Britt made Senior Chief!!!!

What an exciting week for us!  The biggest excitement is that Britt made Senior Chief!  The results were released Friday, 16 July and Britt was just beside himself when he realized that he was selected.  He was pinned this past Wednesday and I am so proud of him.  The Navy made a great decision to advance one of it's best.

Mom and I left San Diego on Friday, 16 July, with Norfolk, VA as our destination.  I've learned that I'm not a very good traveler anymore when we are on a strict time schedule.  As I would've much rather have stopped along the way and enjoyed the sights, we didn't have time on our side to be able to do that, as the House Hold Goods delivery date was already scheduled, and we had to make sure we were there to meet all our stuff.  I'm glad mom was there to keep us on track.  We did make a stop in Memphis for dinner and a few beers on Beale street.  That was fun.  On one of our last nights on the road, we stayed with Ryan (my cousin) and his wife Susie in NC, which was great.  I haven't seen them in years and it was fun to catch up with them and the kids.  We really had a great time there.  Always nice to have family in the area.  Mom and I worked our butts off as the movers delivered all the furniture on Wednesday, 21 July.  In only about 5 hours, we had everything unpacked, unwrapped, stagged in the right room, and the movers were able to leave with all the packaging and empty boxes.  Then the real work began as we organized, put everything away and found the right place for everything.  By the time Friday came, we pretty much had everything done, including the curtains.  Wow, I think that was a record.  

Me, Mom, Sonja, Ryan, Alex and Ty (Not pictured:  Susie, the photographer).

A few pics from this week.

USS COWPENS and her crew.  This was their last day in dry dock.

The dry dock being filled so that she can float again and return to her mission.

From my award ceremony on Tuesday, 12 July.  It really has been a great tour because I've learned more that I ever thought I would, and had such a wonderful team along side me.  Thank you to all of you!  Now, on to the next adventure.

One more week to go.....

One more week to go and I'll be VA bound! The increase in the number of earthquakes that I've experienced in the past few months, the 60 degree weather that we've been having and most of all, Britt being guaranteed east coast orders, doesn't leave any desire for me to stay here in Southern California. The sun did show itself last week though, long enough for me to enjoy a walk along the San Diego Bay boardwalk in downtown Coronado.

Britt and the COWPENS are now out of dry dock and making preps for their next underway period. We are counting down the time for his transfer, and still eagerly waiting his assignment to VA with me. Keep your fingers crossed for us!
  Not a sight you get to see all the time of one of our vessels. Look at those screws! This was taken on their last day in dry dock.