Name that Care Package.....

 Recently I have been looking for any and all information on sending care packages to my soldier.  I came upon this blog:  Some Soldier's Mom  She was very informational and has some GREAT ideas for care packages.   Read them first then I will pick back up towards the end of my post....see ya in a few!

 

Care Packages

I know a lot of people that read my blog either have family or friends in the military or have an interest in them and/or have adopted soldiers serving overseas... So I offer this list from a private chat group for families of 3ID soldiers. Some will evoke smiles and others are just plain fun and bound to bring a smile to your soldier.

If you really do SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, here are some places you might want to visit to lend a hand:

Adopt a Sniper
Adopt a Soldier
Any Soldier
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
Fisher House
Foster Care for Military Pets
Helmets to Hardhats
Soldiers' Angels
USO
Wounded Warrior Project

~~~THEME BOX IDEAS~~~
(for the days when you can't think of what to ship)

"Surviving the Sandstorms"- Eye wash; Nasal spray; Chap stick; Bandana; goggles/sun glasses; etc

"Laundry Load"- Laundry soap ('sample size' or Tide tablets kind) to pack in with their clothes..in case there are no washers/dryers; Fabric softener sheets; clean socks and undershirts; Febreeze or All refresher fabric sprays

"Lotta Java"- Tea; Cocoa; Coffee singles; creamer; sugar; International Coffee tins; cookies for dunking in coffee

"Thanks a Million!!"- Things that may "seem" expensive. Ex: Grey Poupon; electronic game of "Who wants to be a Millionaire?" - small amount of cash; wrap items in green tissue paper.

"Hang in There!"- Stuffed animal monkey; Banana bread; Banana chips; Banana pudding (the kind that doesn't have to be refrigerated); Monkey's in a Barrel game; card with a monkey on it.

"A Day at the Beach!"- sunscreen; beach towel; beach snacks; flip flop sandals (shower shoes); aloe vera gel;

"Medicine Cabinet"- aspirin; band-aids; Neosporin cream; A&D ointment; cold medicine; alka seltzer; Rolaids; etc.

"Staying Healthy"- nutrition/health bars (ex: Power bar; Tigers Milk; Myoplex); vitamins; Nutri-grain bars; Gatorade or other sports drink (to stay hydrated);

"MRE/Mess Hall Survival Kit"- restaurant size condiment packs of: BBQsauce, mustard, ketchup, mayo, relish, salt. Pepper, taco sauce, ranch, cheese in a can dip, etc

"Correspondence Carton"- notebook paper; stationery; pens; pencils; stickers (who knows they may even play with these!!); envelopes, address book (filled out already of course); camera (with a note to send back onceit is full);

"Action Heroes"- Power bars; squirt guns; Red Bull drinks; small Army figurines; comic books; Gatorade; Red Bull drinks; etc

"To Be A Kid Again"- silly string; bubbles; small bouncy balls; hacky sacks; brain teaser toys (rubix cube, etc); deck of cards; dominoes; slinky, Frisbee's; Pez w/ dispenser; Nerf balls; sand box toys (pail, small shovel, etc);

"Bathroom in a Box"- TOILET PAPER!!! (the soft stuff); razor refills; foot powder; bars of soap; fresh, clean, soft washcloth; travel size shampoo/conditioner; toothpaste; toothbrush; etc

"Ruck Sack Snack Pack"- packed full of your loved one's favorite snacks ... possibilities endless. Doritos; M&M's; nuts; chips; dips; crackers; jelly beans; beef jerky; gum; etc. (but don't send any chocolate in the summer!)

"Breakfast on the GO"- mutrigrain bars; instant oatmeal cups; small boxes of cereal; pop tarts; Hostess donuts: Otis Spunk Meyer muffins; cocoa; coffee; Tang; cereal bars

"Tube O Tasties"- Just as something different, send a package in a tube instead of a square box. Make sure the parameters are acceptable though.

"Stress Reliever"- back scratcher; bubble wrap; yo-yo's; bubbles; squeezy tension ball; nerf stuff

"Sloppy Kisses"- send a bunch of Hershey's kisses. Bound to be "sloppy kisses!" (forget this in the summer... it's a mess!)

