Utah Valley Army Wife

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-04-07T22:53:00.001-06:00

I almost ran out side and screamed.... like a banshee..... I'm not kidding.

All because of what is going on and reading these articles:

"If you’re complaining about the price of gas and you’re only getting 8 miles a gallon, you know,” Obama said laughingly. “You might want to think about a trade-in.” -Herald News

"Obama threatened to veto the bill even before it passed on a 247-181, mostly party-line vote. Military troops would not receive their full paychecks," -Reno Gazette Journal

"President Obama and the First Family are planning to visit the area this weekend in what the White House described Wednesday as a "long-planned family trip to Colonial Williamsburg."-Daily Press

First he's tells us to suck it up when it comes to gas prices. Buddy I have a car that gets okay gas mileage and I'm freaking out about the price of gas!! Can I just say I have no idea why all these envirofreaks want us to be like Europe, to bike and take mass transit everywhere. Well they are idiots! we are a hundred times bigger than the little European countries. We are spread out, especially here in the West. There's no mass transit to my kids school or to the grocery store and there's no way in Hell I could ride my bike to the grocery store. I would love to not be so dependent on oil. I'm all for electric vehicles. In fact 10 yrs ago when we bought our first SUV I tried to talk my husband into getting a natural gas engine put in (he was not going for it). But I've got a growing family, we are not all going to fit in a Prius. AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then he's going to threaten to veto a bill to help keep the government going another week and he says because they need to make a decision. ummmm maybe he and the democratic held house and senate should have passed that budget last year when they were supposed to! And if the government does shut down our troops won't be paid? I'm sure he and the rest of them sitting up there are going to see their paychecks, in full. These people are so out of touch with the real world. AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Lastly he's going to take ANOTHER vacation?? what the hellllllllllllll!! This family travels more than flight attendants. They just got back from Brazil. Our country is in crisis! There's this whole Libya thing. And he needs another vacation? I'd love a vacation, but I can't because 1- my husband is deployed and 2- i can't afford one. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I realize there seem to be a lot of hysterics and screaming going on in this post. but really I'm so mad and have no one to vent to. All my friends these days seem to lean left and will probably vote for Obama again. I'm so frustrated.

This is a nightmare.

i dont get the gold rush

2010-10-05T21:04:00.000-06:00

I'm not really getting this whole gold rush going on. Everyone is saying it's good to have gold in your portfolio. I don't have a portfolio, I barely have full bank account. Maybe one day when I have more money & a portfolio I will have gold in it. but if I really think about the falling dollar or inflation I really don't think having gold in my portfolio or in my wallet is going to be able to buy me much of anything. Really when what my family needs is food or toilet paper, I'm not going to trade my backyard chicken's eggs for an ounce of gold, I'm going to want toilet paper. I think instead of gold I would want to invest in land. Land that I can grow food on, hunt food on & land with trees, cause you know people are going to need wood. People I'm going to invest in land because if things were to get bad, land is going to be worth more than it's weight in gold.

Ps talking about the end of things, I like my dad's theory: he says that before the world ends things are going to be awesome. I'm talking a chicken in every pot, a land rover in every garage. Things are going to be so good people are going to forget God. And if you look at history- ie the Bible and BofM it's so true! things are going awesome, people are rich, nobody wants for anything, nobody remembers who blessed them. & I'll tell you what- I won't forget!

healthcare summit or another photo op for professor obama

2010-02-25T13:44:00.002-07:00

I say the latter.
did you watch? what did you think?
I thought the President sounded condescending and (as a lot of others are saying) borrrrrring!
ugh it was so hard not to change the channel when he interrupted & started in on his lecturing.
although sometimes my self controlled waned & I did change it, that's when I missed this:

"Let me make this point, John, because we're not campaigning anymore, the election's over."

I'm not the biggest fan of John McCain but he is a much better person than I am to just laugh off that extremely rude & condescending comment. I just find it unbelievable, that our President would behave the way he did & in front of the American people. No wonder he prefers back room deals.

oh goodie more incompetent government run health care

2010-02-20T00:32:00.001-07:00

Just think this could be us too!

