DEc. 28, 2008 From Mom

Hi Honey,

Mother loves you.

I’m still aggravated at this phone, but we’ll get a chance to talk again.

Went to Brandon and Laura’s for Christmas. Laura’s family was there so it was a festive occasion. I think Dad said he was in the shower when you called. I had the phone in my pocket and kept checking it and turning it back on, but you called in between checks.

A friend of mine sent me a $50 gift certificate to Amazon and I won some contests so I have another $45 to Amazon. I think I’m going to order the books I’ve been wanting and maybe a Celtic cd.

Samantha is crawling now. She did very well at opening packages. Of course, then she wanted to eat the paper and Daddy kept taking it away from her. She got the most surprised and annoyed look on her face. Then she’d just go back to unwrapping packages and get her another piece of paper to chew on. She got lots of clothes, but was a lot more interested in chewing on the hangers. Needless to say, Laura’s family showered them with lots of gifts. Samantha isn’t allowed in the kitchen so when she’d crawl over to the edge of the carpet, Brandon told her no and threatened to slap her hands if she went in there. She’d hold up her hand like she was thinking about whether she really wanted to go in the kitchen or not. Then she’d put it back down and turn around. I think Daddy has been disciplining the child.

She really is a good little baby. She’s so happy and smiles all the time. Her hair is even longer now, of course, Laura had it up in a pony tail with a bow. It’s just odd to see a seven-month-old baby with a ponytail that long. I hope Laura will send you the Chirstmas card with the pictures.

That surprises me they cooked Mexican food. Was it good?

I’m glad you only had to work half a day, but sad some of the others were out on Christmas.

Glad the guys like the cookies. There isn’t much I can do, but I will bake cookies.

I’ve given up on KBR. I should have pushed harder to get a job last year, but the lawyer didn’t really want me leaving the country until the divorce was over. I still applied, but I should have been more aggressive.

Not sure I want to be in Iraq after they start turning all those prisoners loose anyway. That seems like a disaster looking for a place to happen.

I want a home and some land desperately, but Iraq and Afghanistan are off the table.

I don’t think you’ve ever mentioned dates and times on convoys. You haven’t to me, anyway and I don’t want to know. The least I know the less I have to worry about.

I didn’t get the Christmas stories done, but I think I am going to do some short stories anyway and post them. Plus I have some old ones I am going to put up.

I’ve been concentrating on Paladin. I will finish the last chapter tonight and then add in some bits and pieces I left out. I need to change a few things to tie up loose ends. By the end of January, it should be in good shape. Not sure it will be a number one, but I do think it will sell. The story is solid, I just worry about the storytelling.

Brice put up a new website you might like to look at. http://bbroaddus.com/home.html

He’s such a talented artist and a nice guy.

I found the monitor box. Unfortunately, I threw away the Styrofoam. I am working on some other packing. I will try to get it off in the mail Tuesday.

You never gave me an answer on the books. Do any of the guys over there read and if so, what? I have several boxes here, but I can donate them to Books For Soldiers if y’all don’t want them.

Do you have room for a picture frame?

I may send Katie my camera until I can get her another one. She needs to be taking more pictures of the baby. I need to get this car stuff paid for so I can drive again. I had hoped we might be getting some kind of tax rebate like last year, but from what I am reading the big tax help plan is going to cut a few dollars in taxes off each check. That will cost the country billions in taxes and amount to a few Cokes for the taxpayers. I wish they’d keep the danged money and pay down part of the debt if they’re going to do that. Anyway, need to get that car situation taken care of so I am just going to send her my camera until I can buy her one.

Speaking of taxes, did Katie send you that form?

I hope all is going well for you. I pray for all of you every night. I keep Katie and Little Man in prayers also. He is such a beautiful baby.

Ah, before I forget, look what I found.

http://www.ansgeulaiche.co.uk/index.html

He’s a member of the writer’s forum. It’s not Ireland but it’s close and we might be able to find something like that in Ireland.

Also:

http://www.scottish-master-of-wedding-ceremonies.co.uk/handfasting.shtml

Not sure if you’d be interested in that, but it’s intriguing. They can also do a dedication ceremony for a baby.

