Nigel is (well, was) our goldfish. Larger than the average as well as a great pet. He was bequeathed to us by Marlon, Lisa and James when they departed 109 Columbia (*sob*). Nigel was a cool guy.
Anyway, I got 'the phone call' today from Lizzy (whom is in charge of feeding/mail duties whilst we play hooky from Syracuse in PA), that Nigel had went for a visit to the 'other side'. She was very sympathetic actually which was super sweet. After all, she had flushing duty. If I were there, he would have had a proper burial but decomposing in my house for the next few days would be an undesireable situation. So, off to the sewers he goes...Lizzy, thank you for your compassion. Nigel was a friend.
I did decide to tell Colin. After all, he had a 'chore' and it was to feed Nigel daily. He would definitly be upset if Nigel was suddenly missing. He might have nightmares or something. I told him he went to heaven. He then responded with 'Mommy, can you read me my Mator book?'. (Um..maybe he will grieve later?)
R.I.P Nigel. You will be missed.
Since Chris has been deployed, the kids and I just do not sit still. I am well aware how insane that must seem to some people. However, let me tell you, I am NOT one to sit in one place, ever. I have been like this since I was a kid and some view it as refreshing and exciting and others...well, they don't understand it at all, and think it is not good for the kids...(yes, this has been communicated to me) Perhaps both perceptions are true but I believe I just have a ton of energy and hate stagnation. I love seeing new things and meeting new people.
My trips here, there and everywhere have been an awesome way to forget that my husband is away and here we are...thing is, we have routines and if we are in our house doing them...OK...if we are in Indiana or Pennsylvania or California doing them...then OK. Routine is key for kids and having certain things that remain the same, no matter what is super important. The key is, being around supportive people that love and care about us. Colin has his journal, blanket, cars and whatever book he is obsessed with that week...Emma has Colin, her binky, bottle, and her favorite book. We are really consistent (97% of the time) with bed time and tubby etc...we just add a ton of new adventure and I love this opportunity for the kids to see all of these amazing people (and even meet new ones) that normally life wouldnt allow for. In fact, once the kids are in 'school', I can forget travelling this often...but then, we are in the Army so moving is like a right of passage.
I guess this post is somewhat of a explanation for who I am lately and why, which is somewhat redundant really. After all, those who are 'really' there and who truly care and know me, understand. I love you for it too and you know who you all are.
Today was supreme. We went to Bloomsburg, PA park and just played and played. We threw rocks in the Susquehanna River for awhile and Colin rode his bike a couple miles; while Emma and I ran after him. :) My kids are the coolest people.
Chris, if you are reading this, I totally skipped a rock halfway across the river and I was soooo gutted you didn't get to see it. I didnt think it was even possible. I want that rock back, when you get back, can you go fetch it for me? haha.
I have pictures to upload of our day today but need to do it possibly Thursday (my parents have dial-up...slllllloooow...but hey, it works).
Sandy, Matt, Sarah, Sadie...we are coming to a city near you...and soon!! :)
love. love. love.
Well, Mid July. We've been out here for a month and a half now. I gotta say time is flying by. I figured it would as soon as we got out here. It's been pretty good so far. We spend our time between the little base we named the Alamo and the OP up on the mountian we call Custer. I know, they're both named after some bad military actions. I'll explain why later. Most of us have been having a pretty good time so far. We're living pretty ghetto with about 16 to a tent, no showers, crappy boxed army food(needless to say we all have gas that would make stink itself gasp for air), and little power. But, I love it. This, to me, is what the Army is all about. This is why I do what I do. I would love to see Josh and all his little spoiled pilot buddies try to make it just a few days out here. No 18 hours off between missions here bratha. We have long days and some longer nights. The bad guys haven't been as active as I thought they would be, but when I was up on the OP, we got to call in few Apachees. That was awesome. I was on the radio walking them into where they needed to fire. So, I got a couple of assists under my belt. Which is pretty cool. Those guys put on an awesome show. All that was missing was some popcorn. We do week on week off from the OP. It's actually pretty cool up there. When it's not your guard shift you just hang out. I listened to a lot of music and read. I'm working on The IRA from Tim Pat Coogan. It's really good. Alot of info. Some of it reads like a history book, but for the amount of info he has to cram in there it makes sense. I also get to think alittle bit which is cool. I dig it. I have a great squad too. One of my team leaders was here with me last time and so was one of my soldiers. I have a weird mix of engineers, chemical, and commo guys but it works. We've had some really long converstaions on baseball which seems to be our normal chat. We've got some Red Sox fans, some Yankees fans, and some Dodgers fans. So, they can get pretty heated. But, it's cool how love for the game carries to so many different types of people. It's pretty cool, actually. But, I do find myself really missing Tammy, Colin, and Emma quite a bit. But, we're getting there. Just a few monre months and I'll be home. There's alot of talk of us being home by thanksgiving, but I know better than to put any weight on that. We'll see I guess. Regardless, come my brithday, we'll be packing up. So, 2 more months of really hard work left. Sounds awesome when I re-read that. Ok, That's it. I'll try to be better about writing these. Be good everybody. Holla.
Chris
