Customer Reviews

Household Baggage: The Moving Life of a Soldier's Wife

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When my husband embarked upon his second year-long deployment to Iraq, I scoured the Internet for books that could help to inspire and uplift me as an Army wife. I found that most books out there are either grim and depressing portrayals of Army wives (especially when the topic is deployment-related) or more instructional/informational in nature.

"Household Baggage" is neither. It is funny, uplifting, and oh, so true. I thoroughly enjoyed every page! I love the way it was organized into sections (Moving, Marriage, Motherhood, Military, & Me) and each section contains essays that are easily readable in short chunks of time (for us busy military wives). I found myself nodding in agreement with Marna many times and wishing that she were my neighbor:)

I have been an Army wife for about 8 years. They have been 8 of the most wonderful and challenging years of my life. As military wives, most of us learn to find camaraderie easily; but there are some things that we just don't talk about. I love that Marna will!

Life as an Army wife can be a challenge, but my philosophy is that I have rise to it (not on all days, of course - but most days, I try:) I am so proud to live the life that I do and I'm so thankful that Marna took the time and made the effort to share her stories. Reading "Household Baggage" reminded me that my life is unique, special, and rife with good stories to share.

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this book.
She's done an excellent job portraying the life of a military wife, with all its ups and downs, in a way that can't help but make you laugh. She mentioned so many things I miss about being surrounded by military in the "fishbowl" of a military community. Every story reminded me of my own experience--the "raisin on the butt, the hairstylist, the chickpea and okra quiche." They were all too funny because they are so real. Thanks for writing this so I could always be reminded of such treasured memories.

As a longtime military spouse, I saw myself on every page of Marna Krajeski's marvelous new book. Some stories were laugh-out-loud funny; others were laden with poignant moments. Such moments show how being married to the military is an experience unique to each person in it, while at the same time revealing how we all share in the trials of raising children, keeping our sanity, and just doing the best we can. Civilian readers will get a new perspective on the military lifestyle, while active military spouses and retirees alike will find common ground in each chapter. Household Baggage is more relevant now than ever before, and should be required reading for every military spouse out there. Don't read it to commiserate; read it to celebrate!

This is a fun book to read. It is a series of essays on the life of one military family from the view point of a wife who is faced with maintaining the household while hubby is off soldiering. There is joy, laughter, and much food for thought. It is a book with which many families will be able to identify, whether military or not. Military families move frequently, but so do a lot of families who are part of the corporate world of America. Wives especially will see themselves and their own experiences. But it is a book that all can enjoy; an easy read, one essay at a time, but hard to put down.

If you love a book that makes you laugh out loud, this is one you have to get. Even for those of us who are non-military, it reads like a story that anyone who is married, coupled and/or has kids can relate to. We all need to be reminded of the humor along the way!

I found so much to enjoy about this book. Having been raised in the military, many of the stories brought back memories of a vacuum with about 12 moving van stickers on it, and camping our way to the new base. My husband served in the Air Force Reserve for several years, and has spent the last 20 working as a civilian contractor. Although he doesn't wear the uniform anymore, the stories Marna tells in "Household Baggage" ring true for any wife whose spouse travels a great deal. Her "Fiery Re-entry" story had me laughing all day! There is something so comforting to know that other people experience the struggles of your life, and that you are not alone. The military experience, direct or indirect, is unique. The women and children who support this experience have been largely forgotten until now. Buy this book today, and give it to someone whose life is touched by service to their country. They will love you for it!

I know, because I do it all the time. If you're married to the military, this book offers a good dose of validation for all the challenges of being a spouse, as well as "esprit de corps" for all of our wonderful and unique experiences in the military.

A compilation of short chapters, it's easy to pick up and read when you have a quick minute between tasks or before falling asleep at the end of a long day. From "Reinventing the Holidays" to "Chickpea and Okra Quiche" (an hysterical chapter on using up all the food in your kitchen before a move) to "Don't Call Me Dependent", I guarantee you will see yourself on these pages. Every time I read it, I get a much needed emotional boost.

Not military, but know someone who is? Read this book for a perspective of their world. You'll be glad you did!

Household Baggage: The Moving Life of a Soldier's Wife is a charming anthology of sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant, and all too truthful memories by Marna A. Krajeski, former army helicopter pilot and army wife of sixteen years. From adapting marriage and motherhood to frequent moves, long separations, and uncomfortable living quarters to coping with wartime deployments of one's spouse, Household Baggage offers invaluable insight to fellow military wives, especially new brides, with a pull-no-punches approach to the real truth of what daily life married to an active serviceman is like. Highly recommended, especially as a wedding shower or bachelorette party present!

Marna Krajeski's Household Baggage: The Moving Life of a Soldier's Wife is a book that anyone and everyone can read and enjoy. This book has it all: It is funny, insightful, poignant, and instructive. In bite-size segments of three or four pages each, Marna deftly describes complex issues ranging from managing a rummage sale to managing a household budget, from raising children in a demanding work environment to raising the issue of a spouse's slightly outdated wardrobe. Marna brings a great good humor to the tale, with unexpected jabs like "stereo speakers the size of Stonehenge" hidden among her (slightly) more serious observations. Though focused on the military, this book is for everybody. Marna has told a highly entertaining tale here, and it would be great to see her write another one.

I am in the military and my wonderful wife was unsuspectingly drawn into it. Without any family members even remotely involved with the military, ever, she had no idea what kind of lifestyle she was stepping into. After a particularly hard PCS move I found this book in our local BX and purchased it for my wife. The short stories in it are humorous and touching and hit that perverbial nail on top of the head. So many stories seem to be chapters in my wife's own experience as a military wife. It has helped her to come to grips with some of the eccentricities that come with it and even to start looking fondly at many of the experiences she has had. While not the special friends that come from military spouse relationships this book has allowed my wife to, well, for lack of a better word bond with all those that are in her same situation.

It has not only helped my wife but has really opened my eyes as well. I think as military members we take for granted what those who follow us have sacrificed. While we pursue our dreams and careers in the military our family faithfullly follows along after us enduring frequent moves and uprooting from friends and comfort. This book has allowed me a glimpse into what my wife has to cope with as a military wife and my respect for her has only grown. It has also helped our marriage. Many nights we talk about the short stories we read and laugh about our own adventures that are very similar.

I highly recommend this book, both for the military spouse (so they know they are not alone out there) and for the military member so they can better appreciate and understand what their better half goes through.