POSTAL

12MAY07. Saturday. Finally got over to the Post Office and mailed a Package to Ryan. Found a neat T-shirt that might fit him. It was simply too small for me. Also mailed my “Package” (for Advancement) to a friend to review. What a long and drawn-out process. Usually, the package would have taken about 5days or so. This one took a month or two (with my work schedule). Still haven’t heard anything about the R&R Pass. I think I’m almost over this darn bug. Feeling the after effect, runny nose, sneezing, etc. Hopefully, it’s gone by now. Will try to get the blog updated tonight. Well, I’m going to kick back, watch a flick, take some vitamins and crash early again. Will write again soon. Doug

SICK BAY II

11MAY07. Friday. Again felt a little puny. A Bug is definitely running its course at work. For me, it felt like a bad cold that just lingers. Countdown til R&R is still on. Haven’t heard any change to the travel plans yet. Do know that it can change drastically overnight. Regardless, it will be a change for the better. Don’t want to build my self up too much. But, according to the Brief, there’s supposed to be some neat things to do and see. Me, I just want to sip one of my three beers in an Air Conditioned Room. Simple things. Speaking of simple things, the temps here are really soaring. They quickly get very hot in the day, followed by strong breezes in the afternoon, then gets kinda cool. My Buddy is now working days. And, is sporting the Shorts & T-Shirt Look. I’m certainly permitted to match his attire, yet it’s just a little too cool. Well, I’m going to pump-up the intake of Vitamins, catch a flick, then crash. Will update when I can. Doug

SICK BAY

10MAY07. Thursday. Got into work feeling a little weak. Muscles ached and was developing the initial stages of a sore throat. Got to work, only to find 3 people are out for the next two days. One guy is I the hospital. The other was found on the deck of the showers in a fetal position. Needless to say, something is going around. And, is hitting just about everyone. Luckily, I feel okay now (12 hours later). However, did have a couple of hot flashes. Knock on wood. Nothing yet. Will take it easy today and crash a little early again. In hindsight, that explains why I felt a little puny yesterday. Well, same old routine, Will watch a movie then crash. Watched a cheap western yesterday. Wonder what I’ll pick today. Will update as I can. Doug

KIDS – GOTTA LUV EM

9MAY07. Wednesday. Got a wonderful package from ANT Sharon yesterday. Thanks Aunt Sharon. Included within were some Sheriff Dept T-Shirts and some drawings from our nephew’s class. One really caught my eye, by Jennifer, age 8. Some excerpts are as follows: My family is my mom, dad, brother and me! I’m good at school And I like to play soccer, but not a lot…..I have a friend Amanda. Sometimes we play school over her house. She has a bigger brother that can sometimes be annoying.” Good Work Jennifer. Thanks Little Trevor. I really enjoyed the letters. Some really made me laugh so much, I had tears. Thanks for all your love and concerns. Sounds like Little Nephew Trevor’s class is really rooting for us. Well, back to the grind. All my Love. Doug

PREPARATIONS

8MAY07. Tuesday. Now for the good news. Just got news from my chain of command. Seems, the paperwork for R&R has been approved…. I’m going to Qatar for 4 whole days. Whee…It remains to be seen if my buddy and I will be going together, Hopefully so. I know the folks in control are working to get us manifested on the airplane. Thus, R&R will be sometime this month (I think). So, that’s the big news of the day. Did talk with my blushing bride last night. That really picked up my spirits. Sounds like the house and vehicles are breaking down. Or, we just have really old cars. Oh, before I forget, it has been getting really, really windy here. Kinda neat actually. Wish I had more to relay. I don’t. Will watch the remainder of 1941 (a movie) and crash a little early today. Love to all. Doug

KENTUCKY DERBY

6MAY07. Sunday. Finally got my day off last night. Unfortunately the Post Office was closed (Sunday). Still, prior to getting my half-day off, the Kentucky Derby was coming on. A Pool was started, for $5 bucks, I entered and Picked #7 – Street Sense. I won $100 bucks. Not a bad way to start the day….Brought my junk to the Tillman USO building. Not too impressive. Although it did provide some seating in front of a big screen tv, some cold water (and Hot coffee). Couldn’t get the wireless to work. So concentrated on working my advancement package. After a couple of hours, I was at a stand still. The featherweight boxing came on. Watched Oscar Delarosa loose. After which, went by the Exchange a picked up a couple of items. Worked then back to the Hootch. I plan on hitting the rack early (hopefully get more that 5hours sleep). That’s my plan. Will update the Blog tonight. Doug

USO - NOT

5MAY07. Saturday. Well, was not able to take my day off last night. Had a few things pop-up. Will try again tonight. Hopefully, I’ll be more successful. Again, I’ll go to the USO and try to finish writing my package for my next advancement. Just haven’t had the time nor resources to finish it up. And, believe me, I have been trying. Will also stop by the Post Office and mail a package. Will double check to ensure it’s open. I’m sitting pretty fat on munchies. I have been bringing in a little at a time. Well, I’m gonna go for the time being. I’ll certainly update when able. Take care for now. Doug

HOLD ON NOW

4MAY07. Friday. Tonight I get to take my ½ day off. I’m so excited. Looking to check out the USO, then get to the Post Office. That should take about 20 minutes. Then, I think I’ll wander around. Got a package from Terri yesterday. It contained a 120GB Hard Drive about the size of your hand. Now, I can swap movies with my buddies – something to look forward to. It isn’t much, but it is the highlight of my day. Also contained within were some goodies. Again, thinking of the General Store…Well, I’ll try to get on the Internet tonight from the USO. My best. Doug

