I may have to back out of my build for now :(

[Joe Wicked]

Cool story. Kinda a meant to be story. Mine just has that jaw drop factor.

My wife used to live in the same apt building as my Mom in Kansas City. My Mom decided to pack up and move and start over in OKC. She decided to go along with her and do the same. They ended up in OKC, broke, couldn't find jobs, and in a shelter. I was in the Navy in San Diego and drove to OKC to pick them up. I met Trina for the first time that day. We all (Mom, Sister, Brother, Trina and Me) rode back to San Diego in my 85 TA. Trina and I hit it off immediately, and 3 weeks later we were married. That was just over 12 years ago.

[fsstnotch]

Originally Posted by Joe Wicked

Cool story. Kinda a meant to be story. Mine just has that jaw drop factor.

My wife used to live in the same apt building as my Mom in Kansas City. My Mom decided to pack up and move and start over in OKC. She decided to go along with her and do the same. They ended up in OKC, broke, couldn't find jobs, and in a shelter. I was in the Navy in San Diego and drove to OKC to pick them up. I met Trina for the first time that day. We all (Mom, Sister, Brother, Trina and Me) rode back to San Diego in my 85 TA. Trina and I hit it off immediately, and 3 weeks later we were married. That was just over 12 years ago.

Why did the smokey and the bandit song come to mind as soon as I read that?!lol That's still a cool story! At least it has foundation!

[RICK LAKE]

fsstnotch Hold on to your Faith. There is nothing that will replace the lost time away from your family. When you get home you can make up for this lost time. NOBODY who jointed the military thought that this was going to be another police action. You go to war, kill the enemy, and come home. There are no rules in war except for this country. Talk to your Chaplin, he may be able to help stablize you feelings. I missed the draft for Vietnam by 3 months, some of my class mates where there, and said nothing in basic prepared them for what they saw. I hope you get to call home a couple of times a week. This is your strength when you get weak and worried about coming home. You are human and I and the rest of the country would never call you a coward. To see what you have seen and do what you do to protect us. I thank you for wearing the uniform you wear and the job you do. Stay sharp and don't get too relaxed, you will be home soon. Keep your kevlar on. Listen to the little voices in your head about watching out. If something doesn't feel right, 98% of the time you are right. I hope your team leader thinks the same way. You will get your cobra built, I waited 27 years to do mine, it's worth the wait. Stay low, keep safe, e-mail if you want to talk. Did you say what motor,trans,rearend, color of the car are you going for? You need to think about carbs or FI. Tires and Wheels. Exhaust? sidepipes or under the car. There are alot of options or a cobra. There are about 50+ cobra manufactures also for reading material. FFR has a nice CD you could look at. Have Faith and keep that inner strength. God will watch over you. Rick Lake

[MFE III]

Fsstnotch, I ditto all the kind and supportive things said here! You obviously have your priorities straight. Whatever choice you make, I know it will be the right one.
Matt

[fsstnotch]

Rick, I've pretty much got my cobra all planned out except paint scheme. Both schemes are the same but with 2 different colors. I see them both in my head and they both look great!

I've already got my deposit down on HM1104, and I've already purchased the 408 stroker kit. here's the plan though, we'll see if some of you can envision it. the car will have 17" replica wheels with the centers painted matte black. it will have matte black side pipes, dual roll bars, racing stripes, and team stripes as well. the 2 body colors I'm planning are either grabber blue or prowler orange. Black interior, moto lita, and the lowback leather seats. the powerplant will be a 10.5:1 408w stroker with the edelbrock airgap dual quad setup, victor Jr heads, and track heat stage 3 cam. rearend will be the 9" with trak lok, 3.50 gear, Fully adjustable coilovers front and rear. I've already read the assembly manual that Mike sent me all the way here to Iraq.

[landerson]

fsstnotch: I'm not a Cobra owner (I have a Beck Speedster), but have lurked here for several years as I do love these cars. I'm glad to hear that you've found a little peace. I don't know what your skills are, but I work for Scientific Research Corporation (www.scires.com), a contract firm that does a lot of support engineering for the military all over the country. While I don't know if we would have any opportunities in PA, you never know. I DO know that we always have opportunities in Charleston, SC, where I am. Feel free to PM me and send in a resume whenever you're ready.

[WildBill3]

Fsstnotch my prayers are with you bud,may the lords strength peace and wisdom be yours also.WildBill3

[Lowell W]

Josh and Gregg: There is no way to thank you guys adequately for what you're doing. Just...thank you!

In civilian life, we get paid for what we know or for the risks we take, or both. Some of us are paid what we're worth, a few are paid more, and some are paid less. If you have an opportunity to make what you think is crazy money, do it as long as it's worthwhile but DON'T jeopardize your sanity or your family. It's only money.

I'd venture to guess many of us have had a lot of careers before we got to the point where we could buy the toys we had lusted after since we were kids.

Stay safe, both you guys, and keep things in perspective.

Lowell

[fsstnotch]

Whew, yesterday was a very bad day for me! Today is much better! I still wish I was home, but I can tolerate it! My sanity and my family are the most important things to me! if I had to, i'd pack up and leave tomorrow... but I'm gonna make it! Thank you all for the kind words! I can't wait to get this over with and get back to my family and get rolling on the cobra! My wife and I had several goals to meet when i came out here. They are how I ended up deciding to come in the first place. We've met some of those goals but not all! If I leave here without accomplishing them all, i think i may be more disappointed with myself later. I'm going to try my best to stick it out. My wife is going to help me out, and we're gonna get through it together! I'm sure there will be bumps ove rthe next 8 months, but we'll get over them!

landerson, your company does actually have openings for me in SC! I'm a tech controller by title, but I can do anyhting from routers, satcom, some server stuff, computers, mobile wireless, radios, etc etc, I hold a clearance which is definitely a good thing to have when searching for jobs. thanks for the link, I'm going to keep an eye out for jobs when the time nears!

