Too Much?

Did you spend too much?
Did you eat too much?
Did you try to do too much?

Now that Christmas is over, it’s normal to feel a little bummed by the lack of routine and balance that has crept up on us. And that can make us feel just plain SAD. But! Turn that frown upside down; this is the perfect opportunity to engage is some lifestyle design and create a whole new routine and set of habits that will breathe new color into your life!

No, I am not talking about Resolution Delusion here…

Think for a moment about the good things you want to invite into your life. Go ahead, take out a sheet of paper and actually write them down. Yes, please don’t short cut this process…write down those goals!

________________________________
Are you stuck? Having a difficult time thinking of the positive changes you want to initiate?
Consider for a moment things you would never hear people say:

“My food choices and meals are too healthy.”
“I am entirely too organized.”
“I am too disciplined when it comes to money management.”
“I am just too fit.”
“My home is too clean and well managed.”
“I have too much time in my day/week/month.”
“I am treating my friends and family just too well.”
“My life has too much joy.”

Sounds crazy, right? Who on earth would/could ever say these things?!
________________________________

Now, make your plan.

Trying to tackle all of the things on your list at once will only overwhelm, and thwart any real movement toward positive change, so just try to improve in one of the categories. Whichever goal you choose to address first is up to you, just know that there are simple, incremental steps that you can take in each of these arenas that, when combined, will yield you big dividends in the change department!

So, the first step in real, effectual change is to identify which area(s) you want to improve. What are you desperate to have more of in your life? A trimmer waistline? A bit more disposable income? More time and serenity in your day? More full relationships with others?

Please give this some serious thought – the goal(s) you select will determine the next steps you will take. They will steer you, guide you and motivate (or not) you. You are not going to “marry” them, per se, but as with any big decision governing the course of your life, they do deserve your very best attention and consideration!

Since this blog post is approaching 500 words already, I’ll chop it up into several “installments” over the coming weeks. If you have ideas on a catchy name for the series, or comments on where you’d like to see the series go, please share! The next installment will address “How to make a goal your own.”

This blog originally published on the Army Wife Network's Loving a Soldier Blog.

Merry Christmas

From our Family to yours - Merry Christmas - purely & simply.

Anniversary

A week ago today, the Husband & I celebrated our very first wedding Anniversary. It's been a full week, but I didn't want for too much time to pass without acknowledging this happy milestone.

Happy Anniversary to my sweetheart! MUAH!

The Friday before our Anniversary - a small Christmas smooch at the 162nd Company's Dining Out Ball.

O Christmas Tree!

I just took a big step outside my comfort zone...and published the details of our first family Christmas Tree on the Interwebs. Holy Frijoles. Let's just hope that I somehow manage to escape public ridicule....

Here's the posting over at the Army Wife Network: http://lovingasoldier.com/o-christmas-tree/

Hope you enjoy a peek inside our home...

A

Big Win in the Kitchen!

Anyone who knows me, knows how tentative I am when it comes to domestic matters - especially those which relate to the kitchen.

Well, yesterday, I rolled up my sleeves and got serious - after consulting no fewer than 8 recipe sources, I pulled elements from each to put together this winning combination:

Chicken & Dumplings

Place frozen chicken breasts in crock pot on LOW
Add 2 cans of Cream of Chicken Soup (condensed soup)
Add 1 can of Chicken Broth (next time I will try Chicken STOCK).
At the 3 hour mark, chop 1 or 2 small yellow onions (course chop) and add to the mixture
Add 2 tbsp of butter
Add 1 tbsp dried parsley flakes
Give a good stir
Increase the heat setting to HIGH
After cooking on high for 2.5 - 3 hours, shred chicken in crock pot with a fork
Add a chicken bullion cube and stir
Immediately start working on your "dumplings"
Open up 1 can of refrigerated big/flaky biscuits
Lay out all 8 biscuits and cut each into 9nths - cutting 3 times vertically and across each biscuit
Add cut up raw biscuit pieces into crock pot mixture
Give a good stir
Add a pinch of garlic powder, salt & pepper
Simmer on HIGH for an addition 45 minutes to 1 hour
Serve up HOT and ENJOY.

Ingredients list:
Frozen chicken breasts
2 can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 can Chicken Stock (or broth)
1 chicken bullion cube
2 tbsp of butter
1 tbsp dried parsley flakes
1-2 small yellow onions
1 can big & flaky refrigerated biscuits
Garlic powder
Salt & pepper (to taste)

It was a real crowd pleaser and the perfect wintertime dinner (in honor of our first SNOW yesterday!):)

Next time, I'll substitute chicken stock for chicken broth and I'm at least a little curious to try my hand at making the dumplings from scratch (although, I must say, using the flaky pre-made biscuit dough was a wonderful shortcut!). 

Tree Lighting Social

On Friday 30 NOV, Soldiers, Family members and Friends gathered at our Battalion to kick off the start of the Holiday Season. It was so warming (the wildly unpredictable Kansas weather truly meant that it was "warming" - temperatures were in the mid-60s!) and wonderful.

