Girlfriend

Well, Life goes on. Travis broke up with his girlfriend. or should I say she broke up with him. I dont know how it went. But she has another boyfriend. I guess Travis has know for awhile. So when I seen her today at the local flea market. She gave me all his stuff that she had. Football jersies and such. Anyway, It is all back home where it belongs. She dont deserve it she isnt mature enough to understand that Travis needed her support. I know I sound like a angry mom well I am, I am looking at my son going to war and his girlfriends decides to get another boyfriend. I know how dare her.. okay so okay she has that right too. He made his decision to join. But he just wanted to get a education and/or skill to learn to support himself and his future.

He will be fine, probable more okay with it then I am.

He didnt say much when I talked to him today. Sounds depressed to me. But he said he was tired. That he had some kind of guard duty today.

God give me the strenghth to endure these next four yrs.

off to Ait Training.

Well Trav is off to AIT Training. He will be there for 3 months. He has called a couple of times, but hasnt said much. Just ask for me to send him some stuff. I guess my job as a mother is over with him. He is on his way to a new life that he doesnt need me for. I raised him the best I could and he has to make his own decisions now. God be with him..

Back from Fort Jackson

Well, we are back from Fort Jackson. It was an experience. The driving down there is crazy. Guess that is what I get for being from a small town. Anyway. Travis looked great. Seemed a little nervous, but after being couped up in boot camp, I guess that is a little expected. He was great though. I am so proud of him. He did good getting through basics. He worked real hard at it.


Family day was interesting to say the least. It was so crowded, so many parents and family's. But We enjoyed the time with Travis, had a picnic as the restaurants was crowded. So we just bought bread and lunch meat and chips and went to the park one day. Then had dinner at the officers club in the evening for Family day. We got to talk to the Drill sergeants at the dinner. He said Travis was useless until the last two weeks, and that he thought he would make a good drill sergeant. But I thought he did good. . He wouldn't hardly let me take pictures of him. The army brat. They say it changes their attitude, well he has the same attitude, just with a bigger head.
He did good getting through basics. He worked real hard at it. He got into trouble because he got back late, I am sure that I let him off early, I think he had me drop him off early so he could hang around some of the guys, and then didn't get back when he was suppose too.

The graduation was awesome, it was real impressive to see all those soldiers (1200) standing at attention and marching. I see how the drill sergeants have to be so strict, having so many young ones to keep control of. One bad apples can influence a lot of them to get into trouble or cause total mayhem. I ordered the basic training and graduation dvd. They are not as impressive as they seemed. Travis is in them a couple of times though. Then we took Trav to Golden Corrall and to the mall area after graduation. Or I guess I should say he took us, because he insisted on paying for it. He is proud of that paycheck. That is what will keep him going, I am sure, he likes the money. Trav gave me a shirt that says My son defends the freedom in the US army. And I got me a shirt that say Proud Mom of a soldier.

the lady at the hotel told me that I had a awful act scent that she couldn't hardly understand what I was saying. I ask her for wash rags and she had no clue what I was asking for, then it took me a minute to realize why she couldn't understand me and then I ask for wash clothes and she got it. Funny I thought she was the one with the act scent.

The next time I have to travel that far though I will take someone that can help me drive. It was really tiring doing all the driving. His dad says he is going for his AIT graduation, so Bob had better get used to the ideal that we are traveling together. Warren can drive in the big cities better then me. And Bob can't even drive interstate let alone big city. I can do it, but it makes me so nervous and I get in the wrong lane and dont have time to get over then pass up the exits and have to turn around. It is a mess. But I did it.

How does everyone do it?

i went to the local coffee shop this morning. don't usually go there for mornings, but have been couped up to many days and needed somebody to talk to. Well the usually gossip going on, then they got on the subject of Hilliary, obama, and mccain. Political views. then they started the war stuff.. I hate it. I know people have the right to their own opinion, but some of it I just don't want to hear. It isn't that I don't know what is happening. I just cant take listening to them talk about the boys being killed and going on about how they need to be brought home. I know they all noticed it was upsetting me and they changed the subject and I know it is unspoken word here too. And I know my son is just now graduating boot camp. I just don't know how I am going to do it if he gets sent somewhere like Iraq or Afganasten . I already just want to cry every time someone mentions the war.

