It may snow out here too!!

Today in southwest IL it is supposed to be 75 and the high on Thursday is supposed to be 40! Ya just gotta love it! I was going to try to get all our leaves picked up today, but the shute that connects our riding mower to the baskets isn't connected anymore!! The dad is not going to be happy about that! I have already set up to have it fixed, but that won't happen until next week. The weatherman is predicting a cold front to come through tomorrow night with wind and rain. The temperature is going to drop so he is also predicting some snow flurries mixed in with the rain from Wed night into Thursday morning. No accumulation, just cold and wet. Which is fine with me - the colder the better!! You crazy people can have your heat and humidity - give me 35 degrees any day!!

Talked to David on Sunday. He sounded better this time. He said he was coming down with a cold the last time we talked - hence his seeming to be tired. Kudos for him doing well with his flying!! Keep up the good work!!

Hopefully, they will have some kind of Thanksgiving dinner for the troops. I would gladly cook one for them, but I am here and they are there. David - you can count on a great dinner when you come home!!

I had lunch with Chelsey last week and then she came by the house a couple of times to watch TV and do some home work. It was nice to spend some time with her. I'm not sure how comfortable she felt watching The Tudors (a Showtime soap opera) with her mother-in-law, though!! It was her choice!!

Today we are having some work done at the house so I am home for the day. It seems really strange to be home with not a lot to do. I kind of have to stay out of the workers way so I am limited in what I can do and where I can be. Looks like lots of internet and Free Cell time!!

Take care and Happy Thanksgiving! God Bless Our Troops!!

The Mom

Sleigh Bells Ring...

Just so that everyone knows - it's snowing in Massachusetts! Itty-bitty flakes and it's not supposed to last long or amount to anything, but it's still freakin' snowing. How soon to the first crocus?

Happy Thanksgiving

Let us all give thanks this year: for the freedoms that we all enjoy thanks to those who have served and are serving today; for the family that gives and loves; for the health that we enjoy and cherish; for the friends that are forever by our sides; for the food that we will all eat too much of on Thursday; for the shelter that keeps us protected and comfortable; for those we have loved and lost; and for God and all that He provides.

Wishing everyone a happy, peaceful and blessed Thanksgiving.

Glad to Know

I'm glad to hear that David contacted Chelsey! It's also nice to know that there will be occassional comm blackouts. It sucks that they are because something has happened on post, but at least we now know they may happen from time to time and that we shouldn't worry.

Things are going well here. I got a call from Chelsey on Saturday, and invited her to come over. Justin's birthday was Saturday and the guys were planning a guys night (video games and monster movies), so I was excited that I'd have someone to hang with. Unfortunately, she didn't show. I'm guessing she's alright, and that she found something to do with her family or with some new friends or something.

Friday, I bought my 9' tree. I can't wait to put it up on Friday or Saturday ( I REFUSE to put a Christmas tree up before Thanksgiving). It's the most real looking tree I've ever seen in my life.

Check it out:

I've already got a tree skirt, tree topper and some decorations for it. I'm not sure that I have enough, though. According to the box, the tree should have 150-200 ornaments. I think I have about 50-ish.

I might make some Christmas cookies on Saturday. I'll try to remember and take pictures to post. I'll also post pictures of my tree once it's up and decorated.

Oh yeah... in case I forget.... Thanksgiving plans for this year! Mom and Dad (and Katie and Chelsey) have been invited to join the Bellinger family for Thanksgiving dinner. If you would like to attend, meet at Mom and Dad's house by 1:30 p.m. Thursday and we'll drive over to St. Louis to have dinner. If I don't post before Thanksgiving:

Yay!

I got to talk to David earlier. It was only for about 10 minutes, because he had to meet up with his buddies to go to chow, and then work. He didn't really tell me anything that he didn't say in the blog, so not too much to add. Just wanted to say that I'd talked to him.

No Response

Hey everyone, just thought I'd let you know that I am doing ok despite no contact for a few days (which may become a pattern for reasons outside my control). Basically (without going into much detail), we were in a comms blackout (or as we call it, River City). Lets just say that we dont go into blackout unless something bad happens in the unit (cough cough). So we have been in blackout from the 15th or so till this morning, which is typical timeframe for such things.

On a lighter note, I would like to say that I got to fly for the first time Friday! I was able to launch and recover a bird which was a good feeling. They definitely do things MUCH smoother down here. It feels fast as first, but I have already caught on to where the Instructor Operator (IO from now on), has said that I am qualified enough to move out to the Forward Site (still on the FOB) and fly missions from there. I also got 2 launches and recoveries in yesterday as well. I struggled a lil bit the 1st flight yesterday since I have been feeling a lil under the wind the past 3 days, but my 2nd flight went off without any issues whatsoever, so its all good.