"I'm Nuts About You"- peanuts; cashews; pistachios; peanut butter cookies; any candy or cookies with nuts in them; Nutter Butter's; Peanut Lover's Chex mix; Fiddle Faddle with peanuts, CrackerJacks

"Rock On" or "Charlie ROCK"- pop rocks; music cd's

"Chili Today, Hot Tamale"- hot tamales (candy); small cans of chili; red pepper flakes (like the ones at pizza parlors); salsa sunflower seeds; Cajun flavor Pringles; Spicy chex mix; Boston red hots; peppered beef jerky; taco bell hot sauce packets; Extreme Doritos; chili powder; nacho cheese sauce in a can; Tums/Rolaids, Jalapeño Ritz;

"And this little piggy went to the sandbox"- (foot care kit)- foot powder; Dr, Scholl's boot inserts; foot lotion; foot file; fresh, clean socks; toe nail clippers; scrub brush; odor eater balls for shoes/boots; foot soaks (either include a small bucket or large Ziploc bags to soak feet it)

"How do you eat your OREOS??!!"- regular Oreos; peanut butter Oreos; double stuff Oreos; low fat Oreos; chocolate filled Oreos; chocolate covered Oreos; holiday Oreos

"Muchas Gracias. Nachos Supreme"- Doritos &/or Fritos &/or any corn tortilla chips; Mexican Velveeta; salsa (wrapped in bubble wrap); small can of olives (don't forget the can opener); bean dip; nacho cheese dip; small can of green chilies; jar of jalapeno's (wrapped in bubble wrap); taco seasoning; small paper plates or bowls (so they can make their nachos); taco sauce (especially easy are those condiment packets from Taco Bell); You could also send the sauces from the various Mexican dinner kits (they also have tortilla's in those dinner kits that are sealed so they would probably get there without molding or drying out); Taco Bell Nacho Supreme kit

"Sweet Tooth"- Nerds; Gummy Bears; Laffy Taffy; Bubble Gum; Tootsie Rolls; Lolli pops; (any candy that won't melt)

"Pamper Party" (for females)- Feminine hygiene products; shampoo/conditioner; hair barrettes and scrunchies (same color as their hair); facial scrub &/or soap; facial mask; lotion; shower gel; razors; facial moisturizer; tweezers; nail care kit; toner; special facial products (alpha hydroxy; eye cream; etc)

"Congrats on your promotion"- congratulation party favors; all your loved one's favorites snacks; sparkled cider (wrapped in bubble wrap of course); etc.

"For the Fisherman"- Goldfish crackers; tuna pouches; canned smoked salmon; cans of sardines; gummy worms; Go Fish card game; Field & Stream magazine; electronic fishing rod game; Sponge Bob Square Pants stuffed toy; fishing game toy (made by several different toy companies. Has a small fishing pole with a magnet on the end. Fish have magnets on their mouths)

"Say CHEEEESE!"- disposable cameras; cheese dip; Doritos; Cheetos; Cheesenips; Better Cheddars; Velveeta

"Kick Back & Relax"- Dominoes; playing cards; magazines; books; music cd's; crossword puzzles; jigsaw puzzles; word searches; hand held electronic games; squirt guns; water balloons; bubbles; hacky sacks; Nerf balls; board games (Axis & Allies, Clue, Trivial Pursuit, etc)

"Christmas in July"- wrap everything in Christmas wrapping paper; peppermint flavored hard candies

"Italian Stallion"- Italian cheese Ghardetto's; Pizza-licious Pringles; Pepperoni pizza Combo's; small Boboli pizza bread; pizza sauce (for dipping Boboli); canned Ravioli, spaghetti, lasagna, etc.

"American Classics"- Pez with dispensers; Cracker Jacks; Lifesavers; NeccoWafers; Pop Rocks; Nerds; Good & Plenty; Candy Necklaces; Candy cigarettes

******************************

And if you are sending things to Iraq and Afghanistan and you haven't discovered FLAT RATE BOXES... get them from the Post Office -- no matter how much you stuff in these boxes (about the size of a medium FedEx box) -- it's one price to mail! Don't pay for priority mail for things you send either, they don't get to NY any faster (which is where all APO mail goes to). 

  So...AWESOME....don't you think...so creative that it makes me wish I had been the first one to think of such things.  I do remember a time that our church via a very creative lady...(hint...hint.. Gail!) decorated shoes boxes for each of us on staff for Staff Day at church.  She, Gail, was so decorative with mine.  I only mention mine cause I can't remember anyone Else's.  Yes, I am getting old...er! My favorite color has always been purple and Gail did an outstanding job decorating with that color and music notes which was perfect since I was the pianist!  

