THe Harting Family

THe Harting Family

Thursday, October 28, 2010

CAX LINKS

Today I had the opportunity to attend a CAX LINKS. It is put on by MCCS for Family Readiness training and for any spouse and or family member that would like to know more about the Marine Corps. It is a great training and even if you are a seasoned spouse like myself or a brand new spouse (which it is geared toward) it is still a great place to go to meet people and you may learn something you didn't already know. CAX LINKS is not offered a lot and it's a break from the regular class room LINKS. You actually get to go out and have fun while learning the information. Our CAX was hosted by an Artillery Battery from 3/11 and it was very interesting because I didn't really know a lot about artillery except that they had big guns! Over all it was a nice day and I met some great ladies. I would recommend doing it if you haven't, I promise you, it will be worth your time.

3/11 Cannoneers

3/11 Command Center (Brains)


3/11 getting ready to fire

Climbing into the 7 tons, not as easy as it looks.


Does this flack make my butt look fat? LOL


We couldn't help but laugh.


Eating our MRE's..while the Marines ate Pizza!

This looked safe enough..


The obstacle course..ugh.

PMO came out with the dogs..it was awesome.


Explaining the different uniforms.

Presenting the colors.


I also heard the answer to what I had already thought to be true. Question was, "What is appropriate attire for the Marine Corps Ball?" The answer from protocal was, "A floor length gown is appropriate, not short."...so there ya go!








Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Monday, October 25, 2010

For My Friend, Happy Birthday Dennis


Today was Dennis's Birthday.
LCpl. Dennis Veater
(reprinted from TheTimes-Tribune.com, March 19, 2007)
A funeral instead of a wedding
CLARKS GREEN — Given the occasion, it was a sadly appropriate hymn.“You shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thirst,” the Church of St. Gregory choir sang while mourners took their seats Saturday at the funeral of Marine Lance Cpl. Dennis J. Veater.“You shall wander far in safety, though you do not know the way,” continued the lyrics of Jesuit Bob Dufford’s “Be not Afraid.”Lance Cpl. Veater did, after all, cross the barren desert — as a Marine truck driver in Iraq — but the Jessup resident did not survive what was to have been his last convoy. The 20-year-old, whose gear was already packed for home, died March 9 in a Fallujah military hospital from wounds suffered during that mission in Al Anbar province. Military officials have not released details, citing the safety of troops still in the region.“I will dream of him, and tell everyone about him,” his sister, Patti Cowan, said. “He’s my baby brother. He’s my hero.“May he rest in peace.”Four of Lance Cpl. Veater’s siblings, along with his fiancee and her pastor, eulogized the fallen Marine on Saturday during a Catholic funeral Mass celebrated by Monsignor John H. Louis of St. Gregory, his family’s parish.The youngest of six children, Lance Cpl. Veater was alone among the pack in following their father, retired Sgt. Major Donald G. Veater, into the Marines.“The words, ‘looking up to Dennis’ gave us a new meaning a couple days ago,” said his twin brother, Adam Veater, who was born shortly before Dennis. “We will always be looking up.”His oldest sister, Karen, echoed that theme, saying she often felt Dennis “was my protector,” even as children.“I always imagined this day would come, like 60 years from now,” Miss Veater said. “My brother was taken too early to show all of us everything he could have and should have become.”Lance Cpl. Veater, a 2004 Abington Heights High School graduate, was assigned to the Marine Forces Reserve’s Wing Support Squadron 472, Wing Support Group 47, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing at Wyoming in Luzerne County.He was due home Wednesday to plan a May 26 wedding with fiancee Angalene Snipes, 21, of Jessup. The couple met during their freshman year at Penn State Worthington Scranton in 2004.At his betrothed’s request, he will be buried wearing a wedding ring.Miss Snipes sat in the front row Saturday with the couple’s son, 14-month-old Dominick, only feet from the flag-draped casket with a Purple Heart medal pinned to it.“He used to say, ‘I wish you could see what I’m doing over here,” Miss Snipes said. “I told him, ‘I don’t need to see. I know.’ ”Like his siblings, she praised a young man who leaves a legacy of love for his country and his kin.“I’m so proud of him for the man he is,” she sobbed. “For the man he was. And for the man our son is going to be.”Whatever that little boy may someday remember of Saturday’s funeral, history will record that his father was bade farewell in a ceremony colored by centuries of well-honed military decorum and millenia of Christian tradition.For that, one need look no farther than the powerful sight of uniformed Marines among the congregants, kneeling in prayer and taking Holy Communion side by side with civilian mourners.Lance Cpl. Veater’s burial was postponed due to Friday’s snowstorm, but elements normally reserved for graveside burial were carried out Saturday.Sacred music and readings were complemented by a Marine honor guard, playing of the Marine and Navy hymns, and outside the church, there boomed a traditional rifle salute and bugling of taps.The Marines were kind enough, Donald Veater said, to provide two U.S. Flags and two Purple Heart medals — one set for himself, one set for Dominick. Countless muffled sobs broke the silence of hundreds as a Marine presented a crisply folded flag to little Dominick, cradled in his crying mother’s arms.In his homily, Monsignor Louis meditated on life as a gift which God gives freely and takes back equally freely, often inexplicably to the human mind. He reminded the faithful that, according to Christian belief, physical death is not spiritual death.“Human life is not destroyed, it’s changed,” Monsignor Louis said. “It’s changed into the marble of God himself.”Michael Cantando, pastor of Faith Baptist Church of Peckville, where Angalene and Dennis worshipped, reiterated the resurrection message during his eulogy: “Though family and friends are experiencing loss,” he said, “God is experiencing the presence of Dennis for ... work well done.”He also praised those who molded the young man’s character, especially parents Donald and Donna.“Make no mistake. The lion’s share of who Dennis is, who Dennis was, was because of mom and dad,” Pastor Cantando said. “It is a credit to their parenting. It was this Dennis, Angie fell in love with.”About that, she left no doubts.“No matter what he did, it was always about someone else’s happiness,” Miss Snipes said.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