Well, sweetheart. Going to ship this off to you. Going to go get some paper this week so I can write letters. Emails are quick, but they are not permanent.

Love you so very much.

Take care of yourself. Tell Sarge hi for me. Do you like oatmeal cookies?

Love,

Mom

Dec. 28, 2008 From Mom

Hi, sweetheart,

Just a quick line to let you know I got your email. Will respond more fully later.

No, I wouldn't put out any information, about times, dates or where you are. I didn't even put sarge's name in the last post.

I figured the KBR jobs were dead. I found a total of four in Iraq today and one in Afghanistan. I want a home desperately, but that isn't going to be the route. Where one door closes, another always opens so something else will come up.

Well, it's almost 3:00 am and I am going to try and finish this chapter tonight.

One more chapter to go and it's done. Yay!

Love you, honey.

Mom

Sunday Dec. 28, 2008 From Will

Hi Mom

I hope you had a good Christmas. I tried to call Dad too. Guess he didn't hear it. I'll try and call again soon.

I had a pretty good Christmas. We only worked half the day. Our guys were out on the road and another left Christmas day so I guess it could have been worse. They served Mexican food for the dinner meal. That was great.

I got your snickerdooles. Everyone loved them. I keep them on my desk.

I was going to try and call everyone but there was a line at the phones and I went at midnight. So I'll try and call Cody and Brandon in the next couple of days.

It would be hard to get a KBR job. We're pulling out of all the cities and by January they want to Iraqis to take over a lot of the jobs. That's awesome oh, and there also releasing 12,000 prisoners. I was going to tell you if i say anything about our convoys or anything about times or dates you can't put it up on the blog. OPSEC stuff. Who knows?

Go head and send the monitor just wrap it really good and what ever the post cost I'll pay you for it. Well I need to get on to work. I love you mom. Tell everyone there I said hi. I'll talk to you later.

Merry Christmas

Hi, Honey,

So aggravated I want to throw this phone in the trash. I went to bed with it beside me and kept it with me all day in case you got a chance to call.

I had it in my pocket when you called, but it keeps turning off by itself and I didn't get your call. Yesterday it kept turning off every time I tried to dial out.

I hope you had a good Christmas, sweetheart. I don't know what to send you. I did send a box with a few things, but I know you don't have much room.

I have the picture you sent of Logan up on my blog. He is such a cutie.

I took my camera with me and showed Dad and Brandon the pictures of you, Katie and Logan.

Dad seems to be doing ok. He's still thin, but getting around all right. Still working too much, but that's your dad. I don't think that will ever change.

I had to work Christmas eve and will work again tomorrow. Really thought about taking off Friday and writing, but I may need it for something so I decided not to.

Stopped by Walgreen's to pick up my prescriptions and it was packed solid. I nearly passed, but I didn't want to have to get out again another time. I guess Walgreen's was the only business in town that was open. I got some holiday tea on sale, so I guess that's all right.

Found some mint M&M's too. Guess what you're getting in your next box? Go ahead. Guess.

My boss has a half-grown cat he wants to give me. I think I need to go to the shelter and get one that might not live otherwise. I'll check with the shelter tomorrow maybe.

I wasn't going to get a pet since I was going to start applying to KBR again after March. They don't have many job openings and I don't know where else to look for a job in Iraq or Afghanistan. So, it looks like plan b for a house.

I'm going to be posting some Christmas stories on the blog if you want to read them. They will be mostly short stories, but Santa Was a Cowboy is a true story about when we lived in Gardendale.

Do you have room for a picture frame?

I am still so upset about missing your call. I miss you so very much.

I was looking at Irish vacations earlier. I'm going to find some kind of meter to post on the blog for the Irish fund. Need to post a Surrey fund meter also. I have $20 saved up for Surrey. Not by choice. I got home with $20 Canadian and no banks will convert it. So, I decided to start my Surrey fund with it.

Paladin is even closer than I thought it was. I should be finished with it by the end of December. Then I start on the revisions.

Brandon looks good. He's lost a little weight. He's trying to get his service truck finished so he can go back to work. He's going to do contract work for Capstar.

