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SpouseBUZZ: A Year in Review

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In a few hours we'll be ringing in the New Year, so I decided to spend the entire morning reflecting on this past year. I did that by taking a stroll down memory lane and reading through the entire 2007 SpouseBUZZ archive.

What a year it has been!

I've pulled out some of my favorite posts from 2007, by month. Narrowing down the list was an enormous challenge, but the links below served to remind me that we had so many interesting, humorous and relevant conversations in 2007 at SpouseBUZZ, thanks to you.

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A Missing Piece

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I am sitting here watching the movie "The Sound of Music" for the first time in years.  I used to watch this movie with my mom and 3 siblings every year for as long as I can remember.  It's one of my absolute favorite movies!  And if you have never seen this... shame on you.  It's a classic!

Earlier today I watched the Steelers (lose) to the Ravens.  That's okay... we are still going to play-offs!!!

Anyway, there is a "missing piece" when I watch Steeler games this season (and last).

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Wanted: Hungry Single Soldiers

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I had a realization the other day that I was in withdrawal and didn't even know it.

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A Proud Soldier, a Proud Daddy and an Airline Which Deserves Kudos

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A couple of days ago, my husband and I were flying home from spending Christmas with my family. As we approached the departure gate, I began looking for a spot to sit down. I saw two seats next to a uniformed soldier and decided that's exactly where I wanted to sit. Birds of a feather, and all that stuff....

The soldier and I began talking and I found out that he was stationed at Ft. Lewis and that his wife had just given birth to their second child, Christmas. She could not travel during the tail end of her pregnancy and was unable to join him at Ft. Lewis, so he came to her.

This soldier began telling me about his son, his wife and their new daughter. Then, he pulled out the photos and I have to say, he has the cutest kids on the planet (next to my nieces and nephews, of course). Then, the soldier did something that touched me deeply.

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The Ongoing Saga of Air Force Family's Move (Soon to be a Rock Opera)

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Only once in our entire military life have we had to get non-California license plates - and that was because we bought a car in Texas.  I've had the same driver's license picture for about 10 years, also a California thing.

But now we need to get car registrations and licenses at our new place of residence.  I had no idea what I was getting into when I left the house this morning.

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Tonight on SpouseBUZZ Talk Radio...

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...we'll be talking to Kathy Rockel of TRS Institute and fellow military spouse, Briget Rischawy. You may remember that we discussed transportable careers a few months ago on SBTR. We recently received this comment from a military spouse curious about working from home:

Is this for real? It does sound too good to be true? Do you know more information that can help me to decide on starting a career in this area? Can you tell me more? Thanks!

Briget just completed her MT Training and is now working for TRS. We'll ask her if this really is "too good to be true?"

We'll use the second half of the program to discuss the Holidays, military-style. A few of the SpouseBUZZ authors will join us and we'll be talking your phone calls. We want to hear all about your Christmas and what you have planned for New Year's Eve/Day.

Join us tonight at 9:00 EST on SpouseBUZZ Talk Radio (SBTR) and in the chat room.

The good, the bad and the ugly

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The one thing I really hate about being a military wife is being away from family.  Until I get that phone call in which the family drama ensues. 



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Space-A Policy Change Benefits Military Families

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A recent change in policy will benefit military families wishing to utilize Space-A flights.

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Where Christmas's past, present and future visit....

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Christmas is over.

Like Air Force Wife says Holiday Hangover....

I swore to never consume a chocolate covered anything again as of 12 noon yesterday.  Oye...

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Post Holiday Hangover

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I have a post-Holiday hangover, and I don't even drink!

Is it normal to need a vacation from our holiday vacation?

A Selfless Christmas Gift

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Ben Stein raved about how selfless military families are.  I have a story about one of them.

Christmas 2004 my husband was in Iraq, and I was sitting childless, petless, and alone in my home in Germany.  I tried hard to muster the Christmas spirit, sitting under my tree watching Rudolph and opening the presents my mom had sent.

