Military Spouses- Draw and Paint to Help Raise Funds for USA Cares

Congratulations to the Home Sweet Home Campaign - Helping Military Families Connect!

Celebrating Labor - Now Why Do We Celebrate??

Boy the year is flying by, our children are starting school, the weather is changing and if you can believe it, there is Halloween and Thanksgiving merchandise in the stores already!

As we all gear up for a three day weekend, I had to stop and think... Labor Day- the first Monday of September... now why do we get the day off?? Oh yes, to celebrate US - YOU and ME - all the working folks out there! Which got me thinking a bit more about all the different kinds of jobs and responsibilities "US" Americans have. I salute anyone out there that is working day in and day out. Some jobs are more stressful than others, but who am I to judge which job is more important. But I do believe being a soldier and protection our country is by far one of the most admirable! I want to thank each and every one of you out there that has put on a uniform to protect me and my family. You are what makes this country what it is... FREE!

The Home Sweet Home Campaign wants to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday weekend.

Definition: Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is acreation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social andeconomic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearlynational tribute to the contributions workers have made to thestrength, prosperity and well-being of our country.

Oregon was the first U.S. state to recognize Labor Day in 1887. It became a U.S. National holiday in 1894.

In Canada, it became a national holiday on July 23, 1894.

Beth Ann VanHoose & TShirts 4 Soldiers - American Heroes Radio

Beth Ann VanHoose was a guest on American Heroes Radio last night and...

Thanks to this short interview the Home Sweet Home Campaign has seen in increase in support of the TShirts 4 Soldiers program. This program is a unique and fun way to show our support for our warriors at war, while helping our wounded warriors at home. Anyone can design and personalize their own TShirt or they can choose from one of the pre-printed design. Either way, they will be helping the Home Sweet Home Campaign reach their MILLION DOLLAR pledge to USA Cares Warrior Treatment Today program.

To find out more about TShirts 4 Soldiers click here.

To hear Beth Ann's interview Click Here.


A bit about American Heroes Radio - on BlogTalkRadio www.AmericanHeroesRadio.com
American Heroes Radio provides a platform for the lives, stories and accomplishments of our American Heroes. Each week, a different member of our military, law enforcement, firefighting and emergency services are guests. We invite you to browse the archives and listen to a World War II fighter pilot speaking about his experiences over Iwo Jima; a Navy captain tell his story of Cold War submarine hunting; an Iraq war veteran who was wounded in the head by an RPG; or, any of the large numbers of interviews of law enforcement officials around the country speaking about their expertise, careers and often hair-raising adventures.

TShirts 4 Soldiers - Helping Families Connect with Deployed Loved Ones

The Home Sweet Home Campaign 1st shipment of

TShirts 4 Soldiers has been sent overseas

The TShirts4 Soldiers program is helping people connect with their deployed loved ones. This unique and fun way to send a piece of your heart and home to a Service Member you love is making a big splash in the military world. Spouses, children,Mothers and more are designing “one of kind” TShirts and having them shipped directly to their loved one. In turn, Service Members are sending TShirts they have designed back home to their family and friends.

The TShirts 4 Soldiers program touches three very important groups of people; Military families and friends living stateside, deployed Service Members andpost 9/11 veterans who have returned from the war. Photina Haumschilt, wife of a deployed sailor stated, “The TShirts 4 Soldiers is a wonderful program. It gave my girls and me something special and different to do together that we could send to my husband. We had a great time making the design together as a family. My oldest daughter saw a picture of the TShirt and is so excited that her daddy will be able to wear it soon. Thank you for this program!”

(Beth Ann VanHoose, Founder of Home Sweet Home Campaign with the 1st shipment of TShirts 4 Soldiers)

TShirts 4 Soldiers - Naval Spouse Designs 1st Shirt for Husband in Iraq

The Home Sweet Home Campaign Salutes Deirdre Johnson, Navy Wife

A special thanks to Deirdre for designing the 1st TShirts 4 Soldiers Tee, which is featured on www.OurSoldiers.org.

This hand drawn picture of two hands brought together to form a heart, embracing the United States Flag and combat boots with dog tags dangling down will take your breath away. To pull the design together, Deirdre added the preamble of the Constitution. She describes the heart with the hands as something "we" as a family do for Daddy. This shirt was mailed directly to her husband Michael in Baghdad Iraq.

A portion of all the proceeds from the sale of Deirdre's shirt will be donated to USA Cares Warrior Treatment Today Program. If you are interested in supporting our vets, please go to www.OurSoldiers.org to purchase this shirt or to create your own. Either way, TShirts 4 Soldiers will donate proceeds to USA Cares.

A little bit about Deirdre...

Deirdre was born and raised in Corpus Christi Texas, has a long family history of supporting our country.

She is the granddaughter of WWII U.S Naval Vet, daughter of U.S. Army Sgt.Vietnam Vet (who served 3 tours), sister to Lance CPL USMC, Niece to U.S Navy WWII Pilot shot down, Niece of Captain in U.S Airforce, wife of U.S Navy Spouse who is currently deployed in Baghdad, Iraq.

Home Sweet Home Campaign - Tie Dye Shirts

Check out these shirts at the Home Sweet Home Campaign
website www.OurSoldiers.org

Support your troops and buy a shirt today. A portion of the proceeds will go directly to USA Cares, a nonprofit group advocating for post 9/11 war veterans.

They have a limited supply to order TODAY!

Need an Escape - Enter Here - Origins Sweepstakes

What are the Wounds of War?

From the Huffington Post
July 29, 2009
Lloyd I. Sederer MD

Our country has been at war in Afghanistan and Iraq for over eight years. Opinions vary powerfully about our entry into these wars and our exit strategies. But we are learning to separate our feelings about recent wars from its warriors. Support for American soldiers is strong, though I have heard from military personnel that there are still moments when war returnees are vilified as soldiers, their being mistaken for war itself.