Now that I am finished blubbering on and on .....I am wondering if there might be more ideas out there that fellow readers may have thought of...something creative but just what that special soldier might need in a box from the good ol USA.  Post your idea.....I would love to see it!

Mowenackie  posted on Boots in the Doorway :

 "Deployment is such an emotional rollercoaster, isn't it? It can be exhausting!"

I AGREE!!!!

I must be the biggest baby of a mother in the whole world....

We had an awesome visit with our soldier.

Then I hugged him and kissed him goodbye until 6 months from now.

 Keep Calm and Carry On 

Twitter Hop Thursday (July 22)

                  

                                                     


Welcome to Twitter Hop Thursday, hosted by Simply Stacie, The King’s Court IV, Little Yaya’s, and Review Retreat!


Would you like more Twitter followers and be introduced to more neat blogs and businesses out there? Come and join us!!

1. Add your Twitter to the MckLinky (you only have to add it to one and it will appear on all).

2. Click on the Twitter for the four hostesses and follow each of them on Twitter. We will follow you back.

3. Follow as many people on Twitter as you like, but make sure to leave comments with links so they’ll know where to follow you!

Spread the word and add this MckLinky to your blog! Write your own post or copy and paste this one. Below the MckLinky box, you’ll see “Want to be a part of this Blog Hop? Click here for instructions and code….” Have fun Twitter-Hopping along!

Hoooo Hoooo Are You?

Hoo are You? host a question and answer every Tuesday...so here goes!

hoo are you?

Here are this weeks questions!

1. Have you ever broke a bone or anything on your body?  O yeah, stepped in a pot hole and down I went...broke the tiny bone on top of my right foot.




2. What is your favorite drink?   Rt. 44 Sonic Coke but I have to settle for non-cafeine tea, most of the time.





3. When is your birthday! You don't have to tell the year you were born!  April 20th



4. Do you have an allergies?  Do I?  My entire life it seems...some foods still, grasses, pine, cedar and oak trees, mold, seasonal allergies, asprin, penicillin and azithromycin .




5. What is one of your all time favorite movies?  Ice Castles

Follow Friday 40 and Over

 

Welcome to the 8th edition of the

Follow Friday 40 and Over!!

nevergrowingold.blogspot.com

Are you a blogger over 40? Yeah, welcome to the club!

Please join in the fun and get to know your fellow bloggers!!

The RULES to join in are very simple!

1. Grab the button

2. Add your link to the list

3. Visit as many other blogs as you can

4. Follow the ones you like (and comment on their blog to say that you are following)

Let the fun begin!!!

We Had a Surprise Visit

Our former houseparent that taught me some of my knowledge of  "how to be a houseparent" was in town this weekend so she stopped by for a visit.  The kids have grown so much since they left to go to seminary.   They are such a sweet, sweet family!  AND they are expecting one more baby early next year!!!  Yea!!  Thanks for coming to see us!

Fabric Covered Hoe by Two little Hooligans

Fabric Covered Hoe

I came upon the above while strolling thru some different blogs.  I am always looking for great things to do with all of the fabric I inherited from my Momma.  Now I can see everything with a handle looking like the picture above.  Thanks Christina from Two Little Hooligans and Amy from Modge Podge Rocks for sharing.  I will be back to see you for more ideas.  Here is the link for the tutorial that Christina has on her page:  Fabric Covered Hoe .

Chic Click

I have been happily married for 26 1/2 years, well...except for some of those small discussions we have had thru out the years.  We have three grown children and two wonderful "in-laws" that take us as we are.  We also have one grandson that is the love of our life.  He will be 2 soon and when we are with him we have a blast!  I have been a retail salesperson, cashier, costume sewer, quilter, Barbie doll clother, lego maniac momma, birthday party designer, bike riding trainer, broke elbow holder, fishing tackle in the foot take to the ER to get out of the foot momma, hold on for dear life x3 driving trainer, Hammester finder, dog sitter, church pianist, preacher's wife, Army mom, worrying mom, and a million (I am sure!) other things that come with life,

I am currently serving as a Full-time Houseparent for Promise House.  PH is a home  for un-wed teenage girls.  We love on the girls while they are here during their pregnacy then we get to see the new baby.  Recently, we have started a new program where we have taken one mother and baby back to live with us.  Most of our girls and their baby go back to the placement they were at before coming to P.H.  So here I do my best to show them what a family life would be like if they were part of our family.  Not too sure if I succeed all the time.

