White Family

*Call with Ombudsman Shelia on 2020-05-21*

<@U02BKFX3R> I’m sending this text message to Shelia to let her know we’re on top of things in regards to a concern she mentioned:

“We’re finding out about the NOSC Facebook page and see what’s going on there as well as how or when we can get you to post or share ombudsman material on it. :blush::+1:”

Does it look okay? Do I need to correct anything?

<@U02BKFX3R> Does this title look correct, “NOSC El Paso Spouses’ Group” ?

<@U02BKFX3R> Shelia recommended “NOSC El Paso Spouse Page.” It is not really a page though but rather a private group. One group I’m on is NAS Pensacola Officers’ Spouses’ Group.

<@U02BKFX3R> I started the group a few minutes ago and invited Shelia to it. It is currently a private group and cannot be searched for publicly until we have set certain things in place.

<@U02BKFX3R> We’ve been talking about this. <https://federalnewsnetwork.com/dod-reporters-notebook-jared-serbu/2020/07/among-dod-leadership-eyes-are-now-wide-open-to-value-of-telework/amp/|https://federalnewsnetwork.com/dod-reporters-notebook-jared-serbu/2020/07/among-dod-leadership-eyes-are-now-wide-open-to-value-of-telework/amp/>

<@U02BY23UR> That's great that they're seeing the value of telework. This might be a way to minimize the amount of money needed to revamp the DOD networks. If they allow people to work from home, all they need to do is invest in VPN services to keep their transmissions secure. People can use their own home networks except for the most-sensitive information.

<@U02BKFX3R> That sounds great! How do they get that kind of feedback?

<@U02BY23UR> I think that it'd be through CNRFC.

<@U02BKFX3R> Did you see this VA-related article? Does it apply to you?

“The new rule could open up opportunities for veterans who were trained in a job they are no longer able to perform and need to go back to school to start a new career.”

<https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/04/07/new-va-education-rule-allows-some-vets-get-multiple-degrees.html/amp|https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/04/07/new-va-education-rule-allows-some-vets-get-multiple-degrees.html/amp>

<@U02BY23UR> I'm not sure! I'll have to check.

USNA 2002 - Zoom Call, Survey, and 20th Reunion

Image from iOS.png

<@U02BKFX3R> What do you think? :grinning::thinking_face::anchor:️

<@U02BKFX3R> Here’s the text that I copied from the USNA ‘02 Facebook group post:

“Classmates and Spouses/Partners - Join us this Sunday (April 25) at 8pm EST for casual class Zoom Happy Hour to catch up and chat about initial 20-Year Reunion planning! <https://usfca.zoom.us/j/82163295281|https://usfca.zoom.us/j/82163295281>

Take a second to fill out this survey, we want as many opinions on the reunion as possible to make this a fun, fulfilling event for everyone!! <https://forms.gle/kB3uv9nwS7dBQnpf8|https://forms.gle/kB3uv9nwS7dBQnpf8>
Hope to see you Sunday!!”

<@U02BY23UR> Neat! I'll have to check it out. Are you wanting to try to go?

<@U02BKFX3R> I think it would be a great opportunity for seeing the Naval Academy (even if it gets restricted to the outside) and the Capitol building and other areas. I spoke to our older children about it, and they have a number of ideas of what they'd like to do. We also spoke about choosing some things that should lockdowns, cancellations, or restrictions occur, we can still get close to the best experience of what would be good to see, walk by, even drive by in the Annapolis and D.C. areas. Mainly, everyone is excited about the experience. They pointed out that it may be the last time we could do something like that as a family.

<@U02BKFX3R> They're interested in mainly seeing what the Naval Academy campus is like (even if it is from the outside), going to a football game (seats and on the grass to experience both), seeing parts of downtown Annapolis, seeing or driving by any of the monuments and historic buildings in Washington D.C., and possibly getting to exercise with Stew Smith.

