Rocking the Inspection!

My Baby Girl rocked on her NJROTC A.M.I. (Area Military Inspection) today!!

I really didn't realize what a big deal this inspection was to be. Apparently, all the big dogs active duty and retired come to see what NJROTC has learned since they began the school year the previous August. We did cooperate and take her uniform to the cleaners last week so they could put some good military creases in. She shined her shoes for 3 hours last night. I am not kidding. This morning found her anxiety level so high, I was right tempted to pinch her head off clean at the shoulders. She missed the bus as she and I were frantically trying to corral all the stray hairs sticking out of her bun. The Man carted her to school to start an entire day full of NJROTC.

We arrived at the football stadium around 10 a.m. to see what it was all about. Wow. These kids were serious. The wind was blowing and it was FREEZING. The cadets as a whole voted NOT to wear their jackets. I just knew those babies were freezing out there on the field. We were serenaded by the school choir singing our National Anthem. The drummers from the school band helped to keep time with the marching beat during pass and review.

The shining moment? I did not know that there was an award/medal at stake! The area Commander did his own personal inspection of the cadets this morning before the big show. During the ..what do I call it?...A.M.I., 15 students were called forward to receive this medal for having an Outstanding Personal Inspection. I guess they had to have it going on from head to toe. My girl's name was called! Of course I did the Hope/Mama thing and said (uh...loudly) "That's MY Baby!!" I think I might have burst something I was so proud. I knew how hard she had worked for this and this moment was the icing on top of a good day.

We were able to see her a few minutes afterwards for hugs, kisses, and pictures. Off she went to a staff meeting (?!?!) as the NJROTC was excused from regular classes in order to devote the entire day to the festivities.

When she got home, I asked if she would have to wear her uniform tomorrow (as Thursdays are their normal uniform day). She replied that, no, she didn't have to. I believe she said something to the effect..."I'm totally dressing cute tomorrow since I looked a hot mess today!" Yeah, okay. A mess that won a medal!

If you look at the flags, go back to the group standing behind. Paige is the person saluting and she is the CO of Alpha Company 5 !!

This would be Paige receiving her medal. Or shaking the hand of one of the bigwigs after receiving it.

Pass and review here. It took all I had not to wave like a lunatic. She had to focus on keeping her platoon straight and I had to respect that. I'll just have to give her a hard time in the parades!

The Chief and Paige. Two peas in a pod. More than they realize! (Trust me, I live with them!)
Of course I had to get one with her holding her hard earned medal.

I am that person. That incredibly proud Mama who wants to wear a t-shirt that says, "That's MY Baby!!" (but her kid won't let her)

Winter Ball 2008

You guys are scoring bigtime. This will be the third picture post in a row! What can I say? Too much going on and not enough time to really get it all done.

I have to give a HUGE shout out to Melinda, Emily, and Carla. Without these three, I don't think the whole outfit ensemble would have been pulled together. Melinda is a fellow Navy Sub Wife waayyy over on the West Coast who was so kind and gracious to send Paige a formal gown back at the end of the school year when she thought she was going to the 8th grade dance. When she decided not to go, Melinda told her to keep the dress for when she would need it. NJROTC Winter Ball 2008 turned out to be the time. After searching for cute shoes last week, we came up empty handed. Emily, yet another fellow Navy Sub Wife, went in her closet and brought the perfect pair that finished off the whole look. Add in Carla who did a few alterations on the dress (with Melinda's permission) to make it just perfect and my baby was ready for action.

I scored big brownie points by getting Paige out of school early Friday in order to decorate the ball room they used on base. It took up the whole afternoon and we were tired when it was done! It really looked great and I'm so proud of Paige and Neighbor Brittani (head of ball committee) for all their hard work. Even if the butthead retired Master Chief in charge of NJROTC took full credit for it. My Internets will know who did all the work and that he showed up around 2:30 p.m. with his entourage, stayed all of 15 minutes and left. This is the same guy who made the kids stand outside in the pouring rain in formation with the winds blowing (we were under a tornado watch at that time) for their inspections Thursday morning. The kids were chattering and turning blue because the weather dropped about 15 degrees in less than an hour with the storm moving in. The winds were so strong some smaller kids were falling. Most were locking knees to stand upright and if you've ever stood with knees locked? You know you'll fall down.

