“Hang in there” care package

Posted in care package, Craft, Deployment, Military Wife by

Now that my husband has gotten more than a few of his care packages I can finally start revealing some of the boxes I have put together! I didn’t want to spoil the surprise in case he reads my posts ;)

My ultimate goal for every box, is to make him laugh. I don’t want him to miss home, I don’t want him to feel sad. I want him to think “my wife is the corniest person ever” and laughs. So most of my care packages are not going to be “cute” or “awwwww” .. Some will be lovey-dovey because I run out of silly ideas every few weeks.

“Hang in there” box: This was probably one of the best boxes I have done. I laughed the entire time I put this box together.

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Note: the blank flap is where I place my return address and contents of the box. I hear some people can have some – ahem- interest in the boxes while going through customs. I don’t always leave a blank flap but I do always put in the return address, senders address, and contents. FYI

Next comes my favorite part of this box… My cards…

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(Click on the pictures if it is hard to read)

Typically I have seen this project on sturdy giant cardboard. I knew paper was not going to hold up these heavy candy bars. I imagined my husband picking up the first piece and all the candy falling through the paper and it would have been ruined.

How to make this project shippable overseas.

  • (3) 11″x 11″ pieces of cardboard. (I used the inserts of calenders.. You know how they always come with that stupid cardboard in there and you’re like.. this is clearly not useful. Turns out it is)
  • Pieces of paper to cover said cardboard
  • Candy that fits you sayings.

Total cost: $5-10 if you find the candy on sale and already have cardboard around. You could even cut out 11″x11″ from a cardboard box.

 

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Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

 

Ladies, your man isn’t always right

Posted in fitness, Uncategorized, Weight, workout by

I was at the gym this weekend. Saturday afternoon with a bunch of ripped dudes who had the weekend off. -insert eye rolls- It was a leg day for me so I started off with my squats.

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A buff guy and his girlfriend were lifting together, she seemed new to this whole weights thing.

Apparently it was also their leg day. He looked over at me to see how much I had on my bar, and then proceeded to put the same amount of weight on the bar for his girlfriend. I seemed to have no problem with the amount of weight I was lifting, she should be able to lift that much too. Wrong.

This poor girl couldn’t even get a good half squat in and I heard her say “I can’t it’s too heavy!”

After this incident, her boyfriend then decided to throw 45lbs on each side and show her how to deadlift. She attempted and couldn’t get the weights off the ground. I wanted to say something but it was not my place. I am not a professional trainer.

This made me think, ladies just because your man lifts, is big and bulky…

  • Do not assume he knows what he is doing. Unless of course your spouse is a trainer then listen to them but more importantly listen to your body
  • focus on your form when you are starting out.
  • Do not force yourself to lift heavy at first. It will come over time if you keep up with it.

End Rant

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This weekend really consisted of laying around

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and some gorgeous weather with a run outside.

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Yes I run as slow as molasses. I am passed by speed walkers a lot. However 11-12 minute miles are my sweet spot for the moment. I don’t need to run faster. I am completely content with my slow runs.

This week is going to be filled with sunshine and warm weather I know I will be enjoying as much time outside as possible!

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What did you do this weekend?

Care packages 101

Posted in care package, Deployment, Military Wife by

As a first time around newly wed army NG wife I had no idea what this deployment would be like. I knew there was a chance of my husband being deployed but it’s never set in stone. I knew I would be sending a package almost weekly. The husband has a gluten intolerance so I knew I would be quick to become a pro at this but first I needed to learn how. I searched the internet for hours looking up how to send things what the best things are to send etc. I’ve come down with some basic tips for new spouses. (and or anyone who likes to send food care packages ;) )

Basic tips

1. You can get free boxes to apo/fpo/dpo addresses from the postal service here. I made it that easy for you. It’s free to order them too. No shipping cost required. IT IS FREE. I currently have about 60 boxes sitting in my living room. These boxes cost $14.95 to ship to your soldier! But it is free to get the boxes sent to you, so you can fill them and then pay to send them. Make sense?

2. You can call usps and ask for free military packing supplies at 1-800-610-8734 (Packing Supply) check out this usps website (scroll to the bottom) for more information on it.

3. Filling out customs forms. Go to the post office. Get as many customs forms as you can each time you go. Fill them out in your free time. Here is how to fill out customs forms. It’s a great article. The first time I looked at a customs form I wanted to cry. I had no idea how to put in an APO address in this or where everything went. Check the airmail box and return address.. or at least I always do

4. Fill up your boxes. Make sure nothing moves around. Anything that can get smashed probably will. Put liquids in bags, vacuum seal things like carbonated beverages changes in air pressure can make them explode. Some people line the sides with bubble wrap. Just be sure nothing moves around in the box before you seal it. If you need to, shove toilet paper in there to fill empty gaps.

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6. Put the contents on the inside of the box along with the address and return address. I hear some people can snitch things while the boxes are in transit. Not sure how true this is but I’m not taking chances.

7. Tape every single edge of the box, multiple times. It should form an H. It makes complete sense when you put the box together. I also put a piece of tape across the address so if the box were to get wet the address would not be affected.

8. If you are shipping overseas, do not expect it to show up quickly. You don’t know where the box is going, how often they get mail, or if it gets held up somewhere. My boxes have taken anywhere from 7 days (this was a miracle I cried when he told me he got a package in 7 days) to 3.5 weeks.