This event was the first of its kind - there was a tree lighting last year, but no one thought to invite the families, major bummer! - and more than 75 folks showed up to partake in the wonderful festivities! After a particularly rough year for the EOD Community, it was a great boost for morale to have a low-key ceremony and social! 

Tree decorating took 2 full days and endless creativity! (Note the "EOD" letters in the tree topper!)

Black matte glass ornaments tweaked so they resemble tiny bombs! Check out the tiny fuses!

Husband performs a final inspection of the Tree!

Welcoming Remarks

Angi reads fun facts about Christmas

Yours truly reads a Christmas Poem for the crowd

"Fire in the hole!" was shouted as the tree was lit via a remote detonation device as Christmas confetti sprayed out of CO2 canisters. A special guest flutist played "O Christmas Tree."

Families lingered around the tree, taking pictures and admiring the 2012 tree.

These tiny candy cane reindeer were on hand for the Social that followed the tree lighting.

Reindeer await...

Festive drinks and goodies...

...displayed and served in festive buffet fashion.

This is the flyer sent out inviting everyone to come!

It was a great time...lots of compliments....many smiles, laughs and good, good times:)

On the Naughty List...

...the very rebellious virus that infected my 8-year-old sidekick (laptop).

It took 2 days to remove the virus and revive my laptop. There's now 2 different anti malware & virus protection program installed so I'm breathing a huge sigh of relief!

Still, if you happen to get any suspicious email or messages from me, please don't open...& please let me know, won't you?

Holiday Help?

Feeling Frazzled?
Not sure where to start with Christmas gifting?

Please check out my recent blog post over at the Army Wife Network: 2012 Holiday Gift Guide.

I hope you like it...and if you do find it helpful, could you please let the Army Wife Network (AWN) know? 

Here's how: click "like" on the blog post (if you have Facebook) or just  vote (using # of Stars...1 Star = not very useful, 5 Stars = very valuable) or by using the "thumbs up/thumbs down" feedback feature or simply leave a comment at the bottom. All of these feedback options can be found at the bottom of the blog post.

Hope you enjoy:)!
XO - April

Highly Decorated.

This is what "Highly Decorated" looks like - if you play the video in yesterday's posting, you'll hear my husband refer to the Unit/Company that just redeployed as "highly decorated."

If you're curious - here is a fraction of the awards/medals they received for this most recent deployment....

Seeing the 4 Purple Heart medals in the middle gives me chills...

It's so easy to focus on the beauty in the honor that comes with being "highly decorated," but think for a moment about the sacrifice and pain that brought these tiny medals to their recipients...

Gratitude. Humbleness.

Redeployment!

My Facebook Status on this wonderful day!

Well, it's official - I've now attended my very first redeployment ceremony. It was fantastic...but also highly atypical (or so I've been told). This took place in the day time and with minimal waiting (usually Soldiers arrive at ridiculous hours of the night/early morning). When we say, "redeployment," you should think, "homecoming." Here's what I saw...

She's smiling....but this basket is HEAVY!

 All smiles as we unload the gift baskets for the Single Soldiers who are returning to their barracks. These amazing baskets were generously donated by a local Native American Tribe.

These laundry baskets were filled with cleaning products, toilet paper, soap, towels, sheets for the beds, personal cleaning products and loads of little snacks.

 

We're all smiles here...but Soldiers wouldn't arrive for another couple of hours!

 The day/time of the Soldiers' arrival changed no fewer than 4 times within a 24-hour period. Not kidding. In fact, when the husband & I were sitting in the airport, waiting on our flight, on Monday, we got a phone call that the Soldiers wouldn't arrive until WEDNESDAY (the day before Thanksgiving). Wednesday was the day we were scheduled to fly back to Kansas! Yikes! We made up our mind right then and there that we'd most likely be spending Thanksgiving at Fort Bliss/El Paso, TX!

That afternoon, we got phone calls that the flight would either be in on Tuesday morning (early) or Tuesday night (late). Wowzers. We got texts all through the night on Monday night we got periodic texts about the date/time change. Over breakfast Tuesday morning, we got a phone call that said we needed to be on Base within the hour. I must confess it felt a little like going to the hospital to deliver a baby - it was officially "GO TIME."

The wonderful stage setup...just waiting for Soldiers!

Even after arriving within the hour, we learned that there was still more waiting to be done. "Hurry up and wait," is, after all, the unofficial motto of the Army:)

When their plane got within 60 miles, we all went outside to wait. Lots of emotional family members - kids and "welcome home" banners in tow - came outside to watch the plane land and Soldiers to off-load. This, to me, was the most emotional and intense moments of the entire morning. You could feel the excitement - they were about to be able to SEE and to TOUCH their loved one after 9 long months of missing. It was a wonderful sound to hear the plane approach. And, when it finally came into view, the family cheered wildly!

There it is! The first sighting of their large C5. Thank you AIR FORCE!