Children at top hospital had to wash in buckets byKatherine Faulkner

The sorry saga of the NHS & my year undercover in hospitals by Harriet Sergeant

(I will add more of my own thoughts later I just wanted to make sure to link to these)

GITMO- maybe not that bad

2010-01-07T16:02:00.013-07:00

Maybe GITMO isn't as bad as the mainstream media and our "friends" up in DC are telling us. I know what you're thinking- "but they wouldn't lie to us!?"

Well I guess we could go ask the terrorist detainees how they feel about moving from their tropical beach front property to a chilly maximum security prison in Illinois. Put away your frequent flyer miles, lucky for us we don't have to, their lawyers have done it already. And the terrorist detainee's answers? - "ahhh no-thankyou!"

In THIS article from Newsweek (via Hot Air) the terrorist detainees lawyer said (the last few paragraphs), " many of [my] clients, while they clearly want to go home, are at least being held under Geneva Convention conditions in Guantánamo. the plans call for them to be thrown into the equivalent of a "supermax" security prison under near-lockdown conditions. As far as our clients are concerned, it's probably preferable for them to remain at Guantánamo," Ha! Oh the irony.

Also in the aforementioned article, Obama is unfailing in using the same lame attempt to label GITMO a terrible place,
"Make no mistake: we will close Guantánamo prison, which has damaged our national-security interests and become a tremendous recruiting tool for Al Qaeda," That's funny I'm pretty sure Obama's own lax attitude and feeble attempts at 'talking & listening' have probably done more damage to our national-security interests, and the only tremendous recruiting tool for Al Qaeda is their own self serving hatred. Also changing venues won't change attitudes. Does Obama really think that once the terrorist detainees are up north Al Qaeda will smile, nod and say "hey maybe America isn't that bad after all"- I think not.

Along with those in charge over in Illinois our dear leader is trying to reassure the residents of Illinois that moving the terrorist detainees to their prison won't make them a target for terrorism. I don't buy it and neither should the people of Illinois.

Speaking of terrorists being treated as civilians; THIS article on how much it's going to cost for just the security in New York for the pre-trial & trial of the terrorists who helped orchestrate 9-11, will raise more than your eye-brows. (spoiler alert: over 400 million!) best comment (come on you've got to read the comments it's the comic relief) by partynot- "John Wayne... a rope is reusable"

Here's a must see, something the MsM would never show you.

The softer or real side of GITMO. This is the image you should have in your head every time you hear about it instead of the horror show the MsM & our dear leader are selling you. Courtesy of Steven Crowder:

dragging feet on Afghanistan update

2009-11-12T11:42:00.006-07:00

photo here with description

Not too long ago ABC news announced that Obama had finally decided to heed the advice of Gen. McChrystal after months and months of non decision and send a surge of troops into Afghanistan. But sorry ABC & apparently CBS were wrong- they need a new source; National Security Adviser James Jones dismissed reports that the administration has reached a decision to send thousands of additional troops to Afghanistan. here

Apparently Pres. Obama needs to see more options. I don't get it. He signs Porkulus without reading it, wants to spend us into oblivion without blinking an eye but when it comes to our troops he sits on his arse.

I love this commentary by Ed Morrissey of Hot Air: It’s time to make a decision, Mr. President, one which you’ve had three months to make. If Obama is just now getting around to hearing back on five options, then he either needs to fire his staff for their lack of preparation or admit that this has been a low priority for him while Americans fight and die on the front lines. One does not win wars by waiting three months to decide on whether to properly resource the only real option for victory.

This thing is affecting my home directly. The husbands units deployment to Afghanistan has been pushed back 3 times. Even now they don't have a secure date (but really that's the military for you) The husband wants to go- needs to go, and everything in our life has been put on hold because of it. Please Mr. President make up your MIND!! I'm tired of waiting around. To tell you the truth I don't care what he decides whether to send 40 thousand or pull them out all together. The reason's we're over there are always sketchy but that opens a whole new can of worms. He just needs to make the decision so that our troops don't think we've forgotten or don't care about them.
If you would like to show your love for our troops in Afghanistan & have some killer knitting skills or crochet jump over to my other blog to see how.

*update* the feet dragging continues. Obama has rejected all the options given to him in his recent White House war council meeting. "It's important to fully examine not just how we're going to get folks in but how we're going to get folks out," Gibbs said. Good grief. If only he would consider everything he does & has done during his presidency this carefully, we might not be so far down the crapper like we are now.

