Halloween Care Package + Instructions

Aaaah...the fruits of my labor. My Halloween care package is done!!!

I took a bit of a different route this time. Instead of using clip art and graphics I free-handed the entire thing with white puff paint. The hardest part was the right-hand flap, which is supposed to be the entrance to the cemetary in "The Nightmare Before Christmas", but I don't think you really get the full effect online. It looks a lot better in person.

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New Care Package!!

FINALLY got around to making another creative care package. This time I went with a monkey theme, so I named it "Ooh Ooh Oorah!".

The package has:

barrel of monkeys
banana chips
curious george fruit snacks
pistachio nuts
banana pudding
butterfingers
animal crackers
nutty bars
blueberry "raisins"
spicy pringles
rice crispy treats

It only took me like 2 weeks to complete, haha!

New Care Package!!

The news today....care packages and piercings.

Here's my latest care package, just waiting to be mailed out:

(and can I just admit that I sang the whole song all while making it..."ice ice baby...dun dun dun dun dun dun dun...vanilla ice ice baby..")

Thanks to my bloggy friend Gaile for a) letting me come over and use her scrapbooking supplies and machines and also b) making me a margarita :) She is probably single-handedly responsible for this care package actually existing at the moment.

Care Package update

Hopefully by now I've actually managed to add all my new followers. If I forgot about you, let me know :)

Now what do I even blog about today? The kitchen is clean (translation: there are no longer dishes in the oven). I've managed to stay on top of the kitty litter (translation: I just bought 40 disposable litter pans). There's food in the fridge (translation: There's hot dogs and bread).

I guess maybe it's time to start on a....*gasp* CARE PACKAGE. Yes, remember those?

Well the one I'm working on now (and will hopefully finish tonight) is called "Ice, Ice Baby!"

It's pretty much everything cold/blue/icy. So I have icy hot packs and muscle cream, toothpaste and a blue toothbrush, blue deoderant, dentyne ice, cool ranch chips, glacier freeze gatorade, a battery operated fan, frosted flakes, and some other little blue/icy/minty tidbits. I've gotten as far as putting blue paper on the inside of the box so maybe with a little encouragement (wink wink) I will have this sucker in the mail tomorrow!!!!

IT ARRIVED!!!

1 month later my lovely care package finally got there, after being delayed over 2 weeks by the Iceland volcano.

The cookies were hard as rocks and the candy was melted, but at least he got to see it (even though it wasn't a surprise anymore).

And they FINALLY put up wi-fi, so I got to video chat for a few minutes. Unfortunately the wireless doesn't penetrate the barracks, he has to use it outside.

Death of a Care Package

Words cannot even begin to express exactly how I feel right now.

Remember that amazingly beautiful package I slaved day in and day out for? I baked cookies and cakes and made a photo book and went on a man-hunt for Samoas?

It's MIA.

Literally....MIA.

I don't know where it went. DH never got it. I mailed it almost 3 weeks ago.

Apparently mail was held up because of the Iceland volcano, but really....even at the time of the erruption the package was already a DAYS behind schedule. All my other packages arrived within 8 days. We're now going on 20 days.

I have sorry hopes for the contents of the package. The cakes will probably be fine (I hope) but the cookies....I tried to seal them as best I could in a ziploc bag with a slice of bread. I don't even want to think about what they look like now. Or what the bread looks like now.

I don't know. WILL the cakes be fine? If the package ever even turns up, I don't know if I would trust anything in it, except maybe the (by then) melted candy and cookies. And it's not even really the unfit food that bothers me. It's the lack of surprise. After finding out it never arrived, I HAD to tell him what was in it because he was asking why I was crying over a package.

Oh yes, you heard me. I cried over a package like it was my own missing child. It was a piece of art. I was so excited for him to open it and see all the work I put into it and to see the photo book I made with all the pictures of us, and the pretty cakes and how I wrapped them all in fabric and tied them with ribbon and included all of his favorite candy and wrote a poem....and now it seems like it's either never going to get there (did they lose it? was it stolen? forgotten? thrown away?) or it's going to get there and nothing in it will be useable...except the photo book (which is now no longer a surprise..and how can he even enjoy that if he can't eat the love I put into all of the food?).

