Where is the Time Going?

I just read my last post and can't believe that I left all of you hanging, waiting on my menu post. I'm kidding.. I know that no one lost sleep over that.

I was just looking at my calendar, trying to squeeze one more evening event in there, and realized that time is not on my side lately.

As an Army wife, there have been times when I have desperately wanted time to fly, and times when I wished for it to drag. The older I get, the faster it seems to go.. except during a deployment, of course.

With Nick taking brigade command, I find myself entertaining more and wanting to reach out to more groups of spouses. I struggle with trying to fit it all in every month. It may come down to re-prioritizing some events.

Speaking of time demands, this week, I agreed to be nominated to be the president of our community's spouses' club. It was a difficult decision and I took several days to think and pray about it, but decided I could do this and maybe make a difference in a club that has been two years in transition. I'm excited to serve the military spouses in this community and hope I don't tarnish my name in the process.

So, here's to more hours in the day, more days in the month, and to delegating to others!  Let's hope I can follow my own advice.

Here is a look at my calendar. I thought I might pretty it up a bit for you, but decided you can see it in all it's glory. Scribbles, scratched out events and all...piled up on other papers that need to be filed, shredded and gone through. Sounds like a project for this weekend.

There are a few events I haven't written in yet, because I'm still deciding what day to do them!! Not to mention the entertaining Nick wants to do that I will have to squeeze in somewhere.

Happy Friday everyone. I hope your weekend is fantastic!

Respect Never Goes Out of Style

I've mentioned before, that my husband recently took command of a brigade of Soldiers. This brigade is quite large and covers three different Army posts and has a combined total of 8 battalions attached to it.
Needless to say, he is very busy and even a little overwhelmed at times at the issues that need to be addressed and the tasks that need to be done every day. His schedule is so tight that he truly has trouble returning personal phone calls or even a text message during the day. I've made brown bag lunches for him lately and he is literally eating in the vehicle as he moves from one meeting to another.
In spite of this schedule, Nick made time today to have an office call with a retired General Officer that was once in the same command position as he is. Because of that, and his dedication to this brigade, this General has been named "Honorary Commander" of the brigade.
The General was involved in alumni groups and other brigade related groups until he had a stroke. Now he walks with a cane and is slow to speak and walk. Because of that, he travels with his wife, who drives him from place to place.
Because his wife accompanies him, I was invited to be a part of today's office call, to keep her company.
Mrs. General and I enjoyed chatting about grand babies, old Army ways and social traditions as our husbands talked Army. Nick briefed the General on what current brigade Soldiers are involved in and asked for his input on certain things. We also sent them away with a lot of brigade "swag"  Coffee mugs with the unit crest, a coin of the battalion the General commanded etc. The old gentleman's eyes lit up when Nick asked if he would like to have the coffee mug. He said "You're damn right!" 
As we finished up and promised to get together for dinner soon, we escorted the couple to the brigade front door.
Just as the General reached the exit door, my husband, brigade commander, called his Soldiers to attention. The General didn't miss a beat, didn't slow down and didn't look back. He simply said "Carry On"  and he left the building.
I realize I'm a bit of a sentimental slob, but I got teary eyed when Nick stood at attention and called the others to attention as well. It was a courtesy to a man who has served with honor and still wants to be involved.
I was very proud to be part of my husband's team today. I'm so humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to stand alongside the heroes that served before. They certainly deserve all the respect we can give them.

Holiday Reception & Etiquette

I mentioned in my last post that Nick and I hosted our very first New Year's Reception this past Sunday. The tradition has been that the commander would host his senior leaders (because there are just too many to have everyone over) to his or her home on New Year's Day. However, who really wants to do this on New Year's Day?  Not the commander and certainly not the Soldiers who work for him.
So, our decision was to do it on the 8th of January. We did it from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in one hour rotations. We had a group at 1:00 who stayed until 2:00, then had a 30 minute break to re-stock food, drinks, etc. and then had the second group at 2:30 and so on. We saw the last group out at 5:00.
Tips for hosting this kind of event:
Cater if you can. Seriously, it's a lot of work and I was overwhelmed.
If you can't cater, go to Costco or a similar store and buy stuff that is easily put together or simply warmed in the oven at the last minute. I did lots of this and it was good.
Have help in the kitchen. My friend Carla, my daughter Callie and Nick's deputy's wife were all there and helped me so much. They completely took the stress out of the day.
Block off your kitchen if you want no one in there. I closed the door from the kitchen to the dining room, and hung a sheer curtain over the other doorway. Even then, people looked in to find a place to put empty plates, cups etc. (have someone walk through and gather trash, plates, etc. That helps too)
Have a guest book. You will want to look back after the rush and see who was really there.
At the end of the rotation, take everyone OUTSIDE to take a group photo. It ensures they are out of the house at the end of their time. Don't let them come back in! 
Mingle and have a great time!
Now for those of you attending a reception such as this.  Here are the do's and don'ts.
Don't bring a hostess gift. It's not that kind of party. It's a reception and more formal, so you are really only required to show up. For the service member invited.. it's a command performance. Don't think because it's an invitation and you can RSVP that you have the option NOT to go. Go.. you'll thank me later.
Don't ask for a tour of the home. Yes, I live in a beautiful historic home. No, I do not want 50 people at a time wandering through it. If your host/hostess want to give you a tour, they'll offer. (no one did this to me, but did to some of my neighbors who hosted receptions)
Don't take your children. Don't ask if you can bring your children. This is an official event and not a place for toddlers to be running around.
Do speak to the commander and his/her enlisted counterpart. (The Command Sergeant Major) they are a team and should always be included in a greeting, thank you, good-bye etc.
Thank everyone involved for inviting you and for opening their home. It is just the right thing to do.

I will have to say, my group was fabulous. No one was out of line, no one brought kids, wandered through my house etc.
It's a reflection on the wonderful officers and NCO's who are working for my husband. We are very blessed and humbled to be able to serve in this way.

I will leave you with a photo of Nick and me outside our home as we were getting started on Sunday. It was a blast!!