Those of you in California know that we have been having a very wet and stormy winter, at least for us. Turns out the weather, after starting to warm up, has gotten stormy for Jon as well. Here's what he recently wrote.
On Sunday, "The last couple days have been beautiful days, analogous to spring days in southern California, but today it has gone nasty again, dropped a few degrees in temperature, is predicted to rain, and there are swirling vortices of wind and dust howling through the camp--not enough to be tornadoes or anything, just blowing, blowing, blowing in all different directions. It's not raining yet, don't know how long that will last."
On Tuesday, "Well, the weather got worse, it started raining, and we had a bunch of localized brown outs due to electrical wires blowing together and shorting out. In my building we were without power for about 3 1/2 hours, but working on computers you don't really need lights (the computers are on an extended uninterrupted power supply (UPS) unit). Monday's are my busy day, but they've gotten a little less busy due to some schedule changes, so that's good. However, I just learned today what the planner's schedule is going to be for the next 40 days, and it's pretty brutal. I'm pretty much not going to have time for much starting on Wednesday. Good thing, I guess, is that time will go by quickly, though I don't think I'm going to have much time for PT (exercise), etc. Oh, well."
Jon is not 100% over his cold yet, but is feeling better, so thanks for your prayers.
Sheryl
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
A fun outing
After both Joshua and I were sick last weekend and missed out on our planned weekend-away, I treated us to a day at Legoland. We got the discount tickets at Costco and enjoyed a full day with beautiful weather, between the storms (we had rain Friday and are expecting another storm on Sunday). Here are some pictures of our day together.
Sheryl
Sheryl
Friday, February 22, 2008
Cold weather and rose gardens?
The latest from my Marine.
It has gotten suddenly cold the last two days (and nights), this after a huge dust cloud blanketed the whole AO (the weather guy says its the largest dust cloud he's seen in his 13 months in Iraq). It was not the spectacular wall of dust that we had back in 2006, but it nevertheless completely blocked out the sun and reduced visibility to a couple hundred yards--for over two days.
I'm slowly getting over my cold, making it a point to sleep a little more each night--obviously recovery times are a little prolonged when working 12 hour shifts seven days a week... Additionally, I'm a one man show for now, as the other Marine in my section (and my boss) is out of town for the foreseeable future... What is it the Corps says? Oh yeah, "We didn't promise you a rose garden....!" Well, then, what's that smell? Ah, that's the new disinfectant they're using in the port-a-johns... OK, enough frivolity, I've got to get back to work.
Semper Fi, JarHedJon
It has gotten suddenly cold the last two days (and nights), this after a huge dust cloud blanketed the whole AO (the weather guy says its the largest dust cloud he's seen in his 13 months in Iraq). It was not the spectacular wall of dust that we had back in 2006, but it nevertheless completely blocked out the sun and reduced visibility to a couple hundred yards--for over two days.
I'm slowly getting over my cold, making it a point to sleep a little more each night--obviously recovery times are a little prolonged when working 12 hour shifts seven days a week... Additionally, I'm a one man show for now, as the other Marine in my section (and my boss) is out of town for the foreseeable future... What is it the Corps says? Oh yeah, "We didn't promise you a rose garden....!" Well, then, what's that smell? Ah, that's the new disinfectant they're using in the port-a-johns... OK, enough frivolity, I've got to get back to work.
Semper Fi, JarHedJon
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Fighting colds
As you know, Joshua got sick last week. By Sunday he was feeling better, but that afternoon I could feel it coming on. Sure enough on Monday I was out of commission. Fortunately I have not had a bad case of this bug because I feel almost 100% today and I know some people have had this thing for two weeks (i.e., my mom).
Unfortunately Jon is also fighting a similar bug, which I don't think we passed on to him, unless the phone lines are now able to transmit viruses. Please keep him in your prayers. He is working 14 to 16 hour days with no breaks and is very tired on top of being sick.
Thanks to all of you who keep up with us through this blog and pray.
Sheryl
Unfortunately Jon is also fighting a similar bug, which I don't think we passed on to him, unless the phone lines are now able to transmit viruses. Please keep him in your prayers. He is working 14 to 16 hour days with no breaks and is very tired on top of being sick.
Thanks to all of you who keep up with us through this blog and pray.
Sheryl
Sunday, February 17, 2008
My valentine flowers
Here are the beautiful star gazers my husband sent for Valentine's Day. The blooms are just opening so I should have many weeks to enjoy their beauty and fragrance.
Sheryl
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Everyday life "over there"
Recently my niece interviewed Jon for her newspaper by sending him questions that he took the time to answer. I thought you all might be interested in some of these answers and since I don't have anything new from him, I thought I'd post a couple of them here.
Where are you staying?
I'm staying in a place that we call a "hardstand blockhouse." "Hardstand" because it is a hardened structure (made of reinforced concrete) that can withstand indirect fire (IDF). "Blockhouse" because it pretty much looks like a block--pretty simple lines, purely functional, with a square floor plan. The hardstand blockhouse I live in is in the middle of what we call the "battle square," not a very imaginative name for bunch of uniformed people living in a square housing area in a combat zone... I am on a base called a "firm base," because it is a big, well defended place that provides a fairly well defined level of security. Other places, in decreasing levels of security, are called "forward operating bases" (FOBs), "combat outposts" (COPs), "entry control points" (ECPs), and "observation posts" (OPs).
