Today was a bad day.

For some reason, today was a bad day... It started off so wonderfully! COL and Lauren Shufelt got off without a hitch (story to come later). Luke slept okay... but he was in a good mood this morning. Somewhere around 10am it just took a dramatic nose dive.

First Luke wouldn't take his bottle.

Then I had to change my outfit three times because of spit up (come to find out I didn't need to go where I was getting ready to go. Very frustrating.)

Next: (Here is the story behind this) My phone isn't working properly, I don't receive text messages until hours later, I miss phone calls all the time. I get PISSED when I miss phone calls because of device failure. So we called T-Mobile and got a replacement. They sent the wrong phone. The. Wrong. Phone. So now I have to wait another week for a crappy phone I hate.

Continuing on: It's St Patrick's Day. And I did nothing. I have never done nothing for St. Patrick's Day. So depressing.

To be the ultimate pessimist. I HATE Chicago. It's expensive, cold, no other Army wives, cold, snow blows, and when I reach out over Facebook I get completely beaten up by my fellow wives. Everyone has an opinion on my parenting or the fact I am a Stay at home Mom. I choose to stay home with our son. It is my choice. I choose to vaccinate my child. I choose put him in a Jumperoo (He just laughed and laughed today in it). I do not appreciate any one attempting to make me feel less of an intelligent female because of my choice. That is utter crap.

I guess I am frustrated because I don't get to go out in the sun like I used too... I miss my Mommy. I miss Savannah. I miss my iPhone. And I miss my friends. They support me and show me so much love that I don't know what to do when I am in this vortex of hate.

Dennis came home and gave me a hug, so I do feel better... but if I am cranky this weekend when it is supposed to SNOW you know why.

MSRRA; An email to my husband from the Office of Legal Policy

Recent email from the DOD to my husband about MSRRA:

"In November 2009, the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act (MSRRA) became law. This new law changes some basic rules of taxation that could affect you and your spouse. Now, a military spouse who is present with a Service member (SM) in a particular State under military orders does not have to pay State income tax on wages earned in that State as long as that State is NOT the spouse's domicile (permanent home). However, the spouse would have to pay taxes to the State of domicile, if the laws of that State required such payments. Some States, of course, don't have State income taxes.

The MSRRA does not allow a spouse to pick or chose a domicile in just any State. Domicile is established, not arbitrarily chosen. The spouse must have actually been present in the State, established it as his or her domicile, and maintained it by forming and maintaining the necessary contacts, such as registering to vote, owning property, registering vehicles, holding professional licenses, declaring a homestead, or indicating a State of probate in a last will and testament. Similarly, the MSRRA does not allow a spouse to "inherit" or assume the SM's domicile upon marriage without the necessary contacts with the State.

DON'T WAIT TO GET HELP! The law is complicated, and because its effect will depend on the interpretations of each State, SMs and their spouses are encouraged to seek free, confidential advice from a military legal assistance office. Legal assistance offices can be found at http://legalassistance.law.af.mil/content/locator.php .

For members of the Coast Guard, more information is available at: http://www.uscg.mil/legal/la/Legal_Assistance_Home.asp

For all other Service members, more information is available from Military OneSource at: www.militaryonesource.com/taxfilingservices, under the heading "Find out about the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act."

P.S. This email is for informational purposes only. Responses to this email will not be answered. Please use the links listed above for more information."

Discounted Flights!

American Airlines will give the Military a discounted rate apparently! I have not personally used it yet, but another wife told me about it.

Just call 1-800-433-7300 and ask them for the Active Duty discount. They also will wave your baggage fees.

I would double check on Kayak.com to make sure you are getting the best deal before you call, but still every dollar counts!

(US Airways wave all baggage fees too)

Homewood BullDAWGS!

Dennis with his Company. 

Today was Safety Standdown day for BN. While they were in briefings, I and my friend Kristena were outside selling candy bars, sodas, and chips for our FRG. Dennis and I are hitting the ground running. We hope all our dreams for the Bulldawgs come into fruition.

