To the Military Spouse Missing Their Family at Christmas
Military life can take you far, far away from family, friends, and familiar places. That can be hard enough… without the holidays. Everything feels more nostalgic and emotional during the holidays. Add a soundtrack of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays,” and it can be difficult for […]
When Everything Feels Uncertain During the Holidays
I will never forget the Christmas John was deployed to Afghanistan. On Christmas Day, we video chatted and I watched the blocky picture of him jump around on the screen as his internet cut in and out. Suddenly, there was an announcement and John got up and left abruptly. I watched the empty screen, waiting […]
These 9 Gifts Are Perfect for Long Distance Relationships
John and I spent the first two years of our relationship long distance. First, he was in Virginia Beach and I was in Baltimore. Then, I was in Baltimore and he was in… Afghanistan. That was really long distance. The truth is, long distance is both a blessing and a curse. (And if you’ve ever been […]
9 More Companies That Send Free Stuff to Deployed Troops
Care packages can be very expensive, between what goes into the box and the cost of shipping. If you’re the only one sending mail to your deployed loved one, it can be overwhelming emotionally and financially. A little extra help can go a long way, even when it is And yes, there are businesses and […]
This Company Wants to Send Your Deployed Loved One a Free Care Package
This isn’t a sponsored post. I’m just genuinely excited about this awesome program. Do you have someone who is deployed right now? SeaBear Wild Salmon wants to make their holidays–and their colleagues’ holidays– more festive and a little fishier. Through their annual Treat the Troops program, they send free cases of ready-to-eat smoked, wild salmon […]
Here’s What We Did During Military Life to Fund Our Post-Transition Dreams
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Navy Federal Credit Union. All opinions are 100% mine. It’s been almost a year since John transitioned out of the Navy. . . and nearly six months to the day since we bought our first house. Just typing those two things is really hard […]
8 Milspouses Reveal How to Deal With the Holidays During Deployment
Recently, I received an email that went something like this: Dear Jo, my fiance will be deployed for the holiday season. I don’t know how to cope. Can you help me? I wish I could say that’s the only email like that I’ve received in five years of this blog… but it’s not. Every holiday […]
For the Milspouses Missing Their Thanksgiving Celebrations
Military life is especially tough for someone who likes traditions and family time. I’m not saying that condescendingly; I’m saying it as a truth. If you’re someone who likes things as they’ve always been with the people you’ve always been with, military life can be really, really tough. It can be hard to be in […]
Here’s How This Major Restaurant Chain Is Supporting the Military Community
This post is sponsored by Outback Steakhouse. All opinions and work are my own. Veterans Day has come and gone and so have many of the offers and perks that come with the observance. (Let’s be real, no one serves because of discounts and free food, but it is a nice gesture that is appreciated […]
Here’s How to Avoid Holiday Care Package Disasters
The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year… unless you’re dealing with a deployment. Then they can easily be the most stressful, emotional, and frustrating time of the year. When John was deployed, I was obsessed– I mean OBSESSED— with making sure that he didn’t feel forgotten or alone during Christmas. I sent an […]
