June 22, 2009

By

Andrea Davis

I just found a great new artist who dose her own paintings and sells them on Esty.com. Here is a little about her.

I'm a Military Wife, Mother, and an Artist. 

She paints whatever her heart tells her.
Whatever she feels is refeshing at that time.
Her emotion is reflected in each piece, She use's plenty of color in order to breath life into each one of her pieces.

To learn more about KLynnane or see new pieces she is am working on visit her at www.KristineStclair.blogspot.com
www.myspace.com/barbielynnette
www.twitter.com/KristineStclair

She also dabble's in jewelrey, scrapbooking, paper mache sculptures, graphic art, faux finishing, murals and furniture painting.

June  5 2009
I would like to tell you a bout a book for any military wife or if you love some on who is in the military or is currently deployed. Jessica Caputo is the writer of the book The other side of war. She  was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA.  Graduated high school in 1999 and moved to Pittsburgh, PA for college.  In 2003she  received her BA in psychology.  2004 she married her high school sweetheart, a United States Marine.

In The Other Side of War, author Jessica Caputo tells her story about the day-to-day situations she encountered while her boyfriend, and later her husband, was deployed to Iraq.  She experienced two deployments, only eight months apart, during two different periods of her life.

The first story is that of the girlfriend of a young Marine who gets orders to be deployed to Iraq.  She struggles to complete her senior year of college surrounded by peers opposed to the impending war in Iraq.  Everyday was a fight to hide the overpowering emotions inside of her.  However, despite all the turmoil that surrounded her, she was able to overcome it all and become a proud graduate.

The second story is that of the same young woman who marries her boyfriend just weeks before he is scheduled to deploy for a second time.  She is once again faced with many challenges. On her own she must deal with some heart-breaking situations, including a miscarriage, and leaving her family to move to an unfamiliar state. With questions looming, Jessica began her life in a new state, with new faces, hundreds of miles away from family.  During her journey she discovers the empowering bond shared by the wives of the Marine men, and learns she is not alone in her struggles. Although Jessica manages to make a new life, she is left worrying about her husband. Each day he faced the various dangers of combat in Iraq, fighting not only for the freedom of others but to return to his wife.

It is Jessica’s plan, in this book, to show the reader the every day trials of a young woman trying to live a normal life while fearing for her loved one’s safety.  She takes both of her experiences and shows that, although difficult, the deployment experience does get easier.  She will share her thoughts, fears, sadness, loneliness, and joys while awaiting the return of her boyfriend/husband.  It will offer readers a chance to see into the life of another military wife; giving them the chance to relate and know they are not alone in their struggle to live a normal life while their loved one is away fighting for our freedom and the freedom of others.

Here are some of her reviews from her readers:

This book is such a great book that can and will inspire the readers and give them a new outlook on life as a girlfriend wife or mother of a soldier. It's not easy being a soldier's mom, wife or girlfriend or sister. It explains how Jessica Caputo delt with her deployments and all the things that she grew to love and also grew stronger from. It express's the loss of a baby and how she has coped with that through a email and or a phone call how much they truly helped her. This book is unique in the sense that everyone has different outlooks in life and some people deal with things differently. It shows how it takes alot to be strong when a soldiers deployed & moving is always a matter for the most part. This book is a great book and will sell to many readers, friends wifes sisters mothers familys all over the states. Even if your not with a soldier or a family with a soldier, It's very interesting to read about how one can go through this and it'll help show a soldier's partner or family how hard things can be, but you'll always get through them with a little help from friends and family.

-Beth
I love this book because it has helped me cope with the fact that I'm not alone by myself in this world to face deployment. I'm not alone to face the harsh comments made towards the military forces of the United States that are gladly fighting for this country in the middle East. It gives me strength, as a military wife, to be able to understand that it's going to be okay, and other wives make through the deployment everyday.

there are so many military wives out there... while they'er husbands are deployed it gives them hope to read a book like this. it gives them courage to know that someone made it through the deployment of there husband. it will sell becasue every military wife reaches out for someone they can listen to and this book is the best candidate for it.

