Art Projects

So I've finished a few of my art projects I decided to undertake while here. One of them was the cranes, which is the second picture. The drawing is one of Michael I did a few days ago. I've been conversing via Facebook with Mike's cousin Darlene. She's a professional artist/teacher and got me inspired to draw regularly again. I'll post more from my sketch book as I fill its pages. It's kind of nice to just sit down and draw every few days. I haven't been able to do it everyday just yet, but about every 3 seems to be the case.

Things are slowing down even more. It's pretty nice. The one thing I'm not really looking forward to is the 0500 formations every morning that comes with being back in the states. Oh well...I'm working on getting placed at Madigan, which should be good. I'm looking forward to being in a hospital again. I've got a rather large school undertaking that's getting ready to happen once we return.

All in all we're doing pretty well. I'm enjoying my down time with Michael. I think I've shifted the items around in our room about five times since we've started packing and getting our boxes to the conex to be shipped in a couple of weeks. Michael finds it a bit compulsive, but can't complain since every time I do move the "furniture" around I also clean like a maniac. Hard to imagine for my parents, I'm sure.

Life is good. We got some beautiful birthday/anniversary cards from my dad and Kris today. They made us smile. It's nice to know people you love are thinking about you. It's so strange being here knowing that the rest of the world is carrying on while you're in this little microcosm of a place focusing on completing a mission. The Super Bowl has been going on and the only reason I know is because they've allowed the soldiers a two beer limit yesterday (Sunday) and today (Monday) in celebration. Mike and I didn't partake as we feel weapons, a combat zone, and alcohol don't exactly mix very well...especially when you've been alcohol free for the better part of a year and your tolerance is way down.

It's hard to believe that soon we'll be back in the states. It was hard to believe I'd finally get here because a year seems so long in some ways. Certain parts of the deployment just moved like molasses and others just flew by. Now we're at the home stretch and I'm so excited as well as a little sad. We've spent the first year of our marriage here and our first home was this little 10'x14' box. I've grown really fond of it. Don't get me wrong, it will be really nice to be in a house and have room to spread out, but this whole experience was very good for us.

Well, I need to try and get some sleep. We love all of you. TTFN.

R.