Tuesday, September 30
How do you save money?
Recently a LAS Blogger, Shannon, emailed me with a great idea about saving money. With the economy the way it is everyone can use a few extra pennies. Tell us - how do you save money? We're going to use your tips as part of our next Household 6 segment!
Monday, September 29
Enter to WIN: Cartoon Contest
Abbeville Press, publisher of the bestselling The New Father series of books, is sponsoring a contest to gather cartoons for publication in the forthcoming book The Military Father: A Hands-On Guide for the Deployed Dad by Armin Brott, a former Marine. We’re looking for cartoons that illustrate how the military experience affects dads (mostly of children from newborns through age nine, but an occasional tween or teen would be great) and dads-to-be in their relationships with their families. For those cartoons selected by Abbeville Press for publication in this book, winners will receive $150 and full credit in the book.
Who can submit cartoons?
Dads or dads-to-be who are currently on active duty, in the National Guard, and in the Reserves; civilian fathers separated from their families due to employment by the U.S. Government or a contractor; civilian dads whose spouses are in the military; family members of dads in the military including spouses and children; veterans who were parents when they were on active duty.
How can cartoons be submitted?
There is no limit to the number of entries per person. Please email cartoon submissions to: cartoons@abbeville.com or send original art to: Cartoon Contest c/o Abbeville Press, 137 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013.
Specs for submitting cartoons:
For cartoons submitted via email, please follow these instructions:
Cartoons must be greyscale or black-and-white
300 dpi at 4” tall
tiff, pdf, or jpeg format
For original art mailed to us (please note that art is not returnable), please follow these instructions:
Cartoons must be black-and-white
Cartoons must be drawn in pen and ink, graphite, or markers on paper
The maximum size for cartoons is 8.5 X 11”, the minimum size is 3 X 3”
Possible themes to explore in your cartoons:
Before deployment: How does deployment affect dads and their family members? What are some of the concerns and issues that come up, upon deployment?
During deployment: How does being deployed affect a dad’s relationship with his children and spouse? What can dads do to stay in touch with their family during special occasions such as birthdays or the birth of a child? How can they continue to be a presence in their children’s lives while they are away? How can they make use of email, video conferencing, blogging, etc.?
After deployment: What issues and challenges come up when a dad comes home from military service? Some examples are: getting re-acquainted with family, dealing with post-traumatic stress and other health issues, adjusting to civilian life.
Other issues affecting military families: How can a civilian dad best support his spouse’s relationship with her stateside children when she is deployed? What challenges face couples when the mom is deployed?
Deadline for submissions: December 31, 2008
For more information please visit www.abbeville.com or call 1-800-ARTBOOK (278-2665) xt. 28.
Who can submit cartoons?
Dads or dads-to-be who are currently on active duty, in the National Guard, and in the Reserves; civilian fathers separated from their families due to employment by the U.S. Government or a contractor; civilian dads whose spouses are in the military; family members of dads in the military including spouses and children; veterans who were parents when they were on active duty.
How can cartoons be submitted?
There is no limit to the number of entries per person. Please email cartoon submissions to: cartoons@abbeville.com or send original art to: Cartoon Contest c/o Abbeville Press, 137 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013.
Specs for submitting cartoons:
For cartoons submitted via email, please follow these instructions:
Cartoons must be greyscale or black-and-white
300 dpi at 4” tall
tiff, pdf, or jpeg format
For original art mailed to us (please note that art is not returnable), please follow these instructions:
Cartoons must be black-and-white
Cartoons must be drawn in pen and ink, graphite, or markers on paper
The maximum size for cartoons is 8.5 X 11”, the minimum size is 3 X 3”
Possible themes to explore in your cartoons:
Before deployment: How does deployment affect dads and their family members? What are some of the concerns and issues that come up, upon deployment?
During deployment: How does being deployed affect a dad’s relationship with his children and spouse? What can dads do to stay in touch with their family during special occasions such as birthdays or the birth of a child? How can they continue to be a presence in their children’s lives while they are away? How can they make use of email, video conferencing, blogging, etc.?
After deployment: What issues and challenges come up when a dad comes home from military service? Some examples are: getting re-acquainted with family, dealing with post-traumatic stress and other health issues, adjusting to civilian life.
Other issues affecting military families: How can a civilian dad best support his spouse’s relationship with her stateside children when she is deployed? What challenges face couples when the mom is deployed?
Deadline for submissions: December 31, 2008
For more information please visit www.abbeville.com or call 1-800-ARTBOOK (278-2665) xt. 28.
Click here to read the rest of this post.
I'm baaack! I feel like I say that ALOT these days....
Well hello there blogosphere! I'm finally back to work and a crazy time it has been. I am really "back" this time too! I mean it. It feels so SO good to be in a spot I know we are going to "park" for awhile. A "home" so to speak. I have to tell you this move has been ONE BIG disaster. Our house in GA is still up for sale - so if you know anyone moving to Fort Stewart let me know!
As you know we arrived Fort Sill a few weeks ago. I haven't updated everyone since we arrived in our on post housing. Monday before last we were offered a house. Yes, the Friday prior it was going to be about 45 DAYS before we got a house. We weren't really prepared for that being that we were told it would be a pretty much instant thing once we got here. But things change - it is after all the Army! Not sure what happened between Friday and Monday but on Monday we were offered a house. We were told that the MAJ that was given the house got orders to Fort Leavenworth unexpectedly and decided he wouldn't take the house. Lucky for us. We called my mama in MO and had her drive down to help us move in. She got here on Thursday night and on Friday we took shipment of our HHG (Household Goods).
On Thursday night I went out to a local restaurant here famous for their burgers. On Friday I started not feeling well. By Saturday I was really not feeling well. By Sunday I was seeing my dinner from Thursday night through Saturday night in the toilet! YUCK! I was really not well at all. I was having a really hard time with being sick and trying to unpack and get settled. The bad part was being sick and not being able to be in a bed or to be able to see the floor to run to the bathroom! LOL! The worst part? My mama got sick too- she ended up having to stay two extra days!! Poor mama - but I enjoyed her company! Misery LOVES company!!!
So let's see - Friday, Sat, Sun, Mon. Monday Kevin went back to work. Poor guy. Here mama and I are both still sick and we've got Chloe. Wren rode the bus for the first day to school so she was a nervous wreck. No one was happy and Kevin didn't even know what he was supposed to be doing at his job. Tuesday came and I started to feel better. Mama made the trip home. I had started getting the living room organized and the kitchen. I managed to get about half of that done on Monday. Good thing too because right before mama left I went downstairs to find our ENTIRE BATHROOM and office covered in backed up toilet. YEAH, FUN, FUN! Mama said "yep, I was staying for the plumbing but if you don't have any it's time for me to go!" Ha ha ha ha ha!
That started our four day saga of not having any working plumbing. During those four days alot happened. We purchased a new refrigerator. When it arrived we went to plug it in and the water line was severed. Nice. PX said "sorry, call Whirlpool it's under warranty." Of course it was...silly me to think that you'd come fix it or bring me a new one being that it was just delivered two hours ago! Nevermind the delivery was 65.00 and I live TWO FEET from the PXtra!!! Anywho, I digress. We bought a new washer and dryer. The guy came to deliver it and it weighed like three billion pounds. They only sent him. He had no one to help. He finally got it in the house and he says to me (while it's in boxes etc) "you know I don't set this up - I just deliver". Of course you do. Why would you set up a washer and dryer I just paid 3000.00 for! (note: Yes, we did pay about 2700 for the set but that was my agreement with Kev if I lived on post and didn't buy/rent a house I could have my new W/D) I love it by the way!! It didn't matter that he couldn't set it up because I couldn't use it anyway with no working plumbing and all!
Well they wanted us to go back to lodging but this girl said NO WAY JOSE! We are staying. So we functioned with limited showers and limited toilet usage for four days. They finally fixed it on Friday but not until after they sliced the cable line, the telephone line, and a whole bunch of other issues.
Oh well! It didn't help that this was seriously - out of five moves - the most DISASTEROUS and BROKEN move we've ever had. The packing was awful. The delivery was worse. Well, maybe not but they were both pretty bad. We have a claims list a mile long and I guess we've just gotten lucky every other time. We'd open up boxes labled "garage" and they'd be kitchen items. There was this one box that was labeled, I KID YOU NOT, "pots and pans, kitchen" and it was stuffed animals and board games. The packing made no sense whatsoever. They lost the cushions to our couch. How do you lose that? Don't ask.
It seemed like NOTHING we did went right. We were/are both EXHAUSTED. But, nevertheless, we are alive and we are together. That is what is important. \
Today I did the show for the first time from our new "office". It is in the maid's quarters of this old house. I felt SO MUCH BETTER today to get my "lifeline" back and be able to see the floor back here. We are both finally starting to feel at home here. We have good neighbors. They have a daughter and Wren has taken to them very well. It's not Richmond Hill. It has it's frustrations. BUT then again -so did GA when we first got there too. We'll get settled and we'll get involved. Then two years from now we'll be missing here. LOL! Isn't that the way the Army goes?
Kevin is in a class right now and will start teaching on Tues of next week.
Wren is now riding the school bus which stops RIGHT in front of our house. We have two beautiful porches and she doesn't go to school until 8:30 so we sit out there in the morning and watch the squirrels and eat breakfast while we wait for the bus.
Chloe is still not walking but she has figured out how to crawl this house in T-5 seconds. She took a tumble down 5 of the stairs when we first moved in which gave her a nice little concussion and a big ole' black shiner on her eye but she's recovering!
This post is very active and it's going to be fun finding things to do around here. Next week is the post wide garage sale which is a GREAT thing b/c we have to find some more STUFF to fill this house! Ha - don't tell my hubby that!!!
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Thursday, September 25
AWTR VIDEO Contest: Semi-Finalists!!
Hello out there AWTR supporters & listeners!
Earlier in the month we started an AWTR video contest. We appreciate each of you submitting your videos for our team to review. We apologize for the delay in getting back with all of you. Not only did we receive tons of submissions to comb through but it has been a particularly challenging month with our Head HH6 and host Tara Crooks' PCS half-way across the country! Nevertheless, like any good Army "family" we are trudging forward!! We have made a decision. Our five choices for the semi-final round are:
deanna.l.cole@
sammy.villarreal@
bronxgirl71@
eve@
beccaweidner@
Congratulations! Each of you have earned a prize from our AWTR prize box! Please send us your full name and mailing address to tara@armywifetalkradio.com and we'll get your prize out to you.
We're not done yet! Each of you will need to enter the final round to determine our final video winner!!
Please email tara@armywifetalkradio.com to arrange receipt of picture submissions, graphic rights, and to discuss your musical selection for the AWTR Video. The themes of these videos needs to be "Army Wife Strong". We have materials for you - but of course, feel free to add your own touches. We ask that the videos reflect the theme and look of AWTR.
We are extending our deadline for final submissions to Oct 4. We will post the videos on our blog and start the vote between Oct 6 and Oct 19th. VOTES =VIEWS, VIEWS = VOTES! So spread the world about your favorite video to everyone you know!! Promote it however you wish! Winner will be announced on the Oct 20th show.
From the original email:
"Those 5 creators will receive instructions for creatingthe AWTR video including pictures, music, and any pertinentinformation. They will also recieve a prize from the AWTR prize vault!!
From there, we will post the five videos created by those chosen for OUR LISTENERS TO CHOOSE their favorite! The creator whose videohas the most "views" by the end of the challenge timeframe willreceive an AWTR prize basket includling an AWTR tshirt, sparklingHOOAH pin, and much more!"
Earlier in the month we started an AWTR video contest. We appreciate each of you submitting your videos for our team to review. We apologize for the delay in getting back with all of you. Not only did we receive tons of submissions to comb through but it has been a particularly challenging month with our Head HH6 and host Tara Crooks' PCS half-way across the country! Nevertheless, like any good Army "family" we are trudging forward!! We have made a decision. Our five choices for the semi-final round are:
deanna.l.cole@
sammy.villarreal@
bronxgirl71@
eve@
beccaweidner@
Congratulations! Each of you have earned a prize from our AWTR prize box! Please send us your full name and mailing address to tara@armywifetalkradio.com and we'll get your prize out to you.
We're not done yet! Each of you will need to enter the final round to determine our final video winner!!
Please email tara@armywifetalkradio.com to arrange receipt of picture submissions, graphic rights, and to discuss your musical selection for the AWTR Video. The themes of these videos needs to be "Army Wife Strong". We have materials for you - but of course, feel free to add your own touches. We ask that the videos reflect the theme and look of AWTR.
We are extending our deadline for final submissions to Oct 4. We will post the videos on our blog and start the vote between Oct 6 and Oct 19th. VOTES =VIEWS, VIEWS = VOTES! So spread the world about your favorite video to everyone you know!! Promote it however you wish! Winner will be announced on the Oct 20th show.
From the original email:
"Those 5 creators will receive instructions for creatingthe AWTR video including pictures, music, and any pertinentinformation. They will also recieve a prize from the AWTR prize vault!!
From there, we will post the five videos created by those chosen for OUR LISTENERS TO CHOOSE their favorite! The creator whose videohas the most "views" by the end of the challenge timeframe willreceive an AWTR prize basket includling an AWTR tshirt, sparklingHOOAH pin, and much more!"
