My life as a wife to a good looking bald guy and mom to seven crazy girls..Our families adventure of being gypsies moving around the world and back again...
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Home is Where the Army is taking forever to send us..
Hmmm if home is where the Army takes us I am starting to think the Army doesn't want me in Germany...oooo how I hate you command sponsorship..It has been sitting on the Battalion Commanders desk for a week plus ok more like 2 weeks..just the one signature left and there is a change of command Thursday...so my husband asked his S1 if it would be signed before the Battalion CO changes and the answer was probably not..ugh so that means who knows when the new Battalion Commander will sign it...and to top it off my landlord told me she wants me out by June 30th because her kid is moving back to town unexpectedly..so lucky for them my leave is up...
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
The things that got me through my husbands BCT & AIT
in all honesty I shared my story so other new Army wives don't end up with misinformation like we did so by the time your husband is done with AIT and he were to get overseas you'll be so damn prepared you could walk through the process blind folded..
..my best advice for BCT is 1. they say reception is 1 week long that is not necessarily true it could be longer before he actually starts Basic training 2. The amount and length of phone calls during BCT are not a representation of calls that you will get during actual BCT 3. It's better to be prepared for no phone calls Sunday or once a week calls are not a guarantee phone calls are a privilege & are earned as a platoon & are completely up to the DS's ..I got 5 four min calls when my husband was in BCT..look at each phone call as a gift cherish it..but don't spend all your time waiting for them..live life, have fun, enjoy your kids, friends, family just keep living ..if you sit around waiting the time goes slower..keep the end goal in sight that is him graduating and seeing you at fam/grad day and AIT is sooo much better lol
actually it is a good thing you asked about pay..you should get his first pay 1 month after leaves so if he leaves home June 20th his first check would be July 1st..
As long as he fills out everything correctly you will get BAH immediately separation pay kicks in after he has been gone 30 days so most likely check number 2 possibly check number 1...He does get a food allowance but the entire amount is deducted while he is in BCT since they are feeding him & during AIT they take all of it but $30 or so...
the first couple checks fluctuate sometimes the first check is bigger don't count on that as being an accurate amount...lol
taxes come off of his base pay they also take out $100 for the GI BILL
make a budget & make sure if you are planning on going to Grad that you set money aside for it...don't know where you bank but while my husband was in BCT I opened a joint account online at USAA it's geared for military families they are great..anyways I then just deposited extra money into it and eventually we will change our direct deposit over to it..I get our car, renters insurance through them...if you decide to open an acct you need to sign up as if you are your husband it makes it easier....
.1 big thing that made my husband super happy while he was in BCT is the day after he left I went to the dollar store and purchased 2 greeting cards for every week he'd be gone for BCT I love you, I miss you, thinking of you, plus any holidays he'd miss ..you get the idea anyways I sent 1 out every monday and friday on top of regular mail...
your husband has to do push ups for mail so your first thought is I will combine mail or not send him as much well that is WRONG the more mail he gets the more push ups he has to do which builds his stamina and endurance my husband was the older guy at 29 he never once failed a physical you can't be there to cheer your husband on or help him physically but you can make sure he is getting all the love, support, encouragement and cheerleading via letters and cards...
BCT is hard emotionally & physically your job is to make sure he knows how proud of him you and the kids are..So you write him, kids write him or draw pics..you can send him a small photo album of pics..also he should take his cell phone they will take it from him at first but then give it back to him when they are allowed phone calls..guys with cell phones are able to call home easier cause they don't have to wait in line for the land line phones..
..my best advice for BCT is 1. they say reception is 1 week long that is not necessarily true it could be longer before he actually starts Basic training 2. The amount and length of phone calls during BCT are not a representation of calls that you will get during actual BCT 3. It's better to be prepared for no phone calls Sunday or once a week calls are not a guarantee phone calls are a privilege & are earned as a platoon & are completely up to the DS's ..I got 5 four min calls when my husband was in BCT..look at each phone call as a gift cherish it..but don't spend all your time waiting for them..live life, have fun, enjoy your kids, friends, family just keep living ..if you sit around waiting the time goes slower..keep the end goal in sight that is him graduating and seeing you at fam/grad day and AIT is sooo much better lol
actually it is a good thing you asked about pay..you should get his first pay 1 month after leaves so if he leaves home June 20th his first check would be July 1st..
