My ideal job has always been home renovation.

Well, one of my aspirations--after I sell my novel and get rich/famous within seconds of its hitting the bookstores--is to buy houses and fix them up. So I'm learning something that might actually be useful to me down the road.

Joy,

Coleman (the camping people) make a whole bunch of really good (and reasonably priced) thermoses. I have one at home that is a dual-compartment. About a pint on each side, two lids, two cups. Check the camping side of Wal-mart or target.

For lunch I used a soft-side cooler bag (the $5 kind) and froze two bottles of drinking water to keep things cold. The water will thaw by lunch in warm weather, giving a cold drink along with your lunch. My wife used to freeze tea or lemonade as well. With the cold pack you can take any type of tuna/chicken/egg salad (in a separate bowl) and bread to make a sandwich that isn't soggy. Veggies and fruit also do well. The lunch box then collapses for your trip home.

I currently use MREs for lunch on the go; part and parcel of the job. They have improved over the old days, but not much.

SGT Dave
Camp Victory, Iraq

Sgt. Dave,

You are the MAN! Sounds like what you're recommending is sturdy, like the "trucker's Thermos" I use for road trips. Exactly what I need.

When you eat your MREs, eat them with an awareness that we here in the U.S. are truly grateful for what you're doing. And so are the Iraqi people, though our media is keeping that a secret from most of mylefty friends.

I hear C-Rations were worse, though it annoys me that you aren't getting hot meals every minute (and bikini-clad girls feeding you grapes, for that matter).

Send me a note if you'd like a care package: I'd love to put one together for your and your friends.

1) What's the problem with oatmeal? Put rolled oats and boiling water into a wide-neck thermos, then wait around 20 minutes. It will be ready by the time you get to the jobsite. May need to experiment with the amount of water. Raisins and diced dried fruit should plump up just fine.

2) Blueberry bagels are sacrilege. I know I am a hypocrite - a Jew who loves everything from Thai to Mexican. But it still hurts when my home cuisine is "fusioned".

3) Here in Israel, the soldiers buy watch protectors - a thingie that looks like a sturdy plastic version of the "blister pack" type packaging. The clear plastic "dome" covers the watch and protects it, the cloth backing goes between watch and your arm. Hope I explained this well - do they sell those there?

Another trick is to cut a circle of clingy plastic wrap, and cover the watch face with it while painting. Then peel and discard. It's easier to stick the plastic on the watch and then trim off the excess, rather than try to cut a perfect circle out of the clingy film.

Hope this helps!

Ben-David, how do you feel about blueberry blintzes? 'Cause I do prefer them to regular cheese blintzes.

I only eat the blueberry bagels because supermarket bagels are generally so awful. When I'm at a real bagel shop I always order a poppy-seed bagel. Not toasted. With cream cheese.

Is that acceptable? ;)

I'm also very fond of Latkes, Challah, and matzo ball soup.

Joy,

C-rats were not as bad as they say - at least every once in a while. My father (1SG Jim) served for several years and would bring C-rats home for camping trips.

As it is, I do eat very well. The Dining Facility (not "Mess Hall" anymore) is staffed by a bunch of really nice people who are fighting for the contract jobs. The food is almost too good for this old body (I have to watch the middle).

I appreciate the offer of a care package; the wife and extended family are taking care of me at this time. Call the Army Reserve 203rd MI Battalion or the CA National Guard - most of the armories have an adopt a soldier program. The kids need all the support they can get.

This old, grumpy sergeant appreciates the kind words and support. Be well.

"Always Out Front"
SGT Dave

Thank you, Sir. I haven't yet done that. But now I will.