We've all got one. The story of that PCS move that was a nightmare from beginning to end.

Ours came last December. After what felt like a tussle every step of the way, from clearing housing to checking in and out of hotels, we decided to fly from Hawaii to the mainland, on Christmas Day. Sure, the airline was right - the plane, the airport - both were empty. Each of our five children had an entire row of seats on the jet to themselves to spread out across.

But an empty airport means security is all about you. That means security opens every one of your carry on bags. That means the cat gets out of her cage and runs to hide under the x-ray machine. Which means your children will run in circles, giggling and screaming with delight as they try to catch their beloved pet, only making her hunch deeper into the darkness under the machine.

Which means the head of security, does not much like you. 

And when we reached Atlanta, on Dec. 26, the entire nation had mobilized to resume their normal, non-Christmastime lives. With five kids, one dog, one cat, 26 suitcases and 12 carry-on bags, including one that was leaving a trail of pretzels and fruit snacks as we walked, we began the slow journey to change planes.

It took us almost the full two hours to cross the airport: I'm hungry. I have to go to the bathroom. The dog has to go to the bathroom. There is no bathroom for the dog. Now I have to go to the bathroom. Can I let the cat out? Don't let the cat out. You already let the cat out. Security!

Our plush, sweet, spacious ride across the Pacific led us to a mini-jet with three seats across and nowhere near enough space for all those carry-on bags. Our 90-pound golden retriever was kicked under a seat in front of us. The cat was in an overhead compartment, I think. It was 8 a.m. here, 3 a.m. where we came from in the Pacific. The kids were overtired, over-hungry and at least two decided they had to pee as soon as we sat down.

As the younger three began to scream and cry, and nearby passengers shot me looks of disdain, a stewardess marched toward me down the aisle. I mentally prepared myself for the, "please get the hell off our aircraft speech" and quickly tried to calculate how many hours it would take us to drive from Atlanta to our hometown.

She leaned in, I winced. And she whispered, "vodka or rum?"

"Umm, what?"

"You look like you could use a drink. What can I get you?"

I stammered something, I'm not even sure what. She was away and back within minutes with an alcohol-laden drink so strong I couldn't even finish it by the time we landed. She handed it to me with a smile and whispered, "Merry Christmas."

Best. Stewardess. Ever.

Our kids eventually cried themselves to sleep and I had 40 minutes of peace and vodka before we touched down in North Carolina. Smooth sailing. We had survived the PCS from hell.

Everyone woke up in a better mood. We gathered our bags, pried the dog out from under the seat and headed up the ramp, into the concourse. We were home and done with our journey.

And the dog could hold it no longer.

He squatted and took the longest pee I have ever seen. Right next to the line of people waiting to board our now empty aircraft.

And I swear when he was finished, he looked at me, and smiled.

Happy travels, where ever your orders may lead you this PCS season.

Is anyone else just a little tired of the quizzes?

You know, the Facebook quizzes that can tell you what Disney princess you are, what type of dog you would be and what theme song you should blast as you roll down the street? Apparently selecting a color, type of vacation and your favorite hip hop artist will reveal your innermost identity.

They were funny, at first. They trickled in and for the first week I enjoyed musing over what science fiction world I should really live in and what Disney prince was really my perfect love match. Ha ha, very cute. A nice diversion from work.

But seriously, they are out of control.

This week's releases: How Texas Are You? How Bro Are You, Bro? and What College Major Should You Be?

We are scraping the bottom of the barrel, folks.

And the scarier part is that the quizzes that appear to have some merit, such as determining what college major you should be, may in fact influence those of us who are not able to resist the mindless advice.

Walk away from the quiz.

It cannot tell you what you should study or what career you should have. I took it today and purposely picked every poor answer possible. Drugs? Yes! Study? No. Interested in work? Nada. Up early? Never. Work ethic? Got none. Love books? Only to color on.

And according to the quiz, those answers labeled me as a future computer scientist.

Ummmmm.

Again, walk away from the quiz. The answer you are looking for is a lot easier than even taking a quiz.

Do what you love. Do what interests you. Pick a career that you are interested in learning more about, not just because a random internet quiz matched you to it.

When I took the quiz again with honest answers, it placed me squarely in engineering. Sure, I like science but I hate math. I despise math. I don't have the patience for the level of mathematics that the most basic engineering degree would require.

Strike two for the computer quiz.

Still don't know what to major in? First step, don't sweat it.

One of the most important experiences that comes with attending college is to spread your wings and learn, and explore. It is ok to enroll and take classes and have no idea where your path will lead.  