<@U02BKFX3R> We realize it's going to cost a lot of money for various reasons especially it being a reunion time. I guess it's something exciting to work towards. It would be neat to make other trips too in our future that give other experiences and as we can afford it. At least it may make saving and making money more of a motivation for them as much as us. :slightly_smiling_face:

<@U02BKFX3R> We could also make a spreadsheet of realistic costs of everything from airfare (or the hotel stays, gas, and food in between destinations back and forth), food, and activities as well as breakdown and plan or itinerary too. The itinerary will show us what's realistic to do so that we don't expect to do everything but realize what we have to place as a priority and understand that we might not be able to do other things due to our choices.

<@U02BY23UR> Sounds good to me. I'd love to make that trip!

<@U02BKFX3R> Yay! I'm so glad you'd love to make that trip! It was so helpful for me to talk to our older children to see if we could see the trip in a different light than what you and I were concerned about in getting from it.

<@U02BKFX3R> I think this same thorough plan and research can be applied for our next move.

*Military Transition Pros &amp; Cons List*

<@U02BKFX3R> You’ve often asked me about getting out of the military. I think it would greatly benefit us to see a chart with the what’s, why’s, and anything else that would help us to understand the big picture of retiring next year and transitioning out of the military. What do you think? :)

<@U02BKFX3R> Look at when the comment above was made about making a pros and cons chart about getting out of the military and transitioning. :)

<@U02BKFX3R> I asked Daniel a short while ago if he wanted you to stay in the military. He said something to the effect of, “Not really. He is so busy. If we have a question, I have to ask him before 6:30 in the morning or after 6:00 at night. 

I think he’ll have more time for us or be around more when he gets out. I also think you and Daddy will be able to work more and make more money with the business.” :pray:

<@U02BY23UR> I just looked at the paper that we had looked at previously regarding COLA and retirement timing. The synopsis as follows:
&gt; 1. Always plan your retirement month as the last month of a fiscal quarter (March, June, or December).
&gt; 2. Never retire in September.
&gt; 3. Retire in March for the best historical chance of highest pay.
I can retire either June 1st or July 1st (CAPT H is OK with my changing my retirement date to July 1st at the latest from the current date of June 1st). I’m wondering if I should stick with June 1st, but I’m not sure that the COLA difference (as mentioned in the paper) will actually be worth what we’ll be missing out on being able to take 30 days of terminal leave during June if I were to retire July 1st. Having that extra money (a full months of all pay) might be worth it in the short-term rather than the potential long-term losses. What do you think?

<@U02BKFX3R> You bring up some great points all around. I don’t know that I would give great advice. I’ll pray for you and trust your decision. I just ask you to pray about it. :smiling_face_with_3_hearts::pray:

Image from iOS.jpg

These are the original draft ideas from a few weeks ago. 

These are the photoshop drafts. I just have to find one things on the right side of the mountain. <@U02BKFX3R> <@U02BY23UR> When I touch up the two sides of the mountain, do you think I will be done? 

<@UR1LN7RJ8> When you touched up the mountain, it looks so much better! :+1:

AF-USNA Game
<!channel> Is the game working yet?

<@UR1LN7RJ8> You should be able to get to the game through YouTubeTV through the YouTube app.

<@U02BKFX3R> No, it’s not working on the TV. It says the game is locked.

For some reason, it plays on the Youtube TV app on my phone. My phone gets hot though.

<@U02BY23UR> Have you tried to do it through the YouTube TV app on the TV?

<@U02BKFX3R> It isn’t working through your account.  

<@UR1LN7RJ8> Our Google accounts — <mailto:timthesheriff@gmail.com|timthesheriff@gmail.com> and <mailto:franicia@gmail.com|franicia@gmail.com>.

<@U02BKFX3R> It’s working on my account on my phone’s YT TV app. :thinking_face:

<@U02BKFX3R> I used the wrong account for you. I used the w family email.

<@U02BY23UR> Which account did you try to play it on the TV? It won’t work on the @whitefamily.us accounts.

<@U02BKFX3R> Let me see if I can figure it out using your account with sheriff.

<@U02BKFX3R> I’m trying to connect on the laptop on Chrome using your G sheriff account. It’s asking me if I want to “Continue in a new Chrome profile” (No thanks) or (Ok). 

I don’t know what that means or implicates.

<@U02BKFX3R> In order to connect the TV’s app, I have to use a mobile device or computer. I’m in that process.

