Holiday Tips From FSS to You

The holidays are upon us. That being said, there are some things you need to remember as you head into these jubilees. Below, are some tips and tricks on how to make the most of this season!

1. Don't let shopping turn you into the Grinch. Trying to find impossible gifts (like a Hatcnhimal or Nintendo NES) can sometimes make us want to take everyone else's gifts away in Whoville. Don't let this be you! Go to the Tinker Living Facebook and like our posts for your chance to win wonderful gifts every day of the week! Take the bahumbug out of shopping this holiday.

2. Don't get stuck staying up all night cooking last minute. Everyone loves holiday meals but no one likes making them. How could FSS possibly help with that you ask? Well Tinker Golf will cook your holiday ham. Then you pick it up and serve it. Don't look haggard serving your meal, look flawless!

3. Decorating. verb An act of sifting through terribly packed boxes for ornaments and trinkets that originated a million years ago and the family has held onto ever since. Don't let this be your definition! We all see the Hallmark like decorating commercials where everyone is sitting around smiling in matching sweaters while they put up the tree. So how did FSS aid in the decorating woes? They held a gingerbread house and holiday card contest. People could win money just for decorating. The added bonus was that you got to take the stuff home and then you were halfway done decorating. 

4. Don't get stuck with nothing to entertain the family. Family is an absolute blessing. It's easy to remember this when they aren't crammed into your house during the holidays. Let FSS remind you of this with things like bowling tournaments and golf specials all season. It's a great way to get the family out and having fun.

5. Last, but not least, don't get caught without a Santa photo. It isn't like all of those malls are just packed with guys dressed up like jolly old Saint Nick, right? So it's hard to get some one-on-one time with him, but FSS has a solution. We have asked him to take a break from the toy making and he has agreed to come out to the Airman & Family Readiness Center on 20 Dec 2016 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cookies and hot chocolate will be provided but you must bring your own camera. Also, make sure to bring a food donation for the food pantry.

Well I think that just about sums up the tips. Just remember to keep with the cheery spirit and enjoy the holidays. Stressing out should be for the other 364 days of the year. :)

25 Days of FSS (a.k.a Free Stuff!)

Christmas is quickly approaching, and with it comes twinkling lights, cheerful music, and crippling debt from all of the shopping we've done. Okay, perhaps "crippling debt" is a bit of an over exaggeration, but it sure can feel like it when we start looking at those receipts. A new TV for dad, necklace for mom, Xbox for hubby, toys for the kids, etc. Tis' the season of giving after all. So why not save money this season, or better yet, get free stuff?!

Well FSS (as usual) has the perfect solution for the shopping blues. The 25 Days of FSS is the perfect way to stay on Tinker and save. To kick off the event, Tinker Living is giving away a 40" Smart TV FOR FREE! Exciting right? But wait, there's more! Throughout the month of December, Tinker Living will be giving away free gifts to our followers. Forget stocking stuffers, with our swag you can stuff your Christmas tree! There will be an iPad Mini 2, Pioneer Woman Cookware Set, GoPro Camera, FitBit, and so much more. Obviously you have to sign your life away to win these things right? Wrong! All you have to do is go to the 'Tinker Living' Facebook page, like us, go to the post with the giveaway, like it, and tag two friends. Voila! You are automatically entered to win. So stock up this Christmas with FSS and save your wallet from another shopping spree. 

Be sure to check out www.tinkerliving.com/25 for a complete calendar of all the deals going on throughout FSS in December. 

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...For a Holiday Parade!

First of all, welcome back Team Tinker! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and ate waaaaayyy too much food.

Now let's be honest, coming back to work after a break is a bit difficult. We are still in "holiday mode," where alarm clocks are non-existent and everything that needs to be done can be put off. Then, our break is over and it's high ho high ho back to work we go. Our alarm clocks seem to go off much too early and suddenly we are faced with several deadlines. Are these even the same jobs we left? It's challenging to say the least, but there's hope!

The 2016 FSS Holiday Parade is this Wednesday, 30 Nov 2016. The parade will start at the Tinker Youth Center at 4:30 p.m. and process to the Tinker Club. Make sure to stay afterwards for the annual tree lighting and holiday party. As if delicious yummies and fun surprises weren't enough of a reason to stay, there will also be a special visit from the resident North Polers, Mr. & Mrs. Claus. So shake off that SEBS (Sudden Ending Break Syndrome) and make plans to attend the Holiday Parade!

For more information on the Holiday Parade, go to www.tinkerliving.com/parade.

