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Our Blog

Fast fact: Our blog will publish it’s 3000th (yes, you read that right!) blog post in 2023. All of the content is brought to you by empowered experience volunteer bloggers and insightful expert bloggers. You name a topic that a military spouse or organization could write about, we’ve probably got it. Current topics include PCS, deployment, parenting, finances, solidarity, humor, milspouse experiences, expert advice, and more. And if you don’t find what you’re looking for, you can always join us as a blogger to share your story!

Unchecked Emotions

by | Dec 11, 2019 | , , ,

I was only 20 years old when I got married. I was young and thought, even though we didn’t have a solid plan for the future, we had time and things would just find a way of working out. However, as with life, and especially life in the military, things didn’t happen like we think they will.

I always wanted to run my own craft store and enjoy my days painting and sewing. But when I said “I do” to my husband, I gave up the possibility to have my own brick and mortar business. I decided to follow his career wherever it took us, supporting him along the way with all the twists and turns, and more times than not, abrupt U-turns and walls.

As the years passed, my career and passions became a distant thought; superseded by motherhood, housework, and general life. I never gave it much thought—this was life, and I needed to love and cherish the good along with the bad.

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Run Like a Girl

by | Dec 10, 2019 | , ,

A tradition started in 1997 at the 13th Army Ten-Miler—the Commander’s Cup for the top U.S. active-duty female team. In the first year, the ladies from Fort Bragg set a standard for others to follow. The teams are comprised of eight members with the top four to score. The concept is the combination of individual and team effort. Each member is out to give their best performance, and in the mix is the Coach who provides the technical guidance. We all like winning, but it comes down to all giving 100% and leaving it out on the road.

The Fort Bragg women’s team for 2019 was under the leadership of Erica Chabalko (Womack Army Medical Center). The pressure coming into 2019 was 14 wins for the team plus holding the team record of 4 hours, 13 minutes, and 49 seconds (set in 2016). There were 11 teams going for the top honor.

It is one thing to take care of your own exercise program, but to play a part in seven others takes more dedication. I asked Erica to share some thoughts.

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Go Away, Murphy

by | Dec 7, 2019 | , , ,

We all know him. He comes around every time our spouse steps out the door. And no, I’m not talking about the Amazon Prime guy (or gal) delivering your secret purchases.

No, I’m talking about someone much scarier. He goes by Murphy. Murphy’s Law of whatever can go wrong will go wrong.

As soon as your spouse steps out the door. Maybe he’s leaving for just an overnight live-fire. Possibly, it’s an even longer trip to the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, CA. Murphy doesn’t care the reason, he shows up regardless. Seriously, my husband has hardly ever been home when one of my children decided to explode with vomit. It has literally happened as soon as he has stepped out the door. My motto in life is to laugh through it all, so sit back and enjoy some of my finest Murphy’s Law moments.

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The Sweetest Cheesecake

by | Dec 6, 2019 | , , ,

Thanksgiving this year turned out to be a first on a few levels. More than 7,000 miles away from the United States—definitely a first. Being the only female at our gathering—a first, except for the few years when it was only my husband and me having a two-person Thanksgiving. Only one person eating dessert before heading home—um, yes, possibly a first at all Thanksgiving gatherings that ever occurred everywhere.

All firsts aside, it was a memorable Thanksgiving.

We shared our home and meal with five soldiers, plus one stuck at the office on shift.

Our guests were all still living the barracks life, and so I seriously was not expecting anyone to bring anything besides their appetites. So, I was surprised to find out that one was planning to bring a cake!

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Plotting a Course to Gratitude

by | Dec 5, 2019 | , ,

You know those people who always seem to find something to complain about?

You know those people who always seem to find something positive in every situation?

Maybe you’re one of them—quick to catastrophize or let a moment turn into a bad day or always encouraging others to find good. Perhaps you have the patience of Job.

Did you know that our thoughts literally wire our brains? They create connections as synapses form—perhaps they start off like deer trails in the underbrush, difficult to see and follow, but before you know it, if you don’t guard your thoughts, that path has become a newly opened toll road and you have an express pass, quickly getting you from Point A to Point B.

But is it worth the cost?

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Effective Leadership: The Art of Mentoring

by | Dec 4, 2019 | , ,

If you were able to apply any of the previous information to your current leadership role, we encourage you to take your leadership abilities one step further and explore the art of mentorship.

A mentor is a trusted person who advises and serves as a role model in a specific field of expertise. The purpose of a mentor is to develop, encourage, and allow the mentee to achieve their goals with their mentor’s support.

Have you ever been given the opportunity to be mentored? If so, think back to how the relationship began. Did you grow and bloom as an individual with your mentor’s guidance?

I’ve had several mentors throughout my life—professional mentors and life mentors.

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