-Caroline

 I read this book as an outsider, I don't know what it's like to be a girlfriend or wife of a solider. I don't know what their struggles are like, but I know from reading this book that they have more than their share.  I think this is an excellent book to carry because it is heartfelt and real.  It makes you laught and cry, everything you could want in a book.  It is unique because it speaks right from the author herself, about her emotions, and what she is going through; and from the response to this book it is clear that she is not alone, and that there are many people out there who can relate to her story.  This is the first story of it's kind that I have ready.  What makes it stand out to me is the appeal it has for the general public as well as someone who lives a military life.  Reading this book not only gave me a new found respect for the wives of the soliders, but for the men and women themselves for putting their life on the line for me and my family.  It has a vast target audience, but most importantly it's written in such a way that it appeals to everyone.  It's not just a story of a military wife, but a story that reminds you of the importance of love, and we all forget that every now and then.

-Erica

So what are you waiting for go and buy it today.

This book can be purchased at: amazon.com, target.com, barnesandnoble.com, bookamillion.com, and the Jacksonville, NC Barnes and Noble

Available from Author House www.authorhouse.com 888-280-7715

5% of proceeds will go to the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). “The mission of Wounded Warrior Project is to Honor and Empower wounded warriors.” (www.woundedwarriorproject.org)

June 5, 2009 

Heartlocked.com

Check out HeartLocked.com! this site offers an assortment of Myspace layouts, 100x100 icons and graphics as well as graphic design resources and downloads. To access our content you must create an account. You can click here to register, upload your picture, create a profile, and start using all the resources our site has to offer. New content is being added everyday so make sure you add us to your favorites and keep checking for updates. Im joining so what are you waiting for.

http://heartlocked.com

 June 3, 2009

http://www.army.mil/-news/2009/06/03/22051-army-preps-for-234th-birthday/

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, June 3, 2009) -- Together with members of local communities, Army Soldiers, civilians and family members will join to celebrate the Army's birthday on June 14, with events throughout the month, highlighting the Army's Noncommissioned Officer Corps, the support of Army families, and the unity the Nation represents.

"Nearly 234 years ago, America's Army was born out of the need to defend a nation," said Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston. "Our Army and our Soldiers continue that mission today, and continue to be the Strength of the Nation."

The Army also celebrates the Year of the Noncommissioned Officer this year. According to the NCO creed, NCOs are known for their professionalism, competence, and being the backbone of the Army.

"The NCO Corps is the reason behind our success on the battlefield today and is the standard to which other nations' armies aspire," said Preston.

This year's Army Birthday Ball - set for Saturday, June 13, at the Hilton Washington Hotel starting at 7 p.m. - will have the 2008 NCO of the Year Staff Sgt. Michael Noyce Merino as the Master of Ceremonies.

Other Army Birthday events include an Army Strong Experience, June 2 to 4, at Fort Meade, Md. The "Army Experience" is for roughly 25 to 30 influencers, who will conduct tandem jumps with the Golden Knights, fire a variety of weapons with the Army Marksmanship Unit, and view interactive displays while networking with Soldiers and leaders.

The annual cake-cutting ceremony at the Pentagon's courtyard is scheduled for June 12 at 11:30 a.m. with Preston, Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. and Secretary of the Army Pete Geren. The courtyard will have displays, including Brigade Combat Team Modernization, PEO Soldier and military vehicles.

Saturday, June 13, Preston and Casey will host a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, and former chiefs and sergeants major of the Army will place wreaths at headstones following the cemetery.

Also on June 13, the Military Vehicle Preservation Association, will begin a cross-country re-enactment and commemoration of the 1919 transcontinental convoy the Military Transportation Corps undertook to test the endurance of military personnel and their vehicles with an event on the Ellipse. Some of the vehicles, including a Korean War Jeep M38, a Jeep GPW, a Viet Nam Was Jeep M151, a Dodge WC56, a WW II Harley WLA motorcycle, a M38A1 and a Ford sedan staff car, will be on display at the Pentagon, June 12.

The Army's birthday is not only a time to recognize the hard work and dedication of NCOs and celebrate everything the Army represents, but it is also a time to acknowledge the support of Army families.

"Our Soldiers and families know what's at stake in this struggle, and they are making a difference every day," said Casey.

