CAMP SPEICHER, Iraq — Al Qaeda and other extremist groups aren’t the only enemy facing U.S. troops stationed at this massive base in central Iraq. The Americans also are engaged in the mother of all battles — against gaining weight.
You’ve heard of the freshman 15. How about the Iraq 20?
Forget the K-rations of World War II and the chewy, tasteless MREs — “Meals, Ready-to-Eat” — that sustained U.S. Soldiers in more recent conflicts. With most of America’s 150,000 troops in Iraq living on large bases, the combat ration has given way to a smorgasbord of food that has some Soldiers bingeing and others in fits.
“You have to have an iron discipline,” said Sgt. Robert Carmical, a trombone player in the 25th Infantry Division Band, who arrived at Contingency Operating Base Speicher only days ago. “A lot of people turn to food for comfort, and the opportunity is there.”
“Stand by me” is a featured song around the world in which 37 musicians from five continents assemble together to create one unified track. The musicians have never met in person and connect through their music. Each track is added to the song as the musicians are recorded LIVE outside across the globe. The end result is a remarkable human connection and a powerful song.
CHICAGO — Dave Tiderman wondered if the decimal point was in the wrong place when he opened his $35,000 company bonus. Jose Rojas saw his $10,000 check and thought, “That can’t be right.â€
Valentin Dima watched co-workers breaking down in tears over their bonus checks and didn’t trust his emotions. He drove home first, then opened his envelope: $33,000.
Year-end bonuses are rare these days. Rarer still is what the Spungen family, owners of a ball bearings company in Waukegan, about 40 miles north of Chicago, did as they sold the business.
They gave out whopping thank-you bonuses.
A total of $6.6 million is being shared by just 230 employees of Waukegan-based Peer Bearing Co., with facilities in England and the United States. Amounts varied and were based on years of service.
For those who desire to dwell on their devotion and stay focused on their faith, Disciple Shades is pleased to offer the first and only line of Christian-based sunglasses with inspirational verses on the inside. Created as simple reminders of your divine self in the midst of a hectic, rapidly moving world, our hip, new sunglasses provide a unique way to keep our attention on what is truly important—our faith and our spirituality.
Our distinctive product design features Christian emblems, such as a simple Cross, a Dove and the signature Disciple Shades winged D, that reflect the values of Love, Hope, Faith and Joy. Meaningful biblical verses are displayed on the inside temple of every model. Our premier collection of fashion-forward, spiritually inspired sunglasses provides 100% UV protection—which means you can keep cool and look cool at the same time you’re affirming your faith.
These fantastic new shades will do more than complete your Christian wardrobe and enable you to focus on your faith. With our inspirational sunglasses, you’ll be wearing what you believe in, and most importantly, living in the light. And, since a portion of our sales goes to the charity Habitat for Humanity, you’ll also be serving mankind while being reminded of your spirituality.
A speeding pickup rear-ended a woman’s sedan on the South Side on Friday morning and sheriff’s officials say the driver said it was Jesus’ will because the other motorist was not “driving like a Christian.â€
The bizarre incident that shut down southbound U.S. 281 above the Medina River happened about 7:25 a.m.
“He just said God said she wasn’t driving right, and she needed to be taken off the road,†said Lt. Kyle Coleman of the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.
Evangelical Christians are adopting — and adapting — the rituals of Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas that are traditionally celebrated by Catholics, Lutherans, Eastern Orthodox and other liturgical churches.
They’re giving a new, personalized spin to the prayers, candles and calendars to track the building excitement, and set a spiritual tone day by day. This year Advent begins on Sunday.
I was working on a list of things I have learned or been exposed to since leaving the Baptist church, with Advent being one of them. I have to admit the first time I was exposed to Advent it was a bit weird, only because it was something new to me, but I’m thankful that I have now embraced it. I hope the evangelicals that will be exposed to this as something new in their worship will find it just as enriching.
ALEXANDRIA, Pa. (AP) — The Rev. George M. Docherty, credited with helping to push Congress to insert the phrase “under God” into the Pledge of Allegiance, has died at 97.
Docherty died on Thanksgiving at his home in central Pennsylvania, according to his wife, Sue Docherty.
She said her husband of 36 years had been in failing health for about three years.
“George said he was going to live to be a hundred and he was determined,” she said in a telephone interview Saturday. “It’s amazing that he was with us this long.”
Docherty, then pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, just blocks from the White House, gave a sermon in 1952 saying the pledge should acknowledge God.
WifeGeeding and I successfully cooked a very flavorful and tender turkey . . . but it still wasn’t as good as my mother’s. But there’s plenty of time for us to practice.
I don’t think there will ever be a reason or a sale so fantastic that I would be willing to wake up early on Black Friday and be part of the mayhem.
But I’m all about Cyber Monday.
However . . . it’s going to be a frugal Christmas in the Geeding household this year.
For those that live in DFW . . . that Winstar Casino “Rome” commercial is driving me bonkers.
The 2008 Bailout vs Other Large Government Projects. Chart
I actually watched a two hour special I Tivo’d way back when over Einstein’s theory of relativity. I wasn’t aware that it took a total eclipse to prove his theory, and that later in life he married his cousin. Oh, and his first wife only granted a divorce after he said he would give her his Nobel prize money he was so confident he was going to win. Funny thing is, he didn’t win it for his theory of relativity.
Oh, and I also finally watched an hour long special on the Lunar Rover. It’s amazing how they were able to make it fold in a space less than five cubic feet. And in case you didn’t know, there are three of them on the moon.
I also watched a History channel special on the White House and learned something new. There was talk about moving the nation’s capitol from D.C. to Cincinnati after the British torched DC in 1814. The thought being if the nation’s capitol was closer inland it would be better protected.
I hope the Christian church rememberd to pray for those involved in the terrorist act that occurred in Mumbai.
I’m not complaining, but it feels so weird being able to fill my gas tank up for under $25.
A bit long and nerdy, but creative. Star Wars vs Star Trek (be sure to watch til after the credits)
Texas Tech has not looked like a top ten team in the last two weeks.
College football games are fun, but the BCS makes it difficult to be a fan.
It’s December, which means it’s time for the Cowboys to fold and flush all our hopes down the toilet.
I liked the way the Redskins honored Sean Taylor.
The NFL in 3D will be the next new thing. Article Maybe that deserved its own separate post.
On a quiz show I learned the largest city in Missouri is actually Kansas City. I would have thought it was St Louis.
Speaking of St Louis, here’s a video of the guy who changes the light bulb on top of the Gateway Arch. He does it about once a year. I have a fear of heights, I couldn’t do anything like that.
A somewhat interesting article on prayer websites. Article
I found the perfect birthday card for a friend the other day, but his birthday recently passed, so I’m going to have to hold on to this card for a whole year.
Life sure can be stranger than fiction. I most recently thought of that after reading about the story of Dan White.
I did a lot of electronic cleaning and discovered a have a lot of power cords that go to nothing, miles of telephone cords, lots of RCA cables, three old PCs I’ll never use, and a lot of other e-crap that needs to be recycled instead of being thrown out.
