Life Lessons of a Military WifeLife Lessons of a Military WifeStreamline your life as a military wife or spouse. Not a military spouse? These life lessons will help anyone get their life on track and get organized! Enjoy life and don't bother sweating the small stuff! Articles
Is Your Teen Getting Ready to Drive?
2008-03-13 12:00:00 I know we're not quite there yet. We have an 8 year old and a 10 year old. But believe me, I've already started thinking about it! I do have friends with teenagers and of course I can draw on my own experience as a teen too. You might want to keep these tips in mind before you give your kids that freedom and allow them this privilege...yes, because it is a privilege and not a right, as much as they would like to think otherwise.The more they practice, the better. I still remember learning to drive my dad's stick shift. I happened to have a horse at the time, and the only way to get out to the stable was with that car and its stick shift. I honestly was terrified to stop at a stoplight or intersection, I really was. So, over the summer, my German grandfather, parked me behind the seat of his car and had me practice day in and day out on a little hill in the backyard. That's how I gained my confidence. I also drove a lot with my parents in tow. There is no better way to... More About: Kids , Drive , Ready
Let the Sorting Begin!
2008-03-12 12:00:00 I am groaning as I am writing this. I should be sorting rather than writing...but it seems like such a momentous task today! The dog came in with dirty feet this morning and the little one dropped his full bowl of milk and cereal all over the kitchen floor. But, I guess I can come up with an excuse pretty much every day, so there's no doing but to do it. I'm talking about sorting before a big move. In my case, overseas. A few months before you move, be sure to hit all these high points.Only do small sections a day, go one room at a time and then one drawer at a time to decide what to toss, what to keep and what to get rid of (donate or sell). Use this decluttering method.I have a box or bin in each room, along with a trash bag. All things to be donated or sold go into the box. All other things that don't fit into that criteria, get put into the trash bag. Everything else gets stacked or put away in such a way as to make it "mover friendly".As the donated/things-to-get-r... More About: Moving , Sorting
From the Inside...of the Mind of an Airline Gate Agent
2008-03-11 12:00:00 I've actually worked for an airline, but in reservations, so no face-to-face contact with customers. I often wondered what the customer service reps, aka the gate agents, have to say about us. If I asked one of them for advice or their commentary, what would they say? In light of that thought, I wondered about some other jobs where people regularly deal with the public....what do they think? Wouldn't that be an interesting blog topic? So, I went right out and cornered a gate agent. Okay, so I knew this person, and it wasn't so hard to get them to sing. But here is what they had to say in no particular order of importance.Don't tell us you just got married or are newlyweds-- you're not getting a free upgrade and BTW by looking at your I.D. it's also not your birthday. You'd be surprised what people lie about...I mean say. Don't yell. It'll get you nowhere-- besides you just look pathetic when you do that. Have you ever looked around at the other folks when you do t... More About: Gate , Travel , Agent , Mind , Inside
Help a Reader: I Want to Have a Big Welcome Home Party for My Hubby!
2008-03-10 13:30:00 I frequently get email from folks asking for help or advice. I guess that's just the nature of having a blog. But really, I don't mind, and I enjoy reading the emails. I typically just answer back in an email, but I thought now I would try to make it a regular post here on this blog. I figure, if one person had that question and wrote, maybe another person had it too, but doesn't want or feel like putting it into words. So here goes! I had a reader tell me her husband is in Iraq, going on five months now. He has a few months more to go. She has it in her mind that she wants to have a huge welcome home party, the day after he gets home. My opinion and thoughts on this? Be sure to add your own thoughts below too.Let me start out by saying my husband has been deployed so many times...I have run out of fingers! He will go over 20 years of service next year, and we've been on this military train, at least together, over 15 years. I myself have been through LOTS of trial an... More About: Military , Party , Home , Reader
Don't Send Another Expensive Hallmark Greeting Cards
2008-03-07 15:12:00 I do it all the time. I have a case of stamping stuff....you now the stuff you can make greeting cards out of. You'd think by now I would've mastered how to make my own greeting cards. Well, I haven't. Every time I try to make one, I think it is not creative enough, and I end up not sending it. I've even tried printing off cards on my computer. I'm guessing my printer isn't professional enough for that either. Off to the store to get a generic Hallmark card. I bought three yesterday at $2.99 each? When did they get so expensive? Were they always so pricey? Thanks to one of the blogs I regularly read, I've found another solution that may fit the bill for me. Maybe it's something up your alley as well.Please take the time to pop over to Jaden's Steamy Kitchen. She is a food blogger with some hilarious posts and recipes, but more importantly, she has a knack for photographing her food creations, also known as food porn. This is how she got involved with Send Out ... More About: Cards , Greeting Cards , Greeting
What's It Like on the Other Side?