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Wednesday, September 24
ALMOST
I'm ALMOST there. Still not close enough in my opinion. However my sweetheart is just days away. We are finally getting our R&R and it feels like it has taken ETERNITY! I think it all really hit me today. I did a bit of "favorite food" shopping and I cleaned the whole house... AGAIN! I can't focus on anything, I'm breaking out and my stomach is in KNOTS! GIRLS this can't be normal! I feel like I'm going crazy! I know better but my mind keeps thinking crazy questions: Will he still love me, find me attractive, will he notice the new stain in the carpet, will he notice that spot I can't reach with the mower? Logically I say "YEAH RIGHT, He'll be too busy snuggling me", but my mind is tricky. So you may not hear from me for a couple weeks. I will be enjoying my Lover. Wish me luck troops... I'm going in. Now if only the Army equiped us with the proper weapondry for this task! I promise to tell you all about our time together very soon :)
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Not just a pile of stuffing
Before my husband deployed he made my son a teddy bear from Build a Bear Workshop. Inside the bear is a little recording of my husband's voice. My son was very young when my husband deployed. This little bear became his best friend and constant companion. The bear helped comfort all of us in some way. My son had his Daddy's voice on demand and never forgot what he sounded like. Even I pushed the paw of that Bear's paw on occasion to hear his voice. Since the bear went every where with us we would include him in pictures we sent to Daddy in Iraq. We would hide him in the pictures and play a game. Instead of Where's Waldo we played Where's Bear. Deployment is over, my son and his best buddy are still having adventures.
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Friday, September 19
Winning the Race Facing the Challenge!
Winning the Race Facing the Challenge!
When you believe…what seems impossible can be made possible. Each of us has to deal with so many situations on a day to day base. From family, friend, work and/or church…whatever you may have on your plate it is up to you to discover the strength to meet each challenge directly. To reach our goals we have to reach deep inside and call on that source that inspires us to move forward to see what the end result of our labor will be. It can be a trying situation and may even be a motivating position to experience. Whatever it is we face we each have what it takes within us to see our life’s circumstance come full circle. If and when we come face to face with a journey that seems extremely impossible we each have the power to make it through. The life we each live is such a precious gift and how we live our life has the power to impact others. How awesome is that….for me it is completely awesome…this is an opportunity to spread hope and kindness.
This week I finally completed the last assignment for my MBA degree...honestly this has been a journey of personal discovery. You see…I have always wanted to do this…I wanted to do it in the beginning to make my parents proud of me…I am the first of my parents children to complete this process. I had a desire to set a marker for the children in my family…to show them that if they aspire to reach such a goal that it is attainable. That through hard work, faith and determination they can reach dreams that may have been impossible to so many. That each of us has our own creative genius and sometimes when we close our eyes to dream of a future more beautiful than the one we see with our eyes open…we can put steps into action that cause our dreams to come alive!
I am going to spend the next few weeks preparing for my husband’s R&R as if I am preparing for a King…because I chose him and he chose me! Over the past 12 months this special time together seemed like a dream in the all too completely distant future. Now I am soon to feel the touch of his hand and the sound of his voice with the warmth of his breath in my ear. I can only say that “God is great…and I am thankful for all of his goodness toward me!”
Wishing you the very Best~
Tara JW
When you believe…what seems impossible can be made possible. Each of us has to deal with so many situations on a day to day base. From family, friend, work and/or church…whatever you may have on your plate it is up to you to discover the strength to meet each challenge directly. To reach our goals we have to reach deep inside and call on that source that inspires us to move forward to see what the end result of our labor will be. It can be a trying situation and may even be a motivating position to experience. Whatever it is we face we each have what it takes within us to see our life’s circumstance come full circle. If and when we come face to face with a journey that seems extremely impossible we each have the power to make it through. The life we each live is such a precious gift and how we live our life has the power to impact others. How awesome is that….for me it is completely awesome…this is an opportunity to spread hope and kindness.
This week I finally completed the last assignment for my MBA degree...honestly this has been a journey of personal discovery. You see…I have always wanted to do this…I wanted to do it in the beginning to make my parents proud of me…I am the first of my parents children to complete this process. I had a desire to set a marker for the children in my family…to show them that if they aspire to reach such a goal that it is attainable. That through hard work, faith and determination they can reach dreams that may have been impossible to so many. That each of us has our own creative genius and sometimes when we close our eyes to dream of a future more beautiful than the one we see with our eyes open…we can put steps into action that cause our dreams to come alive!
I am going to spend the next few weeks preparing for my husband’s R&R as if I am preparing for a King…because I chose him and he chose me! Over the past 12 months this special time together seemed like a dream in the all too completely distant future. Now I am soon to feel the touch of his hand and the sound of his voice with the warmth of his breath in my ear. I can only say that “God is great…and I am thankful for all of his goodness toward me!”
Wishing you the very Best~
Tara JW
Click here to read the rest of this post.
The Secret Lies in Being, Not Doing
I wasn’t commissioned, and I didn’t enlist, but on May 22, 2004, I joined the Army. My uniform was my white wedding dress, my oath of office, my wedding vows. It’s just that when I said, “I do,” I had no idea how much I would really be doing.
Three moves, three deployments and four years later, I’m starting to get the picture.
Welcome to the Army, land of doers — doers of moving, doers of serving and most of all, doers of deployment.
By nature, I am and always have been a doer. I hate sitting around; I hate waiting on others to make things happen. I’m more like the PTA president who assigns ten mothers the job of baking cookies for the school bake sale and then, when she hasn’t heard from them within, like, five minutes of assigning them their treat-making task, runs home and bakes all ten dozen herself.
Which is why, perhaps, I thought I’d be a good fit for this life. When things don’t go my way, the executive chef inside grabs the reins and makes them go my way by doing and doing and doing until the world is once again full of cookies. I assumed that this meant that I’d be able to make cookies out of assignments that the Army issued, too.
It wasn’t until the Army deployed my husband nine months out of college, one year into marriage and 11 weeks into my first pregnancy that I received the wake-up call of my life. Just 10 days shy of his anticipated homecoming after 12 months at war, the Army extended his unit for four additional months in country. It was then that I realized that maybe, just maybe, even with all my cookie-baking skills, there was nothing I could do about it.
That’s because that night, I didn’t need to do; I needed to be.
This is the ironic life lesson of an independent doer of a military wife. While our instincts tell us what to do in times of trouble, the way we best learn and serve through these trials is not by doing; it’s simply by being.
That night, I needed to be grateful; at least my husband was still coming home. Many other wives couldn’t say the same.
That night, I needed to be appreciative; extended deployment offered me the opportunity to invest in friendships that to this day are my military lifelines.
And that night, I needed to be thankful; though deployment tried me to my very soul, I knew when I let it, it also taught me the real value of service, sacrifice and true, unfailing love. Those are life lessons you just don’t learn with a husband at home on a yacht in Hawaii.
Yes, we Army spouses still need to do a lot – I’ve spent five of the last seven and a half years in a long-distance relationship with my husband. My son has spent half of his life viewing his father through a Web camera, and I’ve spent four wedding anniversaries on dates with my girlfriends on the home front.
But in the end, when I choose to be after I do, I find myself living in an attitude of gratitude instead of an attitude of resentment. After all, this military life, though it requires much, also gives back more than I could have ever asked: a spirit of patriotism, a servant’s heart and an appreciation of the true sacrifices of others. The only thing I need to do to realize those important values is be grateful for the ways I learn about them, deployment extensions and all.
(Taken from today's Northwest Guardian, the military newspaper for Fort Lewis)
Three moves, three deployments and four years later, I’m starting to get the picture.
Welcome to the Army, land of doers — doers of moving, doers of serving and most of all, doers of deployment.
By nature, I am and always have been a doer. I hate sitting around; I hate waiting on others to make things happen. I’m more like the PTA president who assigns ten mothers the job of baking cookies for the school bake sale and then, when she hasn’t heard from them within, like, five minutes of assigning them their treat-making task, runs home and bakes all ten dozen herself.
Which is why, perhaps, I thought I’d be a good fit for this life. When things don’t go my way, the executive chef inside grabs the reins and makes them go my way by doing and doing and doing until the world is once again full of cookies. I assumed that this meant that I’d be able to make cookies out of assignments that the Army issued, too.
It wasn’t until the Army deployed my husband nine months out of college, one year into marriage and 11 weeks into my first pregnancy that I received the wake-up call of my life. Just 10 days shy of his anticipated homecoming after 12 months at war, the Army extended his unit for four additional months in country. It was then that I realized that maybe, just maybe, even with all my cookie-baking skills, there was nothing I could do about it.
That’s because that night, I didn’t need to do; I needed to be.
This is the ironic life lesson of an independent doer of a military wife. While our instincts tell us what to do in times of trouble, the way we best learn and serve through these trials is not by doing; it’s simply by being.
That night, I needed to be grateful; at least my husband was still coming home. Many other wives couldn’t say the same.
That night, I needed to be appreciative; extended deployment offered me the opportunity to invest in friendships that to this day are my military lifelines.
And that night, I needed to be thankful; though deployment tried me to my very soul, I knew when I let it, it also taught me the real value of service, sacrifice and true, unfailing love. Those are life lessons you just don’t learn with a husband at home on a yacht in Hawaii.
Yes, we Army spouses still need to do a lot – I’ve spent five of the last seven and a half years in a long-distance relationship with my husband. My son has spent half of his life viewing his father through a Web camera, and I’ve spent four wedding anniversaries on dates with my girlfriends on the home front.
But in the end, when I choose to be after I do, I find myself living in an attitude of gratitude instead of an attitude of resentment. After all, this military life, though it requires much, also gives back more than I could have ever asked: a spirit of patriotism, a servant’s heart and an appreciation of the true sacrifices of others. The only thing I need to do to realize those important values is be grateful for the ways I learn about them, deployment extensions and all.
(Taken from today's Northwest Guardian, the military newspaper for Fort Lewis)
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Thursday, September 18
Book Club SitRep
I posted earlier in the week that Sarah Smiley author of I'm Just Saying will be on the show to discuss this month's book on October 20th. This leaves us with a gap because this month's book club segment will be on September 28th. So I have been trying to figure out what to do with the upcoming radio segment and how to handle the book for October. On Tuesday I picked up Mothers Need Time-outs, Too, by Susan Callahan, Anne Nolen, and Katrin Schumann and started reading it. I love it! I think the title could be Army Wives need time-outs, too. I am really enjoying this book, and I think there are so many useful tools and ideas in this book that applies to all women, not just the mommies.
Mothers Need Time-outs, Too is going to be our September-October book for book club. I am going to discuss it on the 28th of September during our normal book club segment. This works out really well because the authors were on the show July 28th 2008, so you can go to www.armywifetalkradio.com and click on the archives and listen to the show. I will be posting on the blog about both of our books, Mothers Need Time-outs, Too, and I'm Just Saying. Our on air book club segments will be September 28th for Mothers and October 20th with Sarah Smiley.
The Mothers Need Time-outs, Too segment is rapidly approaching, I will be posting about the book between now and then. You can also listen to the archive of the show. I am really enjoying this book and I think it will really help all military spouses because there is a lot of discussion on finding your passion/ purpose in life. It also discusses being selfish, not in a bad way, but putting yourself first, which is an issue when you are married to the Army, we all know the Army comes first!
Keep reading I'm Just Saying, it is such a funny book and we are going to be able to talk with Sarah Smiley herself, which I am really excited about. Please join the blog discussions about both books, participation will help grow the book club.
SitRep = Situational Report Shock your husband, use it in a sentence the next time you talk to him.
Mothers Need Time-outs, Too is going to be our September-October book for book club. I am going to discuss it on the 28th of September during our normal book club segment. This works out really well because the authors were on the show July 28th 2008, so you can go to www.armywifetalkradio.com and click on the archives and listen to the show. I will be posting on the blog about both of our books, Mothers Need Time-outs, Too, and I'm Just Saying. Our on air book club segments will be September 28th for Mothers and October 20th with Sarah Smiley.
The Mothers Need Time-outs, Too segment is rapidly approaching, I will be posting about the book between now and then. You can also listen to the archive of the show. I am really enjoying this book and I think it will really help all military spouses because there is a lot of discussion on finding your passion/ purpose in life. It also discusses being selfish, not in a bad way, but putting yourself first, which is an issue when you are married to the Army, we all know the Army comes first!
Keep reading I'm Just Saying, it is such a funny book and we are going to be able to talk with Sarah Smiley herself, which I am really excited about. Please join the blog discussions about both books, participation will help grow the book club.
SitRep = Situational Report Shock your husband, use it in a sentence the next time you talk to him.
