Yet again....It's been a while.

We are going to get back into blogging. To bring you up to speed.

Our truck: 2014 3500HD Silverado, 4X4, DRW, LOADED! We love it!
Hitch: Trailer Saver TS3 Air Ride (Air Suspension hitch). We love it!
Rig: 2007 Heartland Landmark Monticello. We love it!

Our plans are to move out of military housing on 25 September and live full-time in our FW until I retire in 2017. So this blog will chronicle our move into the rig, living in the rig until we finally get on the road FULLTIME on 19 May 2017.

We also will add our amazing adventures here in Maryland / Virginia / Delaware / Pennsylvania / New Jersey -- and maybe West Virginia and New York. We are going to hit every National Park in these states while we are here and hike, bike, and kayak as much as we can in all these areas. We will probably do this using a tent as it won't be very easy to take the rig out every weekend - while I'd love to do that, we'll save that for those times when we're gone for 5+ days at a time.

Our rig is still "winterized" -- yes = not fun yet. We have an appointment with an RV service center for 27 June. They will de-winterize, and check/service every component of the rig. After that we will take it out to only the Family Camp in Ft. Meade until we take it to the RV-Dreams Fall Rally in September.

So....stay tuned - lots of exciting and amazing stuff happening in our life.

Been a while - again.....

I noticed by looking at Dee's "My Blog List" that it has been 7 MONTHS since I last updated this blog. Maria and I have been busy at work. Maria at her job at the Child Development Center and me going out/back onboard mighty USS BLUE RIDGE! Maria and I have an update to our Full-Timing date - 1 September 2017. That will be 30 years and 27 days active duty U.S. Naval service for me. It also represents my FULL-RETIREMENT from active duty. So the checklist has started for our must-do's: (1) Buy the Fifth Wheel: Thor Redwood 36RE (http://www.suttonrv.com/2013-redwood-residential-vehicles-redwood-36re-new-fifth-wheel-or-i596776). (2) Buy the Truck: Silverado 3500HD LTZ, DRW, 4X4 (http://www.vernonautogroup.com/web/new/Chevrolet-Silverado-3500HD-DRW-2013-Vernon-Texas/1210842/?condition_id=10425). (3) Get rid of all our STUFF! One good thing about not going FT until 2017 is we will have plenty of time to get rid of all our "stuff" and live in our RV for 4-years prior to FTing. Maria and I are glad we decided to sell our house prior to moving to Japan - wise decision on many levels. We still have so much stuff that one would only keep if they had a stix/brix and we need to go through all that, but, we are 100% dedicated to have everything all in one-sock and prepared to throw off the bowlines and get underway in 2017! Next assignment: I'm waiting on my Detailer (Placement Officer) to complete my orders for my next assignment; once that is done, I will put the truck and fifth wheel on order. That may take a few more months before it's completed. Safe travels!

Rest Easy......I've Got the Watch!

I said good bye to Maria early this morning and the USS BLUE RIDGE set sail on yet another Patrol of the U.S. SEVENTH Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR). We will hit some very cool foreign ports and a few I haven't been to.

I won't be home for many weeks and both of us are growing tired of the separation - but Service to Country and the Needs of the Navy are what it's about right now. Well...until my retirement NEXT APRIL! 361 DAYS LEFT!

Maria will stay busy by working, volunteering in the military community and her EXTREME couponing habit! YES --- she saves us HUNDREDS of dollars a month. I'm at awe how she does it. She has her method and it's amazing!

So my friends and family.....Rest Easy, I've Got the Watch tonight.

Back in the Blogging Game!!!

Back! I've talked with some of you in emails, Facebook or chat; so everyone knows the plan. Fulltime RV next April and change our course on "service to country" by Fulltime Volunteering within the National Park Service, Corps of Engineers, State and County Parks and maybe Bureau of Land Management and Fish and Wildlife Agency.

I've served 25 years as an Active Duty Sailor and Maria has served as a spouse (the ABSOLUTE HARDEST job in the Navy!!) and served as a Early Childhood Development Teacher for military children for the last 17 years!

We have served to protect this great country and now we want to serve in a different way. Another adventure to conquer!!

We are very excited about this and hope you all will enjoy following our mission to serve and travels.

For all those FULLTIMERS on the road now.....save us some tar!

364 days left!!

OK...OK....Yes - It's been a very long time....

