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I'm Proud to Announce the Home Edition

Tips for Making Your House a Home and Your PCS Move Easier

By Kamlyn Jurgensen March 6, 2015
I don't know if you noticed, but I called this the "Home Edition" of Macaroni Military Family. There are multiple reasons for that, but spring cleaning and PCS orders are the biggest reasons why. This month many military families will receive their orders for their next duty station. Some will get their wishes and dreams fulfilled and others will be sent to those bases, you know, the bases with the nicknames like 29 Stumps, CA. or Why Not, ND. Either way, the next few months can make even the toughest nut crack as you try to figure out if you should use TMO or do a DITY (Do-It-Yourself) move, now called a Personally Procured Move; rent or buy; donate or sell. There's lots to be done and we're here to help. Each month from now until June we will have articles dealing with these issues and explain the pros and cons of both as well as our usual informative articles, giveaways, crafts, recipes and more. 

First up, we have tips to help you make your next move easier by simplifying, condensing, limiting and organizing. I am so thrilled to have Angela Agranoff, The Unclutter Angel, help us tackle deciding what to do with the stuff in our homes, in Six Steps to Make Your Next PCS Move Easier

Now, that you've made it that far, you have to decide where to live. For many that means a rental. Don't despair, just because you're in a rental doesn't mean you can't make it a home. Blogger Roxanne Kwiecinski, from The Honeycomb Home, tells us How to Decorate A Rental, so someone else's house is still your home. You don't want to miss her tips and tricks. 

Speaking of tips, we've got cleaning ones from a pro. Elbow grease and patience made the list. Who would have thought that with all of today's sophisticated cleaners, elbow grease, water and patience were still necessary? Read the rest of the tips in Cleaning Tips from the Pros

Transitioning to other news, the military health care plan is changing. For example, just recently, my retired family was told we were no longer going to be treated out in town by our primary care provider of 8 years, but were being sent to a MTF (military treatment facility) for care. This was a cost saving measure for the government, but definitely a shock to us. There are more changes in the works that you should know about; you can read about them and the National Military Family Association's recommendations for the future health care plan in NMFA Testifies on Health Care Plan Recommendations

Lastly, it's all about the food. I've included a recipe for Pistachio Fluff, also known as Watergate Salad. This salad is the perfect accompaniment to spring. It works as a side dish, dessert or snack. Also, a big congratulations to Penny O. for winning the Delicious Mornings cookbook. Do yourself a favor and make the Red Velvet Pancakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

Until next month, 
Kamlyn

A house is made of walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams ~ William Arthur Ward