Identity

In light of the recent uproar in mil-spouse blog-land, I have been doing a lot of self-reflection. Actually, Al sort of confronted me about the fact that often times we (in the proverbial sense) get so caught up in staking our identity on one thing or another. This is especially true as a military spouse, where so many facets of our lives are all contained under one umbrella. With a large transition coming in our life and an even larger one after that, we have been contemplating life after the Army. More specifically, life without the Army.


Let's face it, we are both so much more than a soldier and his wife. 


He is...
A husband
A farmer's son
A brother and an uncle
A friend
An unofficial comedian
A natural leader
A handyman
An inventor
A total guys-guy
A romantic
A lover
An eternal realist
A hard-worker
A poker-player
A Coors Light fanatic
A Minnesotan
An outdoorsman
An adventurer
A hopeful father
My best friend and my forever


I am...
A wife
A daughter
A big sister to 4
A law student
An academic
An aspiring attorney
A coach
A mentor
A loyal friend
A fashionista
A blogger
A closeted romantic
A coffee-addict
A chapstick-fiend
A wine-lover
A traveler
A homebody
A someday mother
A struggling homemaker
His biggest fan and his future


{It was much easier to come up with his list than it was mine...}


I don't want to wait four more years to embrace who we really are. It is time, now, to let our many identities shine and not be overshadowed by who the Army tells us to be. 
I encourage you to separate yourself from this all-consuming life; reflect on who you are and who you want to be; find your identity and embrace it.

Google Friend Connect Disappears

Google announced that they are disconnecting Google Friend Connect for non-Blogger users (e.g. Wordpress, personal domains, etc...) Make sure you announce to your readers that they will have to follow your blog using other means. Here is an article on how to change to the Google+ widget for your blog. My understanding is that removal of GFC will not affect anyone who has subscribed to your blog using Google Reader or any other Google services, it will simply deactivate the GFC Widget. 

Just a little tidbit for your Sunday! Have a great weekend!

Saturday Share

I think I am going to make this a weekly post. Each Saturday, I will round-up my favorite links, clips, articles, etc...and share them here. Please feel free to send me links you find interesting and perhaps I'll post it (with credit where it's due.) 


This week...

READ: The 25 Things I Want My Daughter to Know by Mommy OM

MAKE: Kiwi Muffins 

LEARN: How to Stock a Bar Cart

DO: Get TriCare information on your mobile device via Healthy Homefront

WATCH: My favorite commercial from the Super Bowl
(With this one at close second) ;o) 

Have a great weekend!

Advice for Being Safe

Before I get into today's topic, I wanted to chime in on "the post" that currently has everyone in a tizzy. I think since the backlash has started, she has edited down the post (removing some of the most offensive commentary) and she has increased in followers. I let you draw your own inferences there.

{Army Wife 101's take (to which I commented briefly.) Rather than use this space to tell you all the reasons I think she is nuts, I am going to save my breath. We're likely not going to change her mind and I think she is entitled to her opinions.}

 For me, the bottom line is: this life is damn hard enough without making enemies within the one group of people you need the most. 

~~o~~

On to what this post is really about...

Yesterday, on my way to school, I got an email from my boss saying she had been attacked. It was a snatch-and-grab mugging and when she tried to hang on to her purse, he dragged her to the ground. She suffered only minor cuts and bruises (Thank God!) and was mostly just scared. Luckily, there was a nearby witness and the police responded immediately.

The scary part: this happened one block from my school in broad daylight. It was around lunch time and she had parked in the neighborhood on her way to a school training. My first year of law school, I live two blocks from where this happened and walked down that street everyday. My school is located in a nice neighborhood, on a busy street, surrounded by churches. I kid you not, there are at least 6 churches within a block from my school. About 5 blocks south is one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the city, which is clearly significant.

I have since been telling every woman I know to be hyper-alert and as safe as possible around school (and everywhere, frankly.) I figured that I would share this with you, too, since I think they are tips that can help women in general be safer at all times.

Women's Safety Plan: 

1. Always be aware of your surroundings. Don't be talking or texting on your cell. Don't listen to music if you're out for a run/walk. Don't be distracted by anything. You should always assess your surroundings - look and listen. This will not only protect you, but also alert an offender that you are not a victim. Look people in the eye; walk with purpose; and notice safe escape routes or public places to enter.

2. Do not fight for your "things." It is a natural instinct to hang on to your purse or bag when someone tries to grab it. We are possessive of our belongings, because they are so personal. However, fighting over the purse is what most often causes injury.

As Al says: "Your things are replaceable, you are not."