What is it like to live there?
I can honestly say that I am never bored. I get to work by 0800 (8:00 AM), take a short break for lunch, exercise for an hour, take a break for dinner, work until around 2300 (11:00 PM), and go to bed. That's pretty much it, seven days a week. Sundays I actually sleep in about an extra hour and go to church in the morning, but after church it's back to the routine. I know it sounds like total drudgery, and sometimes it is, but the work is important enough that the accomplishment of it lends at least a little meaning to the long hours.
What do you do for fun?
I don't know that anyone would say they have fun here, but there are certainly enjoyable things that can be done with little bits of leisure time that can sometimes be scraped from the daily grind. There is an organization called Morale, Welfare, & Recreation (MWR), and they have built a pretty nice facility here. It's got ping-pong tables, pool tables, several big-screen TV's with US Television (piped in through the Armed Forces Network--AFN), books to read, telephones to call home, computers you can use for free to send emails home, stuff like that. The military is pretty fitness oriented, and exercise, lifting weights, and running provide a very popular distraction. The food is really good at the chow hall here (called a DFAC, short for Dining Facility), and eating Baskin Robbins mint chocolate chip ice-cream is just about anybody's definition of "fun."
What do you eat?
Well, besides ice cream :), my favorite items at the DFAC are chicken cordon blue, Thai chicken, and navy bean soup. Recently, I've become partial to the chicken vegetable soup as well. Of course, I'm addicted to Mountain Dew, have a morning craving for banana milk (really, it's great, it's banana flavored milk. I've never seen it for sale in the US), and would testify that their pecan pie here is some of the richest I've ever had. Yes, when I was here back in 2006, I gained 17 pounds in my first six months :)
How is the weather there most of the time?
The rainfall here is similar to rainfall levels in southern California. However, it gets a little colder in winter--recently we had a bunch of nights where the lows were in the upper 30's (37 or 38) and the daytime highs were in the mid 50's. The spring and fall seasons are short, and summer temps range from lows at night in the 80's to daytime highs of 115 (it hit 119 when I was here in 2006). The sunrises and sunsets are really beautiful, I've been told that is attributable to the dust in the air. The night skies are simply amazing, as the firmbase is not close to a built up area, and there are little to no lights reflecting off the night sky. Usually, we can see the entire milky way across the sky, and when there's a full moon it's almost light enough to read a book by...
Where are you staying?
I'm staying in a place that we call a "hardstand blockhouse." "Hardstand" because it is a hardened structure (made of reinforced concrete) that can withstand indirect fire (IDF). "Blockhouse" because it pretty much looks like a block--pretty simple lines, purely functional, with a square floor plan. The hardstand blockhouse I live in is in the middle of what we call the "battle square," not a very imaginative name for bunch of uniformed people living in a square housing area in a combat zone... I am on a base called a "firm base," because it is a big, well defended place that provides a fairly well defined level of security. Other places, in decreasing levels of security, are called "forward operating bases" (FOBs), "combat outposts" (COPs), "entry control points" (ECPs), and "observation posts" (OPs).
What is it like to live there?
I can honestly say that I am never bored. I get to work by 0800 (8:00 AM), take a short break for lunch, exercise for an hour, take a break for dinner, work until around 2300 (11:00 PM), and go to bed. That's pretty much it, seven days a week. Sundays I actually sleep in about an extra hour and go to church in the morning, but after church it's back to the routine. I know it sounds like total drudgery, and sometimes it is, but the work is important enough that the accomplishment of it lends at least a little meaning to the long hours.
What do you do for fun?
I don't know that anyone would say they have fun here, but there are certainly enjoyable things that can be done with little bits of leisure time that can sometimes be scraped from the daily grind. There is an organization called Morale, Welfare, & Recreation (MWR), and they have built a pretty nice facility here. It's got ping-pong tables, pool tables, several big-screen TV's with US Television (piped in through the Armed Forces Network--AFN), books to read, telephones to call home, computers you can use for free to send emails home, stuff like that. The military is pretty fitness oriented, and exercise, lifting weights, and running provide a very popular distraction. The food is really good at the chow hall here (called a DFAC, short for Dining Facility), and eating Baskin Robbins mint chocolate chip ice-cream is just about anybody's definition of "fun."
What do you eat?
Well, besides ice cream :), my favorite items at the DFAC are chicken cordon blue, Thai chicken, and navy bean soup. Recently, I've become partial to the chicken vegetable soup as well. Of course, I'm addicted to Mountain Dew, have a morning craving for banana milk (really, it's great, it's banana flavored milk. I've never seen it for sale in the US), and would testify that their pecan pie here is some of the richest I've ever had. Yes, when I was here back in 2006, I gained 17 pounds in my first six months :)
How is the weather there most of the time?
