What is My Zip Code?

Things are pretty quiet here on SpouseBUZZ, as most of the authors are travelling this week for SpouseBUZZ Live.  I had an interesting thought during my trip, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who has had this experience.  When I went to the airport, I thought I should put my frequent flyer number on my ticket so that I can get credit for these flights.  I know that there are ways for the airline people to find my number.  Unfortunately, it usually involves providing the address at which I lived when I last used that account.

Seriously?  I'm like, "Could you give me a clue?"  Maybe just the first digit?  Because I don't know what zip code I might have used.  Heck, I can barely remember some of them.  You know, the blue house?  With the toilet that always overflowed?  Where was that?

As I told the people here at SpouseBUZZ Live today, it helps to make a list.  If you start when you first get married, so you have some chance of remembering where you've been so far.  Make a couple of copies - send one to your parents and one to your best friend.  It won't help you at the airport, but it will help when you apply for some job that requires you to list every place that you've lived for the last 10 years.

Pop!

I'm a little slow to this whole technology thing...I'm still impressed that we have email and don't have to write daily letters that require numbering.  That said, I totally love to use the internet to chat with my deployed husband.  We use the Facebook chat feature, though I know there are other options.  What cracks me up is my behavior.  I open up Facebook as soon as I turn on the computer in the morning, and I leave it open all day, closing it right before I go to bed.  That way, my husband can hopefully catch me when he has a moment.  Of course, I have to turn the volume up to the highest level so I don't miss him if he does get on.

The downside to this great technology is that one day I'm going to break my leg trying to get to the computer.  I can't possibly be the only person who hears that "pop," hops up, and runs across the house, leaping laundry and swinging around bannister so that I don't miss him.  It is sort of comical, and sort of ridiculous, and sort of fun all at the same time.  Right until I break something.

Hanging on by a Thread

I know you've all been there...that place where you think about the next couple of days and wonder how much stuff you aren't going to be able to get done, because it just isn't possible to do it all.  It seems to be a common thread amongst the SpouseBUZZ authors right now - deployments and PCSs are pushing most of us right to the edge of our sanity.  I'm guessing that a lot of you are the same place.

The other day I mentioned "the next 10 days of chaos," and a friend looked at me quizzically.  Seriously, it isn't at all hard to imagine:  the end of the school year stuff, times four kids, minus one parent.  Subtract the non-deployed parent for one fun SpouseBUZZ weekend in Utah (Hill AFB, here we come!) and add back in two grandparents who are traveling a distance to watch the kids, plus are allergic to cats and dirt.  Multiply the kids by the swim practices, and add the Mom helping to run the swim league.  Try (desperately) to subtract some weight from Mom's mid-section (Fit Club post coming soon, I promise!), and also subtract all the hours that it takes to accomplish that goal.  Take Mom's job and multiply it by at least twice the number of hours it is supposed to be.  Subtract one kid and the parent for a two day, overnight field trip, add a field day (times four) and one promotion ceremony.  I'm tired just writing about it.

And I know that my schedule is pretty easy, because this is the first summer in three that we are not moving.  For those of you who are trying to juggle a PCS as well, I wish I could help.  That truly would push me over the edge.

For now, I'm just hoping that this thread is strong enough to keep me together for a little bit longer.

Did You Know?

ThanksUSA Scholarships For Military Families
Military OneSource Expands Counseling Sessions
Homeowners Assistance Program
Purple Heart Stamp Reissued
Exchanges Cancel Money Order Program
Study Focuses On Combat-related Nightmares
Military 'Portable Lifestyles' Website
Infantry Museum Grand Opening
Book Helps Survivors Cope

More  

Memorial Day 2009

We're milspouses.  We know that Memorial Day isn't all about bbq's, big sales and the beginning of summer.  We know that it's a day to remember those who gave all.  Last year, I wrote a post about some of those people.  It's found here.  They and their families are very much in my thoughts as I write this.

Let's Make a List

There's always someone deploying, someone who is deployed, someone who is coming home...  Our life is that cycle, right?

Air Force Guy is deploying in very short order.  Guard Wife's husband is deploying quickly, too - and she's already put deployment on notice.  Homefront Six has already noticed a few things deployment is putting in her path in an attempt to trip her up.  She of the Sea has been keeping us up to date on her deployment journey, from silly to irritating to thought provoking.  And Sarah actually had a very good pre-deployment experience!

