I just heard from my soldier bf currently stationed in Baghdad .

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

I am soooooo HAPPY ! :) He was able to e-mail me on Valentine's Day . I did not get the e-mail until later that when I came home from work . That day was hard for me , all the mushy stuff that everybody else at my job was getting , I felt like crap - and then when I finally got the e-mail , I was happy . This was the first contact I have had with him since he flew to the Kuwait . He was in Kuwait for 3 weeks for more training , then earlier this week , his convoy headed into Iraq . While they were re-fueling along the way , people would come up to them trying to sell them stuff , but they had to turn them away to be on the safe side . As soon as they entered Baghdad , he said it actually smelled . The people on the streets were looking at them like " Wtf " - of course , I would think the same if I were them . Now he is in Baghdad in the protected area safe and sound .

I am able to chat with him since they have an internet cafe where he is staying . He says Saddam's palace are HUGE . He is in very good spirits but he misses home - he say he wants to actually mow his lawn - the sand their is a pain - its powdery and its gets into everything . Its 130 degrees even in the shade . Can't you tell how happy I am now ? 3 weeks ago I was sad and crying all the time . I happy now that I have been able to talk to him but had to make him go to bed because his body needs rest especially while he is on his missions . 12 more months of this , I know I can do it :)

[Cha]

1. I hope he's okay!

I can imagine how you must feel..hearing from him!

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

2. Yeah he is fine ...

Of course he can't talk about his missions and etc. but he is very happy , content and in high spirits .

[Lisa]

3. If he really wants to cut his lawn ...

You could send him a miniature one -- e.g. a small bag of potting soil, some grass seeds, and a tiny watering can and scissors, in a cardboard box (shipping AND growing container in one ...)

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

4. Ooh that is is a good idea !

Thank you so much ! I love that idea ! Thanks ! :hug:

[Lisa]

7. Actually, I have to pass along credit -- it was in a kids' activity book

I was helping a friend look for "indoor" stuff to keep her children amused since she wants to get them into gardening, but it's not really spring yet. I think the book had Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop in it. Anyway, I bet you could find a little tiny watering can at one of those dollar stores (they have those kinds of things there as ornaments). Have fun!

[flamingyouth]

5. I'm so glad you got to hear from him

:hug:

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

12. Thanks flamingyouth :)

:hug:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

6. Send my best wishes to Mr. Peridot

Let's hope his superiors don't find out he's a liberal. We don't want him going into combat with dud bullets.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

9. I think his superiors are liberals as well ...

at least one of them is a re-pug but other than that , he is among good company . He is not Mr.Peridot yet , but a girl can wish :)

[intrepid_wanderer]

10. UGH!!

.. oh how I hope you're trying to be funny.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

13. Just a wee bit of hyperbole

If RW pundits can do it, I can, too.

[Cadence]

8. I'm glad he's o.k.

When he comes back home- if he starts showing signs of PTSD.. look into EMDR therapy. It really helps with PTSD and getting the brain to process the experiences. I know this is way ahead of time to be telling you but I just wanted to let you know, just in case.

:)

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

11. I have been thinking about that ... I hope its not bad ...

but if does go through it , I told myself to let him lead the way and not to force him or his feelings about anything .

[Cadence]

14. I hope it's not bad either- but any way

you look at it is war- and he is having to live in fear for his survival to some degree. The sights, sounds and images along with the fear, even if he's not in direct combat, will affect his brain's ability to process and put the experience in the proper places along with the emotion. He's probably not able to stay in his emotions right now. Eventually that will all need to be synced up. The other therapy I would recommend which will really help again with the PTSD- is called SRI. Somato Respiratory Integration. It might be a little bit of work to find a practitioner but it's worth it. It will help tell the body it's o.k. to return to a calm state. If nothing else, write them down, throw them in a drawer just in case. :hug:

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

16. Thanks Cadence :)

I was thinking about the PTSD before he left but I hope its not extreme if he goes through it , no matter what I will stand by his side . And you are right , this is war , not holiday . Even on the way into Baghdad , they almost had an incident , thank God nothing happened - but I will keep everything you said in mind :hug:

[jody]

15. I'm glad he is safe and hope he returns home soon. Please send

him a letter or note everyday although he will probably get them in bunches. You will never know just how much a simple phrase "I love you" means to someone in combat. I do and my wife understood!

I hope all our troops return home safe and sound very soon, and congress learns something from Bush's misadventure.

God bless you and yours.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

17. I already have a stack of letters that I have written ...

that I am mailing off tomorrow .I think my post office is going to get sick of seeing me over the next year lol .