Elves and FRG

I wish I were like Santa and had a bunch of little helpers around to do all my Christmas shopping for me! Luckily for me, I have my Bestie to keep me sane at the mall during this crazy time of the year. Yes, I spent 5 hours shopping today and I only have 3 gifts left to buy now! I did well: I didn't buy anything for myself and I only spent about $8-10 per gift...but I did buy Little Miss 3 things! They just had some deals that were too good to pass up, thanks Bath & Body Works for making gifts that smell so good (and for your super sweet coupons)! I came home, organized all the gifts, and as the Bestie was leaving it started snowing. It officially feels like Christmas now.

I got to chat with a few other milispouses today, lots going on this time of year but I was able to make plans to hang out this week. Have I mentioned how thankful I am for the friendships I have made and the amazing milispouses I have met here? We moved here a year ago this month and I have met some of the nicest, strongest, and most inspiring women. I need to give credit where credit is due, I need to thank my FRG for giving me the chance to meet and get to know some great ladies!

Since my first meeting back in February, the FRG embraced me and my family with open arms. This was the FIRST time since I've been a milispouse that I've felt this warm of a reception from fellow wives. They all seemed to be bonded by the fact that their husbands served together and they were willing to let anyone else be a part of the group that shared this same bond. This totally contradicted everything I had heard about FRGs. I heard horror stories about officer's wives running the board and leaving enlisted wives out in the cold. I heard that FRGs caused nothing but drama because of the cliques instead of being a support group. But what I found totally contradicted all of these rumors. The board members were very friendly and never acted like they were better than me just because they were in a position of leadership. I felt like I was their equal and that any suggestion I had, no matter how dumb it was, they would take into consideration. I was invited to all the events and never felt like I was unwanted. I am a self proclaimed dork so I'm used to feeling like the outcast. But with the FRG, I can honestly say I've never felt that way. I was surprised just how busy the FRG kept me while the hubs was gone for workups. They provided ample activities where everyone could be included, whether you had children or not. We had a day at the beach, a picnic at the botanical gardens, numerous dinners out & pot lucks, an ice cream party, a halloween party, and meet & greets. I think the FRG has gone above and beyond to keep us occupied and keep us informed about what is going on with the ship. I consider myself VERY lucky to be a part of such a pleasant group. Of course there are always naysayers with any sort of organization, but I find their problems with our FRG unfounded. I commend everyone that has been a part of our FRG and helped to make it the superb group that it is. 

Maybe the FRG isn't for everyone though (if the rumors I heard prior to moving here are true). All I know are my experiences and thus far they've been magnificent. I hope there are great support groups out there for everyone, whether it is an FRG or just a group of milispouses there to help one another.