The Meat and Potatoes of Life

Spring break on a shrimpy budget

For my roommate and me, the idea of going on a spring break trip was financially ludicrous, because our part-time jobs only produced enough funds for meager groceries, rent and cheap beers. Still — it was our senior year. Our last chance to really let our big, frizzy, permed hair down and have some fun before we’d be forced to become real-world adults.

Military families hit harder by inflation than civilians

Today’s military families are paying at least three times as much for groceries and gas as they did 25 years ago. How did we get here?

Restore ‘care’ to primary care providers

As a long-time Navy wife and patron of dependent military medicine services, I am accustomed to having to change PCMs often. However, recent changes have been extreme -- and that’s no coincidence.

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New Year pep talk: Simply do better

“There must be a better way to better myself,” I thought on Jan. 1, shoving a two-week-old Christmas cookie in my mouth reflectively.

Babysitting on New Year’s Eve

I’ve never been a fan of New Year’s Eve. Perhaps my distaste for the occasion stems from unrealistic expectations. Maybe I associate it with mediocre parties, painful hangovers or failed resolutions. Or, maybe I’m reminded of my adolescent years and all those lousy babysitting jobs.

After years of chasing perfection, Santa’s best will have to do

“How did Christmas get so over the top?” I wondered after three hours of our kids opening presents, which required a naptime before finishing.

Fear of change is hard to change

The mere thought of moving causes our son an irrational amount of stress. Could it be that growing up in an on-the-move military family unsettled him for life?

A sweet and salty mix of familial emotions

Successful mother and daughter relationships find a way to strike the right balance.

Waiting for frosty fantasies to come to fruition

I actually enjoy the change of seasons. It’s one of the reasons my husband and I decided to settle in New England. Perhaps my snowy Western Pennsylvania childhood brainwashed me into believing that I actually like being cold for seven months consecutively. I get very nostalgic during this time of year.

Spreading around our Thanksgiving dishes, traditions

The holidays are a time of celebration, sharing and inviting friends over to feast. When our guests politely ask, “What can we bring?” we are faced with an interesting dilemma. On one hand, contributions would be nice. But on the other hand, what if they bring dishes that are strange and unfamiliar?

Sorting out a lifetime of possessions is a chore worth sharing.

The cantankerous cleanup before the estate sale closure

My father had to move, and I was enlisted to help him clean out his house. What could possibly go wrong?

Let’s open our eyes and our hearts to the needs around us

Whether we know each other personally or not, we in and around the military are one people, one community, one family. We share experiences and a sense of respect for our unique lifestyle. And we take care of each other.

Could what I think put my spouse in the clink?

I haven’t put a political candidate’s election sign in my yard or campaign bumper sticker on my car. I don’t post, share or comment on political memes on social media. I’ve never attended a political rally or debate. And I haven’t yet contributed to any political campaigns. I know exactly who I’m voting for, and why, but I’ll never tell.

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