Household6

I saw this come across the The Military Report over at Military.com

U.S. Representative John Carter (R- Fort Hood) introduced the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act (H.R. 6070) in the House, which would amend the Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act (SCRA). SCRA gives servicemembers the ability to maintain a home of residency, regardless of placement by military orders, which has given servicemembers tax relief and also made a change in driver’s licenses and vehicle registration unnecessary. The bill gives military spouses the same benefits as they relocate with their active-duty spouses.

I personally never really had to worry about the issue with driver’s licenses and vehicle registration due to MN (our state of residence) already having a law similarly to this. I hope that Congress can get off their ‘duff’ and get this voted on, approved and signed by Pres Bush very soon.

Lots of military spouses could use a law like this. I commend Rep Carter for putting together something like this for us Milspouses! We all know how hard we work and sacrifice for our military husbands but its nice to know that others (especially those in Congress) appreciate it too!

So what are your thoughts… sound off!

I started watching Army Wives by accident. I was flipping through channels one Sunday night and happened to come across it on Lifetime. It was the second show of season one. I was sucked in from the get go. Maybe it was because I wasn’t involved with an Army man back then and I’ve always been intrigued by military life. Now that season two is ready to start (Sunday, June 8th) I’m not sure that I’ll be able to watch it. It’s completely different now that I’m involved with a soldier. TV doesn’t always portray things realistically but even more than that, season two seems a little less intriguing because I’m dating an Army man that is deployed in Iraq right now so the show  hits a little closer to home now that I’m going through it in real life.

Tammy (Household6)  and I were chatting about the show and we started talking about which character we were. Hands down, I’m a Roxy. In so many ways I’m not like her, like her loud outspoken personality - that’s so not me - but there is one huge way I’m just like her and relate to her character. She didn’t know anything about the Army lifestyle. She met a soldier while at work one night and after a whirlwind courtship (about 4 days I think it was) she decided to marry him. She packed up her kids and moved onto an Army base. Although Seth and I aren’t married, or haven’t even met face to face yet, and I’m not living on an Army base hanging out with other Army wives, I’m learning as I go along, just as Roxy does. I don’t think there was anyway I could be prepared for all that goes along with being involved with a soldier, but I certainly wouldn’t change it for the world! I’m one proud Army girlfriend.

Which Army wife are you?

Pamela Moran - the woman that struggles to keep her family from financial doom, married to a Delta Force man and has to deal her husband’s secret assignments

Denise Sherwood - the devoted homemaker who has a troubled teen and hasn’t known much outside of Army life. Her father is from a long line of military men

Roxy LaBlanc - a single mom who married an Army Private First Class soldier after only knowing him a couple days

Claudia Joy Holden - the strong and respected wife, the heart of the military goings-on where they are stationed at and married to a recently appointed post commander Brigadier General and she’ll now have to face new challenges because of her husband’s promotion
Leave a comment and let me know!

I know you’re probably saying “Tammy you live in the Metro Wash DC area!! Whats the big deal?” Well this time I’m went to the WHITE HOUSE! Yes on Tuesday May 6, your resident Household6 (ME) headed up to the White House to attend a Military Spouse event with the President and have breakfast with Phil Vassar.

I went with a bunch of other spouses from the Walter Reed AMC area so it should be a lot of fun! Most of them were spouses of Wounded Warriors so it was really cool to talk with them. I even bought something new for the occasion. (Don’t worry Danny Boy I didn’t spend a ton)

I was supposed to go to this event last year but couldn’t get on the final list. Well, this year I was bound and determined!! I actually went there in a dual role - representing Walter Reed Medical Center Brigade as well as my gig for Military.com (DC Installation Ambassador) We had a fantastic time. I was so excited I was even sending text messaging from the White House South Lawn! Of course in true “Tammy style” I left my nice digital camera on my kitchen table, so I had to use my camera on my cell phone. I’ll try to get pictures as many pictures as I can and post them here on the blog in the next day or two.

It was an amazing time and I got to meet a lot of amazing spouses. The best was that I got to meet Secretary Geren, GEN Cody, Secretary Gates, Phil Vassar AND President George W Bush. (Yes my life is now complete! LOL )

There were also a lot of spouses there I knew but I was really excited to see many of the bloggers over at SpouseBuzz! (Hey Toad/AWTM - don’t forget to send me a copy of my picture of GEN Cody)

It really was a great day and I think it was definitely the highlight of my Army Wife adventure thus far. I was hoping to get a coin of some sort but came up short on that one. It’s my goal for next time!!

