Uh Oh talk of deployment

Another drill after two months off, getting back into the swing of things, losing weight, trying to get in shape, stepping up to fulfull my responsibility, things are looking up.  Then talk of deploying again.  What to do....What to do....I have some hard life choices to make.  Now that I have two little ones at home.  We'll see.  But drill was great, sooooo many new soldiers, to include my 19 yr old nephew who made a great first impression.  Alot of things to do and learn and practice and train and ..........

After Drill Review

Another great drill with my battles.  It's great feeling like family and having each others back to get through everything and anything together.  We have been through so much together.  Soon my nephew, who has recently joined the military, will be coming to my unit and I hope he feels right at home.  I really try to not sweat any petty stuff.  Try to limit gossip and trash talk.  I enjoy some gossip as much as the next person but they say "If someone will talk to you about someone, they will be talking about you to someone."  You know females always have these issues and one of my petpieves people who feel the need to cut other people down, especially females.  I love to see successful females and it motivates me.

Speaking of being like famliy, we are expecting some new additions and will be having a group baby shower after drill with drinks of course for us non-pregos.  Always a good reason to celebrate.  Alot of us women choose to stay in the military after we have babies.  Some because we love it and most because we are making a living.  Me, a little of both.  What would they do without us......

Back to Civilian Job, Another AT down!

Well another Annual Training down, two weeks this year, next year will be three weeks. A few days in the feild and the rest in some brand new barracks, with AC!  I'm one of the older females now and we kind of feel like the Den mothers, whatever they call them.  I love to see women working hard and being successful.  I wish we women would always have each others back, lift each other up instead of tear each other down.  Theres always some of that and I give my little lecture about us all getting along and looking out for each other.  So we had our usual little he said/she said misunderstandings, etc.  Overall it was a good two weeks.  Now back to civilian employment.  I think soldiers who go back to their civilian jobs after training have much less tolerance for certain things that we civilians do at work like whining & bitching, disrespect, etc, etc..  Sweating the petty small stuff, gossip.  Wait, I like gossip.  Just listening, not repeating.  Who am I kidding soldiers do all those things but it just seems not to affect the job they way it does in the civilian workplace.  Anywho...good to have a break and good to be back.

Annual Training

Well, 4th day of training.   So much for thinking I was going to be working out everyday, but I am sweating of the pounds while training in the field.  Last night in the woods though, YES.  I'm over this roughing it.  Cant wait to sleep on  my twin bed in the barracks, and take a shower anytime I want.  Enough complaining though because we did have some good training.  Now I'm sitting here on Guard duty at 4am (my partner is knocked out) waiting for the sun to come up over the mountain and waiting until breakfast when I can have my coffee.   Coffee is my only pleasure in the field.  Love coffee, even army coffee.

One of my soldiers saw a little bear out here in the field, hope no animals get brave and come into our area.  I'm not prepared for that, I don't have my weapon all I have is bug spray and some folding chairs.   The folding chair that I was trying to figure out how to get comfortable on and doze off but that wasn't working.  The sunrise is so nice, can't wait to see what today holds!

Time to get back in shape! ;)

     Well getting ready for another couple of weeks of Annual Training.  We're a couple of years home from deployment so the tempo has slowed somewhat for our unit and we have alot of new young soldiers. Especially young new females some of whom are expecting.  It will be nice to see my battle buddies and catch up on each others lives and train together again.  Hope we are fortunate enough to be in barracks with air conditioning.  I always overpack, we try to make the barracks a home away from home for a couple of weeks.  Although we females don't usually go all out like the guys who bring their flat screens, xbox's, playstations etc.....  We do have fun on our down time though.  We have a good time training too. 

     I've have two children back to back so this is my first time back with the unit and it's time to get back in shape.  I'm starting from scratch because I didn't work out while I was pregnant, shame on me.  Now that I'm older the army standard for me is not too hard, once I get myself there I'll be fine.  My 13 yr old son is my motivator and workout partner.  Annual Training is a good chance to be away from all the responsibilities of home and have a chance to work out everyday or more than once a day so I better make the most of it.

http://suzeorman.com/

Money Class on PBS and OWN.  Suze Orman gives great advice on this show.  I've watched most of the shows.  The biggest lesson for me is that my financial situation is directly related to my emotions.  When I get my surroundings organized and get rid of certain things that are causing drama in my life I will be on a much better financial path.  It is really all related, I dont know if it's the case for both men and women or just most women.  Suze always emphasizses being honest and organized.  Honest about what we really need and what we can really afford.  I am definately not trying to keep up with the Jones's or the Kardashians.  So this is my project for awhile.  This is especially important for military members because we never know when we could have to leave our families and homes so having things in order and ready to go is critical.  On my last deployment I really wish I had my finances more organized and had a real plan for the money I made.  I won't make that mistake again on my next deployment which is inevitable :( .  Prepaid debit card - I mostly think prepaid cards are SUCH a rip off, why not just use the one with your checking account?  The Rush card?  Why should I help make Russell and Kimora Simmons more rich than they already are?  I don't think it looks cool to have a celebrity's face on your debit card, it just makes you stand out that for some reason you can't get a real credit card or traditional debit card.  There are so many fees on the prepaid cards, that you would most likely not get with a checking account debit card.  Annual Fees, Monthly Fees, ATM fee, balance inquiry fee, fee for calling customer service, overdraft fee, and on and on.  But Suze has a good idea with her debit card that in the future may report to one of the credit bureaus, TransUnion.  Suze Orman's Approved card has a small $3 per month fee.  This is perfect for people who cannot get a credit card, to build up their credit.  I'm a fan of Suze! Plus she is very pro-Military!



Cropped Picture

Okay, everyone is STILL talking about the breastfeeding military moms.  Fox News reports the woman responsible for this controversy has been fired from her civilian job as an X-ray technician.  These soldiers have also been reprimanded by the Air Force because you cannot use the uniform to promote a cause.  Well I am all for breastfeeding and I did so publicly a few times.  Although I do feel it is in bad taste and unprofessional to have your picture taken in uniform knowing it will be shown nationally.  Im for the cause but I seriously doubt these women breast feed outside in the open in uniform as the picture appears.