Happy birthday to you ...

As I said last night, George has missed every birthday in the last three years because of deployments and training. So last night I decided to throw him a partyu to celebrate his homecoming.

For dinner I made stew:



For dessert we had turtle icecream cake, which had a funny story which I'll post later:




And his presents included a stainless steel bar set, Sopranos Season Five and Six, Part One as well as the Aqua Teen Hunger Force Movie:



Happy birthday love. Now, I'm going to watch Sopranos and drink wine with my husband ...

Unitl our next cup of tea ...

Journalist finds more than club membership at Super

Sorry! I forgot to post this on Saturday ...

Editor's note: In a previous post I told you that I was working on a commentary about attending various activities on post and writing about my experiences. Last week my boss decided that it was such a good idea that I should make it a series and write a commentary each week. This is the fourth of that series. After sitting down with the command information office today, we are not sure when the series will end as we keep finding new areas to explore.

-- Published in Fort Polk Guardian (Aug. 24, 2007) --
By: MICHELLE LINDSEY, Guardian staff writer

In the past six months I’ve said goodbye to many close friends and it has left me feeling a little abandoned. Each friendship helped me grow in ways that I didn’t realize until they were gone. Charlotte Watson was my strength, with a shoulder to cry on and words of encouragement during the last deployment. Luz Montour was a mentor and coach as I looked to her for advice as a military spouse. Staci Chiomento reminded me to laugh. As the spouse of a fallen Soldier, she had more reason than many to be bitter, but she never lost her smile. There are many others whose friendships I treasure. Staying in touch with them has helped me learn that friends may move, but they never leave your heart.
As I reflect on those who befriended me, I look for ways to make new friends.
“I can’t stop making friends just because they will leave someday,” I scold myself as I look through the Guardian for a new activity to try. I notice the Officers’ Spouses’ Club and Enlisted Spouses’ Club are holding their joint Super Sign Up Wednesday. I make plans to attend.
“I’ve covered this event for the paper for two years,” I say to myself. “Maybe I should stop being a spectator and participate.”
As I pull into the parking lot at Warrior Community Center, I park in the overflow area in back because there are so many people already there.
“These clubs must be Fort Polk’s best activities for Families,” I mutter to myself as I pull into a parking spot. “Let’s see what’s inside.”
As I enter the building I am greeted with smiles. “Are you interested in OSC or ESC?” one volunteer asks. “Well, I’m eligible for OSC, but I was hoping to get some information on both to pass to some of the spouses in my husband’s unit,” I reply.
She escorts me to the sign-up table and says she will find the OSC president as I start talking to ESC members.
After getting some brochures from ESC, I walk around the Warrior Community Center looking at vendors booths.
“Hi!” I hear as I look over the long line of booths and try to figure out where to start.
“Hey!” I answer, recognizing Dawn O’Brien, a spouse I had met at the ACS Game Night.
“Can I answer some questions for you?” she asks as we move out of the way of the crowd.
“I was just wondering what some of the benefits are to joining OSC,” I say.
“Well, it’s a great way to make new friends,” she says. “It gets you out of the house and you get to be a part of something, which is why I joined. We have
monthly luncheons, which are fun, and fund-raising events such as The Creole Caddy Classic, the annual arts and crafts fair and Casino Night that members can help plan. I have a blast. Each year I get to meet so many people.”
“Sounds like it’s worth joining,” I say.
“Definitely. You should talk to the OSC president, Connie Conrad,” she adds.
“Well, I’ll let you get back to greeting people, thanks so much for the information,” I say as I head back to the vendors’ area.
There is so much to see, from programs offering activities for children to learning about merchants in the area. I am excited about the possibilities.
I stop by the Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital Community Health Nursing table, where I pick up information on pandemic flu and learn about over-the-counter medications class.
As I move through the area, I am intercepted by an ESC member who offers to introduce me to Scarlett Sharkey, the ESC president, to answer any questions I have.
Upon introductions we realize that we’ve already met before at the ceremony when her husband assumed responsibility as Fort Polk’s garrison command sergeant major.
“Hi! I am eligible for OSC, but I was wondering if I could ask some questions about ESC to pass along to other spouses in our unit,” I say.
“Sure, what can I help you with?” she asks.
“Well I was wondering if you could tell me about ESC and how spouses benefit from it,” I ask.
“This is a great place to meet friends,” Scarlett says.
“We are trying to offer a variety of programs and events through ESC to reach every (enlisted) spouse on post. We have an incredibly diverse group of spouses here –– with children or without, various ages. We want to offer different activities so that every spouse can find something they enjoy,”she adds. “We do a variety of things and the areas that we support are diverse as well. An example is the (Christmas) toy drive. Last year we helped more than 750 children have a brighter Christmas. Another activity is the Bike Rodeo (Saturday).
“These activities are a chance to interact with other spouses. Our motto is ‘friendships made here’ and that is what we want to offer spouses. We also host mini clubs such as cooking or reading, where spouses can meet others who share their interests.”
“That’s great,” I say. “I used to get information from Charlotte Watson about the program when spouses had questions, but since she left I didn’t know who to ask.”
“Charlotte was really great, but I’ll take her place as a friend and source of information if you want,” she says.
“Well it’ll definitely be easy to go from Charlotte to Scarlett,” I reply with a laugh. “Thanks so much for answering my questions.” After getting her contact information I head off to find more treasures.
“Who knew that making a friend could be so easy,” I ask myself as I begin filling out the sign up form for OSC. I make a mental note to e-mail Charlotte later
because she was always encouraging me to try new things.
As I finish talking to the OSC members at the sign-up table, I see Connie Conrad, president of OSC.
“Hi, I was told you might have some questions about OSC,” she says, after greeting me.
“I do. I already signed up but I was wondering if you could give me some information about what spouses can gain from being a part of OSC,” I say.
“For me, OSC has opened so many doors to meeting people in the military and surrounding communities of Leesville, DeRidder and Rosepine. You belong to a club that works for the community. That helps open your eyes to what is here for Families.
“It also offers support. Sometimes you don’t realize how you need that until a deployment comes up or you become a new parent. And, after a while, acquaintances become friends.”
After I leave Connie, I realize that even having been married only three years, I still have experiences and knowledge that may help others and it’s my turn to impart that knowledge. I guess being a military spouse is a give-and-take relationship in that sense. You will never know if your experiences can help someone else. Just as my friends helped me, maybe now is the time for me to help others.
My stomach reminds me that I haven’t eaten so I head for lunch at the Warrior Deli.
As I drive back to the office, I think about today’s events. I went searching for friends and found more than I thought I would. Strangers become acquaintances, acquaintances become friends and, in the military life, those friends can eventually become the strength that gets you though the hard times and the laughter that fills your heart with memories to last a lifetime.
“I guess Fort Polk teaches more than just military skills. I definitely learned a lesson,” I say to myself, as I drive back to work. “I have a lot of friendships yet to be made here.”

