Mood:  crushed out

Hello all! 

This one will be a short entry; we have lots of studying to do before afternoon P.T. with the squadron.  

Yesterday after I picked up Flyboy from the squadron gym I decided we would walk to Subway (from our house) for dinner. Hey, hey, $5 foot-longs!!! Split those in half and we got ourselves a cheap and healthy meal. Flyboy was up for an adventure, as always, so we headed off. One way is about a mile and three quarters, so not to bad of a walk. However, Flyboy decided we should take a short cut that ended up being a LONGER route back home. We walked a total of about 4.25 miles. The wind of course didn’t like the fact that we were walking and decided to attempt to blow us to Kansas. Luckily, I am too heavy for the wind, haha, fat 1 wind 0. (Flyboy says, “Don’t tempt fate, because tornadoes always win”) Anywho, the adventure was a success; I found a nickel, two pennies and a smashed pair of Captain Bars. Which means, somewhere, out there, is a Captain, short on change with no proof of his rank. What a sad, sad day.  

Anywho, I need to go. Flyboy is rambling about a floating bridge that he forgot about. *whistles* “CRAZY” 

I should go though, its time to get crackin’ or whatever. Take care!! 

~NikiRose

Mood:  cool

Good Morning!

I am so, so, so very tired =’( Lately my bedtime has been around 2030. I take my pills at 2000 and then fall asleep like right after. However for the past couple days; I have had to stay up because someone can’t make up his mind on what he wants for dinner. (I would make a decision, but sometimes I’m not even the slightest bit hungry and all I want to do is go to sleep.) Anywho, point being, I am tired.

As luck would have it Flyboy was able to take the course. It was crazy though, I had to run around like crazy getting all the stuff he needed because he would text me at the last minute saying he needed something. After the classroom training, Flyboy took me up to the flight so I could make his lunch while he changed into his other uniform. (He looks silly with BCG’s on ((the big basic training glasses))) So I cooked his lunch, split pea soup I had made, and oh my goodness, it tastes AWESOME reheated!!!! Needless to say I ate about a ¼ of it before he came back. Don’t worry, I packed him an MRE as well as some snacks, he was covered. Apparently the granola bars I had made really hit the spot, AND they were packed with lots of energy. They are comprised of the nut mix I made him, granola cereal and some honey goo stuff that I made from scratch (can’t give it all away right? Then I added some chocolate chips, and well added too many so now the bars are chocolaty too. I was merely going for the “chip” effect, not “chocolate” if you know what I mean. Whatever the case, they were very useful on the field! Yay me!!!

I dropped Flyboy off at the field, around 1230 (time change at last minute… again) and I picked up camo Flyboy at 2100. It was PITCH black out there and all the guys decided to walk in front of my car like deer. I couldn’t see them for the life of me. I would have turned my high beams on but I figured that would be a little mean, and I didn’t know if any of them still have their night vision goggles on. (Like putting them away...) Yeah, making a large group of fliers DNIF (Duties Not Including Flying) because I blinded them with my high beams, would not be a good bullet, or look good on Flyboy for that matter. But I found Flyboy and we headed home to a crock pot steaming with Beef Stroganoff. It was requested. Flyboy said he had a blast. Of course it was exhausting and he was covered in stickers that pop bicycle tires, but none-the-less, he had fun. His group got to be the “bad” guys and they snuck up on a bunch of guys who will probably get in trouble, because they were supposed to be keeping guard. Hehe. But this is training, and mistakes are expected and are learned from so when real life pops up, you are prepared. Though then again, Flyboy’s little group is really good at ninja stuff, so, I don’t know. (So the instructors said).

I can’t believe the week has gone by so fast! Tomorrow is Thursday which means Flyboy has it off as his Study Day. His test is Friday. We are going to be cramming like mad! He was going to study all day yesterday, but the survival thing came up and well, he needed it to stay flyable (I think that is a word, it sure doesn’t look like one). It is just a mess. I will write in the morning, but I think we will head off to somewhere relaxing so he can cram. Maybe the lake or something, he likes it there. (That way he isn’t cooped up in the house and complaining all the time).

