A Mil-finance made it to HOLLYWOOD, Baby!

Jack Bauer and I enjoy watching American Idol. Uh, let me clarify, we enjoy watching the auditions for American Idol. By the time the regular episodes of the competition comes around, we've usually moved on to other things.

Last night at the auditions in Kentucky, a petite, young woman, engaged to a Soldier off training, auditioned with a big booming voice. She made it to Hollywood.

We wish she made find what she is dreaming of.

Goings On

Let's see. In the last week, I got my first sales as a Tastefully Simple consultant and scheduled my Blast Off Party for next Wednesday. I am still super excited about this opportunity to meet new people and make a little extra money on the side. Thank you to several of my readers for placing orders with me and helping me get my business started! :D

If anyone would like to be added to my e-mail list to get my TS website, please e-mail me at butterfly.wife.life AT gmail.com

On the job front, I was not selected for the job I interviewed for. That was difficult. I'm not sure, but I think I have been offered nearly every single job I've ever interviewed for. BUT after a short cry, I decided I just needed to move forward. So moving forward I am. And I have another interview tomorrow with a different company. It should be a more challenging job and thus more money. I did go to the temp agency last week. The person I interviewed with sounded like she could find something for me. I agreed to work locally for $8/hr. Uggg.

No news on the house selling front. We lowered the house below what we owe and still nothing. But who really is thinking about buying a home two weeks before Christmas? And I heard yesterday about some planned layoffs in Middleville. Uggg.

And I did meet a super special blogger last week. She is just as special in person as she is online. :D

Milspouse Top Chef?

Jack Bauer and I just sat down to watch the new season of Top Chef. And with most shows, we wondered who we'd be routing for. Well, it didn't take long to figure it out. One of the contestants is a military wife and her husband is deployed. (What a great deployment project!)

Less than 20 minutes into the show, Lauren got kicked off. I think it is a reality show-deployment conspiracy. Remember, Kristen from Cycle 10 of America's Next Top Model? No? Oh, that's right, she got kicked off before the Top 13. Hmmm.

Cav Canyon Spouses' Club Luncheon

On Wednesday I attended my first spouses' club luncheon here. I went with my kindest stranger friend. We picked up another spouse, who was also new to the area.

The flyer for the event indicated there would be interactive events. Hmmm. Sounds a tad like forced fun to me. I was skeptical and kept my expectations low, which helps keep the disappointment level down.

So we arrive at the activity center on post. First, I was thinking it would be some run-down, single-room banquet facility. But actually, it is quite nice. Simple, clean, well maintained, and has loads of possibilities for hosting all sorts of events, big and small. Must keep this in mind if I am ever hosting an event.

I was warmly greeted by the cub members. Everyone was relaxed and chatty and clearly here to have a good time. When I am around people like that, it is hard for me to not be the same way. Phew! People here are, well, just like people everywhere I guess. Nice to know.

OK. So the events. The first thing they had us do was a simple treasure hunt-type activity. We had to seek out five clues and figure out what smashed the pumpkin that decorated the entryway. The clues took us around the large banquet room edged with several vendors selling jewelry, decorative signs and glass blocks, and items from local and regional artists. (I did resist buying this time around.) At the end, we dropped our guesses into a pot. Not a bad activity to get people to move around the room especially for those who would otherwise be inclined to sit down at a table during the social hour.

A couple of speakers. Then lunch, which was actually quite tasty. We had German-themed food, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. I hope other meals there are just as flavorful. After lunch, a couple more speakers then the interactive stuff. Each table had to come up with a theme for a fall party, plan the menu, create a game, stuff and decorate a scarecrow, and decorate or carve a pumpkin. The kindest stranger and I took on the pumpkin and set about carving it. Mind you, the entire time I was using the flimsy carving tool, I was talking about my knife-meets-thumb injury from last February. This did not instill confidence in those around me. It has been maybe a decade since I last carved a pumpkin and I had never used one of these carving tools. But this was a timed event and there was only so much that could be done. The pumpkin turned out good enough (we used stencils). Each team had to demonstrate its game. Some were pretty funny. One team dressed up one of the spouses as the scarecrow rather than stuffing empty jeans and shirt. That was really cute.

After a lot of laughing and some great company, the luncheon was over. On my way out, I picked up a membership application. So far, it looks like it might be a great group to join.

And I got to bring my carved pumpkin home. :D

Ladies who lunch

I'm off to my first spouses club luncheon today.

Well, to say that it is a luncheon is an understatement. It starts at 1030 and goes until 1300. A social hour, raffles, lunch, gifts for sale.

All I know is that very kind stranger is picking me up, and I have a Lightning McQueen for a stocking stuffer.

