When We said I Do…

I remember it like it took place only moments ago…my husband and I were standing in the Chapel at First Army. The minister and three other special witnesses standing with us….after all the rushed plans we were finally here standing together. With my parents on the cell phone speaker listening to their youngest child get married. Yes…in those precious moments I became one of the rare women who call themselves an Army Wife………

I, Tara, take you MW to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part. In the presence of God and
these our friends I take thee to be my husband/wife, promising with Divine assistance to be unto thee a loving and faithful husband/wife so long as we both shall live.

Entreat me not to leave you, or to return from following after you, For where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.

I believe in each word we shared on that September morning and I will stand on them until my husband returns from his deployment to Iraq. We are dedicated to loving one another more and more with each passing day. I am sure you remember your precious moments when you have a silent moment to reflect on why you do what you do each day to provide your soldier with a loving home to return to.

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[Military] Friends Are Our Chosen Families

I was given a quote this week by my new friend Susan, "Friends are your chosen family". This is when I started to really think about the way that military families socialize differently.

It's true, friends are our chosen family. I can make a bet that most of your friends are your military friends. Mine are. I choose them, they choose me. Somehow in this odd and challenging lifestyle, we bond as if we were always together, like family.

I find it very funny when I look at the past ten years I’ve spent as an Army wife and think of the friendships I have made.
They are untraditional, some unlikely, and most by chance or necessity of companionship. There is a certain “challenge” to meeting friends as a military spouse. First, you’re faced with the new location every few years. You’re also faced with the diversity of the people you meet and finding someone with which you can relate. The best part is though, that you have an instant “common thread” of which to rely on. You’re all in the same boat. You’re all fighting the same “battle” and there is a certain necessity of friendship that makes the bonds much easier to form than they are in civilian life. The worst feeling in the world to any military spouse is being far away from your family, only having your husband, and then he gets deployed. In my experiences the fear of that happening gives me the courage to venture out, put myself in uncomfortable surroundings so that I can eventually make this world we live in a comfortable, livable place.

We have our friends from ROTC (Reserved Officers’ Training Corp) and college. Those friends knew Kevin and I when we were twenty-one and twenty-two. They were the “before you had kids” friends. The ones you went out with on Friday nights, the guys I cooked for because I was the only “girlfriend” (bear with me as I paint you a picture of dorky single ROTC guys all hooah about Army life – needless to say I cooked A LOT of dinners), and the ones that attended our wedding and I am sure tried to talk Kevin out of taking the plunge. It’s so funny to see all of them all grown up with families now. We all still email to keep in touch and of course spend moments reliving the past. (You might also want to know that our very own LAS Blogger Tami was the only "girl" while I was the only "girlfriend" so we both know thos dorky guys pretty well -she probably knows more than I ever want to know them - Tami ended up marrying one too - and our families still stay very close!)

Then we have our friends from our very first duty station, Fort Hood, TX. I remember the day I met Erin and Clay. Clay and Kevin were “butter bars” (second lieutenants) in the same unit together. Erin and I neither one knew what we were getting into with this Army life but we decided we’d venture it together. That made a huge difference in our ability to “brave” the whole new world. They too, were “before you had kids” friends but since Kevin and I were the first ones to have a child, they were our cheerleading team when we entered parenthood. Now, they are one kid ahead of us and still going strong.

My best friend Cindy, I met at the Hinesville, GA Wal-Mart while standing in line to pick up pictures. She had her son in the cart, I had my daughter. We were both about ready to pull our hair out. Turns out after the kids started eyeing one another we started talking. They played and we learned that she and her husband were from the Midwest as well. I’d complain that the Wal-Mart picture line was long, but it gave me one of my best friends. So how can I? To this day Cindy, her husband and her son visit us every weekend (well, when he’s not deployed). We have formed a nice little family. We even ended up getting pregnant about six weeks apart with our second babies. It’s a bond we know will last a lifetime.

Then there are those friends you wonder how you ever lived without and know that you couldn’t make it if you hadn’t found them. These kinds of friends you can count on when a storm starts to blow. They are the kind you know would be right beside you to celebrate an accomplishment or an occasion. They are also the ones that will love you for being you even if you aren't being that loveable. Those friends are my Tina and Luke.

Tina and Luke were our neighbors at Fort Stewart. Our relationship started with me going across the street to invite them to dinner only to get caught up in traffic coming back from Home Depot and missing my own dinner date. They showed up at our door and no one was home. It’s a good thing they can be forgiving. Through two deployments, a move, and even meeting each other’s families we remain the best of friends.

These are the people that I would consider my family. They are chosen. They came from cookies, a simple hello, a trip to Wal-Mart, an FRG meeting, or maybe even by chance, but they are family all the same.

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Food Costs Causing Heartburn? Five Steps for Relief

Courtesy of USAA

Feel like you're spending more at the grocery store lately? You are. Way more.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for food rose 4% in 2007, the highest increase since 1990. And the USDA predicts it won't get better anytime soon.

The government expects the CPI to jump 4% to 5% this year. That means you'll be forking over more money for everything from milk and produce to oatmeal and chicken.

Why the Price Hikes?

Two main factors are to blame:

· Soaring energy prices make it more costly for farmers, distributors and retailers to process and deliver food.

· Increasing demands for ethanol-based fuel has driven up the price of corn, which is used to make ethanol. And since corn is a key ingredient in America's food chain —feed for animals, grain for cereal, syrup for sodas, etc. — consumers are feeling the crunch at the checkout line.

To keep from eating your way into debt, try these tips to get frugal with food.