Huggee

You've heard of Daddy dolls... Here is a really cute website that has them: http://www.huggeemissyou.com/

You can even record your Soldiers voice for your children. I am definitely getting these when Dennis deploys again. A huggable picture frame! So cute!

MyCAA is coming back!

A Message from DoD:

In the days following the announcement of a temporary pause of the Career Advancement Account - MyCAA - we have heard your feedback, suggestions and concerns.

We are pleased to announce that the MyCAA program will resume operations on March 13, 2010, at 12 p.m., noon (EST), for military spouses who currently have existing MyCAA accounts. Those who have an existing account will have access to the entire Web site, including the ability to create and have financial documents approved.

We are currently developing options for the long-term management of the program and expect to be able to announce the details soon. Until then, no new accounts can be created. During this time, Military OneSource Spouse Education and Career Consultants will continue to be available to provide education and training, career exploration, assessment, employment readiness and career search assistance.

Tommy T. Thomas
Deputy Under Secretary of Defense
Military Community and Family Policy

https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa/default.aspx

PCS and Money

PCS – Permanent Change of Station – or moving. Relocating. Completely uprooting your entire family and trucking across the country. It is one of the things that are certain in the Military life; Death, Taxes, and PCS’ing.

Let’s talk money. Moving is expensive. No one is disputing that, but the Military has a few extra allowances to assist in the cost of moving.

DLA (DisLocation Allowance): The purpose of DLA is to partially reimburse a member, with or without dependents, for the expenses incurred in relocating the member's household on a PCS, housing moves ordered for the Government's convenience, or incident to an evacuation. This allowance is in addition to all other allowances authorized in this Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR) and may be paid in advance. (http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/perdiem/dla.html) I highly recommend taking this in advance to help ease the cost of moving. This allowance amount changes every year. Always look up on the DOD Travel website for the current rate.

POC (Privately Owned Conveyance) Mileage Rate: Since you have to drive your car(s) to your new duty station, the Military will pay a Mileage Rate. As of January 1, 2010 the rate is 0.165/Mile/per vehicle. (http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/perdiem/faqpovpast.html)

TLE (Temporary Lodging Expense): If you have not found a house when you are due to report at your new Duty Station, you will live in the on Post lodging for a few days until you find a place. To help cover this cost there is TLE. TLE is very complicated, so make sure your Soldier/Airman/Seaman clears everything with S-1 first.

For more FAQs go to http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/perdiem/faq.html

Want free samples?

Who doesn't like free stuff? Here are a few samples I found today:



Free sample of Huggies Snug'n'Dry:
https://www.shoppersampling.com/orders/index.php?sid=86674&lang=en

And this is a wonderful resource for more free samples: http://mommysavers.com/boards/samples-freebies-offers/

What do you do about TriCare when you move?

(The credit for the idea for this post goes to one of my very good friends, who asked for this advice)

So, you're PCS'ing (that's Army talk for moving). On top of deciding how you are going to move, finding a house, taking care of the previous house, enrolling your kids in new schools, you have to transfer their TriCare too... Because if it was easy to do, then it wouldn't be the Army.

My experiences have varied COMPLETELY from the two moves we did last year.

1. Fort Stewart- Fort Jackson: (If your husband is still on 10+ days of leave when you arrive at the new Duty Station, this is what you should do.) I was about 8 weeks pregnant by the time we got there. I had to get in the system to see an OB. What we did is we went physically to the Hospital on Post and told them we needed to sign in. Since my husband was still on leave and would not in-process for another month, we had to do this ourselves. It didn't take too terribly long, but still rather annoying.

2. Fort Jackson - Chicago (Recruiting): This was easy. We simply called TriCare and the hubby took care of everything during in-processing.

I would recommend calling TriCare and asking them what you should do. http://www.tricare.mil/contactus/

Every Post is different. Good Luck!!

IF YOU ARE STANDARD: I HIGHLY recommend personally hand walking your Medical Records to your new Doctors. Don't trust any one to do anything for you that you can do yourself.

