Crafty Days & Crafty Nights: Mosaic Mermaids

Starry Nights

One of the groups that I was involved with is the Tidewater Officers’ Spouses’ Association (TOSA). TOSA has two charity boutiques in the Hampton Roads area: The Tidewater Collection on Naval Station Norfolk, and the newly opened Tidewater Collection Too at Naval Hospital Portsmouth. Once on base, anyone can shop at the boutiques where the unique line of handmade mosaic mermaids are sold. 

Nearly Finished

The mermaids come in several different sizes with each one is hand-crafted and donated to the boutiques by members of TOSA’s Mosaic Mermaid Club. The boutiques are run by TOSA volunteers, and all profits generated from the boutiques’ sales are donated to charities that support military families. Because the volunteers donate their time and materials are donated and purchased through a generous donation from USAA, TOSA is able to donate 100% of the proceeds from the mosaic mermaids to military charities. 

Needed Materials

I'm sure you're thinking to yourself how is this relevant to the blog title.  Read on!

Design In Progress

Each month, Mosaic Mermaid Club members meet at the Armed Services YMCA on Independence Blvd., and spend four hours creating mermaids to donate to the Tidewater Collection charity boutiques. Armed with brown-bag lunches and creative ideas, the volunteers select a wooden mermaid form (a licensed replica of the Norfolk mermaid) and begin picking out the glass they will use. There is a table full of tools to score, cut, break, and shape the glass into the perfect pieces. Some mermaids have incredibly intricate designs, reminiscent of the painting technique, pointillism. Others are more like a watercolor, awash with brightly colored glass in a fluid design. The group has just started making multimedia small ornament-size mermaids to complement the growing collection of 15- and 24-inch wooden mermaids. Once the mermaids are complete, they are displayed for sale in the boutiques, and all the proceeds benefit military families.

Ready For Grout

Once the tiles have set, the mermaids are grouted (my least favorite part) and taken to the boutique for sales.

So this is one of my favorite crafts.  It involves being 'artistic', socializing and just being out and about.  

What's not to love?

I really miss this group of creative and wonderful ladies!

Empty House

So the movers have come and taken just about all of our belongings away.  Which has thrown the animals for a complete loop.  There's no couch to lounge on.  There's no bed to sleep on.  Where did all their things go?

Fortunately, I have an awesome neighbor who's lent me a twin size mattress, table, chair, and a lamp. That's all you need right?

Apparently not in my dog's eyes.

Since the hubby is swinging by for a bit we did get a queen size air mattress, which is wonderful!

And So It Begins

The bird couldn't care less.

As it goes with any navy family, we're prepping for our move.  This is how navy life is.  You move frequently.  In our twenty-three years of marriage we've moved about ten times and we're coming up on move number eleven.

We've been here for about eight years, so it's like it's new again for me.  Been a while since I've planned a pack out or move.  And this time my sweet husband will not be around to help.  Believe me I'm a list maker at heart.  But I still stress out.

Kyla is NOT amused.

This can lead to so many questions from friends and family.  So let me answer the questions I get for you!  Because I just *know* you're dying to know these answers.

My Life Lately

Side by side color comparison

Has been filled with painting.

Painting walls of all nine rooms of the house.  Caulking trim in all but a few of the rooms (Yes, I know that isn't painting).  Painting trim in all those rooms.  And in some rooms I've painted the ceilings to brighten them up.

Oh and did I mention that I had to paint wainscoting as well?

Yeah, I have been busy since just before Memorial Day weekend.  And I'm feeling it.

Coming To Terms

We all know that death is inevitable, but that doesn't make it any easier.  We know it's going to happen, but it's always in the distant future and not something that we are going to think of right now.

No one wants to think about the unpleasantness of that.  The thought of losing a spouse, a sibling, a parent, a friend, or even an acquaintance is just too much.  So why waste the time and energy on it?

I've been to three funerals, of people not related to me, in my adult life and it sucked.  Tomorrow, I'm going to my first military spouse funeral.  Something I honestly had never thought about.  Never expected to do.  And never wanted to do.