As long as he fills out everything correctly you will get BAH immediately separation pay kicks in after he has been gone 30 days so most likely check number 2 possibly check number 1...He does get a food allowance but the entire amount is deducted while he is in BCT since they are feeding him & during AIT they take all of it but $30 or so...
the first couple checks fluctuate sometimes the first check is bigger don't count on that as being an accurate amount...lol
taxes come off of his base pay they also take out $100 for the GI BILL
make a budget & make sure if you are planning on going to Grad that you set money aside for it...don't know where you bank but while my husband was in BCT I opened a joint account online at USAA it's geared for military families they are great..anyways I then just deposited extra money into it and eventually we will change our direct deposit over to it..I get our car, renters insurance through them...if you decide to open an acct you need to sign up as if you are your husband it makes it easier....
.1 big thing that made my husband super happy while he was in BCT is the day after he left I went to the dollar store and purchased 2 greeting cards for every week he'd be gone for BCT I love you, I miss you, thinking of you, plus any holidays he'd miss ..you get the idea anyways I sent 1 out every monday and friday on top of regular mail...
your husband has to do push ups for mail so your first thought is I will combine mail or not send him as much well that is WRONG the more mail he gets the more push ups he has to do which builds his stamina and endurance my husband was the older guy at 29 he never once failed a physical you can't be there to cheer your husband on or help him physically but you can make sure he is getting all the love, support, encouragement and cheerleading via letters and cards...
BCT is hard emotionally & physically your job is to make sure he knows how proud of him you and the kids are..So you write him, kids write him or draw pics..you can send him a small photo album of pics..also he should take his cell phone they will take it from him at first but then give it back to him when they are allowed phone calls..guys with cell phones are able to call home easier cause they don't have to wait in line for the land line phones..
Monday, May 10, 2010
PCSing Advice to keep yourself busy
I bought a notebook before my husband got orders I did research on the Posts he was more likely to get based on his MOS I made a note of the housing office phone number, zip code, BAH or OHA amounts, I browsed the housing site and made notes for each Post if they had nice housing or housing or areas that should be avoided..
then when my husband got orders I was able to flip right to the page and already had info on the new Post..
The fine art of being a Planner in a system where there is no plan..or where you are told when, what, where & how when they get around to it..the Military life
My tip is be a list maker..take 2 pages of your notebook and break it down to stateside PCSing and Overseas PCSing..
Go through your home and list what you want to keep, get rid of & things you might like to buy new of...do 1 for stateside and 1 for overseas..I will tell you it made things easier for me when my husband got his orders to Germany I just flipped to my notebook page marked overseas and have been crossing things off as I go..
I also advise that while your soldiers are in BCT or AIT that you get regular passports..because if you wait until they get orders overseas then you are looking at close to $100 per person for each passport..it adds up quickly
additional expenses that you might want to consider and plan for
If you rent you will have to get your carpets cleaned
If you are shipping a POV overseas to Germany your car has to pass an inspection before you can pick it up at Port so you might want to consider this before car repairs will be cheaper in the USA..
Oil change, Wipers, Tires & fluid check...to name a few
in Germany you can get an APO address up to a month before your due to arrive at the gaining unit ..you can ship flat rate USPS boxes to your APO addy for the flat rate costs..
Items to send sheets,pillow cases, towels, blankets (these things are not provided when you get there while awaiting your HHG) as for pillows it's cheaper to get them over there at the PX..
you might also want to send some toys, games or art supplies..something to entertain your kids when you finally arrive at your new Post..
Some tips I just got from a seasoned Army wife..