I have no idea how or why I was so blessed to have you in my life. You were always such a good-natured baby. You never woke without a smile. Perhaps somewhere you knew how much of a miracle it was that you even made it. You were, and are, in so many ways a miracle. I love you so very, very much and I am so proud of you.

Katie said you wanted me to send your monitor over there. Are you sure you want to send that nice monitor? I can send the one you gave me for Christmas. I don't have a computer anyway and not sure when I will get Big Blue fixed. I can get another monitor when I do. How much would it cost to ship a tv over there? Can you even get reception there?

Well, sweetheart, I am going to sign off for now. Let me know about the monitor. Also, let me know which games you want.

I'll try to figure out how to get pictures from the camera to the computer so I can send you some Christmas pictures.

Daddy bought Samantha a pair of little boots with pink tops. Brandon faunched and fussed about that. She has too much pink and he doesn't want her to be a little sissy girl. Silly brother of yours.

I love you. Merry Christmas.

Mom

12-22-08 Iraq

Hey Mom.  Katie will like the book. I think she went and watched to movie so I‘m sure reading the book will be cool.  I’m going to weigh like 400 pounds when I get back. A group out of Midland sent care packages for everyone  plus another group sent Christmas stockings full of stuff. Before every convoy that rolls out I go and pick up class 1 which is 3 to 4 pallets for Cokes, dp, muffins, honey buns and all kinds of other crap for he guys to eat on the road. So the army runs off of Dr Pepper, honey buns and aa batteries. Now the mission couldn’t go with out them.  Sarge’s first paladin that he made and still plays on is Belas. It’s good the book is coming along like it is. I’m happy for you I’m attaching a picture of Logan for you. Katie sent it to me. I think its cute. Well mom I love you and it’s late. I’ve got to get up early to do some more secret squire stuff so ill talk to you later. Love you Mom. Take care. Tell Dad I’m doing good and I miss him and everyone else.

Logan James

12-21-08

Hi Sweetheart,

Mother loves you.

Spoke to Katie earlier. She was doing homework. I’m glad she’s continuing with this. It will be good for her and it helps occupy her mind.

She said she was reading a vampire book also, so I bought her a copy of TWILIGHT today. It’s young adult, but a lot of people like it. It’s not something I would jump on, but my reading time is limited now. The main thing is she is reading and enjoying it.

I got Logan several size 3-6 month things, but Katie said he is really growing so I went back and got some 6-9 month things also. I’ll get to the bank tomorrow one way or the other and put some money in for you. I had a friend who was going to get with me this weekend, but haven’t heard anything out of her. I can take the bus, but I haven’t figured out the bus schedule very well yet. I’ve been taking it to work and then my boss gives me a ride home. That’s not a good situation so I need to get things taken care of asap.

It’s Sunday, so I’m baking. Mint chocolate chip cookies!

Your snail died. I’m sorry. Not really sure what I did wrong, but I was cleaning out the fish tank and all that rolled out of the skull was an empty shell. I finished dumping it out and some kind of flesh came out. I had just cleaned out the lint filter in the dryer and he, I’m assuming it was the snail, fell into the lint. I kept watching it to see if he moved, but he didn’t. Not really sure how I would have got him back in his shell if he had. The first thing I thought of was just wait until Fuzzy the snail joins his little fish friends. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer just thought he had it bad.

Don’t tell Katie I killed her snail.

Your dragon eels are doing fine, though they are a bit spoiled. They think I’m supposed to feed them as soon as I get home from work. I feed them in the morning when I get up, but they keep watching me when I get home, so I feed them again. Now they start jumping around if I don’t feed them right away. I thought fish were supposed to be kind of mindless?

Well, Lisa said her son trained a Beta to jump out of his bowl and do a few other tricks. A neighbor’s little girl did whatever he did to get the fish to jump and then took him outside to let him go because he obviously wanted out of the little bowl.

I gave Dad and Brandon your address.

Talked to Grandpa and Grandma today. It’s been very cold up there. Wind chill -40. Cody isn’t impressed with the cold weather at all. I don’t think he’ll be moving north anytime soon.

