Craft Projects - UPDATE

If you remember a few posts ago I mentioned that I've been trying new hobbies and crafts while Cam's away. Well, here's an update on my not-so-stellar progress!

First, I finished a nursing cover (AKA "Hooter Hider") in record time before my friend's, Jen, baby shower. Several of my other friends with babies use these and (being like my mother) each time I saw one, I tired to figure out how they were made. Then when Jen registered for one, I decided that I would make my own instead of coughing up the $30+ to buy one. I found a really easy to follow pattern online and marched off to the fabric store. I was a bargain shopper and got everything I needed on SALE! (My mother taught me well!) All in all, the cover took me a total of 2 hours and $7 dollars. I think Jen was pleased with it!

On the sewing front, I'm also continuing on with my Project Linus quilt projects. So far, I just have the first "girl" one done and have started on the first "boy" quilt.

Finally, I've been a baking fool this week! On Monday night, I made a cake for a Mardi Gras party at work on Tuesday. I had signed up to make a traditional King Cake, but ended up just substituting a chocolate bundt cake. The King Cake traditionally features a metal baby hidden within the cake, so I used a malted-milk egg hidden in the cake instead. The lucky coworker that found the egg was awarded the prize of a chocolate Easter bunny. It was a very yummy treat!

I haven't been a very busy girl lately, but I think I need to crank up the crazy Suzy Homemaker switch just a little in order to tackle all the projects I have lined up...

OCS Update #4

Cam has spent the last two weeks "in the field" as part of his OCS training. This includes running tactical exercises and team events, sleeping in tents every night, and not showering for days! I'm just glad that I don't have to smell them when they get back!!!

He has one more week of field work before returning to the classroom for a "Week of History". (Yay for something right up Cam's alley!!!) The Candidates will also have a ruck march and PT test during that time. They have a week to turn in all their gear and prepare for all the Commissioning events in mid-March.

On a more exciting news front, Cam has received information regarding his upcoming training. He must attend Basic Officer Leader Course II and III (BOLC) before arriving at his permanent duty station. BOLC II is similar to the Basic Training Cam has already attended, but it is geared more towards newly commissioned officers. BOLC III provides job-specific training. The 6-week-long BOLC II training will be from July-August 2009 at Ft. Sill, OK. Immediately following that, BOLC III will be from August to December 2009 at Ft. Bliss, TX.

Please remember that these dates and locations are all subject to change. Further, we have NO idea what our plans are beyond Commissioning in mid-March. As soon as we have any further details and/or more concrete plans, we will let you know!

Until then ...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day from the Smith Household!

Yesterday afternoon my wonderful husband had flowers AND balloons delivered to our house for me after work. (Now I feel bad about just sending him a card!) I thought for sure that my Heart Day was going to be a sad and lonely affair this year (I even signed up for some OT at work just to get me out of the house!). However, Cam's been released for the weekend and we've been chatting all day on the phone.

After a week in the field without the use of his cell phone, I've been suffering some pretty heavy Cam-Withdrawals. I realize that we just went through 10 weeks of only being able to speak for 5 minutes a weekend when he was in BCT (Basic Combat Training), but I had really gotten used to talking with him every night while he's been in OCS (Officer Candidate School). Thankfully the field work is just for one more week. Plus, there's only three more weeks until I visit Georgia for Commissioning!

We hope that this post finds you all enjoying a Happy Valentine's Day! Even if you think the holiday is an excuse created to sell more Hallmark cards and chocolate, take a moment to appreciate all those people in your life that love you!

Heart Day Balloons and Flowers

Another shot so that Cam can see how he spent his money!

Air Defense Artillery

Yesterday afternoon Cam selected Air Defense Artillery during the Branching Selection at OCS. For the next 3+ years this will be his job. We won't know his training schedule or permanent duty station for another month, but as soon as we know anything concrete, we'll pass on the info!

For the next two weeks, the OCS Candidates will be performing field work and, therefore, will be out camping in the wilderness and cold! I don't expect to hear from Cam, except on the weekends in between the two trips. Hope they have a good time!

OCS Update #3

Here's the scoop on what my soldier has been up to the past few weeks:

In honor of MLK day, the Officer Candidates were given a four-day weekend last weekend. Cam went to several planned events with his candidate comrades including a sports bar to watch a "big" mixed-martial-arts fight, a karaoke bar (where he sang a few tunes with a group of guys), and going out to dinner each night to get a taste of "real" food. He was also able to do a little shopping in town, thanks to his buddy, Marcell, who has a car with him!

During the previous past week, the guys tried to survive a few more death-by-PowerPoint classroom days. They also had to do a company run and a few tatical exercises outside.

This week, Cam is acting as the platoon's First Sergeant. This "honor" is rotated among the platoon each week and the duties include communicating orders from the Candidate Commanding Officer and the Cadre and keeping track of all the soliders in the platoon.

Finally, at the end of this week, Cam will be selecting his branch (AKA: job) that he will have for the next 3+ years. Branching is decided based on your class rank, which is earned by, among other things, gaining points for tests, papers, and PT scores. Cam is currently ranked in the top 3rd of his class of 150 candidates. As always, as soon as we know anything for sure, we will pass on all the information to our family and friends.