Tie-Together Baby Blanket Construction Take 3, September 21, 2010

After our summer break, the AFWA Spouses are back in business again! Actually, we'd been back in business since August! If you're an AFWA member or AFWA Spouse interested in learning more about what we do, feel free to contact us by commenting on this blog, or you may join the "2nd Weather Squadron Airmen & Spouses' Group" on Facebook to keep in touch.

Last Tuesday night, we got together to work on more baby blankets, given as gifts to new AFWA family members. We got 5 of them done, and still have materials for 5 more.

Cindy Russell brought information about Mrs. Holly Petreaus's recent visit to Offutt, to discuss how the Better Business Bureau's military line, and a local version recently put in place, can help young servicemembers avoid predatory lending practices and potential identity theft.

We also discussed the great AFWA Holiday Party being planned for December 17th, the Childrens' Halloween Party scheduled for October 30th, and other upcoming events.

With our coffee and homemade desserts at the ready, we tackled the blanket construction!

From 2010 09 21 Baby Blanket Construction III

With 6 of us on hand, we were able to work on 3 blankets at once!

From 2010 09 21 Baby Blanket Construction III

My personal favorite, the girly camouflage!

From 2010 09 21 Baby Blanket Construction III

My youngest son came in with Dad (who got called back to the office) and he hung out with us ladies, providing free stand-up comedy entertainment in the form of knock-knock jokes.

From 2010 09 21 Baby Blanket Construction III

From 2010 09 21 Baby Blanket Construction III

Susan Murphy's Farewell Party, April 5, 2010

Enjoy pictures from Monday night's farewell event honoring the outgoing AFWA First Lady, Susan Murphy. We were so happy to hear that her husband would be transferring right across the base to US STRATCOM! I'm sure Susan won't mind not having to pack up after having just moved into their house last fall!

Thanks to Lisa Zuccarello for hosting!

Cindy Russell and Lisa Zuccarello did a wonderful job preparing food for everyone!

Susan's farewell gift from the group: a Peggy Karr glass platter. Susan has admired Peggy Karr's art and was so excited to receive this!

Susan was also honored with a number of individual gifts and a poetry reading of "What is a Military Wife" by fellow Air Force Wife Jane Hubbard Hyde.

Tie-Together Baby Blanket Construction Take 2, February 2, 2010

We had materials to make 7 blankets for new AFWA babies last month, but only had made 3 in January, so this month we finished up the job. It was wonderful to see such a great turnout last night, with 11 ladies in attendance! It was no problem to spread out 3 of the blankets onto the conference table and there was enough for everyone to take part at once!

So last night we completed 4 of the blankets and are now caught up for the time being!

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 2. Location TBD. Cindy Russell is working on bringing a dietitian in to discuss healthy eating habits.

Enjoy pictures from our evening:

From 2010 02 02 AFWA Spouses Baby Blankets 2

From 2010 02 02 AFWA Spouses Baby Blankets 2

Tie-Together Baby Blanket Construction for our Newest AFWA Family Members, January 5, 2010

On Tuesday, 5 January, the ladies got together for the monthly social and began work on the next batch of tie-together baby blankets.

We brought materials for 7 blankets, but assembled only 3 of them. This is such a fun activity, we will continue this for the February meeting...scheduled for Tuesday, 2 February.

Enjoy some pictures from our event:

From 2010 01 05 AFWA Spouses Baby Blanket Construction II

From 2010 01 05 AFWA Spouses Baby Blanket Construction II

Connie and Susan using rotary cutters to quickly cut strips for us to tie.

From 2010 01 05 AFWA Spouses Baby Blanket Construction II

From 2010 01 05 AFWA Spouses Baby Blanket Construction II

Dawna, Connie, Lisa and Susan are tying their strips together -- what's cool about this activity is that it's so easy, we can catch up with each others' lives and AFWA Spouses' news while we tie.

