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

By Marna A. Krajeski

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1932279288
• ISBN13: 9781932279283
• Release Date: May 2006
• Publisher: Wyatt-Mackenzie Pub
• Length: 188 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 0.5" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Highly recommended reading for military family members

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.

True to Life, just too funny!

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.

One of the Best

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!

Fun to Read

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.

Laugh out loud.

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!