Just a heads up people. I know you won't always agree with everything I say, just as I would not with you. Thats fine. As adults, and Army Wives I would hope we can all be mature enough to handle our differences in that manner. Its obvious that may not be true.
So I will tell you how your comments process work. You submit comments stating you agree, disagree or just want to make a random comment. You can use your user name or make the post anonymous. Simple right?
Apparently not.
Posting anonymous doesn't mean I don't know who you are, where you are located or the link in which you clicked to reach me. If you are sending me hateful or threatening comments, all I have to do is check time of your post. Then I go to my stats and it pops up not only the link your clicked but the country you are in, and your IP address.
Now the link you click tells me a lot. Most of my links are posted on my friends facebook pages, that is where I get 90% of my traffic. When you click on their link to leave me hateful messages it comes back to them. If we have mutual friends I doubt they appreciate you using their facebook page to harass me.
If you don't like what I have to say, easy fix....Don't read it! Please don't involve other people in your dislike of me. I'm here, if you feel like you need personally validated, don't send anonymous hateful posts!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
False Sense Of Security
Living on an Army post it is easy to fall into a false sense of security.
People automatically believe, that because you must show an ID to get onto base that we are protected from the outside world. Anyone who has lived on an Army post for any length of time, knows this is simply not true.
I live on a "closed" post. All that really means is that if you do not have a military ID, you must get a pass. Then you can pretty much come and go as you please.
Well, I'm sorry to say, getting a pass doesn't mean you have an extensive background check, go through a metal detector or even pass a "are you planning on killing anyone" questionairre. All it means is you show your drivers license, registration and insurance, end of story.
Military posts have crimes like any civilian community. Sometimes its from post visitors, sometimes its from post residents, or even civilians who work on the post.
We have vendors who come on post multiple times a day, they don't have background checks. People who live on post (aside from soldiers) don't have background checks, people who come to see any post event again still don't have background checks.
At any time, you can be living next door to a sex offender, standing in line at the PX by the next Jeffery Dahmer, or talking to the stranger at the park looking for their next victim. We don't have the security people seem to believe we do.
Anywhere there are people, there is a possibility of violence.
So it amazes me, when you hear people say things like, "oh its ok we live on post", or send their small children out to play up and down the street unsupervised. Since I have lived on this post for exactly 1 year. In that time, there have been 3 attempted kidnappings that I am aware. Luckily, all of those 3 children were unharmed. However, the stories don't stop there. I've heard rumors of men, sneaking young girls off post for sexual escapades and sneaking them back on. People houses are repeatedly robbed in broad daylight. Barely a week ago, my neighbor and I called the police mid-day because of kids snooping around another neighbors home. This was only 1:30pm on a school day. The MP stated, he had already had 5 Breaking and Entering calls for the day. I could be wrong, but that number seems a little high for lunchtime.
Yes, we live on post and if it were a Utopian society we could let our children run around, leave our doors unlocked and show off our stereo sytems. But we don't.
I may be a little over protective or hyper vigilant. I won't even allow my children to typically go to the Ice Cream Truck. However, I would rather be a pain in the butt to my children and deny them over priced frozen treats, then have to make a plea to kidnappers to return my child. (no I'm not saying I think Ice Cream Truck drivers are bad people! I just think a middle aged man attracting chidren to his van with icecream seems a little odd)
Living on post, doesn't mean we are afforded the luxury of being unsafe.
People automatically believe, that because you must show an ID to get onto base that we are protected from the outside world. Anyone who has lived on an Army post for any length of time, knows this is simply not true.
I live on a "closed" post. All that really means is that if you do not have a military ID, you must get a pass. Then you can pretty much come and go as you please.
Well, I'm sorry to say, getting a pass doesn't mean you have an extensive background check, go through a metal detector or even pass a "are you planning on killing anyone" questionairre. All it means is you show your drivers license, registration and insurance, end of story.
Military posts have crimes like any civilian community. Sometimes its from post visitors, sometimes its from post residents, or even civilians who work on the post.
