01.06.10
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PCS Move Part I

It was with a certain amount of panic that I realized on Monday that WE ARE MOVING THIS MONTH. Bill went to Transportation yesterday and, officially, the packers will be here in NINETEEN days.

For you non-military types, let me assure you that this is not nearly as big a deal as if we were doing it all by ourselves. I have no boxes to pack, really. Nothing to arrange, really. They come, they pack, they move. (Anybody want to provide the Latin for that?)

I thought I would chronicle the steps to a PCS move for those in the military, and also for non-military families too. This will be our 5th military move in less than 5 years, and we’ve gotten pretty good at it. May as well share the knowledge, right?

As I said, Bill went to Transportation and made the arrangements for the move. We always do what is called a “partial DITY” or do-it-yourself move. You have to tell them before you move that you want to do this. Then you have to weigh your vehicles at some point (empty). Many truck stops offer scales for a low fee (perhaps $5) and some military installations have scales for free. If you have a hitch, you can rent a trailer to haul stuff, or you can just load your cars to the gills. Even if all you put in your car is your clothes for a few days, it’s worth the money. They pay you for the weight you move, so you’ll have to weigh the vehicles again after loading them up (children don’t usually count as household goods, FYI).

Goal for this week: weigh vehicles.

Next, I picked a spot in my house where I can put things I do not want the movers to pack. Things like: the dog, our clothes and toiletries, sleeping bags, snack food for the drive, valuable paperwork, the laptop, other valuables. I picked the master bathroom because it is big enough to hold all that stuff, yet the amount of things to pack out of there is very small.

Goal for this week: declutter this bathroom and relocate any items in there I want them to pack to the other bathroom.

The packers will box up anything that is not nailed down. I now need to put things where they belong so that when I open a box it makes sense. Right now, on my desk, the pile includes a video, some books, a cookbook, some toys, my camera, coupons, CDs, bills, the lid to the container for Fritz’s Latin flashcards, kids’ artwork, and reference material that belongs to a friend. My life would be much easier if all of these things were put away properly BEFORE the move. I am resigned to some amount of decluttering AFTER the move, but things, especially things that belongs to local friends, should be put away first.

Goal for this week: put things already slated for “give-away” in the car for drop off at the thrift store tomorrow night. And drop them off, too. Make a list of give-away items for a friend who may need them.

Since it’s Wednesday, I think that’s quite enough work for this week. Stay tuned for more tips on moving your household goods 900 miles in less than three weeks.

01.06.10
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A Salute to West Point

My husband was commissioned via an ROTC program, not a service academy, but some of the sentiments in this article are true for anyone who chooses to serve in the military.

A Salute to West Point: “So his loved ones are a little saddened when we come across people apparently unable to process the idea that an intelligent young American with the world at his feet could be led by a sense of duty to West Point in a time of war.”

01.05.10
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Adultery in the kitchen

“I’m cheating on you,” I confessed to my husband as he was pouring his beer and I was making dinner.

“Oh?” he said with mild curiosity, but not a hint of concern. He barely glanced up from his task.

“I’m trying to clear out the freezer and I found some frozen meatballs that have been sitting there. I don’t know why I bothered to buy them; they’re Swedish meatballs. So, I’m using them for the Guinness meatball recipe.

It’s my sauce, but somebody else’s balls.”

And he laughed. As did I. It is good to laugh again.

Just so you know, the Guinness on the left is for drinking, and the Guinness on the right is for cooking. One bottle is the perfect size for double this recipe, and you will want double. Store-bought meatballs are adequate, but just adequate. If you want to impress the friends at the Superbowl party, make ’em from scratch.
01.03.10
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Product Review: Bedwarmers

It’s winter. It’s cold. What helps me get through these frigid nights? Bedwarmers.

I have several models. The first is called HUBS. It is nearly six feet long and can conform to your body. You put it either behind you or in front of you for full length, head to toe, warmth.

Another model I have is called TOT. This is a fraction of the size of HUBS, but packs quite a bit of heat. You cannot use it to warm your feet (it will break), but it works very well for upper body warming.

I also have an older TOT model – over 4 years old. I have noticed that over time these models tend to expand with age. While this means more surface area of warmth, the dynamics of the model change as well, and it is not well known for its ability to remain in one position for a long period of time. In fact, my particular model often turns 90 degrees and pokes me uncomfortably. I’ve been through several other TOTs now, and for me, by the time they get about 3 years old, they are not the best choice for keeping a bed warm.