Hopefully my PLT Sgt will be going through the mail handler course soon so that he can pick up any and all packages that are waiting for me. So anywho, I will try calling later 2nite once I've had one or two more missions. I love you guys!!! I Love you CHELSEY! MUAH!

David

Support

A very dear friend from my days at Silver Lake is a veteran of Nam. He was in the Navy. He lives in Georgia and we connect regularly through email. When I told him that you were in Iraq, DA, he asked for your email address and will get in contact with you. He has several buddies who are veterans down there and I guess this is something they do to help support our troops. I have the feeling that he doesn't want done to you what was done to them (or not done to them). So if you get an email from jmweberga@yahoo.com, it's friendly email. He knows your mom, dad, Uncles G & K. We all saw him last August at the 50th anniversary party.

Reports are you are tired - get some shut-eye, please.

It' Friday! YEAAAAAAHHHHH! Or, as I like to call it, POETS Day - Piss On Everyone, Tomorrow's Saturday! Grandma used to get a kick out of that when I'd call her Friday night after work and announce it to her.

KYHD!

Love,
Shennie

Spoke with Soldier

Got to speak with Soldier today. I would like to clarify what he meant in his post when he said the mess hall had been renovated....it was rebuilt after being attacked by mortars!

Craziness.

He sounded good, but tired. We talked about lots of things. I asked him if Iraq was anything like he had envisioned. He said it was pretty much what he thought it would be, except there are large concrete barriers everywhere. He wasn't expecting that.

Had a good day. It was long and I'm glad tomorrow is Friday :)

David Called

So apparently, I'm not the only one who got a call today... that's cool! We talked for about 12 minutes because unfortunately, I had to get back to work... blah. we talked about Skype phones, Stargate conventions and other random stuff. Then he told me to read his post.

David did sound tired, but I'm sure he's still adjusting to the new time zone, hot weather, and getting up at on-godly hours to wait to travel until un-godly hours of the night.

I printed out that picture that Jessi made (the one that's in the upper left corner of this blog) and have it hanging in my cubicle at work.

Eat

Gadzooks, Scoots, is that all you do over there too? Every other line in your message was a trip to the mess hall - or whatever the new term is. You sounded so much like Grandpa when you talked about waiting while in the Army! He would be chuckling at your comments. That was always one of his major complaints that he used to tell us all about. Hurry up and wait.

Just to echo what the Mom said - if there is anything that you need OR especially if any of your buddies aren't as lucky to have the friends and relatives yo have, please let us know. We can send an extra phone card or pkg of socks or whatever. We can even do Hannukah cards!

How high do the temps get over there? Is it still really hot or does it get cold there, too?

KYHD and DVFAETCH!

Love you,
Shennie

Talked to the Soldier!!

Just got off the phone with David. He sounded tired today. It was about 5:00 Iraq time and he hadn't had much sleep. Hopefully he will sound better next time. He said that he starts his "job" Saturday so that is good. I'm sure working will help the time go by quicker. OH - he did say to use "FOB" instead of "Camp" for the time being. Also - he will not have such a trek to get to work. While in Kuwait, he had to walk quite a distance to get anywhere from the living quarters. He says that now things are much closer.

In spite of him sounding tired, it was still good to talk with him. Jessica got to talk to him also. It sounds like it might be a while before he can get his SKYPE phone up and running so....we will keep his calling card loaded!!

Must sign off now...

Love you lots.
the Mom

P.S. the Dad sends his love. Hopefully you'll be able to talk with him soon!

