The Chronicles of Marna

Boo-quet

• Obama’s Defense Drawdown. This is a mixed Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down because I’m not sure how it’s going to turn out.  Belt tightening, funding cuts, reducing the force by 100,000. Is it premature? The threats are still out there. Let’s do this wisely and with circumspection.

Bouquets

• Whether Democrat or Republican, Gabby Gifford’s resignation from Congress was an emotional event.

• The Navy Seals, flawless once again in their rescue of an American and a Danish hostage in Somalia.

• Former Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, now the 24th Chancellor of The College of William and Mary, his alma mater (and mine!)

• My hometown of Indianapolis, enthusiastic host of Super Bowl XLVI

Marna Krajeski is the author of HOUSEHOLD BAGGAGE: The Moving Life of a Military Wife and HOUSEHOLD BAGGAGE HANDLERS: 56 Stories from the Hearts and Lives of Military Wives. She blogs at www.HouseholdBaggage.com and www.GreatGetTogethers.com.

For those (like me) engaged in the Sisyphean task of organizing household baggage, I urge you to rush to Staples and check out Martha Stewart’s new line of home office products. I stumbled on them accidentally while looking for book plates to attach to file boxes. The aisles of impersonal and uninspiring office supplies offered nothing, so I decided to check the scrapbooking department of the local craft store. Before departing, I made a final sweep through the electronics department and that’s where I saw Martha Stewart’s new products, set up in an ad hoc display next to computer accessories.

I was smitten with the functional and beautiful system of organization Martha Stewart created.  The labels, tags, bands, binders, accordion files, sticky notes, and dry erase decals are exquisite and more attractive than the usual school supply stuff. The products are innovative and enchanting; for example, chalkboard labels you can write on!

Avery is a partner in the venture and you can see the entire line at their website.

Yes, I found exactly what I wanted. Now my project boxes are labeled in a lovely, Martha Stewart-esque way.

 

Marna Krajeski is the author of HOUSEHOLD BAGGAGE: THE MOVING LIFE OF A MILITARY WIFE and HOUSEHOLD BAGGAGE HANDLERS: 56 STORIES FROM THE HEARTS AND LIVES OF MILITARY WIVES. She also blogs at www.GreatGetTogethers.com.

Do you know what a Gold Star Pin looks like? Do you even know what it is?

In the article headlined “Fewer of Us Can Relate to Military Life — and Death,” (Weds, Jan 4), USA Today quoted a military widow who said no one asks her about the pin she wears. Having never seen a Gold Star Pin, I don’t think I would recognize it, or think to convey my sympathy to the wearer.

 Photo Credit: Edward Johnson, FMWRC PAO

The Gold Star Lapel Pin (left) was established by Congress in 1965 to identify widows, parents, and next-of-kin of Service Members killed in combat.  The Next-of-Kin (right) pin signifies a service-related death or suicide during active duty other than combat. For example, a death during training.

Next time I see someone wearing a Gold Star or Next-of-Kin pin, I’ll know what it means, and I’ll be sure to say “I’m very sorry for your loss,” and ask how they’re doing. This simple acknowledgment will convey my gratitude.

More information: http://www.army.mil/media/198223

Marna Ashburn Krajeski is the author of HOUSEHOLD BAGGAGE: The Moving Life of a Military Wife and HOUSEHOLD BAGGAGE HANDLERS: 56 Stories From the Hearts and Lives of Military Wives. She blogs at HouseholdBaggage.com and  GreatGetTogethers.com.

The ever-popular “Boos and Bouquets” are back after a long absence. Look for new ones posted every month in 2012. Here are the many applause-worthy events of November and December, and only three disappointments.

Boos 

• US Troops in Iraq are “re-missioned” to Kuwait. Home for Christmas—NOT.
• “Sweetheart Scammers” posing as Soldiers on online dating sites using photographs stolen from the internet.
• The disturbing revelations of mismanagement at Arlington National Cemetery.

 Bouquets    

• The 15,000 volunteers who helped place 90,000 wreaths on Veterans’ headstones at Arlington National Cemetery.

• The Annual Army-Navy game, held this year in Maryland. Nothing can match the exuberance of our cadets and midshipmen. Navy won for the tenth time in a row.

• 1001 Things to Love about Military Life, a new book by Tara Crooks, Starlett Henderson, Kathie Hightower, and Holly Scherer (Hachette Book Group, 2011).

•  Pearl Harbor Day

•  J.R. Martinez, Iraqi War Vet turned actor, the 2011 Champion of “Dancing with the Stars.”

• Medal of Honor winner Marine Sgt. Dakota Meyer quit working for a defense contractor when he found out they were selling sniper scopes to Pakistan.

• Representative Gabby Gifford and husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, served Thanksgiving Dinner to the troops at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in her hometown of Tucson, AZ.

• Vice-President Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, hosted military families at their residence in Washington DC for Thanksgiving. The 29 guests are staying at Fisher Houses in the area while their family members receive care at military medical centers.

• President Obama marked the official end of the Iraq War with a ceremony at Ft. Bragg.

• Under the “Have a Little Fun” category, World Wrestling Entertainment twins Brie and Nikki Bella visited the US Military Academy and attempted the cadet obstacle course. I’ve tried to do this course and it’s very difficult, so they’re in good shape if they completed it.

• Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins donated a total of $10,000 to ten USO centers across the country.

