TIGER WOODS JR

30JUL07. Monday. Sent our middle child off to Band Camp this morning. Poor kid couldn't get to sleep last night. Hung around the house for the appliance repair man. Guy was good. Fixed the Dishwasher and Dryer in about 45min. So, at 830AM woke the boy up and played Nine Holes at Whiting Field. Had a Blast. Did lunch afterward. Thought I'd quickly update the Blog to let folks know that I'm having a Blast. Time is just zipping by tho. Take Care. Doug

TYPICAL SUNDAY

29JUL07. Sunday. Going over to the Bro-in-LAW's House again. Just can't get too much BBQ and POOL Time. God, how much I do take my Florida Lifestyle for Granted!!! The Brakes on the Van need Replacing, the Dishwasher has broken and the Dryer Died. Will fix the Brakes ASAP, the Appliance man is coming Tomorrow, and Hopefully, nothing else will Break before I leave. Kinda funny reflecting on Summer, the kids are sleeping in (it's 11AM), we are coordinting with the Brother-in-Law, Dogs could care less, and I'm Channel Surfing. Paradise!
Will update when I can. Doug

THE BIG EASY

27JUL07. Friday. Well, got up bright and early (3AM) to hit New Orleans at 8AM. My meeting with the Navy Brass was at 8:30AM. Spent the next two hours getting "Grilled" by four Officers in the Command. Pretty hard-core session. At the end tho I got the nod from all. Moreover, they all had some really positive great "Tips & Tricks" to make my Officer Package really stand out. I had butterflies in my stomach the previous night. After the "Grilling Session" the wife and I checked into the Hotel then scooted off to the Boomtown Casino. She lost 2 Bucks, I won 30. The Rain prevented us from enjoying the Hotel Pool. Still had a great time. I'm currently using the computer in the Hotel Lounge to update the Blog. Will probrably checkout in a little and head for the House. Will Update when I can. For all those who have helped me and my family throughout this Deployment I sincerely say Thanks. Dug

Peg Leg Petes

26Jul07. Thursday. Went to the beach today for lunch. Man, the beach is still under repair. Bunch of Condos being worked and repaired. Recieved some good news, headed to New Orleans to sit for an Officer Interview Board. I'm a little nervous to say the least. This is one of the final steps for the Limited Duty Officer (LDO) Program. Terri and I decided to stay overnight in the Big Easy. Got a Hotel for the night, and will make the best of it. Oh, the Dryer just died. Just another appliance that broke. Well, that's the latest. Doug

HONEY-DO III.....

25JUL07. Wednesday. Did some Yardwork again today. It's simply amazing how much stuff has broken in and around the house. After the day cooled down, the wife and I played Croquet in the back yard. That was fun. Tomorrow we will try to get to the beach and see what has been repaired since Hurricane Ivan. Will keep the post up.

DOOM & GLOOM

24JUL07. Tuesday. What a day. Was planning on moving some tree limbs from the yard, Unfortunately, we got rained out. Happily, we salvaged the day by doing lunch and a rouund of golf at Whiting Field. Afterwhich, we had a Bushwacker (a local sluchi drink) and shot some pool. Man, do I miss this lifestyle. Damn Terrorists. Well, looks like my body is getting some color. Finally. Will attempt to do some yard work. Hopefully, my motivation for the yard work will remain constant. Oh, look a puppy......Dug

HONEY-DO II

23JUL07. Monday. Man is stuff broken around the house. Dishwasher, Side Fence, Screen Porch, Garage Door. I give up.....Still, it was a real joy to putz arond the house and fix a few things. Or, at least try. Chopped down a tree that finally died after Hurricane Ivan. I was afraid the Tree was gonna fall into the our little shed. So, will probrably do some more "putzing" around the house. Did call the Boyz at Fort Bragg to say I'm still alive. Depart 4AUG07 for Bragg. That date is fast approaching. Dug

PS. Kristen does not want me to show this pic.

