Delight in the fun of a real life Santa Claus greeting your family near or far! Just like the Santa in this video for AWN, Atomic Greetings offers a wonderful Santa Video Greeting Card! Check it out HERE and then SAVE with your special AWN discount code at Atomic Greetings. Use AWN25 at checkout to save 25% off your order! Happy Holidays!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Special Message from Santa
A Special Message from Santa: Merry Christmas Army Wife Network!
Delight in the fun of a real life Santa Claus greeting your family near or far! Just like the Santa in this video for AWN, Atomic Greetings offers a wonderful Santa Video Greeting Card! Check it out HERE and then SAVE with your special AWN discount code at Atomic Greetings. Use AWN25 at checkout to save 25% off your order! Happy Holidays!
Delight in the fun of a real life Santa Claus greeting your family near or far! Just like the Santa in this video for AWN, Atomic Greetings offers a wonderful Santa Video Greeting Card! Check it out HERE and then SAVE with your special AWN discount code at Atomic Greetings. Use AWN25 at checkout to save 25% off your order! Happy Holidays!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Win! Around the Water Buffalo: November 29 - December 13
WIN! Around the Water Buffalo: November 29 - December 13: Cleaning Tips and Advice! Here’s how it works: on our Army Wife Talk Radio show each Monday night (for more info check out the PODCAST tab of the main site) during the Army Wife Life segment we’ll talk about a chosen topic. We will post the topic to our message boards (with reminders on our blog and FB page) for you to comment http://www.armywifenetwork.com/forum in our AROUND THE WATER BUFFALO section.
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 the message boards and win!
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 the message boards and win!
Click here to read the rest of this post.
AWTR Show 293: Parent Tested Parent Approved
Presents Army Wife Talk Radio
Proudly sponsored by K12
AWTR Show 293: Week of Nov 29, 2010
This week on AWTR we’re featuring Sharon Vinderine from Parent Tested, Parent Approved. Resource of the Week: Christian Military Wives, The Money Minute, AWTR Music, Army Wife Life, and AWTR Mess Hall!
Visit Army Wife Network and Loving A Soldier Blog
Click here to download the MP3
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Homemade Holiday Ideas, Holiday Traditions, & Care Package Ideas
Top 10 Military Spouse Homemade Holiday Ideas
©Tara Crooks
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The time of the year that your heart is warm with thanks as you focus on the blessings you’ve been given as the year has passed by. One of the blessings I am counting is that our military journey has afforded us an extended family that spans the globe. We have all been given the gift of friendship and I want to celebrate by saying thank you for all the wonderful memories. But I can’t help but think of how my savings account will quickly deplete if I add all of those “family members” to my gift list.
I’ll be honest. I’m good at thinking outside the box. I knew that in order to save money and add meaning to the holidays I just needed to make the gifts myself. I’m semi-crafty. I can bake. But when it comes time for Christmas it’s like someone sucked the life out of my creative brain. So I turned to the experts, military spouses just like me. Thankfully for me, the ideas were bountiful! Those of you who are super creative are bound to have a list that stretches longer than Santa’s, but for those of us that need a little “elf magic” I’m passing on the Top Ten. Now, off to the workshop…
1. Printable Coupons
Coupons make a great thoughtful gift especially if you know someone who shows their love by giving acts of service to others. They will truly appreciate this gift. Give the gift of services (lawn mowing, baby sitting, or dog sitting) or give the gift of time (watching movie together, baking cookies, or your expert advice on a subject/project).
2. Holiday Music Mix CD
Who doesn’t love Christmas music? Gather your holiday CDs together, pick your favorite songs, or go visit ITunes for some new additions. Pull them together and make your favorite mixed holiday CD.
3. Family Recipe Collection
This one is one of the most loved gifts I have given my friends. Gather all of your favorite recipes or recipes that all of your friends and family normally make at get-togethers and put them in a book. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Add some graphics and print them tied with a ribbon. A great gift!
4. Ornaments
Visit your local hobby store for a multitude of ideas. My favorite is a simple clear glass ornament. Fill it with different colors of craft paint. Swirl the paint all around the inside. Turn the ornament upside down into a Styrofoam cup to drain and dry. They’re beautiful.
5. Flavor Infused Butters & Oils
Many recipes can be found online with a simple search. Here is my favorite and the simplest one I came across:
Cinnamon Butter
1/2 cup butter -- softened
1 cup honey
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Mix ingredients in bowl until light and fluffy
6. Soup in A Jar
Layered soup in a jar makes a super stand-alone gift any time. Try this one in a Mason jar and add a decorated bag of oyster crackers for flair.
Chicken Noodle Soup in a Jar
In a two-cup jar, layer from bottom in the order listed above, then seal the jar.
¼ cup of red lentils
2 tbsp. dried onion flakes
1 ½ tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
½ tsp. dried dill weed or dill seed
1/8 tsp each celery seed and garlic powder
approximately 1 cup medium egg noodles
1 bay leaf
Write these instructions on your gift tag:
Bring 8 cups of water to boil in large saucepan. Stir in jar of soup mix. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes. Discard bay leaf and stir in 1½ cups of frozen corn or mixed vegetables and 2 cups of cooked, diced chicken or turkey. Simmer for five minutes until vegetables are tender and chicken is heated through.
7. Bath Salts
For most bath salt recipes you can use your choice of Epsom salts or sea salt, with baking soda, if desired, or a combination of all three. One good mix is one cup of Epsom salts, with 1/4 cup of sea salt, and two or three tablespoons of baking soda. You can also add a tablespoon or two of finely ground regular oatmeal (not quick cooking) for silky, skin-softening water.
Empty the salts into a mixing jar and add a drop or two of glycerin. Add your choice of essential oil. If desired, add a few drops of liquid food coloring. Stir the salts vigorously until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. Place in a beautifully decorated jar.
8. Cookies & Candies
You can always do the tried and true standbys like chocolate chips, snicker doodles, or peanut butter cookies. You can get fancy and try homemade truffles (my favorite are Oreo truffles – yum). Better yet, you can try a new suggestion and go with rock candy. (Note: The spouse that submitted this paired it with the 3rd Infantry Division “Rock of the Marne” patch – too cute!)
Rock Candy
1 cup confectioners' sugar
3 3/4 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cups light corn syrup
1 cup water
2 teaspoons cinnamon oil
1 teaspoon red food coloring
Roll the edges of two 16 inch square pieces of heavy duty aluminum foil. Sprinkle the foil very generously with confectioners' sugar.
In a large heavy saucepan, combine the white sugar, corn syrup, and water. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves. Stop stirring, and boil until a candy thermometer reads 300 to 310 degrees F (149 to 154 degrees C). Remove from heat.
Stir in the cinnamon oil and food coloring. Pour onto the prepared foil, and allow cooling and hardening. Crack into pieces, and store in an airtight container.
9. Fido’s Treats
Soft Doggie Cookies
(2 1/2 oz. each) jars of baby food; either beef or chicken
1/4 cup Dry milk powder
1/4 cup Wheat germ or cream of wheat
Combine all ingredients in bowl and mix well. Roll into small balls and place on well-greased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly with a fork. Bake in preheated 350F oven for 15 minutes until brown. Cool on wire rack. Refrigerate to keep fresh or freeze. Great for older dogs with teeth problems.
