Closed for Business (for a few days)

Random Thoughts (on this Monday) 

1.  After further review, I have one bottle of hot sauce that says “desert” and two that say “dessert”
2.  More than likely I will be out of the area for the next few days
3.  “Yedinak Call” – I now have to go with the mail clerk to pick up packages at the mail drop; she said they are all mine anway!  Called me spoiled.  ha ha
4.  Don’t necessarily like doing it  this way, but I am pressed for time here.

• Dave & Karen and friends – thanks for the items sent, especially the card from the students and putting me in the holiday spirit.
• Heather and crew – never a dull moment, let’s see, I can only highlight 2, the Propst stocking and your school pictures!  Amazing!  Nothing written on the back though?  Where’s the personalization?
• Lisa & Craig Yedinak from Texas – the starfish ornaments are awesome and many thanks for thinking of me and keeping me from shedding the lbs.
• The Van Buren’s/Advisory/Mrs. Reinerio – Wow, thanks.  There is always that special touch you have.  The card, the ornament, the little things that mean a whole lot.

5.  Like the Pied Piper, whenever I walk to the front of the tent, everyone follows.  There is a table up there which I share the many things, you have all sent.  I am sure if they wanted to transfer somewhere else, the people here wouldn’t allow it.  Put a quick stop to it.  They love you all!

Once again, many thanks for everyone for their support! 

PS  Happy Birthday Mrs. Yedinak!

PSS  I know I received some of these items early, that’s OK.  You never know with the military mail!  Better early than never.

Had to post some pictures of the “sauce”.  Now the only question is, Ralph, is it for the dessert or is it for the desert?  Hmmmmmm. . . . .

Hot Sauce 1

Hot Sauce 3

A big ’shout out’ to my cousin Ralph in New York at the Waterfront Ale House.  Sent me my own Desert Hot Sauce.  Looooks good, in fact, I just tried it, wow, is it hot!  Should be good on the eggs they serve over here.

 Check out the high/low temperatures.  Time to get the long underwear out!

5 Day Forecast

 An interesting article.  Technology!

Article

Well today, my cousin Mary (from Maine) gets put on the hot seat.  I may not hear from her again, but it is a chance worth taking. (Sorry Mary, your responses were just too good not to post!)  She took the time to respond to November 5th’s questions.  Here we go.

November 4th Jeopardy?

1. Why doesn’t it snow in Kuwait? (scientifically speaking, I know because it is warm here)
It doesn’t snow in Kuwait because they don’t have snow plows.

2. Why is a knot used for wind measurement?
Take several strips of sheets. Tie one knot in the first, two knots in the second, three knots in the third, etc. When the wind blows, the sheet with the most knots that flies in the air gives the wind speed in knots.

3. Why doesn’t sand turn to mud when it rains? And how much rain would it take here to create a mud-like affect?
Sand doesn’t turn to mud because then you’d have to build mudcastles! If you want sand to turn to mud, cut open a super  absorbent baby diaper and mix with sand. You’ll get mud, sort of.

4. Why is chemical dispersion included in the weather forecast? Is it important to know? And does it have any impact on the weather?
Chemical dispersion is included so you know whether to use an umbrella made of fabric or lead.

5. Why is there freezing fog? (Now I know Jim nailed this one and Heather added to it, but where did it come into play on the 5 day weather forecast?)
Freezing fog- this one stumps me.

6. Why do we represent chemical dispersion through arrows?
Attack mode?

7. Why is there still a need for DST? (Daylight Savings Time)
Old habits die hard!

8. Why have the leaves fallen in greater masses in Wisconsin this year? (not gradually like usual, but in one big wave)
They knew you weren’t there to enjoy them.

9. Why does wind play such an important factor in the weather? What would it be like if there was no wind?
You wouldn’t want those snow clouds to remain over Wisconsin all winter would you?  Something has to move them out of the way.  Besides, the deer need some way to detect the hunters. (It’s deer season in Maine right now. Orange vests mandatory even in the driveway.)

10. Where in the world is SSG William Yedinak?
Not where he wants to be.

Someone with my sense of humor.  Awesome!  (alright now, you all hold your comments!  Especially you Marcia!)

Hope everyone is doing well!

Look who came to visit!

Pump Up!

Here’s a photo that caught my attention.

Photo

A late night mission took me to Kuwait City International Airport, picking up a high ranking official.  Nothing earth shattering about this, really, but I will tell you why it was significant for me.  Was directed not to wear military clothes.  That (after nearly a year) was a welcome directive.  Got a chance to venture out to see the “real world”, something other than military.  Ate a chicken calzone in the airport.  By the way, the monetary unit over here is the dinar, which the going rate is approximately 1 kd for 4 US dollars.  The price on the calzone, 2.85 kd.  Everything is expensive.  That makes it around 11 to 12 dollars.  It was good though, so it eased my pain.  Real food once again, I may have paid even more willingly.  Arrived back around 0400, content, there still is a world out there!  Oh, I had one of my friends snap a picture at the airport!  No OPSEC rules here!

Me at KCIA

Just a couple of things to throw at you today.

1)  I received this message from a person on FB.

“This wouldn’t happen to be Billy Yedinak that was stationed in 29 Palms CA around 1993-1994 would it?”

Ouch!  Another person with the same name out there.  My condolences!

2)  Check out this article.  Thought it was interesting, seeing that it has been a topic thrown around on the blog before.  It was in the Stars and Stripes today.

Too many hours in the day?

Hope everyone is doing well!  Where in the world is Billy Yedinak?

I don’t know where to begin this post today.  Or how to go about putting it into words.  My emotions are still running high, thanks to all of you yesterday.  Let me begin this by saying I am a pretty modest, unassuming person; least I think I am.  What does that have to do with anything?  Well, throughout this entire deployment, starting with December 23rd (even all the days leading up to it), you all have been so kind, thoughtful, and genuine.  Always remembering.  A small word of encouragement here and there.  A hug.  Seeing beyond 400 days.  A card, an e-mail, a picture, a package, a phone call, a comment.  Yesterday.  Giving me that, so much needed lift.  A lift every deployed person in the military needs.  What you have done for me is far greater than what I deserve, but in the same breath, I shout, “THANK YOU”!  Thank all of you, for having a hand in the process, a role as vital as any, helping us defend our freedoms and giving others a chance at it.  Without you, it would be impossible.

Not one to let an opportunity pass by without injecting some humor, I close with 4 comments:

1)  WAHS Staff – we will work on the salute when I return (Cody, are you OK?)
2)  Yes I do want to hear Mr. Dickhut sing
3)  Alright Mrs. Lenz, I see you!

and last but not least

4)  How long has Matt C. & Cory N. been on the payroll?  Or are they just subbing?

Seriously though, the video comment was awesome!  Good seeing you all again.  All the comments, awesome.  They will keep me smiling for the duration!

Some of you may get this, some may not.  Least I have you thinking!

GroundHogDay