He also needs to P.T. with the squadron today since Monday was recall and yesterday he was gone all day. (It’s a new mandatory thing; the guys have to P.T. with the squadron at least once a week, whether it be in the morning or in the afternoon.) Well Flyboy was gone so he couldn’t put P.T. in his schedule for the morning, so I won’t see him again until waaaaay after 1630. Fun times. More time to do flash cards I guess. I am on question 27 or so of 97. So far there isn’t much for me to draw. They aren’t complicated answers or questions, so I think just the word will be enough. Although, I am really getting tired of the answer, DIGITAL. Ahhhhhh it was the answer for three questions in a row! The first question I made the background look like ACU’s (I haven’t colored yet, this is just the drawing stage). Then the next question was the same answer and since the one prior took like 10 minutes to draw, I said skip it and I made the words, DIGITAL, look like ACU’s. The last one (I don’t really read the answers until I get to the question. I just highlight the answer form the answer sheet and never look twice, unless it wants me to highlight a blank answer… Flyboy is looking into that) I just gave up and made the word look bubbly like normal. Haha. That was really frustrating, and all the questions were different. Grrr.

Ow. I think I need to eat now. My tummy is hurting me. =/ ow. Well I better serve my “master” Haha. Take care everyone!!!

~NikiRose  

Mood:  not sure

Morning!

Okay, it is a little less stressful this morning. Yesterday there was a recall, so we were up at 500. (Fun times… I thought Flyboy was talking to his alarm on his phone until he started saying “Yes sir”. Yeah, it was that kind of tired yesterday.) I dropped him off and came back home to face 51 flash cards that needed to be colored. I know it doesn’t sound like much, but if you combine, the hot desk lamp, smell of old crayons, markers and a 6 inch stack of already colored flashcards, it is a little over whelming, not to mention the exhaustion you have from coloring all day the day before. So I cracked down and set a goal, and I had them finished by 1400. (I had been coloring from 600 and only had and hour and a half break. They are very detailed cards, ya know.) Around 1600 Flyboy wanted me to pick him up, I head down there and he tells me that it will be 1630 instead because he is the highest ranking guy in the flight and has to keep and eye on things, plush he was the only scheduler that day and well, he was needed, just in case anyone had questions. Cool, but then again, it got me started on the next set of questions. I highlighted the answers and I have done 7 cards so far. The first volume of this next set, has 96 questions and guess what… 75% of the answers are NUMBERS!!!!!! For example, 10001110001. Yeeeeaaaaah. What in the world am I to draw for that to make it easily memorized, when the next ten questions after it are the same type of answer? Anyway, his test on the set I just finished is this Friday, and he can’t schedule the next test until after he takes this one. So, pretty much, all of this month is waiting on him passing this CDC test on Friday. I mean, he has to fly like 3 times this month (it is what he is scheduled for) and he has to study, schedule and take the last CDC test, after all that is scheduled and dates are known, I need to schedule my doctor’s appointment (I want him with me and he wants to be there too) and on top of that he is due for more “on-the-field” training all due by the end of the month, not to mention he has to get his CDC completion paperwork sent off so he can take the SSgt test. Very busy month, you could say.

Friday went alright, with the apple crisp. They had a meeting while I was there and got a pretty nasty beating, so morale was pretty down. I think the Apple Crisp helped some. I did however get one of those “slow-claps” from BE RIGHT BACK! FLYBOY HAS CHANGE OF PLANS, NEED TO PACK NEW STUFF!

Ok I am kind of back… alright back to the story; I got those “slow-claps” from our country boy buddy. He’s a real sweetheart. Everyone really liked it and like I said I think it boosted some morale, just a little bit.

Yeah, Flyboy just messaged me with change of plans. (I hate change of plans) Anywho, he was suppose to be studying today but he got thrown on an “on-the field” training event, that he needs by the end of this month, at the last minute. It is 815 now and the classroom part starts at 900, then he tells me he needs his BDU’s and a survival kit. (He is in his flight suit today, as always. Thank goodness I think ahead and got his new rank put on his BDU’s) So, I kind of started to panic because I know where everything for his survival kit is, except for one item. I know we have it, and it was used recently, but I have no idea where it is, which means, “To Clothing Sales!” she says half heartedly. Luckily he texted me again a little while after saying that he gets a lunch break and after that he needs all that stuff. So I will be heading down to base around 1100. (Lunch starts at noon-ish, but I have other things besides Clothing Sales that I need to attend to.) Flyboy was saying that he had asked about it and there just happened to be an opening today, which is great because there aren’t any for the next 2 months!!! Grrrreeeeaaaat! I only say that because one, he does need this by the end of the month and two he just messaged me again saying that now he ay not get to go because the class size may be too big. (Do you see the roller coaster I live on? So if I seem edgy or stressed, or not very nice at times, it is because this roller coaster hasn’t stopped to let me have a bathroom break yet! Haha) so that is what is going on now…