Nix the Name Brands. Nearly all major grocery chains carry their own private label for products that mimic and usually cost less than the household names. If you spend $100 a week on food, cutting back just 10% on half the items you buy would save you $260 a year. You may find it difficult to taste the difference, but your wallet will feel satisfied.
Minimum Estimated Annual Savings: $260

Make Savvy Substitutes. Swapping out expensive ingredients for suitable alternatives, you can save a bundle without abandoning your taste buds. Just because your recipe calls for filet mignon at $15/lb. doesn't mean you can't use sirloin at half the price. Make a similar substitution once a week and save $390 per year.
Minimum Estimated Annual Savings: $390

Clip Coupons — Carefully. Not all coupons save you money; some just get you to buy things you don't need. But don't overlook coupons that give you bottom-line savings, regardless of your product choices. Look for them in mailings from your grocer or in coupon books often sold door-to-door. The Promotion Marketing Association says coupon users report an average of 11.5% savings on their grocery bills. At $100 a week, that's $598 a year.
Minimum Estimated Annual Savings: $598

Buy in Bulk. Consumer Reports suggests shoppers can save 10%-40% over regular grocery store prices by buying larger lots at warehouse clubs. You won't buy everything in bulk, but grabbing those savings on just half of your usual $100/week list could net roughly $260 per year. Just be sure to stick with foods you would have bought anyway and will use often.
Minimum Estimated Annual Savings: $260

Find Funds in the Freezer. For starters, the packaged veggies in the freezer aisle may cost less than the glistening fresh versions in the produce section — and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says they're just as good for you. But the real value of frozen foods may come in reducing waste. How many times have you watched fresh produce wither away in the fridge? Preventing fresh mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach and the like from disintegrating into a mushy mess can easily save $10 a month.
Minimum Estimated Annual Savings: $120

Clearly, lots of smart decisions could add up to more than $1,600 a year. Of course, your actual cost savings will depend largely on what you buy and your determination to sniff out the best bargains. But whether you're a gourmet chef or a frozen pizza connoisseur, the deals are there for the taking.

Total Estimated Annual Savings: More than $1,600

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Army Wives Talk Radio stars visit Fort Hood

By Spc. Beatrice Florescu, Sentinel Staff

http://www.forthoodsentinel.com/articles/2008/06/26/news/living/living03.txt

Army Wives Talk Radio show hosts Tara Crooks and Star Henderson visited Fort Hood military spouses June 18. To women facing the stress and challenges of deployment, they offered support and ecouragement and shared tools learned as Army wives during a “Field Problems” workshop at the Fort Hood Catering and Conference Center.

In 2005, Crooks created the show to help military wives. A year later she met Henderson online. They collaborated to write a question-and-answer column about the issues Army wives face and posted it on the Web site.

Henderson said she became involved with the project because she thought technology was underutilized at that time. The show can be accessed at www.armywifetalkradio.com.

The workshop gave spouses an opportunity to come together, laugh, bond and have fun, Crooks said.

Planning and organizing the event meant a lot of work, but its hosts enjoyed seeing more than 150 women attend each session, she added.

Crooks said the Internet radio show started with 37 listeners in April 2005. She said she had not expected the podcast would reach as many women as it has.

“If anyone would have told me that this will be so big back then, I would have laughed and told them they were crazy,” Crooks said. “I never thought this would become such an amazing event.”

Crooks’ dream was to tour all the posts in the United States to help Army wives understand and accept that sometimes it is OK to be angry, frustrated and unhappy. The key thing is to be surrounded by good friends and neighbors, she said.

Crooks and Henderson are not alike. Crooks said their differences help them complete each other’s skill set and allow them to work together effectively. They are dedicated to helping other military spouses survive and thrive during the lonely, difficult and challenging times they face during their spouses’ deployments.

Henderson is amazed by the popularity of the program and is happy when people smile, she said. She said she used to remain in the background, smile and be grateful.

She said love – the key ingredient in a happy marriage – makes life special even during its most difficult moments.

“The one thing that makes it all worthwhile,” Henderson said, “is that we love our husbands so much that we miss them, and that is the most beautiful thing.”

The women who participated in the workshop were assisted by Child and Youth Services, which provided day care services at the conference center.

During the four-hour workshop, questions and answers were exchanged between spouses who have been through as many as six deployments and those who are preparing for their husband’s first deployment.

“I feel I learned how to deal with deployments and how to support my husband from back home,” Jessica Jeffrey said. ”I thought it was going to be boring, but I received a lot more information than I thought and I had a lot of fun.”

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LOWE’S OFFERS MILITARY DISCOUNT FOR JULY 4TH – INDEPENDENCE DAY

LOWE’S OFFERS MILITARY DISCOUNT FOR JULY 4TH – INDEPENDENCE DAY
10% Discount on purchases up to $5,000 for Active, Reserve, Honorably Discharged, and Retired Military Personnel and Their Families

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Lowe’s Companies, Inc. announced today it will offer all active, reserve, honorably discharged, and retired military personnel and their immediate family members a 10 percent discount on in-store purchases made during the July 4th – Independence Day holiday. The discount is available June 26 - July 7.

The discount is available on in-stock and special order purchases up to $5,000. To qualify, individuals must present a valid military ID or other proof of service. Excluded from the discount are sales via Lowes.com, previous sales, and purchases of services or gift cards. The offer is not redeemable for cash and is nontransferable.

In addition to offering military discounts throughout the year, Lowe’s has extended benefits for its employees serving in the military and offers employment opportunities to military personnel after their military service has ended.

