Hi frm Bama...My son is @ GreatLakes Naval Base

Hey Illinois! Just wanted to send yall a big HEY from Bama. My son just got to Great Lakes Navy Base for BootCamp. So....how's the weather? This Moma is sure missing her son. Anybody close by see a shiverring redheaded(LOl what's left after the initial haircut) marching around holler out to him his moma loves and misses him but is Proud of him. Have a GREAT & blessed week! - hugs - dea

Hi Dea ... well, we could have WORSE weather seeing that it IS January in Chicago, but its pretty gloomy and drab (without the sun). Hopefully you packed some warm socks and a toasty blanket for your son! How long will he be here? Hopefully he'll get a chance to see some of Chicago ... its a great town. Take care ... hope you don't miss him too much!! Karyn

Hey Karyn, Navy sent all his ~civie~clothes back to me in a box. They've taken over his clothing - I'm sure they have him in warm clothing from what I've been hearing. I just miss him so doggone bad! He will be in Great Lakes 9 week for bootcamp then another 7 months for ~A~School. I sure hope he can visit Chicago and I hope I can when I come up for graduation on 3-9-06. Thanks for the reply! Too late on the not missing him too much! - hugs - dea

Well, let me know when you're headed this way, I'll send you my # and if you've got time maybe we can meet up! I'm sure he'll get a chance to see the city ... it will be nicer as it gets a little warmer (can't promise ya that for March though)! Take care ... he'll be fine Karyn

Karyn! Hey that would be cool to meet some wls sisters/brothers while I'm there - will keep in contact. He will probably do much better with the separation than mom- I'm sure he's loving it. Just one step closer to his goals. - hugs - dea

YOu know when i got the "box" of my sons clothes I sat there cried and smelled them.. his scent was all over them.. What career field is he going to be doing? Maybe we can give our sons each others names they have something in common already moms who were fat LOL also my parents lived in Anniston AL for years so there's another.. LOL Debby

Hey Mrs Sparky! Yep that box of clothes kinda reeked! I kept looking for him somewhere mixed up the socks, shoes, jeans, undies, etc - he wasn't there so I'm trusting the Navy to take good care of him now. He is going into Hull Tech - advanced something or the other His A school will be in Great Lakes for approx 7 months after basic. That would be cool for our sons to get to know each other. Sending you and your parents hugs from down south in Bama! - hugs & prayers - dea

My husband is stationed at Great Lakes, and we live about 20 minutes away. It's cool here, but as far as Chicago winters go it's mild. I can answer questions you have about the base. Once he's out of boot camp A school will be much easier. That's when he gets a lot more freedom. Feel free to email me. I have my surgery Friday, but until then I'm available. Amy

Amy! Congrats on your surgery this Friday - you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Glad to hear as far as Chicago Winters go its mild Looking forward to him being in ~A~ School - I hear they get to communicate on a more normal/routine basis. Would love to keep in contact - maybe we can scheudule a meeting of wls'ers when I'm there in March - sounds like fun to me - hugs & prayers - dea

Hi there my son is at Great Lakes also he went in the monday before christmas YEAH !!! All I can tell you is be prepared for the homesick letters from him they are gut wrenching but they do get better... when you get the info with his address one thing he can use would be phone cards and stamps an address book with as many of his friends and families address/phone numbers as you can get.. Dont expect phone calls for sometime my son finally got to call me on Jan. 9th and I missed his call because I was on a plane coming home from Reno. I was heart sick over that.. Most of the stuff they do is indoors due to the climate in the region.. My son graduates 2/10 I can't wait to see him.. Good luck mom.. From Another proud mom Debby