Halloween 2008

I was not able to leave work early this year so I had asked Ally to take Rachel trick or treating. Ally ended up getting scheduled to work Halloween night, so I asked Nicole to take Rachel. Well, then the military decided to have Nicole leave early. Now the job was handed down to Jordan. Originally, Jordan didn't even want to go, but agreed to take her for me. (Good brother) He said he wasn't going to dress up, just walk with Rachel. Well, when I met up with them in town around 6:00 p.m. Jordan was wearing a costume and collected quite a bit of candy...for someone who didn't even want to go. I just want to vent a little here....who decided the trick or treat hours??? 4 to 7 p.m. Really??? Don't they realize most people work til 5? I have decided it must be teachers that set the hours. Sure, most of them are done around 3:30 or so, they can go home--dress the kids--and be out the door by 4! Luckily, Dad was able to drive the kids to town so they could start earlier than 6, because that would be the time I would be pulling in the driveway. Okay, enough of my venting. After trick or treating in town, we stopped by Robins for a few minutes, we then headed to Aunt Connie's. We stayed there for about 1/2 hour or so, then to Grandma and Grandpa Schmidt's. The kids collected plenty of candy, and a pop can or two.

A few photos of Nicole-Last 24 hours before leaving

On the phone Swearing In At the airport on the phone-duh
Nicole was going to make sure she got in all the phone time she could get!
I seriously think going without phone calls, texting, and internet chatting
for 13 weeks is going to be the hardest thing for her! Good thing she is so
strong minded, she will do it just to prove all the nay sayers wrong!

I'm not a nay sayer, I KNOW she can do it, I just like to tease her about

her phone addiction. Some people thought she would need a 12 step program.

Well, Nicole is in the 13 week program. LOL

Nicole-Left for Marine Basic Training

On Monday, October 27 Nicole called to check in with her recruiter. She was told she had 2 1/2 hours to say her goodbye's and report to the recruiting office, she was leaving for basic training. That is just like the military, little to no warning. So, she said good bye to Dad, Grandma and Grandpa Schmidt and went to Rachel, Ally, and Jordan's schools to say good bye. (all three of them are in different schools) She then traveled approx. 45 miles to find me at work. Needless to say, I thought she was joking, but quickly realized she was really leaving. At this point I was in shock. I went to the recruiters office with her, then I followed her to the Milwaukee MEPS. (The MEPS is where they process new recruits) On Monday afternoon, we walked around downtown Milwaukee trying to find a store that sold cheap clothes, since all I had with me were the clothes I wore to work. I needed cheap because I had very little cash on hand and I didn't have my ATM card with me. (the one day I forget to make sure I have it) We went to bed pretty early, since her wake up call was for 4:00 a.m. I don't miss those days. We woke up at 4:00 a.m. got cleaned up, and headed to the hotel lobby to await the bus that would take the recruits to the MEPS. I followed the bus to the MEPS building. I did a lot of sitting and waiting (again, the military way---hurry up and wait) At 11:30 Nicole was sworn in. After that she had a travel briefing. She was given her orders and off to the airport. She was the only recruit going to Parris Island South Carolina from the Milwaukee MEPS. We had about 2 hours before her plan took off. She spent most of that time getting in some last minute phone time and texting. She will not be allowed to text message anyone for a minimum of 13 weeks. Her phone calls will be very few and far between. We were told not to expect a phone call for at least 3 weeks. As I am writing this I still do not have her mailing address. Please keep Nicole in your thoughts.