Hydro's

Hey Guess What ....

2008-11-13T13:18:00.000-08:00

Ok me here again. Well getting colder and colder. Rain yesterday,snow, some more rain. Oh and then it got wicked cold. Me had day off. Oh boy lots of stuff do. I did go to the BX and found something for Savannah and Caitlin. Love those soccer chixs. Let me see what has been going on since my last post. Oh got seconded guess again, this time before I even got to work. Well that did not go over well and it did not make their day easy. ME know my job . Have been doing my job for over 20 years. ME has learned a few things along the way.This not my first rodeo. Get the picture right. Ok told to order a part, mind you before I go to the plane and see if it is the right one. Got to love that thinking. Well the words of David Spade "Not going to do it." Told my guy to chill out in shop and I will go see what up and go from there. So, here is my football for the day, Upon further review the before mention part. NOT bad. Bad part about $800.00 cheaper. DAMN I is good. Also went from a 3 to 4 hour fix to an hour and that was me taking my time. Ok send me a beer and some warm fuzzes my way.

Back the real world Amanda is having it rough but she will pull through this. I have to start thinking real hard about this second job of mine. Hate to hear her voice and it sound so lonely.
But she did make me proud and sent her boss a very good here how it is email. Not like her but she is learning from me.

Ok we are sending another hero home today. More to come before I leave. Just want us to leave and get all of the guys outside the wire home as well. Time we start getting this so called war under control, let the folks stand up on their two feet and run the place. Hell we had no help when we fought and won against the Brits. Not sure what came from but oh well it is out now. Made room for a memory of my wonderful wife. Back to those kids/heroes. Folks any time you see a service member tell them thanks. If their family is with them tell them thanks as well. If you can buy their meal or a cup of Joe. I had a older couple com you to us in St. John's and shook every ones hand and said with a smile and said "Thanks for all that you do. " No they were not Americans. They were from Canada but they showed us respect. Is our country always right in what they do. No !! but then again what is right can change at the blink of an eye. I just do what I do and hope that something is right about it. Another thing is I hope that my children see what I do is for them as much as for the guys outside the wire. Soapbox OFF.

Hell Sister if you are there. Hello and I do miss ya.

Later and try and send warm thought this way. I do not like being cold and wet.

Here I am ... again

2008-11-07T02:07:00.000-08:00

Ok folks a lot has happened since my last post. Let see were to start. First things first. We have a new president, and I have a new boss. Ok we got Obama now what are we to do with him. He will only get done what he is allowed to do. Hope that is 1/2 of what he thinks he is. Ok enuff of that. I had to go get a plane down in Kandahar. Oh boy now there is tourists place if I every saw one. I have been there a few times and it has been built up and more stuff added but it is still a Shit Hole. Oh it also is not the safest place here either. Plus they have this very unique smell, How does one go about explaining a 1/2 to an acre pond full of human waste. Oh wait one can not. Oh well you one die once so I am not worried. Will we get there try and get on the plane, it is locked. The aircrew did not give the Marines the combo to the lock so here we go trying to find them. Let stop here by saying I now love the corp. My son n law is one I have a new found respect for them. They helped us with above and beyond what was needed. Hell they gave us a ride back to Bagram. So is you know a Marine tell them good job. Back to the plane. We find the crew , after about a hour of looking for them. Ok talk to them not very informative as what the problem is. I make the call when we get back replace bad part in about 4 total hours. Guess what can not find crew to run the engines and check out the plane. Ok now ME not very happy and I want to just go off. I watch our ride land and since we can not find crew . I watch them take off as soon as their cargo was loaded. Ok now it is going on 04:00 and I am tired hungry and mad. So we slept on the plane. Wake up at 06:30 when the aircrew show up. Ran engines, plane all better. We watch them leave about 2 hours later and then we get a ride on a Marine 130. Love those guys. Got home and faster than me guys at Bagram had worked. Next time I have to find my own way home I will heading toward the states or at least a beer. Later for now. Oh I almost forgot met a Marine from Hickory NC. Not far from where I grew up. Very very cool.