24th MAU They Came In Peace: 1983 Marine Barracks Bombing

I was living on Camp Lejeune when this happened with my sister and her husband who was is a Marine. It was like 9/11 on board base. I will never forget, we should never forget.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Personal Observations...Before the Wars

I was sitting here thinking about something today..dangerous I know..lol. But really I was thinking about our lives in the military "before" 9/11 and our world and everyone elses was turned upside down.
I am not sure how many of my readers were Mil-Spouses before 9/11 but if you were you may know how I feel and if you weren't maybe someday you will. Before the wars we were a bit anonymous us military folks. No one seemed too much interested in us, or what our spouses did. No one would get up and "shake" my husbands hand when they would see him wearing a Marine Polo or t-shirt. There were no great out-reaches to make sure everyone was taken care of when they were in the field or on an operation. I'm not complaining mind you, but our Marines, Sailors and Soldiers and Airmen have always been out here, always putting themselves on the line for this country and always targets of terrorist ie, Beirut, Embassy's, Cole, I could go on. But no one seemed to notice. Seems to me since the Wars so many people have such a great interest in my husband, and his Marines and what they do and how they are and that is really great, it really is. The Department of Defense has now more than ever been concerned with our quality of life..thank you by the way. I just hope, when all is said and done and we bring the last of our troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan that the country will not again forget that our bravest have been before and will be after, somewhere out it the world walking the post for them, for us. Just a thought.

Excuse Me While I Pat Myself on the Back! Day#5

I did it!! I made it through the whole 5 days of 9am classes this week. I am so proud of myself. I especially proud since this morning I was HURTING and I laid in bed for about 15 minutes trying to convince myself why it would be ok to just "skip" today. And to make it even worse my workout partner texted me and said she was nursing an achy back and decided to cut down to 3 days a week...I HAD MY OUT. But being me, and being hard headed as I am, I got out of bed, took some Tylenol and went to Glutes, Core and More! It was fun. It was challenging and I realize I have to really work on my push ups. I have tons of lower body strength..meaning I could kick the crap out of someone but for upper body lets just say it's a work in progress. But I am on my way and it feels good to feel good again.
Don't worry I will not bore you every day with my workouts but I did this week to hold myself accountable and motivated. I'm going to start my weigh in every Monday. I was 188 (yikes I know) when I weighed in this Monday so fingers crossed I will see a little movement in the negative. I am 5'11 and would like to be about 160-165 that is where I am really comfortable. But no more crazy crash diets that wear me down and make me feel like crap, I am doing the healthy way and in a way I can maintain.
Oh and the hubs is coming home for the field today so I am just all in all in a GREAT mood. Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Marine Corps Embassy Security Guard - How far will you go

This was a great experience for my husband, our son and myself. We love Embassy Duty and the friends we made all over the world.

