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Top Posts of 2013

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Top 3 Blog Posts

As we kick off 2014, we thought we share some details to our top posts of 2013 by our spouse bloggers. These do not include posts about Resources, which also tend to be favorites. We’ll do a separate top 3 list highlighting resources.

Here are the top 3 posts for 2013 by our milspouse bloggers highlighting their point of view:

Service Members: Underworked/Overpaid or Overworked/Underpaid? by Tori

Talk of military pay and benefits being cut has stirred something inside a lot of us. Something that makes us question our way of life, something that makes us believe that people think our Service Members are overcompensated for services rendered. Being a Navy spouse of 11.5 years, it shocks me that anyone would think that. Overcompensated? Where? How? Someone can easily think “Are they overpaid? Do they get overcompensated for the work that is done?”So, I searched for signs that my own family lives this lavish lifestyle, but I failed to find proof.  At that point, I decided I needed to consult with another military spouse who could give me some aid and insight on this topic. I walked a few houses down and consulted fellow My Military Life blogger, Vanessa. Read more

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Classy or Trashy? by Vanessa

Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of Facebook pages/groups popping up in reference to military bf/gf/spouses and their behaviors. The main trend I’ve seen take off like a 747 is trashing those who take pictures in their bf/husband’s uniform. I honestly have no opinion about it, but I am shocked to see some of the name calling that goes on. I’ve always known people can be passionate about their beliefs, but wow, these conversations and the language used could make a seasoned sailor blush.  The main idea is the gf/spouse did not join the military so they have no right to wear the uniform, even if they are pregnant or doing it just for the pictures. Read more

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Defining Me… by TrevsNavyWife

I recently got slightly jumped on in a forum I am part of for military moms, and to avoid being banned, I kept my mouth shut. I am thankful for this blog to be able to put what I want to say somewhere. I don’t write this blog to share some infinite wisdom or anything, I write it because I know out there in the world there is a liberal, irreverent military wife wanting to say the same things, and I hope that I am a good enough sounding board for her. I was raised by a liberal mom who taught me to think for myself, to be proud to have that liberty, and to challenge & question authority. (Although I would like to add, she hated when I questioned or challenged hers…LOL)

So this morning as I washed dishes my mind was racing with thoughts. Read more

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Look for our post on the top 3 Podcasts for 2013!

Thanks for reading and supporting our blog!

 

Service Members: Underworked/Overpaid or Overworked/Underpaid?

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Talk of military pay and benefits being cut has stirred something inside a lot of us. Something that makes us question our way of life, something that makes us believe that people think our Service Members are overcompensated for services rendered. Being a Navy spouse of 11.5 years, it shocks me that anyone would think that. Overcompensated? Where? How? Someone can easily think “Are they overpaid? Do they get overcompensated for the work that is done?”So, I searched for signs that my own family lives this lavish lifestyle, but I failed to find proof.  At that point, I decided I needed to consult with another military spouse who could give me some aid and insight on this topic. I walked a few houses down and consulted fellow My Military Life blogger, Vanessa.

It is ironic that the rest of the world believes the military is overcompensated for the services they provide, because if you were to compare the hours and pay of what our spouses do to that of the same jobs in the civilian world, they are severely underpaid. They do not get paid overtime when they work 12 hour shifts 7 days a week without an opportunity to come home.  Any other job in the civilian world has laws and regulations to protect and assist them if they are worked too hard without compensation, but the military is not. That is what is expected of them. The elected officials that are in their desired positions because of the military are not working for them but against them. Legislation and bills are passed each year taking away the pay of military members by not giving them a pay increase to match their civilian counterparts and the cost of living in our economy.

Our military families - what are they worth?
Our military families – what are they worth?

I can look at our bank accounts (savings and checking) and tell you for a fact, we do NOT make what people think we do. We are not rich and we do not live extravagant lifestyles. Most military families live paycheck to paycheck. Some military spouses that want to work to supplement the one income can’t because the cost of going to and from work, childcare, and any other added expenses far outweighs any extra income that could be brought in.

