Thursday, August 28, 2008

I'm in the mess!! or Just when you think you know a person


No this blog is not about my sometimes messy house. Fourteen years ago I met my husband, it's not our anniversary that's due next March, I mention this because I met my husband in the military! Yes I was a soldier for nine years, my first posting was at a Battalion Head Quarters, in the Commanding Officer's Office where I would be an office assistant.

Even though there were women in the Military at least 14yrs before I joined, in this particular battalion (a battle ready battalion) women weren't exactly common. I was one of three women posted there, at nineteen I did not have much working experience, I did do some computer courses but apart from my Secondary (High School to you guys!) certificates I was largely unskilled.

So fresh out of recruit training I began working in the Office, the same office my husband worked, the moment he came through the door I knew it was love at first sight! I could tell he felt the same because he gave me that special smile.............. the smile that said 'I think you're special........... NOT!!!!

Actually it went like this, he walked in, realised that there was a newly trained recruit in the office and gave me the sneer! It's the sneer all recruits get because recruits are the scum of the earth!!

We never really gave each other the time of day, except when work was involved. I was just into my peers, (fellow recruits) and we would eat together in the hall and party together on our time off. Recruits stick together!

Two years into my posting, another batch of recruits joined the battalion and i was no longer on of the 'youngest' soldiers around, finally I would be senior to someone! Finally someone to sneer at! As time went by my coworkers started to accept me as an invaluable member of the office and I was being invited to Office gatherings .

My husband joined the military five years before me so he was senior to me by a lot! Well somehow during the socialising with the office members Kieth and me would end up alone many times and we would talk for hours! Blah blah and we got married. I moved to another battalion and through studies decided a civilian position was better for me being a mom and all that.

So now my husband is to become a sergeant which is prestigious and I am sooo proud of him! They have great parties and extremely formal functions, I remember looking on while still in the Army at the mess members (Sergeants and above) arrived for various functions with their wives looking so glamorous and I would admire that. So now I'll be in the mess too! (good thing i took the shortcut!)

28 comments:

Justine said...

Raquel, only you could make fatigues look that good! How exciting for Keith! Tell him congrats from me! And wow, now we get to see you all dolled up for parties? Kewl!

Justine :o )

Anonymous said...

Oh, Raxx, how nice to learn more and more about you! You, little bitty pretty one, were a soldier? I'm so impressed. My congratulations go out to your hubby on his promotion. I'm proud of him too!

I've been thinking about you. Are you in any danger of the hurricane out there? We're a little edgy knowing it's headed our way!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Raxx - A day in the life said...

Aww thanks Justine! I'm really happy for him too! He waited a long time, promotions are slower in our military, He's been there 19yrs now! I'll be sure to tell him.

Thank you Shelia! We've had some heavy rains, and really bad flooding in some areas, but no named hurricane has come ashore in my recent memory. We are not in the 'hurricane belt' per se.

Bridget said...

Congratulations to you both you messy little couple you! You do look awfully cute in your army fatigues.

Anonymous said...

you soldiers always stick together, i have two sisters in the army, and not once have i ever been introduced to a bachelor, well no worries with my two sons in the army, i expect that to change, but seriously, sweet story as usual, and tell Kieth i am proud of him too

damnemptynester

Deb said...

Hi Raxx, congratulations to your husband and yourself!. Short-cuts are great! I can't wait to see you dressed and ready to attend your first party. Thanks so much for stopping by this morning and I hope that next friday you will join in on the fun. I will add you to my blog roll too, seems we touch base from time to time and the times I've visited with you have been enjoyable. Deb

SG said...

Trinidad has a Military? Who do they fight? Interesting.

Congratulations to your husband! And you too of course because now you get to go to the functions and be all glamorous! You'll be gorgeous! You already are. Take pics! Blog! Blog! Blog!

"Blah blah and we got married." I was hysterical at that line. You left out all the juicy details.

Oh and you're adorable in camo!

Unknown said...

How wonderful for you both! Have fun picking out just exactly the "right" dress because as we all know, that is what is *really* important... HA! Seriously, congratulations! I know it is a really big deal, and I know you are very proud of him.

artis1111 said...

PARTY!!!!! FUN!!! DANCING!!!! Have a ball.Kathy

Raxx - A day in the life said...

Deb I've missed you! We'll keep in touch from now on!

LOL!! Becky of course we have a military!! As long as youre self ruled you gotta have one. (Our Independence day is Sunday btw)
LOL!! I know blah blah, I plan to save it for my anniversary blog!

