Christopher, Hope and I joined Nana, Papa, Meg and Phil on a trip to Sea World yesterday. I must admit, I didn't want to go. I know, I know some of you will say "Is she nuts?" but those of you who live in Florida, like myself, will know what I am talking about. When you can basically drive to Sea World anytime you want, you do sort of take it for granted and knowing that the summer tourist season is in full swing, along with the sizzling, scorching sun, it doesn't make #1 on your list of things to do. But, I thought I should do it for the kids.

Yes, it was hot. Good Lord, it was HOT. My shirt was drenched and I wasn't anywhere near a water ride or mammal splashing me from inside a pool. I looked at the other visitors standing in line around me as we waited to feed the dolphins and I could see the sweat running down their faces from their damp heads. But, we stuck it out. We fed dolphins, watched the Dolphin show, petted the stingrays, visited the manatees and sea turtles to name a few. When it came time for the Shamu show, everyone was deeply disappointed when after only about 10 minutes someone came out to announce that the show had to be canceled because of lightning. The crowd booed. I was disappointed also (after sitting and waiting nearly an hour because of course we had to get there early so the kids could sit in the front row/soak zone!) But booing? C'mon. It's lightning!

Since we couldn't do anything else anyway (I wasn't walking around out there in that lightning!), we sat in the stadium and ate popcorn waiting for the 8:00 show..Shamu rocks. I was afraid that would be canceled as well because that sky was just as black as could be. But, the show went on and wow was I glad we did. Wow! What a great show. It was worth everything!

Some of you have been asking what Britany's schedule looks like these days (Nana/Papa) so here is what she did yesterday:

0430 Reveille

Hygiene and Room Set-up

Breakfast
BCT Activities

- Aerobic Fitness Test (AFT)

- Drill, Reporting, Open Ranks Evaulation

- Haircut

- Flight Drill

- Military Knowledge Test

- Rank Issue

Lunch

BCT Activities

- Aerobic Fitness Test (AFT)

- Drill, Reporting, Open Ranks Evaulation

- Haircut

- Flight Drill

- Military Knowledge Test

- Rank Issue

- Cadet Store

Dinner

Height and Weight Checks

Evening Brief

Hygiene

2100 TAPS

A little spotlight on my other three kiddos! :)

Getting Settled..

Well, we returned yesterday from another trip to Toronto. I am busy cleaning today and doing errands, etc. Of course, I still checked the webguy's blog for pictures of Britany..and I am sharing them here!

Things are crazy right now and Hopey is coming tonight, so not alot of time for chit-chat! I will catch up with my blogging later! Here are some more pictures.

quick update: brit's coach sent me a text on friday to inform me that the cadre escorted brit over to where the coach was and told him (in front of brit) that she had won the Big Bad Basic Contest doing pugle stick. this is unheard of since the cadres are busy putting the cadets "in their place" sort to speak, not bragging about them to their coach in front of them. lol. the coach tells me that britany has won the respect of the cadres with her toughness and her willingness to support her fellow cadres. i am so proud!

i will be back in the U.S. tomorrow and will have more time for updates!

Jack's Valley

Isn't it great to see her smiling?

(EDIT)**I actually just got a text from Brit's coach who saw her today out at Jack's Valley and commented on how she was "all smiles". In fact, he spoke to her Cadre who informed him that his/her only complaint with Britany was that she smiles too much! Her coach watched her support the other girls while they were doing push-ups and directing them what to do. Sounds like she is doing great. She is definitely number one in her squadron as the average female can only do three chin-ups and she does 14 (last I heard) and she told me that she can do 72 push-ups when she called me on Doolie Day...***

Well, I'm off to Toronto again for six days. I found these few pictures just now. I am so frustrated with the webguy's site though as I cannot seem to save these pictures to a normal size. It saves them all to a postage stamp size picture. So, what I do is open the picture and then take a picture of it with my camera (flash off) and it seems to work. At least I get the shot before it is gone. He adds so many pictures daily that it is tough to find one again after a few days. So, Ann-Marie, while I'm gone, if you guys spot a picture of Brit and can't save it normal sized, try taking a picture of it with your camera/flash off. Some days I don't have access to a computer and worry about missing a glimpse of my daughter.

Everyone else is doing fine. I never hear from Hopey anymore. I have to remind her that she has a mommy. :( She is the social Queen! lol She will be down here for a visit July 22 - July 30. We hope to make it to Sea World. Taylor asked for the first week of August off and maybe we can join Nana at Disney for her birthday. We'll see!

Doolie Day Out Becomes Doolie Day In...

