"This is important to our military families! Our service members need training and budget cuts are affecting their safety with reduced training hours and less proficiency."  Read more below

Brig Gen John Broadmeadow, See Below

It was a refreshing topic, helping other military partners with new capabilities and expanding our skills as well. No hot topics from DC but a great military exercise with allies from Japan, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Chile, Mexico, Peru and several other small contingencies of observers participating. It even had an interesting name, Dawn Blitz, which almost sounds like a specialty drink from a bar somewhere near the water with a view of the sunrise.

Are You Making the Right Choices for Alcohol Use?

See Below for Photo Credit

Decisions! We make them every day – active duty, reserves, guard members, retirees, military family members – all of us are faced with small or critical decisions every day of our lives. Sometimes, they are almost routine; like, what shoes do I wear today? Well, that might be a bigger decision for some than others. Sometimes a decision leaves us with a ‘I wish I had done it differently” or “What if” or a WTH (I prefer “heck”) moment or maybe,  “Wow, I made the right choice”.

Our Summer Routine

The Summer Routine has started in Ohio.

School is out, the kids' schedules have relaxed, thoughts of fun and sun have been churning in the minds of my boys.

However, this mom has other plans besides lazy days of summer all vacation long.

Tasty Tuesday: Shrimp on the Grill

The weather has been beautiful in Ohio and what better way to enjoy the spring-weather but by pulling out the grill for dinner.  If your family enjoys seafood like mine does you will love this perfect, simple, summer shrimp recipe.

 

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The Joy of Giving: Memorial Day Parade

This weekend I heard TAPS.   It had been a few months since I last heard it and I had no idea the emotion would flow.  (TAPS: Wordless-Wednesday)  But Memorial Day is a day to celebrate the memory of our war veterans and that we did!




Getting ready to march in our Community Parade

Memorial Day

See photo credit  MilitaryAvenue Pinterest

This Memorial Day is going to be different for us. We have many family members who have served and some who are currently serving. From World War II to present day Afghanistan with stops in Korea, Vietnam, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. We even have a grandson currently in basic training at Ft Leonard Wood who will do his service time as well. Praying that he will never see combat!

But this Memorial Day there is a big hole in my heart where two WW II veteran brothers used to hang out and remind us of the many sacrifices they shared. These two men passed away within a week of each other this winter and were so alike and yet so different. One year apart in age, their deaths remind us of why we celebrate Memorial Day!

Let’s Have some Summer Time Fun! Blue Star Museums and So Much More! DoD Blogger Roundtable

Military family on a nature trail

"I feel like I ran through this blog with the enthusiasm of an 8 year old playing baseball or soccer this summer!"

What is active living for the military family? It certainly must include activities across the reach of age, interest and new found geographic areas to explore after a PCS. Parenting can be a challenge before, during and after a PCS due to all the stressors impacting the whole family. But a fitness routine can help the whole family work through some of the stress involved in every day military life. A new trail, an old trail; a new workout routine, an old workout routine; a new family outdoor tradition, an old family outdoor tradition; new family projects, old family projects; even new family chores and old family chores can play a part of active living.

Want to get started with some ideas for the summer? Memorial Day is this weekend and we should remember those who have served and died for this great country in some manner but it is also the kickoff for summer! So let’s get started with some ideas from the leadership at DoD! Carol Potter and Eddy Mentzer from the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Military Community and Family Policy) spoke to the Blogger Roundtable concerning some great active living ideas that meet your budget. Many are free and others are low cost and yes, we did talk about some of the impacts of sequestration.  However, the emphasis is on positive programs that you, the military family and community can enjoy, while reducing household stress, improving the lives of your military brats and staying fit!

Coming to a View Near You Almost Wordless Wednesday

A lmost    ready    to    pop...
B etter    look    now!
C olor    just    about    set    to    unfurl.
D rama    alive    in    the    garden.

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Irises look like purple lipstick tubes.

3 Must Take Avenues for the the Entrepreneurial Military Spouse

I had the wonderful opportunity to share my thoughts on Military Spouse Entrepreneurship over at USAA's Spouse Community.

Image Source: Army.mil

"As an entrepreneurial military spouse you have three avenues that you must take to help build your business clientele. Part of your journey you will have a small 'toll' to pay a charge to get from your starting point to your final destination. Some of your road-trip will be on the 'free-way'; there is no charge except for your time. Part of your journey is pure open country road, taking the time to get to know the passengers, otherwise known as your new clients. All three roads are a part of your journey, a great way to get to your final destination. You could become a known professional, reliable business, and successful entrepreneur."

Wounded Warrior Creed

The Wounded Warrior Games are taking place in Colorado Springs, May 11-16.   What an amazing group of Veterans these warriors are!  The Department of Defense Community is doing a great job of covering and you can learn more in our Reading Room or at the Department of Defense Warrior Games.  

Take the time to read their Creed.  How can you apply it to your circumstances?  Their will to succeed far exceeds my heap of troubles of the day.  These are soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines that we can look up to.