Christmas OPORD

Editor's note: This is for my military readers. I know that after a life in the military, we have come to expect things in the Army format. So, here is Santa;s Operations Orders for Christmas delivery. Merry Christmas to all!


Army Christmas
By Rod Powers,

Army Christmas Operations Order 00-5689:
Subject: Christmas


1. An official visit by MG Santa (NMI) Claus is expected at this headquarters 25 December (2007). The following instructions will be in effect and govern the activities of all personnel during the visit.

a. Not a creature will stir without official permission. This will include indigenous mice. Special stirring permits for necessary administrative actions will be obtained through the C1. Mice stirring permits will be processed through the C2 for proper clearances and obtained through Veterinary Services, ARCENT-KU.

b. Personnel will settle their brains for a long winter nap prior to 2200 hours, 24 December 1999. See MAJ Dickenson for pre-napping medical requirements. See MAJ Adams for napping demonstration. Uniform for the nap will be: Pajamas, cotton, light, drowsing, with kerchief, general purpose, camouflage; and Cap, camouflage w/ear flaps. Equipment should have been drawn from homestation CIF prior to deployment.

c. Personnel will utilize standard Sharq Market sugar plums for visions to dance through their heads. Artificially sweetened plums are authorized for those in the unit weight control program. Specifications for this item will be provided by the servicing dining facility.

d. Stockings, wool, cushion sole, will be hung by the chimney with care. Necessary safety precautions will be taken to avoid fire hazards caused by carelessly hung stockings. ARCENT-KU safety officer will submit stocking hanging plans to this headquarters prior to 0800 hours, 24 December (2007), ATTN: MAJ Salada, for approval.

e. At the first sign of clatter from the lawn, all troops will spring from their beds to evaluate noise and cause. Immediate action will be taken to tear open the shutters and throw open the window sashes. PMO Plan (Saint Nick), Reference LO No. 3, paragraph 6c, this headquarters, 2 February 1998, will be in effect to facilitate shutter tearing and sash throwing. Section OICs will familiarize all personnel with procedures and are responsible for ensuring that no shutters are
torn open nor window sashes thrown open prior to start of official clatter. See CPT Donley for hardcopy.

f. Prior to 2400, 24 December (2007), all personnel will be assigned "Wondering Eye" stations. After shutters are thrown open and sashes are torn, these stations will be manned.

g. SSG Bekono will assign one each Sleigh, miniature, M-66, and eight (8) deer, rein, tiny, for use of MG Claus' driver who, in accordance with current directives and other applicable regulations, must have a valid SF56 properly annotated by Driver Testing; be authorized rooftop parking and be able to shout "On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen, up Comet, up Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen".

2. MG Claus will enter quarters through standard chimneys. All units without chimneys will draw Chimney Simulator, M-6, for use during ceremonies. Chimney simulator units will be requested through SPC Oswalt on Job Order Request Form submitted to the Furniture Warehouse prior to 19 December (2007), and issued on DA Form 3161, Request for Issue or Turn-in.

3. Personnel will be rehearsed on shouting "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night." See LTC Pride for demonstration. This shout will be given on termination of General Claus' visit. Uniformity of shouting is the responsibility of section NCOICs.

/s/
CHRISTOPHER K. RINGLE
Colonel, USA
OIC, Special Services

Distribution:
Everybody Who Still Believes

Holiday happenings ...

Saturday was much better. As I said in the previous post, I woke up at 9 a.m. and spent the morning lounging. Not five minutes after I jumped in the shower George called, so I hurried to get dressed while he talked to his dad. After chatting about what we'd both been up to since we'd last spoke, I finished getting ready and his dad and I headed to PetSmart with Sgt. Major.

Horrible mother that I am, I had left every toy at the house, so we headed out to get him some early Christmas presents. I love taking him to PetSmart because he is so funny about it and way too smart.

We went to the bones first to pick up something for him to chew on. As soon as he picked on out he headed for the front door and we were in trouble from then on. We dragged him to get some squeaky toys, another "Baby" for when he sleeps and some wet food since he had to take a few pills twice a day and shoving them down his throat wasn't all that fun. When we finnaly go everything we needed we had to pry the bone from his mouth to pay for it, then back home we headed to let him play. My father-in-law tried to lift him out of the Tahoe and Sgt. Major got snipity, growling because he thought he was after his bone. The only option was to let him jump out himself. Far fall for a fat bully, but I didn't want him to snap at me either.

That's something that my husband mistakenly taught him as a puppy when he would try to wrestly his bines from him like he did the toys. The toys were a game, but the bones were serious business.

After dropping him off, we went to Wal-Mart for some groceries, then headed back home to relax before I headed to G&M's house and later to a party.

G&M and I excahanged presents before heading to the Christmas Party. I gave them brushed metal bar set, wine bucket and matching wine stoppers since their kitchen is 1950s inspired. I also got M three different sets of 4 1950s inspired icecream bowls, soda fountain glasses and ice cream cups. I got a beautiful silver teapot night light (above) and massager and Sgt. Major got a champagne bottle squeaky toy which he LOVED.

