OPSEC (Operational Security): Keeping the Military Safe
October 15, 2007
OPSEC, also known as Operational Security, is the principle that we, as Army wives and Army family members, should all abide by when talking about our soldiers. If you’ve been on any military related message board on the internet, you have more than likely seen a warning to be sure to practice OPSEC. This means protecting the information you know about your soldier and his or her unit.
Generally, it means that you should not give out the following:
(1) Your soldier’s exact location overseas
(2) Any information on troop movements – this includes any movement while they are deployed and in transit to/from theater (including R&R). Do not ever give dates or times.
(3) Any information on weapons systems, how they train or numbers – for this reason, many pictures from overseas can easily violate OPSEC.
If your soldier is in a special operations unit, the OPSEC guidelines can be stricter. You may not be able to say he or she is deployed at all, much less where. His unit and/or FRG should provide the OPSEC guidelines for these situations.
Always abide by the rules set forth by his unit. Just because it is on the news does not mean that you can talk about the issue. By talking about it, you are only verifying the information.
CORRECT: "My soldier is deployed in support of Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom."
INCORRECT: "My soldier is in XYZ Unit and is stationed at ABC Camp in XXX city in Iraq."
Give only general locations IF his unit allows it. The above incorrect statement is entirely too much information.
INCORRECT: "My soldier’s unit is returning from deployment and flying into XYZ Airport at 8pm next Thursday."
Never give dates or times for troop movements. Keep in mind that “next Thursday” is a date. This includes R&R dates as well as deployment and redeployment dates. Planes have been delayed for days or weeks because an excited family member made this information public.
INCORRECT: "Please pray for my soldier. He called today and told me he is going out on a very dangerous mission tonight. They will be gone for three days and I’m very worried about him."
When our soldiers are in dangerous situations, it is natural to want to reach out to others. But the above statement puts your soldier and his unit in danger. You could have very well just alerted the enemy about their mission.
It is important to realize that putting together the bits and pieces needed to create the larger picture can be amazingly simple on the internet. Many mistakenly believe that if they don’t talk about it all at once, the information is safe. This is wrong and dangerous to assume.
The internet is a wonderful tool, but in regards to our military, it is a very dangerous one as well. It takes only minutes of searching online to find enough pieces of information that could potentially endanger our soldiers.
DEPLOYMENT TICKERS
Many family members like to use deployment tickers to count down their soldier’s deployment. Never have a ticker that shows XX days until your soldier returns. If you must have a ticker, then have one with the amount of time he or she has been gone, although it is best to not have this type of ticker at all.
Finally, for your own personal safety, be very aware of what you are putting on the internet or saying in conversations in public. With the internet, it is not difficult to track down an address and phone number. Do not make yourself a target by letting the world know that your loved one is deployed.
PERSEC
PERSEC is also known as personal security. Like OPSEC, this involves guarding the information that you know. Do not give out your soldier’s name along with rank. This includes blacking out his or her name tape and rank in pictures. If he or she is in a special operations unit, you should also black out any unit affiliation.
Be vague on the internet about your personal information as an Army wife or Army family member. This is plain common sense in just every day life whether you have a family member in the military or not.
The old saying "loose lips sink ships" still holds true today. Keep your soldier, your family and his or her unit safe by keeping the information you know to yourself. You never know who is lurking and gathering information on message boards, myspace pages, and profiles. Better safe than sorry!
Stacey Abler
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Cake In A Jar
Also when I get my cookbooks unpacked I'll post a couple cake in a jar recipes that I have. This is the only one I have saved on the computer (I haven't tried it though, but a friend sent it to me). It could be included in his birthday box.
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.