For more articles in the Fort Polk Guardian, visit our
web page.

Welcome home my love ...

One of the most beautiful sights for a military family members is the sight of dirty, tired Soldiers unloading from buses and military vehicles. As I passed my husband's unit I saw weary troops walking about unloading bags and other gear. It brought back memories of when he returned from a year-long deployment. The excitement, anticipation, even a litte fear. Since he missed his birthday yet again, we'll celebrate tonight. So I'll post pics of dinner and presents later.

Until our next cup of tea ...

Have I gone mad???

So yesterday as we waited for our boss to give us the go ahead to go home, Tommy Gunn was visiting me on my end of the building. I went through my desk drawers to give him some media packets I got for the entertainment section. He commented that I was freakishly organized (O.k. I think he said highly, I might have added the freakishly part).

We again talked about it today as we were leaving work and he said he wished he was one tenth as organized as I was. I joked and said maybe I should blog about it, but then when I went to get groceries after work I began to think about it. I do tend to over think things. Take gracery shopping for instance. I get cold things last because they are the first thing on the counter and in the cart. That makes it the last thing in my vehicle and therefore first thing out. That means they spend minimal amount of time out of the freezer. Really who puts that much thought into groceries.

Then I get home and start to put away my groceries. This is the result of that:

My freezer:



My pantry:



I guess its a good thing we get free therapy in the Army. If you think that's bad you should see our garage. Maybe I should get a hobby.

Questions and Answers: Interactive Blogging

So I think I'm going to try something new ... interactive blogging. That means you ... here's the deal.

I know I've been rambling on about military life and you have all been patiently sitting by listening. Granted it is my blog, therefore my perogative, but have you ever wondered something about a group of people and wanted to ask them. Well here's your chance to ask me questions about military life. And it's not just for the "civilians." I welcome questions from military friends as well ... how would I handle a situation, are things different at my installation versus yours (a lot of new military wives have these questions.)

I think it would be a great opportunity to get to know a little more about the life. As usual ... "I reserve the right to decide not to answer a question," but in most cases I will post if I am uncomfortable answering a question. I will say that will probably be hesitant to answer something is political in nature (ex: What are my views about the president/war/etc.)

Really, this a chance for you to "pick the brain" of a military spouse, my family's been doing it for years. So you can either leave your question as a comment or email it to an account I set up at armyspouse524@yahoo.com. Can't wait to hear from you ...

Until our next cup of tea ...

Embrace the adventure of life

As is my Sunday routine of late, I settled in with a blanket and puppy to watch Lifetime’s Army Wives. Now from it’s beginning there have been things that I relate to and others that I wonder what they were smoking to even come up wit that story line or scenario. But last night’s theme seemed to be “what we as military spouses must sacrifice to live the military life.” Here’s where we are:

Roland (the only male spouse) and his wife, Lt. Col. Joan Burton, are discussing divorce because he feels like he has put his life on hold (he’s a doctor and works at base hospital) for her career. Roxy tells her husband, Pfc. Trevor LeBlanc, that she dreams of opening her own “bar and grill” and plans to put 10 percent of her paycheck aside to reach that goal. He tells her that as a Soldier they will move every three to four years and never be in a place long enough for her to create her dream. Claudia Joy learns that her husband, Col. (P) Michael Holden, will be promoted to brigadier general and take over as post commander. Her predecessor and archenemy Lenore Baker, tells her that things will be different and she will not know who she can trust to be her real friend and who is using her.

Now, in reality, these scenarios can be pretty realistic. As military spouse we do give up a lot to follow our husbands/wives from installation to installation. We may have to reevaluate what our goals are, adjust to new places/people/home and plan long term in theory only. But it’s not all that bad. I can’t speak for others of course, but those who I am honored to call friends understand what a “career military family” entails.