10. Pine Cone Fire Starters
If you are lucky enough to live in an area coated in pine cones (trust me the post maintenance people love it if we help them by picking them up), grab a bundle and make this easy craft. This is an easy, inexpensive, environment friendly craft project that works great as a gift for anyone with a fireplace. The best part? The pine cones ended up looking like miniature Christmas trees.
If you're looking for more great ideas for holiday traditions or holiday care package ideas? Check this out:
Holiday Traditions:
http://www.military.com/holidays/military-families/holiday-traditions-military-family.html
Holiday Care Package Ideas:
http://awtr.blogspot.com/2007/11/christmas-care-package-ideas-for.html
©Tara Crooks
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The time of the year that your heart is warm with thanks as you focus on the blessings you’ve been given as the year has passed by. One of the blessings I am counting is that our military journey has afforded us an extended family that spans the globe. We have all been given the gift of friendship and I want to celebrate by saying thank you for all the wonderful memories. But I can’t help but think of how my savings account will quickly deplete if I add all of those “family members” to my gift list.
I’ll be honest. I’m good at thinking outside the box. I knew that in order to save money and add meaning to the holidays I just needed to make the gifts myself. I’m semi-crafty. I can bake. But when it comes time for Christmas it’s like someone sucked the life out of my creative brain. So I turned to the experts, military spouses just like me. Thankfully for me, the ideas were bountiful! Those of you who are super creative are bound to have a list that stretches longer than Santa’s, but for those of us that need a little “elf magic” I’m passing on the Top Ten. Now, off to the workshop…
1. Printable Coupons
Coupons make a great thoughtful gift especially if you know someone who shows their love by giving acts of service to others. They will truly appreciate this gift. Give the gift of services (lawn mowing, baby sitting, or dog sitting) or give the gift of time (watching movie together, baking cookies, or your expert advice on a subject/project).
2. Holiday Music Mix CD
Who doesn’t love Christmas music? Gather your holiday CDs together, pick your favorite songs, or go visit ITunes for some new additions. Pull them together and make your favorite mixed holiday CD.
3. Family Recipe Collection
This one is one of the most loved gifts I have given my friends. Gather all of your favorite recipes or recipes that all of your friends and family normally make at get-togethers and put them in a book. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Add some graphics and print them tied with a ribbon. A great gift!
4. Ornaments
Visit your local hobby store for a multitude of ideas. My favorite is a simple clear glass ornament. Fill it with different colors of craft paint. Swirl the paint all around the inside. Turn the ornament upside down into a Styrofoam cup to drain and dry. They’re beautiful.
5. Flavor Infused Butters & Oils
Many recipes can be found online with a simple search. Here is my favorite and the simplest one I came across:
Cinnamon Butter
1/2 cup butter -- softened
1 cup honey
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Mix ingredients in bowl until light and fluffy
6. Soup in A Jar
Layered soup in a jar makes a super stand-alone gift any time. Try this one in a Mason jar and add a decorated bag of oyster crackers for flair.
Chicken Noodle Soup in a Jar
In a two-cup jar, layer from bottom in the order listed above, then seal the jar.
¼ cup of red lentils
2 tbsp. dried onion flakes
1 ½ tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
½ tsp. dried dill weed or dill seed
1/8 tsp each celery seed and garlic powder
approximately 1 cup medium egg noodles
1 bay leaf
Write these instructions on your gift tag:
Bring 8 cups of water to boil in large saucepan. Stir in jar of soup mix. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes. Discard bay leaf and stir in 1½ cups of frozen corn or mixed vegetables and 2 cups of cooked, diced chicken or turkey. Simmer for five minutes until vegetables are tender and chicken is heated through.
7. Bath Salts
For most bath salt recipes you can use your choice of Epsom salts or sea salt, with baking soda, if desired, or a combination of all three. One good mix is one cup of Epsom salts, with 1/4 cup of sea salt, and two or three tablespoons of baking soda. You can also add a tablespoon or two of finely ground regular oatmeal (not quick cooking) for silky, skin-softening water.
Empty the salts into a mixing jar and add a drop or two of glycerin. Add your choice of essential oil. If desired, add a few drops of liquid food coloring. Stir the salts vigorously until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. Place in a beautifully decorated jar.
8. Cookies & Candies
You can always do the tried and true standbys like chocolate chips, snicker doodles, or peanut butter cookies. You can get fancy and try homemade truffles (my favorite are Oreo truffles – yum). Better yet, you can try a new suggestion and go with rock candy. (Note: The spouse that submitted this paired it with the 3rd Infantry Division “Rock of the Marne” patch – too cute!)
Rock Candy
1 cup confectioners' sugar
3 3/4 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cups light corn syrup
1 cup water
2 teaspoons cinnamon oil
1 teaspoon red food coloring
Roll the edges of two 16 inch square pieces of heavy duty aluminum foil. Sprinkle the foil very generously with confectioners' sugar.
In a large heavy saucepan, combine the white sugar, corn syrup, and water. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves. Stop stirring, and boil until a candy thermometer reads 300 to 310 degrees F (149 to 154 degrees C). Remove from heat.
Stir in the cinnamon oil and food coloring. Pour onto the prepared foil, and allow cooling and hardening. Crack into pieces, and store in an airtight container.
9. Fido’s Treats
Soft Doggie Cookies
(2 1/2 oz. each) jars of baby food; either beef or chicken
1/4 cup Dry milk powder
1/4 cup Wheat germ or cream of wheat
Combine all ingredients in bowl and mix well. Roll into small balls and place on well-greased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly with a fork. Bake in preheated 350F oven for 15 minutes until brown. Cool on wire rack. Refrigerate to keep fresh or freeze. Great for older dogs with teeth problems.
10. Pine Cone Fire Starters
If you are lucky enough to live in an area coated in pine cones (trust me the post maintenance people love it if we help them by picking them up), grab a bundle and make this easy craft. This is an easy, inexpensive, environment friendly craft project that works great as a gift for anyone with a fireplace. The best part? The pine cones ended up looking like miniature Christmas trees.
If you're looking for more great ideas for holiday traditions or holiday care package ideas? Check this out:
Holiday Traditions:
http://www.military.com/holidays/military-families/holiday-traditions-military-family.html
Holiday Care Package Ideas:
http://awtr.blogspot.com/2007/11/christmas-care-package-ideas-for.html
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Thanks USA Treasure Hunt kicks off Thanksgiving Day!
ThanksUSA's 2011 American History Treasure Hunt begins Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 2010, and will run through August 15th of next year.
Go to ThanksUSA.org to PLAY TH6!
If you registered in the past, you do NOT need to register again. If you have forgotten your username or password, please refer to the Web site for instructions on how to request a reminder or to assign a new password.
The theme of this year's American history treasure hunt is "Treasure our Troops."
• Players of all ages can test their knowledge of the history of America and of the "TH6" (that is "Treasure Hunt Six") states, the U.S. Territories, along with the history of the United States National Guard, and new topics including folk heroes, national parks, and influential women.
• The entire game can be played online interactively.
• Classrooms, youth groups and individuals have the chance to win great educational prizes and gift certificates.
We hope you'll tell your friends so they can join in on the fun too!
The ESA Foundation, the charitable arm of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), will sponsor Treasure Hunt Six as part of a three-year partnership with ThanksUSA that began in 2008 and aims to increase the number of scholarships available to military families.