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Wednesday, September 17
Just an Update
I am way behind on my blogging and I am so sorry! I even told Tara she could remove me but then she complimented me and told me how amazing I was so of course, I am back! She's kind of good that way:) Anyway, things have been hectic. My last blog was about "going green" and so you all know, I love my hybrid car. I am averaging 28 MPG in the city and still have room for cargo. I just won't be the carpool leader! I also told you all about my sister having cancer. I recently went to Michigan to be with her for a week and while I was gone, hubbie got sent to LA to fight hurricanes. So, as soon as I got back I was on my own unexpectadly. This all happened at the same time my kids started school for the first time (pre-K and preschool), and I started two college classes, and had to throw my sons fifth birthday party. Needless to say, I have been a bit overwhelmed. I am in my second semester working towards a Bachelors of nursing. I graduated from college in 2000 and here I am back in school! I have always felt nursing was my calling and now I finally have a chance to get started. The biggest thing that has been looming is that I signed up to do the MS 150 bike tour this year. That's 150 miles on bicycle to raise money and awareness for multiple sclerosis. That was this past weekend and without training rides and dog bites (my last training ride, I was attacked by a dog) I feel like a weight has been lifted. I have new things I am working on now---a benefit fundraiser for my sister, and finally stepping forward on our national guard wives support group here. We are really excited about this and I will be posting more as we get going! I will try to be better about blogging here! I still read all the entries and love the spirit and encouragement from all of you! Every one of you has something that I have learned from, so thank you!
Click here to read the rest of this post.
A Pictures Worth a Thousand Words
DH and I are at the point of reintegration that I would call the home phase. It's where the newness of him being home has worn off and those little habits I missed so much when he was away have come back to bug me. For example those boots in the middle of my floor. I missed those boots like crazy when he was away. Now he is back, and there they are, each and every night in the middle of my floor, just waiting for me to trip on one of them. I read the blogs of the other ladies and it reminds me how lucky I actually am to have those boots home to trip over.
Last night I was flipping threw our family photo album and thinking about the events that have taken place. I remember thinking at each of these events how much I missed DH. I was struck by one picture. It was a picture of me after he left for the sand. I looked ... well lost. I should never play poker because all my emotions show in my face. They say a picture is worth a thousand words and that one tell the whole story. Next time he leaves his boots in the middle of the floor, I'm going to think of the picture and how I felt back then.
Last night I was flipping threw our family photo album and thinking about the events that have taken place. I remember thinking at each of these events how much I missed DH. I was struck by one picture. It was a picture of me after he left for the sand. I looked ... well lost. I should never play poker because all my emotions show in my face. They say a picture is worth a thousand words and that one tell the whole story. Next time he leaves his boots in the middle of the floor, I'm going to think of the picture and how I felt back then.
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Tuesday, September 16
Feeling so fortunate
I am feeling so fortunate these days. I'd say 'blessed' but that's not my style. While learning to live with my husband for the first time in seven years of knowing him (two of them married) has been interesting at times, all in all life is very, very good. Sometimes it feels like things are all coming together.
Unfortunately, there's that paranoid little voice in my brain, probably a product of a tumultuous childhood, that is convinced that disaster is just around the corner. That I'm TOO lucky - something bad is bound to happen. Or I feel guilty - my life has turned out so much better than so much of my family. While I know I've basically just made better choices than most of my family, still, I feel guilty sometimes at all the good things I have. I have enough to be far better off than most of my family, both financially and emotionally - but not quite enough to really be able to make as big a difference as I would like in their lives.
I had the best weekend recently, and that's what has got me feeling so fortunate. Thursday I met with some ladies I know, from my husband's class, and started on some possible friendships (and some possible dislikes, but such is life.) On Friday, a friend I made during my husband's last deployment flew in from 1800 miles away. We got to go to lunch and window shopping, and went home to get the grill ready. Grilling was interrupted slightly by two things: 1) a friend texted me to tell me congratulations on passing the bar exam, and 2) the tornado warnings went off on the radio and the local siren! I hadn't looked at test results, lest I'd failed and it ruined the weekend.... so we took some beverages down into the basement while my husband placed the stuff on the grill in the midst of a tornado (my hero!) It was the kind of 'welcome to the MidWest' you couldn't plan if you tried! Luckily, while two storms went right through the town, no damage. :)
Other than that, we just had so much fun. I got to show her around my new (temporary) home city, going to the zoo and rollerderby and the Renaissance festival (including a freaky-accurate palm reader!) and lots of good food. My husband totally spoiled me, and we all just had a blast. It was sad to see her fly off, but I walked out of the airport feeling so lucky - in my husband, in my friends, in my life. Here's hoping I stay on a roll! And good thoughts to everyone else out there. I've had some serious ups and downs in my life, both before and after meeting my husband. But luckily the ups DO come around again, even after serious downs. I don't know if there is anything out there to thank for my good fortune, but if there is - thank you!
Unfortunately, there's that paranoid little voice in my brain, probably a product of a tumultuous childhood, that is convinced that disaster is just around the corner. That I'm TOO lucky - something bad is bound to happen. Or I feel guilty - my life has turned out so much better than so much of my family. While I know I've basically just made better choices than most of my family, still, I feel guilty sometimes at all the good things I have. I have enough to be far better off than most of my family, both financially and emotionally - but not quite enough to really be able to make as big a difference as I would like in their lives.
I had the best weekend recently, and that's what has got me feeling so fortunate. Thursday I met with some ladies I know, from my husband's class, and started on some possible friendships (and some possible dislikes, but such is life.) On Friday, a friend I made during my husband's last deployment flew in from 1800 miles away. We got to go to lunch and window shopping, and went home to get the grill ready. Grilling was interrupted slightly by two things: 1) a friend texted me to tell me congratulations on passing the bar exam, and 2) the tornado warnings went off on the radio and the local siren! I hadn't looked at test results, lest I'd failed and it ruined the weekend.... so we took some beverages down into the basement while my husband placed the stuff on the grill in the midst of a tornado (my hero!) It was the kind of 'welcome to the MidWest' you couldn't plan if you tried! Luckily, while two storms went right through the town, no damage. :)
Other than that, we just had so much fun. I got to show her around my new (temporary) home city, going to the zoo and rollerderby and the Renaissance festival (including a freaky-accurate palm reader!) and lots of good food. My husband totally spoiled me, and we all just had a blast. It was sad to see her fly off, but I walked out of the airport feeling so lucky - in my husband, in my friends, in my life. Here's hoping I stay on a roll! And good thoughts to everyone else out there. I've had some serious ups and downs in my life, both before and after meeting my husband. But luckily the ups DO come around again, even after serious downs. I don't know if there is anything out there to thank for my good fortune, but if there is - thank you!
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Monday, September 15
Finally Grooving, deployments almost over
Well here it is, less than one month until my husband comes back. Can I just take a minute to do the happy dance? woohoo, uh huh!!
However, with shorter deployments and this one mostly over summer vacation, I find myself finally out of the funk and in a groove. Somedays are better than others but we all have them. Things are sailing along. Then it hit me yesterday as I was sitting in church, not paying attention, instead counting the days on my calendar as to how many Sundays I had left to do this alone. ONLY 4 Sundays left! I got so excited I wanted to jump up and shout hallelujah! Figured I didn't want to draw attention to myself and the fact that I wasn't paying attention to the pastor, so I sat quietly in my seat and continued to not pay attention.
Over the course of the last year DH and I have had a few rough patches of growing pains. I feel like we are finally through them and I absolutely 100% CANNOT wait for him to get here already. I have 4 Sundays, 22 trips to the bus stop in the morning, 4 more times the lawn care service will come, and less than 30 days of sleeping in that big sized bed all by myself.
The banner came today that I ordered. Forgive me but I can't remember the companies name right off the top of my head. They did 10,000 free banners for military families. I got mine today and it is awesome! I can't wait to hang it up!
However, with shorter deployments and this one mostly over summer vacation, I find myself finally out of the funk and in a groove. Somedays are better than others but we all have them. Things are sailing along. Then it hit me yesterday as I was sitting in church, not paying attention, instead counting the days on my calendar as to how many Sundays I had left to do this alone. ONLY 4 Sundays left! I got so excited I wanted to jump up and shout hallelujah! Figured I didn't want to draw attention to myself and the fact that I wasn't paying attention to the pastor, so I sat quietly in my seat and continued to not pay attention.
Over the course of the last year DH and I have had a few rough patches of growing pains. I feel like we are finally through them and I absolutely 100% CANNOT wait for him to get here already. I have 4 Sundays, 22 trips to the bus stop in the morning, 4 more times the lawn care service will come, and less than 30 days of sleeping in that big sized bed all by myself.
The banner came today that I ordered. Forgive me but I can't remember the companies name right off the top of my head. They did 10,000 free banners for military families. I got mine today and it is awesome! I can't wait to hang it up!
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Struggling? You are not Alone.
A couple of Mondays ago there was a listener in the chat room who has been on my mind. She was in the chat for over half of the Army Wife Talk Radio show and then she said that she didn't think that the show or the chat was for her. She said it had been a hard couple of weeks and then she left the chat room. I have been thinking and worrying about her ever since.
I have been wracking my brain trying to figure out why she felt that chat or the show wasn't right for her. I don't know if I have the right answer or not, but I do have a thought. Generally speaking on the show and on the blog we are all very upbeat about Army Life. Once in a while we talk about the struggles in a negative way, but generally we are all very upbeat. My concern is that our listener may have interpreted that the wrong way.
I have always prescribed to the "fake it until you make it" philosophy. This is not to say that I don't complain, or cry, I just don't do it publicly that often. I also think that on the show and on the blog we try to find the silver lining in the journey that we are all on. I personally try not to blog about things that I am going through until I can put a positive spin on it, because I don't want to bring any one down who might be going through the same thing. Perhaps this is a mistake.
Army life is tough and the operational tempo the Army is currently operating under is making life very difficult for soldiers and their families. If you are having a tough time, feel like you are close to a breakdown, or just plain hating the Army I guarantee you are not alone. Army life is tough, it stinks, it makes you weep. I have moved six times in seven years of marriage. My husband has been to Iraq twice and we are counting down the months until our next deployment. Some days I want to hang my head and cry. I don't watch the show Army Wives every week because it makes my heart heavy. It reminds of what I have been through and what I am getting ready to do more of and quite frankly sometimes I just can't handle it.
I am jealous of my friends who are not in the military. The ones that have bought houses and have gardens. There kids all go to the same schools. They shop in the same stores. They have moved once maybe twice. There houses are organized, the paint, hang pictures and shelves without thinking twice. I hate the sound of my husband's cell phone so much that I asked him to put it on vibrate so I wouldn't have to hear it. I wonder how I am going to take care of four children by myself for a year. I wonder how I would take care of them longer if the unspeakable happened.
So there, it is all out there. I am sad, scared, and lonely. I don't always love being an Army Wife. So here is the good news. I am not alone. There are thousand upon thousands of current and retired Army wives and families who have been and are going through what I am going through. I act tough so I can be tough. I tear up when I watch Army Hooah videos because I am so gosh darn proud of my husband and the other soldiers and military members that protect our way of life. Our life is tough, but I am filled with pride, a pride I would not feel if my husband worked in the private sector. Could we make more money and be more stable? Of course we could, but instead my husband and my family have made a tough decision and our family business is protecting this fine nation we are honored to call home.
I try write about my issues and problems with humor and solutions because I want the ladies who identify with what I am going through to know there is a positive spin, there is humor. I don't know if sometimes we make it seem easy or painless. That is not the case, we are trying to help each other through this Army life with hope and solutions.
I don't know if I came up with the reason that the listener left. I am guessing, but there have been a lot of people in chat lately who have been expressing that they have been having a hard time with deployment. You are not alone. Deployment is excruciating, but we are all here to help each other through it. My goal is to not just survive but to some how manage to become a better person at the end of it.
I have been wracking my brain trying to figure out why she felt that chat or the show wasn't right for her. I don't know if I have the right answer or not, but I do have a thought. Generally speaking on the show and on the blog we are all very upbeat about Army Life. Once in a while we talk about the struggles in a negative way, but generally we are all very upbeat. My concern is that our listener may have interpreted that the wrong way.
I have always prescribed to the "fake it until you make it" philosophy. This is not to say that I don't complain, or cry, I just don't do it publicly that often. I also think that on the show and on the blog we try to find the silver lining in the journey that we are all on. I personally try not to blog about things that I am going through until I can put a positive spin on it, because I don't want to bring any one down who might be going through the same thing. Perhaps this is a mistake.
Army life is tough and the operational tempo the Army is currently operating under is making life very difficult for soldiers and their families. If you are having a tough time, feel like you are close to a breakdown, or just plain hating the Army I guarantee you are not alone. Army life is tough, it stinks, it makes you weep. I have moved six times in seven years of marriage. My husband has been to Iraq twice and we are counting down the months until our next deployment. Some days I want to hang my head and cry. I don't watch the show Army Wives every week because it makes my heart heavy. It reminds of what I have been through and what I am getting ready to do more of and quite frankly sometimes I just can't handle it.
I am jealous of my friends who are not in the military. The ones that have bought houses and have gardens. There kids all go to the same schools. They shop in the same stores. They have moved once maybe twice. There houses are organized, the paint, hang pictures and shelves without thinking twice. I hate the sound of my husband's cell phone so much that I asked him to put it on vibrate so I wouldn't have to hear it. I wonder how I am going to take care of four children by myself for a year. I wonder how I would take care of them longer if the unspeakable happened.
So there, it is all out there. I am sad, scared, and lonely. I don't always love being an Army Wife. So here is the good news. I am not alone. There are thousand upon thousands of current and retired Army wives and families who have been and are going through what I am going through. I act tough so I can be tough. I tear up when I watch Army Hooah videos because I am so gosh darn proud of my husband and the other soldiers and military members that protect our way of life. Our life is tough, but I am filled with pride, a pride I would not feel if my husband worked in the private sector. Could we make more money and be more stable? Of course we could, but instead my husband and my family have made a tough decision and our family business is protecting this fine nation we are honored to call home.
