tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35645948521799141952024-03-13T22:16:25.780-05:00Military Life 101Welcome to Military Life! I called this Military Life 101 because no matter how long you have been around there will be things that come up where you think you are on Freshman learning level all over again! I've been a part of this Military life for more than 25 years and I am still learning. Let's learn together!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564594852179914195.post-20691116890377904772010-04-10T03:59:00.001-05:002010-04-10T03:59:34.782-05:00Polish President Wife, and Dignitaries Die in Plane Crash<div class='posterous_autopost'><div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;">Polish President Lech Kaczynski and a number of dignitaries traveling to the site of the 1940 Katyn massacre have died in a plane crash </div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://bit.ly/b2w5L3">http://bit.ly/b2w5L3</a></div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://maggieray.posterous.com/polish-president-wife-and-dignitaries-die-in">MaggieRay's posterous</a> </p> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564594852179914195.post-16066575738476222752010-03-07T15:44:00.001-06:002010-03-07T15:44:53.154-06:00Teach Your Kids to Cook
<div class='posterous_autopost'>Some of our best memories with our older children, now college aged and on their own, are from time spent in the kitchen. Living in multiple states, and in overseas countries on various military assignments, having the stabilization of familiar family meals and traditions was important. Teaching them to cook those meals was important too. It's important that our children learn the basics of cooking so they can pass on those family favorites to their kids and keep traditions alive....and well of course feed themselves without having to live in restaurants and on fast foods! Find more tips on helping your child learn to cook at <a href="http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-teach-your-children-to-cook">http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-teach-your-children-to-cook</a>. <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://maggieray.posterous.com/teach-your-kids-to-cook">MaggieRay's posterous</a> </p> </div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564594852179914195.post-6463417574602639912009-11-06T23:47:00.002-06:002009-11-06T23:50:30.343-06:00How to Make Veterans Day Coloring BooksVeterans day is next week. Please take the time to teach your children why we observe this holiday. This week we watched tragic news of the Fort Hood murders. Every day it seems a new attack takes place on our military men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan. Please say a prayer and a word of thanks to those who serve. For the kiddos why not make a coloring book to help understand the holiday. I wrote some basic instructions here, and provided links to images for coloring pages<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-make-a-veterans-day-coloring-book">How to Make a Veterans Day Coloring Book</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564594852179914195.post-88974840022904335502009-11-04T19:42:00.002-06:002009-11-04T19:46:02.140-06:00More Typhoon damage photos<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8Yj9poXc5UeQGKnU3RyHvrnt4_X03o9XoAecZ15rG_T_Hvxio0kxmSIOk9bMzc0Pc8BMBde2LYohBMQgEHh4cv9RaDdJ7qWZ89NcDROisiwL6UVxJiDnb_dUenkYJtn6fungLIfkaLj5/s1600-h/IMG_0832.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8Yj9poXc5UeQGKnU3RyHvrnt4_X03o9XoAecZ15rG_T_Hvxio0kxmSIOk9bMzc0Pc8BMBde2LYohBMQgEHh4cv9RaDdJ7qWZ89NcDROisiwL6UVxJiDnb_dUenkYJtn6fungLIfkaLj5/s320/IMG_0832.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400429715551493474" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzEoFB9ZxqlJ4Yk2-bkFZgdAfu_YpiZqxrW9VofnrW9nP3ygl6AlXqvpL7yy1FMqYwhsVdPKWtmApKYHnOyV5CGCUwDj81TxRB1Cz82gv_d_-XHkUvnJHxNKwQ4z4PXWi_VK92OXQEopx/s1600-h/IMG_0924.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzEoFB9ZxqlJ4Yk2-bkFZgdAfu_YpiZqxrW9VofnrW9nP3ygl6AlXqvpL7yy1FMqYwhsVdPKWtmApKYHnOyV5CGCUwDj81TxRB1Cz82gv_d_-XHkUvnJHxNKwQ4z4PXWi_VK92OXQEopx/s320/IMG_0924.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400429701991717714" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmigshQC_u0UiG8DaG2sldc3tOzEdJUBv-rY1e5rFgDEC6qVKsJnCqcX3vos7mDjeQCwmiPfe3fI8PwEua5edkVxQo4TPvjqJh5wiR9ivYJoddSz6ciSIR1z6zUqiR8l9xwMlsp3kQAsbQ/s1600-h/IMG_0899.