We understand that our husbands/wives may be gone more than we’d like, we know that there will be weeks/months/years where we carry the burden of both mother and father, and plans may be altered for training, gathering or deployment. But it’s not all bad– you just have to find the good in life.

Our children have the privilege of learning about different cultures from living them, not just reading about them. We spend the first 10 years of our military lives meeting people and the next 10 embracing old friends. We learn that material things are not as important as the memories we make because with every move you can expect to lose something but gain a story. We learn that if you don’t like where you are, just make the best of it, and if you love where you’re enjoy it while it lasts because in either case you are only there for a short time.

I love the life that I have. I couldn’t imagine anything else. I am challenged daily, from trying something new to meeting new people to learning that I can do things I thought I couldn’t. There are people I adore and those who I’d rather not entertain, but it build character to interact with both. Goodbyes are hard, but never are forever. You never know who you’ll meet at your next station or who who’ll get to see again.

We do make sacrifices in this life, but in the end it always works out. Any sacrifice I have made has always led to something better. In some cases the things I thought I wanted was not and what I gained was worth the effort.

I don’t just live life, I live an adventure. You never know what is waiting behind the next door, but if you don’t open it, you never will. Peter Pan and Cpt. Jack Sparrow have taught me to explore the unknown. Though there are no pirate ships and at times I have to grow up, but there’s always treasure to find – I just have to look for it. I’m following a treasure map that has yet to be written and that is the biggest adventure of all.

Until our next cup of tea ...

Laughter is the best medicine ...

What do I do???

For the first time in MONTHS that I've had time with nothing pressing. From prepping for deployments to studying for school, I have always had something that "needed to be done yesterday." While we are still staring down the barrel of a deployment and I have a list of papers to be turned in, I've got time. What a great word ... TIME.

I'm just sitting here trying to figure out what to do. The TV's on low, the house is clean, the puppy is sleeping on the floor at my feet. I am just reveling in the joy of doing NOTHING.

I still have some laundry to do, and will spend a few hours proofing a paper later to turn in (it's 20 pages), but I can put it off for a little bit and concentrate on something fun ... maybe some crafts, organizing (yes, I find that fun) or browsing through magazines. Yesterday when I went grocery shopping and found a new book by one of my favorite authors and picked it up on a whim. I read it cover to cover last night. It was great.

But what to do next? Hmm ... for now, I'll watch TV. Dog the Bounty Hunter is one and I love that show. I guess I'll see what I can do to stay out of trouble ... I thought about going shopping but that requires me getting out of my pajamas and I'm trying to break some sort of record on that one. I actually took a shower and put on another set of pajamas. Now that's a sign of my day to come ...

Until our next cup of tea ...

Lessons learned: Seeing Polk’s beauty through Sgt. Major’s eyes

Editor's note: In a previous post I told you that I was working on a commentary about attending various activities on post and writing about my experiences. Last week my boss decided that it was such a good idea that I should make it a series and write a commentary each week. This is the third of that series.

-- Published in Fort Polk Guardian (Aug. 17, 2007) --
By: MICHELLE LINDSEY, Guardian staff writer

Veterans of deployments, whether Soldiers or Family members, can tell you that despite the best laid plans, there will be times of stress and feelings of being overwhelmed. I admit that during my husband’s previous deployment, I sometimes wanted to grab my puppy, crawl into the deepest part of my closet and stay there until my husband walked through the door. Unfortunately, my closet is not big enough to pack all of the food and supplies that I would need to camp out there.
As another deployment looms, I try to think of creative ways to relieve stress that won’t relieve me of too much money.
I grab our dog, Sgt. Major, and a bottle of water and decide to explore my neighborhood, hoping some time in the sun will help me discover what I am looking for.
Inquisitive dog that he is, I know it will be a slow expedition. As he sniffs trees and anything else low enough for the nose of an English bulldog, I realize that maybe he has the right idea. Why should I be looking elsewhere for entertainment when it’s right in front of me?
Fort Polk is brimming with nature, a display of beauty offering a rainbow of color. With housing areas nestled in wooded areas, residents can catch glimpses of frolicking deer or shy rabbits during the right season. Magnolia blossoms and other fragrant flowers fill the air with a heavenly scent when in bloom.
As Sgt. Major pulls me along, exploring branches and light poles, I too explore, seeing our usual path in a new light.
“The grass has started to thicken since Picerne took over the housing areas. It looks so inviting in some places,” I say to myself, and as if on cue, Sgt. Major decided to roll around under a tree.
“Maybe later I’ll join you,” I say to him with a laugh as he gets up and shakes the grass off his coat. “Let’s see what else we can find.”
He greets some other dogs along the way, others he completely ignores as some phantom scent catches his attention.
As we walk past the small park in our neighborhood, he sits and watches children play.
“Too bad they don’t have a playground for you,” I tell him when he looks at me with pleading eyes. A few children come closer to pet him. He tries to remain sitting, but his back end shakes with excitement at the extra attention.
We begin our exploration again as the children return to play. We head for a wooded area behind the park and I let his leash out completely as he explores the bushes and logs.
“Those ivy covered trees are beautiful, don’t you think?” I ask him, but he is too busy with a spider on a log. “I wonder if wild berries grow back here?”
We follow the spider for a while before it realizes it is being stalked and scurries away. A squirrel catches Sgt. Major’s attention and we’re off again.
After losing him in a tree covered with pink flower clusters, my little explorer turns his attention to the mailboxes.
“I guess you never know where you’ll find something interesting if you don’t give it a chance,” I say to him as he circles the post, looking at it from all angles.
After a while, we head back home for some ice water and rest in front of the fan.
As Sgt. Major settles in for a nap, I wonder what other Fort Polk “secrets” I’ve missed by not giving them a chance.
I make a list of other places to explore –– North Fort trail, Marion Bonner Park, and more. I guess in the end, where you are stationed is what you make of it. If Sgt. Major can be entertained by a mailbox, surely I can find something here for me.
So I challenge you, find something new to do as a Family. Whether it’s afternoons in the park or exploring nature on one of Fort Polk’s trails, it’s what you make of your life that counts. Family memories are not valuable for where you were, but for what you did. Your next adventure may be only a walk away.



