Acronyms are everywhere in the Army. Why say a string of words when one succinct combo of letters nails it? One of my new favorite acronyms is CTFD (Calm The F%$k Down). It is not an official Army acronym, but it should be. I tend to run down the rabbit hole, and PCS season can […]
My husband called and asked the simple question, “Can you give me some bullet points covering what you have done while we have been here at Hohenfels?” Bullet points= volunteer work. Somebody was working on PCS awards, and his simple question sent my mind in motion. I truly appreciate PCS awards or any volunteer recognition, […]
It is a new year and as the dust settles from the holiday hubbub, and my resolutions are struggling to stay resolute the reality of a new duty station hovers on the horizon. In six months it will be time to pack up what we know and love, and head to parts known or unknown. […]
I am not sure when my fascination with quotes began, but I have had a long-standing love affair with the words of my fellow man. Before I was a Mrs. or Mommy, I was an idealistic middle school teacher who had the luxury of muttering the words, “I am” and “bored” in the same sentence. One […]
Dear Daughter, I love you, and I know you love me too. I still see glimpses of my once constant companion hidden behind your steely stares and dismissive shrugs. I was you once. I get it, but there are things I need to say that you might not be able to hear, so I decided […]
Years ago I met a kindred spirit who shared a love of junking, creating and surprise gifting. When she invited me for a weekly coffee date I was thrilled. I didn’t drink coffee, but I was so grateful for her invitation and friendship I doused my coffee with milk, dumped in half her sugar bowl […]
I have been popping tags longer than Macklemore has been alive. What started as a newlywed necessity has become a bit of an obsession. My husband calls it hoarding, but I prefer the term hobby. I love to junk. When we moved to Germany I fell in love with Flohmarkts (flea markets), and then I […]
I have been the new girl since the day I was born, and I have spent the last 45 years perfecting my new girl skills. Being the new girl can be equal parts exhilaration and terror. Or not so equal parts of sucky. Below is my top advice for new girls (and boys) everywhere. Three […]
It was a warm May morning on Kelley Hill, and people filtered in under the neatly placed canopies on Sledgehammer Field. I said some quick hellos and waved as I scanned the rows for my husband and our seats. A name card with “Mrs. Pirog” caught my eye, and I grabbed the program placed on […]
It was a sunny morning in Fairbanks, and the entire neighborhood was outside soaking up the sun. Groups of moms hovered on the sidewalks, and chatted with cups of coffee in hand. The warm weather in Alaska did not stay long, so everyone welcomed the seasonal interloper called Summer. I was visiting a friend in […]
Milly Magpie 