My husband and several other folks went out to the plane to greet them - they climbed aboard and were the first ones to officially welcome back the Soldiers. Was I proud? Of course:)

I stayed behind the barricade with the family members and watched as the Color Guard and the Band marched out and stood ready/played as the Soldiers began to exit the belly of the big plane. Was I proud? Beaming:)

I watched as the Soldiers made the long walk across to the hangar. They couldn't hug family members just yet; there was still official business that needed attention. But it sure was good to see them walk up and get thisssss close! I was so excited for those families!!

First glimpse in 9 whole months!

Lots of smiles!

Families filed back inside the main building to wait for the official ceremony to start. And, about 45 minutes later, the Soldiers made quite the entrance!

Imbedded is a short 2-minute video of their amazing entrance. Far & away, my favorite moment of the day. SO STINKIN PROUD of what these men and women have done. I can officially say that I have seen heroes in my life.

Oh, and my hubby made a few remarks to the group. Proud:)

This was amazing experience - I was grateful to go and be by my husband's side as he carried out his job. It was great to see and talk to family members. And, it was absolutely immeasurably joyful to see families reunited (and before Thanksgiving, thank you Air Force!)

Thanksgiving First

My Facebook status on Thanksgiving Day

Key Term to Know:
DFAC = Dining Facility (for those old-timers, you'll remember this being called a "Mess Hall")

Each DFAC has it's own name. The one we visited was Devils Den. The other ones on Post are Demon and Cantigny. Does anyone else reading this have to resist the immeasurable urge to shake your head or roll your eyes? Sigh. Army. :)

The setup was very nicely done - the atmosphere was sufficiently festive, as you can see:) My only complaint was the guy walking around wearing a plastic demon mask. It was creepy. He may be a regular staple, since it is the "Devils Den" DFAC, but I really could've done without that "ambiance" whilst trying to give thanks for my wonderful meal and enjoy the company of friends and my husband. ;)

The Soldiers in dress uniform (dress blues) were there to serve those eating at the DFAC that day.

The food was incredible - anything you could possibly dream of could be found on the buffet line. Turkey, ham, shrimp cocktail, prime rib, etc etc. More sides than I can possibly list (30 maybe?) and the dessert lines....out of control!

Patrons enjoying their Thanksgiving Day lunch

The DFAC was open for about 4 hours that day to serve Thanksgiving lunch - you could come and go as you pleased. I'm convinced it's impossible for anyone to walk out of those doors hungry. We waddled out...

Ice sculptures adorn tables and tables of cakes, candies and other tasty treats!

The "Fallen Soldiers Table" (click for more information)

It was definitely one of the most "unique" Thanksgiving dining experience I've ever had in my life. But it was good... perhaps we'll do this again :)

Absence makes....

...the heart grow fonder?

What a wonderful little hiatus - 2 weeks! It isn't that there's been a lack of things to talk write about - just the opposite, these past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of activity! Things that I just can't wait to share with you all.

Wonderful things, serious things, fun things, holiday things.

Stay tuned over these next couple of days; I promise to share with you the very best of what's been going on around these parts.

Here's what you can expect to see:
Redeployment (& ceremony!) - some troops are home!
Thanksgiving day dinner - a real hoot!
Christmas planning/shopping advice - spent a lot of time working on this!
Battalion Tree-lighting ceremony - pic-filled post!
EOD humor & decor - lighter side:)
Tour of Homes
Ways you can help Soldier morale during the holidays
and more!

 Hope you enjoy checking in tomorrow!
A:)

A few thoughts for Thanksgiving week

Hi friends -
Happy Thanksgiving week!!!

Deployed, Downrange, Forward, In-theater, in the sandbox, etc

There are several words/phrases that are often used by the military community to describe when a Soldier is away from home and is situated in a hostile nation for military purposes.

For some, Thanksgiving will be a far cry from traditional: please remember those in our military who will spend this Thanksgiving away from family, familiarity and comfort.

This morning, the husband & I are traveling to Fort Bliss, Texas to welcome home the Soldiers of one of the Companies in our Battalion. They've endured a really ROUGH 9-month deployment and now they are coming home. And THAT, dear friends, is plenty of reason celebrate and to give hearty THANKS.

Some folks have asked me my thoughts on my experience in The Choir.

Some of you may know, I 'spose some may not, that I was selected to participate in the reality/inspirational documentary show called "The Choir." Participation in the Show opened my eyes to a whole new world of ideas, people and experiences. My obligations to the Show culminated in an amazing performance this past Thursday night and the Show will likely air in early 2013 on the USA Network. Although I can't share any gorgeous photos just yet, I do plan to share a few of my "ah ha!" moments...but I am still processing these myself. I need to let this marinate for some time and make sure I'm not violating any part of my contractual agreement with the Show or the Network. So bear with me for a short time, won't you please? 

To learn more:
About "The Choir" - it originally start in the UK
About Gareth Malone - the Choir Director
About Recent Choir Projects

With love,
me

Week-in-review

It's November - how on earth did this happen??

