Military Spouses Blogs

I know, I know … at a time when most people are being downsized/laid off due to the economy, I go and downsize myself. I didn’t quit — I just downsized myself to being a freelance writer rather than an hourly-paid writer. Why?
1) I want to focus on being a housewife.
2) I want to pour my creative energy and time into writing my children’s books and the grown-up novels (I don’t want to say “adult novels” because that sounds greasy…) that I have talked about writing for years. Time to put my pen where my mouth is!
3) I want to visit family and friends, take vacations, and enjoy those random (and rare) days my husband has time off, without suffering from guilt because those at my work must “pick up my slack” for having those rare days off. Sigh…Americans work way too damn hard and corporations do not leave any room in its personnel structure to allow LIFE to happen.
Now, to address #1: In my defense, I used to be a staunch feminist. In fact, when my husband first met me, he admitted to being frightened of me and my college roommates because “we were women, hear us roar!” We even had a sign in our guest bathroom that said, “You say I’m a bitch like it’s a bad thing.” So, I just figured that I would follow the path of most independent, badass women who keep climbing their career ladders in their fierce high-heels, and pay a maid to clean my house, pay a daycare provider to watch my kids, and complain louder than my husband about how stressful my high-powered career is. Okay, so I’m being unfairly over-dramatic about it, but it’s pretty much how I envisioned “normalcy.”
Fast-forward to marrying my husband (he obviously got over his fear of me, thankfully) and dashing off into the military spouse lifestyle. Every place we PCS’d to, I had to accept entry-level jobs that paid less than the last, and I never stuck around long enough to use my vacation or sick time. My last job, which I downsized myself from, didn’t even have vacation, sick, or health benefits. Period.
You know how the Social Security Administration mails everyone those annual statements that let you know how much Social Security payments you are supposedly entitled to use (IF it’s still around when we retire), and those calculations are based on your annual pay from jobs you’ve held in the past X-amount of years? I looked at my statement this last year and laughed … I saw that each year after I graduated from college, my annual pay decreased — Every. Single. Year. In 2009, I made several thousand dollars less than I made when I worked 30 hours per week in college (7 years ago). I think I was working at Starbucks and I was a student intern in the provost’s office at my college at that time. I had paid benefits, too, from my job at Starbucks. My last job required that I had a college degree in that particular field, and I still was paid less than my job at Starbucks and had no benefits.
I could go on and on, but you get the point. The only corporate ladder I was climbing in my high-heels was a downward escalator that was overly-greased. Now, I know some military wives who have amazing jobs wherever they go and this downward-spiraling corporate “escalator” doesn’t apply to them, but unfortunately for me, that just wasn’t my experience. I was running harder and faster on a wheel that was not only going nowhere, but it was actually going backwards. So, I had to do some soul-searching: For whom was I really spending my energy? My family, or some ungrateful corporation? Who was really looking out for my best interests? Was my time and energy being drained at a workplace that was not going to benefit my family nor my future?
It was time to start focusing on my family’s best interests and building my future. I would be a happy housewife who would make the home (no matter where in the world it was placed) a safe, relaxing, happy haven for my husband and future kids, and I would spend my free time and energy writing my books that will (hopefully) be somewhat more profitable than the traditional jobs I’ve held.
Another bonus — I now have more time and energy to devote to this website! For the past 2 years this site has been in existence, I’ve had so many hopes and dreams for this site, but I’ve never had the energy to act on those hopes and dreams. And now that Katie has been blessed with a new baby — yay! — I am now the only one who can pour time and energy into this website to make it the ultimate resource for military families that I know it can be. I hope I can get your help, too, in making this website better and stronger! By hearing your feedback and depending on you guys to tell others about this resource, it will help this site “be all it can be!” (Sorry, Army, I hope that’s not blatant plagiarism…)
So, thanks for listening to my story. Next time, I’ll explain how my working less didn’t really harm our finances at all…(How’s that for an additional blow to the ego?)

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Here’s another article I thought you all might be interested in:

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE TO SUPPORT U.S. TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES
WITH $1 MILLION DONATION

Country Star Tim McGraw Partners with Outback During
Thanks for Giving Effort in March

TAMPA, Fla, — March 3, 2010 – Outback Steakhouse, a longtime supporter of U.S. military troops, today announced its commitment to donate $1 million to Operation Homefront, a non-profit organization that provides emergency and morale support for active troops, veterans and their families.

