All the "hoop-la" around the death of Whitney Houston on facebook had me thinking...
If something were to happen to my husband, be it at war or something else, I would be torn apart. Even if we were together or not, I would feel empty inside. I would mourn him because of my love for him... because of how he made me feel at my happiest moments... his past indiscretions and wrong doings wouldn't mean a thing in that moment... I also wouldn't be thinking about his occupation as a soldier...that is not why I love him..
When people lose someone they love, they deserve to grieve...and they deserve to do so without someone else discrediting that life...
A soldier, a celebrity, a doctor, a teacher...a drunk, a druggie, a homeless person down on their luck.. a lost life to those who loved them is a tragedy, no matter who it is.
Just some thoughts of mine...
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
Putting the Lid on the Pot -
**I know several people have made blog posts responding to this woman..err idiot.. but I have finally wrapped my head around it enough to respond myself lol**
Last night I posted this blog post - Stirring the Pot on my Facebook page, *Army Wives Do It With Hooah*. By the title of her post, it is obvious she wanted to start some crap and she succeeded. She got the attention she wanted... and hey, I like a little drama every once in a while, so here I go =)
The gist of her blog post is basically putting down National Guard members and their wives.. I will respond to certain things that stand out to me...quotes from her blog post will be in italics & bold...
Living in Vermont, there isn't a very strong Active Duty Military presence. 90% of the military influence around here comes from the Vermont National Guard.
Let me point out that on the side of her blog she says that she 'married her hero' in August 2011 - that makes her an extremely new wife... and I'd like to ask this: If there isn't a very strong Active Duty Military presence, how do you know how Active Duty spouses are suppose to act/behave? How can you even compare the things they do to that of National Guard Spouses?
The Vermont National Guard is just that, they are State Militia.
Actually, according to the National Guard website they serve State AND Federal governments. So while they don't train as much as Active Duty, they are a VERY IMPORTANT part of our country.
When there are floods, fires, storms and other natural disasters, who do you think responds? The National Guard. When other branches of the military deploy and schools, hospitals and homes get destroyed in the war path, who do you think goes and rebuilds? The National Guard.
And, did you know that the National Guard is the OLDEST branch of the military? It is obvious that ALL branches work together and not one is better than the other.
The National Guard spouses around here like to refer to themselves as 'Army Wives'. They aren't. I respect their significant others for the things that they do, but they are not, by any stretch of the imagination, soldiers.
Let's take a little look at this pic here... if you can read, tell me what it says please. Thank you. I'll wait.... you see, here at Fort Stewart, we have a training area specifically for the ARMY National Guard. Now, just because they made the choice that was best for them, joining the National Guard, doesn't mean that they are any less of a Soldier because they may only do it "part-time". EVERY SINGLE MEMBER of the military is important. Sure hope you don't need their help if your area ever gets hit by a natural disaster lol
I'm so proud to say that the Hubs has been through 2 deployments, and his mind is as solid as a rock. What Guard spouses seem to not realize, is that A LOT of other people, who have nothing to do with the military, have PTSD. It's a horrible, horrible thing to deal with, and I would never wish it on anybody, but just because he has PTSD, doesn't automatically file him in the 'soldier' category.
You know, she is correct here, there are a lot of people who have PTSD that don't have anything to do with the military...HOWEVER, if a SOLDIER in the National Guard has deployed, and seen things that can't be unseen, he may very well have PTSD and it could be very serious. The wife of that National Guard SOLDIER will have to deal with it just like any Active Duty spouse. When they are deployed, they go through the same worries and concerns as Active Duty spouses. I wonder how this "woman" would feel if people downplayed her husband b/c he is "only a recruiter"? Hmmm. (BTW, I feel every single job in the Army is important, however we all know there are some who don't and would argue that with her, which is why I said what I did lol)
I guess what I'm trying to get at here, is that I would really like people to stop jumping down my throat when I tell them that they are not an Army Wife.
Why do you even feel the need to say that to someone? Is your entitlement really that high and self-esteem so low that you need to say this to others? Why try to belittle the pride they are feeling? Do their husbands not serve just as yours does?
Part of YOUR job as a spouse, is to be a direct reflection of him. That means getting your facts straight, and getting educated.