Since Thursday Flyboy has been a Dispatcher for A2D2. I think I had mentioned something about it last week, saving lives, bullets, etc. Well He didn’t do a very good job explaining it to me via text… he never does. Anywho, first off A2D2 stands for Airman Against Drunk Driving (2 A’s and 2 D’s therefore A2D2). A2D2 is a pretty cool program, airmen who have had one too many can call the number and a ride will be arranged for them and take them to their destination. (No bar hopping.) It is all volunteer based and they are in need of drivers and dispatchers. Well Flyboy volunteered to be a dispatcher, and so from 2100 to 500 the phone we were issued was turned on and when it rang Flyboy would write down information and call up the driver that was on standby and forward the info. Now once Friday came the phone had to be on until Monday at 500. So sleep was pretty hard, they don’t all call at once. We got a call at 600 Sunday morning! Who in the world is toasted at 600? I can’t judge, I am glad that they called, but still. We were supposed to be done with it on Monday and it was to go to the next volunteer, but the guy in charge was running around like crazy yesterday and told flyboy to go ahead and hold on to it until he got back from leave… so much for sleep this week. So far, knock on wood, we haven’t had a call this week yet, but I am getting a hunch. Generally during the week if the guys decide to throw back a few cold ones, they do it in their dorm rooms but when the weekend comes the go to their buddy’s places off post.

(Oh man I am so tired) I haven’t gotten a text from Flyboy regarding if he can attend this Survival Training course. PHONE. Brb. (be right back)

Alright, I have returned once more. It was Mississippi Mom; I had some Soldier stuff to discuss with her.

Speaking of Soldier, that reminds me of the Cali trip. There is a 50/50 chance that we can come out for the dates we have scheduled in June. Apparently the time we have scheduled is a No-Leave time for Flyboy’s Squadron. It has to do with a big training event, and the chances of him getting out of it are soooo slim. He talk to the Captain (he is the flight’s new Captain, I actually like this guy. He has a LOT of good ideas for the flight and he is great with morale, like Sgt Awesome.) And the Captain said that if Flyboy keeps up his hard work, and if Flyboy can’t manage to get the leave permitted, he would fight for him. (He keeps his word) Flyboy is going to push it up through the chain of command, even if he has to take it to the tip top. He has it in his schedule, has had it in there for a while, but we didn’t know about this training event until like last week. I won’t know for sure if June is a positive until a week or two prior. If it turns out that it isn’t, and we have to stay here, then we will reschedule for July. I would like to just move the date to exactly after the Training Event, but right after is a long TDY that Flyboy has been put on… so yeah… see, roller coaster!!!!! (Let… me… off…)

Well, it is 901, so, I am going to message Flyboy and if I get a response then he isn’t doing the Survival training today, if not, then I need to shower and get ready to head to the base. Crazy, crazy, crazy. Well I just texted him, now for the waiting game… blah.

So, as I wait, how are you all doing? I got MomaMouse’s email about her new art class, that is really AWESOME! It sounds really fun. =) I have put a link to her blog so the boys can check it out, though they pretty much know what is going on, because, they live there. Haha. Sleeveman, just got done with his knee surgery, so far so good?

The Josh… how have you been? Long time no IM…  (IM means Instant message, for those that didn’t know=)) Mom said you liked the kimono, =D hehe yeah, kinda screamed you. I wish it would have showed up with everyone else’s stuff. USPS, I tell ya… So you are going to dress up as Hawkeye? (If you have already, how did it go?) That would be really cool; Flyboy thinks you can pull it off really well! (I do too) M*A*S*H is AWESOME!!!!

Oh! PowerPresto, Flyboy wants to know if you have anymore ideas for another Dungeons and Dragons adventure or if you want to continue the one we were doing when Flyboy came out for Christmas. I ma glad you really liked the sheets! I saw them and was like, “PowerPresto would LOVE these.” Hehe. I am going to get the Box Tops that we have for you, organized and send them to you. After I find out what is going on with Flyboy, I will start on that. =)

Well, so far, no text, and it has been 20 minutes. Flyboy is pretty good about responding in a timely manner, so I guess that means that he is doing the Survival thing.