1 (18.25 oz.) package cake mix (you can use ANY cake recipe instead of packaged)
8 jars with lids and rings
Instructions:
1. Make the cake according to the package instructions or recipe
2. Grease the jar. Put 1 cup of batter in each jar and keep the rims of the jar clean. (I fill mine up 1/2 way–try one first before you make all of them so you know how far to fill)
3. Place jars on cookie sheet on rack on the oven (to prevent them from tipping over). Bake for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick comes clean
4. While baking, boil jar lids in a pan of water ( I do rings too, but I’m anal)
5. When cake is done, take one jar out at a time and cover with hot lid. Screw on jar ring tightening it slightly.
6. The lid will seal as it cools. Listen to hear them “ping” as they seal. But if they don’t, wait until completely cool and then press on the top of the lid. If it doesn’t move at all, it’s sealed.
7. As the cake cools, it will pull away from the jar slightly. That’s ok. It just means that it will slide out of the jar easily.
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 quite a long time.
9. DO NOT FROST cake in the jar! Send frosting along.
10. Make sure you wrap the jars well (bubble wrap’s preferable, but wadded newspaper or clothing and other items will pad it too).
I’d suggest that you do a trial run of cake in a jars before you decide you’re going to send them. Try ONE jar in the oven before you fill the rest. If you don’t do this, you won’t know how far to fill them and could end up underfilling or overfilling them. If they’re slightly overfilled, mash the lid on top and screw the ring down. It’ll seal and be just fine!
Don’t forget a plastic knife (or two) for the frosting and some plastic forks.
You might want to send instructions on how to get them out–unseal, tap gently, pour out. Or the guys can eat them right out of the jar.
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.
1 (18.25 oz.) package cake mix (you can use ANY cake recipe instead of packaged)
8 jars with lids and rings
Instructions:
1. Make the cake according to the package instructions or recipe
2. Grease the jar. Put 1 cup of batter in each jar and keep the rims of the jar clean. (I fill mine up 1/2 way–try one first before you make all of them so you know how far to fill)
3. Place jars on cookie sheet on rack on the oven (to prevent them from tipping over). Bake for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick comes clean
4. While baking, boil jar lids in a pan of water ( I do rings too, but I’m anal)
5. When cake is done, take one jar out at a time and cover with hot lid. Screw on jar ring tightening it slightly.
6. The lid will seal as it cools. Listen to hear them “ping” as they seal. But if they don’t, wait until completely cool and then press on the top of the lid. If it doesn’t move at all, it’s sealed.
7. As the cake cools, it will pull away from the jar slightly. That’s ok. It just means that it will slide out of the jar easily.
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 quite a long time.
9. DO NOT FROST cake in the jar! Send frosting along.
10. Make sure you wrap the jars well (bubble wrap’s preferable, but wadded newspaper or clothing and other items will pad it too).
I’d suggest that you do a trial run of cake in a jars before you decide you’re going to send them. Try ONE jar in the oven before you fill the rest. If you don’t do this, you won’t know how far to fill them and could end up underfilling or overfilling them. If they’re slightly overfilled, mash the lid on top and screw the ring down. It’ll seal and be just fine!
Don’t forget a plastic knife (or two) for the frosting and some plastic forks.
You might want to send instructions on how to get them out–unseal, tap gently, pour out. Or the guys can eat them right out of the jar.
Care Package Ideas
Comfort Items:
· Gel insoles
· Foot powder (put in a plastic zip loc back in case it leaks out)
· T-shirts
· Underwear
· Socks
· Glade Stick-Ups
· Blanket from home.
· A big fluffy towel
· Toilet paper
· Small battery operated fan
· Baby wipes
· Eye drops
Drinks:
(The powdered drink mix singles are great because they are already measured and travel easy.)
· Instant coffee. You can get it in many different flavors.
· Tea bags
· Powdered Gatorade. Don't forget a pitcher, jug or some sort of container.
· Lemonade mix. (pre-sweetened)
· Kool-Aid. (pre-sweetened)
· Powdered hot chocolate. It also comes in many flavors.
Everday:
· Send self-addressed stamped envelopes.
· a roll of stamps
· Calling cards
· Pictures of you
· Pictures of family
· Pictures of friends
· Pictures of home
· Send letters that you've recorded on tape
· Send him a video letter
· Make a mix tape of all your favorite songs
Fun Stuff!
· Send board games-the ones they have made into key chains.
· Videotape their favorite shows on tv. Ensure they can watch it.
