Nicknames and Lessons Learned

Well my pictures haven't made it up yet. They are on Digdug's camera so as soon as she e-mails them I will post them. So about Digdug....how did that nickname come about? When we met I couldn't remember her last name for the life of me. It's Dreager but I kept calling her Dugger. Dugger turned into Digdug one time and it stuck. So she will always be Digdug to me just like I will always be Sticky Buns to her lol. Sticky Buns because I knocked over a coffee on a desk and later when I sat on it my combats stuck to it. Bet you were all thinking it was something dirty :P. In the military everyone is on a last name basis, even more so at Basic I think. It's hard to switch over to using peoples first names. Even now that I'm back home they still call me Blanchette when I visit. I don't mind though, it's better than Big Red lol.

Those of you who know me well know that I believe everything happens for a reason and if something is meant to be it will be. I have been thinking about the reason I went to St.Jean for the last week or so and think I finally know the reasons. Going there taught me that I am a strong woman and I can fight for what I want and win. And I will keep on doing that. I also learned that I can be a mom and still have a good time. I love my girls so much and I missed them like crazy but I can still take care of them and love them and be myself. I'm a different person than I was even 6 months ago and that's ok, I'm happy with the me I am now. I know now that I was supposed to meet Digdug there. She is a friend that I am supposed to have in my life and I love her to bits. We have been through so much together: Platoon, RFT, PAT, and PAR. We have laughed together and shared a few tears and I thank god she is only two hours away. Funny thing is we lived together in Edmonton for a few years and never really knew each other but "The Mega" brought us together! I learned a lot of valuable lessons as well, time for the fun stuff:
1. Don't drink tequila at the mess, it's just asking for trouble :)
2. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer
3. Your bunk mates will make your bed upside down if given the opportunity but paybacks a bitch!
4. They will also turn your lockers around just to fuck with you but you love them anyway
5. Don't wear your heart on your sleeve all the time, it doesn't look good on combats
6. Whatever crisis your going through your friends will be there to pick up the pieces
7. The Warrant doesn't like doobie doobie doing in his halls but not as much as the Master Seaman hates laughing in ranks.....change parade anyone?
8. Keep your shit lockers closed and your arms straight.
9. While wearing your wet weather boots walk carefully on the ice
10. Beware the shack hack....it will make your life miserable
11. Everyone gets the same thing at the MIR....cough syrup and Ibuprofen
12. Everyone looks like a bag of smashed assholes the first time they try drill and it's funny as hell but see #7
13. If the PO knows your name it's probably not a good thing
14. Combats are not flattering but everyone looks fat in them so it's OK
15. PT sucks...unfit or otherwise
16. Issued swimsuits are hot if your 75 years old
17. Wear your red letter proudly
18. Wool socks are itchy and boot bands are annoying...now I know why there are so many cranky instructors
19. It's fun to be a trailer-PAT girl. AND FINALLY.......

20. "IF YOU HAVE TO ASK, THE ANSWER IS NO!"

"A guy in a cape? Where?"..... ROFL
Cheers,
~Jen~

Digdug

OK people...pictures will be up tomorrow!!! I can't wait till y'all see me in my uniform. Should be good for a laugh. I went back to St.Jean to visit this weekend and had a great time. I was so happy to see everyone again and it really cheered me up. Poor Digdug didn't have the best time, three stitches and a tetanus shot didn't make for a good weekend. Don't worry Hun, I'll come see you in Kingston soon. I'll bring you a Vanity Fair and some Campbell's Soup to cheer you up!!!! ROFL. For those of you that are wondering Digdug is my friend Rhonda from basic. How she got the nickname is for another post but I wouldn't have got through the last two months without her. She rocks!!!!!

All is well here in Ottawa. Going back to work today...Woohoo! I'm going to be working in the frame shop at Michael's. It will be good to be around all my friends again. I need people in my life that make me laugh right now and you guys all do that! I'm so blessed to have such great friends.

Well off to get Lex ready for school and get myself ready for work. I'm starting to feel normal again. THANK GOD.

Sending y'all love and laughter from Ottawa.
Cheers,
~Jen~
xoxoxox

There's No Place Like Home

So by now you all know that I'm home. Yep it sucks! I'm happy to be here with my girls but I am pissed that I had to come home. I wanted nothing more then to stay and train. After my car accident last year it took months to get back full use of my arm. I thought I was ready to go but I didn't realize how hard basic training would be on the body, both mentally and physically. I was tired and one wrong move and that was it. My neck was re-injured and I had lost feeling in my fingers again and I have limited range of motion. That combined with the fact that I struggled being away from the girls was enough to make me come home. When they are a little bigger I will try again. Maybe a year or so when they are both full time in school. It's going to take me at least that long to get back in shape but with a little physio and a lot of determination I will be ok.

The five weeks at the Mega weren't a total bust though. I had a good time and learned a lot about myself. I can carry a full ruck sack up 12 flights of stairs and still be alive at the end of it! Who knew? I learned I have a lot of fight in me and if I want something bad enough I can get it. And damn if I don't look hot in a uniform, lol ;) I also met some amazing people and made some great friends. People that will be there for the rest of my life I'm sure. I love you DigDug and I can't wait to visit!!!!

I have lots more stories to tell but I will leave you with my favorite quote from the 5 weeks:

"There will be no doobie doobie doing in my hallway! March smart people!!"

and of course as soon as the Warrant was out of ear shot we all started to "doobie doobie doo". Funny but maybe you had to be there, lol.

Stay tuned for photos and some great stories.
I missed you all.
~Jen~
xoxoxoxo