Now for the kick in the nuts. The First Sgt. for the F-15s decided to unhook out net service. I mean the whole top floor. I thought that we are at war with the enemy outside the fence not in our own building. Well our Maint. Officer took that ball and ran with it. We net back but about 30+ hours no net. Did tell you that I love Stupid Folks. Just brings a warm fuzzy to me......NOT!!!!!

Oh Boy I am Off

2008-11-02T03:01:00.000-08:00

What to do? You can only walk around so much before you look like a Zombie. Folks are sleeping in my room so I am here out in the hallway on this laptop just killing time. I mean it feels like seconds are minutes. Nice weather today and I got to talk to the Wife,Alex ,Devin and my parents early this morning. That made my day. I could tell Amanda was so glad to hear my voice and she is not dealing with this real well. I will home soon and then we have a ton catching up to do. Ok I do not know about you but I am ready for this Election to be over. Neither guy will do or get anything done. Nor will he get Congress to make changes do to the fact that our system is broke and has been broken for a very long time. Get rid of all of them let the American people have more of a say in the Laws / BS written by congress. We can fix it but someone has to have those BIG BRASS BALLS to take the hit and get it done. Hell run the country the right way. Stop the hand outs to NON US Citizens. Take care of our own first. Take care of all wounded Vets. Those Heroes that fight for our country in many was are treated worse than the ones here against the law. Yes they are here with our permission. Try that in another country. You go to jail,no free meals and no blank check. You can work all your life pay your taxes and you will get less per month than someone here that has never paid taxes nor never will. Ok enough of that. Me just got through doing some net reading.

Halloween

2008-11-01T14:02:00.000-07:00

I got to IM with the wife and kids last night. It was Halloween still there. Man I got to see them with my web cam. My web cam failed to come up. Oh well got to see my wonderful wife at least. Alex was being his clown of a self. Great to see them. Can not wait to hold them again. Oh she has pics up her Blog. They are so quite and Sophie looked very very cool. She was a Doctor that "Pics people" What can I say but she is a hoot. Well enough of that. On a sad note we sent another Hero home again today and no matter how many times I see it It still chokes me up. You could hear a pin drop as they carried him to the plane for his final ride home. I hate that right now there is a family waiting for their loved one to return. But it will be a sad time not a happy time. The folks back home that bad mouth us , you know who are, can kiss my ....! We are doing more good here than most of the country will ever know. As sat out on the flightline tonight I saw another "Dust Off" chopper land. Every time they go out they bringing back wounded. Not good. Just keep us in your prayers and Until we all come home Support all of us!

Why am I here

2008-10-30T13:18:00.000-07:00

Ok here is it. I am getting seconded guessed on my job. I know my job and I have been doing A/C Hydraulics since 1987. You think I might know a thing or too. So if the powers to be can do my job better than me then let them and send me Home to wife and kids. There I feel better.

Ok had to go to this briefing today. Spent 2 hours and nothing said that was new to me or most of the folks in the room. Well until the the slide cam up of 9/11. My mind went back to that day and to where I was and all the emotions call back. The anger,the saddens for my fellow Americans. Those brave Emergency workers. We all know where and what we were doing that day. I think about that about at least once a week. But today to hear the speaker talk about growing up and looking across the river and see the Twin Towers. He lost friends that day. We all lost something that day. I knew what that meant for us as a nation. I knew what it meant for me and my Family. You can say what you want about the war. You have your right to free speech. Guess why you have the right to free speech? It started with those first brave Men that met and signed a certain document. When they signed it they knew that they were signing their death warrant. But the did it not it for them but those to come. Yesterday I watched as they brought a young soldier in on a chopper. I saw they Medic working on him at a fever pitch. The Medical folks carried him off. They rounded the corner and I saw the young nurse's head slump down. Well I took that as a bad sign. There is another brave soul a Hero that will be going home the hard way. So I ask this .... You remember where you were on 9/11/01? I do and I know why I am here. Every little thing I do ,every plane that I help get off the ground. Maybe just maybe I will be apart of getting those Heroes beyond the wire home and that another 9/11 will never happen. Support the Troops !!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok here is the Mass Post