I know I could 'justify' not going by stating we weren't close, but I won't.  I mean, who wants to go to something like that?  It's, if I'm to be brutally honest, depressing.  But that is not going to stop me.  I'm going to honor this person and let her family know that someone cares that she's gone besides them.  Even if I haven't seen her or spoken to her in years.  That's not the point.

Funerals aren't for the dead.  They are for the living.

So today, please take a moment to cherish the people in your lives.

Orders

The thing that hovers in every military spouses mind is when do we get our next set of orders.  Will we be staying or are we going to move in a month or so?  Can I even go with him?  Some orders do not include dependents.

Of course, your military friends will inevitably ask in one conversation or another if you're leaving and when will you be going.

I've been in the Norfolk area for eight consecutive years now.  You read that right!  Eight years.  I love this area and have been very fortunate to live here this long.  We even bought our first home here.  As a side note, we've been here off and on since 1993. 

You're getting my gist now, right?  The picture clued you in right?  

Change of Command

On June 24th I attended the Change of Command ceremony on the USS Wisconsin. 

You may be asking yourself, what is a change of command.  I'm so glad you asked!  

A change of command is a military tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit from one commanding or flag officer to another.

This change of command was for SURFLANT.  I can already hear your question.  What's SURFLANT?

Aren't you all on your toes today.

SURFLANT is an acronym for Surface Forces Atlantic.  It is a post within the United States Fleet Forces Command.  As Naval Surface Forces, Atlantic, it is a military formation, but the organization is often known as COMNAVSURFLANT. Its headquarters are at the Naval Station Norfolk.  

The commander supervises all surface ships based on the the Eastern United States and Gulf Coast of the United States.

Rear Admiral Peter A. Gumataotao was the out going commander and Rear Admiral Christopher W. Grady is the incoming commander.

Now don't you feel educated?

It was a lovely day for the ceremony.  The Gumataotao family will be missed and we look forward to getting to know the Grady family.

I included photos that someone from the Hampton Roads Naval Museum (where I volunteer) took.  As well as a couple of pictures of us.  Thank goodness for cell phone cameras!

Anchor Scholarship Award Ceremony

So on the 12th of June I was able to attend the Anchor Scholarship Awards Ceremony.  I was there in the capacity of 'photographer'.  I volunteer for this a lot, because I LOVE taking pictures!  Getting my picture taken?  Not so much!  If you read about the Anchor 5K, then you'll know what this is about. Sort of.

I was very glad to be included in this event.  It was great to actually meet some of the fantastic kids that received this scholarship in person.  Their accomplishments are AMAZING.  I wish I had been that focused when I was in high school.  If I'd had half their ambition and drive I'd probably rule the world by now.  Just kidding.  (maybe)


So this blog won't have tons of pictures, because I'm not posting the  pictures of the scholarship winners and their families here.  Because I didn't ask for their permission.  I did manage to get a shot of the board, so I thought I would include that.  What an awesome bunch of people!

I actually knew 2 of the recipients!  Sadly they were not able to attend the awards ceremony since they now live out of state.  Their father served with my hubby many years ago.  I remembered them as small boys and now they are fine young men.  Wow does time fly!

Again if you have no idea what the Anchor Scholarship Foundation is, please go to the link.

I'm so glad that I got involved and will promote it in any way I can!

Lastly I added a photo of Admiral Thomas and his lovely wife Kim. I know Kim through my SOS group.  They are leaving the Navy and I wanted to get one final snapshot of the two of them together.  They are quite used to me with camera in hand since I'm the group historian.  (Read that as the obnoxious gal with the camera trying to get photos of you while you're eating or drinking.)

Anchor Run 5K

Registration

On May 19th I was fortunate enough to be the photographer for the first Anchor Scholarship 5K.  If you don't know anything about the Anchor Scholarship, I highly recommend that you visit their website.

And yes, if you click on the 2013 Anchor Run 5k all the pictures in the presentation are mine!  Hooray me!

A family that runs together...  Is crazy!

This is a fantastic foundation that awards scholarships to dependents of the Surface Navy.  Dependent means children and spouse, in case you didn't know.  If you fit in that category or think you might, just read up their rules.  It is open to enlisted and officers.  There's no favoritism here!

And I know some of the cutest families!  I knew a number of people in the race so I was sure to get their pictures so that they might preserve the insanity (cough, cough) I mean bonding experience.