To-date, with your help, ThanksUSA has awarded nearly 2,200 scholarships to spouses and dependents of military personnel located in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and from all branches of the armed services, including the National Guard and Reserves and the families of the wounded and fallen. Our goal is to award another 100-150 still this year. Please consider Thanking America's Troops and Their Families with the Gift of Education by donating.
Go to ThanksUSA.org to PLAY TH6!
If you registered in the past, you do NOT need to register again. If you have forgotten your username or password, please refer to the Web site for instructions on how to request a reminder or to assign a new password.
The theme of this year's American history treasure hunt is "Treasure our Troops."
• Players of all ages can test their knowledge of the history of America and of the "TH6" (that is "Treasure Hunt Six") states, the U.S. Territories, along with the history of the United States National Guard, and new topics including folk heroes, national parks, and influential women.
• The entire game can be played online interactively.
• Classrooms, youth groups and individuals have the chance to win great educational prizes and gift certificates.
We hope you'll tell your friends so they can join in on the fun too!
The ESA Foundation, the charitable arm of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), will sponsor Treasure Hunt Six as part of a three-year partnership with ThanksUSA that began in 2008 and aims to increase the number of scholarships available to military families.
To-date, with your help, ThanksUSA has awarded nearly 2,200 scholarships to spouses and dependents of military personnel located in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and from all branches of the armed services, including the National Guard and Reserves and the families of the wounded and fallen. Our goal is to award another 100-150 still this year. Please consider Thanking America's Troops and Their Families with the Gift of Education by donating.
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Wattle! What-le!?
Happy Thanksgiving! Here's a game for the "kids" table.
1- Draw a head
2- Draw a body
3- Draw 1 wing
4- Draw 1 foot
5- Draw a face and a wattle
6- Draw 1 feather
Your turkey is finished when he has a body, a head, 2 wings, 2 feet, a face with a wattle
and 4 or more tail feathers.Maybe a Wattle Tourney is in store for today.
Other related posts, here on LovingASoldier.com:
You can Cook the Holiday Meal
Oreo "Turkey" Recipe/Craft
For Your Care Package Idea Files
But I won't lie...I plan on taking my turn at it.
Did you know the linttle "hangy downy" thing on a turkey was a "wattle."
I didn't, but you never know what you're going to learn going through your kids bookbags!
Roll-A-Turkey
Take turns rolling a die. First one to finish drawing a turkey is the winner.
Take turns rolling a die. First one to finish drawing a turkey is the winner.
1- Draw a head
2- Draw a body
3- Draw 1 wing
4- Draw 1 foot
5- Draw a face and a wattle
6- Draw 1 feather
Your turkey is finished when he has a body, a head, 2 wings, 2 feet, a face with a wattle
and 4 or more tail feathers.Maybe a Wattle Tourney is in store for today.
Whatever you do, I hope you are with your family having fun, making the most of your time and
giving thanks for all you have.
Have a safe and good one!
Other related posts, here on LovingASoldier.com:
You can Cook the Holiday Meal
Oreo "Turkey" Recipe/Craft
For Your Care Package Idea Files
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Monday, November 22, 2010
AWTR Show 292: Childhood Wonders & Traveling with Children
Presents Army Wife Talk Radio
Proudly sponsored by K12
AWTR Show 292: Week of Nov 22, 2010
This week on AWTR we’re featuring Susan Magsamen to share with us about her books on travel tips for families & childhood wonders. Resource of the Week: Whole Armor Ministry, The Me Minute, Real Life Warrior, and Household 6!
Visit Army Wife Network and Loving A Soldier Blog
Click here to download the MP3
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Musicians Band Together to Release CD ‘For the Troops IV’ for America’s Military
Musicians Band Together to Release CD ‘For the Troops IV’ for America’s Military
-CD Now Available for Free Download at AAFES.com-
WASHINGTON, D.C (Nov. 22, 2010) — As a thank you to military members for their service and sacrifice, Grammy Award-nominated musician John Ondrasik and 13 other artists are contributing their talents to CD “For the Troops IV.”
Beginning Nov. 24, the CD is available for free download to active duty Service members, veterans and their families worldwide with a valid military ID at www.shopmyexchange.com. Another 200,000 hard copies of the CD are being sent to military bases, USO Centers, and other locations across the nation and overseas, courtesy of TriWest Healthcare Alliance and Operation Homefront.
"I'm excited to launch CD ‘For the Troops IV’ with a new roster of fantastic artists and great songs,” said Ondrasik, who performs under the pseudonym Five For Fighting and spearheaded the CD’s development. “This year’s CD has a bit more pop and a few surprises, but at its core is a thank you to those whose sacrifices secure our freedom and that of our children."
The complete track listing of “For the Troops IV” is:
• Matchbox 20 – “If You’re Gone”
• Wynonna – “What the World Needs”
• Mat Kearny – “Nothing Left to Lose”
• Brandi Carlile – “Before It Breaks”
• Five For Fighting – “Note to an Unknown Soldier”
• Our Lady Peace – “Paper Moon”
• 12 Stones – “We Are One”
• Ingrid Michaelson – “Mountain and the Sea”
• Barenaked Ladies – “Four Seconds”
• Gavin DeGraw – “Free”
• Rocket Club – “One Beautiful Thing”
• Finger 11 – “Gather and Give”
• Ryan Star – “Last Train Home”
• John David Kahn – “American Heart”
“Like John Ondrasik, we strongly believe that music can be an effective and healthy mental break during times of stress or family separation,” said TriWest President and CEO David J. McIntyre, Jr. “We are exceptionally grateful for individuals like John and the other contributing artists who are driven to thank our Service members in memorable ways and who encourage others to do the same. It is an honor for TriWest to partner with John and Operation Homefront to distribute the CDs.”
Ondrasik previously released music compilations of CD “For the Troops” in 2007 and 2008, and a comedy version in 2009. To date, more than 1,000,000 tracks featured on the CD have been downloaded at www.shopmyexchange.com, and another 800,000 CDs were pressed and delivered to Service members and veterans worldwide.
-CD Now Available for Free Download at AAFES.com-
WASHINGTON, D.C (Nov. 22, 2010) — As a thank you to military members for their service and sacrifice, Grammy Award-nominated musician John Ondrasik and 13 other artists are contributing their talents to CD “For the Troops IV.”
Beginning Nov. 24, the CD is available for free download to active duty Service members, veterans and their families worldwide with a valid military ID at www.shopmyexchange.com. Another 200,000 hard copies of the CD are being sent to military bases, USO Centers, and other locations across the nation and overseas, courtesy of TriWest Healthcare Alliance and Operation Homefront.
"I'm excited to launch CD ‘For the Troops IV’ with a new roster of fantastic artists and great songs,” said Ondrasik, who performs under the pseudonym Five For Fighting and spearheaded the CD’s development. “This year’s CD has a bit more pop and a few surprises, but at its core is a thank you to those whose sacrifices secure our freedom and that of our children."