Our completed blankets from the January social:

From 2010 01 05 AFWA Spouses Baby Blanket Construction II

Holiday Music Series at the Durham Museum

Upcoming Events Summary

Hi friends,

I'm having some difficulty with the new calendar application I used to use when it was called "2nd WS Spouses"...all I thought I needed to do was move the calendar events to the new one but now there are all sorts of problems. For this I apologize.

So here is a summary of upcoming events, and I plan to have this back into our calendar in about 48 hours. Since several of these events are happening this week, I figured I'd better get everything summarized for us, hopefully "something" is better than "nothing":

Monday 23 November @ 2:30pm: Decorate the AFWA Atrium for the Holidays. Join AFWA members in this holiday tradition.
Wednesday 25 November @ 6:00pm: Preparations for Thanksgiving Meal for AFWA Shift Workers (led by 2WS and 2WS Spouses). If you have signed up to bring desserts or beverages, you may drop them off at this time at the AFWA Atrium, or stick around and help with decorations. POC = Dawna Jones.
Thursday 26 November @ 3:00pm: Thanksgiving Meal for AFWA Shift Workers in AFWA Atrium/Lobby area. POC = Dawna Jones
HAPPY THANKSGIVING & BLACK FRIDAY
Tuesday 1 December @ 6:30pm: Monthly AFWA Spouses Social, AFWA Atrium. Knitting/crocheting lessons will be offered, if you're working on your own projects, bring them and join us in just having a fun social time. Bring a recipe-worth of cookies to share with the group with recipes, we'll trade recipes and prepare goodies for the Airmen in the dorms. We'll also have signup sheets for making MORE cookies for the 4 December AFWA Tree Lighting Reception, plus cookies or cupcakes for the Children's Party.
Friday 4 December @ 3:00pm: AFWA Tree Lighting Ceremony, AFWA Atrium. If you signed up to bring cookies, bring them to the event or else send them in with your AFWA member the day of the event. The spouses are providing cookies and punch.
Thursday 10 December @ 6:30pm: Cookie and Ornament Exchange/Holiday Social at Susan Murphy's house. Bring 10 (yes, TEN) dozen cookies, half will go towards the children's party, if you've signed up for cupcakes instead, feel free to bring just 5 dozen to exchange with the ladies. Bring an ornament for a "White Elephant" gift exchange.
Friday 11 December @ 6:00pm: AFWA Childrens' Holiday Party, AFWA Atrium. Details can be found here: http://2ndwsspouse.blogspot.com/2009/11/blog-post.html. The Spouses' Group will provide Cookie exchange cookies, plus cupcakes for a cakewalk. If you can't make either the 10 or 11 December events, feel free to send in cookies/cupcakes with your AFWA Member on the 11th.
Friday 18 December @ 6:00pm: AFWA "Adult" Holiday Party, Bellevue Knights of Columbus Hall. Details are coming (I'm waiting for my husband to send me the announcement off Sharepoint to share with you).
MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANAUKKAH, HAPPY KWAANZA!
Tuesday 5 January @ 6:30pm: Monthly AFWA Spouses Social, AFWA Atrium. Time for our semi-annual new baby blanket construction! This is a fun project and is easy to sit and catch up with each other while keeping our hands busy making "Taggie"-style fleece baby blankets, perfect for Nebraska! Last August about 8 of us turned out 6 beautiful blankets in 2 hours!

So...if your head is swimming with all of our upcoming events, you aren't alone. Mine is too! Feel free to add these events to your calendar, and hopefully this week I'll be able to return to the RSVP-able messages. This helps us manage who will/won't make it to events.

Thank you,
Patricia Vollmer

AFWA Childrens' Holiday Party!

Operation REMOTE CHRISTMAS Packing Event, November 3, 2009

For the AFWA Spouses' November Social, the ladies brought donations for care packages AFWA was preparing for each and every AFWA member who will be deployed over the holidays. We had 14 people donate items, and we prepared a whopping 16 boxes!