And it could've been the loneliest day ever, were it not for a selfless military family. 

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Oh Starry Night II

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G'evening, folks.  Last year, our first Christmastime together on SpouseBUZZ, I let you peak under the tent into what's on my mind at this time of the year, in a post of similar title.  So I guess that makes this post, the beginning of a "tradition" eh?

In lands far, far away, there are US Warriors that are at this moment already looking at the fullness of the winter moon and wondering about Christmas, "at home."  When you're there, it can be remarkably quiet, whether in a bunker or your hooch or at sea or at FL150 ... there's a hush that falls all around you.   Then, out of no where, you feel the tug at your heart and stop and think, wonder what they're doing now?  And for an instant, you log-in the smells in the air, the feeling of your uniform serving it's umpteen hour, or maybe the sight of the strange guy in the next tent wearing new underwear he just got from his girlfriend, who's dancing around with a Santa hat on (always wondering if he's happy or if the perfume-laced BVDs just might be burning his ... yep, those). 

And it's in that instant that your brain stores something you never, ever forget.  Now, for me many years later, this night is the one that I stop, go outside where it's quiet, and begin my search for the moon.  For I know, 14 hours prior, there was a United States Warrior taking a brief second to look up at the moon and was thinking about what we are doing, right now. 

And the damnedest thing about all of this?

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Did you know?

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Noteworthy items from this week's Military Report:

  • 2008 Military COLA Rates Released 
  • Cell Phones for Soldiers 
  • New 2008 Clothing Allowance Rates 
  • Incentive Pay for Airmen
  • Add $5,400 to Your GI Bill 
  • DoD Transition Assistance Goes Online 
  • Some Payments Ruled Tax-Free 
  • Commissaries Accept Cards 
  • Instant Messaging for Airmen 
  • Organization Seeks Computers 
  • Hero Appreciation Discounts Offered
  • Exchanges Recall Christmas Collection 
  • Government to Change E-Mails 
  • Exchanges Host Video Contest 
  • Income Tax Statements Coming 
  • TRICARE Fee Increases Recommended 
  • New TRICARE Website Available 
  • Awaiting Santa

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    I'm sure posting will be light from now until New Year's Day, but we'll be popping up around here from time to time.

    From our SpouseBUZZ family to your family, we wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and blessed 2008. We've had the great fortune of meeting many of you this past year, and for that we are grateful. Thank you for sharing your lives with us throughout 2007.

    For those of you with deployed spouses, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Most of us have been there and we know that this can be a tough time of year for military families. If you're feeling blue and want to chat sometime Christmas evening, let us know and we'll open up the chat room.

    Last I checked, Santa was in Shanghai, China and headed this way. Much to do before he arrives....

    Military Marriages (Thread hijacked? or just revisited?)

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    It's pretty quiet around SpouseBUZZ ... goes with the time of the year.  It gives me a moment to look back and realize how astute and insightful the 10 lady-SB-authors are and the messages each leaves for us to mull-over.  As well, I realize just how many of their posts I missed, not to mention the notes we get from your comments.  So I found myself cruising to see what I missed or what may jump out that I should have learned but didn't.  At times, many of you do the same and end up leaving us thoughts on posts from months back.  I came across one of these comments from a post by another of our great authors, LMT.  The comments got me to thinking (I know, a rarity). 

    Okay, my two cents (and that's the prorated black market price) on a comment by a reader whose wife is already on active duty and he is about to join and they have children.  His thoughts made me think, how DID we deal with the various situations, both good and bad, and how did we each persevere?  And so,  this post is a brief discourse with the focus on this gentleman's comments about dealing with a mil-to-mil marriage.  The caveat:  remember for most of my career, my wife and I were a Mil to Mil marriage, and for all of my life, I've seen things through the eyes of the guy ("Toad, well duh!") as the active duty husband, and now, the supporting spouse.

    The real short-version of my thoughts on the question of "dealing with" the mil-to-mil marriage ...

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    What's on Your Table?