The complete track listing of “For the Troops IV” is:
• Matchbox 20 – “If You’re Gone”
• Wynonna – “What the World Needs”
• Mat Kearny – “Nothing Left to Lose”
• Brandi Carlile – “Before It Breaks”
• Five For Fighting – “Note to an Unknown Soldier”
• Our Lady Peace – “Paper Moon”
• 12 Stones – “We Are One”
• Ingrid Michaelson – “Mountain and the Sea”
• Barenaked Ladies – “Four Seconds”
• Gavin DeGraw – “Free”
• Rocket Club – “One Beautiful Thing”
• Finger 11 – “Gather and Give”
• Ryan Star – “Last Train Home”
• John David Kahn – “American Heart”
“Like John Ondrasik, we strongly believe that music can be an effective and healthy mental break during times of stress or family separation,” said TriWest President and CEO David J. McIntyre, Jr. “We are exceptionally grateful for individuals like John and the other contributing artists who are driven to thank our Service members in memorable ways and who encourage others to do the same. It is an honor for TriWest to partner with John and Operation Homefront to distribute the CDs.”
Ondrasik previously released music compilations of CD “For the Troops” in 2007 and 2008, and a comedy version in 2009. To date, more than 1,000,000 tracks featured on the CD have been downloaded at www.shopmyexchange.com, and another 800,000 CDs were pressed and delivered to Service members and veterans worldwide.
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
OP Rising Star: Underway
As published on ArmyWifeNetwork.com, the OpRisingStar events are well underway.
http://www.armywifenetwork.com/?p=3080
My family got to go to the first performance of all 12 finalists.
Pictured here:
It was an amazing way to spend a Saturday night. To see behind the scenes and watch a live recording is something we have never done, for any show. My daughter thought we were at American Idol, of course, she doesn't know any better.
But, in retrospect, I'm thinking maybe she is right. There were soldiers, one airman, a military brat/son, and spouses all competing. For the night, they were our "idols." They performed amazingly.
All four shows at the Wallace Theater/Ft. Belvoir are open to the public, and will be aired live on the Pentagon Channel and via streaming video through the Web. The Pentagon Channel will also air the shows in Korea and Germany.
Visit http://www.oprisingstar.com/ for show times, viewing instructions for computer, TV air times, voting policies, and details about VIP tickets. (VIP is YOU!)
I am sad to report, only one of my personal top three picks made it to round two. I hope he/she advances to the finals. I don't want to spoil anything, but I will report if I picked the winner.
http://risingstar.us.army.mil/page/round_two/
I'll try to be honest! But if he wins (oops: that narrows it down), I will be super proud.
Stay tuned!
http://www.armywifenetwork.com/?p=3080
My family got to go to the first performance of all 12 finalists.
Pictured here:
It was an amazing way to spend a Saturday night. To see behind the scenes and watch a live recording is something we have never done, for any show. My daughter thought we were at American Idol, of course, she doesn't know any better.
But, in retrospect, I'm thinking maybe she is right. There were soldiers, one airman, a military brat/son, and spouses all competing. For the night, they were our "idols." They performed amazingly.
All four shows at the Wallace Theater/Ft. Belvoir are open to the public, and will be aired live on the Pentagon Channel and via streaming video through the Web. The Pentagon Channel will also air the shows in Korea and Germany.
Visit http://www.oprisingstar.com/ for show times, viewing instructions for computer, TV air times, voting policies, and details about VIP tickets. (VIP is YOU!)
I am sad to report, only one of my personal top three picks made it to round two. I hope he/she advances to the finals. I don't want to spoil anything, but I will report if I picked the winner.
http://risingstar.us.army.mil/page/round_two/
I'll try to be honest! But if he wins (oops: that narrows it down), I will be super proud.
Stay tuned!
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
My new friend
I've been struggling the last month or two with not feeling well. I'm a first year teacher, so it seems that I've picked up every bug there is. In addition to that our crazy weather, going from 70 one day and 45 the next has messed with my sinuses. I went to the doctor today, again. I saw him just a couple few weeks ago - 2 days before heading to DC for the Army Ten Miler. On my way out today, my doc says "I don't want to see you again in two weeks," and then hands me my prescription. Yay.
I then head to the pharmacy to pick it up - as it was a good 15-20 minute drive. Upon getting there, the pharmacy hadn't even looked in the in-box. I spent a frustrating 45 minutes or so waiting for them to get my prescription together and then grabbed a quick bite to eat. After that, I had to head to the library to pick up a book that was on hold for me. I was SO frustrated by the time I got to the library that all I wanted to do was get my book and go home.
Well, as I was looking for my book - and a movie - I overheard a girl talking to the librarian about a book called Married to the Military. Being that we're not in a military community, our local library doesn't carry military spouse books. As the librarian went to call other branches, I asked the girl if she was a military spouse. She told me that she was engaged to a soldier who is deployed to Afghanistan at the moment. We became fast friends - and I happened to have the very book she was looking for in my house - just a few blocks away.
I am now thankful that the pharmacy took their time and messed up my prescription because if it wasn't for all of that, I might not have met my new friend.
I then head to the pharmacy to pick it up - as it was a good 15-20 minute drive. Upon getting there, the pharmacy hadn't even looked in the in-box. I spent a frustrating 45 minutes or so waiting for them to get my prescription together and then grabbed a quick bite to eat. After that, I had to head to the library to pick up a book that was on hold for me. I was SO frustrated by the time I got to the library that all I wanted to do was get my book and go home.
Well, as I was looking for my book - and a movie - I overheard a girl talking to the librarian about a book called Married to the Military. Being that we're not in a military community, our local library doesn't carry military spouse books. As the librarian went to call other branches, I asked the girl if she was a military spouse. She told me that she was engaged to a soldier who is deployed to Afghanistan at the moment. We became fast friends - and I happened to have the very book she was looking for in my house - just a few blocks away.
I am now thankful that the pharmacy took their time and messed up my prescription because if it wasn't for all of that, I might not have met my new friend.
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Win Around the Water Buffalo!
WIN! Around the Water Buffalo: November 16 - December 13: Thanksgiving Traditions!
Here’s how it works: on our Army Wife Talk Radio show each Monday night (for more info check out the PODCAST tab of the main site) during the Army Wife Life segment we’ll talk about a chosen topic. We will post the topic to our message boards (with reminders on our blog and FB page) for you to comment http://www.armywifenetwork.com/forum in our AROUND THE WATER BUFFALO section.
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 read the rest of this post.
AWTR Show 291: Have A New Kid By Friday
Presents Army Wife Talk Radio
Proudly sponsored by K12
AWTR Show 291: Week of Nov 15, 2010
This week on AWTR we’re featuring Dr Kevin Leman author of “Have a New Kid by Friday”. Resource of the Week Ashworth College, 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
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Special Situation Report: Know The Issues Affecting Military
Think you don't need to worry about what goes on in our government? Think again. Here are AWN we're not telling you how to vote but we do want you to be aware of issues regarding military families.
Find Out What You Don't Know
Our Enemy- A lack of knowledge about the “issues” and lack of expertise about voicing our opinions.
Grab A "Battle Buddy"
Our Friends- There are many entities that are acting as the “voice of military families” for us and organizations that are interested in showing us what the issues are and how we can help.
What are some issues?
The National Military Family Association will email you a newsletter outlining the issues for you. Sign up at http://www.nmfa.org/.
An issue happening right now specifically - Take a look at this official link (line 41 and 52) http://www.fiscalcommission.gov/sites/fiscalcommission.gov/files/documents/Illustrative_List_11.10.2010.pdf or visit Military.com's breakdown of the budget proposals: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,222602,00.html
Who do we contact?
