It's been a year

A lot has happened since I last posted here. I'm out of work and out of an engagement.

I feel down. I don't hear much on jobs and so that overseas desperation is running hot.

I have to get a job soon or I'll be out of savings but it doesn't do any good to get a job that barely pays enough to survive. I have to make enough to get by and pay child support.

I keep looking up jobs and doing aps. Then I wait.

Last year was better, no matter that I was in Iraq.

New Year, New you?

Here we are again, the day after Christmas and all through the house we were trying to cram things in and haul out the old to make way for the new. Again, I will say we are blessed. Blessed to have so much stuff you have boxes of decorations for each holiday in the attic, blessed to have so many who care enough to send special cards and gifts. As the new year approaches, take a minute to slow down and savor what is left of '09. I just filled out my 2010 calender, the years add up, little kids don't seem so little anymore. I pray that everyone has a wonderful holiday season and a quiet, enjoyable new year.

Christmastime

As Christmas fast approaches, I get tired of just shopping and wrapping things... we already have lots of things. What is important? Important things to me are family, friends, fellowship and a true relationship with Christ. Other things, not so important. Family - a two way street... one person can't do all the work - I used to think I could. I tried to buy and do everything for everyone else, the only thing I accomplished was just spoiling children who now expect you to do everything and you get nothing in return... no phone calls no communication. Sorry, I'm done. It's my turn now - me and my family. I call my brothers, email regularly and some of us talk on the phone periodically. Lots of phone calls from and to my Dad, Julian and my in-laws... the two way street thing works well.

Friends, more important now - this is the family you get to choose and what a varied group we have - just like beautiful colors in a quilt - polka dots and tie dyed, argyle and solids... what a bunch!

This year I hope to study my Bible more, do more at church and worry less!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you Shileys out there.
~amy

Things Happen

I'm in Dubai on my way to England so I can post here.

I hope to have a great time. Memories flood my mind.

Not much else to say except that I appear to be the only person posting any more.

I'll have to use non-companny computers to post here when I get back.

More soon. I hope.

More from England

Claire sent me a recent picture of the house I lived in near the base. I lived in the bottom half and entered in the side. The upstairs renter entered through the front.

There seems to have been some landscaping since I was there. Though of course they used to be able to rent anything near the base. The Air Force people needed places to live. Now, with the bases closed, they must have had to renovate and clean up these places.

They said they wanted the US out and now they're missing all of that money that came with having a base near by.

Claire and I are still emailing and remembering old times. The lady she was nanny for in the previous post (a Master Sergeant I worked with) seems to have been convicted of murder in 1994. WOW!

Father's Day is tomorrow. I hope you didn't forget.

Less than seven months until Christmas

Now that I'm working day shift I've started NOT wearing my watch. At least not on my wrist. I was getting a tan line so now I wear it on my lanyard, with my ID, around my neck.

Years ago when I was stationed in England I had a dear friend named Claire. I met her because she was the nanny for an Air Force couple I worked with. She and I became inseparable until one day when she mentioned a guy she liked. Then we saw less and less of each other until we just drifted apart.

The picture is of Claire, Yvette and William. The year was 1985.

I came back to the states and moved on with my life but I often wondered about Claire. Did she have any kids? Where was she living? Etc, etc.

After the Internet connected the world I tried to look her up but without success. After my separation I tried to find her a little harder. I didn't know her married name and so I had no luck.

Then last month I got an email from Claire. She has been looking for me too. I don't know where this will go. Right now we're playing 'catch up', 'remember when' and 'what if'. I'm very happy to be together with Claire again.

Have you all remembered Father's Day is 21 June?

And there's less than 7 months until Christmas. Have you started shopping yet?

I've already received a few comments on my t-shirt in Amy's post. Maybe it should read, "Me want cheesecake!"

The trip to the states was very nice but there is never enough time to do everything or see everyone.

Next R&R will be Oz where I'll see baby Eden again. Though she may be walking and talking by then.

I enjoyed holding Amy's baby Marigrace too. She had the biggest eyes and a big toothless smile. She wasn't feeling well so I'd hold her. Sometimes I'd feed her and then do "the daddy dance" until she burped.