You should plan now on having about 3-4 "groups or piles". You will have stuff that you will be taking with you such as some clothes you will be taking with you, all your important papers and documents, books and stuff for airplane. 2nd group: The items that you will need asap called Ho Baggage. This should be dishes, towels, bedding, silverware, ... See More extra clothes, pots, pans, etc. This shipment will be shorter than your house hold good shipment. 3rd group: Anything that you want to go into storage: Washer/Dryer, Any appliances I recommend not bring anything like toaster, microwave, blender, etc. Depending on the type of housing you get. If you live on the economy, you will have to buy the most expensive transformer to use your American appliances and it goes for about $200-$250 dollars each. We brought all German appliances when we got there. And in stairwell housing they have a washer/dryer for everyone to use. Government Leased housing, you will be provided with your own washer/dryer and on the economy you will have to purchase a German Washer/Dryer. 4th Group: will be everything else that will be considered your household good shipment. This can take up to 60 days to get to you. You are allowed so much weight for Ho Baggage. And you are allowed so much weight for Household Goods Shipment combined with what you put in Storage. Other advice to offer: make sure they don't pack your garbage, they will if you don't put it outside or put a note not to. Tip 2: Once there buy the book: Never a Dull Moment, This lists almost every village in Germany and what they offer, restaurants, hours open, directions, etc. (its in English and you can find it at the Bookmark). Tip 3: Travel, Travel, Travel. You will hate Germany if you don't see something besides the base you are at
Saturday, May 8, 2010
My Command Sponsorship nightmare
Not sure where to start this tornado but I am good with the time line..
April 16th I was seen at Malmstrom Air Force Base by an AF Colonel who performed EFMP physicals & reviewed my daughters as well as my complete medical records...birth to present date, including, eye Dr, Dental, OBGYN as well as ENT Specialist I had complete records..as well as school records She then faxed the forms 5888 & 7246? to Juanna Jarret (sp?) at the fax # that MS. Jarret supplied to me...
On Monday April 19th I called & left a voice mail for Ms. Jarret she called the next day & said she had not received a fax from any AF Colonel, however during our conversation she did find our medical info online in the system and the notes from the Colonel. Ms Jarret Inquired why I saw an AF Dr..I explained to her that I was informed by her office when I called for instructions on how to complete the EFMP overseas screening that I was informed (by her) that I need to be seen at the closest military installation in my case it was 5 hours away and an Air Force base (she said I was Wrong THAT NO ONE in her office would of sent me to JUST any military installation that being Army I should of known it was implied go to an Army post) then she blamed the (NEW GUY) her term..she then asked me the Base name I told Her Malmstrom and she pretty much laughed & implied since she had never heard of that base it must be made up & who is to say that the physicals or signature were really an AF Colonel.. I asked her to just tell me what she needed to get the EFMP done because my husband was going to Germany in 3 weeks and I needed to get Command Sponsorship DONE.
Ms Jarret informed me that I needed to fax her copies of all our medical records as well as have my local pediatrician write on a prescription slip for all my children under 5 that they were not developmentally delayed...that I would need to come to Eustis for a interview I told her I couldn't because I lived in Montana she then said ok your husband needs to come in & I told her he was graduating & leaving the next day after major attitude she said that she would call me back with a date for a phone interview...for May 1st
April 20th Ms Jarret called me and left a voice mail saying that she had received forms via fax from an AF Colonel, everything was in order, they had everything they needed..and that I needed to call her back to set up an appointment to come in to do the interview OK I WAS IRRITATED I called Ms Jarret back and she had NO IDEA that we spoke the day before I refreshed her memory about previous conversation When I tell her I can't come in because I am in Montana she says well your husband will have to come in and Once again I tell her my husband just graduated & was already out of there..at this time she contradicts the voice mail she had just left and says yes I still need to send in prescription slips for little kids about developmental status..
that my 5888 form is no good so she will fill out a new one and have someone named Mrs Shoemaker sign off on..instead of where the AF Colonel signed the form..as we are on the phone she has me respell all of our names & she fills in a new 5888 form at this time she began crossing off things on the 5888 form that was faxed to her by the AF Colonel...she asked birth order of the children, our familiy member prefix numbers or something like tht and birthdates and ages (at the same time complaining that was too many kids) that she understands my frustration and that she will try to get things going to make up for the misinformation & confusion of having me go to the AFB..
I go to the pediatrician get the slips fax them then call & make sure they have arrived (spoke to the new guy) Ms. Jarrets term for him as she blames inconsistencies and misinformation on him even when she is the one talking...The new guy says yes the faxes had arrived I asked him to make sure she gets them and if I could speak with Ms. Jarret he says she wasn't in the office that day..