Hotel reservations made.

okay so i started calling this morning again. But this time I searched on the internet for more a commendations, thinking well even if we have to go a little further out away from base as long as it wasn't to far, it would be okay.. I found some rooms at Days Inn. Not my choice of hotels but they say they are clean. So I called Laquita and told them I was canceling my reservations because we needed more beds. They then informed me I could have a room with two queen size beds for the same prize. That they was sorry that the travel agency had told me that we couldn't have more beds and that it was not a problem.. so hotel rooms are a go. Money for gas is a go. Everyone Pray for the gas not to get to high..

And my aunt is going with me who is going to pay half the motel. That will save us some money. She is always my god sent angel to help me out..

I am frying chicken Monday the 24 to take with us. And going to fill the cooler with water and pop. And will pick up some snacks for the ride. Breakfast is free with motel room so that is a plus. So everyone has to pay for there own meals. I am telling my daughters dad that he needs to give my daughter a few dollars to help with her.

My husband thinks he is going to starve if he don't eat out three times a day when he travels. And we cant afford that. God I hope he doesn't ruin this trip. Everyone pray that he will behave himself. I have told him two or three times if he is going to show his caboose to stay at home. And told him the game plan so that their are no surprises.

Dog is going to either a friends house or my brothers.

I want to pack light as I am a over packer. Three outfits and one dress outfit,And driving clothes that I will leave in. two pair of show.Makeup and toiletry items. That should be enough for a five day trip. . have a list of stuff.

Sunglasses
camera
binoculars----have to borrow off someone.
medicines.

Am I forgetting anything?

Graduation plans/ weather/ clothes/ time zone/

What to wear to graduation/

What is the weather like in SC? anybody know?

What is the time zone in SC?

I know I need to go to sleep, okay so I am going to take something to help me sleep. my mind wont staop making and figuring out plans for the trip. I can wear a casual dress or jeans/ or my tan pants. I am trying to figure out the time zone but havent found it yet. What is the weather like down there.

I am having a hard time sleeping I will probble have to take a zanaz to sleep. I hate taking any pills to sleep because I will be groggy the next day but I can see If I dont take something I will be in for a all nighter. So okay go take one and stop typing...

graduation plans

I just thought I would drop a line and tell you that so far Trav is doing okay from what I can tell in his recent letter, tired, but doing okay. He is writing so little though. I had to get a magnifine glass to read it. I always thought that writing little was a self esteem issue and that concerns me. But his spelling is getting better. I don't understand that as Travis always spelled things as they sounded and as much as me and the teachers tried to help with that we couldn't seem to overcome it. So I learned to let it goes as i figured at least he could read and with computers to correct his spelling nowadays. hey whats normal... But anyhow he is doing great in basics. Said he passed everything on his PT test but the push ups, so he has to do 100 push ups every night. I bet he is sore as all get out, but building muscle.. He said the got their dress clothes and his was already to big, so the DS told him to wait until closer to graduation and have it resized. I am sure that happens to a lot of them so they are used to it. But makes me want to see him more. I can just imagine, he went in like 40 pounds overweight. So I bet the whipped him into shape..
Seem to be enjoying learning stuff, but was tired which is to be expected.. But it looks as if he is going to make it fine. I don't know whether to be happy about that or sad. I always want me kids to do their best, but I am so scared about the army/ war thing.

on the other foot, we made hotel for graduation, and I have the money for gas saved and hide, heed well you know. I don't know how my husband is going to take the hotel thing when he has to give them his credit card though. He is now saying okay but only because I told him I was going with or without him. And I am sure when he has to hand that credit card over he will not be a happy camper. I have to tell him before we go that he cannot throw any of his fits on this trip or he cant go too. It is Trav's two days not his. . Well sorry so long. I guess I really need to start a blog or something... hugs to everyone.
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