2008-10-28T06:51:00.000-07:00

Oct 18 2008 Got to talk to wife and kids today. Made me shed a tear. I am sitting here on my balcony overlooking the city and waiting to go to dinner. I love traveling but can not wait to stop traveling with out my family. But in a way they are with me each sunset or sunrise I see. Well is doesn’t sound mushy. Got to go it is 17:22 here and I am hungry.
Later.

Oct 19 2008 Ok I am here at Bagram. Got Here around 1400 local and could not get in my room due to that folks were sleeping. Last time we had all the same in one Hooch. So I finally saw my hole in the wall around 23:00. Got in the room those Butts put 8 of us in a room. There are some rooms with 5. Not sure what is up but me do not like. I walked around the Base some has changed but on the other hand not much. Hope to get the internet set up in my room after my meetings.. They do not have the wireless this time. SUCKS. Oh well hope to be able to call wife soon. I miss her and the kids already. It did feel good to see some of the folks that I have not seen in awhile. Man the ones that we are replacing had the biggest smiles. I have 40 + days to go. Well got to go for. Oh here is a big HELLO for Line 7 , Nestle. I passed the things out when I got here and let me say that you guys made some folks happy. I will post some pics as soon as I get a chance.

Oct 20 2008 Well … Still here this place is not a dream. I had to go make a quick repair to a plane. Blantos to the rescue. Oh it is so funny what some people think are important. They are so anal about small stuff that they lose the big picture. This is a war zone and we are here for the young guys out beyond the wire. Oh well enough of that soapbox. Hope to get out and about I got to get some stuff at the BX. Weather is …… DUSTY then some. Everyone is doing well. Amanda told me today that this is killing her. Sorry baby. Love you.

21/22 Oct 2008 Well were do I start. Had a good day today. I got to go hear the new Head cheese of the Air Force . He sounds very down to earth and answered all questions and did not try to side step them. Well while I was gone we had a job going on. I was gone about a hour and half. Job still going on. Blantos back into action. Well 10 minutes job done were is the beer. It was not that they could not do it I showed them a quick trick. Me work smarter not harder. Oh wait me no likey work LMAO. Got to talk to wife. She sounded so good. Her voice is music to my hears. Let me tell you about my Bonehead of a son. Alex my 11 year, plays football and he is good at it. Forgot about his game day. Then tried to get upset at Amanda. Well my phone right after I got off with Amanda was to them. I was nice but those of you that know me. Well I got my point across. Man I got to hear Devin and Caitlin too. Man I miss their smiles and hugs. Plus I want to hold Savannah and see Abby’s smile. Well Sophie, let me say that she has my wrapped tight around her little finger. Get a day off tomorrow. Oh boy!!!!!!

23 Oct 2008 Well did some walking around today. My friend Bobby, from the E/E shop, met up around 11:00 and I proceeded to show him the base. Since we have people sleeping all the time in our rooms we can not hang out in them. So we make a day of walking and looking around. Showed him where and how the laundry works. Yes folks we have a certain way to do it. We fill out a form turn the bag in and hopefully in a few days we can pick up our clean stuff. Then lunch, BX ( for about 2 hrs) Just walking shopping and looking. You know the way women do it. Then spent about 5 mins getting what I went in for. Went to the internet shop. Closed for the day. Damn it is a plot to keep me off the net. Blantos will not be silenced. We had diner and then we went to the USO for awhile. We then saw a flyer for movie night. Pineapple express. Stupid and funny movie about pot. I guess after this day Bobby and I might be considered a couple. Have to check with wife on that. Enough for now. Later folks.

