Horseback riding and PTSD

A few weekends ago MJ  and I attended Family Fest sponsored by the Hudson Valley Renegades. MJ decided he wanted to ride the pony.

 

 

The pony is from Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue. As MJ was riding with a volunteer. A very nice woman was explaining they just got certified to work with people with PTSD. People coping with PTSD can benefit from Equestrian Therapy: to develop flexibility, balance, coordination, muscle strength, positive friendly environment, people coping with PTSD sometimes withdraw from society, this gives them a chance to be social  and increase self esteem.

If don't live close enough to work with Lucky Orphans look for a stable offering a similar program!

 

Lucky Orphan Horse Rescue was started to rescue horses from abuse and neglect and has grown from there. Lucky Orphan Horse Rescue  can be reached by

phone at 845-416-8583 website  http://luckyorphans.weebly.com/

 

 

 

 

Thank You All Military Spouses!!!

Military Spouse Prayer
Give me greatness of heart to see,
the difference between duty and his love for me.

Give me understanding so that I may know,
when duty calls him, he must go.

Give me a task to do each day,
to fill the time when he’s away.

When he’s in a foreign land,
keep him safe in your loving hand.

And when duty is in the field,
please protect him and be his shield.

And Lord, when his deployment seems so long,
please stay with me and keep me strong. Author: Unknown                  

A Walk In The Woods

Remember when you grew up when going in the woods just meant taking yourself. Those were the good ole days. Ahhh a simpler time.
Ok snap back to today. Lets face it today you need to be prepared with bug spray, water, cell phone ( Hubby is jumping for joy I am willing to take it with me), trail mix, and the right outfit ( I'm a girly girl I need a great outfit!).That is the bare bones list of going in the woods for a short hike.( I have stopped taking EVERYTHING because Hubby has gone on that pesky business trip and I have to carry all the stuff!!!! I have considered renting a burrow! LOL.

Monday I went for a walk in the woods with our two brats Apollo and Cesar, while MJ was in school.
Times like these I miss hubby. I am highly allergic to poison ivy, sumac, and oak. I can get it even from a picture book. All I really know about them is they are green and you should avoid them. Which makes me avoid any leaves in threes that are green or look like palm trees. This is a good time to remind you I'm a city girl. I didn't wear sneakers until I met my husband.

Here are some pictures from my walk in the woods with our dogs

itchy poison ivy or oak I don't know

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The white tic tacs in the lake are swans.

 

 

 

 

 

skunk cabbage

 

 

 

Bat Box

 

 

 

 

Off the beaten path

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy!

The dogs love to swim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homework Help

I had to do a homework project with my son tonight. Ohhh how I missed my husband. This was map work. Ok I first I panicked! Next thing I did was actually look at it, Oh boy was this advanced. We had to figure out the directions in his room. I decided to post my homework/deployment tip! So if your ever faced with having to find direction and your compasses are packed away and your to lazy like me or it left on a business trip. LOL here you go!!

Homework / Deployment Tip
Find where the sun rises put your right shoulder to that place, that is East. Now your left shoulder is West. The direction your facing is North. Your back is to the South.

This is Epic!

 

f

Today it seems everyone is using the word epic. I think epic is the most over used word to the point it is annoying. Everything can not be epic or in reality nothing is truly epic or Iconic.

 

 

How Do You List?

Lists! List! Do you make list? How do you keep your list? Are you a traditional paper and pen kinda person? Or are you a gadget guru? Me, I'm a paper and pen type of person
 I make all kinds of lists! For example; I make to do lists, to call lists, to mail lists, the honey do list, oh and my favorite list the grocery list. yes have learned write it the second you think of it because life goes by and you go blank I guess you can say I like to make list. I'm a sucker for those pretty list pads with different themes. I also  use any paper I can find. I've used parts of notebook paper, backs of envelopes, junk email, anything I can find.I've written it down in marker, crayon, if it writes I'll use it!

For me the worst part of list making is actually being at the grocery store and I put my hand in my purse and low and behold that darn list is still on the fridge or on the kitchen table next to that Brita glass I meant to take with me. MMMM frustration!!!!! Thankfully this only happens once in a blue moon.

I know you guys are say UGH gurl use your darn iPhone for this. Sigh, yes I should but come on I just learn to keep a schedule on it. I'm working on it.

This is one of the reasons I like long hand lists. MJ makes them. Those lists melt my heart1

The Wet Brush

The Wet Brush is my favorite brush. It is meant to be used on wet hair like a wide tooth comb to detangle your hair. This does such an awesome job. It is as if your hair was silk. I have long hair and this does not pull or break my hair which I like a lot.

