Monday, May 31, 2010
"Happy Memorial Day"? Lets talk about it.
WIN Around the Water Buffalo (May 31-June 14)
TO WIN all you need to do is TALK!! We’ll draw a name from those that reply. Every post on our boards for the topic counts as an entry so get talking for more changes to grab a prize!
The bi-weekly winner will be announced the following AWL segment - LIVE on the air. To claim your prize you must email us at info@armywifenetwork.com which means you're going to have to LISTEN to the show (LIVE or ARCHIVE) to see if you won!! Listeners/Viewers have 2 weeks to claim their prize - once we've announced the next AWL winner you must have already contacted us or you'll forfeit your prize!
GATHER AROUND THE WATER BUFFALO and WIN!!
CLICK HERE to visit our Message Boards and ENTER TO WIN!! - for weeks of May 31, 2010 through June 14, 2010
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Army Wife Talk Radio: Growing Up Military

Presents Army Wife Talk Radio
Proudly sponsored by K12
AWTR Show 268: Week of May 31, 2010
This week on AWTR we’re featuring AAFES Jennifer Johnsen for a real life discussion on Growing Up Military! Resource of the Week Saxx Underwear, The Money Minute, AWTR Music, Army Wife Life, and AWTR Post with the Most!
Visit Army Wife Network and Loving A Soldier Blog
Click here to download the MP3
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Military Spouses At Fort Riley were Treated to Something Special
Military spouses at Fort Riley were treated to something special when hosts Tara Crooks and Starlett Henderson of the radio show Army Wife Network sponsored the Spouse Field Exercise: Priceless Packages seminar May 20 and 21 at Riley’s Conference Center.

The two-day event provided information, networking and fun for spouses. Crooks and Henderson greeted each guest with a goodie bag filled with items both for the spouses and their Soldier.
The seminar was geared toward spouses of deployed Soldiers. It focused on the need of “battle buddies” and how having a friend that understands the life of a military spouse is important to survival.
“We all need to make sure that we have a battle buddy because we want someone that has been through the same things,” Henderson said. “That way, they can understand how we are feeling.”
The duo kept the crowd entertained by sharing their own personal stories of success and failure. They also encouraged attendees to mingle and get to know those sitting next to them or across the room, because battle buddies, they said, can be found anywhere.
In addition to giving deployment survival tips to help keep marriages healthy, Crooks and Henderson talked about ways for spouses to keep themselves healthy both physically and emotionally.
“Fort Riley seems to have a lot of spouses that are new to the army and that makes for a different kind of audience,” Henderson said. “We want to encourage them to use their resources, friends and neighbors and create their own support system.”
Some relaxation tips given to spouses included taking a walk, laughing, watching a movie, having a girl’s night, and getting a massage, manicure or pedicure.
Crooks and Henderson even talked about ways spouses could help their children deal with the stress of a deployment Crooks suggested making daddy dolls or playing some of daddy’s favorite games. Make sure to keep daddy in the loop, she said.
On top of getting great advice, an action plan and prizes, four spouses walked away with pre-made care packages. Each of the four packages had a different theme for different Soldiers – one for the Soldier who enjoys games, one for the movie buff, a comfort of home package and a package that contained colognes and razors to prepare the Soldier to transition back to his Family life.
“Coming to this event has given me a lot of knowledge,” said Chardrika Dersorneaux, military spouse. “I’ve learned some very useful things, and I would love to participate in this again.”
Participants were given golden tickets at their tables with all the services that are offered here at Fort Riley, care package ideas, ways to keep children involved in the deployment as well as programs nationwide to help Soldiers, Families and spouses.
“We know that the way we deliver the information to the spouses is unique and it gets their attention,” Crooks said. “If some official Army person was delivering the same message it would be received differently. I’m glad we can come and reach these ladies and let them know that we understand what they are feeling and what they are going through.”
For more information on the Army Wife Network, visit www.armywifenetwork.com.
