I am super excited to bring you this post today while I'm on temporary leave from the blogosphere. One of my absolute favorite blogs to read is Jenn's.  At Life With The Lietenant she talks about everything including life in the Army, being a mother, expecting another little one and everything in between.  I'm usually laughing by the time the first paragraph is done because of her amazing ability to say it how it is with no sugarcoating.  I asked Jenn if she would guest post for me.. she said yes, and here is what she has to say...


Hello Somewhere Over The Camo readers! (Does anyone else sing Amanda's blog title every time they click over, or is that just me?) My name is Jenn from Life With The Lieutenant and Amanda graciously asked me to write a little something for her blog so that it does not gather dust while she's enjoying her husband on R&R. If only she could see my house, she would know that keeping dust at bay is not really my forte, but I'm going to give it the ol' college try!


I honestly had no clue what to write about since I've never guest posted anywhere before, and while Amanda suggested I write about my experiences with the Army so far, I just couldn't come up with anything particularly USEFUL or even slightly interesting to write about. So as I was darting in and out of sleep last night (am seriously pregnant! Sleep does not come easily anymore!), I started thinking about what Amanda and I have in common, how we are different, and how that could somehow form a blog post. So without further ado... Ahem.

Ain't she cute?

Ain't he cute?

That is just a wee tennis ball, made specially for wee doggies. It is in no way close to the size of Piston's mighty tennis ball.

I present to you- the most flattering picture ever taken of me.

I am super excited to bring you this post today while I'm on temporary leave from the blogosphere. One of my absolute favorite blogs to ...

I am super excited to bring you this post today while I'm on temporary leave from the blogosphere.  Earlier this month I got an e-mail about this new museum planned for the National Mall in DC that goes hand in hand with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.  Now I don't know about y'all but when you see that long wall of names, it makes your heart temporarily stop.  After living in MD for a year, it is one of the places on the National Mall that we frequented whenever we made a tourist trip into the heart of Washington, DC and it never fails to make my heart ache for the lost lives.  The Founder and President of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Mr. Jan C. Scruggs is in the process of putting a face to those names.  How cool is that?  Here is more information from Mr. Scruggs himself...



My name is Jan C. Scruggs, Founder and President of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 30 years ago, I helped build the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This monument healed millions with the engravings on a black granite wall. Now, I am taking those names and putting a story and picture behind it in a new museum on the National Mall in Washington, DC; the Education Center at The Wall.

The Education Center at The Wall will change the people who visit it. For the nearly 40 percent of visitors who weren’t even born when The Wall was completed, it will transform the long list of names cut in the smooth black granite. Instead of simply names, visitors will see the faces and know the stories of the 58,000 heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War.

Through interactive exhibits and primary source materials, visitors will be able to better understand the profound impact the Vietnam War had on their family members, their home towns, their communities and the nation. Visitors will understand the importance of The Wall and the role it continues to play in healing the deep physical, emotional and societal wounds left by the war.

One of those interactive exhibits is called the Call for Photos. VVMF is trying to collect every single photograph of each person on The Wall. People are sending us photographs daily, along with personal remembrances. Here is one we received yesterday. It was written for Eric P. Muller, from Jan Finn.


“This black and white photo does not capture your carrot red hair, your freckled face nor your vivid green eyes. As my big brother you stood out in so many ways. I think of you everyday and miss you very much. I was only 15 when you died but your memory is still very vivid and fresh. Always in my heart. I love you.”

It’s my goal to share Jan Finn’s submission in the Education Center, so generations to come can know the legacy of this great patriot,. It’s also my goal to break ground on the Education Center this Veterans Day.

In order to raise the rest of the needed funds so we can break ground, from now until Veterans Day, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) is issuing a Service Branch Challenge. The challenge is for each of us to support the Education Center and show pride in one of the branches of the service.

General Barry McCaffrey, USA (Ret) has agreed to lead the charge for the US Army, in their efforts. “The Education Center at The Wall will be a place where our fallen comrades and their stories will live on forever,” said McCaffrey. “I’m proud to lend my support and encourage those who love the US Army to get involved. Supporters of the Army are already leading the way, and have donated more than $21,000. I challenge leaders of the other branches to step up to try and catch us.”

Join Gen. McCaffrey and me in some good natured competiveness and help us remember the legacy of service made by all 9,000,000 men and women who served with the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard during the Vietnam War Era.

Jan C. Scruggs,
President and Founder of VVMF
www.vvmf.org


Always,
Amanda

I am super excited to bring you this post today while I'm on temporary leave from the blogosphere.  Earlier this month I got an e-mail a...

Happy birthday love! You are getting so old... and growing up so fast!  ;)  I can't wait to spend 153416854 more birthdays together...

