My PET PEEVES as a Military Spouse

Hi GFWs (Girlfriends, Fiancees, WIVES),

These are just a few of my pet peeves as a military spouse. I will probably add on to this list over time, but for now these are the only ones that bother me the most.

HIGHER RANKS:

• Try to embarrass the lower rank soldiers in front of their families instead of pulling them to the side and talking to them about whatever they did or didn't do. 
• The wives of higher ranks think that they are better than those of lower ranks and try to look down or belittle the other wives. They wear their husband's ranks as if they are the ones who went and earned it. 

SOLDIER'S RELATIVES OR CLOSE FRIENDS:
Start to get the thought that the spouse is not going to be faithful and start to tell the spouse not to have no one in "his" house. PAUSE (ghetto moment) The last time I checked if it wasn't for me this soldier would not be living in this house. He would be living in the barracks. PLAY This is "our house" and I know how to keep my legs closed. Thank you very much. :)

STEREOTYPES/ CATEGORIZING:
Many people put us in one category or say that we are all the same. They assume that we are all lazy, fat, bums who don't want anything out of life. They assume that we only want to live off of our soldiers, lay up and have tons of children. For many of us, that is not the case. Some of the soldiers prefer for their wives not to work and maintain the household while he is away working. Others would want their wives to focus on getting a jump start on their careers by finishing school. Another thing that they always label us as being is a cheater. They assume that all military spouses cheat. I have been a victim of this not only because I am an army wife, but because I'm an African American woman. This is a quote from a woman of another race who said this about me. "If she doesn't cheat on him this deploy, she will the next one because they always do".

OTHER ANNOYING THINGS:
I don't see how you do it. I couldn't do it. Aren't you afraid that something will happen to him. I truly hate when those of the unknown say that to me. It's so annoying. When people say "you know what you were getting yourself into" now that can be annoying to some, but should be told to others. For instance, if the spouse cheated and her excuse is he was never there or he was always gone for long periods of time. That is when you say it, but if the spouse is just expressing her feelings at that moment and needs someone to talk to then you don't say it. Get it. Ok good. Let's not forget the ones that say girl I don't see how you can do it, my husband is going to be gone for 2 weeks on a trip and I can't take it. Keep in mind this is around the same time that your husband is on a year deployment. You have to take all that you can to refrain from going off on your friend.

Ladies there are so many pet peeves that we all have as military spouses, but as of now these are all that I have experienced. I hope that you all enjoyed reading.

Of course, a video will be uploaded on my YouTube channel on this topic soon. I decided to give it to my readers first.
Again, thanks a bunch for reading.
Love ya lots, PAW

Signs of Patriotism

Hi military spouses,

You guys I just ran across this site called Signs of Patriotism. It is a website of different signs that you hang on your door. They are really funny and I truly love them. They aren't pricey at all only $7.95. I would like to say that I do not have any rights to the website and no one that runs the site told me to promote it. I simply liked the signs. You guys should go check them out. I think I am going to order 3 of them because they are really cute and funny. By the way, it has all branches of the military not just ARMY. Hope you guys like it.

too cute

Baby Themed Care Package

As I stated in a previous post, my friend from back home had her first baby last week. I am so happy for her. I went shopping the day that she told me about it. I decided to decorate a care package for her. Here are a few pictures of the box and outfits that I got the baby.

Polka Dotted Coral/White Skirt from Target for $6. So cute

First pair of jeans. Only $1.50 in Target

Too Cute... $7 in Target

$3.99 in Burlington Coat Factory

$2.99 in Ross

$5.99 in Ross. I love this.

$7.99 in Target

$3.99 in Target

Stickers, Paper, Ribbon, & Tissue

I love PINK GREEN & YELLOW...together. They are my favorite colors.

Google+

Hi ladies,

Follow me on Google+

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YouTube: NitraSoExclusive

BlogSpot: http://thoughtsasanarmywife.blogspot.com/

Thanks ladies!

Love Ya Lots,

PAW

Dinner: Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

Hi GFWs,

I have been searching all over the internet for a good chicken spaghetti recipe. I couldn't find one. So I had to ask my mother-in-law and my aunt for her recipe since I am trying to learn how to cook different things that my husband likes before he comes home from his deployment. I saw that their recipes were very similar, but decided to make it like his mom because again I'm just practicing for when he comes home. Of course, I substituted a couple of things but hey he will get over it. lol
Here are the ingredients I used:

• 1 10 3/4 oz. can of Cream of Mushroom
• 1 10 3/4 oz. can of Cream of Chicken
• 1 10 oz. can of Rotel Mild Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilli
• 1 8 oz. can of Del Monte Whole Kernal Corn
• 1 8 oz. can of Del Monte Sweet Peas
• 1 12 oz package of Skinner's Regular Spaghetti Noodles
• 2 packages of boneless breast tenderloins (doesn't matter what brand)
• 1 small package of Velveeta Cheese (original)
• Others: salt, pepper, creole seasoning (original)

Let's get started preparing... 

If necessary thaw out your chicken!

Prepare the Creamy Mixture: In a large bowl add cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, corn, sweet peas, rotel, cheese, and a layer of Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning (original). Once all are added mix them together. (If you don't have creole seasoning you can just add salt/pepper)

Prepare the chicken: Once the chicken is thawed, washed, and clean begin to fill a pot about half way or 3/4 the way with cold water and place chicken in the pot. Set on the stove on high (medium/high) and cook for 20 minutes or once all chicken as floated to the top. While it was boiling I added a couple of dashed of salt/pepper (Just Because). Once done drain it and run cold water over the chicken. 

Prepare the noodles: If you have a non-stick pot like I have then spray a little PAM at the bottom and along the sides and add water. Let the water come to a "bubbling" boil before adding noodles. Check the back of the package to see how long to allow your noodles to cook. I cooked mine for 11 minutes. Make sure you monitor your noodles to make sure they are not over cooking and/or sticking to the pot.

While the noodles are cooking peel your chicken into bite size pieces and make sure you toss out the gummy icky parts. I added a little salt on my chicken after I peeled it, but its not necessary. By now the noodles should be done so drain them and then preheat your oven at 350 degrees.

Let's get started layering. *Layering is optional, you can just mix it all together then place it into the pan* I forgot to spray my pan with PAM (so make sure you do that)

Layer 1: Creamy Mixture

Layer 2: Chicken

Layer 3: Slices of Cheese

Layer 4: Noodles

Repeat

Once to the top at add cheese. I added both the slices from the chunk of Velveeta and half the bag of shredded Velveeta cheese. 

Place in the stove for 30 minutes on 350 degrees. Stir. Let cool.
Enjoy!!! 
Creamy Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti.

Optional:

-If you are a fan of bell pepper and onion you can add that in with the chicken while it is cooking instead of salt/pepper.

-You don't have to add corn/sweet peas

By the way I am nowhere near a chef. I'm just a beginner. Thanks for viewing.

Before it's cooked

get the 8 oz cans of corn and sweet peas not those in the photo

Creamy Mixture

Creamy Mixture w/ cheese added

Layering

More Layering

Top Layer

Finished! Delicious... ENJOY!!!