Book readings will take place at child development centers nationwide, including Forts Myer and Belvoir, Va., and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. The Fort Myer book reading is scheduled for June 15 at 2:30 p.m., Fort Belvoir's will take place June 18 at 10:00 a.m. and Walter Reed's is scheduled for June 17 at 9:30 a.m.

Fort Myer will also host a Twilight Tattoo on Whipple Field beginning at 7: 15 p.m. the same day, which will include a military pageant featuring The Old Guard, The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, the U.S. Army Drill Team, the U.S. Army Blues, as well as performance from a soloist from the U.S. Army Chorus and members of the U.S. Army Band downrange.

In case of inclement weather, the tattoo will move to Conmy Hall.

June 3, 2009

Where back! We have been gone due to family issues for a while but are back and updating the site!! so check us our on zazzle and cafepress!!!

http://www.zazzle.com/camobabygifts*

www.cafepress.com.7577

May 6, 2008

http://www.magicjack.com/4/index.asp 

I love it I got it the other day but installed it today and i love it now i have a new line for the shop and paying only 19.95 for a year of free phone calls it the best insted of paying a huge blackberry bill. the link is above it really dose work check out the web site.  It also works overseas jasons getting one to take to kuwait so he can call from his room. It works on any brodband internet connection. thats alot cheeper than 5.99 a min for calls from kuwait.

magicJack News and Reviews

"I have never seen a simpler to use product. You simply plug it into your computer, plug in your phone, and start calling. The call quality is perfect ... this device is so simple my grandmother could install one on her PC and begin ..."

Feb 10, 2008

Feb. 8, 2008

By

Akiliana

Peel a banana from the bottom and you won't have to pick the little "stringy things" off of it. That's how the primates do it.

Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.

Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!

Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.

Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.

To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up.

For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt Andes mints in double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.

Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of garlic and at the end of the recipe if your want a stronger taste of garlic.

Leftover snickers bars from Halloween make a delicious dessert.  Simply chop them up with the food chopper.  Peel, core and slice a few apples.  Place them in a baking dish and sprinkle the chopped candy bars over the apples.  Bake at 350 for 15 minutes!!! Serve alone or with vanilla ice cream.  Yum 

Reheat Pizza - Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.

Easy Deviled Eggs - Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag.  Seal, mash till they are all broken up.  Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg.  Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.

Expanding Frosting - When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes.  You can double it in size.  You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount.  You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.

Reheating refrigerated bread - To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.

Newspaper weeds away - Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers, put layers around the plants overlapping as you go cover with mulch and forget about weeds.  Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not get through wet newspapers.

Broken Glass - Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily.

No More Mosquitoes - Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

Squirrel Away! - To keep squirrels from eating your plants sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

Flexible vacuum - To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum.  It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

Reducing Static Cling - Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress.  Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and -- ta da! -- static is gone.

Measuring Cups - Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water.  Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

Foggy Windshield? - Hate foggy windshields?  Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car.  When the windows fog, rub with the eraser!  Works better than a cloth!

Reopening envelope - If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two.  Viola! It unseals easily.

Conditioner - Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair...

Goodbye Fruit Flies - To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass fill it 1/2" with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid, mix well.  You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!

Get Rid of Ants - Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it "home," can't digest it so it kills them.  It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works & you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

INFO ABOUT CLOTHES DRYERS - Dryer sheets cause a film over the filter screen - wash with hot soapy water and scrub with old toothbrush at least every six months

Jan 1, 2008

Do’s and don’ts while in uniform

by Whitney Bailey

The military service etiquette we abide by today is steeped in several hundred years of U.S. history. Many rules change over time as the military updates codes of conduct to reflect new attitudes and etiquette. However, some traditions still exist that may seem a bit antiquated (or even unfair) to you, the spouse.
When reviewing the list below, keep in mind that maintenance of these rules allows service members to project professionalism. These rules apply to your service member anytime he is in uniform, but many also apply to you when you are you attending a military function or in public with your uniformed hubby.
Do:
Walk on your husband’s left side so he can salute others.

Refer to your spouse by his first name or nickname, or as “my husband.” Do not refer to your husband as “Capt. Smith” or “the Captain.”

Stand at a public function or ceremony when the senior officer enters and is announced. This applies to everyone in attendance.