When I was reading through military.com today I noticed an article that may be very helpful to those getting ready for a deployment.  It's a good place to start -6 Important Ways to Cope With Deployment.  Goodness knows I'm all about #1 on that list - getting enough sleep!  The problem is that I have severe insomnia.  It's hard enough for me to get to sleep at night, taking a nap is not something my body will give into. 

Since, as Sarah has told us, every deployment is a unique snowflake, I'd like to hear from you.  What was your most important deployment coping technique?  Sleep?  Exercise?  Pasta?  Chocolate Lava Cake?  2$ Margarita Night at Don Pablos? (I kid!  I kid!)

Mine, strangely enough, was crocheting and sewing while watching a movie on TV.  Nothing on earth would help me find my zen during a deployment better than that.

How about you? 

Mental Health Demons and Spouses

In the military spouse world, we are very concerned about issues like PTSD and the mental health of our returning service-members, and we should be.  There is much there to be concerned about.

But what about the mental health of the military spouse?  What is it like to deal with mental health demons far from family while the love of your life is thousands of miles and a war zone away?  How do you cope?  How do you overcome?

Tonight on SpouseBUZZ Radio Livewire we'll be speaking to Holly, a military spouse who battled severe and debilitating mental health issues... and won.  With her husband deployed more often than he was home and two children, what challenges faced Holly in her mental health battle and how did she meet and defeat them? 

You don't want to miss tonight's show, at 8 pm EST.  We will not be taking callers on this episode, but we will be taking questions for Holly in the comments and also in the chatroom.  We'll see you there!

From Kid in the Candy Store to Disgraced Grown Up

My husband and I recently returned from a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. We planned our trek across Europe almost a year ago, and finally it was time for our adventure to begin. Every second of every day had been pre-planned. We knew exactly where we wanted to go and what sights we wanted to see. I was certainly looking forward to driving on the autobahn without any fear of blue lights appearing in my rear-view mirror...

One day, we decided to deviate from the plan and pop in on a military installation just because we were nearby. That's where the trouble began, and that's where I shamed myself and proved I'm unworthy of milspouse status.

Is That...?

The microwave repairman just left my house.  He wasn't much less perplexed when he left than when he walked in (and he has to return next Tuesday to install the proper piece, too). 

The poor man had no idea what he was getting into when he took this appointment call.  He was obviously quite disconcerted to walk into my entryway, glance into the dining room, and see a giant poster of Saddam Hussein on the wall.

Memorial Day Discounts

Many thanks to the companies that continue to support our Military and Military Families in various ways.  Including discounts.

Available discount details after the jump.

2009 SpouseBUZZ LIVE Tour Continues

The 2009 SpouseBUZZ LIVE tour is in full swing and we're gearing up for our second stop of the tour, which will take us to Hill AFB in Utah. If you're in or near the area, please come join us. Registration is free. We are super-excited about this event and would like to thank the Air Force and the leadership at Hill AFB for making us the kick-off event to Air Force Week.

 Click here to register for the Utah event.

And a reminder, the great folks at Marine Family Team Building invited us to Camp Pendleton this fall. We'll be on base for our final stop of the 2009 tour on September 26. Currently, this event is only open to Pendleton spouses. Click here to register for the Camp Pendleton event.

We're really looking forward to meeting the spouses in these areas and making some new friends!

When Stationed Near Family...

Very rarely have we been stationed within driving distance of my family.  Within acceptable driving distance, that is.  I mean, you can drive anywhere in the CONUS (and we pretty much have).

So it is very strange to now have my brother, my sister-in-law,  and their adorable ten month old triplets stationed within a five hour drive of us.

Fit Club: Breakfast

In addition to cranking up the exercise, I've been changing my eating.  A lot.  I'm actually trying to change more gradually because I don't want to set myself up for a big crash by trying to change things too much.

I would love to hear your ideas for good, healthy, low-calorie breakfasts.  I usually eat one of three things:  either scrambled eggs with onions, peppers, tomatoes & spinach, or cottage cheese with a chopped up green apple and a few chopped cashews, or a tortilla with veggies & Laughing Cow cheese, toasted.  Those seem to work for me, and I enjoy them, but I would like to expand my menu just a little bit.  I'm not a big cereal girl, unless it has those little magic dried strawberry slices in it, but I might be convinced if I find the right cereal.