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmigshQC_u0UiG8DaG2sldc3tOzEdJUBv-rY1e5rFgDEC6qVKsJnCqcX3vos7mDjeQCwmiPfe3fI8PwEua5edkVxQo4TPvjqJh5wiR9ivYJoddSz6ciSIR1z6zUqiR8l9xwMlsp3kQAsbQ/s320/IMG_0899.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400429692159446754" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564594852179914195.post-45888914695646984042009-10-10T20:45:00.011-05:002009-10-10T21:16:37.323-05:00Additional Ondoy Damage PhotosMore photos came through this morning so I am working on getting more posted here.<br /><br />Folks who have water standing in their homes are currently living on their roofs. I asked how they are cooking, and was told they make a grill of sorts from a CMU Block with wood for fire.<br /><br />This is what the bamboo was for, they have build walking bridges so they do not have to get wet to leave their homes<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkWtNmGh-adDH0w2pz9K_SpFMtkTWAiPOlx4Fb3jrv9lks7nJeDk_t0BPcI461efvO2PY7yJ6m_B-q0RJh-7LA1N_hgGzRpe65kTr1mskYQgtpCNybvR2fMgoY0Vp9PZ_80ZcCLm9YUqh/s1600-h/floodIMG_0810.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkWtNmGh-adDH0w2pz9K_SpFMtkTWAiPOlx4Fb3jrv9lks7nJeDk_t0BPcI461efvO2PY7yJ6m_B-q0RJh-7LA1N_hgGzRpe65kTr1mskYQgtpCNybvR2fMgoY0Vp9PZ_80ZcCLm9YUqh/s320/floodIMG_0810.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391156533521643714" /></a><br /><br />These were the folks lined up to receive food kits. The kids make pick ups if the mom or dad is not able to get there<br /><br /><a href="http://s816.photobucket.com/albums/zz81/jckat/Flood%20Relief/?action=view¤t=IMG_0841-1-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz81/jckat/Flood%20Relief/IMG_0841-1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Flood view from the roof top<br /><br /><a href="http://s816.photobucket.com/albums/zz81/jckat/Flood%20Relief/?action=view¤t=IMG_0822-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz81/jckat/Flood%20Relief/IMG_0822-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The northern areas of the PI have had hundreds killed this week from mudslides. <br />I know relief operations are always criticized and tough because of the high emotions, but it doesnt seem to be reaching the areas needing so much help. The US military has now been allowed to help in rescue efforts from the mudslides. Hopefully they will be able to help reach those still stranded.<br /><br />Please continue praying, the situation is truly desperate in so many places. I hope to be on a plane home by Wed morning at the latest and will update as I can when connections will allowUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564594852179914195.post-12116679202836124982009-10-10T18:46:00.010-05:002009-10-10T21:28:44.157-05:00Philippine Flood ReliefSome days I just feel jinxed computer wise and then I think about all the world is going through and know how small my problems are. I've been trying to get pictures out to people today. It has been a challenge to say the least. I started here on this blog. Nothing would show except the video in the blog post below.<br /><br />So I turned to email and worked to get the pictures in the mail only to find out it was 11 MB and would not go through. So I split it up and set two parts to go out. They hung up in my mail and didn't transmit. I finally got one of them to go out, only to find out the pictures don't show.<br /><br />So I came back here to try again and after about 20 min I got pictures to show. Amazing..so I tried to see if I could get the pictures to show a little larger, clicked one and lost the entire blog post. I am jinxed!<br /><br />But my worries and troubles don't even come close to comparing to what the folks in the flooded areas of the Philippines are going through, so without further whining I am gonna try once more to get pictures here with captions.<br /><br /><br />If you got the email without the pictures, hopefully you can see what went with the captions now. The video I mentioned is in the blog post before this one.<br /><br /><br />Mr. Manny, Chris's music teacher unloading 400 lbs of rice from our vehicle:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1Js0FKfNZz030Gu9SXUkGGqt0H5Ydn3196aomYeoQ3VUomuWkcNGNA3C6X0TEGwJGz9M59mhT1ZsWaOXg1PgtuJ_fx-EjnVCLV2OgiSggUT88D3OhtiVnvIB5BJrJv1av5oCL1M243c9/s1600-h/floodIMG_0785.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1Js0FKfNZz030Gu9SXUkGGqt0H5Ydn3196aomYeoQ3VUomuWkcNGNA3C6X0TEGwJGz9M59mhT1ZsWaOXg1PgtuJ_fx-EjnVCLV2OgiSggUT88D3OhtiVnvIB5BJrJv1av5oCL1M243c9/s320/floodIMG_0785.