Beyond that, I'm not sure what to expect, but I'll be sure to let you know what happens.

Get out the vote!

Thanks to everyone who nominated me into the top 5 in the milspouse category. I am really honored to be in the company of such fine blogs as ArmyWifeToddlerMom, SpouseBUZZ, Non-Essential Equipment, and My Crazy Amazing Military Life.

Click here to get started. You can vote for one blog in each category. Voting closes on Sunday evening. So you have plenty of time to read all the blogs and make an informed decision, right?

And I strongly encourage readers to check out the service branches to read "free speech from those who make it possible."

Happy reading and happy voting!

Illing

I had so much fun yesterday I made myself sick. If any of you come down with a horrible cold thingy, just blame me. As for me, I blaming the two Slightly Salty paws, who are the next two cutest and well-behaved doggies in the world, after mine of course. I suppose I could blame TS Hanna, but the paws are much cuter and slightly less destructive. (I could go on for hours about these dogs, but I'll let there mommy do that instead.)

The SpouseBUZZ Live event was great. Slightly Salty gives her review here. Here are the links to Liveblogging Panel 1 and Panel 2.

Here are the links of the blogs of some of the great women I met up with yesterday. (And if I forgot someone, just remember I am typing in a fog.)
SpouseBUZZ
Sarah
ArmyWifeToddlerMom
Wife Unit
Guard Wife
Slightly Salty
Susan (AKA Pot & Kettle)
Laura
LAW (I even met Mr. LAW!!!)

For more military spouse blogs, check out the "Milspouse" listing in the right-side column or check out the Milblogging.com listing.

Live but not actually liveblogging

I'm live in Norfolk at the SpouseBUZZ Live event. Holy cow!

Already metup with AWTM, Sarah, Andi, Guard Wife, Joan D'Arc, Wife Unit, AFW, LAW, Susan (Pot& Kettle), and Slightly Salty.

Hurricane Hanna be damned! As a bunch of milspouses, we won't let a little rain and wind get in our way. We've dealt with much worse during deployment.

Since I'm not good at listening and typing, I've got to go! See you later.

Off to SpouseBUZZ Live

I'm off to the Norfolk area later today to see some of my favorite imaginary friends, including meeting some for the first time, and to meet completely new people too. But one thing we'll all have in common is that we are milspouse sisters.

Now, I will say that I am not really a naturally outgoing person. I do it in these circumstances because I know it is good for me and it is what I actually want. But that doesn't not mean it is easy or comfortable for me. So it is all an act. Well, at least at first.

Here's my MO. I meet someone for the first time in person, I am reserved at first. Some people might describe it as being standoffish. (I'm working on that.) I don't why I do this. Some self-protection I suppose. Chances are if you are a talker, I will just let you talk. I promise I warm up after a while, and the next thing you'll know I am a regular Chatty Cathy. You'll know I am really comfortable when I start dropping f-bombs or start snorting when I laugh.

And for those who will be there and haven't met me before, you will recognize me by my butterfly necklace. If I don't recognize you, please come introduce yourself to me. I promise I won't bite. (Everyone knows butterflies don't bite!) See you soon!

Some encouragement needed

I recently came across a new-to-me blog. Tucker & Swiss.

Tucker is a soon-to-be Army wife. She is facing a PCS, a deployment, and a wedding on her horizon. That's in addition to the normal life stuff that gets to us. And her Swiss isn't with her at the moment.

So as you can imagine (having probably lived through some of these things), that it is a little tough for Tucker right about now. And we could all use an encouraging word when it is tough and we are trying to hard to keep our heads up high.

Here is the link to her blog. Please go say, "Hi!"

Oh, and despite her description that she is "decidedly NOT a writer," she does an excellent job of it.

America Supports You Freedom Walk

Honor the victims of 9-11 and pay tribute to our veterans, past and present.

Walk with friends and family in the America Supports You (ASY) Freedom Walk.

The Grammy Award winning Oak Ridge Boys will perform at the close of this year's national walk.

The America Supports You Freedom Walk starts at 9 a.m. at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery and will finish at the Pentagon South Parking lot.

Sign up to participate for the ASY National Walk here. Deadline is September 5 at 6 p.m.

Not in the D.C. area? Find a local walk near you here.

Bring your family. Invite your friends. Spread the word.

SpouseBUZZ Live: Norfolk

SpouseBUZZ, the mother of all milspouse blogs, is having a live event in Norfolk, VA on Sept 6. I think I've registered twice for it. (That's what happens when there is no confirmation e-mail.)

I attended the SpouseBUZZLive event in Fayetteville, NC in December with Jack Bauer while he was home on leave. It was that important to me to meet up with some truly wonderful women.