Last week was a whirlwind of a week - lunches with a handful of special friends, celebration of some very special volunteers at the Quarterly Fort Riley volunteer recognition ceremony, filming for The Choir kicked off and a super wonderful planning session with some of my most favorite people - hammering out the details of a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony! Sounds fun, right? I totally love my job and coworkers. :)

The weekend - a full 4 days in observance of Veterans' Day - was wonderful and relaxing, but also quite full of activities (mostly related to obligations for The Choir).

Today marked the official start of this week...I started the day with ladies' Bible Study followed by a quick stop by my hubby's workplace (to water flowers and collect some important information for upcoming meetings in Colorado). Now I'm home tending to some correspondence and I just popped a roast in the crock pot (my first ever attempt!).

The lineup for this week looks daunting, especially when I consider that I have 3.5 days to accomplish all of it!:

• Trip to Hobby Lobby to shop for a special "Thank you" gift for our Choir director (he's going to be so surprised!).
• Grocery Store list/trip
• Zumba
• Watching a pair of darling boys (who have requested my assistance with their homeschooling work)
• 2 FRG Meetings this week (and proper preparation for both!)
• Choir (practice, practice, PERFORMANCE). Filming concludes on Thursday.
• OCSC (Spouses' Club) Luncheon (and associated preparation)

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK?

Tell me how you're planning to celebrate.

In all likelihood, we'll be at Fort Bliss to welcome home some Soldiers in our Battalion from their long deployment. And THAT is plenty reason, in my book, to give THANKS. :)

Veteran's Day 2012

Isn't THAT the truth?!

Happy Veteran's Day! Here's my a copy of the post I contributed week before last to the Army Wife Network's official blog!  

 It’s November 2nd and my husband is completely despondent – I informed him this morning that he has to stop singing “Monster Mash” until next year. Poor dear. But, Halloween was 2 days ago!, and now is the time to look forward to bigger and better things – like Veterans Day!

This understated holiday tends to get neglected in the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving preparations. It may be small, but it is just as important in the making and shaping of our Nation as Thanksgiving Day is! Just a reminder – Veterans Day is the official US Holiday honoring all armed service veterans (both currently serving and those retired). Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day; Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, while Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving. It is perfectly fine to say, “Happy Veterans Day;” “Happy Memorial Day,” not so much.

For 2012, Veterans Day falls on Sunday (11/11) so official observance will also include Monday (11/12) – so here’s your chance to thank (or hug!) your favorite Veteran(s)!

Many businesses also choose to honor our heroes by extending special discounts and benefits to service members during the observance of Veterans Day. Have you taken a look at this year’s lineup of discounts – it is breathtaking! I am so amazed at the generosity of so many businesses! One need only to Google, “Veterans Day discounts” and thousands of results are generated.

A few very important things to keep in mind when considering taking advantage of discounts:

• Participating locations – many businesses are structured as franchises meaning that each location has a different owner. It is at the sole discretion of each owner whether or not to offer a discount. Tip: call ahead to your nearest location to inquire if a discount is offered.
• Eligibility – businesses may extend discounts to active duty members only, to veterans and may or may not extend the discount to family members of service personnel. Tip: it’s best to inquire about this information beforehand. The company’s website might be a useful place to start, but is often no substitute for a phone call to the location nearest your home.
• Requirements – businesses may choose to request proof of military service (past or present). Current LES, a VA Universal Access Card, Military I.D., DD-214 (Discharge Papers), Veterans Service Organization Card (VSO’s include groups like the VFW, DAV, AmVets, MOAA, FRA, and the American Legion), or in some cases a picture of the veteran in uniform are some of the types of “proof” a business may request prior to granting a discount. Tip: call ahead to inquire what form(s) of proof, if any, is required to be granted a discount.
• Gratitude - Kindly remember that discounts are not entitlements - please remember to thank these businesses for their support if you take advantage of their discounts. What’s important to remember is that freebies and discounts are GIFTS…and, just like we teach our children when they receive a gift, gratitude matters. When you self-identify as a member of our wonderful military community, you represent all of us – please take care to preserve the strong reputation of our community by being respectful, courteous and gracious.

Without further ado, let me share with you some of the wonderful goodies I’ve found for Veterans Day 2012!

• A comprehensive 2012 listing from Military & Veterans Discount Center
• A 2012 Veterans Day discount listing from Military.com

These 2 sites seem to be the most comprehensive listings for 2012 Veterans Day. If you have found others that are not listed here, or information on some of your favorite discounts, please feel free to share them in the comment section below!

Wishing you a warm, wonderful and – should you choose to shop during this time – a fabulously discounted Veterans Day!

And, of course, a great big THANK YOU to all who serve our Nation's interests the world over!

Exciting things here at Riley:)

Yesterday was a wonderful Veterans' Day Parade in downtown Manhattan...and I was fortunate enough to attend....and to have a seat at the Reviewing Stand!