The rainfall here is similar to rainfall levels in southern California. However, it gets a little colder in winter--recently we had a bunch of nights where the lows were in the upper 30's (37 or 38) and the daytime highs were in the mid 50's. The spring and fall seasons are short, and summer temps range from lows at night in the 80's to daytime highs of 115 (it hit 119 when I was here in 2006). The sunrises and sunsets are really beautiful, I've been told that is attributable to the dust in the air. The night skies are simply amazing, as the firmbase is not close to a built up area, and there are little to no lights reflecting off the night sky. Usually, we can see the entire milky way across the sky, and when there's a full moon it's almost light enough to read a book by...
Thursday, February 14, 2008
I've got the greatest husband
Look at the e-card my husband sent me. Isn't it great? He also had a bouquet of star gazers (one of my favorite flowers) delivered to me today. What a great guy to remember Valentine's Day even though he is on the other side of the world and working 12 - 16 hour days.
Sheryl
The Osprey and a sick little boy
Happy Valentine's Day. Last night was crazy hair day at church for the kid's club program. Joshua was excited and you can see the results in the picture. Today was also crazy hair day at school, but he won't be going since his runny nose turned into a bad cold in the middle of the night. At midnight he was actually in a hot shower using the steam to get his nose unclogged. It worked and he slept through the rest of the night. But he is still pretty sick. We were planning to drive to Porterville this weekend to visit my aunt and uncle at their farm, but looks like we may be staying home. No need to share the gift of germs.
As I mentioned last week, Jon had to take a trip within the country where he currently lives and below is a description of what he got to travel in. Pretty cool after all these years.
"When I enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1981, my recruiter told me that when I graduated from boot camp and went out to the Fleet, I'd get to ride in the latest thing in aviation, a tilt-rotor aircraft that the Marine Corps was developing and would field in the near future. Now, after more than 25 years, the MV-22 Osprey is actually in service, and I had an opportunity to fly in one recently.
It is a very distinctive aircraft, and my first impressions were "solid" and "capable." Solid because it appears to be very strongly constructed, with the wing structure, engines and "propellers" seemingly dwarfing the underslung fuselage (which is actually fairly spacious, with room for 24 "combat loaded" Marines and their gear, plus the crew). Capable because each of those factors are necessary features of the advanced capability offered by the Osprey.
I experienced three take-offs and landings, one of each involving some (limited) use of the runway, with the other two of each being vertical (onto and from a helicopter pad). The rate of climb the Osprey is capable of was (in the experience of it) impressive, and it's cruising airspeed significantly greater (and more economical) than any rotary wing competition (I suspect the Osprey is also capable of operation at higher elevations than rotary wing aircraft, though I'm guessing the VTOL capability is extremely dimished or non-existant at some threshold).
The pilot of our aircraft had turned on some green marker lights that were apparently at the tip of each "propellor" blade (OK, I know it's called a tilt-rotor aircraft, but my experience was that they functioned for a greater duration of total flight as propellors), so as the aircraft taxied to the apron to pick us up (with the engines pointing almost vertical and the props acting as rotors), the distinctive features of the aircraft were dramatically highlighted. This first take-off we utilized a (very short) section of runway (a tech-rep on the plane with us said that the rotors are tilted about ten degrees off vertical simply as a gas-saving measure), and once airborne, the still-lighted spinning disks very rapidly rotated the rest of the way into a "normal" fixed-wing aircraft position. I was sort of surpised at the speed of the engine rotation, as I had expected it to be more gradual, but then, I know little of the principles of flight. The transition was smooth, and I do not recall being able to identify by feel (apparent or impending stall) that the transition from vertical flight to lift-enabled flight had taken place.
Anyway, my dry remarks here do little to capture the unique experience of flying on this aircraft, nor do they adequately communicate the exciting fulfillment of over 25 years of anticipation...
Semper Fi, JarHedJon"
My brother-in-law posted a comment with this link so you can see what the osprey looks like: http://tinyurl.com/3e3f3l
Sunday, February 10, 2008
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
For those of you who do not live in Southern California, 
let me share one of the wonderful experiences we can have. We can enjoy 70 degree days in February or drive an hour or so to play in the snow on a beautiful 50 degree day with clear blue skies.
Saturday Joshua and I joined my college friend Lauri on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (www.pstramway.com). The tram travels over 2,600 feet to the mountain station which is at 8,516 feet. Thanks to the numerous winter storms we have had in the past month, there is plenty of snow at that elevation. Lauri brought her sled and we had lots of fun sledding and hiking around the snow-covered wilderness paths. Of course I am a bit sore this morning having slipped on the ice a few times
and banged my knee and hip. Joshua and I hit a tree once (not hard) at the end of a sledding run, but otherwise I'm basically in one piece after our day of adventure. Jon called this morning so Joshua got to tell Jon all about our fun snow day. May all the rest of your winter days be fun.
Sheryl
let me share one of the wonderful experiences we can have. We can enjoy 70 degree days in February or drive an hour or so to play in the snow on a beautiful 50 degree day with clear blue skies.
