Open books laid out on a surface with the text 'turn the page' overlaid in large, stylized letters.White coffee mug with text 'coffee is always a good idea' placed on top of a stack of books on a white surface with sunlight and a green plant in the background.
Blank, vertically oriented rectangular frame with irregular, jagged edges on a white background.

Blog

I'm sharing my knowledge and experience to you through my blog. I hope you find it useful and interesting

Smiling woman with blonde hair wearing a red blazer, navy polka dot blouse, and pearl necklace standing outdoors near a body of water.

All Blog Posts

Beth Runkle
Aug 23rd, 2024
2
min read
Insider Installation Guides

Insider Guide to Cannon Air Force Base (Clovis, NM)

This guide highlights life near Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, New Mexico, covering military-friendly churches, local recreation, and nearby weekend getaways. It features family favorites like Five Heart Farms, Saint Barnard Farms, Ute Lake State Park, and destinations such as Roswell, Santa Fe, and Carlsbad Caverns. The post also includes annual events like the Curry County Fair and Wings N Wheels Air Display, plus local dining, shops, and essential services. Life near Cannon AFB offers a tight-knit community and beautiful sunsets, but its remote location can feel isolating at times.
Insider Guide to Cannon Air Force Base (Clovis, NM)
Beth Runkle
Aug 21st, 2024
1
min read
Insider Installation Guides

Insider Guide to Fort Liberty (Fayetteville, NC):

Fort Liberty (formerly known as Fort Bragg) is the home of the Airborne and Special Operations Forces and includes the Special Warfare Center and School (aka “Swick”). Here's hoping this insider guide to Fort Liberty (Fayetteville and Spring Lake, NC) will help ease your transition to this new assignment. Read on for all the insider tips, favorites, and local gems.
Insider Guide to Fort Liberty (Fayetteville, NC):
Beth Runkle
Aug 19th, 2024
1
min read
Tips & Resources

Great Travel Discounts for Military Families with MWR Lodging

This post highlights the incredible travel discounts available to military families through MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation) programs. It introduces the four main Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC) Resorts—Dragon Hill Lodge (Korea), Edelweiss Lodge and Resort (Germany), Shades of Green (Orlando, FL), and Hale Koa Hotel (Hawaii) which offer world-class stays at reduced rates. It also features other MWR lodging facilities across the U.S. and overseas, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Japan. The author encourages early booking and reminds readers that these affordable getaways are one of the best perks of military life.
Great Travel Discounts for Military Families with MWR Lodging
Beth Runkle
Aug 15th, 2024
1
min read
Tips & Resources

Disney Discounts for Military Families

This post explains the Disney Military Salute Discount Program, offering major savings for military families at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. It details 4-, 5-, and 6-day Park Hopper and Park Hopper Plus ticket options, available through base ITT offices or the Shades of Green Resort a Disney-area hotel exclusively for service members, featuring large rooms, affordable rates, and resort amenities. It also covers discounts for Disney hotels and cruises, helping military families enjoy magical vacations at reduced prices.
Disney Discounts for Military Families
Beth Runkle
Aug 9th, 2024
2
min read
Insider Installation Guides

Insider Guide to Hurlburt Field, Eglin Air Force Base, and Duke Field (Fort Walton Beach, FL)

Here's hoping this insider guide to Hurlburt Field, Eglin Air Force Base, and Duke Field (Fort Walton Beach, FL) will help ease your transition to this new assignment. Read on for all the insider tips, favorites, and local gems.
Insider Guide to Hurlburt Field, Eglin Air Force Base, and Duke Field (Fort Walton Beach, FL)
Beth Runkle
Aug 3rd, 2024
1
min read
Insider Installation Guides

Insider Guide to Laughlin Air Force Base with Local Gems (Del Rio, TX):

Here's hoping this insider guide to Laughlin Air Force Base, Del Rio, TX, will help ease your transition to this new assignment. Read on for all the insider tips, favorites, and local gems.
Insider Guide to Laughlin Air Force Base with Local Gems (Del Rio, TX):
Jul 9th, 2024
2
min read

Talking about Mental Health for Military Spouses

This post offers real, practical advice for military spouses navigating mental health struggles. It encourages honesty, seeking counseling, and breaking the stigma around therapy. The author shares personal experience from 25 years as a military spouse, emphasizing the importance of open communication, community support, and professional help through services like Military OneSource, Telemynd, Doctor on Demand, and MFLC counselors. It also lists trusted mental health resources for both spouses and families, reminding readers that it’s okay to ask for help because healing and resilience take courage.
Talking about Mental Health for Military Spouses
Beth Runkle
Jun 25th, 2024
1
min read

FULL OR PARTIAL DITY MILITARY MOVE TIPS:

This post shares top full and partial DITY move tips for military families to make relocating smoother and cheaper. Start early by collecting and storing boxes, use Ziplocks for utensils, garbage bags for hanging clothes, and move heavy items yourself to maximize DOD reimbursement. Plan ahead, stay organized, and purge unnecessary items to lighten your load and simplify unpacking.
FULL OR PARTIAL DITY MILITARY MOVE TIPS:
Beth Runkle
Jun 25th, 2024
1
min read

MILITARY DITY (Do it Yourself Move) or PPM (Personally Procured Movers) Packing Tips:

This post shares practical packing tips for a DITY (Do-It-Yourself) military move, helping you stay organized and reduce stress. It recommends starting early, setting packing goals, designating a storage room for boxes, and clearly labeling each box by room and contents. By breaking the process into daily goals and allowing buffer time, you can stay on track and make moving smoother.
MILITARY DITY (Do it Yourself Move) or PPM (Personally Procured Movers) Packing Tips: