Our post-deployment cavalry ball was Friday night at a resort and casino. It was the same place we had it two years ago before the deployment, but this year it was ten times better.
The Mr. and I got down to the resort around 1 so that I could help decorate the room. I checked in and saw there were plenty of people, so the Mr. and I went up to our room to relax. My best friend, Sherry, showed up around the same time and we decided to have coffee downstairs at the cafe. We needed to wait out the hours before we could get ready.
We dropped in at the bar for a drink, then the girls went up to get ready. Now, I'm terrible at doing hair. I've never been good at it. As a child, I tried to brush my hair and got the brush so tangled in my hair it was cut out. So yeah, me and hair do not mix. She put all the curl in and and I helped curl hers (the one thing I can do). Lucky for her, I didn't even burn her. Score!
I headed back up to my room with the Mr. to do my make-up and get dressed. I pulled my hair in a low ponytail and sprayed it so it looked huge. I put in my big earrings, chunky bracelets and monstrous cocktail ring and was ready to go.
All dressed up and ready to go!
The Mr. was looking pretty good as well.Now, this is where the ball was much better than last year.
This year, the Mr. and I knew a lot more people. He had worked with a lot of people in the squadron during the deployment and met a lot of the soldiers. While he was gone, I met a lot of the wives from our troop and squadron. Combined? We knew a lot of people. It was such a great feeling mingling with his soldiers and my friends and meeting new people. Unlike a lot of units, our squadron commander and his wife are very low key, so we don't do a receiving line. They prefer to mingle over a cocktail hour, which gives everyone else the same chance.
We entered the ballroom and it was beautiful with dim lighting and candles on the tables. We chit chatted with some of the Mr.'s soldiers before the posting of the colors, the toasts and of course, the grog.
I'm sure everyone is aware of the grog, but for cavalry, it's a huge deal. It's the part everyone looks forward to. I don't even remember all the liquors that went into it. There were funny parts and parts that made everyone cheer. The Mr.'s troop has what they call the "Cav Cock" that has been in the troops for some time (it's some kind of fake rooster with feathers). It even went to Afghanistan with them. That was dropped in the middle of the grog.
The additions to the grog were done through Stetsons, shoes, socks, people spitting the beverage into the grog and other ways.
Because of the extreme drinking of last year, we were only allowed a shot of the grog. As tradition, I took my shot. I instantly wished I hadn't. It's way too many liquors and just way too strong for me. But, it's tradition — I had to.
After dinner and the commander's remarks, the floor opened for dancing. Now, I love to get out on the dance floor and move it. Last year, the Mr. spent most of his time standing around. This time, he was dragging me on the dance floor.
By the end of the evening, I was ready to go, but we stayed for almost the entire ball this year. The Mr. and I stopped for gelato on our way back to the room (a tradition of ours) to end the evening. I went to sleep after having spent the night laughing with my friends, posing for pictures and dancing with my gorgeous husband until my muscles and feet were sore.
Me and my best friend Sherry.
You are brave for trying the grog! After all of these years, I still can't imagine myself ever trying it!
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