A Time to Be Thankful

Holidays have a tendency to make people feel a certain way. Christmas excites most and fills them with cheer and Valentine's Day makes us feel all warm and fuzzy with love. So then how does Thanksgiving make us feel? With a delicious turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, warm rolls, sweet pumpkin pie....hungry, this holiday makes us feel hungry. Although, once the food coma has subsided and we are able to resume consciousness, there seems to be another feeling. It's warm and fuzzy like Valentine's Day but it's also exciting and cheerful like Christmas. You want to celebrate the feeling like St. Patrick's Day and New Year's Eve or set off fireworks like the Fourth of July. You realize the feeling is thankfulness (emphasis on the full part). The meal was delicious but so are many of the meals you have had this past year. So what makes this one special? Well take a good look around because it's those people you're sharing it with. Yes, the people who drive you nuts most of the time are what make this holiday so wonderful. Through thick and thin and everything in between, they have been here for you. And for one day a year they seem to pack themselves like sardines into a house with dishes of food galore to celebrate everything they have to be thankful for. You may think it's just the food coma talking but you realize soon enough you really do love them and are grateful for all of them. Your uncle that tells you the same story every time he sees you or your grandmother who asks you why you're still single. You thank your lucky stars for all of them.

Yes, this holiday is one to reflect on what you have and appreciate it. So hold your loved ones close and pile your plates high. This holiday was made for happiness, love, and thankfulness.

So from FSS to you,

Take a Stroll Down Gingerbread Lane

Are your Gingerbread House skills all the rage amongst your friends? Would even the witch from Hansel and Gretel be jealous of your masterpiece? Well then FSS has a treat for you! Join the competition fun in the 2016 Gingerbread House building contest. Kits and submissions must be turned in and picked up by November 18. That's two more days to sign up and get your kit to create the oh so deluxe Gingerbread Manor you have been dreaming up. All interested participants must stop by Outdoor Recreation to pick up supplies and a form. Contestants will need to bring their completed houses to the Tinker Club prior to the Holiday Parade on November 30 to be on display for all who come to the after party. There the houses will be judged and prizes will be awarded. Oh, did I forget to mention that you could win $300 cash if your house wins?? There will also be cash prizes for second and third place.

So call your architect and get your goody goody gum drops good and ready to put together your gingerbread house for the 2016 Gingerbread House contest!

For more information, go to www.tinkerliving.com/parade.

To All Those Who Have Served

This day is about honor and giving thanks,

To the men and women who joined the ranks,

To fight for our country and all of our rights,

Through countless days and sleepless nights,

They left their families so we could hold ours close,

Committing to the path each of them chose,

Some have come back and some never will,

And some have come back but are gone still,

They have sacrificed themselves for the USA,

So on their day remember to say,

Thank you for your service and fighting for me,

And for giving strength to this great country.

In observance of the holiday, several FSS facilities will have special hours. A complete list of the hours can be found at www.tinkerliving.com/contact. So have a safe and fun weekend and most importantly, remember to thank a Veteran for their sacrifice.

It's a Manic Monday

It's no secret that Monday's can be a little tough sometimes. It feels like the weekend went by too quickly and you didn't get as much done as you had hoped to. Now you are back at work counting down the days until Friday.

Want to learn how to appreciate Monday's again? Well FSS has the perfect solution with Dollar Monday's. All games, shoes, soda, and hotdogs are just a dollar each all day. ONLY ONE DOLLAR! So come stop by Tinker Lanes and learn to love Monday's again.

This is Halloween!

Twas the night of ghouls, 

That we call Halloween,

And creatures were lurking,

To give you a scream!

Something wicked (awesome) this way came on Monday night at the Tinker Youth Center. The rooms were all decorated top to bottom with glorious balloon arches, spooky cobwebs, and even a few ghouls. The gymnasium was stocked with games galore and a giant pirate ship bounce castle. For those who felt like braving the seven seas on this ghostly evening. Then, for those who were feeling extra brave, awaited the Haunted Trail. Here guests would find scares and screams as they trudged on through the creepy path. There was something for everyone at this 'spooktacular' event!

As the sun began to sneak away, children of all ages tugged on their parents with excitement for what lay in store for them at the Youth Center. Every costume was in attendance from dinosaurs and princesses to superheroes and movie stars; and all had buckets and baskets ready to fill with candy. Every turn seemed to have something sweet in store for the kids. The fun lasted for hours, and it seemed like the entire Tinker Community came out to enjoy the festivities. A special thank you goes out to TFCU, Chuck E. Cheese, and Jack in the Box for sponsoring the event and bringing in some 'spooktacular' fun of their own!

The haunting fun may be over,

Or so it would seem, 

But there's only 361 days left, 

Until next Halloween!

And Survey Says

For anyone who has ever tuned in to the popular game show Family Feud, they know that this show only furthers the question, "what in the world is my family thinking?"

For those who haven't see the show, the host (Steve Harvey) asks the two families questions that were asked to 100 random people prior to the show. The object of the game is to guess the top answers to the question. This may seem simple but the show is nothing short of hilarious. Though the questions may sometimes seem easy, you find out quickly that this is not the case for all of the contestants. Families cheer on their relatives as their turn approaches only to stare at them in disbelief as they say something off the wall. The laughs never stop.