THE BRITISH OPEN/GIMPING FOOL

22JUL07. Sunday. Watched the British Open today at the Brother-in Law's house. Met with Terri's mom for a BBQ and some Pool Time. After vegging in the sun, the weather moved in and we had to call it quits. Just as well. Relocated back at the house and sucked on some Sudz, ordered Pizza, and called it a day. The days are just flying by......Too quick for me. Will update when I can. Dug

HONEY-DO's

21JUL07. Saturday. Lots of stuff in the house needed a little TLC. Spent the early part of the day doing chores around the house. Knocked down a dead tree, replaced some light bulbs, filled some holes in the yard. In general, did some honey-do's. The list seems to continue to grow. After the chores, snuck to Chris W.'s House and just floated in the Pool. What a nice reprieve from the sun. Well, looks like we will be going back to his house for another BBQ. Shucks. Think I've gained a couple of pounds. Dug

THE OVAL OFFICE

20JUL07. Friday. Went to a old Pensacola Florida Hang today, The Oval Office. This Dive Bar sells the best Burgers in town. The family and I went and shared lunch together. Man, what a good Burger. Later in the Evening, my wife and I went to the Blackwater Marina. Another Dive on the Water. Had a couple of drinks and just chatted. Haven't done that in a while. Unfortunately, the batteries in the camera died. So, no photos. Sorry. Still had a wonderful time. Doug

THE MASTERS

19JUL07. Thursday. Having a Blast. Got to Whiting Fields for some golfing with the Wife. Almost forgot how much of a blast the sport was. Made some decent shots. Later in the afternoon we went to the local Bowling Alley/Sports Bar for some family time. Bumped into some neighbors and got caught up on the local news. Kids were shocked and amazed that a couple of kids broke into the school and vandalized the place. One of the kids was charged with three counts of felony mischief. The funny thing - our boy spent a sleepover with on of these guys. Glad he wasn't involved. Well, I'm rambling. Getting Fat on some good Food and Good Times. Hope all is well with you. Take Care. Dug

ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE

18JUL07. Wednesday. Well, had another wonderful day home. Almost got into a automobile crash while enroute to the University of West Florida. That would have been icing on the cake. No, it wasn't my fault. Still, had a neat time meeting with my wife's co-workers (again). Went to my folks house to find the Tree Service guys were cutting down several trees which were damaged during Hurricane Katrina. These guys were not the sharpest tools in the shed. Still, they provided several some lively entertainment. Tree almost crushed one of the guys. Having a decent time getting reacquainted with the kids again. Almost everyone in the family has grabbed the camera and snapped some pics. Terri made me promise not to include this one. Doug

Skinny Legs

16JUL07. Monday. Boy the time is flying by. Had a wonderful time at the BBQ/Pool Party yesterday. Was nice to see everyone and get re-aquainted with the Family. Almost forgot what Beer and a good Steak tasted like. Watched a little golf, swam in the pool, and generally had a wonderful time. Weather is a little overcast with some drizzle thrown in. Which is why I'm inside watching the tube. Well, actually I'm just channel surfing. Oh, before I forget. The boy was out camping with some friends. Didn't have a clue I was home. Think he about Shi# a Brick. The middle daughter was also taken aback. We all exchanged some tears. All this prior to the Pool Party. Today, we're having my folks over for a BBQ. Looks like the majority of action will be in the porch. It all good....Will get some pics into the fray. Take care. Doug

PS. My family is concerned that (1) my legs are skinny and (2) I'm so "White" (i.e., no skin color). Things we have to look forward to after getting home.

WELCOME HOME

15JUL07. Sunday. What an incredible welcome home. Had an early flight from North Carolina to Florida. Probably the longest 3-hours of travel I have taken to date. Was met at the airport by my wonderful bride, my eldest daughter, and dad. Pretty tearful reunion. Got all my gear then off to the house. The Town has changed a little - not much tho. The Kids put a "Welcome Home" Banner in the yard. Pretty darn nice. The Dogs didn't recognize me at first. However, they quickly warmed-up. Spent the remainder of the day getting reacquainted with the family. Had Pizza and Beer for Dinner. Haven't had that in a long, long, time. Later today we are invited to a BBQ/Pool Party. Already have my order in for a Steak. For those folks luck enough to work at the Taliban Sausage Festival, I'll be thinking of you.........Dug

VACATION WITH THE FAMILY

13JUL07. Friday. Just got word from the Guys at Fort Bragg. Seems I can take some well deserved time off. Don't have to be back there until 4AUG07. Wow! It's hard to believe. Also managed to get a ticket for Pensacola at a decent price. Sadly, Uncle Sam does not cover the travel expenses to get back home....shucks. The upside, I can sleep in, watch TV, and do nothing...Looking forward to it all. Doug