April 27th Ms. Jarret calls leaves a voice mail once again contradicting herself once again and NO IDEA who I am she says that they received my form 5888 via fax from AF Colonel & that there are problems with it & she didn't think her supervisor Mrs Shoemaker would accept it & that I needed to call back to schedule an appt to come in for an interview by this time my husband is home doing hrap before he was ro leave for Germany..
I called Ms Jarret back & told her that she has repeatedly contradicted herself to me & I just want a straight answer what does she need to get the EFMP done at this time she tells me about how my 5888 form is no good because someone drew lines through things ( she implied the lines might have happened during the fax process or the form was fradualent) I laughed and told her that she put the lines through the form during our last phone conversation & that she said while we spoke that she was filling out a new 5888 form for me ..Ms Jarret pretty much said I was a liar and that she did not have the AUTHORITY to fill out a new 5888 form and she WOULD NEVER do that 20 mins of arguing she exclaims " oh I have 2 5888 forms for your family, why do I have 2 forms?" I said because YOU were filling out a new one..she then goes "OH NOW I KNOW WHAT I WAS DOING" she then proceeds to tell me my attitude isn't going to speed up the process & that she didn't know if her supervisor Mrs Shoemaker would sign off on the paper work because it has lines through it..She then gave me attitude because the only address we were given to have the paper work sent to was her so she FINALLY set up a phone interview APPT for May 10th..yes I lost 10 days while she went BI POLAR with my EFMP forms..
All I wanted was to complete this EFMP process & get Command Sponsorship.. I am not upset that my husband was misimformed at EUSTIS about ALOT of things here is an example:
1. When he got to Germany his new Command asked where his family was.. EUSTIS said NO CONCURRENT TRAVEL this is BS because other soldiers are getting it we weren't even offered it even when my husband asked about it..
I was perfectly fine flying over with FIVE children myself after my husband.. flying without him wasn't an issue it would of been nice to have some help though.yep not even mad about that...
Other military bases/Posts are referring to Ft Eustis as Fort Useless because of the misimformation your soldiers recieve in AIT in reguards to PCS-ing overseas, EFMP, Transportation..everything...I don't want people saying my husband is less of a soldier or stupid because he graduated from Ft Eustis my husband Graduated Honor Grad & we are a very proud life long military family my father as well as his ..I am not going to bad mouth an enitire military post because of one bad apple..I could of went all Army wife drama on the FB page I have to much respect for the Army to do that I just want this to done and over with.
I have been very tolerant of the crazy EFMP lady & I have done everything I was told to do I don't know if she is over worked, short staffed, just absolutely hates Army families, wives, her job or whatever..
At this point I am now sitting here waiting to hear if it get past this Mrs Shoemaker person & even if it gets sent to Command for approval according to Ms Jarret she doesn't know if it will make it through because of the 5888 form condition & the fact that I went to an AFB..I am not asking alot but maybe a job station shift for Ms Jarret or maybe a refresher course I don't care. My paper work was submitted via fax & email on April 16th 2010 on April 20th 2010 Ms Jarret was able to view the fax & medical records online I would like my Command Sponsorship to be done in the estimated at most 1 month time frame that I was told about I would like to be in Germany before July 2010...After all the Army is suppose to be family friendly can someone help me get my family back together again..because the Army made the hoops & I jumped through them..
LETTER NUMBER 2 to Eustis
To Whom ever is in charge;
I have been patient & I have been polite but today I am hitting my breaking point. My husband was informed during in-processing in Germany that because EUSTIS did not make his orders concurrent or deferred we are losing our BAH..Now not only has EUSTIS screwed us in traveling over at the same time because of that woman & the EFMP hold up now because the uninformed/misinformed/or the I don't care people their at EUSTIS once again did not do what they were suppose to do I have to figure out how to pay rent & bills here at home plus fund my husbands expenses in Germany..
I have heard about this so called Overseas briefing that they got in AIT the SGT or whoever did it gave the guys going to Germany NO INFO at all at one point my husband asked about command sponsorship & he was told he didn't need it because his orders said DEPENDENTS YES on it..then transportation there tells him that is BS and he should of already applied for it..
next when he went to one of the SGT and asked how do I go about doing command sponsorship the SGT replied I DON'T KNOW!!!!
