Goodbye 2010

Wow it is hard to believe we are almost done with 2010. What a hard year it has been for us. We have had such a change in our lives. Here is a year in review: Lets see...January through May was pretty stressful. Mark was starting to get ready for retirement. The best news then was the fact he was off that awful ship. In April we lost our beloved dog Noel. She went on her own terms and she is now at Rainbow Bridge. Matthew graduated in May, we are so proud of him. We left Kodiak Alaska in June. We got home to Kent WA on my mom's birthday. She and Jim were waiting for us in Bellingham. We stayed with Ruth and Darryl until August 1st when we moved into our apartment. Our friend Gary and his family transferred from North Carolina to Covington and Patrick started school with his best bro Breton. The A-Team!!! Mark retired from the Coast Guard after 23.5 years. Matthew and I started school in September at Green River Community College. I love being in school. Mark found a new job as Restaurant Supervisor at the Yankee Grill/Holiday Inn in Renton. He is throughly enjoying his new career. On the 5th of December we lost another of our beloved dogs, Murphy. He will always be in our hearts as well as Noel. They are both together at Rainbow Bridge. Besides those ups and downs after almost 7 years of being seizure free I started having them again. I have had three since the beginning of 2010, two within a month and a half. So needless to say a new neurologist was in order. I have an MRI scheduled for 1/14/2011 of my brain. My doctor has added another medication and I seem to have gotten so much better.

As I look forward to 2011, I am thrilled to have 2010 behind me. I am so happy for the strength my family has and the support of our family here in Washington and Idaho. I can not even express how wonderful it was to spend the holiday season with family. I did miss my mom, but I am hoping to get to Idaho this next summer.

So with everything behind us, I am wishing everyone a Happy New Year. Be safe and we love you all.

Changes: Good and/or Bad?? Remembering. (***Warning It's Long***)

As I sit here starting to write a new entry, I am watching KING 5 news about a gun man that is on the loose and that I-5 is closed down by Everett (while typing this novel, the man was caught and the drama is over). We have lived in so many places in Mark's 23.5 years in the Coast Guard. 1. Novato, CA 2. Vancouver, WA 3. Port Angeles, WA 4. Novato, CA (again) 5. Astoria, OR 6. Ketchikan, AK 7. Kodiak, AK. I think the scariest was when we lived in Alameda, not that Alameda was bad we had a few things stolen and this was on an active Naval Base with Mil Pol. What I am referring to is Oakland. Mark, back in the day, had a police scanner and we would hear about the same "black male, wearing blue jeans and Raiders jacket" causing hate and discontent on E 14th St. almost on a daily basis. Driving through Oakland was just plain scary. That was when Patrick was just a newborn.

Vancouver Washington wasn't as bad. We lived in an apartment and there were thugs that lived there but if you kept your mouth shut and didn't antagonize them, they pretty much left you alone. I think that these instances helped me decided that smaller towns were more to my liking.

As you all know, we are not in a small town. We are in a fast growing metropolis compared to Port Angeles, Astoria, Ketchikan and even Kodiak. How does one adjust to the sudden changes, for example, gun shots in the middle of the night, noises in the parking lot in the middle of the night, a strange guy at 6 am looking as if he is trying to break into a car?? It helps to have a larger dog with a even larger bark and a nice can of pepper spray. Don't get me wrong, I am actually enjoying the change of "going places" like Seattle's Pike Place Market, the waterfront and eating Ivar's clam chowder for lunch. We just have to remember that we have to now lock the car doors and the front door to the apartment. I know that people just don't watch the news because there is so too many "bad" things happening out there. I guess I would rather know what I am up against rather than be ignorant to reality of what is actually happening out there. You can not put yourself into a cocoon with blinders on and hope that these "bad" things really won't touch you. It is always that person who says "that happens to other people, I never thought it would happen to me".

As far as "good" changes, I would have to say that being with family is by far the best thing. We have been to several family gatherings. We were fortunate to be able to go to my nephews wedding and to be able to see my family more in the past two months than we had in three years. Other good things that are happening is Matthew and I will be starting college. I am scared and excited all at once.