By Deikeya Greer
1st Inf. Div. Post
Deikeya Greer POST
Starlett Henderson and Tara Crooks of the Army Wife Network hosted Spouse Field Exercise: Priceless Package event at Riley’s Conference Center. Crooks and Henderson hosted seminars for spouses May 20-21.
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Friday, May 28, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Military Family & Stouffers: Let's Fix Dinner Challenge
Daughter, Madison, likes having Dad back in her life, but she doesn’t like having him as an authority figure. The family agrees that regular family dinners together would be the best place for William and Madison to bond and get to know each other again.
Determined to slow down and connect as a family, the Beehners have taken part in a very special project with STOUFFER'S, called the LET”S FIX DINNER Challenge, which asks families to commit to eating dinner together more often.
The Beehners were followed by Stouffer's cameras as they took on the challenge of making regular family dinners together a priority. Video episodes of the family are now featured in the national Stouffer's Let's Fix Dinner advertising campaign, on www.letsfixdinner.com.
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AWN salutes REAL STRENGTH, REAL WARRIORS

May 2010 marks the one-year anniversary of the launch of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury’s (DCoE’s) Real Warriors Campaign. With the tag line, “Real Warriors. Real Battles. Real Strength.,” the multimedia public awareness campaign focuses on combating the stigma associated with seeking treatment for psychological health and traumatic brain injury concerns.
The Real Warriors Campaign makes reaching out easy. The Web site includes a live chat feature (http://www.realwarriors.net/livechat) which any service member, veteran, family member or health care provider can utilize to connect confidentially with the DCoE Outreach Center for psychological health and traumatic brain injury information and resources. The DCoE Outreach Center can also be accessed tool-free 24/7 at 866-966-1020 or by e-mail at resources@dcoeoutreach.org. Service members, veterans, families and health professionals can also connect with each other through the campaign’s message boards (http://www.realwarriors.net/forum).Click here to read the rest of this post.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Stars and Stripes Fathers Day Card
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Message from LTC Sophia Tillman-Ortiz from PDHRA
Please go to www.armyg1.army.mil/HR/pdhra for more information.
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Sears Contest: Dad Rules!
- The Yard and Patio
- The Garage
- The Style
- Home Electronics
The grand prize is a trip to the All Star Game in a limo with hotel accommodations for the night plus $1000 in spending money. The 4 first place winners will each receive a $2500 Sears Gift Card.
The contest launches today and you can check out the site for more info: www.sears.com/dadsrule
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Monday, May 24, 2010
Army Wife Talk Radio Show 267: Surviving The Folded Flag

Presents Army Wife Talk Radio
Proudly sponsored by K12
AWTR Show 267: Week of May 24, 2010
This week on AWTR we’re featuring Deborah Tainish author of “Surviving The Folded Flag” here to share with us! Resource of the Week: The Story of NUBS, The Relationship Minute, Real Life Warrior, and AWTR Book Club!
Visit Army Wife Network and Loving A Soldier Blog
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Sunday, May 23, 2010
Mail the kids to Daddy! (or Mom)
I know this is not an earth shattering thing to pass along, but I am doing it anyway. Today we drew around the kids and let them decorate themselves to send to Daddy. They seem to enjoy the idea that they will get to travel all folded up in an envelope to Germany!
All you need is a roll of craft paper, markers or crayons, some tape to keep it from sliding around while little ones are creating. Not only is it a fun idea to send yourself to one who may be missing you, but also gives that parent an idea of any growing that may be taking place while they are away.
I imagine that all over the walls in foreign places, kids will be hanging out . I hope that if you try this easy and inexpensive way of surprising a deployed parent, you enjoy it as much as we did!
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Thursday, May 20, 2010
Pests!
So my husband is deployed for the third time and today's unwelcome house guest reminds me of all the PESTS that show up when he's gone. In Colorado we had mud swallows that would make nests on the deck. In Texas we had scorpions and lizards that would get into the house!! And today's adventure in Kansas has got to do with the field mouse. Oh how cute and annoying he is!! He fell down into the window well and tried to climb out...when he couldn't get out he climbed to the top of the screen and then chewed his way through and is now snugly stuck between the screen and the glass window!! OH how I wish my husband was home to deal with this.........only about two more months to go and I am no longer the primary pest control manager of the house! The days cannot move fast enough!