HALF-DAY OFF

3MAY07. Thursday. What good news. I can take a half-day off. I’m almost beside myself. I just don’t know what to do. There is a building by the runway with Tillman USO center (in honor of Pat Tillman) written all over it. I might drop by there and see what’s available. Obviously, I’ll have to find a way to fit more events into my busy time off. I’ll let you know. Was able to get on the Internet last night and check email as well as update the blog. Internet is flaky at best. Couldn’t load pictures due to bandwidth restrictions. With the recent package deliveries in the last couple of days, looks like I own a general store. I tend to break out the munchies over time – so they are not consumed in one setting. The Girl Scout Cookies are a prime example; there were about 30 boxes. All were gone within 4-5 hours. I was pretty impressed. Well, I’m gonna watch one of the DVDs my sister sent. Thanks Sharon. I’ll ensure they are put to god use. Love you all. Doug

SO IT MUST BE CHRISTMAS

2MAY07. Wednesday. It must be Christmas. Got yet another package from Aunt Sharon. Thanks Aunt Sharon. Speaking of Ants…..Seems I’m sharing my rack with several of those critters. Unfortunately, they are getting more rack time than me. Sharon Sent some DVDs, Snacks, and Bug Spray. Might just start an enterprise killing ants in the hootch. Will certainly be employed for some time to come. I’m completely whipped. Long day. Have ½ hour til rack time. Oh, before I forget, have two great names which I hereby copyright and Trademark. Here’s my ideas. For a cool sounding band name, how about “The Dirty Mullahs.” Like ZZTop, complete with beards, sunglasses, and turbans. Okay, Okay. How about a Coffee Shop named “The Reason Bean” sounds cool huh? See, that’s what sleep depravation will do. Causes the mind to wander a bit. Well, Will try to update the Blog tonight. Doug

MEMORIES

1MAY07. Tuesday. Well I failed to upload the blog last night. Seems the Internet was acting flaky. I’ll try again tonight. Oh, I forgot to tell you, I received a Christmas Present from the Reserve Intel Area I work with. So, either the package is very early or very, very late. Regardless, It was well received and contained a lot of great stuff. Couple pairs of shower shoes, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, some munchies and a few dozen Homemade Cookies. THANKS! They were well received by all. Needless to say, I’m pretty much the hit around town. Lots of goodies from friends and family. Yeah, I make some weep and others envious. Anyway, the package did really lighten up the mood. Well, it’s pretty hot and gloomy. I’m exhausted. Will watch about 20min of the Alamo DVD, then crash. Love to All. Doug

BSA TROOP 400 RULES THE DAY!!!!

30APR07. Monday. Well, door is finally on with a cipher lock. No one has the combo. So, we are all forced to go through the back door. Too Funny. You simply cannot make this stuff up. My buddy and I submitted our paperwork for R&R – only to be shot down. Seems now they (the Army) cannot afford to loose two navy E-6’s at the same time. We are trying to petition the effort. Regardless, we are both going on R&R, just might have to go it alone. What Fun!! Will keep you posted. Work has been so busy, that I haven’t been able to get away to check email. Will try to do so tonight. Oh, before I forget, the me give A BIG SHOUT OUT TO TROOP 400. THEY RULE!!! Seems Troop 400 bought some Girl Scout Cookies for the specific purpose of sending them my way. Let me tell you, there were a lot of cookies. And, they went fast. I’ve never seen such a flurry of activity centered on cookies. Just like a taste of home. I think that’s why there are such a hit, they remind us a little of home. Also want to thank Meg B. for sending them my way. Thanks Meg. I sure do miss you guys. Tell all at Troop 400 I really miss camping. Also, thanks to Priscilla E. for thinking of me and the folks deployed. Well, I’m gonna snack on some mint wafers, and watch some Reno 911 episode. Take Care and Thanks for thinking of us. Doug

ON THE JOB TRAINING

29APR07. Sunday. The Seabees are working on the door to the Hootch. A big Plus….I had a pulley-system rigged-up to close the door automatically. Was working okay. Now, they have the door on half ass, it’s starting to rain. So, the door is on (without a handle). And now flaps in the wind. Great Job…Did get a great work-out in. Will go jump in the shower here shortly. Watch a flick, then crash. Miss you guys. Will update when I can. Love Me

DAY OFF

28APR07. Saturday. Took the day off from a workout. First one in quite a while. Spent the time waiting for a computer to check email. Finally got on the internet, and answered several emails. Also managed to get a haircut this morning. Was starting to get kinda shaggy. Got the quick check on the family. Seems they are very busy. Kids car is busted – costing 500 bucks to repair. Another kid is off to Band Trip, Fiesta Parade, and Six Flags. Busy Family. Good News. Finally talked the boss into letting everyone take a half day off (6hrs) – once a month. WhoooHoooo. Might lounge outside and get some sun. Hmmm.. Have a wonderful day. Doug

MEMORIES

27APR07. Friday. Somehow I skipped a day. Don’t know how. Regardless, had a wonderful night/day. Received several packages. One was marked “feminine supplies.” Needless to say, by the time I got to work, It had several handmade labels from my colleagues. Such as “Fragile, Tampons Inside” and ”Handle with Care” Needless to say, the boss was insistent that I remove the box from the general public. So, I gave it to a female co-worker to hide, distribute, etc. Still, the box got to where it needed to go. Also got some snacks and a family CD. A compilation of the things I dearly love and miss. Good Job Guys. Brought a tear to my eye. I contained scenes from Easter, the Back Porch (Yoohoo) new wicker furniture, and the kids acting wacky. What a much needed reprieve from the mundane boredom here. Thanks again. Gonna get into the routine and watch a flick. Till update when I can. Thanks for the CD. Love you all. Doug