Checking In!!

Well, I've been neglecting my blog, so thought I better check in. There hasn't been a great deal going on, just working and sleeping, and Oh Yea, the good food!! Eating has not been a problem. the time here has been moving right along. I am 38% done with my deployment here, fast approaching the half way mark.

With summer coming up, I realized that I am missing the Motorcycle Season back in Colorado, Bummer, but there is always next year. I have been thinking about what I am going to add to my motorcycle when I get home, if it starts!

Life is settling into a routine here, I wouldn't say comfortable but manageable. Sleeping hasn't been a problem either. Well, everything else is fine. I really enjoy the cable TV, I can keep with the news, we even get FOX NEWS!!!!! which I really like to watch.

So, I'm off to bed, but I will work to post a couple of times a week, and keep up with this a bit better.

HOT Weather!!

This is a picture of the Baath Party Head Quarters. It was bombed during the war, and was so badly damaged that it sit's like you see it today. Pretty awesome to see though!

It's been really hot here with the beginning of summer. The other night, as I was refueling generators, it was still 102 Degrees, at 9:00PM. Yikes!! But today has been better, but I can hardly wait to see what it like in August.

The Air Conditioner in our Trailer quit working this afternoon. I sleep during the day, and thought it was getting a bit warm. I got up and went to the KBR Office, and they were at my trailer about 15 min later. I have to tell you, that KBR does a really good job here taking care of the Living spaces, and Dining Facilities. The new Air Conditioner was installed and an hour later, we were down to a cool 68 Degrees!!

Everything else has been going ok, Keeping busy at work, and counting the days down. The weeks are actually going pretty fast. When you work 7 Days a week, you need to find something to mark the end of one week, and the beginning of the next. With me, it's Friday night, which is seafood and steak night, plus I have a 1/2 day off. So every Friday night is my marker for the week. The DFAC, (Army for Dining Hall), also got new Blenders in and have been making Smoothies and Milkshakes, which are great, when it's so hot out.

More Later . . . . .

My Spare Time . . . .

This is a picture of the entrance to the Al Faw Palace. It's hard to show the whole thing, because it is so large. You walk into a big open area with a large Chandelier in the middle, I will post a picture of it next time.

I've been really busy the last week of so. I have been working 13 hour days. I have been going to the gym right after work, so by the time I'm done, it's later in the morning. After going to bed, I've been sleeping later, with just enough time to get up, shower, eat, and head off to work. Not much to log in and update the Blog. I need to re-arrange my time a bit. When you work such long hours, the spare time you have is precious. This working 7 days a week is different also. It's kind of like Groundhog Day!! You pick what you want to get done when you get off work, do you work out, go to the Post Office, to the PX, Check emails. You really have to prioritize what you want to get done that day.

It has been starting to get hot here during the day, highs have been up to 107, and the hot season is just beginning. The good thing is that I sleep through most of the day, and the Heat!! It's still pretty hot when I get up around 6:00 PM, will begin to cool off for the night.

I experienced a small sand storm the other morning as I was going to the Gym to work out. It was beginning to get really windy, and as I was crossing a dirt road and as I looked down the road, there was a Wall of Dirt coming at me !! I mean you could see the thing moving toward you, I couldn't believe it. I started running, but it caught up with me and started to pepper me with, dirt, small rocks, whatever else was blowing around, it actually start to sting a bit. I finally made it to the Gym, (really a big tent, that really blew around and flapped a lot when this thing came over it), where I was told that this was a small one, wait till the Big one comes through, oh yea, did I mention that I was in my PT gear, with exposed arms and legs!!! It did die down a bit as I made my way home. I'm glad they don't happen every day.

Well, I'm off to bed, as I've made the choice to get a bit more sleep today!!

Taking Classes

This is a picture of one of the staircases in the Al Faw Palace. Checkout the Chandelier!! What a place!

I have just finished attending a 2 day class at a differenct FOB, (Forward Operating Base). Is was not too far away, and still inside the wire. The class was held in another Palace, called the "Perfume Palace" No pictures as yet as I was not allowed to take one inside, but will be going back to get some pics from the outside. There is another large lake next to it, with the old Baath Party Headquarters out in the middle. It had the crap bombed out of it during the war, and is much to damaged to do anything with, so it just kinds of sits there. I will have pictures coming of it also. In it's day this whole area must have been Fabulous. But keep in mind that while Sadam and his buddies were living the good life here, the rest of the people were not even close!

