Newsletter January 2008

Blips Microphone AWTR Blip blip blips

Month in Review

؟ Resources of the week

...brought to you by FieldProblems^TM

• http://JanelleMock.com, author: Toughest Job in the Army

• Angel mementos, for various occasions to include military events: http://www.pocketangels.com

• Stephanie Pickup, author of The Soldier’s Tree &

Marlene Lee, author of The Hero in My Pocket

• Operation Hug-A-Hero by http://www.daddydolls.com

Up and Coming

؟ Show schedule (for specific topics, read Tara's intro, but here is the line-up of our AWTR segments. Think about them and call during a live show!)

January 7: HH6 (Household 6, tips and tricks for your life)

January 14: Mess Hall (recipes to share and try)

January 21: AWTR Book Club (pre-recorded)

January 28: Post With the Most (your post's activities)

؟ Look for Crooks & Henderson in the American Legion Auxiliary's quarterly HomeFront Magazine. Non-members of the American Legion Auxiliary are able to purchase a subscription to the magazine for a charge of $7/year. Please make checks payable to the American Legion Auxiliary National Treasurer.

Please send $7 to:
American Legion Auxiliary
HomeFront Editor
777 N. Meridian St., 3rd Fl.
Indianapolis, IN 46204-1420

WebWatcher

؟ Michigan Technological University took a bold step: inviting the children and spouses of anyone on full-time US military duty anywhere in the world to attend Michigan Tech by offering them in-state tuition. Guard/Reserve families qualify after the soldier has completed one year of active status. The difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at Michigan Tech is more than $11,000 per academic year (2 semesters). For the full story, see: http://www.admin.mtu.edu/urel/news/media_relations/630/

؟ http://www.napster.com/info/exchangeonlinemall.html Napster's Military Discount: Get Napster at the Exchange Online Mall. Subscribe for only $8.95. Over 10% off. get tracks for only 88 cents and albums for 10% off. Stream free playlists by going to http://free.napster.net.

؟ MilitaryOneSource Marketing Position in Arlington office:

http://www.ceridian.com/myceridian/mycareer/1,4826,11321,00.html

Choose Arlington or use #14489 and submit an online resume.

؟ Picture This! POG Photo contest: See rules and prize purse at

http://www.aafes.com/Patriot_Family/pogcontest.asp. Past winners are being featured in a 2008 calendar available now at AAFES stores for $4.95. Includes great info and great savings!

January 2008

"Go To" Guide

Blips

Ever Lasting!

Parenting Pointers!

Mess Hall

Publishing Guidelines

Should you choose to publish this newsletter, it must be published in its entirety including the resource box below. You may not re-publish sections or portions of the newsletter without express permission of AWTR. Please make all links clickable within the text. Please notify AWTR of publication by sending either a Web site link or a copy of your ezine/email via email to info@armywifetalkradio.com.

May be duplicated and distributed without alteration.

AWTR is the original internet talk radio program

for Army Wives, by Army Wives.

www.ArmyWifeTalkRadio.com

Our Patriot Sponsor

Patriot Sponsor--USAA

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LAS's Breakthrough Blog:

http://awtr.blogspot.com/2007/12/wireless.html

Shellie V. pleas, "Someone please tell me they do this too!"

Parenting Pointers!

an excerpt from "Personal Wellness for Top Peak Performance," http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fcs/pdfs/fcs4796.pdf

Get Regular Exercise

This takes a little planning and time, but you will see the rewards when you start to feel more energy! Try to move throughout the day. Take the steps instead of the elevator and walk as much as possible.

Everyone needs at least 30 minutes every day of "moderate activity" like walking, gardening, or playing an outdoor game. You don't have to do 30 minutes all at once. You could do a little bit several times a day. Like 10 minutes in the morning, 15 at lunchtime, and 10 in the afternoon. Twenty to 30 minutes of more quick-paced activity (like fast walking, jogging, swimming, or dancing) 3 to 5 times a week even makes your heart stronger!

Make it fun and easy to be active:

• Buy some comfortable walking shoes.

• Walk with a friend.

• Make exercise part of what you do each day.

• Spend fun time with your kids. They can ride along on wagons, skates, or bikes while you walk.

• Walking can also be a time to be by yourself, relax, and think about things.