I try write about my issues and problems with humor and solutions because I want the ladies who identify with what I am going through to know there is a positive spin, there is humor. I don't know if sometimes we make it seem easy or painless. That is not the case, we are trying to help each other through this Army life with hope and solutions.
I don't know if I came up with the reason that the listener left. I am guessing, but there have been a lot of people in chat lately who have been expressing that they have been having a hard time with deployment. You are not alone. Deployment is excruciating, but we are all here to help each other through it. My goal is to not just survive but to some how manage to become a better person at the end of it.
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Great News
I am so excited to share with you that Sarah Smiley, author of I'm Just Saying is going to be on the Army Wife Talk Radio October 20th to talk about her new book! As you all know we have been reading her book for this month's book club. I am so excited for the opportunity to talk to her in person. So be thinking about what you want to ask her. This also means that if you thought you wouldn't have time to read the book, you just got an extension!!! So go get the book and start reading. You can purchase it through the AWTR book list which will take you to Amazon, it is also available on the top of the blog. Happy reading!
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Trying Something New
I'm a dancer. I love the way it makes my spirit feel. Free. I love the way dance is a workout to help keep me healthy and a beautiful way for me to be a woman as well. I participate in belly dance, zumba and on ocassion ballet and hip hop. Sometimes a piece I am dancing can nearly bring me to tears, and yet others I will laugh so hard at myself I won't be able to complete the movements.
This past weekend my SIL (also my belly dance instructor) invited me to participate in a dance over-nighter. Yes, similar to something you would do as a girl scout at age 12, but for woman. I have to admit I was crazy nervous. "Will I fit in?" "Will I dance well enough?" Once I was there and in the presence of the other woman it was fantastic. About 30 women of every age, shape, color and size was there dancing 'bellies out' and for one moment in my life I felt completely beautiful. It's rare in today's world that women embrace each other's beauty right here, right now, for exactly what it is... breathtaking. I was able to try some new things: henna tatoos, yoga, hommus, and many other new exciting things. It was definitly different than anything I've ever done, but I'm glad I busted out of my shell a bit and experienced something new. It's in the moments when we are taken from our "safe places" that we truly discover who we are. I wanted to encourage each of you to try something new this week. Let it invigorate you. PS- It doesn't have to be belly dance :)
This past weekend my SIL (also my belly dance instructor) invited me to participate in a dance over-nighter. Yes, similar to something you would do as a girl scout at age 12, but for woman. I have to admit I was crazy nervous. "Will I fit in?" "Will I dance well enough?" Once I was there and in the presence of the other woman it was fantastic. About 30 women of every age, shape, color and size was there dancing 'bellies out' and for one moment in my life I felt completely beautiful. It's rare in today's world that women embrace each other's beauty right here, right now, for exactly what it is... breathtaking. I was able to try some new things: henna tatoos, yoga, hommus, and many other new exciting things. It was definitly different than anything I've ever done, but I'm glad I busted out of my shell a bit and experienced something new. It's in the moments when we are taken from our "safe places" that we truly discover who we are. I wanted to encourage each of you to try something new this week. Let it invigorate you. PS- It doesn't have to be belly dance :)
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Sunday, September 14
Idea for Homecoming
I went to Michaels today and they have window clings that you can create yourself. You just put them in your printer, print, and stick them on your house or car windows. I think these would be a great way to decorate for your soldier's welcome home!!
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Just a little something to say...Army Wife Life Pink Boots Stand Strong!!!
From me to All of you!!!
Army Wife Life Pink Boots Stand Strong!!!
We Stand Strong...we are the women who stay behind...
We are the Women...who make home a place to come back too!!!
We are the Ladies that Step high in the sparkling pink Boots!!!
We are the dedicated the beloved the ladies that wait....
Yes each of us wears the sign of the Army Wife....
Eyes that hold both tears of longing and hope!
Pink Boots Stand Strong!
Tara JW
Army Wife Life Pink Boots Stand Strong!!!
We Stand Strong...we are the women who stay behind...
We are the Women...who make home a place to come back too!!!
We are the Ladies that Step high in the sparkling pink Boots!!!
We are the dedicated the beloved the ladies that wait....
Yes each of us wears the sign of the Army Wife....
Eyes that hold both tears of longing and hope!
Pink Boots Stand Strong!
Tara JW
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Wednesday, September 10
We've arrived! (and I'm not sure how I feel about that)
We've arrived at Fort Sill. We got here late last night. When we arrived it was pouring down rain. We had made reservations for temporary housing on post. We pulled up to the parking lot and everyone filed out of the van. The girls were SO TIRED of being in the car - Chloe especially. We let the dogs out to go potty and I looked up at the lodging sign and there was Kevin's name - weird - I said "honey, the sign has your name on it." The only thing we can figure is that he was the highest ranking person checking into on post lodging that particular day. It was too funny though - so we took pictures.
We checked in and headed to find our new "house". To our dismay we were three flights of stairs UP!! As it continued to rain we managed to unload the UHAUL. Kevin almost dropped his Harley because the ramp slipped off as he pulled it out - but we were lucky!! I won't even lie to you - the trip up the stairs with all this really heavy stuff was almost more than we could bare. Around 8pm we headed out to dinner with a screaming baby, a tired little girl, and two exhausted parents. I am sure the people who had to stay here with our two dogs in the building not knowing what the heck was going on with us and our stuff - ie barking their heads off - really appreciated us!! NOT!
We got back home after stopping in to get milk to try to create some sort of normalcy and I was completely spent. Overwhelmed. Hell, I won't lie I wanted to cry. I just wanted my house back. We were completely exhausted and so were the girls. We tucked them in to what bed we could find and retired ourselves after making a long list of things to do on Wed. Poor Kevin - we're used to a King bed - and once the dogs got in bed and messed around - we realized that we both wouldn't fit on this little tiny double bed. He slept on the floor. I felt awful but frankly, this bed is so wonderfully HARD I don't think I was sleeping on anything much different. AUGHH!!
This morning came VERY early. We were able to return the Uhaul and do a bit of scavenger hunting to figure out what we needed to do today and how to get there. We started at the Fort Sill "One Stop". I'll admit they have improved the process of "in-processing" at least now when you get ABSOLUTELY NOTHING DONE you do it all in one building. That sums up our day - NOTHING. Zippo. Zilch. That's what we accomplished today. We spent three hours at "One Stop". We tried to talk to housing only to find out two hours later that we will be spending alot more time in "temporary housing" than we thought. This is NOT a good thing!!! We tried to talk to CYS - only they wouldn't even SEE us until Friday with an appointment. We tried to get Wrena registered in school but she needs extra shots that GA didn't have and of course that means you have to talk to TRICARE first. Not to mention the whole controversy on us not knowing where we live so they don't know what school to send her to - one lady even said she couldn't go to school until we knew. LUDICROUS! We did manage to pick up the keys to our PO Box but unfortunately mail must take a bit of time to forward b/c only the water bill made it! Defeated and frustrated we headed out for lunch to regroup.
After lunch we headed to check out the PX and the commissary. I remembered the PX as soon as we walked in. It's about the same - Wren was excited because it was different than the PX she is used to. One of the things we had to pick up at the PX was a big bucket. A bucket you ask? Why a bucket? Well, don't laugh. I realized last night when we arrived that we only had a shower and no bath tub. That's not a good thing when you have a little baby. The sink was too small to do a bath. So I had to get creative. Yes, our baby girl took a bath in a big red bucket that we sat in the shower tonight. Need I say more? I really want to be in a regular house.
Then the commissary - WOW - Fort Sill's commissary is VERY nice. It reminds me of the new Kroger in Richmond Hill, GA. They even do Boar's Head sandwiches there at lunch time. The produce is awesome. The dairy is great. It was a really nice surprise. Of course the prices ROCK! I did miss shopping at the commissary. I needed something good to happen so I will take it - even if it is only the commissary!!
After the commissary we headed to the biggest underutilized treasure I THINK that there is on a military installation - the post library! Wren picked out a bunch of books, played, and then realized she could even check out DVDs. She was in heaven.
To help us visualize what we were getting ourselves into with the on post housing situation we went by to take a peek at the housing that we were told was coming available for us to move into next month. I had already decided we were going to just rent off post because I didn't want to live in this lodging for more than a week. Kevin thinks differently. He kept telling me "eye on the prize". The prize being the 2300 sq. foot on post house we should be getting. We'll see. I will give it to him though - going by there made me feel like I could do this. The houses were very nice. They even have a detached garage. They are historical and they are all renovated. It's very nice. "Eye on the prize." Remind me to keep saying that.....
We finally headed back to the lodging. With the new realization that this may be our home for quite some time, I decided to unpack some of our belongings. I managed to get the kitchen in order. I had to rearrange some furniture LOL! I was able to get it to where we could cook. Of course a grilled cheese is about all you can make with no oven and only a microwave and a burner but we did it! Everyone had dinner and we were surprisingly settling in. I started to feel a bit better about this.
So here I am and I honestly can't tell you how I feel. I am excited about being in a new place. I am excited about all the wonderful things they have going on on this post. I am thrilled to be on this adventure with my husband and my family. But today was extremely FRUSTRATING with dealing with all the red tape that the Army throws your way. It's silly really. Right down to CYS needing the name of two local people as emergency contacts when you just arrived into town and don't know ANYONE! That's the type of things that happened today. Silly stuff. Kevin was so funny - he isn't used to doing all of this I have always done it for him. I thought he was going to have a cow when he saw the hoops we Army wives have to jump through for our families. I just kept thinking that this is why I do what I do. Because the answers aren't always right just because they come from a government employee. They aren't always logical. And you shouldn't just do what the first person tells you. You have to try, try again. I kept thinking about the 20 year old new Army wives out there and how overwhelming this was for me - how overwhelming would this be for them? I've had 10 years to get used to this - four moves - and I'm still thinking "what the hell did I get myself into?"
I tell myself "when you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on." I repeated that several times today. I keep telling myself it's only temporary. I just wish I could see this adventure for what it is - and adventure. I wish I could see it through the glasses of Wrena. She is just on one big trip, one big adventure, and it's so much fun to not be doing the "same old thing" to her. Maybe she'll let me borrow those "glasses" tomorrow when we head over to Tricare, ACS, and all the other necessary stops we have to make. I better put some patience in my back pocket too!
We checked in and headed to find our new "house". To our dismay we were three flights of stairs UP!! As it continued to rain we managed to unload the UHAUL. Kevin almost dropped his Harley because the ramp slipped off as he pulled it out - but we were lucky!! I won't even lie to you - the trip up the stairs with all this really heavy stuff was almost more than we could bare. Around 8pm we headed out to dinner with a screaming baby, a tired little girl, and two exhausted parents. I am sure the people who had to stay here with our two dogs in the building not knowing what the heck was going on with us and our stuff - ie barking their heads off - really appreciated us!! NOT!
We got back home after stopping in to get milk to try to create some sort of normalcy and I was completely spent. Overwhelmed. Hell, I won't lie I wanted to cry. I just wanted my house back. We were completely exhausted and so were the girls. We tucked them in to what bed we could find and retired ourselves after making a long list of things to do on Wed. Poor Kevin - we're used to a King bed - and once the dogs got in bed and messed around - we realized that we both wouldn't fit on this little tiny double bed. He slept on the floor. I felt awful but frankly, this bed is so wonderfully HARD I don't think I was sleeping on anything much different. AUGHH!!
This morning came VERY early. We were able to return the Uhaul and do a bit of scavenger hunting to figure out what we needed to do today and how to get there. We started at the Fort Sill "One Stop". I'll admit they have improved the process of "in-processing" at least now when you get ABSOLUTELY NOTHING DONE you do it all in one building. That sums up our day - NOTHING. Zippo. Zilch. That's what we accomplished today. We spent three hours at "One Stop". We tried to talk to housing only to find out two hours later that we will be spending alot more time in "temporary housing" than we thought. This is NOT a good thing!!! We tried to talk to CYS - only they wouldn't even SEE us until Friday with an appointment. We tried to get Wrena registered in school but she needs extra shots that GA didn't have and of course that means you have to talk to TRICARE first. Not to mention the whole controversy on us not knowing where we live so they don't know what school to send her to - one lady even said she couldn't go to school until we knew. LUDICROUS! We did manage to pick up the keys to our PO Box but unfortunately mail must take a bit of time to forward b/c only the water bill made it! Defeated and frustrated we headed out for lunch to regroup.
After lunch we headed to check out the PX and the commissary. I remembered the PX as soon as we walked in. It's about the same - Wren was excited because it was different than the PX she is used to. One of the things we had to pick up at the PX was a big bucket. A bucket you ask? Why a bucket? Well, don't laugh. I realized last night when we arrived that we only had a shower and no bath tub. That's not a good thing when you have a little baby. The sink was too small to do a bath. So I had to get creative. Yes, our baby girl took a bath in a big red bucket that we sat in the shower tonight. Need I say more? I really want to be in a regular house.