· Send favorite magazines. Check the postal restrictions
· Disposable cameras.
· Send a few toys. Slinkys, squirt guns, etc.
· Theme packages.
· Send pocket electronic games. About $10 each
· Make and send a miniature scrapbook.
General Stuff:
· Dixie cups
· Small battery operated light
· Batteries
· Cordless electric razor
· Sunblock
· A small sewing kit.
· A stress ball
· Stamps, paper and envelopes
· Padded mailing envelope
· Eyeglass cleaner wipes
Non-Microwave Meals:
(Ensure that there access to a source of HOT water.)
· Cup 'o Noodles soups
· Dry cereal. Small, individual serving boxes.
· Instant oatmeal or grits.
· Breakfast bars. Granola, cereal and power bars.
· Bowl Appetite dinners.
· Pop tarts.
Snacks:
· Tuna in the "fresh pouch". Doesn't require draining
· Beef Sticks such as Slim Jims (Beef only. Pork is not allowed in some countries.)
· Crackers and a Cheese spread.
CAUTION: Spray-cans may explode!
· Potted meat and crackers
· Single servings of bagged chips.
· Cookies.
· Tuna with crackers.
· Triscuits and Ritz crackers
· Lunchables. Many varieties that don't have to be refridgerated.
· Candy, of course.
· Snack Cakes
· M & M's
· Graham crackers.
· Chocolate-dipped pretzels
· Pre-packaed brownies.
· Licorice
· Bubble gum
· Snack mixes like Chex Mix
· Nuts - Cashews, peanuts, etc.
· Pretzels
· Rice Krispie Treats!
· Applesauce, pudding or fruit cups with the pop-off lids.
· Trail mix
Toiletries:
· Razors
· Shaving cream
· Foot powder (put in a plastic zip loc back in case it leaks out)
· Shampoo
· Conditioner
· After shave lotion
· Soap
· Mouth wash
Ideas - Birthday
We all enjoy our birthday very much because it is a special day of celebration that belongs only to us. However, can you imagine celebrating your birthday being away from friends and family? Here are some tips to help make your loved one's birthday special even though he/she is away from home.
Take a trip to your local grocery store that has an in-house bakery dept. Most bakery dept's now sell individual cakes that are sealed in small plastic containers. Purchase one of those to include in your birthday celebration package.
Do you want to mail a cake? If you do, try to send angel food cake or bunt cakes without frosting. During shipping the frosting will sweat and mold the cake as well as make for a sticky mess once it arrives. Angel Food cake is THE BEST cake to ship!
Is your loved one turning the big 40? Pack up the balloons, party hats, kazoos, party favors, candy, popcorn, kool aid mix and gag gifts and have them shipped to your loved one's buddy for a surprise party! This takes planning, so make sure you contact his/her buddy 2 months in advance and ask for their help in making it a special day. The buddy can accept the package, decorate the office, barracks or tent and invite all his/her special buddies to participate in the celebration. Don't forget to include those embarrassing childhood photos! Scan them on your computer and blow them up to full size paper. Send them along for wall decorations!
Hand made cards are a favorite. Have the kids use construction paper, leaves, flower petals, crayons and paint to make a special card for mommy or daddy.
Just remember that they will want to think of you on their birthday since they are so far away from home. So have a pre-birthday party, video tape it and mail it to them to show that you have remembered their birthday as well.
Ideas – Spring
1. Take your kids, family members, friends and pets outside and take some fun pictures! Now that the weather is cooperating with us we can enjoy some time outside. If you have time, take a pic nic to your favorite spot, set up the cam corder nearby and let the tape roll! You'll be able to film a pic nic and send the tape to your loved one so that he/she can enjoy the event with you. Don't forget to have everyone take a few moments to give a personal video taped message to your loved one.
2. Send a little bit of spring. You and/or your family can take a walk and collect some of the "Signs" of spring. Take a few flower petals, new sprouts of grass, new leaves, blossoms and make a collage for your loved one. No matter where he/she is stationed, they'll love the touch of home.