Look up email addresses and phone numbers at Military.com’s Legislative Action Center. http://capwiz.com/military
Here is a link that allows you to write both your State Senators, District Representative, the Secretary of Defense, and President Obama:
http://www.capwiz.com/military/issues/alert/?alertid=19441876&%3FESRC=sm_benefits.nl
How can we be effective?
Tips for communicating with elected officials: http://www.easyvoter.org/s22.html
Published online by the Easy Voter Guide Project, a League of Women Voters of California effort.
Find Out What You Don't Know
Our Enemy- A lack of knowledge about the “issues” and lack of expertise about voicing our opinions.
Grab A "Battle Buddy"
Our Friends- There are many entities that are acting as the “voice of military families” for us and organizations that are interested in showing us what the issues are and how we can help.
What are some issues?
The National Military Family Association will email you a newsletter outlining the issues for you. Sign up at http://www.nmfa.org/.
An issue happening right now specifically - Take a look at this official link (line 41 and 52) http://www.fiscalcommission.gov/sites/fiscalcommission.gov/files/documents/Illustrative_List_11.10.2010.pdf or visit Military.com's breakdown of the budget proposals: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,222602,00.html
Who do we contact?
Look up email addresses and phone numbers at Military.com’s Legislative Action Center. http://capwiz.com/military
Here is a link that allows you to write both your State Senators, District Representative, the Secretary of Defense, and President Obama:
http://www.capwiz.com/military/issues/alert/?alertid=19441876&%3FESRC=sm_benefits.nl
How can we be effective?
Tips for communicating with elected officials: http://www.easyvoter.org/s22.html
Published online by the Easy Voter Guide Project, a League of Women Voters of California effort.
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Monday, November 08, 2010
Ideas for Celebrating Veteran's Day with Children
Ideas for Celebrating Veteran's Day with Children
© Tara Crooks
Veteran’s Day is Thursday November 11, and it's much more than a four day weekend!
Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In 1954 though, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress amended the Act by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
In 1968, the Uniforms Holiday Bill tried to ensure three-day weekends for federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. Under this bill, Veterans Day was moved to the last Monday of October. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holiday on its original date. The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on Oct. 25, 1971. Finally on September 20, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed a law which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of Nov. 11, beginning in 1978. Since then, the Veterans Day holiday has been observed on Nov. 11.
Teaching the meaning of Veteran's Day to your children can be a challenge. We want our children to understand why Veteran's Day is a holiday and what it means to our country’s history and our warrior’s families.
The most simplistic thing you can do to offer explanation and honor this holiday with your children is to spend time talking to them about what Veterans means to you. Take the day to talk & reflect on the subject of those who have fought our wars.
Honor & Respect -Visit a local Veteran’s cemetery. Almost every community has some sort of a war memorial.
Visit & Pay Tribute - Take cookies, books, or movies to a nearby Veteran’s hospital.
Celebrate with a Parade - Go to a Veteran's Day parade. To find one near you visit: http://www.vetfriends.com/parades/
Recognize our Heroes - Teach your children about medals of honor. You can print a Medal of Honor coloring book from http://www.homeofheroes.com/coloringbook/ and learn the history behind our brave soldiers.
Educate with History - Watch a movie and learn some history about famous battles of the past. The History Channel and The Military Channel have many shows that might fit this bill.
Make A Soldier’s Day – Have your children create a card or picture to be sent overseas to a soldier currently at war.
-------------------------------------
What ideas do you have? Share with us!
© Tara Crooks
Veteran’s Day is Thursday November 11, and it's much more than a four day weekend!
Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In 1954 though, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress amended the Act by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
In 1968, the Uniforms Holiday Bill tried to ensure three-day weekends for federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. Under this bill, Veterans Day was moved to the last Monday of October. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holiday on its original date. The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on Oct. 25, 1971. Finally on September 20, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed a law which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of Nov. 11, beginning in 1978. Since then, the Veterans Day holiday has been observed on Nov. 11.
Teaching the meaning of Veteran's Day to your children can be a challenge. We want our children to understand why Veteran's Day is a holiday and what it means to our country’s history and our warrior’s families.
The most simplistic thing you can do to offer explanation and honor this holiday with your children is to spend time talking to them about what Veterans means to you. Take the day to talk & reflect on the subject of those who have fought our wars.
Honor & Respect -Visit a local Veteran’s cemetery. Almost every community has some sort of a war memorial.
Visit & Pay Tribute - Take cookies, books, or movies to a nearby Veteran’s hospital.
Celebrate with a Parade - Go to a Veteran's Day parade. To find one near you visit: http://www.vetfriends.com/parades/
Recognize our Heroes - Teach your children about medals of honor. You can print a Medal of Honor coloring book from http://www.homeofheroes.com/coloringbook/ and learn the history behind our brave soldiers.
Educate with History - Watch a movie and learn some history about famous battles of the past. The History Channel and The Military Channel have many shows that might fit this bill.
Make A Soldier’s Day – Have your children create a card or picture to be sent overseas to a soldier currently at war.
-------------------------------------
What ideas do you have? Share with us!
Click here to read the rest of this post.
AWTR Show 290: Holiday Spending Tips
Presents Army Wife Talk Radio
Proudly sponsored by K12
AWTR Show 290: Week of Nov 8, 2010
This week on AWTR we’re USAA for a show on holiday budgeting & tips. Resource of the Week: Eat Healthy Your Way - Commissary Magazine, The Relationship Minute, Real Life Warrior, and AWTR Book Club!
Visit Army Wife Network and Loving A Soldier Blog
Click here to download the MP3
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Send a special Santa's Magical Christmas Card - AWN 25% discount
With Christmas just around the corner Santa Claus wants you to know that he has a wonderful new greeting card available this year called "Santa's Magical Christmas Card." Watch as your child's face lights up in amazement as he or she watches their message from Santa. The card is magical because Santa's video to your boy or girl plays inside this traditional paper greeting card. All your child needs to experience Santa's magic is an Internet-connected computer and a web cam.The card is being distributed by our friends at Atomic Greetings and the exclusive Army Wife Network discount is valid for this card. Just enter the discount code AWNSC during check out and you will receive 25% off your entire order. Check it out HERE!
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Special Sears’ Salute to Heroes Veteran’s Day Sale, November 11 to 12
Sears is honoring America’s service people this Veteran’s Day with an extra 10% off its already low prices next Thursday, November 11, to Friday, November 12 (in stores only).
It’s the perfect opportunity to start shopping for the holidays since there are lots of great deals.
If your home needs some repairs before winter, the 10% off also applies to Sears Home Improvement Services, including siding, windows, cabinet refacing, kitchen remodeling, heating and AC systems, flooring and roofing. (Please keep in mind — the home improvement offer ends November 18.)
“Local heroes” need to print out the Storewide Savings Pass in this flyer: http://www.sears.com/ue/home/Salute_to_Local_Heroes_Flyer.pdf and they also need ID to prove their “local hero” status.
More information is available at http://www.sears.com/salute
It’s the perfect opportunity to start shopping for the holidays since there are lots of great deals.
If your home needs some repairs before winter, the 10% off also applies to Sears Home Improvement Services, including siding, windows, cabinet refacing, kitchen remodeling, heating and AC systems, flooring and roofing. (Please keep in mind — the home improvement offer ends November 18.)
