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The Many Benefits of a Garden
We had our first taste of spring here in Northeast-Ohio this week. Windows cracked, doors open, breathe in that fresh air! With this taste of weather to come brings thoughts of my summer garden. I have bought the seeds, diagrammed what and where I am going to plant, and dreamed big thoughts about this upcoming summer’s produce. The Garden, my passion, on so many fronts. It embodies good health, good stewardship, and good eats! Emotional Have you ever picked up a hoe and pounded the dirt? Got down on your knees and ripped out weeds with gusto? Cut flowers from around the garden for a beautiful bouquet in your kitchen?…
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Suffering
We are military-wives. We know suffering. Some of us worse then others. Some have lost husbands to war. Some have lost their soul mates to PTSD. Some have lost any sense of closure when something happens ‘back home’ and unable to go to the ones that need them in their hour of need. Other struggles aren’t as bad. But still leave us hurting and feeling miserable. Saying goodbye to our spouse for a year deployment. Saying goodbye to the best of friends as we move across the country, the world. Watching our children struggle with depression because of their “Military Brat” lifestyle. All suffer. Today at church our sermon was…
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Tasty Tuesday Holiday Dinner Table: Prime Rib
Preparations are under way… The tree has either been hauled out of the closet/basement/attic; or a new one has been purchase and is sitting in a bucket of water ready to handle the 15 tons of ornaments that your family has progressively added to each year. Even the kitchen towels have been traded out. No more jack-o-lanterns or fall leaves. Now snowmen and Santas are living in the drawer by the oven. Toasty… that just sounds wrong! The china cabinet displays Spode Christmas Tree pattern plates, bowls and green depression side dishes are in view. We live in a green and red mecca. A few nights ago, 5 year old…
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The Day after Veteran’s Day – “Real Warrior Campaign” – DoD Roundtable
We had a wonderful Veteran’s Day including sharing part of my day with a grandson and his kindergarten classmates, my son took our car to a company offering free oil changes for veterans, connected with Facebook family and friends thanking us for serving and topped it off with a great dinner at a local restaurant that gave us a veteran discount (Seasonal Grille in Hastings, Michigan and the food was wonderful)! It was quite the day and then I sat down to write about the Department of Defense Roundtable I had participated in on Wednesday! It was a like a cold bucket of water being thrown in my face –…
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October … National “Take care of yourself!” Awareness Month
You are important! There are many factors that make for a healthy well-being and we all need to be sure to take care of ourselves. The military and the different branches reinforce this idea with articles, program and support. The MilitaryAvenue Team reiterates the importance of taking care of ourselves with the very real-impact it has had on us. Now it is time for you to act! Look out for yourself and then, just as importantly, look out for your battle-buddy, your neighbor, your friend, your spouse. October brings with it a myriad of “awarenesses” … breast cancer, depression, domestic violence and much more. All things that we should be…
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Postpartum Depression
Postpartum Depression … I’ve lived it, breathed it, been held tightly in its grasp wondering when I’ll be allowed to come up for air. Eight years ago was a very dark period of my life. I did suffer from depression after my first son, Baby *E*. I spoke to my OB/GYN at my 6 week check-up and was put on an antidepressant. I am thankful for the medication but in many ways I wish there was more to it then that. I wish there was some sort of six-week required psychological counseling, not just a “be sure to see a counselor if it gets worse” from my doctor. The medication…
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Popular Articles: Week of September 20 – 26
From depression resources to the DoD’s Social Media Policy there are thousands of articles on MilitaryAvenue that interest, you, our users! We post hundreds of articles to MilitaryAvenue every week. It can be hard to keep up with the latest news and happenings around the Military Community. Here are ten of the most popular articles on MilitaryAvenue for the past week; news that is important to our Military Families and their community! The Day I became a Mom Face of Defense: Army’s ‘Grill Sergeant’ Takes on Culinary Hero Defense Department to Start H1N1 Flu Vaccinations Face of Defense: Division Chaplain Answers Call Fort Bragg animals look for love, new home…
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Music to my ears
I come from a musically-inclined family. Probably not what you are thinking, though. In fact, I remember one of the funniest jokes my mom ever told: “I can play all kinds of music; on the radio, on the record player, on the tape deck.” Ok, I was young… I thought it was really funny at the time. 🙂 Our family made QUITE A FEW PCS’s over the years and what was the first thing that was set-up in each new house after the movers came and went? (I think even before the beds!): The stereo. I remember Dad getting all the wires set up, getting the speakers in place and…
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Cucumber and Onion Salad
Step back in time when you snack on this chilled salad. I remember my Grandmother placing this on the table in a large depression green glass bowl. It was colorful, cool and delicious! Cucumber and Onion Salad 3 cucumbers 6 inches long2 European type 10 inches long1 bunch of green onions Marinade1/2 c white wine vinegar1/2 c sugar1 T dill1 T salt1/2 teaspoon white pepper Slice cumbers very thin.Slice green onions diagonally thinIn small bowl, mix vinegar, sugar, dill, salt and pepper. Whisk with a fork. Pour over vegetables. Turn and marinade at least one hour in refrigerator. Serve with tomato wedges and leaf lettuce.You will feel 5 degrees cooler!byDeborahonMonday,…
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Cancer… Ouch
Why are some words just so much scarier than others? Cancer certainly is. I remember when my surgeon called early one Saturday morning. I had seen him in his office just the day before, he performed a biopsy. A gazillion people have them done. We chatted, and he said he was leaving on a long awaited vacation that night. So when the phone rang Saturday, and I heard his voice, I honestly could not figure out why he was calling… and would not process what he was saying. He would not hang up the phone until I repeated his message to me as I stood by the phone swirling in…