3. Seeds of Love: Send your loved one an envelope full of heart shaped candy (cinnamon candies, message hearts, sweet tarts) and decorate the outside of the envelope with cute drawings and the words "Seeds of Love". Let them know that you are with them and that your love continues to grow no matter where they are.
Remember! Now that the weather is warming up, check in with your loved one to make sure that it's still a good season to mail chocolate and caramel items. With loved ones in Bosnia and Kosovo, the weather will start to warm up extremely fast. And if you are mailing chocolate or caramels, they will arrive in one big gooey mess.
For specialty candies such as heart shaped candy, try shopping at a local candy store or novelty shop where you can purchase candy in bulk or by the 1/4 pound.
Ideas – Summer
Make sure your summer if packed full of fun and excited activities for your family and for yourself! So make this a summer to remember and fill in your loved one of all your fun!
A few ideas:
1. Take LOTS of pictures of the kids at swim lessons, barbecue's, school functions, church functions and create scrapbook pages! Mail a Binder and the first page to your loved one. Then follow with additional pages every 2 weeks or when you have pages filled. Not only will this keep a constant mail flow but it will keep him/her up to date on your activities! Don't' forget to let the kids design a few pages themselves!!!
2. Carry a disposable camera everywhere you go. Keep one in your car, one in your purse, one in the kids' back packs. They are about $10 each unless you find them on sale. Put together a collage of things that remind you of Dad or Mom. Have the kids take pictures of things they see that make them think about dad/mom as well as your pictures. Put them together to create a photo essay.
3. Mission: Camp Home! Create a mini camp for your kids at home. Put together a theme and make different arts and crafts, paint a T-shirt, design a door hanging for their room, take pictures, make cards, make folders, picture frames. Photograph your "camp" and send them to mom/dad. Summers are a great time to get the kids busy, as well as yourself, and involved in activities that make deployment fly by. Be sure to include dad/mom in all your activities!
4. Pick Nick Basket
How about sending your loved one a pic nick care package? Find a small basket or box, line it with a linen napkin and include such pic nick items as: Juice Boxes, meats (salami, canned ham, etc) crackers, cheese (pre-packaged, such as you would find at Hickory Farms), chips, fruit roll ups, nuts, cookies, candies, brownies, pickles, olives, etc. You can also throw in some plastic ants for fun! You won't be able to send him/her every pic nick item you have, but it will be fun for them to enjoy their basket while they watch the video of you and the kids.
5. Seed Packets
Have the kids draw pictures of themselves outside. Then glue small flower seeds to the bottom of their drawings and attach a note saying, "My love for you grows like wildflowers". And also, attach a package of wildflower seeds. You can pick up a package of seeds for under $1 at your local market.
Helpful hints for Summer Care Package Mailing:
For those of you who have loved ones deployed to the hotter areas of the world, as much as they like chocolate, do not mail it! During this weather chocolate and caramel end up arriving in one goopy mess. Brownies are USUALLY safe to mail, as long as you pack them efficiently. However, with brownies being so moist, if they are being shipped to a tropical region, there is always the possibility of them mildewing.
This is a good time to send such items as: sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, dried meats, crackers, chips, fruit roll ups, etc.
POWDERED DRINK MIX!!! This can be a life saver. Next time you see PRE-SWEETENED powdered drink mix on sale, pick some up and include it in your next care package. They can easily be added to a canteen of water for a nice refreshing treat.
Ideas – Valentine
Okay ladies...so here it is, the all time high of a relationship with a man, VALENTINE'S DAY! We all know that it's a miracle if he remembers when he's at home much less remembering Valentine's Day when he's on float or on deployment. Therefore we suggest treating him to a fun Valentine's Day AS WELL AS Yourself!
This is the day of love! And who better to love you, than you?
First, let's get his care package taken care of!
I suggest a mix of the following items:
· Box of Conversation Hearts (good for all climates)
· Cute pair of boxer shorts
· Long letter on pretty stationary scented with your perfume
· An artificial rose (if you are so inclined)
· A lingerie clad teddy bear! (these are great and can be found at: www.fredericks.com)
· Some sexy panties of yours that you are sending just to keep him in the mood!
