HOME SWEET HOME

There is nothing like being home. After 6 months of being away from family and friends and especially my wife, I cant say I could have had a better first couple of days home. . My wife and I have hung out at the mall, gone out for dinner, and just been with one another since Thursday. Also, we went out to dinner and a movie with some friends. I was able to go play some disc golf with a good buddy. And then when I thought it couldn’t get any better I went to church today…..

Man, nothing feels better than being appreciated by many many people that you didn’t even realize that you effected in your life. Everyone at church asked how I was doing, told me they were happy that I was back home, and was just happy to see me. Now, I know you guys might be thinking they were just being polite and yes you might be right for some but not everyone. They all threw me a little picnic for my return and then the children. Children are so innocent… they don’t know that you should be polite and say I am glad you are home. But these children that I have shared life with with their parents came up to me this morning with cards and hugs and genuine concern. One little girl ran to me with open arms and gave me a big hug. When I put her down from the hug she just stood there and stared at me for minutes. These children made me feel so good that they missed me. I guess its what they mean when we share life and learn together as extended families.

For all of those who have followed my deployment and welcomed me home I THANK YOU. You guys all know that you make the deployment life easier knowing that you are all here at home taking care of my family, my wife. I appreciate all of you and thanks for the great welcome home.

An extension of my Amer. Gov't class...

I have been taking an American Government class while I am out here in Iraq to help pass the time. The class is teaching me a lot. In addition it is pushing me that much closer to a bachelor's degree. Anyways, for class I had a case study on an article written by Scott Ritter. I really enjoyed the article and where Ritter was coming from. So I looked into more of his columns. One of which was Obama's Alternative Universe back on January.

One of the paragraphs that really interested me is the one that follows;

“The “war on terror” into which Obama seems to have thrust himself (the most recent manifestation being Yemen) remains the largest obstacle for any rational resolution of America’s problems in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Simply put, so long as the United States seeks an enemy that does not exist, it will always be looking for an enemy in its stead. The “war on terror” has the United States combing the world in search of enemies, and because American policymakers are responsive not to the reality that exists in the world today, but rather the perceptions of an American people largely ignorant of the world in which they live, and paralyzed by the fear such ignorance generates, there will always be countries and causes America will anoint as foe.”

I can see what Ritter is trying to say. We, Americans, were hurt by the attacks on 9/11 and for most of us that was the first sign of what we thought was al-Qaida or terrorists. All of us at a young age pretty much learn “eye for an eye” or some form of retaliation no matter how right or wrong it might be and that doesn’t even bring in the point, “You don’t mess with the USA.” So what is we don’t actually have a tangible enemy. What if we are attacking an idea or ideals? Do we ever “win”?

This might be our generations Vietnam and it will be very unpopular no matter what we do. The President and Congress just need to make tough decisions that they feel is the greater good for America and no one else and if it costs them their seat then so be it.

WORLD CUP Robbery!!

Call the cops! The U.S. Soccer team just got a win stolen from them.

Man, what a fustrating finish to a good second half of the US vs. Slovenia soccer match. I thought we were going to pull it out. Its so cliche to say blame it on the ref but it seems to fit.

Seperate from the dissappointment of the tie game, I am thouroughly enjoying watching all these World Cup soccer matches. It reminds me how much I like the game of soccer. Back at home the closest professional team is the Houston Dynamos. I guess I am going to have to take the road trip to watch a couple of their games now. Well thats if I can get my wife interested in watching it.

Well anyways, the U.S. team is still in it. I will be watching the England vs Algeria game tonight hopefully for a big upset.

The Freedoms I fight for...

In a discussion among classmates in my American Government class we discussed things that might upset us being military members or just Americans in general. Several things got brought up to include but not limited to the burning of the American Flag in protest, protesting at funerals of American soldiers, and plans to build a mosque near 9/11 site.

Several of us discussed these in pretty good detail of why it angers us and then I was thrown for a loop. Our instructor was so gracious to let inform us that all the things that angered us where all freedoms that we fight for. See we fight as military members to uphold and protect the Constitution. Our constitution gives us the freedom of speech, religion, and assembly. That is for both sides of the things we like and dislike the same.