So, am I to assume that your husband is a self-righteous pompous ass too since you are a direct reflection of him? =) And let me point out that you obviously don't have your facts straight and are very uneducated when it comes to the National Guard. So to tell someone to have their facts straight and to be educated is ridiculous when you yourself need to do the same.
- Respect your husband when he's in uniform. Just because my husband and I aren't on post when he's in his uniform, I keep the 'handling' to a minimum. Technically, you aren't even supposed to hold hands with him when he's in uniform.
Just one question here... Why are you telling them ARMY REGULATIONS if you think the National Guard isn't a part of the Army and that they're not Army Wives? Why should they follow Army Regulations? Yeah, I'll wait for that too.
- Respect the uniform itself. Don't put it on and take sexy pictures with it, with boobs/butt falling out all over the place. That's just trashy. A fun picture with his cover on is one thing, flaunting your assests is another.
Uh, so they can't do it, but you can? I'm pretty sure you are flaunting yourself in your husbands uniform... So are you one of those women who say what others should and shouldn't do but you do as you tell others not to? As I mentioned above, low self-esteem..it's obvious here when you refer to yourself as "trashy". I think this made me laugh the most =)
It burns my biscuits when these spouses, who so loudly (and rudely) insist that they are 'Army wives' can't even handle these simple types of things, that go along with being an actual Army wife. You're just making yourself and your spouse look bad.
Your blog post REEKS of "loud & rude". You have made yourself and your husband look like ignorant assholes. Plainly put.
Now, in my opinion - no branch is better than the other. I would love to see this "woman" at an Army installation and walk around with this kind of attitude. I can almost guarantee she is the kind of person that others would complain about...you know, that annoying neighbor who is always in everyone's business and spreading rumors and gossip....I can also almost guarantee that she wears his ranks. She reeks of it.
Now, I've got to get my day started =) Thanks for letting me "vent" lol
UPDATE - THIS "WOMAN" HAS REMOVED SOME CONTENT AND THE COMMENTS ON HER BLOG, INCLUDING HER HUSBANDS, AFTER HIS COMMAND GOT INVOLVED. *READ HERE TO SEE WHAT THE COMMAND SAID*
This was her Husbands comment on her blog - what he talked to about by his command and what she removed:
Hubs said...
This is the "Hubs". I'm very proud of my wife for her blog. She spoke her mind about something that was bothering her. That is essentially what a blog is. What most of you don't understand, since you are National Guard, related to one, or married to one, is that it really bothers any active duty, full time, Regular Army soldier to be compared to national guard. I am always being asked what gaurd unit I'm with. Even when I tell people I'm active duty, they still don't get it. This isn't anybody's fault, it is just the ignorance of people in this area because there is no real Army base near by. The closest one is Fort Drum, NY, which is about 5 hours from Burlington. If you lived near a main post then everybody in the surrounding area would assume you were an active duty soldier working there, not a member of the guard. It is the exact opposite for those of us that are proud members of the Federal army who are stationed in this rural area. Most people do not know who we are, or what the Regular Army is about. A lot of people actually believe the National Guard is the one and only army for the U.S. This is a huge pet peeve of mine and I make sure to educate people who think this. My wife was doing the same thing by writing the blog, in a ranting kindof way. She had just had it with people calling me a guard member, and not knowing the difference. I could go blue typing on here the difference between the two, and most of you won't get it either because all you know is the Guard. I respect the members of the Guard. Both the state of Vermont (and the other states and territories) and the Country needs citizen soldiers. There was nothing in the blog to say otherwise.
She looks great and very sexy in the uniform. She is not a soldier so she does not fall under Army Regulations. Look up recent Supreme Court rulings, as well as Federal Laws, that say wearing the uniform is a freedom of expression as long as you are not trying to impersonate a member of the military. Under Army Regulation 670-1, which governs how the Army uniform is worn, goes on to state that official uniforms (that civilians cannot wear) are "distinctive and will not be sold to or worn by unauthorized personnel:
(1) All Army headgear, when worn with insignia.
(2) Badges and tabs (identification, marksmanship, combat, and special skill).
(3) Uniform buttons (U.S. Army or Corps of Engineers).
(4) Decorations, service medals, service and training ribbons, and other awards and their appurtenances.
(5) Insignia of any design or color that the Army has adopted." (Army Regulation 670-1, par. 1-12).
