Not only were they serving us here in Iraq but they had the same meal in St Paul for all the families of deployed Soldiers and at Camp Buehring, Kuwait where more Minnesota Soldiers are stationed. What a treat for us! They even grilled them to perfection, not like the steaks the DFAC normally serves; very well done!
I met GB Leighton in person and he obliged my request of an autograph not only for me but my good friend and neighbor, Carla. Carlie: I’m looking forward to us going and seeing him when I get back!
Inside the DFAC, the public affairs office had a live video feed of the event going on back in St Paul with all of the families. I was even able to see my family over the video. Brian, Lyndsey, Dad and Mary Lou attended the event and just as I knew they would, had a really good time.
This past week was a flurry of packing activity. All that “stuff” I received back at Fort Lewis, which has claimed space under my bed, was repacked, inventoried and placed in the CONEX for the slow boat going home. It’s surreal to think we will be leaving here in a few short weeks. At times it seems like we have been here FOREVER and other times not that long. It really depends on the day or week which perception is the reality. Packing up has really been the highlight and lifted my spirits.
Something else that really lifted my spirits this week was decorating the office. When we decorate at home, there has always been quite a bit a discussion surrounding the Christmas tree. Brian and Lyndsey like the trees which are so full you can hardly hang the ornaments and I like the Charlie Brown trees. That way, you can see all the ornaments. Once we get the tree in position, Brian kicks back with a coffee and Baileys while Lyndsey and I decorate the tree. On our tree, we have very few matching ornaments as I like individual ornaments. I quiz Lyndsey on who gave us what ornaments and the stories about them if there is one.
One of our favorite ornaments is of a clown, playing a violin, who is only about an inch tall. Ever since Lyndsey was little, we take turns hiding the clown and then trying to find him. One year I almost lost him since we were taking down the decorations and the tree got tossed outside. Luckily, he wasn’t lost and saved before the tree was taken away!
Well, our tree in Iraq is about 2 ½ feet tall and as fake as they get but we had some handmade ornaments and even an angel for the top. Mom sent me a beautiful stocking and mittens…not sure what I’m going to use the mittens for here in Iraq but they sure are nice. We hung our stockings by our tree and have Christmas lights hanging around the room.
What a great week in Basra, Iraq!
St Paul business owners cooking our steaks to perfection!
In this picture I look like a giant! My roommate (2nd from the left) is the same height as me. I think she was squatting down in the picture.
Me and GB Leighton!
The stocking and mittens that Mom sent me.
No comments:
Post a Comment