About Lowe’s
With fiscal year 2007 sales of $48.3 billion, Lowe’s Companies, Inc. is a FORTUNE® 50 company that serves approximately 14 million customers a week at more than 1,550 home improvement stores in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

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Top of the day to you...my name is Tara JW

Hello Everyone,

My name is Tara JW and like many of you I am an Army Wife. I live here in Atlanta, Ga…the home of the Peach! My husband is currently deployed to Iraq…this entire experience started at the end of August 2007. I remember it like it was yesterday…MW and I were getting ready for work. He was checking his email and I was ironing my shirt…when MW turned around and looked at me. Those words “Tara…I am being reassigned.”…I stood there thinking what does that mean. We were in the mist of planning a wedding for December. MW had already been to the sandbox 2 times…so in my mind that was out of the question. But something in the way he looked at me told me different. I remember my head started to get light and I said “MW… what does this mean?” He looked at me and said “Baby it means I only have 30 days to report to my new location.” Here I am looking into his eyes thinking we are just getting started….what does this mean for our plans. I looked at the man I love and said “Where is this new location?”

and like a hammer had slammed me in the face he said “ Baby they are sending me to Iraq for one year and I have to leave you here 3 months in advance to prepare.” At that moment my life was rocked…do not get me wrong I knew this could happen but not like this.

We were married in early September 2007 to prepare for MW’s deployment. My honeymoon took place two days later traveling to his training post in Kansas. Those precious hours traveling from Georgia to Kansas will always mean so much to me. When I heard him say deployment I thought my world was closing in on me. But instead we grew closer from the obstacle our situation placed before us. In the beginning I never thought in a million years that I would marry a military man. Now I do not know what I would do without him and everything that being with him stands for.

Each of us has a different story to tell living this unique life. I hope that by sharing reflections and moments from my life I can remind you about how special you are. Loving your soldiers has to be one of the most passionate experiences on this earth!

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Homeward Bound

I was just thinking about some of you, my Army Wife friends, today. There's a song I sang about a year and a half ago called Homeward Bound. When I get home, I might edit this post and put the recording of me singing it. I wanted to share the lyrics with you though. This has become a favorite song of mine - it helped me get through the deployment at times. I sang it with the choir at school and my director dedicated the song to all the soldiers and families of soldiers (without telling me that he was going to do that) within a month or so of Matt deploying. It took all I had to make it through the song that night. I hope that some of you who are through a deployment can find a little bit of hope and respite in the lyrics.



HOMEWARD BOUND
Words and Music by Marta Keen

In the quiet misty morning, when the moon has gone to bed,
When the sparrows stop their singing and the sky is clear and red,
When the summer's ceased its gleaming, when the corn is past its prime,
When adventure's lost its meaning, I'll be homeward bound in time.

Bind me not to the pasture. Chain me not to the plow.
Set me free to find my calling and I'll return to you somehow.

If you find it's me you're missing, if you're hoping I'll return,
To your thought I'll soon be list'ning; in the road I'll stop and turn.
Then the wind will set me racing as my journey nears its end,
And the path I'll be retracing when I'm homeward bound again.

Bind me not to the pasture. Chain me not to the plow.
Set me free to find my calling and I'll return to you somehow.

In the quiet misty morning when the moon has gone to bed,
When the sparrows stop their singing, I'll be homeward bound again.

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USAA to Host Financial Webinar July 8

Recession and Your Personal Finances: How to Guard Against Whatever Comes Next features USAA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioners June Walbert and J.J.Montanaro.

June and J.J. will talk about how to weather today's challenging economy and answer your questions.

Participants will have the chance to win one of two comprehensive financial plans (value $975 each) offered by USAA Financial Planning Services®.

Topic: Recession and Your Personal Finances
Date: Tuesday, July 8
Time: 7-8 p.m. CST
What is a webinar? A webinar, or web-based seminar, is an interactive presentation, lecture or workshop that is transmitted over the web.

REGISTER NOW - it's FREE!

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Don't Quit

I have read this poem many, many times in my life when things challenged me beyond what I ever imagined. I even remember sending it to a certain friend while he was in Ranger school. I just passed it on to my sister to encourage her in the uphill battle with cancer she is about to face. I thought I would share it with you too.

Don't Quit
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,When the funds are low, and the debts are high,And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,When care is pressing you down a bit,Rest if you must, but don't you quit.Life is queer with its twists and turns,As everyone of us sometimes learns,And many a failure turns about,when he might have won had he stuck it out;Don't give up though the pace seems slow,You may succeed with another blow.Success is failure turned inside out,The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,And you never can tell how close you are,It may be near when it seems so far;So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,It's when things seem worse, that... You Must Not Quit.

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A Salute to You Army Wife!

On of my favorite things to do is to read through the stories many of you write for the ‘Loving a Soldier’ blog. Please forgive me if I have said this before but honestly it is the thing that keeps me connected to all of you as I am reminded of your lives as Army Wives. My heart’s desire would be that every civilian would be able to read through your stories and connect with a culture that is so amazing and so strong in character and in survival. Many of you share your hearts in ways that others can be encouraged and excited about their role as Army Wives. I am amazed at your honesty and humor in all that you experience.

I loved the ‘coming home’ blog. A young wife shared with me that even talking via the web during the holidays is considered ‘home for the holidays’ to her. She said whenever they are connected with her husband is truly a sense of home for her and for her children.


One of my dearest young friends has just become an official active duty Army wife. Her husband was serving in the Reserves and was called for active duty in Iraq. Upon his return, he just could not find a ‘fit’ in the civilian world. Going back to his job/job as we call it was a let down and it weighed heavy on his heart that he wanted to continue to serve his country on a daily basis. They made the decision to sign up and go active army. She is an amazing young woman who already feels such pride as an army wife. She sends patriotic e-mails to everyone she knows. She is so excited to take on this new role with passion and conviction.

Hoping to have a wonderful family assignment together as they begin their new army life, orders came. The orders are for an unaccompanied trip to Korea. Not the family memory she was hoping for. As she gathers herself to realize that whatever comes will work out for the best, she immediately redirects her thoughts and begins to plan where she will live and the possibility of going back to work part time if in fact he does head off overseas again. She says she has been through all the emotions of questioning, anger and then acceptance. Sound familiar?

