Day 189

Well, we made it just over 30 days but a clear night last night and a few days without rain supposedly was perfect for the bad guys to come out of hiding again. It wasn't too late last night and there went the sirens again...another rocket attack. I felt this one hit but I don't think it was too terribly close. I remember the first time this happened...do you? I was only here for a few days when it did. When the siren sounds, the voice after it tells us to put on our armor. The thing is...it's already happened and done at that point. Back then, though, I didn't know any better and I remember waking up at 3am in my shorts and t-shirt, putting on the armor, the sitting on the floor next to my bed. I didn't know any better. This time? I took a shower! It's not that I'm getting lazy...just being realistic. If it's going to hit me, it'll hit without warning...and I needed a shower!

This morning was the same 'ol Saturday as always...crazy busy. Before I knew it, it was lunchtime. After lunch, I headed on back to the bazaar and did get a few things for Tin Man and Scarecrow. There's a stone out here called "Lapis" that is mined in the extreme northeast part of the country...that piece that's really skinny and just barely touches China. You didn't realize I was that close to China, did you? Yep..it's to the east on the other side of Pakistan. Once I did my shopping and bartering for some lapis, I headed on back for our 2pm staff meeting and then hung out for awhile to talk to Dorothy as she was headed out for the last day of residency as she kicks off her graduate degree program in nursing. She's definitely whooped from a very busy week but it's been a great experience so far. Afterwards, I called it a day and headed back early.

I figured out a great strategy tonight to pass time and a great way to leverage the power of my free Skype phone trial...make phone calls! I started, of course, with Tin Man and Scarecrow...talked for about 35 minutes. Tin Man did end up going turkey hunting with Dorothy's dad and didn't get anything. The funny thing? She told me she fell asleep! Yep...they were hiding behind some trees and she said she fell asleep for about 5 minutes until Grandpa woke her up. Now that's funny! Both conversations with the girls, though, centered around what they wanted to do when I get home. I also talked to my dad, my younger brother and his wife and their two kids, and also a good friend of mine and her kids. I did try calling my only grandparent but couldn't get a good connection anymore. By the time I knew it, it was 9pm! Shower and then here I am.

That's a wrap, folks. I think I'll set the alarm to wake me up around 3:45am tomorrow so I can catch the green flag at the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Not only do I love NASCAR and the pre-show, but heck...Sara Evans is singing the National Anthem! Then, I can go back to sleep. It'll be Sunday, after all.

Goodnight, everyone.