Starting Over Again

Well, it is the end of 2011.  So many things happened.  So many things I wanted to change and didn't exactly get all those things done.  Some I did.  I worked in Iraq and made money to get us through the nonexistent hay season.  Didn't have the money to "play" with that I wanted but we are still living in doors.....which is a great thing.  We got 4 more chicken houses built and in production.  That is a great thing.  So, all in all, there were a lot of positive things in 2011.  Will be thinking about 2012 and what I would like to accomplish.

Sand Storm...

Well today we had our first full blown sand storm.  It was just like out of a movie.  People would come into the office and their hair would be gray and their clothes covered with dust.  When I walked to the dining hall, everyone had their faces and heads covered up.  It was like walking in fog (kind of).  The wind was blowing so it was cool outside.  I'm working the night shift so it was midnight.   The place is pretty lit up so its not like walking alone in the dark. (well not exactly).  But tonight it looked so spooky with the lights creating such shadows in the dust BUT the fact that it was so dusty kept the glow from the lights down low and it looked like daytime.  Weird???  We eventually had to turn off the a/c units in the office because it was creating a fog in the office.  There is a layer of dirt on everything.  You can actually write on the desk, and we've cleaned everything off a couple of times already.  I'll be so glad to get to my room and take a bath.  Wonder how dusty my room is...thank goodness I made my bed!!!  Now that I've experienced a dust storm, really don't care to be in another one.

Love from Baghdad.

Left the beauty of Dubai and flew in to Kuwait.  Had an 8 hour layover there and had been told to check out the VIP lounge. Best $50 dollars I ever spent.  Had a couch to sit/lay on, buffet all day, and juice, etc. at your convenience. Walked out to the tarmac to board a bus to be taken to our plane.  When the bus started heading away from the main airport I should have known.  Then we finally pull up to a plane with ABSOLUTELY NO MARKINGS except a few call letters on the front.  Boarded the plane (all Americans) which told you we were all going to work for KBR.  Land on the military side of the air base in Iraq and hustled off the tarmac once again.  Then boarded buses with blacked out windows and drove to the base.  Good times.  The main camp area is really neat.  Went to the DFac (dining facility) and the food was great.  Went to the PX and got some essentials that I had not packed.  Spent all my first day in training.  There were some really nice people and I met a lady that grew up in Crockett.  Small world.  Anyway, I will get my permanent assignment later.  Sending love from Baghdad.

HOW TO COMMENT( a lesson in commenting)

Hey Guys! This is Katelyn filling in for mom for a moment! Everyone is wanting to comment and leave mom good wishes and words of infinite wisdom, but no one can figure out how! I will now show you how this works! We are going to use my photo blog as the model! Follow the images and the instructions and you should come out great! Enjoy the show!

1st- go to the post where you want to comment, and scroll to the bottom of the post!

Until you can see the area where it says "Comments"

 

2nd- Click on the button that says "Comments"

and this will show up!  TYPE IN YOUR COMMENT! YOU MUST DO THIS BEFORE CONTINUING!

3rd- Click on the button that says "Select Profile"

4th- this little menu will pull up and you will select either

Name/URL or Anonymous

If you select anonymous- your name WILL NOT appear!

5th- When you select the Name/URL it will prompt you to put in a Name and a URL address-IGNORE THE URL ADDRESS- DO NOT PUT ANYTHING IN THAT SECTION!

click continue!

6th- After you do this a Security check will most likely show up! YOU MUST DO THIS! Don't worry- it's just making sure you aren't spam! 

Final Step- After doing this- your comment should be showing! and you are FINISHED! YAY! Give yourself a pat on the back! 

You are done! 

The Journey Begins

Well, after months of waiting to get to Houston, getting there and passing the physical, then flying to Dubai and waiting here for over a week, the true journey begins.  I leave Sunday morning, flying to Kuwait and then to Baghdad and then in a convoy to my base.  I had been told that I would be flown by helicopter to my base but since my camp is close to the airport I will go by convoy.  I will be at Camp Liberty....just love the sound of that.  So, if you know any one there I'd be happy to look them up and give them a "mom" hug.  Love to you all and keep the prayers coming.

Misson successful

Success!!!!!!!! Finally, weight down, BMI was 38.5, woo hoo!!!!!!! Had a little trouble urinating on command. My mom taught me to go before you leave the house....or hotel room in this case. So I did. Big mistake. Two hours later and about a gallon of water we had success. Then I had to go weigh. Are you kidding me???? I just drank a gallon of water. But all was well. Five shots later I am through for the day and I am not talking shots of liquor. My sister is picking me up for dinner and I am not counting calories tonight.