Insignia of any design or color that the Army has adopted has to do with unit patches. If you look at the Regulations, consult federal law, and look at the Supreme Court rulings concerning free speech (while wearing the uniform), you will see that my wife is perfectly within her rights to wear an ACU top and bottom and look great doing it. My wife is not a soldier. She supports the fact that I am in the military, which is not something that all soldiers can say of their spouse. Look at the picture of her, the only thing visible is the American Flag. She had that on there because she is a proud American. I am happy and proud to be married to one. She has never cheated on me, I don't know why anybody would put something as mean as that on here, but it is slander and not appreciated. Opinons are appreciated, that is what a blog is. But going to the length of being mean and spiteful is very sad. If you are going to post, try to be an adult. At no time was this blog meant to offend anybody, regardless of military affiliation or not.
Thank you for looking at the blog. Please be respectful that this is her blog and her opinion on things.
February 8, 2012 9:48 PM
Last night I posted this blog post - Stirring the Pot on my Facebook page, *Army Wives Do It With Hooah*. By the title of her post, it is obvious she wanted to start some crap and she succeeded. She got the attention she wanted... and hey, I like a little drama every once in a while, so here I go =)
The gist of her blog post is basically putting down National Guard members and their wives.. I will respond to certain things that stand out to me...quotes from her blog post will be in italics & bold...
Living in Vermont, there isn't a very strong Active Duty Military presence. 90% of the military influence around here comes from the Vermont National Guard.
Let me point out that on the side of her blog she says that she 'married her hero' in August 2011 - that makes her an extremely new wife... and I'd like to ask this: If there isn't a very strong Active Duty Military presence, how do you know how Active Duty spouses are suppose to act/behave? How can you even compare the things they do to that of National Guard Spouses?
The Vermont National Guard is just that, they are State Militia.
Actually, according to the National Guard website they serve State AND Federal governments. So while they don't train as much as Active Duty, they are a VERY IMPORTANT part of our country.
When there are floods, fires, storms and other natural disasters, who do you think responds? The National Guard. When other branches of the military deploy and schools, hospitals and homes get destroyed in the war path, who do you think goes and rebuilds? The National Guard.
And, did you know that the National Guard is the OLDEST branch of the military? It is obvious that ALL branches work together and not one is better than the other.
The National Guard spouses around here like to refer to themselves as 'Army Wives'. They aren't. I respect their significant others for the things that they do, but they are not, by any stretch of the imagination, soldiers.
I'm so proud to say that the Hubs has been through 2 deployments, and his mind is as solid as a rock. What Guard spouses seem to not realize, is that A LOT of other people, who have nothing to do with the military, have PTSD. It's a horrible, horrible thing to deal with, and I would never wish it on anybody, but just because he has PTSD, doesn't automatically file him in the 'soldier' category.
You know, she is correct here, there are a lot of people who have PTSD that don't have anything to do with the military...HOWEVER, if a SOLDIER in the National Guard has deployed, and seen things that can't be unseen, he may very well have PTSD and it could be very serious. The wife of that National Guard SOLDIER will have to deal with it just like any Active Duty spouse. When they are deployed, they go through the same worries and concerns as Active Duty spouses. I wonder how this "woman" would feel if people downplayed her husband b/c he is "only a recruiter"? Hmmm. (BTW, I feel every single job in the Army is important, however we all know there are some who don't and would argue that with her, which is why I said what I did lol)
I guess what I'm trying to get at here, is that I would really like people to stop jumping down my throat when I tell them that they are not an Army Wife.
Why do you even feel the need to say that to someone? Is your entitlement really that high and self-esteem so low that you need to say this to others? Why try to belittle the pride they are feeling? Do their husbands not serve just as yours does?
Part of YOUR job as a spouse, is to be a direct reflection of him. That means getting your facts straight, and getting educated.
So, am I to assume that your husband is a self-righteous pompous ass too since you are a direct reflection of him? =) And let me point out that you obviously don't have your facts straight and are very uneducated when it comes to the National Guard. So to tell someone to have their facts straight and to be educated is ridiculous when you yourself need to do the same.
- Respect your husband when he's in uniform. Just because my husband and I aren't on post when he's in his uniform, I keep the 'handling' to a minimum. Technically, you aren't even supposed to hold hands with him when he's in uniform.
