Saturday

Today we are having our second "duststorm" of my deployment. The winds are blowing at around 60 mph and there is certainly a lot of dust/sand in the air. Everybody's walking with their heads down, so a lot of bumping into people, things, flagpoles, whatever. You have to lean into the wind to get anywhere and if you look up for even a second, it stings your eyes! It's craziness!

My workouts have been really good lately and I am on a routine now that keeps me excited about going back. Loving the gym!

A belated blog-grats to Resa and Seth on their sweet baby girl! The sex was unknown to even them until the birth, so it was a true surprise - and she is GORGEOUS (obviously). Adelyn Grace Thomas, you are going to have an amazing life.

I have been ordering all kinds of stuff from online stores and I love it when my boxes are delivered!!! I've ordered movies, books, greeting cards, jewelry, toiletries, etc. I haven't figured out who will deliver natural foods, but I am doing my research. And if I can't find it, I'm going to open up that niche business because there is a need for healthy foods in weird places like Doha! I discovered that drugstore.com delivers Balance Bare bars, which I have had a craving for since I got here, so I ordered several boxes of those.

We got some news a couple of days ago, the new guy who is supposed to be coming here in less than two weeks (to replace Kehinde so she can go home) is not medically cleared and won't be able to deploy. What that means is that either Kehinde is going to have to stay longer until they get someone here (which we doubt she'll agree to) or we'll be one person short until the newly designated person arrives. It's gonna get a bit iffy up in here for the next few weeks. If we go down a person, then we will have to reduce our operating hours and Jason and I will be going to 12-hour shifts, 7 days a week. BUT maybe they'll find someone. I am remaining optimistic that everything will work out just peachy.

So I have discovered another new love from something hat I used to despiiiiiiiiiiiiiiise: Twizzlers. I don't know what is happening to me here - it's like some kind of alternate universe. What's next, watermelon? I think not.

Just a few minutes ago, this guy Gabriel that I work with introduced me to a little thing known on base here as "RIP-IT"s. They are these little teeny energy drinks that are stocked in the dining facility and I always see people walking out with handfuls of them. Well I have never been one for energy drinks so I have never partaken. Partook? Anyway, Gabe forced me to try one today when I was hanging out in his office and it is like crack in a can! My hands are shaking and my heart is pounding out of my chest. And people drink these things like water here! Too funny. I am a major wuss. I cannot handle the Rip-Its! And they taste like cough medicine.

I miss my dogs!!!!!!!!!!! Man I cannot wait to cuddle with those sweet babies. Sweet little furry babies with their warm little bellies. Awwwwwwwwww...

I did a briefing last night for a large group of officers from the Maintenance Group, and the commander was so impressed that he coined me. I love getting these coins!!! I never thought I would amass very many but now I am thinking I will have to buy a rack soon to display them - they are such a good way to remind yourself of the people you have met along the way. This guy is on his way to be the new wing commander at Robins AFB, where my dad retired from, so I had a lot to talk to him about.

To all friends and family, I hope this posting finds you well. Life is good here at The Deid - Jason and I have almost reached our halfway point (SO EXCITING) and we will soon be on our way back down the hill towards home. :-)