 

It doesn't look different than any other brush, but it is. It is so gentle on your hair. The price I paid was about $8.99 it was worth every penny. I was skeptical that it was going to be as good as a wide tooth comb or as gentle but it was so much better!

 

Games Adults Play

My cousin and her husband play it. My parents played it. Even my husband and I play it. It is the fun game of "Where will we retire!?" Mind you we are not that old!!!  Each Business Trip or change of duty station we play the game of "where do you want to retire !?" My husband adores this game.
So far we have picked Upstate NY, then we picked the Columbus Ohio Area, then Hilliard Ohio,and then Dublin Ohio. We haven't finished playing "where will we retire." I'm sure we will add more things to this ever growing list.
Do you play "Where will we retire? Or do you play another game?

Sometimes Chicken Soup IS The Best Medicine

When my Mom was a little girl and got  sick my Nonna made  Nonna's chicken soup. When I was a little girl and I was sick I always knew what was in the steaming big grey pot on the stove. It was home made chicken soup. Now when MJ gets sick I make him Nonna's home made chicken soup.

The last few weeks MJ and I have both been sick. I was first diagnosed with strep and then a sinus  infection and MJ had his tooth pulled and had and upper repository right after. So I made a BIG pot of homemade chicken soup.

Nonna's Chicken Soup

1 Large Package of Chicken Thighs
1green bell pepper
1 yellow onion
1/4 clove of garlic minced
1 turnip
3 or 4 carrots
1 parsnip
3 or 4 ribs of celery
1 potato ( I Omit this with no problem)
1 package of whole grain noodles type of choice ( if you want  chicken noodle soup)

herbs you need
1 bay leaf
teaspoon of Italian seasoning
teaspoon of garlic powder
teaspoon of onion powder
2 bullion cubes
salt to taste
pepper to taste


1-In a HUGE pot put the chicken thighs in and fill it 3/4 of the way with cold water. Bring the water with the chicken to a boil.

2-When the water boils turn it down to a simmer. Simmer it until the chicken falls off the bone. This takes hours.

3-cut up all of your veggies. Cut up your pepper, onion, garlic turnips, carrots. celery, parsnip, potato

4-When the meat falls from the bone add in your veggies and the herbs and simmer until the veggies are soft.

5-/Add in about half the package of noodles and simmer. Anymore and you will make a casserole.

buon appetito

Four Days Out

MJ and I haven't talked to my husband since he left on his business trip. We normally Text or email or video. Saturday he surprised us and called home. MJ and I have both been sick Our poor baby had a baby molar removed prior to getting sick. I felt really bad because all MJ would say was "tired" to his Dad, as he laid on the couch with the phone. Our poor little guy was wiped out between the cold and the medicine.
Every Since Saturday MJ  has gushed to everyone he comes in contact with " I talked to my Dad." He loves his Dad and even though he didn't do much of the talking he is so happy he got to hear him.

 

Hey, hey, hey did you know MJ talk to his Dad? LOL I finally got to tell someone first. Hmmm or did I? LOL

My Keurig

 I had wanted a Keurig for such a long time. I am probably the last person to get a Keurig. Since I wanted one they have now come out with a digital one! My husband kept trying to buy me one for every birthday or holiday. I just couldn't justify spending that kind of money on something that just makes coffee. MMM yes an excellent cup of coffee but  still to me it was expensive. I got a Keurig this year as an after Christmas gift from my hubby! ( Those are always the best! Unexpected and Cheap!!) It was on an amazing sale!  I absolutely adore it. A push of a button and vola a nice hot cup of coffee.

I love coffee.!My biggest fear with coffee on demand was that I was going to start drinking a ton of coffee. No the opposite happened. I drink far less coffee.

 

It's In The Bag

This is my favorite accesssory for purses!!!
This is a Sonia Kashuk's organizer. I LOVE love love it.  I change my purses a lot and this makes it so much easier and quicker !!! I just take it out and put it in my new purse, all of my things are right there. I never have the problem of leaving something I need in my old purse.  It has a few small pockets in the main compartment and two large pockets on either side. It has the pocket for my all important cell phone.
I bought this in Target, it cost about $12.99. It is such a time saver for me. I do wish it would come in a lighter color!

Did Ya Put A Ring On It???