• You might be able to trade child care with your neighbors or friends. If they watch your children while you exercise, you could watch their children another time.

Exercise has many benefits besides making you feel better and have more energy. Regular physical activity:

• Will reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke,

• Will help you lose weight if you need to or it will help you maintain your weight, and

• Will help you become more flexible and move around easier.

This article is provide by Family-info.info, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, and North Carolina State Univ. A frequent Family-info contributor is Karen DeBord, Ph.D. who also submits AWTR Parenting minutes monthly for AWTR Live!

Field Problem Solved: c/o Crooks & Henderson

Field Problem: 2008 is an election year.

Crooks and Henderson's Solution: Get the knowledge you need about the issues, contenders, and understand how to voice your opinions and make your voice count.

Who do we contact?

Look up email addresses and phone numbers at Military.com's Legislative Action Center. http://capwiz.com/military/issues/alert/?alertid=9041476&type=CO

What are some issues?

The National Military Family Association will email you their newsletter, The Voice, outlining the issues for you. Sign up at NMFA and check out http://www.nmfa.org/2008issues.

How can we be effective?

Volunteer for or participate in the Army Family Action Program forums. This program allows soldiers and family members opportunities to provide feedback about real issues affecting their military life. Search http://www.myarmylifetoo.com for AFAP.

Also, read How to Communicate With Your Elected Officials, published by the DoD's Federal Voting Assistance Program, http://www.fvap.gov/comm/cwyeo.pdf.

The American Legion publication, In the Footsteps of the Founders- A Guide to Defending our American Values, provides detailed information and is available free upon request to pr@legion.org.

Ever Lasting!

by Sheryl Kurland

New Year's Resolutions For Your Marriage

As the excitement of the holiday season dies down, the “blahs” may set in. The New Year is often accompanied with a big letdown, and feelings of tiredness, disappointment and sadness often penetrate into your relationship with the one person you love the most. You have to dig deep to re-energize and give your marriage fresh attention. Here are some New Year’s resolutions you may want to adopt to rekindle the romance flame for 2008:

Hold that thought. Going through each day, you likely come in contact with people and things that trigger “fun-activities-we-can-do-together” ideas. But later, upon trying to recall the ideas…..you draw a blank. Capture them by keeping pen and paper handy – in your car, pocketbook, briefcase, the drawer of your nightstand next to your bed, etc. Voila! When you’re trying to think of something different to do, you’ve got a ready list.

Become an inventor. When patterns and habits become predictable it’s time to break the mold. Use your creativity! Brainstorm all the crazy, absurd, and ridiculous ideas each of you can think of, that you would never do. Then go over your lists together and see if there are seeds for some useful, creative solutions to spice up the partnership.
Stare in the mirror. When a relationship grows stale, human inclination is to blame the other person. Reverse the blame. Look inward. Perform this “evaluation” exercise: 1) List the faults and weaknesses of your partner; 2) Apply them to yourself; 3) Make improvements.

A squeeze, please! Household chores, everyday obligations and general responsibilities are less cumbersome when your partner sneaks behind you and gives you an unsolicited hug or interrupts you with a smooch. Such an exchange lightens the load and reminds both of you, “I appreciate and care about you” without saying a word.

Disconnect yourself every now and then. When you feel like you’re tottering on the edge and you just need a break – you should take one. In today's busy world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of never taking any time for yourself. Promise yourself that when you take time to “disconnect,” you will not answer your cell phone, return a text message or check your email.

I call this meeting to order. In a quiet setting, sit face to face and discuss the “State of the Union.” Agree on one short-term and one long-term goal for the partnership. Develop an action plan with specific steps. Delegate them – you, me, together. Establish target dates including subsequent meetings. And, don’t forget to include a “celebration” to congratulate yourselves when the goals are reached!

Sheryl Kurland is author of the elegant coffee-table book Everlasting Matrimony: Pearls Of Wisdom From Couples Married 50 Years Or More. 75 couples, "real-life" relationship experts, reveal the keys to a loving, lasting and fulfilling relationship. SIGN UP FOR A FREE, WEEKLY EMAIL, "TIME-TESTED RELATIONSHIP TIPS," FROM COUPLES MARRIED 50-PLUS YEARS AT EverlastingMatrimony.com.