"Mr. Gorbachev tear down this wall!" update

2009-11-09T11:45:00.004-07:00

Today is the 20 anniversary of the Berlin Wall coming down. And listening to this speech given by Ronald Reagan reminds what a great president he was.

Twenty years ago the greatest symbol of repression, communism and the Cold War was torn down by the German people.

There are some great photos of the celebration over Here

But what I feel is missing from those pictures is our current President. Because of an upcoming trip to Asia "White House spokesman Robert Gibbs confirmed earlier this week scheduling conflicts and preparation for his impending 10-day trip to Asia have instead caused Obama to stay in Washington." here Instead they have sent Sec of State Hilary Clinton.

What a joke. He'll also be spending Veterans Day in Asia. This man can't be bothered. If it's not about him it's not worth noting.

Good question and answer brought up by Ed Morrisey on Hot Air: "Well, where’s the Vice President? Should he not stand in for Obama on this auspicious occasion to help celebrate the victory over tyranny in a war waged over several decades? Apparently not. Joe Biden will attend a fundraiser in Detroit rather than celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall."

HERE's a great article about the 4 probable reasons why Obama stayed away

*update* Obama made time to make a video address to the German people. How nice he could take time out of his busy day to do this. Lucky for us he was able to make this a little bit about him, why else would he do it?

ONE more way to say "Thank You!"

2009-10-29T17:35:00.008-06:00

I should get more involved. In military things, that is. As much as I don't want to. I still want to pretend I'm on the outside looking in. And while at the moment I'm more leaning in through the window than really in the heat of the kitchen I figure I can still help bring things to help with dinner.

Did you catch that? Do you get it? If not don't worry just move on. ;)

So here's what you are really here for; Here's how you can say "Thank YOU!" & support our soldiers.

1. Project Valour-IT:
(from the website) Project Valour-IT helps provide voice-controlled/adaptive laptop computers and other technology to support Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries. Items supplied include:

Voice-controlled Laptops - Operated by speaking into a microphone or using other adaptive technologies, they allow the wounded to maintain connections with the rest of the world during recovery.

Wii Video Game Systems - Whole-body game systems increase motivation and speed recovery when used under the guidance of physical therapists in therapy sessions (donated only to medical facilities).

Personal GPS - Handheld GPS devices build self-confidence and independence by compensating for short-term memory loss and organizational challenges related to severe TBI and severe PTSD.

This was started by Major Charles Ziegenfuss or ChuckZ as he is known by his blog readers. After he was wounded in Iraq he wasn't able to blog because of his injuries. And even though his wife was willing to help it was frustrating for both of them. One of his readers jumped at the chance to help and sent him Dragon Naturally Speaking software. "It was the first time I felt whole since I'd woken up wounded in Landstuhl" Major Ziegenfuss said about using his voice controlled laptop.

So HERE is where you donate (alright, I put the Army link up, you know these guys always a competition you can choose another branch HERE)
Or you can click on the link to the right

I don't hate the military

2009-10-23T11:49:00.006-06:00

I just hate that my husband wants to be apart of it.
For completely selfish reasons.
I just want my husband focused on my family.
Not on yours, no offense.
You have a great family.
I want you to be safe.
I want you to have freedoms.
I'd like everyone in the world to have that.
But I'm tired of my husband being one of the people making it possible.
I want him at my kids soccer games.
I want him to tuck my kids in bed more.
To have him read more books.
And change more diapers.
Eat more dinners at home.
Be my husband again.
I'm not supposed to feel this way.
I am a military wife after all.
We're supposed to be unselfish.
Brave.
Strong.
Independent.
I'm tired of being those things.
I'm tired of answering the question of how do I do it.
Because I don't.
I cry a lot.
But not in front of the kids.
I get mad a lot.
And frustrated.
And overwhelmed.
In front of the kids.
I'm working on that.
But I'll still pretend.
To be unselfish.
Brave.
Strong.
Independent.
For the love I have for my kids.
And Soldier.

Finally- some transparency!

2009-10-22T22:58:00.005-06:00

Obama is finally living up to his promise of transparency. Now we really get to see how our President honestly feels about about a large percentage of our country- that's he's PRESIDENT of.