Take the journey. You will find your way. The choices you make will be much more fulfilling than any that a computer program could spew back at you. I promise.

Ten lucky Salute to Spouses readers have the opportunity to get a free, one-year membership to www.momcorps.com

This award-winning, career development firm gives its members access to expert career advice, industry pros and the most up to the minute information on what is trending in the business world. And now, it can all be yours.

Salute To Spouses and Mom Corps, announced a new partnership last month in honor of Military Spouse Day. Mom Corps shares our commitment to support military spouses as they grow their career and educational goals.

Mom Corps was created and is led by an Army spouse who experienced the challenges of re-entering the workforce after each PCS. Now, her program gathers experts, advice and resources into one online community where women can find help in meeting their career goals.

When you join the site you will have access to career experts who deliver training in the areas of job search, workplace flexibility and business ownership. Members can also use the Mom Corps community to network with other professionals.

In honor of all the hard work spouses do all year long, Mom Corps is giving away 10, free, one-year memberships to fans of Salute to Spouses. This is a $99.99 value!  Deadline to apply is July 10. Apply today!

To apply, visit http://www.momcorps.com/blog/blog/2014/05/08/salute-to-spouses-partners-with-mom-corps-to-support-military-spouses

Are you in the middle of a PCS?

Are you stressed? Tired? Screaming at your spouse, your kids and anyone who asks if you're done yet?

Stop. Walk away. Take a mini-vacation if you can.

You heard me. Walk. A. Way.

When we PCS'd to Hawaii four years ago I was seven months pregnant, our three kids were driving us crazy as we tried to clean and prep our house for a renter as well as ship our household goods across the Pacific and wrap up our lives here. I was the local day camp director, we both were volunteers at another camp and barely a box had been packed. It was chaos.

So, I booked a four day trip to the beach.

My husband was beyond mad.

We have stuff to do. There are things in the house that need repaired. We have to finish packing. He fired off a very long list of excuses to prove to me that leaving the vicinity was a very bad idea.

Too bad. It was paid for.

So we left.

Best. Decision. Ever.

We escaped to the North Carolina Outer Banks. Not just the coast, but the outer islands to which we had to have a ferry carry us, our gear and our vehicle. There was no concierge, no hotel pool, no restaurants or phone service. Just us, a teeny, tiny cabin placed squarely on the beach, at the edge of the nation's east coast. There was hardly a soul there.

It was heaven.

We couldn't control what was happening back at our regular lives if we wanted to. No internet, no phone. We were stuck playing on a completely empty, beautiful beach.

We came back to a mess. But suddenly, it was ok. The stress was gone. We were recharged and ready to tackle it. The next two weeks of work were less difficult and less taxing.

Leaving for several days may not be possible. But get out as much as you can. Sit at the local coffee shop and have a coffee or an ice cream. Take your kids to the park. Walk away from the boxes and cleaning.

You will feel better.

There's a lot being said, written, assumed and even shouted since Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was freed after serving as the longest-held American military prisoner since Vietnam.

He's a traitor. He's a hero. He walked away. He was scared. He wanted to join the enemy.

The American public is picking sides and shouting across dividing lines before officials can even figure out what actually happened.

Perhaps the most heartwrenching of reactions after Bergdahl's release was that of the family members of the six men who died while searching for him.

One mother asked a reporter, "Was his life worth my son's?"

That kills me inside. I would be beyond angry too. And I am angry that one person's selfish, bad decision could have possibly lead to the deaths of six others.

But my only comment as this story unfolds is this: they didn't die in vain.

I don't know what happened over there. We may never know the full truth.

What I know for certain is what those six men did after he disappeared is what sets them apart from the average American citizen. It is what sets them apart from every military on the planet.

They refused to leave a man behind, regardless of the fact that he may very well have turned against them.

It would have been very, very easy for them to dismiss Bergdahl, assume he got what he deserved and left. I would venture to guess that the majority of Americans probably would have done just that.

But the men in his unit had a obligation and a code to uphold - to leave no one behind. No questions asked. And they did just that.

They spent months searching for him, even though they knew it was his own fault that he was gone. They risked their lives, they gave their lives so that he might return home again.

These men are what makes America great. This is why they are heroes. When faced with the decision to uphold the vow they took, and bring every American home regardless of the circumstances, or save their own life, they choose to fulfill their promise and search for Bergdahl.

No, they did not die in vain. Their lives are not worth less than his.

