Monthly Archives: October 2010

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In #19

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After eating chocolate you feel godlike, as though you can conquer enemies, lead armies, entice lovers.
~Emily Luchetti

First off… Check out the MilSpouse Secret Santa exchange! I hope you will all join in!

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In(please feel free to use this!)

I love learning more about my fellow MilSpouse bloggers. So I created a weekly meme. Each week, I’ll post a list of questions on Thursday (so you can have your blog ready on Friday). Come back here on Friday (like today!) and enter your blog post into Mr. Linky below so others know who else participated and we can all visit other blogs. Please leave a comment too! And please feel free to use the button above!

This week’s questions are:

1. What’s the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?
I’ve had strangers pay for our meal when I was with Huzzy.  But the best thing is when I’ve had people thank me for my service. That just makes my day knowing there are people who care about our troops and what they do for our country.

2. If you are having a hard time going to sleep, what do you do to help yourself?
While I was at DINFOS, I learned the joys of Advil PM. I’ll also read.

3. Name something that makes you wish you were a kid again.
Anytime I have to pay bills or feel stressed about money. That seems to happen an awful lot. In fact, we just spent $500 on one dog this week. Ugh!

4. What is something you never believed until you experienced it?
I never believed in actual ghosts. As in, ghosts you can see. I had already believed in spirits and the feeling of those you loved around you… but never ghosts. Of course, then I had my first ghost encounter.

5. What can’t you say “no” to?
I have a really hard time telling Huzzy no when he wants to go somewhere where we are going to spend more money than we should. We spend so little time apart that I usually just end up going with it so I can make him happy and spend some time together.

Please don’t forget to add your blog link to Mr. Linky below by clicking on it. But also if you are not participating in MilSpouse Friday Fill-In this week, please do not put your link on there… I will remove it. It is unfair to others who do participate.



MilSpouse Friday Fill-In #19: Questions for Tomorrow

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I’ll bet living in a nudist colony takes all the fun out of Halloween.
~Author Unknown

First off… Check out the MilSpouse Secret Santa exchange! I hope you will all join in!

I love learning more about my fellow MilSpouse bloggers! MilSpouse Friday Fill-in is taking off even better than I could have ever hoped. I learned so much about my fellow bloggers and can’t wait to learn more… and hopefully even MORE will join in as we go.

Here’s the skinny for newcomers about MilSpouse Friday Fill-ins (and when I say MilSpouse, I mean significant others, too!):

Each week, I’ll post a list of questions on Thursday (so you can have your blog ready on Friday). Come back here on Friday and enter your blog post into Mr. Linky so others know who else participated and we can all visit other blogs.  And please feel free to use the button above!

  1. What’s the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?
  2. If you are having a hard time going to sleep, what do you do to help yourself?
  3. Name something that makes you wish you were a kid again.
  4. What is something you never believed until you experienced it?
  5. What can’t you say “no” to?

Can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with tomorrow!

MilSpouse Secret Santa Information & Sign-up Link

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It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.
~W.T. Ellis

Oh man oh man, oh man! You have no idea how excited I am about this. I looove Christmas. And if I can’t spend it with Huzzy, well, heck… I’d like to spend it with you all. Virtually, of course!

I have always loved Secret Santa. I love the slyly learning about the person you are getting a gift for and finding things about them and finding that absolutely perfect gift that just screams them.

So, this year I’m going to be hosting the very first (that I know of) MilSpouse Secret Santa (yes, fiancees can sign up as well!). I can’t wait to see what everyone gets for each other. This is going to be something that I will match on my end so no one will know who each other has.  I’m going to start matching after the first week and if we get more people signing up after that, then I’ll do subsequent matches but they will not go past November 10th (and are subject to completely close before then). THIS CLOSED ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH.

I hope you all are excited about this. I really want everyone to have fun with this.

However, because I’ve been a part of several online Secret Santas, I know that rules must be set… but I know all you lovely spouses won’t need them because you are so incredibly awesome. But this way, we are all playing by the same rules.

  1. The first rule is to HAVE F UN.
  2. The gift is to be a $20 gift. This does not mean you have to SPEND $20 just because you got an awesome deal. Or, if you are one of those crafty people who I envy, if what you make is worth $20… that is just fine! If you spend more than $20, that’s fine, just know that others will be getting you a $20 gift. Oh, and if you do decide to go over…  let’s not get too carried away.
  3. The $20 does not include shipping. Shipping is extra. We have several MilSpouses who live overseas, so if you are willing to ship overseas (though I believe most of them have APOs), please let me know on the signup form.
  4. If you are matched with someone and find out later you are not able to participate for any reason, please let me know ASAP.
  5. In order for the gifts to arrive on time, OCONUS gifts will need to be sent by Friday, December 10th via Priority Mail (you don’t have to ship Priority if you send this earlier), except for those places beginning with a zip code of 093, which will need to be sent by Saturday, December 4th.
  6. Please thank your Secret Santa for your gift. Please. Either via mail, e-mail or by a post on your blog. I know you all won’t forget to do this because you all are so awesome!
  7. Also, please email me when you have shipped your item. That way, I know you’re done! wifeofasailor(at)gmail(dot)com