Oh! Saturday, we got to go to a free premier of Watchmen! It was held at the Base Theater. It was AWESOME!!! I think it should have been rated NC17, instead of R, there was A LOT of “things” that are not for young eyes. I was pretty shocked that some of the people brought their kids that were under 10! I mean, I read some of the comic (thanks to Sleeveman) and this isn’t a kid movie. These aren’t your normal superheroes. You would also think with a rating of R, you wouldn’t bring your young one. Just my opinion. Besides gore, there were some “scenes” very visual ones. Anywho overall, it was a great movie, and the director did an awesome job! I can’t wait to see the Dark Night. I haven’t seen it yet, but I am ready now. So I think we may pick that up this weekend. =) I am excited.

Well, I better get going. I need to get things done, and get Flyboy his stuff. Hope everyone is doing well! Take care!

(Wait, I just did Spell Check, over this entry, and Word tried to change NC17 to UNCLE. How in the world do you get uncle out of NC17? Okay, whatever, I just thought I would share. Take care!)

~NikiRose

Mood:  crushed out

Sorry this one will be so short.. and really big? (I'm not writing in Word and then transfering it, I am actually writing in the blog itself. So when it comes to Font sizes, it is frustrating)

Anywho, I have been up since 500 and been coloring flashcards since 600! AHHH! I have 12 left out of the 50 I started with this morning, so I have decided it is time for a break. Tomorrow will be less stressful, cross my fingers... So I will update you all then, for now, it is Tetris and lunch time!! Have a great afternoon!

~NikiRose

Mood:  energetic

Morning!!!!!!

Well, apple crisp is baking and I just finished my shower, all I need to do is eat and relax. I mean of course I have chores, horrible, HORRIBLE chores, but they can wait, because I am a grown up and I say so. Ha!

This morning got started off pretty rocky. I actually had a full nights sleep, didn’t wake up or anything (it has been like that for a week now) (poor Flyboy, it has been the complete opposite for him =( ) we get ready to leave for base and the car doesn’t start because it is 30 degrees out, when yesterday it was 80. I should have expected it, but I was foolish and didn’t take my normal winter precautions. Anywho so we had to wait 15 minutes which put us leaving at 15 after 700. Not cool! Flyboy had to be at the gym on the OTHER side of base before 730 for squadron P.T. (they started it back up again, as in the started up REAL P.T. instead of playing golf and calling it P.T. ... lazy techs) Well at 730 Revelry plays and once it plays you are pretty much considered late. Guess what, as soon as I pulled up to the gym, “da da dadadah, da da dadadah, da da dadadah, da daah DA! …” So he was about a minute late, but they were okay with it. They know how frustrating my car is and when it is winter out I am up early to prevent the “late”.  So P.T. consisted of jumping jacks in formation with a few stretches and then they were sent to self P.T. I like it, so does Flyboy. He was so worried that it was going to be the same P.T. that he had in the Training Squadron, a waste of time that wasn’t really beneficial workout for anyone. Blah, blah, blah.

I need to check on the crisp, hold on. (It is looking good, smelling good too!) Yeah, I had Flyboy ask the flight if they wanted me to bring in apple crisp on Friday and the answer that was given was, “Hell YEAH!!!” Boys…

Oh!!! I have been working on the flashcards, right? (I have!!!) Well I have some favorites and I talked it over with Flyboy and he said that I could scan only these answers to show you guys how cool they look. I wish all of them looked this cool, but Flyboy has been slacking in his coloring. I colored all but the SpongeBob, and I drew them all free hand. I know they look nothing like what you all can do, but I am proud of them.

 SPONGE BOB!!! I don'tknow exactly why I did it, but I totally went there. OH!!! I drew a pokeman, one, I will ask Flyboy if I can scan that one tomorrow foryou guys. I think it turned out wel. hehe =)

 I have no idea who this guy is. I did a Google Images search on some word and this is who popped up. So I scetched him and when I stared coloring him I decided to throw a flightsuit on him. As you can tell it is a poorly drawn flightsuit (I have much better ones) but like I said this one was last minute.

 This one is well super random. I LOVE the MarioBros. lava pit with the flames. I was bored that day...