Why does he think this is okay? Transparency at it's best.
(what a douche)

Obama talks to our kids

2009-10-02T08:49:00.002-06:00

So this is all done and over but I'd like to still give my two cents on the whole thing. A while back Pres. Obama gave a speech to school children. & when it was announced many parents and conservative commentators were concerned. Many said they would keep their kids home from school on that day. When I heard about it I sort of stood in the middle. Would I keep my 2nd grader home from school on that day? No. Here's the thing; at my home we are trying to teach respect big time because I think that is one of many things lacking in our world today. Respect for people, property, feelings, ideas, opinions. & I know we should show respect to our President, because honestly it's no small thing to be the President of the United States. But I was left sitting in the middle on this one. I could see both sides. I honestly don't think that the parents and others should have gotten so huffy about it until they heard or read the speech. They should have waited until after then get upset about the things he said that maybe he shouldn't.

But on the other hand I can definitely see the side of the worried. Let me put it this way, Lets say Obama was your next door neighbor (no it's not that hard pretending to live in a multimillion dollar home) being his neighbor you'd be your nice, friendly self- saying good morning as you picked up your freshly delivered newspaper, complimenting him on his beautiful roses or his wives vegetable garden, taking over a treat for FHE & all those wonderful neighborly things. But knowing what you know about his view of the world & his country, noticing the friends he invites over to watch the big game (bill ayers, Van Jones, John Holdren,Rahm Emanuel) & the Reverend that's "practically family" he's been getting religious inspiration from for 20 years, I'm sure, no matter what his standing is in the community or how popular his barbecues are, you as his neighbor would not be inviting him over anytime soon to sit down with your kids and talk to them even if it is only about staying in school.

The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money.

2009-08-26T23:07:00.003-06:00

He's Barack Obama- jib jab style

2009-06-22T16:47:00.003-06:00

You've got to love the bipartisanship of the people at Jib Jab- no one is safe.

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

found via Hot Air

I'm seriously considering buying the limited edition t-shirt for the Husband- HA HA!! Oh & my brother-in-law Dave- that's even more hilarious to think about.

happy Memorial Day

2009-05-25T17:46:00.003-06:00

What can I say that millions of others haven't already. What an amazing day this is, to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Thank you for your service & sacrifice, we will always remember.

I took this picture at a certain military ceremony I was able to attend recently. A much more meaningful, if not better, picture of our flag than one I could find on flickr. ;)

on this I'll keep my heart & mind closed thank you very much

2009-05-18T16:52:00.004-06:00

President Obama spoke at Notre Dame on Sunday and I thought good for him for bringing up the abortion issue that's been surrounding the invitation. I agree with everyone else and I think the President is an amazing speaker. It's just sometimes I don't think he hears the words or ideas he speaks. He said, about those with differing views on abortion and the dialogue between them that, they should have "Open hearts. Open minds. Fair-minded words." That's good and all but does he not understand that those of us who oppose abortion do it because we know that abortion is murder? He honestly doesn't know we believe when a woman gets an abortion she is murdering another human being. I do believe there are certain circumstances where it could be an option- rape & the mothers life is in danger. But when President Obama asks for understanding I really don't think he understands anti-abortion views. Is he really asking us to be more understanding of the murder of innocent babies? What's next? Should we be "open minded" when we read about the genocide of theJewish people by the Nazis? Although what should I expect from a President who wanted to sit down and have "fair minded words" with Ahmedinejad, the president of Iran who just so happens to be a holocaust denier among other things.

video via Hot Air

this is too good to not post!

2009-05-09T15:48:00.002-06:00

Here's the German version- the black & white & how she looks at the camera then looks away then back, so classic!

what's the best way to show your appreciation for our troops?

2009-05-01T23:23:00.002-06:00

Tell them THANK YOU!

I can't tell you the number of times someone has stopped me & Gary & told him/us "thank you for your service" It always gets me choked up.

My favorite time this happened to us was when we were living in Carlsbad and we were in the check out lane at the grocery store. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon & we were buying some non-essentials ie: Breyers chocolate ice cream & Bacardi mixers. And older gentleman was standing in line behind us and asked Gary if he was in the Marines. Gary wasn't wearing his BDUs (battle dress uniform). Not that it's hard to spot someone in the military especially living in a military town. Gary said yes & the man said "thank you for all you do." I was barely holding it together when the checker asked us how we were going to pay. I paid & Gary talked to the this man a little bit more about military things (I tend to turn off when that starts) But I did notice the hat that he was wearing; a Vietnam veteran baseball cap. I'm not sure if Gary reciprocated the sentiment but I feel bad I didn't.

