"I just wish he'd grow up & not be so wimpy."

Saturday, August 29, 1992

     I'm glad I kept Chief in the kitchen last night. He threw up in two places. It's a lot easier to clean the kitchen floor than the carpet but it still makes me gag.

     Connie called this morning & left a message on the machine cause I was in the middle of changing diapers. I was excited when I got downstairs to listen to the tape and she said they were leaving Key West tomorrow. Then she said they were going to Miami for at least 10 days. She wanted me to call the people of my phone list. I waited a few minutes til I stopped crying enough to be able to talk. Like last time I got two answering machines and one real person. I called Connie back to let her know the one person I didn't get any answer for. She asked if I was sick & I told her no, I was just so upset that they won't be home next week. She asked if Ez. was sick & I said no, it was just so hard without Guy here & I was counting on him being home next week. She said if I needed to come over or just talk to call her. I don't know what good it would do.

     I finally took Ez. in the stroller to get the newspaper and we stopped to look at a couple of yard sales along the way back but didn't find anything.

     I started crying all over again when we got home. I thought Guy might call around 4:00 but he didn't. He called while I was giving her a bath. I couldn't understand him very well on the tape but he did say he'd call back. It was around 9:30 when he called. Connie's husband had told him I was upset when she talked to me. He said he knew I would be. He tried calling Jeff & Molly but got an answering machine & it didn't say their name so he wasn't sure if it was them or not. He left the number to the ship but they didn't call. It was probably not them. He got off a little early yesterday by working late the day before. He went to do a little shopping but didn't have much luck. The stores cut back on their hours to save electricity because most of their power comes from Miami. He said he got me & Ez. something but he didn't say what. He said he didn't have any trouble getting money with the VISA.

     When I told him about Chief he said we'd get a dog house for him when he gets back, and maybe even give him away. As much as I wish we didn't have him, I'd feel guilty if we gave him away. I just wish he'd grow up & not be so wimpy.

     Guy said he'd call again from Miami next weekend if the phone lines were ok. I asked him what they'd be doing there & he said probably just providing men to help out wherever they're needed. He won't have to do anything since he's on 12-hr shifts. He said they might not need them that long & I told him Connie had said it'd probably be longer. He said we'd just have to wait & see. I have been praying so hard that they'd be back early & was so glad when they said they'd be home next week and now I just don't understand why they have to go there when there have already been so many people from here and other places sent there. It's just not fair. 

     At her bedtime snack tonight Ez. wanted to drink the last ⅓ or so of her milk without the sipper seal on her cup. We spilled some but I was holding the burp rag under her chin so it didn't get all over her pjs. I hope she doesn't want to do it that way every time from now on. At least she let me hold the cup for her, after a little bit of fussing.

August 1992

"I've just about had it with Chief."

Friday, August 28, 1992

     Guy called right at 4:00 yesterday & we didn't talk very long. He said he'd call again the day before they leave.

     I don't remember us doing anything yesterday to wear Ez. out but she slept for almost 3 hrs. yesterday afternoon. I slept for 20–30 minutes maybe.

     Rosemary Snowden called yesterday morning. She said that she has to go back to work Mon. & the baby-sitter she had lined up for Zack isn't going to be able to keep him for awhile. She cut a tendon in her hand. She (Rosemary) was going to interview with another woman last night. I don't know why I told her I could keep him if this other woman didn't work out. She said she'd keep that in mind. I worried about it for a few hours and then called Dianna Landon for ideas of someone from church who could keep him & she said she could. I told her I'd call Rosemary today to see how the interview went & let her know. When I called Rosemary I had to leave a message on the machine & haven't heard back from her yet.

     I just remembered what I did yesterday morning. I went through all of Ez's clothes and tried to sort them a little better by size. They've just kind of been piling up. I still need to clear out her top drawer & the hanging stuff. All of this won't fit in one box anymore. All the different piles are still in her floor—I didn't get back to it today.