24/25 Oct 2008 Well had some work to but nothing bad just small stuff. Have not really got my own space yet. In the room but hope to soon. Oh guess what no net yet. I am going to try and be nice in the morning and hopefully get it done. Ok world here is my thinking. What is the world coming too. I have been watching and reading about this upcoming election. There really is not any good guy to vote for. But today I overhead some folks talking about Obama. I have voted already and I will tell you later who it was. But back to my story. They were saying how better we will be with Obama than a Bush clone. Well folks here is the truth. They both will only do what congress lets them do. Oh crap got to go got a plane problem. Damn war. Ok 4 hours later me back. Ok getting older and I forgot the rest of the Obama story. Oh well might come back to me. Well will try call wife here a few. Later world.

28 Oct 2008 Long day not hard just long. No net it so when you get this it will be a mass post. Me very very very very very Pissed off and this @#@$^ net Provider. Ok Would some US company help or troops over here. We travel half way around they world to a country that until 2001 I will bet my left NUT ,that most of the folks in the US never heard of . Back to help, we could us some very good net provider here. Say for free. I paid $35.00 dollars got not net yet get a smile from this guy and he say It is fixed. Damn I have had it this BS and they fact we have to kind and worry about what they other guy thinks. It is about time that we do what we want and forget the rest. Hell with out us where would this place be. I see a ton of good being done but enough is enough. Just want to be able to at least read my wife’s blog and maybe just maybe IM with her. Not to much to ask. We can get enough $$$$ to change uniforms but god help us if the troops morale is good. Ok enough of my soapbox. Got to go crawl on to my top bunk. Yes we have 8 beds in a 4 man room. Right now 5 guys. Me odd man out. Last one in so I got top. Me going to fix that. ASAP. For those who read this and know me then you know that when I get on to something then watch. Out. Got to go.

Cool Pic

2008-10-28T06:33:00.001-07:00

I found this pic on the share drive here and thought it was cool as heck.

Trying Pics ....... not !!!!

2008-10-28T02:48:00.000-07:00

Ok Guys those of you that know me know that I had to wait for anything. Right now I am waiting for the pics to load. Very slow and I mean slow. Still waiting. I got to read Amanda's blog and I got all teary eyed about Devin crying because of he misses me. Got me in heart. Yes there is a heart just do not use it much. Ok gave up pics for now.

Ok I am on the Net

2008-10-28T02:38:00.000-07:00

I will post the catch up Post soon .... Or have the wife do it. Ok folks I will enclose some pics and try to get every one caught up on what goes on in my world. The pic is for my lids... ok me too

Just some thoughts I wrote down

2008-10-18T12:13:00.000-07:00

Oct 15 2008 Here I am once again flying in a C-130 to another or in this case a place I left in 2007. Guess what I did not leave anything there. I love what I do just I am tired of leaving the wife and kids. I hurt more now than I have every in the past! We land in a few at St. John’s. Great place that I would love for the wife and kids to see. Looks to be cold and windy. Oh well been there when it has been worse. Now for my feelings Just talked to Amanda. She said that my Abby is taking it harder that we both thought. She is such a sweet a girl. They all are very very sweet and very good. Enough for now.

Oct 16 /17 2008 Here I am on the way to England. Six plus hours to sleep and dream about the family.I miss them and sounds funny but miss them more and more with passing hour. Oh well try and sleep and try and watch a movie. Here I am in England at a very cool Hotel. It is over 600 years old and has a cellar that is over 800. Very cool and very Haunted. Talked to the folks that run the place and they told us some stories and had every one on edge. Enough of that I love this place and it would be a great place for the family to see. The history in this country unreal. This building is older than the whole United States. Well have to shut computer down ……Damn battery.
Ok here I am just woke up from a nap on the way to Budapest, Romania. Never been there hope to see some of the sights. Will add more later.

Oct 18 2008 Got to talk to wife and kids today. Made me shed a tear. I am sitting here on my balcony overlooking the city and waiting to go to dinner. I love traveling but can not wait to stop traveling with out my family. But in a way they are with me each sunset or sunrise I see. Well I got to go before I sound mushy,it is 17:22 here and I am hungry. Later.