2008-03-07 13:00:00 For most of my life, I have been solidly middle-class. With human nature being as it is...downright nosy....we often wonder what it's like on the other side. If we are cash poor, we want to know what it's like to live the high life and what it's like to drop a few thousand dollars on dinner. If we are rich, at least by American standards, we still have an urge to want to see what it's like to have next to nothing in our society. How do those people survive and go on? We don't want to be in their situation...but we still want to get a feel of what it's like without getting our hands dirty. So, how do you get to be a fly on the wall and run with the experience?You knew I was going to start talking about books, didn't you? I personally don't have an experience with either side, just what I have read. If you're like me and like to read about everything that's ever been written, you may have already seen these. If not, see below. I mean no disrespect here by commentin... More About: Side , The Other Side , Other Side
Life Lessons Can Now Be Found on Finwikian
2008-03-06 14:19:00 I knew what Wikipidia was and it turns out Finwikian is a finance version of that. So, I dutifully added the Life Lessons Blog over there too. Lots of good finance blogs to peruse. If you've got a personal finance blog, be sure to add it there! More About: Life Lessons
Why was my Son a Lemming?
2008-03-06 13:00:00 I always thought I did a good job with our kids. They know right from wrong...I thought they did...and they are generally thoughtful and loving, especially my youngest. This is why I was so surprised he did what he did a few days ago.Our boys do Cub Scouts. They just had their annual Blue & Gold Banquet, celebrating the birthday of Scouting. The boys, as boys will do, got tired of the somewhat long-winded program. Pretty soon, the scheduled turn of events morphed into a room full of paper airplanes. The scouts stayed busy, first by drawing on their airplanes. Next thing I know, my youngest comes back with his prized airplane, decorated in a swastika, the words "Nazi Bomber" and some other dreck inscribed on the side. What???!!!Don't forget, our German exchange student was sitting right at the table. He took one look and calmly said, "Somebody needs a history lesson" and left it at that. Mom bit her tongue and gave my son the evil eye. Son dutifully erased what he had... More About: Kids
Why My House Has the Better Resale Value
2008-03-05 13:00:00 Okay, it really doesn't. It is missing a lot of the things on this list, unfortunately. When we bought in Florida, three years ago, the pickings were slim! With our long list of criteria, there were only twelve houses in the entire Tampa Metro area that could even touch our "top 5 wanted features" list...and we won't even talk about the out-of-control prices we had at that time. We're all seeing the after effects of it now. But, with all that being said, we would do it all again, trying to stick to our list. If you want your home to sell for maximum buck and to make sure it stands out from the rest, be sure it has these features.In no particular order, although I've listed the top desired features first:Largest or best situated lot in the neighborhood or street. Look for a cul-de-sac location, dead end street with no possible way to cut through your yard (don't laugh, I've seen that happen) or a pie-shaped lot on a not-too-busy street.No base elevation, meaning in a co... More About: Shopping , House
Life Lessons of a Military Wife Carnival #7
2008-03-04 13:00:00 Welcome to the March 4th, 2008 edition of Life Lessons of a Military Wife . Wow, I was pleasantly surprised to read all the entries this month! Thank you all for sending them. As always, there were some good ones in the bunch! Be sure to see what these bloggers have to offer.Daily Lifepoetloverrebelspy presents The Art of Being a Gracious Houseguest at Less Than a Shoestring, saying, "Staying with friends or family is a simple way to save money on vacation. But it's not easy being the perfect guest! A few guidelines for behaving yourself and honoring your host, in this post."Rob Moshe presents Live Your Best Life By Serving Others posted at Rob Schaumer, saying, "This is not necessarily a fitting post for your carnival. Once the project starts, each day I will recognize a fellow blogger that "Helped""Wayne Buckhanan presents How to ?Win? in Life posted at Life, Love, & Learning.FinancialJohn Crenshaw presents Paying Off Your Mortgage - Will It Save You Money? posted at Truth... More About: Carnival , Blog Carnival
You CAN read eBooks on ANY mp3 Player...Right Now!