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Monday, May 17, 2010
AWTR Show 266: K12 & Summer School Tips

Presents Army Wife Talk Radio
Proudly sponsored by K12
AWTR Show 266: Week of May 17, 2010
This week on AWTR we’re featuring K12 here to talk to us about Summer School & Learning Tips to keep our children busy! Resource of the Week: Jayne Wayne Gear, The Parenting Minute, AWTR Music, Army Wife Life, and AWTR Mess Hall!
Visit Army Wife Network and Loving A Soldier Blog
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WIN Around the Water Buffalo (May 17-May 31)
TO WIN all you need to do is TALK!! We’ll draw a name from those that reply. Every post on our boards for the topic counts as an entry so get talking for more changes to grab a prize!
The bi-weekly winner will be announced the following AWL segment - LIVE on the air. To claim your prize you must email us at info@armywifenetwork.com which means you're going to have to LISTEN to the show (LIVE or ARCHIVE) to see if you won!! Listeners/Viewers have 2 weeks to claim their prize - once we've announced the next AWL winner you must have already contacted us or you'll forfeit your prize!
GATHER AROUND THE WATER BUFFALO and WIN!!
CLICK HERE to visit our Message Boards and ENTER TO WIN!! - for weeks of May 17, 2010 through May 31, 2010
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Sunday, May 16, 2010
Have you noticed?
I've noticed that I am SO much more emotional than I was before his deployment. I was an emotional basket case then, and it's worse now. For example, when he was deployed, every Sunday during church I would break down and cry at some point. Now, every week - certain hymns or when they pray for the military, I still lose it. Maybe it's because I'm just so thankful that he's home or maybe it's because I know how tough it is for our men and women who are deployed. I don't really know why, but those small things effect me in such a huge way. I cry when I see military related commercials or when people thank us for our service. I still get choked up just talking about his deployment. When he's in the field for a drill weekend and we don't get to talk but for maybe 2 minutes on the phone at 1 am - it just reminds me all over of when he was in Iraq. I heard the Avril Lavigne song "When You're Gone" the other day and just bawled my eyes out. I am just SO thankful that he's home and that he brought all his men home too! Songs like that remind me of when he was deployed and it brings all the emotion back up.
I'm a lot more independent. I've always thought of myself as independent, but I know I gained some while he was gone. Sometimes that's hard for me to adjust to - even he's been home for quite some time. At the same time, I can be real clingy and just want nothing but to hold him and spend time with him. I just want to spend as much time as I can with him and don't want to let him go.
I'm always afraid that something has happened to him. I love my husband so much that sometimes I worry WAY too much. This has increased since his deployment. If I call him and leave a message and he doesn't return my call within a certain period of time, I start to freak out. When he was deployed, I went weeks without hearing from him and the worst thoughts just came to mind - even though I knew better.
These are just some of the changes that I've noticed in myself. Have any of you all noticed things like this since your first deployment experience? Am I normal for experiencing this?
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Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Impeccable Timing- A Mil Spouse Day surprise
Well, lo and behold, on Friday--MSA day--I received a card.
Cover
It is possible to give away and become richer!
It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything.
Generous people shall be rich.
By watering others they water themselves. (C)AGC, INC.
Well, if that doesn't sound like a mil spouse proverb, I don't think I know what would. I thought how nice, a military spouse appreciation card from a dear friend of mine who has no military ties. I wondered how she knew about the special day.
Inside her personal words:
We just wanted to send you a love-filled thank you to your whole family for the service and sacrifice you've all given to this country and to protect our way of life, that God has so graciously provided.
Enjoy a dinner out on us! Love you, Debbie and Jon.
Enclosed was an Outback card.
Now, I was impressed and honored and all around surprised as to how she would know to honor our Military Family on this day.
