The Stranger in the Mirror

I had my hair colored today-really dark. It's probably the darkest it has ever been so when I look in the mirror, I don't recognize myself. I decided to go dark since blond highlights never look good when they grow out. Many of you have asked if I was going to cut my hair. At this time, I have no intentions of doing so but that could change especially when I hear about the 3 minute combat showers in Kuwait. I've never had short hair. When I was 16 and heading off to France, I was planning on cutting my hair short until my mother found out and told me I would be grounded upon my return if my hair was short. My hair is a part of my identity so much so that my college friends called me "Hair". And while I was at college, I was a hair model for Rusk. That was the first time I had my hair dyed red which led to Brian calling me "Red" since we first started dating. I'm not looking forward to wearing my hair in a bun for a year but at least it won't be short!

Mom, Lyndsey and I having lunch at Chianti Grill. Sporting my new hair color!

Kristen's Sandbox Party

I could have started writing about the deployment in March 2008 when I found out I was going, however, I was too busy having fun with family and friends to start my blog site. Over the course of the summer and fall, I spent 4 weeks at Camp Ripley firing my M4, low crawling in the dirt, attempting to throw the dummy hand grenades (Mom, you should have let me play softball instead of golf as a kid!), and a lot of other military tasks to prepare me for the mission. I will say the train-up was some of the best military training I have had in my 18 year career especially the Combat Lifesaver Course.

On to the party- Brian and Lyndsey hosted a going-away party for me at Cooper's on Hwy 3. Thanks to everyone who stopped by. A very special surprise was my brother, Hunter, making an appearance from Arizona. Farmer Tom- can't thank you enough for flying my bro home. It was really incredible and overwhelming the support that was shown. I wish I could have spent more time with each and everyone one of you. Thanks to Tamara for insisting that Brian sing "Dust in the Wind". I honestly never thought we would hear that again in our lifetime. I also found out that my career as a Soldier started when I was just a baby when Dad told the story about the toy soldier curtains. Thanks Hubby and Lynner for the great night!


Mom and Darren (our Canadian friend and recent US citizen)


Dancing with the ladies.


Singing a song for the family.


Friends from work.


Hanging with my bro.


Complimentary cake from Byerly's in Eagan.