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Elaine Dumler - [email protected] - 866.780.0460

Issue 23 - Nov 2010

In This Issue
Tips & Deals
Clip & Save
7 Tips to Reduce Holiday Stress
Websites to Bookmark
Connection Strategies
Organization of the Month
Calling All Battle Buddies
 
I'm Already Home... Again
I'm Already Home... Again
 
The Road Home
The Road Home
 
Pocket Flip Tips
Pocket Flip Tips
 
Quick Links...
Elaine Dumler
6460 W. 98th Court
Westminster, CO 80021
866-780-0460 - phone
303-430-7679 - fax
 
Note from Elaine
Dear Newsletter Buddies,
Elaine Dumler

I realize that you're receiving this newsletter the day after Veteran's Day, but I can't let November go by without extending a warm Thank You to all Veterans and their families. You make this country great and deserve so much more than just a single day a year for people to focus on the gift of Freedom you've given us. Please know that you are appreciated every day of the year.

November is also the Month of the Military Family and that's so appropriate since it's the start of the holiday season when we seem to focus even more on the strength and love of our families. I wish all our military families could be together to celebrate, but we know that's not realistic. If you'll be apart, be sure to take time with your kids to make some Christmas ornaments, Hanukkah treats, or even the Thanksgiving turkey drawing made by tracing your hand and coloring in the finger "tail feathers." Send these family specialties to your deployed loved one to bridge your lives over the holidays.

Lastly, remember the word "Encouragement" these next couple of months and beyond. It's a small word with huge impact. Right now, close your eyes and think of someone...anyone...who could use a word of encouragement from you. Not a big thing, just a phone call that says "I'm thinking about you today and wanted to know if you needed anything, or just to talk." Sometimes someone can be in a "funk" about their circumstances and getting a phone call from you might be exactly what they need to give their day a boost. Think back to a time in your life when you thought things couldn't get much worse, and the phone rang at just the right moment. The first thing you said when you picked it up was "I can't believe you called right now!" BE that phone call for someone else.

Item_1Tips & Deals: Free Flip Tips Book
  1. Receive a Free Flip Tip book ($5 value) with every order placed at www.ImAlreadyHome.com between now and midnight on December 15, 2010! We'll automatically include it with your order.

  2. Monday, November 15, 2010 is Military Appreciation Monday at all Golden Corral Restaurants. Open to all current and veteran military personnel. Enjoy a free meal, compliments of Golden Corral.  For more details visit www.goldencorral.com/military.
Item_2Clip and Save: Holiday mailing deadlines

Below are the deadlines for mailing packages to the troops overseas from the USPS.

  • Parcel Post- mail by Nov.12 to be there by Dec.25
  • Space Available Mail (SAM):Nov. 20 to contingency locations (APO/FPO/DPO AE Zip O93); all other overseas military locations by Nov.26th
  • Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL): Dec. 1 to contingency locations; all others by Dec. 3rd
  • Priority Mail/First class cards and letters: Dec. 4 to contingency locations; all others by Dec. 10th
  • Express Mail Military Services: not available to contingency locations; other locations by Dec. 18th. Check with your local post office to determine if this service is available to a particular APO/FPO/DPO address
Item_37 Tips to reduce holiday stress by Elaine Dumler 

I know it's hard to believe, but the holidays are right on our heels. I can feel the stress building up inside of me already. I have to remember that we can't do it all, and there really are ways to keep a handle on your sanity these next couple months. Give these tips a try for a happier, healthier holiday season.

  1. Set limits. Don't take on more than you can realistically handle. If you're not good at deciding what that is, ask a close friend to tell you when to put on the brakes.

  2. Don't drink too much alcohol. While it may feel like a stress reliever now, you'll feel worse later on.

  3. Take time for yourself. That's what babysitters are for! Get a massage (Massage Envy offers them inexpensively), a mani-pedi, or just spend a "guilt-free" hour with a book and a cup of coffee.

  4. Don't over spend your budget on Christmas gifts. Set a dollar limit for each person and stick to it. Try to pay cash when you can because you don't want to be overwhelmed by credit card bills in January. Are you crafty? Remember that handmade gifts come from the heart and are treasured long after toys are set aside.

  5. Eat healthy. Make good food choices when you can, especially at parties. Here's a trick I do when I eat out at a restaurant: When you order your meal, ask for a "take out" box right away. When your food arrives, cut everything in � and put � in the box. Only eat the portion left on your plate. Restaurants serve huge portions you don't need, and you'll have more energy if you're not stuffed. Hint: leave the "take out" box at the restaurant so you don't snack on the balance of the meal later!