On a serious note, please be in prayer for me that I can be a stable force for the people I will be working with. I have heard more about prostitutes and really casual sex than I ever have any where else. Seriously, I feel like someone needs to show what true morals are and in a positive way. If I come across condemning these people will shut me out. It is not just young folks acting this way either. Good news is I will not be moved. I know I've got a great thing with my family and God. Thanks.

First day of processing

Well, finished my first day of processing for KBR. I am so tired and have heard a ton on safety....which I am definitely in favor of. Will do all the medical processing tomorrow. So I will see if all my weight loss efforts were enough. The funny item for the day was as we finished for the evening the women had to stay late.....get this....to take a pregnancy test!!! I laughed out loud. Let's see....tubes tied, then had it all taken out and oh yea, I AM OLD. Pregnant was not a disqualifier for me. More tomorrow...stay tuned.

Getting close...

It's Wednesday again and that much closer to when I leave.  I have gotten all the last instructions from KBR as to where I need to go, when, etc.  Now to actually finalize packing, etc. on my end.  Really??? What do you take for a 4 month stay with a weight limit of 70 lbs?  I guess, I really don't need too much since I won't be doing any entertaining or dining at fancy restaurants.   My actual wish is that I meet some amazing young men and women serving in the military protecting our country and can give them some comfort or a little piece of home.  Maybe I can be a fill-in mom...give someone a hug that needs it or listen when you just need a "mom".  So, when I find out what base I am on I will post it and if you know someone there, let me know and I'll get in touch with them.

Got the call....

Well, today I got the call from KBR.  My clearance from the government was approved and I am set to go on February 28th.  Now what???  What the heck have I done?  After that first wave of panic passed, Perry and I talked about it and I'm fine.  He still doesn't want me to go, Katelyn really doesn't want me to go but I still feel like this is something I need to do.  Something that I'm supposed to do.  So, when I prayed "Lord, I'll do anything and go anywhere" I wasn't joking and it seems, neither was God.  So, off I go.  Pray for me and wish me A GREAT ADVENTURE!!!!!

Take little bites

Having been on a diet for months, I have learned some things about eating and about life.  Take little bites.  Sounds so simple but we rarely do it.  Perry and I got an ice cream sandwich and he finished his about three times faster than me.  I took LITTLE BITES and enjoyed each one.  He enjoyed his but ate it fast and it was gone fast.  I savored every little bite.  How often do we do that in life.  There is a great moment but we rush right through believing there will be so many more to follow.  Then why do we tarry so long in the "bad" moments?  We wallow in them, relive them over and over.  I have been doing it all backwards.  I should slow down and savor the great moments, they may not come around again.  Oh, if I could just relive that Monday before Dad died on Tuesday.  How I would have SAVORED every second I was on the phone with him.  I would have remembered each and every word and the sound of his voice.  But I have relived his death OVER and OVER.  It is time to let go, and find the next wonderful time to savor.  When life is bad we need to take it like medicine, fast and with something sweet to follow to block out the taste.  When life is good, great or wonderful.....slow it down.  Take it all in, take a deep breath and tell yourself  "this is something to remember."  Tuck it away so that you can bring it out again and again.  Replay it in your memory and hang on to it for dear life.  Let the rest go.  So, today....take little bites.

snow, Snow, SNOW....

I can just hear Bing Crosby singing that in White Christmas.  Tiffany, Katelyn and Paden all out in the snow and taking pictures.  Paden did his first snow angel.  For 4 months old, that's pretty good.  Maybe he had a little help.  Water dripping but pipes burst.  Water to the chicken houses is flowing, two of the wells have problems, but the chickens have water.  That's what is important.  Lost another pound this week.  Really having a tough time with this waiting game.  I've called and my forms are waiting to be processed but NO TIME FRAME.  I know, it is all in God's timing.  I just wish it would come on already. 

And the plot thickens....

So, I said this year would be "The Great Adventure"....oh how I believe that God has a sense of humor.  I made the choice to go to work in Iraq for many reasons.  Still fully intend to do that, if the government would hurry up and give me my clearance.  Then we get approved for 4 more chicken houses which is AWESOME and with that we can roll the house loan in to the chicken house loan.  MORE THAN AWESOME!!!!  I have been wanting this house for so long, have every inch planned out.  But, here comes God's sense of humor.  I will be working in Iraq during the building process for all of it.  I won't be in control of building my house.  I will have to trust the people around me to convey what I want.  Wow, letting go of the control......God must be laughing.  Control is what I do so well and now I'll have NONE.  So, I say "Ok Lord, I'm stepping out and letting go." 

Oh What a Beautiful Morning.....

Oh What a Beautiful Day, I've got a glorious feeling, everything's coming my way.  And still going down.  Weighed this morning and down to 221.5.  That would be about 3 1/2 pounds this week.  Boy, that makes me feel wonderful.  I am now in the clear with my BMI.  I am ready to go.  Put me in the game coach. :)

Going Down...