If I had to chose a favorite post of mine I would choose  Momma's Quilts Host a Party.  My mom was a quilter so was her mother.  Momma left us all dozens upon dozens of quilt tops ready to be finished. I inherited 28 of those quilt tops.  As you can see in the post....a fun time was had by all.

I love this blog from Chic Click....time for some of you to check it out!

Priddy Creations

She has lots of tutorials of some awesome creations!

 

Chic Click Carnival

This is not simply a linky party, the purpose of the “Chic Click Carnival” is to introduce yourself and one fellow peep you found using the Visit Our Peeps widget.  You can to Skip to my Lou to find out all the directions for the fun we all are having!

Build A Bear Fun at Promise House

Most Fun Ever

We recently had a group of Senior Adults from our church known as the Keenagers give a donation so that we could take the girls to Build A Bear.  We were really hesistant about how they would like it or not.  I on the other hand was extremely excited to be able to go. I think the girls had no problem telling if I was or not.

A Girl Picking Out a Bear From the Wall

We went on a Thursday evening.  The Build A Bear here in our city was so extremely helpful with our group.  We had enough to plan it as a birthday party, of which it wasn't so I called it the Bear Party.  The girls were able to pick out which ever bear or animal that they wanted and the clothing with accessories to go with it.  They had a budget of $37 a piece.

A Girl Filling Out Her Bears Birth Certificate

I did not get my bear exactly when they got theirs but instead I wondered around looking and admiring the smiles on the faces of the girls.  They were so excited!  Most of the girls came to me at sometime and told me they were having a hard time choosing clothing for their bear.  One girl told me it was like shopping for herself!  My heart was happy.

Heather, Our Bear Party Guide

The girls were very patient with Heather, our party guide, as she helped them keep up with their dollar amounts so that they would not go over their budget.  (What a great Math class but was so much fun!)
The girls were able to get a picture as a group, their own birth certificate and we got BOGO 4 oz. ice cream cones from Baskin Robbins! 
Yummi! in our tummies!

The babies they got to stuff at Build a Bear.

We want to give a very big thank you to our Keenagers!  You gave us a wonderful time with each other while the girls learned more addition and subtraction along with how to work a budget!  Thank You!

I Never Thought....

The following was written by my daughter, Becka, on Tuesday morning. I noticed the time cause if she is mine what is she doing up so early? As I read this I begin to laugh at alot of things that she and Ben did together as siblings although she did not include the frogs. But the more I read the tears begin to fall...How do I explain to the PH girls why I am crying ....and yes they do ask. My thoughts have rambled all day from the beginning of his life til now. Sometimes I think it is not fair what this world requires of our family serving in the military. But then I didn't think it was fair when God decided to call home my mom either. I have struggled with life and death since February 27, 2008.  The day my baby (yes, he admits this) flew on a plane to start his life with the Army at the age of 17 and the morning that my mom got up to go to the bathroom with her next steps being on the streets of gold in heaaven.  It won't be long and Ben will be serving for my freedom here on Earth halfway across the world.  That is something I am proud of  but I would not be a mother if it did not bother me to some degree.  I can only cling to the verse that I have used since we begin our full time ministry as preacher and his wife:  For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future. Jeremiah 29:11


I Never Thought...


When I was 5 years old



and he was just newborn;


I never thought...




Then he became the 5


and I became the 10.


We dug holes in our backyard


to build a "swimming pool";


I never thought...



Once again 5 years passed


And I became a teen


as he lingered on the edge.


While I chased him with a fly swat;


I never thought...




When I reached my 20's


he was just a teenager


lost in his own dreams.


He missed me when I left,


because he lost someone to tease;


I never thought...




Now we're both adults,


and we're known as


the baby and the princess;


How dare we forget to mention


the chosen one of all,


who's stuck in the middle.




I never thought I would have to say,


"Brother, thank you for your service!"




I never thought I would see the day,


that precious baby boy


would be half a world away.




I never thought I would be so proud


of that rotten little baby boy.


Who's given up his freedom,


so that I can hold strong to mine.




I never thought...




BOH

Lance, Ben and Becka

Ben and Becka

Ben

John, Georgiana and Brennon