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    Ahhhh, 'tis the season.  Yummy turkey and all the fixin's.  Ham and stuffing chased down with pecan and pumpkin pie... Everything smothered in gravy.

    I love traditional holiday dinners.

    But during the holiday season, Air Force Family is anything BUT traditional (I'm sure you're shocked to hear that).

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    Salute to the Troops Holiday Show Playing Now

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    Click the image below to tune in and then go to the "Broadcasting Live Now" tab. If you don't have a SyncLive account, take two minutes to create one (it's free). The show will run from 8:00-midnight EST tonight. I have it playing on the laptop while I'm busy taking care of things around the house. Good stuff.

    Tune in Live at SyncLive.com

    Please note that there may be some lag time in between performances. Keep returning to the "Broadcasting Live Now" tab or the "Upcoming Show" tab. Some artists are broadcasting simultaneously. Follow the schedule below:

    * 8:00pm – Aric Berquist
    * 8:30pm – Zach Johnson and Marshall Dane
    * 9:00pm – Josh Revak and John Dobbins
    * 9:30pm – Prevo Rogers
    * 10:00pm – Joel Port and Ted Painter
    * 10:30pm – Stephen Covell and Cutler Spur
    * 11:00pm – Colton McKenna and Austin Poole
    * TBA – Cliff Hudson

    Holiday W[h]ine: Serve With a Side of Green Grass

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    I have to admit that I have mixed feelings about the holiday season. I get a twinge of "the grass is always greener on the other side" each and every year. Being a military family usually means we're geographically separated from our families and in order to see them, we're the ones who are expected to do the traveling. For our family, practically speaking, it makes sense that my husband and I will pick up and travel. We don't have children and our families are located in the south and in the northeast, so it's silly to expect them to pack up the kids and presents and come to our home.

    Having said that, I admit that every year, although I want to see our family, I long for a Christmas at home. Just the two of us. I want to establish our own Christmas traditions. I have visions of sleeping in on Christmas day, making a huge home-cooked breakfast and serving breakfast in bed to my husband. Lazily making our way downstairs to the lighted Christmas tree and snuggling on the sofa under a warm blanket while we watch Christmas classics on the television. Exchanging gifts beside OUR tree on Christmas Day (something we've done only once and that's because my husband returned from NTC at midnight on Christmas eve) and enjoying Christmas in our very own home.

    Alas, it's not in the cards. My typical military-style holiday season starts with travel, and ends with travel. It usually goes something like this:

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    Technology is Wonderful...Most of the Time

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    Last night we were hit with a double whammie. Some of us had issues logging into the chat room and the switchboard for SBTR went haywire. About 15 minutes into the show, the wrinkles smoothed out and we got on with the show featuring Cliff Hudson. You can click here to listen (and fast forward to about 15 minutes in unless you just want to hear AWTM and I in techno-panic mode. In which case, you'll probably have a great chuckle at our expense).

    We're usually the ones who pull surprises on the radio, but last night Cliff surprised us with a wonderful announcement.

    Christmas day can be tough on some military families. If you have deployed spouses and will be home alone on Christmas, and if you are interested in meeting in the chat room on Christmas evening, send me an email or leave a comment. We'll see about arranging a Christmas chat for those of you in this situation if there is some genuine interest. I'll be happy to take a break from my nieces and nephews (who will be running on all cylinders) to have some adult conversation!

    Talking Resumes Tonight

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    Last week on SpouseBUZZ Talk Radio, we received some great advice from two USAA financial planners. Click here to listen if you missed the show.

    Tonight, the talking resumes. We'll be speaking to one of our favorite musicians, Cliff Hudson, about his new album, Outside the Wire.

    We'll also get Cliff's reaction to SpouseBUZZ LIVE Ft. Bragg/Pope AFB. Cliff performed at SpouseBUZZ LIVE and tonight will be the first chance we've had to talk to him about his observations.

