Okay, I'm done with politics. On to better things. My daughter is now past boot camp and now kicking back in AIT. Can you believe they let new soldiers have weekend passes, have their cell phones, and civilian clothes??? What is the military coming to? I didn't see civilian clothes until after AIT, but that was field artillery, none of those relaxed sissy MOS's. Regardless, she really has grown and is doing well. She actually uses manners now.

As for me, I considered selling the TJ in hopes of getting either an XJ to build or a Liberty to build (even though options are limited, it can be done). Jeep values are down so I couldn't get the price I needed. So, I'm doing a compression test this weekend to see if I can figure out some power issues, looking at finally getting my 33's, and saving for new drive shafts and gears. My job is going well even though I am looking to go active in the Natl Guard so I can retire sooner than here at the VA, but at least I have a good job, can't complain.

I finally picked up a hard back copy of my favorite book (had to paperback copies), Red Storm Rising. I read this when I first arrived in Germany in 1987 and it made me wonder what the hell I had joined the army for as it took place in the same places we did our training in. Of course, on the East German border, our mission was to stall until forces from home could be brought in, expected survival time was days if not just hours. Of course, I had my hand on a nuclear weapon, so at least I could have taken a lot of them with me. Anyway, if you enjoy modern warfare, this is a great peice of fiction.

so, hows your day?

Good to hear about your daughter. My brother just got back from Iraq Monday after a 15 month tour. I am so glad he is home...well in Germany but at least out of there.

She understands the possibility of deploying and I imagine she expects it at some point, I just hope she can get to her first unit and be there a while first to get acustomed to the lifestyle. Plus, I will probably be going to Afghanistan in the next year, her mom would really like for us not to be gone at the same time.

Even though we have differences of opinion in politics, Thank you for your service, I truly am in debt to you, your daughter, and everyone in the U.S. armed forces.

Hey, kg4kpg, whered you get your front bumper. its cool.

I actually don't have that bumper any longer, the winch didn't fit right under it right so I sold it. I got it from a guy locally who accidentaly had two shipped to him from an ebay vendor so I got a steal on it. I'm using the stock bumper until I get the steel to build a new one.

Sounds like things are going really well for you and yours. I'm glad. Congrats to your daughter and thank you, both, for your service to our country.

Skeeter and I have been talking about getting a tubing bender so we can start making our own bumpers, tire carriers, cages and so on. We already have all of the other equipment needed to set up shop. I think it'll be fun.