Offer your husband an umbrella in the rain, but only if it’s black. He’s not allowed to carry any other color.

Push the baby carriage or stroller so your spouse doesn’t have to. It’s considered “unmilitary” to do so while in uniform.

Help your spouse carry any packages or bundles to make it easier for him to salute. (Are you wondering if a man made up these rules so that wives would have to do all the heavy lifting?)

Don’t:

Show public displays of affection, except at homecomings and goodbyes. This includes kissing and holding hands.

Offer your spouse a piece of gum. It is not “military” for him to chew it. The same goes for smoking while in uniform.

Allow him to put his hands in his pockets unless he is placing or retrieving an item.

Refer to your husband’s orders as “our orders” unless you are a service member yourself.

Offer him food or drink while he’s walking. He should not be eating, drinking or using a cell phone while walking in uniform.

Refer to others in the service as “sir” or “ma’am,” even if your spouse does. Refer to them by their rank and last name (“Capt. Smith”).

Allow your child to wear your spouse’s uniform for Halloween. Uniforms bearing insignia, badges and tabs should be worn only by authorized personnel.

There are many directions one can take in life. For the select few who commit to reaching their full potential while protecting our nation, there is the path of the United States Marine Corps !

Jan 1, 2008

What is an LES?

by Stacy Malone

Even the world of military finance has acronyms. Understanding one in particular can be very beneficial to your family. LES means Leave and Earnings Statement. In non-"militaryease," that means a pay stub. This has vital information to be aware of. As a military spouse you probably know it is important to be prepared, so it may be a good thing to know the basics of an LES.
I had been married for a few years when my husband came home with orders hot off the press. He was joining many other Americans called to Desert Shield. In the ton of paperwork to fill out, he handed me this piece of paper that (like all the other government papers seemed to me) had lots of stuff written on it that I did not understand. It was of course his LES. I did not understand why he was suddenly teaching me how to read his pay stub. I mean, if I were going out of town I didn't have an urge to run home and show him my pay stub, "Hey honey...look at this Federal withholding, and how about that Social Security?"
When he told me that this form would explain a lot in the event there was a problem with the deposit of funds going into our account twice a month-you better believe I listened! The first part says everything about the military member. This is important to check and make sure Captain Jones is not getting Sergeant Jones pay. Make sure the name, rank, date they went into the military, Social Security Number (SSN) and home of record (state that takes out taxes) is correct. Inaccuracies need to be addressed immediately with your service member's unit.
The second part tells you what the base pay is along with the other pay and allowances. A good rule to remember here is if it has the word "pay"it is taxable and if it has the word "allowance" it is not taxable. Next listed is money taken out. If you are signed up for dental insurance, make sure there is money taken out for dependent's dental. If not, you do not have dental insurance yet.
An LES gives a projection of the following month's pay. Remember the word projection, because the amounts paid could change if there is any government debt or if there is an event that changes that pay.
If your military member is overpaid remember this: No one gets overpaid and gets to keep the money. Alert their unit and put that extra money to the side. The government will find that overpayment and they will take it out of the next pay. This could result in what is called a "no pay due" (not a pretty picture).
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service offers online 24-hour access to the service member's LES. Access requires a myPay Personal Identification. Start using myPay now at https://mypay.dfas.mil. Your installation's financial family support system can provide you with additional finance-related information.

Join Our Affiliate Program!

  You've seen the banners, now you need more information on the Affiliate Program and how it can start making money for You!

Do you have a Blog or a Website?

Do you have a web sit, Cafepress Shop, or webpage you would like to advertize with us for free! Then your in the right place join our affilliate program!

 Our Affiliate Program creates a significant opportunity for Webmasters, Bloggers, and Shopkeepers to make money while promoting creativity.

 Get in on our exciting new affiliate program today!

 Just copy this html code for our banner:

<a href="http://www.cafepress.com/7577" mce_href="http://www.cafepress.com/7577"><img src=" http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m69/doooooobug/img028.jpg " >

Add  code to place this banner on your site then email us at :

        customerservice@camobabygifts.com

 Include the url where we will find the banner and your banner and website url and we will add it and email you to let you know that you have been added thats it!