THANK YOUS AND GOODBYES

DH here. Sorry it's been so long since my last post. It takes a while to get adjusted. Well, let's start with the goodbyes. Most of you know that my last job in the Navy wasn't very military like at all. I was in an office with all officers and I was the only enlisted. Don't get me wrong, the guys I worked with were great, but there will always be that separation between Os and Es. But, when I arrived at Fort Jackson for training and we were all thrown into the barracks together; I was one of the boys again. I missed all the joking around and just talking about anything you can imagine (some things I can't repeat here). Through all the early mornings and MREs, I never had a bad day, because someone was always there to make me laugh. Living with 30 guys in one room, you're going to make a few friends. But, the training only lasted a few weeks and we were off to Kuwait. Most of us stayed in Kuwait for an additional week of training, but a few left the next day for their IA duty stations and we had to say goodbye. You wouldn't think that people you have only known for a few weeks would make that much of an impression, but I could see it when those of us staying behind, all dead tired from all of the travel, either stayed up or got out of bed at midnight to say goodbye and stay safe. While in Kuwait we had some time on our hands and I spent most of mine with Louis "Sal" Salazar and Dave Bene. We were kind of thrown together, because Sal and I were the only cool kids in our tent and Dave, just a couple of tents down, was the only cool kid in his. A few people were actually calling us the three amigos. Just like before, training ended and we were headed to Bagram, Afghanistan. Dave and Sal stayed in Bagram and I traveled on to Kabul. We said our goodbyes very briefly and we now keep in contact via e-mail. Unlike my earlier years in the Navy, I think we'll stay in touch. E-mail makes it much easier. A photo of the three amigos is below.

Now there are several people that I would like to thank that have been very helpful since this this deployment began. Mike & Missy Marshall (Mike was actually in Iraq at the time) who hosted me the week I was in Norfolk and let me borrow a car since the Navy was too cheap to pay for a rental. Randy & Margaret Lacher who let me lounge in their pool on the ridiculously hot days in Norfolk. The George/Snead Clan down in SC. Danny, Sumie and the kids were great hosts to me during my few off duty hours while I was at Fort Jackson. I think I would like to spend every July 4th down there. Mom for sending the cards that brighten my day each time I receive them; I got one today. Carol and Mike for sending my favorite trail mix and pistachios, you wouldn't believe the amount of people that asked, "Is that the mountain trail mix from Sam's?" Dad and Joyce for e-mailing the photos of Grand mama's Birthday Party and Daniel's Wedding that I missed. Mom and Dad George for dog sitting when Carol came down to SC to visit me before I left. All of our neighbors, Rebbecca, Sharon, and the Lordos Family that have graciously agreed to dog sit for Carol's vacation to the Outer Banks. And Miss London Lordos for keeping Carol company and helping her walk Max while I'm away. The poor military car/motorcycle salesman, Phil, that has had to deal with a million questions from me concerning the Harley Davidson I have now put down a deposit on. Then there's my beautiful wife. How can I can thank her for everything that she is to me? She's simply the best. I miss her terribly, but it's my thoughts of her that get me through each day. I could never make it without her. Carol, Thank you.
Chris

Another gift for the hall of fame

I know I have told you before that my DH (dear husband) is truly amazing, an incredible giver of gifts. He's given me diamonds, dozens and dozens of roses and other flowers (I just got a peace lily from him this week!), coupons for "Carol time" (those of you who are introverts will understand), fine jewels from Caribbean islands, a replication of my favorite tablet/notebook from my childhood that flew out the back station wagon window, a Catrina (how many times can I link to that page in this post?), sweet pajamas, and the list goes on and on. Fer cryin' out loud - he "got" me this blog!!

But this, my friends, this latest gift takes the cake -- or rather, it takes the POOP! Yeah, baby, Doody Calls, and "when nature calls, Doody Calls answers." That's right, I'm talking a pet waste removal service... once a week, scheduled right before I usually mow the grass. They were here today... quick and efficient. Check out the video on the link, and no, that is not one of the guys that came to our house today.

I swear, can life get any better than this? *MUAH* to DH!

If he could put Time in a Bottle

He really, really wishes he could, but...

He's at a new command with a lot to learn and has been working 13 to 15-hour days. He wishes he had the time to blog, e-mail, call more often, but it just is not possible right now. He wants all of us to know that he appreciates the comments on the blog and the e-mails and asks for our understanding that he is not always able to get back to us quickly. Hopefully, he says, he will have more time later.

I am a lucky girl: DH and I have exchanged regular e-mails and I have been able to get phone calls from him almost daily. Just as my family and friends are here for me, so am I here for you if you want to know how Chris is doing. Well, yes, I am glad you asked, there may be days when the sign on my door reads, "Husband Deployed: Proceed with Caution." But those days should be rare!

OK, so the lyrics to "Time in a Bottle" don't really match up with the content of this post. So what.