Exciting things are happening here...and all I can say right now is, "Be sure to tune in to the USA Network in February!"

:)

Fall To-Do

The changing of seasons is always a unique time and, as strange as it may sound, I tend to associate certain chores with specific season. You may also naturally associate certain "to-do"s with certain seasons of the year. Here's what's got my attention these days:

• Vehicles - vehicles need a certain amount of maintenance to function properly. The last thing I want or need during the cold wintertime is for a problem to occur with my vehicle(s), so I roll up my sleeves while the days are relatively mild and make sure our vehicles are ready for the winter. This often includes a trip to the dealership service department for an oil change, a check of the air pressure in the tires and proper winterization of fluids. We also have ice scrapers and cans of De-Icer that will be placed in both vehicles. For good measure, I like to make sure that the car interiors are all vacuumed out (who wants to do this in the winter?!) and the inside glass is thoroughly cleaned (helloooo weird streaks that appear at nighttime in the winter).
• Clothes - it's November and, here in Kansas, we've needed long-sleeves for several weeks now. Now is the time to stow away the sandals and flip flops, the tees and the tanks, the shorts and the skirts. As you're pulling those items from your closet and off the hangars, take a long, hard look and consider how much you actually used that piece of clothing this past summer. If the answer is "never" or "rarely" consider placing it in a box to be donated in the spring. That way, when you go to unpack those items in the spring you don't automatically give those items a hangar - and there's no mental anguish over "to keep" or "to toss" - the decision has already been made! Check your fall clothes as you unpack them - do they need TLC? Are the buttons and the hem lines all in tact? Do they need to be donated or tossed out? 
• Household Inside - Now that temperatures are starting to cool, our doors and windows are showing signs of not fitting quite as snugly as they did in the warmer months. Nothing a little temporary adhesive weather stripping can't fix... We need to check/test the indoor smoke detectors as well.
• Household Outside - Are the hoses disconnected? Are the hoses - and other yard tools - cleaned and stowed away so they are protected from the winter elements? Are the exterior faucets completed turned off? Do you need to cover them? 
• Recipes/Pantry Items - Now is the time to begin thinking about what your plans will be for the holidays. Plan, and execute - it's much easier to find French's Fried Onions, marshmallow creme fluff, and pumpkin pie filling now, right after Halloween, than it will be in exactly 11 days. Fact. Additionally, I always like to stock up on things that are big and bulky and non-perishable (that I'd rather not wrestle with when it's below freezing and very windy) - these things include laundry detergent, bulk bottled water, etc.
• Halloween decorations - yes, Halloween was 8 days ago, but have you seen the discounts to be had? Retailers immediately marked down many items 50% the very weekend after Halloween. I am looking for unique items (perhaps for gifts next year?) and things that will pack/store/move conveniently in the event of a military move.
• Christmas gifts - it's never too soon to start! Whenever you move somewhere, you acquire a whole host of brand new friends. If I tried to give a gift to every single friend, new & old, and family member, I'd have to take out a loan. So now is the time I start looking for cool, inexpensive gift ideas online and try to make the decision whether I want to make or buy something (Pinterest, Amazon or Etsy are wonderful sources for inspiration)

What am I leaving out? What's on your Fall To-Do list these days??

Fall blessings friends!

"A" is for Airborne

It's no secret that being married to my husband (and to the Army) has changed my life...there are countless other examples I could cite, here are just a few that come to mind quickly:

Example 1: This post about traditions
Example 2: This post about our Army household
Example 3: This post about the Army lifestyle
Example 4: This post about a frequent "date night" activity
Example 5: This post about how even the littlest things (laundry) require special consideration
Example 6: This post about the tenderness of others

And, now, I've been introduced to several Army Cadences. Whoa, what?! It's not common or regular (I didn't call myself a RUNNER!) but I'm trying to make running a staple of my physical activity. And my husband is a wonderful motivator.

Here's my favorite (and his as well apparently!) **He's modified the words; his version is below:

Airborne
(Army Running Cadence)

A is for Airborne
I is for in the sky
R is for Ranger
B is for born to die
O is for on the go
R is for Rock-n-Roll
N is for never quit
E is for everyday

Catchy, no? :)


Here's another, for good measure. I've not ever heard this one, but I can "hear" it in my head when I read the words...makes me smile.

No Sweat
(Army Running Cadence)

One mile - No Sweat
Two mile - Better yet
Three miles - Gotta run
Four miles - Just for fun
Come on - Let's go
We can go - Through the snow
We can run - To the sun
We train - In the rain
A-I
R-B
O-R
N-E
Can you be - Like me?
Airborne - Infantry

To learn more about the history of Cadence Running/Marching, you may click here. 

Nov 6, 2012. FYSA

It's November. November 6th. In an election year. If you haven't voted yet, please do so. Even if you're not in a "swing state" and even if your vote is different than mine, please don't let neglect this fundamental Constitutional right.

