Today was a pretty typical Monday...quiet and slow. I started the day out by finishing my download off of iTunes of Dave Ramsey's new book, EntreLeadership. Primarily targeted at business owners but also a lot of practical leadership/financial advice, too, from someone who has 20 years of being at the bottom of the barrel to the top of the heap. One of the reasons I really like Dave is how easy to read and grasp everything he says and writes. I do not like to read books...never have. But with him, I really enjoy reading. Speaking of Dave, we'll be "speaking" with him this Friday between 3pm and 4pm EST...LIVE on his radio show as we scream "We're debt FREE!!!!!"...I will be conferencing in with Dorothy to Dave who will be in Texas that day. Looking forward to it!
As the day was winding up, I had one of the best-ever talks with Tin Man and Scarecrow. I can "feel" their excitement, too, about being reunited next month. It's like getting a slow IV-drip instead of a waterfall....just tip-toeing towards home. First, they taught me how to feed my monster on "Moshi Monsters"...a kids' make-believe website that I got involved in simply to play with them virtually. Afterwards, I talked with each about date-days we'd have when I get home. With Tin Man, we talked about going on a trail run/hike together...probably a bite to eat afterwards, too. For Scarecrow, she LOVES lunchtime at Olive Garden and nothing but salad and breadsticks...and Alfredo sauce for dipping, too. Maybe we'll share a Starbucks afterwards and just "hang out." From what I heard from Dorothy later, they were really excited after we got off the phone about our "dates." Not sure who is more excited here! Tin Man was also proud because she said she put her hair in a bun all by herself today. I, of course, asked that Dorothy send me a pic. The pic...a very simple photo but one that just made my heart melt. Hair pulled back, hoop earrings...she looked sooooo grown up. (her ears were pierced only 3 weeks before I left) I felt right then like I had missed a whole part of her life. Yea...it's "only" been 6 months (I HATE when people say that), but she looks so much older than I remember and when I hugged her on Day 1. That armor I've been working on...you know, the armor that helps me "keep it together" when it comes to them got a little crack in it. For a moment, I felt just a sampling of what I was going to feel when I hold them again. A dam busting wide open is a good word picture of what I will not be able to avoid.
After we talked, I fed my "Moshi Monster," I got some more work done, and I headed on out for the night and read my book on the way back. While at dinner, I was watching some folks entering the tent where I was eating and couldn't help but notice the wide-eyed faces of people who obviously are brand new to the base. You can just tell when the new folks show up. For the military folks, it's easy to tell up close as their uniforms are not yet faded and may still have some wrinkles in them from the packaging. I don't think I could've told before but I can certainly tell now. It's nice not to be the "new guy." :-) For the rest of the evening, I stayed in for the night, watched some TV, read a bit, did a bunch of abdominal exercises and just relaxed. Oh yea, I did peruse a lot of photos of the girls and me....getting kind of addicted to those feelings of home and don't want them to end. With that, friends...family...known and unknown supporters...that's a wrap for Day 177. Off to 178...
Goodnight, everyone.
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