Cutline: Sgt. Major searches for the squirrel that got away while exploring Fort Polk.


For more articles in the Fort Polk Guardian, visit our web page.

Theraputic tears ...

I learned a lot last year when George was deployed. I learned how strong I can be when needed, I can do things I never imagined, I learned just how deep you can love someone and that missing someone can bring physical pain. But most importantly, learned that tears are not a sign of weakness.

There were times that my eyes simply teared up or I felt a lump in my throat at a song, story, even commerical. Other times my poor body was shook with uncontrolable, gut-wrenching sobs that I couldn't stop if I had wanted. Watching the evening news was unbearable, but I had to know.

Publicly, I was strong. There were so many people who depended on me - other military families, his dad and cousin, my mother and dad. They were all worried and looking to me for reassurance. But when I was alone I cried.

Oh, the therapy was amazingly soothing. Most times I cried becasue it was personal - because I was tired of sleeping alone, because my heart dropped everytime the phone rang or someone knocked on the door. I feared unfamiliar cars and men in dress uniforms. I made sure that I knew every chaplain from battalion chaplains to the installation chaplain. I wanted to be prepared. The fear of the unknown was more frightening that what he told me, but I still didn't want to know the all the details.

Other times I cried in general. For the friend whose husband came back too soon, under a flag-draped coffin, for the children whose parents missed their birthdays, the Soldiers who missed the birth of their child. I cried for the veterans who came home to protesters and jeers.

It was more comforting that any therapist or counselor. I look back now and am glad that I had to courage to cry. Sometimes in my office, other times in my vehicle or home. There was so much emotion to deal with, but I knew what I would have to face when I married my husband. We made the choice together.

Sometimes people tell me that I am so strong for what I do, that I am a hero. I don't think so, we just raised our hands when America asked for volunteers. I know this is not something just anyone can do.

When people ask me how I could be so strong, I just tell thing it's becausee of my husband. His love gives me strength. Loving him has been the hardest thing I've every done, but at the same time, the easiest. I wouldn't trade my life for anything.

What a goofy guy!

Recently our television broke. At Christmas we were going to get a big screen TV since that is what George wanted and after bing in Afghanistan for a year, I wasn't going to tell him what to do with his money. So my father-in-law came to visit and picked up the one George had picked out from a store in Houston. Well I guess no one told Sgt. Major because he thought Grandpa brought him a new box. This is what has been sitting in my livingroom for two weeks now!



He loves to watch us through the holes in the side and sometimes all you see is his nose sticking through. What a goober!

Update: Who the hell do you think you are?

Well it has been a bumpy ride this last week. I often describe our marriage as a bully and the kid who stands behind the bully acting tough ... I am the actor. Not to say that George is a bully, but if he feels that he or his family has been wronged the wrath of God could not compare to his anger. However, since he is in the field until the end of the month, I am left to deal with problems and I admit I have surprised myself this week.

As I posted previously on Monday we found that my bank card number had been “borrowed” to put it delicately and we faced nearly $2,000 in unauthorized charges. To make a long story ... well less long her is what ensued.

On Tuesday I checked the account. Yeah, no record of any bogus charges. Our numbers were on the rise, especially since we both got paid.

On Wednesday night, I talked to George briefly about what the bank has said on Monday and that our money was back where it belonged. Afterwards, confident that all was well, I logged into my credit card account ( for emergencies only) since I had used it to get gas that day and my bank card had been canceled. The plan was to write a check and send it to the bank and cash a check today to hold me over until my new bank card arrive. There I found a surprise. Someone had started charging iTunes to that account. Now this worried me because the card is in my first and maiden name (Michelle is my middle name and no I won’t tell you what my first name is!) The address still goes to my parents (until last night) and is forwarded to this address because, well I never use it (it REALLY is only for emergencies, not “shopping” emergencies!)

So I call the credit card agency and they make a note, cancel both George and my card and send new ones out. In the meantime he tries to contact Apple, but they go home at night (so lazy!) and so he gave me the web site for unauthorized charges. That’s right, apparently it is such a problem, they have a web page dedicated to fraudulent charges at Apple. I hang up, try the web page then call KG my neighbor/coworker/close friend to vent.

This morning I call the credit card agency and the charges are dropped. Yeah! So I get to work and start dealing with stolen identity thing on production day (Hey! All my work was done and turned in by 11:15 a.m. and that’s with a trip to the Post Exchange to cash a check!)

