Good Phone Call Today!!!

I went back to work today -- everyone there is very kind and supportive. It was a busy day so there wasn't much time to dwell on my fears. At 1:04 p.m. my cell phone rang -- when I answered no one was there. Then at 1:05 p.m. it rang again and when I answered it was Austin! I yelled "AUSTIN???!!!"; I was just so excited. We got to talk for 4-5 minutes before we were cut off in mid-sentence.

Our conversation reminded me of when the anchorman asks the correspondent a question and everyone waits several seconds for the correspondent to actually hear the question. Because of that we were talking over each other a lot. He sounds great; relaxed and comfortable. He mentioned how much people had talked of the heat -- he said it felt like a summer day in Florida (where he's always lived). I'm sure it will get much worse in the coming months. He should be better acclimated than most.

I e-mailed Kris telling him where Austin was and where I thought he was going. Kris, being always the Officer, tells me "he's not supposed to tell you where he is or where he's going!" If it weren't for the FOB shown on Kris' address, I probably wouldn't know where he is. I guess that's why he's an Officer --- he takes rules very seriously and always has. And I've heard that you don't ever want to get on his bad side.

Life at home feels fairly normal. It's rained for two days which is GREAT b/c it hadn't rained much in months. We're already on water restrictions. The faucet in the upstairs bathroom is dripping, I can hear it all the way down here. I really need to get up and clean but I'm not going to. I've got everything I'll need tonight gathered around me and I plan to sit right here on my chaise and only work on what is within arm's reach. I've always been interested in inventing the couch potty so I really wouldn't have to get up.

The Milblog Conference is coming up and it looks like I'm going. My plan is to leave early on Friday so I have several hours in DC before the cocktail reception that night; attend the conference Saturday then spend more time in DC on Sunday before catching an evening flight home. All by myself! I've got to stay busy and blogging (reading and writing) is my favorite pastime these days -- so why not attend the conference?

Two weekends from now I'm going to meet w/ the president of the Florida Chapter of Sew Much Comfort to offer my services in tracking information for her. I'm very proficient in spreadsheet and database software (probably already said that somewhere) so this is right up my alley. I had signed up to sew but never received my packet -- which is probably a good thing b/c just looking at the clothing was heartbreaking.

AND, I'm starting painting classes next Tuesday night. This is something I've always wanted to do even though I have no clue if I have any artistic talent -- other than sewing, quilting; anything that can be done w/ a needle and thread. A few months back I saw a large graphic painting at TJ Maxx that incorporated an American flag with other elements of Americana in an abstract way. I didn't buy it when I saw it and it's long gone. I'd like to eventually paint something like that. I'll probably start with a smiley face.

Recommended reading -- The Seven Modern Pillars of Iraq - this essay is very eye opening to the realities of Iraqi culture.

Gee, I guess I found my lost words!