“Local heroes” need to print out the Storewide Savings Pass in this flyer: http://www.sears.com/ue/home/Salute_to_Local_Heroes_Flyer.pdf and they also need ID to prove their “local hero” status.
More information is available at http://www.sears.com/salute
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Monday, November 01, 2010
AWTR Show 289: Male Military Spouse Perspective
Presents Army Wife Talk Radio
Proudly sponsored by K12
AWTR Show 289: Week of Nov 1, 2010
This week on AWTR we’re featuring male military spouse Timothy Blake for a look at the male perspective. Resource of the Week: Military Teen Online, The Parenting Minute, AWTR Music, Army Wife Life, and AWTR Mess Hall!
Visit Army Wife Network and Loving A Soldier Blog
Click here to download the MP3
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Win Around the Water Buffalo!
WIN! Around the Water Buffalo: November 1 - 15: Army Family Programs!
Here’s how it works: on our Army Wife Talk Radio show each Monday night (for more info check out the PODCAST tab of the main site) during the Army Wife Life segment we’ll talk about a chosen topic. We will post the topic to our message boards (with reminders on our blog and FB page) for you to comment http://www.armywifenetwork.com/forum in our AROUND THE WATER BUFFALO section.
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 the message boards and WIN!
Here’s how it works: on our Army Wife Talk Radio show each Monday night (for more info check out the PODCAST tab of the main site) during the Army Wife Life segment we’ll talk about a chosen topic. We will post the topic to our message boards (with reminders on our blog and FB page) for you to comment http://www.armywifenetwork.com/forum in our AROUND THE WATER BUFFALO section.
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 the message boards and WIN!
Click here to read the rest of this post.
The Top Ten Signs Your Soldier is Coming Home
Our Deployment is quickly coming to an end, so I wanted to share the Top Ten Signs Your Soldier is on his way home.
10. Body Wax is being trucked onto post in giant tanker trucks.
9. It takes you an extra ten minutes to get on Post.
8. Lingerie is so sold out at the PX, you can't even buy a new pack of white undies.
7. You start saying to your kids "Ask your Dad when he gets home," and grinning.
6. The wives of the Advon party are walking around with "that" glow.
5. You start seeing soldiers walking around the PX with cookies and flat screen TVs.
4. You can hear crock pots being fired up all over post.
3. The big black footlocker shows up.
2. You have that butterfly, happy, nervous feeling in your stomach.
And the number one sign your soldier is coming home.......
1. You get THE phone call.
10. Body Wax is being trucked onto post in giant tanker trucks.
9. It takes you an extra ten minutes to get on Post.
8. Lingerie is so sold out at the PX, you can't even buy a new pack of white undies.
7. You start saying to your kids "Ask your Dad when he gets home," and grinning.
6. The wives of the Advon party are walking around with "that" glow.
5. You start seeing soldiers walking around the PX with cookies and flat screen TVs.
4. You can hear crock pots being fired up all over post.
3. The big black footlocker shows up.
2. You have that butterfly, happy, nervous feeling in your stomach.
And the number one sign your soldier is coming home.......
1. You get THE phone call.
Click here to read the rest of this post.
VETERANS DAY OFFERS THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE!
Restaurant Freebies
Applebees Restaurant Free dinners to veterans throughout Veterans Day November 11th; selections will be from a new Veterans Day menu.
Outback Steakhouse Free Blooming Onion and beverage.
Golden Corral Free buffet dinner from 5-9 p.m. on Nov. 16 to anyone who has ever served in the U.S. military Staff.
In celebration of Veterans Day 11 Nov 2010, Subway is showing its thanks with free six inch subs to all Veterans or Active Duty members.
On Nov. 7, McCormick & Schmicks restaurants will offer a free entree to military veterans for its 12th annual Veterans Appreciation Event.
Menu picks include such seafood items as parmesan crusted tilapia, roasted cedar plank salmon and almond crusted rainbow trout. Our Veterans Appreciation Event has become a tradition that our restaurants look forward to each year, said Bill Freeman, CEO of McCormick & Schmicks Seafood Restaurants, in a statement. For more information: http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/.
Krispy Kreme One free doughnut of any variety.
UNO Chicago Grill Free entree or individual pizza with an entree or pizza purchase of equal or greater value.
Coushatta Casino Resort. The Louisiana casino and resort is offering a free seven-clans lunch or dinner buffet to veterans or active military.
MarketPlace Grill & Express Veterans and active-duty military receive free entrees
Abuelos Mexican Food Restaurants - All veterans and active duty military receive a free entree.
Carolina Burgers & BBQ In Matthews, NC is offering a free meal to all service members and veterans.
Retail Freebies
Brides Across America - Provides free wedding gowns to qualified military brides.
Lowe's & Home Depot - Extra 10% off to active-duty military members, National Guard and reserve members, retirees, honorably discharged veterans and immediate family members.
Sams Club Over 25,000 Hugo canes will be given away to U.S. veterans in need of mobility assistance. Membership is not required, but supplies are limited, so check with your local store.
Amazon.com - Free Veterans Day Honor MP3 album download. The album includes 12 songs by The Bands and Ensembles of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Cabelas Outdoor Store - Offers their employee discount to all veterans, active-duty military and reserves, law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel Nov. 11-12. Discounts vary from 5% to 50%, depending on the item.
Build a Bear Workshop Members of the armed services including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Reserve Officer Training Corps, will receive a 20% discount Nov. 11-15 on any one transaction at Build-A-Bear Workshop.
Dollar General - 10% discount for all veterans, active-duty military, National Guard and reserve and their immediate families.
Fashion Bug - 20% off all plus-size and misses clothing purchases with a copy of military ID or spouse's military ID.
Entertainment Freebies
National parks, forests and monuments - Admission is free to everyone on Veterans Day.
Knott's Berry Farm - Free park admission to U.S. armed forces personnel and a guest during Veteran's Month, November 1-26.
Colonial Williamsburg - Free admission Nov. 6-11 for active-duty military, guard and reservists, retirees, veterans and their dependents.
San Jacinto Museum of History - Free visits to the Observation Deck, theatre, and special exhibit for veterans, active duty military personnel, and their families.
Historic Jamestown - Free admission to veterans, current Armed Forces members and their family members.
Battleship Cove - Free admission and a special ceremony for veterans, active, duty and reservists.
Vicksburg National Military Park - Free admission for all.
Birmingham Museum of Art - Free admission to the ticketed event "Life and Liberty" on Nov. 10-11 for veterans and active military.
Vulcan Park and Museum- In Birmingham, Alabama is offering discounted admission through November to the park and museum.
Greenbay (WI) New Zoo - Free admission to veterans and their families.
Central Florida Zoo - Free admission to the Sanford, Florida zoo with proper ID.
Strategic Air & Space Museum- Free admission for veterans Nov. 11-14 to the Ashland, Neb. museum.
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum - in Oklahoma City offers free admission to veterans and five guests from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Veterans Day.
