Hello All,
Had a nice Christmas Eve chat with Brad -- and he sends his Merry Christmas best wishes to all of you!
He woke up Christmas Eve to 12 packages! He had had mail only once, and it had been a couple of weeks -- so this was a great Christmas surprise. Hats (warm and the santa-variety), long underwear, LOTS of snacks and sweets, and even a few things that he says he can barter for guard duty shifts! Thanks to all of you who have sent things his way.
He had light duty for Christmas, which was nice, and was anticipating a Christmas dinner that was to include some locally captured ducks -- very interested to hear how that was! Will include an update on that in my next post if I hear anything.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Friday, December 7, 2012
Update - with picture!
Had 2 quick chats with Brad -- one yesterday morning and one this morning.
Finally learned how to take a screen shot on Skype!
He sounded good. There is a lot he can't tell us about what he is doing, but I did hear a little more about what its like for him there.
In the middle of our chat this morning he said, "Don't freak out -- you are about to hear something kind of loud." Then came the rat-a-tat of gunfire. He assured me that was just guys firing at the range. Only practice -- but I take it that's a sound he hears a lot.
I asked about exercise. In their compound they have a pretty well-equipped gym! He says there are a couple of elliptical machines, pull up bars, free weights, a bench press... I would have guessed that if he were at a real base, but was surprised that there would be a lot of equipment where he is.
I was also surprised to hear that there are also some dogs and cats running around the compound. Yesterday he was holding a really cute puppy, belonging to the interpreter. I think the cats are more strays/wild. I think its kind of cool that there is something so normal there.
More later. Let me know if you have questions you want me to ask him. You can add a comment here, or send me an email. My email address for those who don't have it handy is piper.beveridge@gmail.com. Also, if you subscribe to this blog by email, you will get an email every day that there is a post the previous day -- so you don't have to remember to come here and check for new posts. Feel free to forward this to others who might be interested.
Piper
Finally learned how to take a screen shot on Skype!
He sounded good. There is a lot he can't tell us about what he is doing, but I did hear a little more about what its like for him there.
In the middle of our chat this morning he said, "Don't freak out -- you are about to hear something kind of loud." Then came the rat-a-tat of gunfire. He assured me that was just guys firing at the range. Only practice -- but I take it that's a sound he hears a lot.
I asked about exercise. In their compound they have a pretty well-equipped gym! He says there are a couple of elliptical machines, pull up bars, free weights, a bench press... I would have guessed that if he were at a real base, but was surprised that there would be a lot of equipment where he is.
I was also surprised to hear that there are also some dogs and cats running around the compound. Yesterday he was holding a really cute puppy, belonging to the interpreter. I think the cats are more strays/wild. I think its kind of cool that there is something so normal there.
More later. Let me know if you have questions you want me to ask him. You can add a comment here, or send me an email. My email address for those who don't have it handy is piper.beveridge@gmail.com. Also, if you subscribe to this blog by email, you will get an email every day that there is a post the previous day -- so you don't have to remember to come here and check for new posts. Feel free to forward this to others who might be interested.
Piper
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
December 4th Update
Hello all! Had a good Skype chat with Brad Monday evening. It had been a while (since the last posting) since we were able to connect. It was 5:30 a.m. his time – he was about to go on a 3-hour guard duty stint. He came back online briefly after his shift in time to IM a little during the last few minutes of the Redskins/Giants game – he was VERY excited to hear the blow-by-blow of our victory from Mike!
He is doing well, though he looked cold! By the way – I love technology! I feel VERY lucky to be able to get a glimpse of his face from so far away! I will try to capture a screen shot next time and post it.
No more real snow there (other than a dusting), and I think he has been doing more carpentry than he anticipated. He has worked on a few more roofs and done other work to shore up his living area for winter. He says the food is pretty good –better than expected. They have a cook. To date, he has not spent a lot of time in the village, and my sense is that they spend all of their free time in their fenced in “compound”. I hope to ask more about his daily routine (or what he can share of it) the next time we talk.
He reports no mail yet, but I know he will be thrilled when the things you have sent or are packaging up start to arrive. A number of you have asked what he would like sent his way. He says he doesn’t NEED anything specific. In terms of things he would like, treats and things to pass the time would be welcome and appreciated. He has internet, but the connection is VERY slow, so its not possible to download a movie or watch a streaming TV show. He would love physical movies – and I know a few are on the way in Xmas packages being prepared right now. He has his computer that plays DVDs – not sure it will play Blu-Ray… so until confirmed stick to the regular DVD format. Magazines and Su-do-ku or other puzzles would also be good ideas. I know he would also like snacks and sweets. He loves Pringles – regular and sour cream & onion are his favs. He likes chocolate – but not nuts. Chocolate is also tricky b/c though it’s cold where he is, it’s possible that packages can sit in a hot place, and M&Ms can withstand the heat, but other chocolate could melt. Beef Jerky, gum, Swedish fish, other chips/pretzels, drink mixes, would all be great. There are some prohibitions – no pork products, no alcohol, no “lewd” materials (so even the Feb Sports Illustrated might be a problem I have heard…). For you online shoppers, you can ship directly to an APO address from Amazon.com – and they have a category of items called “add-on items” that they won’t sell alone, but will sell if “added on” to another shipment. I sent a 12-pack of gum with a hat – and if you have Amazon Prime, the shipping is free and they do the customs form. I don’t know if they have Pringles as an add-on item – but they might!
Brad asked that I send his love to everyone. More later!
Friday, November 23, 2012
Post-Thanksgiving Update
First, Happy Thanksgiving to all!