First I call the three credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Trans Union and Experian. They place a fraud alter that is only valid for 90 days (in my best salesman voice: “But if you’d like to pay $150 per year per social security number we will monitor them for you as long as the check clears!)

Next I call the bank to get a copy of the fraud investigation report, because it’s my ticket out of this mess. Well they told me that since the person didn’t actually get the money they would not be investigating unless the person tried to use the card again. (we caught it while it was a pending transaction not after the money had been given to the merchants). Hello! After he logs on and see his purchases were denied, he knows we’re on to him! So plan B.

After some Internet research (damn Internet probably got me in this mess) I found a list of what to do if your ID is stolen through the Social Security web site. So next, I call the Military Police and they tell me to bring my paperwork there and make a statement. So I call the credit card company to get written verification that I filed a report and after 20 minutes of talking to a dozen people they tell me that they can send a letter and I should get it in 7-10 business day. WHAT!?! “I NEED IT NOW,” I told the rep. I need to file a police report because your financial institute said they are not doing anything other than refund my money. They said they can’t e-mail it because of security issues. Umm,, you e-mail my damn statement with account info on it. So another 10 minutes and they final decide they can fax it (‘cause that’s sooo much more secure!) However, it will be 24-48 hours. Great!

Next I call the ACS financial program for advise. (Thank God I’m doing all those commentaries and learned about it.) She said I was doing everything they have listed to do, but call if I have any questions. Finally, someone with answers!

Next I call the bank to get written verification from them and again I talk to EVERYONE ON STAFF! They tell me they don’t have a template for that kind of letter. GET YOU ASS TO THE COMPUTER AND TYPE SOME SHIT ON A DAMN LETTERHEAD. I DON’T CARE IF THE MAIL BOY SIGNS IT!

O.K. I held my tongue, but if they knew what I was screaming in my head they would be terrified! Finally they said they could send me an affidavit stating what had been charged to my account and that I was not charged for them, but if was for my personal records only. REALLY! WHO IS GOING TO STOP ME FROM GIVING A COPY TO THE POLICE! I MIGHT POST THIS SHIT ALL OVER THE INSTALLATION IF YOU DON’T BACK OFF! Again, only in my head. So I get the paperwork and all my papers together so I can go to both police stations tomorrow.

Then George calls. That’s right, he doesn’t know this is all going on yet (and I made it sound less dramatic.) Hopefully, I can get this dealt with before he gets home. But I am seconds from hurting somebody.

Who the hell do you think you are???

O.k. today was one of those days that could only get better if I had a baseball bat and something to beat. My husband came in from the field for a doctor's appointment so I got to spend a few minutes with him. I guess before he left he checked our bank account online ... still not sure what prompted it. But he called me all pissed off asking if I had been shopping online on unsecured sites.

Now as much as I'd love to spend all of my time shopping online, I told him it had been weeks and the only thing I buy is my school books from Amazon. It's been about 2 months.

Well, it appears that someone stole my credit/debit card and had made nearly $2,000 in purchases in the last 24 hours. Boy was I pissed.

I had to take off of work, go home and call the bank. They filed a fraud report and said the money would be returned in 48-72 hours but we think we figured it out. We had ordered pizza online Wednesday night but the web site said it wasn't going through and that we would have to call the order in. The idiot who answered the phone had issues entering the card number and repeated it back twice. We think he either wrote it down and he or someone else took it or someone wrote it down when he repeated it back.

What pisses me off is not just that they did it but that this pizza place's business is about 75 percent military because they are on the main entrance/exit road from the installation. Now we always keep a cushion amount in the bank account and are fine until the money is returned, but what if they are doing this to other military families. Ones who don't have money to spare but wanted to have a treat. It just sikens me that people are so brazen as to steal money from people who put their lives on the line for others.

Thankfully, the bank has a few weeks to take care of it before George gets home because he is on the warpath. Thieves beware! You might have gotten lucky because justice is swift in this household.

Presenting Michelle Lindsey originals ...

Here are is a photo of the jewelry I made in the deployed spouses craft class that I wrote the commentary for. I had so much fun that I think I'm going back next Monday night.

Facing fears, fabricating fashions facilitates finding friendships

Editor's note: In a previous post I told you that I was working on a commentary about attending various activities on post and writing about my experiences. Last week my boss decided that it was such a good idea that I should make it a series and write a commentary each week. This is the second of that series. I'll post pictures later ...

-- Published in Fort Polk Guardian (Aug. 10, 2007) --
By: MICHELLE LINDSEY, Guardian staff writer