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391124224721569794" /></a><br /><br />Packing up food kits to hand out. Mr. Manny keeps a list of who he has given kits to and when so he makes sure he is getting them to different families each time. I asked how they deliver them and the answer is the word goes out to the people and they come to Manny's house to pick up due to conditions. Each kit has 2 lbs rice, a can of sardines, and a cup of instant noodles. This is to help the family out for the week:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjft-_5a2BSV_E0Rv4WPQTwabP5KZ9B6i8pbfYum-230ZXMBGmHnhNnBoBdS62YL7qF5HsmPgV9Soym8qnqpDPaqRJf8byfdhmsLo422RRm8nk7TkW44axeZwHZcHGcI1dJ9tXpM2vMabIR/s1600-h/floodIMG_0788.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjft-_5a2BSV_E0Rv4WPQTwabP5KZ9B6i8pbfYum-230ZXMBGmHnhNnBoBdS62YL7qF5HsmPgV9Soym8qnqpDPaqRJf8byfdhmsLo422RRm8nk7TkW44axeZwHZcHGcI1dJ9tXpM2vMabIR/s320/floodIMG_0788.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391124583464826386" /></a><br /><br />The entrance into the flooded areas. This is about one block from Mr. Manny's house. These are people able to still be in their homes, others are completely displaced. Note the bamboo poles laying in the street, you will see what they are for in future pictures.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIR6ManGCyiG8zEakN47oJIY7btMWXDNW82RUMQ8it9HBtZafwExXo2h9kYvxwKDqnrQlNGujQzkx7gm4tWknrkWiQWmWfbc9TOURo4xdSZLfp-rM3kxWxFgMHz4aCKkBd4PimRT8rBe1D/s1600-h/floodIMG_0789.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIR6ManGCyiG8zEakN47oJIY7btMWXDNW82RUMQ8it9HBtZafwExXo2h9kYvxwKDqnrQlNGujQzkx7gm4tWknrkWiQWmWfbc9TOURo4xdSZLfp-rM3kxWxFgMHz4aCKkBd4PimRT8rBe1D/s320/floodIMG_0789.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391124957827793026" /></a><br /><br />Mr. Manny arranged for someone with a boat to take Johnnie out to see the streets where the people who are receiving the kits are living. The man in the picture is lining the boat up to move through the street. As you can see, two weeks later the water is still up to his waist and this is the area where conditions are considered good.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgId71HlRabYbSCFOkU8NWnj46VcESwkmuAz2_9BSD3NolYYbHkVKoL17teHkmDuDVuYn2rwbzguQgtxFhIgmXSf0lDeAvXYd-UPN6TyO2c1Nb9-yVA4wLLCaZcnFgezlUZzaBLzWNDyheS/s1600-h/floodIMG_0807.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgId71HlRabYbSCFOkU8NWnj46VcESwkmuAz2_9BSD3NolYYbHkVKoL17teHkmDuDVuYn2rwbzguQgtxFhIgmXSf0lDeAvXYd-UPN6TyO2c1Nb9-yVA4wLLCaZcnFgezlUZzaBLzWNDyheS/s320/floodIMG_0807.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391125152132577570" /></a><br /><br />More to follow in another post.<br /><br />kathyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564594852179914195.post-18758037637696788632009-10-10T11:35:00.001-05:002009-10-10T12:14:23.232-05:00You Raise Me Up<param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/H2sZuJbxi8Y&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/H2sZuJbxi8Y&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed>">Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564594852179914195.post-82120176634207677262009-06-04T06:56:00.002-05:002009-06-04T07:00:25.530-05:00Living in the RainWe've had a number of assignments over the years but we've never lived anywhere that had a rainy season. Rainy season seems to have hit the Philippines early this year though. From all that I read it is normally July and August but if this isnt rainy season I think we are in for a mess! I think we are on day 7 of rain now and the next ten day forecast is summed up in that one little four letter word..RAIN and more RAIN. Every assignment is different though and you just find a way to deal with what is thrown your way (or drops from the sky on you!)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564594852179914195.post-46081048146901298562009-03-15T22:30:00.003-05:002009-03-15T22:40:13.384-05:00Manila Restaurants<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJJELFt1Q9b1p1fXOqguHCZm6Yi6VXKsSoV3Dk_VcAt5zDNEicsc_ecfnwmyljDNPodbl6ON-RwQFb5gwJisH7DHDQfoxwic9pY0js8jrMHAgzid0BcEFgAdJwCPw0N2tyyBfBFdMNsaw/s1600-h/bacolod+chicken.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313625053115074674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 143px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJJELFt1Q9b1p1fXOqguHCZm6Yi6VXKsSoV3Dk_VcAt5zDNEicsc_ecfnwmyljDNPodbl6ON-RwQFb5gwJisH7DHDQfoxwic9pY0js8jrMHAgzid0BcEFgAdJwCPw0N2tyyBfBFdMNsaw/s320/bacolod+chicken.