I feel completely crushed right now. Part of me wants to fire-bomb the post office (FBI take note: I am not serious. I am in no way, shape, or form going to incite violence against a government office or it's employees...just understand my anger). The other part of me wants to crawl into a hole, padded with pretty ribbon and fabric, and cry over this package like it's a deceased loved one.

And yet another part of me wants to never make another pretty care package again. Maybe now I will forever punish myself to plain brown boxes and store-bought goods. Never again will I put glue to paper. I will never stand in the kitchen and meticulously shape cookies. I will never cut squares of fabric. And I will never take any pride in my creations anymore...if this is what the world has in store for my work.

And if my threat against the Post Office attracted any sort of government attention, I would just like to point out that I am DEMANDING a full investigation into this...this...MISJUSTICE! Oh yes, you heard me. This is a misjustice. It is GROSS NEGLIGENCE of soon-to-be GOVERNMENT PROPERTY. And if this happens one more time...then so help me I will SWIM my packages across the Atlantic Ocean MYSELF!

DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?

Care Packages and a VOTE!

It's funny to think, my husband has been gone 6 weeks and I'm already on care package #5! That means I send almost 1 care package per week.

Why do I do so many? Partly because, it entertains me. I have a lot of fun coming up with themes, and I actually have a long running list of themes I am DYING to try out. But also because, he requests them! Every time I talk to him, he is asking for more packages. So I don't even bother mailing letters anymore. I save them up and just toss them in the care package. Plus, I'm the only one who really sends him packages. If I didn't send them, he wouldn't have anything.

This care package I have actually been planning for a few weeks! I bought the stuff to put in it the week after he left and I was planning on making it my first package, but that idea was pushed back by St. Patrick's day, his requests for cookies, his requests for breakfast items, and his request for movies. So, after sitting on this stuff for a month, I FINALLY got to put it all together.

The theme is basically "Feelin' HOT HOT HOT!" (you know, after that reggae song by Arrow...ole, ole, ole ole feeling hot hot hot!). The contents are everything my husband loves: spicy, spicy spicy!

There's flaming hot cheetos, spicy nacho doritos, Mrs. Dash seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, tabasco, after death sauce (that comes with it's own skull key chain), wasabi peas, cocktail onions (his fave), spiced beef jerky, jalepeno jerky, hot salsa, and then I threw in some red/orange items too like cherry drink mix, a kodak camera, and fruity mentos. I had a bit of trouble fitting in all in, because the chip bags are filled with air, so I poked a miniscule hole in the bottom of the doritos bag, let out some of the air, and then taped it back up (LOL!) They may or may not arrive stale, although I don't think he'll mind either way. Just get the damn chips in the box!

Now I need to ask for a vote on what my next theme should be:

1. "ooh-ooh-ooooorah!" Everything monkey and banana themed, such as banana chips, banana pudding, barrel of monkeys, etc. I actually saw something similar done, but hers was "Hang in there", so I figure I should switch up the actual theme.
2. "This little piggy" All feet items, Dr. scholls inserts, foot powder, clean socks, toe nail clippers, lotion, boot bands, laces, etc
3. "California Dreamin'" This one will take a bit of planning, but it's everything local! Local candy from Swirlz, maybe some local oranges (can you send fruit??), post cards, padres stuff. I'll have to browse around the shops and see what I can get around here, maybe even a map.
4. "Just the Essentials" That's pretty self-explanatory. It's just the essentials, like baby wipes, febreeze, underwear, energy shots, mints and gum.
5. "Revenge of the Nerds" Nerds candy, Morrowind the Elder Scrolls (??? some video game he asked for...sounds dorky, huh?), BCG's, pocket protector, science books (he loves them lol), book mark, revenge of the nerds DVD


Soo...lemme know which one you want to see next week!