Do you wear your wedding band? Does it have the power to fend off the opposite sex's come ons? Does it remind you not to cheat? Or is it a really nice piece of jewelery? I really never gave it to much thought, until I saw the latest episode of Duck Dynasty. 20 years ago Jase lost his wedding ring. Missy and Jase go to replace it.
Wearing a ring on your left hand to symbolize marriage comes from an old belief that one of the veins in that hand runs to your heart
Before my husband left on his business trip he asked if I minded if he left his ring home. I didn't see it as being a huge deal. In his line of work it could be  potentially hazardous to wear the ring.  As for me, I always wear mine, I rarely take it off. Most of the men in my family do not  wear a wedding ring. Maybe that's why it doesn't bother me. 
 Is a wedding ring just a pretty metal band around your finger? .My  ring is the nicest piece of jewelry I own. Ok aside from the necklace of straw, yarn and construction paper bats my son made in preschool. Yes, I'm VERY sentimental.
Does the wedding ring serve as a reminder not to cheat? MMM not for me. My love for my hubby keeps me from cheating.
Do you think if your spouse wears it does it keep the opposite sex away? Umm, no it does not have any super powers.
I think, you have to chose for yourself what makes you comfortable. This is one time I think it is best to decide for yourself not just go with tradition

 

The New Norm

Things have finally started to settle down since my husband left on his business trip. In our house we don't say the D word, we call it a business trip. I don't like the D word. You know the word or you can guess it.
My hubby has left on a business trip many many times before. Each time is the same yet different. There has never been two business trips alike. The only thing that is the same is my husband is gone. Everything in life is oddly different. It takes time to get use to my husband not being around. I never totally get use to it.

Things that ease the business trip blues
Photo Album- when MJ was small he had a little dollar store photo album filled with pictures of  Daddy. I use to call it the Daddy Flip Book. MJ loved it and use to giggle and wiggle looking at his daddy. Now MJ is older, he has an up to date one and loves to add the pictures himself. It is a handy tool to talk about Daddy and MJ's feelings while Daddy is gone.

Routine- I have found that family routine is very important while my Husband is gone. It seems to be a comfortable and predictable normal for MJ. I have not changed the Family Routine my husband and I set up the months prior to him leaving.

Videos- MJ loves to make little videos for his Daddy.

If you have anything to add to this list please leave it in the comments. I would love to learn what eases your business trip blues!

 

 

 

 

Always remember:

 

 

 

How To Survive A Cold With Style

1.  Dress for the occasion! His old soft tee shirt paired with boxers or sweat pants.

2.  Cold  Medications of choice.

3.  Tissues. MMM my favorite Kleenex Cool To The Touch. ( They also come in such a pretty blue box. After all this is about surviving in style.

4.  Entertainment!!!! Movies, books, magazines, TV Shows. (ITunes is great for this!!) You can fall asleep and pick it up where you left off when you wake up!

5.  Burt's Bees for chapped lips.

6.  Four to six big soft fluffy pillows. Comfort is always in style!!!

7. Great beverages! No not cocktails. LOL. Orange juice,  sparkling water, flavored seltzer water, for example.

8.  Cough drops.

9.  Fashionable shoes! Every girl needs shoes! LOL. Comfortable slippers, does it really matter what they look like your sick!!!

10.  Great scents! Sinus Soother tart from www.countrytrailcandles.com

11. MMMM Soup just like Mama made. Chicken Soup- Mom's cold remedy.

12. Moisturizing shower products. Nothing feels as good as a hot shower when you have a head cold.

13.  Sugarless hard candies or gum.

14.  Ice Pops are not just for kids. Ice Pops are great for soothing a sore throat!

15.  Activities to keep the kiddies occupied! Some examples are Playdough, paper and crayons, foam shapes, glue and paper, or making paper airplanes


Deployment Tip

Collect items while you are well and toss them in a box to keep in your closet. This way you have them when you are sick and don't have to go out and get some of them.

If Mom Made Tissues These Would Be Them

These are the most fantastic improvement to tissues, since they put that menthol in them!! Some how Kleenex found a way to make cooling tissues! They are so comforting when you have a fever. If Mom made tissues these are the ones she would make! These are the softest tissues, it is like a cloud against your face. My nose did not become red and irritated because the tissues have moisturizers on them. 

Yes, in my opinion Kleenex Cool Touch tissues. are well worth the money.

 

FYI USPS Customs Forms

The USPS changed there customs forms without a word ! They will no longer accept the old customs forms. "You can find the new forms on line, "says the Wappingers Falls Post office. They do not have any at the Post Office itself. Until the end of the week you have to print them off line yourself.

How I found this out!!!!!
I had my box and my customs forms all filled out. This errand seems to be routine in the life of a Military Spouse. I get to the Post Office and can't send my box. The form I was just sent from the USPS on Friday was not being used anymore. AHHHHH! Not my day!

