Today is a good day. Why? Well, I'm alive and can't complain too much.
I got good news today in regard to my Stop Loss Payment application. It has been approved. After multiple tries today and yesterday, I finally got through to a real live person. I was told it was sent to DFAS (Defense Finance). The bad news: the DFAS office that processes the claims is under-manned (I was told there are only five people working in a fourteen man office). So, I should get the money in time to go Christmas shopping.
In different news, Michelle and I have started the Body-For-Life challenge. CLICK HERE We started last Monday, and have already started to see some results. We get up at 5am and go to the gym. It is also nice to workout together.
Well, take care all
-Phil
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Been a long time
Sorry it has been so long. We were gone the last part of December for the Christmas holiday.
As you may remember, I applied for my Retroactive Stop Loss Payment from the Army back in October. Well, I'm still waiting, as are my Army buddies. No Surprise to most of us. I have been checking my claim's status online from time to time. Apparently, my case has to be audited, and I have requested information on where my case is in the audit. Guess what? Still no response. So today, I tried calling at about 1:50 pm MST. I was forwarded to a full voice mail box. It seems like there are a lot of us Vets asking about our money.
I know the Army can be slow when they have to pay out money, but this is getting RIDICULOUS!!!
As you may remember, I applied for my Retroactive Stop Loss Payment from the Army back in October. Well, I'm still waiting, as are my Army buddies. No Surprise to most of us. I have been checking my claim's status online from time to time. Apparently, my case has to be audited, and I have requested information on where my case is in the audit. Guess what? Still no response. So today, I tried calling at about 1:50 pm MST. I was forwarded to a full voice mail box. It seems like there are a lot of us Vets asking about our money.
I know the Army can be slow when they have to pay out money, but this is getting RIDICULOUS!!!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Apple Juice Teriyaki Chicken
It's been a while since I have written a post, and I figured food is always get back in to the groove. This is a recipe that I started working on while I was in Texas get off active duty. I wanted teriyaki chicken, but did not have any sugar or some other thing need to make it. With work, I have come up with a pretty tasty marinade with no added sugar. It would be good for people trying to cut down on their sugar intake.
Pictured is a thigh marinaded in the sauce, wrapped around asparagus, and grilled. It is served with jasmine rice and pineapple, and garnished with toasted sesame seeds.
The recipe is as follows:
The recipe is as follows:
Ingredients
1/4 cup Apple Juice or Cider (Unsweetened)
2 Table Spoons Rice Wine Vinegar *
2 Table Spoons Soy Sauce
1/4 teaspoon Fresh Minced Garlic
1/4 teaspoon Fresh Minced or Grated Ginger
Mix all ingredients it a one gallon ziplock freezer bag. Marinade chicken in the sauce for 4-24 hours in the fridge. Makes enough sauce to marinade 4-6 chicken breasts or thighs.
* Do not use white wine or distilled vinegars. Rice wine vinegar is slightly sweet and adds to the flavor.
I hope you enjoy the recipe. It is delicious and nutritious.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Literary Friends
Other than my usual pilgrimage to the gym, I have spent most of the day reading. If you knew me when I was younger, you would be rather surprised that I read novels (even more so to find out I do it for fun). I never really read much as a kid, with the exception of non-fiction books with pictures and diagrams. Honestly, I read so slow that I couldn't find any enjoyment in reading novels.
Over the years, things have changed. I still read slowly, but I can read much faster than I used to. (I guess practice really does help). I have also come to love certain books and series. Most notably, I love C.S. Lewis' Chonicles or Narnia. The allegorical nature of the books is a nice intellectual treat, and the action, adventure, and intrigue can make for a lively read. However, these are not the major reasons I love the books. It is because of the characters.
I read the entire series while I was in Iraq. (I know, 15 months, but it wasn't the only thing I read over there). I almost felt as if the characters were my friends. The books gave me a place were I could go and not worry about the world around me. In truth, I was rather sad upon finishing the last book, not so much because of the way it ended, but rather that I would no longer be able to go on new adventure with my friends.
As a youth, I wondered why one would read a book when there was the movie. But, books and movies are totally different forms of media. movies are able to go at a fast pace and they usually is little to no need to read or think. However, the viewer is unable to connect to the characters as deeply as the reader can. It takes little or no effort to watch a movie or a TV show (unless you find it boring or slow, or just plain bad. I think most of us have seen that one show that we wished we could get our time back). Reading takes effort. Reading requires us to create the scenes and characters in our minds. Many times we almost find ourselves in the situation with the characters. We relate empathize with the characters, and some times it seems that they become our friends.
Over the years, things have changed. I still read slowly, but I can read much faster than I used to. (I guess practice really does help). I have also come to love certain books and series. Most notably, I love C.S. Lewis' Chonicles or Narnia. The allegorical nature of the books is a nice intellectual treat, and the action, adventure, and intrigue can make for a lively read. However, these are not the major reasons I love the books. It is because of the characters.
I read the entire series while I was in Iraq. (I know, 15 months, but it wasn't the only thing I read over there). I almost felt as if the characters were my friends. The books gave me a place were I could go and not worry about the world around me. In truth, I was rather sad upon finishing the last book, not so much because of the way it ended, but rather that I would no longer be able to go on new adventure with my friends.
As a youth, I wondered why one would read a book when there was the movie. But, books and movies are totally different forms of media. movies are able to go at a fast pace and they usually is little to no need to read or think. However, the viewer is unable to connect to the characters as deeply as the reader can. It takes little or no effort to watch a movie or a TV show (unless you find it boring or slow, or just plain bad. I think most of us have seen that one show that we wished we could get our time back). Reading takes effort. Reading requires us to create the scenes and characters in our minds. Many times we almost find ourselves in the situation with the characters. We relate empathize with the characters, and some times it seems that they become our friends.
Monday, November 2, 2009
More on Stop-loss Payments
For starters, no, I have not yet gotten the payment. Sorry if I got anyone overly excited.
As of October 30, 2009, 4200 Army Vets had applied for their retro-active stop-loss payments. (CLICK HERE to see the Stripes Central article). At first glance that seems pretty good for nine days (the application process was opened on October 20th), but it is a drop in the bucket when considering the estimated 136,000 Soldiers and their families that are eligible. That number is only for the Army. There are approximately 185,000 Veterans that may be eligible. For stop-loss payment links, CLICK HERE
We need to get the word to all OEF/OIF Veterans. If they they were not stop-lossed, they surely know someone who was. They only have until October 21, 2010 to apply for their compensation. Please use your e-mail, social networking sites, blogs, word-of-mouth, and whatever other means you can think of to let people know about this program. Thank you.
As of October 30, 2009, 4200 Army Vets had applied for their retro-active stop-loss payments. (CLICK HERE to see the Stripes Central article). At first glance that seems pretty good for nine days (the application process was opened on October 20th), but it is a drop in the bucket when considering the estimated 136,000 Soldiers and their families that are eligible. That number is only for the Army. There are approximately 185,000 Veterans that may be eligible. For stop-loss payment links, CLICK HERE
We need to get the word to all OEF/OIF Veterans. If they they were not stop-lossed, they surely know someone who was. They only have until October 21, 2010 to apply for their compensation. Please use your e-mail, social networking sites, blogs, word-of-mouth, and whatever other means you can think of to let people know about this program. Thank you.
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