War is hard on those who serve -- marines, soldiers, air force and navy -- and their families -- ask them and they will say it is "hard". While Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is seen in 3-4% of the general population, Vietnam veterans have rates of 15%. The near to 300,000 men and women who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq on whom the Veteran's Administration has records from 2002-2006 are experiencing rates of 37%. Suicide among veterans is at the highest it has been in the almost three decades since this data has been kept; deaths from suicide among Afghan and Iraqi veterans are, remarkably, expected to exceed the combat death toll. PTSD is only the tip of problems that include depression, alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence, separation and divorce, especially prominent among National Guard and Reserve who are over 50% of those deployed today.

In all, about one third of returning veterans will need mental health and substance use services, without counting their families. This is excluding great number of soldiers who return with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Of those in need of care, so few will receive it: estimates are that only one in four veterans who report problems are served. Untreated, their conditions do not improve, nor do the lives of their families.

Why do some veterans develop PTSD or depression, or abuse alcohol and drugs, and others do not -- even when exposed to the same life threatening duty? I recently met a veteran, a marine who had completed three extended tours in Iraq. She said that while she felt badly for her fellow soldiers with these conditions she -- heavily engaged in combat -- had suffered no post-deployment mental distress. I conclude she did not have any genetic or acquired (from early trauma) vulnerability to these conditions, which is to say that the stresses of war did not find in her an overly reactive nervous system. Many, if not most illnesses result when environmental stresses ignite a latent but ready disease disposition. Not everyone with genes for diabetes will develop it but if you consume a lot of sugar, live a sedentary life and become obese you are very likely to become diabetic. The same applies to heart disease and many cancers - as well as mental and substance use disorders. Scientists call this the "stress-diathesis" theory of illness. Diathesis means a tendency to something and stress is what ignites it. Imagine endless months where your life is in peril not knowing from whom, where or when -- coupled with witnessing horror that sears your consciousness: that is military life in Iraq and Afghanistan. These are the conditions that generate the psychological wounds of war.

Veterans with stress induced disorders can be helped to regain normal lives with their families and in their communities. The Defense Department and Veterans' Administration have begun to require regular screening of returning veterans for these internal wounds. Effective treatments exist: veterans are educated about the effects of trauma, learn relaxation or other calming techniques, and undergo progressive re-exposure to trauma through imagery or directly by entering situations that would excite a traumatic response. Individual stress triggers can be identified and managed and excessive use of alcohol or drugs controlled since they only worsen matters over time. Medications, including beta blockers (used to control the fight-flight response) and antidepressants can be very helpful. Spouses and children need to know they also may need someone to turn to, whether family, friends, or counselors.

"War is a force that gives us meaning" Chris Hedges entitled his 2002 book. We know how to make warriors but we know too little about how to make ex-warriors. To leave war and its wounds behind requires a sense of purpose - an alternate path that engages the soul and gives it meaning. Veterans -- and their families too -- need not only to be helped to access mental health and substance use treatments they also need job retraining, education, family counseling and assistance with child care and benefits due them for their service. They need hope, faith and community. We owe the same commitment to our veterans, and their families, that they have given to us.

For more resources on PTSD Click Here

High School Teacher Leads Marines in Iraq

High School Teacher Leads Marines in Iraq

Face of Defense: High School Teacher Leads Marines in Iraq By Marine Corps 1st Lt. Michele Perez Special to American Forces Press Service CAMP AL TAQADDUM, Iraq, July 30, 2009 – Being a high school teacher, a professional soccer player and a firefighter in one’s local town all are great accomplishments. But one woman who has been all three still desired to pursue something more. Marine corps 2nd Lt. Suzie McKinley, communications operations officer for the2nd Marine Logistics Group, serves at Camp Al Taqaddum, Iraq. She leftteaching high school English in May 2004 and eventually found hercalling as a Marine Corps officer. U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt.Michele Perez (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Most second lieutenants serving in the Marine Corps are right out of college or have prior enlisted service. But at 31 and having lived through more real-life experiences than the majority of her peers, 2ndLt. Suzie McKinley has finally found her calling as a Marine Corps officer. McKinley is serving her first deployment to Iraq as the communications operations officer for the 2nd Marine Logistics Group here. However,just a few years ago, she was in a classroom teaching at the Winchendon School in Winchendon, Mass. The school was not your typical high school. It held classes from 9th grade through post graduate school, and students ranged anywhere from a star athlete destined to be drafted by the National Basketball Association to international students who would return to their native country to serve in their nation’s military. McKinley said she loved teaching, the impact she made on the students and the remarkable progress she would see them make. Yet, she added, she reached a point where she felt as if she was coming up short. “I needed to be able to do more,” she said. “I owed my students more; I wanted to get out and get [credibility]. … I felt like I hadn’t lived.” In hopes offinding that “something more,” McKinley left the school in 2003 to pursue her master’s degree in English literature at Middlebury Collegein Middlebury, Vt., assuming that furthering her education was the answer. But in an unexpected, but welcome, turn of events, she found an opportunity to play on a professional soccer team, the Vermont Voltage,where she competed against teams from Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts and Canada. Having played soccer since she was old enough to walk, McKinley said, she remembers the offer as an opportunity she could not pass up, though it was for the love of the game and not the money; she had to hold a few jobs to make ends meet.She coached soccer at the local high school, managed a back country ski center, and if that wasn’t enough, she also became a firefighter in The Ripton, Vt., fire department. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime shot to train and play at that level,” McKinley said. “The best part of it was to have all the young kids come out to the games and see us play, and to see a light in their eyes because they know there are opportunities out there.” But as much as she loved to play soccer, McKinley said, the rush of adrenaline in being a firefighter and being part of an organization where she possibly would be able to take part in saving someone’s life started to draw her into firefighting. But the day came when McKinley and her squad couldn’t get to a victim in time. She still vividly remembers when she and a fellow squad member went into the building to retrieve the body.She had trained for something like this, but when they got to the scene, they found that there was a second victim -- the woman’s pet Rottweiler had never left his owner’s side. That was the tipping point that caused her to search for a way where she would be able to firefight full-time, McKinley said. “Once you experience something like that, you can’t just do it part time. … I wanted all of it,” she said. “When the pager goes off, everything stops. The world stops spinning, and someone needs help. The only thing that matters is to get from A to B to get to that person.” Her first step was to attempt to enter the Air National Guard to serve in crash and fire rescue, where she would be able to make firefighting a career. But after beginning the process and going through the physical,she was placed on a waiting list. Discouraged by the waiting process,McKinley was talked into going to see a Marine Corps officer selection officer. After discussing the training regimen and what she would be tested to do -- combined with the leadership, physical training and the opportunity to serve her country -- she she knew she was hooked. “This is what I was meant to do,” she said. “This is it, because I still have those kids looking at me, but they’re not in my English class. They’re Marines.” McKinley said she finds that many of the attributes that helped her to succeed as a teacher are transferrable to her new role as a Marine Corps officer. It requires patience, honesty and being OK with not being liked all of the time, she noted. But most importantly, she added, it requires the ability to listen. She said she has the utmost respect for each of the Marines with whom she has the pleasure of serving, noting “the utter gratitude I have for them at their age to make the sacrifice.” “I can’t imagine at 18, 19 joining the Marine Corps,” she said, “but here these Marines are doing such an enormous service for themselves and their country.” Although she has no definite plan for what her future holds, McKinley said, she does know she eventually plans to return to teaching now that she has earned the knowledge and credibility she yearned for when she was teaching in that 9th grade classroom. (Marine Corps 1st Lt. Michele Perez serves with the 2nd Marine Logistics Group.)

