Oh! There's one...hundred, million, googol

Does it happen to you? Do you buy something or want something and never see it and then one day you do...and it is all over the place?

I'm not talking ebay either. Merry it-mas, by the way!

I noticed this "oh! there's one" phenomenon several times over the last few years. First, with the car I was shopping for. (Who knew Ford Contours were all over? Not me, I don't think I knew what they looked like until I saw mine on the lot.) Second, pianos--were going the way of the dinosaur, I thought--but when we got one, I noticed others tucked into corners, garages, and porches. They're there along with many more 10 year olds than I thought signed up for lessons, which is great. Lastly, motorcycles; I hardly noticed them on the road until one was parked in my own garage.

I don't know. Has that happened to you?

It's not just physical things either. (Now, here's where I stretch to make this post relevant for Army Wives.) Since I've been searching for relevant content on the web for Army Wives (myself included), I have been finding it everywhere. Sometimes now, I'm overwhelmed by the outpouring of interest in supporting us military families. Proctor and Gamble, AT&T, Xerox are all big names that are military support do-gooders. Of course, you find so many big names at http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/, but my point is that that list isn't even exhaustive. If you don't find what you're looking for, keep looking and asking and eventually it will be there.

Consider this as an example: Six months ago, I didn't have even one good resource for marriage education. Now, I've got at least six.

www.gottman.com
www.smartmarriages.com
www.strongbonds.org
www.prepinc.com
www.stayingconnected.net
www.reptilesinlove.com
www.secretsofmarriedmen.com
www.consciousrelationshippodcast.com
www.mvfa.org

These are just a few of the places I've been to, books Tara or I have read--all places that are definitely full of good stuff. They all have their own back-up resources and affiliates. You could all of a sudden start seeing what you need everywhere, like I was talking about.

And when you do find it, won't you share it?
That's what we're all about here at Army Wife Talk Radio.

Love and delight to you and yours, Star

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Politics, Smolitics -- but this time I just have to comment.

You know I am not normally one to be a political conversationalist. In fact, I purposely steer clear of the topic because I feel that there are much more important things for me to be doing with military families other than arguing if we are Republican or Democrat or about our views. The truth is we are on a mission and it doesn't matter what political party we agree with, the soldiers and families need our support and confidence.

Today, though I have to comment. WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE? Have we seriously made our lives so "fast food" that we can't muster up the patience for ANYTHING at all? I was watching the news while folding clothes and packing and heard the commentary about the new Democratic led House and Congress. The newscaster actually said that people were "expecting troop withdrawl very soon" and of course you know what followed....

Next day, in the car on our trip listening to CNN Headline News we hear the same story again. Followed by several political commentators giving their two cents.

Honestly, it doesn't matter who you agree with the thing that bothers me most is that people - regular ORDINARY people - don't even have a clue what any of this means. They honestly think that a Democratic elected Congress and House are in place and so all the troops are coming home. How do I know this? Because today while getting my haircut someone asked me what Kevin and I were doing in Missouri all the way from Georgia so I proceeded to explain our military lives.
"Well, I guess you are glad he won't have to be going back anytime soon."

My comment, "He's leaving in the next few months for a year."

"Oh really? I thought that we weren't sending over any more troops since the election. They are all supposed to be coming home."

"Um...no...there are still plenty of troops deploying and returning just because they had an election doesn't mean our guys are coming home tomorrow."

"I guess I have alot to learn about this stuff?"

"I guess you do."

My worry? Not that people are clueless, but that by being clueless they will forget. Simply forget about every sacrifice (no matter how small) that the soldiers and their families are STILL making today.

Policital, smolitical. I know....but really? I can't help it. PAY ATTENTION PEOPLE and use your brains....we're not in a "fast food" war. Change takes time. No matter where or how it happens.

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Everything I ever learned, I learned from the Army

I said, recently, that I have the Army to thank for everything that I am AND everything I'm not. That goes for my junior years in highschool and college ROTC, basic training and AIT, my years in service, and my years as an Army girlfriend and wife. I even daresay that I hope to learn more as a military mom too, someday.

Some might say I'm naive--not the right word--but I'm "taken" for sure, enamored with the overarching principle of selfless service that embodies today's all volunteer Army. They and their families are the best.

And since it's National Military Family month I'd like to dedicate my own roll-up of lessons learned. This is for them:

Everything I ever learned, I learned from the military...

Attitude adjustments are free; Be All You Can Be; Courage Candor Competence Commitment; Duty; Exceed, don't just succeed; Fire and maneuver can be applied to marriage; Go-no-go, you're one or the other; Honor; Integrity; Joint operations [required]; Know, don't just think you know; Loyalty; Mental toughness; National pride; Observe your lane; Personal Courage; Quitting is not an option; Respect; Selfless Service; Train as you fight; Uniformity [of character]; Volunteerism; Words mean things; XYZ, great OPSEC device i.e. Camp XYZ

(If you have questions, ask. Some of these things are common, but others are obscure or personal. If you're interested in a story behind one or two, I won't mind sharing.)

Thanks to all who have contributed to my learning and continue to do so.

All my best to our military members and their families, Star

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Geographical Bachelorette?

Remember that movie, "How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days"? I could sum up the answer to that question pretty easily. I would envision the movie watcher hitting "play" to see a quick flash of the new Army combat uniform fabric, followed by a flash of the face of a recruiter, families waving goodbye, and then showing a soldier in a tent in Iraq. Not to be argumentative, but that's an easy way to become a geographical bachelorette in just ten days.

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Blog, Blah, Blog

Hi I'm back; no excuses...no looking back.
Alright then--Blog, Blah, Blog. What in the world is that title?
Well, it has struck me that there is something that I don't like about blogs, which has kept me away for awhile, and that is the lack of interaction. While I'm not normally an extrovert, I do like feedback and engaging in discussion for the betterment of all. I am not the type of person that likes to hear myself talk and when I'm blogging, I feel like it's all blah, blah, blah. I don't know if that's true or don't know otherwise, if you all aren't sharing what you think. And I truly mean--sharing constructive, positive or negative feedback. It is all welcome.

I didn't know this about myself when I started this blog journey, because this is my first go at serial entries. Furthermore, I didn't know what to do about it...until I listened to Laurie Puhn on Show #80, where she said that you have to ask for what you want. Duh; I guess I forgot that.

So to start, I had to realize that I do believe in what we're doing. I feel like we at AWTR (Tara and I) have the ability and desire to make your Army Wife Life better. At the very minimum, we're available and I hope you know that. I want to continue to be available too. But, what about the other half of communication--the listener’s response? I personally need someone to come out and say, "How about this?" or "I tried this...blah, blah, blah." Have you thought about it? Have you thought about letting us know and just haven't?

How about this? I'm not going to ask you to get into a routine of responding, but I would like you to do one thing. If you haven't visited the message boards or commented on this blog, please do. Let us know your issue. Our job is to talk about your issues, refer you to some resources, and cheer your way. We like doing it and I hope it's working.

Thanks ladies. Looking forward, Star

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