Here I am Still n Bucharest

2008-10-18T06:14:00.000-07:00

Afternoon in Bucharest is very nice. I have slept and watched the folks from my room. Oh we got bent over the table at dinner last night. They saw us coming and then some. It was good but not $300 + us dollars. Tried to find a doll today and also the Harley shop. No luck Could not find Brad and the other guys and they have the address. Hope to get there on the way home. I do not have a bike but there are some bud at work that do and they love it when I bring them a shirt that none of their freinds have. Not many people in Spartanburg have shirts from Romania. I got to talk to the kids and each one made my cry. I miss them and I love them all. Ok enough of that. My wife is awesome. She did something that would be hard for me. The day I left my ex came to get the kids and her van had a problem. Amanda let her use our van until hers was fixed. That shows the size of her heart and how good of a Human she is Those of you that know what we had to go through do to my ex .... NUFF said. Got to go will put some pics up soon. TTFN

Here I am on the Fn road again

2008-10-17T15:52:00.000-07:00

Well I left the family again and it sucks. Will write more when I get more time right now I am in Bucharest and my battery is low. Love you all and can not wait to see ya again. Hey Amanda love ya.Kids be good and Dad loves you all.

On the road again....or maybe...in the air again?

2007-03-27T19:01:00.000-07:00

Woot!!!! I am on my way home.........can't wait. I leave shorty and I am so excited!. That first cold one will be so good. Later and I will try and get some pics on the way.

Rain, rain, go away.....

2007-03-22T19:09:00.000-07:00

Greetings from the land of no Sun. Well there is one, we just don't see it much. It has rained and rained, and then rained again. But I think that we will see the big shiny orange thing today, I hope. We had sun yesterday for about 2 hours. Long enough for us to get happy. So here came the rain and it came in force.........I saw a Rubber Ducky go by in a raft with bags in tow. That's very bad when the ducks head for higher ground. Hey we are 5,000 feet up how much higher can they go.....Well I'll be leaving soon....I hope. Never count my days until I get on the plane and land in another country. Oh and have that first cold beer. Real food and then some more beer. Maybe some wine and then a beer. You see a pattern forming don't ya. Well take care and I will write more before I leave. I can't wait to get off that plane and see my kids,Mom and Dad. But that first hug from Amanda will make my day. Later and hope that everyone in blog land has great day.

Paradise Lost.....

2007-03-14T17:52:00.000-07:00

Well, Hi there folks! Well not much has happened since we last spoke. Oh, it rained and it will rain for the next 7 days. Hey, I did some work 2 days ago. TheUnited Arab Emirates have C-130's here and they had a leak on a brake. Well, they didn't have anyone here that has changed one so they asked us. Well we did it in about an hour. They were very impressed. Said it takes them about 3 to 4 hours at home. They gave us lunch that day and was good. Last night they invited us for dinner and I'm not sure what it was we ate but it was very, very good. The best meal that I have had here so far. Oh and the people were so great, very fun to be around. I hope to talk to them again before I leave. I just found out that Amanda has almost finished painting my house. Well no one will tell me what color it is. Not even my own kids. But I will find out soon. I miss Amanda more than I thought I would. She has sent me so many cards, letters and even a CD. Man the CD is so cool. Love the songs. Hell, I love her! She is way cool. Later folks! See you all soon.

The Bagram Crud...

2007-03-10T22:48:00.000-08:00

Hi there in the land of Blog! Well I got some rest but now I have what we call The Bagram Crud. I have a slight fever, sore throat, runny nose, body aches and I just plain feel bad. Oh guess what,it is raining again- Oh boy that should help me! Ok I have to say this. Go Heels!!!!!!!! As Angie would say "WOOT"!!!!!! I got a large envelope the other day from Amanda's 4th grade class. They all made me some cards and let me tell ya they made my day and made me feel 100% better. I have hung them all up on the wall around my living space. Kinda brings home to me. Oh before you ask "Yes, Amanda yours was the best." LMAO. Had to say that. Well hope to have some more pics up soon. Take care and I will be home soon.