Dennis earns his Gunners Badge!

Dennis has held quite a few different jobs while in the Army. After 27 months of deployments in 4 years of Marriage, he decided, after the Career Course, to take Command of a Recruiting Company. Though he the Commander of a Recruiting Company, he isn't a Recruiter... though it is tradition that he Recruit one person into the Army.

Yesterday, he took a young man to MEPS to clear Medically and join the Army. Today he will have his Gunners Badge pinned on and all the Soldiers in our Family/Company will get to beat it into his chest (Another Army tradition).

I am so proud of Dennis. He has always done his duty.

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Today is my parents 31st Wedding Anniversary. They have been married for 31 years, 18 of those years my father was Active Duty in the Army.

My mom was a small-town, farm girl from Mississippi when she met my father. They got married and off they went on the Army Life Adventure. She raised two kids across two continents, dealt with multiple deployments, field exercises, PCS moves, and budgeting for a family of 4 on a single income.

My father is an Army Brat himself, turned Army Officer. He served in Germany in the early 80s, Gulf War, and the Haiti UN Mission. Through it all, he made time for my mom and their marriage.

By example, they've taught us kids how to be man and wife. How to have a good, strong, Christian Marriage. I am truly blessed with such Parents.

Hopefully you can read the article... But as I prepare for a busy day of errands, I think of what was written. How it takes twice as long now because I have Luke. I wouldn't trade him for anything in the world but I do sure miss being more efficient and only taking 15 minutes to get ready.

Saying Goodbye...

Homecoming 2nd Deployment

Homecoming 1st Deployment

Well, this morning I said Goodbye to Dennis as he went to work...

As I sit on the couch while Luke is happily batting at his toys on his mat, I think back on all the times I have said Goodbye to my husband. There were a few times I honestly didn't know when or if I would see him again. Saying Goodbye at 4am with his rucksack obstructing that one last hug is much harder than a light peck on the cheek as he goes into to work, I know he will be home around 1800 (that's 6pm for you civilians) today. It was still hard to see him go.

Man, I do not envy any wife going through a deployment right now... They are so hard. During his second deployment he did not get R&R (the two week vacation all soldiers get if they are deployed for over a year) until a year after he left. Imagine not seeing your husband for a full year... You put your life on hold almost, waiting for him to come home.

I guess that is the life of an Army Wife... You have to say Goodbye a lot. On the positive side, our Hellos are so much fun!

Okay, Luke is done playing and wants to be held.

HOPE Scholarship for Georgia Military

Just found this out:

"For anyone stationed in GEORGIA...check out the Early HOPE Scholarship. The state legislature has expanded the program to include military (AC, AGR, RC, and NG). If your child is presently attending or will be attending a "poor performing" school, you would be eligible for a voucher ($5k-$9K per child per year) to send your child to private school."

http://www.educatedgeorgia.org/foradvocates-q10167-c1-What_is_the_Early_HOPE_Scholarship_Program.aspx

What should do if the check engine light comes on?

So how many of you have been in this situation: You are driving along, picking up the kids or some other important errand, and your husband is deployed. All of a sudden the check engine light comes on. You call the dealership, they tell you to take the vehicle in then you pay close to $2,000.

I personally feel taken advantage of as a woman with little mechanical knowledge. The Dealership could lie through their teeth about what needs repairing. Even if they do need to fix something it is still going to cost an arm and a leg because of labor costs.

Well, there is something you can do! When ever your check engine light comes on go to Auto Zone, or a similar store, and have them check the code. This code will tell you exactly what is wrong, decoding the problem.

This will save you thousands of dollars in the long run and save some serious headache!

http://steve-olson.com/what-to-do-when-your-vehicle-check-engine-light-turns-on-and-the-warranty-has-expired/

MyCAA is shutdown! Where is all the money going?

You know, I always try to be positive. I am a pretty upbeat, albeit sarcastic, person. But I am starting to get pretty freakin' pissed.

First, Education Centers close.

Second, Congress takes forever to approve the Defense Budget.