I am working nights, and this class was during the day, so I had to transition from nights to days, and back to nights. Kind of tough when you are working 12 hour shifts. The first day of class wasn't too bad till the afternoon, I was pretty tired, but made it through. Yesterday wasn't too bad, after a good nights sleep. After class got out, at 8:30 PM, I got a couple of hours sleep, and then off to work to finish out my night shift. Should be not problem getting back into the swing of thing at nights. I should be able to stay on nights, for the most part, for here on out. I usually work out in the morning's before I go to bed, but am taking today off, to relax a little, and get a good sleep.

Everything else is going well here. I am getting into a schedule of working, working out at the gym, and sleeping. The food here is very good, KBR does a great job in the chow hall, which is why I'm working out at the gym. Well off to bed, more later!!

Home Sweet Home!

Finally getting settled in the trailer. My roommate and I bought a TV with dvd player, a mini fridge, and a table from a couple of the guys that we are replacing. We moved all these over to our trailer this morning after we got off work. Much better than what I had at Ft Jackson and Kuwait. We are set for the next 5 1/2 months.


The weather here has been starting to get hotter, highs should be inching up into the 100's soon. We had one day of really heavy rain, over the weekend, but that has all dried up by now.

There is a small canal across the road from my trailer. We cross a small bridge to get to the DFAC, (Army lingo for Dining Facility), where many people throw bread into the water and feed the fish. Many types of fish and turtles also. I am told that when the weather gets really hot, Big turtle, will come up from the bottom, I will see if I can get some pictures to pass along.

Many people fish here. There are several big lakes around the Al Faw Palace, with lots of fish. I have seen people use Rod and Reels, and Fly Rods also. You wouldn't want to eat any of these fish, but the fishing is fun. I might have to get a flyrod, and take it up, which might be ok, since I work nights and am off during the day.

I am starting to get a routine going where I work out at the gym right after work, and go to bed later in the morning. This really helps me get a good sleep through the day.

The people that we are replacing here will be living here in the next several days. Good bunch of guys, and have been very helpful in training us for the work to be done. They have been here for a year and are anxious to get home, as you can imagine.

I will get some new photographs of the lakes around the Al Faw Palace and post them in my upcoming posts.

The Al Faw Palace

We got out a little this morning after our shift, and went to visit the Al Faw Palace, which Sadam built after the Gulf War, in 1991, to honor the soilders who fought to regain the Al Faw Pennisula during the Iran war.

Very Beautiful Structure. Some of our friends work in the Palace, so we stopped and saw them, and spent some time looking around.





This is called the Sadam Chair. It was a gift to Sadam from Yassar Arafat. It is now a photo opp, as everyone who visits the Palace stops to get a picture taken in it. Now it was my turn.











This is a picture of the Chandelier in the main lobby as you come in, there are many smaller ones all over the palace.


Well, that all for today, I will post more pictures later as I get them organized. Off to bed.

Greetings From Baghdad!!

Hello from Baghdad,

I flew into Baghdad from Kuwait on Sunday Arpil 15. Before that I had spent 3 days in the Kuwait desert for advanced training. But, am getting settled in here. The first couple of days in Tent City, transient tents. My sponsor finally came to get us, and we moved into trailer with 2 man rooms. There are trailers, with real showers, and bathrooms, much nicer than Kuwait.

Have started work, and am working nights. Much to learn, but everything is going well. Have found where to eat, which is really good!!, shower, call home, there is even a fairly big PX, (Exchange), here where I can buy most things I need.

The nights have actually been cool here, but it is suppose to start getting warmer.

Much nicer than the tents and open bay barracks that I have been staying in. Well, it's getting late and I need to get to work. More later.

I've made it

I have made it to Kuwait, very hot! Will continue training here. I may be out of pocket for a little bit, but will update when I can. Everything here is fine. I am safe. Better food than at Ft Jackson. More later . . . .