It is so hard to believe that my boys are getting older. Matthew first year in college and Patrick a junior in high school. The next two years will be full of excitement for both I am sure.

In all of our years throughout Mark's career we have met so many different people and would never change that for the world. The friends we have made are such treasures to me. The places we have been and the amazing/fun things and scary things we have seen and been through. For example, the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989, the Oakland firestorm of 1991, Matthew's first ride at six weeks old on a 41' Coast Guard Utility Boat on the San Francisco Bay even though it was overcast  and couldn't actually see the fireworks in 1991, watching the Blue Angels take off from Naval Air Station Alameda during Fleet Week in 1995 at the END of the runway, spending 4th of July's in Portland on the CGC Bluebell for three years in a row and even sharing that experience with Ruth, Darryl and even my dad. Our second time in Novato and the fun times we shared on almost a nightly basis of BBQ's and volleyball games. I honestly don't think I have ever laughed as much as I did during those games. Watching the amazing storms in Astoria Oregon and seeing the devastation of the November 2006 storm which took off the gutters of our house and left tons of debris on our favorite beaches, seeing my son, Patrick make All-Stars in his first year of baseball. I have to say that our most amazing and adventurous time was in Alaska. Seeing the wild animals up close and personal is something I will never forget. The eagles and bears (both black and brown). That is truly God's Country. The mountains were just unbelievable and the fact that we could climb them and see as far as the eye can see was beyond cool. Climbing Old Woman in the early summer and Pyramid (in the snow) and being eye level with a small plane was awesome!!!!  So those are some of the amazing/fun & scary events we have been through.

Now a new adventure begins and I am embracing it with everything in me. I know we have the support of our families and that means a lot to us. I am so proud of Mark for his service in the Coast Guard. He served his country well for 23.5 years. He changed many people's lives through his leadership, friendship and knowledge. I love him with everything in me and I guess that is why we have been married for as long as we have, through the easy times and the tough times. It is hard to believe we have been married almost 22 years on the 3rd of September.

So I guess I have been rattling on and I should sign out. Keep smiling and keep us in your thoughts as we embark on our new adventure.

Today is the day!

Mark is officially retired as of today. It really is bittersweet. Being a Coastie has been all he has known for the past 23 1/2 years. He is very excited about his new phase in his life. So off to Seattle to do all of the paperwork for medical and all the other stuff he needs to get done today.

It is also Patrick's first day of school. His first complaint is the fact his first class is at 7:35 am. This school is going to be just like when I went to school six classes everyday. Normal....alot of homework everyday but he will do awesome.

Another piece of news, Patrick can't get his WA state drivers license until he completes driving class. So he is now enrolled for driving school and will start that on the 14th of the month. It rather stinks considering he has a provisional drivers license from Alaska and has been driving almost a year and a half.

Matthew and I start college on the 20th. We are both pretty excited. It will be a crazy driving schedule but we will iron out all of the wrinkles as it goes.

So needless to say we are now hitting the busy time of the year. We are loving the fact that we are around family and friends.

I am going to try really hard to keep you all posted on how all of this pans out.

Hugs,
Annie

Living in Washington

It has been a long time (again) since I have posted. I decided since I have only had 11 people respond to my privacy request I am making my blog public again. If I see that a certain person in Middleton, RI is lurking again, I may have to put it on private again. You see when you visit my blog I am able to see where everyone is from, makes it so much easier to locate those lurkers.

Since my last blog posting, we have departed Kodiak Alaska. We left on June 15th on a cold and rainy evening. After spending what seemed like eternity we were finally able to get on the Kennicott ferry. We visited Chenega Bay, Whittier, Yakutat, Juneau and finally Ketchikan. We spend four lovely days visiting with friends and eating great food from our favorite places. Then we boarded our final ferry, Columbia, for our final destination Bellingham Washington.

We arrived in Bellingham the same day we left Bellingham for Ketchikan three years ago. June 25th, my mom's birthday. What made this homecoming wonderful was the fact that Jim (my mom's beau) and my mom were waiting for us at the ferry terminal.