Unlike electric blankets, none of the Bedwarmers needs a power supply. They do, however, require daily maintenance, even throughout the year. With proper TLC, some HUBS have lasted 50 or 60 years, providing a lifetime of warm winter beds.

I am very fortunate to have found my Bedwarmer (HUBS) back in the early 90’s when there was a plentiful supply. Today’s newer models just don’t suit me, and the older models are hard to find. I do recommend getting a HUBS before getting a TOT. Since TOTs only last a few years and their performance is erratic, a well-cared-for HUBS is essential for continuous warm winter nights.

Disclaimer: I received no compensation for this review. Good Bedwarmers are hard to find and results may vary, since each one is unique.

01.02.10
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New Year’s Resolutions

I suppose many people posted resolutions yesterday. Resolutions never start on January 1st, of course. That day is a freebie. It’s a holiday.

And this year, with the 2nd and 3rd being a weekend – and Epiphany, too – I don’t see how resolutions could start then either.

Mondays are always good for fresh starts. So, nothing I post applies yet. This is all stuff for next week and beyond.

First of all, DIET. I’ve been eating way too many Russian Tea Cakes (made with pecans, not walnuts, BTW) and drinking too much eggnog. I’ve put on the usual 5 or so holiday pounds. Time to stop. This year, in fact, I think is the perfect year to go vegetarian. Why not? I hear it’s healthy, so let’s go healthy. I’m going to eat only organic, locally grown, raw fruits and vegetables. And since local temperatures are in the 30’s, I’m pretty sure this will mean no fruits or vegetables until we move to Georgia. But it’s what they say is the best way to eat, and I’m all about doing the best things. I’m also going to make my own bread, from my own ground wheat, grown locally and organically. And since I’m not going to be a vegan (really, there is no harm to a chicken when you take the egg), I’ll churn my own butter to put on top.

Next, EXERCISE. Three marathons. I can do it. I just need to set my mind to it.

SLEEP. 10 pm to 5 am every day. No exceptions.

READING. Two books a week.

WRITING. I know there’s a 500 page novel inside me. I will get it out.

DECLUTTERING. I’m thinking Japanese simplicity. We don’t need toys anyway.

PRAYER LIFE. Daily rosary followed by daily Mass. With all the kids. Just think how many souls will get out of purgatory.

BEING A WIFE. Dates once a week with my husband. I will not get annoyed by his behavior. I will not nag him. I will not complain about how many hours he works or if he is late for dinner or if he doesn’t like my tofu and bean sprout stir fry.

MOTHERING. I will never raise my voice. I will never get angry. I will follow through on all declared punishments. I will never ignore noises from three rooms away when I know they are misbehaving. I will always get up immediately to respond to a child who is ignoring a direct order. I will hug my children at least 5 times a day, especially the older ones.

MONEY. I will put half our income aside for the children’s college fund. The other half I will give to the poor.

Dream big. I am pretty sure I will have as much success with these resolutions as I would with any others.

01.01.10
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Aren’t bird sanctuaries peaceful?

This year’s pickle finder was awarded Bird Songs: 250 North American Birds in Song (a big thank you to Jenn Miller for pointing out the book to me).

The book gets 8 thumbs up over here.

Everybody loves it.

One feature which the adults may or may not like so much, though, is the option to “Play All”. Yes, all 250 birds songs, one right after the other with no need to punch in a code and press play for each one.

One child said, “I like this because it sounds like we’re in a zoo.”


And we needed help with that?

Happy New Year! We’re home safe and sound from our travels and happy to rest up for a day or two. Then on to preparing for The Big Move and all the adventures that it entails.

12.28.09
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I should be sleeping instead of blogging

The children will not go for a ride in the car tomorrow. Mary, poor Mary, is especially sick of traveling.

There are some things I miss about New Jersey. Traffic is not one of them.

It was nice today to go to Mass at our old parish and have friendly faces and warm hugs to greet us. Hard to believe we left nearly five years, and two kids, ago.

Also nice to visit extended family we haven’t seen for a while, especially now that there are second cousins for our kids to play with. The littlest one, still a few months away from age three, loved Katie’s sparkly “princess” dress – Katie loves it too. And because Jenny was wearing a dark blue gingham dress, the girl decided her name must be Dorothy. Too bad Jenny doesn’t have any ruby red slippers.