Saturday Joshua and I joined my college friend Lauri on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (www.pstramway.com). The tram travels over 2,600 feet to the mountain station which is at 8,516 feet. Thanks to the numerous winter storms we have had in the past month, there is plenty of snow at that elevation. Lauri brought her sled and we had lots of fun sledding and hiking around the snow-covered wilderness paths. Of course I am a bit sore this morning having slipped on the ice a few times
and banged my knee and hip. Joshua and I hit a tree once (not hard) at the end of a sledding run, but otherwise I'm basically in one piece after our day of adventure. Jon called this morning so Joshua got to tell Jon all about our fun snow day. May all the rest of your winter days be fun.Sheryl
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Joshua's Jog-a-thon
We did have a great time in the snow today, but I'll write about that and post pictures tomorrow. I uploaded my pictures this evening and found these from the jog-a-thon on Friday. Joshua jogged 22 laps and I joined him for about 5 of them. It was a beautiful morning and our students raised almost $15,000 for the PTA, which helps to fund field trips and lots of after-school enrichment programs. We are all very pleased!
Sheryl
Friday, February 08, 2008
Update from home
I know you all like to have updates from Jon, but his life isn't all that exciting, even though he lives and works in a war zone -- go figure. He has a lot of meetings and conferences and works about 12 hours a day. When he is not working he reads a bit, eats a meal or two, runs 3 miles and that's about it.
Joshua and I, on the other hand, have quite an exciting life. Last Saturday Joshua, his friend Dalton and I went to see "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" moive. If you are under 10 years old or have a child who is that age, it is a fun movie. :) Sunday we had a fabulous time with our friends the Crafts at another friend Amy's house watching the Super Bowl on a TV that used a projector to put the image on a screen that covered one wall of the room -- amazing! And yes, Joshua and I were both cheering for the NY Giants, so we were very happy campers.
This week I have attended one Town Hall meeting at our school to discuss future plans, lead a PTA meeting, spent hours on campus counting money and helping with our school Jog-a-thon and actually jogged around the track with Joshua and his classmates today. Ah, don't you wish you had the life of a PTA President?! :)
This afternoon Joshua and I are headed to our friend Lauri's house. She lives about an hour east of us. We'll spend the night and tomorrow take a tram up the mountains above Palm Springs and play in the snow. Unlike those of you who live in places like Michigan and Minnesota, we have to travel to get the snow, which is just the way I like it.
Hope your lives are just as full of experiences that you enjoy as mine is.
Sheryl
Joshua and I, on the other hand, have quite an exciting life. Last Saturday Joshua, his friend Dalton and I went to see "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" moive. If you are under 10 years old or have a child who is that age, it is a fun movie. :) Sunday we had a fabulous time with our friends the Crafts at another friend Amy's house watching the Super Bowl on a TV that used a projector to put the image on a screen that covered one wall of the room -- amazing! And yes, Joshua and I were both cheering for the NY Giants, so we were very happy campers.
This week I have attended one Town Hall meeting at our school to discuss future plans, lead a PTA meeting, spent hours on campus counting money and helping with our school Jog-a-thon and actually jogged around the track with Joshua and his classmates today. Ah, don't you wish you had the life of a PTA President?! :)
This afternoon Joshua and I are headed to our friend Lauri's house. She lives about an hour east of us. We'll spend the night and tomorrow take a tram up the mountains above Palm Springs and play in the snow. Unlike those of you who live in places like Michigan and Minnesota, we have to travel to get the snow, which is just the way I like it.
Hope your lives are just as full of experiences that you enjoy as mine is.
Sheryl
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Jon's room
I just got this update from Jon about his room. Thought you all might enjoy his perspective and an idea of the temperature over there.
"My room is much more liveable with the heater, and the guy warned me that, as the unit had been sitting awhile (it was a used unit), the compressor fluid, etc., settles in the bottom, so it will work more effectively after running for some time... The first night I was a little warm, but I was so happy, I didn't think it was TOO warm. The next night, I left it on the same setting, but when I woke up it was way too hot, so I turned the thermostat down. The next night, leaving the thermostat in its new location, seemed great when I fell asleep, but when I woke up, it was way too hot again. I think I'm getting closer to the mark though, we'll find out tonight. And no, this is not because it is getting warmer at night, it's still dropping into the mid to high 30's at night, rising as high as the mid 50's during the day. I went running for the first time since getting here, I ran at about 1400, so it was just warm enough (a little chilly, but the exercise kept me in there). I did my old 3 mile route, and of course, it seemed longer than it did a year ago... I'm doing calisthenics every morning now, and plan to run three times a week, we'll see if I can stay disciplined."
I also learned that he will have to take a short trip somewhere within the country. In the past he hasn't been able to send e-mails or call when he has taken these trips. Please pray for his safety and that I won't worry. Thanks.
Sheryl
"My room is much more liveable with the heater, and the guy warned me that, as the unit had been sitting awhile (it was a used unit), the compressor fluid, etc., settles in the bottom, so it will work more effectively after running for some time... The first night I was a little warm, but I was so happy, I didn't think it was TOO warm. The next night, I left it on the same setting, but when I woke up it was way too hot, so I turned the thermostat down. The next night, leaving the thermostat in its new location, seemed great when I fell asleep, but when I woke up, it was way too hot again. I think I'm getting closer to the mark though, we'll find out tonight. And no, this is not because it is getting warmer at night, it's still dropping into the mid to high 30's at night, rising as high as the mid 50's during the day. I went running for the first time since getting here, I ran at about 1400, so it was just warm enough (a little chilly, but the exercise kept me in there). I did my old 3 mile route, and of course, it seemed longer than it did a year ago... I'm doing calisthenics every morning now, and plan to run three times a week, we'll see if I can stay disciplined."
