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Dear All,
Life is good here. I got my military hair cut so I am good to go. It was not intentional that I got my military look but I knew when I heard the hair stylists get the buzzers out I was getting a little different do than I had intended. What can I say; it lightens my load, adds minutes to my day in prep time and is certainly cooler.
The Center is busy with troops relaxing, connecting with home and just seeking someone to talk to. We have this beautiful theater where they can watch movies but we find they would rather watch them in the lounge despite the distraction of troops in and out and us calling out names and constant talking. Where there are some who like the quiet get away of the dark theater room most seem to like the interaction of being with everyone. Of course, we are just certain they want to be by us and that is the reason they stay in the lounge. In the lounge I tell them they cannot watch severe violence or blood and guts because I cannot handle it. Only chick flicks……you can imagine how well that goes over. Those of you who know me, know that me and suspense is not a good combination. I think that is why the troops love to sneak the really suspenseful ones in there because they get a kick out of my reaction. I try so hard to let it roll off my back but it just does not happen.
Our volunteer network is rebuilding after our Fort Sill guys left and what amazing young men and women who volunteer their off time to help us out. They work 10, 12, 14 hour days and then still come give us time. We are so appreciative especially since we still do not have the staff that we had anticipated for so many months.
This morning I had a fun experience. We were able to go outside the gate but still inside the safety of the wire to give teddy bears and soccer balls to Iraqi children. There were only a few there but it was fun. We also had lotion for the Iraqi women and some treats to eat for those who wanted them. We will go earlier in the morning next time as many of the children had already left when we got there. It gave me a new appreciation for our troops. It was so unbelievably hot out there with all the IBU gear on. Our troops are there all day in that guarding us. It was fun seeing some of our regular troops that are in and out of the center out there. They were all smiles when they saw us coming. They loved showing us what they do.
We are required to wear reflector belts here at night for safety. I was out with some troops one night and told them I felt a bit like a beauty queen wearing my sash across my shoulder. I told them that instead of them singing “There she is Miss America”, they could sing “There she is Miss Cellaneous”. They all laughed and thought that was funny. Well three days later they showed up and had had embroidered for me a reflector belt that says Miss Cellaneous . What a sweet treasure. Don’t be surprised to see me wearing it out at night when I get home.
I took a day off yesterday and it was nice to relax, sleep in and even go to the pool. The pool was fun. You almost forget where you are. It is the most beautiful pool, big pool I have ever seen. It has all the different high dives and all around the edge of the fourteen foot deep pool is a small ledge that is af about four feet. You can stand there in the water and it is so very nice. When I first got there I had to laugh watching these two army kids, as fast as they could they were doing one legged Indians into the pool and jumping out and doing it again. I am not sure why but they were sure having fun and it thrilled me to pieces watching them. I try to stay to myself there….I mean here are all these darling guys and gals with their cute little tight bodies and here I am fifty plus with my not so tight body. I did talk myself into getting in the water and boy did that feel good.
Well I need to get out the door to the center to get things set up. I love you all dearly and will see you soon. Thank you so very much for all your support and encouragement.
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
Friday, August 22, 2008
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Good Times at the USO Center
Dear All,
We have had some significant changes here at the USO in Balad and the atmosphere and center are thriving even greater than ever. Our new director arrived last Sunday and already you can see the atmosphere at the center taking on a new feel. I have enjoyed watching our new director enjoy the troops and have a great time with. I know she will bring much to the center and life here.
We have a basket on the counter that says Operation Fresh Breath. It has all sorts of dental hygiene products in it for the troops to take. The soldier in the picture got a bunch of stuff donated for it. Amazing that it was all gone within less than a week. We can't keep enough toothpaste, toothbrushes and dental floss around.
Prior to her arrival a director from Kuwait came in and we had a great time. She opened the door to doing fun programs with the troops that we had not been able to do before. One night last week we did quiz night. We had twenty questions for the troops to answer and the three with the most answers right got prizes. We had pizza afterwards. Another night we took 25 pizzas over to the pool for the troops. We had our logo Frisbees to give out. Friday night we played BINGO in the center and that was a big hit. We had all sorts of fun giveaways for the winners. Saturday night we had a cook out and volunteer appreciation night for all those who have helped us so much. A unit from Fort Sill left out this week to go home for good and five or six of them had volunteered over 600 hours. They had become very special to us and it was hard to see them go. Wonderful knowing they are home with their families. I have heard from a couple of them and they sound great.
