Dec 25 2007
Christmas in Mosul
Since I was so upset about not getting to put up lights this year, I decided to decorate my wall for Christmas. The first time Mugs visited my family in Natchitoches during Christmas, she was utterly amazed that Mama had decorated the bureau instead of a Christmas tree. So in true Manry tradition, here’s my Christmas wall:
Last night, some of us got together for a white elephant gift exchange. Sarah had printed out mistletoe and taped it to the ceiling, so you had to be careful where you stood. I was able to give everyone that came a homemade Christmas card from Gabe’s second grade class at Fredericksburg Christian Schools. In the picture above, notice all of the cards on the white paper. Each kid in Gabe’s class made me a Christmas card. They also made extra cards addressed to “Friend”.
CDR Charles Kliewer joined us for the festivities. He is a US Navy Submariner assigned to the US Army Corps of Engineers for a 6-month deployment to Iraq. He is here on FOB Marez attached to the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) as the liaison officer (LNO) for USACE. He’s still looking for his submarine! Here’s a shot of Charles and Rick unaware that mistletoe is lurking above.
This morning, I slept in until about 0800. After making some coffee and checking email, I just lazed about most of the morning. I got to watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” on AFN. For lunch today, we decided to go to town. So we drove over to the DFAC on FOB Diamondback. The display wasn’t quite as extravagant as Thanksgiving, but they did have a giant Frosty appropriately covered in frosting. Santa Claus was also at the DFAC, so we had one of the DFAC workers take our picture with Santa and Frosty.
The DFAC worker liked it so much, that he asked me to take a picture of him and his buddy with Santa. The he had his buddy take a picture of the two of us with Santa. Next it was a picture of just his buddy with Santa. Then it was a picture of me and his buddy with Santa. Finally, it was a picture of just him with Santa. Here is picture number 2, me and the first DFAC worker.
For Christmas this year, I got a deluxe care package from Richard, including homemade peanut brittle. No one is allowed to tell Howard that I got homemade peanut brittle. He never reads this blog, right? From Abby, I received the Grumpy ornament, and from Gabe I got silly putty. Zeke gave me a Santa Pez dispenser, while Josiah sent a coffee cup where you can design your own decoration. Mugs gave me a desktop bowling game and a stress-relief football to squeeze. It feels like Stretch Armstrong, if you remember that toy. I guess it feels like Stretch Armstrong even if you don’t remember that toy!
Merry Christmas from Mosul!
Abby says you forgot to mention your gift of underwear.
(Gabe chose the emoticon) Mike says no picture is required.
Merry Christmas, Dale. Looking forward to meeting you in person when you return. Meg
😛 Merry Merry CHRISTmas my brother Dale.
I am proud of you Dale.
We decorated our entertainment center with our nativity set
and remember moms Christmas cake to Jesus…..
i have again made our Christmas cake to Jesus…we will sing to Him
soon 🙂
right now i have cornbread in the oven to prepare my stuffing
and on and on…
anyhoo we have a package we are preparing for you and
soon you will receive it 🙂
it’s late but my thoughts are not.
we love you.
I hope you had a lovely Christmas.
You will be pleased to know that now that we have a dining room as well as a living room, I actually surpressed my scrooge like urges, and put up the big Christmas tree. While everyone says we are looking very Christmassy this year I don’t think we could possibly compare to american decorating.
Weirdest present I received yesterday was a fake rock that chirps like crickets, 🙄 on my birthday, I’ll probably get a log that croaks
Love you guys Jewels
The kids were so proud of how clever they are. For every gift giving occasion, I promise to buy them underwear. This year, I had asked Mugs to send me some underwear to replace my rust-stained pairs. So they decided to wrap them up like a Christmas present when they sent them to me.
I think Mikey should buy you the singing bass for your birthday.
Mmmm
Don’t worry, that would not make me happy.
Hey Dale
Bit late for a merry Christmas message so Happy New Year! Stay safe mate.