Related Sites: Multinational Force Iraq

MAINTAIN - Pfizer going above and beyond to help in these economic times

This new program, called MAINTAIN (Medicines Assistance for Those who Are in Need) is designed to help recently unemployed Americans and their families who have lost their insurance and who are taking Pfizer medicines to continue treatment at no cost for up to one year. The program will be open for enrollment through December 31, 2009 and applies to eligible Americans who have become unemployed since January 1, 2009. Eligibility requirements of the MAINTAIN program include: loss of employment since January 1, 2009; prescribed and taking a Pfizer medicine for at least 3 months prior to unemployment and enrolling in the program; lack of prescription drug coverage; and can attest to financial hardship. Those who qualify will receive their Pfizer medicines at no cost for up to 12 months or until they become re-insured (whichever occurs first). Over 70 Pfizer primary care medicines will be available through the program. For more information, including how to apply call 1-866-706-2400 or go to: www.PfizerHelpfulAnswers.com.

Home Sweet Home Campaign's New Banners

Congratulations Home Sweet Home - These are three great banners.

If you have a website or blog and would like to help spread the word by placing a banner on your site just email Beth@OurSoldiers.org

CA and MD Veterans and Service Members - Network of Care

Mom's View salutes the Network of Care website. If you are a veteran or active service member in the the state of California or Maryland, you have some resources available to you. Click here to learn more. Network of Care for Veterans & Service Members

What is the Network of Care:
Network of Care is a highly interactive, single information place where consumers, community-based organizations and
municipal government workers all can go to easily access a wide variety of important information. The resources in this
"virtual community" include a fast, comprehensive Service Directory; links to pertinent Web sites from across
the nation; a comprehensive, easy-to-use Library; a political advocacy tool; community message boards; and many others.

Network of Care eLearning is an online education resource for government agencies as
well as the general public. States and counties can manage their employee training and
development process of both online and classroom courses, while the general public may
access an extensive catalog of online courses.

Military Appreciation Radio Show Worldwide Event - June 20th 5pm EST/2pmPST

Don't miss this opportunity to show your support and to thank the brave soldiers protecting our country....

SOMEWHERE IN UTAH (June 13, 2009) — MoJoe, Host of The Talk Radio Portal Radio Show” on Blog Talk Radio announces a historic event. The Talk Radio Portal Radio Show will broadcast LIVE via the Internet the “Military Appreciation Radio Show Worldwide Event.” This will be a SPECIAL show for all to say "Thank You" to our Military Men and Women. Call into the show at (646) 478-0932 and give a shout out to someone you know that may be deployed. Also, we invite our deployed members of the Military to call in and say "Hello" to their friends and families back in the states. The show host “MoJoe” and his co-host “The Big Dog” welcome Special Guest Beth Wilson of Home Front in Focus who will take calls from anyone who wants to pass along “well wishes” to members of the military. In turn members of the military can call in and share their stories with the audience. The show will broadcast from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Time, and the call in number (646) 478-0932. Media requests to interview “MoJoe” will be taken no later than the Friday prior to the show, please e-mail your request to talkradioportal@cut.net. For more information on The Military Appreciation Radio Show Worldwide Event, visit the show website at www.blogtalkradio.com/Talk-Radio-Portal, or contact MoJoe at talkradioportal@cut.net.

LAWYERS SERVING WARRIORS - Helping soldiers in need

The Home Sweet Home Campaign salutes LAWYERS SERVING WARRIORS....a project of the National Veterans Legal Services Program. take a minute to watch this video and visit their site. This organization has taken their patriotism to the next level - providing support and resources for our injured soldiers.

Atlanta Falcons Visit Kelley Hill - Honoring the 3rd Heavt Brigade Combat Team

The 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, welcomed players and cheerleaders from the Atlanta Falcons to Kelley Hill June 8. The players and cheerleaders ate dinner at the dining facility, thanked Soldiers for their service, and signed autographs before riding back to Atlanta in Blackhawk helicopters, courtesy of the Georgia National Guard.

