All of this time, I thought Al Asad Air Base and Camp Victory are one and the same. They are not. Camp Victory is in Baghdad. Al Asad, Adam's location, is in northern Iraq. It is Al Asad that is nicknamed Camp Cupcake, though.
I feel so stupid ... but I really think it was Adam who told me they were the same! ;)
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
PUFFIN CALLED!!!
My world is a better place. :)
As a sidebar, Patricia gave me a list of suggested items for soldiers overseas:
As a sidebar, Patricia gave me a list of suggested items for soldiers overseas:
- SPF 15 lip balm.
- Unscented lotion.
- Razors.
- Toothpaste, toothbrushes and floss.
- Deodorant.
- Eye drops.
- Baby wipes.
- Hand sanitizer.
- Sunscreen and insect guard.
- Gatorade mix.
- Sugared Kool-Aid mix.
- Beef jerky and pepperoni sticks.
- Hard candy, gum and fruit snacks.
- Nuts and sunflower seeds.
- Instant soup and noodles.
- Band-Aids.
- Analgesics and cold remedies.
- Muscle rubs and thermal patches.
- Wool and cotton socks.
- Prepaid phone cards.
- Disposable cameras.
- Batteries.
- Music CDs.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
A little saner now
After some sound advice from some practical people, I realized that it is utter nonsense for me to be feeling this way. As Mel said, "In the circumstances he is in now, he probably has the least control over what he does than at any other time." She is so right. He can't control this. Even his superiors probably can't control this. He does the best he can, and I can't ask for more.
I am so proud of him, what he is doing, what he stands for ... There is no ounce of me that wishes he weren't deployed. He is meant to be there. And this is a time to make us stronger, not weaker. It is also a time for each of us to grow personally.
I resolve to be strong, and I ask for everyone's help. Please keep up your support, kind words and occasional reprimands. I need them. He needs them. Really, anybody who is doing anything at all in this world needs them.
As our beloved friend Walter Cronkite would say, "And that's the way it is."
I am so proud of him, what he is doing, what he stands for ... There is no ounce of me that wishes he weren't deployed. He is meant to be there. And this is a time to make us stronger, not weaker. It is also a time for each of us to grow personally.
I resolve to be strong, and I ask for everyone's help. Please keep up your support, kind words and occasional reprimands. I need them. He needs them. Really, anybody who is doing anything at all in this world needs them.
As our beloved friend Walter Cronkite would say, "And that's the way it is."
It's really getting to me
I'm almost annoyed that Adam hasn't called. Is that bad? I know it's not his fault. I know he'd much rather talk to me than do whatever he's doing. But it's starting to bug me that he hasn't checked in.
I think I'm just frustrated. And I think I don't know how this works. Every time he's gone, whether at drill or on vacation or during the Guard's annual training, he always calls. I talked to him at least weekly when he was at Camp Roberts and Fort Stewart. He called even from Kuwait. And he called even the first couple of weeks in Iraq. I realize there wasn't anything going on then, and now there is. And I'm annoyed. I'm annoyed that maybe he's gone days at a time, and that's why he hasn't called. Or maybe he's just too lazy to head to the call center when he's on post. I can't blame him. He's probably tired. It's much easier to stay in his air-conditioned room than trek to the call center. I hate walking. I know how that goes.
I'm not angry with him. I'm just ... I don't know. I guess it's not knowing what's going on. Here, when he's not calling, it's because he's at the gym. He's working. He's in the bathroom. It's not because I have absolutely no idea where he is or what he's doing.
Sigh. I'm such a control freak.
I think I'm just frustrated. And I think I don't know how this works. Every time he's gone, whether at drill or on vacation or during the Guard's annual training, he always calls. I talked to him at least weekly when he was at Camp Roberts and Fort Stewart. He called even from Kuwait. And he called even the first couple of weeks in Iraq. I realize there wasn't anything going on then, and now there is. And I'm annoyed. I'm annoyed that maybe he's gone days at a time, and that's why he hasn't called. Or maybe he's just too lazy to head to the call center when he's on post. I can't blame him. He's probably tired. It's much easier to stay in his air-conditioned room than trek to the call center. I hate walking. I know how that goes.
