Summer of 12

As I look back on the summer of 2012; I am amazed at how much happened in the three months of the hottest days on record. June seen my little one head off to Camp for a week then spend a week with her Grandparents. July seen me travel to Utah for Army training. which took me took Vegas then Tooele UT. back to Vegas all in 24 hours. Then back to Tooele the next day. August seen the start of Jr High for the last of the Rutledge kids and the start of public school cheer leading. As for me I went to Flagstaff for more Army training then the last week of August to the 18th of September on leave as I have acquired to much to move into the next year which starts 1 October. September brings number two home from Army AIT in Georgia as a stop over on his way to South Korea for a year or more. I hope he enjoys his time overseas as I did when I went though the South Pacific and Asia with the Navy. I am proud of what he is doing and wish him luck. We also spent the weekend in Vegas to see one of our Rock legends Dee Snider. We took H with us and she had a blast rockin with all the "old" people as she put it. She was amazed at how big some of the casinos were and how you could see just about everything you wanted. She even got a autographed picture with Elvis.

I have also reached a milestone as I only have 12 classes left until I reach my degree in Criminal Justice. I have started applying for work in the law enforcement field with the hopes of landing a job in the near future. I wish list includes San Diego Sheriff, US Marshall, ICE or Costumes. I am sure I will find work with one of them.

A bumpy day

This morning started out as a great day. I ran three miles on the treadmill, then did about 100 each push ups and sit ups. Then my world started the downward spiral for the rest of the day. My wife text me that my sister called her. So I called my sister. She informed me that my mom had stopped breathing and was taken to the ER. They got the pulse back but she was still not breathing on her own. The hospital flew her to Tulsa say they didn't have the means to care for my mom. After my sisters arrived at the hospital in Tulsa the Doctor's there informed my sisters that my mom was brain dead when she arrived that that there was nothing that they could do for her. The staff took my mom off the ventilator and she finally passed away at 6:51 tonight after a short bout with brain cancer.

This has been a hard three weeks for me. My mom has always been there for me when I needed her. From her letting me stay with her after my time in the Navy until I found my own place to live to being there when I went through my divorce. I will always carry my mom in my heart and miss her terribly

April 2012

As the month comes to a close; I look back at was one of my most busiest months in recent months. During the middle of the month I took my semi-annual PT test with the Army. I scored a 250 with maxing my push-ups with 66 completed. My goal is to max all three events this October when I take my next test. I also set a goal to lose up to 20 pounds to help with my run time. Also during this time I was hand picked by one of my commanders to get a unit ready for deployment. job. This has me very busy because I still have my normal duties with my normal job. I hope next month goes smoothly and I am able to meet all the needs of my job and home life.

Until later.
Traveling Armadillo

First four months of 2012

   Well the first four months of 2012 are quickly coming to a close. I have seen my son grow into a young man serving his country. I hope he has a great time as I have doing the same. Traveled from Arizona to Georgia in two days. That was a great trip. Seen some of my family that I hadn't seen in years. Just wish I could have spent more time with them. Shared moments with my daughter as she got to see the mighty Mississippi river and other sights across our country. Followed in the footsteps of Martin Luther King Jr. as we drove across Alabama. Marked of a couple more Wal Marts in my goal to step into each of them.
    Found out that my Mom has brain cancer. After a couple of hard weeks we found out that she has two tumors and that they can be treated with radiation. I hope she has a few more years in her and that she can see me graduate college.
   I have been tasked to support a unit going overseas for deployment. I wish them God speed and a safe return to their families. Some are close friends and it is my honor to assist them in their deployment.

Well that pretty much sums up the last four months of the traveling Armadillo. Next time I won't take so long to post.

The end of January

As the first month of 2012 comes to an end I want to look back on what was for the most part a uneventful month.  It marked the one year anniversary of the passing of my Dad. I miss him more everyday. It's hard knowing that I can't pick up the phone and give him a ring. My Son Chasten left for the Army this month. We heard from him twice since leaving on the 22. He called saying that the platoon had to stand at attention for three hours because someone forgot to flush the toilet. We told him that they are a team and if one fails they all pay for it. I finished two more classes in my pursuit of the college degree. I only have 14 classes left until I have a degree in Criminal Justice.
I hope the next month is just as good as the last one.

2011 A Year in the Rear View Mirror

      As 2011 comes to an end and I look back at the year I have had some ups and a few downs. January seen the passing of my dad Frank Rutledge Sr. He is and will always be truly missed. February seen me move to the 108th Army Band.(insert band jokes here). While as the Readiness NCO of the band I worked hard to bring them up to the standard that they needed to be.
       July started the last season as a parent of one of the Queen Creek Hornets Cheerleaders. Practice started in July and continued until opening day in August. The girls won State Championship in October and went to Regionals in Long Beach CA in November. Again this year they finished third overall. The girls cheered their hearts out and worked hard throughout the season. It was sad to see the end of a great dynasty in the Queen Creek area.
        December seen the final sale of our house that we had owned for the past seven years. We moved the weekend before Christmas and was unable to put up all our decorations for the holidays. We did get the tree up at the old house and put it in the truck when we moved to our new house. The end of the month seen my transfer to A Co. 158th BSB. I start the new year with a new unit and hopefully my last before retirement. It was a sad day when I said goodbye to all my friends in the 198th RSG. I have been with them for ten years and have many friends that I will miss there. The good thing is that I will just be across the street and able to see them from time to time.

Lets hope the new year brings happiness and joy to all and we are here at the end of 2012.

DEC 20th 2011

This is the first of many blogs into my weird but interesting life. In here you will find out about my travels in the military and my everyday life. Most of my life is somewhat interesting and for the most part enjoyable. So sit back have a brew and just enjoy the ride.