Phone call from Devin

Devin call last night and we spoke with him for quite a while. He's frustrated that his internet connection isn't working very well right now. He says they're working on getting a different sattelite, one that isn't as crowded.

He sounded good, it was about 0530 there and they had just gotten back from patrol. He says things are quiet right now, he actually took a book to read on his last patrol. He really appreciates all the packages he's recieved from everyone. He said he has just about all the drink mix he can use for now, thanks to all who "hooked him up". I asked if he needed anything and he said he was all set for now. I'm sure he likes getting cards and letters though. I told him I was working on the Domino's Pizza and 6 pack for him. He said the chow hall has bad pizza and "near beer" just about everyday but it just didn't fill the bill. Probably have to wait until he's home on leave for that one.

It was great to hear his voice, he sounded strong and in good spirits. I hadn't spoken with him in a couple of weeks so I was feeling pretty good afterwards. Have a great weekend!

some very nice pictures

hey I think I figured this out finally...Devin I thought you'd like to see my blisters that I got from dancing at Billy's wedding. Also, I thought this was such a nice pic of your Mom and Dad...doesn't even look like they took the long way to Long Island!!

Family Resemblance? You be the Judge...

The pictures Kyle was referring to have been realeased from the vault; at the request of the model (and I use the term loosely). A bit of background first...A friend invited us to the Gay Straight Alliance's benefit Drag Ball. After a bit too much to drink we thought it was a good idea. This is the result...
Good idea?!

Today we had our frist snow, it broke a huge limb off the tree out back.

Devin's internet isn't working

Devin called. He's doing well, he's working nights now. Still many patrols.

He is able to read this blog and hopes more of you will post and keep him informed of what's new in your lives. He is also able to download any emails you send and read them later. What he's not able to do is to send out or post because it takes too long and he gets kicked off line before they are completed.

He asked that I tell everyone he loves you and misses you.

Phone Problems? Maybe just Ditz issues...

I have a funny story to tell about my phone. Yesterday morning I woke up and was going to use the phone, well there was no dial tone. I went to the other phone in the living room, in case this one just had a dead battery, still no dial tone. Well, I thought about it for a while, getting all cranky since this is the third time since we got digital cable the phone has stopped working.
I called Time Warner on my cell phone. I spoke to a very nice young man, he was sympathetic with my situation. He tried resetting it from there, still no dial tone. I explained that this was the third time I've had a problem. The first time they sent someone out with a new router. The second time a woman replaced all the wires in the house and another new router. This young man said he'd send someone out as soon as possible, not this week or even tomorrow but right away.
Surprise, Surprise less than an hour later the cable guy is at the front door. He's a nice fella, he's very thorough checks all the lines, and each phone jack. He goes down stairs replaces all these little box things, replaces more wires, disconnects old wires, everything is new. He then decides to replace the phone jack in the living room which is basically the main phone jack. That is the main phone jack because we have those uniden phones where is only one base and the other is just a spare handset. As he's moving things around there the power strip gets in the way. I move the power strip and we notice it's not working. No problem he figures out that he blew a fuse when he was working. I go downstairs, flip the breaker and he finishes the new jack. Taaa Daa! Everything is back up and working perfectly.
Tim comes home later, I tell him about the great cable guy, he even gave us his Tech # so if there is another problem we can ask for him since he knows what he did and should be able to find the trouble fast. As he's sitting there he asks Kyle to bring him a light bulb since last night the bulb in his lamp had a major blow out. I'm dumbfounded! I looked at him and started laughing, he's taking it well, asks what's so funny. I say: you mean you blew that fuse last night and I had the poor cable guy here all afternoon when all along it was simply a blown fuse? Yes, indeed, the fuse was blown the night before, and that's the power source for the portable phones! LOL! I thought about calling the cable company to apologize but I'm sure I wouldn't be able to reach that cable guy and nobody else would probably think it was funny. So we now have all new phone wires and boxes and jacks, and I'm feeling very sheepish.

Proof!

