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I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday. For those of you who are trying to celebrate with a deployed soldier, I pray you will at least be able to receive a phone call from your soldier. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May all of our soldiers and families continue to stay safe and away from harm.
Merry Christmas!
Do you have any patriotic or Army themed holiday decorations? We have quite a few on our tree from snowmen in Class A's to American flag draped angels. I think it adds a nice touch to the tree even though Rob isn't technically in the Army anymore. It still reminds us to think about those who are serving and their families, especially those who are serving overseas right now.
SpouseBuzz had a great post about some inexpensive holiday decorations that you can make to spruce up your home. Check it out! I especially like the glass blocks idea! My MIL has done this and it turns out really pretty!
Hope everyone is having a great holiday season!
I think it is wonderful that so many donate their time, money and effort to honor our veterans at Christmas with these beautiful wreaths.
Read more about the longest Christmas parade of the year...
http://www.military-money-matters.com/worlds-longest-christmas-parade.html
Well, today was finally the day! For months now, we have been getting letters from the VA basically saying that they haven't forgotten about us but they're overloaded with cases right now. Today, we received the decision on Rob's disability rating. It was about what we were expecting it would be and fell right in line with what the Army assigned him as well.
Now to figure out how it effects his retirement pay from the Army. You can't receive full VA pay and full retirement pay. They basically cancel each other out. The only difference being that VA pay is not taxable where the Army pay is. So I guess the VA pay will just reduce our tax liability with his retirement pay. Clear as mud?! I'm still trying to figure this all out.
But at least it seems he is done with mandatory doctor appointments for the next few months until it's time to go back in for his Army physical to see if the retirement is going to be made permanent or not. If not, we're in for a whole new ballgame since *technically* they can call him back to active duty if they deem him fit. But being that his condition hasn't improved, I doubt we have to worry about that scenario. Otherwise, they'll either officially discharge him, permanently retire him or keep him on the temporary retirement list. We're hoping for either of the two latter possibilities since he's still continuing to have the same issues.
So as always with the Army, it's hurry up and wait! :)