This is your life. This was my life. This is her life now and she knows the support she has from others who have ‘been there done that’ will get her through this time.
The Army Wife is AWESOME!! I am so proud to say that my faith, my family, the pride I have in my country and my experiences as an Army Wife have made me into the person I am today.

During this time of year people turn their hearts and minds to patriotism and begin to realize how blessed we are for this great country. I say to you, “Thank you Army Wife for your commitment and your passion for all that comes your way in the military lifestyle. You are a wonderful example of what serving this country means.”

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Moroccan Peppered Baby Back Ribs

This one is super Yummo! Perfect for your next cook out!

Ingredients:
-1-2 Tbsp Moroccan seasoning salt (Generic can be found in most large grocery
stores, or available through Pampered Chef)
-4lbs Baby back ribs
-12 oz beer (any flavor)
-1 cup BBQ sauce mixed with 3 Tbsp fresh cracked black pepper

Rub Moroccan seasoning all over ribs. Place in large heavy roasting pan. Pour beer around ribs. Cover pan tightly with foil and bake at 400 degrees until fork tender, about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Brush with mixture of BBQ sauce. Grill on medium about 3 minutes per side. Take off grill add more BBQ mixture and serve! (Serves about 6 people). Enjoy!

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Time to ASK!

Hey Team! I need your help! Do you have a question about reintegration/ R&R/ Homecoming??? Please email me: Leah@armywifetalkradio.com

I'm working on a new show idea that will be full of your questions, concerns, joys, and worries about meeting your spouse all over again after they have been away. No question is too silly or small. Send it my way! All are welcome!

Thank you so much for your help everyone! This is your turn to ask anything you want and you can remain anonymous if you'd like :)

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Whew! Back from vacation, Fort Hood, and more!

Wow these last few weeks have been a WHIRLWIND! I didn't blog much while I was on vacation because...well, I was on vacation! Then after we returned from visiting everyone and their brother (Ha!) I had four days to get my act together to travel down to Fort Hood for our Spouse Field Exercise.

I am not sure how many of you know this but our first duty station was Fort Hood. When I arrived at the Killeen airport on Monday afternoon I thought to myself "I didn't know Killeen HAD an airport". But I guess they did, because I was standing in it. The Enterprise RentACar guy told me that it had been there for about three years. Makes sense, it had been five or six since we left. I got the car and I headed out to the main highway. It was amazing to me how much Fort Hood had grown! All I kept telling my husband was that HARKER HEIGHTS IS GETTING A TARGET! (Stemming from my love affair with Target and the fact that Killeen has one too (they're literally three exits apart - CRAZY!) and I always wanted to live in HH when we were there before)He thought I was funny.

I just had to spend part of Monday driving around my old "stomping grounds". I had to visit Jason's Deli for lunch. I had to drive down WS Young and see all the new things that had been built. Harker Heights and Copperas Cove are amazing! I opened the Old Navy there at the Killeen Mall, I worked in Temple at ExtraCo Banks, I even worked down in Austin when I first got there (before I worked for Old Navy) in the mall for Nine West. I remembered old HWY 195 that was a "back road" to Austin - now it's got LANES!!!! Craziness!!

Anyway - the trip was fun. It was great to feel like you had gotten to your "roots" and realize that just as you have changed, so had the landscape. It didn't feel like "home" even though it did feel like "beginnings".

Star and I had a great time and put on two highly successful events, if I do say so myself. The highlight of the night/day was seeing the spouses all together networking, laughing, chatting, and having a great time. The air conditioning on the first night made us all huddle together to prevent frost bite, but we'd have taken that any time over the lack of air conditioning we had on Wed during the middle of the day for the second event - LOL - thank God they got it working shortly into the program. Texas is HOT! Broken air conditioning and all, it was a great event. We really had some great help from area merchants in Killeen to Cherie Cain and her team from ACS helping with the actual program. Our sponsors - USAA, ConAgra Foods, and Military By Owner were amazing - YOU GUYS ROCK! I think all in all, it was a great time had by all.

We arrived back on Thursday afternoon. I think in more than a year it was the first day I took to do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I vegged on the couch in my pajamas for the entire day. IT WAS AWESOME! We were able to spend the weekend in "recovery" mode. A "vacation" from "vacation". Do you know how that feels? I bet you do!

One thing is for sure though - Star and I are definitely lucky to be able to do what we do, and we couldn't do it without all of you.

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Save Your Curtains

Here is some pcs advice, Save Your Curtains. You never know what kind of house or quarters you will move to next. Living Room curtains from our last house are perfect in our new bedroom. This week I dyed curtains that were hanging in our bedroom two houses ago and put them in one of the kids bedrooms. You never know when you will use them again and so many curtains can be cut or trimmed to take on a new life. If I make curtains I try to leave as much yardage as I can so that they can be reused. That way I can make the most of the fabric that I have already paid for. Also, think outside the traditional curtain. Printed sheets can sometimes be less expensive than buying curtains and they are already hemmed and usually have a pocket to slide a curtain rod through.

Sometimes curtains can make the difference between quarters and a home.

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Coming Out of My Funk

I think I would actually describe what happened this week as back flipping out of my funk. We moved into our new quarters almost three months ago and for some reason my motivation to unpack and get settled has been about zero. Part of my issue getting settled is that we were in our last house for 8 months and the house before that only 20 months. It is entirely possible that we may only live in our current house a year.

For some reason this week I snapped out of it and started putting things on the walls and bringing furniture in out of the garage. I also hung curtains and shelves. I suppose if I tried to psychoanalyse myself I would say that because we have been moving so much I am trying not to get attached to the house. My inner accountant says that I am trying not to spend money getting settled into a house just to pack up and move somewhere else.



This all started when we were in Germany and they told us that we would only be in our house for a year, so I didn't do too much beyond hanging curtains to get settled in. The only pictures I hung on the walls were in the living room. It turned out we lived there two and a half years. I suppose the moral of the story is that you should live in every house like you are going to live there for, oh I don't know, three years (though that might be living dangerously.)