Third, though the Defense Budget is the largest in recent history, not much of the money is going to the Military. Most of the money is earmarked for special projects. Thanks Congress!

Forth, Our COLA is cut. We are living in Chicago. With a 11.25% tax rate. No Commissary. Now, what makes me so furious is if you are living somewhere and they lower your BAH rate, it's alright. You get to keep your original rate. Not with COLA! (Cost Of Living Allowance). And they didn't just take away twenty bucks or so... NO! They cut it in half. IN HALF! Guess we aren't eating beef for awhile.

Fifth, Now MyCAA is shut down. This is a program for Spouses to go to school to have a career that can move with their Soldier. It is very difficult to live on a single income nowadays. No explanation why MyCAA was shut down... Not much information going out... Such crap.
Here are a few links about MyCAA shutting down:
http://marnemessages.blogspot.com/2010/02/dod-halts-mycaa-program-unclassified.html
http://military-education.military.com/2010/02/new-faqs-for-halted-mycaa-program/
So many Spouses are now scrambling to pay for their classes that they assumed were covered.

I am very frustrated at, what I feel, is a complete lack of support from Congress. They are really sticking it to us this year. Guess who I'm not voting for in 2010!

New wives and Identification Cards

The Military ID. When you have one with the worst picture even, your features blurred from the awful government lighting, your Social Security Number for everyone to see.... It is the right of initiation for Military Spouses.

But for those wives with their Soldiers as they go through the grooling enlistment process, where do they go? For some, the closest Military Installation (Post for the Army, Base for Navy and Marines) is over a 100 miles away. Especially when you have kids, where can you go?

The good news is a lot of Reserve Stations offer ID Services. You simply look up the closest one, call and see if they do offer ID Services or, if they don't, the closest one that does.

You can also ask your Recruiter.

Bet you never thought a white-washed photo would look so good, huh?

Where should I go?

So I have no idea what I should do with this blog... Where should I go with it? Should I allow my personal opinions into my posts? Should I write about my daily life and struggles not just as an Army Wife but as a Wife and Mother?

I think I am going to allow my personality to shine through this blog... and write about not just the technical know-how of Army stuff, but about me. My life.

Hopefully, it becomes more entertaining to read!

2010 BAH Rates

Finally, the 2010 BAH rates are now available.

http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/perdiem/bah.html

Remember, if BAH amount goes down for your duty station, you will still receive the higher amount you originally received.

Military Spouses Residency Relief Act Passed!!!

Military Spouses Residency Relief Act awaits the President’s approval

Washington, DC –Tuesday, November 3, 2009. A comprehensive military family legislation, the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act (S 475 and HR 1182), which will legally recognize military spouses by providing them the option to claim the same state of domicile as their active duty spouse, passed through the House and Senate with strong bipartisan support, and is now being brought before the President to become a law.

The bill was introduced by Congressman John Carter (R-TX), who represents Fort Hood, the largest military installation in the country. “This is fantastic news for our service families worldwide,” says Carter, who has been pushing the legislation for the last three years.

Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced the companion bill into the Senate, which passed unanimously in August. The legislation will amend the Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act (SCRA) of 1940 allowing military spouses to share a home state with their spouse, the service member.

Currently, military spouses experience impediments in voting and property ownership as well as deterrents in employment and education. The bill offers fair treatment of the military spouse and improves the quality of life for military families by allowing the stability of a single state of domicile to call home.

Over 8,000 military spouses, friends and family members united to support the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Military-Spouses-Residency-Relief-Act/51457362877 They shared their individual stories as they contacted Congressional representatives to ask for support. Initially, Army Spouse, Rebecca Poynter and Navy Spouse, Joanna Williamson, approached Congressman Carter with their request to petition. “It has been a grass roots effort by thousands of spouses across the country, who have campaigned to get this passed, by telling their stories,” explains Poynter.

“The support from Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and the Veterans Service Organizations who testified in our support is greatly appreciated,” said Williamson, “and together we claim this victory for all military families.”

In other words. I have a home state!