198th

We've narrowed down B.'s placement to be part of the 198th Infantry Battalion - and either A, D or E units.  All this via whittling down via the website and knowing the official start date.  They just finished week 1 and depending on which unit, they have done a lot - including the gas chamber, confidence challenge and other things.  The E unit has virtually no pictures - which sucks - 'cuz if that's the unit he's in, there's no info on their activities.  But it's only the first week - so there's still plenty of time.  He won't graduate for another 12 so I can't imagine what else they'll be doing.  The first week looked amazing.

The pics are what I expected - even the guys throwing up after the gas chamber didn't phase me.  Nor the pics of teary-eyed young men being screamed at by a drill sergeant.  It helps to at least have a glimpse of what his days are like and is also a good reminder that he is incredibly busy.  The Facebook pages have posts from other families that are in the same time frame - seeking info - or some from those who've been there before.  That also helps - reminders that they are incredibly tired and busy and the one hour a day they get to themselves, they are usually just too worn out.  

We also saw copies of the letters that were mailed so I sure hope ours arrives this week.  We know the  family day and graduation days and once we have all of it in writing, we will make reservations.  They caution you about reserving too far in advance - soldiers do fail to graduate at times.  But we aren't too worried about that and the unrestricted, totally refundable airfare is $2K each which is ridiculous.  I'd rather pay $450 each and risk that we'll have a credit to use on a different trip after paying a fee to change.  

The three day weekend passed quickly.  Both J. and I did WinCo stock up shops using $10 off coupons that we got in the mail!  We are well stocked for a month or so.  We didn't need a Costco trip since Son #1 isn't here.  The 2 dozen eggs we have are lasting incredibly long - going on two weeks, I think vs. the one week they usually lasted.  J. bought just one gallon of milk - even with H. here, we aren't going through it nearly as fast.  

We have a wild idea - well, I had the wild idea and when I shared it with my husband, he actually thought it was worth considering...so next weekend, we are heading north to start looking for a 2nd house...a home we think we could be happy living in once I also retire.  It makes sense to buy a new house now on a 'down' of the market and then eventually sell this house when we have more equity.  Our ability to consider doing that is surely a blessing - and it's exciting to think of having a weekend home to enjoy as well as this house.  We'll see.  It can't hurt to look and it will give us an excuse to spend a day a weekend a couple times a month exploring the foothills and places north.  If we wait until this house is worth selling, we will be paying $100's of thousands more for our retirement home, which doesn't make sense.

Tomorrow is a board meeting day - hard after a three day weekend to also add a late evening to the mix.  Thankfully, it's only 4 days until the next weekend!  And February is fast approaching and it has two three day weekends to look forward to!

Hard (very) not to hear from B. again this weekend - but it's OK.  Hoping for the first letter and I already have one ready to mail right back to him.  

I tried to change the channel to 60 Minutes at 6PM thinking it was Sunday!  I'll be off by a day all week, probably.  

The inauguration was great to see and I can't wait to see what the next four years brings!