Helloooo...

Here is Dave's last email in case some of you did not receive it:

"Hey everybody! It's been crazy here so not a lot of free time. Working a lot of hours and I finally got a day off. The job is as good as can be expected. I wasn't able to get to arabic class this week but I think I want to learn Kurdish instead. We will see. Not so much of the "hawking a lugi" sound. I hope all is well with all of you. I really appreciate all the care packages, letters and emails. Not too much longer and I'll be headed home. It's actually going pretty quick. Love you guys.

Dave"

Check this site... http://www.michaeltotten.com/archives/2007/04/meet-the-iraqi-police-in-kirku.php didn't read it all. About half way down you will find this picture and apparently Turkey is a huge problem specifically in Kirkuk. It was posted in 2007 so things may have changed but I am sure not by much.

I have been able to talk with him a couple of times since I last posted. It is usually the same old thing. He does sound good, mostly upbeat, but I know he is ready to step foot on American soil again. I sent a box off early this week that was from my students with lots of letters and their favorite snacks. They were excited to send it and always ask lots of questions about him and Iraq when we have a spare moment.

Last I checked he was only needing AA batteries. He would enjoy any DVDs that you can send and magazines are great too. Maybe a Kurdish-to-English dictionary since he is interested in learning!!

I am on my way this weekend the Macon, Georgia for a cheerleading competition. I am not so excited about the competition as I am the mall there. It has been some time since I have been to a mall that has more than one level!!!! Don't tell Dave I am going, he will get nervous about my spending habits. Just so you all know I have been doing exceptional on my saving lately.

Keep us posted on life around America...miss you all. Peace!!

Email from Dave...2/10/08

"Hey everybody, I haven't had any comp access for a couple of weeks and now I finally do. Well, I've been here almost a full month now and I'm getting pretty used to it. It's definitely starting to warm up. No more cold weather gear for me. My job is going well, me and the other controller are trying to get everything organized now that the last group is gone. We've implemented some new procedures and everything seems to be running smoothly. I can't really tell you any good stories but I will when I get home. Other than that, not much happening. I got a couple of care packages and everybody loves all the snacks. There is way too much for me so I bring it in to work and share with everybody. I miss you all and can't wait to get home. Love you guys."

Dave

Yay, talked to Dave today!

Sully says hi (this is an older picture, his head is a lot larger now)...

Okie Dokie...Dave is good. He needs batteries?? AA to be exact?! Forgot to ask him what they were for, but if you plan to send him a package any time soon, if you could include a few AA batteries :-)

Well we have our "Winter Break" this weekend. We got Friday off and have Monday off too!! Yay for President's Day. I went to Thomasville last night to spend some quality time with the Jenster, cutest baby alive! He actually prefers me to his own mommy (most specifically because I refuse to put him in his car seat, mommy does that and he does not like the car seat)!! Got to know the tricks to the trade to become the favorite aunt!!

Sarah will be moving in soon along with her tiny dog Tipsy! She got all of her stuff out of her apartment and is cleaning as we speak. She will probably end up over here some time next week?! Hopefully she will survive the big dog syndrome over here. You know, it is THEIR house and if you are in the way, you better move or they will move you (not on purpose)!

Dave is reading like crazy and watching movies like a madman out there. So keep sending!! My plan is to send a book a week and so far that is working. He likes anything having to do with history or sports. I hit a GREAT sale at the local book store and have about 5 more along with his Sports Illustrated.

Happy Valentine's Day a little late to everyone and thanks Peter for the GREAT Valentine's Day message, it made me laugh :-)

What did I do???

Isn't this a pretty mess Sully made for me. I came home and he was just so happy to take me right to his masterpiece. There was more, I just coudn't fit it all in the picture!!!

Thank you Nana!!!! Go Colt's (I say go Cowboys)!!

Thank you Nana!!!! Gig'Em Aggies :-)

Dave says no phone cards please...he gets them from his commander!!! He LOVES all the care packages so far. Thank you for thinking of him. So far he is ahead in the count among the guys in his dorm, he has received 4 packages so far :-)

THANKS Nana again for the GREAT dog blankies, they LOVE them. I love them too because I can wash them and they fit in our tiny washing machine AND they will not unravel into a million pieces!!! I love the personal touch of the sewn in label. Thank you very much :-)

1/8th of the way through!!

Pfc. Kelly Ward, 19, of C Company, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry, makes a snowman outside his company's command post on Kirkuk Air Base--this was back in 2004, but is similar to what Dave got to see when it snowed there last week!!



Here is the latest email Dave has sent:





"So another few days have passed and not much to mention....except that it SNOWED yesterday. It was crazy, I haven't seen snow in years and I go to Iraq and that's what happens. It was coming down hard for a couple hours and then it started raining again but I made sure to get some pictures before it was all gone. Control is pretty easy, just a little hectic with all the supervision in here all the time. I hope everyone is doing well back in the States. I'm over 1/8th of the way thru! I know it doesn't sound like much but it makes it seem better to me. Love you all and hope to hear from you soon.

Dave "





Snow report from Iraq: http://www.iraqupdates.com/p_articles.php/article/26116





I have talked to him a couple of times since the last post. He said the food is getting old. They rotate through the menu and since he eats there every day/morning/night he said he has eaten the same thing way too many times. They do have a few "american" eating places on the base; Burger King, Taco Bell and something else. He said he is not sure how "real" the meats are and he is not willing to try them out to see.





He says he will be in the "Control" position the rest of the time he is there which is good. He said it is too hard to train people to take that position so we do not have to worry that he will be out with the Iraqi civillians. Every time I talk to him he just sounds like he wants to come home very badly. He got a few packages I think from MomA and DadA...he says thanks!!! He was very excited to get the homemade cookies as were the guys in his bunk!





He said he will have very limited contact this next week, he couldn't tell me why. I didn't ask. I will let you all know when I talk with him again. I am sick, think I have a form of the flu? I was home sick today and proabbly will be tomorrow too. I have a terrible cough and fever along with some serious sinue pressure.





Thanks for your thoughts and prayers, they are working. Still counting down the days, missing you all.