[Lady Jag]

I noticed I hadn't seen you around much. Are you one of those who is making dough hand over fist and paying next to no taxes? If I were younger and abler it would be tempting.

Thumbs up for you! You're a blessing to this country. I suppose being a Texan helps adapt to the high temperatures. May I ask about other things you must adapt to? Do you go off base?

[Allegra]

The money's pretty darn good and I haven't paid a dime of taxes yet this year. Legally. :)

We're strictly not allowed off base unless we're in a military convoy or a military helicopter. I've done both. I've also been in a C-130 as it did a combat landing in Baghdad flying in from Kuwait after an R&R trip in May and THAT was fun! (No, the R&R trip wasn't in Kuwait...we just staged in and out of there.) I've flown in a Chinook over downtown Baghdad at night. I'm digging it.

The hours are long, the weather is hot and dusty, but the experience is priceless.

I might even do a second year after this one is up. Yep, call me certifiable. LOL