In my head I know that it is important to make a home for my husband, my kids and for myself, but sometimes it is really hard to settle in somewhere when you know you have such a limited time. I am really glad that I got out of my funk and started settling in. Honestly just getting pictures on the walls and curtains on the windows motivated me to do more. I refuse however, to paint. I will not paint quarters, hooah to those who do, but I just can't go that permanent.

So here's to coming out of a funk, no matter what kind it is!!!

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At the Crown Military Appreciation

God has again given me an answer to prayer. I wanted something to do with the family this weekend that wouldn't break the bank, as so many summer time activities do, I was listening to the radio and came across this add for free tickets to the Guard game tomorrow night here in Fayetteville, NC.
It's arena football and they are giving 3000 tickets away to military members and their families. It is military appreciation night at the game. Game starts at 7:30 p.m.
http://www.fayettevilleguard.com/ or check out www.atthecrown.com

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Going Home

I realized over the past few weeks that the phrase 'Going Home' has many meanings to us.
Most of you know that my grandmother had a battle with diabetes. She decided not to have her other leg amputated and decided then to stop dialysis. 11 days after her last treatment she went home to be with the Lord on June 9th. When I found out that she had stopped treatment I went home to be with her in her final days.
I thought about what a unique phrase going home is and how it is true in so many circumstances. I told my husband that I was going home to be with my grandma. Then when everything was all said and done I just wanted to be on a plane to go home to be with my family. I was surrounded by my extended family and felt so alone because 'my' family wasn't there.
Now I am gearing up for another deployment, this will be Ted's third deployment to the sand and I hear the phrase 'when I come home' or 'when I get back' and it got me thinking about how blessed we have to have so many places to call home. None of them compare to the one that I have right here in my house with my family but they still are all called home to us.

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Paris

Hey all! Can I just tell you how excited I am to go to Paris for several days???? We have our long "weekend" in the middle of this week. When I get back to Austria from Paris, we have classes on Saturday and Sunday - which is fine. On Sunday, we will be singing Haydn's "Little Organ Mass" at one of the churches. I am singing the Benedictus solo. This is such a HUGE deal for me - I was chosen (after an audition) to sing the only solo in the whole piece. I am so excited I can't stand myself. Well, I need to get to rehearsal and then to Paris!

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COUNTDOWN!!!

Hello Everyone! I hope each and every one of you are enjoying this great weather and beginning to embrace your summer season. I wanted to share something super cool with all of you. I have a countdown saved on my computer through an excel word program. It is color coded and very user friendly. You simply type in the date your loved one left and the estimated return date (whether for deployment, TDY, in the field, etc) and it will calculate the seconds, minutes, days, months, etc until their return. It's pretty nifty! I'd be happy to share it with all of you if you are interested. Simply email me at Leah@armywifetalkradio.com. The countdown is simple to use and if you are a number person like me, I think you will enjoy this. Let's count them down and get them home! :)

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And away we go!

Where has the time gone?! I feel like since my fiancé returned home my life has been a whirlwind. Of course there was the general excitement of him being home safe. Then there is the Tour of Family that comes with being home where you visit all the family that you can in one week. Then there is catching up on things that he wanted to do while he was gone but couldn’t such as, catching a movie, walking the new addition to the family (our puppy), and going to watch our Cincinnati Reds play. Sure there is the reintegration period when all the annoyances come to the surface when you realize that you are not the only one at home anymore and that means there is another person there to take control (and I was just getting really good at this control thing!) But right now I am so deeply in love and living it up with my man by my side.

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Sometimes, separation is good for your marriage!

So, tonight I've decided a little separation isn't always a bad thing. Like when you find out about expensive travel plans your husband made.... third-hand through a group email his mother sends to the family. Being halfway across the country from each other with a two-hour time difference lets me blog my annoyance, instead of snapping at him.... and by the time we talk, hopefully I'll not want to take his head and smash it into his mother's.

I KNOW I am not the only one with a mother-in-law who has failed to realize that her son is MARRIED, and she doesn't get to make play dates for him without consulting him. But sometimes HE seems to forget he's married, too... And makes plans assuming it's okay, or thinking he already talked to me about it, or just generally without talking to me and making sure I didn't have anything in mind holiday weekends and the like...

It's one of those automatic hot-button issues, now. I get upset all out of proportion, because of all the past history of either being slighted by his family, ignored, having plans made for us without consultation.... or having my family take the back seat merely because they are not so darn PUSHY (or as financially well off) as his family is.

How do the rest of you deal with this? Aside from trying to get posted overseas or as far away from the family as possible, to get some breathing room, which seems to be my husband's idea of a solution?

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Lifetime's ARMY WIVES new feature!

Love the show “Army Wives?”

Join the new “Army Wives” community at http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/army-wives. It’s a place for fans and real army wives alike to connect about the show as well as about their personal stories. You can post your thoughts or share your comments on what others have written. The best part? Throughout the season, a few members who join the community will be selected at random to win a free DVD of season 1 of “Army Wives” and potentially other prizes too! So join today!

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Military.com offers military garage sale - similiar to Ebay

Through a partnership with a company called "Oodle" - Military.com is offering a "garage sale" online program (somewhat like EBay, but on a much smaller scale). The program is targeted to the military community, and not only offers opportunities for members to buy and trade with one another, but also to support their local charitable organizations (military-related) such as spouse clubs, military service organizations, MWR, etc.

http://www.oodle.military.com

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Nick News features kids (families) and their soldiers!

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Free Stuff For Deployed Troops :)

I stumbled upon this site post today and I thought I'd share just incase. It's mostly links to freebie sites for care packages, phone cards, etc for deployed troops. I hope it can help someone brighten a soldiers day!
FREEBIE

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Transitions like crazy!