When he started going around & getting things going for the EFMP he was asked by one of the SGT's why are you doing that now??? Your briefings are not providing the necessary information or being given to the soldiers by an informed person. I believe a female sgt did my husbands briefing and he said it was 5 mins long and they learned nothing...They were not told how to PCS, they were not told how to get command sponsorship...
I have NEW ARMY WIVES contacting me from AIT at EUSTIS asking ME how to do command sponsorship because their husbands are getting NO HELP or INFO from SGTS at EUSTIS...PLEASE I am begging you make some changes move briefings up to as soon as they get overseas orders ARMY FAMILY FRIENDLY right? I could of flew over with my husband instead I am flying over EVENTUALLY with FIVE CHILDREN MYSELF!!! My Husband is in Germany and his NEW COMMAND is working on trying to CORRECT the MISTAKES EUSTIS MADE but EUSTIS should be busting its TAIL END to FIX THIS!!!
If this isn't FIXED soon I will not be so EUSTIS ARMY FRIENDLY..It seems like everyday my husband is getting questioned in Germany about how or why EUSTIS didn't do this? or That? So I am putting this to you WHY isn't EUSTIS taking care of these things before you send the soldiers out to their first duty stations?
Not so patiently awaiting a reply
Currently Eustis has done nothing still waiting for a reply to this email to them..
However new Command in Germany is working on there end to correct all the issues & then work on getting us CS approval
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Home from AIT & doing HRAP
Well Pachenko graduated from AIT and is home for 10 days doing HRAP he was told at Ft Eustis that he couldn't have leave and that the only way he could swing coming home would be to do HRAP of course like 90% of everything he was told at Eustis it was WRONG...so now we know and I share this info with all new wives your husband needs to request leave..anyways it was nice having him home we did go spend one night in a jacuzzi suite I love getting away just the two of us I love my husband and the man he has become..I am still blazing my way through the command sponsorship process..I will definitely blog about the BS of CS..
Friday, April 9, 2010
A new adventure for our family
I am excited to say that the end of the first chapter of our initiation into Army life is coming to a close. My husband Pachenko will be graduating AIT on April 20th he is graduating honor grad we are very proud of him. I look back at when he first left for BCT time just flew by for us and I am grateful for how the time apart strengthened our marriage.
As that chapter ends we are now starting the PCS~ING process first off my husband received orders to Germany oh yes an overseas pcs~ing. Now for all you wonderful Army wives who have already done an overseas move you know what that entails the dreaded EFMP paper work, Command Sponsorship as well as nofee passports...SIGH...I am very excited and am grateful that we are going to have this experience what a wonderful learning adventure for our daughters as well as ourselves. I have of course already made a list of all the places I want to visit and explore you would be crazy to not take advantage of the opportunity of being in the center point of Europe. Life is a little chaotic and extremely busy we have EFMP physicals and Nofee passport appointments scheduled next week, then the following week Pachenko will be home for a short leave before he heads over to Germany and my poor calendar is covered in to do lists.
At first I was irritated that we would not be flying over at the same time as my husband the idea of my first time flying as well as my daughters first time flying being me in a plane with 5 kids by myself for a 14 hour flight was enough to make me think hmmm stateside would of been better. However it's just not in my personality to be negative so out went those thoughts and in came the reality of the situation there is too much to do to just up and move in 30 days or less. We have a life here in Montana, a house we rent, children in school it wouldn't be impossible to just pick up and leave but I am sorta relieved that I don't have to stress and rush to get things done. Even though I am counting the days until I can wake up on a daily basis next to my husband the organized, list making addicted planner that I am is taking advantage of the delayed travel process and getting as much done as I can to make our PCS as smooth and un-stressful as it can possibly be.
I would love to hear about your ladies experiences with a first PCS to overseas as well as any tips you might like to pass on and of course I am always up for making new friends in my soon to be new home...