I don’t know if I should choose “No thanks” or “Ok” for creating “a new Chrome profile” first.

<@U02BKFX3R> It works! Thank you, Sweetie! We’re connected on the TV.

*Change of Command*
<!channel> I spoke to CAPT Hofmann briefly about my change of command ceremony here. He’s available all month except for 14MAY — Houston’s change of command. He’s open to conducting the change of command early in the month! This is great for us!

CDR Rob Brown also just received his orders today, and I’m going to start working with him on our turn-over plan that we’ll present to CAPT Hofmann in the next week or so.

<@U02BKFX3R> What day are you looking at now for your COC?

<@U02BY23UR> Do you have any thoughts? I have to collaborate with Rob to get his training schedule before I have a really good idea.

<@U02BKFX3R> It says on the calendar that the beginning of Ramadan is on May 2nd. Do you have a preference?

<@U02BY23UR> Maybe May 5th or 6th if it works for Rob. May 5th is Cinco de Mayo. I wonder if it’d be better to avoid that day.

<@U02BKFX3R> <@UR1LN7RJ8> <@U02TSJMH69M> <@U02U78DCSTV> I posted a photography request in the Fort Bliss Officer Wives group on Facebook and said, “I hope this is allowed. Are there any photographers willing to barter for COC (plus retirement) photos for some cash and furniture? We’re getting rid of some dressers, etc., and I’m giving birth to baby number ten in a few months with us going down to a reduced income so would love to save and exchange if possible. 

We can even do logo work. My daughter’s sticker design is used on the voting stickers here in El Paso for so long since they love the retro design so much. Both of our designs sell digitally online on products on Amazon and elsewhere, and she just finished a seal for a Navy reserve center. It’s for May 5 in the morning. :blush:”

<@U02BY23UR> This is the image for my promotion: <https://drive.google.com/open?id=15H2Psn9fel5joYEKvABClgjeijanaYTF&amp;authuser=tim%40whitefamily.us&amp;usp=drive_fs>

<@U02BY23UR> Details:
Date/Time: May 5th at 9am
Location: NRC El Paso; 4810 Pollard St.; El Paso, TX 79930
RSVP: by April 28th
RSVP email: <mailto:hello@timandfranicia.com|hello@timandfranicia.com>
Military: Uniform of the Day
Civilian: Business Casual
Important: For non-DOD ID holders, background checks need to be completed. If you’re attending, we’ll contact you for the details that we’ll need from you.

<@U02BY23UR> Can you please add contact information for the highlighted family and friends on the COC Invites sheet in this workbook?
<https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YdjH6BlxB2AL9elhojzi_P-VTgmnNKnMObkzsuv8hD0/edit#gid=1160884932>

<@U02BY23UR> I finished my draft. I wanted for what I say to be a surprise to you. If you’d like to keep it a surprise, then I’m good with leaving it like that. I think that your helping me with my speech, though, will make it better, and I welcome your input.
<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1muIi80igMcWOQchRDnhtMO6Fpsr_X9wW1fFfbVZagkE/edit#>

<@U02BKFX3R> I’d love my part to be a surprise. Thank you for thinking of that! Is it ready for me to see now then? :heart_eyes::heart::kiss:

<@U02BKFX3R> I’m reading it now. :heart:

<@U02BKFX3R> Sweetie, before I forget, just in case you didn’t remember, it may help you to increase the font size of your speech when you’re done with your final edits. I’m still reading. :smiling_face_with_3_hearts:

<@U02BKFX3R> Sweetheart, you did such a great job with your change of command and retirement speeches! Thank you for allowing me the privilege to read it ahead of time and help you in any way. I skipped the part with my name on it. I made a few spelling and punctuation edits. You did a great job! I’m so thankful to have gone on this journey with you and our children. God has been so gracious and merciful to us. I love you so much! :heart::kiss::smiling_face_with_3_hearts:

<@U02BKFX3R> Book (Memoir) Recommendation - “Never Call Me a Hero: A Legendary American Dive-Bomber Pilot Remembers the Battle of Midway” by N. Jack “Dusty” Kleiss with Timothy and Laura Orr | Awarded the Navy Cross | Daniel Sumey