The Home Sweet Home Campaign Salutes the Atlanta Falcons

MilPlace.com a Great Military Networking Site

The Home Sweet Home Campaign is always looking for resources and support to help our military members, families, friends and supporters... here is another great place to go

MilPlace is a Military Networking Site

MilPlace is an online military social community site specifically for
military personnel, their family, friends and supporters, whether
active, reserve, retired or future this is the home for you. Join for
free, and view profiles, create a customized profile, connect with
others, blog, chat in our chatrooms, create photo albums in our photo
gallery, play in our arcade, become active in our forum and groups in
our online social networking community created just for the military
and their families!!

Milblogging.com - A great resource for bloggers interested in the Military

The Home Sweet Home Campaign has found another great resource for Bloggers interested in the military:

Milblogging is an internet database for organizing military blogs.
It’s main attraction is its index of military blogs from all over the
world. As of October 2006, Milblogging indexes over 1,500 military
blogs in over 25 countries. Milblogging indexes a wide variety of
military blogs including webblogs written by: military spouses,
military veterans, military personnel (who are in the Air Force, Army,
Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard), civilian contractors, reporters,
military parents, civilians, and other groups. Many of the military
blogs listed on Milblogging are written by troops deployed to the
frontlines of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Milblogging
was founded by Jean-Paul Borda in September 2005. Prior to Milblogging,
Borda ran a military blog from Afghanistan while he was deployed with
the Army National Guard during Operation Enduring Freedom. His original
military blog "The National Guard Experience" was written as a means to
stay in touch with family, friends, and supporters while on deployment.
Frustated by a lack of media coverage on the positive accomplishments
of the U.S. Military in Iraq and Afghanistan, and wanting an easy way
to find military blogs, Borda decided during his deployment to create
an aggregator site of military-related blogs from around the world. The
domain name "Milblogging.com" was registered in late 2005 after Borda
returned home from deployment, and the website was developed over the
following months. The original logo design was created as a courtesy by
GX The Guard Experience, a magazine
that featured entries of Borda's military blog from Afghanistan. In
late September 2005, Borda launched the website.

To Read More Click Here

MIlitaryAvenue.com - a great resource for Military Families

The Home Sweet Home Campaign has found another great resource for military families: MilitaryAvenue.com...

they know from personal experience that military moves, military travel, and frequent change is a part of our culture. Finding military-friendly businesses in new communities and resources that aid our mobile lifestyle can become an overwhelming task. MilitaryAvenue exists to attempt to ease these burdens!

At MilitaryAvenue.com You Can...

• Find Businesses that offer Military Discounts
  • We provide local information about 240+ military installations
  • We currently have over 6,200 business partners that offer military discounts... and the list is growing!
  • We also have contact information for over 800,000 businesses within 50 Miles of a Military Installation
• Find Military Lifestyle Information and Articles
• Weather and Local Events at 240+ Military Installations
• Use our numerous Military Moving Tools
• Subscribe to our Alerts! system that automatically delivers local military discounts to your inbox each month
• Participate in our blog “Our letters to You” which provides commentary on Military life
• Use our Career tools to find local Military Spouse Employment Opportunities
• Comment about and rate local and national businesseses, education provid

Home Sweet Home Campaign Proud Supporter of "Home of the Brave: Stories in Uniform"

The Home Sweet Home Campaign is a proud supporter of the release of the new book "Home of the Brave:Stories in Uniform" edited by Jeff Hess and published by Kevin Press at Press 53.

Jeff Hess served six years in hte Navy during the Cold War where readiness was teh most he could offer. Aboard two different ships, he traveled to many points the northern hemisphere in a show of strength orchestrated to preserve democracy, but he's always wanted to do more.

As a way of giving back in some small way, he began working with veterans, sharing with them the knowledge he has acquired over the years with the hope that the writing process would give them and their families some of the joy and clarity it has given him. In conceiving this anthology, it was his goal that the stories would honor those who have served in uniform. While putting the book together, however, he saw an even greater opportunity to help and honor veterans by donating a portion of the sale of each book to an organization that assists the brave men and women of America’s military. In researching military related charities, Hess said, “I connected most strongly with USA Cares because of their practical approach and enduring commitment.”
According to Kim Moorman, Director of Business Development for USA Cares, “Jeff heard about USA Cares and what we do to assist post 9/11 Veterans and their families on The Dennis Miller Radio Show and wanted to do something to help.”

“Home of the Brave: Stories in Uniform” features 24 moving stories that relate to the military. Many critically acclaimed as well as emerging authors are included here (many of whom have served in the military themselves) including Kurt Vonnegut, Tim O’Brien, Tobias Wolff, James Salter, Pinckney Benedict, Chris Offutt, Robert O’Connor, Gabe Hudson, Benjamin Percy, Amber Dermont, Roman Skaskiw, Zoey Byrd, Valerie Hamilton, Blaise Weller, Sarah Davis, Mary Akers, Tracy Crow, Kevin Jones, Hannah Huber, Bruce Overby, Peter Schilling, Tom Sheehan, Doug Frelke, and Max Ruback.

The book "Home of the Brave: Stories in Uniform" was released this past Memorial Day May 25, 2009 you can purchase a copy from the publisher at press53.com or on the book’s website at homeofthebraveanthology.com. and proceeds both from retail and wholesale go to help military families thru the mission of USA Cares.

Call to Action - Today Show Series, Fighting the War from the Home Front

We cannot forget that it is not only our soldiers making the ultimate sacrifice, their families are too! THANK A SOLDIER and THEIR FAMILY TODAY!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Homes for our Troops Helping injured Marine

The Home Sweet Home Campaign is proud to be a supporter of HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS. This nonprofit organization is amazing! It is people like John Gonsalves, the president and founder of this group that make America what it is - A land of opportunity to grow, to learn, to thrive and share that wealth with others in their time of need.

Hats off to John Gonsalves!

Story By SARA B. HANSEN - Fort Collins Coloradoan
May 11, 2009

Marine Staff Sgt. John Jones reluctantly applied to the Homes for Our Troops program while recovering from the amputation of both lower legs.