So thank you, Veteran in the Vons on El Camino Real, for your service & sacrifice for me & my country!

thank you Associated Press

2009-04-30T23:12:00.002-06:00

Make sure to check out this great Fact Check article by Calvin Woodard about some things Obama needs to have someone double check for him before he starts lying through his teeth some more Here's my favorite bit:

OBAMA: "Number one, we inherited a $1.3 trillion deficit. ... That wasn't me." — in Missouri.

THE FACTS:
Congress, under Democratic control in 2007 and 2008, held the purse strings that led to the deficit Obama inherited. A Republican president, George W. Bush, had a role too: He signed the legislation.
Obama supported the emergency financial bailout package in Bush's final months — a package Democratic leaders wanted to make bigger.
To be sure, Obama opposed the Iraq war, a drain on federal coffers for six years before he became president. But with one major exception, he voted in support of Iraq war spending.
The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has estimated Obama's policy proposals would add a net $428 billion to the deficit over four years, even accounting for his spending reduction goals. Now, the deficit is nearly quadrupling to $1.75 trillion.

Hello President Liar: I remember when you were whispering into Pres. Bush's ear about pushing through the rest of the TARP money. Way to not take responsibility. Who is telling you to keep blaming everything on Bush- it's not working. ugh -politicians

disgusting

2009-04-28T14:40:00.003-06:00

"the truth"

by Michael D'Antuono

This painting was to be unveiled at Union Station in NYC on Obama's 100th day in office. Mr D'Antuono decided not to go through with it due to overwhelming public outrage.

"The artist hopes to stir intelligent conversation with this painting that will invite individual interpretations to be talked about. He believes his painting called "The Truth" to be a politically, religiously, and socially charged statement about Obama and the American people right now. The artist claimed that he does not think Obama is the Messiah" here

I've seen many more paintings & pictures of Obama that quite possibly had the same intentions that were not so distasteful.

"The religious reference was used metaphorically and not to insult anyone's religious beliefs. If that is the effect that my art has had on anyone, I am truly sorry," says D'Antuono.

I honestly can't believe that when he conceptualized it or during the painting of it or even before he received the thousands of calls & emails about it, that he did not think that this would insult anyone's religious beliefs.

can't wait to see this

2009-04-02T00:43:00.002-06:00

"I'd give my life for America any day, I wouldn't think twice"

BROTHERS AT WAR is an intimate portrait of an American family during a turbulent time. Jake Rademacher sets out to understand the experience, sacrifice, and motivation of his two brothers serving in Iraq. The film follows Jake’s exploits as he risks everything—including his life—to tell his brothers’ story. Often humorous, but sometimes downright lethal, BROTHERS AT WAR is a remarkable journey where Jake embeds with four combat units in Iraq. Unprecedented access to U.S. and Iraqi combat units take him behind the camouflage curtain with secret reconnaissance troops on the Syrian border, into sniper "Hide Sites" in the Sunni Triangle, through raging machine gun battles with the Iraqi Army. Ultimately, the film follows his brothers home where separations and life-threatening work ripple through their parents, siblings, wives and children. BROTHERS AT WAR provides a rare look at the bonds and service of our soldiers on the frontlines and the profound effects their service has on the loved ones they leave behind.

the not so good, the bad & the ugly of being a soldiers wife

2009-03-23T20:28:00.001-06:00

when people find out that my soldier is deployed they have a few reactions:
1. silence- I'm sure they are thinking- "what's a deployment"
2. "oh" they heard me but they couldn't give a flying rats a$$
3. "that must be so hard" followed up by "how do you do it"
While #3 is the preferable out of the the three it's starting to wear. What do I want to hear?:
That SUCKs! and mean it. And I realize that #3 is what people say because they have no idea what it's like but honestly if I have to say "I don't know how I do it, I just do"...

It's hard being a soldier's wife. And you know I'm in such a foul mood I don't want to look at the silver lining or the bright side! I just want to have my husband back. I'm tired of living my life around his need to play G.I. Joe. No no that's wrong. I'm proud- make that SUPER proud of what he does & what he has accomplished. Most people could not even come close to what he & other soldiers go through.