2008-03-04 02:30:00 I know every once in a while, I like to go off on a tangent and talk about my Zune. Now, I've never had an iPod before, and maybe that's where I am a little bit sheltered, but I am constantly finding good things to do with my Zune. An mp3 player is not just for music, videos and pictures. I don't accept the official party line that neither the Zune nor iPod supports PDFs or eBooks! So, I did a little trolling around the internet. I found a nifty little program that WILL let me read eBooks on my device. Yes, you can do it on the iPod or any other device that reads picture files too. Here's how.I recently downloaded Suze Orman's Women and Money, after Oprah gave it away for free the other week. Since I don't spend too much time on the computer, I haven't read it yet but would like to. I spend a lot of time in my car....waiting...running errands...then waiting in line...doctors' offices....wherever...waiting. Up til now, I've been listening to some of my favorite ta... More About: Ebooks , Player , Read
the Ugly Payday Loan is up against stiff competition and looking for votes!
2008-03-03 03:26:00 Hello all! I am up against some tough competition on the blog of Free Money Finance. My blog article, the Ugly Payday Loan is up against another finance article on the site...hoping to make it past round one in this whacked out version of March Madness! If you liked the Ugly Payday Loan and think it might be win-worthy, please follow the link to vote! More About: Competition , The Ugly , Votes
Don't Forget About the Free USAA Wiping Out Debt Web Seminar
2008-02-29 14:03:00 Just a reminder on this web seminar coming up at USAA. I don't know if they've had these in the past, but this is an online seminar led by a certified financial planner. You will get strategies to reduce debt and be able to ask some questions, so be sure to gather your thoughts and think of something that's really been bugging you or maybe something you don't totally understand. As an added bonus, they are offering ten chances to win a "sit down" with one of their financial planners, to get your own financial house in order. They say that's a $195 value. Be sure to register in advance, or you'll miss being able to participate. The seminar takes place, right here on 4 March at 7 PM Central Standard Time. You can arrive up to 15 minutes early. I just may see you all there! More About: Finances , Free , Seminar , Debt
That Plantation in Ballyhoo and Being a Part of History
2008-02-29 13:00:00 Ahh...I'm getting nostalgic again. About 10 years ago, after repeated stories from my grandmom about some plantation in Ballyhoo where my ancestors supposedly were treated like family and distant memories of African princesses and the dream that we were more than just slaves, I decided to try to go on some kind of fact-finding mission to find out for myself. I knew nothing about genealogy or how to go about finding my ancestors...in fact, I don't think I even knew what the word genealogy really meant back then. I think Ancestry.com was just gaining a foothold on the internet at that time, as well as Genealogy.com.One of the first things I did was go online to both sites and post a simple message about a plantation in that town, with the plantation owner's name, along with a few other specifics. Really, that's all we had. That was about the extent of my grandmother's information. After a few weeks, I noticed an email with a response from one of those sites. I dutifully cl... More About: History , Crafts , Part
Nutella Out the Ying Yang
2008-02-28 13:00:00 I don't know what else to call it and not be x-rated...ying yang. As many of you know, we have a German exchange student this year...for the whole year...his relatives have sent us cases and then more cases of Nutella . You know, that hazelnut chocolate spread stuff in a jar that kids would eat all day if you let them. I guess the Germans don't know that we have that stuff here now...I think the stuff they sell in the States comes from Canada. I couldn't tell the difference in the taste (but our student swears he can). Anyway, you can buy the Canadian version of Nutella in almost any mainstream grocery store in the States. Now, our two boys are just thrilled that they get to eat Nutella on toast every morning, but ever the inventive mom...I wanted to try something different and needed to find a way to whittle down that stash before we move. I'm not a big fan of Nutella and toast, but I do like hazelnuts...so after doing some brainstorming and digging through recipe books an... More About: Cooking , Yang
Skinny Songs for Skinny-Wanna-Be Butts?