So even though I don’t think it is right for someone to protest outside of a fellow soldier, airman, sailor, or marine’s burial ground or during the funeral, they have the right. Even if I think I should be allowed to place an American flag in my window of my house, the home owner’s association or apartment complex etc has the right to have rules against it. And the examples are endless.

So I guess I have become a little bit educated and have had my mind opened to the truth that what I fight for aren’t for freedoms limited to me and my perspectives. As hard as it is to swallow I fight for the freedoms of everyone in the United States whether I agree with them or not.

I think I will stay inside?

Well looking forward this week. Trying to plan out what I might want to do on my day off and what things might seem interesting to do after work. So I take a look at the 5 day forecast and see a wonderful list of days over 100 degrees and dust.

For those who dont know what I mean by dusty, I am talking about orange skies. Today we had maybe 100 feet of visibility and if you were smart or had any common sense you didnt go outside without glasses and something to cover you face. The dust was everywhere. If you werent blessed with a little bit of common sense you probably ate about 3 tablespoons of dirt on your way to work this morning. The dust filled the hallways indoors where it looked like the smoke alarm should be going off.

Well if the dust doesnt clear up I guess I wont be going to the pool this week not like sitting in the pool when its 115 degrees outside is really all that nice. If someone would have asked me a couple months ago if it could be to hot to go swimming I would have said no. Now that I have some experience I would probably say yes to the question. I dont really know how to explain it but the jumping in the water doesnt really cool you off when its as hot as its been here lately.

Oh well I guess a lot of movies this week will keep me occupied. Looking forward to USA v. England soccer on saturday and UFC 115 on sunday. I guess that will help me make it through the week.

Jethro likes Facebook

Jethrois hanging out in a very hot climate.

Now, I have to admit I am constantly on Facebook checking to see what everyone is up to. I am probably a bit nosey. Who is where? What are you having for dinner? It doesn't matter I just want to know what people are doing. But in this environment its ok. I can even comment and let them know if I have done the same thing or add a sly remark for a little laugh.

You know the last time I was deployed I didnt have a Facebook account. I dont even remember if Facebook was around but I bet it was. Either way I did have a MySpace account which I didnt even use. I guess the interface just didnt suit me. For one, I guess you actually had to go to peoples' pages to see what they were up to and with Facebook all the information comes to you.

I am glad I have a Facebook account this deployment. It is really keeping me sane and making the time go by a lot faster. There is something about knowing what all my friends and family are up to while I am out here. And they are probably happy that they get to see what I am up to. I guess it gives a feel of closeness no matter how far away you are. I am able to post pictures for any one of my friends to see and say I am doing ok. Its easier than an email and allows everyone to chime in just to say hey.

There are so many facets of Facebook I couldnt even get into all of them if I wanted to and I dont. But I am glad that Facebook is here and I hope it is here to stay. It has brought me closer to some family and friends then I probably would have been if it wasnt here.

Thanks Facebook!

Memorial Day

In response to several remarks of thanks and appreciations for my military service through out the Memorial Day weekend, I did some well needed research on Memorial Day. It brought some things to light for me.

First of all, as much as I am truly thankful for all the kind remarks and thanks, I am not the one that deserves them. Memorial Day is for those you have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Their sacrifices gave me my freedom. Their sacrifices gave me the choice of religion, the choice of future, the choice of whether or not to join the military. There are many things that I take for granted daily that I wouldn’t be able to do or maybe even talk about if it wasn’t for the brave men and women that came before me. I thank those people and I thank those families. Today you are in my mind and my heart.

Also, I would like to point out individuals that show me how close life and death really are. These two men went to school with me at Zephyrhills High School in Zephyrhills, Fl. Are paths have crossed many times, whether it have been at school, in the streets, an airport or a military base.

Army Sgt. Marcus C. Mathes : Sgt Mathes died in Baghdad in April 2008 from wounds sustained when enemy forces hit his base by an indirect fire attack. Sgt Mathes and I graduated from Zephyrhills High School together in 2002. I joined the Air Force in Oct 2003 and he the Army in March 2005. We might not have been the greatest friends but we will always be brothers. Sgt Mathes will be missed.

Sgt, I thank you for your service to our country. You paid the ultimate sacrifice that so few yet too many make. I thank your family for being strong through the whole process and keeping your name strong so that we may remember you in your strength. May God bless you family.