Starting something new is always exciting for me ... until I get to the class. Then the fear of being "the new kid in school" kicks in and I hang back hoping to blend in.
In my quest to explore programs and activities to occupy my time during my husband's next deployment, I put aside my insecurity and signed up for the deployed spouses craft class.
As I walk into the Army Community Service Center I can feel the excitement build, like a child in a candy store. As I open the large, white door, the cool air hits me, pushing away the heat of the Louisiana summer and a little bit of my confidence.
"I have been here a thousand times, why the hesitancy now?" I chide myself as I inquire about the class. But still, as I am directed to the classroom, I can feel the insecurity creep in as I take a seat in the back of the empty room.
"What if I'm not good at this project? Will I be the only new person?" The questions race through my mind. "This should be fun," I say aloud hoping to regain some of the confidence from earlier.
I place my bag on the floor as staff members and a spouse enter. "Hi, Michelle," a staff member calls out to me. "We're going to be in this classroom," she adds, pointing to the partitioned area beside me.
I smile and offer greetings as I grab my bag and walk to the smaller room. I take a seat as staff begin unloading plastic containers with beads on the table next to me. My curiosity piqued, I begin craning my neck trying to get a preview of what we will be doing.
"Hey, Booger," I hear from over my shoulder. I look up, smiling because I'd know that greeting anywhere –– Sammie Rogers, Relocation Program manager.
"Hey, Mrs. Sammie."
"I'm glad you could take time out of your busy schedule to join us," she jokes.
I'm glad I was able to get out of work," I reply with a smile.
“That’s always fun,” she says, laughing.
The door opens as two more spouses arrive to take their seats. Sammie greets each of them with the same cheerful attitude. I recognize one of them, my neighbor. We haven't interacted much –– just to wave in passing.
I move to sit beside her as the class starts, a bold move for me. The chattering and laughter are almost immediate, more like a group of old friends than people I had just met.
I start slow, pulling a few pink beads from the plastic boxes on the table. Others jump right in placing a variety of colorful beads on the plates provided. I’m unsure of where to start and decide a pair of pink earrings are in order because I didn’t want to take all of the pink beads.
“I made a bracelet with those beads and they break easy so be careful,” one spouse says to me.
“Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind,” I say with a smile, recognizing her from another class.
I quickly bead a short piece of wire and another spouse shows me how to hook them onto the earring loops. I decide to make a matching bracelet and start gathering beads as I talk with my neighbor.
“You know, my puppy loves to watch your girls play. I can’t even distract him with treats,” I say.
She laughs and tells me about a recent trip to the park with her daughters. We talk about the Louisiana heat and how it limits the time we can spend outside, occasionally stopping to remark to other spouses about their projects.
As we work on our projects, staff members from other ACS programs stop by to chat and offer comments about the projects.
“It’s great that the spouses become used to the staff in a setting like this. They may feel more at ease if they need to use a service here because they’ve already met some of the staff,” I say to myself as I watch a staff member and spouse discuss what beads would look best on a necklace.
“Ugh, my fingers are so numb from trying to get this clamp on,” I remark, turning to my neighbor with a laugh, “I would never have the patience to do this professionally.”
“Try it with this,” she says, handing me a small link.
Mrs. Sammie stops in front of our table to look at our projects and proclaims them “just beautiful!”
As I begin gathering beads for a necklace, Mrs. Sammie tells us a story of her grandson and a friend visiting over the weekend. We laugh and share stories of our own childhood antics and how our parents dealt with them. Some spouses share stories about their children.
I look at my watch and notice that the two-hour class is nearly over. I begin another necklace as other spouses comment on my previous one.
“I like her earrings and necklace,” I say pointing to another spouse’s black and brown combination.
“Hold on, let me see your earrings. I want some like that,” one of Mrs. Sammie’s staff members says.
“I used these beads,” I reply pointing to the pink beads, as I start on one last bracelet before class ends.
Mrs. Sammie joins us again as we show off our jewelry like it was worth millions.
“Those are beautiful!” She exclaims. “Oh! I am so jealous!”
“Well if people ask me where I got them, I’ll just have to say they are Michelle Lindsey originals,” I say with a laugh.
As we start to put the crafts away, we show off our handiwork to each other, exclaiming how creative the pieces we made are.
“When is the next class?,” I ask Mrs. Sammie.
“August 20 at 6 p.m.,” she said, checking with her staff.
“I’m definitely coming,” I remark with a laugh. “I don’t know why you didn’t tell me about this class before.”
“Booger, I’ve been telling you about this forever,” she says with a smile and hands on her hips.
“I know. Why did I wait so long?” I exclaim while putting my jewelry on and gathering my bag.
“I don’t know, but you’re always welcome,” she says.
As I walk to my car with my “Michelle Lindsey originals” proudly displayed like a little girl at a tea party, I make a promise to myself to try new things and not let my fears stop me. I’ve missed out on a lot in the three years I’ve been at Fort Polk because I was scared. But with a new resolve, I’m off to find more adventures. Who knows what’s next.

For more articles in the Fort Polk Guardian, visit our web page.

My heart is heavy ...

Once again, the time has come as George preps for another training exercise. A month is a long time and I am trying to balance work, studying for a final this weekend and spending time with him. The week before these training exercises always leaves me exhausted at the end.

Today was a long day at work, not common, but not unusual either. We had a staff meeting run late and I almost missed the furniture delivery guys who were bringing a replacement piece. George met them and I got home just as they were taking the torn piece off. Thank God for the warranty!

Today was the day this week that I attended another program/activities for the commentary series I am working on. We got to make jewelry in the craft class and I had a blast, but more on that this weekend after the commentary is published. I'll take pics to post too, but I'm not sure what I'll do for pics for the article becasue I was having WAY TOO MUCH FUN and forgot to take pics.

This week looks to be a full one because Tommy Gunn is out of the office this week and we have the Back to School issue that has to go out this week. Well, I gotta go ... if I don't get a chance to stop by your blogs this week, I will definitely check them out this weekend after my final. Speaking of finals, any Cold War experts out there?

Journalist searches for cure for deployment blues, boredom

Editor's note: In a previous post I told you that I was working on a commentary about attending various activities on post and writing about my experiences. Last week my boss decided that it was such a good idea that I should make it a series and write a commentary each week. This is the first of that series.

