For the Love of God, Put the Needle Down!

Today started off to a great start... or something like that. We woke up at 530 and were out to formation by 545, only to be told at 630 that we weren't supposed to be there until 645... the schedule had changed. So that was great to realize I had lost an hour of sleep. I could deal with losing sleep though. That was the least of my worried today.

The most, however, was deeply rooted in the fact that I would be recieving shots. Not just a shot, but multiple shots. Anthrax, Small Pox, Typhoid, and a few other ones. I couldn't wait for Small Pox in particular, which they described as a "two prong needle and 15 jabs." Once again, I must emphasize they said jabs... not gentle pokes... but jabs. Maybe if they had worded it slightly less... scary, I wouldn't have been dreading it all day.

I begged the first lady, which gave me all of my shots except for the Small Pox, not to do it. For the love of god, I said, put that needle down. She promised me they wouldn't hurt. I told her that she was lying through her teeth... right to my face. And then I lightened up when I saw a large jug of candy. Hey... I said to her. If I play nice, what do you say you give me a pocketful of that candy of there. She laughed, and stuck a needle into me (not making any promises of a pocketful of sweet relief). She directed me to the small pox station, and as I left her booth, I looked at her as she nodded her head. And so, to the next booth I went with a pocketful of candy. A minor compensation for the pain I endured, I feel.

However, as I stood in line for the Small Pox... I watched as a lady came out with eyes streaming down her face... clutching her arm. This was going to get ugly... very very quickly. She was much older than I, and therefor should have been tougher. But alas, I went in after her. I don't want to say that the shot didn't hurt... because over the next couple of days it will start to blister and itch like a mother... nevermind.

Also, today, I met an alligator wrangler, ex drug dealer, a black lady named Deidre, and a black man named White. The alligator wrangler, who worked as a missionairy prior to becoming a contractor for the military, was my favorite. He spoke of penis fish (little fish that are attracted to urine and swin in "certain" places quite easily, but their spikes come out when trying to be extracted from said places) and wrestling alligators to the ground. Definitely an interesting man.

Anyways... hope this finds you all well!

<3 Jacki

A Display of Affection, or Something of the Sort

I forgot to tell you guys a fun little adventure that happened yesterday. So, I had packed my duffle bag to it's limits. I had shoved, jumped on, and did everything within my power to get my last items into my duffle. I secured the latch, assuring to myself that everything would stay in.

So, it was to my surprise, that as the conveyor belt brought our luggage, I saw my brightly colored bras strolling along side my duffle bag. Let me repeat. Alongside... not in... alongside. With General's and Captains to my right and left, I quickly gathered my belongings, wishing I had just let it keep riding around until everyone was gone and then picked it up. Instead, I heard a few snickers as I attempted to shove them back in... but to no avail. I had packed them once, but not again. I shoved them into my pocket and hopped on the bus.

I feel like this is a good way to catch guys. Show them a little preview perhaps? Maybe not... at least I didn't have a light pink grandma bra stored in there... cough cough... harry. Anyways, thought you guys might like to know about the first thing I did when I landed on Georgia ground... let's see what other shenangins I can get myself into.

Leaving Home

I had set out today promising myself I would be a big girl, and not cry. That I would be the strong one, the comforting one and not let my emotions trouble the people I love. I would be the one to show them that it’s ok, I’m ok with this. I had even put make-up on to prevent what I now know is the inevitable.

And yet, and the first sign of tears from my mom, I too sprouted some of my own. I hated to see that she was upset, and no matter what I could do in that moment, I couldn’t fix it and it was my fault in the first place. I know she won’t see it that way, because she’s stubborn (naturally, she takes after her mother), but it was just one more bomb dropped on her after my dad, doug, and josh had left. I had joined them now.

I cried as we took pictures, documenting this monumentous day. Today, I wasn’t a little girl anymore, I was a soldier. Or at least for the next 9 months or so. It was definitely worthy of taking a couple pictures.

I hope I never have to endure a day like this again, although if it happens it happens. I couldn’t even look back and give a reassuring smile as I boarded the plan as I had intended to do. Instead, I boarded the plan sobbing, with my head hung low. This was my hello to a new world, and a temporary good bye to the old. I have to say it royally sucked. I felt more like flipping the new world the bird, but of course I’m a dignified lady, as you all know.

Anyways, I’m settled into my room at Fort Benning. It has two bunks and four wall lockers. My roommates are two girls named Beth and Jody. Tomorrow we have formation at 0830. And that’s about it.

I love you all and miss you already!