I had another all day United Through Reading at another part of the base and recorded 64 UTR’s. I always enjoy those days. We have had a record month recording 601 DVD’s. That represents around 1400 children that will have smiles on their faces because they got to see their mom or dad on DVD and have a story read to them. I am having a few issues with my cameras so we will soon begin to replace them one at a time. As of today we have filmed 3042 UTR’s since we have been here. The cameras have served us well but possibly could be getting a little tired.
The director from Kuwait was a great encouragement and has given us so many ideas of things we can do in the center with the troops that we did not know we could do. Angela got back from R&R and it is great to have her back and to hear all about her trip. She is such a sweetheart. There is nothing like working shoulder to shoulder in a war zone to knit two people together.
KLIF in Dallas, Texas did a snack drive for us and we have been receiving boxes of snacks. That has been so wonderful to have good stuff and different stuff out for the troops. They eat it as fast as we can put it out. I think it is more that they are in a home like environment that gives them the munchies. Thank you so much Dallas, Texas for your generosity. You are such an encouragement to out troops.
Well I am off to bed. I stay pretty tired as we still work very long hours. I have to work at getting myself to bed so I don’t wear myself out. I love you all and thank you so much for your support.
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
We have had some significant changes here at the USO in Balad and the atmosphere and center are thriving even greater than ever. Our new director arrived last Sunday and already you can see the atmosphere at the center taking on a new feel. I have enjoyed watching our new director enjoy the troops and have a great time with. I know she will bring much to the center and life here.
We have a basket on the counter that says Operation Fresh Breath. It has all sorts of dental hygiene products in it for the troops to take. The soldier in the picture got a bunch of stuff donated for it. Amazing that it was all gone within less than a week. We can't keep enough toothpaste, toothbrushes and dental floss around.Prior to her arrival a director from Kuwait came in and we had a great time. She opened the door to doing fun programs with the troops that we had not been able to do before. One night last week we did quiz night. We had twenty questions for the troops to answer and the three with the most answers right got prizes. We had pizza afterwards. Another night we took 25 pizzas over to the pool for the troops. We had our logo Frisbees to give out. Friday night we played BINGO in the center and that was a big hit. We had all sorts of fun giveaways for the winners. Saturday night we had a cook out and volunteer appreciation night for all those who have helped us so much. A unit from Fort Sill left out this week to go home for good and five or six of them had volunteered over 600 hours. They had become very special to us and it was hard to see them go. Wonderful knowing they are home with their families. I have heard from a couple of them and they sound great.
I had another all day United Through Reading at another part of the base and recorded 64 UTR’s. I always enjoy those days. We have had a record month recording 601 DVD’s. That represents around 1400 children that will have smiles on their faces because they got to see their mom or dad on DVD and have a story read to them. I am having a few issues with my cameras so we will soon begin to replace them one at a time. As of today we have filmed 3042 UTR’s since we have been here. The cameras have served us well but possibly could be getting a little tired.
The director from Kuwait was a great encouragement and has given us so many ideas of things we can do in the center with the troops that we did not know we could do. Angela got back from R&R and it is great to have her back and to hear all about her trip. She is such a sweetheart. There is nothing like working shoulder to shoulder in a war zone to knit two people together.
KLIF in Dallas, Texas did a snack drive for us and we have been receiving boxes of snacks. That has been so wonderful to have good stuff and different stuff out for the troops. They eat it as fast as we can put it out. I think it is more that they are in a home like environment that gives them the munchies. Thank you so much Dallas, Texas for your generosity. You are such an encouragement to out troops.
Well I am off to bed. I stay pretty tired as we still work very long hours. I have to work at getting myself to bed so I don’t wear myself out. I love you all and thank you so much for your support.
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
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