Tips

  1. Don’t be afraid to post anonymously on your recipients blog asking questions. Or have a friend do it. Or sign up for a free mail account and email your recipient questions. Or, as a last resort, feel free to ask me to email them a question for you.  Be creative, be fun. For my Secret Santas, I usually create an “evil elf” who asks questions in rhyme. Lots of questions so the person has no idea what I’m even trying to ask about.
  2. Be creative. Find something that they love. Send something from your home state or where you currently live.
  3. Send cards to your recipient as the days get closer… hint (or don’t!) at what an awesome gift they are about to receive. Everyone loves to get something in the mail!
  4. Check out the discounts below. They are awesome and will help you out soo much!
  5. Pleaaaaase show off what you got on your blog… I’m going to live vicariously through all of you.

Okay, now to help you all out… here are some discounts!

We have some awesome businesses who have agreed to give you discounts on awesome stuff for your recipient. Here they are. PLEASE check them out. They are all MilSpouses!

Blue Bird Crafting- Etsy Handmade Gifts
Handmade is the perfect gift for the season. From gorgeous quilted blue star banners {for the patriotic blue star moms and wives} to cute and practical handmade burp cloths and diaper packs for the wee ones, Blue Bird Crafting has just the right gift for anyone on your list, with gifts from just $7. Bonus! It’s made by a MilMom! As a participant in the MilSpouse Secret Santa, you’ll receive a 20% discount on your order.

Each item comes thoughtfully packaged safely in a protective sleeve, nice enough to give as it is. We can ship directly to your Secret Pal, including APO’s or FPO’s, so we can save you the extra shipping step.
{To receive the 20% discount, include MilSanta in the note to seller box, I will then send you an invoice for you to pay reflecting the discount.}

Mary Kay
Get her something you know she will use!! I sell Mary Kay products, and they have the best skincare line out there! All makeup is made from minerals, so you don’t have to worry about putting anything “harsh” on your face. For the Secret Santa program, I am offering 20% off your order! Just enter “Secret Santa” in the comment section of your order. This offer is only good for the duration of the program. If you decide to order later, I always offer 10% off your first order with me! I offer several payment options, so contact me today! Email: calbertson81(at)yahoo(dot)com or website: www.marykay.com/calbertson81.

Pampered Chef
The Pampered Chef offers great tools, gadgets and recipes to help you get dinner on the table quickly.  There something for everyone, whether they are a master chef or barely know their way around the kitchen.  With 80% of our catalog costing less than $20, it’s not going to break your budget to get a great gift for your family & friends.  From stocking stuffers to a gift for a swap, there’s something for everyone.  I’m offering 20% off on all orders and a free gift on all orders over $60.  You can contact me at soleary05(at)gmail(dot)com for website information. (Due to company policy it can’t be posted on a blog).  You can check out our products at www.pamperedchef.com.  20% off is only good through Shanna Miller.

Scentsy- Flameless Candles
 The holidays are drawing near and we all know that there is nothing better than a warm and happy home. In this holiday season, make your home even more inviting to your family at home and those who come to visit. Scentsy provides a rich atmosphere with decorative charm and a variety of scents to match any individual preference. With low-heat, flameless candles, Scentsy warmers are also great additions to homes with children, pets and even those with allergies. Scentsy offers a wide selection of decorative warmers, including limited-offer holiday warmers. Match these with their special fall and winter scents, and you’ll have everyone thinking those store-bought gingerbread are fresh from your oven or ready to cozy up to the fireplace!As a special thank you to all of her Military Family, Patty (aka MommyTaco), is offering a special holiday discount of 10% off of your entire order! Just browse the great selection of warmers and scents on her Independent Consultant site (http://www.scentsy.com/mommytaco) and contact her directly to place your order [mommytaco(at) gmail(dot)com]. Be sure to mention Wifey’s Secret Santa event to receive this special offer!

P.S…. Scentsy also ships to select APO addresses, making easy to direct ship to your recipient!

Tupperware

I’ll be happy to give a 15% discount on Tupperware products and have the item direct shipped to the Secret Santa recipient (APO/ FPO addresses are included, no other overseas address though for this offer). To take advantage of this offer
YOU cannot order from My Tupperware Site: www.My.Tupperware.com/LaDonna_Rae
IF you interested in taking advantage of this offer, please email me at LaDonna(dot)Raye(at)yahoo(dot)com; include in the Subject line TUPPERWARE/ WIFEY’S SECRET SANTA.
For Gift Ideas:

Okay, now that you see all the awesome things we have to offer…. are you ready?

