My Yellow and Blue Brick

Here they are, the treasured Yellow Brick. I also got a Blue Brick for completing the 34 mile swim challenge while I was here. It is just a regular brick painted yellow and blue but when you think about how much work that it took to get them, they mean a little more than a regular brick. I guess that they symbolize finishing something that you started.

The Globe & Laurel Restaurant

Last Friday night a group of us went out to eat at the Globe and Laurel Restaurant. It is owned by a retired Major from the Marine Core. He is the gentleman with the tie in the middle. It is full of tradition and history. He is a super nice guy, and food was good. The things on the ceiling are police patches from police departments all over the world. We also met a couple that sat behind us that was very neat. The couple always comes to eat at his restaurant on December 7th of every year. December 7th is the anniversary of Pearl Harbor. The man was a retired FBI agent and his wife was at pearl harbor on that morning of the the attack. It was a neat experience to say the least.

The Saturday Adventure!

Today we started off in the cafeteria trying to figure out what to do on our last Saturday here. Catalin stated that he had never seen any ocean and that was all it took. Off we went to the Atlantic Ocean! After looking at the atlas and using GPS we ended up in Ocean City, Maryland. He was truly amazed by the Ocean. The largest body of water that he has ever been to is the Black Sea. He wanted to know what the date was, and stated that he would remember this day. Then we had to go to his other favorite place, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. He says that Krispy Kreme is one hundred percent American and he loves them. It was a neat day just riding and talking. Once again I was reminded about how easy it is to take things for granted.

Where are my Teenagers?

I had some down time today and was on the church website looking around. I was looking at the pictures from camp and remembering the fun times that I had whelping some of you guys with paint balls. I do miss hanging out with my teenagers and keeping them straight. What you guys don't realize is that when I'm keeping you guys straight, you help keep me straight. It's almost over and I'll be back before you know it, driving ya'll crazy. And where have you been Kris Barrett? Kris Barrett? Kris Barrett??????????????? Don't make me call some of my people to come looking you guys!!!!

The Yellow Brick Road

Well we did it!!! It was snowing the whole time, pretty cool. Here is a before and after picture. These two guys have been my running buddies. We have run all the challenges together except for one. Mark is from Michigan and Terry is from Illinois. Today was a neat day, how many people can say that they have run 6.1 miles in the snow. See ya,

The Yellow Brick Road

Well tomorrow is the Yellow Brick Road. It is a 6.1 mile run and obstacle course. The weather is suppose to be about 35 degrees with a rain / snow mixture, I can't wait. Things here are pretty good but everybody is ready to come home. It has been a great experience so far, as long as I make it through tomorrow. Ha, Ha!!! Today in Stress Management class some of the guys really opened up and we talked about how we can try and put some of the things that we have learned to use when we get back home. It was neat to hear about how we as officers need to make sure that our family is our priority and our actions need to show that as well as our words. It was a good class today.

Where is Kris Barrett????? I know you haven't quit checking on me at this point in the game? Well, Tonya I love you and can't wait to see you. Jamie and Jacob I can't wait to get home and see you two as well. I love you, Daddy

The Weekend!

This weekend on Saturday we went to a couple of places in the DC area to kill a little time. We walked through Chinatown and walked through Union Station. Tonya, you will have to just look at the pictures from Union Station. Because if I take you there when you get up here, we'll be broke. Ha, HA!!! There were a lot of shops and stuff at Union Station. Sunday, I spent the entire day typing my last paper. It turned out to be 12 pages, I'm glad to get it done. I sat in the lounge area and talked with the Chaplain from San Diego for about two and a half hours on Sunday evening. I enjoyed hearing about his ministry and talking about the things from Grace Place with him. He was blown away by the shoe ministry. He said that it gave him some ideas for some of his work in Mississippi. All in all it was a good weekend. Everybody around here is ready to get home, people have enjoyed the stay but we are ready to see family and friends. Talk to everybody soon.