I wonder how many late nights these kids can tolerate. Or how many I can tolerate.

12.26.09
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Christmas Memories

This Christmas, I am very grateful to have my husband home. I know that there are many readers of this blog who are not as lucky, and I want you to know that you are in my prayers.

If you feel the need to have a sharp knife piercing your heart, check out this video: Bring Him Home Santa.

Six years ago, Bill was not home for Christmas. It was a bad holiday. Back then, I wrote about what it was like, and a few years ago, I posted that memory on my blog. I’ve come a long way in six years, and would like to think that things wouldn’t be as bad now that I have children who are older and more helpful. I’m not sure, though. Older children have different ways of making life difficult.

If Santa didn’t bring your soldier home this Christmas, I sincerely hope that the rest of his deployment goes quickly for you. And if you have no deployed soldier in your life, try to say a prayer today for those who can not fully experience the joy of Christmas, especially the children.

12.26.09
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Comfort Food

Day 1: The Warrior Returneth Edition

Filet Mignon (rare) with a peppery marinade
Baked Potatoes

Guinness (Vitamin G)

Really. Does good eating get any better than this?

Day 2: The Snowbound Edition

Beef and Pepper Stew
Homemade Rolls
Spaten Oktoberfest (because the Guinness ran out)

On the way to church (we luckily had a plowed road), one of the kids shouted from the back, “Mom, what’s for dinner?” Are mine the only ones who think of dinner from the moment they awake?

“Beef stew,” said I. I looked at my husband. “Does that sounds good?”

He nodded with a very satisfied expression. Oh, yeah.

Day 3: The Stuck in Traffic Edition

Valentino’s New York Style Pizza
Arrogant Bastard Ale (Bill liked it, but it didn’t go very well with the pizza)

Good NY style pizza is hard to find in Northern Virginia. If you like this style, this place won’t disappoint. If you don’t like NY style, then go to Pizza Hut instead.

Day 4: The Nod to “Health” Edition

Crunchy Oven-Baked Chicken

I made oven baked sweet potato chips, but I’m not 100% happy with the recipe. I’ll try another one next time.

Some different beer. Bill went to Total Wine and picked up a variety (yes, his favorite beer store is a wine store).

I feel guilty if I make beef every day. I don’t know why, exactly. Modern nutritional wisdom says that too much red meat is bad for you, but I truly believe that this is not a one-size-fits-all rule for good health. I have no problems with cholesterol and Bill’s issues stem from flour and pasta, not beef. I do like chicken, but I definitely serve more beef as a general rule. This chicken recipe is moist and juicy and yummy, making eating chicken a delight.

Day 5: The Date Night Edition

I think the kids had chicken strips (from the frozen foods section). Bill and I went to a place called Ray’s the Steaks. Yum.

We had Filet Mignon (see Day 1).

Day 6: The Christmas Eve Edition

French Onion Soup
Salmon with Leeks

I’m too tired to type recipes. I love my French Onion Soup. I make it with vegetable broth, because Christmas Eve used to be a day of abstinence from meat. The salmon recipe was new this year, and it was tasty, but… I rarely cook with leeks. The recipe said to wash them thoroughly. I rinsed them thoroughly. No, no, no. You have to wash them. I guess when they grow, the sandy soil gets inside. If you don’t wash them well, your food will be gritty. This is not pleasant. The flavor was good, so I will have to make it again. (Fortunately, the leeks could be pushed aside and the salmon was fine.)

Day 7: The Christmas Day Edition

Overnight Christmas Blueberry-Pecan French Toast

This breakfast dish is too decadent to eat regularly. I usually make it for Christmas and Easter. The kids don’t like it (fools), so I finally halved the recipe this year, and it was the perfect amount for breakfast today and tomorrow. The full recipe for two people just lingers way too long to be healthy.

Most Christmases are just us hanging out. Between the candy canes and the eggnog, nobody is really interested in a full sit down meal. Instead, we eat snacky foods: cheese and crackers, shrimp cocktail, leftover yummy French Onion Soup.

Hard to believe, but my husband has been home for a week now. We head up to PA and NJ tomorrow, and the food will be out of my hands for a bit. When we get back, I’ll be making him Cowboy Chili and Kells Guinness Meatballs.

And more Filet Mignons.