I'm not angry with him. I'm just ... I don't know. I guess it's not knowing what's going on. Here, when he's not calling, it's because he's at the gym. He's working. He's in the bathroom. It's not because I have absolutely no idea where he is or what he's doing.
Sigh. I'm such a control freak.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Sending stuff to Adam
I'm sure I'm like the last person to know this, but apparently it takes only domestic postage to ship overseas to military posts. I recommend the Priority Mail flat-rate boxes from the U.S. Postal Service. There is even a discounted box specifically for APO/FPO destinations, though it comes only in large.
Also, if you buy and print a shipping label online using Click-N-Ship, it's a little cheaper. For instance, I just sent Adam something in a small Priority Mail box, which is normally $4.95. Because I bought the postage online, it was $4.80, with free delivery confirmation.
Also, if you buy and print a shipping label online using Click-N-Ship, it's a little cheaper. For instance, I just sent Adam something in a small Priority Mail box, which is normally $4.95. Because I bought the postage online, it was $4.80, with free delivery confirmation.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Thank you for your support!
Patricia told me several family members read this blog. I am so glad and grateful for everyone's support!
Friday, July 17, 2009
No Autobots
Adam made it clear that he is not fighting alongside Autobots. He did, however, ride in a C-17, a giant plane in which Optimus Prime was carried. Awesome.
Adam's address
All caps is best.SGT. FODGE, ADAM W.
A BTRY. 2-218 FA, 41st BCT
TF ATLAS
ATTN: HHC 2-142 IN
APO AE 09333
Also, Patricia said Phil said his boss said -- you still with me? -- that packages get sent faster and unopened if you label them as "Gift for Soldier." And never say there is anything made with pork. (Not sure whether spider pig counts.)
Thursday, July 16, 2009
When you least expect it
I saw "Transformers 2" on Wednesday with my BFF Stephy. There is a scene near the beginning when a few soldiers come home in flag-draped caskets. It's not even central to the plot, but I nearly lost it. My eyes watered, and I was this close to outright bawling. Stephy calmed me down by saying, "You're OK. It's fake. Besides, if Fodge is fighting with Autobots, tell him I want one."
He is safely in Iraq, and I talked to him again. He is sick, and the coughing pained me. I hate that I can't take care of him. All I can do is say, "Do you have medicine? Keep taking medicine."
P.S. The phone card sitch is taken care of. He is using something called SPAWAR, and apparently it's pretty cheap.
He is safely in Iraq, and I talked to him again. He is sick, and the coughing pained me. I hate that I can't take care of him. All I can do is say, "Do you have medicine? Keep taking medicine."
P.S. The phone card sitch is taken care of. He is using something called SPAWAR, and apparently it's pretty cheap.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
He's there
He's at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, aka Camp Victory, aka Camp Cupcake -- the last because it apparently has the best amenities of all military posts in the country.
While at Fort Stewart, Ga., Adam was recognized as part of the best gunnery crews. I don't know whether this is a major award, but I thought I'd note it anyway. You can see his name listed along the right side of the first page of this newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/kwb4as.
I spent quite a while Tuesday at Target fretting over whether I should get him these phone cards that are on sale this week. I cannot for the life of me figure out whether he can use them in Iraq. AT&T's automated customer service says there are AT&T-designated phones on all military bases in Iraq. So ... does that mean he can use them? So unhelpful.
While at Fort Stewart, Ga., Adam was recognized as part of the best gunnery crews. I don't know whether this is a major award, but I thought I'd note it anyway. You can see his name listed along the right side of the first page of this newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/kwb4as.
I spent quite a while Tuesday at Target fretting over whether I should get him these phone cards that are on sale this week. I cannot for the life of me figure out whether he can use them in Iraq. AT&T's automated customer service says there are AT&T-designated phones on all military bases in Iraq. So ... does that mean he can use them? So unhelpful.