Well...I don't want to write a novel here...but a lot to catch up on. So let's see:

As of last night - I'm on FACEBOOK! Never thought I'd do that -- but I have this strong desire to catch up with friends I haven't seen/chatted with for freakin ages! I've already met up 4 of them! WOW...that fast...REALLY?!

I have orders to the USS BLUE RIDGE (Japan) with a stop at the Senior Enlisted Academy in Newport, RI. So as I'm driving cross-country....I'll stop by and see these friends that I haven't seen in ages! This will be fun!

I will chronicle my day while I'm driving cross-country -- and posting pics - so stay tuned for that. My trip starts 10 July!

Maria and the boys are doing good! All is well in the Borba household.

We're going to be taking the motorhome out soon -- so stay tuned for some pics on that.

Well...that should do it for now...LOL!

Take care!

Not Deploying - Renewing RV Blog

As I wrote on my "SailorPlayingSoldier" blog, I am not deploying. So I need to get back into the groove of our RVing lifestyle (for now just weekend trips).

I need to do some maintenance on my RV and will probably start this next week. I will be taking a few days of leave to get some work done and that is on the top of my list.

Maria and I want to take the RV out by the end of September - probably a 3-day trip to Morro Bay.

I will start the last leg of my BS degree next semester - I have 7 classes left to completion. But I won't indulge in school like I have this last year because I really believe that had something to do with my out of control BP - and I do not want to go down that road again.

I'll try to get into the RVDreams Chat Room more, and I will keep up with my favorite blogs.

Be safe.

A New Blog for my Deployment!

Friends, Family, and Shipmates: I've started a blog to chronicle my adventures on this upcoming IA deployment to Afghanistan, refer to: http://www.sailorplayingsoldierinafghan.blogspot.com

I really hope you enjoy this blog. I will update everyday until I start my training. After that it will be sporadic as internet capability can be grueling in a training environment and of course, in "theater" (Afghanistan).

I will update this blog from time to time. But we will not be doing anymore RV trips until I return next May/June (yes 2010)! So this blog will be used to chronicle what is going on with my family. So I know that's TWO blogs - but I think you can muster up enough time to read them as this one won't be everyday...more like maybe a week or month. Basically, when I have something grand to announce.

Be safe!

Steve

Another Deployment on the Horizon.....

As some of you may know, I've been chosen to go on a special assignment to Afghanistan. I guess this is what happens when you get advanced (LOL)!!

The military term for this assignment is "Individual Augmentation (IA)". The IA will be to Afghanistan. I will not publish any dates - as we say in the Navy "loose lips sink ships". So I won't go about that business, but I will start a blog to chronicle my entire experience on this IA.

Once I have started the blog, I'll let everyone know.

Safe travels -

Steve

Congratulations Joseph!!

Our oldest son, Joseph, has graduated High School!! We are very proud of him. He had a rough Senior year, but between Maria and I we got him to that graduation day.

He now has his sights set on going into the United States Marine Corps! I guess he thinks his Uncle Shane (USMC GySgt) is more cool than his Dad (USN Senior Chief). I know whatever he chooses, he'll do well. We are glad he's going into the military - many great benefits for those that are active duty. One of which will be someone other than Dad being a pr+ck! I think he'll understand that - oh - about 5 minutes after he gets off the plane and he is "introduced" to his Drill Instructor!! At any rate, it will be good for him.

I hope he'll heed my financial advice - I think I'll talk to him "after" he gets out of Boot Camp. He may realize Dad has always been on his side and might be a little more willing to listen.....(Ahhhh - You think?)

Anyway - we are proud of our Joey and we wish the very best for him as he matures into manhood!

Safe travels -

Frocked!!

It happended - today at 1615 I was "frocked" to Senior Chief. In the USN once we have received confirmation from USN HR that promotion has been approved, the Commanding Officer is allowed to "frock" those personnel. Frocking means to "wear" the rank, but you're not getting paid for it. Basically, you are referred to as the frocked paygrade, you get the "prestige" and "benefits" that come with that paygrade, but you just don't get paid for it. I will probably be promoted on 16 Oct and start receiving pay that date. I will know in a month or so when I should see the actual advancement date.

So in the USN, frocking is a very big deal. Maria and my Command Master Chief did the honors of taking off my "Chief" anchors and pinning on my "Senior Chief" anchors. Most of the Chief's Mess was there along with my CO, Dept. Head, and almost all of my Yeoman. It was a great ceremony.