  6. Stay Social. Relax over coffee with a friend... you'll both benefit from it! Depression can set in if you stay cooped up indoors and isolated. The holidays are designed for social gatherings.

  7. Reward yourself for a job well done when the holidays are over. Don't chastise yourself for forgetting to buy a gift, not participating in the cookie exchange or going to every holiday event you thought you should. You did a great job with setting limits and sticking to them! Now that things have calmed down, do something that makes you happy and pat yourself on the back. You've earned it.

More about this topic can be found in the Flip Tip book titled Stress Management by Elaine Dumler available at www.ImAlreadyHome.com.

Websites_BookmarkWebsites to Bookmark

The Silent Ranks: This is a Facebook site that has forums and opportunities for military kids to meet each other and share issues, concerns, projects and opportunities.

ConnectionConnection Strategies

Taken from the chapter "Celebrations Across the Miles" in the book I'm Already Home... Again by Elaine Dumler:

  1. Trace around each family members' handprints on cardstock and cut them out. Glue them together in a wreath shape and call it "Circle of Love" Each person can sign their own handprint, too.

  2. Have each family member write down on a note card what they are most thankful for about your serviceperson. Send your serviceperson a package with all the note cards tied with a ribbon to  let them know they are appreciated, and thank them for the special place they have in your heart.
Item_4Organization of the Month/Projects

Care for Our Troops

We found this group in Illinois, working to fill 500 zip lock care bags by Dec. 1 2010. The bags will be filled with : 1 bag of Beef Jerky, 1 Chapstick, 1 deodorant, 1 tube of shaving gel, 1 package of disposable razors, 1 travel size bottle of mouthwash, 1 box of Q-tips, 1 small box of Wet Wipes, 1 box single serving drink mix, a couple of toothbrushes and a letter from your family. The "care bags" will be sent to the troops deployed from their state or unit.

We could not find one central website for "Care for our Troops", but did find that many states have similar organizations you can donate to. With the holidays quickly approaching take time to let our soldiers know we are grateful for their sacrifice.

Websites_BookmarkCalling all Battle Buddies for Advice!

One thing I love about working with military families is seeing how willing they are to always help each other. Here's your chance to help with a military concern or issue someone has.

October Question-Here is a review of the question we posted last month.

My husband is about to deploy in a few weeks and lately it seems like all we do is fight. How can we stop fighting and get along so that we can enjoy the few weeks we have left before he leaves?

Here are some of the responses we received:

  1. Recognize it is normal to fight pre-deployment. Realize that the issue is stress and not a relationship issue. Try to get all the pertinent issues of pre-deployment: finances, bill, how to communicate while gone, etc. Let go of the little things-a toilet seat lid not being put down will be ok. "Letting him be right" can help stop an argument, and then let it go.
  2. I finally figured out, that what was happening was that I thought I would miss him less, if I didn't particularly like the atmosphere before he left. When I became conscious of what was going on it was easier to avoid the friction.
  3. My best advice is don't talk it personally, he is reacting to things out of his control, get a good girlfriend and talk to them about so you can get it out and not react so much to him. Remember he just doesn't want to be away from you and things are lout of his control.
  4. Pre-deployment is very stressful with all the changes that are coming. Take a deep breath. Talk to your soldier about your feelings.

Thanks for your responses! From a random drawing of all responses, winning 2 free Flip Tip books is, Kathleen Pulcastro! Congratulations, the books are on the way to you.

Here's the new question for November:
See below how to submit your response.

"Dear Elaine,

I currently sponsor a club at school called Military connections. I would like to get some ideas that work for teens in high school who are dealing with the transition of new home/school/deployment, as well as ideas on how to encourage them to reach out for help and get involved in groups like this or even FRG functions. How do you get them to show up? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Signed, Wanting to make a difference"

One lucky person who shares their solution to this problem will receive a free copy of the new Pocket Flip Tip Book, Stress Management. Click here to submit your answer.

Have a question you'd like our readers to answer? Email us at [email protected].

Websites_BookmarkA Fun Thought:

"An Optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day"
-Irv Kupcine

Enjoy your fall and as always, contact me at [email protected] if we can be of service in any way. That's what we're here for! If I'm speaking at a conference in your state, please come introduce yourself. I love meeting all the wonderful people I work for.

Our policy on reproducing newsletter content: Please feel free to forward and share this newsletter with anyone you wish. If you want to reproduce any of the articles included here into you own newsletter, you may do so if you do not change or alter the content and include this line:

"Excerpted from Elaine Dumler's Newsletter and used with permission. For additional relevant content visit www.ImAlreadyHome.com"

From Elaine, Jenn and Tammy