Auf Wiedersehen Damen
As that chapter ends we are now starting the PCS~ING process first off my husband received orders to Germany oh yes an overseas pcs~ing. Now for all you wonderful Army wives who have already done an overseas move you know what that entails the dreaded EFMP paper work, Command Sponsorship as well as nofee passports...SIGH...I am very excited and am grateful that we are going to have this experience what a wonderful learning adventure for our daughters as well as ourselves. I have of course already made a list of all the places I want to visit and explore you would be crazy to not take advantage of the opportunity of being in the center point of Europe. Life is a little chaotic and extremely busy we have EFMP physicals and Nofee passport appointments scheduled next week, then the following week Pachenko will be home for a short leave before he heads over to Germany and my poor calendar is covered in to do lists.
At first I was irritated that we would not be flying over at the same time as my husband the idea of my first time flying as well as my daughters first time flying being me in a plane with 5 kids by myself for a 14 hour flight was enough to make me think hmmm stateside would of been better. However it's just not in my personality to be negative so out went those thoughts and in came the reality of the situation there is too much to do to just up and move in 30 days or less. We have a life here in Montana, a house we rent, children in school it wouldn't be impossible to just pick up and leave but I am sorta relieved that I don't have to stress and rush to get things done. Even though I am counting the days until I can wake up on a daily basis next to my husband the organized, list making addicted planner that I am is taking advantage of the delayed travel process and getting as much done as I can to make our PCS as smooth and un-stressful as it can possibly be.
I would love to hear about your ladies experiences with a first PCS to overseas as well as any tips you might like to pass on and of course I am always up for making new friends in my soon to be new home...
Auf Wiedersehen Damen
No Army Wife Left in the dark...
Well my husband and I are PCS~ing to Katterbach Kaserne according to my husbands orders...PCS-ing overseas is a process all onto itself :D The minute my husband got his AKO orders I was into research mode of course leave it to my luck to end up getting the most with the least lol yes mostly what information I managed to find on the actually Army post is out dated..As I browse social networking sites I have the same problem I am starting to fear that we are headed to a ghost town...Where in the world are all the Army wives representing this area??? Well all I have to say is I am on it I have decided to make it my mission to saturate the internet world with all the 411 any soon to be PCS-ing wife will want to know about my soon to be home..
There are some things that I can already share that I have managed to find out..
1. Obviously you need Command Sponsorship for your family to PCS overseas on the Armys Dime..They are not moving your family over there without CS approval and a new set of cut orders with your families name on them.
2. Yes you have to do the EFMP physicals to even apply for Command Sponsorship
3. Without CS approval and new orders your soldier CAN NOT get on the housing list or schedule your HHG move unless he wants to schedule your HHG move as a single soldier no dependents..
4. You need the new orders with you and your family members listed on them before you can apply for Nofee passports
5. NoFee passports are a must have to even get transportation to schedule your flights over and they usually take 8 weeks to process and they can not be expedited however you might get lucky and they might show up early..
6. OHA overseas housing allowance is paid in the exact amount of your rent (so you will not be pocketing money)
7. Pretty much what I have heard is that you have to live in on post housing or off post military housing unless there is NONE available..
8. To drive your POV in Germany you have to get a German Drivers license written and driving test required I heard the license is like $20. however you have to have a valid stateside license to get it for $20 if not then you have to get a German license at full price which is $1,500 yes you read that right...
I will add more as I learn more and you can follow along on my personal blog or FB page..if you have any info I'd love to hear it..
There are some things that I can already share that I have managed to find out..
1. Obviously you need Command Sponsorship for your family to PCS overseas on the Armys Dime..They are not moving your family over there without CS approval and a new set of cut orders with your families name on them.
2. Yes you have to do the EFMP physicals to even apply for Command Sponsorship
3. Without CS approval and new orders your soldier CAN NOT get on the housing list or schedule your HHG move unless he wants to schedule your HHG move as a single soldier no dependents..
4. You need the new orders with you and your family members listed on them before you can apply for Nofee passports
5. NoFee passports are a must have to even get transportation to schedule your flights over and they usually take 8 weeks to process and they can not be expedited however you might get lucky and they might show up early..
6. OHA overseas housing allowance is paid in the exact amount of your rent (so you will not be pocketing money)
7. Pretty much what I have heard is that you have to live in on post housing or off post military housing unless there is NONE available..
8. To drive your POV in Germany you have to get a German Drivers license written and driving test required I heard the license is like $20. however you have to have a valid stateside license to get it for $20 if not then you have to get a German license at full price which is $1,500 yes you read that right...