I can't believe it's been a year since I last celebrated already.  So this is what my mom talked about when she said as you get older the years FLY by...

I'm 22 today! I can't believe it's been a year since I last celebrated already.  So this is what my mom talked about when she...

For the next two weeks I won't be around much.  I do have some fabulous guest posts coming your way though so check back in periodically.  I hope everyone has a safe couple of weeks.

Always,
Amanda

Well y'all Piston and I have been busy little bee's for the past week.. hence my lack of a significant post.  I worked a full week ...

This is really not my holiday, ESPECIALLY this year.   But I figured I'd do this fun little link-up and then add a few words at the bottom and wallah a "lovey dovey" Valentine's Day post.  :)

Today I am linking up with From Mrs. to Mama...

• He is determined to be the best man, husband, father he can be for our little family and has major goals for us and our future.

• He is my best friend, ever.  And always knows what to say to either push my buttons or make me smile.
• He is smart.  VERY smart.. and good looking to go with it. ;)

My dearest Rob,


I love you and I can't wait to see you soon!  Thanks for being who you are, always, no matter here nor there.  You do it well.  I'm honored to be apart of your life as your wife.. and never forget how proud I am of you.


Love you always and forever.



Hope you all have a swell Valentine's Day and you are surrounded by love [and all that jazz...]

Always,
Amanda

This is really not my holiday, ESPECIALLY this year.   But I figured I'd do this fun little link-up and then add a few words at the bott...

About the awesome Super Tintin giveaway going on right now?

You haven't?
If you have a loved one missing from your life then you must check this giveaway out.  Super Tintin is this awesome company that has partnered with Skype to make it possible for people with a PC to get a free Skype Recording License.  They are giving away 100 copies to deserving military families just in time for Valentines Day!

What exactly is a Skype Recording License?
Just what it sounds like!  This Valentine's Day when you Skype with your loved one how awesome would it be to record your conversation and play it back over and over again?  Great for your young kiddos to see Daddy or Mommy whenever they want.  Great for showing family members that aren't in the house when the conversation happened.  Great for a pick me up when that bad day just doesn't seem to be getting better.  If you win one of these license copies being given away, then you can do JUST THAT.

Cool, right?

Now how do you enter?
Head on over to one of these blogs that gets to host this awesome giveaway and enter!  Make sure to head on over soon as most of them end today, February 12th at midnight PST!


Good luck ladies.. I know I am hoping for a copy. ;)




A Touch of Class

Sabers, Spurs & a Pink Stetson

The Crow Family

Dandelions & Daffodils

Troop Petrie

Nuts In A Nutshell

The Adventures of Mr. Superman & Mrs. S

Skipper Clan


Always,
Amanda

About the awesome Super Tintin giveaway going on right now? You haven't? If you have a loved one missing from your life then you mus...

So y'all wrote me in response to my last post and my belief that 11:30 is not late enough to sleep in.  It got me thinking about how different I am than the majority of military wives.  Not in a bad way either but.. well, let me explain...

(Disclaimer: Nobody take offense to anything I am going to say about my opinion of the average military wife.. deal?)

I am not under any circumstances a morning person.  I frequently sleep till noon or later when I can.  Unless I have something to get up for, like work (7:45 really isn't my friend.)  98% of the military wives I have come across thus far in my lifetime get up... early... send their husband off, tend to their kids if they have them, and get all their errands ran and chores done before I even think of hitting snooze the first time.  That just isn't me.. yes, I get envious that they are put together by 7 in the morning, but I will NEVER be that person.  Anytime before 9 is never going to be my friend frankly.

I'm also not a fan of cooking.  At all.  I can do it (well most of it..), I'd just rather not.  My husband cooks in our family (yeah I've been up a tree without him around!) and I'm supposed to be the one that cleans up after his rather messy self.  I see Facebook status' from my mil spouse friends all the time about their plans for dinner and how they hope their man gets off on time so that dinner is still warm when he arrives.  Even when I didn't have a job and frankly did not do anything during the day except take the dog out 150,000 times, dinner was never on the table (except maybe twice) when he walked through the door.  Sorry Rob!  Maybe someday when we have little people running around.. until then.. probably not going to change.

I'm probably one of the few military spouses that will not jump at the opportunity to live overseas.  I just love America way too much.  I love my sense of normal and it's just not something I have this crazy desire to mix up.  At the end of the day though, I go where he goes and if that means we are on assignment to Korea then I suck it up and deal with it.  But you will not find me telling my husband to beg and plead for that overseas spot.