So, sorry for the long disappearance. Let's see, in the last 6 weeks, hubby has returned from deployment, I graduated from grad school, was in a wedding, drove across half the country, flew back, had a day to prepare before the movers came, moved into a friend's spare bedroom, started studying for my licensing exam... Just a few minor things going on!

Today, the house I'm living in - with my friend who just got married, and her new husband - gained a new addition: an adorable new puppy. Now I'll see if I'm cut out to be a career woman AND a mom, dealing with my studies and what amounts to a new baby in the house. It is so interesting, seeing someone else's marriage so up close!

It's also interesting walking my poor husband through what to keep and what to chuck, over the phone. Fitting two adults' households into one, when you're both in your mid-thirties and have lived alone, is.... challenging. Or so he's telling me. Plus, a beloved father-figure just had a stroke, so I'm worried on my end, too.

But thankfully we gets a bit of a break from hubby being shot at. A friend's husband, who came home at the same time, is expected to deploy again with his new unit sometime this winter. So for all my transitions and chaos, I am thankful my husband will get sufficient time at his schooling to come back down fully from his deployment. I only wish everyone got the chance. The stories in the news focus on the soldiers' mental health. But the spouses and families get worn down too - my heart is with everyone who isn't as lucky as we are, friends or strangers.

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In Georgia? Pick up SOUTHERN LIVING MAGAZINE

....Check out the BONUS section -- Georgia Living: People & Places! You'll see a full page story on Army Wife Talk Radio - pg 10.

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I need your opinion

Hey y'all! I need your opinion on a website. It was passed onto me from some acquaintances. Let me know what you think! http://www.cypress-cares.org/

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Summer Grilling Recipes Needed!

Hey Ladies! I was thinking that for July's Mess Hall section, we could share our favorite grilling recipes. I wanted to give you all a bit of time to pick out your favorite recipe to share. I know that the next time we have Mess Hall - it will be after the 4th of July. If you want to share one sooner, just put it in a comment to this blog! I can't wait to try them out and share a couple of my own - some easy ones with very few ingredients!

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Summer Sangria Recipe

This is a yummy and refreshing girls gathering treat! Especially with the summer heat kicking in! If you like it non-alcholic (like me) simply replace the wine with a sparkling grape juice and remove the gin. Still a tasty summer beverage :) You can even add a couple cups of fresh brewed tea!


INGREDIENTS
1 lemon, sliced
1 lime, sliced
1 orange, sliced
1 1/2 cups gin
2 (750 milliliter) bottles dry white wine
1 cup orange juice
1/4 cup frozen cranberry juice concentrate, thawed
1/2 cup tonic water
3/4 cup pomegranate seeds (from a fresh pomegranate)


DIRECTIONS
1. Arrange the lemon, lime, and orange slices in the bottom of a pitcher or punch bowl. Pour the gin over the fruit slices; cover. Refrigerate overnight.

2. Just before serving, pour the wine, orange juice, cranberry concentrate, tonic water, and pomegranate seeds into the gin; stir.

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Cool Tips for Dealing with Deployment

Perhaps by now we've heard them all, but it's never bad to have a reminder. I happened upon this site where it list the top 21 was to deal with deployment. Good stuff! I hope it can help someone out there :)

Deployment Tips

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Ugh! EXHALE ALREADY!

Today I was at work and my Sweet Baboo called. It was great to have him call! I was able to step away from my job for a bit to chat. We had about 15 minutes before we were disconnected! Stupid DSN (military phone lines) lines! I was just starting to express some heartfelt feelings with him. The tone of our conversation made it feel right and like the perfect time to tell him how I was feeling. I try not to do this too much, get overly mooshie or too serious. It wasn't anything to make him worry. Just some really deep thoughts on how much I love and miss him. He had just started to comment back on my thoughts when the line went dead. I'm grateful for sharing with him the love in my heart, but somehow I feel more sad now then I did before I talked to him! How can this be? I think our talk was pretty upbeat. I think maybe because I said those feelings out loud it made them real and now I'm feeling them all at once. I hope that makes sense. I'm just missing him like the dickens! But this is my promise to myself: I will stay chipper, positive, and have faith... because this too shall pass, and soon that beautiful man that makes my soul sing will be here with me and I will fall into his arms and finally exhale. I can't wait to exhale. I didn't think it was possible to love this man any more, but each day it grows bigger and bigger... I think my heart might pop! :)

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Shopping!!

Yesterday I went to a Marine Corps Exchange, for the most it is just like a PX, but with a department store feel. They carry two really neat product lines that I have to share with you ladies!

Jane Wayne Gear
A t-shirt that said "I was issued" caught my eye. You know the saying, if the Army/Marines wanted you to have a wife they would have issued you one. So cute. I went to their website and they currently do not have online shopping. You can buy their products at a Marine Corps Exchange or a Navy Exchange and you can buy the "I was issued" shirt and some really cute purses and bags on www.aafes.com.
www.janewaynegear.com

AC Valor
In the exchange I visited they had really cute purses and diaper bags made from the digital camo that Marines wear. The diaper bag had a name tape that said Marine baby and was trimmed in either blue or pink. In their online store they also carry items in the ACU fabric. They have hobo purses and super cute baby blankets. For all you dog lovers AC Valor has a dog uniform and collars. They also carry a photo pillow that you can put a picture of your soldier in.
www.glamgalboutique.com

I love all of this "spirit" wear. I love my soldier and I want everyone to know that I am a proud Army wife!

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Summer Time

I am so happy that Summer is here!!! I love having the kids home from school and being able to spend all day with them. This last TDY trip that my husband was on went by so quickly. With the kids home, I don't have time to dwell on how much I miss him. The warm weather is great too. I am not a cold weather person, so I tend to hole up indoors during the winter. Now, I am back outside and running for 30 minutes 3-4 days a week. I love summer!!!