Prepare to be trampled.

I'm sorry but this shot of the guy laying there to get the shot is just hilarious and awesome.  Sadly he had to get up for we feared that he would be trampled.

The Winner

Still an awesome idea though!  I always love to see the other angles people will try to get a shot.  Who knows?  I might use it some day.  However, in this instance I think I will pass.  I have an aversion to being trampled.

I finished taking photos of all the racers and then walked a block or two up the road to get shots of people running for the finish.  I was there maybe 5 minutes or so when this guy ran past.  Of course he was the over all winner.  He did the 5k in something like 18 minutes.  Wow!

He's going the distance!

I cheered as much as possible and got a number of people to smile.  It was a lot of fun.  Well especially for me because I didn't run.  LOL

Listening to his tunes

I cheered for my friends and their kids and spouses.  We had a really good turn out.  Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support Anchor Scholarship.  I hope we see you all and many more next year.

Father & daughter run together

Mother & daughter clowning around

No pictures please!

What do you want from me?

Adorable couple

Change Of Command

USS Vella Gulf

On August 29th I went to the Change of Command of a friend of mine.  It seemed only fitting since I was at the last Change of Command when he took command of the ship.

It really doesn't seem that long ago.  Where does the time go?

Chaplain & incoming CO

And wasn't it just a week or so ago when we were welcoming the ship home?  Wow!

I was running a bit behind that day, but luckily made it just before the ceremony started.  What is it with me and running behind lately?

As most of my friends know, I'm a bit of a shutterbug (okay maybe more than a bit) and will be more than happy to take photos for them.  In fact, I think it's kind of expected now.  You see me, you see me with camera.

So, of course, there I was with camera in hand trying to catch a few memories for them.

Rear Admiral Dave Thomas

Rear Admiral Thomas had some very nice things to say about the outgoing CO and the ship.

Remarks!

The ceremony went on without a hitch.  Even when my friend's hubby got a bit emotional when he gave his speech.  But then who wouldn't.  I think everyone in the audience got a bit teary eyed.

We ate and drank a little at the reception.  Water for me!  And I swear I was good about the food.

Relieved of command

And afterwards I took family photos.  The running joke is for every 1 photo that my friend's father-in-law takes I take 3.  He's getting better though.  So the joke is when we line them up I count.  Hopefully by the time I say three he's ready to take that photo, since I've already taken my 3.  I call him 'Quickdraw'.  He always chuckles when I do that.

The cutest couple!

 Luckily the family likes me.  Or at least it looks that way.  My sense of humor can be a bit odd at times.  So at least I didn't offend anyone.  I did get tons of pictures, but only picked a few to share.  I didn't think anyone would want to see the over 100 photos I snapped that day.

Family photo sans one

As always I had to get a picture of the adorable couple.  They're just SO cute together.  And of course a family shot.  The oldest daughter wasn't able to be there, since she'd just gone back to college.

Tradition!

So the dad grabbed a fern as a stand in.  Too funny!  And as is tradition there is always one photo where it looks like they're pushing the oldest daughter out of the photo.  Love this family!!

A view

Fear not, for this isn't his last duty station.  Just his last command at sea.  He's on to shore duty now and hopefully a lot of family down time.

As I was leaving I had to get one last parting shot of the ship.  If you look closely you can see the port hole, that was the captain's quarters.

Thanks Captain for letting me join you on this day!

CPO Heritage - Day 2

 So Tuesday was the final CPO Heritage Day at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum.

This time we were lucky enough to have much better weather and they were able to PT outside.
 Also joining us today was Combat Camera.  Think military photographers.  Which was really cool! In fact one of the gentlemen from Combat Camera actually did a story on the event that appeared in Flagship.  I only wished that he'd mentioned the museum.  *sigh*

I suffered from major camera envy that day!

So we set up the raffle table in the chief cutlass history area.  We were lucky enough to have Vanguard donate a Chief's Cutlass to us and we were raffling it off for $5 a ticket.

Quite the deal when you consider that the cutlass normally goes for about $500 and that doesn't include the accoutrement that you need to be able to wear it while in uniform.  After adding those in it costs over $600.  Yikes!

