realization

for every spouse/gf/bf/fiance when your loved one leaves for deployment, boat duty, tdy, pcsing without you... we all come to the realization at one point after they are gone that they are gone, that it will be X number of months/weeks whatever till we see that person again. when you come to that realization everything changes. its hard to explain sicne it's actually be awhile for myself but I know when that moment hit me the last deployment my hubby did I lost it. I cried for days.. i was also pregnant but I went into this whole day which turned into a week of crying at everything, I was angry, i was hurt, I felt soooooo alone even though I had family and my daughter. I know that moment didn't hit me until we were a month into the 15 month deployment. I then started counting down to R&R and after that I started counting down to homecoming day. there were days taht I needed a glass of wine, a good book and a hot bath... oh trust me there were a ton of those days... lol. we all have them during a deployment and time spent apart. but remember it could be worse and think of the good times and find something to be excited about...

bear with me & encouragement

Things here have been crazy and I have been working on more stuff for the blog but for some reason I can't copy and paste it into here from the program I was using at work... stupid Govt computers... lol

Anyways I hope to have all the other info i have up soon and I hope that this blog is helping those of you with a loved one deployed, I hope its even giving those of you that don't have a loved one deployed ideas and I hope everyone is sharing the site with friends and family that have loved ones in the military, even if they aren't deployed care packages are always nice to get from home... I still get them and it's GREAT! It's a great morale booster wither at home or overseas...

Just remember that there will be those days that suck and you'll want to give up... but don't, hang in there and do something for yourself and remember why you are with your special person to begin with. I know it's hard, I've been there twice and will be on the other side of the situation before I know it. But trust me it's worth it in the end and you'll see how strong you are and how strong your relationship is. It takes a special person to be a military spouse, not everyone can do it! Remember that in your journey with your loved one when you're apart, and even when you are together and you get tired of the military lifestyle.

If anyone has anything they want to add to the site feel free to email me at air.force.chic.2009@gmail.com or dcsky03@yahoo.com and I'll put it on here for ya.

and if you need someone to talk to email me... i'm here and i'll listen... remember i've been in your shoes and now im active duty so I have some experiance.

luau box

leis
water balloons

anything with a hawaiin theme

go to oriental trading and you can get all kinds of stuff!

SOLDIER CARE PACKAGE

tucked inside this little bag
when your spirits are starting tos ag
are some little reminders that i care
as you fight for freedom over there

toothpick to help you pick out the good in every situation you encounter
hugs and kisses (hersheys) because sometimes we all need a hug and a kiss
paperclip to help you keep it together when it all seems to be hitting the fan
marble to replace the lones we all lose from time to time
snickers to remind you to laugh even when you feel like crying
rubber band to help you be flexible and bounce back in time of trouble without breaking
stick of gum to remind you to stick with the task at hand
mint to let you know you're worth a mint to me
cotton balls to help cushion the rough times
lollipop to help you lick the problems you encounter
star burst to let you know im bursting with pride for you
nut to remind you to relax and get a little nutty sometimes
tootsie roll to remind you of the important roll you play
lifesavor to signify the lifesaving things you do to keep our country safe and free

lotta java

tea
cocoa
coffee singles
creamer
sugar
mug/travel mug

disposable cam corders

*i dont' know if this is still something you can do or not... i had a dvd camcorder that would record onto mini dvds so*

CVS sells disposable camcorders (20 min of recording time) and you take it back to them to get it put onto DVD... the source I got this from said that they don't look at the dvd, just the file to see that's its going to DVD...

snack almonds/walnuts

you can use either almonds or walnuts on this

preheat oven to 250
in a small bowl beat one egg white and one tsp water. beat until frothy and approx 6 oz nuts to the bowl and mix until nuts are coated
in a small ziplock bag combine 1/2 cup light brown sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon
add the nuts to the bag and shake to evenly coat the nuts
spread out on a cookie sheet and bake for 30 min and then turn them over and bake 30 min more
remove from oven and cool
put into a canister and ship!

blanket idea

take a sheet and let your kids use paint and put handprints and their footprints all over it. you can also put a poem in the center with handprints on the outside of it

*i did this for fathers day and I still have it.... our oldest enjoyed doing it

Pillow idea

take a picture of you with your kids or just yourself and print it onto iron on transfer and put it on a pillow case (you can also order this from walmart adn other places to)make the pillow case smell like you, seal it in a ziploc bag and send it... it will still smell like you when it gets there!