"Care"-ied Away

Wow. My major project this week has been making baked goods and home-made crafts for a care package. I really wanted to give DH that specific taste of home that can only be found in something I slave over on a stove. I made cakes in a jar and some pudding cookies, and then I got a bit carried away with the fabric and cardstock and ended up making an elaborate box to put them in (well, I more or less "converted" a flat rate box into a work of art).

Here's a picture of the box before I put anything in it:

I was originally trying to call it "Home is Where the Heart is" but I printed the words too big and just got lazy after that and settled for "Home is..". The text below is little bits and pieces of poems and quotes. It says "Home is where the heart is. Home is not where you live, but where they understand you. Home is a shelter from the storms-all kinds of storms. Home is the one place in all the world where hearts are sure of each other."

I also spent all of yesterday making a photo book. Here's just a little sampling (since I don't want to bore you guys with a play-by-play of all 18 pages):

This was the first time I've made "Cakes in a Jar", but I think it was an overall success. I even decorated the tops with some fabric.

In case you're wondering, here's how to make them:

1. Follow the instructions for any cake batter or mix, just like you would if you were making a full cake. I used Betty Crocker Super Moist Yellow Cake.

2. Instead of a cake pan, use wide-mouthed canning jars. Grease the inside of the jars with some oil or pam so that the cake can be "dumped" out to eat.

3. Fill each jar about half-way full with batter. I used 1 cup of batter in my jars and that seemed to be the perfect amount. Nothing over-flowed.

4. Bake the jars in the oven as per the instructions on the box. As a rule of thumb cakes will take about 15 minutes less than the box instructions for a 9 x 13.

My instructions said 33-39 minutes and overall I left mine in for about 20 minutes. Also, put the jars in a cake pan just to catch any possible over flow, plus it makes it easier to get them in and out (you might want to bake one by itself as a test).

I used a bamboo skewer to check each cake for done-ness.

To seal the cakes, place the lids and rings on right after the cakes get out of the oven. Don't re-use lids and don't boil them. Boiling the lids has a tendency to ruin the rubber seals and they won't seal. I left my lids on the top of the stove while the cakes were baking so they heated up, and then once I pulled the cakes out, I used a dishtowel to hold the jar and screw the ring on around the lid. The jars seal themselves about 10-15 minutes later as they cool and you will here a little "pop". You can also check the seal by pushing on the top (it shouldn't pop up and down).

Four little sealed Cakes:

I also made some pudding cookies. Supposedly the pudding mix in them keeps them moist. Here's the recipe:

Cream:

1 c. softened butter
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
1/4 c. granulated sugar
3.4 ounces any flavor pudding mix (around 1/2 a c. I used vanilla, but you can switch it up and use anything)
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs.

Add in:

2 1/4 c. flour (in reality, I probably used 2 3/4, but that's because I sift mine)
1 tsp baking soda
Also: chocolate chips, oatmeal, nuts, health/skor, M&Ms or whatever other thing you want. Mine were oatmeal chocolate chip.

Bake for 8-10 minutes on 375. (I purposely under-baked mine by about a minute, just so they're more gooey.)

That was my test-batch. I forgot about them and subsequently they burned to a crisp. I made sure to use a timer for the all the other batches haha!

To ship them, I've heard several methods. One is to put them in a Pringle's can. Another is to vacuum seal them. I just put them in gallon-sized ziploc bags with a slice of white bread, and squeezed out as much air as I could (the bread is in the back, hidden from view). 

Here's my care package ready to mail. I wrapped the cake jars in large bubble wrap and also included some Girl Scout cookies, instant coffee, forks and spoons, some chocolate frosting, and a photo book I made.

I will probably be sending a "whoops" package this weekend, to make up for the fact that I forgot to make the waffle-cookies he had specifically requested. Like I said...carried away on a care package. I guess we should say "care"-ied away!!

Today's Care Package

RISE AND SHINE!

It's entirely morning/breakfast themed. DH mentioned how he had to get up at the crack of dawn to get ready and eat and shave, so I sent him a few things to hopefully let him get a few more minutes of shut eye.

In the box there's an electric razor, pop tarts, energy bars, instant oatmeal, hot chocolate with mini marshmallows (he won't eat it any other way), some mini cereal, and instant coffee.