 They were even good enough to show you how it should be worn.

Of course I HAD to give the guy grief about practically stripping in front of me.  But believe me, he gave as good as he got.  So this was not a boring station to be at.  I laughed a LOT!  We were joking around most of the morning.

At the end of the day everyone gathered in the theater.  There they announced the winners of the chief's mess.  This was decided by the people who worked for the past two days.  Observations and impressions that the selectees had made.  The winners were from the USS Kearsarge!  Not the guys from the Truman like I was pulling for, but way to go guys and gals!

FORCM Jeffrey Covington

So now they have a trophy (also from Vanguard) and bragging rights.

The speaker, FORCM Jeffrey Covington loved involving the selectees in his talk.  Randomly picking people, much to many of the selectees amusement/fear.  Depending on where you were sitting.

 He even called out an old friend to chat with him, one of the chiefs who helps with this event.  So no one is really spared from the glare of the spotlight.
 I, of course, got some shots of the group in the auditorium.  But I didn't want to bore everyone with the see of yellow and blue.

Plus I didn't want to inundate this blog with photos as well.

In fact, on this day my camera actually died.  I'd used it so much that the little batteries just gave up.  Luckily it was at the end of the day or I would have been really peeved.

Announcing the winner of the drawing!  The lady who announced the winner was so mad (she'd entered the drawing with the hopes of getting it for her hubby as a welcome home gift) she tore the ticket in two.

Mature.  I can understand the frustration on her part, but I'm the one who had to do the count and reorganize those numbered tickets in the end.  Now that's frustration.

And all proceeds from the raffle went to Hampton Roads Naval Museum so that they can continue with events such as this.

CPO Heritage Day - Day 1

Retirees on the Quarterdeck

Forgive me as I'm still playing catch up on my blogging.

So last week was CPO Heritage Week and the Hampton Roads Naval Museum was center stage it seemed.

So Monday, the 21st of August, was overcast and rainy.  So the Chief Selects weren't really able to PT (i.e. work out) outside.

A view of Wisconsin's guns.

 This is really about the history of chiefs and is only a small part of the weeks long 'event'.

As I said before it was a rainy and gloomy day, but I was lucky enough to snag some rain gear to keep me from getting too sodden and protect my camera.  I quickly found a group of selectees to follow around for the day.  I followed a group from the USS Harry Truman. So I must say that I was pulling for them to win the Chief's Mess Award to be held the next day.  Guess I became a bit biased.

I couldn't pass up the awesome shot with the guns in the background. If ever in the area I highly recommend visiting the USS Wisconsin.

The cutlass!

There were a number of different stations to visit.

I think I enjoyed this station the best.  I mean there is something to be said about a man in uniform.  And the whites are just my absolute favorite!

This station told a little about the history of the chief's cutlass.  They also showed how it was worn and what uniform items that would be needed and when to wear them.

Taking notes.

Lee, a retired Navy captain, gave a talk inside the battleship.  This was given in the mess.  At least it looked like the mess to me.

Afterwards people were able to look around and see some of the displays before heading off to the next station.

Does that say danger?

I'm not all that familiar with the ship, so bear with me.

I was unable to follow the talk at most of the stations, because lets face it I have the attention span of a gnat.  Plus I had the guy on the left cracking me up!  You always get a few that will ham it up for you when they notice a camera.  LOL

Discussing the Flying Chiefs

I do recall that our next stop was a station that discussed the Flying Chiefs.  Please note that I've been trying to add links to things that I really don't know much about.

Such as the life of a chief and chief selectees in general.

Light show

The next station we went to was combat.  Now that's a place I will actually pay attention.  lol  There is the mention of how the Wisconsin is cared for by many volunteers.  Take that hint here.  What I really liked was the light display.  A blue light would light up in sections of the area where a 'person' was talking.  It managed to give you a slight feel for where and how things went.  Pretty cool!  And I really liked the look of this photo.

The next station dealt with the uniform.  The history and how its changed.  It was interesting to see the female uniforms.

The gentleman who gave this talk is stationed up in DC.  Which is funny because we had just been up in that area not long ago.

Tom Dandes addressing the crowd.

The final stop was in the chief's mess.  Tom Dande's, my boss, was at the station.