TGIF

A couple of weeks ago we posted a link to a local soldier's blog over at The OP.

The soldier, Army 2nd Lt. Dave Eisler, is assigned to the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment in Vilseck, Germany, but is currently deployed to Iraq.

Dave agreed to let us feature him and eventually we'll have a permanent link up to his blog.

In the meantime, click here to read "Playing in the Sandbox." He's got an interesting post up today about eating with Iraqis. He's also talked about his first patrol, his definition of Iraq and the inability to sleep.

Dave gives us a little peek at what life is like for a deployed soldier.

And speaking of military life, don't forget our "Army Wives" live chat and viewing party during the show Sunday night. Spread the word - let's try to get a record turnout!

The thing that made me cry today

"Afghanistan violence claims three metro area soldiers," July 17, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, tells us about three soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

Two, Cpl. Matthew Phillips and Cpl. Jon Ayers, were among nine soldiers who died Sunday in the insurgent attack on a U.S. base in Wanat, Afghanistan. Ayers was 24. Phillips, at 27, was the oldest of those killed.

The U.S. has abandoned the remote outpost, leaving it to the attackers.

The third soldier in the story, Master Sgt. Mitchell Young, was hit be an IED. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group. He'd previously deployed to Iraq, and this was his third trip to Afghanistan.

Exactly

This was posted on a website called commonties.com, where people share their experiences on a particular topic. It was under the category of "Close Calls."

I'd call it "Reading My Mind."

Your daily distraction

Women are spilling their guts over at a website called "True Military Wives Confessions."

Among the gems posted today:

"I want to slap the next military wife who says that she loves this lifestyle!! What the hell are you on??!!"

"Yes, I am one of those mothers you will see in the commissary with loud children."

"I want to have sex so bad!"

I've already told you most of my deep, dark secrets. Now it's your turn, ladies and gentlemen. Go, ahead, tell us: What's your confession?

Episode 6: The good, the bad and the ugly

Last night on "Army Wives" we saw Pamela caught - just for a moment - between her career and Army life. Trevor continued to struggle with is sudden heroism, not to mention drinking too much, while Roxy dove into rebuilding The Hump Bar.

Frank and Denise carried on their long-distant argument about her motorcycle, and Claudia Joy stepped in to help a soldier mom dealing with a deployment.

I cried the least this week of any episode so far, but maybe that was just because I was so engrossed in our live chat!

Here's our take:

THE GOOD

- Pamela's struggle with her career vs. Army life. Albeit a brief part of the show, this was a great introduction to the dilemma that working military wives face. It would be cool if they went deeper into this idea, showing how we constantly have to start over again from the bottom, or pass up good career or education opportunities to move.

- Gen. Holden called out "cocky backfill guy" (Joan's maternity-leave replacement) for taking Pam's show off the air. I really like how they are showing both the hard-edged and softer sides of Holden.

- The portrayal of Trevor struggling with life after Iraq. This is another storyline that hit close to home for many of our friends. It will be interesting to see how it develops.

THE BAD

- Frank's possibly terminal case of foot-in-mouth disease. Just when we start to like Frank, he goes and says something like "I let you be a nurse." Ugh.

THE UGLY

- Cocky backfill guy's reference to "housewives" and other neanderthal moves on his part. I don't think you'd ever hear an Army officer call anyone a housewife, at least not in public.

Official Standing By rating for Episode 6: Two hankies.

A friend in need

This is a special Sunday afternoon edition of "Standing By," for our friend mauimere. She's reeling over reports that nine U.S. troops died today in Afghanistan.

She posted this comment under our live chat post, but I'm putting it here to make sure everyone sees it:

"Hi guys - I didn't know where else to go...it's been a really deadly day for U.S. troops in Afghanistan today. How do I get through this - Did you ever just feel scared to death, like there is no way we are going to get through this okay?! I don't want dh to get hurt or killed and it is just so crazy over there right now. Sorry to bug your Sunday but I don't have anyone here going through the same thing."

Mauimere, first of all, you're not bugging us. Ever.

So many of us here know exactly how you feel. This is one of the worst times in a deployment - the sudden, jolting news of something bad happening where your spouse is, and the thought that you can't do anything about it. And the agonizing wait for some sort of communication from him - an e-mail or phone call, something.

And even when you know in your heart he's perfectly safe, when the logical side of your brain is telling you the chances of him being in that place at that time are so slim, that fear doesn't go away.

It never goes away.

But you can get through it. Everyone deals with things differently, so you have to find what works for you. For me, it was usually sitting on my backporch with my best girl friend, or sometimes by myself, listening to music and thinking good thoughts about Mark.

It was writing about it here, and knowing that I had my kids to take care of.

And, most of all, it was letting myself know that it was OK to be terrified, that it was just my life at that point and there was little I could do about it.

Army Wives live chat

Good news ya'll: "Army Wives" has been renewed for a third season.

Lifetime has committed to 18 new episodes next year, according to this report at E! Online.

The report mentions the show's strong cast, true-to-life storylines and record-setting ratings for the Lifetime network.

It also says the show seems to "resonate with viewers." Ain't that the truth ...

Come back tonight during the show for our live chat and viewing party, right here in the comments section to this post.

Invite your friends (virtual or otherwise), grab some snacks and your favorite beverage, put your feet up and enjoy!

TGIF and Live Chat Sunday

It's Friday, so you know that means ...

Only two more days until our weekly "Army Wives" viewing party and live chat. We got more than 200 comments in an hour last week - that's some fast typing, ladies!

Let's try to top it this time. We'll be here from 9:45 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Sunday, watching the show on Lifetime and chatting about anything that's on your mind.

Meanwhile, I'll spend the time until then tending to my daughter Rian's two ear infections, doing laundry and hopefully slipping in some quiet time with Mark.

How about you - any big plans for the weekend?

Hey bartender

It's time to update our Grogs of War list, which featured suggested adult beverages to help you through those long, dark deployment days.

Now that Mark is here to enjoy Friday evenings on the patio with me, let's call this one "Military Marriage Mixers."

Topping the menu:

- Juice box wine - Wine packaged in single-serving boxes. My new favorite thing from SuperTarget, plus it's wine, so that makes it classy. My only complaint: The straw isn't included.

- Sex on the Couch - Consume several of the aforementioned juice boxes, put the kids to bed early and you'll see what I mean.

- The Slow Leak - Continuously pour your loved one his favorite alcohol until he finally opens up about his experiences "over there." It's one way to get them to talk.

- Honey's Home - Ask your spouse to buy/make/grab from the fridge your favorite drink. Repeat nightly. He'll be happy to do it, because he missed you so much and he wants nothing more than to please you. Note: Good for approximately 30 days from homecoming date.

- Girls Club - Pick any liquor. Blend with pomegranate juice and ice until slushy. Pour into glasses rimmed with sugar. Guaranteed to keep the men away, so gather around the kitchen table with your girlfriends and enjoy. Especially yummy when there's no more Honey's Home.

Thursday news and notes

Some things I wanted to tell you about:

- I have a story out today about a contractor at MacDill Air Force Base with an interesting second job. I posted it over at The OP, too. Check it out: "This Avon lady's a dude."

- Operation Homefront has started a Florida chapter. The organization helps military families with financial problems or other emergency needs. They're looking for volunteers and donors around the state. E-mail Kathleen Ragland at flavolunteer@floridahomefront.net if you can help.

- I'm collecting links to blogs by troops, especially those from Florida. Click on my e-mail in the right column of this page and drop me a line if you know of any.

- And, lastly, a slight change in plans. I'll be posting both here and at The OP for at least the near future. I'll keep you updated on what's going on at both places.