Last Day at Ft Jackson

This will be my last full day at Ft Jackson. We will be flying out tomorrow for Kuwait, and have today off to finish packing. I am glad this class is over, and am ready to go to Kuwait. Once I arrive, my 179 BOG, (Boots on the Ground), clock should begin. I will send a post once I figure out the Internet at my next destination. This should be an interesting trip, I will let you know how it goes.

This has been a busy 2 weeks. I was a bit nervous coming into this. But I did ok. I went through the course along with people younger than myself and made it through. This next part of the trip will be much the same I'm sure. I am a bit anxious about the trip tomorrow. But I am sure, 0nce it get going, it will be fine, just as the last 3 weeks have been. I have 2 friends starting this monday for the next 2 week class here, and 2 more friends starting the class after that. It will be fun to compare notes about everything.

FT Jackson Day 11and 12

Day 11 started with Convoy Training. We had a 6 man convoy, I was in the last vehicle, (#6), which provided security for the back of the convoy. We were ambushed at one turn, on my side of the truck. While I was returning fire, an IED, (simulated), exploded under me on that side, didn't expect that. We went through a couple of more attacks along the way. Finally we reached a town, where our vehicle blocked the road, leading to the town, providing the rear security.

As myself and another person, were on the ground, we say a truck coming down the road. I walked out into the road and had them stop some distance from out location. Several individuals approached us, they were just wanting to get into the town and go home. We had to keep them at a distance, and try to separate them, as we did not know what their intentions were.

I tried to detain the one of the individuals, and a scuffle broke out, nothing big, but I had my hands full. These people were being played by Army Drill Sergeants, (who were in pretty good shape), he did not fight back but resisted, but I did wrestle around with him for a little bit. They finally walked back to their truck, I ran back to out truck and grabbed my weapon, we thought they would be moving towards us, but they come up, told us this part of the exercise was over, and that we did a good job and handled the situation correctly.

The rest of the day was a land navigation course, and then cleaning our weapons in preparation for our upcoming departure to Kuwait, for additional convoy training.

Today, Friday we had a formation run at 5:45 AM, 3 miles, it was also about 31degrees, but I made the run and graduated from the Army Combat Training Course. We had a couple of additional meeting but had most of the afternoon off to begin packing, and taking care any admin details.

We will be flying out on Sunday afternoon, leaving from Columbia, to Gander Newfoundland, Shannon Ireland, Budapest Hungary, and to Kuwait. We will be there for about a week, attending additional training, and then on to Baghdad. I will try to post from Kuwait, have to wait and see what Internet they have there. I am ready to get going and get this started. The sooner I get there, the sooner I can get home.

FT Jackson Day 10

It's around8:30 PM at Ft Jackson. Just got done with meetings, and am heading for a shower and bed. A late night to night. Big Day tomorrow, Convoy operations. I will post more tomorrow. I did find out that I passed my Navy Advancement Exam, and am Board Qualified for the Chief s Review Board. This is a big deal. Maybe this will be the year.

Ft Jackson Day 9

Spent most of the day in classrooms today receiving presentations on Convoy Ops and IED Training. These are presentations that everyone has to go through. Later in the afternoon, when it was hot, we did a simulated patrol in our body armor, and went on another road march. This time we were issued blanks, and had an assault where we practiced our first aid skills. Very interesting. Other than that not too much going on. Tomorrow we will go to an Urban Setting, (an army town that was built), and have a practical application of urban ops. Should be interesting.

Only a couple of more day to go. We should find out our travel schedule in the next couple of days. I am anxious to move forward, and get to my job, and get my 179 day commitment in Iraq started. The sooner I get there, the sooner I can come home.

Ft Jackson Day 8

Today started very early in the morning as we headed to another range to shoot a number of heavy weapons including, 50 Cal Machine Gun, M19 Grenade Launcher, and the "SAW", high speed machine gun. Much fun!!!! We had a class on how to use our Gas Masks. We were done by noon. The rest of the day we attended several briefings, and then a 2 1/2 mile march, at a fast pace, very hot!! But we did get off around5:30 PM which is earlier than we did last week.

Getting ready to leave at "Oh Dark Thirty" in the morning.

At the Heavy Weapon Gun Range, in my "Battle Rattle".

The "SAW" high speed machine guns.

More SAW machine guns.

The M19 Grenade Launchers. You can see the armored vehicles that we were shooting at in the distance. You would shoot 4-5 round burst at them, and the grenades would explode around them.

