Living in Temporary Lodging

The day has finally come. Yesterday I started moving our things to TLF. It's kind of bittersweet. I want to be gone. I want this over. But my preteen is having a tough tough time with this move. He remembers moving here but he was just a little 6 year old then. A tiny one it seemed at the time. And now? Well now he is a seventh grader and has topped the 6 foot mark, with men's size 13 feet. Where did my little guy go? It's tough to leave here since this is where all of his childhood is. We plan to come back but really we know you can never go back. When we come back it will be different. Maybe some of his friends will be gone. Maybe the schools won't be what he remembers. I guess those are not really maybes. I know things won't be the same. I know it is part of growing up. This is just my mom-side kicking in wanting to protect my not so little guy from hurting. He's already decided that he's not going to make friends at the new location because after all, he will just have to leave them behind 3 years from now. This is the part of the military like that is just plain hard! So yes, we have moved into TLF, and it's good to know that this in transition stage will be over soon, but I know these next few days have a lot of stress loaded into them. Hopefully the days will go by quickly.

Rahm Emanuel - Chief of Staff?

The first day after election didnt even pass and the rumors are out there again. This time it's likely they will materialize and our next Chief of Staff will be named. In June, speculation abounded that Rahm Emanuel, Obama's fellow Democratic Congressional member from Illinois, was being slated to take over Obama's Senate seat upon his election. In July, that rumor changed, with Rahm Emanuel being mentioned as the future Speaker of the House. Read more about Rahm here.

Being Overseas on Election Day-Manila PI

If you read my previous blog on things you learn while PCSing you may realize that I've not made it to the overseas status yet but my better half has. There are many things you experience in overseas life that are different from your stateside experience. I wrote an article today for Associated Content on Election Watch in the Philippines. I hope I can add some pictures before the night is over. The US Embassy will be set up in two malls in the Philippines to share how US Elections work. You can read the article here, and I will post pictures when they are available.

Ten Things I've Learned as a Military Wife

There's a lot to be learned from being a Military Wife. There are many events that offer a challenge to the military family but one that leads the list is making a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move.

I made a top ten list of things I have learned during this PCS move. I've love to hear anything you'd like to add to the list, or see your topten if you want to link one to your blog.

You can read my list here.

Tween Halloween Party in Base Housing

Being a Tween at Halloween may be another in between age group situation. Parents can solve this by hosting a Progressive Halloween Party especially for Tweens. A Progressive party moves from one house to another with different Halloween events and food provided a tween party host. This type party works great in base housing units where friends live close enough to walk from one house to another.

If you are new to the area, this may be the chance to get to know your kids friends, and their parents.

Continue for Tips on a Tween Progressive Halloween Party

Military Terms, A to Z... A is for...

As a Military spouse, there is a whole new language to learn. This series of articles will provide an alphabetical approach to explaining a few terms Military Spouses will find helpful in their day to day adventure with Military life. These terms are certainly not all inclusive. They reflect ones which would pertain to the spouse or family more than just to the military member. Starting with A... A is for Appropriations Act, AAFES, Allotments, and Allowances.

Continue to read term definitions.

Feel free to add your letter A term by adding a comment.

Tips for PCSing with Teens

It's PCS time in our household again and as any Military family knows the S in PCS really stands for STRESS!

I wrote an article recently for Associated Content on Tips for helping teens adjust to moves. It's definitely not easy. It's not easy as an adult but for an adolescent who has worked hard to make and maintain friendships it is exceptionally stressful. I have six kidlets who are out on their own doing their own things, be it college or marriage or work. I have one middle schooler at home and a granddaughter who lives with me. We've been in air mattress stage going on two months now and the fun of the camping adventure with limited household items available has about worn down to nothing. Personally I hope the paperwork saga will end soon and we can get on the way to living in one household again. But for my teen? He'd stay on the air mattress forever if it meant not having to leave!

You can read my Tips on Moving with a Teen article HERE.

When Your Spouse Joins the Military

Being a military spouse can be difficult but also is rewarding. When you and your spouse have decided that he/she will join one of the military services, it is important that you stay engaged in what is going on and informed on the events to come. As a military spouse, you will learn a lot about military life and you will need to learn the ins and outs of the military. A well adapted military spouse knows that there will be alone times (deployments, training, long work hours), knows that she/he can handle things on their own when needed but also knows that many before her have supported their spouses military life and help/support systems are in place based on many years of lessons learned by others. Continue

Welcome to Military Life 101

Military Life...Boy it's hard to define. Kinda like nailing jello to the tree. One thing is for sure, if you are sharing this military world with me I would wager your life is not dull and boring and you dont have to worry about routine being a way of life. I've been associated with the Military for 28 years now. I enlisted in the USAF in Jul 1980 as delayed entry and went to Basic Training in Jan 1981. I retired in Oct 2001. Since joining, I have worn the hat of Enlisted military member, Single Mom in the military, Military married to Military, Divorced Mom in the Military, Military married to Military (Round 2!), Retired Military married to Military, and am soon to be Retired Military married to a Military guy with a Military son. Eventually my active duty spouse will retire but by then I should have two military sons. I dont see my world ever being without the military influence. I've got a few plans for things I want to blog about. We'll see how well I can work them into my mom/work/finish PCSing schedule!