In fact, it took a direct order from his commanding officer at the hospital in San Antonio to get Jones to fill out the paperwork.

Two years went by and Jones forgot about the application. He moved his wife, Amber, and three children to Fort Collins to start a new life.

"We needed to get away from the eyes of war and be closer to family," Amber Jones said.

He started taking classes at CSU's business school and became one of two disabled veterans enrolled in the first-ever Operation Wall Street, a six-month immersion program in the financial industry created by the Wall Street Warfighters Foundation.

The couple picked out a lot in far southeast Fort Collins and began making tentative plans to build a home.

Then in December, Jones, 32, got the call from Homes for Our Troops that he had been accepted and would get a brand new house. The program even bought the lot the family had picked out.

Click Here to read the rest of this story... it is worth reading!

History of Memorial Day

Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, started just a few years after the Civil War. The Veterans Unions wanted to remember their fallen soldiers by decorating their graves at the Arlington Cemetary and other cemetaries across the country with flowers.

However, it wasn't until 1971 when Congress made "Memorial Day" a national holiday honoring soldiers of all wars. For the full report on the history of Memorial Day, visit the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs website at http://www1.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/history.asp.

Home Sweet Home Campaign

Kudos to Superstition Springs Elementary and the Home Sweet Home Campaign on the tremendous success of their Schools That Care T-Shirt Design contest. Ryan Fitzpatrick of the Buffalo Bills took a red eye flight from New York to present the winners their awards and the kids went wild.

A great big Thank you to Podmaxx and Defender Pro Anti-Virus software for their generous donations.


Pictures here

Operation: Love Reunited

If you have someone you love that is deploying check this site out. It's pretty cool what they are doing....

Below is a clip from their website, but for more info go to Operation: Love Reunited

If you have ever been through a military deployment, there are no words to explain how hard it is to send the father or mother of your children off to some foreign, dangerous land, leaving you all behind…. Alone. It’s indescribable to watch their faces light up as their mother or father comes up the stairs of the airport after months, possibly a year or more, of not hugging each other. Emotions fly through the main lobby, it’s so very good to have them home. Your base’s Family Support Squadron will help you with your deployment. But the last thing on your mind when your wife or husband arrives home after a 4 to 18 month tour, is capturing all this love– on film. Most people are so overwhelmed with emotions they forget to simply point and shoot the camera they are grasping of their child’s first hug, or that single tear of relief from a mother being able to hold her twenty year old son again. With the help of Operation: Love ReUnited and local photographers near your base, you can.

The Operation helps those long months go by a little faster. It’s designed to capture moments that you will never remember. It’s art. It’s love. And it’s all made possible by artists wanting to give something back to those who make the United States what it is, and ask for nothing in return- but to come home.

If you are a member or family member of the United States Military, and are interested in having very special and touching images with a patriotic edge taken of you and/or your family before a deployment or during, and at your reunion, please contact a photographer in your area now. You will receive a substantial package as a gift in appreciation for all you have been through as a military member. The package will always include a 4x6 album of pre-deployment images, such as a child’s hand clasped in his parent’s with the faint glimpse of a BDU sleeve, a marine in dress with his family, a salior with his parents right before departure, or a child playing dress up in combat boots and a helmet. The album will be sent to the deployed soldier by the photographer, at no cost to you. Also with your package, all session fees will be waived. Your photographer may have a designated package or other options for Operation: Love ReUnited participants at their discretion with a signed model release.

Ryan Fitzpatrick - Helping our Soldiers and Their Families

The Home Sweet Home Campaign is proud to announce... Ryan Fitzpatrick, quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, as the Pro-Athlete judge for the "Schools That Care" T-Shirt Design Contest. Excelling on the football field and in the classroom, Ryan has paved a road of success all the way to the NFL. Ryan graduated in the top 2% of his class at Highland High School in Gilbert, Arizona. While being a standout athlete offered Ryan many opportunities, it was his academic success that opened the door for him to play football for Harvard University where he earned his degree in economics. Named Ivy League Player of year in 2004, Ryan went on to be drafted by the St. Louis Rams in 2005. The only Harvard quarterback to ever play in the NFL. In 2007 & 08 Ryan played for the Cincinnati Bengals, and in 2009, as a free agent, he signed with the New York Buffalo Bills.
For Ryan's Stats, News and More - Click Here

Ryan will not only be a judge for the contest, he will be presenting at the awards ceremony on May 15th. We are honored to have Ryan return to his hometown to be part of the "Schools That Care" contest which is helping to raise money for Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. The winning T-Shirt designs will be featured on the Home Sweet Home website www.OurSoldiers.org - For every shirt sold, $5.00 will be donated to USA Cares. This nonprofit organization is focused on helping our post 9/11 war veterans in their time of need.

To learn more about the "Schools That Care" T-Shirt Contest, the Home Sweet Home Campaign or USA Cares, visit www.OurSoldiers.org

Army Vet Billed $3,000 for War Wounds

(CNN) -- Erik Roberts, an Army sergeant who was wounded in Iraq, underwent his 13th surgery recently to save his right leg from amputation. Imagine his shock when he got a bill for $3,000 for his treatment.

Army Sgt. Erik Roberts was badly wounded in Iraq with two comrades in April 2006.

"I just thought it was bull---- that I'm getting billed for being wounded in Iraq doing my job. I always put the mission first, and now that I was wounded in Iraq, they're sending me bills," he said.

"I put my life on the line and I was wounded in combat, and I came back and they're not going to take care of my medical bills?"

It's a level of outrage shared by his mother, as well as the doctor who performed the surgery.

"It's hard to understand why we're not taking care of guys like Erik whose injuries are clearly related to their service. They deserve the best care of anybody," said Dr. William Obremskey, an Air Force veteran and surgeon at Vanderbilt Orthopaedics in Nashville, Tennessee.

"For him to be responsible for $3,000, I think, is a little ridiculous or is uncalled for, particularly in this situation."