 I know the answer is SO unrelated to the fire-breathing- T-Rex/dragon. but I am running out of ideas here... 

 I liked this one, but then after I colored the next one it became one of my least favorites, but it still is pretty good!

 This one is my Favorite!!! Super Tech... AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hehe I even colored his flight gloves perfectly. hehe The guys will LOVE this one. =)

What do you think? I know they make absolutely no sense, but they at least help them remember the crazy answers.

Well I better start getting ready. I need to color some more and pack my purse with the need-to-be-colored cards and crayons, that way I can be productive while the guys mal  my apple crisp. I mean I am going to get there at 1100 straight up, and lunch isn’t over until 1230… I need to be doing something other than watch grown men fight over some fruit. Haha. (If I wanted to watch that I’d go to Frisco. Lol. Bad joke, I know.)

Like I said, I better get-a-going. Need to blow dry my hair; maybe braid it too… hmmm… Take care!

~NikiRose

Mood:  flirty

Good morning!

I just got home from grocery shopping. Flyboy didn’t feel up to helping me make a list, so I spent more than I was expecting, at least the pantry is stocked. Haha. I am going to put the groceries away and start baking some of the meat and then I will continue writing. Although there isn’t much to write about... I will think of something though. Be back soon!

~NikiRose

____________________________

Well I am done for the most part. I am getting ready to head down to base to let Flyboy try some wings. I did some experimenting and I think I found a mixture of spices that will make him sweat. I am in the process of making a wing recipe for the guys. It is really hard because they like it really spicy and well, I can’t tolerate spicy too much, so it is really hard to make it. I have tow batches of wings marinating in the fridge in two different concoctions. I had a little left over of the really spicy one (I about choked to death, SO unexpected) as well as one wing so, grilled them on the Foreman and it is cooling under the spicy mix. We will see how it goes. I was just out the door when he messaged me saying he was stuck inside watching the phones, which means I have to wait about a half an hour before I come get him.

I was doing the math, and actually if didn’t buy Flyboy a new drinking bottle and if I didn’t splurge on the hot pockets (I have been wanting some lately) I would have been completely within budget. Flyboy has been drinking out of this dollar store, orange bottle and I have swigged a few drinks out of it and I don’t like the strange after taste it has. Well while I was shopping this morning I came across a Camelback water bottle. It has the same weird “pop top, sucky- thing” (that I have a really hard time drinking through) and it claims to have no weird plastic aftertaste. It also has a hook on the lid that can be used to clip on to backpacks and stuff, which is great for when Flyboy has flights. He is really stoked about it, so when he gets home we will have a going away ceremony for the creepy orange bottle. Flyboy was saying it keeps his water cold too! I think I made another good decision. =)

Well it is about time that I head down there to get the results of my wings. Wish me luck!!!

Take care

~NikiRose

Mood:  chillin'

Good morning!

GUESS WHAT?!?!?! Flyboy found my mysterious MSgt! Yesterday while Flyboy was at the gym, he “bumped” into him and since the MSgt fit my description, Flyboy proceeded to ask him if he had talked with me on Friday. Bingo! He was the lost MSgt! So today, he is going to drop by Flyboy’s flight and pass along some more information! I am SOO stoked. Though, Flyboy didn’t bring home the last of the CDC questions, but I guess finding my MSgt compensates for forgetting. (I think that sentence made sense, I don’t know.)

Yesterday I rearranged our living room, and it feels awesome. I am going to try to post a picture of it. Mind you I am still in the process of putting all the stuff away, so the couch has stuff on it as well as everywhere else, but I really opened up the house and yet made it cozy. I hope the aura will last for a few months.  I am out of ideas at the moment.

Tomorrow is grocery shopping day, so today is finish up yesterday’s disaster and focus on the kitchen. I might do a load of laundry; I know we are in need of towels again. I also need to come up with a shopping list, I have NO idea what I will be cooking for until the next payday, I still don’t have much of an appetite and well, Flyboy never seems to have an opinion when it comes to “what do you want for dinner?”

Well I better get started; this will be a looooong day. I hope you all are doing well. Take care!

~NikiRose

Mood:  caffeinated

Good morning!