I also learned that he will have to take a short trip somewhere within the country. In the past he hasn't been able to send e-mails or call when he has taken these trips. Please pray for his safety and that I won't worry. Thanks.
Sheryl
Sunday, February 03, 2008
News from Jarhedjon
More news from Jarhedjon.
"Last year the geese were an item of interest here, and they still are (to those of us returning to the AO). I have recently discovered that a game warden was actually dispatched to this base back in 2006 to remove the geese, but was prevented in accomplishing his mission by some pretty important people (read "stars on their collars") due to the symbolic nature the geese seem to have had associated with them. There are currently 11 geese, I believe (all of them humungous honkers, and getting more stupendous by the day), which is two less, I recall, than there were when I left here about a year ago. RUMINT says that a couple of desert wolves are responsible.
I discovered that the waist button on one of my Training Allowance Pool (TAP) issued MARPATDDCU (Marine Pattern Digital Desert Combat Uniform) trousers was missing. I am happy to report that though I have not had to do anything of this nature for at least the last fifteen years (that I have been married to Sheryl), I was able to remedy the situation in an expeditious manner. Having prepared myself with a Marine Corps Field Sewing Kit, and through the use of all the aids and tools contained there in, I was able to sew on a new button (which, thanks to the supply of several types of USMC uniform buttons contained in the sewing kit, actually matches the other buttons). The hardest part was threading the needle. I'm far sighted, so with my glasses on I had to hold the needle so far away for it to come into clear focus that I lost perspective on where the thread was in relationship to the now quite distant eye of the needle. If I took my glasses off and tried to do the close focus thing, the needle's eye and thread were too CLOSE for adequate depth perception. Then, assuming I was actually able to line up the thread with the
eye of the needle (a feat I believe I accomplished once or twice), getting the "frayed" end of the thread to proceed through the eye was a different trick entirely. Luckily for me, the Marine Corps Sewing Kit contains a needle-threading apperatus that is basically a fine steel wire pre-formed into a diamond shape, connected to an aluminum tab (I discovered this device after my initial failures to thread the needle forced me to re-inventory the sewing kit to determine if there were any other options, like a needle with a bigger eye, etc.). All one has to do is feed the pointy end of the diamond through the eye, force the entire (now collapsed) diamond through, and then the diamond shape springs back into shape on the other side of the eye--then stick the end of the thread through the diamond, and then pull the wire back through the eye, and VOILA, the needle has been threaded. I must confess that it actually took me a couple times to get the end of the thread through the diamond, but I did get the mission accomplished. I was even listening to music at the time AND thinking about how I wish I could get someone else to
perform this task, which technically qualifies me as a multi-tasker.
Things are going well, I have heat in my room, I'm getting packages from home, I now have uniforms with their complete compliment of buttons installed, I'm just waiting for it to get hotter (which it will) and for my weekly schedule to become routine (which I hope it will). Thanks for your prayers."
Sheryl
"Last year the geese were an item of interest here, and they still are (to those of us returning to the AO). I have recently discovered that a game warden was actually dispatched to this base back in 2006 to remove the geese, but was prevented in accomplishing his mission by some pretty important people (read "stars on their collars") due to the symbolic nature the geese seem to have had associated with them. There are currently 11 geese, I believe (all of them humungous honkers, and getting more stupendous by the day), which is two less, I recall, than there were when I left here about a year ago. RUMINT says that a couple of desert wolves are responsible.
I discovered that the waist button on one of my Training Allowance Pool (TAP) issued MARPATDDCU (Marine Pattern Digital Desert Combat Uniform) trousers was missing. I am happy to report that though I have not had to do anything of this nature for at least the last fifteen years (that I have been married to Sheryl), I was able to remedy the situation in an expeditious manner. Having prepared myself with a Marine Corps Field Sewing Kit, and through the use of all the aids and tools contained there in, I was able to sew on a new button (which, thanks to the supply of several types of USMC uniform buttons contained in the sewing kit, actually matches the other buttons). The hardest part was threading the needle. I'm far sighted, so with my glasses on I had to hold the needle so far away for it to come into clear focus that I lost perspective on where the thread was in relationship to the now quite distant eye of the needle. If I took my glasses off and tried to do the close focus thing, the needle's eye and thread were too CLOSE for adequate depth perception. Then, assuming I was actually able to line up the thread with the
eye of the needle (a feat I believe I accomplished once or twice), getting the "frayed" end of the thread to proceed through the eye was a different trick entirely. Luckily for me, the Marine Corps Sewing Kit contains a needle-threading apperatus that is basically a fine steel wire pre-formed into a diamond shape, connected to an aluminum tab (I discovered this device after my initial failures to thread the needle forced me to re-inventory the sewing kit to determine if there were any other options, like a needle with a bigger eye, etc.). All one has to do is feed the pointy end of the diamond through the eye, force the entire (now collapsed) diamond through, and then the diamond shape springs back into shape on the other side of the eye--then stick the end of the thread through the diamond, and then pull the wire back through the eye, and VOILA, the needle has been threaded. I must confess that it actually took me a couple times to get the end of the thread through the diamond, but I did get the mission accomplished. I was even listening to music at the time AND thinking about how I wish I could get someone else to
perform this task, which technically qualifies me as a multi-tasker.