Monday, July 13, 2009
We used up his phone card
Adam and I talked for more than an hour Sunday, using up his entire $15 phone card. Oops. Good thing Target has phone cards on sale this week. He called at 2 a.m. from a call center. Apparently they will be on the night shift, so they are staying up to prepare. Go figure -- he works graveyard here, and he'll be working graveyard there.
He is bored, just waiting to head to Iraq. They are going to Iraq "soon" -- "I cannot tell you," he said when I asked when. Apparently it's some military secret. It's probably only the first of many to come.
His squad leader, Staff Sgt. Andrew Stocker, is already in Iraq, so Adam is the acting squad leader. He said it's not as cool as it sounds, because they are done training. So it's just a matter of keeping his guys in line.
Apparently the Internet in his room in Iraq will not be as useful as he thought, so Skype is probably out. Bummer. The network, as it is in Kuwait, is slow, so he can access his e-mail and Facebook and stuff like that, but something high-speed such as Skype is likely out of the question.
He gets slightly homesick, but that is more so when he is bored and has time to think and reminisce. Overall he's OK, he said.
He plans to pimp out his room when he gets to Iraq. His roommate will be Nate (I don't know his last name). At least they will have some entertainment.
I think this year is going to be OK. I miss him, yes. But we can do this. A year is a long time, and it isn't. I just hope he stays safe.
P.S. He taught me a really easy way to figure out what time it is there. Take the current time and minus 2, then change the a.m. to p.m. or vice versa. Voila!
He is bored, just waiting to head to Iraq. They are going to Iraq "soon" -- "I cannot tell you," he said when I asked when. Apparently it's some military secret. It's probably only the first of many to come.
His squad leader, Staff Sgt. Andrew Stocker, is already in Iraq, so Adam is the acting squad leader. He said it's not as cool as it sounds, because they are done training. So it's just a matter of keeping his guys in line.
Apparently the Internet in his room in Iraq will not be as useful as he thought, so Skype is probably out. Bummer. The network, as it is in Kuwait, is slow, so he can access his e-mail and Facebook and stuff like that, but something high-speed such as Skype is likely out of the question.
He gets slightly homesick, but that is more so when he is bored and has time to think and reminisce. Overall he's OK, he said.
He plans to pimp out his room when he gets to Iraq. His roommate will be Nate (I don't know his last name). At least they will have some entertainment.
I think this year is going to be OK. I miss him, yes. But we can do this. A year is a long time, and it isn't. I just hope he stays safe.
P.S. He taught me a really easy way to figure out what time it is there. Take the current time and minus 2, then change the a.m. to p.m. or vice versa. Voila!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Independence Day with the Fodges
Adam's mom organized a party-slash-reunion to celebrate Independence Day. It definitely wasn't the same without Puffin, but he was sort of there courtesy of a delish cake by Aunt Gwen.
He's still in Kuwait, unsure of when they will head to Iraq. He just got Internet in his tent, so he's been getting online, e-mailing me and trying to keep in touch with people.
As a sidebar, Bitey gave birth to three babies Tuesday. Yes, Niblet was neutered, but apparently she got PG in the month between giving birth to the last litter and when we separated the two of them. It's just that fast. Crazy.
He's still in Kuwait, unsure of when they will head to Iraq. He just got Internet in his tent, so he's been getting online, e-mailing me and trying to keep in touch with people.
As a sidebar, Bitey gave birth to three babies Tuesday. Yes, Niblet was neutered, but apparently she got PG in the month between giving birth to the last litter and when we separated the two of them. It's just that fast. Crazy.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Missing his phone calls sucks
Adam called while I was at a movie in L.A. By the time I called back, his phone was off. I know phone calls are few and far between now, so I was bummed. His cell phone will be shut off soon. I miss his voice.
On a random note, Niblet was neutered. Now he and Bitey can be together forever without her popping out babies all of the time. Adam thinks he will hate us forever, but oh, well.
On a random note, Niblet was neutered. Now he and Bitey can be together forever without her popping out babies all of the time. Adam thinks he will hate us forever, but oh, well.
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