BIG CHEESE/PROMOTION BOX

cheese curls
cheese balls
cheese flavored chips
cheese doritos
cheese popcorn
cheese and crackers

other things cont...

hand held video game if they didn't take one with them

books on tape or send small paperbacks

if they are gone over their birthday send a box full of birthday stuff... decorate the inside and outside of the box as well!

foam footballs and basketballs, the miniture ones

flexible frisbee

hacky sack

if they are gone when the season changes into fall send some pressed leaves to them... it will remind them of home and be comforting

keychain squirt guns! a cheap pocket size toy to break the day up some...

very carefully open a box of cracker jacks and remove the prize. put your own prize into the box and put a little note and seal it back up

powder crystal light... many flavors and they will get tired of having just plain water all the time...

instant coffee
powder gatorade (send a jug to)
powder hot choc
kool aid (the pre sweetened kind)
tea bags (the single serving size)
lemonade mix

salsa and chips (just package the salsa up really good before sending it)

tuna in the fresh pouch

other things part 2

slim jims
crackers and easy spray cheese
single servings of chips
cookies
candy
little debbie snacks (the little debbie place up in Collegedale, TN will give you little debbie stuff to send if you go up there)
teddy grams
gobstoppers
pre packaged brownies
licorice
bubble gum
snack mixes
peanuts
pretzels
rice krispy treats
goldfish crackers
the little servings of applesauce/pudding/fruit
trail mix
cup of noodles
dry cereal
bowl appetite dinners
instant oatmeal
power/fiber bars
pasta anytime dinners
dinty moore dinners


anythign that can be microwaved is a good send... if they have access to one... also single servings of stuff is better so that it doesn't spoil... send snack bags (the ziploc baggies) so they can seperate stuff out to make it last longer... ( i did that before I sent it but sometimes I dind't have the time)

other things

use your computer to print onto iron on transfers adn then iron onto shirts, hats, pillows even underwear for fun

if they are gone over a holiday do up a box with holiday theme stuff

disposable cameras

make a cd of fave songs

letters

silly toys (slinkys, squirt guns)

if they have a dvd player send dvds (put them in a travel case since it wont take up as much room or weigh as much)

electronic games

journal to them so taht when they get back you can give it to them

silly putty

mini scrapbook

blow up a balloon and write on it and let the air deflate and send it...so that when they blow it up they can read it

create a cool calender with graphics and pics

get a magazine and replace faces with pics of your face... its cheesy but its a good laugh

halloween

fill it full of halloween candy
things of play doh
masks
flashlight that projects a pumpkin

the dollar store/tree has a lot pof great cheap things for halloween to send... have fun and be creative

sweet and spicy

100 cal choc chex mix
a fave memory of the 2 of you
a mix cd of songs that remind you of each other
a small photo album of lovey dovey pics

spicy peanuts
mini bottles of hot sauce
the red pepper packets from pizza hut
other spicy foods

foot care kit

guys dont take care of their feet as much... but being in the sweaty socks and boots for 12+hrs a day your feet take a beating and the boots aren't always comfortable...


foot soak
peppermint foot lotion
foot file
foot powder/spray
pumice stone
dr scholls inserts
new socks
toe nail clippers
put all the above in a plastic tub big enough to soak their feet in

personal hygiene

razors
baby wipes (the travel sizes)
toilet paper
deodrant
foot powder
sunscreen
toothbrush
toothpaste
eye drops
lotion
saop with plastic case
q tips
shaving cream
towels
medicated chapstick
antibacterial sanitizer
dental floss
shower gel
shower shoes

Items that are great to send

cheerios
photo album full of pics
chapstick (medicated/flavored)
vitamins
cookies
baby wipes
cd case
eye drops
gum
pens
paper
envelopes
beef jerkey
capri suns
90 sec ready rice
rice krispy treats
poptarts
cake in jar with icing
books
cups of noodles
game magazines
hand/feet warmers
tylenol
drink mixes you add to water
small boxes of breakfast cereals
cereal bars
condiments in to go servings
hard candy
homemade goodies
snakc packs
spoons
bowls
plastic silverware
nacho dip
chips
toothpaste
toothbrush or refills for his (the crest spin brush.... AAFES downrange usually doesn't have the refills)
shampoo
bodywash
deodrant
hand sanitizer (the travel sizes)
a&d ointment
socks/shirts/boxers (the tan shirts)
sheet set (if they have the bed instead of a cot)
blanket from home (wash in your detergent and then spray to smell like you, wrap it in a bag and send it)
egg crate mattress
small bottle of frebreeze
toilet paper
fluffy towel
dixie cups
stress ball
cd/dvd cleaning kit
eyeglass cleaner wipes
pocket comb

Theme boxes

***PAGE IN PROGRESS***

*note... be wary of sending chocolate and things that can melt in heat.... just cause its winter here it doesn't get THAT cold there... *

You can always send themed packages...

Heres a list of themes I came across or sent

KIDDIE BOX
~coloring book
~crayons
~toys (those that ppl use as party favors)
~playing cards
~small squirt guns
~silly putty
~silly string
~balloons
~small football
~hackysack
~the small bouncy balls

SCRUFF CARE BOX
~razors
~baby wipes
~chapstick
~shaving cream
~deodrant
~mouthwash
~lotion (spf is good)
~foot powder
~shampoo and conditioner
~soap
~big fluffy towel
~GOOD toilet paper (you may laugh but they don't get the good stuff... its the hard sandpaper type...)