We Skyped with Brad this morning. It was great to see his face!
I'm happy to report that he had a full Thanksgiving meal yesterday - turkey, ham (surprised about that given the prohibition on sending pork products via package), stuffing, and a table full of desserts.
He posted on facebook that he spent a lot today building roofs for the huts where he and his fellow soldiers live -- and that it snowed! Snow in the desert. Yes. When we talked he said it really just dusted where he is, but the surrounding mountains are capped with snow. He also elaborated on the need for the roof. They have flat roofs now -- but are building a slanted roof b/c there can be a lot of snow there in the winter and a flat roof would not be able to hold it.
Brad sends his love to everyone, and a special "Happy Birthday" to Nana.
More later.
We Skyped with Brad this morning. It was great to see his face!
I'm happy to report that he had a full Thanksgiving meal yesterday - turkey, ham (surprised about that given the prohibition on sending pork products via package), stuffing, and a table full of desserts.
He posted on facebook that he spent a lot today building roofs for the huts where he and his fellow soldiers live -- and that it snowed! Snow in the desert. Yes. When we talked he said it really just dusted where he is, but the surrounding mountains are capped with snow. He also elaborated on the need for the roof. They have flat roofs now -- but are building a slanted roof b/c there can be a lot of snow there in the winter and a flat roof would not be able to hold it.
Brad sends his love to everyone, and a special "Happy Birthday" to Nana.
More later.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Brad Reached His Village
Had literally 30 seconds of skype time with Brad today. The internet connection was not great -- but I did get to see his face. He reached his village. Hopefully I will be able to share more of an update in the next couple of days. When I talked to him a week or so ago, he thought his first two weeks in the village would be a lot of transition work with the group of soldiers that have been in place -- and after that he will get into whatever his routine will be. More later.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Brad Update - Sunday November 18th
Brad is well.
I had a chance to IM with him via Skype this morning for a good amount of time. He is 9 1/2 hours ahead of us on the east coast. The kids and I were all peppering him with questions. He doesn't have his computer yet -- so no camera or mic -- so just IM today. Hopefully we will be able to see and hear him in the near future -- but even the IM conversation was pretty cool.
Sawyer was marveling at how fast we could go back and forth from across the world.
He is not yet at his final destination, but has moved from the base to a small village where he and his unit are training with their Special Forces counterparts.
His unit has a cook with him -- so he says he is eating pretty well. We were wondering if he was on a steady diet of MREs, but he says no. Mostly stews and rice.
No running water however -- so no showers...
There are goats and donkeys wandering around everyone, and he says the really little kids all ride around on the donkeys. We asked if he thought he was eating goat and donkey stew -- he said he didn't think so... he insists the food is airlifted in.
On that point, he said that anything anyone sends will eventually be air-dropped to him -- from 35,000 feet! So pack things well!
More later. He asked that I send love to everyone.
P
I had a chance to IM with him via Skype this morning for a good amount of time. He is 9 1/2 hours ahead of us on the east coast. The kids and I were all peppering him with questions. He doesn't have his computer yet -- so no camera or mic -- so just IM today. Hopefully we will be able to see and hear him in the near future -- but even the IM conversation was pretty cool.
Sawyer was marveling at how fast we could go back and forth from across the world.
He is not yet at his final destination, but has moved from the base to a small village where he and his unit are training with their Special Forces counterparts.
His unit has a cook with him -- so he says he is eating pretty well. We were wondering if he was on a steady diet of MREs, but he says no. Mostly stews and rice.
No running water however -- so no showers...
There are goats and donkeys wandering around everyone, and he says the really little kids all ride around on the donkeys. We asked if he thought he was eating goat and donkey stew -- he said he didn't think so... he insists the food is airlifted in.
On that point, he said that anything anyone sends will eventually be air-dropped to him -- from 35,000 feet! So pack things well!
More later. He asked that I send love to everyone.
P
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Brad's Address
Heard from Brad this morning -- we had an IM chat over skype. He is in Afghanistan. He's at a FOB (Forward Operating Base) for another day or so. He is fine. He says its hot during the day and cold at night, and feeling a lot more "real".
Here is his address:
PFC JACKSON, CHARLES
FOB RIPLEY (VSP SARAW)
SOTF-SE
APO AE 09380
It will take 3-4 weeks for anything sent to him to get from the post office here to him in his village. Its my understanding that the shipping costs we pay are from our sending location to New York -- and packages are sent centrally from there overseas, then to Afghanistan, then to village. Will send additional information if I get it.
Brad has logged on to this Blog -- so if you publish a comment, he will can see it here.
Piper
Here is his address:
PFC JACKSON, CHARLES
FOB RIPLEY (VSP SARAW)
SOTF-SE
APO AE 09380
It will take 3-4 weeks for anything sent to him to get from the post office here to him in his village. Its my understanding that the shipping costs we pay are from our sending location to New York -- and packages are sent centrally from there overseas, then to Afghanistan, then to village. Will send additional information if I get it.
Brad has logged on to this Blog -- so if you publish a comment, he will can see it here.
Piper
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Brad got to his first stop uneventfully. I was able to skype with him last night. Not to Kuwait has he thought -- but he spent a couple of days at an airforce base in the region. He is heading to Afghanistan today -- and will spend a day or so at a base before going to his village. No mailing address yet -- but I will let you know when I have one.
Blog Intro
All -- not sure if this will stick -- but looking to create a place where I can post updates about Brad -- and others can post their updates and good wishes too! We'll see how it works!
Love,
Piper
Love,
Piper
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