Take care

Drive carefully getting to the airport, you know nobody is going to drive for conditions. Weather was a bit hazy yesterday, but still warm and sunny. Don't know what today is going to be like. Its the elections, and my normal routine is going to be broken, I'm not going to get to do my normal product. Instead, I'm going to have my hands full tracking info, and making sure info gets to the right places.

Anyway, I'd better go. Take care of yourselves and each other.

Myron

Wet and cold

Hello everyone, still waiting for the snow. Hope you get your flight sorted out and that you don't suffer to much in the cold. It's just horrible here ,damp and cold. Hope that sunday doesn't bring too much hassle, take care John. we're going to do a bit on Dad's train board this afternoon , he's been with Nick doing Tony's car, they have been to grand canaria for a week.Dad was going to do the car parking at anglesey but not worth it with the weather, not many people about. Nick may be going to Glasgow to look at a new lorry with Steve. That's enough of my rambling for now take care all . love and best wishes from everyone Mum G

Snow????

Wish we had something to break the monotony of the weather here. Its sunny and cool, with azure-blue skies. The dirt turns into a fine dust and coats everything. I miss rain, even a drizzle would clean the dust off.

We have been without lights in our office for two days now. We have these huge (bigger than the old round table) crystal chandeliers in our office, and we were changing the light bulbs, when it arced and blew the circuit. There is power to the switch, the lights themselves dont work, so its probably the actual chandelier. They brought in portable halogens, like the one they use on work sites at night, and they are installing flourescents, but need some more materiel to complete the job.

Tomorrow is the election, and we've had a slow buildup of violence in the buildup. All hell might break loose tomorrow, so I'm liable to be busy.

Anyway, take care of yourselves, and each other, and have a safe flight, Dad.

Myron

no snow yet

Hello all. we're still waiting for the snow, it's wet and yukky this morning. John ,you be careful messing about with stuff like that. Dads got a night out in Carlisle tonight so no snoring for me to put up with. Good job Viv got sorted with NTL thought she was going to blow a gasket.everyone sends love, take care. Doc sorry to hearyour news, have a safe trip. love to all Mum G

Ahh...

Hot water today, which is a relief. Got the package with the headphones in it yesterday. Thank you very much.

I got to help build some demolition charges with plastic explosive yesterday, which was decidedly different. After that work was hectic, I didn't get out until quarter to ten.

Still awaiting the packages from Viv. I'm going to give it another couple of weeks, then get the postmaster involved.

Anyway, take care of yourselves and each other.

Myron

Yay

Viv's back, and all is right with the world. Well, we don't have hot water, and the food is still monotonous, but aside from that...

Sorry to hear that Ousbon is doing that badly. Have a safe trip, Dad, be careful down there.

Haven't heard anything about Jason, so hopefully everything is ok.

Take care of yourselves and each other.

Myron

I'm back

Hi everyone, just a few lines to say ntl have finally sorted everything out and normal services have been resumed.

Love viv

Update

Package with popcorn showed up yesterday. Viv is back on the telephone, and we are awaiting Internet to be reconnected (may be as many as ten days). She's about to become very busy with work, between snowdrops and stock takes.

Things are slowly getting repaired around here. And the weather has broken a bit, although its really foggy.

Looks like the Germany R&R isn't going to happen, they keep moving the bar on us. It was indicated yesterday that only 1/6 of the gang here will go on R&R. Everyone here is frustrated with that.

Anyway, take acre of yourselves and each other.

Myron

I spoke too soon....

Or I shouldn't hve mentioned rain. We got hit with a really bad storm yesterday, like Noah type rain, and wind gusting up to 25 knots. Caused all sorts of problems. First, we had water coming in under our door to the outside, we only noticed when I started paddling through it, and I sit 15 feet from the door. So it was all hands to the mops. Then, we had problems with the wind. The bomb that went off near us apparently broke alot of windows in the palace. Now, most of the windows are covered with wood, but in different ways. The window in our office is covered, but there are gaps, and the wind was whistling through, and I sit right by the window. So I was cold all day yesterday. Another problem was that in some windows, they made a wooden plug that fits inside the jamb. The wind actually blew some of those out, so we were building makeshift props to stop them. So yesterday wasn't fun, but it was decidedly different.

