Thanksgiving

The Armed forces have a tradition called the "Missing Man Table" (or the missing man place setting). At military ceremonies, and even in the dining halls where Kyle eats everyday, there is a table and place set for missing and fallen service members. The single place setting is always arranged with particular items, each with its own significance:

The table is round -- to show our everlasting concern for our missing men.

The tablecloth is white -- symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty.

The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of the missing, and their loved ones of these Americans who keep the faith, awaiting answers.

The vase is tied with a red ribbon, symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing.

A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land.

A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by those missing and their families who seek answers.

The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God.

The glass is inverted -- to symbolize their inability to share the meal.

The chairs are empty -- because they are missing.

There is much to be grateful at Thanksgiving, like a table full of family and friends-- without any empty chairs. If your table is full of your loved ones, you are blessed. Hug them a little tighter knowing that not everyone will be home for Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

The Anniversary Dance

I love weddings. I love watching the people in my life, so happy. And as Clare said at Beth and Sam's wedding, "There is just love in the air!" (ha ha ha...oh Clare!)
One of my favorite parts of weddings is the Anniversary dance. Where they have all the married couples on the dance floor and slowly eliminate them by years married. Until they are left with the final couple, that has been married the longest. I was able to particpiate in this dance with my 1-D cardborad husband last weekend!

I love seeing that couple that has been married for 50 or 60 some years, still happy, still dancing and still in love. I envy what they have, and have high hopes that one day that will be Kyle and I. Still happy, still dancing and still in love after 50,60,70 years.

If I have the opportunity, I like to ask that couple that has been married the longest, what the secret is, or what advice they would give to having a long lasting marriage. Over the years I have heard quite the spectrum of responses. My favorite advice though remains from this cute old couple at a wedding about 3 years ago. She said, "Marriage is not a 50/50 effort. Its two people giving 100 percent all the time." And then the husband chimed in and said, "The real secret to a happy marriage is to have two t.vs."

Congrats, Mr. and Mrs. Spratlin!

Let the tradition continue! A cardboard cut out of Kyle was present for the Beth and Sam nuptials! What a fun filled weekend- everything was beautiful. A special thanks to the newlyweds for including both Kyle and myself in YOUR day!

As we all were talking about how the cardboard cut-outs got started and the weddings they have attended, our friend Petra says, "I hope when I get married, someone can't make it." I looked at her with a puzzled face when she finished by saying, "Because I really want a cardboard cut out at my reception too!" It really is a fun addition.

With Kyle scheduled to return home soon :) , I am hopefully that this will be his last cardboard cut out and that I will have my favorite 3-D dancing partner back home for the upcoming 2010 weddings!

Lt. Kyle Hartman Discusses Sandstorms, Wild Dogs, Random Fire

Here is the link to Kyle's video broadcast interview. Check it out!
Lt. Kyle Hartman Discusses Sandstorms, Wild Dogs, Random Fire

It's Raining...Mud

Believe it or not, Iraq has a "rainy season", generally from approximately November to March. During these months there will only be a few brief, violent rainstorms that account for most of the 10 to 17 cm of rain this region gets all year. When the rain is accompanied by wind, which it usually is, the dust in the air combines with the rain to create little rain droplets of mud that I assure you no one tries to catch in their mouth.

Round one of the rainy season struck this week, a few hours of steady rain has created a foot or more of muddy, sandy mess EVERYWHERE. It amazes me how non-absorbent the desert is. Tactical vehicles, non-tactical vehicles, and tanker trucks are sliding off roads all over the place. In the right light, the mud and water looks just like a light coat of snow.

In connection with the wet weather, the temperature has dropped an average of 40 degrees from what it was when I left country for leave. Tonight we're expecting a balmy 44 degrees, with a high tomorrow of only 65 and overcast. Last night was the first time I turned off my AC since I arrived here. I even tried out the heater in my room to see if it worked in anticipation of cooler temps- it spewed smoke, dust, sand and smelled like burning, but it made heat. Unfortunately it also set off the smoke detector.

--KYLE

32 Faces of the 32nd Brigade

Kyle was recently interviewed by a Madison, WI reporter. They are featuring 32 soldiers in the 32nd Brigade and Kyle is one of them. Very cool! His online interview is currently posted here:

http://www.channel3000.com/32faces/index.html

On Thursday, November 19th, Kyle's skype interview will be broadcast on the 5pm news. For those of us not in the Wisconsin area you can watch the newscasts in real time via live stream on www.channel3000.com

After the news has been broadcast they will add a link with photos and the video interview to his online interview page. You should check it out! My hubby's famous!

Simba's 6!

We celebrated Simba's birthday while Kyle was home. It's hard to believe our little pup is 6. They grow up so fast.
As expensive as Simba is and has been over the years, (Think Marley and Me here) Kyle continues to admit that Simba is the best investment we ever made. In Kyle's absence we frequently have what I call, T.G.4.S days - Thank Goodness for Simba! How lucky am I to have been blessed with both world's best dog and world's best husband?! They may both be messy boys and create more work for me around the house but they are well worth it. And I count my blessings every single day.