2008-02-27 18:13:00 I recently got a CD in the mail for review. It's called Skinny Songs , and the lady who put this CD together, is a weight loss survivor herself. She says that there isn't a lot of motivational music out there, huh? And that is why she came up with this music CD. My impressions?Well, it looks professionally enough put together. I think it's a bit strange that none of the artists are listed for any of the ten songs on the CD, as they are truly very talented and have great singing voices. I think the founder and lyricist of Skinny Songs, Heidi Roizen wrote all the songs and then had other people do the singing and producing.Now I must say, the songs are very upbeat and do lend themselves to those songs you like to sing to. I can imagine doing a workout or even cleaning the house, keeping up with the beat. The songs range from country to hip-hop, and there is probably a music genre for everyone in here. What kind of rubbed me the wrong way though, was the annoying lyrics. So... More About: Butts
Fool Yourself Into Eating Less
2008-02-27 14:00:00 You can totally fool your brain into thinking you are eating less than you are. It's funny how what we eat and how much we weigh and how much we look are all directly related to how our brain processes things. Remember those fun optical illusions? Yet another fun way to fool your brain into something else. Did you ever wonder if this could be done with food and if so, how can we go about stuffing our faces less?Keep these tips in mind to fool your old noggin':Drink a full glass of water before you eat any meal. You'll feel fuller faster..hence, less calories get stuffed into your midsection.Eat multiple small meals rather than the big three. It's when you get those hunger pangs where you tend to overeat. If you are hungry, you are almost too late to stop yourself! Nip it before it hits you.Eat from a blue plate. Scientific mumbo jumbo says that blue is calming and because it's rare to find a piece of blue food, your mind doesn't connect the color blue with food. Try ... More About: Health , Cooking , Fool , Eating
"America Saves" Week - Get Inspired Today for Tomorrow
2008-02-26 13:00:00 This week is officially "America Saves" Week . I guess there is now a week for everything. But, I think America saving is a very good excuse for its own week. Don't you think? I was actually was very inspired by many of the stories. Good tips too! Go to America Saves to get enlightened and don't forget Choose to Save and Military Saves, a good place for military families to get started. Start the new trend and start living for tomorrow! You'll be a happier and healthy person (and family) for it! More About: Finances , Today , Tomorrow
One of the More Bizzare Books at My Library
2008-02-26 13:00:00 Let me first say that I LOVE my local library....I really do! They have such a nice selection of both new and old. Their website allows you to put books, DVDs and other media on hold and you get these nice email notifications when your stuff is ready to be picked up. You can even request things from other branches or inter-library loan, all on-line. Now, there is this one book. I don't even remember where I first heard about it, because I had it on hold and just picked it up yesterday. In fact, it was a bit more saucy and risque to a point of being something I probably wouldn't let little kids leaf through. It's a BIG picture book with photos on every page. Now, I'm not against having nude picture books or tasteful artwork, but this book was a bit different than I thought it was going to be.Now, I had never heard of the author...in fact, I think she is a photographer, but the gist of the book is celebrity look-alikes in paparazzi-style photos in some enlightening poses a... More About: Books , Library , Bizzare
Investing My Muffin and a Cup of Coffee With Their Help
2008-02-25 15:58:00 I was lucky in that I learned the basics of investing and checkbook management at an early age. But what if you aren't so lucky? What if you don't have a clue? What if you didn't realize your morning muffin and coffee ALONE can turn you into a millionaire at retirement? What if I don't have the knowledge, time or inclination to do this all by myself? How am I supposed to find someone who can help me? Keep these thoughts in mind before you trust someone else with YOUR hard earned money.We have been with our financial planner for about 15 years. We used to do it all by our lonesome selves. We read some of the financial magazines and picked from the top recommendations in mutual funds. But, as I mentioned once before, past performance does not mean the fund will continue along in that direction. In fact, most times, they go the opposite direction and probably already hit their high point right when you jumped in! Some people even pick the losers, saying the only way to g... More About: Finances , Coffee , Investing , Muffin , Cup of coffee
Music to Your Ears....Free Music!