3. If you do have to walk somewhere, don't do it alone. Take a buddy with you and then give them a ride back to their car or your work/school/house/wherever. If you are in a place where a security escort is available, use it! 

4. Carrying mace, pepper spray or a taser is fine, if it will make you more comfortable. Do not rely on using it, however. Often times, you will not have the time, or the wherewithal to reach for it in defense. It is more likely, it will be just late enough to be used against you instead. It is better to know one or two combative tactics that will incapacitate an offender long enough for you to escape without doing major harm.

Oh, and if you do carry something, carry it separate from your purse (like a pocket or keychain.) 

I hope these tips will help prevent attacks like this, or at least, help make it better if an attack occurs. Hyper-awareness is your best friend. Please be careful out there!

Random Thoughts {and a song!}

I recently started the envelope system for tracking my budget. Not because I had major budget concerns - actually quite the contrary. I simply wanted to tighten my belt just a little more in order to save for some big, fun things coming up in my life. 

So far, I have learned two things: 

(1) It is helpful to have the envelopes with you when purchases are being made and 

(2) If you are going to leave the envelopes at home, do not leave them on the same counter as your homemade lunch

---O---O---O---O---

Do you remember when I told you how talented my husband is? 
Well, this weekend he decided he wanted to make us a headboard. Ya know, 'cause he has all that extra time on his hands...

Less than $50 later, we have a brand new (faux-leather) headboard...

Seriously. Awesome.
(Don't mind the stripped-down bed. Everything is basically packed for the move.)

---O---O---O---O---

Finally, for the What's Your Song Link-up...



A lovely ditty from my favorite bad-boy, Adam Levine. I always liked Maroon 5, but ever since I started watching The Voice, I just cannot get enough. Yum.

Enjoy!

(Sort of) Wordless Wednesday

Saturday Share

I am just stopping by during my morning routine (wherein I suck down coffee and pour over my Google Reader, FB updates and news articles) to say "hi."

Well, hello readers.

I wanted to share with you a few links that interest me and I were worth the share.

I hope you enjoy!

READ: Finds What Happy Women Get Right via Sarah Wilson

MAKE: Valentine's Chex Mix 

CREATE: Coloring book pages from photos of your child

KNOW: The Best Time to Get Pregnant (when it comes to your career) via Corprette

LISTEN: Karmin's new song - Brokenhearted

Happy Saturday, y'all!

Milspouse Friday Fill-in

I wanted to stop in momentarily before I embark on a ridiculously busy weekend in which I hope to get a lot of homework done in time to watch the Superbowl on Sunday. 

1. What is your favorite winter memory?

We used to sled down the hill in my Grandparent's back yard. They were on a hill and we would build a big ramp and line the sides with hay bales and shovel the snow up. It was basically like a luge shoot and we would fly down the hill and clear across the lake.

2. What is your current favorite TV show?

I watch The Walking Dead every Sunday and I am very excited for the Army Wives season premier on March 4!

3. What was your favorite thing that happened in January?

My one-year anniversary - although it passed uneventfully, it was a special milestone nonetheless.

4. What is the best sound in the world?

Sound? Gah, I don't know. I love music and laughter and nature. I think the list of sounds I don't like (my alarm clock, the doorbell when I'm fresh out of the shower and the sound of my professor's voice) is much easier to delineate!

5. What is the biggest lesson you have learned as a Milspouse?

This might seem like a gimmie answer, but I have learned not to sweat the small stuff. There are so few things I can really control when it comes to the Army and my long-distance marriage. Don't let your heart (or head) get weighed down by the little things; focus on what matters and relish the good stuff!

Please don't forget that I am still looking for guest bloggers. I would like at least 5 more ladies to help hold down the fort in a few weeks. Leave a comment or email me if you're able and interested!

Foggy February

Just some camera phone pics I snapped on my way into school yesterday. I thought the mistiness of the morning was so serene; it almost made my 35 minute commute comfortable.

 Just starting out - The park reserve by my house

 You can see subtle outlines of the buildings, but this is basically the downtown skyline. Unreal...

It doesn't hurt that I had this song to serenade me: 

  

Calling All Bloggers!

Hello ladies!

The time has come for me to reach out, once again, for some lovely guest bloggers.

I am going to be traveling to Colorado to help Al get our new place set up. I will be gone for about 10 days and would love as many bloggers as I can get so I don't have to worry about blogging while I'm gone. If anyone would like to guest blog - about absolutely anything you'd like (within reason) - please let me know!

Either respond in the comments section or email me at:

melcandersen(at)gmail(dot)com

Thank you in advance for your bloggy-love!