Still Playing Soccer: The Arnold AFB Soccer Team, I am the keeper, thus the blue shirt
I couldn’t let the holiday season pass without writing. A great deal has happened since my last post, so here are some updates, in order of importance:
Hamid
Hamid has his visa and will be immigrating to Tennessee in the spring. Naturally, things can always change, but right now it looks like everything is cleared. I’ll be helping him find work, a home, get his driver’s license, and a million other things we all take for granted. It’s a good thing I’ll have lots of extra time to help him, because . . .
I’m Retiring
Yes, my retirement ceremony is fast approaching. My retirement lunch is 29 Jan, and my retirement ceremony is 30 Jan, both at the Arnold Lakeside Club on Arnold Air Force Base. All AWAC readers are invited. If you would like to attend, just let me know so I can get you on the visitor’s list.
What’s Next?
As I’ve mentioned before, I will become the lay minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tullahoma beginning in February. I have also applied to Vanderbilt Divinity school in Nashville, and hopefully I will be accepted and get enough financial aid that I can attend there also, and work towards a Master of Divinity degree. I find out in March whether I am accepted, and how much financial aid I can get.
Dogs
The life of a dog rescuer is never dull. We just took in a female Shih Tsu named Abby, who had three new born pups. She does not produce normal tears, which results in her eyes being filled with goo, and I need to clean them thoroughly every morning and use artificial tears on her eyes several times a day. She is a good mom, and the three pups are healthy and doing well. She was forced came to us covered in filth and matted hair. Two baths and much trimming later, she looks pretty good, and is a wonderful, loving girl.
Bosley:
Bosley as a pup
Bosley today
Remember Bosley, one of the pups we took in last winter? Here he is today, one year later. Although he was supposed to be a Pomeranian, I don’t see it. He is a beautiful boy, currently living with my son and his Pit Bull buddy Grendel. He ended up being close to thirty pounds, larger than I expected, even though I figured he wasn't going to look like a Pomeranian.
Christmas:
The whole family is together for the holidays. Taylor and Elise are visiting from North Carolina. For the first time ever, all of my children were able to attend our church, and hear me speak.
Photos:
I just received some photos from MSgt Casey, who was deployed with us in Afganistan. It brought back a flood of memories. Enjoy:
Christmas Day 2006. We had a foot of snow on the ground, so the mukluks (boots) were nice to have.
Directing trucks on the flightline
Volleyball, just before we left Afghanistan for good