We have vendors who come on post multiple times a day, they don't have background checks. People who live on post (aside from soldiers) don't have background checks, people who come to see any post event again still don't have background checks.
At any time, you can be living next door to a sex offender, standing in line at the PX by the next Jeffery Dahmer, or talking to the stranger at the park looking for their next victim. We don't have the security people seem to believe we do.
Anywhere there are people, there is a possibility of violence.
So it amazes me, when you hear people say things like, "oh its ok we live on post", or send their small children out to play up and down the street unsupervised. Since I have lived on this post for exactly 1 year. In that time, there have been 3 attempted kidnappings that I am aware. Luckily, all of those 3 children were unharmed. However, the stories don't stop there. I've heard rumors of men, sneaking young girls off post for sexual escapades and sneaking them back on. People houses are repeatedly robbed in broad daylight. Barely a week ago, my neighbor and I called the police mid-day because of kids snooping around another neighbors home. This was only 1:30pm on a school day. The MP stated, he had already had 5 Breaking and Entering calls for the day. I could be wrong, but that number seems a little high for lunchtime.
Yes, we live on post and if it were a Utopian society we could let our children run around, leave our doors unlocked and show off our stereo sytems. But we don't.
I may be a little over protective or hyper vigilant. I won't even allow my children to typically go to the Ice Cream Truck. However, I would rather be a pain in the butt to my children and deny them over priced frozen treats, then have to make a plea to kidnappers to return my child. (no I'm not saying I think Ice Cream Truck drivers are bad people! I just think a middle aged man attracting chidren to his van with icecream seems a little odd)
Living on post, doesn't mean we are afforded the luxury of being unsafe.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
What Would I Have Done Without You?
I've never been a "girlfriend" type of person. Don't get me wrong,I've had female friends over the years, but I never felt settled. I've always been the girl who felt more comfortable with the guys, in my old sweatshirt, doing guy things.
But joining Army life, you really have no choice at times but to re-evaluate who you are. Its hard to justify, being married with children and having only male friends.
People don't understand, so you try to please the masses. I will tell you its been a hard, hard road at times.
But I will say that after 15 years of military life, I've finally adjusted. Its taken lots of deployments, TDY's and field time, but maybe I've finally found people that I can relate. I've spent so much time alone, I never knew it could be any easier. I'd gotten used to being alone, depending on myself, griping only to GOD when absolutely necessary, that I had forgotten to see the others around me.
Its easy to see what you don't have, but sometimes you need to see what you do.
I can't tell you the number of women, that have been base to base with me that I've never really talked to until this deployment. One in particular, has followed us through 4 duty stations, and I never noticed. Another, that has become an extremely close friend, has been through the last 2 with me.
Its funny, my biggest fear was never really not having close friends, but not being able to be a close friend.
I've watched these women, lose loved ones, grieve for their husbands, and panic when the phone doesn't ring. I've listened to poured hearts, scared mothers and stress riddled wives. Even for me, this deployment has been rough. We've had scares and traumas that would normally push a woman to the brink, but I've made it. But it wasn't because I was stronger, better or harder than the others. It was because I had friends that listened. Other Army Wives.
I'll never forget, the day the husband of one of my close friends was injured. By injured, I mean nobody knew what lied ahead. There were hours of waiting with her by the phone. She looked at me and said, "I just don't know what I would have done without you". At the time, that statement just seemed odd to me. I hadn't done anything that I was aware. But I just said the typical, "its alright" response and went on.
Well this last few months, it finally dawned on me what she meant. Sometimes just having a person who feels your pain or who can just sit there and listen is the only thing you need. I've always been the "go to" girl when shit hits the fan. I've never felt like I had any one who understood when I needed someone.
Its taken me 15 years, but I finally feel like I am apart of something. I have women I can count on, and I don't have to be the never waivering wife this time. Maybe its ok to let your guard down once in a while.
So for the first time in my Army life, I can say "its not what you would have done without me, but what would I have done without you?"
But joining Army life, you really have no choice at times but to re-evaluate who you are. Its hard to justify, being married with children and having only male friends.