Just one question here... Why are you telling them ARMY REGULATIONS if you think the National Guard isn't a part of the Army and that they're not Army Wives? Why should they follow Army Regulations? Yeah, I'll wait for that too.
Uh, so they can't do it, but you can? I'm pretty sure you are flaunting yourself in your husbands uniform... So are you one of those women who say what others should and shouldn't do but you do as you tell others not to? As I mentioned above, low self-esteem..it's obvious here when you refer to yourself as "trashy". I think this made me laugh the most =)
It burns my biscuits when these spouses, who so loudly (and rudely) insist that they are 'Army wives' can't even handle these simple types of things, that go along with being an actual Army wife. You're just making yourself and your spouse look bad.
Your blog post REEKS of "loud & rude". You have made yourself and your husband look like ignorant assholes. Plainly put.
Now, in my opinion - no branch is better than the other. I would love to see this "woman" at an Army installation and walk around with this kind of attitude. I can almost guarantee she is the kind of person that others would complain about...you know, that annoying neighbor who is always in everyone's business and spreading rumors and gossip....I can also almost guarantee that she wears his ranks. She reeks of it.
Now, I've got to get my day started =) Thanks for letting me "vent" lol
UPDATE - THIS "WOMAN" HAS REMOVED SOME CONTENT AND THE COMMENTS ON HER BLOG, INCLUDING HER HUSBANDS, AFTER HIS COMMAND GOT INVOLVED. *READ HERE TO SEE WHAT THE COMMAND SAID*
This was her Husbands comment on her blog - what he talked to about by his command and what she removed:
Hubs said...
This is the "Hubs". I'm very proud of my wife for her blog. She spoke her mind about something that was bothering her. That is essentially what a blog is. What most of you don't understand, since you are National Guard, related to one, or married to one, is that it really bothers any active duty, full time, Regular Army soldier to be compared to national guard. I am always being asked what gaurd unit I'm with. Even when I tell people I'm active duty, they still don't get it. This isn't anybody's fault, it is just the ignorance of people in this area because there is no real Army base near by. The closest one is Fort Drum, NY, which is about 5 hours from Burlington. If you lived near a main post then everybody in the surrounding area would assume you were an active duty soldier working there, not a member of the guard. It is the exact opposite for those of us that are proud members of the Federal army who are stationed in this rural area. Most people do not know who we are, or what the Regular Army is about. A lot of people actually believe the National Guard is the one and only army for the U.S. This is a huge pet peeve of mine and I make sure to educate people who think this. My wife was doing the same thing by writing the blog, in a ranting kindof way. She had just had it with people calling me a guard member, and not knowing the difference. I could go blue typing on here the difference between the two, and most of you won't get it either because all you know is the Guard. I respect the members of the Guard. Both the state of Vermont (and the other states and territories) and the Country needs citizen soldiers. There was nothing in the blog to say otherwise.
She looks great and very sexy in the uniform. She is not a soldier so she does not fall under Army Regulations. Look up recent Supreme Court rulings, as well as Federal Laws, that say wearing the uniform is a freedom of expression as long as you are not trying to impersonate a member of the military. Under Army Regulation 670-1, which governs how the Army uniform is worn, goes on to state that official uniforms (that civilians cannot wear) are "distinctive and will not be sold to or worn by unauthorized personnel:
(1) All Army headgear, when worn with insignia.
(2) Badges and tabs (identification, marksmanship, combat, and special skill).
(3) Uniform buttons (U.S. Army or Corps of Engineers).
(4) Decorations, service medals, service and training ribbons, and other awards and their appurtenances.
(5) Insignia of any design or color that the Army has adopted." (Army Regulation 670-1, par. 1-12).
Insignia of any design or color that the Army has adopted has to do with unit patches. If you look at the Regulations, consult federal law, and look at the Supreme Court rulings concerning free speech (while wearing the uniform), you will see that my wife is perfectly within her rights to wear an ACU top and bottom and look great doing it. My wife is not a soldier. She supports the fact that I am in the military, which is not something that all soldiers can say of their spouse. Look at the picture of her, the only thing visible is the American Flag. She had that on there because she is a proud American. I am happy and proud to be married to one. She has never cheated on me, I don't know why anybody would put something as mean as that on here, but it is slander and not appreciated. Opinons are appreciated, that is what a blog is. But going to the length of being mean and spiteful is very sad. If you are going to post, try to be an adult. At no time was this blog meant to offend anybody, regardless of military affiliation or not.