· New pictures of you for his wallet or his locker
· Favorite cookies/brownies
· Rice Crispy Treats (they travel VERY well)
· $10 prepaid phone card for a quick call home and a note saying when you'll be home to accept the call
Now, for the most important thing, YOU!
We suggest the following:
· Long hot bubble bath (go to a local store and splurge by spending $5 on a nice, milk or oil based bubble bath or bath beads)
· Cruise the mall or internet for a pretty new pair of undies/bra. Or how about some sexy lingerie (for when he comes home of course)
· Treat yourself to your favorite ice cream or dessert
· Rent a movie you have been dieing to see but never take the time to watch
· Fresh bouquet of flowers
Another fun suggestion: get together with fellow wives or girlfriends and go for a night on the town! You all can get together, get dressed up, make a reservation at a nice restaurant and then head to a movie. Spending time with other will help you get through the day.
PACKING the Care Package
Let's face it packing a care package is as crucial, if not more so, than choosing what to put in it! So before you start let's think about what we are going to need.
Obviously a container... But what size? and where do you get it? Some cushioning material. Tape.
First things first. The container. What size is needed?
The answer is obviously predicated upon how much you are sending. Since 9/11 the post office has instituted a rule that essentially says "if the box has printed markings - that is what it contains!". So the old adage of use what is available is out of the question since most of the boxes always seem to have printed advertisements on them.
There are a couple of ways around this... If you don't care if the package looks like brown Gernsey cow - take a BIG thick black magic marker and go to work blackening out the words on the box. If neatness counts - get a roll of heavy brown wrapping paper and wrap the box like you would a Christmas package. HOWEVER - use packing tape to seal it instead of scotch tape. You can find both at nearly any hardware store and surprise surprise they are usually together.
Now, if you are really into this you can also visit the online store at the US Postal service site and guess what? Your taxes actually are doing something for you. The boxes they have for Priority mail are FREE!!! All you need do is order them. You can even order the custom forms so you have them too. And there is also packing tape. BUT please note that they are Priority Mail boxes which means you MUST send it priority mail. Who cares right? You want your package to get there as fast as possible so use the FREE boxes and tape!!!
You'll also need:
LABEL 106-A Tape
Form 2976-A Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note
Form 2976 Customs
Packing / Cushioning material
This can be an interesting proposition. Nearly anything could be used BUT you need to think about what it is you are protecting. Kinko's, and nearly every other shipping store offers bubble wrap. You could use those packing peanuts you been wondering how to get rid of. How about that shredded paper from the home/office paper shredder. And of course there is the old standby - homemade popcorn. Don't laugh! If you use ziplock bags not only is it absolutely GREAT for packing material but it is an added goodie for your loved one to devour.
Once you have everything together, place it in the box, and seal the box! Great you're done.
A word of caution and something to think about - if you chose to wrap the box, make absolutely certain that you address the box before you wrap it. This is done in the event that the paper becomes torn, and the outside address gets ripped off. Just something to consider.
When filling out the customs form, be as vague as possible. Don't list specific things. If you have Doritos, Pringles, etc list it as chips. Movies, music, computer things, etc., list it as that and don't list the titles. It is also a good idea to spend the little bit extra and insure packages that contain expensive items. You want to have faith in the postal/customs system, but there are some bad apples in the bunch that will take boxes that have stuff they want.
· Gel insoles
· Foot powder (put in a plastic zip loc back in case it leaks out)
· T-shirts
· Underwear
· Socks
· Glade Stick-Ups
· Blanket from home.
· A big fluffy towel
· Toilet paper
· Small battery operated fan
· Baby wipes
· Eye drops
Drinks:
(The powdered drink mix singles are great because they are already measured and travel easy.)
· Instant coffee. You can get it in many different flavors.
· Tea bags
· Powdered Gatorade. Don't forget a pitcher, jug or some sort of container.
