Currently, I am stirring cookie batter for tomorrow’s school bake sale, rocking my one-month old, writing this story and somewhere in the back of my head I am calculating how much my overspending at the commissary this morning is going to mess with this month’s budget.

It is 11:39 at night.

My husband headed to bed about an hour ago after loading his gear into his truck and then letting the dog out to go to the bathroom.

Am I happy? No. Not because it’s almost midnight and I’m still working. Not because I know as soon as I set this baby down to run to the restroom, she’ll start screeching again and I’ll have to breastfeed her while typing (a difficult task to master I assure you). Not because I somehow managed to melt the chocolate all over the inside of the baggies long after the cookies cooled. But because I’m doing all this at once while my husband stood at the backdoor to take the dog out … while doing absolutely nothing else.

Seems I’m not the only one a little miffed by my mate’s inability, or unwillingness, to multitask.

MSNBC.com reports that a recent study published in the American Sociological Review shows how working moms not only multitask more frequently than working dads but also experience more negative emotions because of the added chores.

Umm, duh.

I can’t be the only one who saw that coming - all while loading the dishwasher and stopping my 4-year-old from batting his baby sister over the head with a Star Wars light saber. Did I mention I was reading the story on my IPad while downloading music and searching for an app that would keep track of the recipes I keep losing?

The news site says the study collected data from 1999 to 2000 in eight cities to learn how middle-class families balance family and work obligations.

Researchers found that working moms spend 48.3 hours per week, or 40 percent of their waking hours, multitasking. Dads spend 38.9 hours per week doing two or more things at once.

The moms were found doing the labor intensive housework or childcare duties while dads multitask by talking to several people at once, performing self-care or recreational activities.

The study also said many moms find multitasking to be stressful, mostly because of the types of activities they have to take on at once, and often, in public – tasks like disciplining children that can leave them open to scrutiny and judgment.

So, when my husband clips his toenails, while watching football and talking to his brother on the phone about the game, he is considered a multitasking genius?

Meanwhile, an hour after witnessing my husband’s multitasking prowess, I was at the commissary with three kids in tow, stopped on the bread aisle where I had my 4-year-old in a time-out with his nose pressed up against a row of canned black olives while I was digging in my purse for a long lost sippy cup for my whining toddler and my third grader was quizzing me on who I thought would win in a battle to the death, a squad of x-wing fighters or the actual death star. I did all this while trying to ignore the chuckles of passersby. I still haven’t figured out whom to put my money on in that galactic showdown.

I am betting that anyone who saw that hot mess on aisle nine didn’t consider me a multitasking genius but rather a mom in the middle of a meltdown.

So, how do we fix the unfairly divided household tasks? The authors of the study suggest getting dad more involved - doing things together as a family.

Ok. I had to try it. I drug my husband and all five kids to the commissary the next day. This time the 4-year-old was in time-out on the paper towel aisle, both babies were crying, my third grader was now questioning me about the merits of the different Jedi knights, my second grader was begging for a pet parakeet and I was juggling a conversation with a mom from our scout troop who I happened upon while trying to load a giant bag of dog food into the cart. My husband, meanwhile, was oblivious to the entire scene as he scanned the meats for the tastiest looking steaks.

When he finally turned and still seemed unfazed by the chaos unfolding around him I shot him a nasty glance. “What?” he said, still concentrating on his steak choice.

My husband: not a multitasking genius. Never has been. Never will be. But for all my hard work that day, I had a mighty tasty steak that night. And though he may not get a lot done every day, I have never and will never have to take the dog out. Some tasks are worth the trade.

Lawmakers are attempting to find jobs for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans as well as those from previous conflicts by offering incentives to employers and more education benefits to vets.

The president signed The Vow to Hire Heroes Act in November as a means of continuing to care for the nearly 900,000 unemployed veterans in the U.S.

The act also aims to improve the economy by rewarding businesses who hire veterans.

Businesses will receive a tax credit of up to $5,600 for hiring vets who have been job hunting for more than six months and a $2,400 credit for hiring vets who were unemployed for six months or less.

Another $9,600 in tax credits will be granted to companies who hire vets who not only have been unemployed for more than six months but who also have service-connected disabilities.

Roughly 100,000 unemployed veterans of wars previous to those in Iraq and Afghanistan will receive one year of additional Montgomery GI Bill benefits for education, training programs or technical schools. Lawmakers are trying to target vets between the ages of 35 and 64 who account for nearly two-thirds of all unemployed veterans.

Under the act, disabled veterans will receive one additional year of vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits.

The act will also allow service members to begin applying for federal jobs before leaving the military in an attempt to make their transition to civilian jobs in federal agencies more seamless.

The VA has not determined when they will begin accepting applications for the education program.

To learn more about the legislation, visit http://veterans.house.gov/vow

The last American soldiers have left Iraq. That is excellent news.

The problems have just begun at home. This is not news to military spouses.

Many of the thousands of soldiers who have served in Iraq have not deployed just once. They’ve gone three, four, even five times to the desert frontlines.

Roadside bombs and IED attacks have left wounds on their bodies and their minds. Suicide rates continue to skyrocket as they try to return to normal life.