Thank you for looking at the blog. Please be respectful that this is her blog and her opinion on things.
February 8, 2012 9:48 PM
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Skype Helps Keep the Love Alive While They're Away (By: Allison Brooks - guest blogger)
Skype:
Bring you and your solider face to face
Sharing a romantic holiday with your soldier can be difficult, especially when they are miles away, possibly even in a different country. Sending care packages is a great way to share the love, but when you are romantically attached, it does not seem like enough when the one thing you really want to do is share a romantic evening with the one you love the most.
Sending letters during Valentine's Day with cute conversation hearts enclosed or even valentines from the children is something that is always appreciated. For many soldiers, once they deploy, it seems that they do not get to hear from their family nearly as often as they would like, even if they were not in a war zone. On the big love day, it can seem especially lonely.
For some, making a long distance phone call is enough or even sending an enticing letter that will make your nerves tingle. Sending photographs and postcards of the adventurous places you have been to and the things you have experienced is a romantic gesture that many really enjoy. For others, this is not enough for their soldier that they hardly get to see or hear from as it is.
Now, you can Skype with your loved one no matter where they are from your global position. Turn on your computer and "call" their computer and within seconds you can be sitting face to face from miles away. Once you have figured out how to Skype, you can share a meal with each other, talk about your day, share your "I love yous" and whatever else you feel comfortable doing.
For some, the biggest problem with using Skype can be privacy. In a dorm or shared room where a soldier may be staying, he might feel less than accepting of saying or doing things in front of his comrades than he would if he were at home. Children can present a problem for privacy, not to mention a time zone difference. Often times, soldiers are not in the country while they are deployed and their free time is often right in the middle of your night.
No matter what time of the day or night you get to talk to your special someone on Valentine's Day, remember that you can Skype with love no matter who is in the room, what you are doing or who might hear you. It is a great tool to help keep people together, without harsh long distance charges.
*My name is Allison and I am a fun-loving, adventurous being. When my job doesn’t have me traveling I normally guest blog, ride my horse, or hang out with friends. I normally write about natural health and healing, but ever since my boyfriend got word he would deploy I like to share ideas about how to still be you, manage life, and keep the love alive when he is not around. I’m starting a blog of my own, it is called - Musings of a Curious Mind
Bring you and your solider face to face
Sharing a romantic holiday with your soldier can be difficult, especially when they are miles away, possibly even in a different country. Sending care packages is a great way to share the love, but when you are romantically attached, it does not seem like enough when the one thing you really want to do is share a romantic evening with the one you love the most.
Sending letters during Valentine's Day with cute conversation hearts enclosed or even valentines from the children is something that is always appreciated. For many soldiers, once they deploy, it seems that they do not get to hear from their family nearly as often as they would like, even if they were not in a war zone. On the big love day, it can seem especially lonely.
For some, making a long distance phone call is enough or even sending an enticing letter that will make your nerves tingle. Sending photographs and postcards of the adventurous places you have been to and the things you have experienced is a romantic gesture that many really enjoy. For others, this is not enough for their soldier that they hardly get to see or hear from as it is.
Now, you can Skype with your loved one no matter where they are from your global position. Turn on your computer and "call" their computer and within seconds you can be sitting face to face from miles away. Once you have figured out how to Skype, you can share a meal with each other, talk about your day, share your "I love yous" and whatever else you feel comfortable doing.
For some, the biggest problem with using Skype can be privacy. In a dorm or shared room where a soldier may be staying, he might feel less than accepting of saying or doing things in front of his comrades than he would if he were at home. Children can present a problem for privacy, not to mention a time zone difference. Often times, soldiers are not in the country while they are deployed and their free time is often right in the middle of your night.
No matter what time of the day or night you get to talk to your special someone on Valentine's Day, remember that you can Skype with love no matter who is in the room, what you are doing or who might hear you. It is a great tool to help keep people together, without harsh long distance charges.