People don't understand, so you try to please the masses. I will tell you its been a hard, hard road at times.
But I will say that after 15 years of military life, I've finally adjusted. Its taken lots of deployments, TDY's and field time, but maybe I've finally found people that I can relate. I've spent so much time alone, I never knew it could be any easier. I'd gotten used to being alone, depending on myself, griping only to GOD when absolutely necessary, that I had forgotten to see the others around me.
Its easy to see what you don't have, but sometimes you need to see what you do.
I can't tell you the number of women, that have been base to base with me that I've never really talked to until this deployment. One in particular, has followed us through 4 duty stations, and I never noticed. Another, that has become an extremely close friend, has been through the last 2 with me.
Its funny, my biggest fear was never really not having close friends, but not being able to be a close friend.
I've watched these women, lose loved ones, grieve for their husbands, and panic when the phone doesn't ring. I've listened to poured hearts, scared mothers and stress riddled wives. Even for me, this deployment has been rough. We've had scares and traumas that would normally push a woman to the brink, but I've made it. But it wasn't because I was stronger, better or harder than the others. It was because I had friends that listened. Other Army Wives.
I'll never forget, the day the husband of one of my close friends was injured. By injured, I mean nobody knew what lied ahead. There were hours of waiting with her by the phone. She looked at me and said, "I just don't know what I would have done without you". At the time, that statement just seemed odd to me. I hadn't done anything that I was aware. But I just said the typical, "its alright" response and went on.
Well this last few months, it finally dawned on me what she meant. Sometimes just having a person who feels your pain or who can just sit there and listen is the only thing you need. I've always been the "go to" girl when shit hits the fan. I've never felt like I had any one who understood when I needed someone.
Its taken me 15 years, but I finally feel like I am apart of something. I have women I can count on, and I don't have to be the never waivering wife this time. Maybe its ok to let your guard down once in a while.
So for the first time in my Army life, I can say "its not what you would have done without me, but what would I have done without you?"
Monday, October 4, 2010
Mommy, I Miss Daddy
Luckily for me, my children are still young enough to not feel the "full effects" of a deployment.
My oldest of course, takes it the hardest when he leaves.
My middle child (and only boy)doesn't really have any issues for a couple of months typically.
But then, there's the baby. My 3 year old, who has convinced herself she is without a doubt a princess, and now requests to be called "your Majesty".
Now "the princess" lives in her own little world. I'm convinced that she will be that child in little league playing with her toes or chasing butterflies in right field. When Daddy first deployed it took her nearly 4 months to realize he was gone. I'm not saying she didn't love her Daddy in the least. Just that she is oblivious to her surroundings.
She came to me one afternoon, and said "mommy, is daddy still at work?" like he was working late. So after, my attempt to set her straight, she made up her own story to tell everyone she met. "Daddy's shooting Leprechauns in Assganstan".
We just left that story alone. So when Daddy came home on R&R, you can imagine the questions she had.
So 2 weeks go by, and "the princess", has Daddy's nearly full undivided attention. Which really doesn't help curb her delusions of grandeur. It didn't take her long to figure out who was the soft touch within the parental unit.
When Daddy left, I knew we'd have small issues of course, thats to be expected. But after nearly 3 weeks, I still hear "mommy I miss daddy" several times a day. We keep distracted as much as possible, but we still have down time. She's become quite adept at playing the "my daddys gone" card.
Why did you write on the floor? "I miss Daddy"
Did you hit your brother? "I miss Daddy"
Its time for bed. "I miss Daddy"
It never fails, bedtime is when Daddy is missed most. Can I stay up and watch TV? No. Call daddy! Your daddy won't let you stay up either. Uh huh, daddy let me do what I want! Well sorry Cupcake, Daddy's not here, momma rules. Uhhhh, I'm going to bed. But I miss daddy!
My oldest of course, takes it the hardest when he leaves.
My middle child (and only boy)doesn't really have any issues for a couple of months typically.
But then, there's the baby. My 3 year old, who has convinced herself she is without a doubt a princess, and now requests to be called "your Majesty".