Brandon got laid off. He said it really worked out for the best because he can do contract work for them now. He just doesn’t have any benefits. Laura is still working and I doubt her job is in danger. Hopefully, I can see them this week. I have some things for Samantha and I want to see my little doll anyway.

Nickel is doing better, but still very thin. It will just take a while to get the weight back on. I think I’m going to go get a Christmas tree Tuesday or Wednesday. Yeah, I know, I’m doing the Dad thing. It’s just tough to get much done without transportation.

I may just get a plant instead and buy a little pine next year.

Paladin has forty-seven chapters. Possibly forty-eight if I decide to split one chapter. It turned out better than I thought it would. Which is kind of sad that it has surprised me like that.

I still need to figure out a title for it. I would ask you and the crew to come up with one, but Sgt. Hardin is the one who named his character Tankerbelle.

I’m sending the first chapter to Barbara Rogan for edit. She has a get acquainted offer to edit the first 5,000 words for $50. That’s a good price and the first chapter is really the most important. I hope to be submitting by the end of January. The book will be done by the end of December.

Well, sweetheart, it’s going on 2:00 a.m. here and I still need to get some presents wrapped and boxed so I can get them in the mail tomorrow.

I love you so very much.

Take care of yourself. You are in my prayers nightly.

Love,

Mom

December 18, 2008

Hello Sweetheart,

Mother loves you so much.

I shipped a box off to you today. I hope it will be there for Christmas, but it might be a day or two late. Hope to get Katie’s box in the mail tomorrow.

I didn’t know what to get you so come of your Christmas will be scattered. Sort of like the graduation that went on for a while. Katie said you haven’t got a tv yet, so you don’t need any games. Would you like some more mech warrior books? Music? Socks?

I’m going to send Katie the pearl necklace set. I’ll get her a camera after Christmas. I got Logan some clothes. One of them is a camo sleeper that says, “Majorly Cute.”

Found Brandon an M&M Swami dispenser. So, I got that and a big bag of M&M’s. Fluffy towels and a Home Depot gift card round them out except for Samantha. I need to go find my little doll some clothes.

Aly gets the turquoise necklace and earrings. Need to shop for little Stormie and Cody. If I could find my beads I would bead some halters for him. He’s been hauling oilfield stuff and he put another driver on his cow truck. Apparently the driver abandoned the truck in Florida and it cost $2,000 to get it home. I think between the mess with the cow truck and them sending him back and forth to North Dakota where it’s so cold his truck thermometer isn’t working, he’s ready to go back to hauling cows.

Cody and Aly took Richard to Nebraska to a cutting horse trainer. I think Aly is going to try to show him in reining.

I was going to go up there for Christmas, but there were some problems, so I’m not going to make it. I’ll try to go in the next few months and try to do it with enough advance notice so Aly and Cody can get away for a few days while I watch Stormie.

Wish I could do more for Christmas for all of you, but I do want you all to know how very much I love you.

You and Katie have been true blessings to me.

You have no idea how much it meant to me last year to come into the apartment and find that tree on my table. I think I’m going to walk down to the nursery and get another one and use the decorations you gave me last year. Maybe I can keep this one alive.

I thought about using my Pirates of the Caribbean wrapping paper, but I’m greedy and I’m going to keep it just because you gave it to me.

Try to get some pictures for Bailey and Garret if you can. If you’ll send me an address for some army stuff, I will get that for them from you.

I’m enclosing a link to a new blog for us. We discussed this a bit before you left. If you feel uncomfortable posting to it, I understand, but I would like you to when you have time. I would also like to hear from anyone else over there who would like to share their thoughts.

And, speaking of other people. I found a recipe for eggnog fudge. I’m going to make some for Henderson. Any other baking/cooking requests?

Well, need to get ready for work, sweetheart. I love you so very, very much

Let me know what I can do for you. I have to work tomorrow, but I’m going to try and catch a ride to your bank and put a deposit in the night deposit box for you. Hopefully, they will post it Monday.

Take care, honey.

Love,

Mom

http://julieweathers.blogspot.com/ Letters on the Wind blog for us.