Did I just go off on a tangent? Well, just pardon me. I have a few issues with this man and am biding my time and waiting for the chance to confront him about it.

Let's take it down a notch with some really nice pictures, shall we?

I did her hair and makeup. Why? Because I love doing that stuff and why pay someone else to do it when I'm perfectly capable (if only in my own mind)? Look at all those curls!

I like the tree in the background with it being Winter Ball and all, you know. I had some eyeshadow that matched the dress. Not a color you'd wear everyday since it's all shimmery and such, but perfect for a formal occasion!
Is this not a gorgeous color? I love the modest cut of the dress and how it falls just right.
I really didn't ask Christian if I could put his picture on my blog. The boy will come to the realization soon enough that if he going to be a regular around The Edge...he'll be on the blog. He was right handsome in his uniform and was thinking my girl was looking good. Yeah, we're keeping an eye on him.
Both the kids were good sports because standing next to me was Christian's Mom. She was snapping pictures just as quick as I was. She was the limo driver to the ball and The Man did duty driver responsibilities at the end of the night.

Cinderella had a great time at her first formal dance. It wasn't as hard letting her go as I thought. I think that's because her boyfriend can't drive yet. When she gets to that point? I'm going to seriously need nerve pills.

Feel free to tell my baby girl how pretty she was. I know I did at least a few dozen times!

She believes us to be crazy

Paige has a formal Winter Ball coming up with her R.O.T.C. in December. She's right excited about it as she has a formal gown (Thank you, Melinda!) to wear that is just beautiful. I'm excited about fixing her hair and making sure her accessories are perfect for the evening.

The other night The Man, Paige, and I were in the kitchen chatting. We normally do this while supper is cooking. That's our perfect time to catch up and just talk about our day as the food cooks. Paige was talking about the ball and who she might invite as her date and whatnot. I told her that The Man and I would be more than happy to chaperone if need be. "NO," she exclaimed. She was right adamant about it, too. I told her my parents had chaperoned a thing or two and so had The Man's when he was growing up. No way, no how did that sister want us up at her ball. She went on to accuse us of watching her every move, eyeing her date, and all around embarrassing her.

We kept assuring her that we would act appropriately and not infringe on her space and ability to be all ninja and cool.

Still, she insisted that that last thing she wanted was for us to be there all up in her business.

When I kept trying to argue our side, she cried in exasperation, "Why would you want to be there??????"

I looked at her and in the same tone of voice replied, "So I can blog about it, of course!"

Well, that sealed it right then and there. The Man and I won't be chaperoning her Winter Ball this year.

Catching up...

Things around The Edge have been moving at a pretty fast rate. That doesn't help when there are things I NEED to put down here so all the nosy people can see what's going on.

Mama is home. Apparently, she's rocking the use of the walker and didn't require the stay in a re-hab facility for intense physical therapy. She'll have someone coming in to her home to do the therapy instead. She sounds great. What a relief that is. Every time I talk to her, she insists she's fine. She's moving slow to answer the phone, but she's managed to get to her computer so she can check her email and play a game or two. That'll heal her up quick.

I have a few things to write about, but chose one for this post (besides Mama). My girl, Paige, is just rocking the ROTC world. I can't get over how much she loves it and is just thriving in the environment that is military related. Which blows my mind, because she and I are so much alike and I ain't about authority. What.So.Ever. You try to tell me what to do and we're all gonna have us a big ol' laugh cuz it won't happen. Sorry, that's just my personality and how I roll.