Next we we went to a party at one of George's childhood friends. At first I was worried that it would be weird, because he hasn't spent a lot of time with them since we've been together because of the Army life. Not surprisingly, they accepted me readily, pulling me into conversations and I was laughing and joking within minutes. It was a lot of fun, though we only stayed until about 11 p.m.

I hurried home and after playing with Sgt. Major, crawled into bed with him and his new toy, to rest for another day.



Until our next cup of tea ...

Holiday craze begins ...

Myspace Christmas Graphics


Well, the holidays are here. As much as I've been avoiding them, I think I'm read. If nothing else, I've had a lot to do. My friends are determined to keep me busy.
On Thursday night, a friend, MO, came to visit. Her husband and mine worked together and became close friends during the last deployment. We've become closer in the past few months. She and her son whom I shall call "Rowdy" ame to visit for the Battalion's Christmas Party Friday morning. Rowdy and Sgt. Major ran each other ragged. She's was yelling "Stop running!" I was yelling "Stop humping!" It was a holiday tradition in the making.

After finally getting Rowdy to bed and Sgt. Major rashed in his kennel, we stayed up until after 2 a.m. chatting and laughing until we realized both "hildren" would be up early and if we were going to be able to umpire, we'd need sleep. The night was uneventful, although she said Sgt. Major did crawl into bed with them at some point. Silly guy!

The party was fun, they had all kinds of food and games for the kids, even Santa, but I was intrquied the single cup coffee maker. Small things, I guess!
After the party, we went back to the house where they packed for the drive back to Houston. I finished paking for our trip and spent a little time with our favorite neightbors who were PCSing (moving). Their girls were sad to say goodbye to Sgt. Major. It was sad, but I managed to not cry. Those girls were a bright spot on a dark day and it was sad to see our friends leave.

We left shortly after they did, Sgt. Major driving me CRAZY once he saw that his bags were packed.

After a brief vet visit, where we got meds for an ear infection and skin infaction. There have been some heavy rainstorms at the installation the past few weeks and the rain sits on the ground and that causes problems for him.

We finally got to Houston at about 6:20 p.m. I was exhausted and still had a party that night, but eventually realized that I would not be good company so called my friend and said I'd take her to lunh for hr birthday later this week.

It seemed like every mile closer to "home" was hard and eventually I cried because it is beginning to be real that George will not be home for Christmas. It's harder than I thought, but I've just got to get through the next 7 days.

I unloaded the truck and fell asleep on the sofa by 8 p.m. I woke up at 9 a.m. with a brighter outlook on Saturdat. I'll write about it later, but breakfast just arrived thanks to my father-in-law (and Waffle House).

Until our next cup of tea,



Editor's note: Mari-Nanci and others who are wondering ... yes, Sgt. Major goes everywhere with me, but my family as well as unit activities and such do not allow him, so he stays with Grandpa or at Grandpa's house when we go to George's cousin's house for their holiday party. He is very spoiled and loves his grandpa. He even gets presents from our friends, but that's a story for later.

Ornaments on Request ...

Someone, I think Alice or Mari-Nanci but not sure, asked to see pictures of some onf my Victorian-themed ornaments. Well, this year I didn't up the tree so most are still boxed up, but here are some I hung throughout the house for some holiday cheer.

This is one of my favorites, made with a lace doily and fabric stiffener. I want to try some angels but haven't figured out what I want then to look like yet.



This one was one of the first projects that I did in college. I had all this cord ribbon and got bored but didn't have any projects so I found some styrofoam balls and started gluing the cording to it. Turned out great for a boredome project and I think now I want to try it on the various "tree" forms and do a cluster on the coffee table or something.



This was something I tried Christmas 2005. I did swirls on the inside of glass Christmas ornaments. There are a variety of colors and I'll have to take some pictures of the different ones and post. My tree is only red, white and gold ornaments, but this one was too pretty to give away so I kept it.



This is not an ornament, but last year I painted these little door decorations. I'm not that talented. I'll share the secret. I copied a free coloring picture I found on the Internet with Carbon paper onto the bock of wood then painted. Voila!



Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and it looks like I'll be around more, so I'll stop by to visit soon.

Until our next cup of tea ...

Getting settled in ...

Well, I've been away a while and still will be for the next few days, I've got half my papers done. This week has been a rollercoaster. There were issues with the mailing address and we were told to hold off sending carepackages, then it was fixed and now we can send them, but they probably won't make it for Christmas. The Soldiers are in their final location and now it all begins.

It's hard to believe he's been gone for almost a month now, but other days it seems as if he left only yesterday.

I think I'm finally getting into my own routine and coming home to the puppy knowing he won't be coming through the door is not so hard.

The puppy has gotten into his deployment routine too. He snuggles more, follows me everywhere and has finally (thank God!) stopped begging for food. He knows we walk when I get home, he goes out for the final time at 10 p.m. and if he tried to wake me in the night, I will left the covers and he can crawl in next to me! It's a rough life.