*My name is Allison and I am a fun-loving, adventurous being. When my job doesn’t have me traveling I normally guest blog, ride my horse, or hang out with friends. I normally write about natural health and healing, but ever since my boyfriend got word he would deploy I like to share ideas about how to still be you, manage life, and keep the love alive when he is not around. I’m starting a blog of my own, it is called - Musings of a Curious Mind
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Weight Loss Tip - Eat Breakfast!!
I know that some people simply aren't "breakfast people"... I'm not really big on breakfast either, but during my reading around "google" I have seen over and over again that eating breakfast helps with weight loss. I thought back to when I lost weight before and I realized that breakfast was a part of my regimen because I ate every 2 to 3 hours, starting within an hour of waking.
When you eat breakfast, it keeps your body from slipping into the "starvation mode"...eating breakfast will also jump start your metabolism for the day. If you skip breakfast you run the risk of over eating later in the day. Make it a point to eat breakfast every day for 2 weeks and I am willing to bet you will start feeling better during the day...
Since I'm not really into breakfast, I like smaller options -
*hardboiled egg and a few ounces of cheese
*a slimfast shake or home made smoothie
*serving of oatmeal with a little sugar and cinnamon to taste and a piece of fruit
*2 scrambled eggs and 2 pieces of turkey bacon
*whole wheat english muffin with peanut butter
To see more healthy breakfast options ---> 9 Fast, Healthy Breakfast Ideas
If you have any weight loss tips you'd like to share, or general weight loss stories, be a Guest Blogger =)
When you eat breakfast, it keeps your body from slipping into the "starvation mode"...eating breakfast will also jump start your metabolism for the day. If you skip breakfast you run the risk of over eating later in the day. Make it a point to eat breakfast every day for 2 weeks and I am willing to bet you will start feeling better during the day...
Since I'm not really into breakfast, I like smaller options -
*hardboiled egg and a few ounces of cheese
*a slimfast shake or home made smoothie
*serving of oatmeal with a little sugar and cinnamon to taste and a piece of fruit
*2 scrambled eggs and 2 pieces of turkey bacon
*whole wheat english muffin with peanut butter
To see more healthy breakfast options ---> 9 Fast, Healthy Breakfast Ideas
If you have any weight loss tips you'd like to share, or general weight loss stories, be a Guest Blogger =)
Monday, February 6, 2012
Helping Someone you Love who has PTSD
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur after you have been through a trauma. PTSD in the military doesn't just come from being in a war zone. It can come from other things too... being robbed, being in a horrible accident, being raped or being a victim of any sexual assualt.
Let's start with some PTSD facts -
Experts think PTSD occurs:
*In about 11-20% of Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars (Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom), or in 11-20 Veterans out of 100.
*In as many as 10% of Gulf War (Desert Storm) Veterans, or in 10 Veterans out of 100.
*In about 30% of Vietnam Veterans, or about 30 out of 100 Vietnam Veterans.
*23 out of 100 women (23%) reported sexual assault when in the military.
*55 out of 100 women (55%) and 38 out of 100 men (38%) have experienced sexual harassment when in the military.
During my google search I found this - Five Rules for Helping Someone with PTSD
Rule #1: Do not take her behavior personally.
PTSD is not about you. It is about her fear. It is about her anxiety. It is about her pain. It is not about you. Understanding this does not make the problems (or obnoxious behaviors) go away. But it can keep your feelings and your relationship from being hurt unnecessarily.
Rule #2: Set boundaries
Do not under any circumstances tolerate unacceptable behavior.
Do not tolerate abuse of any kind. You are not a punching bag or a target for degrading insults.
Rule #3: Do not expect much in return.
Right now your loved one doesn't have much to offer because they are most likely struggling just to get through the day. You WILL NEED your own support network.
Rule #4: Do not judge.
Your loved one may need/want to talk about it with you. It may make them feel better to get it out and they need someone they can trust to come to w/o fear of being judged.
Rule #5: Have fun.
Remind your loved one of fun times and do fun things together. Even if they don't want to, they might just do it to please you and they might just get into it. Laughter heals...having fun almost always brings about laughter.
((I found this info at http://www.heal-post-traumatic-stress.com/index.html - lots of other great links on this site too))
More helpful links:
16 Ways To Help A Friend With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
HELP WITH POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS (PTSD)
PTSD Support
Help 4 PTSD
If you're an app person with your phone, check out PTSD Coach - PTSD Coach mobile app wins FCC award for helping people use technology to manage PTSD symptoms.
