Mural Work

Nothing much to report over here...counting down the days until the advon gets here. Once they get here and get spun up it's on to the main body and from there its our trip home. i've still been working on the mural. I'll take pictures of it when I get done.

Andy

Souveniers

I have something that can be turned into a magnet :D. I got an Iraqi Journal cover for Alora. There are some hear no evil, etc. monkeys carved from "camel bone"(highly doubtful but they'll say anything to make a deal) that i'll probably get for jake. They have cute boonie hats at the alterations shop that I might get for emmy. and they have plenty of tshirts for everyone else that I can't think of what to buy. I found some Iraqi Occupation Badges(similar to my Command and Control Badge) as well that I can divy up. The weather here has gotten a lot warmer. It's great knowing I'll get a tan since I'm outside working on the unit mural but It's ridiculously hot. I think they have coasters at the Bazaar btw. I'm trying to remember everyone since I'll be seeing them all in the smokies. If I leave someone out then it's completely an accident. Well I'm off to dinner here soon. I'll talk to you later

Andy

Sorta like "M.A.S.H."

Good to know freckles is still his same self. Sad to hear that my jade plant got frozen. I got 3 boxes from Angel today as well as 1 from Ning. I think I have the most boxes out of anyone here. Good thing I'm sharing them or I'd come back about 200 pounds heavier. I've been doing great here. They have me working on the Unit murals so I've been pretty busy. I can't wait to come home. I'm getting to the point where I don't want to be here any more. Oh well. Only 60 more days and I'll be heading back. We have signs up with distances from home(kind of like in M.A.S.H.) Evidently Dayton , OH is 6540 miles away. Just thought that was interesting. Well I've got to get going. I'll make sure I get started on thank you emails soon.

Andy

[His reference to Freckles has to do with his eating one of our jigsaw puzzle pieces. His “lucky” bamboo plant wasn’t so lucky. We turned off the heat to Andy’s bedroom this winter and I guess it got too cold in there for it.]

Busy Working

From Andy to his girlfriend, Alora:

oh you needn't worry about me. I'm quite alright. I have been really busy between working my actual job and working on the unit mural. i've been taking loads of pictures and picked you up a souvenir yesterday. I've been meaning to call but after work i'm just too tired and head back to bed. I love you a whole bunch.

-Andy

No Daylight Savings Time in Iraq

Actually Iraq doesn't observe DST so I'm staying the same time...which is good because that means i don't have to worry about time changing.

Always Getting Attacked

From Andy to his friend, Genevieve:

I'm quite alright. We get attacked all the time. It's kind of an everyday
occurrence over here so we don't mind it. I did get your letters as well.
That was very sweet of them. I'll be home before you know it. ^_^

Andrew

["them" refers to the kids she watches. They colored pictures and wrote notes to him.]

Hero

This was sent to Mom by one of her friends who is married to someone in the United States Air Force

Hi, Linda,

What a wonderful message from Andy. My "USAF wife" experience leads me to believe that with Andy receiving a meritorious service medal AND having dinner with the general, he most likely had a very interested "experience" in the not so recent past! I'm sure he'll be able to share all of the details with you when he returns but suffice it to say......your son is a HERO!

I'm continuing to pray for him each day.....and for you!

Much love,
Leslie