2008-02-22 13:34:00 Thanks Tootie for sending this in!If you're like me, anything free is always music to my ears. But, this is something that will be, quite literally, music to (and for) your ears!The following website is offering a free CD to all military and their family members: http://www.cdforthetroops.com/The website has all the details, including a variety of music artists that are giving to this cause. The site will actually direct you to www.aafes.com to get your CD, where you can pick to download any or all of the songs they offer. The perk is you won't have to wait for a CD to arrive in the mail, and you can play the music on your computer or MP3 player.Once on the AAFES website, just click on the "for the troops" banner. You'll have to use your AAFES login, or if you don't have a login, you can enter your ID card information to gain access to the site.The music is really quite good. A variety of artist are participating, including Billy Joel (one of my favorites), Jewel, Brooks &... More About: Music , Shopping , Military , Free Music , Free
A Complaint That Will Get Attention
2008-02-22 13:00:00 How many times have you ever bought a product or service that severely disappointed you? Probably more times than you can count I bet! Don?t just sit back and take it. I?ve actually had some success writing complaint letters to companies?more often than you would think!Here are some tips to get you going: Address the letter by name and never ?to whom it may concern?. Especially with the internet, you should be able to find the name of someone in charge at that company. Address it to the person in charge of that department or even the CEO of that company. Don?t write a novel. Keep the details brief. State what happened, when, how and where. Give dates and places if needed. Explain the situation clearly and don?t put any emotion into it!Don?t rant and rave. If you show you are angry and out of control, the company may just choose to ignore you just because of that. People hate to be pushed around.State what you want to resolve the issue. Don?t leave it open ended.... More About: Finances , Complaint , Attention
Got Photos?
2008-02-21 13:00:00 If you're anything like me and tend to put some things off, you probably have stacks of photos somewhere in your house. I was really motivated at one time to tackle them. I even took a Creative Memories class and bought some of their stuff to make a nice little album. Well, it took me THREE YEARS to do ONE ALBUM. I said enough is enough...there had to be a better way and there had to be a better way that looked just as creative and nice...just as nice as what they can do.So after brainstorming a bit, I came up with collaging. Let me give an example. I have about fifty photos that were taken in one day, at a pool. I wanted to put them in an album. I couldn't imagine putting them in a regular binder...one photo after the other...all with the same background...how boring...plus, I'd run out of album space before long. But, I couldn't whittle them down to a few choice ones...look at the expression of my little boy in that one...and look at that other photo where the boys are... More About: Photos , Crafts
Have Any French Francs Lying Around?
2008-02-20 14:49:00 With all our military travels, we tend to have money from each of our visited countries lying around the house. At first, we collected the stuff...saying it was for our kids to enjoy. Well, now they have a huge jar of money...bills with Saddaam Hussein's mug to animals and scenery and other folks we have no clue who they are. Enough is enough. So, I started wondering...I wonder if any of this old money is worth anything now. Boy was I pleasantly surprised.If you've still got French Francs, the Bank of France is still able to exchange those Francs for Euros til the year 2012. Since we are heading back to Germany soon, this was perfect timing. The exchange rate is something like four to one, so our 900 Franc will turn up some nice spending change.Be sure to send your French Francs registered mail (so you can track it), to the address below. The best price to send something registered is through the USPS. It'll cost you $25, so you have to be committed and have a large numb... More About: Finances , Lying
I Have To Write a Sympathy Card Today
2008-02-19 15:52:00 At one time or another in your life, you?re going to have to console someone who has lost a loved one. I have to write another one today. I don't want to do it, but as a friend or relative, it is something that is expected of you...and writing a card will bring about goodness and healing in those who need it most. I typically go shopping for a nice card that seems to stand out from the rest. I?m sure you know most of the sympathy cards are grouped together. I just read thru a few of them until one kind of ?grabs me?. I think you?ll know what I mean. I like the cards that talk about remembering a person after they?re gone and cards that talk about comfort. No, you?re not done yet! You don?t want to just send a card with just your signature. To me, you might as well not even send a card?it is a bit heartless. When my mom died, we did get a huge stack of cards, and almost ten years later, I can think of some of the things that were written about my mom, but the cards that ha... More About: Card , Write , Today