· Lemonade mix. (pre-sweetened)
· Kool-Aid. (pre-sweetened)
· Powdered hot chocolate. It also comes in many flavors.
Everday:
· Send self-addressed stamped envelopes.
· a roll of stamps
· Calling cards
· Pictures of you
· Pictures of family
· Pictures of friends
· Pictures of home
· Send letters that you've recorded on tape
· Send him a video letter
· Make a mix tape of all your favorite songs
Fun Stuff!
· Send board games-the ones they have made into key chains.
· Videotape their favorite shows on tv. Ensure they can watch it.
· Send favorite magazines. Check the postal restrictions
· Disposable cameras.
· Send a few toys. Slinkys, squirt guns, etc.
· Theme packages.
· Send pocket electronic games. About $10 each
· Make and send a miniature scrapbook.
General Stuff:
· Dixie cups
· Small battery operated light
· Batteries
· Cordless electric razor
· Sunblock
· A small sewing kit.
· A stress ball
· Stamps, paper and envelopes
· Padded mailing envelope
· Eyeglass cleaner wipes
Non-Microwave Meals:
(Ensure that there access to a source of HOT water.)
· Cup 'o Noodles soups
· Dry cereal. Small, individual serving boxes.
· Instant oatmeal or grits.
· Breakfast bars. Granola, cereal and power bars.
· Bowl Appetite dinners.
· Pop tarts.
Snacks:
· Tuna in the "fresh pouch". Doesn't require draining
· Beef Sticks such as Slim Jims (Beef only. Pork is not allowed in some countries.)
· Crackers and a Cheese spread.
CAUTION: Spray-cans may explode!
· Potted meat and crackers
· Single servings of bagged chips.
· Cookies.
· Tuna with crackers.
· Triscuits and Ritz crackers
· Lunchables. Many varieties that don't have to be refridgerated.
· Candy, of course.
· Snack Cakes
· M & M's
· Graham crackers.
· Chocolate-dipped pretzels
· Pre-packaed brownies.
· Licorice
· Bubble gum
· Snack mixes like Chex Mix
· Nuts - Cashews, peanuts, etc.
· Pretzels
· Rice Krispie Treats!
· Applesauce, pudding or fruit cups with the pop-off lids.
· Trail mix
Toiletries:
· Razors
· Shaving cream
· Foot powder (put in a plastic zip loc back in case it leaks out)
· Shampoo
· Conditioner
· After shave lotion
· Soap
· Mouth wash
Ideas - Birthday
We all enjoy our birthday very much because it is a special day of celebration that belongs only to us. However, can you imagine celebrating your birthday being away from friends and family? Here are some tips to help make your loved one's birthday special even though he/she is away from home.
Take a trip to your local grocery store that has an in-house bakery dept. Most bakery dept's now sell individual cakes that are sealed in small plastic containers. Purchase one of those to include in your birthday celebration package.
Do you want to mail a cake? If you do, try to send angel food cake or bunt cakes without frosting. During shipping the frosting will sweat and mold the cake as well as make for a sticky mess once it arrives. Angel Food cake is THE BEST cake to ship!
Is your loved one turning the big 40? Pack up the balloons, party hats, kazoos, party favors, candy, popcorn, kool aid mix and gag gifts and have them shipped to your loved one's buddy for a surprise party! This takes planning, so make sure you contact his/her buddy 2 months in advance and ask for their help in making it a special day. The buddy can accept the package, decorate the office, barracks or tent and invite all his/her special buddies to participate in the celebration. Don't forget to include those embarrassing childhood photos! Scan them on your computer and blow them up to full size paper. Send them along for wall decorations!
Hand made cards are a favorite. Have the kids use construction paper, leaves, flower petals, crayons and paint to make a special card for mommy or daddy.
Just remember that they will want to think of you on their birthday since they are so far away from home. So have a pre-birthday party, video tape it and mail it to them to show that you have remembered their birthday as well.
