Latest from Iraq

Send me a pic of "the catch" as an attachment. It's not showing up on the puter here on the blog page.
Things here are okay, but alot better than the first time. We're at one of the camps at the airport, but not Liberty where all the vehicle born IED's (VBIED) are or where that 120 missile attack was back on 1 June. I'm at Camp Striker. Baghdad Airport or BIAP, is really big. We live in tents with wood floors, AC and sand bags stacked up around them outside. The dining facility is okay, but Kellogg-Brown and Root (KBR) puts a much better spread on than any other military DFAC I've been in. I don't think I'll lose as much weight as I did the first time. We have 2 free i-net cafe's, but you only get 1/2 hour sessions and one of them is like a sauna. We've got a couple Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) tents with TV's, PS2's, X-Boxes (for the kids who still play video games) a small gym, and a phone center that there's hardly a line for since most of the guys from 10th Mountain have left. I did get to see a friend of mine from chemical school who's with those guys a couple days before he left. He's now home safely at Ft Drum, NY. Got an e-mail from him the other day.

Since there really is no chemical threat any more now that we've gotten rid of Saddam, my platoon's primary is providing security escorts for the brigade civil affairs section. We roll with our humvees with either M240B's (7.62mm machine gun) or .50 Caliber machine guns mounted on top to take the officers to meetings at the Green/International Zone where the embassy and all that is or sometimes to meetings with contractors in town. Kids try to sell ya' bootleg DVD's and watches. I've bought a couple and won't buy any more because they don't work on my laptop.

Well, that's about it for now. Will try to keep y'all posted as things go on and time allows. Most of my i-net time is spent checking e-mail and im'ing Michelle. Love y'all.

Chris

Chris made Gene's day today. Just before Kiwanis, Chris called Gene to wish him Happy Birthday. Gene called me and was so choked up, until I understood what he was saying, I was really concerned. He was so emotional. Chris seems to be able to get to the computer quite a bit, so I know he'd love hearing from any of you. His email address is the same cbelvin@hotmail.com. He had started a bad habit. He seems to like cigars, which seem to be expensive. He has asked us to send him some. I'm torn, don't want him smoking them, but want to send him something that he likes and wants. It seems to me that brownies would be much better, at least from my point of view. I'm going to bed. Goodnight. Margaret

It was great reading everyones blog. I don't think we can go to Outdoor World. We haven't seen Gene's dad since the day of Ashley's cookout. Gene told him that we'd come down and I had thought I'd see Dad also, but maybe not if he's not going to be home.

Christie, I haven't forgotten Emma's birthday. I've had the card for some time. I called once to see what I should do, gift certificate or check. As for Emma, make sure that she drinks lots of water. Don't have any other suggestions. Margaret

Father's Day

Jeremy and I are up for Outdoor World on Sunday. What time?

Events of our weekend

Well Cathy and Jeremy; it appears ya'll are the only ones having any luck with fishing. Shawn arrived at the beach and fished from the Rodanthe pier before the rest of us got to there and he only caught 3 bluefish. Saturday morning, he and Corey got up and fished at the "point" close to the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. They caught 6 more bluefish, I think. He says they aren't good to eat, but I've heard that some people do eat them. I don't know. Emma enjoyed the surf, sand and the pool. And I think the sun enjoyed here baby skin a little too much. I tried a new sunblock and it didn't work as good as what I normally use. I guess I'll stick the the tried and true Coppertone. Not only will we have good protection, but I'll have memories of mom every time I open it. We had to take her to the emergency room Sunday night with temperature that was 103.7 which was too close to 104 for me. They checked ears, chest and throat and everything looked and sounded good. They said it was probably a virus or that it could possibly have come from the sun but if it was the latter she should be throwing up, diarrhea or have rash. Of which she had none. They told me to give both Tylenol and Ibuprofen together; which I didn't like the idea of. The doc said they do two different things and it was ok to give both together but if I didn't feel comfortable doing that to just give Tylenol, which I did. I know they are the ones with the degrees but I don't like to give children medicine unless absolutely necessary. The Tylenol seems to be working. It seems that ever since she has been in preschool, she has a cold in some way, shape or fashion. Any suggestions on how to keep her well??? I'm tired of coughs and snot!

Michelle: Isn't it funny that when your husband is there you wished they would just go away and when they go away you can't wait to see them again! And any time you need something to snuggleupagainst, just call me and I'll send Emma to you.

Ben: I don't know how often you read this, but we haven't forgotten you. It's just hard to coordinate mine and Ashley's schedule. We'll get there before summer ends though.

Corey starts Driver's Ed this week. Pray REALLY HARD!

Scott and his wife are expecting an unexpected. Not sure of the due date.

Ashley was awarded the Ryland Ruritan Scholarship. We attended a dinner last night for that. Amanda Bridgeman was the other graduate in our community that received a scholarship from them. She (Amanda) will be attending Meredith College concentrating in graphics and Ashley will be attending ECSU for social work. (She thinks!)

I think that's all for now!

Father's Day

Talked to Daddy about going down to Outdoor World Sunday for a picnic. He said it was fine with him, whatever the crowd wanted to do. Any takers? Thought everyone could pack their own picnic lunch so that it wouldn't be a lot of work for anyone.

Thought that you'd like to see this photo. I will be glad to burn it to a CD for anyone if you'd like to print a copy of it for yourself. Bertha 

I don't blog very often, but I do read the blog once or twice a week. Did have a great VBS, am not too tired, but couldn't check the blog last week because my computer was at church all week. All the VBS materials for the worship rally (theme info, flag/bible service, and words to all the songs) were on a powerpoint presentation. The two computers at church were in use everyday, I either had to use an overhead and transparencies or take my computer, so I opted to take my computer.

All is well in Edenton. Even though school was out for me on the 27th, I feel that this is my first week off! Had a great weekend in the yard and Rick and I took an excursion to Smithfield, VA for a gas and steam engine equipment show on Sunday.

Hannah & family are now back from their vacation in Tenn. plus having a day with Thomas & Sir Topham Hat @ Tweetsie Railroad last Sunday, which was the highlight of their trip.

Any Father's Day plans? Rick, (and he being the father at my house) doesn't want to plan anything at our house this year. His actual words were, "Let's fly the coupe!" At the price of gas, doesn't look like we'll be flying anywhere. Already missing my paycheck.

Have a great summer, everyone! Looks like Margaret's, Howard's & Cathy's families have a head start on us! Love you all, Bertha

Cathy's latest catch. A spade fish, I'm told. We also had a nice weekend. Went out on the boat Saturday. It was very nice on the lake.