In the Army, if programs are not utilized (determined by assessing the amount of use/number of users) they are eliminated. What if our right to vote (which also requires significant work and funding) was treated as an optional program - what would our Nation's participation rate signal about how much we truly "value" this priceless privilege?

Consider this:
In Athenian times, the word IDIOT was birthed and was used to describe Athenians who were solely focused on private (or personal) matters and neglected public life and democratic affairs. It was often thought that "idiots were born, but citizens were made." Through education and more of an outward focus, people gained respect and were considered honorable when they took an interest in public affairs.

Over time, the term "idiot" shifted away from its original connotation of self-centeredness and disinterest in public matters and came to refer to individuals with overall bad judgment–individuals who are "stupid" and lacking mental capability.

It is seemingly harsh, but also intensely interesting that a word we now know as "mentally deficient" was originally a descriptor for one's apathetic dispensation towards the democratic process. 

Something to consider next time you're tempted to say, "Oh, I'm not really into politics."

So, don't be an idiot - get out and vote!

Daylight Savings is an absolute Bear

Did you love the extra hour gained this past weekend? We did. :)

Do you dread, ever so slightly, that this heralds longer, darker and colder days? We do. :)

Every year it seems like things hit mega-fast-forward from now through the end of the year. Halloween happens, then Thanksgiving follows right on its heels...the next thing you know, you're reclining on on the couch, watching college football, enjoying a warm fire and writing Christmas cards!

Seems strange when, a matter of mere weeks ago, we were wearing sandals and short sleeves...

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, I pray you are energized to meet the challenges and opportunities this day! And please remember to exercise your Constitutional right to VOTE! :)

Update & Happy Halloween!

Just heard from my friend this morning (through Facebook) - she doesn't have power, Internet or cell at her home.

But she's staying at the WALDORF ASTORIA.

She's fine. Obviously. :)

Happy Halloween all!

God of the Hills

I am concerned for my friend living in NYC. She's one of the most reliable and dependable people I know and I haven't heard from her since yesterday afternoon. We traded Facebook messages online yesterday...but then the power went out.

And, now, I can't get ahold of her. Calls to her cell roll right to voicemail, texts aren't going through normally and pleas from friends/family members on Facebook have gone unanswered since yesterday.

I.am.worried.

Worried about what the scene must be like. Is she safe? Is she warm? Is she scared?

A million things run through my mind and, more than anything, I wish I could be there with her.

In Bible Study, we are reading through 1 Kings...and, just this morning we discussed this passage:
²³ "Meanwhile, the officials of the king of Aram advised him, “Their gods are gods of the hills. That is why they were too strong for us. But if we fight them on the plains, surely we will be stronger than they..."

Context - The "King of Aram" is waging war with the kingdom of Israel and had just suffered a crushing defeat in "the hills." His "officials" or advisers, trying to explain the defeat, reasoned that the God of Israel (what they call "The gods of the hills.") could be defeated if only the terrain were more favorable. This means that their estimation of the God of Israel was that He was something of a local god...confined to only a certain set of optimal conditions and that, faced with less favorable conditions (ie - "the plains") He could be rendered ineffective and incapable.

But, as some of us know, these officials had an incalculable misunderstanding of the nature of the God of Israel. But what can we expect - these folks didn't know Him, so how could they possibly fathom the unlimited bigness of Him?

Funny but sometimes we, as believers, also consider God to be local or regional. We trust Him with healing a common cold, but surely He can't be big enough to protect my spouse when he deploys to a scary country. We give up a broken relationship, but we toil to do things "our way." I trust Him to keep me safe when I drive...but can I trust Him to care for my friend who is without power and cell signal in a chaotic NYC?

Wow, nothing like a good rhetorical question to jolt some sense. Yes, yes of course I can trust Him. And I know her well...so I'm already looking forward to hearing from her soon about what the past 24 hours have brought about.

Grace & peace:)     

Sandy Images

Being part of the Military Community means that my Facebook news feed is often filled with some rather "unique" things.

However, on this day, I've seen this photo (below) no fewer than 30 times. Oy!

I've seen this image so many times today, I'm not sure whom/which source to properly credit.

This is one of the quotes I loved the most:
"Their patriotism, dedication, and perseverance are unparalleled. Praying today for all those in the path, but especially those brave soldiers who will endure it full force."

(For my civilian friends who don't know, they cannot leave the tomb unguarded. Not even during a hurricane.)

Btw - the above photo was ACTUALLY taken in September (and not this morning). There are quite a few "fake" photos flying around these days. Curious? Read more here!

Special Announcment - AWN

Normally, you won't find me posting on the weekend. Weekends are always spent with the husband - either watching movies together on the couch or, if the weather is nice and we're feeling motivated, outdoors hiking or walking. So far, this weekend, we've been inside flipping back-and-forth between SEC Football and Halloween-ish movies (helloooo black & white Dracula movies & the Hound of the Baskervilles!). :)

Anywhoooo....I wanted to share a very special word about a very special opportunity.

You may remember a mention late last month about an event I attended hosted by the Army Wife Network.