Now, what I think most people think of when they feel the military is being overcompensated is the fact that we do get a housing allowance. Let me explain something about that allowance: without it, we would all be on the streets because our spouses do not get paid enough otherwise.  Even if you factor in the housing allowance to the overall pay, it is still not enough to be compared to the same income as a civilian working a similar job.

Service members take an oath to serve their country with honor, courage, and commitment. When they are asked to deploy for 9 months, they go. When they are asked to stand 24 hour, 3 section duty stations, they do it. They spend extensive hours qualifying and training, and they do these things without question. They do this because, regardless of what is done for them, they know that the world would be a little less safe without them. They do this to make our country a better place for generations to come. It would be nice if our senators and state representatives would have the courage to demand that this commitment is honored.

Follow the conversation on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag: #KeepYourPromise

Related Story: Medical retirees included in COLA reductions http://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20131217/BENEFITS05/312170015/Medical-retirees-included-COLA-reductions

The Great Elf Adventures

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I am assuming by now that most everyone has seen the sneaky little Elves that take over homes this time of year. You probably either have one or wake up to a news feed of pictures from friends who have them! Santa sends these magic elves and the children get to name him or her whatever they like. These little elves come into the homes of children to scout and report back to Santa every night! There is a no touching rule; it drains their magic! Some of the elves are very good at hiding and some them get a little naughty while everyone is tucked away in bed.

These crazy elves can get themselves into a predicament or two (I can’t imagine what they get into when they are all together at Santa’s workshop)!

Meet Our Elf:

Mr. Shelfy Elfy- is a second year scout elf. His interests include: zip lining, hanging out with his nutcracker friends, and wrestling (he is pretty good, he won tickets to WWE Tribute to the Troops). In his leisure time he enjoys mini vacations to the beach or skiing! He also love to  make goodies for the kids. He was recently released from the Elfispital and doing great; his magic has returned to full strength!

Meet a few of Mr. Shelfy Elfy’s friends:

Zack- is a first year scout elf. He has a weakness for Maple syrup and donuts! He is very good at reading and reminding everyone not to forget things (like a stocking for the new baby).

Goofilly- is a fourth year scout elf, and is in a relationship with Barbie! He gets a kick out of wrapping the Christmas tree in toilet paper and trapping the kids in their rooms with toilet paper.

Hobby- is a first year scout elf, who occasionally enjoys a cup of tea and shares treats with the kids. In her free time she likes to swing from light fixtures and is currently mastering using her own little potty (while reading a tiny Elf-sized book)!

Lilyin Grace- is a first year scout elf who enjoys making crazy breakfasts (that include dog food, ketchup and various other silly items). She also enjoys sneaking midnight snacks of ice pops, playing dress up, and coloring pictures!

George- is a first year scout elf. His favorite pastimes are flying paper airplanes from the ceiling fan (you get better distance from up there) and playing Phase 10 with friends. He also enjoys sending emails to Santa when he gets lonely!

Elfie- is a first year scout elf who loves to leave notes to the kids asking them to decorate trees and plant silly ingredients in sugar (which magically grow candy canes). She is also a daredevil who likes to go slinky diving and fishing! After all that, she loves to take a nice warm shower!

Lii-Lie- is a fourth year scout elf. He likes to relax in his favorite spot most nights (if you’re comfy, you’re comfy, right?) and pretend he is a Christmas tree! He also has a passion for gymnastics  (or he could be training for Special Ops) and we know he has been drawing faces on the baby pictures (elves are not the best at covering up what they have done)!

The graduating class for scout elves this year has grown tremendously, and so have their antics! Perhaps, they are sneaking onto Pinterest while we are sleeping? The elf adventures are quite entertaining; you just never know what they are going to get into!

Share with us:

Do you have an Elf on the Shelf?

What is the craziest thing he has done?