First off, I got a text message from Sleeveman, his surgery went well and he is home and on “happy” pills. We are really glad all went well. =)

Okay, I am going to have us back up to Friday… Thursday night I was unable to sleep whatsoever and wound up doing flash cards all night. I took Flyboy to work and decided I would take a short nap from 1030 to 1230. Well that didn’t happen and Flyboy messaged me saying he needed me to take him his P.T. gear at lunch, 1130. Then about 5 minutes later he called me saying he needed me to take him his uniform (he was doing snack bar duty and therefore was in civi’s). Now of course I am worried because one, he called me while he was at work and two he needed his uniform when he supposed to be in civi’s. Then he proceeds to tell me that his First Sgt wanted him to “Pin” On his new rank during Hall Call, which apparently was at 1200 (it was now 1030, and I had sleepy blood shot eyes, smelled nasty and was very fatigued from the lack of sleep). Flyboy told his First Sgt that I was coming down to drop off his uniform at 1100 and his First Sgt wanted me to stay to help the Squadron Commander Pin On Flyboy’s new rank. (A tradition they have) So I am of course freaking out because once again last minute things and I am barely awake! So I get down there and am of course nervous as all get out. I mean Hall Call; I have to attend that… So anyway, my stomach is spinning and we head down to the designated hall (it really is what it is, Hall Call) and the WHOLE entire squadron lines up on either side of this gigantic hall and awaits the Squadron Commander. Finally the room gets called to attention (I thought I was going to puke. It was really claustrophobic in there. I just know we were breaking some kind of fire code lol. The hallway wasn’t wide enough for me to completely stretch out my arms both ways.) The Squadron Commander shows up and grabs a karaoke mic and addresses the squadron. (I don’t know how the guys at the end of the hall heard anything, I was up front and I could barely hear him) The first announcement was “I need Airman Flyboy to come up here and I heard his wife is here to so, she needs to come up as well. Now of course the rest of the Squadron is doing the “panic whisper” because they have no idea why Flyboy is being called out in front of everyone let alone me. (They did the same thing with Radar a few weeks ago; I will talk about it in a bit) He (Commander) proceeds to tell everyone that Flyboy has earned his next stripe and he hands me a Senior Airman BDU chevron (Flyboy was in his Flight suit) and the Commander kept the other one and on my count we punched the new stripes on Flyboy’s shoulders and that was that. Flyboy was handed a certificate of “hey good job you are now a new rank” and we got our picture taken with the Squadron Commander (my bloodshot sleepy eyes and all haha.) and then we awaited the rest of the announcements. A person from each flight of the Squadron had to make an announcement about well, whatever, and then there was an announcement about the upcoming volunteer event for Feed the Children. (That is where that came from.) After Hall Call I waited in the Snack Bar for Flyboy to get out of another safety brief, that I was more than welcome to attend, but I chose watching the news over “Don’t drink and drive” this weekend. I know that, I am the designated driver. Haha. So while I was waiting I was approached by a Master Sgt and we got to talking and come to find out his wife is a substitute teacher. She is only allowed to work like 70 days in a school year and gets paid around $25 for a half day $50 for a whole day. I asked him what degrees would be needed for that and was said, surprisingly just a high school diploma. (Well that is awesome and I am getting stoked) So his lunch finished cooking in the microwave and he told me that if I was interested that I should have Flyboy email him and he will pass on the information. AWESOME!!! You know that the kicker is…? I didn’t look at his name on his name tag. So now there is a mysterious MSgt walking around the squadron with the key to something I would enjoy. Grr. So I tried to describe the guy to Flyboy and Flyboy has no clue, and so now Flyboy is on a separate mission for me to find this guy. I feel so silly. Well it’s like I feel that if I’m not offered a name then I am not permitted to know their name. Silly huh? Plus I was really exhausted. So we are now looking for soon to retire (that is what he said) MSgt… odds are soo stacked against me. Haha. Flyboy assures me we will find him.

So in conclusion Flyboy is officially an E-4. Yay!

