Life on the Vine

Greetings from sunny Winchester, Va.  This morning I arrived at Dulles International Airport outside of Washington D.C. after a 13+ hour flight from Kuwait City.  I couldn't have asked for things to go smoother with my travel and flights back.  The C-130 flight from Baghdad to Kuwait was a might bit uncomfortable with the 100+ degree weather but I just focused on other things... Like saying prayers for all my battle buddies and friends I'm leaving in Baghdad, and for my family and friends back in the States.   I'm sure there are those of you out there who would think it strange to say that going to Iraq was a "blessing" but it truly has been.  I am in awe of the experiences and the opportunities the Lord has given me since I started working Army Public Affairs in August 2001.  I couldn't have asked to work with more wonderful people (military, civilian, contractor and Iraqi) as I did at Gulf Region Division.  My life has been enriched by this experience and th...

Sorry it's been a while since I posted a blog.  Time is going by quickly here as my time is starting to wind down.  I've been staying pretty busy in the evenings with my exercise classes and walks.  Also, I got pretty sick a few weeks ago.  I was referring to it as "the situation." It took about a week and a half before I started feeling better. It is starting to warm up here in Baghdad.  I have stopped wearing jeans!  This morning it was almost 90 degrees at 7:30 and yesterday it got up to at least 106 degrees.  I know this is only a preview of what July and August will be like.  When we travel we have to wear long sleeve shirts.  Knowing this and knowing I would be redeploying in early June I purchased a thin cotton shirt that rolls up into a short-sleeve shirt.  I'm hoping it will help make my trip on the C-130 a bit more bearable.  That may be wishful thinking.   I have sent two boxes home and have cleaned my r...