Army Specialist Jonathan O’Neill: SPC O’Neill was injured by an improvised explosive ordinance that hit is vehicle in Afghanistan. SPC O’Neill graduated from Zephyrhills High School in 2004. We never we in any classes together. We went to school together and share the Bulldog Pride. SPC O’Neill passed away while at Brooks Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, TX while I was doing a TDY at BAMC. Once again our journeys crossed each other.

SPC, I thank you for your service to our country. I know you were young and people will probably say you were only but a child. But I stand witness that you are more of man they many that walk our streets are today. Thanks for volunteering the serve your nation. We all know that the ultimate sacrifice is a possibility when we repeat the Oath of Enlistment. Thanks for being brave and strong. Thank you for your family and friends that keep your memories strong. May God bless your family.

Both these men have done what many have done before. Let us not forget these men who have touched so many before paying the ultimate price of freedom while serving the strongest military in the world. Let us remember what Memorial Day is all about and let us remember that just because it might not be someone in family doesn’t mean your circle of influence hasn’t been affected.
I finish this blog by saying I will no longer see Memorial Day as a 3 day weekend that gets me out of work. I will no longer just be happy with being thanked for my service on this day. But I will make sure I remember and I participate in honoring our fallen heroes.

Please if you have not already taken a moment of remembrance I ask you do so now. May God bless all of you and your families.

- Jethro

When I started Blogging....

don’t people write something every day on their blog? How hard can it be to write something every day? I should start a blog because I would like to put my thoughts out there… I know I can write something every day. I will write about money thoughts, life and stuff I’ve learned. It’s that easy.
Well everyone knows how ignorant those comments are. It didn’t take me long to pick up on how little I really know. Here I am deployed and not as busy as I would be if I was at home and I still have trouble not really finding the time but taking the time to write a blog post. Not to mention the content of my blog posts are far from what I thought they might be and quite honestly might be pretty watered down. There is not a whole lot of information or that exciting. I probably wouldn’t stop and read my own blog lol.
When I first thought about starting my own blog I thought I knew exactly what I would write about for the most part. At least know what topic I would stay on most of the time. The thing is I haven’t had one post that I would have fit into my preconceived ideas. I put part the reason why it’s not what I thought it would be due to the fact I am deployed. I wanted to write about my finances. How much I spent today compared to what I had budgeted. I wanted to use it as something to keep me accountable on these financial transactions.
I still have hope for myself. I am just going to have to realize that it is not easy writing something every day, let alone something that has a little bit of weight to it. I will continue to write and continue to let my thoughts flow. What I will try not to do is force it. When I do get home I will try to put my frugality on the clothesline for people to help me with but for now this is what you get.
Have a good weekend friends and Happy Memorial Day to all.

Fiction or Non-Fiction

Do you like to read? Are you are serious reader? Do you seeing reading as a hobby?
Well reading is definitely not one of my favorite things to do. Lately it has been something to just past the time. Sometime I like to read self help books or biographies of people of interest. Fiction books have never really been my first choice when it comes to reading until this week. I picked up a Ted Dekker book, THE3E to be exact. This book took my by storm. I completed the book, all 400 pages of it, in less than 24 hours, then within the next 24 hours picked up another one, The Boneman’s Daughter.
So I guess if you are looking for something to read pick up a Ted Dekker book and enjoy.

Curiousity Got to Me!

So like I was talking about before FrugalVillage.com has some very interesting topics in their forum. Well the problem is as a guest you can only look at some many pages and posts so I ended up signing up. It's free so whats the harm except I have been looking at the website for over an hour now. lol.
Eventually I will probably catch up on all the posts and start to limit my frugalvillage exposure but either way I think it will be a good return on investment. Not to hard when the investment was $0 but I have already learned some things.

Deployment Money

Well for those that do not know when military people, such as myself, get deployed, like I am, we get a little extra money. Our base pay becomes tax free. We also get some incentive pays and travel money.
What's funny about it is that when most people get deployed one of the positives they tell themselves is at least I will get some extra money. I have things I can pay off or save for. So I was thinking, and unfortunately I don’t have figures, do I really save money when I deploy. The obvious things come to mind. I don’t have to pay for gas to travel to work, I don’t have to pay for food, I don’t have to pay for things to drink, I don’t have to pay for a place to stay. Well with the exception of my wife at home and the stuff you always have to pay for such as, the mortgage, wife's gas, wife's food, etc. I should definitely be saving money but there are the things that my wife and I spend more on when I am gone for instance, my wife travels home more often to see family and then there is stuff that we by online that normally wouldn’t happen, electronics or gifts for the wife at home. So like I said I am sure I save money but its probably not as much as I could have if I would have been conscious about it from the get go.

