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What is killing our young Marines?
This is startling: “Motorcycle accidents have killed more Marines in the past 12 months than enemy fire in Iraq, a rate that’s so alarming it has prompted top brass to call a meeting to address the issue, officials say.” (Source: CNN.com) I realize we are coming out of ‘motorcycle’ season here in the northern parts of the US but the reminder is still relevant. Ladies and Gentleman … put on those helmets; take your training courses; and don’t forget your other protective gear.My hubby’s Uncle Stan is a prime reminder of how important it is to wear that gear. Stan was 40, had a girlfriend, and was enjoying life! He…
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The YMCA is serving our deployed military-families
Yesterday while my oldest two were at school and my youngest was at the babysitter I made our way to our local YMCA. I was very excited to read that many YMCAs were giving free memberships to deployed families (about a $700 yearly-value for my family of five). Two weeks ago I contacted the Y here in Ohio to be sure they were participating and ‘JACKPOT!’ they were. I told them I would be in ASAP to fill out the paperwork and wouldn’t you know life happened! (Sinus infections, impetigo, and a knee that needs physical therapy … all in two weeks for my boys.) My ASAP took a little…
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Fish for your Health
The Internet articles are praising the value of fish: brain food, heart healthy mainstay and a great Omega 3 source. I love it that fish is good for you, as I love fish. Have always loved it, and have a storehouse of recipes to flip through each month while I make up the monthly chart of ‘marvelous meals’. I started this monthly chart when the kids were little and they started arguing over who was going to pick what we had for dinner. Cut out that opportunity for a brawl as soon as I could! Their dinner inputs were always welcome and sought after as I wrote up the menu…
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Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Bread Crumbs
We have had our first frost, first freeze and therefore our gathering of the Brussels Sprouts. These little ‘cabbage heads’ grow on a tall spike, spiraling around the spear from top to bottom. They are not the easiest vegetables to harvest, as they have to be cut off of the stalk, plopped in a bucket and lugged inside… and did I mention that it is near freezing! Ah, but that is just an added touch to these beauties. There are 9 full quart zip-lock bags in our freezer just waiting to be served in style. I love this recipe as it highlights the Brussels Sprouts, but escapes the bitter taste…
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Featured MilitaryReward for November 2008
November’s Featured MilitaryReward is from Texas! “Other Than Roses Photography” is based out of San Antonio. Their Reward featured offers for weddings and deployments and is aimed directly at their military audience’s needs! This is one of the most critical criteria we use for selection! Thank you for your wonderful offer! Other Than Roses Photography Military Reward!! *Active Duty Military Discount’s available! – Getting Married? – Want Family Photos? Show your AD ID card and receive 20% any package/session price and 25% off any prints ordered! – Deploying? – Check out Operation Love Reunited at OpLove.org on how you can get a free photo session and a free photo album…
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A Manly Weekend
I had a lot of fun this weekend! Despite a few sore muscles in response to my “chores and fun times”, I felt like the weekend was productive. It allowed me to get away from some of the routines that can wear you out. The weekend actually started out bad due to a broken down car (transmission failure–very expensive). We towed it to a helpful garage from a less than helpful one late Friday! The drive was long and the conditions not the best but we had the time to talk to a son and daughter in law we were helping! We took advantage of tough times and some major…
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Trunk ‘n Treat
Friday was a fun time for my boys. Exactly a week before Halloween and they got their first taste of this year’s Halloween Candy. MMMMM…. Sugar… Our local MOPS chapter organized a Trunk ‘n Treat in the church parking lot. If you are looking for a fun & safe alternative or addition to the traditional Trick -or- Treat this is the up and coming thing :). All of the families parked their cars in two rows with the trunks facing in. Then the children could go from trunk to trunk, car to car, and pick out some candy. Since most of the moms were escorting their children, the candy was…
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Your Finances in a Crisis? Part 3 and Final: An Interview with a Financial Expert from USAA
First, a big thank you this morning to USAA and JJ Montanaro and Mike Kelly! They took the time to meet with MilitaryAvenue and help provide you with some very helpful information on the current financial crisis. Today we will talk about credit cards, credit availability and car loans. One of the issues with the financial crisis is the lack of ability to borrow money. If the larger banks have trouble borrowing, they can not loan money to consumers. Of course the biggest issue has been home mortgages, equity loans and foreclosures. This will now spread to other financial issues such as car loans. I read an article that said…
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Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) Operation Kid Comfort Program
I just received this information from our FRG leader and thought I would pass it along for our deployed-families out there: Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) Operation Kid Comfort ProgramThis program is designed to address the emotional stress that children of military personnel suffer during a parent’s absence from home. Operation KidComfort serves children of deployed Service members. ASYMCA volunteers collect photographs from military families to make “photo-transfer” quilts (for children 5 years old and under; pillows for those over 5) that bear the images of the deployed family member, alone or interacting with the family. Photographs of the deployed parent are scanned into a computer, printed, and then placed onto…
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Your Finances in a Crisis? Part 2: An Interview with a Financial Expert from USAA
I wanted to continue to use the expertise of our friends at USAA to talk about the current financial crisis gripping the country. After focusing on mortgages and debt issues in the first blog, I would like to write briefly today about the market and your investments. If your investments are anything like mine I saved a bit each month for many years and then in a couple of months/weeks saw a lot of it disappear. So I asked JJ Montanaro and Mike Kelly of USAA what we should be doing with these investments. JJ gave me a steady as she goes type of response. However, he said it is…