We drove the two or so hours to my in-laws house in Kent. We were greeted by homecoming signs with all of our names on it. It was so cool. In the first weekend we were here, we were able to spend time with both sides of our family. Mostly my side for the first weekend. My in-laws invited my mom and Jim to hook up to there power and stay the weekend. It was wonderful. I got to spend so much time with my niece Kylie and her boyfriend Josh. What fun!!

Once mom and Jim left for home, we started the house hunting job. It finally became clear that we would have to rent an apartment for our first year home and next summer move to a house. So this Friday we will be picking up our keys to our apartment that is located in Covington, WA. Why Covington you ask??? Well we have a good friend that has gotten orders to Seattle and will be living there and his son is best friends with Patrick and we decided they both need to finish there final two years of high school together. So Covington was the place to put down some roots.

Within the first week we were here the temperatures soared to the hottest we have been in for three years....93*. I literally felt like I was melting. Mark went out on the first day we knew we were hitting those highs and bought a pool. Needless to say not only did the boys soak in it, but we put a few dogs in it also to cool down.

Anyway, the beauty of being back in the lower 48 is the nurseries!!! We have visited at least six since we have been here, not counting The Home Depot and Lowes, and to see all of the flowers, trees, roses, and water features is amazing. My mother in law bought me a black eyed susan, which I love, and will be ready to bloom out very soon. Her back deck is looking like a nursery from all the plants we have purchased.

About a week ago, our friend and his kids showed up to move into their new house. We spent the first weekend having a few buckets and clear cutting his property. Patrick and Matthew has spent a lot of the past week over at Gary's house.

We have also discovered IKEA!!! Love IKEA!!! We have purchased one dresser and one chair for the apartment, since we can't have our large sofa in due to the fact we are on limited space. We still have to purchase one more dresser and one more chair this week. We also got a great deal on two new desks for the boys at Staples. So their rooms are pretty well set.

Our HHG's are to be delivered on the 2nd and then starts the fun of trying to figure out what will fit in the apartment and what we will store in our garage.

Patrick is already registered for school at Kentlake High. Matthew and I have to go down to the college and take our COMPASS tests, get our student ID's and get set up with the VA rep. So many things to accomplish and it is amazing how the days seem to go by so fast.

So there you have it....we are here and ready to start our new life being "retired" Coast Guard Family. Mark is putting in all sorts of applications for all sorts of government jobs. It won't be long until he has a new career.

I am still really bitter about how this came about. The XO off the MUNRO is now in charge of his own ship and I am VERY concered about who he is going to throw out or force to retire because he feels they aren't fit to "wear the blue uniform". I pray for those families under his command.

Well, I have typed long enough. We will keep you posted on how things are progressing.

Love to all!

Annie

Our Way Home

Hello everyone!

It has been quite a long time since I have written in my blog. We are in Ketchikan, AK right now. We will be boarding the Columbia heading to Bellingham and then the drive to Kent. I am so excited because my mom and Jim are meeting us at the terminal. Thank you mom it means the world to me that you would come as far as you have to see us. It is ironic that three years ago we got on the Malispina on June 25th (mom's birthday) to head for Ketchikan. Now on June 25th we will finally be home.

Anyway, Mark went on terminal leave on May 21st and now has a very nice beard. He is very excited about starting his next career (whatever that may be).

Matthew graduated from High School on the 23rd of May with honors. We are so proud of him.

Movers came at the beginning of June and we have been traveling since the 15th of June. We had a 4 day layover in Ketchikan and were able to see our friends and that was so wonderful.

Well, I will be returning to my blog as soon as we are settled. Keeping you all posted as to how our adventure on our new life is progressing.

Rest In Peace Noel Sable Cushing

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.



When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.



All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

 They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.





You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Matthew & Noel.

Ms. No-No Girl

Our last day with her before she went to live with my mom.

Noel LOVED the snow!