Hope this helps some =)
Let's start with some PTSD facts -
Experts think PTSD occurs:
*In about 11-20% of Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars (Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom), or in 11-20 Veterans out of 100.
*In as many as 10% of Gulf War (Desert Storm) Veterans, or in 10 Veterans out of 100.
*In about 30% of Vietnam Veterans, or about 30 out of 100 Vietnam Veterans.
*23 out of 100 women (23%) reported sexual assault when in the military.
*55 out of 100 women (55%) and 38 out of 100 men (38%) have experienced sexual harassment when in the military.
During my google search I found this - Five Rules for Helping Someone with PTSD
Rule #1: Do not take her behavior personally.
PTSD is not about you. It is about her fear. It is about her anxiety. It is about her pain. It is not about you. Understanding this does not make the problems (or obnoxious behaviors) go away. But it can keep your feelings and your relationship from being hurt unnecessarily.
Rule #2: Set boundaries
Do not under any circumstances tolerate unacceptable behavior.
Do not tolerate abuse of any kind. You are not a punching bag or a target for degrading insults.
Rule #3: Do not expect much in return.
Right now your loved one doesn't have much to offer because they are most likely struggling just to get through the day. You WILL NEED your own support network.
Rule #4: Do not judge.
Your loved one may need/want to talk about it with you. It may make them feel better to get it out and they need someone they can trust to come to w/o fear of being judged.
Rule #5: Have fun.
Remind your loved one of fun times and do fun things together. Even if they don't want to, they might just do it to please you and they might just get into it. Laughter heals...having fun almost always brings about laughter.
((I found this info at http://www.heal-post-traumatic-stress.com/index.html - lots of other great links on this site too))
More helpful links:
16 Ways To Help A Friend With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
HELP WITH POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS (PTSD)
PTSD Support
Help 4 PTSD
If you're an app person with your phone, check out PTSD Coach - PTSD Coach mobile app wins FCC award for helping people use technology to manage PTSD symptoms.
Hope this helps some =)
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Home Made Laundry Soap
A friend let me try the home made laundry soap she made and I really liked it. I followed her advice and looked up the "recipe" on The Duggar Family. Here it is:
4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax
- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)
-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)
*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - Regular Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!
I found the ingredients I needed in the Laundry isle at Walmart -
I also bought a hand held cheese grater for the bar of soap. It wasn't too hard even though I nicked myself on my thumb lol...and it cleans easy. To melt the soap in the water on the stove, I used an old pot that I was going to toss. This will now be my soap pot =) To put the final laundry soap in I bought a 5 gallon paint bucket with lid at Walmart too. To stir it all together, I used the end of my broom.
I bought 3 bars of the soap and a box each of the Arm & Hammer and Borax... with the cheese grater and paint bucket I think I spent about $15.00 total. I can tell this bucket will last A LONG TIME and I still have 2 more bars of soap left and tons of the Arm & Hammer and Borax too... this is definitely a lot cheaper than buying laundry soap in the store. Only buying fabric softner is going to be great...
Here is the laundry soap after I mixed it all, but before I let it sit for the night. The next morning when I stirred it, it was like gel.
Tell me your home made cleaning products!! Share your tips and "recipes" =)
4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax
- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)
-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)
*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - Regular Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!
I found the ingredients I needed in the Laundry isle at Walmart -
I also bought a hand held cheese grater for the bar of soap. It wasn't too hard even though I nicked myself on my thumb lol...and it cleans easy. To melt the soap in the water on the stove, I used an old pot that I was going to toss. This will now be my soap pot =) To put the final laundry soap in I bought a 5 gallon paint bucket with lid at Walmart too. To stir it all together, I used the end of my broom.
I bought 3 bars of the soap and a box each of the Arm & Hammer and Borax... with the cheese grater and paint bucket I think I spent about $15.00 total. I can tell this bucket will last A LONG TIME and I still have 2 more bars of soap left and tons of the Arm & Hammer and Borax too... this is definitely a lot cheaper than buying laundry soap in the store. Only buying fabric softner is going to be great...
Here is the laundry soap after I mixed it all, but before I let it sit for the night. The next morning when I stirred it, it was like gel.
Tell me your home made cleaning products!! Share your tips and "recipes" =)
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