I really lucked out with some the contents. We have a subscription to the San Diego Tribune and I opened the door the other day and lo and behold there was a giant General Mills advertisement on the outside with 3 free cereal samples. So I included the little individual-sized cereal in the box. So there's another great way for you ladies to get things for packages: FREE SAMPLES!

Anyways, I'm a little bit behind on my care packages. I can't keep up with the demand. People in his unit have been requesting specific and obscure things and the reason they're requesting them from me rather than their mothers is because I'm a "do-er". I do things. Have a craving for an obscure girl scout cookie 1 month after cookie sales are over? No problem, because I will search through hell and high water until I find them. Anyways, I told DH I already sent all of the stuff he asked for. In reality, I haven't made any of the cookies yet, so I better 'git 'er done' pretty soon. The upcoming theme is "Home Sweet Home" and it's pretty much just homemade cookies, cake, muffins, samoas, and a little photo book I made. I should have it completed and mailed tomorrow (crosses fingers...)



Oh and just because I think I forgot to post it, here's a picture of last week's care package. The theme was "At the Movies". I really threw it together in about an hour, so the decorating is not really up to par for what I was hoping it would be.



(well upon further review I see I did already blog about last week's movie care package, but it was a sorry post at best.)

Going Postal

I hate the post office. Well, I love the post office because...well...they're the post office. But I hate them at the same time. Last Monday I sent off a care package to DH. I arrived at the office around 1 PM with a taped up box, clutching a customs form. I walked up to door and found a horrendous line streaming out of it and halfway around the building.

I started looking around at people standing in line and realized they're all MORONS! I was the only person actually holding a package. The guy behind me was buying stamps, the woman in front of me was mailing ONE letter and needed ONE stamp. Someone else in line had dragged their entire litter of kids out to get passports, but had forgotten to bring any form of identification for them and was arguing with the clerk about "needing to go to Costa Rica".

And how did the Post Office respond to this sudden rush of people in dire need of stamps? They sent everyone on LUNCH! They have 4 counters, but had only 2 clerks there, and the second clerk was standing in front of her computer putting on lipstick with a nice little "lane closed" place card in front of her. Finally Mrs. Costa Rica stormed out and we all moved a whole 3 inches.

I was in line for almost 45 minutes. I got up to the postal worker and he looked over my box, looked over my form, stamped it, and I was about to pay and then he walked away. Then the other cashier walked away, and for about 10 minutes we were all standing in the post office looking at each other like "WTF!" When he came back, he had a third cashier with him (whew!). But this 3rd cashier spent the next 5 minutes shuffling papers.  It reminds me of being at a DMV in Hell.

Finally, as I was walking out with my receipt, a guy from the back of the line cut in front of everyone and walked up to the 3rd (new) cashier and started asking him questions and asking about certain forms. I thought perhaps the other 40 people in line were going to lynch him, and that's when the other clerk (the woman) came out from the back and literally went postal on him.

"GET IN THE BACK OF THE LINE! GET BACK THERE NOW! DO YOU SEE ALL THESE PEOPLE WAITING? WELL YOU CAN JUST WAIT LIKE THE REST OF THEM! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR YOUR EXCUSES, MOVE THOSE LEGS AND MOVE THEM RIGHT BACK TO THE BACK OF THE LINE"

So now my weekly trips to the Post Office are going to have to be meticulously coordinated so as not to show up at the same time as every other person in San Diego.

Cookies and Care Packages

I FINALLY got to talk to DH this morning on skype. He hasn't been able to get on for about a week. One of the things he asked me to send him was Bratzelis and Samoas.

For those of you who don't know, Bratzelis are Swiss waffle cookies. My acnestry is Swiss, so I make them every year and I made some this past December for hubby's unit. They were having a little Christmas party and each Marine was supposed to bring something (which translates into each Marines' WIFE was supposed to MAKE something haha). So I made Bratzelis, stayed up all night slaving over these cookies, burning my fingers with hot griddle oil and setting of smoke alarms.

