MIA...

Well, I know I have not posted in a few days, I hope my wonderful readers can forgive me, the husband and I have been running around handling some last minute business before he leaves. I promise things will get back to normal in a few days!

Thanks for understanding! :)

Steph

Anniversary of a Tragedy: 3.29.2010

A year ago today, my world was turned upside down and forever changed...

This is Cody. 

On March 29th, 2010 I was sitting on my couch watching New Moon. I had just got home from work and was already in my pajamas for the night when my phone rang. It was my husband. As I read the caller ID it was no surprise to see Chris calling me. It was around 5:15 pm. That's usually about the time he is headed home from work. You see, Chris' work is only 4 miles from our apartment so it literally takes him only minutes to get home. I smiled as I answered the phone. Little did I know that this would be the last time that I would smile for several weeks....

Soldiers Preparing for BCT

As Chris' ship date approaches, we have been scrambling to get everything together. It has definitely been a learning process! As a way to help other future soldiers and their families prepare for Basic Combat Training, I have create a "Pre-BCT Guide".

 (All of this information is available in countless other places, but here is a simplified list)

First, if you are a future soldier reading this, I would like to say "Thank You" for your commitment to our country and for dedicating your life to serve.

1. The first week of BCT is called "Reception Battalion". During this first week, among many things, you will be issued uniforms, receive several vaccines, and perhaps the most important thing of all, fill out paperwork to get you and your family (if married) loaded into the "Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System" or DEERS for short. Being loaded into this database ensures that you will receive benefits such as medical, etc.

It is VERY IMPORTANT that you bring the following documents for yourself as well as each dependent with you to Reception Battalion to avoid delays:

- Birth certificate

- Marriage License     

- Social Security Card 

- Valid photo ID

(*TIP*: Make several copies of ALL your documents. The military is notorious for losing paperwork)

If you would like more detailed information on the DEERS system, please refer to this link: 

Additionally, if you have a special situation such as a divorce or legal separation, talk to your recruiter about any additional documents you may need to provide upon your arrival at reception battalion.

2. You will also be required to log into your AKO account, so be sure to bring your username and password if you don't have it memorized.

3. You will be required to prove that you have access to a bank account, so you MUST bring an ATM/Debit card or a voided check (or both) so that they can record your bank routing/account numbers. This is necessary so that there are no delays in receiving your paychecks! If you don't have a bank account in your name, don't worry. The Army will help set one up for you. It is encouraged to bring cash with you, but no more than $50.

It could take up to a month for the finance department to get your information entered and for you to start getting paid. In this case, prepare before leaving for BCT to have all your bills squared away for up to a month in case this happens. Once you do start getting paid, you will receive back pay from the day you arrived.

4. Lastly, make sure you take your cell phone. Some recruiters tell you not to, but here's the truth: Some posts allow them, others don't. If the Drill Instructor doesn't allow them, they will take it away upon your arrival and lock it away until graduation. If the DO allow cell phones, they will still take yours away, but when your unit earns phone call privileges, some Drill Instructors will let you use your own phone, which is nicer than waiting in a long line to use the post phone.

If you would like any additional information or have any questions, please feel free to email me at [email protected] 

Sources: militaryonesource.com, http://www.military.com, www.myarmyonesource.com

April Fools!

As April approaches, I have been reflecting on the years past, and all the April fools pranks I have pulled 

(or fallen victim to!)

I wanted to compile a list for your reading pleasure!

*DISCLAIMER*: Prank at your own risk. These pranks listed below are not intended to ruin any relationships or get anyone fired. They are for entertainment purposes only. Do not partake in any activities that could be considered harmful to you or those around you!

1. The "Nail Polish Disaster".  In 2007 I was working on some very important documents at my kitchen table. My sister started to do her nails and I politely asked her to "step away" with the nail polish. She walked away and I resumed. After a few short minutes, I got up to get a drink from the fridge. As I was rummaging around I head a "OH NO!" from my sister behind me. I spun around quickly to the horrifying sight of my documents covered in pink nail polish and a tipped over bottle. I was so MAD! I was just about to lay into her when she started giggling. Before I got too upset, she picked the whole puddle of nail polish up and my documents were unharmed! Turns out, if you lay a bottle of nail polish over on some wax paper and let it dry, you can peel it off and place it wherever you like! :D

2. "Baby oil on the toilet seat."  This one explains itself! *SLIP*

3. "Frozen Computer". This one is funny but a little tricky to pull off. AT WORK, in 2008 a coworker left his computer unlocked when he left for lunch. I sat down, minimized all his windows until I got to his desktop. I moved the mouse to the side where it couldn't be seen and hit "print screen". Then I opened the picture, saved it, and then hit "Set as desktop" So now there is a PICTURE of his desktop as his desktop background. Then I right-click on his desktop, hit "Properties" and selected "hide icons". (Now the real icons are gone and just the icons on the background are showing.) When he tries to click on them, nothing will happen. LOL! Lastly, I dragged the task bar along the bottom of the screen until it was invisible. Now, he could't do ANYTHING on his computer when he got back. It took him forever to figure it out! LOL

4. "Mom, Dad...I'm Pregnant" This one is a classic! There is an art to pulling this prank. You have to take it seriously to get the desired reaction. Don't just say "I'm Pregnant" and start giggling. Get serious, like but a fake (+) pregnancy test and give it to them, or find a picture of a (+) Test online and print it out. Or buy a "Congratulations" card and write your message in it. They will think you are serious! Then once they are picking each other up off the floor, let them in on the joke. *Disclaimer* Not everyones parents can take a joke like some others can. Prank at your own risk*

5. "Out of Ink" Take every one of your victims pens and pencils and dip them in clear nail polish. When they try to write, nothing will come out! Once the prank is over, dip them in nail polish remover for a quick second to remove the polish.

6. "Sprechen Sie Deutsch?" Take your victims cell phone to "make a quick call". Then change their language settings to German or French. Then watch them squirm as they try to navigate the menus and change it back to English. 

7. "Don't Label Me!" Get to work early one day and go into your co-workers office. Put a post -it note on EVERY SINGLE THING in their office, with the name of that object such as "PEN", "STAPLER", "CARPET" etc.

8. "Let's wrap it up"  My senior year of HS, me and my friends were very close to our music director. He would always say "Let's Wrap it Up!" at the end of rehearsals and it got really annoying. A few of us went to the nearest Costco and got an industrial size roll of plastic saran wrap. After rehearsal one day my friends and I used the whole roll on his car. Rolling it up starting at the roof, rolling it under the car, up the other side and over and over again. When we were done it took him a good half hour to cut through all the layers with scissors just so he could open his car door! 

9. "OOPSY"  Offer to make a sandwich for a friend/relative. But don't remove the wrapper from the slice of cheese. When they bite down they'll get a chewy surprise!

10. "Oh heck no!" Put a note on your victim's car that says "Sorry about the dent. Call me so we can swap insurance information." Include a fake name and phone number. Be sure to hide nearby so you can watch them search in vain for the "dent."

Hope you all enjoy these! 

What are some pranks you have pulled or have been the victim of?