Children of military members have lived much of their lives without their military parent in the home.  Couples have grown and changed over the deployments. Some families are struggling to re-integrate and learn to live together again.

The war is over, the battle is not.

In the New Year, Salute to Spouses will begin a series of stories addressing the challenges and successes of military families as they move beyond the war in Iraq.

We will connect our readers with experts who can answer questions and help military families rebuild their relationships and their lives.

Please join us as we take this journey. We invite our readers to share their stories, advice and questions. Together, we will succeed.

 Last week the Department of Defense asked the Senate to cut $120 million from the Military Spouse Career Advancement program for fiscal year 2012.

Sources told Military.com and other media outlets that the cuts do not mean the program will be changed, but rather that fewer spouses are using the scholarships, meaning less money is needed.

When MyCAA was launched in 2010, the program offered $6,000 scholarships to all spouses, regardless of their sponsor’s rank. Months later, Pentagon sources said the popular program simply ran out of money. It was redesigned to focus on junior spouses and offer fewer funds per student.

The DOD is currently awaiting top leaders to finalize a $260 billion reduction in planned spending over the next five years. A total of $450 billion in cuts to defense spending are planned over the coming decade. The department could lose another $500 billion as Congress tries to cut $1.2 trillion from the government budget by Thanksgiving.

Officials told media members this week that the smaller MyCAA budget is not a result of the overall spending cuts and that the scholarship program will not change how it operates or what spouses are eligible.

 Just in time for the holidays, Helzberg Diamonds has launched the “Helzberg Heroes I Am Loved® Contest”.

The contest is open to active duty military, reservists and retired military as well as their families. Submit your stories on how your family or community made you feel while you or your family member was serving our country. Or, describe what you have done to show your family you love them while you are away.

The lucky winner will be awarded a $10,000 shopping spree at any Helzberg Diamonds store.

Contest entries must be in by November 28, 2011. Each week submissions will be highlighted on www.facebook.com/HelzbergDiamonds. The winner will be announced in early December.

Official rules and registration can be found at http://www.helzbergheroes.com/.

On this Veterans Day, I can’t help but think of the family members like you that support modern day heroes, and all the sacrifices you endure.  To honor all military spouses, Bryant & Stratton College is recognizing the spouses of those that serve by increasing the Salute to Spouses Scholarship Program to now include National Guard and Reserve spouses.  The hardships they bear when their husband/wife deploys from their home community is just as difficult as the hardship experienced by spouses of active duty service members.  At Bryant & Stratton College we appreciate those sacrifices, and want to give back to those who give.  We are proud to extend the scholarship to all spouses and hope that it will make a college education possible for more of you since the scholarship is for online programs, which can be completed from anywhere in the worldwith an internet connection.

I would also like to take a moment and thank all of our military spouse students for the great work they have done over the past year.  I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to teach several courses, and have had manyspouses in my classes.  They have been some of my best students because of the experiences, perspective, and effort that they put into their coursework.  I hope that the expansion of the program to now include National Guard and Reserve spouses will increase the number of great students that we haveat Bryant & Stratton College Online.

As a final thought, in celebration of Veterans Day today, and everyday, we offer the sincerest thanks to all who serve and their families. Thank you for all you do to make this nation and the world a safer place.

For nine years, Jennetta Hill has been proud to call herself an Army wife. The mother of two is currently attending Bryant & Stratton College Online as a Salute to Spouses scholarship recipient and resides at Fort Drum, NY with her family. 

Tell us about your journey through military life.

I met my spouse in my hometown of Ashland, KY. We have been married for 9 years, and have two beautiful children, Megan 17, and Xaiver 3. Our journey through military life has landed us here at Fort Drum, NY and through one deployment in Iraq.

What’s the most rewarding (or your favorite) aspect of being a military wife? What is a challenge of being a military spouse?

The best thing about being a military wife is meeting and making new friends, and the experience of seeing new places. Being a military spouse can be challenging because of the long hours our spouses sometimes work and the long and scary deployments, which both take our loved ones away, making it difficult to deal with the daily tasks alone.

What has been your proudest moment as a military spouse?

My proudest moment is when my husband joined the military, I am so proud of him and every service member that serves and protects our country.

Are you a Salute to Spouses Scholarship recipient? What motivated you to continue your education?

I did receive a Salute to Spouses Scholarship; I always wanted to further my education. My biggest motivation was my spouse telling me that I can do anything that I set my mind to.

Tell us a little bit about your work life.

I have been blessed to be a stay at home mom since my son was born. I am glad that I can focus solely on College, and I am very excited to graduate and begin my career.

What plans do you have for the future? What kind of support does a military spouse need to accomplish his or her goals?

My plan is to graduate in 2012, and obtain a rewarding job. I think we all need supportive family and friends, and the desire to want a better future.

Do you have any tips for making friends or finding a support network after each move? What is something that people can do for military spouses within their community?

There really are so many things that people do for us already. The best thing is to have military spouses getting together more; we really can be such a support for each other.

What piece of advice would you give to someone who is about to marry a military service member? What’s the best advice you were given?