Stay Tuned! Don’t forget Military Spouse Appreciation Day is Friday, May 9th. We’ll have a BIG announcement about a project I’ve been working on.

MILITARY SPOUSE DAY, 2008

- - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Military spouses embody the courage, nobility of duty, and love of country that inspire every American. On Military Spouse Day, we pay tribute to the husbands and wives who support their spouses in America’s Armed Forces during times of war and peace.

The legacy of military spouses began when colonial Americans were fighting for independence. Martha Washington boosted the morale of her husband’s troops by visiting battlefields and tending to the wounded. Since then, members of our Armed Forces have served our Nation accompanied by the steadfast love and support of their spouses and families. (more…)

I was reading over at SpouseBuzz about how they recently had Katherine Fugate, creator of Army Wives, and they opened a thread to create your own storyline for Army Wives.

So I got to thinking about this…. what would I want to see? Full disclosure - I’m not a big fan of Army Wives but I’ve only watched a couple of episodes. I think if they made it “more real” and less Hollywood it would be a better show.

I think that a good story line would be a wife who is thrown into Army life when her husband decides to enlist in his early 30’s. She’s been a civilian wife/mom for almost 8 years at this point.

Another one would be a wife who has a child with special needs and they could show all the trials and tribulations of Tricare and the health care system.

And my final idea, feature a woman who met a solider while deployed due to a picture and an introduction. They soon became romantically involved and she was thrown head first into Army life. (this is my friend’s story)

In case you’re wondering I’m living #1 and #2. : )

So what’s your thoughts, ideas on creating your own story line? I’ll be sure to pass them along to the powers that be at Lifetime.

This story is about Brenda, a military wife and mother who was 100% committed to her military husband and extended military family.

Brenda and Tim married in June and 48 hours after saying, “I do”, he loaded up his canvas bag and left for Korea. A year later, he returned for two weeks and then was on a plane to Germany. This time Brenda was to have gone with him, but the paperwork (everyone in the military can groan together on this one) somehow didn’t get processed.

Once in Germany Tim did not give in until his bride was able to join him. During the next year in Germany Tim was in the field many times. Of course, everyone in the military can relate to the fact that this young couple spent more time apart than together.

I give Brenda a lot of credit for sticking with it and embracing military life; for standing by her man and by her country. Yes, they were young, but they believed in the old-fashioned ideals of the constitution. They were united in their convictions of protecting our land of the free. Then the call came that all young spouses of military personnel dread. Tim was getting deployed. (more…)

Many of you know how much I absolutely love our bank, USAA and how they make my life so much easier! Ok if you don’t know, our bank USAA is best bank in the world. You definitely want to check it out if you’re not a member… tons of perks and great products/services for the military member and military family! While I was logging to my account today, I saw this …

USAA To Host Free Financial Webinar for Women
Topic: Wiping Out Debt — Your 2008 Action Plan
Date: March 4 at 7 p.m. CST

Wiping Out Debt — Your 2008 Action Plan features USAA’s Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner June Walbert. June will share financial strategies for reducing debt and answer viewers’ questions.

Participants will have the chance to win one of 10 Financial Strategy Consultations (value $195 each) offered by USAA Financial Planning Services. The webinar is free, but registration is required.

Are you a military spouse or active military? Click here to register

Well I’m all packed and ready to hit the road (or the skies I should say)! I’m headed off to Spouse Buzz Live 3 at Ft. Bragg! WOOHOO! I’m so excited to meetup with Andi again and the rest of the spouse buzz crew!

It looks like a bunch of us are getting together on Saturday night for drinks and a whole bunch of fun, so if you are going let me know if you’d like to join us. My phone # is 940-782-7340.

If you can’t make SBL3, then make sure to catch the LIVE streaming video. You can find out more info at www.spousebuzzlive.com

Unfortunately, I won’t have a laptop with me this trip (my pc laptop died two weeks ago and haven’t been able to purchase a new one…yet!) so no LIVE blogging. However, I’ll be taking pictures and video during the trip and I’ll post them when I get back on Sunday.

Have a great weekend! See ya on Sunday!
Tammy/Household6

Yep but don’t get too excited.. we’re not moving just going for Spouse Buzz Live! I got my ticket today from my boss over at Military.com today. WOOHOO! Are you going ? It’s going to be an awesome day with lots of fun, information and PRIZES!

If you are going, leave a comment and let me know. I’m gonna try to meet as many people as I can. If you can’t attend LIVE, then don’t worry it will be streamed live. Go to www.spousebuzzlive.com for more information.

I’ll also taking pictures/video and posting when I get back on Sunday!