JP over at milblogging.com has requested some mil-blog interviews, here is my 1st submission:
About 6 months ago I started reading milblogs. While on military.com one day, I clicked on a featured blog, then found milblogging.com, Blackfive, Wordsmith at War, and others…..and was hooked.
My primary interest was reading about the mil-wife experience. After searching and searching the blogs I found were very political in content, full of drama, or a combination of the two. I was looking for fun, adventure, interesting feel good stuff. I didn’t want to be crying after every heart breaking war story. Then I found Cristen’s blog. Her blog was focused on her experiences as an Army wife in Germany, the blog chronicles her husbands deployment, their travels throughout Europe, family visits, girl nights watching the latest episode of their favorite show, and volunteer work as a youth sports coach. This milspouse works full time, has a workout routine, bakes and makes time for friends. You’ll read about her husbands return from Iraq and their subsequent and well deserved vacation. You’ll read about her new BMW and see a photo of her inside. She is pregnant now, so you will also see ultrasound photos. You’ll read about this independent Army wife, who takes weekend trips with girlfriend(s) to places like Oktoberfest, Poland, Wurzburg and more vs. sitting at home and complaining that her husband is deployed. I love that! With so many of us with our husbands deployed, what I like love about Cristin is she made a decision to have a good attitude, embrace her new surroundings, give back, and share it with all of us.
A MilSpouse Blog interview:
Name: Cristin
Blog: Life of a RedLeg Wife – http://redlegwife.blogspot.com/
1. How long have you been blogging and why did you start your blog?
I started blogging in August of 2005. I started my blog to give our friends and family back home a way to keep up with us and see what our Army lifestyle is like.
2. Whose blog do you read most & what blogs are your favorite?
I’ve gone through phases, but I’ve always followed Shelleigh at friendingray.typepad.com and have recently added Wendy’s All Ahead Full as a regular read.
3. What is your Military experience?
Growing up I had no knowledge of the military other than the fact that my grandfather had served in WWII and was a very proud veteran. My husband has been active duty Army for over 3 1/2 years. I accompanied him to FAOBC at Ft Sill and then to our current location in Baumholder, Germany. We are due to PCS in just over a month and will return to Sill for FACCC.
4. Who gave you your first link and comment?
My first comment was from my good friend and fellow Army wife, Kimberly.
5. Describe your wardrobe in 5 words.
It’s currently comfortable maternity clothes!
6. What are three things your readers probably don’t know about you.
In my lifetime, I hope to do a marathon or triathlon – or both!
The first things I want to eat and drink when I get to my hometown are a bbq sandwich, stew, and lemonade.
I have VERY flat feet!
7. For those who haven’t read your blog yet, how would you describe the content?
It’s a little bit of everything. I like to share other stories that I’ve found online and find interesting. It is mostly just what’s going on in mine and my husband’s lives. However, our lives do revolve around the Army which is how I selected the title – Life of a Redleg Wife.
Thank you for taking the time to be “interviewed”. I enjoy reading your blog and I know others will too. Thank you for sharing and for being a mil-spouse!
———–
She is an inspiration to me and I hope she will be to you also if you are a mil-wife and think you just can’t cope. Here’s an example of someone who is not only coping / surviving but thriving and flourishing.
On a personal note, she brings back a lot of memories I had buried in the back of my mental closet. You see, as a former Army wife stationed in Germany her and I share a lot of the same experiences. To the point it is a little scary. The great blogs out there have writers who are open and share what all of us are thinking, but just do not have the courage to write. I am currently on that road. Reading her blog was hard on some days, but I pushed through those memories and I think they will be a source of inspiration one day. Thank you for that Cristin.
So grab that cup of tea or coffee and sit back for a fun, unique, and interesting view of the milspouse world through this Army Wife of a Soldier stationed in Germany.
All Ahead Full 
Great! Thanks for sharing this with us. Nice to be introduced to another milspouse.
Well done, both of you!!!
This will be a great way to get to know the mil-spouse bloggers!
Very cool!!
Thanks for such a nice post!
Great job Cristin!!!!
I would like to say that I am the proud father of Cristin and she always
exemplified that attitude for life. I am also very proud of Bryan and what they
have accomplished together.
Mr. S.,
Thank you for taking the time to surf on over to my corner of the blogsphere and leave a comment.
Cristin is a great Mil-Wife, I know she will be an inspiration to others as they read more about her and her mil-life.
Cristin and Bryan are blessed to have such a great and proud dad and dad-IL!
The feature on milblogging.com will run in a couple of weeks, so check back for that update.
Cristin is the BEST. This was a really nice interview Wendy!
That was a great Wendy. My husband is in the Army also and is currently in Iraq. He grew up with Cristin and Bryan so they are good friends of ours. I started reading Cristin’s blog after Bryan left for Iraq and it really helped me to get a glimpse of what my life would be like once Vince (my husband) left. It was an inspiration and really helped to know that someone else was going through the same emotions. I felt like I wasn’t alone. Cristin has always been available to answer any questions I might have regarding the military and I appreciate that. I enjoyed reading the interview. Love yall.