Almost There

Good Day Everyone,

I hope that everyone had a good weekend. I know that my days are getting better each day that goes by because it is one step closer to being home. This past week we started to really started packing and getting ready for the next group that is coming in. They are already in Kuwait and I can't wait to see there smiling faces when they get here. I think about when I got here a year ago and what must be going through there heads as they get ready to come here. I have to say that I have changed a lot from that day to now. I am almost ready to turn a page in my life and begin a new one when I get home. Over the year I have learned a lot about myself and who I am. That's one thing I have here is time to reflect on myself and wonder what the future holds for me. I know one thing, I can't wait to be home with my wife, family, and friends that have supported me throughout this entire deployment and say thank you to them for being there for me.

Also this week I got to go to the pool again and do a little swimming. It was 115 out and it pool felt soooooooo good. I have also talked to Sarah a lot this week about the car she is buying. I want to say thank you for your votes and I know that Sarah is using your input in her choice. Personally, I like the Corolla but I am biased because I have one already and I do like it. This is Sarah's car so it is totally up to her on which one she gets. The Battalion also completed the painting of the side of our hanger with our patches as you see in the picture above. That way is our way of saying we were here to all of the other units that will pass through here. Other than that, it has been work as usual around here. We will have our company and battalion cookouts this week before we get out of here. I am looking forward to them because I do love a good cookout.

Everyone take care and have a good week and I'll talk to you all later.

Dan

Happy Fathers Day!

Hello again and Happy Fathers Day to all of the fathers out there.

This week has been a slow one because we are so close to the end of the deployment. People start thinking of home and doing things with their family and friends and I'm no exception. I am looking forward to my party that will be on the 16th of August and hanging with all of my family and friends. Sarah is putting a lot of hard work into setting it all up and having the house ready for everyone. Sarah and I talk all of the time about what I want to do when I get home and I tell her that I am looking forward to just being with her and having a steak on the grill. That's my idea of a good time. I just can't wait to be home.

I have also been helping Sarah pick out our new car this week. This will be Sarah's car to drive to and from to work and shopping (She does love shopping, as do I). She has cut the field down to about 4 choices and now we debate about the different features and gas mileage that each one gets. She is looking at a Corolla, Rouge, Accord, and an Altima. All of them good choices so she can't go wrong with any of them. I have my poll to the right for your input on these 4 choices to help her along. She is planning on doing some more test driving when she goes up to the cabin next week in Brainerd so the sooner you vote, the sooner she will get the input from you.

That's it for this week. I do want to say a special Happy Fathers Day to my Dad. I hope that your day was a good one and I can't wait to golf with you when I get home. I love you Dad. Take care everyone and I'll see you in the funny pages.

Dan

Just Another Week In The Big Cat Box

Hello all and welcome back.

This week has been very hot and sandy here in Iraq (Like you didn't know where I have been). The only good part is that I am on night shift, and it is much cooler here at night. It has been around 110 to 115 everyday this week and we have had sand storms 5 of the days. I think I have half of the desert in my lungs......COUGH, COUGH!! One nice thing is that one more week has gone by and only 5 left till I am on my way home. It is so exciting to be thinking about all of the things that Sarah and I will be doing when I get home like........working on finishing my basement, getting Sarah's new car, and going to Vegas to celerbrate our 12th anniversary. It is so close I can almost taste the ice cold beer right now.....mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

As far as anything else interesting, there isn't much. I do want to say a hardy HOOWAH to my wife's cousin serving in Korea right now. He has been there 2 months now and has 10 more to go. I am so proud of him for making this life decision and serving our country in this time of need. I hope he doesn't have to come here where I am but, if he does I know he will have the support of all of you just like I have had for the past year. Matt.........I am very proud to call you my brother-in-arms.

That's it for now. Thank you for stopping by and sitting a spell. I look forward to talking to you all again real soon.

Dan

It's June Already??

Hello all and welcome back.

WOW!!! What a week. I have been so busy at work that the week just flew by. I had an extra duty of watching the MWR phone center, work in general, and getting ready to move into a new room tomorrow. Thats right, I said move to a new room. It means that we are one step closer to coming home. We have to clear our rooms so that when the new group gets here, they have the same place to stay. It's a pain in the butt, but I have no problem doing it. I am getting so excited to be one more step closer to home.

Durring my time at the phone center I was able to chat with Sarah for a long time and get some plans together for my return. After I get back from school, I have set up a crew to complete the basement of our house. I am so excited to finally get it done and I know that Sarah feels the same way. (Although I've given her a lot of tasks to do and I'm not sure she's so excited about that part.) I also have a friend that does landscaping and he is going to help to get the yard into great shape. Because I dont have to be back to work right away, this is the perfict time to get it all done. I can't wait!!!!

Sorry so short this week. I'll make it up to you all next week when I get settled into my new room. Take care and I will talk to you all later.

Dan