The Military Wife vs The Civilian Wife

   There has been a lot of talk about military wives and civilian wives lately. Personally I think there is a difference between today's military families and civilian families. I however have a different take on the debate over the challenges the wives face. Yes, it's hard to go through a deployment not knowing when your next phone call or letter will arrive. It's hard having our spouses gone (what's seemingly) all the time. It is even harder playing both Mommy and Daddy. Do I think that puts me above my civilian friends who's husbands are gone for business trips and boys weekends? Absolutely not! Of course they miss their husbands when they're gone too. Civilian wives get to see their husbands every night, so when that business trip does come up it's not the norm for them. Just because they have the "9 to 5" job doesn't mean they can't miss them when they're gone and we should support them, because who knows better than a military wife what it's like to spend a Friday night alone and missing your other half?!?

   I know a lot of military wives are thinking "who is this jack wagon" right about now. Some of you are thinking that there is no comparing a field exercise or deployment to a business trip or guys weekend. For the most part the civilian wives aren't trying to offend you by saying, "I know what you're going through." They're trying to show you support, trying to relate as best they can. Of course there are days that you don't want to hear a one week business trip compared to a 7 or 12 month deployment. Before you strangle these women remember that they are just like you. They love their husbands, they miss their husbands too. If you say you don't miss your husband when he's in the field for a week then you are in denial.

   Then there are the civilian wives that make comments to you such as "you should have known what you were getting into." How many of you honestly knew what you'd be getting into? With all the curve balls the military throws, I don't know that anyone can say they knew 100% what they were getting into! Some of the people making comments like this are more out of ignorance and youth than to inflict hurt on you. Try to be nice to them and just let them know that not everything in life can be planned out 100% of the time. While you can't change the situation, you do the best you can given what you have to work with.

   I hope the next time one of the civilian wives makes a comment about being away from loved ones you'll take a step back, resist the urge to punch her in the face and just try to remember we're all on the same side.

Love and War and Pre-Deployment

  Deployments are a time when emotions are running high. No matter what branch your spouse is in it's always the same. Your husband comes home, looks at you and says, "I'm deploying." At first you are sad; sad that he's going to be gone, sad you won't get to see him, sad that he'll miss ___________ (fill in holidays, birthdays, anniversary, births here). Then you are terrified of the possibilities deployments bring. Then you are happy knowing that you have the power to watch the Bachelor or Grey's Anatomy or any other show without hearing, "Do we REALLY have to watch this crap?" for the next xxx months. You'll have about 15 other emotions as well and it's all in the span of 60 seconds.

  For those of you who have been through a deployment already you know exactly what I am talking about. For those who have yet to have their 1st deployment under their belt, you'll learn quickly what I'm talking about! Then comes the work-ups. All the field exercises they do before they go, all the late nights he's at work and ALL the gear they bring home. It's amazing how much there is to pack...and then re-pack...and re-pack until it all fits. Then there is the fighting. Yes, it is a universal thing. No, you are not the only one who is fighting with your spouse. It is totally normal. It doesn't matter if you are Army, Navy, Air Force or Marine Corps. It's a stressful time and it's easier to say goodbye when you're huffy and distant. For you ladies who are going through this for the first time, don't worry about it. It's not the end of your marriage and you're not going to get a divorce because you're fighting before he leaves. As for going to bed mad...do it! Get some sleep and talk about it in the morning.

Thoughts, Fears & Pre-Deployment

 Just before my husband leaves for deployment is the worst. I hate having down time. To me, it gives my mind too much time to race around and settle on thoughts I don't want to think about. There is so much stress, but I think the most stressful part is before they go. The 'what if's' and all the unknowns. You never know when you'll get that first phone call from them after you see the bus or plane leave with your heart on board. Your phone becomes a part of you. Now you're the crazy girl who eats, sleeps, showers and pees with a cell phone attached to your side; but it's better than the alternative of missing that call. Then there's sleeping while they're gone. Sleep becomes that elusive animal that you only hear about in storybooks and fairy tails.

