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!