And just like SemperFi Wife was also doing today, I was wondering who might be showing up to this event?

My Inbox

I've received some interesting e-mails yesterday. I thought I would pass this information along this morning.

From Some Soldier's Mom:

HELP FOR HEROES: RUGBY ACROSS THE POND

Many of you will remember the horrible story late last year about the Brit's Military Rehabilitation pool having been closed due to lack of funding and support from the British government... wounded British soldiers who were rehabbing at a pool being asked to leave because there were some at the pool who found the sight of the wounded veterans to be too upsetting to themselves and their children.

Well, two Brits (Bryn & Emma) with a group of their friends decided to raise money for a new pool and gym for the wounded:

Last October, Emma and I, together with a small team of friends, decided to do something practical to help the wounded coming back from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The original idea was to raise £500,000 by doing a bike ride. Our offer of help was welcomed by General Sir Richard Dannatt who directed us to Headley Court, the Rehabilitation Centre, where they urgently need a new swimming pool and gym complex.

well, here's what a small group can accomplish:

Our non political appeal for help was heard by thousands and a simple idea grew into a tidal wave of support. As a very small team we were unable to lay on many fund raising events ourselves so the ethos has been to ask everyone to ‘do their bit’, to lay on an event and send us the money. That simple approach and the very obvious need has caught the imagination of thousands of ordinary, decent people and I am delighted to say that with the help of Royalty, Celebrities, the Armed Forces and The Media, we have received over £8 million so far. The first £6 million is put aside for the pool complex, the plans are submitted and by next year, the wounded will have their own pool.

But they have a WONDERFUL (and gargantuan) fundraising opportunity... and they need some help in spreading the word -- for sponsors to help cover the costs (so there w/b more money for the wounded) AND for [free] publicity for the event itself... If you're into Rugger at all (um... Rugby for the unitiated...), this will be an exciting day!!

The RFU has given us Twickenham Stadium on the 20th September this year. The Legends of rugby have agreed to play in a once in a life time match. We will see the great turn out in Help for Heroes shirts; Dallaglio, Johnson, Gibbs, Greenwood, Lomu, Phil de Glanville, Ieuan Evans and many more, as well as the stars from the three services and other top players. It will be a great day and, here is the point of this, if we can fill HQ, that is 82,000 seats, we can make £1Million for H4H and that will all go to the wounded.

There's more information about the organization at their Help For Heroes website... and you can find info on H4H RUGBY CHALLENGE HERE.

These soldiers have fought beside our American Heroes... let's see if we can help a bit from this side of the Pond.... with some publicity and perhaps some American sponsors who would like to extend our thanks!

From Military Spouse Magazine:

Military Spouse of the Year Award Now Accepting Nominations

Nominate an Outstanding Military Spouse to Be 2009 Honoree

PITTSBURGH, August 19, 2008 - Military Spouse magazine (MSM) today announced that it is now accepting nominations for its 2009 Military Spouse of the Year (MSOY) award, sponsored by USAA. The MSOY honoree represents the millions of military spouses who are unsung heroes maintaining the homefront, giving back selflessly to their communities, and providing support to our nation's troops. Often, these spouses also have full-time jobs and raise families.

In recognition of their countless contributions, MSM will honor one exemplary military spouse from each service branch and also select one overall winner. The 2009 MSOY will be announced and honored nationally in the June issue of Military Spouse magazine and at the second annual MSOY Awards Ceremony to be held during the week of May 4, 2009 in Washington, DC, in conjunction with National Military Spouse Appreciation Week. The winner will make additional public appearances, write a monthly column to appear in Military Spouse magazine, and maintain a blog during his/her reign, which will last through May 2010.

MSM and its readers will select the winner based on his/her inspirational representation of all military spouses. Nominees must be the spouse of a current member of the U.S. armed forces. Criteria for selecting the recipient include: impact on community change, volunteerism, personal sacrifice, education and career pursuits and other military spouse-related efforts. Last year's award generated hundreds of nominations from across the country, culminating in the selection of Army wife Chelle Brewer as MSOY 2008 (www.milspouse.com/msoy2008).

MSM encourages individuals to submit a nomination for either themselves or an eligible nominee of their choice. To submit a nomination, individuals must complete the nomination form online at www.msoy.milspouse.com. The nomination period runs from today through October 8, 2008. Judges will review all submissions and select ten finalists from each military service branch, after which readers will select one branch winner. Judges include a hand-selected portion of MSM's "Who's Who of Military Spouses," a list of influential military spouses.

"This award is MSM's opportunity to thank all military spouses for their invaluable contributions, in addition to recognizing them for the challenges they overcome every day," said Babette Maxwell, Military Spouse magazine co-founder and executive editor.