Here’s the MilSpouse Secret Santa signup form!

Ho-Ho-Holiday Cards!

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Christmas, children, is not a date.  It is a state of mind.
~Mary Ellen Chase

I know it’s not even Halloween yet, but Huzzy won’t be home until after Christmas so I like thinking that it’s so close. Actually, it is. It’s only 60 days away! Woot!

I generally start doing my holiday cards early. Mostly because it takes me fooooorever to do them. I may start in October, but they don’t get out until mid-December.

Count Your Blessings card. Photo from Shutterfly.

So I started looking at easy ways to get some great holiday cards out. Shutterfly was recommended to me by a friend and I’ve fallen in love**!  It’s so easy… my favorite part is being able to add your own photos to Christmas cards at incredibly awesome prices.

My absolutely favorite card I’ve come across is the We Are Counting Our Blessings card. It pretty much sums up my last year. I’ve spent a total of six weeks with Huzzy since the last holiday season (of course, we didn’t have the holidays together and didn’t see each other until the last week of February). Counting our blessings is the only way to get through this.

Huzzy and I only have animals and since most people don’t really care about our dogs, I started thinking how perfect this card would be for my friend who JUST had a baby girl a few weeks ago. They also have one of the most adorable and well-behaved two-year-olds as well.  It is such a perfect card, especially for showing off a brand-new baby!  I also love how it has the red and white candy stripes that remind me of a candy cane.

In fact… as I write this, I am thinking that I might just get holiday cards for my friend for Christmas. I think she’d really like it. I know she’s already expressed interest in me taking photos of them for the holidays before he leaves. Her husband will be gone for the holidays this year too. In fact, this is his fourth holiday season away from home. He’s NEVER spent the holidays with his children. That tears at my heart.

So what do you do for Christmas cards? Do you send cards or letters out? Do you buy them from the store? Online? Create them yourself? Do you include photos? Letters?

(**I will be receiving 50 free cards for writing this post, but I was seriously checking out Shutterfly and falling in love with it before I even knew about the promotion. I will never put something on my blog that I don’t wholeheartedly believe in.)

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In #18

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Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not.
~Samuel Johnson

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In(please feel free to use this!)

I love learning more about my fellow MilSpouse bloggers. So I created a weekly meme. Each week, I’ll post a list of questions on Thursday (so you can have your blog ready on Friday). Come back here on Friday (like today!) and enter your blog post into Mr. Linky below so others know who else participated and we can all visit other blogs. Please leave a comment too! And please feel free to use the button above!

This week’s questions are:

1. Are you a night owl or an early bird?
A night owl. Right now, I’m unemployed and I tend to go to bed around midnight and get up around eight or nine. That’s just my body’s natural rhythm. I’m not a fan of getting up early, that’s for sure.

2. What makes you jealous?
Right now, I’m jealous of the other wives on our most recent boat who still have their husbands at home. They are working looong hours and are complaining a lot, but once these long hours are done and other than about a month, they’ll get their men home until next spring. Since we were on that boat until just recently, that should be ME complaining about long hours yet still getting to see my husband! Instead, I watch my email constantly hoping to get one… just one… email from my husband.

3. Have you started Christmas/holiday shopping yet? When will you finish? (There’s only 63 days left!)
Actually, yes! I gave Huzzy his present (a Nook) just before he went on his last deployment and I have purchased two gorgeous hand-made double star quilts from Blue Bird Crafting for our mothers. I even got some gorgeous frames for them tonight. All I have to do is my brother, my father-in-law, our two nieces and both of our grandmas. Other than that, I’m done. Well, other than my friends, but they generally get yummy homemade cookies, fresh-baked bread and homemade jam.

4. What would you have a personal chef make you tonight?
Mmm… a salad like Olive Garden’s salad, a nice chicken breast–maybe stuffed–marinated in some awesome sauce, some awesome grilled/marinated asparagus and some sort of absolutely awesome potatoes. For dessert? I dunno, surprise me… but I love chocolate and raspberry anything!

5. Where was your first kiss?
Oh gosh… like peck on the mouth kiss or real kiss? My first peck-on-the-mouth kiss was when I was 14 at our Homecoming Dance. This boy had asked me to Homecoming and we started “dating.” Yeah, that meant we were together for six months and never kissed again and were totally blushing whenever we held hands. Yes, we were naive and I marvel at how innocent we were compared to kids today.  Now, my first REAL kiss happened when I was nearly 17. It was a guy who I really liked and we were also friends. We were driving around and he took me to a football field where he kissed me.

Please don’t forget to add your blog link to Mr. Linky below by clicking on it. But also if you are not participating in MilSpouse Friday Fill-In this week, please do not put your link on there… I will remove it. It is unfair to others who do participate.