 

The Comfort Team: Review

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A friend and I sneaked off during the day while my kids were at school to see the world premiere of a play. We didn’t really know what it was going to be about or how we were going to like it. We walked to the theater and talked about how good/bad it could be. We tried to keep open minds and not to let our judgments get the best of us and ruin it!

Before the curtains opened, one of the producers stood and spoke to the audience about the concept and need for a play that would show the strength, struggle and resilience of the military way of life. He explained to us that no one involved in these play had experience as a military spouse; this is when we got a little nervous ( how can you possibly get it if you don’t live it?). He went on to tell us how over the last 4 years they sat down with several military spouses, collected stories and information and then compiled that into this masterpiece, “The Comfort Team.”

Meet Vicky, Chandra, Mrs. Yates, Jojo, Barbie, and LT Gonzalez, a group of Navy Spouses who are enduring a rather stressful deployment. They are pulled together because of their husbands service and events that unfold throughout the different acts.

I don’t want to give away a lot, because from what I hear The Comfort Team is trying to go national – which means that you may all have the opportunity to go see it. If you do, then you should! It was better than I could have ever expected.

The Comfort Team incorporates someone from just about every stage of the journey as a military spouse. From the newlywed, to the seasoned. The Admiral’s wife to the Seaman’s. Yet, somehow they all pull together and we can clearly see that there is a common bond amongst all of them: fear. Fear of not knowing, fear of knowing too much, fear of losing, fear of not losing, fear of everything from the balance of the bank account to the knock at the door.

There was much-welcomed comic relief mixed in to add that humorous aspect of this ever changing life. I think that we as military spouses grow to love and expect it, that moment when things get too serious and someone chimes in with an off-the-cuff inappropriate joke to lighten the mood. After all, one of my favorite things about military spouses is that even when it seems their worlds have caved in around them, they still manage to find some part of it funny.

So, for whatever it is worth, I give The Comfort Team my stamp of approval. The nailed it. They truly got it right. They kept me thinking, and definitely threw a few curve balls that I did not see coming!

Pick up the phone and call you local theaters and tell them to bring The Comfort Team to you!

Did you already see it? If so, tell me what you thought.

Related link:

Virginia Stage Company – The Comfort Team – Play information, cast bio’s and more

 

 

 

Thirty Random Acts of Kindness

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So the big 30? Yes, it just happened!

I thought about it for some time, it was coming – and it was coming quick! No big deal, I am not one to get worked up over age. But how in the world do you celebrate that? Being away from family makes birthdays hard for everyone.

How do I incorporate this into something that I can celebrate with everyone I know, no matter where they live? Then it clicked, a genuine light bulb moment.

A bright idea!

30 Random Acts of Kindness. Rather then being showered with money, cards or gifts (let’s face it we probably don’t use half of them anyway), I asked everyone on my friends list on Facebook to do one random act of kindness.

It was amazing! I had so much fun reading everything they had done! I mean, c’mon, we all know that our friends and family are amazing, but they really pulled it out!

I remember thinking how we as military spouses know that we leave a little piece of ourselves everywhere we go, but this was taken to new level. With all the family and friends I have in a way I was able to leave a little piece of myself in places I have never been.

The random acts ranged from giving money to people in need, sending flowers to loved ones who are far way, to refraining from displaying road rage!

Some of them made me chuckle, while some of them made me teary-eyed.

My little niece who is only 8 joined in, also; her random act of kindness was playing with a child at her school who didn’t have any friends! Isn’t it amazing that even at a young age children can see the need to be kind to others. There is complete innocence in that, and that child will probably always remember that moment.

So I have decided that this will become a tradition. It seems as though some of my friends may have also decided to do this for their birthdays,too, which made me really excited! Of course, it doesn’t have to be your birthday to do it, but it makes it fun!

While I did still get a good shower of gifts from my loved ones, the best thing was knowing that each of these wonderful people are in my life. They made my 30th one of my favorite birthdays yet!

 

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