Their actions are, in fact, what makes them better than Bergdahl, better than most Americans. This is what makes them heroes. They saved everyone, quite possibly, even the bad guy.

Ten lucky Salute to Spouses readers have the opportunity to get a free, one-year membership to www.momcorps.com

This award-winning, career development firm gives its members access to expert career advice, industry pros and the most up to the minute information on what is trending in the business world. And now, it can all be yours.

Salute To Spouses and Mom Corps, announced a new partnership last month in honor of Military Spouse Day. Mom Corps shares our commitment to support military spouses as they grow their career and educational goals.

Mom Corps was created and is led by an Army spouse who experienced the challenges of re-entering the workforce after each PCS. Now, her program gathers experts, advice and resources into one online community where women can find help in meeting their career goals.

When you join the site you will have access to career experts who deliver training in the areas of job search, workplace flexibility and business ownership. Members can also use the Mom Corps community to network with other professionals.

In honor of all the hard work spouses do all year long, Mom Corps is giving away 10, free, one-year memberships to fans of Salute to Spouses. This is a $99.99 value!

To apply, visit http://www.momcorps.com/blog/blog/2014/05/08/salute-to-spouses-partners-with-mom-corps-to-support-military-spouses

Prepare to become angry.

The military has shutdown a military spouse entrepreneur, put her employees out of work and ended an accessible, affordable fitness class being held on a Hawaii base to make room for an outside vendor - who charges more and offers less.

DumBell Fitness has been a staple of the daily workout routine for spouses on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for five years. Even if you didn't participate, you knew of DumBell. We lived there, I didn't attend (probably should have) but my friends did. I knew of the company's outstanding work ethic and the amazing program they offered.

In the last two years alone the program has grown to serve more than 250 spouses and nearby civilians. They offer classes in seven locations in housing units across the base. Classes cost about $9 each. On-site babysitting is included at no extra cost. All the instructors are either military spouses or veterans.

In several media interviews over the past week, DumBell Fitness founder and owner, Christina Landry, a Navy veteran, explained that she had obtained all the proper permits from housing, from JAG and from the Navy to operate.

But eyebrows were raised at MWR when that organization saw the high rate of participation.

Landry was doing it right. She had hundreds of spouses who not just signed up, but who were passionate about participating. DumBell fitness was more than an exercise class, it was a sisterhood of women who were gathering to support each other to reach their fitness goals, care for their families and make the most of their experience as military spouses.

But it appears that MWR missed the point of DumBell's camaraderie and its support of military families' morale, welfare and recreation. All this office seems to have noticed was dollar signs.

MWR suddenly demanded that Landry bid on the contract for a bootcamp style camp. So she did. And she offered to pay MWR 5 percent of her monthly gross.

Not enough. MWR demanded a minimum a minimum of 15 percent. So, they awarded the contract to an outside company and booted Landry and her hundreds of clients and dozens of employees off the base.

MWR is missing the point. Landry, as she explained in multiple media interviews, makes less profits because they keep costs low and pay their trainers well. Landry told a local Hawaii news station that if she were required to pay MWR 15 percent, after expenses, the company would owe more than it makes. 

She appealed the decision. She lost.

Are you horrified yet? You should be.

An on-base organization whose entire goal is to promote the wellness and morale of military families has just done the opposite. They have taken a thriving activity run by spouses for spouses and tried to destroy it simply because MWR was making no money from it.

MWR has done the opposite of what First Lady Michelle Obama has pushed for in her Joining Forces campaign. There, the first lady has strived to bring attention to the needs and strength of military families and showcase the skills, experience and dedication of veterans and military spouses to strengthen communities .

MWR had a gem. They had a growing, popular, thriving, military-family owned business. There could have been partnerships. There could have been a chance for MWR to jump on DumBell's wagon and ride to the stars. Instead, leaders here decided to play the bully and toss Landry and her organization away.

I know DumBell fitness will bloom and grow elsewhere. I know MWR threw away an enormous chance to support and be associated with a reputable, well-run, popular business that is doing good for military families.

And I know this is our chance as military spouses to let our leaders know just how angry we are. Write letters to leaders on base and the congressmen in Hawaii. Let them know that we expect our military communities to be built by leaders who do what is right for our neighborhoods, not what makes them the most profit.  

Send letters to:

jeffrey.w.james@navy.mil - Commander of JBPHH, Captain James,  

thomas.a.jones@navy.mil - JBPHH MWR Director, Thomas Jones

Hawaii Congress Woman, Tulsi Gabbard (link)

Corresponding with the White House (link)

You can also sign the petition at change.org by following this link.