I'm Still Upright..Day #4

I am so sore..but it's the good kind, the kind when you know that all your hard work is paying off. Last night my gym buddy called, she skipped class yesterday and felt like she wanted to do something so we went and did a Couch to 5K run. I was soooo proud of myself for actually doing it since I didn't miss the gym and was a bit wore out from the workout. But I did it! Last night it was tylenol and lights out at 9pm! I slept really well. This morning we did the Muscle Mania class and it was really good. Mostly a lot of upper body and some legs but not a lot of jumping around which was a welcome break, I don't think my butt could have taken it. Tomorrow is Glutes, Core and More..can't wait to find out what the more is. My hubs is coming in from the field tomorrow so this weekend will be great. I can sleep in and have my hubs with me too..at least until he returns to the field Monday and I return to the gym...ugh.
It is amazing how working out again has really lifted my spirits and made me feel like I am actually being productive. It's also a great place to meet people from the battalion. When you sign in you are asked your husbands unit and today a young wife came up to me and asked me if I was from 3/4 because she seen my name and I looked familiar. So it was awesome to be able to chat with her and tell her about some volunteer stuff we are doing at the battalion..networking is important for meeting people. I really feel good this week.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Police: ASU student was fatally shot during botched robbery

Police: ASU student was fatally shot during botched robbery , My heart goes out to this young mans family and to my son and all the ASU students that will mourn for this loss. I have to tell you as a parent this is MY worse fear. It is so scary to send your child off to college and when something so SENSELESS happens right on your door step it really brings it all home.

DAY #3--Step Class

I made it !! Day 3. Despite losing my work-out partner and getting less than 5 hours of sleep I made it to the class. I know my partner wanted to come but she was sore, and so am I but she is smarter then me and decided to not stress her body too much. Me..I am a bit more hard headed and just decided to go, despite my body screaming for a break. Hopefully I will not be too crippled tomorrow. I didn't get a good nights sleep, not sure why but I just couldn't turn my brain off. Nothing is going on, just wheels spinning. So I went to Step class today and I did OK despite the soreness and exhaustion, not too shabby. I didn't make it through every exercise admittedly and the 3 minute cardio challenge, well lets just say we parted after the 1st minute expired, next week, maybe I will make 2 minutes ;). What I love most about the 9 am classes is that everyday they are different so I won't get bored and my body won't have time to adjust to the same old same old.
My hubs has been in the field since Monday and I miss him terribly, I really do. But it has been nice having something besides my loneliness to keep me company. Baby steps. You would think after 16 years of this I would be used to it. Do you ever really get used to it? Who besides myself thinks it actually gets worse? I don't pine, but I do feel the absence and it really leaves a void. I guess I am lucky because I married my best friend but it truly is a double edged sword...
But enough of that. Tomorrow is Abs, Glutes, and Core. Sounds scary! But I can't wait. I can't wait to tell you all about it!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

And Now....Day #2

OK, so last night Melanie and I decided to go for a walk around the track, we did 2 miles and that was after we did the class at the community center so we were feeling a bit tired. But we did it. This morning I woke up to a nice rain storm, lightening and thunder and rain...for about 5 minutes. Felt bad because I know the hubs is in the field getting soaked..Grunt life..lol. So Melanie came at 845 and we went to a kick-boxing class...let me tell you it was HARD. Man, this was a crazy workout and I didn't make it through every exercise but I didn't quit. Me and Melanie agreed we would never quit and just stick it out and we did and we were proud of one another. We had originally planned to go to a Pilate's/yoga class at ll30 but soon realized that just wasn't going to happen. We are already a bit sore from yesterday and now after getting our butts thoroughly whooped in Kick Boxing we decided to take it easy so we can move on to day #3....STEP Class. I have to say it is so refreshing to be working out hard again, you just never work as hard at home as you do in a room full of other women, at least I don't. Last night was the first time since we moved here in June that I was sound asleep before 10, I was exhausted and it felt so good. I think tonight I may not even make it until 9! I want to go walk tonight but I will have to revisit that thought again in a few hours. The sun is now shining so I need to go run some errands! Hope you are all having a great week, I am!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Putting My Best Foot Forward Day #1