-- Published in Fort Polk Guardian (Aug. 3, 2007) --
By: MICHELLE LINDSEY, Guardian staff writer

Boredom –– an enemy to many, but none more than to the Family members of a deployed Soldier. Long days, lonely nights, and an empty chair at the dinner table make the separation as daunting as mythological Sisyphus condemned to roll a large rock up a hill. Upon reaching the top, the rock rolls back, and the task has to be repeated. Like that rock, the cycle of deployments can be overwhelming.
But in all fairness, life is what you make of it.
So as my husband’s unit prepares for another deployment, I decide that maybe I should take the time to prepare as well. Through my work at the Guardian I learn about many activities on post –– activities that can keep me busy and help me meet new people. From ways to better myself to getting creative, I make a list of what I am interested in and work it into my schedule.
What I discover while exploring Fort Polk is a collection of activities to help Family members stay busy while their Soldier is deployed.
This week I try a class Wheelock Bayou Fitness Center. Every New Year’s we make resolutions to eat healthier and exercise more, but why wait until January? The upcoming deployment will give me that “kick start” and deadline to motivate me.
There are a variety of aerobics classes to choose from so I make a list of the classes that will fit my schedule, be in my physical ability level and help me reach my body fitness goals. I sign up for a lunchtime ab class.
I am a bit shy as I arrive early. No one is in the aerobics room yet so I set my stuff to the side and wait for others to arrive. Soon they started filtering in. The instructor enters and turns on some upbeat music as people begin stretching.
I set up my station, strategically placed, so I cannot see myself in the mirror-covered walls, a little apprehensive about what I am getting into. I admit, I am thinking about chickening out since I am a little self-conscious about working out in front of people, but I decide to stick with it. It’s only 30 minutes.
Class begins with stretching using an aerobics ball. “Not bad,” I say to myself, even though it takes me a few minutes to figure out how to balance and do the exercises.
Crunches, leg lifts and a combination of other exercises are my only focus as I concentrate on balancing on the ball. Some exercises are new to me and others boost my confidence. Before long we are stretching again.
“What? Class can’t be over.”
Sure enough, I look at my watch and realize that my 30 minutes is up.
“That was a breeze. I’m definitely putting that on the maybe list,” I say as I put away my equipment.
On my way out of the gym I pick up a list of other classes that Wheelock offers.
Wheelock features a cardio center, weight station and stretching area with floor mats which would allow me to workout after work if I can’t make it at lunch. Personal trainers are also available in case I need help reaching my goals.
There is a rock wall, something I enjoyed in college, and aqua massages for the times I get a little overzealous.
Basketball sounds fun, but I haven’t played since high school.
The gym’s cardio section has a lot of with equipment including bicycles, treadmills and elliptical steppers. I work out longer when I am entertained, so the option to listen to any of three television channels or three radio stations is definitely valuable.
For an added challenge I am considering participating in the “treadmil club.” All I have to do is log my mileage from the gym’s treadmills and soon I’ll earn a T-shirt proclaiming my achievements.
Although my abs are still a little sore, I am anxious to see what else I can find. I think I’m in the mood to get creative, but you’ll have to read about what I choose next week.

For more articles in the Fort Polk Guardian, visit our web page.

Their loyalty amazes me ...

O.k. I’m back. Yesterday was a bit of a long day. After leaving work (we usually work later on Thursdays) I had an FRG (Family Readiness Group) meeting. The FRG was essentially built as a support system for spouses and families of Soldiers. At one time it was governed by the unit commanders but recently the Army has taken to monitoring it to ensure that families are getting information in a timely manner, especially when units are deployed.

Now, these meetings are voluntary for the families, but commanders can mandate, if he chooses, that the Soldiers go if a family member does not. Last night was a mandatory meeting so we have, by my guess, 125 or more people there.
Since George is in command of Soldiers, I volunteered to act as POC (point of contact) for the families under his command, even through they are a “shop” or smaller group (some units heavily suggest that a commander’s wife be head of the FRG, voluntarily of course).

Of his 17 Soldiers I think 7 are married, which leaves me with a lot of “Look at me, aren’t I adorable” Soldiers. (And I have learned if you feed them they will keep coming back!)

Don’t get me wrong, I love the group of Soldiers that he has in his charge. They are loyal and respectful to him and by extension to me. Most will defend my honor if someone else disrespects me and in exchange I offer them an ear about the latest “girl troubles.” I have become friends will a few of the spouses and others I am just getting to know because they are either new wives or the Soldier just joined the group.

In any case we are one big family ... or so I thought.

At the meeting last night I was proud that our guys showed up early, didn’t make a fuss about having to sit “as a group” near the front then they’d rather sit at the back, and they assisted with carrying in extra chairs and such so everyone could have a seat.

So the meeting lasted about an hour while they gave us information about post organizations (like financial assistance and new parenting programs if need.) During this time, “my boys” as I like to call them, munched on the provided chocolates though a little bored since the info was not geared for them.

In between speakers we laughed and cut up, even gave one of the group Soldiers a hard time when he had to do a presentation. They whooped and hollered when I had to stand up and introduce myself as POC.

So after good natured fun, we think we are about to leave when the FRG leader announces we are going to play a little game. We all groan a little, just wanting to go home, but knew the faster we did it the fast it would be over.

