Getting Your Combat Boot in the Door: Jobs for Veterans

While I am working on our new house, Emma is taking over today talking about career opportunities for vets. Thanks for your insight, Emma!

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Myth #1: I won't be able to find a job as a veteran because there aren’t many available and they're difficult to locate.

Truth: As a veteran, you are attractive to a wide variety of employers around the world. When you begin your search for a civilian job, check out organizations like 100,000 Jobs Mission. This company, developed by top employers, offers guidance for veterans hoping to transition to the civilian workforce. With resources on subjects like job growth, degrees needed for certain positions and annual salary information, this comprehensive service and others like it will help you locate the perfect civilian job.

 Myth #2: Finding a job is hard, and I'll spend too much time looking for a job to actually get one.

Truth: Back in the days of cold calling and physically handing companies your resume, you might have had this objection to beginning a job search. Fast-forward to the 21st century, and technology eliminates this barrier. Many companies post jobs online and accept online documentation in addition to the application itself. In fact, a lot of companies don't even bother with paper applications anymore, opting to save energy and money by utilizing technology to everyone's advantage. Recently, employers have even started to partner with services like JIBE, a mobile recruiting company, that allow you to upload a resume directly from your smartphone or tablet.

 Myth #3: As service member, I'm so used to taking orders that I should just settle for something similar in civilian life.

Truth: While you are used to following orders on a regular basis, you shouldn't settle for anything that you aren't comfortable with. Even senior level military members take directives, and they go on in civilian life to be leaders rather than followers. As a veteran, you understand how to follow and what it takes to be part of a successful chain of command. This doesn't mean you have to stay under anyone's thumb in the civilian world; actually, it means the opposite. You learn valuable leadership skills in the military that can't be gained elsewhere, so you will be able to transition into your own business if that's what you want to do. If you need to brush up on some skills or learn new ways of doing business, several resources exist, like the U.S. Small Business Administration's program for vets.

 Myth #4: When a company asks for my preferred salary, I should give them a low number to entice them into interviews.

Truth: Never sell yourself short, and never lie during any part of the application process. These basic tenets will get you through most things in life, but especially job interviews. Most companies do not discuss salary during the interview stage, but you should be prepared to answer the question if asked. If a company calls and asks you about your salary preferences, you should give them a range that you feel comfortable with. They will appreciate your honesty. In some cases, a company who really values your services will work with you on your requirements or offer other incentives if they can't pay what you require. If you lie by low-balling, then don't expect a second interview. They won't want to waste their time, and you should just be honest upfront.

 Emma is a mid 20-something year old with a passion for life, love, fitness, and helping others. She loves to be active and get involved in as many sport and community activities as possible. Emma is currently studying to become a Career & Life Coach, and loves to network with people from around the world!  Check out Emma’s blog at http://smileasithappens.blogspot.com/! 

Traveling With Tots

Hello from rainy Mrytle Beach. We are hoping to see some sunshine today, but in the meantime, the boys have been keeping themselves busy in the pool which happens to be under the deck and out of the rain this year. Here is a favorite picture from yesterday- what a handsome bunch.

While I am hanging out with the family, Kendra, a former Orbitz Director of Communications, turned stay at home mother of 3 is going to take over the blog to offer some tips for stress-free family travel in the summer. You can follow Kendra on twitter @KendraThornton for more time saving tips.

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Are you a busy mom looking for the best way to spend some quality time with your family this summer? Are you tired of family vacations filled with stress, anxiety, and unhappy children? Do you want to relax and have fun with your kids? If you are ready for a summer vacation where you can really get away with your family and avoid all of the hassles of planning, then follow this vacation guide for insider tips on planning the greatest family vacation yet! With a little preparation, you can have a family vacation that is fun and memorable.

1. Make a List

Your first step is to make a list of all the items you’ll need for your time away. I know it’s tempting, but try not to wait until the night before.  Check that list as you pack, and continue adding to it so that you do not forget essentials, such as sunscreen, bathing suits, and important medications. Remember tasks as well like turning down the hot water heater and mowing the lawn before you leave.  With a little planning you can truly relax with your kids this summer!