“The sacrifices that our troops and their families make so we can enjoy the freedoms we have in the United States is something Outback employees have recognized and appreciated since we opened our doors 22 years ago,” said Liz Smith, CEO of OSI Restaurant Partners, parent company of Outback Steakhouse. “Our commitment to donate $1 million to Operation Homefront reflects our appreciation to those who give so much.”

Also starting today, Outback is holding a month-long “Thanks for Giving” effort in participating restaurant locations in the U.S. and Hawaii. Restaurant-goers are invited to express their appreciation to our country’s dedicated servicemen and women by visiting Outback restaurants this month and ordering from the “Red, White and Bloomin’” menu. Proceeds from menu sales during the month of March will help to meet the $1 million commitment to Operation Homefront. The menu will be available through March 31.

“As a retired member of the U.S. military and on behalf of our troops serving in locations far and wide, I’d like to thank Outback Steakhouse for its support over the years,” said General Tommy Franks (Ret.). “This support, coupled with the current effort to help our active and retired servicemen, women and their families, is greatly appreciated.”

To further raise awareness about this important cause, Outback has partnered with country music superstar Tim McGraw on his Southern Voice concert tour, scheduled to visit more than 60 U.S. cities this spring and summer. Proceeds from a Southern Voice commemorative t-shirt will also be donated to Operation Homefront.

“When I learned about Outback’s commitment to the troops and history of helping our local communities, it really felt like the perfect fit to partner with them in their efforts,” said McGraw. “Together with Outback, our shared goal is to help raise awareness and funds to help our selfless servicemen and women.”
For more information about Thanks for Giving and an electronic press kit, please visit http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/outback/42752/.

About Outback Steakhouse

Outback Steakhouse has been an innovator in casual dining for 22 years. During that time, it has perfected the art of serving great-tasting steaks. In fact, Outback was recently voted #1 Best Steak in the 2009 Zagat Survey of National Full-Service Restaurant Chains. Outback is not only known for the “Best Steak” award, but also serves fresh, “made from scratch” appetizers, salads, entrees, sides and desserts that use only the highest-quality ingredients available. Outback’s menu of new choices, classic favorites and “down under prices,” offers something for everyone. Outback promises delicious, affordable food, spirited service, and an energetic atmosphere that will make casual nights out the most enjoyable available. Please visit www.Outback.com for more information.

About Operation Homefront

Operation Homefront’s mission is to provide emergency and morale assistance for our troops, the families they leave behind, and for wounded warriors when they return home. A nonprofit 501(c)(3), Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers in 30 chapters nationwide and has met more than 105,000 needs of military families. Operation Homefront also hosts the Web community, Operation Homefront Online, at www.HomefrontOnline.com.

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I saw this article and thought you military moms would like a chance to win this prize for all that you do!

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR MILITARY MOTHERHOOD AWARD

Voting Opens for the Military Child Award

SAN ANTONIO – Nominations for the 2010 Lockheed Martin Military Motherhood Award are open through March 22. The winner of the award, which honors military women in uniform and military spouses, will be flown to Washington, D.C., for the $5,000 award and special recognition ceremony. Anyone can nominate a deserving military mom.

Additionally, a public voting period for the Military Child Award runs through midnight on March 11. Voting will narrow the top 20 nominees down to five. A panel of judges will make the final selection. The winner will be announced March 16.

Nominate a military mom (https://eballot.votenet.com/operationhomefront/registermma/) or vote for a military child at www.operationhomefront.net or www.homefrontonline.com.

“The price of peace is paid by the entire military family, and our military moms are often the driving force that keeps everything going,” said Jim Knotts, chief executive officer, Operation Homefront. “With this award, we honor their service and sacrifice.”

About Operation Homefront
Operation Homefront provides emergency assistance for our troops, the families they leave behind and for wounded warriors when they return home. A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers in two dozen chapters nationwide, and has met more than 257,000 needs since 2002. Operation Homefront is a four-star rated charity by watchdog Charity Navigator. Nationally, $.92 of every dollar donated to Operation Homefront goes to programs. For more information about Operation Homefront, please visit www.operationhomefront.net.

About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.

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I got this email from my grandmother (a “vintage” military spouse, although I don’t think she likes that term being used for herself) …

This is very neat and really does take just a minute

XEROX IS DOING SOMETHING COOL

If you go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com
you can pick out a thank you card and
Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently
serving in Iraq. You can’t pick out who gets it, but it will go to a
member of the armed services.

How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!!
It is FREE and it only takes a second.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these?
Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to
know we are behind them.

This takes just 10 seconds and it’s a wonderful way to say thank you.
Please take the time and please take the time to pass it on for others
to do. We can never say enough thank you’s.

Thanks for taking to time to support our military!

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