She said that there were too may people to do it individually so we would do by shop/group/ etc. Great, my guys would help me. Then she said, one person from each group, as I hunch down in my chair, I suddenly see 10 arms point in my direction.

Thanks guys ... I knew you would be there to protect me!

Unfortunately, POCs weren’t allowed to do it, so the newest guy to the shop was “volunteered” by the rest of the Soldiers and I was left to rethink this loyalty thing ... maybe I should have fed them more.

Red, White and Blue friendships

I am often amazed by the support of people for our troops, not because I expect opposition, but because in may ways it comes in the form of people taking time out of their busy lives to say thanks. Many of you have said that to me and my family through this blog and I appreciate the support. Although we knew the hardships involved with military life, it was something both my husband and I felt strongly about.

But the messages of support I receive, especially when he is deployed, makes my days seems less lonely and make the seperations more bearable.

Recently, I made a new blog friend and as I usually do, I scrolled through her blogs looking at older posts. There were few that jumped out at me and I wanted to share them with you.

This morning she posted reminding us that no matter how bad our day may seem, there is always someone worse off. Even I take for granted sometimes the liberties we have as Americans, but I have felt the pain of loss and know that freedom truly isn't free. In photo tributes she shows the true beauty of our great country. Her photography shows us to look beyond what is before us and see the magestic art that life offers us every day. My favorite though is her seasons collection. The colors of old Glory never looked so beautiful.

It is our job to enjoy the freedoms that others were willing to give their lives for. To miss that opportunity not only cheats us, but disresects the memories of those like Staff Sgt. Robert Chiomento who paid the ultimate price and the families of those fallen heroes. I challenge you to find something beautiful in your day, whether it's a garden of flowers or a lone bee buzzing at your window. Life is what you make of it and so many gave their life so that we could have ours.

Craft Corner: August Monthly Goals

Editor's note: We interrupt the daily ramblings of a crazy, over-worked and underpaid military spouse who needs a vacation to bring you my monthly craft goals and updates.

Each month I try in vain to finsih projects but succeed only in adding more to my lists, however, I do have a "near-finished" project that I am quite proud of and made some progress on another. here's the wrap-up ...

You may have seen the Freedom in Five Languages wall hanging I worked on at a sewing class last week (funny, but the pattern had 12 languages but when I stitched it YEARS ago I lost the magazine. A online stitching friend found it and sent it to me, so maybe I'll do the whole thing eventually.) On July 9, I decided to start posting my monthly goals and updates again because that seemed to be the only way that I was getting things done. So in the past month, this is the progress that I have made on the Recipe for Love sampler. Not bad considering I also had school this month.



Next month will be a packed month as well with George training all month, I have classes finishing and some other things in the works but here is what i hope to accomplish:
1. At least mat the embriodery pieces that I have
2. Frame or otherwise complete purple quilt block (I haven't decided what to do yet.)
3. Finish Humpty Dumpty Baby bib (don't get all excited people. I started this for a friend then found out another one had given pieces I'd done for her baby to the thrift store, so I quit making them for people. But I decided to finish this one 'cause ya never know.)



Here is the conplete list so far. Hopefully I will have more marked off next month.
To be "finished" (meaning framed, made into pillows, etc.):
1. Frame 4-Heart lace square Completed Feb. 2007
2. Complete Freedom in different languages wall hanging
3. Complete Christmas wreath pillow
4. Frame embroidery samples (2)
5. Frame purple quilt block

To be stitched, sewn or otherwise completed:
1. Sew and stuff childhood Lion (it is one of those "panels" you buy at the fabric store and sew together. My mom bought it and never did it, so I decided I would do it.)
2. Stitch "stained-glass" nameplate
3. Stitch roly poly Santas (these are really cute, but I lost the motivation when I came home from work and found that Sgt. Major had chewed it up. I was able to salvage most however.)
4. Stitch Victorian nativity
5. Stitch rose quilt blocks
6. Complete pink and blue lap quilt (this is actually on hold because I don't have a sewing machine. I started it when I was in college and would use one of my mom's three sewing machines.)
7. stitch Humpty Dumpty bib
8. Stitch large Red, White and Blue Ribbon
9. Stitch Love, Honor and Cherish centerpieces (these were actually centerpieces for my wedding, but the Army had other places and we never had the ceremony. Now I am tring to finish them as decorative placemats for the kitchen.)
10. Stitch SAL ornaments (I started these as a monthly stitch-along project with my online stitching group, but the deployment, work and school left me very little time.)
11.Stitch "God Bless Me" crib set (I was making these for my stepsister's second child, when I stopped by for a visit and saw that the set I made for her first child was now being used as a dog bed. Needless to say, she lost any future stitching presents.)
12. Stitch "Welcome to our Home" lace circle.
13. Stitch Easter Bunny and Egg (this is a project my mom bought for me to make her. I wasn't really excited about it, so I have been pushing it aside for nearly five years now.)
14. Stitch Army Seal
15. Stitch Daisy tabletopper
16. Stitch "Tea for Two" towel Completed Feb. 2007 – a few fellow stitchers suggested that I add some small flowers under the text, so if I find something I like, this piece may make another appearance later this year.
17. Stitch "Recipe for Love" sampler
18. Stitch Whismical Cup Tea Towel - Completed March 2007

I now return you to the regualrly scheduled ramblings ...