About me! What can I say? What would be interesting to people? I guess I could just use my bio from my Change of Command program, but that’s a little limited, and only encompasses a small part of who I am. So what do I share? How about… I am a Coast Guard Officer, married to another Coast Guard Officer. We’re THAT couple – you know, the one who met at the Academy and then got married three days after graduation… so cliché! But it’s worked for us for nine years of crazy married life so far! Luckily, we find ourselves together at our most recent assignment (we haven’t always been so fortunate!), and I’m loving this quiet slice of heaven known as Kodiak Island! I’ve been a cadet, a shipdriver, a desk-driver, a graduate student, and, now, a Commanding Officer (of a small training center) so far in my Coast Guard career. In my personal life, I’m a wife, an active member of my church community, a newly-minted fisherwoman, a hiker, a photographer, and a crafter. I love sarcasm and dry humor, and “the hubs” has been known to actually call me “weird” on occasion – whatever that’s about! So, that’s me!

It’s really hard to figure out where you fit in the midst of such amazing company! I am the mother to two little boys, and have the privilege of being a stay-at-home-mom. My husband and I are originally from Texas, and are high school sweethearts. The Coast Guard has taken us from Texas to Northern California, and now to Alabama.

Lots of people get overwhelmed with the idea of playing the the computer and the tedium that it involves, but it’s actually very therapeutic for me. I’m an eager administrator for our fearless leader, Just a Girl in a Port. It’s not uncommon to find me attached to my MacBook, playing with graphics or editing a photo for a friend. I love to dance and sing, generally in ways that most would consider crazy. No big audiences these days, and that’s just fine with me. I enjoy hosting get-togethers with fellow Coastie wives and having a good time, while learning more about how to cope and flourish in this lifestyle. I have a tendency to be a compassionate cheerleader, and I’m always ready for new experiences.

Just a Girl in a Port (JAGIAP) is a New England native who loves to travel and connect with other military spouses. Married to a fairly salty Coast Guardsman, she is an advocate for volunteerism and reaching out to others in need, military families in particular.  In addition, she is currently rearing a few small people who happen to call that salty husband of hers "Dad". Despite her current dependent spouse status and mothering stint, JAGIAP has donned a military uniform, but now enjoys her veteran status. Wearing her geek glasses, she enjoys military history, organizing spouse functions, legal research and amateur photography. Of course, she's also been known to dance across a stage like nobody's business or even hit the road to go for a leisurely jog. Still, it should be said that her passion is writing. Seriously, even writing an address label excites this gal.

With the greatly appreciated help of her dear friend and co-administrator, Amber, she is in the developmental stages of many exciting aspects for this group. Thrilled with the positive feedback this blog has received thus far, JAGIAP is eager to grow with this beautifully diverse bunch and hopefully provide some new services for Coast Guard spouses.

All about me in 200 words or less….My name is Lainy. I’m married to a crusty old BOSN who loves to get underway and if he ever retires, dreams of driving a tug boat on the Columbia River. Our life is pretty great, I’ve got to admit. We’ve got two kids, a 9 year-old boy and a 3 year-old girl who are as different as night and day and keep us on our toes.

I have a job that I absolutely love as an analyst for a county public health department. And I dread the day that it’s time for us to leave, but I’ve done it with so many other jobs it’s just another thing I’ve gotten used to. I’m also a volunteer financial counselor for Coast Guard families and that’s been a very rewarding opportunity that I’m committed to continuing focus on. I’m also a veteran; 7 years active duty and 3 years as an MP in the National Guard. Definitely experiences that helped shape who I am today.

When we’re not working we love to be outside; anything from sitting in the yard in the evening to camping and hiking. I also love to sew, scrapbook and read.

The Coast Guard has given us many great opportunities; I’ve gotten to take time off to go to grad school, and we’ve lived in places we would have never experienced otherwise- trust me snowshoeing in Sault Ste. Marie is not something we would have ever done if it weren’t for the Coast Guard. While it hasn’t all be rainbows and roses, it’s been a good life for us and in some weird way I’ll miss it when it’s over- if it’s ever over!

Olive Oyl is a sassy brunette with a penchant for sailors and spinach. Unlike that fictional broad the real Olive Oyl has hips. It should also be noted the real Popeye has neither a tattoo nor a pipe and he hasn't eaten a single one of Olive's spinach dishes in years.

With those disclaimers out of the way, Olive spent the first fifteen years of her life as a military brat (oh and what a brat she was!) She eventually served an enlistment in the US Coast Guard where she met dear Popeye. She hitched her life-ring to his dinghy and has been on this journey as a Coastie wife now for over sixteen years. The CG life has brought her family from coast to coast, on a variety of adventures.

In addition to playing the sailor's wife and Mum to Sweetpea and siblings, Olive works for the local school system and is an amateur photographer. She spends her free time hiking, fishing, surfing the 'net, reading, and planning fantasy travel adventures.

I am an overeducated, underpaid SAHM to two rambunctious kiddos. I'm a practical dreamer and dependently independent; in other words, I'm a contradiction of terms. Like the song says, I'm just "a little bit of everything, all rolled into one" and I like it that way. I'm not always rainbows and butterflies, but I try not to be a downer either, I suppose that's where my realist side comes out. I like to think about and plan for the future, but don't know where exactly I want to be and dream up all kinds of possibilities for our post-CG life.

Speaking of CG life (which is what brings us all together in the first place, right?), my husband is a pilot in the CG and has taken us along for the ride, so to speak. We are currently at our second unit together and we are riding this roller coaster until retirement - though we aren't quite at the halfway mark. We sometimes scream at the operator to let us off, but we change our minds before he actually hears us. The CG provides us with so much and we couldn't turn that away. It's such an amazing experience and I'm so glad to have found a group of people to share this journey with.