Now "the princess" lives in her own little world. I'm convinced that she will be that child in little league playing with her toes or chasing butterflies in right field. When Daddy first deployed it took her nearly 4 months to realize he was gone. I'm not saying she didn't love her Daddy in the least. Just that she is oblivious to her surroundings.
She came to me one afternoon, and said "mommy, is daddy still at work?" like he was working late. So after, my attempt to set her straight, she made up her own story to tell everyone she met. "Daddy's shooting Leprechauns in Assganstan".
We just left that story alone. So when Daddy came home on R&R, you can imagine the questions she had.
So 2 weeks go by, and "the princess", has Daddy's nearly full undivided attention. Which really doesn't help curb her delusions of grandeur. It didn't take her long to figure out who was the soft touch within the parental unit.
When Daddy left, I knew we'd have small issues of course, thats to be expected. But after nearly 3 weeks, I still hear "mommy I miss daddy" several times a day. We keep distracted as much as possible, but we still have down time. She's become quite adept at playing the "my daddys gone" card.
Why did you write on the floor? "I miss Daddy"
Did you hit your brother? "I miss Daddy"
Its time for bed. "I miss Daddy"
It never fails, bedtime is when Daddy is missed most. Can I stay up and watch TV? No. Call daddy! Your daddy won't let you stay up either. Uh huh, daddy let me do what I want! Well sorry Cupcake, Daddy's not here, momma rules. Uhhhh, I'm going to bed. But I miss daddy!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Your Exits Are Here, Here, Here and Here
We went of vacation a few weeks ago, and I was thinking how much easier it would have been to fly instead of that 15 hour drive with 3 small children. But then a sense of panic started to set in.
The last time I flew, was 3 days before the 9/11 attack. I haven't been on a plane since. Not "necessarily" due to fright, but I haven't really had anywhere to go.
Now the logical part of me, says "screw it". I know that logically speaking, I cannot and will not be bullied or frightened from the most normal of tasks. I know the odds of a terrorist hijacking the exact plane I am on are probably less than being attacked by a rabid octopus, but none the less.
Being an Army wife I've always been told, don't take your military ID on the plane with you. The terrorist will search you and kill you first!!! Don't let them know you are military, its leverage! Hmm...well there are a few problems with this train of thought. Although, it does make a bit of sense, (if you think the terrorist would let you live anyway), but if they are gonna fly you into a building, I'm willing to bet they don't have good intentions. Not to mention, what kind of leverage do people think Army wives possess? You can't kill me, who will bring the macaroni salad to the next FRG function?
So the next time I fly, in the event of a hijacking, I only hope they let the flight attendants do their inflight announcements first. Welcome to X airlines, your exits are here, here, here and here. In the event of a building landing, please put you head between your knees and kiss your ass goodbye. If a turbulent hijacking is to occur, you will notice the deployment of oxygen masks above you head. Please place you oxygen mask on yourself before you attempt to help those being terrorized around you. Please turn off all cellphones, for if we are hijacked we don't want to hear your ringtone of Baby Got Back to be the last thing we hear.
My personal plan in the event of a hijacking, is to stand up, blame the American Infidel Pigs and ask for someone to point me towards Mecca. But I'm just not sure they'd buy it. With my military ID, the cross on my neck, and my panicked yell for Jesus. But I guess thats another issue entirely.
I know that one day, I will have no choice but to face my fears and board the plane. But until that day arises, I think I will wait for the new Sony Teleporter. Granted I may reach my destination with someone elses arms, but I won't have to suffer the inflight meal.
(I wonder how many people just googled Sony Teleporter?lol)
The last time I flew, was 3 days before the 9/11 attack. I haven't been on a plane since. Not "necessarily" due to fright, but I haven't really had anywhere to go.
Now the logical part of me, says "screw it". I know that logically speaking, I cannot and will not be bullied or frightened from the most normal of tasks. I know the odds of a terrorist hijacking the exact plane I am on are probably less than being attacked by a rabid octopus, but none the less.