The Army Wife Network is the premier online resource for Army wives...by Army wives. It also offers on-site conferences from time-to-time. It's a dynamic and vibrant community (some 44,000+ strong!) and it is a wonderful support for Army spouses worldwide.

And...

Now....

I'll be partnering with this fine organization! Woo Hoo!!

The Army Wife Network (AWN) maintains a blog appropriately named Loving A Soldier (LAS) and I've been  invited to be a contributor to this forum. So, stay tuned, and "look" for my "voice" every month at LAS.   

My very first post, a personal introduction, was published just this morning - and you can find that here.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go find a place to do the happy dance.

:)

Fall Fun - A Nasty Haunting

Quick, if you're a parent thinking of taking your children to a safe, wholesome, family-friendly fall activity, what's the first thing you think of? 

If you try to tell me that a, "Nasty Haunting hosted by the 172nd Chemical Company" was the first thing that came to mind, I'm afraid I'm going to have to call "BS"...or as Joe Biden would say, "Malarkey." Impossible!

Well, my friends, let me tell you - that is an actual event. Here. On Fort Riley.

Only in the military.

So let me break this down (since I am sure you must be completely intrigued by this concept):
Every unit has an informal "call sign" of sorts. Our Battalion's is "Crimson Talons"....some are a little more, um, creative. The 172nd Chemical Company's is "Straight Nasty" (admittedly, somewhat controversial).

So, when the "Straight Nasty" hosts a haunting, it becomes a "Nasty Haunting." Get it?

Interestingly, the mission of chemical companies is to defend the Nation against nuclear, radiological and biological attacks on US soil (so they don't deploy)...they run continuous scenarios for the benefit of homeland defense. Perhaps that makes you reluctant to take your kids to an event that's located at military Chemical Company? I get that...it is slightly less than traditional ;)

But, surprisingly (or, perhaps, unsurprisingly) this is a pretty well known and much anticipated event. They had folks dressed as zombies passing out fliers at the Commissary (subsidized grocery store on Post) and the PX ("Post Exchange" - general merchandise store on Post) and emails have been whirling around about the event. This Unit hopes to raise at least $1000 so they can hold a Ball for the Soldiers and Family members in December. And, since they are a loosely related/affiliated Unit to EOD (explosive ordnance disposal), we were all too happy to help them reach their goal!

Gotta admit, it was very well done. There's no telling how many hours were spent setting up the haunted house (which was constructed in their "bay" - the large warehouse/storage space with concrete floors and heavy metal lockers). There were at least 20 volunteers in costume and admission is $4 for adults and $2 for kids. The parking lot was full last Saturday night so I am hopeful that they'll bring in the cash and their goal will be fully funded!

Again, only in the military.

:)

For more information about the 172nd Chemical Company, you can click here.

The Custer House

Let me tell you the story about Custer. Yes, that CUSTER.

Actually, allow me to cut/copy/paste a portion of Wikipedia's story about Custer:

Custer was appointed lieutenant colonel of the newly created U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment, headquartered at Fort Riley, Kansas. As a result of a plea by his patron General Philip Sheridan, Custer was also appointed brevet major general. He took part in Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock's expedition against the Cheyenne in 1867. 

This is the first reported time we see Custer show up at Fort Riley.

On June 26, 1867 Lt. Lyman Kidder's party, made up of ten troopers and one scout, were massacred while in route to Fort Wallace. Lt. Kidder was to deliver dispatches to Custer from Gen. William Sherman, but his party was attacked by Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne (see Kidder massacre). Days later, Custer and a search party found the bodies of Kidder's patrol.

Seems tame now but, at one time, Kansas was a wild, wild frontier. It looked less like "Cowboys & Indians" and more like "US Govt & Indians."

Following the Hancock campaign, Custer was court-martialed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas for being AWOL, after having abandoned his post to see his wife. He was suspended from duty for one year. At the request of Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan, who wanted Custer for his planned winter campaign against the Cheyenne, Custer was allowed to return to duty in 1868, before his term of suspension had expired.

On a docent training tour I took last week, we learned that Libbie Custer was likely very ill from influenza that was rampant during this time. This part of the text made it sound like Custer went AWOL just to pop in and say, "Hey" to his wife. 

Under Sheridan's orders, Custer took part in establishing Camp Supply in Indian Territory in early November 1868 as a supply base for the winter campaign. Custer led the 7th U.S. Cavalry in an attack on the Cheyenne encampment of Black Kettle—the Battle of Washita River on November 27, 1868. Custer reported killing 103 warriors; estimates by the Cheyenne of their casualties were substantially lower (11 warriors plus 19 women and children); some women and children were also killed, and US troops took 53 women and children prisoner. Custer had his men shoot most of the 875 Indian ponies they had captured. The Battle of Washita River was regarded as the first substantial U.S. victory in the Southern Plains War, and it helped force a significant portion of the Southern Cheyennes onto a U.S.-assigned reservation.