    Cliffashley_2

    Join us at 9:00 p.m. Eastern on the radio and in the chat room. Cliff will be taking your calls. You can be live, on-air with Cliff by dialing 646.478.5665.

    See you tonight on SBTR.

    Made With Love

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    When AirForceGuy is home, I tend to spoil him.  It's nice to have him around and he's very conscientious about fixing things and taking over parent duties to give me some down time. 

    He also appreciates the little things, like the fact that I make his lunch and put little Hershey's Kisses in there for him.  He tells everyone his lunch is made "with love".

    But now he has a new idea - that in addition to lunches "made with love" he must now have socks "made with love," too.  Yes, that is right.  My husband wants me to learn to knit so I can make him socks.  At least he's sweet about it.  He says, "I have to go to ugly places.  When I'm in ugly places, it would be wonderful if I had socks made with LOVE on my feet."

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    One stop wounded benefits shopping

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    I've gotten a newsletter from the NMFA in which I found an article on the latest Congressional action on the disability examination for the wounded troops.  The process to move from the DoD medical system to the VA health care was cumbersome and difficult to navigate.  The government was tasked by the recent Dole-Shalala report to make the medical transition process easier for the military members and their families.  Some of the requested actions require congressional action, but some can be implemented by the VA and DoD without waiting for Congressional action.  Looks like they've already started some pilot programs in the VA/DoD . 

    If you've had experience with the current system, I'd like to know what you think about this new initiative.  Stuff like this will affect all of us at some point, if we stay in until we are retirement eligible - we will be transitioning our medical care to the VA system and will be subject to these new evaluations.  So, what do you think?

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    Singing for MWR

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    Anyone been watching Clash of the Choirs? I haven't seen it, but blogger Jammie Wearing Fool emailed to say that two Ft. Sill soldiers, Captain Brian Saul and SSG Kent Kramer, are a part of the Oklahoma City Choir.

    On Monday, [Blake] Shelton's choir sang a moving salute to troops fighting in the Middle East. The song, "Life is a Highway,” was dedicated to the armed forces and highlighted two of Oklahoma's members, Army Sgt. Kent Kramer and Capt. Brian Saul, who both recently returned from tours of duty.

    Looks like they're doing pretty well, too. If the Oklahoma City Choir wins, they will receive $250,000, part of which will go to the Army MWR. Looks like we only have one evening left to vote. Voting rules here.   

    Host a Virtual Holiday Party for Your Deployed Spouse

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    On Friday evening, December 21, SyncLive will be featuring a "Salute the Troops Holiday Show". The show will be broadcast over the internet, so anyone with a connection will be able to watch it live. One of our favorites, Cliff Hudson, will be participating in the show. So too will other artists of To The Fallen Records. More details after the jump.

    Tune in Live at SyncLive.com

    This reminds me that I've been meaning to share with you a way that you can host a virtual party for your deployed spouse. The entire family (and friends) can participate, too. No matter where in the world they may be.

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    Instant Glamour on a Military Budget

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    Military families are some of the most budget-conscious people I've ever met. Some of the most creative, too. Holiday decorating doesn't have to be a budget-busting exercise. You can spruce up your place for very little cost and/or make inexpensive, one-of-a-kind gifts to give to your friends and family members. I thought I would share a few easy, inexpensive ways to dress up the house with some Holiday cheer.

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    National Military Family Assn. - Government and You E-News

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    For the week of December 18, 2007

    1. HEART Act Passes Senate with New Provisions

    2. Visual Disturbances Related to TBI a Rising Concern

    3. Defense Health Board Hears Task Force’s Recommendations

    4. Bill to Delay Medicare Physician Pay Cuts Crafted

    5. New Secretary of Veterans Affairs Confirmed

    6. NMFA Hosts Roundtable on Support for Wounded Warriors

    7. Fisher House Foundation Joins NMFA to Give Military Spouses the Gift of Education

    8. NMFA Earns An A!

    9. Happy Holidays from the National Military Family Association

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    Our Wacky Tree

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    Andi wrote about her Christmas shopping the other day and provided a photo of the gifts under the tree.  Diane commented that she loved how Andi's tree is so "matchy-matchy," and if you know Andi, you won't be surprised in the least to find out that all her ornaments are color-coordinated not only to each other but to her wrapping paper.