BUT- when I had to go buy soccer essentials for Kail the other day & I couldn't call Gary to ask him what I should get, and the guy at the sporting goods store wasn't much help & I had to once again call on my family to help, (luckily my older brother Chris is all about soccer) I was mad!

And that's ANOTHER thing. My family is worn out. I can barely even bring myself to ask my mom to watch my kids anymore. And I'm so done with the "no I really want to help" BULL!
I'm not blind. Heck I'm sick of hearing myself ask for help too. But there comes a time when you have to suck it up and ask "just one more time" (you tell yourself) I think maybe if I just moved somewhere far enough away they wouldn't feel so obligated.

And I wouldn't have to rely on my family so much if I could afford to hire a nanny or even just someone to come over for one day and watch the kids so I could actually get something done. Being poor sucks!!! I watch these congressmen sit on their arses all day doing who knows what & getting paid out the wazoo. While our soldiers & their families struggle to make ends meet. and I'm not saying all military families are poor. Some of them have actually stayed in long enough to actually make more than the local taco bell employee.

but don't mind my ranting and raving. Once I'm able to talk to Gary again I'll put all this on the back burner. And again be going with the flow. I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel- a tunnel that's going to take about three more years to get out of. That is if things don't change- again, & it probably will because nothing is ever set in stone when it comes to the military.

will someone please tell me why you still support Obama?

2009-03-12T23:40:00.004-06:00

After everything that's been going on can you please tell me why you still support this man? Sure I can see why you voted for him, he made lots of wonderful promises my favorite was "transparency of government" and "no more earmarks". Of course I never got to the meaning of hope and change. Of course we sure are seeing it now. Obama hoping for socialism by changing everything this country was founded on.

Did you know that Obama sees the Constitution as a "living document"

Do you know what his voting record is?

Do I really have to put up the video of his stance on abortions?

Lets look at how well his transition is going, I'm not sure there are very many people left that he can appoint.

And this latest "thought" on Americas veteran's and how maybe they should pay for their own war time injuries. WOW. That's one way to get some bipartisanship- although I'm sure he didn't want them joining ranks against him.

How about all the shoving down our throats of trillions, yes I said trillions, of dollars worth of "spending/stimulus/savior bills" with thousands of earmarks. "it's imperfect"?

And I'm pretty sure that we're all sick of hearing him blame this all on G.W. - that's the pot calling the kettle black. G.W. is not forcing you to sign our money & freedoms away

Of course I'm saving all my ranting and raving about his nationalized health care for another post.

I truly want to know how the people who voted for him, or as a friend of mine said "If we had have voted, we would have voted for Obama", how can you still support this man?

HOW?

rank

2009-03-05T01:08:00.003-07:00

Okay so in getting to know the Army a little better I think one important thing to know is rank or what position your soldier is. This is good information not just to know who your soldier can boss around ;) but also to know what your pay grade is. Three terms are important when discussing authority and responsibility in the military: rank, rate, and grade. A military member's "rank" determines their status and authority in comparison to other military members."Grade" is used for personnel and pay functions. here

So here is a break down of rank in the Army:

Grade - Rank
E-1 - Private (PV1)

E-2 - Private (PV2)

E-3 - Private First Class (PFC)

E-4 - Corporal (CPL) & Specialist (SPC)

E-5 - Sergeant (SGT)

E-6 - Staff Sergeant (SSG)

E-7 - Sergeant First Class (SFC)

E-8 - Master Sergeant (MSG) & First Sergeant (1SG)

E-9 - Sergeant Major (SGM) & Command Sergeant Major (CSM)

Special Pay Grade - Sgt. Major of the Army (SMA)

There is also insignia that go along with this. I would put them here but that's a lot of cut & paste so if you are interested in a Soldiers rank at first glance go here. (enlisted)

yea!!