Things are going well, I have heat in my room, I'm getting packages from home, I now have uniforms with their complete compliment of buttons installed, I'm just waiting for it to get hotter (which it will) and for my weekly schedule to become routine (which I hope it will). Thanks for your prayers."
Sheryl
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Update on the room
Jon is getting settled into his room and I thought you might be interested in reading about his creativity in setting things up in a way that will work for him.
"I am getting my room set up more and more every day. Today I set it up with a sit-up bar, so I have something I can hook my feet under so I can do situps every morning before my stretching exercises. I also picked up some heavy wire mesh material that I can use to support the mattress on my bed instead of the piece of 1/2inch plywood, which is not big enough to do the job. I also have got a large swath of construction felt that I can use to insulate and cover the window in my room to prevent the transfer of heat and light (the heavy wire mesh and the construction felt both came from three discarded sides to a HESCO barrier that someone has abandoned adjacent to a blast shelter). I'm pretty stoked about getting my room more and more liveable every day."
Thank you for your continued prayers for all of us. Joshua is doing very well. I have complimented him on his great behavior and helpfulness around the house. That is a huge blessing to me. I still struggle with the overwhelming feeling of having to do everything on my own. Of course many of you offer your help, but I'm referring to just "doing life" on my own without my husband, partner, best friend... But overall we all are doing quite well as we finish up our second week of deployment.
Sheryl
"I am getting my room set up more and more every day. Today I set it up with a sit-up bar, so I have something I can hook my feet under so I can do situps every morning before my stretching exercises. I also picked up some heavy wire mesh material that I can use to support the mattress on my bed instead of the piece of 1/2inch plywood, which is not big enough to do the job. I also have got a large swath of construction felt that I can use to insulate and cover the window in my room to prevent the transfer of heat and light (the heavy wire mesh and the construction felt both came from three discarded sides to a HESCO barrier that someone has abandoned adjacent to a blast shelter). I'm pretty stoked about getting my room more and more liveable every day."
Thank you for your continued prayers for all of us. Joshua is doing very well. I have complimented him on his great behavior and helpfulness around the house. That is a huge blessing to me. I still struggle with the overwhelming feeling of having to do everything on my own. Of course many of you offer your help, but I'm referring to just "doing life" on my own without my husband, partner, best friend... But overall we all are doing quite well as we finish up our second week of deployment.
Sheryl
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Getting settled
Just got this update from Jon:
"Now that the convoy with all our gear has arrived, I've got started on the NLT Chronological One Year Bible--I plain didn't have room in my "overnight" (which really had to cover six nights) bag for it.
Progress here continues at an almost astronomical rate, a couple of days ago there were ZERO incidents in the whole province over a 24 hour period. Yes, this is probably an anomaly, but the truth is that the people of the United States can be proud of the job our Service men and women are doing here.
I received my first snail mail exactly seven days after I left the States, a post card mailed by Sheryl and Joshua the day I left California! By mid February I should be assigned permanent billeting [housing], after which it will be a little easier to establish a routine (I will no longer be "living out of a suitcase")--which I find is the most contributing factor to my ability to practice discipline.
The weather here is about ten degrees colder than I remember it being during the same season in 2006, but given the indoors nature of my job and the reality that thin-blooded Californians have no credibility when it comes to their perception of what is cold, I will not complain about it...
Thanks for your prayers and support, I have as yet escaped the CRUD that typically accompanies arrival in country AND the bug that is going the rounds even among those that have been here for several months."
That's all for now.
Sheryl
"Now that the convoy with all our gear has arrived, I've got started on the NLT Chronological One Year Bible--I plain didn't have room in my "overnight" (which really had to cover six nights) bag for it.
Progress here continues at an almost astronomical rate, a couple of days ago there were ZERO incidents in the whole province over a 24 hour period. Yes, this is probably an anomaly, but the truth is that the people of the United States can be proud of the job our Service men and women are doing here.
I received my first snail mail exactly seven days after I left the States, a post card mailed by Sheryl and Joshua the day I left California! By mid February I should be assigned permanent billeting [housing], after which it will be a little easier to establish a routine (I will no longer be "living out of a suitcase")--which I find is the most contributing factor to my ability to practice discipline.
The weather here is about ten degrees colder than I remember it being during the same season in 2006, but given the indoors nature of my job and the reality that thin-blooded Californians have no credibility when it comes to their perception of what is cold, I will not complain about it...
Thanks for your prayers and support, I have as yet escaped the CRUD that typically accompanies arrival in country AND the bug that is going the rounds even among those that have been here for several months."
That's all for now.
Sheryl
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
He made it
I received this e-mail when I woke up this morning.
