Holiday Shipping Dates

Here are the shipping dates for overseas / Military packages as per the US Postal Service:

1/ EMMS: is available to selected military post offices. Check with your local Post Office to determine if this service is available to your APO/FPO address.

2/ PAL: is a service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis. It is available for Parcel Post items not exceeding 30 pounds in weight or 60 inches in length and girth combined. The applicable PAL fee must be paid in addition to the regular surface rate of postage for each addressed piece sent by PAL service.

3/ SAM: parcels are paid at Parcel Post postage rate of postage with maximum weight and size limits of 15 pounds and 60 inches in length and girth combined. SAM parcels are first transported domestically by surface and then to overseas destinations by air on a space-available basis.

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving!

Did all of my readers have a great Thanksgiving dinner? I sure did! My family and I spent Thanksgiving over our friend’s house and had lots (and lots) of great food and fun with our friends. There were six adults and six kids, a giant turkey and all the fixin’s, four pies and lots of noise. We had a great time and even had the chance to visit a nearby park after dinner.

At the local park the kids and we came across a man and his dog sleeping on the park bench. He stayed there for awhile and watched the kids play and the kids began trying to talk to him. My son asked him why he was sleeping on the bench and he replied that he “had eaten too much Thanksgiving turkey” and was “just taking a nap.” He left shortly thereafter.

This man is the fifth homeless person I’ve come across here in Virginia Beach. I know there are many, many more but I’ve honestly never lived somewhere where I’ve seen people sleeping on park benches and on the shady grass next to the local Burger King. It absolutely breaks my heart. I see two Vets (I’d assume) who are ‘living’ in the local park and hanging out by two fast food places nearby each and every day. They have bicycles and carry around all their belongings in little bike carts. They both have dogs who walk with them without even needing to be told. They are family.

I want to buy them a coffee and a hot meal. Bring them a blanket when it gets cold.

I want to learn more about what’s being done to help take care of the homeless here in Virginia Beach (and around the country). Will you help?

Here are some links to websites of local agencies that help the homeless:

Southeastern Virginia Food Banks
Seton Youth Shelters
Vet’s House Inc.

Ps. This entry is being cross-posted at both Atomic-Mama.com and JustSayOohRah.com because this is a crucially important message.

Give Thanks

I am thankful this year for the fact that I can spend Thanksgiving with my husband and my good friends. I am thankful for my health and my freedom too. Thank you SO MUCH to the men and women who risk their lives each and every day to bring my fellow American’s and I the freedom’s that we enjoy each day.

Thank a soldier, sailor or Marine. Say a prayer, light a candle and keep in mind that a lot of them are still ‘over there’ fighting and won’t be enjoying a warm Thanksgiving meal with their families this year.

If you are local to a base please consider inviting some ‘single sailors/soldiers’ or a military family over for dinner. My friend Jayme and I used to ‘tag-team’ Thanksgiving while we lived in Spain and always loved having some of the ‘singles’ over for dinner.

What do you do for Thanksgiving? What are you thankful for?

Changing Places, Changing Faces

Also known as … “Why is everyone leaving me for Maryland?”

One thing that all children of military members will face – the one absolutely guarantee – is that friends will move away. Our family has been dealing with that in the past couple months because we know at least three families (one of the who were some of our best friends) who have moved or are about to move. Two of the families have moved to Maryland – so at least we sort of have the chance to see our friends ever once in awhile. We saw one family on Halloween and the other during a command function at Great Wolf Lodge.

I’m working on teaching Xander that he can still stay in contact with his friends. Writing letters, emails or even calling are great ways to stay in touch when you just can’t make the trip. Most people don’t just move one state over – most people move half-way across the country or even “across the pond” to Europe (or Japan). So a lot of times phone calls and letters are all you really can do.

Xander is just shy of five years old – so the moving of friends is really beginning to bother him. I’d like to know what you do with your kids to get ready for their friends to PCS?

How do you have your little ones stay in contact with friends who have moved away?

Fort Hood Shootings (news updates) #FtHood

For the latest on the FORT HOOD shootings follow the #FtHood ‘tweetchat’ (has live updates):
http://tweetchat.com/room/fthood

@RedCross:
People local to Fort Hood can call 254-724-4376 to reach @swhealthcare about blood needs.

Looks like @FThoodshootings is back … follow it for Fort Hood updates. #FTHood #FortHood

Local News Story: http://www.kxxv.com/global/story.asp?s=11451553

AP source: Fort Hood shooting suspect is Army Maj. Malik Nadal Hasan

WASHINGTON — A law enforcement official says a shooting suspect at Fort Hood has been identified as Army Maj. Malik Nadal Hasan.

The official said Hasan, believed to be in his late 30s, was killed after opening fire at the base. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the case publicly.

The official says investigators are trying to determine if Hasan was his birth name, or if he changed his name and converted to the Islamic faith at some point in his life.

Prayers are with everyone at ‘Hood!!! Stay SAFE!!!