Being an Army wife I've always been told, don't take your military ID on the plane with you. The terrorist will search you and kill you first!!! Don't let them know you are military, its leverage! Hmm...well there are a few problems with this train of thought. Although, it does make a bit of sense, (if you think the terrorist would let you live anyway), but if they are gonna fly you into a building, I'm willing to bet they don't have good intentions. Not to mention, what kind of leverage do people think Army wives possess? You can't kill me, who will bring the macaroni salad to the next FRG function?
So the next time I fly, in the event of a hijacking, I only hope they let the flight attendants do their inflight announcements first. Welcome to X airlines, your exits are here, here, here and here. In the event of a building landing, please put you head between your knees and kiss your ass goodbye. If a turbulent hijacking is to occur, you will notice the deployment of oxygen masks above you head. Please place you oxygen mask on yourself before you attempt to help those being terrorized around you. Please turn off all cellphones, for if we are hijacked we don't want to hear your ringtone of Baby Got Back to be the last thing we hear.
My personal plan in the event of a hijacking, is to stand up, blame the American Infidel Pigs and ask for someone to point me towards Mecca. But I'm just not sure they'd buy it. With my military ID, the cross on my neck, and my panicked yell for Jesus. But I guess thats another issue entirely.
I know that one day, I will have no choice but to face my fears and board the plane. But until that day arises, I think I will wait for the new Sony Teleporter. Granted I may reach my destination with someone elses arms, but I won't have to suffer the inflight meal.
(I wonder how many people just googled Sony Teleporter?lol)
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Spirit Fingers!
So one of the obvious perks of Army life, is community support. (Not all communities, but this one atleast).
Today I had the opportunity to take my children to see Toy Story on Ice. Simply because someone had the generosity to donate tickets to the families of deployed soliders. I will say, people who do things like this still amaze me.
My children not only got to see their favorite Disney Characters, but the show was kicked off with the National Anthem but the one and only Trace Adkins!!!
My personal favorite part of the show, were of course the Toy Soldiers. As I was watching them low crawl and fall into formation, I got to thinking.....
Thats what the US Army is truly missing. PIZAZZ! I've decided that if our men were to break into an utterly fabulous line dance when under attack, the enemy would probably turn around and go home. I really think, basic training should now include:
The sprinkler, the running man, and the cabbage patch.
I think when led into combat, they should occasionally break into a step, ball, change. When they come across a possible IED, maybe a little interperative dance is required. The next time, an enemy combatant is subdued maybe a little Tango is called for? When victory has been achieved, they shall all do The Wave.
So with approximately only 4 months left till re-deployment, I think these guys need to get to work. When they come into the Welcome Home Ceremony, I expect Spirit Fingers. (all of them, not just the one!)
The commander should lead off with a double axle, a flip and a loop. I don't know what any of these words mean, but I want to see them. I then want to see troop by troop, break off into the electric slide.
When the soldiers are finally released however, I'm torn. I can't decide if we need a little Kool & the Gang Celebrate Good Times, or YMCA. One seems more fitting, yet if the other were caught by the news and played world wide, I think terrorist would be less likely to screw with us.
Now I must wrap up tonights blog, I have Army Issue ACU's to bedazzle.
Today I had the opportunity to take my children to see Toy Story on Ice. Simply because someone had the generosity to donate tickets to the families of deployed soliders. I will say, people who do things like this still amaze me.
My children not only got to see their favorite Disney Characters, but the show was kicked off with the National Anthem but the one and only Trace Adkins!!!
My personal favorite part of the show, were of course the Toy Soldiers. As I was watching them low crawl and fall into formation, I got to thinking.....
Thats what the US Army is truly missing. PIZAZZ! I've decided that if our men were to break into an utterly fabulous line dance when under attack, the enemy would probably turn around and go home. I really think, basic training should now include:
The sprinkler, the running man, and the cabbage patch.
I think when led into combat, they should occasionally break into a step, ball, change. When they come across a possible IED, maybe a little interperative dance is required. The next time, an enemy combatant is subdued maybe a little Tango is called for? When victory has been achieved, they shall all do The Wave.