     Gayle picked us up for the shower last night. It was nice—there were over 25 people there. It was almost 10:00 before we left. Ez. did pretty good. She was really getting the sillies toward the end. She was sitting in the floor with Melissa Dilday tickling her. She'd laugh & shake her head from side to side til she got dizzy & fell over. At least now people know she's not serious all the time. I put her pjs on before we left & she fell asleep in the car. Gale brought her in & carried her up to bed & she stayed asleep. I'd come in & let Chief out first. I'd put the gate up to keep him in the kitchen cause there was a chance it would storm. It looked like it'd rained but I forgot to check the rain gauge today. I brought the car seat in the house instead of going ahead & putting it in the car. I was so tired myself I didn't have too much trouble falling asleep. I did watch part of Jay Leno though.

     At 4:39 this morning I heard Chief whining. I'm not sure if he was upstairs or not. I got up & turned on the light switch & went to the top of the stairs but didn't see him. I told him to go to sleep. I figured maybe it had thundered just close enough for him to hear it but not me. I went right back to sleep. Didn't even remember it til we got up this morning (she slept til 8:26) & saw he'd thrown up in the hall. It was pretty dried up. When I went to let him out something in front of the fireplace caught my eye. He pooped in several spots. I couldn't believe it! I got onto him but what good does that do when you don't catch them in the act. I didn't let Ez. down in the floor at all. When she got downstairs I picked her up & put her right in the high chair. I went ahead & ate with her then started cleaning the floor while she was still eating. I wiped up as much as I could in the hall with a paper towel & left it covered up. I got all the poop up ok & only one little spot had stuck a little. I took Ez. straight to the stairs when we were ready to go up. Of course I had to let Chief back in to feed him but I left him out when he was finished eating.

     I tried calling Dr. O'Neil when we got upstairs. I called in refills for my Pancrease & Humibid on Wed. & late yesterday afternoon they called & told me that the date on my Pancrease had expired. After I hung up I thought I should've asked why they waited so long to call. Refills are supposed to be ready by noon & it was around 5:00, too late for me to call the dr. Anyway, when I called this morning they said he wasn't in today & all the other drs. were on rounds & could I call back in an hour. I did after I did my medicine & took a shower.

     I talked to a Dr. A.G. I don't know how to spell his name but that's how it's pronounced—A.G. I explained the situation and he said he'd call it in to Boone & let me know if there was any problem. I went ahead & got Ez. & I ready cause I'd planned to go to the commissary today anyway. When he hadn't called in 45 minutes I went ahead & left. We went to Boone first & they said they don't accept prescription orders over the phone. I got my Humibid with no problems. We didn't have any problems at the commissary except for being tired. Ez. fell asleep on the way home. I only brought in the things that need to be frozen or refrigerated. I'd put Chief in the kitchen while we were gone because I thought it might rain. I put him back in when I came upstairs. While I was bringing the groceries in I was having a bad coughing spell & I was worn out by the time I got upstairs.

     I went ahead & tried to call Dr. AG again & got the same corpsman. I told him what they'd said at Boone & he said he'd told Dr. AG that they wouldn't do it but he'd said he was going to try it anyway. He said he could have him write it up for me to pick up & I told him I couldn't come pick it up and wanted it mailed to me. He said it'd probably take a week to get here & I said that was better than nothing. He said he'd have Dr. AG call me this aft. (all the drs. were in a meeting) I waited til 10 til 4:00 cause I knew they close at 4:00 then I called again. Dr. AG was there and he said he'd mail it to me & took my address. He had asked me the number for Boone the first time I called & I told him all I knew was the refill number & gave it to him. This time he told me the number I gave him was a private residence. I felt like asking why didn't he look it up for himself. We'll see if the prescription comes. I still have a few days worth left.