Then the commissary - WOW - Fort Sill's commissary is VERY nice. It reminds me of the new Kroger in Richmond Hill, GA. They even do Boar's Head sandwiches there at lunch time. The produce is awesome. The dairy is great. It was a really nice surprise. Of course the prices ROCK! I did miss shopping at the commissary. I needed something good to happen so I will take it - even if it is only the commissary!!
After the commissary we headed to the biggest underutilized treasure I THINK that there is on a military installation - the post library! Wren picked out a bunch of books, played, and then realized she could even check out DVDs. She was in heaven.
To help us visualize what we were getting ourselves into with the on post housing situation we went by to take a peek at the housing that we were told was coming available for us to move into next month. I had already decided we were going to just rent off post because I didn't want to live in this lodging for more than a week. Kevin thinks differently. He kept telling me "eye on the prize". The prize being the 2300 sq. foot on post house we should be getting. We'll see. I will give it to him though - going by there made me feel like I could do this. The houses were very nice. They even have a detached garage. They are historical and they are all renovated. It's very nice. "Eye on the prize." Remind me to keep saying that.....
We finally headed back to the lodging. With the new realization that this may be our home for quite some time, I decided to unpack some of our belongings. I managed to get the kitchen in order. I had to rearrange some furniture LOL! I was able to get it to where we could cook. Of course a grilled cheese is about all you can make with no oven and only a microwave and a burner but we did it! Everyone had dinner and we were surprisingly settling in. I started to feel a bit better about this.
So here I am and I honestly can't tell you how I feel. I am excited about being in a new place. I am excited about all the wonderful things they have going on on this post. I am thrilled to be on this adventure with my husband and my family. But today was extremely FRUSTRATING with dealing with all the red tape that the Army throws your way. It's silly really. Right down to CYS needing the name of two local people as emergency contacts when you just arrived into town and don't know ANYONE! That's the type of things that happened today. Silly stuff. Kevin was so funny - he isn't used to doing all of this I have always done it for him. I thought he was going to have a cow when he saw the hoops we Army wives have to jump through for our families. I just kept thinking that this is why I do what I do. Because the answers aren't always right just because they come from a government employee. They aren't always logical. And you shouldn't just do what the first person tells you. You have to try, try again. I kept thinking about the 20 year old new Army wives out there and how overwhelming this was for me - how overwhelming would this be for them? I've had 10 years to get used to this - four moves - and I'm still thinking "what the hell did I get myself into?"
I tell myself "when you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on." I repeated that several times today. I keep telling myself it's only temporary. I just wish I could see this adventure for what it is - and adventure. I wish I could see it through the glasses of Wrena. She is just on one big trip, one big adventure, and it's so much fun to not be doing the "same old thing" to her. Maybe she'll let me borrow those "glasses" tomorrow when we head over to Tricare, ACS, and all the other necessary stops we have to make. I better put some patience in my back pocket too!
Click here to read the rest of this post.
American Legion Auxiliary - Woman of the Year
I thought I'd share some pictures of my trip to Phoenix to accept the ALA's Woman of the Year award. It was a really good time. I am honored to be a recipient of this award. What a neat experience.....
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Friday, September 5
Discounts... for me?
When I first signed up as a military wife, I was, at the very least, a little bit overwhelmed. Within a week of marrying my husband, the Army was already packing up our wedding gifts and shipping them to Alaska. I had spent the previous 21 years of my life in Dayton, Ohio, with only six semesters at a college within driving distance of the area. And after living in America's heartland for 21 years, hopping on a plane and flying to a place that didn't even have a real mall (or, in places, running water) scared me. Just a little bit.
I think our neighbors in our new Alaskan military neighborhood must have noticed, because all of a sudden, many of them started coming to my door with casseroles and cookies on those long, dark Alaskan winter days. They all told me their fun stories about the crazy places they'd lived and how much fun they'd had being military spouses. But wrapped in my fleece blanket and standing there in my long johns, I just wasn't convinced that this military life was going to be the hoot they all promised.
Until, that is, one neighbor introduced me to THE MILITARY DISCOUNT.
Now before I married into the military, I was just a plain-jane girl from Dayton, Ohio. I wasn't old enough for the AARP, I wasn't important enough for a special club card that granted me access to all kinds of special clubs and discounts around my city.
But when I joined the Army, suddenly I became cool; suddenly, I received a special brown dependent card that immediately gave me access to the world that is a Heaven to the woman: the world of discounts.
From that day on, I was pretty sure I could somehow make do in this military life. :)
Discounts are one of the massive blessings of military life. They are one of the ways that businesses and community organizations say "thank you" to our heroes in uniform, and "thank you" to their families. And those organizations are EVERYWHERE (although some chain stores vary from specific location to location). To name a few:
* Aeropostale
* The Buckle
* Dress Barn
* The Finish Line
* FootAction
* Footlocker
* Gadzooks
* Goody's
* Hot Topic
* Jos. A. Bank
* Jockey
* Kohl's
* Lerner
* New York & Company
* Nike
* Pac Sun
* Rack Room Shoes
* Timberland Outlets (active duty only)
* AutoZone
* Big 10 Tires
* Checker Auto Parts
* Kragen Auto Parts
* NAPA Auto Parts
* O'Reilly Auto Parts
* Applebee's
* Arby's
* A&W
* Back Yard Burgers
* Barnhill's
* Burger King
* Captain D's
* Carl's Jr.
* Chick-Fil-A
* Ci-Ci's
* Cotton Patch
* Denny's
* Dunkin' Donuts
* Golden Corral
* IHOP
* Java Cafe
* KFC
* Long John Silver
* Maggie Moo's
* McDonald's
* The Melting Pot
* Moe's
* Pancho's Mexican Buffet
* Panda Express
* Papa Murphy's
* Pat & Oscar's
* Pizza Hut
* Quizno's
* Red Robin
* Shoney's
* Sizzler
* Sonic
* Taco Bell
* Texas Roadhouse
* Wendy's
* Whataburger
* ATT
* Jiffy Lube
* Geico
* Sear's Portrait Studio
* Apple Computers
* Bass Pro Shop
* Champs Sports
* Copeland's Sports
* Dell
* Dick's Sporting Goods
* The Discovery Channel Store
* GNC
* Great Party
* Happy Harry's
* K-mart
* Michael's
* Play It Again Sports
* Pure Beauty
* Sally Beauty Supply
* Spencer's Gifts
* Sportsman's Warehouse
* Suncoast
* Wilson's Leather
In most locations, all you have to do is show your military ID card or ask about a military discount.
I have to admit, at first upon finding out this information, I was hesitant to use my card to receive a discount at these locations. I didn't want to be greedy, and I didn't want to demand that I get special treatment, simply because my husband served. After all, it was MY HUSBAND who served, not me, and I didn't want to take advantage of the generosity of others. I was very happy to serve without these extra incentives. (But I did have to admit, on long deployment days, they certainly did help my morale! And they certainly did remind me of the extra blessings of military life when I didn't have a husband at home to enjoy them with!)
But one day, when I was in a Taco Bell in Fairbanks, a cashier there changed my mind. I had placed my order and handed her my credit card to pay. When she asked for my ID, I handed her my military ID without thinking first.
"Mrs. Cuthrell," she said, "why didn't you tell me you were military so I could give you the discount?"
I paused for a second, trying to figure out the best way to put my feelings.
"I'm nothing special," I told her, "and I didn't want special treatment, simply because my husband serves. We both serve happily -- we don't need to take your money to feel appreciated."
She stopped, and then she looked at me.
"Ma'am, many of us will never be able to thank our soldiers for what they do. No matter what we say or do, we don't ever feel like it is enough. This is something small that we can do to say thank you. Why are you being too proud to accept our thanks? It makes us feel like our appreciation isn't good enough."
From that day on, I've swallowed my pride, at times, to accept the thanks of others. As military wives, we like to do everything ourselves, pay for everything ourselves -- be completely independent people who don't need anyone. But that day in Taco Bell, I realized that even though I might not NEED the thanks of others, I need to humble myself to graciously and lovingly ACCEPT it. And appreciate it instead of feeling too proud or self-sufficient to take it. Because that small gesture might be someone else telling my husband, "I appreciate your sacrifice for me. Here is one small way I can sacrifice for you."
And let's face it, 10 more percent in my wallet is a sacrifice I can live with. :)
I think our neighbors in our new Alaskan military neighborhood must have noticed, because all of a sudden, many of them started coming to my door with casseroles and cookies on those long, dark Alaskan winter days. They all told me their fun stories about the crazy places they'd lived and how much fun they'd had being military spouses. But wrapped in my fleece blanket and standing there in my long johns, I just wasn't convinced that this military life was going to be the hoot they all promised.
Until, that is, one neighbor introduced me to THE MILITARY DISCOUNT.
Now before I married into the military, I was just a plain-jane girl from Dayton, Ohio. I wasn't old enough for the AARP, I wasn't important enough for a special club card that granted me access to all kinds of special clubs and discounts around my city.
But when I joined the Army, suddenly I became cool; suddenly, I received a special brown dependent card that immediately gave me access to the world that is a Heaven to the woman: the world of discounts.
From that day on, I was pretty sure I could somehow make do in this military life. :)
Discounts are one of the massive blessings of military life. They are one of the ways that businesses and community organizations say "thank you" to our heroes in uniform, and "thank you" to their families. And those organizations are EVERYWHERE (although some chain stores vary from specific location to location). To name a few:
* Aeropostale
* The Buckle
* Dress Barn
* The Finish Line
* FootAction
* Footlocker
* Gadzooks
* Goody's
* Hot Topic
* Jos. A. Bank
* Jockey
* Kohl's
* Lerner
* New York & Company
* Nike
* Pac Sun
* Rack Room Shoes
* Timberland Outlets (active duty only)
* AutoZone
* Big 10 Tires
* Checker Auto Parts
* Kragen Auto Parts
* NAPA Auto Parts
* O'Reilly Auto Parts
* Applebee's
* Arby's
* A&W
* Back Yard Burgers
* Barnhill's
* Burger King
* Captain D's
* Carl's Jr.
* Chick-Fil-A
* Ci-Ci's
* Cotton Patch
* Denny's
* Dunkin' Donuts
* Golden Corral
* IHOP
* Java Cafe
* KFC
* Long John Silver
* Maggie Moo's
* McDonald's
* The Melting Pot
* Moe's
* Pancho's Mexican Buffet
* Panda Express
* Papa Murphy's
* Pat & Oscar's
* Pizza Hut
* Quizno's
* Red Robin
* Shoney's
* Sizzler
* Sonic
* Taco Bell
* Texas Roadhouse
* Wendy's
* Whataburger
* ATT
* Jiffy Lube
* Geico
* Sear's Portrait Studio
* Apple Computers
* Bass Pro Shop
* Champs Sports
* Copeland's Sports
* Dell
* Dick's Sporting Goods
* The Discovery Channel Store
* GNC
* Great Party
* Happy Harry's
* K-mart
* Michael's
* Play It Again Sports
* Pure Beauty
* Sally Beauty Supply
* Spencer's Gifts
* Sportsman's Warehouse
* Suncoast
* Wilson's Leather
In most locations, all you have to do is show your military ID card or ask about a military discount.
I have to admit, at first upon finding out this information, I was hesitant to use my card to receive a discount at these locations. I didn't want to be greedy, and I didn't want to demand that I get special treatment, simply because my husband served. After all, it was MY HUSBAND who served, not me, and I didn't want to take advantage of the generosity of others. I was very happy to serve without these extra incentives. (But I did have to admit, on long deployment days, they certainly did help my morale! And they certainly did remind me of the extra blessings of military life when I didn't have a husband at home to enjoy them with!)
But one day, when I was in a Taco Bell in Fairbanks, a cashier there changed my mind. I had placed my order and handed her my credit card to pay. When she asked for my ID, I handed her my military ID without thinking first.
"Mrs. Cuthrell," she said, "why didn't you tell me you were military so I could give you the discount?"
I paused for a second, trying to figure out the best way to put my feelings.
"I'm nothing special," I told her, "and I didn't want special treatment, simply because my husband serves. We both serve happily -- we don't need to take your money to feel appreciated."
She stopped, and then she looked at me.
"Ma'am, many of us will never be able to thank our soldiers for what they do. No matter what we say or do, we don't ever feel like it is enough. This is something small that we can do to say thank you. Why are you being too proud to accept our thanks? It makes us feel like our appreciation isn't good enough."
From that day on, I've swallowed my pride, at times, to accept the thanks of others. As military wives, we like to do everything ourselves, pay for everything ourselves -- be completely independent people who don't need anyone. But that day in Taco Bell, I realized that even though I might not NEED the thanks of others, I need to humble myself to graciously and lovingly ACCEPT it. And appreciate it instead of feeling too proud or self-sufficient to take it. Because that small gesture might be someone else telling my husband, "I appreciate your sacrifice for me. Here is one small way I can sacrifice for you."
And let's face it, 10 more percent in my wallet is a sacrifice I can live with. :)
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Two became One Today! :-)
Today is our day this morning 12 months ago...MW and I said "I DO!" We spoke over the phone this morning…than we were blessed to webcam...just before he had to go...there was a knock at the door....when I opened it up there waiting for me 24 Red Roses...and a love note!!! God is so good to us….always making a way for us to connect by heart…soul…spirit…and from time to time by mail! I am going to spend time reading one of our favorite Bible stories…I thought I would share a small part of it with you all….