Another Day in Paradise....

2007-03-07T04:44:00.000-08:00

I went looking around the base today and I finally saw how many mines are around this base! I also got some pics from a friend and also found the pics I forgot that I had. Weather is getting better. That is good and bad. Hope that things are going well for all of you guys. I can't wait to get to sleep today. It has been a long, slow night. Take care you all and I'll see you soon.

Greetings from the Moon....lol....

2007-03-04T19:09:00.000-08:00

Greetings there folks. Sorry no pics have been busy but I will go and try to take some today. Hey how about those Heels!!!! I got to watch the game and it made my day. Man, let me tell you I have had busy few days! I had to go and fix a plane. That sucked. It was cold and wet and then it got even colder. I need a new travel agent! This weather was not in the brochure! Oh, you should see all the mines around this place. There are thousands of them! They were laid during the Afghan Russia war. That's why I stay on the main roads only. Yesterday, man it really sucked. Everything went wrong that could and then it got worse. But- I got everything fixed- only left one job for the other guys! I really hope to get some good sleep today. Take care to every one out there. Amanda Rocks..she has been painting my house while I have been over here. That is so cool! Take care and I hope everyone has a great day!

Today's Pics....

2007-03-01T18:41:00.000-08:00

Here are some great pics of the mountains, and of course, the planes I work on.

Rain and Snow, Rain and Snow...See a Pattern?

2007-02-28T14:41:00.000-08:00

Feb 26-Mar 1 Well greeting folks in Blog land! A lot has happened the past few days. I had to do some work getting the planes ready and fixing small problems as well. Hey I got a day off. That was great to just sleep and recharge my batteries. Oh guess what, It rained and snowed again! This place turns to mud very fast. It looks like pudding and sticks to everything. But on the other hand it drys very fast and turns into a dust bowl very fast. The dust is worse than sand. It is like baby powder and stays in the air for ever. I will be so glad when I get out of here.

OK I guess you have heard that we had an attack onthe gate. I wasn't near it but the bomb did kill some folks. That brought the whole war back to me again. The base sent 2 of them home and as they caskets passed, yes I teared up. I was standing out on the flight line watching the sunrise,it was so cold you saw every breath. You could hear a pin drop out while they were bringing those brave souls down to get on what is to be there final ride home. Each of us saluted as they passed and watched in silence as they loaded them up. We loaded up another brave soul from Korea yesterday afternoon. I hope that no more are killed, but then again as long as we are here then I'm sure we will lose more. Oh well ,enough for now. I will have some pics up later on.

Some pics....

2007-02-24T04:54:00.000-08:00

The Air Up Here....

2007-02-23T15:59:00.000-08:00

Well what's up out there in the real world folks? Here- I have been busy. But it makes the time go by faster. The weather has gotten better, much better in fact. But it can change at the drop of a hat. As you all know this is my first deployment away from Amanda, my girlfriend. Well, she has had it rough the past few days. Wish I could be there to help her. I got to talk to her today and she makes me smile and makes all that is upsetting go away for awhile. Oh well hi to everyone out there. Keep us troops in your prayers. Hey, John I have got you a patch and I'm working on another one. Later, guys! Take care.

PS. Amanda Smile...It makes the day better.

Somber and snowy....

2007-02-20T19:32:00.000-08:00

Well we had some bodies come thru yesterday. We all lined up along the road and saluted as the hearse went by. Those Heros are going home the hard way and I feel for their families. It really hits home when you see that. Any way it's been snowing here off and on most of the day. I have been trying to stay dry and warm. I have posted some new pics. Just some shots around work. I will try and get some more up later. Even will put me in some...Oh boy. Hope everything is going well and Hey everyone stay out of my bed....until I get there.

Another day....