I will add more as I learn more and you can follow along on my personal blog or FB page..if you have any info I'd love to hear it..
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Making a list and checking it a million times...
I have a thousand random thoughts running through my head which is currently causing me a giant headache since I have caught a cold from my wonderful snotty nose daughters. A few of the things that are traveling at high speed in there are my husbands AIT graduation date is next month which brings about the question of the minute "Do you know where you are moving to yet?" now as most military wives know there is no exact date and time as to when they give you your orders in AIT. Luckily having been through this with my ex-husband I already was aware of this tidbit of knowledge.
I am a planner, a organizer, a plotter, a list maker okay so you get the point amazingly even though the "waiting" to know where we are PCS-ing too isn't really bothering me or preventing me from making plans. Sure I could do more planning if I knew where we were moving to but right now I am as planned as I can be. I have my lists up and running on my laptop list 1 PCS-ing overseas what I am keeping, giving away, throwing out and need to buy, list 2 PCS-ing Stateside same thing keeping, giving, tossing and need to buy...
And then the orders come and the real fun begins pull out the lists and get the ball rolling we are headed to Katterbach Germany HOOAH
I am a planner, a organizer, a plotter, a list maker okay so you get the point amazingly even though the "waiting" to know where we are PCS-ing too isn't really bothering me or preventing me from making plans. Sure I could do more planning if I knew where we were moving to but right now I am as planned as I can be. I have my lists up and running on my laptop list 1 PCS-ing overseas what I am keeping, giving away, throwing out and need to buy, list 2 PCS-ing Stateside same thing keeping, giving, tossing and need to buy...
And then the orders come and the real fun begins pull out the lists and get the ball rolling we are headed to Katterbach Germany HOOAH
Saturday, March 20, 2010
A New Generation of Army Wives...new friendships
Over the past couple days, hours, presently and in the hours to come my new friends my delta girls have been kissing their soldiers goodbye sending them back to AIT to finish their training. Some will be done in a few weeks, some a month and some a handful of months...but together we will hold each other up, we will cry & wipe tears, we will laugh, we will call, text, IM, snail mail and get together when possible, we will share dreams, fears, ideas, advice and goals...We will turn to each other because we know that we are all living the same life, individuals by themselves together a force to be reckoned with. We look to Army Wives who have already walked this path for advice...We are individuals with many different personalities, blazing a new trail, a new lifestyle, a new environment, making wonderful friends along this path creating a everlasting bond ..I am proud to say I am a member of this wonderful group and to call these ladies my friends..
For we are The Army Wives of this generation.
For we are The Army Wives of this generation.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
A little bit of married gal wisdom...
For years I have listened to my girlfriends complaining about wanting their husbands/boyfriends to do something romantic for Valentines day, Anniversaries, birthdays or just random romantic gestures..They plot, conspire with one another on ways to drop hints and strategic billboards " I WANT THIS, DO THIS, COURT ME". The conversation with one friend saying to me "I wish he'd buy me Flowers and a card for Valentines Day" and me replying " Do you want me to drop a hint to him?" tossed around in my head consuming my sleeping thoughts...I woke up with a mission WHY? Why do we have to drop hints, plot, conspire and turn to our girlfriends to nudge our men into Romantic gestures? Everyday life pushes and pulls us... marriages fall into routine ruts...we become robotic spouses like room~mates living together meeting for meals and hey if we are lucky sex once in awhile...taking each other for granted and hopefully not drifting too far apart..Marriages fail too much statistics back this up. How many marriages would be saved with a little effort from both spouses..Marriages like all relationships have stages of course the honeymoon stage is always the best everything is all lovey dove and rosey...but when you move on to the stages in the marriage that actually have depth where you have to work, deal with money, children, responsibilities yes real life. Marriages crumble you have 2 choices in a marriage grow together or grow a part...As a marriage grows it needs nurtured if you neglect it and don't tend it or pay attention to it then it will grow in all different directions like a rampant weed..not like the climbing rose it could be..So why not take a stance and actually work on your relationship. A good relationship like a climbing rose needs a trellis to climb the bigger and sturdier the trellis is the beautifuler fuller the rose will grow...My hope is to create a beautiful and full marriage for myself leading the example for my friends and for my own daughters in their marriages and relationships...So to get started you have to acknowledge you want better out of your marriage..when you begin to walk on any garden path there is always a first stepping stone to lead you...