50 Cal machine guns. Those are armored personell carriers downrange that we were shooting at. We were easily hitting them, and the rounds were going through them. Very Cool!!

FT Jackson Day 7

Today is Sunday. It's easy to lose track of what day it is. The past week has been so busy we tend forget what day it is at times. We have today off also. Last night my friend Jeff and I took a bus took a bus over to the main post on Ft Jackson where the PX is. We bought a few things for our upcoming trip next weekend to the middle east. One thing that we finally found, was a red lens flashlight. All I could find was a small one, I should be able to find a bigger one in country. We have been told that these are nice because we will be living in a tent or a small trailer in Baghdad, the latrines and showers are in a separate shower, which can be a bit of a walk. So if you have to get up in the middle of the night, you have to walk a bit to the latrine, it's better to have a red lens flashlight, it's better for your night vision, and harder to see at night by other people.

This morning, with most people sleeping in, I was able to do a load of laundry. I think that another nap is in order later though. Tomorrow morning will be heavy weapons, which should be kind of fun. I will let you know how that goes. For the most part it will be a day to rest, relax and get ready for the grind coming up tomorrow.

Ft Jackson Days 5 and 6

I missed a post yesterday. We got off at 5:45, I was beside myself for getting off so early, that I rushed over to grab a washer to do some laundry. We have about 100 guys in our barracks, and 6 washers and dryers. With so little time when we get off in the evenings, they get filled up pretty quick. We spent Friday morning at the range going over Heavy weapons, and practicing Close Combat procedures, the afternoon was spent in classroom instructions. Not a bad day overall.

This morning, Saturday, we started PT, (Physical Training), at 5:30. They PT's the crap out of us. We did the normal Army PT exercises, and then we had to run around in a circle, clapping our hands, stopping to do push ups, sit ups, what ever the Drill Instructors would come up with. This wore me out, and it wasn't even 7:00 AM yet. When this was done, we had classroom instruction until noon, and then had the afternoon, and Sunday off. I can even sleep past 5 AM tomorrow, and spend more than 5 minutes eating my dinner, And, take a shower!!!!

So with a little time off, I am posting some pictures that I have taken the past week, not much, but will give you an idea where I'm living.

Next week should be not too bad, no more qualification to do, just various types of instructions.






This is the Plane that flew us from San Diego to Columbia SC last Saturday from the North Island Naval Air Station. The flight took about 4 hours.









This pretty much what Camp McCrady at Ft Jackson looks like.













This the open bay barracks that I'm staying in.













This is what it looks like inside.














My Locker.

Me in front of my locker.

Me holding all the body armor that I have lug around everywhere I go.

Ft Jackson Day 4

What a day, I got to sleep in to 5:00 am, Woo Hooooo!! But I did have to get up to stand a weapons watch in the barracks from 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM, never really did get back to sleep. Up at 5:00 AM and out the range again. Today was the M16 Qualification. You are given 3 clips, one with 20 rounds, and 2 with 10 rounds. You begin with shooting the 20 rounds from a supported prone position, 10 from unsupported, and 10 from kneeling. You are shooting at pop-targets at 50 meters, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 meters. The closer the targets the shorter the time that they stay up. With the 40 rounds that you are given, you have to hit at least 23 targets in the various positions. I hit 31. That should give me a Sharpshooter qualification, and I should get a Marksmen qualification from yesterdays Grouping and Zeroing. I finished the first time through the range, so once again I got to sit around and watch everyone else qualify. Priceless!!!! This takes some pressure off, as this ends my weapon qualification. The rest of my time here is just training, nothing that requires qualifications. I should be in bed by 9 tonight for a Gooooood night's sleep.

Tomorrow we are going to another range, for "Close Combat" training scenarios, mainly just to go through it. I am finding that the Army is a one stop shop for training. That is, everyone will get the same training, whether they need it or not. Much of the training that I will get next week, will be stuff that I will never use again, but that is how the Army works. The term here is that we are in the "Narmy". Next Monday, we will get to shoot Heavy Weapons, which will include the 50 Cal machine gun, and the "SAW", which is a high speed machine gun. Should be lots of fun!!!!