I haven't heard anything from Viv, so I'm assuming she's still down. Either that, or she's run off with the coalman.

I'm getting rather irritated with the mail here. I received a package of stuff that I ordered from Amazon and that was shipped about ten days ago, from England!!! I still have not received packages that Viv sent in November. I'm about ready to get a postmaster complaint form. I have a sneaking suspicion that all those packages Viv has sent out have been stolen, including my Christmas present and cards.

Anyway, I had better go. The rain has almost stopped now, and the wind is supposed to die out later today.

Take care of yourselves and each other.

Myron

When it rains...

It pours. Hi all. Well, yesterday turned out not to be as busy as I thought, but frustrations are high, as well as tempers. Can't go into detail, but somebody (not one of our guys) pissed away about a month's man hours of work in about five minutes. Considering it was a team effort that put all the work into, nobody was happy, and everyone is frustrated and annoyed. I thought I was handling the dissapointment allright, until I got into an argument with a guy over a semantical point, and the argument wasn't necessary. Realise that my reaction was due to the tension and frustration in the office, and not wasn't said. Have to go see what the fallout over that is, and pour some oil on the water.

To top it off, NTL, our beloved cable company, has cut Viv off. Apparently, they never canceled her cancellation order DESPITE numerous phone calls from her and Mum informing them that the cancellation was no longer desired. Hopefully Viv can keep her temper under control long enough to get it sorted. Unfortunately, this being a weekend, they won't do anything about it until next week, So I have no way of communicating with her, unless she goes to Mums to read e-mail. :(

Anyway, its back to the grind for me. Take care of yourselves, and each other.

Myron

windy

Hello everyone, will be pleased if snow does come . It's been very windy, part of our fence almost hit the ground last night. Molly was a bit stiff yesterday after her day at work with Dad so she spent all day asleep. Ann said to keep your head down John, she has to have her home re-wired so she's none too pleased. Gran is Gran , nothing changes there. The twins are three years old on monday, the time just flies . Doc, Gus said he hopes the cases you had at Christmas are doing OK. Viv is sounding a lot better, there's lots of colds about I'm lucky not to have caught it (touch wood). Take care of yourselves Love to all . Mum G

Still here

Hi all! Called Viv last night, she sounds much more better. Now if she can get the grease off of Molly, she'll be ok. Lectured her about taking care of herself and recovering fully from her cold, and not letting herself get run down. Hopefully my nagging has done some good.

Busy day to look forward to. Ordinarily, Fridays are slow, but I have a feeling today is going to be a bit different.

Have to do laundry today as well, down to my last t-shirt.

Weather here has been cold, overcast and windy. Hoping it stays that way, as the alternative is not pleasant.

Take care of yourselves and each other.

Myron

Hiya everyone

Hiya,

Sorry it's been so long but I don't seem to have time to stand still. As everyone is probably aware work is very busy with snowdrops. Well it is this week anyway, maybe not by the weekend as snow is forcast, and snow means snowdrops are covered up so hopefully no visitors. Not only have I been busy at Anglesey but Jan/Feb is also stock take months so over the next few weeks i'm going to be traveling to other properties to help with stock takes. And just for fun I have a 2 day meeting at Clumber park which is north of us and another 2 day meeting at Wimpole., and of course this all happens on what should be my days off. Plan on having alot of time off in March to rest and get ready for Roni's home coming. Well I hope everyone is ok and hope to speak to you all soon. Love Viv and Molly

Bad day

Yesterday, if you watched the news, was a bad day over here. Won't say much, except that I'm ok, but at least one of the bombs was fairly close (the shockwave cracked windows here). Everything is under control (which is why the bomb wasn't closer). But it just goes to show how things are over here. Don't want anyone worrying, I'm with professionals, so there isn't much to worry about.

Anyway, everyone take care.

Myron

Hi everybody

Spoke with Viv last night, she apologizes for not posting recently, but she has a really nasty cold combined with a possible chest infection, so is feeling very much under the weather. She needs a big hug at the moment, and I can't give it to her except virtually (VERY frustrating). The doctor's is inundated with sick people at the moment, so there is no guarantee that she can get in to see them, either.

On a more positive note, two things happened yesterday. My award package got put in for being here (yay, finally someone is going to give me a medal!). I was pleasantly suprised the guys here put me in, especially considering the way my own unit treated us during the actual war (busted our butts, and nobody got a thing other than a pretty certificate).