Song of Solomon 1
1 Solomon's Song of Songs.
Beloved [a]
2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—
for your love is more delightful than wine.
3 Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes;
your name is like perfume poured out.
No wonder the maidens love you!
4 Take me away with you—let us hurry!
Let the king bring me into his chambers.
Friends
We rejoice and delight in you [b] ;
we will praise your love more than wine.
Beloved
How right they are to adore you!
5 Dark am I, yet lovely,
O daughters of Jerusalem,
dark like the tents of Kedar,
like the tent curtains of Solomon. [c]
6 Do not stare at me because I am dark,
because I am darkened by the sun.
My mother's sons were angry with me
and made me take care of the vineyards;
my own vineyard I have neglected.
7 Tell me, you whom I love, where you graze your flock
and where you rest your sheep at midday.
Why should I be like a veiled woman
beside the flocks of your friends?
Friends
8 If you do not know, most beautiful of women,
follow the tracks of the sheep
and graze your young goats
by the tents of the shepherds.
Lover
9 I liken you, my darling, to a mare
harnessed to one of the chariots of Pharaoh.
10 Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings,
your neck with strings of jewels.
11 We will make you earrings of gold,
studded with silver.
Beloved
12 While the king was at his table,
my perfume spread its fragrance.
13 My lover is to me a sachet of myrrh
resting between my breasts.
14 My lover is to me a cluster of henna blossoms
from the vineyards of En Gedi.
Lover
15 How beautiful you are, my darling!
Oh, how beautiful!
Your eyes are doves.
Beloved
16 How handsome you are, my lover!
Oh, how charming!
And our bed is verdant.
Lover
17 The beams of our house are cedars;
our rafters are firs.
All the way from Iraq...sending me his love...at 1st I did not know how I would get through this day...now I know it is with his love and God's grace...one year down and now a beautiful lifetime to go! Thank God!!
Tara JW
Song of Solomon 1
1 Solomon's Song of Songs.
Beloved [a]
2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—
for your love is more delightful than wine.
3 Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes;
your name is like perfume poured out.
No wonder the maidens love you!
4 Take me away with you—let us hurry!
Let the king bring me into his chambers.
Friends
We rejoice and delight in you [b] ;
we will praise your love more than wine.
Beloved
How right they are to adore you!
5 Dark am I, yet lovely,
O daughters of Jerusalem,
dark like the tents of Kedar,
like the tent curtains of Solomon. [c]
6 Do not stare at me because I am dark,
because I am darkened by the sun.
My mother's sons were angry with me
and made me take care of the vineyards;
my own vineyard I have neglected.
7 Tell me, you whom I love, where you graze your flock
and where you rest your sheep at midday.
Why should I be like a veiled woman
beside the flocks of your friends?
Friends
8 If you do not know, most beautiful of women,
follow the tracks of the sheep
and graze your young goats
by the tents of the shepherds.
Lover
9 I liken you, my darling, to a mare
harnessed to one of the chariots of Pharaoh.
10 Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings,
your neck with strings of jewels.
11 We will make you earrings of gold,
studded with silver.
Beloved
12 While the king was at his table,
my perfume spread its fragrance.
13 My lover is to me a sachet of myrrh
resting between my breasts.
14 My lover is to me a cluster of henna blossoms
from the vineyards of En Gedi.
Lover
15 How beautiful you are, my darling!
Oh, how beautiful!
Your eyes are doves.
Beloved
16 How handsome you are, my lover!
Oh, how charming!
And our bed is verdant.
Lover
17 The beams of our house are cedars;
our rafters are firs.
All the way from Iraq...sending me his love...at 1st I did not know how I would get through this day...now I know it is with his love and God's grace...one year down and now a beautiful lifetime to go! Thank God!!
Tara JW
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Thursday, September 4
And we're off...
Well, the boxes are all packed, the movers have come, the house is empty. We spent the entire day cleaning and painting. I'm exhausted. As I painted my laundry room I couldn't help but think it was ironic that it has been five years in this house and I didn't paint it because it was "too much trouble" but there I was on my way out preparing it for a family who will come after us. I hope the wife appreciates her sparkling laundry facility!! I said goodbye to my plants as I did the final "weed" of the yard. I told them to be strong, grow hard, and be good little plants. My husband said I was nuts. I told him I was sad that I'd never been there to see them all "get old" and grow.
We've said our goodbyes. We've had dinners and parties. The loose ends are all tied. For some reason it still doesn't feel like we're moving - like it's "final". But tomorrow morning we're off on our journey half way across the country. Two dogs, two girls, hubby and I and our cat - we can't forget our cat! Wish us luck.....
We are stopping in to see our family in Missouri. We'll arrive the beginning of next week. An interesting trip I'm sure.... And we're off......I'll keep you posted!
We've said our goodbyes. We've had dinners and parties. The loose ends are all tied. For some reason it still doesn't feel like we're moving - like it's "final". But tomorrow morning we're off on our journey half way across the country. Two dogs, two girls, hubby and I and our cat - we can't forget our cat! Wish us luck.....
We are stopping in to see our family in Missouri. We'll arrive the beginning of next week. An interesting trip I'm sure.... And we're off......I'll keep you posted!
Click here to read the rest of this post.
She's Just Saying
The next book that we are reading for AWTR's Book Club is Sarah Smiley's new book, I'm Just Saying. I took the book with me when I went to the Doctor's office the other day to pass the time. I love this book. I started with the Military section, skipping Marriage and Children, because I wanted to get right to it. I was laughing out loud, this is one of those books where you are going to say, "I know right," "exactly," and so on. She has the funniest essay about the fact that in laws should not be at homecomings titled Taming the Military In-laws. I love that she says in the essay that in-laws should "be sensitive reporting contact." I can't tell you how many times my MIL would call the split second after she hung up with my husband to tell me exactly what he said, where he was and how she thought he was doing. It drove me totally bananas. It is hard enough being separated without feeling like you are competing with someone on being the subject matter expert on your husband, thank you very much Sarah Smiley for saying that for us.
I'm Just Saying is a great book with a lot of hilarious insights on being a military wife. I dare you not to laugh reading this book.
I'm Just Saying is a great book with a lot of hilarious insights on being a military wife. I dare you not to laugh reading this book.
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Wednesday, September 3
Mommy Homework
I packed my children's backpacks with all the supplies on the teachers lists, even the strange requested items. For example, three large bleach clean up wipes. I don't mind sending in things like tissues but this year they seem to be pushing it with the cleaning supplies.
My children return with empty backpacks except for the dreaded folder. Enclosed in this folder is not child homework .... ohhhhh nooooo it's Mommy homework. My children take delight in telling me I have homework to do, as they grab a snack and head out the door to play. (Our rule is they must finish their homework before they can go out to play.) I have to sift threw the sea of paper work, signing and filling it out. I finally finish this pile of paper and know this isn't that last of it. Tomorrow afternoon when I open the backpacks there will be more Mommy homework. It is never over in one shot, they like to stretch it out over a few days.
My children return with empty backpacks except for the dreaded folder. Enclosed in this folder is not child homework .... ohhhhh nooooo it's Mommy homework. My children take delight in telling me I have homework to do, as they grab a snack and head out the door to play. (Our rule is they must finish their homework before they can go out to play.) I have to sift threw the sea of paper work, signing and filling it out. I finally finish this pile of paper and know this isn't that last of it. Tomorrow afternoon when I open the backpacks there will be more Mommy homework. It is never over in one shot, they like to stretch it out over a few days.
Click here to read the rest of this post.
USAA Aligns the Stars
USAA Aligns the Stars to Salute the Troops
on ABC, Sunday, September 7th 9/8c
SAN ANTONIO Sept. 2, 2008–
A diverse cross-section of America’s most popular performers and entertainers – including Toby Keith, Janet Jackson, ZZ Top, Jessica Simpson, Snoop Dogg and others – are coming together on the same stage for one night only at an all-star salute to the nation’s military men and women.
USAA, a diversified financial services firm, is honored to present America United In Support of Our Troops, airing on ABC September 7th 9/8c.
Other performers and celebrities slated to appear include country musician Clint Black, comedians Carlos Mencia and Kathy Griffin, and many more. Filmed in front of audiences in Iraq, Camp Pendleton, Calif., and Fort Campbell, Ky., the show features popular music, celebrity cameos, tributes to the troops, and heart-warming stories.
“America United in Support of Our Troops - is all about standing together as a nation to say a very heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the men and women of the U.S. military,” said USAA President and CEO Joe Robles. “USAA has proudly served our nation’s military families for 86 years, and it is our honor to sponsor this tribute. We hope Americans will tune in this Sunday, support our troops and enjoy this terrific show.”
The show will be re-broadcast Monday, Sept. 8 for military members serving overseas and on ships at sea through the American Forces Radio and Television Service.
The only full-service insurance, banking and investment company dedicated to serving the military, USAA has many employees who have served in the military or have a direct connection to those in uniform.
For more information regarding the show and how to thank the troops, visit www.usaa.com/salute.
–– ** ––
About USAA
USAA, a diversified financial services group of companies, is the leading provider of financial planning, insurance, investments, and banking products to members of the U.S. military and their families. Named by BusinessWeek as No. 1 Customer Service Champ in 2007 and 2008, USAA provides highly competitive financial products to its 6.4 million members. For more information about USAA, or to learn more about membership, visit www.usaa.com.
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Tuesday, September 2
Changing of the Guard
My husband came home and announced, "Honey, there is a very good chance I'm changing Guard Units!" This comes as a huge shock. Since Will started his Guard career many years ago, this will make his third Unit. Silly me, I was under the impression you didn't "move around" like Active Duty Army does. I was really wrong about that one! Opp's!!
I had just gotten to know ladies in his Unit. I'm part of the FRG. I have formed friendships. We all have just made it threw deployment together.
I might have to again leave the familiar to be "the new kid on the block" again. I'll have to start over knowing not a soul. I will do this as I've done in the past, because in our heart of hearts we are all Army wives and have learned to make friends quickly. As I have done before, this experience of being "the new kid on the block" will touch me and when I have settled in, I will always extend the smile and include the next new kids on the block.
I had just gotten to know ladies in his Unit. I'm part of the FRG. I have formed friendships. We all have just made it threw deployment together.
I might have to again leave the familiar to be "the new kid on the block" again. I'll have to start over knowing not a soul. I will do this as I've done in the past, because in our heart of hearts we are all Army wives and have learned to make friends quickly. As I have done before, this experience of being "the new kid on the block" will touch me and when I have settled in, I will always extend the smile and include the next new kids on the block.
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Hurricane Coming?
As everyone knows, it's hurricane season! I live on the east coast and we are now under a hurricane watch. I ask myself...if we are evacuated, what are our most prize possessions that I will pack in our vehicle? It's strange to think of your life's collection of STUFF and when it comes down to a possibility of it being washed away, how do you decide what is MOST important? Our vehicle won't hold ALL the boxes of photo's, or trinkets from around the world. Do you just take the important papers and forget the rest?
I've evacuated before and yes, we had two vehicles loaded down with STUFF, but this time it will just be me and our "overweight" wiener dog! Things that make me go hum...
I've evacuated before and yes, we had two vehicles loaded down with STUFF, but this time it will just be me and our "overweight" wiener dog! Things that make me go hum...
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Field Problem - In Honor Of
Hi Tara and Star,
Do you have a calendar of all the military recognition days, weeks, and months? For example, Military Spouse's Day is Friday before Mother's Day and National Military Month is May, etc. Or do you have a link that would give me those? Or do you have it handy on your site? Thanks a million,
Deanna; Hummelstown, PA;
Army Guard spouse; 19 years
Dear Deanna:
We didn’t have such a list, but it was fun to dig up details to get you one. We did as well as we could and we hope the compilation below gives you a great start. We feel it’s comprehensive and enlightening, but would be happy to expand it as readers and your colleagues may see fit.
Practically every month contains a day recognizing service members, their accomplishments, or key values they fight for and possess: Freedom, Loyalty, and Victory.
February 1st – Freedom Day
Fitting isn’t it, that the year starts out with a celebration of Freedom. Typically, we identify July 4th as America’s Independence or Freedom Day. But, this other Freedom Day has different origins. CultureofPeace.org says that this is an opportunity to not just celebrate freedom but to “re-dedicate our commitment to work for freedom for all.” President Harry Truman no doubt agreed seeing as he was the one who proclaimed February 1st as National Freedom Day in 1948. February 1st was chosen because that was the day that President Abraham Lincoln signed the 13th Amendment abolishing and prohibiting slavery. Until 1948, former slaves celebrated this day unofficially since 1865.
Our service members are often referred to as Freedom Fighters, for our nation and for other nations as well. U.S. and coalition forces’ contributions to Iraq’s Iraqi Freedom Day just five years ago come to mind.
April
This whole month is designated as the month of the Military Child. When service members leave to fight and/or preserve peace in this day and age, they leave many loved ones behind. The most precious of which are our children. They sacrifice a lot of time with their parents and stability due to the frequent moves associated with military life. Thus, it’s been said that when parents serve, children serve too.
This month is for them.