So, SpouseBUZZers, let us know what you eat for breakfast.  I can't wait to hear!

HAP for Military

Are you still wondering about the details regarding the Homeowner Assistance Program for Military Homeowners?

National Military Family Assn. Government and You E-News

May 12, 2009

1. Chairman Recognizes National Military Appreciation Month

2. AWAG Holds 53rd Annual Conference

3. Money Available for School and Portable Careers

4. VA Budget Released

5. Two More States Adopt Compact

6. TRICARE Publishes New Behavioral Health Resource Guide

7. H1N1 (Swine) Flu Update

8. Old Navy Offers Military Appreciation Discount

Chirp

It is 10 pm, and I'm sitting in my foyer, listening to my basement.  It seems that when something is making that electronic "I'm low on batteries" chirp, you should attend to it before you hope to sleep.

We have an ADT alarm system, and, I tell you, that thing is a blessing and a curse. I can't imagine how I'd sleep when I'm alone if I didn't know that the little electronic sensors were monitoring the household activities.  Plus, I have ours programmed to talk so that I know what doors are being opened when the kiddos escape.  (It was super handy when they were little.)  I like having the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms hooked up to an outside system so that they'll send help if we're all rendered unconscious by whatever dangers lurk in our house.  (Thank goodness it doesn't have a "you need to scoop the cat box" alarm.)

It Could Be Worse

I have never taken a good picture for my military ID.  In fact, having to show my ID card is a seriously traumatizing event for me.

The fabric of reality must have ripped, however, because my military ID no longer shows the worst picture I have ever taken.

The one I took today for my Sam's Club card is far, far worse.  Thank God no one ever looks at that one.  And if those two pictures are an accurate representation of how I really look, I think I might seriously consider a career as a hermit.

Did You Know?

AF Marathon Seeks Volunteers
Blogs Increase In Popularity
DoD Issues H1N1 Warning
Flu Watchboard Offers Information
EducationXpo Online
Owning Firearms In Germany
Paws for Patriots
TriWest Is Saying Thanks
SpouseBUZZ LIVE at Hill AFB
Military Film Festival Coming Soon
Book A Vacation
eNewsletter Helps Parents and Expecting Parents
PCS Support Groups 

Read More
 

Front Gate Fun!!!

Awhile back, I wrote a post about having a problem at the front gate.  You know...the upside down ID card means distress" problem?  Friday, I had a whole new problem with my ID card.   

Fit Club, the Monday Edition

Clearly, I'm not sticking to the lovely every Friday Fit Club schedule that AirForceWife used.  She's much more organized than I am.

Plus, I was hoping that I would see some results from all this exercise because I didn't want to write about how stuck and frustrated I was feeling.  Fortunately, my body cooperated and I am feeling great today.  My scale has finally noticed that I've been eating super-well and exercising all the time, plus my abdominal muscles are feeling stronger (but only from the inside - I still can't find them from the outside!)  I have done an awful job of getting to the gym but I have walked nearly every day, I'm doing lots of ab work, and I finally broke out our Wii Fit to get through the rainy weather we've been having.

This journey is hard.  I guess that is why I've waited 10 15 years to do it.  I am thinking, however, that it would have been a lot easier when I was younger.  Oh, well, I can't worry about that, all I can do is look to the future, get myself together and then keep it that way.  And you know what, I know that I can do it!  I wish that we could all meet in person to give each other encouragement, but for now we'll have to use SpouseBUZZ to cheer each other on.

I want to give an extra shout out to all of you who are doing this with small kiddos or working outside the home.  I work at home and all my kids are in school, and I find that all this exercising and eating well is really time consuming.  I'm in awe of people who can work good nutrition and exercise into their day if they are in an office and/or have small children. 

I hope that all the mothers had a great Mother's Day, and everyone enjoyed their weekend!  Summer is coming and we can have fun with all those outdoor activities soon!

Living in Purge-atory

I have been wanting to write about this for some time, but as you can tell from the title, I have been purging all that is called my home for some time. 

Yes, it is that time of year for us, as it may be with many of you.  We have been purging our house for weeks in preparation for our PCS NEXT MONTH!!!

DH and I "talked" about all that needed to be done around the house for many months.  Then reality hit (i.e. time ran away from us and we realized we had to actually DO all the things we talked about needing done).