    Sigh.

    Here's an ode to my Christmas tree, what I will refer to in comparison as kitschy-kitschy.

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    Attention all Bloggers, Calling All Bloggers

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    Mr. Blackfive, of Blackfive.net, put a call out...

    Uncle Jimbo and I would like to invite bloggers to send us a clip of themselves wishing the troops a Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, etc. The videos will be put into one BlackfiveTV segment that should get wide distribution to give our troops the maximum opportunity to feel our support.

    The rules:

       1. Must be a blogger.
       2. Video clip can be in standard formats (mpeg, wmv, quicktime, etc).
    3. Clip must be of the blogger wishing the troops well. How you do that is up to you (except, mimes will not be used...I hate mimes).
       4. Blogger must either send via email or upload to a file sharing site (url of file sharing site to be given upon request).
       5. Please send me your URL of your blog.  We will attempt to superimpose your url on your video clip.
    6. Clip can be no longer than 30 seconds. "Hi! I'm Matt from Blackfive.net and I wanted to wish all of you overseas a very Merry Christmas! Thank you for your service to our country. Stewie for Guvnor!"
       7. Clips must be received by midnight CST, Tuesday, December 18th.

    There might be more rules later.

    I think this is a great opportunity for bloggers, particularly military spouse bloggers to say THANK YOU to those serving! 



    You Are My Family

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    First of all, I want to thank everyone who sent us condolences and wished us well upon hearing about my miscarriage.  Your comments helped me realize I'm definitely not alone -- not alone, in that many of you have also dealt with the loss of a pregnancy, and not alone, in that you are all here to help me through my range of emotions.  My SpouseBUZZ family has been such a comfort in these past two weeks; I have gotten numerous cards, emails, and packages in the mail from many of you.  I can't even tell you what it means that people who only know me from the internet have sent blankets, baked goodies, gift baskets, and boxes full of candy.  My husband said that he feels like George Bailey at the end of It's a Wonderful Life: we have discovered just how many people out there care for us.  You are my family, and I can't thank you enough.

    But there's someone else I'd also like to thank...

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    Did you know?

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    Noteworthy items from this week's Military Report:

  • BAH to Increase an Average of 7.3%
  • Send a Voice Mail to the Troops
  • TRICARE Guaranteed for Beneficiaries
  • Free Phone Cards for the Holidays
  • Project EverGreen
  • Safety Shopping Tips for the Holidays
  • Tax Tips for Servicemembers
  • $40,000 Bonus for Select Recruits
  • Foundation Supports Minnesota Military 
  • Operation Stars and Stripes
  • South Carolina Program Helps Veterans 
  • VA Retro Pay Deadline Missed 
  • Navy Offers COMPASS Program 
  • Army Issues Family Safety Kit 
  • Army to Launch New Pay System
  • Naval Services FamilyLine
  • Nominees Sought for Fatherhood Award 
  • Life is like a conveyor belt full of chocolate

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    The month of December is  a good reminder for me.

    I used to be the EVERYTHING woman.  If you needed something done, I was your woman. 

    And then it happened.  I am not sure how many of you remember the I Love Lucy show.  (There might be 4 of you that do).  But there is an episode, where Lucy and Ethel are working in a chocolate factory, and the conveyor belt manages to get sprung on high, and Lucy and Ethel go crazy trying to keep up with fast moving chocolate.  They boxed them, stuffed chocolates in their mouths. 

    And even though chocolate is delicious, it isn't so tasty when you have eaten your weight in it. 

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    Kitty Litter Rum Balls Revisited

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    The kitty litter rum balls were a hit.  Well, few people could steel themselves to try them, but everyone appreciated them very much. 

    Every so often at the party, the call would go up, "Who wants a poop?" and someone would have to volunteer while everyone watched in anticipation.