Reality Hit Me

Yesterday I got Matthew's graduation invitations. I just can't believe that he is graduating High School. Where did the time go??? He is so excited. He has worked so hard. Next week he is taking the college placement test while Patrick takes his HSGQ (High School Graduation Qualifying Exam). I know this is for Alaska so we are not sure what is going to happen next year when we actually head back to the lower 48. Anyway, my baby is an adult now and going to college next year. Boy do I feel old. :)

Going Private

Being a Coastie wife for as long as I have, you meet ALOT of people. Some of them are friends you will have the rest of your life and others are what I would referr to as the "bad apples of CG wives". It is really difficult to move to a new location and move into your new house, get your kids settled, get yourself settled and then try to find out who the wives are from the new unit your husband is now assigned too. It can be quite difficult at times to distinguish which spouses are the "right" ones to become involved with. Like high school, these people really never get out of that mode.

When I moved to Kodiak, it was more difficult than any other place we had been with the exception of Ketchikan (only because of the how we were all spread out in Ketchikan). The main "fun" here is bowling and drinking. I found out quickly that I really don't care for bowling and I am a very light drinker. In fact I actually  don't even recall the last time I had a glass of wine....I may have to change that soon. Anyway, when I decided to write my blog, I never gave it a second thought of whether or not it should be private. I have neighbors that referr people to my site so they can see all the pictures. It never bothered me and in a way I was flattered.

When all the stuff happened to Mark over the past year and a half, I was very vocal with my feelings in Novembers entry. It soon became apparent that someone had told others off of Mark's old unit what I was talking about. Mark was approach and I decided at that point I would change the "ranks" and make it more politically correct. Then I got to thinking, how in the world did they know??? These were people who's wives were not even stationed here in Kodiak. So I found a really handy tool. Live Feed. As you look at my blog site it is on the right hand side. It tells me where people are that are accessing my blog. I see my mother-in-law frequently visits it, as well as my sister-in-laws and other friends. But one kept popping up...and it was a particular person who's husband was a key factor in what happened with Mark. I felt really uncomfortable with posting anything knowing she lurked on my blog.

So that is the reason why I decided to go private. I love the feedback I get from all of my friends and family and I appreciate the words of support from you all. I truly hope that the additional steps you needed to take to get you here wasn't an inconvience. I love to blog and let you all know what is happening in our neck of the woods.

For now I will keep on blogging.

Love to you all!

We have accomplised so much!

Sorry I haven't written much lately. We have been rather busy with our storage shed and going through over 35 boxes and numerous rubbermaid bins. Our goal was to get rid of all the boxes and sort through all the stuff we wanted to keep and toss the stuff that needed to be tossed.Over 21 years of stuff!!! As of today, we have gone through everything and have organized the shed. I am so proud of all the stuff we have given to the Salvation Army. Bags and bags of stuff, oh and boxes of stuff too!

Last week Mark and I attended TAPS class. We were told about our benefits (medical & dental), Post 9-11 GI Bill and then three days of intense resume writing and interviewing for the retiring member. Mark did wonderful on the mock interview and once his resume is complete it will be awesome. He has a lot to offer new employers. Mark had an appointment with a lady that looks over every page of your medical record and helps you figure out how much disablity you may get. With over 14 years on ships, Mark will end up with something I am sure.

Along with TAPS class I am in the process of going through each room and organizing them. I have gotten the "linen closet" aka laundry room finished. The boys and I went through ALL of their clothes and closets and we ended up with five 30 gallon garbage sacks of stuff to take to the Salvation Army. They were too thrilled at first, every time I asked if a particular item fit and they said yes, I made them try it on. Mark is working on his dresser and closet. I have come to the realization that I am a plastic hanger addict. We have a TON of them. LOL We still have a lot to do and I am ever so thankful that he is no longer on that ship and is home to be able to help me with the stuff that needs to be done before we board that ferry on the 15th of June. It looks like we may be hitting the Bellingham area on the 25th of June. Which is ironic since we left Bellingham on the 25th of June in 2007. It will be a great birthday present for my mom to have her know we are at least driving distance to her at that point.

Tomorrow we will be attending another class called "Smart Move". It will take us through the moving process. It should be interesting.

So that is it for now. I will try and be better at updating this in the future. We are also waiting for more snow to fall so we can go out and get a new family picture...we aren't getting the cooperation with the weather like we want it but as soon as it does I will post our new family pic.