Then a post-it note was found on the back of the card.
It read, "If I had my act together at all, I would have sent this out a month ago!" Meaning, she had thought of us on a day in April, on a day where we just came to mind and she wanted to thank us.
It wasn't the grand guessture I thought it was, it was exceptional.
It was a greeting meant for a simple day, which was unbelievably sweet, and then it was delayed to come at a time where I would be inspired to share it all with you...for NMAM!
His (and Debbie's) is Impeccable Timing!
Military Families are thanked and noticed. I hope you feel it some this month.
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Monday, May 10, 2010
AWTR Show 265: Comprehensive Soldier Fitness

Presents Army Wife Talk Radio
Proudly sponsored by K12
AWTR Show 265: Week of May 10, 2010
This week on AWTR we’re featuring BG Cornum here to talk to us about Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program! Resource of the Week: Across the Line Cards, The Me Minute, Real Life Warrior, and Household 6!
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Hidden Gems
Each duty station we've lived at has had at least one of these hidden gems. At Fort Polk, the hidden gem came in the form of restaurants. There were two amazing lunch spots, one in DeRidder and one in Leesville. In Leesville it was the Ranch House and in DeRidder it was Two Sisters. They are owned by members of the same family and have the most delicious food! Their jalapeno bread was amazing and the thought of their sweet tea still makes my mouth water!! Then, in DeRidder, there is an AMAZING Thai food restaurant called Thai Basil. It is far and away the best Thai food I have ever eaten! It is a family run business and the chef used to be the head chef at a famous hotel in California. I am not sure how he ended up in DeRidder, Louisiana but I am sure glad he did!!
At Fort Sill the hidden gems we discovered were some of the best play areas I've ever played at! Most people near Fort Sill know about LETRA which is a great place to be in the summer. However, around LETRA are some really fun places to take walks. One of the trails leads you along the water. It's rocky and perfect for wading and throwing rocks! My buddies and I would spend hours splashing in the water and seeing how many rocks we could throw into the water before it was time to go home! Another favorite spot at Fort Sill, one that isn't very hidden, is the splash park. It is free and fun and oh so refreshing on those HOT Oklahoma days!
We haven't been at Fort Carson for too long but already we've found some favorite "off the beaten path" places, my favorite of which is called Patsy's. Patsy's is this amazing little candy shoppe right near our house. They have a real candy factory in the back of the store and make LOTS of yummy treats, right there on site! We took a tour of the factory one day and got FRESH taffy right as it was being made. Talk about delicious! They also have all kinds of chocolates and truffles and popcorn and pretty much every kind of sweet treat you would ever want!
What are some of the "hidden gems" you've discovered?
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Friday, May 07, 2010
Blue Star Families Military Family Lifestyle Survey
Take the Survey
Make your voice heard by taking the 2010 Military Family Lifestyle Survey. Blue Star Families is conducting this survey in partnership with many prominent military and service organizations, including the USO, Military.com, the American Red Cross, the National Military Family Association, the National Guard Association of the Unites States, the VFW, the Military Spouse Corporate Career Network, Be the Change, the Military Child Education Coalition, the Blue Shield of California Foundation, the Veterans Innovation Center, the Armed Services YMCA, the Reserve Officers Association, Operation Homefront, the Military Officers Association of America, and Military Spouse Magazine. We want to hear the top issues affecting your military family and we want your ideas for improving the lives of military families. One lucky participant will win $300 and three others could win $1,000 each in the innovation contest!
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AWN Newsletter, May 2010
Remember, May is the National Military Appreciation Month. And Mother's Day is celebrated too: Army Wife Talk Radio kicked it off with a great guest, Cathy Haffner, the co-creater of www.betterbecause.com.
Enjoy, Star Henderson
Our downloadable newsletters are in a printable format in order that you may distribute--easily--to your spouse clubs, family groups, your chain of command and concern, and others within your Army Wife Network. They are two-sided, single sheets, which offer the best resources, URLs, and articles we gather each month.