Now, testing for Staff…

I know, I know, he JUST made E-4, but his First Sgt is “pushing” him to take the test for Staff. I mean he isn’t saying, you WILL, but you know how it is. He knows that Flyboy, if he puts his mind to it can pass it, even though the odds are like 1000 to 1 that he can pass. But it won’t hurt him if he doesn’t pass, so, why not? Flyboy is up for it and is really excited about it, though not looking forward to all the cramming. Who would be? This is how it works… (at least how I understand it)

In order to qualify you have to complete your CDC’s (Career Development Course) (Which is all of these flash cards that I have been doing.) and you have to have a certain amount of Time and Grade and Time in Service. Flyboy meets the Time and Grade/Time in Service and he is two tests shy of completing the CDC requirement. The deadline, this year, too meet all of the requirements is the 31st of March. This is NO problem, cramming, but no problem. On a technical note, he has to complete his CDC’s AND have the paperwork ALL signed and filed stating by the 31 of March in order to qualify for taking the test for Staff. Okay… After that he has a whole month to study the Sergeant book, and of course continue reviewing his CDC’s so he can take the test in May. The Staff test is complied of a bunch of different things…

Test 1 – Staff book – max score 100pts

Test 2 – CDC’s      - max score 100pts

EPR’s               - max score 135pts

Awards (Medals)     - max score  25pts

Time in Grade       - max score  60pts

Time in Service     - max score  40pts

So all in all, total points you could get (which is so rare, it’s like finding a genie in a magic lamp that doesn’t have the voice of Robin Williams haha.)Is 460 points. Last year the minimum that was required was something like 267.4 points. (Now I know you need to attempt to achieve much higher to assure that you will make it, but this is just assuming that the statistics will be the same as last year. ((Just something to go by to give an idea)) Flyboy knows this too.)

Currently Flyboy has like 92.4 points which means to make last years cut off of 267.4 he needs 174.98. That would mean he aces both tests, or skims by with either both of them at 87.49 points or acing one with the on there one scoring 74.98 points. Either way the odds are horrible. This test was made to be a real test, as in NOT easy. There are lots, and lots of highly intelligent people who take this thing and don’t pass, and in all reality, with the odds that Flyboy has, it will be a serious shocker if he can make it. Flyboy knows it, and as much as it sounds like I am bashing him, I am not. We both know the odds and he is willing to throw his smarts against it. I think he has a chance, and even more so with the flash cards. They REALLY help. So now what? If he pulls a pass out of thin air, then he goes on a list and depending on what number they give him, is when I will have to go back down to the squadron to punch a new rank on his arm; so that could be anywhere from the end of this year to the end of next if not more. (I really don’t know that) But yeah, so we are going to be busy with studying.

This weekend, we invested in a desk from Target; it is actually pretty stable for having to assemble it yourself. I was quite surprised. We decided that since lots of studying is going to transpire with in the next few weeks, we might as well get a desk. It is a lot easier to focus on what you are doing at a desk rather than sitting o n the couch or that kitchen table. Oddly enough the desk matches our bed frame. I set the desk up in the bedroom and it fits quite nicely there. =)

Now to Monday… Yesterday was the Feed the Children volunteer event that apparently started off at the fairgrounds. We got there, a bunch of us, and after freezing for 20 minutes the gal in charge had us make boxes and pack all of the left over books from the book sale that weekend and then stack them on pallets. This building was HUGE and with all of us working we got it done in 20 minutes! Amazing! Then our squadron met the gal over at the warehouse to help her there. That was hectic! We were short handed but some how managed to pack over 800 boxes in 2.5 hours for Feed the Children!!!! Over 800 boxes!!! My job was to cut open all the wrapped cans and help everyone else. Jobs weren’t really assigned, it was totally un-organized and yet we had a system at the same time. Really weird. Flyboy was on the line and put stuffing mix ion the box as it flew by on the roller thing. No machines involved, all man power, well except for the fork lifts that would move the heavy pallets, that was it though. Flyboy told me that I was a blur I was moving around so fast, I had to we were doing 400 boxes an hour which is 200 boxes every 30 minutes, 100 every 15!!!! It was crazy. Needless to say I am beat, when we got home Flyboy rubbed my shoulders and he said within 15 minutes I was passed out. I woke up a few times and he said all he had to do was rub my back or something and I was out again. I honestly remember very little of last night. I do remember the first back rub, then next thing I know Flyboy was bringing me dinner (MacNCheese) and then the alarm went off for me to take my pills. Then I remember sometime later him rubbing my feet and then next thing I know it was 530 and I was starving. Not to mention my hamstrings were KILLING me! (And still are =/) I haven’t been in fast forward like that in ages! Oddly enough I was the only spouse there. (I have some issues with the spouse club, but I really don’t want to get into that right now)

What is going on? They are doing something outside and it’s really aggravating my ears. That low rumbling pitch. It’s almost like a jack hammer but So much LOUDER. Grr. I think I may investigate. We generally get notices on our doors if something like this will be going on, hmm… oh well. But I am definitely losing my concentration.