I should find out next week my travel arrangement to Kuwait, and then to Baghdad. I will let you know as soon as I know. There is a rumor that we may get liberty this Sunday, which would be nice, but you never know.

Well so far, this 51 year old his holding his own here at Ft Jackson. The worst has been wearing the 60 lbs of body armor all day, and marching around in it. I'm starting to get used to it somewhat, as the last several days don't seem as bad as the beginning of the week, but it is still tiring, and wearing on the back and shoulders. Off to bed, more tomorrow.

Ft Jackson Day 3

My day started at 4:30 AM, we had to be ready to go at 5:15 AM to the shooting range, where we spent the better part of the day. To make a long story short, we were doing "Grouping and Zeroing" qualifications today. You groups your shots together, and then adjust the weapon so that you are shooting these groups in the middle of the rifle site, and the targets. I grouped and zeroed in 12 shots, which is not bad. I was the first one done in my group this morning. This is also good, because I got to sit in the bleachers and watch everyone else, complete their grouping and zeroing. Nice!!!

If you go to the beginning of my blog, you will see some pictures of my friends Tony and Bill, who took me out shooting, and helped me work on this, which helped me out quit a bit. Thanks Guys!!!

After lunch, we went to another range, where their were a variety of pop up targets, which you had to shoot at varying distances. Today was practice, tomorrow will be the qualifications. If I qualify tomorrow I will be done with the shooting portion of my training. We'll see how it goes. Not everyone qualifies on the first day, and it is not uncommon to take several days for this. Again, it would be good to get this over and done with.

A long day today, I did not get back to my barracks till 7:30 PM. Up again tomorrow at 5:00AM so am heading off to bed.

Ft Jackson Day 2

Day 2 began at 5:45 with PT, (Physical Training), for about 1/2 hour. After that, we went for a 1 mile run, and then marched over to eat breakfast. We then gathered our body armor, (60 lbs worth), put everything on and marched about 1 mile to an area where M16 computer simulators are located. When not in the simulator, we learned how to disassemble, and reassemble the M16. I know more about M16 than I ever wanted to. In the simulators, we went through a process called "Grouping and Zeroing" the weapon. At the end of the day we marched, in 80 degree heat, with body armor, back to the barracks for dinner. Another very long day. Tomorrow will be spent at the main range on Ft Jackson perfroming live fire, "Grouping and Zeroing". We will probably spend all day there. I will cut this short, as we have to be up and ready to go in full gear at 5:15, so I'm going to bed. More tomorrow when I get back.

Ft Jackson Day 1

This is Monday at Ft Jackson. We actually arrived here Saturday night from San Diego, but the Internet was down over the weekend and was just fixed today, so I was unable to post anything till today. We began with numerous Briefs on Sunday. Today we went to the Main post on Ft Jackson and got 3 sea bags of stuff, heavy stuff that I had to carry around . . . everywhere. We were issued our weapons, I received my M16, my uniforms should be tailored and here by tomorrow night. We spent the day going thorough all the stuff the we received, told what is was and what it was for. This was followed by weapon familiarization, and PT, ( physical training), and marching. A very long day. Tomorrow begins at 5:45 with more PT, and then a Mile run. Followed by breakfast, and more weapons training. I beleive that we are suppose to be on an M16 Simulator, should be interesting, I will let you know. It's getting late, but wanted to get this post out and let you know that I have made it here, and am very busy. More tomorrow as I see how the schedule for the week is shaping up.

NMPS San Diego Day 5

Here it is my last day in San Diego. We checked in this morning and were told that we would be flying to South Carolina Sat Morning. Sunday, the 2 weeks of Army Training will begin. I am ready to go and get this started, it will be an interesting 2 weeks, we'll see how it goes, I will let you know. I should be finishing up at Ft Jackson on Easter weekend, and will then travel to Kuwait for further training.

I am spending the rest of the day packing my bags, so that I can relax a bit tonight. I will come back through San Diego on my way back home this fall. That trip will be much more relaxing than this one. I am looking forward to it!!





I will have access to the internet at Ft Jackson, and will be able to update this blog. The days will be long, I am told, but I will let you know how it is going, and how I am holding up.

