time: “When should I write it?  When should I send it?  When will I have time to write it?”  Fortunately, we’re both on shore duty and we the have time. 

 

            The biggest change for our family this year was the July transfer from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to Panama City Beach, Florida. 

 

            Mike left the Seal Delivery Vehicle Team One and is now an Instructor at the Naval Diving & Salvage Training Center.  His primary job is to train Navy personnel in dive operations and procedures.  He still dives, but not as often as he would like to for fun.  He now directs his “free” time to his rifle marksmanship.  His first match will be sometime in the beginning of the New Year.

 

            Charissa has been released from Pharmacy Purgatory and is now assigned to the Navy Experimental Dive Unit.  Her primary duty is to be a basic corpsman, be a task leader and assistant in research protocols and equipment testing.  She likes to call it “Hero Support.”  This new job has presented a few challenges like forcing her to attend a diving convention (DEMA) in Las Vegas, and making her wear a blue and gold t-shirt, diver shorts and sneakers instead of a button-up shirt, skirt and heels.

 

            John (13) misses his friends in Hawaii and elsewhere but keeps in close contact with them via MySpace and texting.  Florida weather is fickle and prevents John from skating (skateboard) as much as he did on Ford Island.  He works hard on learning the Saxophone and has his recital on the 16^th of December.

 

            Caite (4) has had a tough time transitioning from Hawaii.  She has to wear socks with her shoes!  The first time she saw the Gulf of Mexico she said “Eww! That water is dirty and infected with allergies (algae)!  We need to go back to Hawaii!”  She misses her Aunties at her old daycare very much and speaks of them often.

 

            Molly (2) has spent the last year learning how not to wear her food on her clothes and color inside the lines.  She loves shoes and has been known to leave the house with two different ones on!  Her newest project is Potty-Training.  She’s so close… yet so far away!

 

            Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all! With much love,

THE FLORIDA DUFF'S

Nurse-Maid Mama

Maybe​ this makes​ me selfi​sh.​.​.​ but why can'​t peopl​e keep their​ sick kids at home inste​ad of sendi​ng their​ littl​e disea​se reser​voirs​ to schoo​l?​ When I dropp​ed off my Birth​day (4) girl caite​,​ I stopp​ed in to see Molly​'​s Teach​er.​ Yeste​rday they sent home three​ kids with a fever​ over 102. and only 3 went today​.​ (No, not Molly​.​ She'​s been out all week.​)​ There​ are norma​lly 12 kids in that class​.​ One of the ankle​ biter​s was obvio​usly ill. He had that thick​ green​ bubbl​e blowi​ng mucus​ rolli​ng out both of his nostr​ils.​ I don'​t blame​ the schoo​l or the teach​er,​ I blame​ the paren​ts who know their​ kids are sick and send them to class​ with a dose of Motri​n.​ BTW did I menti​on all three​ of those​ kids showe​d signs​ of fever​ aroun​d 1230-​1300.​

Being a Corpsman

Navy Corpsman come in all shapes, shades, weights, sizes and states of sobriety, misery, and confusion. He is sly as a fox, has the nerve of a dope addict, the stories of an old sailor, the sincerity of a politician and the subtly of Mt. Saint Helens. He is extremely irresistible, totally irrational and completely indestructible.

A Corpsman is a Corpsman all his life. He is a magical creature.

You can kick him out of your house, but not out of your heart. You can take him off your mailing list, but not off your mind. They are found everywhere. In love, in battle, in lust, in trouble, in debt, in bars... and behind them. No one can write so seldom and yet think so much of you. No one else can get so much enjoyment out of a letter or clean clothes or a six pack.

A Corpsman is a genius with a deck of cards. A millionaire without a cent and brave without a grain of sense. He is the PROTECTOR OF AMERICA, with the latest copy of Penthouse (it's naughtier than Playboy, just as he is naughtier than most others!) in his back pocket. When he wants something it's usually 30 days leave, music that hurts the ears, a five dollar bill or a woman he can count on.

Girls love them, mothers tolerate them, fathers brag about them, the government pays them, the police watch out for them and somehow they all work together. You can beat their bodies but not their minds.

You can tame their hearts but not their souls.

He likes girls, females, women, ladies and the opposite sex.

He dislikes small checks, working weekends, answering letters, missing chow, waking up, maintaining a uniform and the day before payday.

You may as well give in. He is your long distance lover.

He is your steel eyed, warm smiling, blank minded, hyperactive, over reacting, curious, passive, talented, spontaneous, physically fit, good for nothing bundle of worry...

and will always be there for you regardless of how long it's been since you've last talked.

REPOST THIS IF YOU ARE A CORPSMAN OR SUPPORT THEM

"Mama zip me up!"

Caite has entered the clothing experimental phase.  She has come to believe that a dress that is too small may be worn as long as the bloomers still fit.  It doesn't matter that the dress is a size 18 months and she wears a 4t.  Of course none of this is my fault.  I have never encouraged her to wear things that are too cute or cutting edge. NOT!!!  Here's to my fashionista in training.  I can't wait until she starts making Barbie clothes.