So with approximately only 4 months left till re-deployment, I think these guys need to get to work. When they come into the Welcome Home Ceremony, I expect Spirit Fingers. (all of them, not just the one!)
The commander should lead off with a double axle, a flip and a loop. I don't know what any of these words mean, but I want to see them. I then want to see troop by troop, break off into the electric slide.
When the soldiers are finally released however, I'm torn. I can't decide if we need a little Kool & the Gang Celebrate Good Times, or YMCA. One seems more fitting, yet if the other were caught by the news and played world wide, I think terrorist would be less likely to screw with us.
Now I must wrap up tonights blog, I have Army Issue ACU's to bedazzle.
Friday, October 1, 2010
I'm Not Nosy, I'm A Concerned Citizen Part 2!
As we are nearing the end of this deployment, I find myself a little more "concerned" than normal. Granted I have spent the better part of 8 months alone, with little or no adult contact on a daily basis.
On a normal day, when life gets to monotonous, you can find me in the front yard, people watching. I prefer to call myself the head of the Neighborhood Watch Program.
Today is a good example. My youngest and I were outside socializing with our neighbor, who I wil refer to as the VP of the NWP.
My VP and I were sitting there catching up on the neighborhood intelligence briefings (gossip), when we notice 2 teenage boys cutting through the housing area.
At first, we didn't think much of it, but then they started to look back, look around the houses and glace seemingly in the cars. We then realize they are supposed to be in school. So we did what any rational busybody would do, we called the police!
Granted I didn't call 911, and request a swat team or anything crazy. But I did call the non-emergency dispatch number. About 20 min. later, we just knew the boys had gone on a crime spree and were to never be seen again. But...they're back??
So my V.P. stops them and ask them a few basic questions. Where do you live? What are you doing? Most importantly, why aren't you in school? Oh yeah...we got you truants now! They are explaining "poorly" why they weren't in school when the police pull up. They question the boys, and it is revealed they were just skipping school and apparently aren't very good at it.
After it was all nearly over with, another neighbor has joined in the chaos. Her first thought, was that I had gone off the deep end and the police were called. I would find that insulting, but lets be honest, I've been waiting for the police to come for me for a long time now.
I thought about the occurence later, and think, maybe the boys were looking back because there were 2 crazy old women starting at them?
So you may call us nosy. But I call us potential hero's! We could have just saved the world from teenagers who could have done, maybe a 1/4 of the stupid crap I did at that age. So to that I say YOU'RE WELCOME!
They will think twice before skipping school in this neighborhood!
On a normal day, when life gets to monotonous, you can find me in the front yard, people watching. I prefer to call myself the head of the Neighborhood Watch Program.
Today is a good example. My youngest and I were outside socializing with our neighbor, who I wil refer to as the VP of the NWP.
My VP and I were sitting there catching up on the neighborhood intelligence briefings (gossip), when we notice 2 teenage boys cutting through the housing area.
At first, we didn't think much of it, but then they started to look back, look around the houses and glace seemingly in the cars. We then realize they are supposed to be in school. So we did what any rational busybody would do, we called the police!
Granted I didn't call 911, and request a swat team or anything crazy. But I did call the non-emergency dispatch number. About 20 min. later, we just knew the boys had gone on a crime spree and were to never be seen again. But...they're back??
So my V.P. stops them and ask them a few basic questions. Where do you live? What are you doing? Most importantly, why aren't you in school? Oh yeah...we got you truants now! They are explaining "poorly" why they weren't in school when the police pull up. They question the boys, and it is revealed they were just skipping school and apparently aren't very good at it.
After it was all nearly over with, another neighbor has joined in the chaos. Her first thought, was that I had gone off the deep end and the police were called. I would find that insulting, but lets be honest, I've been waiting for the police to come for me for a long time now.
I thought about the occurence later, and think, maybe the boys were looking back because there were 2 crazy old women starting at them?
So you may call us nosy. But I call us potential hero's! We could have just saved the world from teenagers who could have done, maybe a 1/4 of the stupid crap I did at that age. So to that I say YOU'RE WELCOME!
They will think twice before skipping school in this neighborhood!
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