     Backing up now, when I talked to the corpsman earlier this aft. he seemed to be trying to talk me into coming over there to pick it up & I started to tell him why it was too hard for me to come over with Ez. but I just said it's just too hard for me to get over there and I started to say how everything has changed so much since Dr. Lazarus left & I never had so much problems when she was there. I just told him never mind & to be sure the dr. called me today. I had a good little cry then & was ready to fall asleep watching the rest of my story. So of course Ez. woke up. She slept just a little over an hour. So she was ready to go to bed at 8:00. I just remembered I didn't feel her gums. I missed last night too. Doesn't seem like it's bothering her any more—knock on wood.

     I didn't go out with Chief at bedtime again. I'm wondering if that's why he messed in the house last night cause I didn't make sure he did anything at bedtime. But I'm not going to do it any more. He was barking & growling again out there tonight so I don't know if he did anything or not. I put the gate up tonight though. Even if he does something it'll be easier than cleaning the carpet.

     I did get some carpet cleaner but it didn't get all of the stain out in the hall. I had it covered with a paper towel all day & I'm surprised Ez. never even bothered it. I tried using soap on it too but it still shows. Hopefully at least the germs are taken care of. I've just about had it with Chief.

"I'm so disappointed."

Wednesday, August 26, 1992

     I just called the ombudsman tape. The ship is pulling into Key West today. Hopefully Guy will be able to call tonight or tomorrow. They're going to be on call for any help that's needed because of the hurricane. I don't know what kind of help they'd be as much problems as they've had. If they're not needed they'll leave there on the 31st & be back on the 4th instead of getting back here on the 31st. I'm so disappointed. We were down to five days & now it's back up to nine. The only good thing about that is more time to clean.

     Guy called at 9:50 & we talked about 30 minutes. A lot of that time was spent with me trying to find the code no. for the VISA card. I couldn't find it. He's supposed to call me back tomorrow afternoon. If I can't find it I'll have to go to the credit union & see if they'll tell me what it is. He said he only has $12 left & he wants to go eat out and needs to buy some soap. I guess he found a machine that takes VISA.

     They made it through the hurricane ok but he said everybody got sick so I guess it really rocked them around. He said it doesn't look like much damage there on base.

     He had some kinda good news & some bad news. Depending on what kind of help is needed in FL & LA they may have to stay down there another 3–6 weeks! I got so upset & started crying. I told him I didn't think I could make it for 6 more weeks. He said it probably wouldn't be that long but it was a possibility. The kinda good news was that they may decommission the ship next year. With all the problems they've had they probably should. He said he'd have to go to another ship if they did but he wouldn't have to stay on it for two years, just til his time is up.

     He didn't really have any other news. They haven't gotten any more mail. We probably won't talk long when he calls tomorrow. I told him I was planning to go to Amber Richardson's shower with Gayle & he asked when would be a good time to call. I said 4:00. He's still on 12 hr watches 7–7 & he said he's on days but he'd try to call from the ship or get 30 minutes off to go to the pay phone. He said it was by the base fire station. He also said they'll be changing piers to refuel so if he can't call then he'll call late at night again. I asked if he was going to try calling Jeff & Molly while he was there & he said he'd forgotten they were there. I was going to give him their number but he didn't have a pen with him. (They were in the Empty Arms group) If they're still there maybe they'll invite him over for supper.

     I got a bad paper cut on my left ring finger. I was eating my usual bedtime snack of Cheerios & thought one fell in the floor. I looked but didn't see it so I was feeling between layers in the stack of magazines & papers in the floor & one of them got me. It really throbbed for awhile. I put some Neosporin & a band-aid on it after running cold water on it awhile. It's kinda under the nail. I really hate paper cuts.

     Ez. did something new today. In the bathtub, she put her face in the water. She did it 4–5 times. I told her to blow while she did it to make bubbles but she didn't understand. It's still amazing to me how fast she changes. Guy will probably be able to tell the difference more than me since he's been away so long.

