Note: LNC Denise Mix was dropped from this list on 03 Jun 2008 due to 60 days of no contact.
04 Apr 2008:
Hey everyone! It has been two months now and I am finally settled in and have a pretty good routine going. So does everyone else in the office. Several of us have traveled around the country several times already. I left to go on a trip that was supposed to last 1 week and ended up lasting 2 weeks. Kind of crazy.
Our weather is leveling out. Still cools off at night but it is pleasant. During the day we are hitting 80's. We have had a few that have been close to 100 already. Not much rain but lots of dust storms. They roll in very quickly and the fine sand gets into everything. Some nights I get back to my room and have to clean the sand box off my bed. I have had to duck tape around my window to try to keep the sand out.
With the weather getting warmer, most of the folks in the office have taken their exercise routines outdoors for morning or afternoon runs. With that lead in, I wanted to ask this go around for sun block. One of my attorneys went for a morning run the other day and didn't have any to put on and ended up sunburned.
As I have said before, I am not a coffee drinker but almost everyone else in this office is. I now sit in the office where the coffee pot is and I just can't believe how much they drink. There are at least 10 pots of coffee made a day. So we really appreciate all the coffee and sweeteners that everyone sent. I appreciate the hot chocolate and there has been some tea. Thank you all so very much.
Yesterday I received a "Flat Megan" and today she is on her first trip. I know there isn't much time left for the school year but if you send me anything like this, flat stanly - a traveling stuffed animal - and a disposable camera, I will do what I can to get it around the area.
So, for this go around, some sun block and healthy snacks would be wonderful. We have all loved the cards and letters that we have received. I am a little behind but I write to everyone who sends anything to us.
So take care everyone and please continue the thoughts and prayers that are directed our way.
God Bless you all!!!
Denise G. Mix
"Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle" Anonymous
18 Feb 2008
Hello everyone.
We are finally starting to settle in. We are still a little short on desks and computers but managing until that is resolved. I think everyone is sliding into a "normal" routine. Still a few things that disrupt that but for the most part, we are settled.
The only thing right now that we could use is hand soap. We can get it from our supply department but it stinks and really dries out the hands. Our bathrooms are small. They would make you laugh if you saw them. And they are limited in what you can actually flush. We joke that we can't wait to travel and be able to do our business in a functional loo. It is nice to not have to use a porta-john though so I'm not complaining.
Our weather is very back and forth right now. At night, it is in the high 30's low 40's and during the day we are in the 60's. Water actually fell from the sky the other day (this is the "rainy" season but it doesn't do too much of that) and all it mostly did was raise the dust and make mud puddles.
The dust here is very difficult to get used to. I feel as if I have a sandbox in my nose. Since there isn't much rain, the dust is in/on everything. When the A/C or heat (depending on what time of the day it is) kicks on, all you smell is dust. I try to sweep everyday to keep it down a little but you just can't get away from it. Nasty stuff. So far no bugs though. I am very happy about that but I am sure once it stays warm all day long, they will come in droves. When I was stationed in Baghdad before, the flies were huge and very sluggish. It didn't take too much to kill them. Hopefully the same will
apply here.
I have already received a very nice letter. Thank you for your support of those of us "playing" in the sand box. There is a crud going around but for the most part, we all stay in good spirits and we are very positive about our mission over here.
If anyone has school aged children who are doing a "Flat Stanley" or anything like that and would like to send it to me with a disposable camera, I will take some pics and send him back. I did this on my last 2 tours and it is so much fun to do.
Take care everyone and thanks for your thoughts and prayers.
07 Feb 2008
Hi everyone! First let me say what I great site this is and I am so happy I found it. This is my 3rd deployment and I wish I had known this site was here for the first 2.
I am a Navy Paralegal who is currently attached to a Marine unit out of Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, CA. This is the first time I have served with the Marines. I am a Reservist and my family is in Maryland. My husband is Active Duty Navy currently on shore duty being Mr. Mom to our 3 children.
As for my office, we are all Lawyers or Paralegals. We have just arrived and are trying to get settled. Some folks are still living in temporary berthing but that will change by Sunday.
As for what we need, right now coffee, creamer, sweetner (the sugar substitutes) and hot chocolate would be the great stuff. We burn the midnight oil around here almost everyday. Actually, I am the only one in the office who doesn't even drink coffee but want to make sure my co-workers keep the fuel coming. Ihear Starbucks is pretty good but I am sure my co-workers would be up for trying new brands.
Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.