2007-02-18T19:21:00.000-08:00

Ok we just got through watching the race. My guy didn't win, but it was good to see home. I got everything out of my trunk that I got yesterday from my awesome girlfriend. She sent me some cards and the one she wrote a note in made my day. It hasn't let up with the rain and it's getting colder so, oh boy, here comes the snow! I have put up some pics so hope you like. One is of the resturant we ate in the Azores and us having a good time in said resturant. Man I miss the cold beer and the great swordfish....Oh yea I miss my family and kids too don't forget that. One is of just a funny tree from the Azores. I will post some more later on. Later on guys.

Today....

2007-02-17T22:55:00.000-08:00

Well it is hitting me. It's getting wet and cold and now I have a cold coming on. Mom, if you read this, I'll be fine. To everyone else- Just try and send warm thoughts this way. You should see this place. Wea re 5,000 ft up and yet the rain goes no where. our hanger has water everywere. I thougt that water ran downhill. Oh well learn stuff new everyday. We unloaded some bad guys today. Cool to see that some more were caught. Oh my trunk that my amazing girlfriend, Amanda, found and sent to me, will be here today. Hey i just found out that rain is going to stop! It is going to start snowing soon.....Oh boy. Well got to go.

Feb 14 - Feb 17

2007-02-16T20:13:00.000-08:00

I landed (on Valentine's Day) very tired, very hungry, and very cold. Great combo! It wasn't all bad - I got to see my buddies that are here already. This place has Mountains all around it. Covered in snow. Oh my room is a converted shipping container turned into large RLBs (Relocatable Buildings). Not bad- at least it isn't a tent or a hole in the ground. My bed is right on the ground, I know I'm short but hey- not that short.

Well started work got all my gear issued to me. This M16 is driving me nuts. I have to carry it everywhere I go. But I guess it for a reason.....like to keep the bad guys away. Work isn't to bad yet. Just cold at night. Food is good (and Amanda we know about how my tummy can be!) We have a large USO building, The Pat Tillman Center, a good place to hang out. When I saw the name it kind of hit home. I'll write more later about that and otherthings.

I work with a great bunch of cools folks but not as cool as Amanda. I miss her a lot more than I thought I would. I miss my kids too, but that is a given. Ok guys where is my e-mail from you guys at work.....Sammy if you are reading this -what up? Ok I'll let you go for now. Oh this place is a very very busy base. But hey the Navy is right beside me Go Navy...Beat Army LMAO

Oh hey guys- I got Amanda flowers for Valentines Day and I was a few thousand miles away. What did you do?????LMAO I got major points!

Hi All!

2007-02-16T14:56:00.000-08:00

This is Amanda again, just letting everyone know that Steve got to the great big mud bowl just fine and is doing well, although tired. He is going to post as soon as he can, or so he says...lol. So, everyone leave him some comments so that he can feel the love!

2007-02-13T17:34:00.000-08:00

Well I am here in Turkey waiting to get on the grey bird for the Mud Bowl. It 03:34 and we are trying to find the Tarheel game. GO HEELS! I forgot to tell you about our day checking in. We waited around had to check in with the Turkish guys and then on to get our rooms. Tried to check in and found out that we were at the wrong place. We had to wait on another bus and go to another building. Lets just say it was a walk and a half to get to anything. Oh well I had better get use to it. So Sharon is Amanda driving nuts still. Give her some shots and then she should be fine LOL. Take care everyone and I'll try and write more later when I get there. Hey if anyone finds out the score let me know. Remember GO HEELS !!!!!!

