Meet the Newest Member of the Clay Clan...

Peter Camelside!!   aka "Stinky Pete"
So I literally let the computer sit overnight to try to load a video of my little guy playing with his squeaky sandal, but to no avail... I had grand ambitions of posting this last week but technology doesn't seem to agree with me, so I apologize for the delay. You'll have to settle for some pics.
Our little puppy joined our family on Wednesday, June 9th. He's a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel and the sweetest, calmest, and most wonderful companion dog I've ever seen. Of course I'm more than a little biased being his mommy and all, but everyone falls instantly in love with him upon sight. I'd wanted to get a dog for a while and purposely moved into a complex that accepted dogs so I could have someone to keep me company while Dave is gone. I started researching breeds and fell in love with the Cavaliers--then found out they were insanely expensive because they are typically show dogs bred for competition. Both sides of his family are champion dogs though I have no real intention of showing him. Long story but I contacted a breeder outside of Rochseter and as we emailed back and forth she told me that her grandson had served in Iraq and her husband was a Vietnam era veteran and they were willing to work with my budget to help out another military family. Extremely touching how she really reached out to me and helped me find just the right little guy to keep me sane while my husband is halfway across the world.
Of course he's a lot of work but he's doing just fine. Now officially 4 months old, he isn't nearly as energetic and out of control as I would have expected. His favorite things are to sit in my lap and to chew carrots under the coffee table. That's actually how we got the name--his love of carrots made me think of Peter Rabbit and Peter Cottontail. Dave noticed his markings on his right flank look like a camel and so he wanted to name him Camel and we compromised on Peter Camelside.


He's still super shy around strangers and is trying to get used to all the changes in coming to his new home, but he's handling things well. He's accompanied me to a few group meetings and would hang out sleeping under my chair while we worked. He's survived two baths now toon (including the super scary blowdryer)! His house training is coming along great--despite peeing in the house for the first few days, he has been 100% outside for almost a week now! He still piddles if he gets excited--usually only when I've been gone for a few hours and come back or when he meets a bigger dog than him (which is everyone except for the occasional chihuahua). He's 10 pounds, the vet says he's healthy as can be, and we are thrilled to have him join the Clays. Enjoy seeing the cuteness!!

The Sights and Sounds of Victory

Dave:  So here we are seeing the glorious sights of Baghdad, or at least the glorious sights on Camp Victory.

First on our stop is Saddam's Victory over America Palace. In an effort to show his great victory over America in the 90's, Saddam decided to celebrate with a palace.  Unfortunately the palace is still in construction, and Saddam is still working on that victory over America thing too. Way to go Saddam!

Next we have the Flinstone's village.  Originally when I heard about this place, I thought it just looked like the Flintstones because of the construction.  The truth is that Saddam's kids like the Flinstone's cartoon so much he actually built them a fully functioning village patterned after it.  I was a little disappointed to find out there weren't any foot powered cars or dinosaurs. 

As you can see, Americans couldn't help but decorate in their own special way.  Too bad. 

I'll get more pictures of the palaces and other fun stuff  when I can.  But I can't drive around here without wondering, now that we are legitimizing the government here don't they want all this stuff back?  I think and I know Kristine agrees that we should give it back to them, right now, as long as the said transaction would require me returning to NY.  I think this deal has promise.

Hooch to Work, Work to Chowhall, Chowhall to Hooch, repeat.

Hooch = room, work = work, chowhall = food

Dave:  So here I am in Iraq.  This time feels very different than the last. Before there was a real fight that we were trying to win, but now the feeling is we are all just waiting to leave.  Much of the country is shutting down, packing up and moving out.

I on the other hand have just moved in.  I am working in an office.  I now proudly wear the biggest indicator to the fact that I don't really feel the need to go out on missions: the shoulder holster.  I turned in my rifle, so all I have is a pistol to lug around everywhere.

Here I am getting ready to go to chow.  The Army came out with great athletic clothing that was reflective so we could be seen at night. But it must not have worked well enough because we also must wear a highly reflective belt as well.

Kristine doesn't like my lack of hair, but it keeps me a little cooler, which in 120degree heat actually means a lot.

Here is my room for the next year.

Saddam during the 80s and 90s hosted a number of international meetings.  At the beginning he did have enough hotel space to fit all his guests, so he built a couple palaces near the airport.  Another meeting happened and he still didn't have enough space, so he built a huge complex of canals, palaces and lakes to impress all who came to visit.  The last palace Al Faw was completed in 2002. All of the area around the lakes and palaces was lush and well maintained. Little did he know that the US military would be the ones to appreciate his hard work.

Here is the view from right outside my office.

This one is on the walk back to the hooch

Here is one of my favorite things to do.  The waterways are full of fish, mainly carp, and they love to eat anything.  Once or twice a day I will go out with a little muffin or a box of cereal and give it to them.  They see me coming and swarm. Any direction I swing my arm, they race to in order to catch whatever food lands.

Its hot. Its lonely. Its tiring, but as long as I get a minute or two to talk to my dear wife, its not that bad.