Today was filled with lasts, but tomorrow will be filled with beginnings.

I think I'm actually leaving this time. I don't think that I can get myself into anymore shenanigans in the next 12 hours before I leave for my plane. I shouldn't have said that... because now I'll probably find someway to get myself in trouble.

This has been a hard day. I have been waiting for tomorrow to come for sooooooooooo long, and now it's almost here. By all means, I am not scared. I have far more advantages than many are afforded on their first tour in Iraq or Afighanistan. I am, however, incredibly overwhelmed. Right now as I type this, I look at the piles of things that are still waiting to be packed (pat on the back to me for procrastinating this long...). It's unreal to think one minute I'll be in Minnesota, the next I won't. It's not like it's the the first time, nor will it be the last.

Today I found myslef acknowledging my lasts. My last time driving my car. My last time taking a shower in my own shower. My last time wearing civilian clothes. My last time to eat my favorite ice cream (gone fishin by kemps... it's delicious! you should try it if you haven't) Although today was filled with lasts, but tomorrow will be filled with beginnings.

It is an adventure that I am really looking forward to. I don't know what Iraq has planned for me yet, but whatever it throws at me, I will catch. Maybe not the first time, but definitely the second.

I ask that all of you guys keep me in your prayers as I start the first leg of my new adventure. I can't wait to tell you all everything I've learned and encountered!

<3 Jacki

4 days until I'm Iraq Bound

I just got off the phone with my dad. I forget how much I miss him sometimes. Granted, it won't be much longer until I see him. Anyways, I just wanted to say that I feel so fortunate to be able to share this experience with him. I'll be able to keep him in line when his exaggerations get out of line... not that it ever happens or anything... And I'll never let myself forget the luxury I'll have while I'm there. Not many soldiers will be able to enjoy the luxury of kicking their dad's butt in a game of cribbage while in Iraq. Of course, after a few wins I'll have to let him win one too. I don't want to lower his spirits to much...

Just wanted to share what I was thinking. Only 4 more days until I'm Iraq bound... this should be mighty intersting...

One other thing. Here's some pictures of Aubrey I took a couple weeks ago. I'm quite fond of that little girl =]

Josh's Address

Hey guys. I thought of one more thing. Josh just recently got to basic training. I remember how important it was for me to recieve mail... so if you get the time, this is Josh's address. He can't receive packages as far as I know, but if that changes I'll be sure to tell you what he can get.

PFC Crotteau, Joshua
A-Co 1/13 INF REG 3rd PLT
Fort Jackson, SC 29207

Thank you for keeping my family in your thoughts and prayers!

<3 Jacki

Good ol' grandpa PAPpy

Hello there. It's been a bit, and I offer my sincerest apologies for that. I guess, for starters, I didn't leave for Iraq as scheduled. I went down to Inver Grove Heights on Thursday June 11 expecting to be leaving for Fort Benning on Saturday. Instead, things didn't go quite according to plan (surprised? because I am definitely not).

Here is the reason for my delay. First of all, before I could leave god forsaken Fort Huachuca, I had to do a well women's exam. Believe me, I tried to wiggle around it, but alas... they got me. All it involved was an invasion of my privacy by a very friendly military doctor. I got through it with a lot of awkward jokes, actually, that's how I get through everything.

Apparently, Fort Huachuca got me one more time when they didn't get my unit or myself a copy of the results of the PAP smear. So, to my dismay, on June 5 at my SRP (soldier readiness program... basically ensures that soldiers who are deploying are actually ready to deploy). I took yet another well women's exam (I am so lucky to have gotten two within a month!). A member of the medical staff even escorted me from the basement (where I heard the wonderful news) to the first floor. I think they thought I was a flight risk. I'm not sure where I would have gone... they had all of my documents I needed, and I wasn't about to be tackled by anybody. Besides, who doesn't love to drive 2 hours and start their friday off with a good ol PAP smear? I know that I for one can't get enough of them apparently.

I also made it through that one with an endless amount of awkward jokes. Here comes the fun part. When I got down to Inver Grove Heights, I was informed that my unit had yet to recieve results for my second or first PAP smear. Good ol' grandpa PAPpy had bought me some unexpected time at home with my family. I feel as though, with the help of grandpa PAPpy, I cheated death (figuratively speaking).

Now I'm scheduled to leave Minnesota on the 27th of June. We'll see what kind of shennanigans arrise before that day. I can only imagine...

<3 Jacki

P.S. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!! If you get the chance, you should read my dad's father's day blog. It's very good!