His mother, Robin Roberts, put it more succinctly: "Why should any soldier pay one penny of a medical bill from injuries that occurred while they were fighting in a war? That's what really frustrates me."

The Department of Veterans Affairs has now decided to pay his bill, but only after prodding from a U.S. senator who got involved after CNN brought it to his attention.

Roberts, of Warren, Ohio, is one of more than 31,100 U.S. troops to have been wounded in Iraq. An additional 4,262 have died in the war.

Roberts was wounded April 25, 2006, when roadside bombs tore through his Humvee in western Baghdad. Heat from the flames ignited the Humvee's ammunition, which popped off all around.

CLICK HERE to read the rest of the story

Coming Home - PBS Special - Military Families Cope with Change

This primetime special, presented by Sesame Workshop and featuring
Queen Latifah and John Mayer, tells the stories of service members
returning home with injuries — both visible and invisible — and
explores the heroic struggles their families face on the path to
finding a "new normal."
Find Out More

New site

I would like to introduce a brand new site that I am very proud of, the Home Sweet Home campaign and OurSoldiers.org was inspired by our dear friends whom recently returned home after 2 combat tours in the Middle East. Please take a few minutes and browse the site.

Take care.

Podmaxx 09 Delivers.

With everyone in the house having some type of iPod, I was looking for ways to cut down on all the iTunes fees that seem to add up quickly. The big problem for me was having to buy a movie to load when I already owned the DVD. So I went out and started looking for different iPod products and to say it was frustrating would be an understatement. Then I found a product called Podmaxx.

Well, I just finished up my review of Podmaxx 09 software for iPods and the verdict was unanimous, 2 Thumbs Up, 5 stars, whatever you want to call it, just call this application what it is, FANTASTIC!!.

Podmaxx 09 not only protects your iTunes library and allows you to manage your music your way, but the seamless transfer of your favorite DVD movies to your iPod is simply great. Transfer your favorite YouTube videos, create your own unique ringtones for your cell phone, this app is a real bargain at only $29.99.

Take it for a test drive.

NetFlix... No late charges or shipping - AMEN

Do you have the same issues we have when it comes to renting movies at your local stores?

Here's my thoughts on it.... 4 Bummers and 1 Solution to sum it all up!

Bummer #1:
You pack up the family, drive to the local rental stores, walk up and down the isles, pausing to find a movie you would like to watch, sticking with the "new releases" isle because you are not willing to browse the whole store,(to much work) and what do you find... the movie you been wanting to see and it's OUT.

Bummer #2:
You compromise on a so-so movie (cause you can't go home without anything). You watch it and think.. well that was just okay, not something you would recommend to a friend.

Bummer #3:
The video now needs to be returned. You can place the video on your kitchen counter or table, you can put it in front of the door, so you trip on it on the way out,or you can place it on your car seat, so you sit on it. But none of these "reminders to return" tactics have worked for my husband and I.

Bummer#4: You become "Queen of Late Fees" at BlockBuster and have spent enough money to buy the video two times over.

So after years of this sick cycle, we made the smart decision to quite the habit and stay away from the local rental stores.

Solution:$4.99 a month, over a 100k movies to choose from, no shipping, no late fees

Netflix lets you rent, watch and return DVDs from home - Try free for 2 weeks

BoldLOFT...Gifts that make you smile

Well, here we sit in Arizona two days after the Super Bowl... no Cardinal's hoopla, no victory party, just another beautiful day in the desert. I'll take that any day over the winters in Pittsburgh!


So moving on to the next holiday. Yes, this year in AZ, we considered Super Bowl Sunday a Holiday.
The next holiday... Valentines Day. Since I am home now, there are no more excuses on last minute cards and gifts. I started searching for something different and fun for my husband and found some really funny Valentine T Shirts at BoldLoft.com. Here is a pic of one of the couple's shirts. I'll keep searching and let you know if I find anything else that's different.

Obama..."My Pet BaRock"

If you are a Barack Obama supporter, you may be interested in this website www.MyPetBaRock.com. It's a play of the 70s pet rock and I have to say it is tasteful and darn right creative. When it comes to Obama novelties there are a million TShirts, plates, coins, posters and such, but nothing like this... I would venture to say the "My Pet BaRock" is going to be a big seller. It's a great collector's item!

Way to go Defender Pro!

One of my personal pet peeves has always been without question, poor customer service in any type of establishment, online, etc. No excuses ever!

I had a little issue with my computer and had I had no clue about what it could be. A friend said it sounded like I had a virus on my PC. Well, as it turns out I had let my Anti-Virus expire. So, I ran up to Walmart and purchased this product called Defender Pro.

To make a very long story short, I zigged when I should have zagged on the easy installation process and found myself with another issue.

Defender Pro Tech Support to the rescue!!! Great customer service, 5 stars, Thumbs up, etc.

Through their online chat they walked me through, corrected MY errors and had me up and running.

Customer service like that must be recognized. My reps name was Darla and to put it in simple terms, Darla Rocks!

Keep it up Team Defender Pro.

Dr. Siegal's Cookies Arrived

Yippy Yeah... my Dr. Siegal's Cookies arrived yesterday! My husband handed me the box with a little smirk on this face. Of course I ripped the box open, dug through the bubble foam to find MY box of cookies - Oatmeal Raisin was my choice. It's pretty cool, they have 6 cookies in each resealable bag that you can carry with you if you are out and about. The traditional diet program is to replace 6 cookies with two meals and then eat a sensible dinner. (Sensible Dinner- hmmm, that could mean a lot of different things to different people. I don't think they mean a Big Mac Value meal.)

Anyway, back to the cookies... I will say they are not like Mrs. Fields, but they are better than some of those diet bars. There is no way I can replace two meals with the cookies while increasing my exercise routine, so I will use the cookies as snack replacements. I had one late this morning with a big glass of water. It really did do the trick, I don't have the grumbling in my tummy. But I do still have the little evil voice in my head saying..."even though your tummy isn't grumbling, don't you just want just a little flavor savoring in that big mouth of yours?" Ha! Mind over matter - determination!