Natural Elements Spa & Salon - In Chesapeake, Virginia, will provide free services from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to both active duty and retired military
Anytime Offers:
MILITARY DISCOUNTS UPDATE All these businesses offer military discounts; all you have to do is ask:
Restaurants
Arby's A&W, Back Yard Burgers, Burger King, Captain D's, Chick-Fil-A Cotton Patch,
Denny's, Dunkin' Donuts, Farmers Boy, IHOP, (20 percent discount with military identification),
Java Café, KFC, Long John Silver, Pancho's, Mexican Buffet, Pizza Hut, Quizno's, Sizzler,
Sonic, Taco Bell, Whataburger
Services
AT&T, California Cryobank, Geico, Jiffy Lube, Meineke, Sears Portrait Studio
Travel and Leisure
Blockbuster, Movie theaters, Ripley's attractions, and museums, Professional Sports teams
Products
Apple Computers AutoZone Barnhill's Bass Pro Shop Bath and Body Works
Big 10 Tires The Buckle Champs Sports Copeland's Sports Dell
The Discovery Channel Store Dress Barn The Finish Line Foot Action Footlocker
Gadzooks GNC Goody's Great Party Happy Harry's Home Depot Hot Topic
Jockey Lerner Lowe̢۪s Michael's NAPA Auto Parts New York & Company Pac Sun
Payless Shoes Play It Again Sports Pure Beauty Sally Beauty Supply Spencer's Gifts
Suncoast Timberland Outlets Wilson's Leather
Cell Phone Service Discount All Federal employees are able to get a 15% discount on their personal cell phones by calling their carrier and mentioning the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 - Discount to Federal Employees Past and Present. You will need to know the military members supervisors name, phone number, and full address, so that his or her military status can be verified. Use the following contact numbers:
Cingular - 800-319-6393
Sprint - 877-812-1223
T-Mobile - 866-646-4688
Nextel - 800-639-6111
Verizon - 800-865-1825
Note: Lowes and Home Depot offer military discounts all year long.
You must present your ID Card to qualify
These discounts and more at Military.com http://www.military.com/veterans-day/veterans-daydiscounts.html.
AWN has its own discount page...visit: http://www.armywifenetwork.com/?page_id=226.
Happy Veteran's Day!
Applebees Restaurant Free dinners to veterans throughout Veterans Day November 11th; selections will be from a new Veterans Day menu.
Outback Steakhouse Free Blooming Onion and beverage.
Golden Corral Free buffet dinner from 5-9 p.m. on Nov. 16 to anyone who has ever served in the U.S. military Staff.
In celebration of Veterans Day 11 Nov 2010, Subway is showing its thanks with free six inch subs to all Veterans or Active Duty members.
On Nov. 7, McCormick & Schmicks restaurants will offer a free entree to military veterans for its 12th annual Veterans Appreciation Event.
Menu picks include such seafood items as parmesan crusted tilapia, roasted cedar plank salmon and almond crusted rainbow trout. Our Veterans Appreciation Event has become a tradition that our restaurants look forward to each year, said Bill Freeman, CEO of McCormick & Schmicks Seafood Restaurants, in a statement. For more information: http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/.
Krispy Kreme One free doughnut of any variety.
UNO Chicago Grill Free entree or individual pizza with an entree or pizza purchase of equal or greater value.
Coushatta Casino Resort. The Louisiana casino and resort is offering a free seven-clans lunch or dinner buffet to veterans or active military.
MarketPlace Grill & Express Veterans and active-duty military receive free entrees
Abuelos Mexican Food Restaurants - All veterans and active duty military receive a free entree.
Carolina Burgers & BBQ In Matthews, NC is offering a free meal to all service members and veterans.
Retail Freebies
Brides Across America - Provides free wedding gowns to qualified military brides.
Lowe's & Home Depot - Extra 10% off to active-duty military members, National Guard and reserve members, retirees, honorably discharged veterans and immediate family members.
Sams Club Over 25,000 Hugo canes will be given away to U.S. veterans in need of mobility assistance. Membership is not required, but supplies are limited, so check with your local store.
Amazon.com - Free Veterans Day Honor MP3 album download. The album includes 12 songs by The Bands and Ensembles of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Cabelas Outdoor Store - Offers their employee discount to all veterans, active-duty military and reserves, law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel Nov. 11-12. Discounts vary from 5% to 50%, depending on the item.
Build a Bear Workshop Members of the armed services including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Reserve Officer Training Corps, will receive a 20% discount Nov. 11-15 on any one transaction at Build-A-Bear Workshop.
Dollar General - 10% discount for all veterans, active-duty military, National Guard and reserve and their immediate families.
Fashion Bug - 20% off all plus-size and misses clothing purchases with a copy of military ID or spouse's military ID.
Entertainment Freebies
National parks, forests and monuments - Admission is free to everyone on Veterans Day.
Knott's Berry Farm - Free park admission to U.S. armed forces personnel and a guest during Veteran's Month, November 1-26.
Colonial Williamsburg - Free admission Nov. 6-11 for active-duty military, guard and reservists, retirees, veterans and their dependents.
San Jacinto Museum of History - Free visits to the Observation Deck, theatre, and special exhibit for veterans, active duty military personnel, and their families.
Historic Jamestown - Free admission to veterans, current Armed Forces members and their family members.
Battleship Cove - Free admission and a special ceremony for veterans, active, duty and reservists.
Vicksburg National Military Park - Free admission for all.
Birmingham Museum of Art - Free admission to the ticketed event "Life and Liberty" on Nov. 10-11 for veterans and active military.
Vulcan Park and Museum- In Birmingham, Alabama is offering discounted admission through November to the park and museum.
Greenbay (WI) New Zoo - Free admission to veterans and their families.
Central Florida Zoo - Free admission to the Sanford, Florida zoo with proper ID.
Strategic Air & Space Museum- Free admission for veterans Nov. 11-14 to the Ashland, Neb. museum.
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum - in Oklahoma City offers free admission to veterans and five guests from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Veterans Day.
Natural Elements Spa & Salon - In Chesapeake, Virginia, will provide free services from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to both active duty and retired military
Anytime Offers:
MILITARY DISCOUNTS UPDATE All these businesses offer military discounts; all you have to do is ask:
Restaurants
Arby's A&W, Back Yard Burgers, Burger King, Captain D's, Chick-Fil-A Cotton Patch,
Denny's, Dunkin' Donuts, Farmers Boy, IHOP, (20 percent discount with military identification),
Java Café, KFC, Long John Silver, Pancho's, Mexican Buffet, Pizza Hut, Quizno's, Sizzler,
Sonic, Taco Bell, Whataburger
Services
AT&T, California Cryobank, Geico, Jiffy Lube, Meineke, Sears Portrait Studio
Travel and Leisure
Blockbuster, Movie theaters, Ripley's attractions, and museums, Professional Sports teams
Products
Apple Computers AutoZone Barnhill's Bass Pro Shop Bath and Body Works
Big 10 Tires The Buckle Champs Sports Copeland's Sports Dell
The Discovery Channel Store Dress Barn The Finish Line Foot Action Footlocker
Gadzooks GNC Goody's Great Party Happy Harry's Home Depot Hot Topic
Jockey Lerner Lowe̢۪s Michael's NAPA Auto Parts New York & Company Pac Sun
Payless Shoes Play It Again Sports Pure Beauty Sally Beauty Supply Spencer's Gifts
Suncoast Timberland Outlets Wilson's Leather
Cell Phone Service Discount All Federal employees are able to get a 15% discount on their personal cell phones by calling their carrier and mentioning the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 - Discount to Federal Employees Past and Present. You will need to know the military members supervisors name, phone number, and full address, so that his or her military status can be verified. Use the following contact numbers:
Cingular - 800-319-6393
Sprint - 877-812-1223
T-Mobile - 866-646-4688
Nextel - 800-639-6111
Verizon - 800-865-1825
Note: Lowes and Home Depot offer military discounts all year long.