Maria and I are still pondering our decision to stay Navy or retire next year. We sure are leaning toward staying. While my retirement pay would be substainally larger if I stayed for another five years, I would have to go back to sea duty and probably be required to do a tour in Afghanistan or Iraq. So as I've said before....more to follow.

Stay safe, and chat later -

Steve

GREAT NEWS and.... Not so good news...!

I'll get right down to the "GREAT NEWS" - I found out today that I was promoted to Senior Chief!! That is E-8 in the USN. E-9 is highest you can go. I found out today around 1600 from my Commanding Officer, Administrative Officer and Command Master Chief. I got the news with a few of my Yeoman around, that made it so much better.

So going back to my choices that I posed a few days ago...remember my four choices? Well, this was not even in the plan as this was the last opportunity for me to make it - well this brings a new twist on things.

So Maria and I have a decision to make.......retire from USN next year as planned or stay USN for the next 5 years. So that would mean no full-timing for us for at least four more years. Decisions - Decisions! This is something I really have to think about.

The not so good news is that I still do not have my final grade from my fourth class I took this last semester. I received all other grades, and have been waiting for the last seven days - getting a little ticked off about this.

Anyway, today was full of the best news I've received in a few years!!

For all those on the road, be safe.

Chat later -

Steve

All Down - Now time for FUN!

I'm sure you can figure out what I'm talking about by reading my last post....NO more classes until 1 June.

We are planning our trip to Morro Bay, CA very soon. Much more information to follow on those plans.

Our boys are doing good - we just try to hard to keep them on task. My oldest son said to me the other day..."Dad, I'm a senior - I want to have fun before I can't fun anymore....." Unfortunately, he just doesn't get it, but I think that's a typical teenage thought. He will be 18 in 39 days. (Yes, we're counting.....).

Maria is working hard with her daycare business. We both cannot wait to close those doors and we both move onto our next life-chapter.

We are still trying to figure out what we will do next September when I retire from USN. Our viable options:

#1: Move to Alaska and pursue our careers in the Federal Civil Service
#2: Get in our MH and start a Workamp "career"
#3: "I" get in the MH and work on MBA while woking as a camphost
#4: Stay here in our house in Hanford; Maria continue her business and I work on MBA full-time (I also get my GI Bill).

So here's to all my readers: Help us - tell me what you think. #1, 2, 3 or 4 - and if you choose, give me a reason why.

Stay safe - chat later.

Steve

2 Down -- 2 To Go!!

My title is concerning my college classes; 2 down and 2 more left this semester. I take the finals for both those classes this week. I'll be done by Friday, then no school until Monday, 1 June. Next semester I'm only taking two classes.

I just wish I could get my two high school aged sons to understand the importance of college - instead I spend my time getting them "to school". Maria and I are just about at our witts end with their nonsense. Their good kids - just too much playing around for me.

Anyway, be safe on the road.

Chat later-
Steve

Back to "normal"

Since my last post, I have been quite busy ensuring plans for the Memorial Service and a retirement ceremony.

First the Memorial Service: As you recall in my last post, two of my Sailors had passed. One family requested we did not have a command memorial service (they didn't want to travel back to CA and relive it); while the other had told me they would like to have one. So my marching orders were given.

To set up a U.S. Navy Memorial Service with full military honors is no small task. We got it all planned and executed without any flaws or "glitches". My Yeoman performed the full military honors again, as they did at the funeral, and it was again a grand and precision accurate ceremony.

The following day was a "full dress" retirement ceremony for one of my Sailors. He is retiring after 20 years and I was his MC (Master of Ceremonies). He had every honor that he could have; parading of colors, flag folding ceremony, flag passing ceremony, the Navy Wife poem, and "The Watch" poem w/bells. It was a great ceremony - and again, another one with accurate precision and no "glitches".

I'm very proud of all my Sailors that were in all three ceremonies over the last week - these are all ceremonies they will remember and cherish.

Also, over the last week, I completed 2 of my 4 classes. I received one "final grade" for one class; but, the other I'm waiting for my 13-page research paper to be graded, then I'll get my final grade.

So here is to waiting.....

The other 2 classes will be completed this next Friday. I have 2 finals to take; one on Thursday and the other on Friday. Then no school until 1 June!!!

Which brings me to our FUN plans. Maria and I are taking our motorhome out for the first time since Thanksgiving 2008! We have plans to go to Morro Bay, CA. I'm sure it will be great weather, and a much needed - BREAK! For both of us.

Everyone be safe.

Chat later -
Steve

I realize it's been awhile......

