Waiting ....

.... downtown in the Military building. We're settled in the "family lounge" for who knows how long. And .... about 15 minutes after we got here, two guys came in and took the tv out. Yes, really. I'm thinking that it had to be on the up & up, because who in their right mind would steal a large tv out of a building that houses multiple branches of the Armed Services? Not that it's not possible ..... I've seen a few episodes of "Punk'd". But now I'm starting to worry that they could have been filming a segment for "What Would You Do?" and now I'm going to look like a total skeez who wouldn't intervene to stop two large men from stealing a tv!! Great .... just what I need. If John Quinones pops into the room I may have to deck him.

Anywhooooo .... I digress. Surprised? Liar.

So we wait. Son #2 has been here since 4 a.m. Seriously. He's already had the physical and now waits for the physical fitness test, various interviews (in which I think they try to scare the hell out of him and threaten all kinds of torture and bodily harm, not to mention getting life in prison from saying anything that might be considered remotely false.

Drama Queen much?

So maybe they don't threaten torture but I really don't know for certain. All I know is that it's serious and although you don't get life for being untruthful .... you do get 5 years.
With my memory .... I'd definitely be spending time in the brig. Do they still have brigs?
It seems that the Marines have not joined the political correctness movement that all fraternities and sororities have been forced to so readily and happily embraced. I doubt that any Marine even knows what PC means. Unless it's Proper Camo, or Pacifism's Crap.

There I go .... digressing again. Probably should've taken a double dose of Adderall.

So, he took the test yesterday (whatever test they give to make sure that complete morons
don't get in) and he more than doubled the passing score. He blew it out of he water. Which
means that he'll have many, many jobs to choose from. The higher your score, the more choices
you're given. So yay for him!!

Son #3 and Daughter #3 are here, too. The others either live across the country, couldn't get off of school or couldn't trade a shift at work to be here. Sigh .....

I'm still feeling as if I may topple over the edge of calmness at any moment.
But ..... the good news is that they told him this morning he won't be shipped off to boot camp until January 22. I think he's bummed about that. He'd rather not wait around, twiddling his thumbs and working all of the time, especially once his friends head off to
college in August. There's a slight chance that he could go earlier if a spot happens to open up , but that's not likely.


Well, it's time for me to find a restroom ..... the cup of coffee, bottle of water and 3 sips of a Dr. Pepper are staging a revolt in a quest for freedom (how's that for a poetically way of saying that I have to use the restroom?! Quite eloquent, in my humble opinion. Even though no matter how poetically you write it, it's still way T.M.I.)

So that's all for now. I'll either update this post later, or write a new one.
Prayers for the absence of copious amounts of tears would be greatly appreciated).

Thanks, Peeps.
And happy Thursday (one day after the 66th anniversary that my father-in-law, also a Marine, was shot in WWII on Okinawa. Just an ironic fact I thought I'd share.
:)





UPDATE:
At 12:00 p.m. Son #2 was sworn into the United States Marine Corps. I did not cry. Yet.
I am proud. Jim, whose dog tag I am wearing under my blouse today, is also proud. Probably more than even me. If that's possible.


Daughter #3 and Son #3 in the family lounge .... waiting.  It wasn't long before the two of them were napping.

Standing at the ready, waiting for the officer to come in and swear them in.

Time to say the words ..... and mean what you say.  As one always should.

I was very proud that he didn't say (as I would have!) "state your name" when the officer said, "State your name."  Good boy.  :)   He takes after Jim.

And .... he's in.  Paperwork signed, word of honor given ..... he's a Marine, in front of the Marine flag.
There's no going back.  No matter how much I may beg.  :)