"Well, I got in last night (to my final destination) at about 2000 after an uneventful trip. I'm billeted in the same building as last time, but in a different room--which is going to need some major improvements if I'm going to be permanently billeted there. The heater does not work, there is no plywood base between the frame and the mattress (making the bed very uncomfortable to sleep in), and the curtains are not sufficient to keep out daylight. That being said, it was good to be finally done with traveling, and our stowed luggage should arrive tomorrow afternoon, though I'll live out of the day bag for now. This is because we've been told billeting is temporary until after the transition is complete, after which we'll take stock and allocate the rooms permanently. I'd really like my old room back (unless God has something better for me :), so please pray to that end.
There is definitely a sense of familiarity for me here, especially since I'm in the same building I lived in before. There is also a sense of huge unknowns as well, as I'm operationally spinning up in a totally different area than what I had experience with before. It seems I will have plenty of work to do, so boredom will not be a problem. However, it also seems like I'll be able to moderate my work to 12 hours or so a day, which will help with the whole burn-out thing."
Thanks for praying for Jon these past 4 1/2 days as he was traveling. Now the work begins for him and you can see from his message some ways to pray. We appreciate knowing that so many of you are praying for our family.
Sheryl
"Well, I got in last night (to my final destination) at about 2000 after an uneventful trip. I'm billeted in the same building as last time, but in a different room--which is going to need some major improvements if I'm going to be permanently billeted there. The heater does not work, there is no plywood base between the frame and the mattress (making the bed very uncomfortable to sleep in), and the curtains are not sufficient to keep out daylight. That being said, it was good to be finally done with traveling, and our stowed luggage should arrive tomorrow afternoon, though I'll live out of the day bag for now. This is because we've been told billeting is temporary until after the transition is complete, after which we'll take stock and allocate the rooms permanently. I'd really like my old room back (unless God has something better for me :), so please pray to that end.
There is definitely a sense of familiarity for me here, especially since I'm in the same building I lived in before. There is also a sense of huge unknowns as well, as I'm operationally spinning up in a totally different area than what I had experience with before. It seems I will have plenty of work to do, so boredom will not be a problem. However, it also seems like I'll be able to moderate my work to 12 hours or so a day, which will help with the whole burn-out thing."
Thanks for praying for Jon these past 4 1/2 days as he was traveling. Now the work begins for him and you can see from his message some ways to pray. We appreciate knowing that so many of you are praying for our family.
Sheryl
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
News from the Persian Gulf and San Juan
Last night as I was heading to bed I checked my e-mails for one final time and noticed that Jon had sent a message just a couple minutes previously. I got on my computer and sent a quite note to see if he was still online and saw a message pop up before I had even sent mine. We spent the next twenty minutes sending messages back and forth. It's a rather weird way to be connected, but it's better than nothing. Fortunately we both type fairly fast.
Sometime today (our time) he should be making his final flight to the destination where he'll be for the next 13 months. I'll let you all know when I hear that he has arrived.
I have received a few e-mails asking for an update on the mold situation. When the worker came out to address the problem he wanted to use a special solution to wipe away the mold. He showed me, "Look the mold is gone." Yeah, right! (deep sarcasm) When I didn't agree he asked, "So you want me to cut out the drywall and put in a new piece?" Yes, that was exactly what I wanted. He was eventually convinced when he took off the baseboards and saw the mold on the backs of them and that the wall really was damp. He cut everything out and left space under the walls so air could circulate through both cupboards. We'll wait at least a week and then see if things are dry enough to replace. I have also been instructed to keep an eye out for any signs of more mold. Everything is documented and I have been assured that if something shows up in the future, it will be covered, even if the warranty is over.
On to a lighter note. Two years ago, the night before Jon left the first time (February 16, 2006), Joshua lost his first tooth. Sunday morning (two days after Jon left this time) Joshua lost his 5th tooth. Maybe this demonstrates how we fall apart a bit when Jon leaves. Or maybe this is a reminder that losing baby teeth is a normal part of life so that a new big tooth can grow in, like it is supposed to. I'm not going to say that a family being separated for a year is a normal part of life, but everyone has times of great difficulty to deal with and THAT IS life. The trick is learning to allow a new healthy life to grow up instead of a bitter, angry one. So Joshua and I will both be losing baby teeth and growing new big ones this year. Hope you do too.
Sheryl
Sometime today (our time) he should be making his final flight to the destination where he'll be for the next 13 months. I'll let you all know when I hear that he has arrived.
I have received a few e-mails asking for an update on the mold situation. When the worker came out to address the problem he wanted to use a special solution to wipe away the mold. He showed me, "Look the mold is gone." Yeah, right! (deep sarcasm) When I didn't agree he asked, "So you want me to cut out the drywall and put in a new piece?" Yes, that was exactly what I wanted. He was eventually convinced when he took off the baseboards and saw the mold on the backs of them and that the wall really was damp. He cut everything out and left space under the walls so air could circulate through both cupboards. We'll wait at least a week and then see if things are dry enough to replace. I have also been instructed to keep an eye out for any signs of more mold. Everything is documented and I have been assured that if something shows up in the future, it will be covered, even if the warranty is over.