Where do I begin? Well for the last two months I've had many more downs than ups. I have been pounding hard at work (that seems to always be the only constant), I've been deeply engulfed with taking four classes this semester, I've been to San Diego TWICE for contractural evaluations for work and lastly, and most profound events, have been the death of two of my Sailors.

I don't know how to feel about these deaths. These two women were both outstanding, responsible adults - and mothers.

The first death occurred on 22 April at 4:00 pm (PST) at Stanford University Hospital. She had given birth to a baby girl just five days before her death! She contracted the horrible and devastating MRSA virus and was life-flighted from our base hospital to Stanford University Hospital (3 hours away). She passed away about 20 hours later. She was married and her husband had been stationed at our command a few years ago before he separated from the Navy. Her funeral was this past Thursday in North Carolina.

The second death occurred on 26 April at 5:00 pm (PST) on highway 41 North coming from Paso Robles, CA back home from a weekend visit with her family. She had given birth to a baby girl just 33 days before her death! She, her boyfriend and baby (in back seat) were hit head-on at a HIGH rate of speed by a 19-year old that was driving at excessive speed - this was on a two-lane highway. She died instantly, her boyfriend is on lifesupport at a local hospital and her now 45 day old baby is in critical (but stable) condition at a local children's hospital. The 19 year old boy walked away with minor injuries (don't even get me going on that....)! Yesterday was her funeral in Santa Maria, CA. I attended since it was only 3 hours from the base. I had asked all my Yeoman (our USN job title) if they would like to participate in the full military honors - they all said YES! It was an awesome funeral and graveside full military honors ceremony. My Yeoman were fantastic!! I'm so proud of them. We honored our fallen Shipmate - I know she would have loved to see that. She was respected during her life, and I know my Sailors really believed they needed to do that to help them with closure.

You may be wondering why the second death seems to be a heavier impact. That is because she was a Yeoman, a Sailor we all worked with every single day. My other Sailor, had been at our command for a very short time and she was an Aviation Rating and was on a watchbill that had her working nights - people rarely saw her. That does not lessen the impact of her death on any level. It's just she was not a direct influence on my other Sailors as the other one was.

I mourn for both of these fine, outstanding women. I wonder if they have peace. They both passed in a very horrible way and I just can't seem to get past that. Yesterday's funeral was very surreal to me, but it also was the beginning of helping me put my feelings into perspective.

Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the first funeral because it was held in North Carolina. The command sent a command representative to escort her on the plane and to her resting place. I would have gone with him, but with the second death - I just made the call that I needed to be there for my Yeoman and take care of all the Casualty Assistance for both families. In order to do that, I needed to be at the command. I now know that I made the right decision.

Both of my Sailors have been laid to rest. But the unanswered questions linger. Both families are torn for completely different reasons - but at the heart of both of these deaths is that two babies have lost their mothers. What a devastating tragedy.

With all this in mind - I still have my wife, two "teenage" sons (and we all know how much fun that is.....!), work must go on, and have finals in all classes this next week.

I know I'll get through this - but it certainly is taking its toll.

Please pray for the families of my two Sailors. They will need all the power that God has to get through this.

For all of you on the road: Be safe!

Chat later -
Steve

Happy Birthday, My Love --

Today is Maria's birthday...I don't know if she'll get upset when I tell you this - but today she is 39!! I turned 40 last year --- man, we're getting old!!

Maria asked me to give her a very easy and FREE birthday present - SLEEP IN! So I obliged and she slept in until the boys woke her up with breakfast. That was cool of Tom to make her breakfast.

This morning I woke up at 0430 and took my TWO Accounting Finals. I'm excited - I got 100% on both! I never thought I'd get 100% on my Accounting Finals - but I did. Guess all that studying paid off. It took me 1 hour to complete both.

So, tonight I'm taking Maria to our favorite Mexican restaurant, La Fiesta. We will meet our boys there and we're taking my Mom, so it will just be us 5 tonight. I know Maria will like that.

We were going to take the MH out this weekend, but Maria decided she wanted to stay home. Our first RV trip this year will be 10-12 April. Not sure where we're going --- but we're going.

Be safe...

18 years!!!