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Oye Vey!

Hello Ladies! The weather here in Salzburg has been chilly and rainy the last couple days. Things in town are starting to get a little crazy. The Euro Cup will be here tomorrow. It's exciting and terrifying at the same time.



I have never before been to a country that hates Americans. This is a new experience. For the most part, people have been rather respectful. I have not had any run ins with any of the people here in a negative way. However, my voice teacher here and I were talking the other day about emoting in the one German Aria that I am singing for my recital. I mentioned that Matt just came home from Iraq and she kind of went off on a tangent about how we don't belong there and all that jazz. Politics aside, I really don't want to hear that kind of crap.

Being a soldier myself, I believe in the military and our mission - no matter where it is. I support our military 100%. As much as I don't like Matt being gone, if he gets orders to deploy again, I am behind him 100%. I just get so tired of hearing that kind of anti-war crap. To me, it's not the fact of whether or not you believe in the war. For heavensake, be respectful and support our guys.

Another thing that I've been hearing a lot lately is "I don't know how you do it". What is that all about? If you truly love someone, you will stay by their side through thick and thin, deployment or stateside (maybe I should add that deployment thing to our wedding vows next year), etc. Matt would say to me so often that he was worried that I would be tired of waiting and leave him. I would, first, tell him that he's crazy and then remind him that if I didn't love him as much as I do, then I would have left as soon as he said he was deploying. He is my Bubba (that's what I call him) and as crazy as it might sound, I need him.

I used to be a strong and independent woman who didn't need a man. I lived on my own for about 4 years before I met Matt. Here it is, 3 years later, and I'm still a strong and independent woman - but I need my man. I can't live without him in my life. Isn't it funny how the love of your life can do that to you? I wouldn't change what we've been through for anything. If anything, this has made our relationship stronger.

I have to get going to choir rehearsal in a moment, but I was just a little irritated by some of the comments that I've been hearing lately. Do any of you ever get irritated with them too?

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S.U.C.C.E.S.S.

My military brat was recently honored at his school as being one of a few (about 10%) who are "Students who Utilize Capabilities and Character in order to Excel at School and Society."

I mention this because I'm proud, but also because there was something said about him that was not said about others. Here's how the citation read:

Thomas is receiving a SUCCESS Award from the Dawgs Team because. .
he exhibits a strong sense of character. Thomas is very trustworthy, makes friends easily, and displays good judgment through all of his actions. His teachers can rely on him to help in any way necessary whether it is helping another student or simply running an errand for one of us. He has a concern for the world around him beyond his own city or even state that is rarely seen in sixth grade students. His care and concern for others will take him far in life and for this we would like to take this opportunity to recognize Thomas.

I was nodding my head as the start of the reading. My son often gets the "good helper award" or "good conduct certificate" so I wasn't too surprised. But the recognition from his teachers that he has concern for the world beyond his years struck me. My immediate thought was, "That makes sense. He's a product of mine and David's military examples--selfless service, courage, commitment, etc."

I asked his teacher about this connection I thought of. She said, "I definitely agree with you about his exposure to the military creating that awareness of a larger world." I was happy that evening. I felt like we were living the right life. I don't always feel that way. It felt good, and I know Thomas felt good too.

It was one of those "great days to be in the Army" and great to be a fine example of a strong Army family to our local, non-military community.

That's my boy! I'm proud of you kiddo!

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Nighttime

Nighttime


When your soldier is away,
nighttime can turn into
the most difficult time.
It means lying in bed,
alone.


What once felt crowded,
occupied by a strong soldier's body,
fought over space and covers,
is now vast and empty.
What once was intimate,
for sharing with a spouse, is now,
simply,
a lonely piece of furniture.


Deeper, and deeper,
you burrow your head into the pillow.
You toss and turn.
Sleep.
Sleep.
I need to go to sleep.
Why can't I just sleep?



Loneliness overwhelms you.
Your covers feel heavy,
they smother you.
There is darkness.


The emptiness of the room consumes you.
You turn and face the empty side of your bed.
Do you dare to reach out your arm and feel the cold,
clean spot that was left behind?
Do you dare to run your fingers over the sheets,
void of the person they are meant to cover?


Nighttime is a lonely time.
While the world sleeps,
you stay awake.
You lay in waiting,
in waking,
for minutes,
and then hours.
Forced into a state of exhaustion,
and exacerbated from your sadness,
you lay tired and awake.


Check the cell phone one last time,
to make sure it is charged, and in the 'on' position.
Lay back down.


Light through the bedroom window shines on you.
You begin to study the room,
the shadows on the wall.
You stretch out your hand,,
and study its curves,
until you see it.


You begin rubbing it with your thumb,
turning it just so it shines in the dim light.
The gold and stones are smooth and flawless.
Tears well in your eyes.
The wetness rolls down your cheek,
onto your pillow,
saturating the softness
as a thousand tears have before.
You close them once,
then twice,
then fall quietly asleep.


Finally, in your dreams,
the bed is whole once again,
and you are held all night long.


Peace.


From: Portraits of The Toughtest Job in the Army By: Janelle H. Mock

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A Few More Days!!!

As if you ALL don't already know... the count down is officially on for ARMY WIVES! Seriously, how can someone not LOVE this show. Only 3 more days!


The thing I love the most about the show is that I'm able to see myself in each character. I'm married to an enlisted soldier and we are crazy, silly, and passionately in love and I'm also the "newbie" with so much to learn, just like Roxy. I love being independent, perhaps sassy, and would gladly make sacrifices for my family like Pamela (My FAVE character!!!). I like to think that I'm becoming a more refined, knowledgeable woman who happens to also be an awesome event planner like Claudia Joy. I am also in this season of my life where I'm really starting to kick start my dream career and truly discover who I am like Denise. Maybe it's silly, but I just feel like I've known these characters and we've been for coffee a million times. Like they are my old grade school pals!