2. Research Family-Friendly Hotels

Your fun family vacation begins by researching hotels that are family-friendly. Get reviews from friends. Check websites that advertise themselves as "family-friendly." Some hotels may offer a kid's camp, a nursery, or even activities for kids to do while parents play. Also look for hotels with playgrounds and kiddie pools. My family of five chose an excellent family friendly resort on our trip to Hawaii that provided our little ones with everything they needed while still remaining a top-notch Honolulu hotel.  Finally, an efficiency hotel is a great family-friendly option as well because you will have a refrigerator and a stove for cooking meals and keeping bottles.

3. Staying Safe for Holiday Travel

If you are planning your vacation around a holiday, such as the Fourth of July, then make the most of the festivities by selecting a hotel with a balcony and a good view of the fireworks display. This is a great option for families with a range of ages as you can easily put your smallest to bed while older children stay awake to watch.  Further, this allows you to enjoy the celebrations without the crowds and close proximity to potentially dangerous displays.

4. Stick to a Nap Schedule

If you have little ones, then try to stick to a nap schedule as closely as possible. This will keep them on schedule with their daily routine and make them happier in the end. If you’re traveling out of your time zone, think about adjusting your babies nap time in the weeks leading up to your trip.  Small 15-minute changes will allow you and your little one a much smoother adjustment.

5. Pack Snacks

Save money and keep your children healthy by planning ahead for snack time. Pack fresh fruit, crackers, granola bars, and bottled water for the car so that you can pass out snacks and refresh your little ones at the appropriate time. I like to prepackage items in sandwich bags for easy distribution and a less-mess clean up.  For babies, squeeze pack baby foods can be an excellent option for air or car travel.  These come in easy to reseal pouches and are a cinch to pack.  Did I mention they’re organic?

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Thanks for the tips Kendra! I know we can all use a little organization to make prepping for vacation a little less stressful.

Don't forget to enter my Shabby Apple Giveaway!

Follow me on Instagram for more beach updates @katedaffodils

And pray for some sun!

Guest Post: My Mom

Good Morning Lovlies. Today, by saying 'guest post', I actually mean I just signed on to my  mom's blogger and stole a post of her's from last week because it looks o-so-yummy and I wanted to share. So make sure you pop over to Knit One, Raised 4 and say hello, so she really wouldn't mind that I stole her post! Thanks mom, and you can go ahead and plan on making this when we are home for Christmas!

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Creamy Sausage and Potato Soup

My good friend Karen gave me this recipe and said it would be perfect for a hearty meal at The Farm. She was so right!

Below is the recipe as Karen gave it to me, but being the non-measuring, use what I have on hand, dump it in and stir kind of cook that I am, a few modifications ended up in my pot.

 

1 pkg. hot italian sausage

1/2 lb. ground beef

3/4 c. diced onion

3/4 c. shredded carrots

3/4 c. diced celery

3 c. chicken broth

4 c. diced potatoes

1/4 c. all-purpose flour

8 oz. American cheese, cubed

1 1/2 c. heavy whipping cream (or half and half)

3/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 tbsp. fresh basil or 1 tsp. dried

1 tbsp. fresh parsley or 1 tsp. dried

4 tbsp. butter, divided

1/4 c. sour cream

1. In a 3 quart cast iron pot, brown the ground beef and sausage; drain set aside. 

2. In the same saucepan, saute onion, carrots and celery in 1 tbsp of butter until vegetable are tender, about 10 minutes.  Add broth, potatoes and meat; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are tender. 

3. Meanwhile in a small skillet, melt remaining butter.  Add flour; cook and stir 3-5 minutes or until bubbly. 

4. Add to soup; bring to a boil.  If soup is not thick enough, make a slurry of cold water and flour; shake well so there are no lumps.  Add to soup and boil gently.  Cook and stir 2 minutes, then remove from heat.  Let cool for 5 minutes. 

5. Add cheese, heavy whipping cream (or half and half), salt, pepper and herbs; stir until cheese melts.  Take sour cream and blend in a bowl so it is not so thick; blend sour cream into soup.

*I used link sweet Italian sausage cut in bite size pieces, cheddar instead of American cheese, diced the carrots instead of shredding and added a few dashes of cayenne to get a nice amount of heat. I also just dolloped the sour cream into each bowl instead of blending it in the pot, just because I thought it would look pretty.

A nice hunk of  BEER BREAD with an assortment of local honey, butter and jams completed the meal.

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Don't you just want to build a fire and pour a big glass of red wine to get cozy with this meal? I know I do. Thanks Mom! Have a great Wednesday everyone!