NMPS San Diego Day 4

This was a day off for us, we just hung around the naval base, no car to go any where else, but used the time to double check paperwork, and go through what clothes I can send home tomorrow. We check in tomorrow morning where we will probably be told the schedule for Sat, when we fly to Ft Jackson SC. It sounded like we would be leaving in the afternoon. Should not go too long in the morning, so should have most of the day to pack and hang out a bit. I will sending home my Navy uniform and a some sweats, to make a bit of room in my luggage. I have a friend that has been going through Ft Jackson the past two weeks, who says he has 3 sea bags of "stuff", which he now has to haul around with the other bags that he brought with him. This is what is waiting for me next week, I can hardly wait. I am a bit anxious about next week, but am sure I will do fine as will everyone else that I am going with. I will let you know.

NMPS San Diego Day 3

The day began back at Medical where I had to start the day with another shot, a Typhoid shot, which can tend to hurt a bit. After this I sat around for a while waiting for my medical record to be reviewed and signed off. Finally it happened, I then received a new set of dog tags, and I was released for the rest of the day to take care of administrative and personal issues. I have included a couple of pictures, one is the visitor quarters where I am staying, the second is a Navy Ship down by the docks.

The Naval Base here is made up of two sections called the "Dry Side", and the "Wet Side". The visitor quarters where I am staying is on the Dry Side, there is a walk way over a road way, and railroad tracks which goes over to the Wet Side. We set out to find the Post Office on the Wet Side so that we can mail our uniforms home on Friday. We will be receiving new Desert Uniforms at Ft Jackson, and will not need the Navy Uniforms any more. I don't have much space in my luggage, as I am trying to pack as light as I can, as anything I take with me at this point I will have to carry with me to Iraq. Sending my Navy Uniform home will make room for other things to take with me to Iraq.








Donnelly Hall "Dry Side"












Navy Docks "Wet Side"

NMPS San Diego Day 2

Another busy day, but much was accomplished. Spent the morning going through dental, no problems there, spent most of the afternoon at medical, and still did not get done. Will need to go back in the morning to get another shot, and then should be done with medical and dental. Verified some details to get my Navy Pay started, Very important!!!! The staff here is very good, they have all been very helpful in assisting you with the mounds of paperwork that need to be completed and turned in.

Not exactly sure what is in store for tomorrow, but will let you know. The week is growing short, and we all will be heading to FT Jackson at the end of the week. Then the work will really beign, 2 weeks of Army training. We will see how hard this will be on a 51 year old. More tomorrow.

NMPS San Diego Day 1

We checked in today at NMPS San Diego, where will spend the next week processing in. I have a nice room, and even have wifi in my building, so am taking advantage of the Internet and using my laptop for the next week. We spent the day filling out many forms, received many briefing on a variety of different subjects. Over the next several days, our Medical, and Dental records will be reviewed and we will be cleared to proceed to FT Jackson SC for 2 weeks of Army Training. I have spent tonight completing several online courses, and am ready go get some sleep. The next several days should go pretty smooth, if my records are in good shape. I met the rest of my team that I will be traveling with, all good guys, and am looking forward to working with them.

In San Diego

I arrived in San Diego today. It was a tough day for my family, it was very hard to say good bye at the airport . . . . . My Wife and daughters are the greatest!!!! This was very hard on all of us.

We arrived in San Diego and made out way to the USO, where we waited for the Navy Duty Driver from the US Naval Station to give us a ride to the base to get checked in. I will get a better picture of the rest of my week and will let you know how the process goes. My records should be in good shape, there will probably be some additional shots that I will need to get during the week, but I'm anticipating that everything should go fairly smoothly. It was cool here today, low clouds with misting rain. I left my coat at home, as I did not want to carry so much with me. Was a little cool. More tomorrow

I'm in the Navy

Well, I'm in the Navy.

I spent most to the day at the Reserve Center filling out some forms, and getting others stamped. I was told initially it would only take couple of hours, but it turned out to be the better part of the day, can you imagine?? There those additional forms that we were not told about, but at the end of the day we had been transferred to the Active Duty Navy.

