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[JustStunned]

Journaling Friday my son and DIL wanted to go out. So they asked if I’d be able to babysit. Of course I did. She has a couple of new toys we played with. I sang the Marine Corp hymn. Never too early to start. (note to self; need to find a copy of the riflemen’s creed). Tried to get her to say mama, feed her changed her and put her to bed. Then stayed awake until I was relieved. (General order 1, 2, 5.) Gave report and went to bed myself. They did not get home until after 0 dark 30 and a good time was had by all.

Saturday I disappeared from home for most of the day. I visited two RV dealers to look at toy haulers, and visited a flea market where my nephew works.

At dinner my DIL paid me a complement when I remarked that it is within the purview of a grandparent to spoil their grandchild just a little bit. She said ”JS I am good with that because you understand what a boundary is.”

Sunday my DIL left to visit her father for a few days taking the baby with her, leaving my son and me to fend for ourselves. Sooooo, we visited a local sporting goods store, the local warehouse club, and I showed him where the closest vehicle inspection station was then pizza for dinner and a movie.

Today one of my co-workers asked me during a discussion when did you become a glass half full person?

Of course there was a little drama this weekend. I need to have XW sign over title to my truck and she is poking at me a bit about money. It will all work out and if it doesn’t it is of little consequence in the grand scheme.

[jbnati]

JS, I am glad to see it sounds like you're in a good place. If the DB'ing didn't work on your W, it worked on several other people. You've come a long way. You have a lot to be proud of.

[BeingMe]

Good job with the babysitting, JS. I am so impressed.

[JustStunned]

JB, Thank you. I think DB worked on me. It is there to be noticed. I think XW is too self absorbed to notice.

BeingMe, Thank You. She is an easy child to babysit, she’s only 6 months old, happy, easy to distract and entertain. When she is rested and fed she engages and attempts to mimic. She is just becoming mobile, spinning anti clockwise and rolling, future NASCAR driver. She attempts to crawl, but has not gotten the coordination for that just yet….I sound like any doting GP

[BeingMe]

Yes you do sound like a doting GP, and that's brilliant.

[JustStunned]

Journaling: DIL has been encouraging some father son bonding time. So yesterday I took the day off work and my son and I spent some time on a local public target range.

We practiced with our pistols and set the iron sights on the AR I built. I checked the zero on my deer rifle. Altogether we spent about 4 hours on the range. It was a good time. The range control officer recognized us from the last time we were there and asked my son how he liked the Marine Corps.

Late in the day just before retiring my son and I spoke about his responsibilities and some of the pressures he will be under after he reports. I told him while I hoped he would be able to spend time with me and the rest of his extended family his higher priority should be to his wife and child.

[gunny]

Hello Stunned:

This is my rifle. There are many like it,but this one is mine. It is my life. I must master it, as I must master my life. Without me my rifle is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than the enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him befoe he shoots me. I will. My rifle and I know that what counts in war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, or the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit.

My rifle is human, even as I am human, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strengths, its parts, its accessories, its sights and its barrel. I will keep my rifle clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready. We will become part of each other.

Before God I swear this creed. My rifle and I are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life.

So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy.

Semper Fidelis Marine

[BeingMe]

I felt naked after I left the military ... without my rifle. It was issued on entering the forces, and they take it back when you leave. As permanent force soldiers, we had to take it everywhere ... home, work, on the train to courses, in the street. The smell of the cleaning oil, and the metal is something I will remember always, but I never got a rifle or even a handgun as a civvie. The kids are all grown up now, so maybe now is the time.

Another country, another time, another world .... long left, but never forgotten.

[JustStunned]

Gunny: Thank You, as many times as I recited it I stumbled over the wording the other day. I am glad to see you didn’t reference the Wikipedia version.

Semper Fidelis

BeingMe: IDF? I only ask as I am not familiar with Canadians taking their weapons home.

I know the feeling, although the philosophy of “one mind, any weapon” pervades. It has been a long time since I practiced with anything other than a firearm.

I typically carry an edged weapon of some sort. For the last 6 years it has been a Leatherman tool. It was confiscated once at a security checkpoint in Copenhagen. The officer explained a lock blade of any type or size was illegal without special permit in the entire EU. The look on his face was priceless when I asked “Of what use is a knife that folds up on your fingers the first time it is really needed?” For a moment I thought I was going to spend the night in jail. Good thing I am not Finnish

Journaling: The time for Son and DIL to move out is rapidly approaching. They will be just 2 miles west, but I am committed to giving them space. DIL wants to establish herself in her own home, and I think it is important for her to do so. I’ll be available if they ask. It is up to them to set the tone in their own space.

I am taking a morale hit as they move out; it has been great having company and seeing them each day. I am taking some solace as I am confident I have been successful treating them as adults and giving them space while they were in my place.

My DIL doesn’t quite know how to interact with me yet. She draws closer and then pulls back and sets a defensive perimeter. There is some trust, but more yet to build, time, patience and leadership.

On other fronts there is drama. The rest of the extended family is trying to sort out their own kit. It is up to them to decide what they wish to do. These are their issues to solve, not my battles to fight. I’ll interact with some of them at a party later this month and take a temp then.

I’ve begun to plan the annual WV trip, and my sister will make her last sojourn to visit mom this year in the next couple of weeks. Mom has been sun downing pretty noticeably lately and my sister and I need to plan our next steps. I doubt much will change in the next year, but the rule of 6 Ps is present. There are other things that have been delayed waiting upon the QDRO, so I’ll be marking time for a while yet.

[JustStunned]

Journaling: Well they’ve moved out. I spent several hours last night and most of today helping. Mostly unpacking boxes, stowing empty boxes and keeping the granddaughter distracted. I had some one on one time with DIL and that R is firming up. I’m alone again in a big house, but it is all good. I think my dog is missing his friends more than I am.

It was pretty neat (gee golly willikers) watching my DIL and my dog interact in the last few days. She started out a month ago afraid of him and fearful of what might happen to the baby. In the last week she told me she felt safe and that he would defend her. I commented to her about her statement and the change in her opinion of him the other day. She agreed and told me my dog would not let anything or anybody harm a member of his family. I did not post about it and it is a longer story than I wish to go into, but she had a less than favorable experience with the county property assessor attempting entry about a week ago. I have called his supervisor and expressed my displeasure.

I’ll see them again tomorrow as they will have to pick up his uniforms and a few remaining items.