Connect and Join, Inc. has brought to light an effort to make this month fun for military children and a learning experience for corporate and educational institution partners. At their Web site, http://www.monthofthemilitarychild.com/, there are event suggestions and project and lesson plans for educators. Parents can join in the celebration by visiting the site for arts & crafts projects with a military flair.
April 23rd – Army Reserve’s Birthday
Exciting news in the Army Reserve world: in 2008, the Reserves turned 100. To celebrate, the Army Reserves instituted a year-long celebration complete with a Public Affairs toolkit found at http://www.armyreserve.army.mil. Even comedian Jerry Seinfeld was enlisted to say, “Great going!”
May – National Military Appreciation Month (http://www.nmam.org)
This month is chock full of military observances making it a great candidate for National Military Month or sometimes referred to also as the Military Appreciation Month. This month includes the most well known Memorial Day to the obscure Loyalty Day.
May 1st – Loyalty Day and Silver Star Day
Similar to Freedom Day, Loyalty Day is a day to reflect on that specific virtue and re-dedicate ourselves as loyal Americans. Service members and military families join with numerous other types of volunteers who dedicate time and skills to contribute to supporting our Nation and its citizens. America wouldn’t be the same without loyal citizens.
Silver Star Day is observed by the Silver Star Families of America (SSFOA). This apropos example of a loyal volunteer organization serves our injured and ill service members. It’s not that they only serve Silver Star recipients, but rather silver is the color they denote for all injured/ill service members. This is in keeping with the idea that blue stars denote all service members and gold denotes those killed in action.
Friday before Mother’s Day – Military Spouse Appreciation Day
Here’s one you mentioned, Military Spouse Appreciation Day. This day of honor for all military spouses was first proclaimed by President Reagan in 1984. It’s grown rapidly in recent years, in light of the relenting pressures on military spouses because of the Global War on Terror i.e. back-to-back deployments and combat injuries to their spouse. Some organizations and businesses put on dinners for military spouses, feature discounts or sales, or reach out to perform services to make this day more meaningful.
Third Saturday in May – Armed Forces Day
Armed Forces Day is the culmination of Armed Forces Week, which starts the second Saturday in May. This day is set aside for all services to combine their celebrations of continued existence and service. Previously, each service held their own observance, but 1949 saw a call from then current Secretary of Defense for unity under the Department of Defense. Each continue to celebrate their birthdays, but do also make an ongoing effort toward a celebration of unity during this week in May.
Last Monday in May – Memorial Day
Often mistook for a holiday, Memorial Day is more truly a day to remember and honor the dead who gave their lives for our country. Veterans’ groups usually coordinate a prayer service or key note speaker who highlights the significant sacrifices of our Nation’s fallen. Usually, these services take place in cemeteries, and military gravesites are visited and decorated in conjunction with the service.
June 14th – Flag Day and the U.S. Army’s Birthday
It is a coincidence that these days both occur on June 14th. At this writing, both the Army and our U.S. flag are 233 years old. Flying the flag is highly encouraged from this day through the 4th of July to honor America. Some references went so far as calling this timeframe “Honor America Days.”
July 4th – Independence Day
We know this day needs no introduction. Fireworks, friends, flags, and family all come together for this summer holiday. Our Nation’s independence is highly valued and highly celebrated. Rightly so!
August 4th – Coast Guard Day
On this past anniversary or birthday the Coast Guard turned 218 years old.
September 11th – Patriot Day
This Patriot Day was established on the first anniversary of the Sept. 11, Twin Towers attack. Congress empowered the president to proclaim this day as a day of remembrance. There is a separate Patriot’s Day, which is celebrated by some in April. That day is a day to remember the Revolutionary War.
September 17th – Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
Also known as Citizens Day, a.k.a. Bill of Rights Day, this day is obviously noted for being the day that the Constitution of the United States of America was signed.
September 18th – U.S. Air Force’s Birthday
The youngest of armed services turns 61 years old this year.
Third Friday in September – POW/MIA Recognition Day
The National League of Families worked to gain this day of recognition to remember our prisoners of war and those missing in action. Each year the president orders a proclamation and requires federal buildings to fly the POW/MIA flag professing the claim, “You are not forgotten.”
Last Sunday in September – Gold Star Mother’s Day
Gold Star Mothers being those who lost a son or daughter in service to our country. This organization is 80 years old, established shortly after WWI.
October 13th – U.S. Navy’s Birthday
The Navy turns 233 years old on this coming birthday.
November – Military Family Month
Thanksgiving Day is the most notable holiday in November. It’s of course a day when individuals pause to give thanks for their many blessings. Perhaps this is why Military Family Month, Military Family Day, and Military Family Week are typically assigned, under presidential proclamation, to around the third week of November. These events are by in large organized and enhanced by groups such as the American Legion (http://www.Legion.org or http://www.Legion-aux.org), National Military Family Association (http://www.NMFA.org), and the Armed Services YMCA (http://www.ASYMCA.org).
November 10th – U.S. Marine Corps’ Birthday
As previously mentioned, all services were called to move toward celebrating Armed Forces Day as a day of unity and celebration of military service. According to DefenseLink’s account of this announcement, “Each of the military leagues and orders was asked to drop sponsorship of its specific service day in order to celebrate the newly announced Armed Forces Day….The Marine Corps League declined to drop support for Marine Corps Day but supports Armed Forces Day, too.” Their birthday is celebrated by all Marines and has been since 1921.
November 11th – Veteran’s Day
This day was first celebrated as Armistice Day. Armistice means truce, and veterans were celebrated for their dedicated and courageous service. In 1954, President Eisenhower declared this day Veteran’s Day. It’s a day to honor all who served, not just those who died (more typically remembered on Memorial’s Day).
December 13th – U.S. National Guard’s Birthday
372 years old this year, the Guard is older than all previously mentioned services. According to the National Guard Bureau, that is a history that has stood on the shoulders of 19 generations.
There are various other dates important to military history, which you may want to learn more about. VE (Victory in Europe) Day, VJ (Victory in Japan) Day, Pearl Harbor Day, or D Day can all be searched at http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com.
Now that you have all these dates, you can take the next step and pass on good wishes and hearty congratulations when called for. Several E-card sites include the appropriate cards and some Web sites were established for the specific purpose of celebrating service members. You can find them at:
AmericanGreetings.com, 123greetings.com, or Cards4Heroes.com. Many of these dates were culled from HolidayInsights.com; they have their own line of E-cards too.
Great question! You gave us a run for our money, but we enjoyed every step.
Have other questions? To submit your Field Problem™, e-mail FromTheField@FieldProblems.com. Please include your first name, location, branch of service, and years in/associated with the military. Questions may be edited for length and clarity. Field Problems™ reserves the right to read on the air and/or publish on its Web site or in any other form the emails and letters that we receive. By sending us a letter or email, you agree to these terms.
© 2008, Crooks and Henderson. Field Problem™is a self-syndicated column by authors and military spouses Tara Crooks & Starlett “Star” Henderson. Receive this and other Field Problems: SOLVED c/o Crooks and Henderson right in your inbox by signing up at www.FieldProblems.com. Field Problems™ is just one solution to the challenges encountered by military families in Crooks and Henderson's kitbag. Ask about workshops or Field Exercises™ customized to solve your or your organization's Field Problems™.
Do you have a calendar of all the military recognition days, weeks, and months? For example, Military Spouse's Day is Friday before Mother's Day and National Military Month is May, etc. Or do you have a link that would give me those? Or do you have it handy on your site? Thanks a million,
Deanna; Hummelstown, PA;
Army Guard spouse; 19 years
Dear Deanna:
We didn’t have such a list, but it was fun to dig up details to get you one. We did as well as we could and we hope the compilation below gives you a great start. We feel it’s comprehensive and enlightening, but would be happy to expand it as readers and your colleagues may see fit.
Practically every month contains a day recognizing service members, their accomplishments, or key values they fight for and possess: Freedom, Loyalty, and Victory.
February 1st – Freedom Day
Fitting isn’t it, that the year starts out with a celebration of Freedom. Typically, we identify July 4th as America’s Independence or Freedom Day. But, this other Freedom Day has different origins. CultureofPeace.org says that this is an opportunity to not just celebrate freedom but to “re-dedicate our commitment to work for freedom for all.” President Harry Truman no doubt agreed seeing as he was the one who proclaimed February 1st as National Freedom Day in 1948. February 1st was chosen because that was the day that President Abraham Lincoln signed the 13th Amendment abolishing and prohibiting slavery. Until 1948, former slaves celebrated this day unofficially since 1865.
Our service members are often referred to as Freedom Fighters, for our nation and for other nations as well. U.S. and coalition forces’ contributions to Iraq’s Iraqi Freedom Day just five years ago come to mind.
April
This whole month is designated as the month of the Military Child. When service members leave to fight and/or preserve peace in this day and age, they leave many loved ones behind. The most precious of which are our children. They sacrifice a lot of time with their parents and stability due to the frequent moves associated with military life. Thus, it’s been said that when parents serve, children serve too.
This month is for them.
Connect and Join, Inc. has brought to light an effort to make this month fun for military children and a learning experience for corporate and educational institution partners. At their Web site, http://www.monthofthemilitarychild.com/, there are event suggestions and project and lesson plans for educators. Parents can join in the celebration by visiting the site for arts & crafts projects with a military flair.
April 23rd – Army Reserve’s Birthday
Exciting news in the Army Reserve world: in 2008, the Reserves turned 100. To celebrate, the Army Reserves instituted a year-long celebration complete with a Public Affairs toolkit found at http://www.armyreserve.army.mil. Even comedian Jerry Seinfeld was enlisted to say, “Great going!”
May – National Military Appreciation Month (http://www.nmam.org)
This month is chock full of military observances making it a great candidate for National Military Month or sometimes referred to also as the Military Appreciation Month. This month includes the most well known Memorial Day to the obscure Loyalty Day.
May 1st – Loyalty Day and Silver Star Day
Similar to Freedom Day, Loyalty Day is a day to reflect on that specific virtue and re-dedicate ourselves as loyal Americans. Service members and military families join with numerous other types of volunteers who dedicate time and skills to contribute to supporting our Nation and its citizens. America wouldn’t be the same without loyal citizens.
Silver Star Day is observed by the Silver Star Families of America (SSFOA). This apropos example of a loyal volunteer organization serves our injured and ill service members. It’s not that they only serve Silver Star recipients, but rather silver is the color they denote for all injured/ill service members. This is in keeping with the idea that blue stars denote all service members and gold denotes those killed in action.
Friday before Mother’s Day – Military Spouse Appreciation Day
Here’s one you mentioned, Military Spouse Appreciation Day. This day of honor for all military spouses was first proclaimed by President Reagan in 1984. It’s grown rapidly in recent years, in light of the relenting pressures on military spouses because of the Global War on Terror i.e. back-to-back deployments and combat injuries to their spouse. Some organizations and businesses put on dinners for military spouses, feature discounts or sales, or reach out to perform services to make this day more meaningful.
Third Saturday in May – Armed Forces Day
Armed Forces Day is the culmination of Armed Forces Week, which starts the second Saturday in May. This day is set aside for all services to combine their celebrations of continued existence and service. Previously, each service held their own observance, but 1949 saw a call from then current Secretary of Defense for unity under the Department of Defense. Each continue to celebrate their birthdays, but do also make an ongoing effort toward a celebration of unity during this week in May.
Last Monday in May – Memorial Day
Often mistook for a holiday, Memorial Day is more truly a day to remember and honor the dead who gave their lives for our country. Veterans’ groups usually coordinate a prayer service or key note speaker who highlights the significant sacrifices of our Nation’s fallen. Usually, these services take place in cemeteries, and military gravesites are visited and decorated in conjunction with the service.
June 14th – Flag Day and the U.S. Army’s Birthday
It is a coincidence that these days both occur on June 14th. At this writing, both the Army and our U.S. flag are 233 years old. Flying the flag is highly encouraged from this day through the 4th of July to honor America. Some references went so far as calling this timeframe “Honor America Days.”
July 4th – Independence Day
We know this day needs no introduction. Fireworks, friends, flags, and family all come together for this summer holiday. Our Nation’s independence is highly valued and highly celebrated. Rightly so!
August 4th – Coast Guard Day
On this past anniversary or birthday the Coast Guard turned 218 years old.
September 11th – Patriot Day
This Patriot Day was established on the first anniversary of the Sept. 11, Twin Towers attack. Congress empowered the president to proclaim this day as a day of remembrance. There is a separate Patriot’s Day, which is celebrated by some in April. That day is a day to remember the Revolutionary War.
September 17th – Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
Also known as Citizens Day, a.k.a. Bill of Rights Day, this day is obviously noted for being the day that the Constitution of the United States of America was signed.
September 18th – U.S. Air Force’s Birthday
The youngest of armed services turns 61 years old this year.
Third Friday in September – POW/MIA Recognition Day
The National League of Families worked to gain this day of recognition to remember our prisoners of war and those missing in action. Each year the president orders a proclamation and requires federal buildings to fly the POW/MIA flag professing the claim, “You are not forgotten.”
Last Sunday in September – Gold Star Mother’s Day
Gold Star Mothers being those who lost a son or daughter in service to our country. This organization is 80 years old, established shortly after WWI.
October 13th – U.S. Navy’s Birthday
The Navy turns 233 years old on this coming birthday.