The other thing is that we are going to get 4 days of R&R leave in February. I am trying to wrangle it so that I can take mine in Germany after snowdrops, so Viv can fly out. Alot of pieces have to fall just right for this to happen, so I'm not getting my hopes up, but if I can work it, it'll be great.

Anyway, that's about it for now. Take care of yourselves and each other.

Myron

busy busy

Sorry it's been a little while but been busy trying to get house straight. we've got Dad's train board built up all we need now are some plans for the track layout. It's weird weather at the moment, wet and not very cold. our crocus are all out in the tubs and everything is shooting new buds. Question Doc which county is lake alatoona in ?. I'm trying to put pictures in album with a record of dates etc .John in answer to your question I have filled in card which I have put in Viv's name so she will hopefully get it by her birthday. It's a great gift I'm sure she'll love. Doc and Margarette when I look at the pictures I try to be back there . Maybe we'll make it again. take care of yourselves , love from everyone Mun G

That's OK

I had completely spaced that it was a Federal holiday. I tend to be so narrow-focused that I only associate those with how I phone Viv (going through the operator instead of my office. And I am not leaving anything of mine behind here, sets a bad precedent.

I said it was cold here yesterday, it was down into the high-30s, low 40s yesterday morning.

Anyway, have to get going. Take care.

Myron

Nope, still just one of me...

Although the guys here probably wish they could clone me and keep one behind for when I'm supposed to leave. The two pairs are so I have one and a backup, so when one breaks, I'm not without music until I can get another pair. Prior planning prevents poor performance, or, in this case, no music!

Its gotten cold here as well, not sure what cold is in actual degrees, but I will ask my weather guy what the temp was today. I'm glad I got this fleece, as the guys keep on leaving the door to the outside open, and all of the cold seems to gather in my corner. So I slap that on, and I'm toasty warm.

I'm going to baffle everyone except Mum now. What do you think of the present? Do you think she'll like it. I kind of got it for the for the physical ownership rather than the actual purpose (if that makes any sense). Does it say how long it takes to process, and, if you filled out the registration, would it be back in time for her birthday? If it would, can you do that? Thanks!

Had another e-mail talking about the extensions, still nothing saying I'm staying, so its looking positive at the moment.

Well, I had better go. Take care of yourselves and each other.

Myron
,

Headphone clarification

Hi all;

To clarify the headphone thing, one earpiece per ear. The Bose ones with the noise reduction are what they sell here, don't want those. I want in ear phones, but not the ones that look like the ones that used to come with the old transistor radios. These are flatter, like miniature speakers.

Want ones like these

Not like these

Hope this helps. You can get the ones I want for $15 or cheaper.

Take care of yourselves, and each other.

Myron

Not out of the woods, yet.

Just go another update on the re-deployment. We still are not on the list to pony up another iteration, but CENTCOM has sneakily said that we agreed to having some of our people extend. I have a list of those people (I am not on it, its all guys in Afghanistan), and they are extending them into mid-May, so even if for some reason I get tapped its not too bad. Our boss is furious at this subterfuge (the message states that we agreed to it, which we haven't), and is sending a very angry message to the SECDEF. Will have to wait and see what the fallout is.

Myron

Gloves

Yes, I have been issued gloves, big arctic weather ones that would prevent frostbite on Pluto!!! So gloves are kind of not useful.

As an aside, I need some more assistance from the parent supply train. I broke my headphones about two weeks ago. I have another pair, but they are on a real short lead, so I have no mobility, and I anticipate them breaking soon (I put them in my pockets alot). Viv has tried to get me some up on base, and in town, to no avail. The ones they sell here are the huge noise cancelling ones that cost $179, and I refuse to pay that (Viv has the same problem up on base). I have even tried the internet, with no luck (either they won't deliver to my address, or it will take a month to get here). All I want is a couple of pairs of cheap (less that $15) in ear headphones (not the ones that look like ear plugs, but the flatter ones, like tiny speakers). If you could go to Walmart or someplace and get a couple, and slip them in to the next package, I'd be grateful, and could go back to ignoring everyone while I did my work.

As a further aside, another parent supply package made it, the one with the boxes of fruit granola bars in it. I am starting to use the packages for breakfast (yesterday, the scrambled eggs were grey, so I didn't eat much).