She brought home a permission slip for us to sign for her to go for the weekend to Charleston with the ROTC. Girlfriend handed that paper to us and expected us to just sign it with no questions. You'd think she'd know better by now. I wanted to know who was going, how many chaperones, where would she be sleeping, where would boys be sleeping, etc etc. It was time for the eye roll then. The Man had business related stuff at the high school and he dropped in to visit the ROTC building and talk to the Commander about the field trip. He was reassured that there were chaperones and that it was a wonderful experience. Out of about 100 or so kids, 30 were chosen to be invited. Paige was one of them. After getting the facts, The Man decided that this was a good trip and it was okay that she go. Bad thing about his visit? The Commander and Master Chief invited him back to inspect "the troops" one Thursday. I flat out told him he could NOT do that to her. That was just wrong. Every time he thinks about maybe showing up to do an inspection? He gets all tickled and just laughs and laughs. Paige came home today and said she was glad that weekend trip was during Khaki Ball and our anniversary. They were wanting to invite The Man to go with them and Paige was like OH HECK NO. Can't say I blame her. She's not even open to a bonding experience with Dad.

I'm so proud of that girl of mine. She's so flippin' tired of me taking pictures every time she's in uniform, but I can't help it! My child...the one who is a fashion bug...and accessorizes like no one's business.....wearing a uniform. That's not even fashionable. Wow.

She's in this picture, but I'm not allowed to point her out. That girl was doing some serious marching!

Look at girlfriend looking all tough in her khakis. Dad gets to wear his ribbons with his khakis. There are two different types of khakis, you know. Whatever. I was just tickled to see the two of them in a similar uniform.

Got a few things about The Boy (who had his first therapist visit today) and Makenna (who had a great night last night!) I'm going to share with you very soon.

Aye, That's my Girl

My girl is loving her some ROTC-Navy Style. I would have never thought she would have to be honest. She has thrown herself into it with all her might and her perfectionist self is doing whatever it takes.

She brought home her new uniforms that she will be wearing on Thursdays. Being the stubborn person I am, I told her she is on her own getting them straight and whatnot. Does that stop her? Not hardly. Now, don't get all riled up. I am not capable of hemming pants nor do I know what to tell her to get it all straight.

She had The Man take her to W-mart to get the stuff you can use and iron with to make your hem(Stitch Witchery?). She had The Man put them at the right length and she hemmed them herself. We didn't have a ruler to help her measure, but we had a tape measure.

Midnight still saw her getting that uniform ready for school today. I went to bed and left her and The Man to it.

Here I stood firm that I wasn't going to support her in this endeavor. I can't say that I do now in the way that she needs me to. But, I support her perseverance and determination to do a good job. How can I argue with that? I can't.

I can't say I'm all about tucking in the shirt that tight. I tried to talk Paige into blousing out the shirt a little bit this morning and Britt (who is Deb's daughter, extra kid of mine on occasion, pal of Paige's, fellow ROTC companion, and the one I keep grits for in my pantry) informed me quickly that she cannot "blouse" (and said with disdain also) as the line has to be straight. I shrugged and said that was shame because not all people were meant to tuck clothes in that tight. Know what I mean? Paige informed me I was being mean because I was smiling the whole time I was taking pictures. I wasn't being mean. I'm just so proud of her for standing up for what she wants to do, no matter what the obstacle is. Right now the obstacle is me.

It was a pure joy to watch The Man work with her last night. He helped her prepare her uniform and I get to sit back at the table while they talk "shop" during supper. This might be the thing that bonds them good. This program that I don't want her to do might be the one thing to cement their relationship as father and daughter.

I am through arguing. If she keeps her grades up, she can march all she wants. She can do a thousand push-ups and I won't blink an eye. I will listen to her excited stories about something new she's learned about the Navy.

Sail on, Baby Girl.

The Chief is a tailor in his spare time.

I never knew there were so many rules on how to wear a belt. This is "How to Wear a Military Belt 101".

The Chief irons clothes like nobody's business. Is it just me or does it look like he got suckered into doing the job and she's not paying that much attention?

Don't forget to shine those shoes! Chief let her use his handy dandy electric shoe shining thingy. Note he is keeping a close on her so she doesn't break his toy!

Ready for inspection and pissed at Mama for making her stop to take a picture. That's my girl and I am so very proud of her.