It took less than 30 days for daily updates from the war in Iraq to fall off the front page of our city’s daily newspaper when the battles began there in March, 2003.

We lived nowhere near a military base. Deployments, IEDs, death was not in our regular lexicon. The beat of daily life continued unhindered for most people in the area. But for military families around nation, the next decade would alter their lives forever.

 Nowhere is that more evident than in the towns that border military bases.

At Fort Bragg, handicapped spots at stores are filled by vehicles marked with disabled veteran license plates. The men and women sliding from these vehicles are in their 20s and 30s. They are missing limbs. They are moving with the aid of canes and wheelchairs.

Many businesses, on and off base, have parking spots designated for gold star families – those who have lost a soldier in battle. These spots are usually full.

In the pickup line at our local elementary school it is easy to spot the three, yes three at one small school, cars decorated with the scars of battle and a daddies lost to war. These cars bare gold star stickers and a photo of each man, smiling in uniform with the dates of their births and deaths etched in the vehicles’ back glass.

War is not what is used to be. When America’s warriors are away and struggling to survive, the rest of America meanwhile continues to live unhindered, unworried. They know the details of the upcoming Kardashian wedding but have no idea about the struggles and hardships that the warriors face who keep them safe every night.

There are no victory gardens. Nightly news updates are snippets of information that most people skip. The idea that we are all working together against a common enemy does not exist. Our warriors are taking care of that, the rest of America is on vacation.

For at least one day, please, stop and consider the enormous sacrifices of our military families.

Today is not about barbecues or heading out on vacation or breathing a sigh of relief because you can finally, stylishly wear white.

Today is about pausing to remember and thank the men and women who have died so that you may live.

It is hard in a nation where often there seems to be plentiful food, water and freedom to imagine that life could be any other way. It is hard to imagine that the wars, kidnapping and daily attacks that happen in other countries could be a reality here.

But our military, for hundreds of years, has kept that nightmare away. And they have paid for us to have that security, with their lives.

Today, consider the air you breath, the giant smorgasbord of food, family and fun that is laid out before you to celebrate this national holiday, consider the very land you stand upon and realize none of it would be possible if not for the men and women lying still under it.

Pause and thank them.

Ugggh, PCS. So much to do.

Did you ever wish you had a secretary to make some of those phone calls on your seemingly endless list? The elementary school, MWR, license bureau, rental agency, electric company, cable company - does it ever end!

Poof! Your wish has been granted

USAA members, and let's face it, most families that include a uniformed member are members, have access to a nifty tool on the USAA website that has already price-checked the utilities in every major location across the U.S.

Log in to the USAA website, click on "Our Products" tab, then click on "Shopping & Discounts" and finally, click on "Home & Security." Here you will find a box marked, "Utility Market Place."

Enter your zip code, select the service you are looking for (phone, cable, internet, etc.) the speed of internet, number of channels and other details you desire and it will list all the competitors in the marketplace and their rates.

Boom. Done.

It seriously couldn't be easier. No arguing with customer representatives or calling three companies, taking notes and then guessing which is best. This website lays everything out where you can see it, compare it and choose. You can even sign up for the service at this site.

It's good to note that there are several other very handy tools on this page, to include listings for local vendors such as plumbers and lawn care as well as discounts for ADT security services. We recently used our USAA membership to install a large ADT security system in our home. The installment without the USAA discount was over $1,000, but as USAA members, our cost was just over $400.

Seriously, if you have not checked out this page, do it now. It will save you time and money.

Your service member may be eligible for a $1,000 check from Sallie Mae after the lending giant made a deal with the U.S. Justice and Education departments this week.

The government claims Sallie Mae, and its former loan servicing unit, now known as Navient DE Corp., of denying service members protection under the Service members' Civil Relief Act. The law requires that eligible military members receive an interest rate cap on certain consumer loans, including education loans.

The government claims that Sallie Mae knowingly ignored thousands of requests from military members to lower their interest rates. While the company has not admitted to any wrongdoing, it has agreed to a $60 million payout to troops and has agreed to work with individuals to remove overdue loan payments from their credit history.

The payments are estimated to average about $1,000 per person and are due to about 60,000 individuals.

An independent organization will work to locate troops who are due the payment and send them their money. If you think you are due money from the settlement, visit www.justice.gov to find additional information, however Justice Department officials have said individuals do not have to contact the department to receive the refunds. If you are due a refund, officials said, they will find you.