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We've been trying out the restaurants little by little since arriving in Manila. We've found some we like enough to go back several times, and some that we just ok. Around here everyone seems to deliver. We ordered chicken for delivery once, and we plan to try out subway delivery soon. I guess I should not get totally used to this delivery scheme because we know for sure we won’t have this luxury at the next location. But that's part of military life isn't it? Finding the things you love about each new place you go, and remembering the good times as you reminisce about where you have been before. The picture is from our delivery order of Bacolod Chicken Inasal. You can read more about it <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1483936/bacolod_chicken_inasal_manila_restaurants.html">here</a>.</div><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564594852179914195.post-46761416485110556192009-03-03T22:38:00.002-06:002009-03-03T22:46:29.612-06:00Unsent Letters and an updateI forgot to come update yesterday. Bad start to keeping track of things huh?<br />I didn't add any new AC articles yesterday but I did do my today.com blog and worked on several articles I have started. I did promo on twitter for a few things.<br /><br />Today I have done my today.com blog and am going to finish one more AC article today I hope.<br /><br />I also want to highlight a new writing project. Michelle Devon has just started Unsent Letters. You can read about it <a href="http://michy-associated-content.blogspot.com/2009/03/unsent-letters-now-accepting.html">here.</a> The guidelines for submitting a letter for consideration for publishing on her blog or possible publication in a book are posted on the blog.<br /><br />Michy is a great person who gives advice and guidance to new writers. Her website is <a href="http://www.accentuateservices.com/xmb/">Accentuate Services</a> and there is a wonderful supportive group of folks in the forum there.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564594852179914195.post-53808910721267519472009-03-01T23:19:00.003-06:002009-03-01T23:27:38.680-06:00Earning income after PCS movesI am one of the lucky few who has been able to bring my job with me when making a PCS move. I was a bit worried about whether it would be allowed this time since our move was to an overseas location in a completely different timezone. But I have retained my telecommuting job and am working through the different time issues to find what works best.With that said, I have also looked at things that could be done for income if the job were not available. Since I know this is often the case with military spouses who move with the member, or who opt to stay home with the children, I thought I would highlight the things I am doing online. Granted my income is very limited from online sources right now, but maybe someone can find info in what I am doing to help them out.<br /><br />I'm also going to use the spot here to track what I have done on these on line resources, because it helps to keep me accountable on a page somewhere.<br /><br />As the days go on I will summarize the areas I am talking about.<br /><br />Today I did 1 blog post on my Today.com blog <a href="http://www.livingabroad.today.com/">www.livingabroad.today.com</a><br /><br />I submitted one article to <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/286363/maggie_ray.html">AC for upfront payment</a>.<br /><br />If I manage to submit more before the day is over I will be back to update.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564594852179914195.post-68791238133105360512009-02-23T03:53:00.003-06:002009-02-23T03:56:47.107-06:00Mardi Gras Word SearchesWe just left an area where Mardi Gras was a big celebration. Before living in Florida I didn't really know much about the festivals and had no clue what Fat Tuesday was all about. The kids were able to learn about the festival season and associate it with the lenten season also. To make the learning more fun we always looked for worksheets and puzzles to do. Here are some links to word searches for Mardi Gras, <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1503233/mardi_gras_word_searches_for_fun.html">Read More Here</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564594852179914195.post-54584753314345052462009-02-06T03:27:00.002-06:002009-02-06T03:32:19.620-06:00Yes