November – Military Family Month
Thanksgiving Day is the most notable holiday in November. It’s of course a day when individuals pause to give thanks for their many blessings. Perhaps this is why Military Family Month, Military Family Day, and Military Family Week are typically assigned, under presidential proclamation, to around the third week of November. These events are by in large organized and enhanced by groups such as the American Legion (http://www.Legion.org or http://www.Legion-aux.org), National Military Family Association (http://www.NMFA.org), and the Armed Services YMCA (http://www.ASYMCA.org).
November 10th – U.S. Marine Corps’ Birthday
As previously mentioned, all services were called to move toward celebrating Armed Forces Day as a day of unity and celebration of military service. According to DefenseLink’s account of this announcement, “Each of the military leagues and orders was asked to drop sponsorship of its specific service day in order to celebrate the newly announced Armed Forces Day….The Marine Corps League declined to drop support for Marine Corps Day but supports Armed Forces Day, too.” Their birthday is celebrated by all Marines and has been since 1921.
November 11th – Veteran’s Day
This day was first celebrated as Armistice Day. Armistice means truce, and veterans were celebrated for their dedicated and courageous service. In 1954, President Eisenhower declared this day Veteran’s Day. It’s a day to honor all who served, not just those who died (more typically remembered on Memorial’s Day).
December 13th – U.S. National Guard’s Birthday
372 years old this year, the Guard is older than all previously mentioned services. According to the National Guard Bureau, that is a history that has stood on the shoulders of 19 generations.
There are various other dates important to military history, which you may want to learn more about. VE (Victory in Europe) Day, VJ (Victory in Japan) Day, Pearl Harbor Day, or D Day can all be searched at http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com.
Now that you have all these dates, you can take the next step and pass on good wishes and hearty congratulations when called for. Several E-card sites include the appropriate cards and some Web sites were established for the specific purpose of celebrating service members. You can find them at:
AmericanGreetings.com, 123greetings.com, or Cards4Heroes.com. Many of these dates were culled from HolidayInsights.com; they have their own line of E-cards too.
Great question! You gave us a run for our money, but we enjoyed every step.
Have other questions? To submit your Field Problem™, e-mail FromTheField@FieldProblems.com. Please include your first name, location, branch of service, and years in/associated with the military. Questions may be edited for length and clarity. Field Problems™ reserves the right to read on the air and/or publish on its Web site or in any other form the emails and letters that we receive. By sending us a letter or email, you agree to these terms.
© 2008, Crooks and Henderson. Field Problem™is a self-syndicated column by authors and military spouses Tara Crooks & Starlett “Star” Henderson. Receive this and other Field Problems: SOLVED c/o Crooks and Henderson right in your inbox by signing up at www.FieldProblems.com. Field Problems™ is just one solution to the challenges encountered by military families in Crooks and Henderson's kitbag. Ask about workshops or Field Exercises™ customized to solve your or your organization's Field Problems™.
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Monday, September 1
It's SNEAKING Up
That's right... R&R! I'm aware of the Army and how dates can change, but frankly I don't care. I'm over the top, CRAZY-FRANTIC, gonna have a heart attack EXCITED! It's within weeks now. I spent my entire holiday weekend cleaning the house top to bottom, bathing our pooch and doing yard work. I even have plans to detail his motorcycle, our truck and get the oil changed in both. I found it easy for once to launder his clothes and iron them. I placed them safely in his closet knowing he would soon be in them. For once I feel peaceful...kind of.
Is this really happening??? Someone PINCH me! I mean he's been gone for so long, for us a total of 16 months already if you include the training leading up to this. I'm starting to think I've imagined him into existance. We've talked about where we will "mini vacation" to and all the things he wants to catch up on. Boy oh Boy was I taken back when I asked what things he wanted me to stock the fridge with and his reply was, "Honey, I want to go to the store with you. I just want to stroll down the aisles of a the grocery store hand in hand and pick out whatever sounds good." Really??? You want to shop? With me?
I'm completely aware that my mind is scattered in writing all this, but somehow I know you understand. I have brows to wax, legs to shave, lingerie to buy (wink), and so much more. I know all of this is normal, but this is our first R&R, our first deployment. Someone tell me I'll survive! LOL I'll keep you all posted as this is just my very first brush with all the information and new found chores! Forgive me if I smile and cry at the same time! LOL
Is this really happening??? Someone PINCH me! I mean he's been gone for so long, for us a total of 16 months already if you include the training leading up to this. I'm starting to think I've imagined him into existance. We've talked about where we will "mini vacation" to and all the things he wants to catch up on. Boy oh Boy was I taken back when I asked what things he wanted me to stock the fridge with and his reply was, "Honey, I want to go to the store with you. I just want to stroll down the aisles of a the grocery store hand in hand and pick out whatever sounds good." Really??? You want to shop? With me?
I'm completely aware that my mind is scattered in writing all this, but somehow I know you understand. I have brows to wax, legs to shave, lingerie to buy (wink), and so much more. I know all of this is normal, but this is our first R&R, our first deployment. Someone tell me I'll survive! LOL I'll keep you all posted as this is just my very first brush with all the information and new found chores! Forgive me if I smile and cry at the same time! LOL
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Crock Pot Chicken Rueben
You Gals Know I LOVE My Crock Pot Meals! I'm a busy girl what can I say. I know Rueben's are not everyones favorite but this a great recipe for the kraut fan in all of us:
-4 Chicken Breasts
-1 Jar Saurkraut (drained)
-3/4 c. Thousand Island Dressing
-3-4 Pieces Swiss Cheese
-Parsley to flavor
Cook in crock pot on low for 6-8 hours and serve over your favorite Rye bread. Enjoy! Yummo!
-4 Chicken Breasts
-1 Jar Saurkraut (drained)
-3/4 c. Thousand Island Dressing
-3-4 Pieces Swiss Cheese
-Parsley to flavor
Cook in crock pot on low for 6-8 hours and serve over your favorite Rye bread. Enjoy! Yummo!
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Easy Way to Make Music with Simple Brownies :)
First grab that old homemade brownie recipe, or of course buy your favorite kit in a box and mix up the batter as usual. Place half of the batter in your cookware, but in the center place 3 Symphony Hershey bars side by side then cover with remaining batter and bake as normal! It's just that easy! It adds a little something and they are so delicious! They will fly off your kitchen counter. They are great for school bake sales, Bible study, coffee group... any event! Happy Baking :)
Click here to read the rest of this post.
What's In a Name?
I know that we are mostly an ARMY group around here, but I have a super unique situation. My husband is an Army Medic, as many of you know, but he previously served in the Air Force. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law currently serve active duty in the Air Force, and my brother serves active duty Army. This leaves out of course the many friends and family who cross all the other 3 branches. There are just too many to list! Yes, I'm swimming in the military (and I love it!). There is this on thing I have always adored about the military friendship ideal... especially my SIL's Air Force pals: NICKNAMES! How do they happen and what is it all about. I mean I totally remember being the girl in school who wanted a cool nickname to fit in with the "cool kids". You know the ones... they all sit at the head table at lunch with their perfect smiles and many accomplishments. It's a lot like this in the service. Well it is for me, the newbie, from the outside looking in. ENVY LOL :)
My SIL, who by the way is INCREDIBLE, just recently had to send a bunch of her very best friends off on deployment. I know she is missing them something fierce. She's so proud of each of them. She will continue back at base to hold down the FORT, as they say, until their return. These amazing men include: BANG-BANG, RABBLE (SMEE), BOB, STR8, WARREN G, BICKLE, OATMEAL, FARIA, MANNY, SGT. JAKE, BEAU-BEAU, and WRAY-WRAY. I am not completely sure where these names come from or why they stick, but I do know that that when she speaks of them she talk about them with love and laughter. Irreguardless of the fact they sound like a gansta music video! You know, come to think of it, I've not met a single one of them. I love them just the same. They serve for me. For you. For the USA, deployed in the United States Air Force. Hooah! And though they are Air Force and though I've never met them I wanted to give them a shout out: Hooah brothers, and God speed! We are praying for your safe and quick return. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your service. We love you. Even though you have CRAZY names :) I hope to earn a cool one REAL SOON!
Click here to read the rest of this post.
It's an exciting night
Hey y'all!
I was so looking forward to tonights AWTR show when I found out that Matt and I had to rearrange our plans. Originally, we were supposed to do our engagement pictures and go to see the BODIES exhibit at the museum. Well - being that yesterday was the HUGE fireworks display in town, and traffic is a nightmare - we had to switch all that to today. Tonight, during AWTR time, we'll be getting our pictures done. We already went to the museum today. It was SOOOO neat. I think everyone should see this exhibit. It's really helpful in learning about how our bodies work.
I was so looking forward to tonights AWTR show when I found out that Matt and I had to rearrange our plans. Originally, we were supposed to do our engagement pictures and go to see the BODIES exhibit at the museum. Well - being that yesterday was the HUGE fireworks display in town, and traffic is a nightmare - we had to switch all that to today. Tonight, during AWTR time, we'll be getting our pictures done. We already went to the museum today. It was SOOOO neat. I think everyone should see this exhibit. It's really helpful in learning about how our bodies work.
Click here to read the rest of this post.
AWTR September Newsletter
Click here to read entire newsletter.
Hello out there fellow Household 6s!
On the road again….this month the Crooks’ household is moving itself half way across the country to Fort Sill, OK. Yes, Army Wife Talk Radio is going with us. We’ll DITY (Do-It-Yourself) Move it! And we won’t even miss a beat!
September is always a fun month – it’s Labor Day! Did you know that Labor Day is named Labor Day because my mama was in labor – with me? Yep, that’s right; September is the month of my birthday. Ok, I’ll be serious for a minute. The Labor Day holiday as we know it grew out of the efforts of labor unions over a century ago. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, records indicate the holiday was first proposed in the late 19th century. Two men are credited with the original idea: Peter J. McGuire, a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, and Matthew Maguire, a machinist and secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York.
The time everyone enjoys most, of course, is Labor Day weekend: a time for festivity and family activities like Labor Day parades, barbecues and parties. The three day weekend offers ample time to hang out with our dear ones, go for picnics and camps, or simply enjoy your leisure. There's no place like home and Labor Day is perhaps the best day to settle down in your coziest corner and have a relaxing day with your family.
Like most months at AWTR, this month is full of information! While you're busy entertaining this month don't forget to take some "me" time on Monday nights with us here at AWTR! We start off the month on September 1st with fellow Army wife and author Marna Krajeski. She has a new book out called Household Baggage Handlers that she’ll be sharing with us. September 8th we are joined by our Patriot Sponsors, USAA, which is always a good time! On September 15th make way for America’s Household Manager, Kathy Peel. September 22nd Julie Ross teaches us How To Hug A Porcupine. Lastly, to wrap up the month, September 29th we are joined by my favorite two Army wives (and speakers and authors too) Kathie Hightower and Holly Scherer of Help! I’m A Military Spouse, I Get A Life Too!
While I'm gone dealing with PCSing, my trusty Executive Officer (XO) Star Henderson, Sarah News 6, and Resident Newbie Leah Miller will be here to host our show. So be sure to help them out and call in with lots of questions/comments!
Have a great month!
Your Household 6, Tara E. Crooks
Hello out there fellow Household 6s!
On the road again….this month the Crooks’ household is moving itself half way across the country to Fort Sill, OK. Yes, Army Wife Talk Radio is going with us. We’ll DITY (Do-It-Yourself) Move it! And we won’t even miss a beat!
September is always a fun month – it’s Labor Day! Did you know that Labor Day is named Labor Day because my mama was in labor – with me? Yep, that’s right; September is the month of my birthday. Ok, I’ll be serious for a minute. The Labor Day holiday as we know it grew out of the efforts of labor unions over a century ago. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, records indicate the holiday was first proposed in the late 19th century. Two men are credited with the original idea: Peter J. McGuire, a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, and Matthew Maguire, a machinist and secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York.
The time everyone enjoys most, of course, is Labor Day weekend: a time for festivity and family activities like Labor Day parades, barbecues and parties. The three day weekend offers ample time to hang out with our dear ones, go for picnics and camps, or simply enjoy your leisure. There's no place like home and Labor Day is perhaps the best day to settle down in your coziest corner and have a relaxing day with your family.
Like most months at AWTR, this month is full of information! While you're busy entertaining this month don't forget to take some "me" time on Monday nights with us here at AWTR! We start off the month on September 1st with fellow Army wife and author Marna Krajeski. She has a new book out called Household Baggage Handlers that she’ll be sharing with us. September 8th we are joined by our Patriot Sponsors, USAA, which is always a good time! On September 15th make way for America’s Household Manager, Kathy Peel. September 22nd Julie Ross teaches us How To Hug A Porcupine. Lastly, to wrap up the month, September 29th we are joined by my favorite two Army wives (and speakers and authors too) Kathie Hightower and Holly Scherer of Help! I’m A Military Spouse, I Get A Life Too!
While I'm gone dealing with PCSing, my trusty Executive Officer (XO) Star Henderson, Sarah News 6, and Resident Newbie Leah Miller will be here to host our show. So be sure to help them out and call in with lots of questions/comments!
Have a great month!
Your Household 6, Tara E. Crooks
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