They are created and copyrighted by Army Wife Network,
but they are YOURS to personalize and circulate.
There are small editable text boxes for you to update your local network on calendar events and contact data.
You can brand it with your name as subtext to the Army Wife Network name.
Send the issues home with the service member, post them on unit bulletin boards, email them to your distro list, or post them to your Web site. Tell us the ways you've found best to get the word out. We can share that as a "hot tip" in our next newsletter.
Hello out there fellow Army Wives!
Welcome to May. The month of May brings us several celebrations specifically designed to honor....US!
We're all military spouses and so don't forget to remind your friends & family of Military Spouse Appreciation Day. In 1984 President Reagan proclaimed the Friday before Mother's Day of each year to be Military Spouse Appreciation Day in recognition of the "countless personal sacrifices" military spouses have made in support of the Armed Forces from the earliest days of the Continental Army. We asked our facebook fans what makes them feel appreciated. Answers ranged from attending spouse appreciation events with guest speakers, seeing the smile on your soldier's face, a simple thank you from someone, to a hug! Those all sound like wonderful warm & fuzzies! From Army Wife Network to YOU - We appreciate you!
May 9th is Mother's Day. While we're not all mothers most all of us have one! Don't forget to mark your calendar to appreciate mom. If you're a mom yourself spend the day relaxing and take some time for yourself (I know, I know but really TRY)!
Lastly, this month wraps up with a moment of remembrance for Memorial Day. On May 31, 2010 cities all around the United States will hold their own to pay respect to the men and women who have died in wars or in the service of their country. To many Americans Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer and is an excuse to get out and bbq and go camping, but to military families the meaning runs much deeper than a casual bbq.
Our family likes to pause and remember by going to a Memorial Day parade. To find one near you visit: http://www.vetfriends.com/Memorial_Day_Parade or watch the National Memorial Day Parade on television: http://www.nationalmemorialdayparade.com/. We always end the day with a big get together & dinner (All recipes has some great Memorial Day recipes for the holiday: http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Memorial-Day-Cooking/Detail.aspx) and we spend some time
discussing what Memorial Day means to us.
Join us on Army Wife Network this month (our main site, facebook, and podcast) for a wonderful showcase of military children's resources to help your family on their Army journey!
Your "Lipstick 6",
Tara Crooks
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Thursday, May 06, 2010
Spring!!!!!
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Wednesday, May 05, 2010
WIN (new deadline) with the AWN CADENCE CONTEST!!!
DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO CREATE OUR AWN 10 MILER CADENCE?
****UPDATED DEADLINE EXTENSION*****
From now through May 31st (12pm midnight) ENTER the AWN CADENCE CONTEST!
Click the link above for the information on how to enter & WHAT YOU CAN WIN!!!!
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kids book on deployment
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Monday, May 03, 2010
AWTR Show 264: Better Because of Your Mom

Presents Army Wife Talk Radio
Proudly sponsored by K12
AWTR Show 264: Week of May 3, 2010
This week on AWTR we’re featuring Cathy Haffner of BetterBecause.com! Resource of the Week Joining Forces America, The Money Minute, AWTR Music, Army Wife Life, and AWTR Post with the Most!
Visit Army Wife Network and Loving A Soldier Blog
Click here to download the MP3
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WIN! Around The Water Buffalo (May 3-May 17)
TO WIN all you need to do is TALK!! We’ll draw a name from those that reply. Every post on our boards for the topic counts as an entry so get talking for more changes to grab a prize!
The bi-weekly winner will be announced the following AWL segment - LIVE on the air. To claim your prize you must email us at info@armywifenetwork.com which means you're going to have to LISTEN to the show (LIVE or ARCHIVE) to see if you won!! Listeners/Viewers have 2 weeks to claim their prize - once we've announced the next AWL winner you must have already contacted us or you'll forfeit your prize!
GATHER AROUND THE WATER BUFFALO and WIN!!
CLICK HERE to visit our Message Boards and ENTER TO WIN!! - for weeks of May 3, 2010 through May 17, 2010