Comparing the Cost of a Land Vacation to a Cruise
2008-02-18 13:44:00 Ahh, it's cruise season again. No, I'm not going this year, but January and February, along with hurricane season in the Fall are GREAT times to get a cruise bargain. Why do I like cruising so much? Because it's the ONLY vacation where mom really doesn't have to do anything. Think about it...typically, wherever the family goes, mom is still cooking, event planning, doing laundry and picking up after every one. A cruise is the only venue I've found where I don't do ANY of that...well, maybe a load of laundry or two...but that's it! But isn't a cruise expensive you say? Surprisingly, when you compare it to a land-based vacation...If you play your cards right, it can be cheaper AND less stressful.For example, we took a 7 day cruise last year that cost our family of four just under $2,000. We also had a very nice balcony cabin, so in reality, it could've been at least $600 cheaper. So, let's go with $1,400. Compare that to a trip to Key West we took last year, with t... More About: Travel , Vacation , Cost , Land , Cruise
Gratituding
2008-02-15 15:02:00 I know that's not a word. I just wanted to grab your attention. Every once in awhile, I do have a "down day". I happen to be having one today. I bet you do too sometimes. How do you get out of that slump? What do you do to pull yourself out of it? How do you get yourself steered back in the right direction..which is back up again? I do this one simple exercise, once a day, to get myself back on track.Take the time tonight to write down three things that truly made you happy today. Or write down something that left a positive impression on you, whether it was something your kids or husband said or did...something you read or saw...whatever it is, write it down.You'll soon find you have a nice collection before long. Keep your treasured moments and experiences close like this...because, let's admit it...our brains may be vast depositories of information but if there is no card catalog...we can't always access everything that's in there. When you are feeling down, get o... More About: Health
FREE Download of Suze Orman's "Women and Money"
2008-02-14 14:18:00 Suze Orman has some great financial advice. I may not agree with all of it, but her stuff is easy to read, understand and follow. Today's the last day to download her book Women and Money for FREE. Thanks Wisebread for the heads up! More About: Finances , Download , Free
Some Obscure Tax Deductions You Might've Missed
2008-02-14 14:00:00 Have you already done your taxes? I'm actually waiting a bit. I read somewhere that you want to file sometime in late February or early March....less chance of getting audited. The early filers and later filers have a bigger chance of being snagged. But hey, if you have all your ducks in line and are organized, you shouldn't worry about that, right?So, I've got all my paperwork in a folder. I like to have all the W-2s, 1099s and that kind of paperwork on one side, and the paperwork backing up my deductions and credits on the other side. I list each company we should be getting a document from on the front of the folder on a sticky note, and check them off as they roll in. Don't forget that CD you might've closed early last year or any receipts you are planning on using as deductions. Get out your statement from your church, your Goodwill receipts and the like. That got me thinking, are there any new deductions this year? Are there some, as a military spouse, I should ... More About: Finances , Obscure
The Lowdown on the Roomba
More articles from this author:2008-02-13 13:45:00 It's been well over a year and a half now...my relationship with our robot vacuum cleaning Roomba. Remember when these things first came out? They were such a novelty back then...did they even pick anything up when they first came out? Anyway, let me tell you about my Roomba. A Roomba is actually a floor sweeper and not a true vacuum cleaner, so let's get that straight from the get go.The thing runs around your house, sweeping up crumbs, dust and debris. It doesn't know where it's been, but it has an embedded microchip, a computer really, that goes through some complex algorithm, going back and forth, along the wall, spinning and a variety of other behaviors. The company that manufactures the Roomba says that in a room of a certain size, using this algorithm, the Roomba will eventually hit every piece of floor. I'd say it's not perfect or even close, but the thing does have an uncanny ability to reach most areas, especially under your couch, where I rarely go. So, how ... More About: Shopping 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
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