Sorry, It was really bright outside... but that picture is from today, and as you can see, I'm still standing with all pieces intact.
I'd like to take a moment to thank everybody for their support. It's knowing you've got friends and family at home who care that helps get you though the hardest times.
I've also been asked to post a sort of wish list, so here it is:
1. Drink Mix. We've got to drink 3-5 gallons of water a day to keep from dehydrating, so anything that makes the next bottle go down easier is a god send. Gatorade, Kool-aid, Iced tea mix, Crystal lite mix, etc.
I know, short list, but we've got a pretty good post exchange, and we can get mostly everything else there. If you can get Domino's to deliver here I could go for a large pepperoni, but I just don't see that one happening.
Well, thats about all I've got, so I'll sign off here. Bye everyone

Devin says he's "doing good"

Just a quick post to let everyone know Devin was on line for about 5 minutes today. We weren't able to have a real conversation but he had internet service for the length of time it took to tell us hi and that he's doing good.

Who's that dude in the sunglasses?

Waiting to Hear from Devin

It's hard waiting to hear from Devin at times like this. We know several things that make it less stressful. We know that although 5 soldiers were killed in Ramadi on Saturday, we saw his post early Sunday morning. We know there is always a communication lockdown coming out of the bases until all family members are notified, so he probably can't access the internet or telephone yet. We also know that he was doing 18 hour shifts for the past week or so and he needs to sleep when he is in the barracks, as much as we want him to contact us.

I just want to take this time to thank everyone for posting here, Devin appreciates hearing about everyone's daily lives and I appreciate all the support .

Stay Safe Devin, I love you.

Psssst...

Hey there. Yeah, I'm still up. Imagine that! Just probably gonna do some reading before bed. Need to wind down. Wanted to say hi and let you know that I'm behind you all the way. Take care. Be safe. Can't wait to here from you. I love you Dev.

Hello again

Well crap:
My original post didn't work, so here's the short version...
Alive, tired, smelly, hungry... be off the insane shifts soon but not soon enough.
Now shower, breakfast, sleep.

Lost in space: Day THRee

Hey every one,
Back safeand sound, love everbody, miss everybody, going to bed now. night

Just thought I'd contribute a bit. Have a few things that may be fun to check out. How about the Escalade? I liked it!

Also, my cousin Miranda called today to wish me a happy belated birthday...She was a bit too busy to call, as her dog had the puppies that day! Isn't that sweet?!

If you're online txt the cell...That'll get my attention since I can't hear the speakers.That's about all I've got for today. I love you sweetheart. Take care.

Aunt Laurie's summer project was growing pumkins, she did pretty good huh?

Sleep Deprivation; Day Two

Hi again. I'm back, physically intact. Mentally, well, we'll say I shouldn't be using sharp things or driving school busses. Just wanted to say Hello.

Sherman has found a new bed.

Overtime!

Hey everybody,
Back safe and sound to fight another day. I really think the army's gonna be very unhappy with my time card this week. 85 hours so far, and it's only thursday... well, goodnight... or good morning... or good...ZZZZZZZZZ

Hey, Bigger pictures! Who'd've thunk it? 

Hi everybody!

Well, I really hate to go on hiatus so soon after starting this blog, but I'm gonna be really busy for the next week or so. I'll try to get on and post when I can, but no promises. If you've been keeping up with the news, you'll understand why, but thats all I can really say about it. So... thats what I got for today, plus this lovely picture below. Enjoy!

Hole Sweet Home 

We're not really sure what Kyle was singing, but obviously Dani and Mom were enthralled.

Hi. 

Sara, Brianna, Kyle, Dannielle, Matt and Ashley sitting at the table waiting for their turn to talk to you on the cell phone

Grandpa Tracy and Mary's new puppy, Sherman. He's a yorkie.

Bill and Cristie right after the ceremony

The O'Neill Clan, don't they clean up well?

So far the house painting is going slowly but surely. This will be the color of the upper part.

(no subject)

Hi Everybody,
I'm having a slight computer problem (ie it doesn't work)... My Windows crashed! (That it! I'm going to Linux!) On top of the fact that my internet is terribly slow, I think this is going to be a awfully boring page for a while. So feel free to post stuff here, 'cause I can only post text. Well, back to the mines, before they whip me (or make me ride the Port-O-John truck... ewww).

p.s. Mom check your email

Hey All

Hi Everybody!
Trying this blog thing, we'll see how it works out... so thanks for stopping by.