So just wondering, does anyone else fall into this category of looking forward to making some extra money over a period of time and then fail to take full advantage of it?

Jethro??

Who is Jethro? Jethro is a married man who serves God, his wife, and his country. Jethro was a nickname I was given working at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, TX. I am a Biomedical Equipment Technician for the US Air Force. I didn’t know what else to do when I left high school and wasn’t heading to college even though I graduated with a high enough GPA to go where ever I wanted. With no goals or aspirations I ended up in the Air Force. 6+ years later, I have been deployed 3 times to Iraq, stationed in Texas, and looking forward to finishing out a full career in the Air Force. See I happened to stagger into something I had no goal to accomplish. I joined the Air Force out of whim. Don’t get me wrong I am proud of what I had accomplished and to be honest I probably couldn’t have dreamed of any of this nor would I want to change any of it.

Married to my wife for over 5 years now, we have accomplished a lot together. Once again, I don’t think either us have planned or dreamed of being where we are when we were in younger. The fact we got married knowing very little about life and what to do if we ever needed anything. My wife has been a wonderful addition to my life and in a way I think we have been perfect for one another. We have both pushed each other to be better and we were what the other person was missing before we met.
In 2006, just a little over a year of being married we started something that would change our lives forever. My wife signed us up for Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. It is a 13 week crash course on finances and life. We learned a lot about each other and about money. Things we were never taught in school or by our parents. It took us a little over a year and we were debt free. It is something that we are both proud of and something that we accomplished together. The thing is we had a goal and I think it might have been the first goal that I ever set in my life and we accomplished it.

“Winners compare their achievements with their goals, while losers compare their achievements with those of other people.” – Nido Qubein

I guess the big point here is goals are a powerful thing and having someone with you on these goals helps big time. Since becoming debt free we have purchased a house, we have 2 paid for cars, she is finishing school, and we are thinking about having kids. We know we aren’t set for life but we know we are free. We aren’t slaves to lenders and that feels good. We don’t have everything figured out and probably never will but we are happy together and looking forward to our future.
We will be making some more goals together and as individuals and I will post them soon enough. Hopefully, this entry helps some of you to know who I am and maybe that will help you understand where I come from on some comments.

Challenges

The art of competition. For me if I want to make a change in something I am doing the best way for me succeed is to turn it into a competition. And apparently I am not the only one. Looking around the internet I have noticed that there is website (www.frugalvillage.com) that offers forums for challenges in everything; lifestyle changes, money, food, family, and health. What an awesome idea. People have set up challenges like read 5 books this month, $10 week challenge, brown bag lunch challenge, and ## no spend days a year.
I am in a team challenge right now called Fit 2 Fight. A team of four competes with other teams to improve health over a 6 week period. We get points for weight loss, proper eating habits, food journals, and exercise. For me it has worked out quite well, this is the second time since January that I have been on a team and since January I have lost 17 lbs, 5 % body fat, and 4 inches off my waist. Now, I might have had some success on my own but with the challenges I have enjoyed it and stayed on top of my goals.
Now, I will continue to challenge myself in other avenues of life. I am really looking forward to trying “No spending day” challenges and maybe even a $10 a week challenge. Either way I know for me that challenges and competitions make it a lot more fun to reach a goal. Hopefully, my challenges bring other people around me in to the competition and we could keep each other accountable.

New Chapter

"Hello internet world of Bloggers."

Today is a new chapter in my life and experiences. Today I am going to start my own blog. There are several reasons I am choosing to do this at this point of my life and they are as follows; 1. I have been reading a lot of blogs and I have learned from others ideas, thoughts, and their inspirations. Maybe someone will learn from what I have to say.
2. I have seen a lot of people get their question answered so maybe I can get some of my questions answered as well.
3. Just to be apart of another network of information.

So here is to a new day, a new chapter, a new life of experiences and knowledge.