"One more thing for Guy to fix when he gets home."

Tuesday, August 25, 1992

     I didn't know til I opened this [new notebook] just now that I got the wide-ruled instead of narrow-ruled by mistake. Oh well.

     I'm so glad that Ez. slept through the night ok last night. I barely stayed awake through the late weather & don't remember waking up any. But I sure didn't want to get up when she woke me up at 7:24. She didn't want to get up when she woke me up at 7:24. She didn't take a morning nap but went down about 12:30. I got a little bit of a nap. Woke up at 1:08 & watched my story then tried to go back to sleep but didn't and she woke up around 2:30. She gets so tired by suppertime when she only has one nap and is up that early in the afternoon. She went to bed right at 8:00. I didn't give her any Tylenol but I still felt that gum bumpy. She kinda brushed her teeth herself tonight. I fixed both of them up cause she's been trying to take the one away from me lately. I did brush after she did to be sure they were clean. Last night & tonight was the first time in a long time that she didn't stand up when I put her in bed. I've been gradually singing less verses to her at night. She just gets so squirmy. I've been thinking about moving the rocking chair downstairs sometime soon. (It's still not stained) I kinda straightened up in her room some today, trying to make room for sitting on the day bed. I went through most of the drawers in her chest & got our all the clothes that were are too small now.

     I need to sort through all of them. Up til now I've just been piling them in a box that's overflowing—I rearranged the boxes in front of the window so she can look our easier now. One of the sliding doors on her closet won't move. I think it's stuck on top of the divider underneath. When I was moving boxes around looking for the right color of scraps the other day, a couple of them fell against the door so I guess that knocked it over. One more thing for Guy to fix when he gets home.

     I was looking for scraps to make a couple of little drool bibs for Gloria Piselli's shower. It was last night at Susan Locke's. I gave Susan the present Sun.

     Carol Wilson was having a toy party tonight. I couldn't have gone even if I wanted to since I don't have a babysitter. She said she'd bring me a catalog Sun.

     Elizabeth did something new yesterday—she blew [with her lips]. I'd tried to teach her some time before but not lately. It's strange how sometimes she just picks things up on her own.

     I forgot to call today to see if there was anything new on the ship. They keep showing pictures of the hurricane damage in Florida & it's just awful. I was hoping they'd pull into port & he'd be able to call me today. If they don't pull into port maybe they'll come on home early. Maybe I could should start cleaning house in case he does get home early. I did get started a little bit clearing off the bed. Things have kinda piled up on his side. I want to get the matching dress & skirt for Ez. & me made to wear the first Sun. he's back. The bed is the only place I can spread out the cutting board now.

August 1992

"That's a week from today!"

Sunday, August 23, 1992

     I thought it had been a couple of nights since I wrote but it's been four. Hopefully my memory of the last few days will work. I don't think we did anything special on Thu. Friday I ran errands. I called Michelle Bridgeman

Monday, August 24, 1992

     So much for getting caught up last night. Ez. was up & down from about 11:15–1:45. I finally gave her some Tylenol cause I didn't know what else to do. Today I decided to check her gums & I think she might be starting to cut one of her second molars. According to her baby book, the lower ones come in at 20 mos. & the upper ones at 24 mos. There's a bump on her upper right side so this would be really early. She has been a bit drool lately but I figured it was from the last of her first molars maybe trying to finish up—it's still not all the way out & it's been 2½ mos. I went ahead & gave her some Tylenol at bedtime tonight. I sure hope she doesn't wake up tonight. She did sleep til 8:23 this morning.