Flyboy is scheduler today so he won’t be off until really late. Since we missed Macho’s shindig this weekend, I am bringing apple crisp in on Friday. (apparently when Flyboy said I was coming up to the flight last Friday nothing but “Is she bringing apple crisp???” and non stop excitement was all he got from the moment he opened his mouth to when I showed up. I kind of feel bad, but at how last minute that was, there was no what I could have made apple crisp, taken a shower and grabbed all what I needed in time to punch the tar out of his arm in front of all his friends. =S so this Friday, I will make a batch and make his flight happy. Aren’t I sweet?

Well I better get to cleaning, as much as my aching muscles will allow. I need to fix the aura again, it is off once more. Blah. Take care! Love ya!

~NikiRose     

Mood:  cheeky

Good morning!

This one will be really short and I will make up for it tomorrow. Today we are heading down to the fairgrounds to help with Feed the Children. I don’t know what all it entails, I don’t know if we will be doing more than what the organization’s name describes. Our ShowTime is 0800 and we will have to leave soon to pick up Flyboy’s blues form the dry cleaner/seamstress. (More on that later, much much more) In the meantime I need to finish getting dressed and finish packing my purse. (Water, sunscreen, tissues for Flyboy’s violently nasty sneezes, water, and some Gatorade (we have been really dehydrated lately) not to mention some sort of snack to tide us over. I have a feeling it will be a long day, but a fun one!

I also want to wish Sleeveman a successful knee surgery. We will be thinking about you all day! (Not like we don’t think about all you guys everyday…) Hopefully they will give you some complimentary “happy” pills to take home. Good luck!!!

Take care all! We love you!

~NikiRose

Mood:  don't ask

Hello all…

I was planning to write a bunch this morning, but I am really tied down with flash cards and coloring. Yesterday Flyboy was told the status of his EPR and it is one signature away from being a final deal. The kicker is Flyboy has enough time and grade now that leadership is pushing him to test for Staff Sergeant. It is really confusing and it will take me a bit before everything clicks, so when that happens I will re-explain it. Anyway, they are really pushing him, I mean they sent him home with another book to read and study (the main book he will be tested on) but this one doesn’t have any questions so guess what I have been asked to do? He still needs to finish the CDC’s, which is at least another 250 flash cards for me and about 500 that need coloring. Eek! Yeah, I have a feeling it will be really crazy around here, so please be patient with me if my entries are a little short in the next week or so. (I have no idea how long this will last) But Flyboy has figured out the reasoning behind my not being up to par, nerves. Of course he had to enlighten me this morning right before I dropped him off, leaving me to only think about it more instead of discuss it. His heart is in the right place; just his timing is off as usual. I need to eat something, I know I am hungry, but nothing sounds good. I am disgusted by the thought of cheese! And you all know how much I love cheese. It doesn’t even stop with cheese! It’s EVERYTHING. Well, everything except Rice Krispies cereal. (I plan on heading out to the store to get some here really soon). Last night Flyboy made some spaghetti. I told him no meat just mushrooms (which is weird) it actually hit the spot, and he made a killer sauce. (He gave me a bunch… almost too much, but it was good. He said that he opened the wrong end of the spice container and put too much in, and oddly enough it was the perfect amount. I hope he can make the same mistake again! ((Never thought THOSE words would come out of my mouth haha)))

Anywho, I am exhausted. I couldn’t sleep last night so I ended up doing a bunch of flash cards. I have 30-something left, ending this section and set, YAY! Though I have one more set that has 3 sections, I am hoping to get those done before the end of next week. I think I do better flash cards when I am tired rather when I am awake and cheery. I came up with some pretty cool ones this morning. Hehe.

Flyboy is doing Snack Bar Duty today, so I have no idea when he will be released. I hope he isn’t stuck there too long, I know how tired he is too. It was really hot again last night. This weather has been driving me nuts lately. It will be hot outside and freezing in the house, but when its cool outside it will be really hot inside. I know that sounds silly to be frustrated at, but it really is frustrating.

I think I am going to head to the store now. (I don’t even want chocolate!!!) Rice Krispies here I come!