On a further note, I got an e-mail from the guys up north, who are supposed to be in charge of me. They are saying we have to be back in Qatar on or around the 4th or 5th, to arrange mass-gaggle transport to get us home around the 9th of April. They said they wanted me to come back up ther, to fly out of country. Hah! I'm sitting right next to one of the biggest airports in the country, with military flights to Qatar every day, no point in me going back up north, sitting on my thumbs for a while, just to fly out of there. I told them that, and cced my Major up here (the one who is responsible for all of us JAC guys in the Baghdad area), who sent a further e-mail confirming that we should fly out of here. So hopefully that put a stop to that.

Sent my boss a couple of supplementary evaluation forms from the guys here to be used for my annual evaluation, one from the guys who were here when I first got here, and one from the guys who replaced them. Both said some very flattering things, including I'd be welcome to work with them anytime (both said that independently). Kind of makes a change from my four jobs in a year experience at the JAC.

Take care of yourselves, and each other.

Myron

Hat...what hat?

Hi all. In response to Mum's question, what hat?

Seriously, the guys here don't play by those sort of rules. The only time I wear a hat is if we are increased uniform level (which means we have our protective kit on), or if I go over to Slayer or Victory (where they play regular Army rules). I have picked up so many bad habits here, its going to be tough when I get back. Like I walk around with my hands in my pockets all the time, which is now a big no-no in the Air Force now (just before I left, they made a uniform change which says that we can't put our hands in our pockets...makes me wonder what pockets are for). But I do it here, everyone does it here. Same thing with the hat, no one wears one. And our little keyfob flashlights (like Viv has on hers). We wear them in the top button on our blouses, so we have light when we go outside (it gets dark here). That is a big no-no in the real world as well.

Yesterday was incredibly rough. Our shared server went down, and they were saying it was a 50/50 chance they would be able to recover it. All of our work was on it, including an Access database with over 14,000 entries in it. Luckily, they recovered it, but for awhile, we were incredibly stressed. And these idiots don't do backups on tape! Needless to say, I couldn't get much work done.

Got a package from the JAC yesterday, with a lovely black fleece jacket in it. Yet another thing I have to turn back in when I get back, but it will keep me warm when it is cold out. Also, its another thing for me to get used to wearing a certain way, which will be a big no-no back in the world.

Anyway, take care of yourselves and each other.

Myron

no snow yet

Hello all, hope everyones ok. Nice picture John shame about the HAT. Why weren't you wearing one?. Thanks for the card and if you can remember what you wrote the answer to your question is yeswe are. Have got Dad home from work with a cold, he's feeling quite rough at present. we've had some very windy weather but compared to further north we've been lucky, there's been a lot of flooding up there. Fixed Ann on the blog only to find next day her computer has some bug , she seems doomed not to be able to join in. Glad that Margarette's back is a bit easier and that you got your electric sorted out Doc. Everything here is starting to shoot in the garden , makes us think spring is on the way. Take care all love and best wishes from everyone Mum G.

Blimp!!

Hi all. Got a package from Mom and Dad yesterday, the one in the box from Larry, stuffed with poptarts and cheezits. I portioned out about a third of it to the guys here, as is normaly procedure. My goodie box (a big plastic tupperware box I appropriated) is full to overflowing. I have to start eating more stuff, or I will run out of room! But I will start looking like a blimp.

Got a pleasant (or unpleasant, depending on your viewpoint) suprise yesterday. One of the guys who was at the range had a videocamera, and took video of me firing the AK. It is now floating about the unit, entitled "Why the Air Force uses F-16s". Its a great joke, and a good piece of memorabilia, but I'm the butt of the joke. Guess it means I've been accepted.

It was rough weekend, with so much going on I was pulled 16 ways at once. Feel like I've been juggling chainsaws at the moment.

Anyway, have to get to work. Take care of yourselves and each other.

Myron

Hah

Hi everyone. Well, if luck and planning holds, in 13 weeks I will be back in the green and pleasant land. I do not intend on applying for a Purple Heart, those are only issued from wounds resulting from enemy action. As there were none in the near vicinity of the air conditioner, and the air conditioner was made in the US, I can't get away with it.