You must present your ID Card to qualify
These discounts and more at Military.com http://www.military.com/veterans-day/veterans-daydiscounts.html.
AWN has its own discount page...visit: http://www.armywifenetwork.com/?page_id=226.
Happy Veteran's Day!
Click here to read the rest of this post.
Army Wife Network Newsletter, November 2010
You can sign up on the sidebar for blog updates, show announcements and newsletters right to your inbox. Or for November's newsletter, just click HERE!
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 Army wives!
Welcome to November. This is the time of year that I start to feel like a stuffed turkey. I don't mean that I want to eat one, I mean I am one! There is just so much yumminess around and I'm just so thankful for all of the blessings in my life. I just want to get stuffed fat like the big bird and waddle around in my happy stupor. I wish every day was like that!
This Thanksgiving I have some ideas for you if your soldier is home and if he's away.
Those of us who have our soldier home fall into two categories; we're traveling to see our extended family or we're hunkered down in our homes thankful of the time we're spending with our immediate group. For those of you traveling here's a list of Top 10 Thanksgiving themed movies that you can watch on your trip!
For those of you who are hunkered down (I'm jealous!) think about sharing your Thanksgiving joy with others by inviting single soldiers or other families who are still in the area. Don't forget to take your turn with traditions like serving in the mess hall or sharing with the gate guards!
Then there are those that will spend this Thanksgiving holiday without their soldier. You can still make it special for them too. We have crafted a "thank-full" care package item list for you so that you and your soldier can still celebrate across the miles.
Let's start with a Thanksgiving meal:
Canned turkey
Turkey jerky
Instant mashed potatoes
Potato chips
Box of stuffing
Homemade bread
Gravy in a jar
Pumpkin or apple pie
Can of corn
Green bean casserole (canned green beans, canned mushroom soup, fried onions, & powdered milk)
Can of cranberry sauce
Craisins (dried cranberries)
Sweet potato chips
Can of yams
Roasted pumpkin seeds
Candy corn
Apple cider or spiced tea
Pumpkin spice coffee creamer
Cookies (pumpkin, spice, or his/her favorite)
Pre-cooked rice
Then we'll spice up the package with some creativity:
Celebrate Thanksgiving early and video tape it from the chair that they usually sit in
Create a "why we are thankful for you" book
Pictures of Thanksgiving's past Leaf rubbings done by you or your children
"Hand" turkeys made by you or your children
Pilgrims hat
Paper leaves
A printed story of the first Thanksgiving A homemade CD of Thanksgiving songs (search the internet for some pretty funny ones)
Add a Thanksgiving poem to your package. Here's a great list to get you started: http://www.poemsource.com/thanksgiving-poems.html.
Disney has some great ideas, recipes, crafts and more at http://familyfun.go.com/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-traditions/.
Here's some Thanksgiving riddles: http://www.brownielocks.com/thanksgivingjokes.html and some Thanksgiving coloring pages http://coloringpages.net/thanksgiving.html.
Whatever your situation, whatever you do, wherever you go, we want you to know we are THANKFUL FOR YOU! Happy Thanksgiving!
Your "Lipstick 6",
Tara Crooks
---------------------------------------
Army Wife Network is “Interactive Empowerment for Army Wives”. Come share with us LIVE on Monday night’s at Army Wife Network during our two hour broadcast of Army Wife Talk Radio. We’ll see you in our chat room located at www.blogtalkradio.com/awtr from 8 to 10 pm EST. Each week we feature fabulous guests along with our resource of the week and our weekly AWN segment. There’s something for everyone. Remember, if you can’t make the live show you can always grab the archives at http://www.armywifenetwork.com/ under PODCAST.
Join us on Facebook and share the resources with your friends & family.
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 Army wives!
Welcome to November. This is the time of year that I start to feel like a stuffed turkey. I don't mean that I want to eat one, I mean I am one! There is just so much yumminess around and I'm just so thankful for all of the blessings in my life. I just want to get stuffed fat like the big bird and waddle around in my happy stupor. I wish every day was like that!
This Thanksgiving I have some ideas for you if your soldier is home and if he's away.
Those of us who have our soldier home fall into two categories; we're traveling to see our extended family or we're hunkered down in our homes thankful of the time we're spending with our immediate group. For those of you traveling here's a list of Top 10 Thanksgiving themed movies that you can watch on your trip!
For those of you who are hunkered down (I'm jealous!) think about sharing your Thanksgiving joy with others by inviting single soldiers or other families who are still in the area. Don't forget to take your turn with traditions like serving in the mess hall or sharing with the gate guards!
Then there are those that will spend this Thanksgiving holiday without their soldier. You can still make it special for them too. We have crafted a "thank-full" care package item list for you so that you and your soldier can still celebrate across the miles.
Let's start with a Thanksgiving meal:
Canned turkey
Turkey jerky
Instant mashed potatoes
Potato chips
Box of stuffing
Homemade bread
Gravy in a jar
Pumpkin or apple pie
Can of corn
Green bean casserole (canned green beans, canned mushroom soup, fried onions, & powdered milk)
Can of cranberry sauce
Craisins (dried cranberries)
Sweet potato chips
Can of yams
Roasted pumpkin seeds
Candy corn
Apple cider or spiced tea
Pumpkin spice coffee creamer
Cookies (pumpkin, spice, or his/her favorite)
Pre-cooked rice
Then we'll spice up the package with some creativity:
Celebrate Thanksgiving early and video tape it from the chair that they usually sit in
Create a "why we are thankful for you" book
Pictures of Thanksgiving's past Leaf rubbings done by you or your children
"Hand" turkeys made by you or your children
Pilgrims hat
Paper leaves
A printed story of the first Thanksgiving A homemade CD of Thanksgiving songs (search the internet for some pretty funny ones)
Add a Thanksgiving poem to your package. Here's a great list to get you started: http://www.poemsource.com/thanksgiving-poems.html.
Disney has some great ideas, recipes, crafts and more at http://familyfun.go.com/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-traditions/.
Here's some Thanksgiving riddles: http://www.brownielocks.com/thanksgivingjokes.html and some Thanksgiving coloring pages http://coloringpages.net/thanksgiving.html.
Whatever your situation, whatever you do, wherever you go, we want you to know we are THANKFUL FOR YOU! Happy Thanksgiving!
Your "Lipstick 6",
Tara Crooks
---------------------------------------
Army Wife Network is “Interactive Empowerment for Army Wives”. Come share with us LIVE on Monday night’s at Army Wife Network during our two hour broadcast of Army Wife Talk Radio. We’ll see you in our chat room located at www.blogtalkradio.com/awtr from 8 to 10 pm EST. Each week we feature fabulous guests along with our resource of the week and our weekly AWN segment. There’s something for everyone. Remember, if you can’t make the live show you can always grab the archives at http://www.armywifenetwork.com/ under PODCAST.
Join us on Facebook and share the resources with your friends & family.
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