Ideas – Spring
1. Take your kids, family members, friends and pets outside and take some fun pictures! Now that the weather is cooperating with us we can enjoy some time outside. If you have time, take a pic nic to your favorite spot, set up the cam corder nearby and let the tape roll! You'll be able to film a pic nic and send the tape to your loved one so that he/she can enjoy the event with you. Don't forget to have everyone take a few moments to give a personal video taped message to your loved one.
2. Send a little bit of spring. You and/or your family can take a walk and collect some of the "Signs" of spring. Take a few flower petals, new sprouts of grass, new leaves, blossoms and make a collage for your loved one. No matter where he/she is stationed, they'll love the touch of home.
3. Seeds of Love: Send your loved one an envelope full of heart shaped candy (cinnamon candies, message hearts, sweet tarts) and decorate the outside of the envelope with cute drawings and the words "Seeds of Love". Let them know that you are with them and that your love continues to grow no matter where they are.
Remember! Now that the weather is warming up, check in with your loved one to make sure that it's still a good season to mail chocolate and caramel items. With loved ones in Bosnia and Kosovo, the weather will start to warm up extremely fast. And if you are mailing chocolate or caramels, they will arrive in one big gooey mess.
For specialty candies such as heart shaped candy, try shopping at a local candy store or novelty shop where you can purchase candy in bulk or by the 1/4 pound.
Ideas – Summer
Make sure your summer if packed full of fun and excited activities for your family and for yourself! So make this a summer to remember and fill in your loved one of all your fun!
A few ideas:
1. Take LOTS of pictures of the kids at swim lessons, barbecue's, school functions, church functions and create scrapbook pages! Mail a Binder and the first page to your loved one. Then follow with additional pages every 2 weeks or when you have pages filled. Not only will this keep a constant mail flow but it will keep him/her up to date on your activities! Don't' forget to let the kids design a few pages themselves!!!
2. Carry a disposable camera everywhere you go. Keep one in your car, one in your purse, one in the kids' back packs. They are about $10 each unless you find them on sale. Put together a collage of things that remind you of Dad or Mom. Have the kids take pictures of things they see that make them think about dad/mom as well as your pictures. Put them together to create a photo essay.
3. Mission: Camp Home! Create a mini camp for your kids at home. Put together a theme and make different arts and crafts, paint a T-shirt, design a door hanging for their room, take pictures, make cards, make folders, picture frames. Photograph your "camp" and send them to mom/dad. Summers are a great time to get the kids busy, as well as yourself, and involved in activities that make deployment fly by. Be sure to include dad/mom in all your activities!
4. Pick Nick Basket
How about sending your loved one a pic nick care package? Find a small basket or box, line it with a linen napkin and include such pic nick items as: Juice Boxes, meats (salami, canned ham, etc) crackers, cheese (pre-packaged, such as you would find at Hickory Farms), chips, fruit roll ups, nuts, cookies, candies, brownies, pickles, olives, etc. You can also throw in some plastic ants for fun! You won't be able to send him/her every pic nick item you have, but it will be fun for them to enjoy their basket while they watch the video of you and the kids.
5. Seed Packets
Have the kids draw pictures of themselves outside. Then glue small flower seeds to the bottom of their drawings and attach a note saying, "My love for you grows like wildflowers". And also, attach a package of wildflower seeds. You can pick up a package of seeds for under $1 at your local market.
Helpful hints for Summer Care Package Mailing:
For those of you who have loved ones deployed to the hotter areas of the world, as much as they like chocolate, do not mail it! During this weather chocolate and caramel end up arriving in one goopy mess. Brownies are USUALLY safe to mail, as long as you pack them efficiently. However, with brownies being so moist, if they are being shipped to a tropical region, there is always the possibility of them mildewing.
This is a good time to send such items as: sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, dried meats, crackers, chips, fruit roll ups, etc.
POWDERED DRINK MIX!!! This can be a life saver. Next time you see PRE-SWEETENED powdered drink mix on sale, pick some up and include it in your next care package. They can easily be added to a canteen of water for a nice refreshing treat.
Ideas – Valentine
Okay ladies...so here it is, the all time high of a relationship with a man, VALENTINE'S DAY! We all know that it's a miracle if he remembers when he's at home much less remembering Valentine's Day when he's on float or on deployment. Therefore we suggest treating him to a fun Valentine's Day AS WELL AS Yourself!