     Back to where I left off. I asked Michelle if she'd keep Ez. Fri. morning so I could run errands & she said yes. I went to a frame shop to finally see about getting the painting Rob did for Ez. framed. It's costing $65 (+ tax) which is just a couple of dollars more than the money we still have from our tax refund. I'll pick it up the 2nd. Next I went to Leggett's to get a shower present for Amber Richardson. I had to wait a little while cause their computer was down. I finally decided to get a sharpening steel for her kitchen knives, something I always thought would be nice to have. ($20) Then I went to Leonard's on Mil. Why. to see about getting replacement strips for Guy's truck camper. I got 45 feet for $10. He'll be surprised. I went to Farm Fresh for a few things & came home to put the milk in the fridge. Then I went to 7-11 for gas for the car. That's the main reason I wanted someone to keep Ez.

     She was glad to see me but she did good while I was gone. I'd taken her lunch in case I was late. It was past 12:30 but she didn't eat all her lunch. She probably snacked too late. I can't remember now how long she slept that aft.

     Three letters came from Guy that aft. They really had all sorts of problems with the ship. I'm glad they'll be home early.

     Sat. John Leland came over to mow for me. Barb dropped him off & picked him up. After that we went to Wal-Mart to pick up pictures & get some extra-large plastic pants for Ez. The large ones are too tight around her legs.

     She screamed & cried the whole time I washed her hair in the kitchen again. I'll be glad when Guy's here to help with it.

     I finished Ez's bunny dress & pinafore Sat. so she could wear it to church Sun. I measured her legs so the elastic in the panties wouldn't be too tight but didn't know til we got to church that the legs were too loose & hung down. I'll have to fix them.

     Mike & Carole invited us over after church for dinner. Ez. fell asleep on the way there but woke up when I got her out of the car. It took forever for Carole to get lunch ready. She'd said it was going to be ham—it was broiled ham slices with fruit on top. I was expecting a big ham. It was good though. Martha stayed asleep so Ez. sat in her chair. She did fairly well. It was 2:00 by the time we got home. I put her down for a nap but she didn't sleep long if at all. I dozed for maybe 5–10 minutes. We got up at 3:00. She was so tired I thought she'd fall asleep on the way to church but she didn't. I almost did in church, even with her squiggling. I'm surprised she didn't fall asleep on the way home. We ate & she went to bed around 8:30–8:45. It was during the weather when I first heard her. I gave her a few minutes but she didn't stop. She acted like she might have had a bad dream. She went back to sleep for a little bit I think. That's when I started writing. It was just so hard trying to get her back to sleep but she finally started crying gradually less. I did change her diaper & take her temp (98.7°). I turned the fan off once then back on later. I rocked her for awhile too. I'm glad she finally did go to sleep cause I don't know what else I would've done. I just hope she doesn't do it tonight.

     I tried calling the ombudsman yest. aft. & got the answering machine at Connie's (spouses' club pros.). Rhonda's out of town. Connie called later & said I needed to call my phone tree people (I got 3 of them) to tell them that the ship was going to be riding out Hurricane Andrew off the coast of Florida. And they'll be back on the 31st. That's a week from today! She didn't know if they'd be pulling into port after the hurricane. It's in the Gulf of Mexico now & expected to hit the coast of Louisiana. Hopefully the ship will pull in he'll be able to call me.

     We didn't do anything today. Since she slept late she only took an aft. nap for about 2 hours. I dozed during my story.

     Chief scared me to death when I took him out while ago. He started running & barking & I heard something hit the fence. I assume it was a cat but I couldn't see anything. I ran back inside—I don't know if he did anything or not. I didn't go out again, just stuck my head out to tell him to go.

August 1992

"She's just so cute & fun sometimes & I think it's amazing that she's really mine."

Wed., August 19, 1992

     Elizabeth is 16 months old today.

     Rosemary called this morning to say she can't come tomorrow. Her uncle died in Pa. & they have to go there tomorrow for the funeral Friday.

     I decided to go shopping after my shower this morning. We went to Wal-Mart to take some film in to get it developed and buy some more. I also got some more clear contact paper and got Ez. a ball. I debated over what size to get and finally decided on a big one (about 10") cause I figured a small one, Chief would probably try to chew up. This one has stripes around it, a star on one side and Big Bird on the other side. I let her choose between that & one with Cookie Monster.

