Forgot to tell you about Dave's job

A while back I told you that BAE Systems was flying Dave up to New Hampshire from UVA for a second interview. Well, the interview went great and a week later he got an offer of employment as a Systems Engineer I. It was a tense five days while he considered all the aspects of moving away from the family, friends and the wonderful Commonwealth of Virginia. He went from immediately accepting to thinking about it to thinking more about it. What sealed the deal for him was a phone call from his prospective boss who told Dave it was a tough decision and he was calling to see if he could answer any questions he might have. What a great boss! Anyway, we are thrilled to have Dave embark on his own career with a great company (and caring bosses).

Both Young Men Home Soon!

It is the 12th of December and Dave has been home two days. He started back with Northrup Grumman yesterday and can work the entire Christmas break if he wants to. It is good to have a daily carpool partner. The other news is that 1LT Trey (see picture) will be coming home either on the 22d or 23d of the month. He has been moved out of his hooch into a communal tent to make room for the replacement unit. He will be flying out with his unit on the 19th into Kuwait and then the whole Brigade will be waiting for flights back to CONUS. So, it is looking very much like a nice Christmas. Not that they all aren't nice, just some are nicer than others. I think this will be a very special one as future ones represent more of a challenge to having us all together. The pic in the upper left is last year's Advent Party at the Church of the Holy Family. We are going tonight to set up for this year's party which will be held after Mass tomorrow evening. I will try to remember to take a pic of the family albeit without Trey.

Trey is a Pain, Dave is on a Roll!

As you know, Trey, my eldest is in Iraq. He is safely ensconsed in a HQ, not on the roads, risking life and limb, and all he does is complain. He has volunteered to lead convoys, but thank God his chain of command would not let him go. The latest from him is that he is mad because his end of tour award was downgraded. He thinks it will be a problem that he will return a First Lieutenant with a low level award. I told him to go talk to his supervisor about it, if it really was bothering him. He said he did not want to see him. I told him I thought he ought to see him anyway, but I am in the wrong.

Anyway, just got a note from Dave. He is a fourth year at the University of Virginia (Mech Engineering) on top of the world as he just was notified that he is being flown up to New Hampshire for a second interview with a large defense contractor. I sure would like him to wind up in Hampton Roads, but if this is what he wants... Congrats Dave!

More on the Nub Cigars

On the way home yesterday, stopped by Bond's Fine Cigars in the Walmart Shopping Center in North Suffolk, VA. As promised, they had several boxes of the Nub Cigars. Wound up buying four, two Connecticuts, one Habano and one of the Cameroons. Ring sizes were mixed and I could hardly wait to get home. Went out for a glorious walk with my lovely wife Carol, ate a Lobster Roll for dinner and then sat down to an absolutely fantastic smoke. Had the 58 ring size Connecticut and I will tell you it was absolutely one of the finest cigars I have smoked in the past year. Smooth, mild and very flavorful, without the major nicotine buzz that I have been suffering of late. Gotta tell you, I may have found my new favorite.

Nub Cigars

Just called the Suffolk location of Bond's Cigars and they told me that they have finally gotten in their Nub cigars. Will try to slip out a few minutes early to pick one or two up this evening. Will smoke one tonight and let you know how it was tomorrow.

Son is going to Iraq

Well, we knew it was coming. Trey got the official word that he was Iraq bound and had to be there by 1 Aug. Wow, that is less than 30 days away. He asked me how I felt about it. I told him I was proud of him, but that I would worry from the day he left til the day he gets back. I know as a former soldier that he is simply doing his duty and fulfilling an obligation regarding his chosen career path, but I'm still his dad and will worry the entire duration. Was talking to his brother, Dave yesterday about it and Dave said he'll be fine. I pray he will be.