My advice would be to make friends and utilize the programs that are available when our loved ones' are deployed. It really helps to know ways to cope and remember that it is so worth it, because you know your loved one is fighting for our freedom and are reminded when you encounter people whom are so sincere in thanking you for all that they do.

Each month we will spotlight a new spouse. If you would like to have your story featured in “Spouse Spotlight” please click here

In 2001, laptops were too expensive for most soldiers to purchase. College classes were offered mainly on physical campuses. And the notion of going to school online was foreign, and well, strange.

Ten years has turned the traditional notion of higher education upside down. Technology has created lecture halls on dining room tables and in barracks rooms. Students are logging in to class, rather than walking there. And eArmyU, well, it served us well, but the antiquated system has reached its retirement age.

In March, 2012, the program, the Army’s first foray into distance learning, will be no more.

Students can already access the new, improved version: GoArmyEd.com

The flashy new site is a one-stop shop where students not only research schools, but also apply for financial aid, manage their education records and receive support from education counselors.

The Army’s education program has grown exponentially since eArmyU was launched. Originally only 23 colleges were part of the program. Now, soldiers can enroll in more than 2,000 programs. Online, or distance learning programs, account for more than 72 percent of the enrollments.

Haven’t started earning your degree yet? There’s no better time than now. Log on and get going.  

The amount of tuition assistance the Marine Corps is offering its’ troops has changed, and not for the better.

As of Oct. 1, 2011, the following rules apply:

• There is a cap of $175 per semester hour for undergraduate courses. This is a drop from the previous $250 allotment per semester hour.
• Marines will be limited to five semester hours per year, $875 annually, which will be reimbursed by TA.
• Fees for labs, technology costs and distance learning are not to exceed $30, annually.
• TA cannot be used for application, registration or graduation fees
• Up to $875 of TA per year can be used to earn high school credits or a high school diploma, though authorization for this use will be granted depending on the availability of money.
• TA is not authorized for doctoral programs and professional schools. 
• Marine Corps officers may not use TA for certificates and licenses that are not part of a larger degree program
• Enlisted Marines may use TA for one academic or vocational certificate from a regionally or nationally accredited institution, at the undergraduate level only.

The changes come after months of speculation that tuition assistance would be slashed as Congress looks for ways to lower costs. As more servicemembers take advantage of the military’s tuition assistance program, opponents claimed the program was reaching unsustainable levels. In 2010, the DOD spent $542 mil­lion on tuition assis­tance — $24 mil­lion more than 2009.

Before the Marine Corps’ changes, servicemembers had up to 100 percent of their tuition and fees covered, up to a $250 per credit limit. Any cost above the cap was paid by the GI Bill, scholarships or the student.

The Marine Corps’ new directive explains that though the military allows active duty members to use $3,500 in TA per year, an analysis of Marine Corps TA users show that members of that force only enroll in an average of four to five semester hours per year. Hence, the new annual limits.

The directive also says that the TA programs are meant to encourage and help young, new Marines pursue a degree while older Marines should rely on other programs, such as the GI Bill, to fund a wider range of programs and degrees as they prepare to transition out of the military.

In addition to the new monetary caps, Marines will be subject to the following rules to be eligible for TA:

• Marines must complete one year at their first permanent duty station before they are eligible to receive TA. Marines currently at their first duty station who are already receiving TA are exempt.
• Marines must have an education plan registered with the installation education service officer before they will be approved for TA.
• Marines must pass their most recent physical fitness test and combat fitness test to receive TA. This requirement can be waived for wounded warriors.
• As applicable, Marines must be recommended for promotion or advancement.
• Those who have received non-judicial or court-martial punishment in the previous 12 months are ineligible for TA.
• Marines must complete a Marine Corps Institute Course, either leadership (course ID 8112A) for corporals and sergeants, or personal financial management (course ID 3420F) for all Marines, to receive TA.

More details on these changes are available at all base education offices.

To read the Marine Corps’ release detailing the changes, please visit:

http://www.marines.mil/news/messages/Pages/MARADMIN616-11.aspx/http://www.marines.mil/news/messages/Pages/MARADMIN616-11.aspx/

Are you looking for a job in the United States, but living in Japan?

Fret not. You can make an impression on potential employers from 4,000 miles away - and in your jammies.

UBM Studios/Milicruit , based in Chicago, regularly hosts virtual career fairs to give military spouses and veterans an opportunity to network with companies across the U.S. no matter where they are stationed.

Applicants log on during specific hours to chat with representatives from more than 90 companies. The website is open around the clock for job seekers to check out the companies’ virtual booths and learn more about potential employers.

The next live event happens Oct. 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. eastern standard time. The event will feature companies from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland.  

On Nov. 10, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. eastern standard time, visitors can speak with representatives from companies around the U.S.

It’s important to keep in mind that career fairs are not hiring fairs, a place to conduct interviews or find job offers. Instead, it’s a place to find out more about employers and exchange resumes. Recruiters do, however, notice applicants who take the time to make a solid impression.

Attendees are encouraged to log on before the fair begins and complete their fair profile and post an appropriate photo.

To register, visit www.veteranscareerfair.com