Hooray for Cookies!

Moms in workout clothes... Oh boy!

Now that I have the opportunity to take my 6 year old to school in the morning, I thought I would incorporate a little exercise with it. The school is less than a mile away, the weather is nice and Gracie loves riding her scooter. So I have been gearing up in my most modest running shorts and long sleeve shirts to run along side her. It's a great way to start the day and I hope it is building some great memories for her.

So what is there to talk about... the other Moms I see at school, in their workout clothes. Mind you, they have driven their kids to school and walk them to the playground. I understand they may be heading straight for the gym after drop off, and I commend them for that. It's the outfits I am struggling with... their are 2 Moms in particular that have caught my eye, my husband's eye and my friend's eye and God knows how many other parents and childrens eye. I'm telling you, this is quite the sight! I will refer to them as Mom #1 and #2.

Mom#1 - really needs someone to sit her down and explain to her - spandex biker shorts DO come in a larger size. It's not that she is that large of a women, it's just the way they fit. I am here to say - the SHORTS ARE WAY TO TIGHT. (especially in the front, if you know what I mean)

Mom #2 - last year she got a new set of twins, no... NOT children. She is quite proud of her purchase and likes to wear a very small sports bra EVERY morning. Like the spandex of Mom #1, she needs to understand sports bras do come in larger sizes. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for her new enhancement, I just don't have the need to see 80% of the twins that early in the morning.

These Moms are giving us hard working, appropriate workout size wearing Moms a bad rap. What can I do but laugh and hope nobody is writing something like this about my attire.

Hooray for Spandex that fits!

Check Your Child's Homework...Hores or Horses

I hope this does not offend anyone... but as a Mom of a 6 year old, that is learning to read and write, this really hits home. Ha- enjoy.

I've been good AND bad - trying to get fit

Last week I vowed to get focused and start changing 2 things: 1. what I shove in my mouth, and 2. start exercising regularly.

I was pretty good over the weekend... I attended a football party and brought a BIG salad for everyone, kind of funny... the chicken wings, meatballs, con queso dip, cheese and crackers, nuts and so on, seemed to be the big hits. Leaving a lot of salad for me to eat! Of course, I had a few wings and chips, but not like usual.

I also went on a hike, or should I say a climb, up Squaw Peak, which was very steep and quite a good work out. Check out the view. (located in Phoenix AZ)




So here is were I slipped... When I was grocery shopping yesterday, they had the cutest big AZ Cardinal cupcakes, I just had to buy them for the girls. But guess what, they didn't want to eat them last night... here is what they look like today.

Look what my husband and I did! He ate the yellow cake and I ate half the chocolate. Now what do I do, can't leave these for the girls. NO... I won't listen to that little piggy in my head - I will not eat the rest!

If only my Dr. Siegal's Cookies would get here!!

Wish me luck!

Valentines Gift Ideas - Discounts at Things Remembered

Things Remembered is a great place to find something different for Valentines Day. Over the years, I can't tell you how many times I have been shopping for a gift in the mall and walked right past Things Remembered. But over the holidays, my Dad was visiting and he really liked the steel flask I gave my husband umpteen years ago. I thought it had cost me about 20 bucks and if you can believe it, it still costs $20. So I ordered one for my Dad and thought I would pass on the gift idea to you.... make your Valentine's shopping a bit easier and save a few bucks. Here are a few deals I found:

FREE Standard Shipping on Orders Over $100! Shop Things Remembered!

10% Off Any Order! Use Code: LOVE10 Valid ONLINE ONLY!

40% Off All Personalized Frames at Things Remembered!

15% Off Orders Over $80! Use Code: HEART15 Valid ONLINE ONLY!

20% Off Orders Over $100! Use Code: VALDAY20 Valid ONLINE ONLY!

Up to 75% Off Personalized Gifts at Things Remembered's Clearance Sale!

Blog It... for Worth While Cause

Singer Neko Case is the ultimate advocate for animals. She has partnered with the Best Friends Animal Society to raise money. It's so simple, it would be a shame if us "bloggers" don't participate.

Here's the scoop...

By posting on your blog the online release of her new single "People Got a Lot of Nerve", from her forthcoming album Middle Cyclone (out March 3), $5.00 will be donated to Best Friends Animal Society and a $1.00 for every user of iLike that adds the song to his/her profile.

The fundraiser started January 13 and runs until February 3, 2009. Click Here to find out how you can help.
Public Service Announcement

More Weight Loss Ideas... What will work for you

I was talking with a friend this morning about this whole weight loss issue. Seems everybody I know wants to shed a few pounds. But we all tend to approach it a bit differently. So it got me thinking and I did a little searching on the Internet and found some different ways to go about getting rid of the FLAB. Here they are... maybe something will catch your eye and get YOU motivated.

DietClassics.com... Appetite Suppressants compared to the popular brands: Relacore,SlimQuick and Zantex. Up to 50% OFF Weight Loss Supplements – Click Here to get yours TODAY

Diet.com...is a leading brand name in online weight management offers users the Personality Type Diet, a truly customized weight loss program based on a user's lifestyle and diet personality. Get 3 FREE extra months of Diet.com Premium Membership when you purchase a 6-month membership. Use code FREE3M2008 on the payment page.

eDiets.com... features the eDiets.com Weight Loss Plan, the Atkins Nutritional Approach, the Glycemic Impact Diet, the New Mediterranean Diet, and many more. We also offer 11 different Healthy Living programs for those with special needs, including the Living with Diabetes Plan, and the Heart Smart Plan. They also have a meal delivery service, Deliciously Yours, which was acknowledged by the premier award-winning food website, Epicurious.com, as the best meal delivery service. Judged on flavor, nutrition, portion size, convenience, variety, and customer service & support tools. Get one FREE week of meals with your first eDiets' Deliciously Yours meal delivery order

Weight Loss... getting Fit in 2009

Boy, everywhere I turn someone is talking about losing weight. Seems like every other commercial is either about the "Biggest Loser" , Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem, yadda yadda yadda. If I wasn't one of those people that needed to shed a few pounds, they probably wouldn't bother me as much. This past year of eating, drinking and NOT exercising has paid a toll on my body. I knew I had a problem when the jeans I bought last year (as a temporary fix - HA HA, until I lost the few pounds I had gained) were starting to get a too snug, the red flags were going off in my head!