He has been a little testy trying to push my patiences, but as soon as I get this homework done, I can spend more time with him. For a while he was sleeping on a pile of George's clothes, but i eventually put them in the washer and folded them for the last time for a while.

I'm very excited that I leave to go home next week. I can't wait. I've got my calendar full of Christmas dinner and hanging with friends ... a I'll make time to sqeeze in a little shopping!

Well back to the books.

Until our next cup of tea ...

Christmas thoughts ...

It's hard to believe George has been gone nearly two weeks now. Somedays it seems like eternity and others it seems like it was just yesterday. The trick to getting through it, I've found, is staying busy. It keeps your mind from dwelling on the seperation.

I have been really busy with school, but I am really hoping to get done soon because I am really wanting to start on my Christmas crafts. I'm not really in the Christmas spirit yet and I am looking forward to just doing something that will be stress-free, unless you count trying to pick an ornament to do. :)

Christmas is usually my FAVORITE times of the year. I make homemade Victorian ornaments for our red, white and gold tree, I love wrapping the presents I've collected over the year and look forward to trying new holiday dished, but this year is a little different.

It's not that I am dreading a holiday without George, I'm facing that head on. I'm a bit worried about those family holiday parties. I have some family members who love drama and a good cry at Christmas has promise of that and then there are others who like to drink and talk about sad things. Either way, I'm a likely target. Ugh!

Well, I'll cross that bridge when I get there. I'm off to package Christmas packages. That promises to be a delightful post!

Until our next cup of tea ...

Reflections

On my way to work this morning, I let my mind drift as i drove the now familiar path to work. Christmas carols played on the radio and I hummed along contemplated in my head how in the world I was going to get all of my homework done. I exited my mental organizer just in time to drive past the building that house the 3,500 Soldiers of my husband's unit. It was like a ghost town. No cars vying for a space, no Soldiers darting across the road unlucky to have had to park in the farthest lots. No olive-drab green trucks, scuffed from boots and guns lining the road. It was desolate, empty, barren. I thought of those times when running late for work, I gritted my teeth as Soldiers dashing for formation stopped traffic and said a prayer under my breathe for "our boys." I missed them. Sure now the lines at Burger King and the PX are shorter and traffic is a breeze, but it really wasn't that difficult. I loved sitting at the Blimpies, park or other serene spot and watching the hustle of hurried Soldiers. I would try to imagine what they were doing ... grabbing a quick lunch before heading out to the field, hurrying to meet up for formation or maybe rushing to pick up medicine for a sick child on their lunch break. It's funny to think about the things that annoy us, but when they are gone we miss them. Funny, how fickle we are as a society, always rushing to our next task without stopping to smell the rose, smile at a stranger or enjoy the sights around us. I have said it before, I am a people watcher and I miss "my people."

Until our next cup of tea ...



Editor's Note: For those who have expressed concern, my oral surgery when well. I was quite surprised to find that there was no pain or even discomfort. It has taken a bit to get used to eating on the right side of my mouth, but othere than that you wouldn't know. Thank you yo those who expressed concern.

I'm doing fine, thank you for asking ...

Every military spouse I have talked to has agreed on one thing ... no two deployments are the same and although I'm only a week into this one, I must agree.

Maybe a year does make a difference, but I feel more at peace, more serene this time around. I'm not saying that I don't worry, but I'm not anxious like last time. Maybe it's because my life is calmer, or that I have more control over my schedule. My job is amazing, the command staff really understand and respect me. School is a little hectic right now, I have 15 days to write 11 papers, but nothing that a few lat nights can't handle. KG and the rest of my support team (a big part of which are fellow bloggers) are amazing. I had a lot of people here on post last time and much of the time I felt like a butterfly, flying from one to another but always feeling restless, like there was something or someone else who was being neglected, but not so much now.

It's my pace, my plan on my own time. I make the rules and I like it. Its a great chance for me to take the time to do things that I've always wanted to do, but obligations and life got in the way. Now, I feel more free, more in control. And we all know, I LOVE control!

Until our next cup of tea ...

I am humbled by your support ...

When I started this web page in August, 2005, with no real direction. It was a forum for me as a writer to be creative, but there was not rhyme or reason. Whatever came to mind head was put "to paper" so to speak.

A little over a year ago, I started leaning more toward writing about my life as a miltiary spouse. It was the topic that seemed to get the most attention. Especially from readers who were "distanced" from the military world, although I had readers who where military family members.

A few months ago I changed the look of the page and dedicated it to being "a window to my world." I've been honest and sincere aboujt my feelings, trying to express the raw emotion. I never dreamed of the support that my little public journal would garner.

I am so thankful for the support that my readers have shown. Hearing from new readers is like meeting a new friend, and the comments from returning readers are like being wrapped in a favorite blanket on a cold day, if that makes sense.

I just wnat to take the time to tell all of you "thank you." I don't underestimate the time you take to write me notes and it is large part of my getting through this time. I have a few more posts from the past week that will be going up in the next few days, but since I had oral surgery this morning the meds are making me a bit drowsy, so I think the puppy and I are heading for a nap. I'll stop by and visit this weekend.

Until out next cup of tea ...