    It was almost like a frat party.

    So, if you're curious (and because I don't want poor Andi to get fetish hits on SpouseBUZZ), I'm putting the picture of the rum balls after the jump.

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    Stand

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    RASCAL FLATTS - "Stand"

    You feel like a candle in a hurricane
    Just like a picture with a broken frame
    Alone and helpless, like you've lost your fight
    But you'll be alright, you'll be alright

    Chorus:
    'Cause when push comes to shove
    You taste what your made of
    You might bend 'til you break
    'Cause it's all you can take
    On your knees you look up
    Decide you've had enough
    You get mad, you get strong
    Wipe you hands, shake it off
    Then you stand, then you stand

    Life's like a novel with end ripped out
    The edge of a canyon with only one way down
    Take what your given before it's gone
    And start holdin' on, keep holdin' on

    (Repeat chorus)

    Every time you get up and get back in the race
    One more small piece of you starts to fall into place - yeah

    (Repeat chorus)

    Yeah then you stand - yeah
    Yeah, baby
    Woo hoo, Woo hoo, Woo hoo
    Then you stand - yeah, yeah




    I've been mulling this post over in my mind for a while. At SpouseBUZZ Live, one of the women in attendance stood up and discussed how some people lose their self-esteem  while their husbands are deployed. That was not my experience.

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    Note to self: Use a pencil

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    As I was updating my address book today I realized how faded some of the entries have become.  Yes, I still use an actual BOOK, not a computer database.  I love computers, but I still don't trust them.

    But I digress back to the faded entries...

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    Tis the Season and the week!

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    Tis the season to be jolly and the week before Christmas.....close to the time most spouses hit the crunch wall for shopping.  Not ALL spouses do this, it just seems to be the preponderance - or enough to make a great stereo-type!   So, I thought we'd get together a little list of not-so-nice gifts!  Those gifts that should NEVER be given, except with explicit permission!

    Let's start with vacuum cleaners, move through scales and then travel to snow blowing machines, shall we?  What are the gifts that spouses should not give this time of year?  Or, if you'd rather, list the little gifts that mean a great deal.  I'm sure this will be a to each his own (for instance, there was the year my husband and I both, coincidentally, gave each other Toaster Ovens for Christmas - who'd have thought!?!?!?)  So, let's build a nice and not-so-nice list.......

    You're Taking Me Where?

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    Our first duty assignment as a couple was Lawton, Oklahoma. When my husband told me our destination, I said, "where is that?" I had never heard of Lawton, Oklahoma and furthermore, I had never stepped foot in Oklahoma. Same thing happened when we moved to Killeen, Texas. 

    I was from the big city so moving to these small towns was something of a culture shock in the beginning of our marriage. Now I'm used to moving and it's highly unlikely that my husband will come home one day, announce our next assignment and I'll have to grab an atlas to figure out where we're going. If I haven't been there, I've probably known someone who has.

    This summer, we left Washington, DC for another small, sleepy town. There is much I miss about Washington, but yesterday I couldn't have been happier that we are living here right now.

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    Changes Coming For Military Pay Systems

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    The Army online pay system will launch in October 2008.  The Air Force will follow suit in February 2009.  The Navy and Marines have yet to set a launch date.

    Hopefully some of the included information will help you and your service member prepare for the upcoming changes.

    So, what is this all about?

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    What do they know, that I don't?

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    Not that I'm THAT old but the other day AARP sent me a note saying how they’d love for me to sign-up.

    And then, they wanted me to spend money on various things, like a new insurance policy for my car as I obviously needed more coverage.  (so when did they see ME drive?)  And then it was "you just have to have a new medical insurance plan!" and while TRICARE ain't great, it sure beats the pants off of other plans and besides you can't beat the price for coverage. 

