We don't know her route, or when she will actually arrive in Iraq, but at least we finally got her official pictures.  She has grown up so much, it makes me feel old.  Her picture, which was taken in the last few months, is below:

Her beret is red because she is attached to the 82nd Airborne Division, though her job in Iraq will be as an MP.

This is very different from her other "military" outfits---dresses she wore to the Marine Corp Birthday Ball.

One of Alyssa's "uniforms" for the Marine Birthday Ball

It is strange to think of it, but we have been married almost two thirds of our lives.  Maybe that is why I can forgive him, and he can put up with my medical problems.  People usually forgive their best friend; people are usually willing to stand by a friend who needs their help and support.

We are both desperate to get the sailboat back on the water.  We had planned on going sailing on our anniversary, but had a problem with the boat trailer.  We went fishing instead, and Ronald skunked me, though just barely; he caught a striper that might have been 7" long and threw it back in the water.  Though there were several fishermen beside us, he was the only one to land anything.  I caught nothing, though I got a few weak bites.

Still, it was nice to be out with Ronald, just the two of us, trying to enjoy the day.  He left his cellphone in the truck while we were fishing, a gesture I appreciated.  Since he was named General Manager at the restaurant where he works, his work load has gone up a great deal.  (He no longer works for Jack in the Box.  He now works in a 'real' restaurant, that serves seafood, steaks, and mixed drinks. Not only is his job much better, so is his income....)

We visited Lake Bryan, and there was a bunch of little sailboats, apparently for rent during the season.  That definitely interested us, because then it meant that the winds, the boat launch, and probably the water depth, would be okay for the Luger.

We were there in our new truck; the first new vehicle we have ever owned.  We bought this vehicle to pull the horse trailer, pull the boats, and haul hay for the horses.  It is a 2008 Chevy Silverado C1500 longbed, with a regular cab (not extended in anyway).  This truck has about 5,000 miles on it, is about two months old, and it had to be returned to the dealership for work four times for a transmission problem.  The dealership people were great--it was GM who kept saying do this, do that, and none of it seemed to work.  However, this time, the engine light has stayed off, so I am hopeful the manufacturing defect is finally repaired.

It is weird driving a new vehicle, but fantastic.  I love to drive vehicles that are high up.  I am short, so I feel like I can see much more.  The real test for me will be if I can successfully back the truck up to a boat and latch on.

Wow, did I ever get off topic!  Oh well, that's life.

I was doing the usual multitasking today, writing a blog entry and three emails, when Orange decides I am not paying him enough attention.  So he waltzed up and plopped down right in front of the monitor.  Since my keyboard is on a slide-out, this wasn't a big deal, and I kept working. 

However, after a couple of minutes with me continuing to type on the computer (I still had the three emails open and the blog article), Orange became very unhappy.  So he jumped down on to the keyboard.  He scampered off just as soon as he did it--like he knew it made me very unhappy.  I lost everything I had written.  Now I will have to do it again.

Orange a few months ago, resting (what he does best!)

Orange is really an affectionate cat.  Just sometimes too affectionate.

Oh well, cats, dogs, horses, chickens, turkeys, peafowl, guineas, and emus are meant to make a person's life interesting.

The newspaper apparently doesn't have a webpage, but if you click on the button below you can read the article (it is 250k+, so it may take a minute to come up):

We already had the memorial service for my mother, though we will be waiting until March to spread her ashes.  I received several e-cards, and my sisters and I really appreciate the kind thoughts, prayers, and words.