     After that we went to the mall. I was going to go to Leggett's cause that's where Amber Richardson is supposed to be registered. But there's no Leggett's there. I looked in the phone book when we got home and there's one at Lynnhaven & Mil. Circle. I'll probably go to the one at Lynn. Mon. when I go back to get the pictures. Don't know if I'll go to the shower—it's a week from tomorrow night. I don't plan to go to Gloria Piselli's shower Mon. night. I'll just send something.

     I went ahead to Waldenbooks while we were there and found a book on child development up to 24 months by Johnson & Johnson. I also found a board book for Ez. Animal ABC's. I've been looking for it for awhile. I also ordered another book that I've been looking for. She wanted some juice while we were there so I got her cup out as we were leaving the store. It was half empty—it leaked out in the bag. I cleaned it out as much as I could with her burp rag & washed it out when we got home. Before we left she heard the dogs in the pet store so we went there to look around a little bit before we came home.

     We had lunch then went down for naps around 1:30. I was watching my story & kind of dozed off. The end music woke me up to turn it off then I never really got back to sleep completely. I tossed & turned for the longest then tried reading but that didn't put me to sleep. She woke up at 3:47 so she had a good nap.

     We went to check the mail. I let her walk most of the way. It started raining a few minutes after we got back. That's the first time it rained today. I forgot to check the rain gauge. It was just a short shower with a little thunder.

     While I was doing dishes, Carole Krebsbach called to say she wanted to bring over my Current catalog. They just got back from SD at 2 AM. She said they'd come over in a few minutes cause they were on their way out to eat. I'd planned on giving Ez. her bath when the dishes were done. But I waited since Carole said they'd be right over. I waited & waited & waited. I finally went ahead & got her bedtime snack but stayed downstairs til 8:00 then went ahead & put her to bed. I kept checking out the window to see if they were here. They finally came about 8:20—2 hours from when she called. I wanted to say something but I wimped out. She didn't say anything about why they were so late. I assume they went to eat first. So, Ez. missed her bath tonight. I don't know if I should give her one tomorrow night or not since she'll get one Sat. night. I sure wish I'd known it'd take so long for them to get here or I'd've gone ahead and done her bath. I just kept thinking they'd be here any minute.

     I tried to get some tape of Ez. playing ball but she stopped what she was doing when I got the camera set up. I'd bounce the ball to her, she'd just let it bump her & bounce back to me and she'd just laugh so much when it hit her. She's just so cute & fun sometimes & I think it's amazing that she's really mine. Especially when she still looks so much like Guy.

August 1992

"I want him back ASAP."

Tuesday, August 18, 1992

     I was so surprised when Guy called us again this aft. He said everything's kind of up in the air about when they'll get home. It could be the 31st, the 2nd, or the 8th. They're still making that other stop on the way home but couldn't tell me where or when except that it's in the states. He also mentioned the tropical storm headed for the Caribbean that might slow them down on the way back. I hope it doesn't. I want him back ASAP.

     I called Rosemary Snowden tonight to invite her over for lunch. She's coming Thu. I think Zack is 4 months old now. I hope it's not raining so Chief can stay outside. It didn't rain today. There was .7" in our rain gauge. Today's the first day in over a week that it hasn't rained at least part of the day. The patio was still wet when we got up.

     Oh, I heard Ez. around 7:30 but she wasn't fussing & the next thing I knew it was 8:23! I kept her up all morning & she still only slept 1½ hours. She kinda said mama tonight. I think I'm going to go ahead & put in her book that her first word was juice. I was going to when she first said it but before I got around to it I realized that she was calling lots of things juice. But now I think whatever she's calling juice, she is still saying the word. She said 'shoes' Sat. when  there was a commercial for shoes on TV.

August 1992