Helping pack the gear to keep them safe, the photos to make their tent a home away from home and the little notes you hide among the gear and uniforms to lift their spirits at unexpected times. There's also the other side to the pre-deployment craziness. I love sending my husband care packages! When else do you have an excuse to buy so many cards, jerky, miniature Christmas trees or an Easter basket for a grown man a Marine? I start my care packages before my husband even leaves. That way I can start sending them almost the day he leaves. While he's away doing pre-deployment training, I'm at Target and the like finding little things that will make the time go by faster (for us both). Need care package boxes and supplies? You can call 1-800-ASK-USPS and they will bring everything you need right to your doorstep. Does it get more convenient?!

So, here is to care packages, Hershey's kiss countdowns and a safe and fast deployment!

Gotta-Love-A-Give-A-Way!

@paperandcake is giving away an HP Photosmart Printer! Go enter to win! http://www.paperandcake.blogspot.com

  The link above is to a birthday giveaway from Paper and Cake. I just found her blog today and LOVE it. What is better than cute paper and photo crafts? Oh yeah, a printer that helps you do it! Even better, a FREE printer to help you craft. Enjoy!

Chi Town Here I Come!

  Another week closer to our upcoming deployment. I always have mixed feelings around this time. As we get closer I just want it to be here and have him gone, then when the day gets here I wish for more time. This will be our 3rd deployment, so it's not like we haven't done this dance before but it never gets easier.

  I will be flying out to Chicago tomorrow for a meeting with the Battalion and some of the other wives. I don't know how I always end up working with my husbands Battalion, but I do. Oh wait, I get voluntold, I remember now! I'm happy to help so don't get me wrong but if it's anything like this last deployment there will be some unhappy wives/girlfriends/family members. During our last deployment I was pregnant and had 200+ family members to keep up to date and answer their questions. I have higher hopes for this go around though, we're with a new Battalion. Time will tell though!

  I know one thing is for sure, this won't be like our last two deployments. One thing the Marine Corps is good for is keeping you on your toes. It is an ever changing beast that takes no prisoners. How you ask? My husband had just gotten home from the field, we were driving to San Diego from Monterey when we got a call from the Colonel. A few 'Yes Sirs' and 'Will do Sirs' later my husband got off the phone and says, "I'm going to be deploying." WHHHAAA??? Turns out my husband impressed the Colonel and he wants him to deploy with the company that's going out next. I find it ironic and a little funny though. You do a good job at work and you're supposed to get a raise or a silly plaque. In the Marine Corps, you do a good job and you get sent to a war zone. I know the year just started, but I am ready for 2012 to get here soon and have this all behind us. Who's with me?

Easy as Chicken Potpie

This is one of my favorite go-to easy dinners! You can make this with lots of short cuts too; you know, for those days when the kids are running around like wild children and your husband is in the field or deployed. With my husband actually home I took the long road and roasted the chicken myself (as opposed to the usual store bought rotisserie chicken). Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family does!

Here is everything you'll need for your potpie.

Which will be made into....

First, melt 5tbl butter in a medium pot. Once melted add in 5tbl flour.

Whisk butter and flour together for 3 minutes.

Slowly add in the chicken stock, continue to whisk until mixture becomes thick (about 5 minutes)
 Remove from heat and set aside to be used later.

In a large skillet melt 2tbl of butter and saute onions until soft.
Add in carrots and thyme and cook 5 minutes more. Mmmm, starting to smell AMAZING!

In an 8x8 baking dish place one of the pie crusts and add in the onion & carrot mixture.In the same skillet melt the remaining butter and saute the mushrooms. Put in the salt & pepper and cook until the moisture has evaporated. Add to the potpie.Next put the chicken and sauce mixture into your potpie and mix it all up. Lay the other crust on the top and fold the edges under.Cut two 2" slits in the top of your crust.Place your beautiful Chicken Potpie in the oven and set the timer.Dish up a serving..... grab a glass of your favorite wine and the kids sippy cups and enjoy!