Today marks our 18th wedding anniversary! We met in 1989 in Philadelphia and married about 22 months later on December 22, 1990 in Fresno, California. We had a grand wedding - which my grandmother and mother completely planned and executed. Maria's family did not come from Iceland for the gala event, but very much there in spirit.
We spent our 10th wedding anniversary in Iceland; as we were stationed there from Jan 2000 through Oct 2002. We were seriously planning on renewing our vows in Iceland so her entire family could witness the event, but it just didn't happen - a regret we now have.
Today we were going to celebrate by going to the Olive Garden then a "fun and exciting" trip to CostCo., but we decided we didn't want to drive the 25 miles on-way after we've worked all day. So we'll go this weekend. I will make the CostCo trip on Wednesday (very early am - like 1st customer stuff....) to get our tri-tip for the Christmas meal.

So, here we are waiting for Tom and my Mom to come back from SubWay with our dinner - YES - we're having SubWay on our anniversary night. We'll probably watch a bit of TV, me on RV-dreams chat, then off to finish celebrating......!!!!

Return from the sunny California Coast

We had a great time this past weekend. I left Wednesday with my Mom and dog in the MH with me at 10:00 am, we got there just after noon and got everything set up. Maria and the boys (and 3 of their friends) arrived about 7:00 pm and the boys got the tents up. The boys only stayed there for the night. The next day my brother Mike, Susie, Sunny, Ashley and Dusty all showed up at Pismo and got things set-up for them. They came over to the base and we had a great Thanksgiving dinner with all the traditional food - it was very good and enough to feed all of us for the next 2 days. I didn't realize how much food we had.

So everything we went well over the weekend and noone was injured at that crazy Pismo Dunes - that was a relief.

We got home yesterday around 1:00 pm. The motorhome is parked at the base RV Park as I still need to get it cleaned and get the food out. Maria and I are "planning" on going on a weekend trip this next weekend to an RV park that is about 25 miles from us on a river. We're not sure whether we'll do this, but I'm hoping we do.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Safe travels to all.

MH is out of storage!!

Yes good news....we have taken the MH out of storage. I know I've said this before, but we're very glad that we have our MH parked on the base RV storage lot. It makes easier when we need to clean, prepare for departure, return from a trip, etc. We take it from the storage lot (very secure with a pin-pad lock/gate), then we just drive about 1 block to the base RV Park and we have instant FHUs. BTW, they have 20, 30 and 50 amp hookups with water, sewer and cable...all for 22.00/night. The campground doesn't have the "IT FACTOR"; as Howard on RV-Dreams describes campgrounds, but it works.

OK, so our plans: My Mom and I will leave Wednesday morning around 0800 and we'll drive to San Luis Obispo California Army National Guard base. The base has an RV park (no "IT FACTOR" there either - but could have very easily) where will be staying until Saturday. The best thing this base offers is security, cheap rental at 16.00/night and it's only 10 minutes from Morro Bay. If you want to read about this park see

Maria and the boys will be leaving the house around 1500 and get there right about dark, so I'll have to prepare dinner for them (yes easy stuff....sandwiches); maybe my Mom will make them and I'll just look busy.

So we'll be spending the Thanksgiving weekend with my brothers that will be staying at Pismo Beach which is about 12 miles south of SLO. Although we're not in the same campground we'll still get together throughout the day for lunch/dinner, good times and all that family stuff.

Anyway, should be a fun week.

For all those on road - safe travels.

Cruzin' along...

Well we're certainly cruzin' through this month. Today is 15 November, just another 45 days and 2008 will be over--Unbelievable! We're looking forward to an RV trip Thanksgiving weekend; a little more on that later. I'm in school right along with Joey and Tom and Maria is hard at work with her childcare.

OK - Thanksgiving weekend plans: I will leave on Wednesday, 26 November around 0700 from the base and drive to SLO and park the MH and get it all ready. I hope to arrive around 0930 and get everyhing all set up by noon. Maria and the boys will be leaving from the house around 1500 and arrive around 1700 at the latest. So I'll get sandwiches ready for dinner when she calls me when she's 30 minutes out.

We will be staying at the SLO Army National Guard Base while my brothers will be staying at Pismo State Beach. It's about a 12 mile ride between the two places that we'll make everyday. It will be just a relaxing weekend with no specific plans except to enjoy time off from WORK and spend quality time with our family. Of course we'll go into Morro Bay and check out that quaint little town and go by the beach for a stroll a few times. I really enjoy Morro Beach - beautiful sunsets and very peaceful place to hangout.

We'll be coming home on Sunday around noon and of course getting ready for the next week.

I've been reading blogs and enjoying your travels. Yes there will come a time when Maria and I are on that open highway of freedom.

Safe journeys to all.