We had a great time continuing to get to know each other, while sending our thanks to members of the AFWA family sacrificing time with their own families this holiday season.

First, we had to get things organized. We used the tables in the AFWA Atrium to loosely organize items. Here's Susan, Dawna and Lily working with the baked goods and nuts:

From 2009 11 03 AFWA_Spouses_CarePackages

From 2009 11 03 AFWA_Spouses_CarePackages

From 2009 11 03 AFWA_Spouses_CarePackages

From 2009 11 03 AFWA_Spouses_CarePackages

From 2009 11 03 AFWA_Spouses_CarePackages

Here's Susan and Miram getting the beverage powders set up:

From 2009 11 03 AFWA_Spouses_CarePackages

After the items were organized, we got to work assembling boxes that we could walk around the tables, putting in a variety of items. Here are Cindy and Connie assembling a box, and Nicole choosing items to include:

From 2009 11 03 AFWA_Spouses_CarePackages

From 2009 11 03 AFWA_Spouses_CarePackages

From 2009 11 03 AFWA_Spouses_CarePackages

After the boxes were filled, we signed Holiday Greeting notes to enclose in each one.

From 2009 11 03 AFWA_Spouses_CarePackages

Lisa, Susan, Karyn and Miriam set up an assembly line:

From 2009 11 03 AFWA_Spouses_CarePackages

Offutt Job Fair, 5 November, 1030-1400, Lied Activity Center, Bellevue

Offutt AFB Dependent Flu Shot Information -- Pass it On!

Due to a supply shortfall at the base clinic, Offutt AFB Immunuzations has authorized the Midwest Minor Medical clinics in the area to give out the flu shot for Tricare-enrolled dependents ages 4 and up. Make sure to call for availability. They do not have FluMist, only the shot-administered vaccines. For more information about being able to get flu shots off base, contact the 55 MDG Immunizations Clinic at (402) 232-2273.

Midwest Minor Medical
5310 S. 84th St. (near Q St.)
Omaha, NE
(402) 827-6510

Midwest Minor Medical
8610 West Dodge Road
Omaha, NE
(402) 827-6511

Midwest Minor Medical
13518 W. Center Rd. (near 132nd)
Omaha, NE
(402) 827-6502

Bellevue Urgent Care will provide flu shots to Tricare-enrolled adult dependents only. Not sure the specific age, though. This week the clinic was out of vaccines.

Bellevue Urgent Care
1307 Harlan Drive
Bellevue, NE
(402) 291-8701

These facilities are open 7-days per week, the hours are pretty liberal, but call for the specific hours, each facility is different. Simply show your dependent ID card.

Stampin' Up, October 6, 2009

On October 6th, the 2WS SAG monthly social featured Lisa Zuccarello's Stampin' Up demonstration. She brought a selection of her stamps, card stock, and her new Sizzix "Big Shot" machine, which cuts papers into assorted shapes. We each made a gift bag of our own, as well as a birthday card.

From 2009 10 06 2WS SAG OctoberSocialStampinUp

Lisa passed around nearly 100 sample stamped cards to give us ideas about how we can make our own unique greeting cards.

Here is how the "Big Shot" machine cuts the paper for us. You place the foam-embedded die alongside the paper, then seal it with a plexiglass-type piece. Then you crank it through the machine, which reminded me of a pasta machine :-). It not only cuts the paper itself, but it also presses in scoring lines so we know where to fold. Pretty cool!

So we started with this:

From 2009 10 06 2WS SAG OctoberSocialStampinUp

And ended with this (with the help of some Glue Dots):

From 2009 10 06 2WS SAG OctoberSocialStampinUp

We also made a greeting card to take home -- in fact, mine just went in the mail today for my Mom's birthday! Lisa had an assortment of greetings we could use, so instead of where mine said "Happy Birthday", you could have also said "Thanks", or "Congratulations":

From 2009 10 06 2WS SAG OctoberSocialStampinUp

This certainly got me in the mood to start designing my Christmas cards for this year!