Me Happy :)

2007-02-13T09:33:00.000-08:00

OK Just found out that my trunk/footlocker ,that i lost on the way to the base,has been found. Hey Amanda is so great. She found it called and talked to the Chaplin and he his coming to pick it up and get on another plane on the way over. The Lord so takes care of fools. LOL This just showed be to not give up on God. Things happen in life and we will never know the real reason until it slaps us in the face. Oh well I happy and I can now just smile. Oh John I working on you some patches. No luck yet but give me time. I might have to pimp out one of folks but anything for the cause. Oh take care and I'll write more when I get in the MUD BOWL. I have another 4 or 5 hour flight and then the fun starts. Take care and if any one from work is there. Say hi for christ sakes. Angie hope things are going well take care and I'll take later. Ok Family you are on my list to call just can't get through to you........???? Well keep trying. I'm Gone

2007-02-12T20:24:00.000-08:00

Hi Guys it is 5:30 am and I'm here getting fuel. Then it's on the way to the big mud bowl. Sammy good to hear from you dude. Tell everyone i said hi and to take care. Pass this link around if I can still get to it in a few days. It is cold and windy here but it's better than where I'm going. Man long flight and my body clock is so scrwed up....I need a beer and a steak bad. I well I have to wait. So I have to go for now. Take care and I'll write more later I hope. Got another 4 / 5 hour plane ride. Oh boy I love that.

Day 3

2007-02-12T11:06:00.000-08:00

Well I'm getting a plane and leaving here shortly so I will update this when I land and get a chance. If not it might be a few days until the next update. So until then later and I miss you all even John in the gimp suit. Opps I let the cat out of the bag. TTYS

2007-02-12T06:23:00.000-08:00

Well here is another day of wind and some rain. I leave this afternoon and contunie my journey on into the land of sand or mud. Nver know what you will run into over there. We had a very good dinner last night I tried to play pool. I suck and then some. Got 2 in but that was it. Oh well it was fun. I just read an email from my kids. Made me smile but makes me sad too. I have been doing this for a long time and never get use to the first few days. When I get settled in things get better for me. I guess this trip is differnt in a lot of ways. Wife left for a friend. Kids are with her. Then I meet someone who it everything that me wife wasn't. Ok so I'm falling for Amanda. There I said it. We will see were things go from here when I get back. I have to go feed my belly. Those oh you that know me know that I have to feed my belly before it takes over. That is never a good thing. Ok Guys take care and you can email me or comment here.......Oh Amanda thanks for the cookies the guys loved them.

Even more pics...

2007-02-11T07:21:00.000-08:00

Some more pics....

2007-02-11T07:14:00.000-08:00

After finally being able to put the tissue down, I was able to edit some more pics that Steve will want to see, so here goes nothing. And yes, I ROCK! We miss you, too! - Amanda

2007-02-11T04:43:00.000-08:00

Hi there everyone. Thank you Amanda for the pics. Well here I am in sunny Azores. It is nice and green but a little wet. Better than when we got fuel. Cold and windy. I hope that I don't bore with these daily chats. If so let me know. Oh hey wait a minute...... Amanda you said the word girlfriend and not 313 or cool neighbor. You rock. Hey John if you are reading this have one or maybe 2 for me. I will have some wine at dinner tonight but that is about it. If any of the cul de sac "Gone Wild Film crew shows up tell them they have wait for me. I really miss all of you guys and hope to get home ASAP. To all of my friends and family. I love you and I miss you dearly. Write more later.

Oh the walk to plane was the longest walk yet. Not sure why but I'll figure it out.

Hi Everyone!

2007-02-10T17:44:00.000-08:00

It's Amanda, Steve's girlfriend, making his first post, so to speak. But I wanted to post some pictures of him with the kids right before he left so he could see them. I have to say that I was so proud of him, watching him get on that plane, knowing what he was sacrificing to leave that way. But I also have to add that the selfish me, that little devil on the shoulder, was bartering with the Lord to please let the plane break so that I could see him again for just a few more minutes. As he turned to walk away, I felt as if I saw my heart walking away and getting on that C-130. As the propellers slowly began to turn I knew then that each rotation would take him farther and farther away from me. The hard part, I think, is sitting here waiting for him to walk through the door, just as he does most nights, beer in hand, and say "What's up?" I miss him so much already and can't wait to have him home again!

This blog.......

2007-01-30T18:04:00.000-08:00

The purpose of this blog is to keep everyone at home apprised of what is happening while I am away in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Hopefully I will be faithful in updating this blog regularly, so........here goes nothing!