GAME NIGHT/DAY BOX
~game for xbox/ps3 whatever he/she has
~card game
~board game
~mini board games (those that are more than just one game)
~sancks

SUNSHINE BOX
BIRTHDAY BOX
~presents
~cake in jar with frosting and candle
~birthday theme plates
~pics of family and friends in party hats
~recordable device with family friends singing Happy Birthday
~party supplies
~snacks

CHRISTMAS IN A BOX
~little tree
~decor and lights
~christmas cds
~christmas movies
~presents
~cake in jar with frosting
~stocking full of goodies

VALENTINES BOX
~valentines candy
~pic of you and him
~jar with slips of paper each with a reason you love him/her
~fave magazine/game
~a mix cd
~gummy handcuffs with a note that says "wish you were here"

ANNIVERSARY BOX
~movie and pics
~present
~snacks
~cake in the jar

BREAKFAST BOX
~oatmeal pkgs or cups of oatmeal
~the small boxes of cereal
~variety of cereal bars/breakfast bars
~dried fruits

MEXICAN DINNER BOX
HOMESICK BOX
6 YEAR OLD BOX
NUTS ABOUT YOU BOX
~a box of assorted nuts

MOVIE NIGHT BOX
~popcorn
~movies
~snacks and candy
~kool aid mix
~get an empty popcorn tub from a theatre and send it all in it

CASINO BOX
~cards
~dice
~poker chips
~snacks

LUAU
SPORTS
4TH OF JULY
ST PATTYS DAY
~cake in jar made with green sprinkles
~green frosting
~pic frame that is st patty themed with pic of family/you
~irish spring soap
~small box of lucky charms
~boxers/underwear with shamrocks on them
~green tic tacs
~cookies shaped like shamrocks
~small black pot with gold coins (the edible ones)
~green adn white balloons
~green rice krispy treats
~skittles
~other things that are green and st patty themed

ENTERTAINMENT BOX
EASTER BOX
CINCO DE MAYO
HALLOWEEN
THANKSGIVING
NEW YEARS
CLEAN BOX
7 DAY STORE BOX
STARBUCKS BOX
HOME BOX
KEEPING IT COOL BOX
LOVE SURVIVAL KIT
CRAZY FOR COOKIES
ZOO BOX
WRITE STUFF BOX
SWEET DREAMS BOX
FIESTA BOX
LETS PLAY BALL
BRAIN TEASERS
EMERIL OF IRAQ
UNDER THE SEA
YOU STINK
JAMICA BOX
POOL/SAND PARTY
FLU BOX

Cookies

Cookies that wont go stale
~package the cookies ina glad or ziploc plastic container. Line the bottom with paper towel, put layer of cookies, another paper towel, continue until container is full. THen take the container and seal it, wrap it in a ziploc baggie and mail it with other things cushioning it so it doesn't get crushed.

You can also put in a piece of bread in with them, it will help them stay fresh. Even making them a bit chewy helps keep them fresh to.

Also you can wrap them in saran wrap, then put in a ziploc bag with a piece of bread and press all the air out of the bag. Then wrap them in bubble wrap.

You can also use a press n seal.. put cookies side by side on sticky side up, and add a top layer with sticky side down and press the corners down pretty good then cut the excess press n seal off and carefully press edges again.

In a rubbermaid container put couple layers of bubble wrap on bottom, arrange cookies adn add a layer of bubble wrap on top adn seal the lid shut and tape it down with packing tape.

Iced sugar cookies... Wrap them by themselves in the press and seal put in a rubber maid container that has a layer of bubble wrap on bottom, top with a layer of bubble wrap and seal the container and tape shut

Bake cookies and once cool enough move to freezer, let stay overnight until frozen. Food saver them once frozen

Make cookies small enough to put into a pringles can (the smaller ones), saran wrap the cookies and put into the can and seal the can.

bake cookies as a sheet and cut into bars and wrap in saran wrap and wrap in bubble wrap.

CAKE IN A JAR

GET WIDE MOUTH CANNING JARS, PINT SIZE. YOU CAN FIND THEM AT WALMART, OTHER STORES OR ONLINE.

BOIL THE JARS TO STERILIZE THEM.

1 package cake mix ( you can use any cake recipe to not just packaged)
8 jars with rings and lids

1. Make the cake according to the directions on package
2. Grease the jars, wiping the rims off when done. Put 1 cup of batter into each jar (you can fill about 1/2 way but you may want to do one for a trial run to begin with)
3. Place jars on cookie sheet on rack in oven(it prevents them from tipping over) bake for 30-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean
4. While baking boil the lids and rims
5. When cake is done take one jar out at a time and cover with a hot lid. Screw the ring on tightly
6. The lid will seal as soon as it cools. Listen to hear a "ping"as they seal. But if they don't wait until completely cool and then pres son top of lid, if it doesn't move at all it is sealed.
7. As the cake cools it will pull away from the jar slightly, thats okay... it just means that it will slide out of the jar easier
8. Unsealed jars should be stored in fridge and eaten within 2 weeks. Sealed jars can also be stored in freezer, however they should last sealed and unrefrigerated for qutie a long time
9. DO NOT frost the cake in the jar... send it along
10. make sure you wrap the jars well... bubble wrap around top, bottom and around the jar will protect it pretty well.

To get out of the jar, tap bottom and pour out. they can also be eaten out of the jar as well. Send icing, plates, knives and forks along!