Went to the range yesterday, shot my gun (about 100 rounds) till the barrel literally smoked (the barrel, not the muzzle). Not the normal shooting stuff either, but shooting on the move, shooting different targets (double tap, next target, double tap), turning and shooting. The guy running us (my immediate boss) thought I shot well. Need to practice dry firing though, as its mostly muscle memory. Need to clean my gun now, as its dirty. I also got to shoot .45 automatic and and AK (Viv now has a picture of my doing that...I hope).

Still haven't heard anything further on extensions, so no news is good news at the moment.

Anyway, take care of yourselves and each other. Love to all.

Myron

Altogether: 1, 2, 3.....Owww!

Hi all. I did something incredibly dumb yesterday. Went with a couple of the guys over to Victory, which is the big base near to us, and where the Exchange is (I broke my headphones and had to go get a new pair). While we were over there we went to do some liasing with the 1st Cav guys, as one of the guys I was with seems to know at least one person in every unit in the Army. So there I was, walking out of one of the buildings, and I walked head first into an air conditioner set about forehead height. My fault, but to my credit it was painted the same colour as the wall and wood around it. Luckily, I had my boonie hat on, so that absorbed the impact a bit. Feel fine, except for this lump, right above my hairline.

Glad Moe finally made it on. How long is Jason going to be here? I gathered from earlier discussions that he is pulling PSD for a VIP, or has that changed and is he on a rotation here? Either way, since he is in Baghdad, if I can figure out where he is, I might try and get to see him. I'm a bit out of the way, so, if I can arrange it (and I'm sure I can) I'll try to get to him, if he's going to be on BIAP, Victory or Slayer.

We figured out where one of the packages that Mom and Dad sent out went. It got returned to sender, which meant it went to Viv. It seems (as I feared) that when the old guys left, the FOB51 designation went as well, so anything addressed to there got sent back, despite the fact the prats at the post office have a list of people who stayed behind that they are supposed to check mail against before they send it back. Viv will readdress it back to me, so I should get it in another couple of weeks.

Anyway, take care of yourselves and each other. 93 days to go!

Myron

keeping fingers crossed

Hello all, well that's the best bit of news for a while John. We'll be keeping everything crossed ( might make a few things difficult ) . It's very windy here at the moment and they forecast more wet and windy weather. Christmas seems a long time ago already but still have decorations to take down. It's supposed to bad luck before twelth night so going to wait .Dad started back to work with a twelve hour day so he's feeling a bit tired. Karen and the twins are here , they are great girls . Only way to tell them apart is that Lucy is an inch taller than Elizabeth. enough rabbiting take care of yourself . love from all . Mum and Dad G. Doc and Margarette wish I was in carolina , still we might get some snow here ( wishful thinking ). Gus says Nick uses a spray on de-greaser which can be washed off with pressure washer. It's called GUNK over here but don't suppose it's called the same there. Still talking about the trip and missing you both . Love Mary and Gus.

A good sign..

Got this in e-mail yesterday, but been too busy to blog it:

Draft results from the 16 DEC 04 sourcing conference are in. As things stand, they appear to have accepted EUCOM's position that we cannot support another rotation or an extension. In the draft message, EUCOM has not been tasked with either an extension of our deployers, nor to provide a second deployment iteration. We are awaiting record message traffic confirming this and expect word in the next week or so. Based on these results, I believe there's a high probability you wil redeploy on time. Of course, the possibility remains, howeve slight, that requirements impacting your situation might change. As with anything else concerning deployments, be flexible and prepare your families accordingly. They need to know that this is hopeful news, but not yet carved in stone. I will continue to keep you posted as new information becomes available.

Happy New Year to all of you, and stay safe.

Col Dick Ayres
Commander, JAC

In a nutshell, as things are at the moment, I should be coming home at the end of my six months.

Myron

A new year...

Just a quick post. Its a new year. Talked with Viv for a fair while last night, and then couldn't get another line out, as I intended to call Kyle and Mom and Dad, but it wasn't to be. So I'll have to try (again) today.

Things here are pretty much the same. We ran out of water yesterday, but I had already showered, and we have water now, so I have showered again.

It was movie night last night, but I was tired, so I went to bed, and read a bit, and was asleep by 10:30.

Anyway, I had better go. Everyone say hi to anyone who knows me, and wish them a Happy New Year.

Take care of yoursleves, and each other.

Myron