Important Offutt Community H1N1 Virus Information

The AFWA Commander sent Offutt community-relevant information about the H1N1 Virus to all members today. I've taken the liberty of including that attachment below.

I've included the contents of the attachment (from the 55 MDG Public Health Office) below:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2009 H1N1 Flu and You

As your Public Health Office we would like to answer some questions regarding the H1N1 strain of Influenza. With some basic knowledge and understanding, you can keep increase your chances of staying healthy during the upcoming months.

What is 2009 H1N1 (swine flu)?
2009 H1N1 (referred to early on as “swine flu”) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This contagious virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

How does 2009 H1N1 virus spread?
Like the seasonal flu, H1N1 is spread from infected persons through air droplets often produced by coughing or sneezing. In addition, people may become infected by touching something contaminated (such as a surface or object) and then touching their mouth or nose.

What are the signs and symptoms of this virus?
The symptoms of the 2009 H1N1 flu virus include fever and either cough or sore throat. Some patients have also complained of runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Most people who have become ill with this new virus have recovered without requiring medical treatment.

How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?
People may be able to infect others from 24 hours before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after symptoms are gone. Some research may stretch this out to 12 days, especially in those who are immunosuppressed.

What can I do to prevent the spread of the virus?
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often for 15-20 seconds with soap and warm water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Some alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close and prolonged contact with sick people. Close contact is defined as less than 6 feet.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible while sick.

What should I do if I get sick?
• CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
• Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick. This means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.

How long can influenza virus remain viable on objects (such as books and doorknobs)?
Studies have shown that influenza virus can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on the surface.

What household cleaning should be done to prevent the spread of influenza virus?
To prevent the spread of influenza virus it is important to keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters, and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant. Make sure to follow the directions on the product label.

When can I receive the H1N1 vaccine?
This year’s seasonal influenza vaccine is already available for most dependent populations. The H1N1 vaccine is a different vaccine and will be available for high-risk dependents through supplies distributed by the State of Nebraska. Initially, it will only be made available to designated individuals. (See attached information box.) Since active duty members will receive H1N1 vaccine through Department of Defense sources, they may receive it several weeks before their family members.

Eligible dependents for initial H1N1 vaccination (when available)
Pregnant women
People who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age
Health care personnel with direct patient contact.
Children 6 months through 4 years of age
Children 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions

All this information and more is available at:
• http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
• http://www.flu.gov/

For other questions regarding H1N1 influenza or the seasonal influenza vaccine, contact your local primary care physician or the Public Health office at 294-9361.

Offutt Oktoberfest THIS WEEKEND

55 WG ORI: What is it? How to be Prepared!

Note: I am not involved in the ORI, my information is based on prior experience and discussions with members of the 55th Wing.

From about September 10th-16th, Offutt AFB's host unit, the 55th Wing, will be in the midst of their ORI.

"What is an ORI?"

An ORI is an Operational Readiness Inspection. Many of you might have been involved in them yourselves, or your spouses might have been involved at other assignments, typically with flying or other more actively combat-ready units.

A team comes in from a separate base and evaluates how combat-ready the wing is. They'll assess a variety of things, from medical readiness, to disaster preparedness, to how quickly the wing can mobilize for a terrorist event.

"How does it impact me? Will my spouse be involved?"

Chances are, if you or your spouse works for AFWA, he/she will NOT be involved. AFWA is a tenant unit, meaning their responsibilities aren't directly associated with the flying mission at Offutt.

However, please keep your eyes/ears open for announcements regarding changes in traffic patterns and base services' closures during the ORI dates. ORIs typically will have events running 24-hours-per-day, and if they're exercising higher Force Protection Conditions, the gate lines could get very long, and parking near the commissary, BX and fitness center could be difficult as they barricade parking spaces nearest to the buildings.

Girl's Night Out, August 21, 2009!