Weighed on Friday and had lost almost another pound....225.1   I was okay with that since we had gone away for the weekend with some friends to a wedding.  Clay Calfee got married and it was a really nice ceremony.  The two of them looked so much in love.  Oh, to start life new and fresh.  Then again, I'm really happy with the one I've been with for almost 30 years.  WOULD NOT start all over again.  I guess the grass always does look greener at first glance but I wouldn't trade my life.  The culmination of it all makes me who I am today.   For better or for worse.

Well It's WooHoo Again!!!

Weighed in today and am down to 225.9 lbs.  Again, nothing to be excited about except that puts my BMI below 40 (at 39.9 but hey...).  Had a wonderful day with Tiffany and Paden in San Marcos shopping.  Paden was a little gentleman.  I realize that I am going to miss a lot in the next year but I TRULY believe that the personal and spiritual growth on my part is going to make it totally worth it.  Sometimes we are too close to a situation to change it and that is exactly what needs to happen...change.  So to follow my new year's thought process...if you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make that CHANGE.  I'm doing it this year.....about time.

TAXES

Started my taxes.  I HATE doing them.  Always blows my mind when I add up the electricity and propane bills for the chicken houses.  I'm going to have to start living with the chickens....we keep 'em cool in summer and warm in the winter.  They have a really good life....well, for about 49 days anyway.  After that, I give their little souls up to God.


On a good note, doing well on the diet.  Go weigh again on Friday.

WooHoo!!!!

I go to the local doctor's office to weigh once a week to track my progress.  Well, last week I GAINED weight.  How is that possible?  Children starving in Africa are eating more than me.  Needless to say, I was NOT a happy camper.  So, I went in today to weigh.  I said hello to the ladies at the desk.  I informed them that if I had not lost any weight that someone was going to die.  They didn't seem worried so I guess they've heard this before.  The moment of truth......229.2 pounds.  While weighing that much is nothing to get excited about....it was 4 pounds less than I weighed last week and now puts me only 9 pounds away from my first goal.  WOO HOO!!!!!!  I informed the ladies that they were safe and would live to see Saturday.  Again, they didn't really seem phased.  On the other hand, my family was very excited and seemed to actually be relieved.  They had had to live with me this past week and knew their lives were in danger....truly they were.  At any other stage in my life, reaching a goal means "let's go out to eat and celebrate".  Of course, that can't be the same celebration since my goal is to lose weight.  Hmmmm, maybe that is part of the problem.  Anyway, I'll deal with that issue later.  I'm off to eat a celebration salad.

Not a "Great Adventure" Day

Boy, this week has really gotten to me.  Not "feeling" the great adventure.  I am sticking very strictly to my diet so that I can get my BMI below 40.  It should not be so hard to take off what was so very easy to put on.  I have started riding the stationary bike and it is not fun.  So, I've put some great music on my iPod and that makes the time pass faster.  Went to the dentist so that he could sign off on a form that is required by KBR.  Three hundred dollars later and two fillings redrilled, I'm cleared.  Now exactly when will those two teeth feel all better and not be so sensitive to everything I eat or drink????  Then there was the visit to the chiropractor because, I don't know, maybe the stress from the dentist put a catch in my left shoulder that had to be sent straight from hell.  But other than that, life is great.  Mom always lets me vent and then when I'm finished she asks, "Well other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?"  Makes me smile EVERY time.  Love my mom!!!!!!!  Hope there is someone in your life that makes you smile.

Queen of Ramdom Award for Today

I had been sort of mad at God for my dad dying.  Then this thought popped in my head, "I wasn't the one who said you had all the time in the world."  And I thought, "OK God, I got it.  I thought there would be plenty of time left.  I just never thought my dad would die.  I was the one who didn't prioritize what was important."  Then I thought, was that God or was I just talking to myself.  I do that a lot.  Then I thought, hey it probably was God because he knows I don't listen to anyone but myself so who better to tell me important stuff than me.  Does anyone else do that?  Am I the only person that thinks God talks to them through their own conversations in their heads?  I'm starting to scare myself.

Making Changes...

Started the "Siesta Scripture Memory Team" challenge on the www.bethmoore.org blog.  Cheryl Adams gave Tricia, Jackie and I all the spiral notebooks and we are going to keep each other true to the challenge.  Or at least that is the plan.  Rang in the new year with all of them and then had lunch with another couple (we are blessed with great friends).  Ate our cabbage, black eyed peas, corn bread and venison.  Was really a good afternoon.  Started on the exercise bike so that I can make my goal of a BMI under 40.  Here I come KBR!!!!  I will do this.