By the time he got back from his party, I was quite eager to know what people thought of my cookies. Everyone always raves about them and I assumed this would be no different. But I was wrong. Apparently when you put a bunch of dudes in a room with food and "The Hangover", no one wants to talk about cookies. So I was under the impression that they hated them, and it really bummed me out.

So you can imagine my surprise this morning when DH told me that people in his unit had specifically requested my "flat ice cream cone cookies".

On top of that, they all wanted Samoas. Now, ignoring the fact that Samoas are covered in melty chocolate, they also happen to be Girl Scout Cookies...and cookie sales ended almost 3 weeks ago. But that's where my true Girl Scout spirit kicked in (yes, I am still a Girl Scout. Going on 15 years...or is it 16? I forget). SOOO I have just spent the entire day on a wild goose chase for 1 specific kind of Girl Scout cookie.

I started with Craigslist, looking for people trying to bum their extra cookies off on the rest of us. It seemed like everyone was clean out of Samoas and I was about to just forget about it, but then I got a call back from someone. She had a bunch of extra cookies (120 boxes to be exact) and tucked in all those piles of treats were 8 little boxes of Samoas.

Now I just have to figure out the best way to ship them, in case theres a bit of melting. Should I send all 8 boxes at once, or should I just tuck 1 box in with the next few care packages so the cookies can "trickle" into the country? What do you think?

I hate Deployment Internet

I mean really? We have a bunch of exciting and expensive equipment, but we can't get wireless internet in the barracks? That is completely ridiculous. Whatever.

I don't want to jinx myself, but this week has actually been somewhat decent. I did a little shopping, a little restaurant testing, cooked some chicken Vindaloo (there are NO Indian restaurants here...it's depressing). I also mailed another care package.

This one was themed after movies, because DH asked me to send him a few flicks. I got a little gutsy and actually sent him some snickers (in plastic bags, in case they melt). I found this crazy cool collection of every single Alien and Predator and AVP movie ever made all rolled into one boxed set- so I bought it for him. I was trying to decorate the box all cute, but I did it at about midnight so my creativity was sorely lacking.

And I have finally been able to sleep a little. I found the problem lay more in my feelings of being alone. So I started leaving the hall light on. When I was a kid, I always loved the nights that my mom would turn on the hall light, because it was a really warm, sunshine-like light that would creap through the door. So I just decided to continue with that practice and leave the hall light on. It makes me feel like maybe DH is just in the living room playing video games or something.

The only problem is, I felt bad about wasting electricity. So I bought a timer, and the light automatically switches itself off in an hour (which by that point I'm pretty much passed out).

Oh, and I'm trying to hone my green thumb by actually managing to not kill plants. So I planted some tomoatoes, jalepenos, and aloe vera out on the porch. But my most prized potted plant is actually a dwarf orange tree I picked up at Home Depot. It's a little patio-sized orange tree that already has 2 orange dangling from it. I'm quite excited to actually be growing citrus fruit, as that is something you totally cannot do back in Utah.

Top O' the Mornin!

So I sent my first care package off last week (And yes, I'm aware that I probably should have blogged about it THEN instead of NOW). It was St. Patrick's day themed.

I put in some Lucky Charms, Irish Spring, Oreos, Pistachios, Green mentos, starburst, cigarettes, and spaghettio's. I posted something on facebook about the spaghettios and DH saw it and said "don't send the spaghettios, I don't have a way to cook them" but it was too late...the package (spaghettios included) was already in the mail. So I guess he'll have a nice paperweight.

Now I'm paranoid though. Should I have bagged them in plastic? Are the lucky charms going to explode marshmallow clovers all over the box? Will the soap (despite being sealed in 4 ziploc bags and wrapped in paper) infuse it's soapy goodness all through the box? Does he even like pistachios? Did I write too much random crap all over the inside of the flaps? Will the box fly open? Did I give him enough cigarettes? Will the green Easter grass melt?

Gah, whatever. It's too late now. What happens, happens.

By the way, did you know they don't actually say "Top O' the Mornin!" in Ireland? True story.