Last Friday night some of the ladies met at Kobe's Japanese Steakhouse in Omaha for dinner, to honor two of the ladies whose families were PCSing in September -- Heather S.'s family to Holloman AFB, NM and Kristen F.'s family to Hurlburt Field, FL. We had a fun hibachi chef who kept us on our toes!

From 2009 08 21 2WS Spouses Kobe_Heather_Kristin Going-Away Dinner

From 2009 08 21 2WS Spouses Kobe_Heather_Kristin Going-Away Dinner

After dinner we caravanned over to the Cheesecake Factory for coffee and dessert! Yum!

From 2009 08 21 2WS Spouses Kobe_Heather_Kristin Going-Away Dinner

It was a lot of fun!

An Army Wife's Perspective on OPSEC

A good blog post that was cited by AF Live's Twitter Feed today. Worth spreading the word about this one. When your loved ones are coming/going, try not to advertise the details on Facebook and Twitter. Bad guys can get this information and possibly bring harm to our fellow brothers/sisters-in-arms.

http://armylive.dodlive.mil/index.php/2009/08/an-army-wifes-view-opsec-and-social-media/

Stained Glass Jewelry, July 17, 2009

In July the ladies got together for a Stained Glass Jewelry class, taught by Mrs. Susan Murphy, the AFWA Commander's wife. She provided the cut glass pieces that we assembled and glued onto a backing, then Susan baked the pieces in one of her kilns until they melted together.

What resulted were beautiful pendants.

I personally made 3 pendants in 3 different color families, so I have something that matches anything I choose to wear :-) I've worn all 3 already!

From 2009 07 17 2WS Spouses AFWA Ladies Stained Glass Jewelry

From 2009 07 17 2WS Spouses AFWA Ladies Stained Glass Jewelry

From 2009 07 17 2WS Spouses AFWA Ladies Stained Glass Jewelry

From 2009 07 17 2WS Spouses AFWA Ladies Stained Glass Jewelry

Baby Blankets, July 7, 2009

The ladies got together for their July monthly meeting and had a great time learning how to make baby blankets by cutting a fringe and tying together two large pieces of fleece fabric. By the time the night was over we had 6 blankets ready for new members of the AFWA family!

Connie brought all her tools to accurately measure the fringes:

From 2009 07 07 AFWA Spouses Blankets

Connie measures and cuts as Dawna looks on:

From 2009 07 07 AFWA Spouses Blankets

Tying together the edges...it was a great way to sit and catch up with friends while we worked!

From 2009 07 07 AFWA Spouses Blankets

From 2009 07 07 AFWA Spouses Blankets

Some of the completed blankets:

From 2009 07 07 AFWA Spouses Blankets

From 2009 07 07 AFWA Spouses Blankets

Scrapbooking Night, May 29, 2009

Our scrapbook night at Busy Scrappin' in Bellevue was a lot of fun! We made little picture frames that were very cute! We had a really great turn out...

Connie works hard on her frame:

From 2009 05 29 2WS Spouse ScrapbookingNite

Half the group works on their frames:

From 2009 05 29 2WS Spouse ScrapbookingNite

Rebecca did a little scrapbooking after she made her frame:

From 2009 05 29 2WS Spouse ScrapbookingNite

The 2WS Spouses and Airmen's Group is Joining the Blogosphere!

This is the group's blog site. The intent here is to allow the officers and members of the group to start a more two-way communication via blog posts and comments that can follow.

Another benefit of this blog is it's ability to tie together with Facebook pages and Twitter tweets. Hopefully this will be a great way for information to get pushed to the ladies who don't always have the time to look around for the next 2nd WS Spouse's Group events.

Feedback is welcomed, and the easiest way to submit your feedback is to use the "Comment" section at the end of this posting. Over the next few weeks there will be some growing pains as we try out new techniques and open permissions up to those who are most likely to post.

Enjoy!

-Patricia Vollmer

Webmistress