Only one more day left before I leave, lots to do, did I mentioned that we will be selling our house while I'm gone, or rather my wife will be selling our house while I am gone. I have been off work the past several weeks, trying to get a great many things done, and have been making good progress, mostly the big thing that needed to be done before we put it on the market, cleaning out the basement, garage sales, moving thing to a storage unit . . . . . . It's been pretty busy

Next week I will be in San Diego, and the following weekend I will be off to FT Jackson in South Carolina, lots of fun, I can hardly wait. A friend of mine started there this past week, he's been pretty busy and pretty tired. I will let you know what I 'm doing and how it goes.

Tax Time!!!!

Well, My taxes are finally done!!! Did my daughters also, we're all good for another year. Got the School Loans for College this fall completed too. Everyone can go to school while Dad is away. Have spent most of today tying up loose ends, and am working on my packing. Whatever I forget I will buy along the way. It seems that that are Exchange stores most everywhere along the way, in Kuwait, and numerous in Baghdad. One of my daughters called from College, the hot water heater is leaking, so am working with her to get that fixed before I leave, there's always something.

Motor Cycles and Tattoos

Well the end of another week, not much time left to go before I head out. It was another busy weekend of Garage Sales, and with the nice weather, I pulled out my motorcycle for a ride. I will miss the whole motorcycle riding season. What a bummer! It was nice weather for a ride though. Not too much traffic for the Garage Sale, everyone must have been out enjoying the weekend.

My wife had an open house this past Sat night, a going away party for me. My friends for work, her friends from work, family and neighbors were all here. It was a night of Beer, Hot Dogs, and Chili!! Much fun, everyone had a good time. I really appreciated everyone coming over. It is times like this, where you realize how truly blessed you are to have as many friends that you do, and to have their support for the whole family at times like this. Thanks everyone!!




So one of my daughters decided to get a tattoo since I am being mobilized and sent overseas. Since I'm in the navy, she decided to get an anchor, on her ankle, not exactly the kind of anchor I would get, but an anchor non the less. She was very proud of this.

This will be a busy week of getting things done around the house and getting packed ready to leave. I have been talking to my friends that have already been mobilized, and am getting a good idea of what and what not to take. I plan on packing light, taking just enough personal items to get me there, and will stock up when I arrive. I am pre-packing some boxes with book, dvd's and things, so that when I get an address, my wife can send these off to me, and see how long it will take to get things over there. I will post my address once I get settled in.

What a Busy Weekend . . .

Well this week is a continuation of the weekend. We have been clearing out the basement, and had a garage sale on Saturday and Sunday. Sold some things, and dumped somethings in the trash. Actually made a pretty good dent. Will try again next weekend again. My youngest daughter came home on Saturday for Spring Break this coming week. Nice of her to spend some time at home with us.

So yesterday and today have been fast and furious. I have been finishing up Taxes, and setting up the bills to be paid online. Most of this type of paperwork should be done by tomorrow. There are a few more things to pick up and fix up around the house, as well as taking alook at what I will need to pack and take with me. There never seems to be enough time to get everything done.

A Day Out With The Boys . . .

My friends Tony and Bill took me out this past weekend for some training at the local Rifle Range, in preparation for my upcoming deployment.






Bill coached me on the finer point of Weapons Handling and Safety,







The proper stance for pistol's









and last, prone firing.






I really appreciated Tony and Bill spending time with me at the range, Good Friends!!!


Well time is growing short, there are many other projects that need be completed before I leave, more later!

The Adventure Begins . . . . .

And so it begins, here I am 51, 2 1/2 years from retirement in the Navy Reserve, and I get tapped by the Big Navy to be mobilized to Iraq. I will leave in the middle of March, and have been very busy working to complete many personal projects before I leave. My Wife and daughters are not really excited about the whole thing, as you could imagine, but have been prepared for this, as I have missed numerous other Mobilizations, the past several years. I will miss them greatly!!! and am anxious to get there and get the lines of communication going back home.

Two of my friends were also Mobilized, so I will have company on this journey, we will all be in the same boat, sort of speak . . . . . My first stop will be San Diego to get checked in, and then off to Ft. Jackson SC for 2 weeks of Army Training, from there I catch either a NALO flight or a commercial flight to Kuwait. I’ll spend some time in Kuwait conducting training. After that, I’ll head to Camp Liberty Iraq. Not to worry about Iraq, I have been told that my job will be in a safe place. I will talk more about that when I finally get there. As I know more, you will know more. that all for now.