Saturday, July 30, 2005
Setting The Date
Early part of March was devoted to Setting The Date. Two active duty schedules to consider--when can leave be requested, when probably granted, etc. For The Groom To Be, stationed in the far north and essentially a one-man operation, this is not, apparently, a major problem--he can pretty much write and approve his own leave requests, I gather. For The Bride To Be, however, potential major difficulties. New commander, updates to equipment and capabilities, uncertainty as to when ship will be under way and when not, and constantly changing plans. Add to that other responsibilities for TBTB, both on board and for the larger command (TBTB represents her ship for rifle competitions, for example), and it all gets pretty tangled.
But after much consulting, talking to hierarchies, reading entrails, watching the way clouds of smoke drift, and so forth, a date is determined: September 10th. All is good. We have a date. We can proceed with plans. Until we learn that September 10th is date of Big Football Game: University of Texas vs. Ohio State. But then, we figure, that means the city will be deserted during the day. Everyone will be tailgating and drinking. Next task: The Site.
But after much consulting, talking to hierarchies, reading entrails, watching the way clouds of smoke drift, and so forth, a date is determined: September 10th. All is good. We have a date. We can proceed with plans. Until we learn that September 10th is date of Big Football Game: University of Texas vs. Ohio State. But then, we figure, that means the city will be deserted during the day. Everyone will be tailgating and drinking. Next task: The Site.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
It begins
February 2005: after 35 years, our USNavy daughter has decided to get married. A relief: weren't sure she'd ever wed, were growing convinced that there would never be a grandchild -- which, given some of the guys she'd been with, wasn't necessarily a bad thing. The fiance appears a nice guy, although we've not met. He's 40, also on active duty. So this is not a rushed, sudden decision. Both mature, accomplished people.
But both in the Navy (he retires next year), and in different parts of the world. She's a sonar tech, currently assigned to a destroyer based on the east coast; he's a weather tech, on a base near the Arctic. And although her ship won't be doing a long cruise for a while, there will be short underways. The wedding will happen in September, here, in her hometown in Ohio. Long distance wedding planning. Parents will carry the coal. And will post about it--
But both in the Navy (he retires next year), and in different parts of the world. She's a sonar tech, currently assigned to a destroyer based on the east coast; he's a weather tech, on a base near the Arctic. And although her ship won't be doing a long cruise for a while, there will be short underways. The wedding will happen in September, here, in her hometown in Ohio. Long distance wedding planning. Parents will carry the coal. And will post about it--