Full Recipe:

Ingredients...

1 stick unsalted butter

5 tablespoons all-purpose flout, plus more for rolling the crust

4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 large yellow onion, chopped

2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves or 2 teaspoons dried thyme

4 carrots, chopped

1 10-oz package button mushrooms, steams trimmed and caps quartered

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

3/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 store bought rotisserie chicken (or your own roaster chicken), meat shredded

1 10oz package frozen peas

1 store bought pie crust  

Directions:

Heat oven to 425F. Melt 5 tablespoons of the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisking constantly, slowly add the flour and cook for 3-5 minutes. Still whisking, slowly add the broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the thyme and carrots and cook 5 more minutes. Transfer to your baking dish. Melt the remaining butter in the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook about 2 minutes then reduce the heat and add the salt and pepper, simmer until the liquid evaporates. Add the mushrooms to the dish along with the chicken, peas and the reserved sauce. Toss it all together. Roll out the pie crust on a floured surface until it is slightly larger than the baking dish. Lay the crust over the top and fold edges under. Cut two 2" slits in the top and bake about 20 minutes or until the crust is golden. Reduce the heat to 350F and bake until the filling starts to bubble, about 25 minutes.

 

 

 

EXTRA TIP.........you can put it all together early in the day (read this as NAP TIME) and store in the fridge until dinner time.

Pack, Unpack, Rinse, Repeat

  Whenever I'm asked the question "Where are you from?" I don't really have a straight forward answer. I usually say, "Everywhere, I grew up a military brat." Mostly I call the East coast my home, mainly NoVa...for those who don't know, that's Northern Virginia. I went to High School there and attended a Virginia University. Our daughter is on much of the same path as I had growing up, although I hope she gets to skip the 19 different schools and the 15+ moves. My family is getting set to do this familiar routine again in a couple of weeks, and I'm looking forward to it. Shocking, I know! We'll be leaving the West coast and heading "home" to NoVa, Quantico MCB to be more exact.

  The past few months have been crazy and not even close to your typical pre-deployment work-up. My husband has been home for 30 days since May. He was just home for two weeks which went by so fast and yet seemed so long! It's the longest he's been home since we started this insane schedule. He left yesterday for yet another 5 weeks, then he'll be home for Thanksgiving weekend and gone again until Christmas leave. And so, with my dear husband gone so much and my daughter napping well in the afternoon this leaves me with time on my hands. This is where I have some one on one time with my oven.

  Yes, you read that correctly...my stove. I love to bake! Today's creation was Monkey Bread. Oh so very yummy, doughy, sweet, caramely, goodness! Getting hungry yet? Well my friends, here is the recipe:

Ingredients:



3 (10 ounce) packages refrigerated biscuit dough

3/4 cup white sugar

3 tablespoons ground cinnamon

1/2 cup margarine

3/4 cup white sugar


Directions:


1.Mix together 3/4 cup sugar and cinnamon.

2.Quarter the biscuits with kitchen shears. Dip shears in water after each cut to keep the biscuits from getting too sticky. Dip biscuits into sugar mixture, and place in a greased Bundt pan. Do this until all biscuits are used.

3.Melt butter or margarine, and mix in 3/4 cup sugar. Pour mixture over biscuits.***

4.Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 30 to 35 minutes.

***Today I did a little variation, I did 5 Tbl. melted butter, 1/4 c. heavy whipping cream & 1/2 c. brown sugar mixed and poured into the pan FIRST, then place the dough balls in the pan.

  I hope you all enjoy! I'm off to pack a box or two in hopes that if I do a little everyday it won't be too stressful come moving day...but who am I kidding? I've been there and done it ALL. I think I may even have my mother beat by now with moving stories!