Tobiasly’s Blog

OK, I’m gonna backpedal on my last request. I thought we would be heading farther north again but it looks at least for the time being that we’ll be staying put.

So, you can keep those care packages coming! But, everyone here has plenty of toiletries to last us for several months, so we really don’t need any more. Here’s a list of hot-ticket items that really hit the spot here in the middle of the desert:

Drink mixes — Gatorade, Kool-Aid, etc. I like Country Time raspberry lemonade, tropical punch Kool-Aid, and Raspberry Ice Crystal Light. Oh yeah, and instant coffee.

Snacks — stuff like Pringles, chex mix, or anything that leaves an orange residue on the fingers. I like anything cheez or ranch flavored!

Cookies, other baked goods, etc. — we aren’t really all that picky!

And thanks to everyone who sent AA batteries; I have probably close to 100 right now so I should be doing fine!

Thanks again to everyone who’s sent stuff, it’s really appreciated! Like I said before, just cards and letters are always nice too; I’m not sure how much longer I’ll have the luxury of email!

Hi again! I don’t have much time right now, but it looks like I will have slightly better email and phone usage (hopefully) in the coming days and weeks. So, here’s the lowdown: since a couple days after you last heard from me, my Company has been just outside Talil airfield in Iraq. That’s about 1/3 of the way between the Kuwait border and Baghdad.

It was never really too “hot” once we got here. The vast majority of the locals are pretty happy that we’re here. There was a meeting here on April 15 between some coalition bigwigs and some Iraqis that they’re trying to help stabilize the country. I’m not sure if it was on the news or not, but anyhoo that’s where we’re at. I don’t think I was on any TV stations that anyone might have seen — I was in the background during what was apparently a Japanese station.

Anyhoo, things are going pretty well. Looks like we’ll be here maybe a few more weeks, then after that I’m not sure. Hopefully it will be pack up and get ready to go. I’m hoping we’re home by mid-June but that may be wishful thinking.

A big thanks to everyone who sent packages; I really appreciate it (and so do the guys — Shell, yours have been voted “best cookies in Iraq!”) But we’re quite inundated right now, and may have to leave some goodies behind if we move again, so keep those cards & letters coming but hold off on the rest!

Hopefully I’ll be able to write and call more soon, but until then, love & miss you all!