Steve, thanks, I can't speak for Gregg, but I'm pretty good here on stuff! I could use a beer though! haha Not alot.. just 1! Just something to take the edge off!

[LMH]

Hang in there man! Sounds like you have a great family that's willing to go the distance. Good luck!
Larry

[Gregg(What's his name)?]

Josh,

I'll second that beer thing. I know I could use a cold one right about now. I enjoy what I do and I'm really glad to have the chance to serve my country. I have been in since 1981 and I am on year 26 of this carreer. This my first time in a Combat Zone and I am doing ok. I would like to thank all those who have gone before me; Especially those who have served in WW2, Korea, Vietnam. Those to me are the true heroes. I have a computer, I can email and web cam, send IM messages everchance I get. I am only over here for another 270 days.(Who is counting ) Those other Veterans, had no luxury like we have today and spent a hell of alot more time in combat than I am. I understand why they call them the greatest generation.

I am proud to be called an American Soldier, but I am only one in a long line who have gone before me. When this tour is up I will settle back into my daily life with God and my family. Then get my Cobra(even the wife talked about that last night) and enjoy life.

Josh me and you when this is over will have to tear up the streets and talk about war stories. Believe me I have had a few already.

Oh and I could use a HOT SHOWER and keep the water on for a few hours.

Gregg H
Located in DisneySAnd-Badgag

Originally Posted by fsstnotch

Whew, yesterday was a very bad day for me! Today is much better! I still wish I was home, but I can tolerate it! My sanity and my family are the most important things to me! if I had to, i'd pack up and leave tomorrow... but I'm gonna make it! Thank you all for the kind words! I can't wait to get this over with and get back to my family and get rolling on the cobra! My wife and I had several goals to meet when i came out here. They are how I ended up deciding to come in the first place. We've met some of those goals but not all! If I leave here without accomplishing them all, i think i may be more disappointed with myself later. I'm going to try my best to stick it out. My wife is going to help me out, and we're gonna get through it together! I'm sure there will be bumps ove rthe next 8 months, but we'll get over them!

landerson, your company does actually have openings for me in SC! I'm a tech controller by title, but I can do anyhting from routers, satcom, some server stuff, computers, mobile wireless, radios, etc etc, I hold a clearance which is definitely a good thing to have when searching for jobs. thanks for the link, I'm going to keep an eye out for jobs when the time nears!

Steve, thanks, I can't speak for Gregg, but I'm pretty good here on stuff! I could use a beer though! haha Not alot.. just 1! Just something to take the edge off!

[fsstnotch]

Originally Posted by Gregg(What's his name)?

Josh,
Oh and I could use a HOT SHOWER and keep the water on for a few hours.

Gregg H
Located in DisneySAnd-Badgag

We don't have much of a problem in the line of HOT shower... we either have hot water or NO water! haha I'd like to take a nice long shower to get the crud off.. then just soak for an hour!

Josh

[imagine2frolic]

What a difference a day can make! You sound like a new man. Take care, and your lady sounds like a good anchor.

[fsstnotch]

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

What a difference a day can make! You sound like a new man. Take care, and your lady sounds like a good anchor.

Definitely! I don't know what I'd do without her support!

[trularin]

Rick Lake has some good words of advice.

You can always post on CC and get our support.

I do not want to say the same thing every else has already said, but I'll just say, focus on something with a great ending.

Thank God you are hanging in there.

[Gregg(What's his name)?]

Josh,

We must have the same plumber. Good thing you don't have to flush a port-a-jon.

Gregg H

[fsstnotch]

Well... we have real toilets.. they flush 4% of the time! haha

[joey_hv]

Josh,
I kinda know how you feel (well, except for the poeple trying to shoot you part), i work offshore in the oilfield and usually stay out there for 14 days at a time and take 14 days off, sometimes i get stuck and have to stay longer and i wine like a little beeotch! and i don't have people trying to kill me on a aily basis! except for the crane operators, everyone ese is pretty safe

my hat off to you! proud of ya!
joey

[RICK LAKE]

fsstnotch There are CC members all around NJ,NY, and eastern PA. If your wife needs any help with some thing let us know. I used to go to Windgap to help Rich's family while he was in the navy. It's an 1 1/2 hour away but do able. If she is just looking for people to talk too, give a call. I work on cars, house repair is not my speciality. 732-254-3536 after 8:00pm. You sound better. You guys could make a pool behind the motor pool and sell passes to the oasis. . Sorry just a thought. If you go with the orange color, YOU will be the only one in the state and can't run away from the police and blame another cobra. I like the Blue and orange like the Gulf GT-40. If I had not gone with the FIA colors of white,blue strips, and porsche red fender strips, I was looking at your idea. Got to go and pull motor in car. 2 weeks to R&G. alot of work to do. Stay cool, drink water, I would look into that pool Rick L.

[fsstnotch]

Thanks for the offer Rick! I think my location is misleading though! North East is hte name of the town I live in. It is actually the northern most town in PA right on lake Erie in the keystone. My wife and I will pull each other through like always! We have our up and down days but who wouldn't when you're thousands of miles away from each other!