My second favorite thing about the show is this:
Who has two thumbs and has no idea what living on post is like??? This guy!(Meaning me). That's right, I haven't have that chance yet. My hubby was sent straight from traing overseas! So I'm learning little things I'd never had known without the AW show. For example, I had no idea that at 5pm everyday the anthem plays on post! I would have just kept on driving (or in the shows case swimming) and embarassed myself and my sweet hubby. Oh there is just so much to learn.

Bottom line, and maybe I'm a bit random today, is that I LOVE THIS SHOW! I'm rocking ready to see the premiere. My girlfriends and I are planning our whole summer around this series! :) By the way, don't forget that AWTR (www.armywifetalkradio.com) is going to be interviewing Brigid Brannagh(Pamela) on our June 16th show!!! She's my absolute FAVORITE! Don't miss that one! Enjoy watching Sunday Ladies! Can I use LAS as my shout out for a part as an extra on the show??? LOL Just checking! :)

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Perspective

I admit it, I have been way off the "Army life" for a few months now. I haven't posted in a LONG time and I have to be honest and say that I was having a hard time finding something good to say. I know we all have times like this and I won't bore you with the details of my personal downward spiral. I just wanted to say that today I got a real slap in the face that woke me up and really put things into perspective. I found out today that my sister, who is 30 years old has at least stage III lung cancer. She has never smoked a day in her life and up until a week and a half ago no one even knew she wasn't feeling well. I literally feel like someone stepped on my chest and hasn't gotten off. I found this out at 2:00 pm today and I am still absorbing. What I can't help thinking is that I am really an "arse." I've been pouting around my house for months, weeks, days about how my husband's boss is driving me nuts, how we never see him, how I have to do everything ALONE. Can you imagine? I feel so petty now. My baby sister now faces the fight of her life and I'm counting the days I have to go to bed alone. God forbid my brother in law might be facing that for life....My sister has three kids and now all I can think about is them growing up without a Mommy. I know in my heart she will be okay but I also can't help but think the worst. I think that is natural. For the first time in months I feel like I have my fight back. I have to. If my sister is going to have to fight cancer, I can't be such a wimp and give up the "fight" in my own life. It's not even comprable really, but I have no more excuses for being such a self-pitier. Talk about putting life in perspective. Please add my sister, Veronica to your prayers.

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Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownies

Hey ladies! Here is the recipe for those yummy brownies!

4 squares BAKER'S Unsweetened Baking Chocolate 3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter or margarine 2 cups granulated sugar 4 eggs 2 tsp. vanilla, divided 1 cup flour 1 cup creamy peanut butter (at room temperature) 1/2 cup powdered sugar 2 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Line 13x9-inch baking pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan; grease foil. Microwave unsweetened chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Add granulated sugar; mix well. Blend in eggs and 1 tsp. of the vanilla. Stir in flour until well blended. Spread into prepared pan.

BAKE 30 to 35 min. or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out with fudgy crumbs. (Do not overbake.) Cool in pan on wire rack.

BEAT peanut butter, powdered sugar and remaining 1 tsp. vanilla until well blended. Spread over brownie. Microwave semi-sweet chocolate in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Drizzle chocolate from spoon over peanut butter layer. Refrigerate 30 min. or until chocolate is firm. Remove brownie from pan, using foil handles. Cut into 36 brownies to serve.

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AWTR June 2008 Newsletter

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Hello out there fellow Household 6s!

Happy June! Here in the Crooks' household June started off with a bang! We're right smack dab in the middle of selling our house for the impending PCS. Of course, it's summertime now and the kids are out of school. That means we have to find new and exciting activities to keep everyone busy. I was perusing the web to find activities when I came across this cool website called Butler Webs. On the site I learned that June is not only National Candy month but it is also fireworks safety month, iced tea month, dairy month, flag month, and zoo and aquarium month. I decided I would tailor my activities accordingly. We'll eat lots of candy, shoot off some fireworks (safely of course), drink iced tea and milk, fly our flag, and take a trip to the Tybee Island Aquarium and the Jacksonville Zoo. Well, it was a good thought anyway!

While you're busy entertaining your kids this month don't forget to take some "me" time on Monday nights with us here at AWTR! We have some pretty exciting things coming up this month. We start with me on vacation in Vegas - oh wait that's not exciting for you is it? Well, I'll try to win some money for you! Chances are ....slim. I wouldn't bank on it. While I'm gone my trusty Executive Officer (XO) Star Henderson and Resident Newbie Leah Miller will be here to co-host June 2nd show with Sara Dawalt, author of 365 Deployment Days. June 9th we'll be back to talk military spouse job searches with Sarah Fuller. June 16th we have none other than the cast of Lifetime Television's ARMY WIVES here with us. That should be an ultimate blast! June 23rd we go Behind The Blue Star Banner with Michelle Cuthrell. We wrap up the month with the ultimate guide to our Military Family Resources - Megan Turak of Emilitary.org. It's going to be an exciting month!

The most fun you can have with AWTR is joining us for our live shows on Monday's from 8pm to 10pm EST. The participation as of lately has been tremendous and we are so proud. We have seen calls for all of our segments - AWTR Mess Hall, Book Club, Household 6 and even Post with the Most! Remember, we would love to keep our Army Wife Life segment - "our time" where we get together and discuss whatever is on our minds for the evening - so keep up the calls!

I hope each of you has a wonderful month. I know life is crazy full of ups and downs and challenges and joys but if we focus on the positive side, we'll come out winners! Yes troops, I am telling you to don your rose colored glasses even in the face of diversity. You may not make it without cracking them, but you'll be better for trying! Who knows you might learn something in the process. We are strong, we are capable, we are ARMY WIFE- hear us ROAR!

Your “Household 6”, Tara Crooks

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