Message from USAFA Commandant

Recognizing the long tradition of Doolie Day Out, we did not come to this decision lightly; however, civic responsibility dictates the need to limit exposure and potential spread to our local community. The purpose and intent of Doolie Day Out has been to give our basics a short reprieve from training with an opportunity to contact family and friends, eat some of the foods they may be craving, and simply relax. Typically the program gives them approximately eight hours away from the Academy. This year for Doolie Day Out, all training for the class of 2013 will be suspended at 8 pm Friday evening with the basic cadets being put “at rest” through Saturday at 5 pm. They will also be allowed to sleep in an extra three hours on Saturday morning. Following, breakfast, the class of 2013 will go over to Arnold Hall where the following activities will take place:

- Movies will be played all day in the auditorium

- Cell phones will be returned to those that brought them

- A phone bank will be installed for those basic cadets that don’t have a cell phone

- Video games in “The Alley” in Arnold Hall

- Lunch will consist of hamburgers, hot dogs, an ice cream bar, and any
desserts that sponsor families deliver.

- Pizza will be provided in the afternoon.

- The basics will also have an opportunity to sleep if that is their desire

The Swine Flu Hits the USAFA :(

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo -- The Air Force Academy said Friday that 15 cadets are confirmed to have contracted the H1N1 Swine Flu.

It is believed to be the largest outbreak of Swine Flu in Colorado.

The news came as 88 cadets with flu-like symptoms remained isolated. All cadets are doing well, and none have required hospitalization.

Academy spokeswoman Capt. Corinna Jones said that most of the cadets are "doolies," members of the incoming freshman class who began training June 25. She said the cadets, who are under isolation in a dormitory, began coughing and showing other upper respiratory symptoms , beginning last Monday.

As soon as the cadets became sick, the academy contacted the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Air Force Surgeon General's office.

"We are taking the necessary precautions to educate and safeguard military and civilian personnel, as well as family members," said Lt. Gen. Mike Gould, Air Force Academy Superintendent. "The entire cadet wing and all USAFA personnel have been informed and given instructions of actions to take if flu-like symptoms are exhibited.

“This is a serious matter and we are treating it as such. We understand friends and family are concerned about their loved ones and we will release updates as information becomes available,” he said.

There are 1,300 freshman cadets from all over the United States at the Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs.

All personnel at the academy are now washing hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to stop the spread of germs.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported 174 confirmed or probable cases of H1N1 in Colorado through July 4.

courtesy TheDenverChannel.com

The Weary Traveler

So, I am back from Toronto...for six days! Yep, we are leaving again on Thursday. Again, I am deciding weather or not it is worth the effort of unpacking!! I am The Weary Traveler! We did have a good trip. The weather was beautiful mostly. It was a welcome relief from the heat here. The last few days however, were a bit too chilly. I think it was low 60's high 50's. I never paid attention to the metric system in school. I distinctly remember blowing it off thinking to myself "I'm never going to need THIS". LOL.

Brit is getting set for her first "doolie day" out tomorrow. She will be joining her fellow gymnasts at her coaches house for a day of much needed relaxation. She sent several requests via her coaches through email and texting and phone calls that she wanted her hot rollers mailed to her coaches house. That's my girl! Since I was in Toronto at the time, I got word to her dad that I thought she had earned a new set of hot rollers and a nice care package. Happily, he agreed and sent her sister Taylor to the store with his credit card. Taylor picked out some new curlers and her favorite shampoo and conditioner along with razors and lotion, etc. I'm sure she is feeling quite grubby now and will enjoy a nice hot bubble bath at her coaches house!

Everyone else is doing well. Taylor loves her job at GAP. Hope is showing Llamas at a fair this weekend with her best friend. She will be coming to Florida for a visit on July 22nd. Not soon enough for her brother though. He still lets me know at least five times daily that he misses Hopey.

My poor dog is starting to think she lives at the kennel. I am told that she is Miss Popular at her kennel and this last time the owner told me that he didn't think her feet touched the ground once while she was there. She is getting spoiled with all the attention there.

 

 

 

 

 

According to Brit's coach, she was the most upbeat that he has seen her yet when she came to do a little practice last night. He said she was smiling and energetic. Apparently, one of the Cadre's named Kelsey has taken her under her wing which must be helping. She has befriended Britany, and I'm told has allowed Britany to simply call her by her first name without the lengthy formal greeting that is required whenever a cadet encounters a Cadre. Looks like this is just what the doctor ordered! According to her coach, he had a conversation with this Cadre and she told him that she was impressed with Britany and can see leadership qualities in her.

I'm sure she is loving her time in the gym as she must feel more "normal" there and in her element. It also gives her a chance to just chat openly with the other girls and coaches without fear of someone climbing all over her!

Oh, and another thing her coach told me....HE IS A PILOT! He said that he was very impressed with Brit in the gym. He said he was "pumped" and that he knows Britany will bring a lot of recognition to the Academy with her gymnastics talent. He said that will definitely catch the attention of the generals when it comes time to deciding her future as a pilot!!! He seemed pretty confident that she has a good shot at it. I am happy to have someone close to her that is a pilot so that he can keep her guided in the right direction at all times in order to make that dream a reality.

I am off to Toronto again tomorrow for seven days! I will do my best to keep the blog updated!