Iraq

Well, after being woke up at 0600 for a 0900 hours formation, we left about 1030 for Aliasaleen. We probably waited there for an hour or two and were airborne by 1515. Now mind you that all indications pointed that we were leaving on a C-130 *which would have ROYALLY* sucked. However, we arrived on the flightline, we saw a C-17 being fueled and were instructed that it was in fact our plane. Once aboard the aircraft, you could see that there were probably about 20-some rows of 6 seats in the middle of the aircraft with about 30 jumpseats on either side, and finally the luggage loaded in the rear. A SRA instructed us that it was going to be a quick flight to BIAP (Baghdad Internation Airport). We then loaded up the doors, and were on our way. It was quite a smooth ride for the most part, even with the combat drop. Now for those who are wondering what in the world is a combat drop: A combat drop is a aerial maneuver in which the pilot slowly descends as he approaches the runway. Then without warning, your stomach gets lifted into your mouth as the pilot does a downward dive which prevents enemy fire from tracking the aircraft as it is about to land.: Now everyone has experienced turbulence on an aircraft which gives a familiar feeling, well this one wasnt nearly as bad as a C-5's combat drop which gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling for about 15-20 seconds as opposed to our 10 second drop. After landing in Baghdad, we grabbed our bags and loaded them in columns for the different flights. We then proceeded to follow our senses to the nearest DFAC to enjoy some much, much needed food. The DFAC was really nice, and the food was good. After chow, we walked back to the flightline and waited... And waited... And waited for each chinook to land and a chock MIGHT load up onto it. We Probably left around 2300ish Local time and landed about 2345ish. From there we scurried off the craft and signed in (in pitch black light of course). Once signed in, we grabbed our bags and walked to our tents to drop off our gear before AGAIN following our noses to the DFAC which is open for Midnight Chow. Again, it was a nicely designed DFAC which had been recently... Renovated (yea thats the word).... After chow, I proceeded back to the tent and crashed (until the rest of the battalion showed up). I then helped a friend from Stewart with his stuff, and then I went to bed (which was around 0230 hours)... Only to be woken up at 0730 for chow. After Chow, we had a Camp Briefing, and then went to the flightline to see how our jobsite looked and how things were run *which looks VERY promising*. We then went to chow for lunch and had a tower briefing (which they explained how this is their first time working with 'us' but has been without any problems so far (until i get to them, haha). We were then released for the day in which I browsed the PX (which is small), but looked promising with the one TV that caught my eye. I also stopped by and got a haircut as well as coming by the internet cafe. Well, thats been my time so far in Iraq (will get selected pictures up when possible)

Love you guys
David

P.S. Yes, I am KMHD...

Another Landing

Confirming what the Mom said, David called me earlier today (technically yesterday now) and told me that he had arrived at his Camp. The connection was extremely crappy, but we managed to get the important information across. Hopefully he'll be able to call again soon, but at least we know where he is and that he's ok.

The Soldier Has Landed

Chelsey called me earlier this evening and told me that David made it into "camp" today. They had not planned on arriving this soon, but we all know how the military can change it's mind! I think that he is "glad" to be at the final destination so he can get settled in for the long haul. She said the phone connection was not good, so they only got to talk for a couple of minutes, but long enough for us to know where he is and that he is safe.

David - I will get a package out to you this weekend. I'm not sure what will be in it, but I will follow Jennie's and Shennie's lead and just walk the store aisles and pick stuff up! Once you get settled - let us know if there is anything you need. Also - if there is anyone that you come across who needs cards, mail or anything - just let us know. We are here to help ALL of you over there in any way we can.

Stay safe and KYHD!!

Love you lots,
the Mom

Packing, the Saga

So, by the time I got home last night I still had to cook supper, finish laundry, do dishes and iron so your package is still sitting in the old box without the ziplock bags. I PROMISE to get it done and in the mail by Saturday. Look at it this way, we'll stretch your birthday out over several days. Won't it be more fun to get mail on different days than all on one day? Say, "Yes, Shennie, it will." Humor me.

So, the Mom got a new car. My birthday is coming up in 2 months. Hint, Hint to everyone who reads this. Hyundi, huh? I'm not up for something as big as a Santa Fe, but whatever it is has to sit up off the ground. I don't want to step down to get into the car.

Do they plan a Thanksgiving celebration for you, Scoots? Sure could have used your techy self today. I've got a very tempermental PC that is on its last legs and I had to fight with it all morning to get it to stay booted up long enough so that we could back up what's on it. You see, the IT dept. here at work is questionable at best and the folks that are here in the department who think they know what they're doing, really don't. So that's when they tell me that I should do it. Not a good morning. We/They finally got it to stay booted long enough so that we could copy the files onto a CD since the external drive we have for backups wouldn't get recognized. Am I ranting? At least I know you wouldn't have made me get down on the floor to try to unhook and hook stuff up. Geeeesh! I'm getting too old for this!

Now I'm here alone at work. You know the old expression - while the cat's away the mice will play. I'll just leave it at that.

So, watch for my package to arrive in a couple weeks and apologize to the mailman for the hernia!

KYHD! Love you.../s

Package

I sent the "Welcome/birthday" package today. I took all the stuff I bought you to the post office and got it all to fit in one Flat Rate Priority Mail Box. It cost less than $10 to mail it out. So be on the lookout for a box from me and Ben!

Tomorrow I'm going to Old Time Pottery Barn cuz they are having a WAY cool X-mas sale, so it looks like I may not have to wait to buy a 9' tree for our upstairs. Since we have a vaulted ceiling in the living room, our current tree looks tiny, so a 9' tree must be purchased (like how I rationalize that?). We'll put our old tree downstairs. With all his sci-fi decorations, it'll fit in perfectly down there, since that is where all his video games, computers, DVD's and stuff are located.