we are still around!We made the PCS move just before Christmas and I have totally ignored my blogs since then. We've had almost 2 months to adjust and it has definitely been an adjustment. I hope to get back to more active blogging in the next few weeks to come. I did start a new blog just for recording this adventure. You can read about our live in the Philippines <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.livingabroad.today.com">here</a><br /><br />If you have a spouse deploying soon, don't forget about the option of the Deployment Savings Program for a high interest savings account. You can read more about it in my AC article <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1420111/military_deployments_extra_money_through.html?cat=3">here.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564594852179914195.post-47217529095399006262008-11-29T14:20:00.005-06:002008-11-29T14:27:42.398-06:00Living in Temporary LodgingThe 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.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564594852179914195.post-85503549552070908222008-11-05T17:51:00.005-06:002008-11-05T17:56:03.885-06:00Rahm 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<a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1170126/rahm_emanuel_obamas_chief_of_staff.html?cat=75"> here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564594852179914195.post-37740595620834553992008-11-04T15:42:00.004-06:002008-11-04T15:46:44.172-06:00Being Overseas on Election Day-Manila PIIf 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 <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1179007/watching_presidential_election_results.html?cat=62">here</a>, and I will post pictures when they are available.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564594852179914195.post-53188484613835758682008-10-30T13:52:00.003-05:002008-10-30T13:55:37.338-05:00Ten Things I've Learned as a Military WifeThere'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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />You can read my list <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1163694/ten_things_ive_learned_as_a_military.html?cat=7">here.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564594852179914195.post-83968618659216274052008-10-24T09:35:00.003-05:002008-10-24T09:38:38.159-05:00Tween Halloween Party in Base HousingBeing 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.<br /><br />If you are new to the area, this may be the chance to get to know your kids friends, and their parents.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1091833/tips_for_hosting_a_tween_halloween.html?cat=25">Continue for Tips on a Tween Progressive Halloween Party</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564594852179914195.post-15222556435374565542008-10-22T16:27:00.007-05:002008-10-22T16:40:00.477-05:00Military 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.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1125515/military_spouse_101_a_to_z_terms_you.html?cat=7">Continue to read term definitions.</a><br /><br />Feel free to add your letter A term by adding a comment.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564594852179914195.post-80106388127888177942008-10-17T13:33:00.005-05:002008-10-17T13:43:02.644-05:00Tips for PCSing with TeensIt's PCS time in our household again and as any Military family knows the S in PCS really stands for <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">STRESS!</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#000000;">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!</span><br /><br />You can read my Tips on Moving with a Teen article <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1082888/ten_tips_on_moving_with_a_teen.html?cat=25">HERE.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564594852179914195.post-87101805648837666762008-10-17T06:04:00.004-05:002008-10-17T13:43:53.882-05:00When Your Spouse Joins the MilitaryBeing 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. <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1058178/military_spouse_101_when_your_spouse.html?cat=31">Continue</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564594852179914195.post-2621693528230344972008-10-16T13:23:00.004-05:002008-10-16T13:44:03.211-05:00Welcome to Military Life 101Military 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!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1