9. Be really nice to the post office workers, they handle your box.

10. Don’t decorate the outside of your box. You do not want it to stand out. Decorating the inside is completely acceptable

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Those are some of my most basic tips I have gathered so far, if anyone else has anything to add feel free!

I never thought

Posted in Deployment, Uncategorized by

I know… I know… Sorry. I’ve been MIA. However if you follow me on Instagram you know I haven’t been too disconnected from the world.  I thought no one wanted to read my daily musings. I don’t have a “theme” anymore.

My focus has sort of changed. I don’t know what I will talk about. Everyday is going to be something different. I don’t want to feel tied down to talking about exercise, food, recipes, deployment. I just want to talk about it all.

I never thought…

…I would stop focusing on food and live my life

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…I would complete a sprint triathlon, and sign up for 3 more… so far.

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…I would sign up for a half marathon

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…I would be crafty

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…I would marry a man in the military

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… then see him off on his first deployment

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… send a care package every week

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…. and some packages for everyone else.

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I’ll be back with more updates but they are going to be about crafts, deployment care packages, exercise, food, recipes. I hope you all enjoy!

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Have you accomplished something recently that you never thought you would do?

A green package

Posted in care package, Deployment, Military Wife by

Hello pumpkins!

This post was originally supposed to be posted yesterday but I had a real girl job orientation and dinner with my new deployment friend. The women who I have met along this process have been the most amazing and supportive people. I am blown away at how loving and caring they are. They say going through a deployment at home shows you who your real friends are and who will really support you…

Each week goes by a little bit easier. I keep myself busy but also have kept myself away from blogging because I just haven’t been myself. The first few weeks were okay because I knew he was safe… When that changed, it became nerve racking. No phone calls, sparse contact with internet messages. There were  lots of tears and mornings I didn’t get out of bed. But everyday I always did something for myself, exercise, eat healthy, eat chocolate ;) , walk. It helps.

But what REALLY helps is planning care packages. The husband has a moderate to severe gluten intolerance… most of my boxes contain some kind of food that is always gluten free I am sending a box almost weekly.

St. Patricks day care package

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In the box:

  • Pistachios
  • Cranberries (not green but they go great with nuts)
  • Tuna
  • Popcorn from OCNJ that was wrapped with shamrocks wrapping paper
  • Nut thins
  • Mint gum
  • Vitamin C packets (they were in a green bag)
  • War heads sour candy

Yes I send my boxes incredibly early because I don’t know how long they take or when they are able to get mail. I would rather him have 8 boxes at once then none at all.

I am going to do an entire post on how to package a care box. No one told me this. I felt completely blind on what to do or how to send it.

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Any other green ideas for a care package?!

Surviving a deployment part 1

Posted in Coping, Deployment, Military Wife, Uncategorized by

Hey pumpkins,

The last “good byes” and “be safe’s” have been said. There have been many tears in the past few weeks but also some huge successes. Who says a girl can’t set up an entire surround sound system in the basement?!

I’m going to start working on my pinterest board and posting so many craft projects. (Brittany inspired me to conquer my board) except I am the most uncraftiest person ever so be prepared for some laughs.

Here are a few tips I’ve been putting together to survive either a long distance relationship or a deployment. It works for both.

1. Set up some form of communication. Skype has been hit or miss for us. Some days it works, some days it doesnt. When it works I absolutely think skype is the best thing in the world. When it drops our calls I want to hurl my phone across the room. It’s a love hate relationship.

2. Write letters. Who doesn’t like getting hand written letters in the mail? Highlight of my day too.

Source: etsy.com via Brenda on Pinterest

3. Care packages. Even if they are only living two or three hours away. Getting a package is just as good as getting a letter especially when the boxes are decorated inside with their favorite things.

4. Plan events. I need stuff to look forward to.

5. Set a daily goal. This has helped me tremendously. I remember one day I was so depressed I could barely get out of bed. I set a goal the day before to do one thing for myself that day no matter what. I ended up riding the bike for an hour and I felt so much better afterwards. Take some time for yourself to reflect.

6. Have a support group. I have made what I call my own “battle buddy” at home. She also has a significant other who is deployed and we have been supporting each other. There is nothing better than being able to talk to someone who is also going through it. Family can also be very helpful.

Hope everyone has a fantastic day!

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Do you have any tips for a long distance relationship?

A few favorites

Posted in Favorites, Review by

Hey pumpkins! I was going to post a “Fridays Favorite” yesterday but night shifts make my days blend together and I honestly forgot it was Friday. So here it goes!

1. Hoorags: This company sent me a sample a few weeks back. I loved it. However I noticed they had a military hoorag. I asked if I could get a sample for my husband, and they sent the three military ones they had. I recently talked to the husband and he LOVED them. He used it all week, to protect his face from the cold. He said it stayed dry and worked better than the ones the military issues them. I’m officially a huge supporter of this company.

2. How I met your mother

I have an admission: I watched all the seasons this week on netflix and now I can’t find all of season 8 HELP!. I love this show.

3. Insanity. Yes I’m still loving it!
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4. And of course the start of hockey season again

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!
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What are you loving this week?