PCS Checklist

The Displaced Dutchican made a checklist for all the things that need an address change when you PCS.  She made a printable file for other milspouses to enjoy.  This may be a good thing to bookmark or print out for future moves...

A Cautionary Tale for Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Last year for Military Spouse Appreciation Day, I attended a very special event in DC.  Most of the Spousebuzz authors were there as well.  If I remember correctly, there were over 1500 military spouses in attendance.

Not only were there military spouses there but dignitaries.  Lots and lots of dignitaries.  With these folks in attendance, I was given a huge opportunity for social embarrassment.  How could I refuse?

Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Many military installations and communities are holding events and offering discounts today - just for you.  Be sure to check your local area information links and websites for details.

Today is all about YOU!  My fellow milspouses, I wish you an outstanding day.

Military Spouse Appreciation Day

A Cookbook Giveaway

Louise from Months of Edible Celebrations is doing a giveaway of The Military Wives Cookbook for Military Spouse Appreciation Day.  All you have to do to be eligible is go read her thoughtful post and then...

discover something you didn't know about the life of our military families or share a brief personal experience in the comment section of this blog anytime up until May 8th; Military Spouse Appreciation Day. You can begin your search with the links I have left on this blog post or do a quick search in google. I will randomly (using the random generator) choose a winner Friday @ 3:00 PM. and announce the winner immediately. I'm curious as to what you will discover and look forward to your comments.

Go share one of your craziest milspouse moments with Louise, and you could be the randomly-generated winner!

Eye Candy

Here's a twist on our "I Love This Product" category.

My husband came home from pre-deployment training at midnight last night, and when he walked in the door, I realized I had missed out on a whole new phenomenon...

The Army Combat Shirt.  Be still my heart.

May Is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Resources

We live in difficult times. With engagements overseas and economic difficulties at home, we all feel the stress of life every day. As part of the national observance of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Military Health System joins Mental Health America in encouraging you and your loved ones to "Live Your Life Well" by taking advantage of tools and resources inside and outside the MHS that can be of value to you and your family.

An important tool is the Military Mental Health Self-Assessment Program:

Military life, especially deployments or mobilizations, can present challenges to service members and their families that are both unique and difficult. Some are manageable, some are not. Many times we can successfully deal with them on our own. In some instances matters get worse and one problem can trigger other more serious issues. At such times it is wise to check things out and see what is really happening. That's the purpose of these totally anonymous and voluntary self-assessment tools.

Finally, and especially important considering last month's observation of the Month of the Military Child, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is Celebrating Children's Mental Well-Being this month.

Continue Reading>>

Special Edition SpouseBUZZ Radio!

WITH UPDATE!!!  Our time with Mrs. Casey has changed to 6:30 pm EST.  Hope to see you all there!

Did you know that Military Spouse Appreciation Day is coming up?  A quick Google search showed that a few bases around the country are going all out to celebrate - and SpouseBUZZ is doing something special, too!

Tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 6:30 pm EST we'll be hosting a special SpouseBUZZ Radio show, talking to Mrs. Sheila Casey, wife of General Casey.  We've talked to Mrs. Casey before, and had an absolute blast! 

This time we'll be sharing stories, humorous and inspiring, about how military spouses overcome.  I know all of you out there have tons of great stories about overcoming - and we want to hear from you, too!

You can catch the show tomorrow on BlogTalkRadio and as always, our chatroom will be hopping!

Can't wait to see you there!

I Am MilSpouse, Hear Me Roar! (*sputter*)

Two days ago, on  the way to prepare dinner, I somehow managed to slip and fall down the stairs at my house.  Because I tend to do most things in a big way, the result was that I somehow managed to smash my tailbone into every step on the way down, only stopping because I ended it by crashing into the wall. 

Very typical.

And it hurt.  A lot.  My pride most of all.  Anyway, I had things to do (like feed a roiling horde of hungry children) so when after a short break to regain my breath (and my dignity), I hitched into the kitchen to make something to eat.  As any milspouse will tell you whenever something happens - life goes on.

Luckily, yesterday morning I felt a little stiff, but otherwise fine.  Life goes on, right?  I had a bathroom that needed the wallpaper scraped off, so I set to work.

Big mistake.  Big, giant, BAD mistake.

Military Youth

A new website replaces Military Teens on the Move. 

Military Youth on the Move!