2009-02-27T21:44:00.002-07:00

I'm so excited for the families of the Utah National Guard 142nd Military Intelligence Battalion. Their Soldiers returned home this morning from a year deployment in Afghanistan. I'm always so happy when the local news stations report on this. I'm happy they haven't forgotten about our Military & their sacrifices.
I watched the short story on FOX 13 news. You can watch the happy homecoming HERE

now say one thing nice

2009-02-25T23:42:00.003-07:00

That's what my mom used to say when she overheard me or my siblings saying unkind things about someone or something. And well I haven't been saying the nicest things about our newly elected President lately (although it's not against him just his policy) so I thought I would share something I do admire about him & it is his love for his family. It is so nice to see someone in the political public eye showing adoration for his wife and kids. And I'm not saying that our previous Presidents haven't loved their families it's just that they were so "proper" (I'm sure there is a better word for this) when standing in front of the cameras. And I applaud him for wanting to move sooner than inauguration day so that his girls could start the new term at their new school with the other kids. & the whole dog thing- who doesn't love a dad who keeps his promise to buy a dog for his kids. Thank you Mr President for being a family man.

picture found HERE

did you watch?

2009-02-24T22:00:00.006-07:00

If not it was just more of the same- spend more money, blame bush, campaign for 2012.
and other than Nancy Pelosi's irritating grin, blinking eyes & thinking she was at a Jonas Brothers concert, and Joe Biden giving Pelosi the stink eye for standing up so much, you did miss some real gems from our Pres:

Not because I believe in bigger government – I don’t. [and if you believe that..]

I’m proud that we passed the recovery plan free of earmarks, and I want to pass a budget next year that ensures that each dollar we spend reflects only our most important national priorities. [one more person who didn't get to read the "stimulus"] here is the definition of earmarks as outlined by the OMB

...save our planet from the ravages of climate change, we need to ultimately make clean, renewable energy the profitable kind of energy. So I ask this Congress to send me legislation that places a market-based cap on carbon pollution... [the Pres should really listen to the news more often. Carbon caps- way to help the economy]

As for our auto industry, everyone recognizes that years of bad decision-making and a global recession have pushed our automakers to the brink. We should not, and will not, protect them from their own bad practices. But we are committed to the goal of a re-tooled, re-imagined auto industry that can compete and win. [bad practices as in the UAW? how about getting rid of unions all together so the American car companies have a fighting chance against the foreign car companies]

This budget... includes an historic commitment to comprehensive health care reform –- a down-payment on the principle that we must have quality, affordable health care for every American. It’s a commitment that’s paid for in part by efficiencies in our system that are long overdue... [socialized medicine- which will no longer have quality and more expensive for the tax payer]

We have dramatically expanded early childhood education and will continue to improve its quality, because we know that the most formative learning comes in those first years of life.[I have read numerous reports saying that in the end whether or not kids get "early education" it all evens out by the time they are in the 2nd grade]

...we will restore a sense of fairness and balance to our tax code by finally ending the tax breaks for corporations that ship our jobs overseas. [high taxes is one of the many reasons they ship them]

...if your family earns less than $250,000 a year, you will not see your taxes increased a single dime. [ie; lower your earning goals]

...may God Bless the United States of America."

That ending was pretty much the only part I could get behind because we're going to need it.

Pres Obama tells us to save??!!

2009-02-24T00:38:00.004-07:00

I'm sure you've heard but let's talk about it anyway. Pres. Obama lately is reminding us how important it is to save, and be thrifty. So what is it- "do as I say not as I do?" Well I have kids and it just doesn't work that way.

This administration has just promised $900 million to help rebuild Hamas, oh wait I'm sorry I mean Gaza.

The United States plans to offer more than $900 million to help rebuild Gaza after Israel's invasion and to strengthen the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, U.S. officials said on Monday.

The money, which needs U.S. congressional approval, will be distributed through U.N. and other bodies and not via the militant group Hamas, which rules Gaza, said one official.

"This money is for Gaza and to help strengthen the Palestinian Authority. It is not going to go to Hamas," said the official

Let me reiterate: the money is not going to go to Hamas it is for Gaza & the Palestinian Authority. Oh but wait who controls Gaza?

Answer: Neither the United States nor Israel have direct contact with the Islamist Hamas movement which runs Gaza and remains formally committed to the destruction of the Jewish state. found HERE via HERE

so lets get back to the other part of this story. They've pledged NINE HUNDRED MILLION of our money. Money we don't have.Can't these people keep their hands out of our bank accounts for two seconds? How can this administration spend even more money that we still don't have? It's all good they've got money trees. Thank goodness for the printing press!

this is heartbreaking

2009-02-20T23:24:00.002-07:00

if anyone should be getting the stimulus money it should be this guy.

this is the kind of work ethic we need to teach our kids. Instead of let me just hold my hand out and cry a little and wait for the government to save me.