OK so I did it!! Went to a Cardio pump class with a fellow 3/4 spouse this morning and it was actually fun. Hard but fun to clarify. It felt good to actually have a reason (besides volunteering) to get out of the house. Melanie (fellow spouse) was actually very cool and she's from my home state of Pennsylvania!
So we made it through the class without embarrassing ourselves which is always nice. Tomorrow we are going to do 2 classes!! Kick Boxing and Pilate's!
I think it is so awesome MCCS offers all these classes and they are free and there is such a great selection to pick from. I think they have different classes at 3 different locations at pretty much all hours of the day.
So that was my morning and I am happy to have already accomplished so much, a great distraction with our hubs in the field!

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Moving Towards...Success

Ok, so as some of you know I have blogged about my attempt to lose the weight I gained since October (last year). To be exact I gained about 25 pounds. I know that's a lot. I have been working out, but have also found myself derailed more often than not. I am still trying and all that nonsense about the older you get the harder it is, well it's not a myth it is true. But it's doable so it's not an excuse it's just a challenge to work harder and smarter. So tomorrow I am going to our Community Center here on base to start a 9am class. Every weekday they offer a different class for exercise, from step, to core to kickboxing. I am excited because I met a new Marine wife (married in June) and she has been looking for someone to get together with to go to the gym and I said, "well here I am". So tomorrow we are going to go and check it out. I will blog this week to tell you how each day goes. Hubs will be in the field (I know what else is new?) and our hubs are both with 3/4 so it works out awesome. I have also decided to take my c25k on the road. Since the weather is now nice enough to be outside it is a perfect time to get out and run. I know not many people love 29 Palms, and I get it but I have always tried to "bloom where I am planted." That mindset comes from 16 years in this lifestyle and it serves you well to adopt it if you plan on sticking around. The positives I have found here are a lot of the services you pay for on other bases are free here. Free personal trainers! Free aerobics classes! Free movies (well it's a dollar but you get a free soda) so FREE! But not to discount the fact that there are a lot of challenges to being here as well..I will focus on the free stuff. LOL. So this week look forward to my daily workout blog.......
Wish me luck!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

I'm Still Out Here.....I Promise

Oh my poor blog, how I have neglected you. I am still here, I promise. I may have lost all my readers by now and for that I am sorry...I love you all....well all of you that aren't trolls (smile) and I have been neglectful. I started this blog to help myself get through some big life changes, hence the title and it has, it really has. I have gotten some great feedback to some issues and great support from those of you that relate and who also sympathise which I am forever grateful for. Honestly, I think this absence is a part of my process that I am going through in redirecting my attention from full time mom, to something else. Unfortunately I still haven't figured out what that is but I am definitely still trying to get there. I have been doing some training for my Family Readiness Advisor position, I have gotten to know our FRO pretty well and I have attended some meetings and I think it is going to be a good thing.
What has happened is my husband has hit the ground running with his pre-deployment training which takes him to the field about 80% of his time. And that is fine, this is something I have to find my way through, he can't do it for me and I know I have his support 100%. I am not feeling as sad, which is good. I have had no luck finding a job but if I were to be completely honest I haven't put my whole heart in to finding one. So I am making forward motion to figuring this all out. I am losing weight ..on purpose, and I am working out regularly again. So as you can see..I am moving closer to the new me everyday. I am still a mom, I am still needed, my son is still my baby and I know that will never change. I am in love with my husband, which as odd as that sounds is a great big bonus after 16 years and I am loved back, these are the things I know for sure. So those of you that haven't abandoned my blog, thank you. I am still here.