Painfully Aware

I went to my initial consult at the geneticist's office yesterday, and at one point the doctor said, "During your appointment with the genetics counselor, you will also talk about the risks of what you're doing while your husband is deployed."

What he didn't come right out and say was, "You do know that you could get pregnant with triplets and then your husband could get killed in war, right?"

My answer to that is that, yes, I am painfully aware of that possibility.  But I think he has it exactly backwards.  I think it's civilians who need to be counseled of these risks, not us.

2009 SpouseBUZZ Challenge Update

For those of you who participated in the April Challenge, just wanted to let you know that the photos will not be posted until mid-May. I was on the road for most of April and will be on the road for a good portion of May, so I won't have time to do the write-up in the next week or so. This means that those of you who haven't participated in the challenge and/or sent your photos to me get a little breathing room. You're counted as participating as long as you have your photos in BEFORE I post the outcome each month.

May's challenge will be posted when I return from my travels. The April Challenge can be found here.

Did You Know?

DoD Defines New GI Bill Transfer Rules
DoD Expands Spouse Career Program
FRA Survey of Military Child Care
Liberty University Online Discounts
Mortgage Refinancing
Tips For Selling Your Home
Survey On School Meals
Swine Flu: Protecting Yourself
Travel Advisories Issued
PCS Checklist

More

A Call for Your Stories: "Making the Most of It"

One of the things I love most about SpouseBUZZ is the collective effort of our authors and readers to support each other, and to search for the silver lining in the clouds that sometimes engulf military life. Sure, we bitch and moan on occasion, who doesn't?  But that's not the real story. The real story is that you always seem to find a way to pick yourselves up by the bootstraps and carry on. Not just carry on, but thrive. And it's that "can do" attitude that I think best defines most milspouses.

Over the past two years, we've heard some truly heart-wrenching stories from many of you, both on the blog and at our LIVE events, and they're almost always followed by a lesson in grit, determination and character. I've found so much inspiration here, and if our email is any indication, so have countless other milspouses, and we thank you for that.

This is why I was thrilled to receive an email yesterday from Kyat Sukel asking if I would post a call for stories from our readers for a series she's working on for Bursting With Pride. 

Fit Club: Squeezing in A Little Extra

My week has not been my own.  Something about having four kids, and a job, and a deployed spouse...it feels like my entire week was hijacked by a string of obligations.  Add in some lousy weather and it seems like I've hardly moved at all this week.

I know that there are two components to exercise:  cardiovascular and strength training.  Both are hard to "squeeze in" to an already busy schedule (and most of us have busy schedules!)  I've been trying to figure out ways to add both kinds of activity to my regular day.  I have been successful at dancing while I fold the laundry, and I've always been good about climbing the little step at the gas station while I'm pumping gas, but I'm sure there are more neat tricks that I hadn't even considered.  (However, my daughter declared, "My family is weird," when she saw me using canned fruit as weights today.)

So, Fit Clubbers, what are your secrets to adding a little extra motion to your day?  Thank you for sharing with us - it is so nice to know that we're not alone.

A couple hours well spent

My husband picked up his gear last week for his upcoming deployment.  So I watched as he spent some time taking off tags and stickers and trying stuff on and packing and repacking.  There was some ooh-ing and aah-ing.  His sleeping bags (officially called something ridiculously acronym-tastic that I forget) need to be repacked because his attempt to make them more (and more) compact was a bit of a fail. 

But the thing that struck me the most as he was pulling things out of his bags, was his reaction to the gas mask.

"This is the coolest gas mask I've ever been issued!"

And I can't do justice to the enthusiasm and joy his voice conveyed.

We all have gear stories, so feel free to share the things your spouse may say or do that just makes you smile and reaffirm your love, however dorky it may be.

Army Of One

As an update to my previous post...

The good news is that there's an opening with the geneticist this coming Monday morning.  The bad news is that Monday morning is the only day next week that my husband has training he cannot skip and cannot reschedule.  So it was either go to the appointment alone, or wait three weeks for the next available appointment.

I swear, they meant Army wives when they wrote the slogan Army Of One.  We have to do so many things on our own, all the time.

Even getting pregnant, I have to take care of on my own.

Eat your heart out, Rosie the Riveter.

What's the Problem?

The problem is that I can't quite identify the problem. 

And like so many problems, it starts with my children...