If you follow me on Pinterest you'll see tons of cute things pinned to my Get Yo' Craft On board.  I have great intentions to be a craft everyday kind of person.  But at the end of the day I'd rather go home and lay on the couch and watch some good (no-good) TV while drinking a glass of wine.  I follow all these lovely military spouses and their blogs and they are some of the craftiest women I know.. someday my friends.  But today, I shall warm the couch and pin for the future... that also probably isn't going to change anytime soon.

Rob and I talk about having little people frequently.  I am absolutely in no rush though.  At Ft. Meade we were part of the kid-less crowd.  Since we've left Ft. Meade two of our friend-less couple friends have re-created.  In a way I feel like it's the "thing" to do.  Have babies, be a mother, stay at home with your kids and all that.  Don't get me wrong, I want to be a mother, but not now.  Not yet.  Not while there is still a chance my husband could deploy again.  Call me selfish, but I don't want to find out if I can be as strong as all the woman that do it everyday taking care of their children alone without their husband.  I give mad props to you women, but nine times out of ten I am perfectly okay with just having a dog to handle... and I feel like that puts me in the minority among military wives.

The last thing that make me not so typical is my knack for not blaming the Army whenever something goes awry.  I have a tendency to complain to my hubs because some days I log online and everyone is complaining about some curve ball the Army threw their way.  It sucks.  I am in no way shape or form saying that it doesn't.  But at the end of the day... the Army puts a roof over my head, food in the fridge (for hubby to cook!) and a job to entertain my husband.  Yes, it often makes him a cranky pants and he usually doesn't get home when he says he will.  But you will never find me saying I hate the Army for that... (I recognize that everybody handles their frustrations differently.  I am not judging any of you that do..)

Some of you are probably thinking.. you aren't that special Amanda.  And you are right.. maybe we are all "un-typical" and my sense of the norm when it comes to military wives is all sorts of messed up.  I've always called it as I see it though.  We all have that special part that makes us a unique individual, I have no doubt about that.

One thing I do know is that no matter how late we sleep, how good we cook, how we vent our frustrations, we are all proud wives.  Proud that each and everyday we wake up with the same last name as that one special person that defends the freedoms of every single American.  Proud to know that when someone says the word hero, your husband qualifies.  Proud of this country, the people in it and those who sacrifice so much.  I am proud to be a military wife.. each and everyday.

I'd love to hear what your thoughts on being "un-typical" are.. :)

Also if you'd be interested in guest posting for me while hubs is home on R&R can you please send me an e-mail at somewhereoverthecamo@hotmail.com?  Thanks y'all!

Always,
Amanda

So y'all wrote me in response to my last post and my belief that 11:30 is not late enough to sleep in.  It got me thinking about how di...

Feel smart. :)

I FINALLY put two and two together and realized that those e-mails about comments I get in my inbox.. THAT is what you smart cookies respond to when you respond to my comments and I get an actual response in my inbox as well.. ...if that makes any sense at all.  So be expecting actual responses in YOUR inbox from me from here on out!

Well we are in countdown mode in our little world right here in Kansas.  The dog and I are anxiously awaiting the time we will get to spend with Rob soon.  Yesterday the world seemed to take a SERIOUS slow down though.  For the past 6 plus months time has just flown at work, and yesterday I could see each second stretch into 5 or more it seemed.  What is funny about all that is, the clock drags at work, but flies during the night.  Something wrong with THAT picture!

This past weekend was full on relaxation.. for the most part.  Nothing major that we had to rise and shine for.  Except a deep tissue massage on Friday which was to die for, I'd highly suggest you find a good one in your area and spend the extra cash on one.. ((p.s. the lady I got mine from is a national champion body builder.. she puts the fear in you just by looking!  But dang she knows JUST what to do.))  Saturday P and I went to sleep with NO alarm set to wake up for.  Which of course meant my Mom called about 11:30 (early for me!) to say that her and Dad were stopping by.  But Piston enjoyed it, as he always does when his grandparentals stop by.  Sunday was of course spent with some beer, football and.. you guessed it, homework.  Nothing to complain about there.. each Sunday spent doing homework means another week closer to so many things! :)


I also have good news to report, I have made almost a FULL recovery from the AWFUL fall down the stairs.  :)  Last night I did have some random pains in my ankle.  I hope this isn't one of those injuries where it comes back every once in awhile to make life annoying.  Those stink, bad.  But all in all, we be good y'all.

Feel smart. :) I FINALLY put two and two together and realized that those e-mails about comments I get in my inbox.. THAT is what you smar...

I'm linking up over at Wife of a Sailor today! What is your favorite winter memory? Oh goodness... so many.  Going sledding...

Today I am going to be linking up with Jamie at This Kind of Love for:

Today I am going to be linking up with Jamie at This Kind of Love for: I'm LOVING  that today is February 1st.  I love February....