I know I have control over this thing... this thing called FLAB. I would prefer a six pack stomach instead of 6 doughnut rolls stomach! I was on my way to getting into shape using Wii Fit and then all the visitors starting arriving in November. Over the past 58 days, we have had 35 days of overnight guests... yes, over a month of guests! So all results from the hard work I did using my Wii Fit has disappeared and a few belly rolls have arrived.

So this Tuesday I started jogging in the morning and will increase the time out once the guests are gone. I have cut back on the food intake and the types of foods I am shoving in my mouth, but I know I will need to be more disciplined. I read the piece in People Mag. about Josie, who lost 120 pounds using the Dr. Siegal's Cookie Diet. Sounds good to me, eat cookies and loss weight! I made the decision this morning to do a bit of research on the cookies, they are a bit higher priced than I prefer, but I think I can make them last longer than a week. No way can I replace two meals a day with cookies, but I can supplement the cookies for my snacks. Wish me well... I'll let you know how it goes.

Horray for Cookies!

Improve your Hair...Thin Hair or Losing your Hair

My hair stylist says I have a lot of hair, but that its very thin. Duhh, I have to really work hard to get that full bodied look. Keeping that full body for more than an hour is another struggle. But hey, I have been dealing with this my entire life, you would think I was use to it. My options: Long hair- NO, shoulder length hair- NO... short cuts- YES. (big sigh)

But something is changing with my hair, no... not the color, the amount and the fullness. It's growing faster and fuller than it ever has before. I started taking 1 Biotin a day and after a month and a half, I can really tell a difference. So how did I find this miracle? My sister-in-law's father is a pharmacist and recommended Biotin to her when she was loosing her hair and she recommended it to me. I truly didn't believe it would work, but hey, why not try it. I have been pleasantly surprised.

Just a bit about Biotin: it is an important B Vitamin that aids in the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein, and fats. While also providing dietary support for healthy hair and nails. You can pick it up at your local Walgreens or pharmacy.

Horray for Full Bodied Hair!

Tell Me... How do you manage your time?

In a world that seems to move faster and faster, sometimes alarmingly fast with today’s technologies, it can be a challenge to keep our lives on track and still meet our needs; both personally and professionally. Whether at the top of the corporate ladder or just starting our career, we all seem to be performing the same balancing act.

So how do we get off this merry-go-round? I’ve decided to devote some time toward finding solutions to just “that question” and would like to enlist your help. My request; over the next couple of months, I invite you to join me in taking these short surveys so that I might better understand how working moms manage their work/life balance. I know it’s a lot to ask and I don’t want to bog you down with more to do, but if I can find some solutions would it be worth it to you?

Click Here to take survey

Can Michelle Obama save the Fashion Industry?

I try to start my day with a little bit of the Today Show and a good cup of tea. I watched a piece on Michelle Obama and her down to earth fashion sense and how the American public is running to the stores to buy what she is wearing. She was on the "The View" and talked about the dress she was wearing from White House/Black Market. They interviewed a rep from White House/Black Market and she said they ran out of the dress in a week!

What is that about???!!! I don't know about you, but what the 1st lady wears plays ABSOLUTELY no factors in what I will be wearing! Where is your independence, confidence and own personal style? Just because she looks good in it, will you? If she had her nose pierced or a tattoo on her butt, would America be running out to local parlors too? I'm just scratching my head on this one. Don't let others influence your style.

Now I want to acknowledge something... I think it's great that she is not spending oodles on high end clothing, it's nice to see something a bit more "Average America". But my question is... how long will that last? How will she be influenced when she hits the White House?

Did the Holiday Wine Stain Your Teeth?

We have a beautiful wine rack that holds 128 bottles of wine, we have never been successful in filling it completely. We have been close, but never at full capacity. We started Thanksgiving with about 5 cases and have 1 case left. The rack is looking quite sad! How does that happen... to many house guests and parties. Not only is my waist line suffering, my teeth are too. When I slowed down to look in the mirror this morning, I scared myself. Dull, stained and yucky would be a good description for my teeth. I haven't been using my whiting pen...I ran out of it and with all this Holiday cheer I forgot to reorder. It really does work, only takes a minute, every morning and night after brushing. I have tried the laser brightening and the custom fit trays. The laser didn't do much (and was expensive) and the solution for the trays irritated my gums.

If you haven't tried these pens, you should. I order through SmartWhiteTeeth.com and they have a 15 day 100% money back guarantee and NO shipping costs. Check it out!

My Confession....It's been 17 days since my last blog

Forgive me for I have been completely distracted by my family visiting. It all started November 20th... the first wave of loved ones arriving and it is still going strong. Ughh!! As we dropped my Dad off at the airport (for the second time) last night, I started thinking about how many days we have had guests over the 2 months... 35 DAYS - yes... more than a month's worth of entertaining, parties, cooking, changing sheets, sightseeing and of course more eating and drinking. So this morning, I am taking a moment to relish in the fact that we have 4 full days alone before the next round arrives on Jan 10th.

Now don't get me wrong, we have had a great time and the best guests of the bunch are coming this weekend, it's just that my social skills are exhausted and my jeans don't fit! Do you think I can lose the 5 pounds I gained? The 5 pounds it took me twice as long to lose as it did to gain! I will have to get back to the Wii Fit (Strength) exercises, it really does work, it's me that didn't "work it" and now I have to start over.... double Ughh!!