I thought I would post this to save another Spouse a wasted trip to the Post Office!!!!!!!!

Bubbies On Base

I never really gave much thought to breast feeding in public or on  post for that matter. After hearing about the controversy over a breast feeding woman in a store on a base ii believe to be in Hawaii, I have thought about this issue.
I really don't understand why a breast feeding woman is such a big deal. Bubbies and babies being hungry are natural parts of life.  I have to admit, I would not  be comfortable enough to do it in public but some women are.  I do feel however they make blankets, shirts and cover up just for women to breast feed discreetly in public. I have to say I'm middle of the road and understand both sides of the story.
Maybe the answer in this situation is to build a mommy comfort station. Somewhere Mom can nurse her baby in a private room. Then both sides would be happy.




***These are my thoughts. My Hubby was unavailable to ask  this question.***

My Guilty Pleasures

Guilty pleasures those things we savor that we don't tell very many people, if anyone at all about. We all have them.  You know you have a guilty pleasure that you indulge in. MMMM yes I have them.

My Guilty Pleasures:
1. Reality TV. LOVE it! Love the Housewives (all of them), Kimora, Mob Wives, Big Ang, and the list grows with the more time hubby spends on his business trip!
2. Fine Chocolate!
3.  A really good book! The type of book you don't want to put down. When is the last time you got lost in the pages of a good book! What was a book you read and it changed you?
4. Artisan Candles and Tarts.
5. Cannolis! MMMM their rich creaminess.
6. A really good chick flick. A movies that nothing blows up!
7.  Time at the salon. it is having my nails done or getting my hair cut, I love the me time.
8.  Smoothies at the mall.  MMMM two of my favorite things.  This one is actually two facts. Smoothies and shopping!!!
9. Bacon! Love Love Love Bacon. Yummy!
 10  Comfy tee shirts of my hubby's. Nothing beats those.

Snow Days

As a child I remember at the sight of any significant snow accumulation, we would start praying for a snow day. We would sleepily listen to the clock radio for the announcer to call out our district. The second my brothers and I heard the district name we would scream and jump around. On snow days my Mom always made a huge breakfast.
We would put on layers and layer of clothes, adding to it boots, hats, mittens, and scarves. We went out into the gleaming snow and played for hours.  We made snow forts, threw snowballs, built snowmen and went sledding. By the time we came in we were exhausted, wet, freezing and ready for coco.  Ahhhhh to be a child again. :)
Speed up a few years... as an adult a snow day are announced by text, email and a phone call.  I get to break the news to MJ. He screams and jumps around.  I cook the big breakfast. I help MJ into the layers of clothes, a coat, hat, mittens, boots and scarf.  We sled, make snow forts, build snow men and have snowball fights. ( Is it still snowball fight or did it go politically correct and it is now snow circle conflict?) LOL  Except it feels like no sooner do I get him outside he wants to come in. Off goes the layers. My little one is cold and wet and I'm the one making coco.
I guess not much has changed threw the years. Its nice to know you can always count on a snow day for some good old fashion family time.



 

Waiting

Waiting, waiting,waiting, just waiting!  I'm waiting for the storm they call Nemo to start. Don't ask me how much snow we are supposed to get. It depends on what TV station or Radio station you listen to. It could be a foot or two. It was supposed to start at midnight.  Yeahhhhh it has not started yet.  Is it coming, I have no doubt, it is just a matter of time!

Where In The World Is David Price??

David Price unexpectedly announced his departure on January 24 From Fox5's Good Day New York. There has been conflicting reports about why he left.

I've been a loyal viewer of David Price for a long time. When he was the weather man on  Fox in the early days, he charmed me with the mention of the weather forecast each day for my town. I happen to live in the same town as his parents in upstate NY. While the show airs from NYC.  David lovingly referred to his parents house as "The Price Family Compound." After Fox he worked at CBS. I changed my morning news routine as to watch him. He went back to fox as a co host. Along side Rosanna Scotto. David made a great host with Rosanna.

Friday David announced he was leaving. I am so sad to see him leave. Now I'll have to channel surf once again to find David Price, my mornings will not be the same.

Staying Close To My Soldier

Sending love and touches of home to my Soldier.  (Thank you Brother for carrying the box)

 

Went to the Post Office to mail my care package to My Favorite Soldier!!!!

 

 

Joe the Post Office guy!!! Thank you Joe for all your help mailing my box! 17 pounds of love for my Soldier! No Joe no liquid, perishable, or illegal things are in the box, just love!!!!

Bye Box! Have a safe trip!