Janet youre a sweetie! I'll tell him and thank you!

Thanks Kathy, I'll look for the alien there too! never know where he'll turn up!

Anonymous said...

Raquel... look at you, looking like a stone cold fox in those fatigues! I had no idea that you were in the Military! I'm so happy for you and your husband! I can't wait to see you all glammed up!

Good things happen to good people!

xoxoxo
Donna

Lisa said...

That is so exciting for him and you too. You must feel so proud! Now go get messy.

Hey, hows the carnival outfit thingy going?

Mrs. B said...

Hi there! I'm so glad you stopped by my blog today because now I've found yours!

Congratulations to your husband! My brother in law has been in the military for years (actually, he's recently retired). We've always been so proud of him with each promotion! He and my sister in law go to the Marine Ball every year and my sister in law gets to wear formal gowns. I've always thought that would be so fun!

Life on the Edge said...

How fun to learn this about you! I had no idea that you had been in the military! And now you are going to be going to the sargeant parties on the arm of one! Can't wait to see you all dressed up.

Kady

Buffie said...

Excellent news for your hubby!!! I'm gonna have to be extra nice to you now that I know you can whoop my butt! lol!
I can't wait to see you all dolled up either! You'll have to post photos, promise!?!

Penny said...

You just get more and more interesting every day Raquel! I'm grinning ear to ear that you're now one of the "glamorous" ladies on Trinidad. I really giggled when you said "Blah, blah, and we got married". That was too funny. Hey, we all know what the blah, blah is, right?! hahaha

Congrats to Keith (love that name), and your whole family on his prestigious accomplishent!

love ya,
Penny

Penny said...

Hey Raquel, I just read the comment you left. :-) I honestly didn't have a close up pic of me until Bridget sent that gift and I took a few pics of myself. I remembered what you wrote about me not speaking up, so I snuck a new one in their just this morning! I'll try and replace soon since I have a bandaid on my eyebrow where I had a little scratch! LOL
Okra lovers unite!
Penny

Anonymous said...

Hi pretty one!! Thanks for popping in to see me on Pink Saturday. We're on alert in case Gustav turns toward us. I'm sure we'll get some weather effects from it. Hope you're safe!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

squawmama said...

congratulations to your husband... Thanx for visiting my blog raxx.. I went to your blog and read the whole thing. It was fabulous and I enjoyed it alot.. Will be visiting again soon. I am glad to hear from everyone it is great fun hearing from you all and seeing all the blogs... Thanks again, Donna

ps... still raining here

Anonymous said...

Evening Raquel. Hope you've had a nice holiday! Have you decided on your outfit yet for Carnival? I can't wait to see it!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Anonymous said...

Ooh I didn't know about that. I was in the Royal Navy for 9 years too! My hubby was senior to me and I never got chance to get to a mess 'do'. Still I think it was more fun in the junior rates bar - less stuffy!

We must share stories or 'swing the lamp' as we Navy types would say.

Lisa (aka) French said...

I read this whole story and how touching and sweet is was;) Thought I had left a comment guess I didn't~~ugh~~hard to keep up these days! Thanks for stopping in and noticing kindness although little it was meant from the heart! French;)

Anonymous said...

Hi Pretty One! Thanks for popping in. Hey, aren't I still waiting on your bathroom snap?? lol
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

nikkicrumpet said...

If you look that good in camo...think how gorgeous you'll be all dolled up!! All those military men are gonna be JEALOUSSSS of your hubby catching the hot chick!

Tulsi said...

40 isn't bad. We are smarter now than we were at 21!!!! I don't mind being 42 at all. I actually worried about being 25 more. Your being a military family caught my eye. My husband and son are in the Utah National Guard. Steve was in Afghanistan. My son is almost finished with Basic. I seriously hate the formal Military things. I'm glad to know that someone likes those. You are much to beautiful to be military. Not that I doubt that you were a top notch soldier, just that at first glance, that wouldn't have been my first thought of careers. If you have time, you can visit another 40ish girl.

Anonymous said...

Hi pretty one!! Well, we live in a tropical environment too, but I still pull out the pretties, even while it's in the 90s today! Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Anonymous said...

Raquel, how are you today! What's new? Have you been shopping for the big event?


Donna

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

Raquel, How did I miss this posting?? I must have seen that yummy oka and that was all I could see. lol I didn't realize you and your husband are in the military. Thanks for the kind words of support for the US on Sept 11th. I hope you have a wonderful day!!
Hugs, Terrie