This is the day of love! And who better to love you, than you?
First, let's get his care package taken care of!
I suggest a mix of the following items:
· Box of Conversation Hearts (good for all climates)
· Cute pair of boxer shorts
· Long letter on pretty stationary scented with your perfume
· An artificial rose (if you are so inclined)
· A lingerie clad teddy bear! (these are great and can be found at: www.fredericks.com)
· Some sexy panties of yours that you are sending just to keep him in the mood!
· New pictures of you for his wallet or his locker
· Favorite cookies/brownies
· Rice Crispy Treats (they travel VERY well)
· $10 prepaid phone card for a quick call home and a note saying when you'll be home to accept the call
Now, for the most important thing, YOU!
We suggest the following:
· Long hot bubble bath (go to a local store and splurge by spending $5 on a nice, milk or oil based bubble bath or bath beads)
· Cruise the mall or internet for a pretty new pair of undies/bra. Or how about some sexy lingerie (for when he comes home of course)
· Treat yourself to your favorite ice cream or dessert
· Rent a movie you have been dieing to see but never take the time to watch
· Fresh bouquet of flowers
Another fun suggestion: get together with fellow wives or girlfriends and go for a night on the town! You all can get together, get dressed up, make a reservation at a nice restaurant and then head to a movie. Spending time with other will help you get through the day.
PACKING the Care Package
Let's face it packing a care package is as crucial, if not more so, than choosing what to put in it! So before you start let's think about what we are going to need.
Obviously a container... But what size? and where do you get it? Some cushioning material. Tape.
First things first. The container. What size is needed?
The answer is obviously predicated upon how much you are sending. Since 9/11 the post office has instituted a rule that essentially says "if the box has printed markings - that is what it contains!". So the old adage of use what is available is out of the question since most of the boxes always seem to have printed advertisements on them.
There are a couple of ways around this... If you don't care if the package looks like brown Gernsey cow - take a BIG thick black magic marker and go to work blackening out the words on the box. If neatness counts - get a roll of heavy brown wrapping paper and wrap the box like you would a Christmas package. HOWEVER - use packing tape to seal it instead of scotch tape. You can find both at nearly any hardware store and surprise surprise they are usually together.
Now, if you are really into this you can also visit the online store at the US Postal service site and guess what? Your taxes actually are doing something for you. The boxes they have for Priority mail are FREE!!! All you need do is order them. You can even order the custom forms so you have them too. And there is also packing tape. BUT please note that they are Priority Mail boxes which means you MUST send it priority mail. Who cares right? You want your package to get there as fast as possible so use the FREE boxes and tape!!!
You'll also need:
LABEL 106-A Tape
Form 2976-A Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note
Form 2976 Customs
Packing / Cushioning material
This can be an interesting proposition. Nearly anything could be used BUT you need to think about what it is you are protecting. Kinko's, and nearly every other shipping store offers bubble wrap. You could use those packing peanuts you been wondering how to get rid of. How about that shredded paper from the home/office paper shredder. And of course there is the old standby - homemade popcorn. Don't laugh! If you use ziplock bags not only is it absolutely GREAT for packing material but it is an added goodie for your loved one to devour.
Once you have everything together, place it in the box, and seal the box! Great you're done.
A word of caution and something to think about - if you chose to wrap the box, make absolutely certain that you address the box before you wrap it. This is done in the event that the paper becomes torn, and the outside address gets ripped off. Just something to consider.
When filling out the customs form, be as vague as possible. Don't list specific things. If you have Doritos, Pringles, etc list it as chips. Movies, music, computer things, etc., list it as that and don't list the titles. It is also a good idea to spend the little bit extra and insure packages that contain expensive items. You want to have faith in the postal/customs system, but there are some bad apples in the bunch that will take boxes that have stuff they want.
Deployment Checklists
Here are some checklists of things that you need to make sure you have done and paperwork you need to make sure you have before your soldier deploys.
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