Just spent the past week with my family. Had a great time, we watched a move, went to Skyline Drive where we saw a baby bird in a ground nest, a wild turkey, a pretty little finch, and a bear with two cubs. We also visited our new house. They delivered wood and should begin framing soon. We also spent a day in Solomon's on my In-law's boat. The kids went swimming & rowed the dingy around. I sat at the pool bar an had rum punch. It really was a great week to be with my family, and I think everyone had a good time. Now I'm back at work for two days whilst I count down the days until 10 July.

I put a tankful of E85 into my Prius today. I just boosted my mileage by 85%! I read it should be OK to burn in a Prius and I reckon that since I'm headed overseas to find out how our oil got underneath their sand I should do my part to reduce America's reliance on oil. It seems to run the same as before, in spite of the warning on the pump that it was for "green engines" only.

Here are what my ribbons look like predeployment. I wear them four across just to be contrary. The site I found doesn't put the appurtenances on them. This is more of a test to see if I can post a picture, but here they are:

Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Good Conduct Medal
Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal
National Defense Service Medal with Star
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Bronze Hourglass
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon

Wow! Just before my 40th birthday I got a call from my reserve unit telling me I was being transfered to another unit across the county and would be sent to Iraq. I got my orders a week after starting my new job, talk about an uncomfortable conversation! Luckily I will have a job when I return. I wonder how many vets aren't as lucky?

I enter active duty on 10 July and will train at Ft. McCoy for four weeks before I deploy.