You're probably thinking, "I would love to be a contestant on that show," well look no further. Tinker AFB will be hosting Fabulous Feud at the Tinker Club on 3 Nov 2016. This free event is open to anyone with base access who is 18+. Oh and did I mention there's money involved?! First place will receive $500, second place $300, third place $200, fourth place $100, and team spirit/best costume will receive $200. That's $1300 that's up for grabs! So grab your friends or squadron and sign up now while there are still spots available. Go online to www.tinkerliving.com/feud to register.

It's Time to Get Crafty

What is the best part of fall? Is it the leaves changing colors? Or how about the opportunity to finally layer up your cute fall outfits? While those are all pluses, the best part is still the crafts! You spent all summer lounging by the pool or enjoying that bright sun but when the weather gets cold you are forced to spend more time inside. What do you do while you're inside? You craft. Pinterest becomes your most used app and those antique stores start looking fabulous! So go ahead, get started on redecorating a room or vamping up a wardrobe.

Need help getting started? Well you are in luck because Tinker Arts & Crafts is hosting its Fall Craft Fair today until 2 p.m. in Bldg. 3001. The vendors will be in the Oklahoma Room and Hallway G. With everything from beautiful jewelry and snuggly cardigans (to complete those fall layers) to delicious jams/sauces and handmade quotes, there is sure to be something for everyone. Don't miss this opportunity to get into the fall spirit with crafts galore!

                             

 

Pins for the Win!

This is definitely the week to get crafty! Halloween is right around the corner and as any good holiday enthusiast can tell you, decorations are a must. In fact, some would even say that the better the decorations the more holiday spirit you have. Of course that little nugget of wisdom is handed to us from the people that turn their yards into something straight out of a catalog, but they have a point. Decorations get us in the spirit for the holiday. We start to see a spooky ghost here and there and we know that soon the costumes and candy will follow. The point is that decorations are key!

That is why the Tinker Library has decided to host a Halloween Pin Decorating Contest. The goal is to pull out your inner craftsman and create the creepiest, fanciest, most original bowling pin you can. There are a few rules but for the most part this pin is your wide open canvas. Time is running out (pins are due to the Library by 22 October) so don't delay in picking up yours! Once the pins are in, they will be displayed and judged. Winners will be announced shortly thereafter. What's the prize you ask? Well you'll just have to wait and see whether your creativity will earn you a Trick-or-Treat! So put on your holiday spirit hat and head to the Library to let your creativity monster roam free! Happy decorating!

And Then They Danced

Even superheroes have moms, and they were all in attendance this past weekend at the Mother Son Dance.

The Tinker Club was brimming with energy as the crime fighting duos arrived. The ballroom was decorated perfectly for the occasion, with every table lined with super goodies and even a few sweets. Once the superheroes were announced, they were encouraged to indulge in the delicious food that lined the outskirt of the room. After all, fighting crime does work up quite the appetite.

Shortly thereafter, the DJ invited the pairs to take to the dance floor for a mother son slow dance. So the mothers grabbed their super sons and headed out to enjoy some time with their little defenders. It was absolutely darling to watch as the couples sashayed around the dance floor hand in hand. The fun continued with a surprise visit from the real Batman and Superman. Faces lit up as the dynamic duo came into the room. It was quite the exciting experience.

Soon it was time for the superheroes to return home and rest up for another day of saving the world. Even though the festivities were over, one thing was clear. The memories made here this evening were ones that could be cherished forever. One day they will be too old to dance around in cape and costume with mom but they will still always be her little superhero.

Yes, even superheroes have mothers. After all, where do you think they learned how to be a superhero?

Columbus Sailed the Ocean Blue

Have you ever been playing hide n' seek with your sister only to find some random kid hiding behind the curtain that you don't know? Welcome to Columbus' world! He wasn't really looking for America but as fate would have it, he found it anyway. So once a year we get to celebrate his amazing (accidental) discovery with a holiday in his honor. For some this means a three day weekend. Yay! In light of the holiday there will be some changes to the hours of operation in the FSS facilities. For a complete list, go to tinkerliving.com/contact.

So have a safe and fun weekend and make sure to make a few accidental discoveries of your own! Who knows, you could get a holiday named after you. :) 

Attention All Fitness Enthusiasts

Who says your winter body can’t be just as good as your summer one? Sure you might need to wear an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow, polka dot parka but that doesn’t mean you can’t still turn heads in it! So make sure to keep up with your fitness during these upcoming months. Speaking of which, the Gerrity Fitness Center will be changing their weekday evening hours starting 15 October 2016. The new weekday hours are Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Don’t worry night owls, you can still have a ‘hoot’ at the gym at all hours of the night! Stop by fitness centers 3705 & 216 during regular business hours to register your CAC card for 24-hour access. For questions, please call 405.734.5607.

Welcome to Tinker Living

How much does a polar bear weigh? Enough to break the ice, hi I’m Cynthia. I am the Marketing & Advertising Specialist for the 72d FSS. As I like to say, FSS is all the fun stuff you can do on base. However, we are also business when we need to be. Like a classy mullet. Party in the back and business in the front. Anyway, stop by from time to time for fun and informational posts to keep you current with FSS!