So, anyone want to join me? Mom? Jess? Chelsey? Give me a call on my cell to let me know if you plan on shopping with me. Also, Chelsey, do you need help getting your stuff organized? I have stuff to do Saturday morning, but should be available by 11 a.m. Ben, Matt and Jessi are upgrading computer stuff at work, so I'll be bored with nothing to do and would be more than happy to help. Just say the word and I'm there. Call my cell and leave a message if you're interested and available.

Can't wait to talk to you on our Skype phone! KYHD! Love ya! -Big Sis #1

From the Mom...

First - David... it was so good to talk to you this morning! You always sound so good and upbeat when we talk. It really helps me to hear you sounding so good! I know that Matt enjoyed speaking with you. He just happened to walk by while we were on the phone. He also commented on how good you sounded.

Second - Ben got our Skype phnoes today so we should all be set up sometime this weekend. He was going to set theirs up first and then help Jess & the hubs, and then ours. Since it may be a few days until you reach your new camp, having them set up by this weekend should work. Also, I will get with Chelsey to see how she loads your calling card with minutes.

Third - Happy Birthday to me from the Dad!! I am now driving a new 2007 light blue metallic Hyundai Santa Fe and I love it!! We got it yesterday and it the best!! Pictures to follow - I promise!! I just have to figure out how to do all this new stuff!!

Last - I was glad to hear that the kitties made it safely to AZ and that Chelsey had a good time visiting her friends. I am sure she must be exhausted by now! Packing, driving, unpacking, flying to AZ & back all in one week!! I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

'nuf for now...

Stay safe and keep in touch...

Love, the Mom

Packaging and Unpackaging

I went out on Saturday and pretty much went up and down the aisles at Walmart grabbing one of everything; so, Scoots, if you get some funky stuff it's cuz I wasn't paying attention in that aisle! When I got home I packed everything up and taped the box within an inch of its life. But, after re-reading stuff and talking to several people, I've decided to cut through the tape and repackage everything ~ this time, using lots of baggies. From what I've heard, they prefer just about everything to be put into ziplock bags. I had to go to the post office today (to the Mom, watch for a package to your address - you'll know who it's for when you open it. Or, just let one of the girls open it - it's all for them.) and while I was there I bought a new box and will repackage everything tonight while I'm watching M*A*S*H. It'll give me a break from my knitting. I was beginning to think I might have to start wearing the hand braces that I used to wear when I had carpal tunnel. Tylenol seems to help.

I went to that Xerox site this morning and sent several cards. Wouldn't it be funny if Scoots got one of ours.

I'm going to seriously start looking for a new car - possibly this weekend. I've been thinking that I might like to have the new one before the snow flies. If we're lucky, maybe it'll be an uneventful winter here in New England. I would love that. I did see a really nice looking Accord the other day. Seems they're making them a little higher these days. Whatever the make/model, I think I want to get a bright red car! Look out world - here comes Shennie!

Enough for today - KYHD!

Birthday/Christmas

OK, so I went shopping last night after work. Um, yeah. Holy crap. I bought way too much stuff, but I figure that David will be happy.

I've got his Birthday and his Christmas taken care of. A package will be sent today to "welcome" him to camp. I gave Jessi the Christmas stuff I got for him so she can send one big Christmas package from all of us.

Also, I visited Let'sSayThanks and sent a few Thank You cards to random soldiers. Then I sent an e-mail to just about every e-mail address I could remember/find to ask my friends and family to also go send cards. It's a website by the Xerox Company that allows people to choose a card (designed by kids around the country), choose a thank you greeting and Xerox prints it and sends it for FREE to a soldier serving overseas. How awesome is that? Go Xerox!

Kitty Drop-Off

Well, the kitty drop-off went well. The plane flight didn't seem to traumatize them too much, and they adapted to Sarah and Jake's apartment really well. They're still getting used to their dogs, GIR and Cody, because they are smaller than Rajah and Prince, and therefore expect the cats to play with them. It was great seeing Sarah and Jake again. We had a lot of great food (In-n-out, Buffallo Wild Wings, and this amazing Mexican place I can't remember the name of), played laser tag, and went to Jerome, which is near Sedona and has great shops and amazing views. It was also really great to visit Arizona in general since David and I will probably wind up living there, though near Tucson, not Phoenix. Anyway, I'm at the USO at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, which is really nice. I was hoping David would be on, but no, so hopefully we'll be able to talk soon. This has been a really good trip so far, I'll see everyone soon.