 

 

Yes My Favorite Soldier is ok with the pink tape.  He can tell my care package right away. LOL

Letters

I was watching Fox 5 this morning. I have to say it is my favorite morning news program.  Today I was shocked to hear the Post Office is discontinuing Saturday letter mail.  The guy who took David Price's place then states,"nobody writes letters anymore." Ummm Wrong! I write letters still.  When my husband is gone one his business trip I write letters.  Nothing compares to a letter written in the person's own writing. Not email, a text, nothing! The excitement you get from seeing a personal letter when you open the mail box is kind of like Christmas.

It is sad to see the Post Office close on Saturday, but I'd rather them close than lay off their workers or stop delivering packages or some other insane thought.

Care Packages, Boxes to your door!!!!

Care Packages to the Troops

Since Priority Mail service supplies are the packaging of choice for families preparing care packages for service members overseas, the Postal Service created a “Mili-kit” based on the items most frequently requested by military families.

The kit contains:

n Two Priority Mail APO/FPO Flat Rate Boxes.

n Two Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate Boxes.

n Priority Mail tape.

n Priority Mail address labels.

n Appropriate customs forms.

To order the kit, call 800-610-8734.

Guidelines for packing, addressing, and shipping items to U.S. troops can be found at www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/.

 

This came right off the United States Post Office Site

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Wow what a super service! I love anything that will save me time! I found this while on the United States Post Office site. All you have to do is call the phone number 800-610-8734 and order a Kit. They send this Kit right to your door. The Kit that they give is a little different, it has a few more boxes in it, which is wonderful.  They give you a 6digit number so when you call back it goes faster. (more saved time!!!!!!!)

 

What I'm Reading Now !

Right now I'm reading "The Slight Edge" by Jeff Olson.  This is one of those books that is a life changer! The book is about being successful at anything you want to do in life.7 principals you can apply to any aspect of your life to be successful. The book teaches you about doing small things constantly to move towards the positive. "These are things that are easy to do and easy not to do;" quote from The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson

This is a positive, fast enjoyable read. This is a wonderful read this time of year when everyone is making their resolutions, life goals, or whatever you call those life changing thoughts you make and hope they will last the rest of the year. I would recommend this to everyone! I think this should be mandatory reading in High School.

I-Phone Update

My hubby brought me an I-Phone home and he wanted me to like this phone.  He loves his. I was less than thrilled and kept the I-Phone in its box hoping it would turn into an Android, hey at that point a girl can hope LOL. At that time this was like a glorified I-Pod. To make my husband happy I unboxed it and carried it in my purse. Thats about where I left off, that blog.

Okay fast forward a few months... and the phone has grown on me. I can't say I'm an I-phone groupie but I like it. Honestly never did i think that this phone was the one electronic device I couldn't live without. Ok Ok Ok there I said it. But I'm a victim of circumstance!  My Hubby went on a business trip.  So far it's been our only form of communication. Just the fact I can communicate with hubby makes this phone priceless. I miss hubby.  You thought I was going to write ... I love my I-Phone. Nahhhh.  The I-Phone is growing on me, my husband I'll alway miss when he is on one of those business trips of his!

Walgreens

Walgreens photo is my new favorite service! I love anything that is going to save me time and is easy!  I am just in love with this. Walgreens photo is an easy way to order photos from home.  You can either go to the store and pick them up that day or you can pay a Little bit more to have them delivered to you not that day but in a few days.

If you are like me you have a ton of pictures on SD cards you are meaning to develop.  I'm so bad, I had them from October and it is now January!!! Over the weekend I sat with a nice hot cup of coffee and went over all my pictures and chose the ones I was going to develop.  It was lovely.  I picked them out and then I could pick them up in about 45 minutes. The pictures looked great.

I might be the last person on Earth who finally heard about this great service.

 

Envelope Art

Today we decided to make decorative envelopes.
First we went supplies!!!!!

 Gathered our supplies

We used rubber stamps ( a big hit), markers,white envelopes and stamp pads. 

 

 

 

We spent a rainy morning making envelopes that we can use to send to Daddy.

 

This is a great project!  We made writing paper also !

 

 

 

Toaster Oven

Last year when Eazy Bake oven only had pink and white ovens.  Our son wanted to "cook in his own oven." Our answer was to get a cheap toaster oven. MJ only uses it when there is an adult with him. 

MJ loves to make easy snacks and things in his oven. Tonight we decided to make Pigs in a Blanket/

 CPT. Snack

 What we used

 

 

 For each lil hotdog use only half of the triangle

 

 MJ waiting

 

CPT Snack made yummy snacks!!!!!!

 

Anything you can make in a regular oven you can scale down and make in a toaster oven.