Even though this story has nothing at all to do with Fort Riley (the actual location of the battle was in Oklahoma) I included it just because I got so gosh-darned tickled that this was considered the "first substantial U.S. victory in the Southern Plains War" when no one really knows for sure if 103 Indian warriors were killed or 11 warriors + 19 women and children. Hmmmm....

In any case, last week I went on a guided tour of Fort Riley (long-time Fort Riley museum director Dr. Bob Smith was, in my estimation, THE best person to lead this tour - he did such a great job!). We toured all around Historic Main Post and capped off our tour with a visit to the Custer House. Think of it as the cherry on top!

You're probably wondering - when did Custer reside at the Custer House?

He didn't.

It's believed that his actual quarters burned down in a fire a half a century ago...but don't worry - if Custer were alive today, this is one of only 4 original buildings on Fort Riley - so Custer would surely at least recognize the house. :)

See what we did there? Cute, right?

It's OK - even if it isn't the true dwelling place of Custer, we can at least appreciate the real world depiction of how impossibly difficult life was back then. I took lots of photos, mainly because it's a building that's been around since the mid 1880s!

So, if you can't make it to the Custer House yourself, this is for you!

Front parlor

Walking towards the dining room

Upstairs Childrens' room

Upstairs Master bedroom (yes, you are looking at the "bathroom sink" also!)

Master BR

A necessity in Kansas for every Master BR - a fireplace

Really old sewing machine with some of the latest fashion sketches

Creepy doll that has become the center of several Ghost stories.

Now it's time for me to study all my notes of things I learned so that I can share this information with visitors who tour the Custer House!

Cheers:)

Fall Fun - CGMCG

Fort Riley, as I may have mentioned before, began as a "frontier post" as America expanded westward and, as such, was home to many Cavalry or horse units. In fact, a somewhat lesser known fact is that the Buffalo Soldiers were a part of this Post's history.

Ahhhh....a brief walk down memory lane:

• In 1853, the War Department approved the location and "Fort Riley" was birthed to provide protection for American movement westward. Obviously, that's just a really sanitary way of saying, "The west was a wild and dangerous place as America pushed westward and encountered Native Americans who called the region home." Thus, the need for, "protection." 
• As the expansion pushed westward and the hostilities lessened, many Forts were closing...but Riley escaped that fate when it was named by Congress, "Cavalry Headquarters of the Army" in the late 1800s.
• Around this same time, it was decided to establish the "Cavalry and Light Artillery School" at Fort Riley, thus further reinforcing the significant ties between Cavalry/horses and Fort Riley. 

Bottom line: horses have been a significant part of Fort Riley's history since the very beginning. In fact, the odd layout of our present day roads in and around Fort Riley are due to the fact that this was originally a horse post and many of the present-day buildings in Historic Main Post used to be horse stables and training arenas. So, it's no surprise that Fort Riley still embraces that aspect of its history - through the establishment of the Commanding Generals Mounted Color Guard:

Established in 1992, the Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard provides a link to Fort Riley's historic past. Troopers and horses of this unit are outfitted in the uniforms, accoutrements and equipment of the Civil War period. Soldiers are detailed from the ranks of units assigned to Fort Riley and receive instruction from manuals used by Civil War cavalrymen.

From privates to officers, these men and women recreate the colorful spectacle of the American Horse Soldier. They demonstrate their horsemanship for professional rodeos, community events, parades, school groups and official ceremonies.

- Source: Fort Riley website

Over time the role of the horses of Fort Riley has evolved - whereas, in the past, their job was to provide the means for defense and protection, their primary function today is pageantry. These horses are hand-selected for their color (the fewer white markings, the better), their train-ability (there's virtually no limit to what these horses can do in professional competition) and temperament (they must have nerves of steel and be able to perform well despite the presence of crowds, children, dogs, cannons & gunfire). They can be found on Fort Riley at Change of Command Ceremonies and often appear on the national stage at Ceremonies (including Presidential Inaugurations) and Parades (Memorial, Independence Day, etc).

And....

Week before last....

Our small group arranged to guided tour of Historic Main Post by horseback.

Arriving at the Stables on Post

10 horses for our morning Ride.

All Aboard!

In the practice ring - making sure we knew how to "operate" :)

A pair of gorgeous draft horses!

Draft horses pulled a restored wagon filled with kids & others from our group.

A gorgeous Day!

Posing in front of Angi's house - my horse is smiling :)

Our entire group in front of Angi's house. We lined up in less than 2 minutes' time!

This lineup took a little longer - some of the horses were a little wary of the over-sized Cav School Statue :)

Riding down "Officers Row" on Historic Main Post

My view for the morning - most awesome!

My horse - Lexington "Lex"

Property of the "US"

The first photo I ever took of "Lex" - front horse. At a Change of Command Ceremony in May

Video from last May's Change of Command Ceremony - Lex doing his thing!

To say that we had an amazing time would be an extreme understatement. It was a wonderful day, shared with good friends, enjoying an incredible experience.

It sure can be great to be a part of the Army Family!!