The Power of an Acronym

P.C.S.  

Permanent Change of Duty Station

For a military family this means we're moving.  It comes with the job.  

I am the daughter of a retired Army MSG.  I grew up 1 mile from the front gate of Ft. Stewart, GA.  Yes, grew up.  Never moved.  It was, according to military acronym, my PDS.  I cannot recall ever feeling sad because a friend moved.  Frankly I cannot recall a friend moving because of PCS orders.

And then I grew up.  Moved roughly 15 miles from Ft. Campbell, KY.  I have made numerous friends bonding over music, coffee, bible study, homeschool.  And in this season of my life I have seen my friends ebb and flow through the ever changing duty to the military.  I see the resilience, the perseverance, the shadow of grief from leaving roots in yet another place and then the the strength of packing up and heading out.

To my friends, and you know who you are, I cherish the memories of sisterhood and am grateful that it sustains.

Finding My Crunchiness

Unknowingly I have become part of a movement that embraces nature, thumbs its nose at what society thinks I should eat or wear or how I should raise my children.  What I considered to be an act of freedom and thoughtful independence was actually part of an ever growing state of mind to do better for our families.  I found the following definition on urbandictionary.com. My additions are in red.  Enjoy.

CRUNCHY MOMMA:
A member of an increasingly growing group of moms who are neo-hippies.

They generally believe (for varying reasons) that there is something bad or less beneficial about buying mainstream products or doing other common activities in the mainstream way.

You might be a crunchy mom if you:

...bake all your own bread 
...make your own jam, jelly, pickles, applesauce, etc. 
...gave birth at home -- by CHOICE! (With a midwife, doula, or unassisted!) ((I did not))
...prefer to teach your children yourself at home instead of letting the public or private schools do it for you. 
...grow your own food as much as possible, and buy the rest at farmer's markets or health food stores. 
...are vegan or vegetarian. ((Semi))
...choose not to use birth control. 
...don't wear a bra or shoes.  ((I opt for the bra though I'm always barefoot))
...don't use shampoo or soap, but instead maybe sea salt or a variety of other things. ((Baking soda girl))
...had your placenta chopped up for an anti-depressant pill or smoothie. ((Um, no))
...have no television in your home -- and actually read BOOKS for entertainment! ((We do both))
...grind your own grain to make your own bread with (did you know that wheat looses about 90% of it's nutrients within 7 days of being ground?) ((Buying a wheat grinder this summer))
...don't cut your hair or wear pants (not going around half-naked, but wearing skirts! Silly people! Get your mind out of the gutter!) 
...can add 10 more things to this list that I didn't even think of!
(Urban Dictionary)