Step one bring back some of the honeymoon period...The joy of dating and courting: what your wife/girlfriend doesn't tell you but tells her girlfriends. She wants romance and not just on Valentines day but it's a good time to start...
See women show men love by cooking, making your house a home, loving your children and taking care of your laundry...Women want Flowers, Chocolate, Jewelry and mushy cards proclaiming your love for us.
You don't need to break the bank we don't need all those things..mix and match or even one of those with a loving gesture cook a romantic dinner or surprise her with take out (always let her know not to make dinner if you are bringing something home) clean up the house do a chore she hates...Valentines day is on a Sunday this year ...if you have kids light some candles in the bathroom about 11AM Saturday fill up the tub with hot steamy water and bath salts or bubbles lay out a fluffy towel kiss your wife shove her into the bath room get your kids and take them to lunch at McDonalds ...read the paper while they play at playland take some pics of your kids on your blackberry stop by the grocery store and pick up something for dinner and be prepared to woo your wife on Valentines Day...Walmart & Grocery stores sell Dozen roses year long for $14 or less Skip the vase and florist shops..pick up clear vase at the store and keep it filled with flowers all year long..
The dollar store & Walmart sell wonderful cards $1 or less thinking of you, love you as well as for all those Hallmark Holidays...Court your wife you might just like the results you get..
OH AND WHEN WE SAY WE DON'T WANT THESE THINGS OR NOT TO WASTE MONEY ON THEM WE ARE LYING..WE WANT YOU TO BUDGET THEM IN SOME HOW THROUGH OUT THE YEAR..GOOD LUCK BOYS...
The truth is we aren't mind readers communication is important women and men do not speak a different language...Speak up people tell each other what you want and need out of a relationship you might actually have a better marriage because of it...
I am just another married gal ..my life is not perfect, like any marriage mines a work in progress but I do have a few tricks up my sleeve..and when I look back I will be able to say I sure did have a beautiful and fulling marriage...
Now I am off to court my husband ;D
Step one bring back some of the honeymoon period...The joy of dating and courting: what your wife/girlfriend doesn't tell you but tells her girlfriends. She wants romance and not just on Valentines day but it's a good time to start...
See women show men love by cooking, making your house a home, loving your children and taking care of your laundry...Women want Flowers, Chocolate, Jewelry and mushy cards proclaiming your love for us.
You don't need to break the bank we don't need all those things..mix and match or even one of those with a loving gesture cook a romantic dinner or surprise her with take out (always let her know not to make dinner if you are bringing something home) clean up the house do a chore she hates...Valentines day is on a Sunday this year ...if you have kids light some candles in the bathroom about 11AM Saturday fill up the tub with hot steamy water and bath salts or bubbles lay out a fluffy towel kiss your wife shove her into the bath room get your kids and take them to lunch at McDonalds ...read the paper while they play at playland take some pics of your kids on your blackberry stop by the grocery store and pick up something for dinner and be prepared to woo your wife on Valentines Day...Walmart & Grocery stores sell Dozen roses year long for $14 or less Skip the vase and florist shops..pick up clear vase at the store and keep it filled with flowers all year long..
The dollar store & Walmart sell wonderful cards $1 or less thinking of you, love you as well as for all those Hallmark Holidays...Court your wife you might just like the results you get..
OH AND WHEN WE SAY WE DON'T WANT THESE THINGS OR NOT TO WASTE MONEY ON THEM WE ARE LYING..WE WANT YOU TO BUDGET THEM IN SOME HOW THROUGH OUT THE YEAR..GOOD LUCK BOYS...
The truth is we aren't mind readers communication is important women and men do not speak a different language...Speak up people tell each other what you want and need out of a relationship you might actually have a better marriage because of it...
I am just another married gal ..my life is not perfect, like any marriage mines a work in progress but I do have a few tricks up my sleeve..and when I look back I will be able to say I sure did have a beautiful and fulling marriage...
Now I am off to court my husband ;D
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