Late for Prom

Dear Ford Motor Company,

I recieved your notification in the mail today telling me there has been a recall on my 1998 Ford Explorer for "a component in the speed control system that could malfunction at any time, even if the speed control system is in the off position."

VERBATIM:

" A fire could occur at anytime, even if the key is not in the ignition. Until your vehicle is repaired, please park your vehicle away from structures to prevent a potential underhood fire from spreading."

Are you kidding me?

No Place Like Home

Scott Kyriss, Me, Alyson Ramirez, Jungu Shin

I imagine that hell is a lot like the NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) Academy. There is a nightmare I am sure to have one day, of me getting a sentenced to hell, and I show up at the NCO Academy. It makes me queasy thinking about it.

The people were great. I met lots of people that made the 6 weeks bearable. I tried to remind myself everyday that it was just 6 weeks...It could be worse, I could be in Afghanistan or Iraq...for 4 months, or 6 months or a year....

By the end of the 6 weeks, my brain was bleeding. The curriculum was difficult to say the least. I had @195 people in my class, which is broken down into 13 flights of 15 people (give or take.) Everyone in my flight of 16 graduated, however, as a class, we only graduated 183. The curriculum is that tough.

My flight nominated me for the Commandant's Award, because they thought I was a good leader. Like the blind leading the blind! I wasn't leading anyone anywhere, except maybe to the bathroom.

I did recieve an award. I was a Distinguished Graduate. The top 10% (17) receive the award. Small price to pay...I am pretty sure I left half my brain in Texas. Who needs to find their way to the bathroom when they're 70?! At least i got that DG award back in '09 from NCOA.

I couldn't believe how much Avery had changed in the 6 weeks I was gone. She was a little skittish at first when she saw me. I was making myself believe it's becasue her brain isn't fully developed...but when she ran down the jet-bridge to her Daddy, that pretty much squashed that.

She has grown so much and changed so much, she was almost unrecognizable. I am so glad we are home. She does something new and funny everyday. Her favorite thing is to yell at me that she loves me. She thinks it's going to save her from taking a nap or going to bed. And she asks for knuckles, just like Kadin. Shes' pretty much potty trained. She won't tell me she has to go, but when I ask her, she says yes and holds it until we make a bathroom trip. Her pull ups are dry except after naps and in the morning.



look at all that hair!

We are in the new house and relaxing today. I am exhausted. Like I was on an airplane for 12 hours and changed 15 time zones. Billy is outside mowing the grass, Avery is taking a nap. Life can not possibly be much better. There really is no place like home...even though this is not where we lived when I left, my family and life fills up this house. My heart is full.

Potty Princess

And I aint talking about Avery.

So I am in TX. I have to go to school for the next 40 odd days or so.

And I am in a one-plus-one room. For all you who are not fluent in Air Force speak, that means I gotta share my potty with my neighbor.

And I HATE it. Seriously.

Is there a such thing as bathroom-fright?

And the search continues....

WHY do people put carpet in bathrooms?

It is disturbing.

More proof that Californians are weirdos

Air Force Snapshot

For the most part, I LOVE being in the Air Force. I could go on and on about Service to Country and the warm fuzzy's but it's really not necessary, right? Everyone gets the general idea....

On most days, I am so pro Air Force that it can get annoying. Ask my Airmen.

Today was not one of those days.

I have been in for almost 14 years. I am pretty sure I know how the system works. I know what my options are. I know what I want to do for the last 6 yers of MY career. READ: MY

I had someone tell me today what my goals should be.

REALLY?

SERIOUSLY??

I am pretty sure he is allergic to common sense and rational thought. I was okay with a "business decision" to deny my request to leave due to manning issues. But to tell me that I have already done enough of a job that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE is nothing short of taking a stethescope from a doctor.

SERIOUSLY??

I am not sure what happens from here. But I can tell you for certain that this is the first time in 14 years that I have felt this way.

Seriously.

Training Update

He's been working so hard and we are so proud of him! He is up to 13 miles now...He's battling injury but sticking with it. Unfortunately I will be in TX for school and won't be able to be there for him when he crosses the finish line on October 4th.

Here he is with Avery after his run 2 weeks ago. He ran 12 miles...in 1:47:00. Billy still needs $340.00 to even participate in the marathon. If you want to donate, please cut and paste the following link: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sac/cow09/wgazzaway. I know many of you have already donated, and Billy is VERY grateful and thanks all of you for supporting him.

We waited for him in the driveway with water. Avery chased him down the street, then helped him stretch...

The more things change....

The more they stay the same......