In My Own Words

I haven’t written anything in a little while, so I thought I’d throw a few words out here and let them fall where they may.

We got a nice e-mail from one of our troops in Afghanistan the other day. He talked about his family, and how they are looking forward to his R&R break this spring. They’re going to go hiking in the mountains, because that’s what his daughter likes to do, and his son will “go along with anything as long as he’s with Dad.” LOL! I got the impression he meant the Smokies; I didn’t ask, but he is out of Ft. Stewart in Georgia, so that would kind of make sense. He said when he gets back to the States, he would like for him and his family to meet us some time. I warned him that meeting “us” includes not just me and Jack and the yappy little annoying hellhounds, but also our sons, our daughters-in-law, and all the grandkids. And I also warned him Savanna is apt to grill him about whether or not he’s a “real soldier” if he happens to not be wearing his “soldier clothes” when she meets him…ROTFL!!  I still get a chuckle when I think of her asking our visitor, CW3 Woods, if he was a real soldier and if so, where were his soldier clothes? Nobody saw that one coming…

I happened to catch one of our Warriors online when I got home from work this afternoon; he doesn’t get much time online, so I don’t bug him when I see he’s on Yahoo! IM. But he popped up and said that he’d just gotten the latest care package and wanted to say thank you. Since he’s never actually specified what he and his battle buds would like to get, I just kind of meander up and down the aisles until something gets my attention and makes me think “Hmmmm…wonder if our guys would like this?” I do know this young man likes peanut butter and jelly, and I found some PBJ Oatmeal Pies at Dollar General Market so of course I had to send some of those. He says they are “Delicious!!!” so I guess I’ll be buying some more of those. I’d be willing to bet the farm that nobody gets any of the PBJ pies but him…LOL!! While we were chatting, I did get him to mention a couple of things they’d like to have – RipIt energy drinks, and soccer balls. He said you can find RipIt’s at DollarTree, so I told him I’d see if I can find some. I know I can’t afford the Monster Energy Drinks or the Red Bull. You don’t get much for your money buying that stuff, that’s for sure! In any case, I’ve already got the next care package to his group planned in my head – just gotta put it in action.

My little sister donated $40 on my website (I’m going to send her some bread), and I sold $40 worth of bread today, so I’m not broke any more. I’ll get stuff together this weekend and get a box on its way Monday. (And Teresa, if you’re reading this, your bread will be on the way Monday as well.)

We’re going to paint the dining room, so I reckon we’ll be shopping for paint this weekend. Jack’s already doing inventory to figure out what kinds of supplies we’ll need in addition to the paint. I think we still have a roller tray, and maybe a roller frame or two, but we’ll have to pick up some brushes to do the cut-in work and corners.  We’ve agreed on a light mossy green; I think it’s going to look good. I know we’re tired of the generic cream-colored walls in every room, and it’s time to start changing colors, one room at a time. I don’t think we’re planning on doing any painting yet…just getting the paint and supplies so we’ll be ready to tackle the job next weekend. I’m baking bread Sunday, and getting the next care package ready to go, so hopefully I’m right about not starting the actual painting until next weekend…You know how guys are when they get to Lowe’s or Home Depot – it’ll probably take the better part of tomorrow just to get the paint and stuff…LOL!!

Okay, I’m done boring y’all for now. Thanks for reading – if anybody actually reads this stuff, that is. Take care, and I’ll type at y’all later.