On to a lighter note. Two years ago, the night before Jon left the first time (February 16, 2006), Joshua lost his first tooth. Sunday morning (two days after Jon left this time) Joshua lost his 5th tooth. Maybe this demonstrates how we fall apart a bit when Jon leaves. Or maybe this is a reminder that losing baby teeth is a normal part of life so that a new big tooth can grow in, like it is supposed to. I'm not going to say that a family being separated for a year is a normal part of life, but everyone has times of great difficulty to deal with and THAT IS life. The trick is learning to allow a new healthy life to grow up instead of a bitter, angry one. So Joshua and I will both be losing baby teeth and growing new big ones this year. Hope you do too.
Sheryl
Monday, January 21, 2008
Another flight toward final destination
I just got a couple e-mails from Jon and thought I'd post parts of them for you all.
"We got away from [the first Persian Gulf country] with less than 48 hours there, but it was a near thing... We had a 1530 muster with all our gear, and were supposed to head out to the flight line for a 2000 flight, which we did, but the plane had a problem, and we sat there for an hour and a half while they tried to fix it... If you've ever sat in C-130 canvas seating for two hours, you'll know how hard that is on your buns, and two hours was longer than our flight was supposed to be. We finally transferred to another aircraft, and then endured the flight into country, our buns had totally had it by then. Made it into country at about midnight, and I went over and read a little while, then went to bed. I could have gone over to the transient area to watch the game, but didn't really feel like it--instead I read a little and then crashed. We'd missed the first quarter of the Patriot-Charger game anyway, standing on the flight line and dragging our gear to the transient quarters (I think I tweaked my shoulder a little, or maybe I just slept on it wrong--I'm in bad shape, having not PT'ed since early December, so I'm "looking forward" to getting back into a routine which I hope I'll have enough discipline to maintain). I slept pretty much through until 1100, and just finished chow, which was good. I've got one more leg of my trip to make, [hopefully it will be within the next 48 hours]. Well, some things have changed over here, but other things are the same. Generally, though, the changes are definitely for the better, even the little observable things to a Marine in transit."
Thanks for your prayers.
Sheryl
"We got away from [the first Persian Gulf country] with less than 48 hours there, but it was a near thing... We had a 1530 muster with all our gear, and were supposed to head out to the flight line for a 2000 flight, which we did, but the plane had a problem, and we sat there for an hour and a half while they tried to fix it... If you've ever sat in C-130 canvas seating for two hours, you'll know how hard that is on your buns, and two hours was longer than our flight was supposed to be. We finally transferred to another aircraft, and then endured the flight into country, our buns had totally had it by then. Made it into country at about midnight, and I went over and read a little while, then went to bed. I could have gone over to the transient area to watch the game, but didn't really feel like it--instead I read a little and then crashed. We'd missed the first quarter of the Patriot-Charger game anyway, standing on the flight line and dragging our gear to the transient quarters (I think I tweaked my shoulder a little, or maybe I just slept on it wrong--I'm in bad shape, having not PT'ed since early December, so I'm "looking forward" to getting back into a routine which I hope I'll have enough discipline to maintain). I slept pretty much through until 1100, and just finished chow, which was good. I've got one more leg of my trip to make, [hopefully it will be within the next 48 hours]. Well, some things have changed over here, but other things are the same. Generally, though, the changes are definitely for the better, even the little observable things to a Marine in transit."
Thanks for your prayers.
Sheryl
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Safely in the Persian Gulf area
I received my first e-mail (of hundreds to come) from Jon. He arrived safely in a Persian Gulf country that is not his final destination. He slept more on the flight from Europe to that country. He may be at this stop for a day or two before starting the final leg of his journey. Thanks for continuing to keep him in your prayers.
I don't think I mentioned that Joshua and I had a great time at the SD Zoo yesterday. Here is Joshua's favorite picture of himself with his favorite animal -- a Meerkat. Right after taking this picture a man with his family noticed Joshua's hat and jokingly asked if he'd been to Camp Fallujah. Joshua said no but that his Dad had been there and was on his way back. It was nice to receive the condolences from a family who truly understood. This Marine was only recently back and not sure when he might return. We are definitely not alone in this experience.
All for now.
Sheryl
Friday, January 18, 2008
Leaving the country
Jon called my cell this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. California time. He was in Bangor, Maine, where the citizens of that town have continued, for years now, to support the military personnel who come through their airport. There are community members at the airport at any time of the day or night to welcome military personnel who are headed out of country or coming home. They also provide free cell phones for Marines and others to use to call home. That's how Jon was able to reach me this afternoon. What a blessing those dear people are up in the northeast corner of our country.
Jon's flight out of March Air Force Base in Riverside, CA, left on time so they only had to wait there for a couple hours. Those of you who know Jon won't be surprised by this, but Jon was able to sleep for 4 hours on the flight from California to Maine. That is great news since he didn't get much sleep last night (an hour and a half).
By now he should be winging his way over the Atlantic to parts in Europe before heading south to the Persian Gulf region. Thanks for your prayers. I've included a few pictures of our Escape camp out and our final good byes.
Sheryl
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