Bloggy Mountain Breakdown
Posted by Erik Rupard on July 27th, 2008
Barbie
Last night we had a farewell barbecue for SPC Cordero who has, by the time you read this, already arrived at another base. Though it was sad to lose a member of our little group, the party was fun anyway. The PX here sells a very limited selection of frozen meats, including some pre-formed burgers with Vidalia onions mixed in. Combine these with the amazing assortment of spices (up to and including Montreal Steak mix) which the medics have accumulated, and the occasional (sort of) fresh buns available at the PX, and you have a pretty good barbie.
1000 Words
Our resident Marine Corps pilot, CPT Deb Turley, brought her camera last Sunday, and sent me this picture, which will give you an idea of what our humble church meetings look like. You’ll notice that all services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines) are represented here (note the different uniforms). Front left is Sister Turley, middle is Brother Lloyd, the second assistant to Brother Manny Diaz (second from left in the back row), who is our group leader. The woman who appears to be glowing is Sister Lott, who is wearing a night-reflective badge. This sacrament meeting starts at 8 PM, and most of the congregants walk or ride bikes to church.
Rupard Mailbag
Have I mentioned how very much American soldiers love to see those red, white (mostly), and blue priority mail boxes? They are like manna from heaven, sometimes literally.
On Monday of this week, my Norelco razor bought the farm, which is very bad news for me, as I use it to groom not only my face, but also my expansive & bald noggin. Having to physically shave my head with razor & cream is a huge pain, and usually results in a few nicks and/or not-quite-baby-smooth areas. So, I needed a new Norelco, stat.
Lorri Rupard to the rescue! I called Lorri on Monday, she went to Target (her favorite store), scored me a nice inexpensive rotary, and put it in the mail with a bunch of other goodies (Batman Pez dispensers, peanut butter M&Ms, rice krispy treats). Unbelievably, I received the package on Saturday, just 5 days later, which means that I had a nice smooth head for church today. Thanks, Lorri!
I also received two priority mail boxes from the Anundsens of Reading, PA. Beckles & Company filled those boxes with ziploc bins full of cookies, including sugar cookies, chocolate chip with nuts (woo-hoo!), peanut butter, and white chocolate macadamia. These were delivered just before the aforementioned barbecue, and were heartily enjoyed by my whole company of soldiers during said party. I have to confess, though, that one box of the choco chips remained in my trailer. I will be working through that one over the next 27 days. Thanks, Beckles!
July 27th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
I like the Resurrection banner in the background. We don’t see those often……very cool.
July 28th, 2008 at 5:54 am
Lisa,
We share the “Chapel Annex” with a few other groups. That banner belongs to one of the other congregations, and if you look closely, to the right of the banner, you’ll see the “standard” pulpit with a cross on the front. We use an alternative one, with no designs on it. To the left there, you can see our gun rack on the wall, with weapons and hats on it.
July 28th, 2008 at 6:23 am
Hi Erik: Thanks for the neat blog and pic. You know how I am about all things mechanical and especially those things that fly. Any chance of getting a pic of CPT Turley’s plane and especially the cockpit and instruments? This is a great group! I’ll bet you look forward to going to church with them. Is your next Phd lesson chapter 15 in the “Teachings” manual? I will teach that lesson on 8/10 in HPG (which btw is Christian’s BD).
Since I was a weather forecaster in the USN, in another life, I wondered what jobs the Naval personnel fulfill at Al Asad. I bet you’ll miss the C-Monkey. Are you getting a replacement? Be safe and keep up the exercise…soon you will look like a Greek God! Thinking of you on your emancipation + 26.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Erik,
Beckles worked her proverbial buns off to get those cookies, chex mix, et. al. to you and the gang. It was one of the hottest days of the summer that she spent baking for you guys. She is a good clown, that one.
The twins get their second round of braces on Friday, so they have about 5 days to enjoy eating solid food again for awhile. I would kill myself if I needed to get braces twice. Plus, I WOULD FEEL BAD ABOUT MY PARENTS HAVING TO PAY TWICE!!!
I probably wouldn’t have since I was only 13, but I should have.
We are looking forward to your coming home. Some packages should be coming soon from our YW, I hope. You never know what will be brought from the ward, and that can be scary. You may end up with a huge box of who-knows -what. Anyway, that is tomorrow.
I am thinking of you and praying for you and your com padres always
love love love, Mit.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:49 am
To Lisa Spice;
Did you get my last email with my book list? I hope I sent it to the right address. Write back when you get a chance. I know it is summer and a busy time, so whenever you get the chance.
Talk to you soon, Melissa
July 28th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Melissa,
I did and I WILL get back to you. we love a lot of the same writers and books. I am off to take a few neighbors to McDonald’s. I hate McDonald’s. Why, did I promise them considering my kids don’t even like it. Ugh…sigh.
Lisa
July 29th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Hey, Lisa,
Try the chipotle grilled chicken wrap. Not bad for McDonald’s and cheap. Marilyn