Everyday…
Everyday here starts, and ends, the same - I walk to and from work.
Everyday I do similar jobs; manage and direct chaos, or fly the mission.
The workday can start at a variety of different times - depending on the upcoming missions or workload. Whenever it starts, 5:00AM or 2:00PM, it continues for approximately 16-18 hours. There have been a few instances (recently), where I did not sleep for multiple days.
I always start with a single cup of coffee. That single cup is an oversized, styrofoam, reused for the last month, 16 oz cup. You may be saying, “I thought you drank a lot more coffee than that.” The answer is, I switched to espresso. The 16 ounces is an entire pot of espresso. So now you know why it’s only one cup. Every few days, or if I continue to fall asleep while standing up, I may need a second cup in the last half of the day. The styrofoam cup is used over-and-over because I cannot get big cups.
At my desk, I have one secure laptop and one secure phone. I also have one non-secure laptop, and one non-secure phone. So my desk looks like a little war-room with all the communications gear. Next to my desk, or on it, is a 9mm pistol, handheld GPS, body armor, flight vest, flight helmet and gloves, Kevlar helmet, M4 rifle, evasion maps, ammunition, and various other flight gear [knives (survival, Gerber multitool, small Swiss-army), flashlights (3 D Cell, headlamp, night-vision compatible cockpit flashlight), earplugs, aircraft headphones, etc.I now have a small refrigerator in the office which holds water, Gatorade and a couple of Rip-its (it’s a new drink that is high in vitamin B and caffeine). The Rip-its are used because I typically don’t drink enough coffee. 
Before I start the walk back to my trailer, I end everyday “looking” at two things. I look at the little picture album containing the pictures of my 5 family members, and at the 5 little US flags on my corkboard. I placed the little US flags on the corkboard to reiterate my mission back home, and why I must return from combat - to ensure they are not left behind.
Tim
FROM TIFFANY: SOME RECENT PICS TIM SENT TO US
Tim, your children are lucky to have the love of such a dedicated father. Come home safely. Love, Winden and the gang
Winden - October 26th, 2007 at 9:36 amSounds to me like you could use a big cup…this is so ‘John Stoner’. I guess we don’t fall far from the tree.
I will also send you a new mini-album…these kids are getting so big. The girls are starting to say words…especially Campbell. I also can put barrettes in their hair now, although Emerson likes to pull them out to chew on them. She is like a growing puppy…she needs chew toys.
I loved reading the details of your environment…it helps paint in a picture in my mind. I love that among all of the equipment there are five little flags behind you. We are waiting for you! It won’t be long. Love, Porter
tiffany - October 26th, 2007 at 9:44 amI love seeing your big mug again. Tiff is looking at this and wondering when she can get her mitts on you and stare into those big blue eyes.
It is funny, but time has been good to you.
Miss you.
n8
n8 - October 26th, 2007 at 10:05 amYou look different (in a good way) and your hair is longer than I had imagined…I pictured it army short.
Helena - October 26th, 2007 at 12:04 pmTake care and we miss you.
Helena
Helena you’re right, my hair is longer. I cut it, a few days after this photo. This picture was taken after being awake for two days - I’m surprised I didn’t look worse.
I sent more photos today - with Army-short hair.
You might be surprised, but high-and-tight haircuts and pressed uniforms are not my focus for the unit here. If you’ve been on a MEDEVAC mission all night - even shaving is an option. I am very clear with the men on our objective = the mission is FIRST and is “no fail.” Then, when available, try and maintain some semblence of military bearing.
tim - October 26th, 2007 at 3:50 pmYou were born to be a leader.
susan
Susan - October 26th, 2007 at 5:15 pmYou are HOT!!! Miss you.
xoxoxoxoxo,
Suzy - October 26th, 2007 at 10:16 pmYou make me cry. Take care of yourself. Maybe you need some menopausal women on your team. Most of us don’t even need coffee to stay awake for a couple of days. We thrive on sleep deprivation. xoxoxooxox Caroline
Aunt 9 - October 26th, 2007 at 10:25 pmI would never have guessed that you hadn’t slept in 2 days. I think I’m gonna switch to espresso…:)
Heather, David, Camryn and Jaxon
Heather - October 26th, 2007 at 10:48 pmDude:
Once again, you remind us how fortunate we are to have you as a friend, neighbor, father-figure and soldier for our Country. I would say something about how good you look, but Kevin Hohman would be all over me with his hyper-active gaydar. Take care of yourself. We can’t wait to have you home, drinking a cold brew and smoking a Cubano on your back porch.
Creekstone Way Z
Matt, Tracy and Boys - October 26th, 2007 at 11:34 pmTim -
I spoke with Jim Clark this morning and learned that you were in Iraq. I have thought of you often over the months and wondered if you were somewhere over there being the macho man that you are :). I smiled when I read your posting - reminds me of drinking coffee with you at work and of our infamous road trip with Mr Davis!
Take care Tim - thanks for ALL that you are doing. We are lucky to have someone like you fighting for our freedoms and making a difference.
Jodi
Jodi Wolfe - October 30th, 2007 at 9:00 amJesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
John 4:13,14
Tim -
Tim & Alfega - October 30th, 2007 at 9:37 pmWe keep praying for you and your troops. God bless you.
We pray that besides water, gatorade, Rip-its and espresso, you and your men will thirst for God and his Word, and that you all will feel his presence each day.
Love, Tim, Alfega, and kids.
[...] is the bulletin board Tim mentioned several posts ago (Everyday) with the five U.S. [...]
Letters From Tim » Blog Archive » Audio Messages - November 8th, 2007 at 4:45 pm