• Lifetime TV ordered ten additional episodes for the sixth season of Army Wives now in production.

• Fort Monroe’s colors were cased at a ceremony marking its closure as an Army post. It’s been an active installation since 1823.

• The US Marine Toys for Tots Program once again collected and distributed gifts to needy children this Christmas.

• Brides Across America, a consortium of bridal shops organized by Heidi Janson, has donated 8000 designer dresses to active duty brides and fiancés of service members as a way of saying “Thanks.”

• The Military Wives Choir of England and their beautiful single “Wherever You Are.”

Marna Ashburn Krajeski is the author of HOUSEHOLD BAGGAGE: The Moving Life of a Military Wife and HOUSEHOLD BAGGAGE HANDLERS: 56 Stories From the Hearts and Lives of Military Wives. She blogs at HouseholdBaggage.com and  GreatGetTogethers.com.   

Many establishments offer veterans and their families special deals on Veterans Day. Here’s a link to Military.com with a complete list. Remember to call your local businesses ahead of time to confirm their participation.

http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2011/11/veterans-day-discounts-and-freebies-2012/

This is the Heinz ketchup bottle for November. Nicely done, Heinz!

Hurricane Irene was a wake-up call to stay prepared for any emergency. Although we had no serious damage, many people in our area were without power for a week.  If we had been one of the unfortunate ones without electricity, I would have been woefully unprepared. Prior to the hurricane, I tried to buy batteries for my camping lantern, and there were no D batteries to be found. After trying seven stores, I gave up and resolved to use flashlights and candles. But I’ve learned my lesson, and as soon as D batteries became available, I stocked up.

To get read for future contingencies, I’m putting together this Emergency Kit which will be stored in clear plastic storage boxes, ready to be used or loaded into the car in case we have to evacuate due to fire, flood, earthquake, hurricane or anything else.

I recommend every household keep these emergency essentials on hand and neatly packed to keep you safe, comfortable, and well-fed if, God forbid, a natural disaster happens.

First aid kit
Lantern
Flashlights
Batteries (D, AA, AAA, and 9 volt)
Candles
Practical candlesticks or votive candle holders
Battery operated radio
Blankets or sleeping bags
Personal care items
Toiletries (toilet paper, baby wipes, anti-bacterial hand get, diapers)
Bottles of water for drinking and washing (one gallon per person per day)
Canned food
Manual can opener
Long-life milk and juice boxes
Saucepan
Campstove
Lighter or waterproof container with matches
Eating utensils
Paper towels
Snacks
Basic tools (hammer, wrench, screwdrivers, saw)
Duct tape
Plastic sheeting
Garbage bags
Pet food
Prescription medicines (seven day supply)
Regular over-the-counter medicines
Clothing
Towels
A file with copies of important documents (see this post for paperwork to go in your “Everything Book”)

Blue Star Museums once again are offering free admission to active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day, May 30, 2011, through Labor Day, September 5, 2011.

The Blue Star Museums initiative is a partnership among Blue Star Families, the National Endowment for the Arts, and more than 1,000 museums across America. The MetLife foundation provides support through Blue Star Families.

Bravo to these organizations who make this wonderful initiative available to military families. To find out more and to see a map of participating museums in every state, visit the NEA website.

Today is the beginning of Lent, traditionally a time to prepare oneself emotionally and spiritually for Easter. I’m doing my second annual “40 Bags in 40 Days”  clearing. During Lent I commit to cleaning out a different area of my house or garage and letting go of the baggage I no longer need. Last year I did this at the suggestion of my friend Lisa and found it very satisfying. Here’s a photo of me waiting for the good folks at Big Sisters to pick up my donation of clothes and household goods.

By all means, get your family involved in this ritual. First, find a small-to-medium size box for a daily gauge. (Note: The box that my Girl Scout cookie order was delivered in is perfect. It holds about the same amount as a plastic grocery bag.) Then start with a manageable goal–the cookbook shelf, for example. There must be some volumes you haven’t touched in years. Get rid of them! Or rifle through the drawers in your desk, or the junk drawer in the kitchen, or the bathroom closet or your pantry.
With a 20 minute dedicated effort, you can go through any space and reduce, reuse, or recycle the contents. Some of the junk you can just pitch in the trash. Whatever is serviceable goes into the box, and then into a larger receptacle before you give it to a worthy cause. Keep the box in a visible location so you’ll remember to fill it again the next day.
Although I did this for Lent last year, I feel certain I can find 40 bags worth of stuff again. This project is a good reminder of how much clutter I accumulate and how it weighs me down. Once I get rid of it, the fresh energy starts moving through my home, my life, and my outlook.
Try it, and let me know how it goes. Happy Lent!

West Point was the site of an emotional reunion marking the thirty year anniversary of freedom for American hostages. On Jan 20, 1981, 52 American hostages were released after being held captive in Iran for over a year. The former hostages touched down on American soil at Stewart Army Airfield in New York and then took a short bus ride to the US Military Academy at West Point. They spent several days at West Point reuniting with their families and recovering from their ordeal. Last week, fifteen of the freed hostages returned to West Point for an emotional reunion. They were greeted by a cordon of 4400 cheering and enthusiastic cadets. Some of the photographs from the event are so moving, they will take your breath away.Here’s one of them, and you can view the rest at the Department of Defense website.            http://www.defense.gov/photoessays/PhotoEssaySS.aspx?ID=1998