    But the kicker was, I could get a discount on new teeth.  WHAT???  New Teeth?  They went on to say how my old teeth may be spending more hours in a glass by the bed, versus in my head.  When oh when and how in the world did AARP come to the conclusion that I needed New Teeth?  I mean, I kind of like the originals that are all still in pretty good shape and OBTW, still in my head! ... and the only glass these teeth see is the one with single malt scotch in it!  I'm sorry AARP, but it's my plan to have these teeth go with me all the way to the pine box if I have any say about it.  So, what's up AARP?

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    An airforcewife Confession

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    As of January 8, Air Force Family will be Air Force Reserves Family.

    Perhaps you're wondering why a family so gung-ho in their military-ness would consider leaving full time active duty...  There is a reason, and it has nothing to do with money or the pace of deployments.

    It has to do with...

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    The Family Bookshelf

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    I love the Public Library in my city, and we are lucky to have some wonderful librarians there. 

    Hw7  

    This last Tuesday, they found a coppy of the book, The Impossible Patriotism Project, and thought we might enjoy it.

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    Say It. Get It.

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    Today's the last day to submit your essay for the December "What's Your Story" contest. Details here. We've received some great essays, so competition will be fierce. I'm hoping we can have all of the submissions read and voted on in time to get the winner's gift package out before Christmas, but no guarantees.

    While you're at it, don't forget to sign up for the SpouseBUZZ 411, which will make its debut in 2008.

    It's happening... again

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    DH and I will be traveling to Washington, DC tomorrow (Friday) - provided the weather holds.  We have two reasons for going.

    #1 - We are doing a video clip for Soldiers' Angels that will be part of a bigger video to help get the word out about SA and what the organization is and does for troops and their families.  DH and I feel very honored to be a part of this video because SA has been amazing for us from even before my husband was wounded.

    Now for the other reason we are going...

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    So, what say you?

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    While at SpouseBUZZ LIVE III, I was able to sustain a broadband connection long enough to push a post out to you on the Relevancy of Spouses Clubs.  Now I confused some by being a bit too … “oblique” … was one input I received.  So, let’s cut to the chase.  We’re talking Enlisted and Officers Spouses’ Clubs.  Not FRGs, not A&FRCs, not a semblance of a spouses group within your mil spouses immediate unit.  We’re talking Installation-Wide Spouses Clubs.

    Membership at most places regardless of your Military Service, is quite frankly on the rocks.  I suppose of course it wouldn’t be considered on the rocks if you believe the definition of “good” is having 5% of eligible’s as active participants. As you can read in some of the responses to this previous post, there are many factors.  What you can also read, is what can be construed arguably as a desire for more participation and involvement. 

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    Hey Honey, How Much are Ya Worth?

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    Don't miss tonight's SpouseBUZZ Talk Radio!   

    We'll be talking to J.J. and Jeremy from USAA about two very important topics - avoiding holiday debt, and life insurance.  The latter is a conversation AirForceGuy and I have had many times, and will continue to discuss - well - probably forever.  How much is enough?  How much should it cost?  What are the pros and cons of SGLI and other plans?  How do we figure out how much we need?

    Don't miss our show tonight, when armywifetoddlermom and I will be talking about this at 9 PM Eastern.  As always, our chat room will be open and hopping, and you can call in with questions at (646) 478-5665.

    Make sure to tune in to SpouseBUZZ Radio tonight!

    Kitty Litter Rum Balls

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    Since we moved, I've already hosted one holiday party at our new home with hubby's new associates.  It went off really well.  People were really getting into the holiday games and giggling madly about the prizes.

    We have yet another party this Saturday - and it's a potluck.  I'm bringing Kitty Litter Rum Balls.

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    Who Knew?

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    Remember my Beer in the Rear post? Reader Sly just solved my "what am I going to get Mr. Andi for Christmas" dilemma.

    Beerrear

    They actually have a product for this. Instructions included. Who knew?

    Holiday Ideas

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    If you have a unique gift idea for military families, or if you've found a good bargain, please share it with us in the comment section. I'll throw out some ideas here, too.

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    2008 Basic Allowance for Housing Rates (BAH)

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