From Capessa.com:

I run Capessa.com, a site showcasing the real life experiences of women and their life-learned advice, and we are searching for a military wife who wants to get a makeover before her husband or boyfriend returns from being deployed. I was hoping you might be able to help us find a deserving candidate by either posting an announcement to your readers/community or sending this information around to your circle.

We'll be shooting in Los Angeles, hopefully beginning in September or October and finishing things up when the couple is reunited. The chosen woman will have her story featured on Capessa.com and will win a complete mind and body makeover, including a new hairstyle, a new fitness instructor, a new wardrobe and personal counseling to prepare her mentally for her husband's return.

Anyone interested is invited to submit a brief note explaining why she wants to be a part of this project, if she has children, when her husband is scheduled to return home and which branch of the military he's in. We also ask that candidates confirm with their husbands that it's okay for them to participate, since he will have to be on camera during the reunion, and that they send in a recent photo. Submission materials should be sent to militarywivescasting@gmail.com.

BW and JB on the radio tonight

A must-listen tonight on SpouseBUZZ radio. Jack Bauer and I will be on to talk about reintegration. We still haven't gotten our story worked out so we might be ad libbing the whole thing. Who knows what might fly out of my mouth when I don't have the ability to edit it. This may be a critical moment in our reintegration process, and you all are invited to witness it! :D

The show is on TONIGHT at 9 PM EDT. To listen click here.

The SpouseBUZZ chat room will also be open for those of you who chat. I can't talk and chat at the same time. It is a learned skill, like walking and chewing gum, that I never mastered. I can't wait to hear some of your questions.

See ya on the radio. :D

The Coffee

I attended my first coffee last night. I drove with a couple of the other wives whose husbands are in the same course as Jack Bauer. On the way back to the Residence Inn, I was trying to say that it wasn't what I expected but I wasn't really sure what I was expecting. Oh, sure I read the entire chapter on socials in Today's Military Wife, but all that really told me was the success of the gathering depends on who is running it. I suppose that is true for most events.

So what was it? A gathering of spouses -- all women, all mothers -- whose husbands are teachers, administrators, directors, etc. of the school and the spouses whose husbands are attending the basic course. It looks like there are about 13 spouses here for all or part of the course; 4 of us attended the coffee. Basically, it was a social hour. We talked, we ate, we drank. And what I wasn't expecting, we laughed. A lot. The hostess, an Army wife for 25+ years, was hysterical.

The women were all very nice and very helpful, including one who was a tax preparer for H&R Block. All were a wealth of knowledge and experience.

I am glad I went.

Oh, and I didn't see anyone drinking coffee.

This and that

Nothing quite like vacation to throw off the schedule. I've been off work for a few days so Jack Bauer and I could take care of stuff and begin to readjust to living together.

After a couple of test drives, a ton of emails, and more phone calls received than during the entirety of the deployment, we bought a car. Once we got an email with a nice low quote, we went back to the dealer and negotiated a great price. And with financing in hand, we were able to get a better interest rate, too. So WOOHOO, I got a new Honda CRV! Dark blue. Since I was 18, I have driven red cars. This must be me entering my "Blue Period." Anyway, I am super excited. And a new car is definitely better than jewelry as a "surviving deployment present." (OK, so we actually needed a second car, and we had decided long ago that I get the next new car. Of course, we didn't need a second car until Jack came home.) But now we've got a red car and a blue car sitting in our white garage. :D

Also yesterday, I registered for the September 6 SpouseBuzz Live Event in Norfolk, VA. Jack will be in school not to terribly far away. Might even bring other spouses who are also at this school. I am very much looking forward to meeting those of you who live in that area. See you then.:D

she's ALIVE!!!

I am going to leave this at the top for a few days. Please scroll down for new material.


I just got off the phone with our friend Lemon Stand. She is alive and kicking and in good spirits and good health. Just super duper busy and continuing to have computer and internet access problems. And yes, she has taken her blog down with no current plans on returning.

Please feel free to leave any well wishes/hellos/etc. in the comments and I will be sure she gets them. :D

Originally posted April 26, 2008 at 6:19 PM

Another homecoming

Stephanie's Marine husband is home.

He was deployed not too many months after they got married.

Now their honeymoon can continue.

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

"A Soldier" is Home

Our friend A Soldier's Wife has her husband home again.

She's had an especially tough deployment marked with medical problems.

But her soldier is home and in her arms again.

Oh happy day!

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Flowers for Lemon Stand

Since she did such a nice job of virtual flowers for me, I thought I'd return the favor.

Here are Flowers for Lemon Stand.

Get well soon.

I miss your lemonade.

Take care, my friend.