Nine Inches of Rain!

Is that carpet padding you ask? Yep! It is now dry but it was soaked!





Last week a big storm hit the east coast and dumped nine inches of rain in Annapolis. While Jeff and I were in Atlanta the storm blew leaves in the stairwell outside the door to the basement that leads into Tim's room. That means the drain was clogged and the water flooded into Tim's room. So much for straightening and making it all nice and neat! We discovered the carpet was WET! By Saturday am we were shopping for a dehumidifier along with all the other Annapolis basement owners. Like the local paper said everyone knows someone who had water in their basement! All the furniture has been moved and we've pulled up the carpet to dry out the padding. Dehumidifiers are WONDERFUL! Next job? Find a carpet layer to reinstall the carpet! It could be worse.

Call Me Crazy!

Call me crazy but for some reason blogging seems to bring some comfort right now. I was going to straighten the basement and Tim's room but just had to take the pictures first. I keep getting a lump in my throat every time I think about him in Florida! I'm controlling myself and not calling! Or Texting! For four years we didn't talk during the week usually but I knew Tim was in town. I'm finally having to adjust like all the other out of state parents did during plebe year. Of course, during Tim's plebe year, I adjusted to being across country from my other kids and the grand babies! And, I did adjust to Mike living across country when he was in the army. So it will just take some adjusting! I'll get there! In the meantime, I may blog for comfort. Hey! It's better than eating! So here's a view of what's left of Tim in the basement.


Here's where Tim set up his desk for the summer with his computer and stereo. All that's left are remnants of midshipmen shoulder boards and pins,etc. The desk chair we bought him at the beginning of his Youngster year (sophomore) when he was quite grumpy about being at USNA! He could NOT fit that in his Camry!


His bed the way he left it on Tuesday am...you can't see it but that is an old cabbage patch pillow case! I guess I need to buy new pillow cases! It will be a long time before I take down what was his bulletin board the plebes painted for him during firstie year.


The tacks left in the wall where he had his pictures of family above his now empty dresser...


Empty shelves...what's left are things he wants to keep and couldn't fit in his car...or just junk I'll throw away!


Here's the couch as he left it...comfy pillows and warm blanket to snuggle with while watching TV....yes, the basement gets cold with our great heat pump!Empty IBC Root Beer bottles!


I'll straighten soon....sigh....

Update

Sorry I don't have pictures...wish I did! I guess I could take a picture of Tim's empty room! I know Grandma and Grandpa check the blogs so this is for you! Tim made it safe and sound to Pensacola on Wednesday. He had driven to Charlotte, NC on Tuesday which is halfway point between Fla and Md. My brother, Marc and his wife Michele, live there and graciously opened their home to Tim and a couple of buddies. Thanks, Marc!!! Michele was traveling. Jeff and I flew to Atlanta Tuesday evening. By Wednesday night we were anxious to hear and Tim was sweet to call. He had gotten on the road Wed. am by 7:30 and made it after nine hours (I think!). Lots of storms were raging all through the area (and moved up to MD...Jeff and I came home to stormy weather Thursday night) so he drove through rain. Sounds like Pensacola area was paradise when he got there. Some buddies have rented a beautiful huge home so Tim is staying with them till he moves into his apartment. We got a text yesterday that he checked into the base yesterday but that's all we know for now...stay tuned! Oh, and good news! Jeff and I volunteered to give up our seats yesterday since our flight was over-booked. We didn't care if we got back later! As a result, we received EACH two free round trip tickets to use with-in the next year. After the plane had loaded they had some "no shows" and we got to fly on our plane after all, PLUS, keep the free tickets!!! Air Tran flies to Pensacola!!!

Tim is on his way!!!

Tim left at 9:20 this morning for Pensacola, Fla. You'll see below the progression from all his shoes lined up waiting to be loaded into his car to driving away. Jeff and I helped him pack the car last night. Most of his worldly possessions are in his Camry with a few things left to be shipped later. You gotta love a Camry! It's loaded! Before 7 am this morning he was on his way to Fort Meade to check out according to his orders. Then back home for a last breakfast. I baked cookies for the road, too! He loaded his bike on the back and we said good bye! Tim is excited and anxious to go. We are happy for him and look forward to what's ahead! To ease the pain of our now empty nest Jeff and I are flying to Atlanta this afternoon! Jeff has meetings and I'm going with him. It will be a good distraction! When Mike left for the army we jumped in the car to see the first Pirates of the Caribbean! Flying to Atlanta seems appropriate. We both agree that this is easier than Mike leaving for the army and leaving Tim on I-day. Those were hard days! Now we know Tim is headed to a "known" thing and has lots of friends to join!

Sailing with Tim

On Saturday Tim took Jeff and Jan sailing! He has been a sailing instructor all summer at the academy while waiting to go to Pensacola. We have wanted to sail since we arrived four years ago but never thought it would happen. Tim had not felt like he could take us out but after a whole summer of sailing he is now a "master instructor"...even has a certificate to prove it! Our wish came true:) It was a perfect day with good weather and not too many boats on the Severn River. Tim was a great instructor...charming and fun, too! It was our last hurrah on the yard! Thanks, Tim!

Ensign Timothy Carlton Steiner!

It was a cloudy day for graduation but we loved it! No baking like we had done the last few days. After a very stormy night with rain, thunder, and lightning the morning cleared for a stadium graduation. Here are some photos from after the ceremony when Jeff and I pinned his new Ensign Shoulder Boards on and gave him his new cover. A plebe in his company from Oregon gave Tim his first salute which was very special. Lots of hugs and more pictures before we headed home to our party. More on that later.

Having a Ball!

After a hot wonderful time watching the Blue Angels with all our family today we went to the Graduation Ball. It was Great Grandma Steiner's birthday so we celebrated in style! Almost everyone got out on the dance floor! These are the pictures that Jill took which gives you a good view of the event. We are so honored that Jeff's folks, his sister, Lisa and her husband Allan and daughter, Liesl along with my brother, Marc and his wife Michele came to share this special time. I'll have to wait for Jeff's photos to show more of everyone but for now, here is a sneak peak. Enjoy!