Hey Nancy, 30 million for a field mouse and Mr. Thiermann has to go back to work to pay his mortgage and wife's medical bills? wow. I wish there was one less mouse species in the world.

wait what was Obama's foreign policy experience?

2009-02-20T03:02:00.008-07:00

oh yeah not too much (and it's showing):

The new administration just got an object lesson in power politics, and now has given Russia control over the supply lines to the biggest effort in the war on terror.

The Kyrgyz parliament voted Thursday to force the U.S. military to abandon its air base here — part of what many say is a Kremlin-backed initiative — posing a severe setback to American efforts in Afghanistan.

Earlier this month, Bakiyev unveiled his plan to shutter the base during a Moscow news conference just after the Russian government pledged more than $2 billion in loans and aid to his Central Asian country. Russian officials have denied any link between the events, but most observers say that it's part of the Kremlin's campaign to reduce U.S. influence in the former Soviet sphere.

One Kyrgyz parliament member seemed to suggest that the small country — with a population of some 5.3 million — would take what it could get.

While Moscow appears to have blocked the United States in Kyrgyzstan, it's given a green light for American supplies to transit Russia en route to Afghanistan. Several analysts in Moscow and Washington say that the Kremlin is seeking to balance its concerns about a destabilized Afghanistan — which could mean trouble with its Central Asian neighbors to the south — with a desire to control U.S. moves in the region.

Recent comments by U.S. officials indicated that they were hoping Bakiyev's stance was just brinksmanship designed to hike up the rent
here

So basically we have a military base in this country that is vital to our troops in Afghanistan. Vladimir Putin loans 2 billion to these guys and they say to the US troops "you're out". But luckily Russia has kindly offered to let us ship our military supplies through their country. So now who's in control of this game? It's not us. But reading the article it seems that all we had to do is one up Putin. But where was Obama? Oh yeah- spending our money on pork.

said Alisher Sabirov, a deputy with the president’s party. “Our friends are not those who are stronger, but those who help us.”

Putin- 1, US- 0

such a relief to laugh

2009-02-20T01:49:00.002-07:00

Here is Steven Crowder again. This guy is great!

Found at Hot Air

and at Hot Air they were calling him the "Canadian 'Zo" and when I followed the links to find out what that meant I found this guy- again. His name is Alfonzo Rachel HERE is his website, make sure to read his bio. I had seen him on You tube a while back but couldn't remember his name so I was happily surprised to see him again.

refreshing isn't it?

what's the difference?

2009-02-19T13:44:00.000-07:00

A little background first: when my husband and I were married he was in the Marine Corps. Then he got out. But he missed the military so he finally talked me into agreeing to let him join the National Guard. On more than one occasion I've made the mistake of saying that my husband is in the Reserves. & while they are a lot alike there is one MAJOR difference. The Reserves are under the President like the Army, Air Force, etc. And the National Guard are under the Governor of the state they work for. So my husbands boss is Gov. Huntsman. Here is a little more info I found from Slate:

The reserves and National Guard make up about 45 percent of the military's total manpower.Though the federal government picks up much of the bill, both Air Force and Army National Guard units are assigned to and primarily controlled by states, which actually gives them greater freedom on the home front. The Posse Comitatus Act makes it illegal for troops to enforce civilian laws but doesn't apply to soldiers serving states. Governors can and frequently do call up National Guard troops to serve as kind of adjunct police (as, for instance, when National Guardsmen are asked to enforce curfews after hurricanes). National Guard units can be federalized by the president should he declare a national emergency, as President Bush did with a partial mobilization after 9/11.

So there you have it.

hello friend

2009-02-19T13:31:00.000-07:00

Okay so I wanted to start this blog to save my other blog from my more political points of views and keep the others focus on my minis. I'm conservative and so that is the view this blog will see but I welcome all opinions. Lets just remember to be civilized.
I also wanted to finally learn more about the military & post the findings here. I've been meeting a lot of other military wives lately and most of us seem to be in the dark when it comes to military terms etc. I thought his would be a perfect chance to learn more about it.
So if you have any questions, thoughts or ideas on anything please let me know. Also if you are a military wife living here in the valley or anywhere for that matter please share your story with me, I'd love to hear from you!