New puppy - New chapter in life

Meet Bullet, he is king of his castle and his new castle is our home. I know he looks cute, but he uses that against you! He starts mischief and then uses his cuteness to get out of trouble. I'm not falling for it! But he's soooo cute! ha ha! He's a three month old German Shepherd/Husky mix. We got him from some people who rescued him from the pound. He's quite playful, yet finds it easy to settle down when its time to be settled down. He also is potty trained, which has made it very easy on his owners :) Bullet is only the beginning of the new chapter in my life. Holly and I have decided to tie the knot before I leave. So, we are planning on Feb. 28th, the week before I leave, to have the ceremony. That way, it gives us more time to get ready for everything. We had initially wanted just a small ceremony, but it's hard to say right now how many people we may invite. So, this week we will be working on getting this together. No, Bullet's not coming to the wedding, but he may make an appearance at the reception, which will be at the VFW. Holly is ecstatic, so I'll be trying to keep her under control for a while. What a month! My life turned around in one month! My head is still spinning (but it has a smile on it :) I'm as happy as I have ever been and so is Holly. It just seemed like the right thing to do to the both of us. Hope to see you all there (at least at the reception ;)

New Years 2008-2009

New years was a blast. A group of us met at the VFW to ring in 2009. We had a table of food, a DJ and plenty of booze. It was great to get together with all of our friends for this celebration. This year will bring many new challenges and this is apparent as I have found that I will be going on my third tour of Iraq. I only signed up for three years in the army, but apparently I am obligated for eight. First of all, I served three years in the army and one tour of Iraq. Then I was notified that I would be extended 14 months in order to support Operation Iraqi Freedom in a second tour of Iraq. So I reluctantly served, totaling 27 months in the combat zone upon my return. I was badgered and harassed on a daily basis by my chain of command and support channel to reenlist. I myself provoked my entire squad to reenlist for $22,500 dollars tax free. This helped ease the pressure to reenlist, thankfully. I turned down the money because I truly was not happy living the military life, money just cant buy happiness. In fact, I was miserable. I felt I had indeed lost my freedom. It was like being in prison. I finally discharged the army honorably in 2007 and have been living happily ever since. It is so disheartening to know now that I must return to this life of misery in the military. Upon my first tour of Iraq, I was convinced that the mission was purely humanitarian. But now, after a second tour, I'm not so sure. I know there is a impending shortage in the world's natural resources and this war was a way for the US to capitalize the Iraqi oil market, for the sake of our future. We are indeed addicted to oil. But I hope this is not the case. As our economy crumbles, along with our educational system and manufacturing, we pour billions into this country called Iraq. I don't understand it. So as I plan to serve my third and final tour in Iraq. I will not submit to the badgering and harassment of reenlistment that I will again be subjected to on a daily basis. I will get out of the military once and for all and I will get out honorably. A guy cant just serve and get out anymore. They want everyone to spend their life in the military. Bah Humbug!!

This year indeed brings many challenges in which I plan to overcome. Upon return from Iraq, God willing; Holly and I plan to get married, settle down in our home, I hopefully will return to my job and live a peaceful and prosperous life. We want to ride the motorcycle and enjoy God's country first hand. We just want to live free and I want to be free from the prisoner type life in the military. One more year, one more lucky year...