End of the Customs Form Era

We have some pretty awesome neighbors here now. We had a neighbor deploy to Afghanistan a few weeks ago. He just called our other friend with an update and an address. This other friend isn't Military. He just came over with this APO address, told me it was gibberish, and asked for help. Finally my deployment knowledge comes in handy!

I grabbed my stack of customs forms and started to organize how the APO address is written out. I gave our neighbor the rest of the customs forms and the 4 extra flat rate boxes I had left when Joe came home. He was so impressed with my knowledge of care packages. And was super surprised that I used to send Joe toilet paper and wet wipes. As much as my friend cares about his Soldier buddy, he has no idea what our brave service members go though. I told him just a little bit of what I used to send Joe and he was blown away. I offered to help him pack the first couple of boxes so he could get the hang of what the guys needed and what isn't allowed (like aerosol cans).

But the awesome big news is that I dont have any customs forms in my house any more!! Hopefully the deployment phase of our life is completely over!!

41 WEEKS DOWN!!!

Day 288

The progression of this deployment/aloneness is strange. At first it's really sad that I come home and Joe isnt here. Then it just became normal and expected. I've hit a new one though, yesterday, today, most of this lsat week, I was actually mad that I came home to an empty house. I walked into the bedroom one morning and thought about how Joe would still be asleep. And I was mad that I was alone in the apartment. The same with customs forms. They are fun at first. Then just memorized. But now they annoy the shit out of me. I hate customs forms!

Patience, Sara. Patience....

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Thanksgiving Dinner Downrange??!?!

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I saw something in the grocery store today that made me start thinking about Joe's Thanksgiving care package. Marie Callender makes a microwavable turkey and stuffing "Home-Style Creation." And I picked up these 8oz cans of Ocean Spray jellied cranberry sauce. Good for shipping to Iraq, but also for my "Thanksgiving-for-One" dinner I have planned. And I know they make those tiny pecan pies. I have mailed those to Joe before. I KNOW you guys have other GREAT ideas for Joe's special care package. Please leave your ideas in the comment section. Thanksgiving is a big deal in our family, and I want his day to be special even though he's far away. Oh, Joe has a microwave and a mini fridge. But no milk or butter, or course. I was about to send some instant potatoes, but they require more than water, so that's out.

Week 6

Day 43

As a general rule, Joe doesn't smile in pictures. But trust me, he's a happy boy!!

Joe got his first care packages this week, which included a camera. He's been so happy about those boxes. He says he's living like a king in a refugee camp. I sent him a twin sized mattress, jersey sheets (that Joe didn't know even existed and was completely surprised with) and a blanket that he can double up when he gets cold. Plus snacks, books, and PSP games. I sent him the book "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies." I hope he likes it. He's been posting pictures on Facebook. The pictures are... unbelievable. I flip through them, trying to imagine living there for a year. Trying to describe the pictures, but there aren't any adjectives that seem to fit. I looks like a.... It looks so.... It looks so much like a.... WAR ZONE, SARA!! The words you are looking for are WAR ZONE!! I have no idea what I had imagined it would look like, the pictures are just amazing to look at. I'm so lucky that I get to see where he is, I can imagine where he lays down to sleep.

One huge downside to it all really. I know that Joe is in a war zone, no one needs to remind me, but the situation with the mail has really pissed me off! It's not like he's asking for beef jerky and gum. He needs toilet paper, wet wipes, socks, and food! So I hear about soldiers getting mail more than once a week, but my husband's FOB runs out of toilet paper and wont be able to get care packages more than once a month??!?!?!!? WTF!?!?! I know it's not just his FOB, and I should be thankful for everything that is working in our favor, but this is retarded!! #MAILFAIL!!! Fucking take care of our Soldiers, DAMN IT!!

Okay, rant over.

We have our first FRG meeting since the deployment tonight. I didn't go to any before Joe left. We got here two and a half months before he deployed and I think there was only one FRG meeting in that time period. Some of us have gotten together to do other things, like pack goodie bags for the guys before they left. I really want to meet the other ladies. I only a know a few, and the drama has already started. So this could be interesting.

And this blog has 90 followers now! Thank you all for following!

Week 4

This week has been very eventful. Not for me, but most definitely for Joe. He moved from Kuwait to Iraq this week. I guess I get to start worring now. But probably not in the way one would think. He says the living conditions are horrible and the food is gross. I asked him what he ate today and his reply was "poop". I've sent 4 care packages in the last 2 days. I actually feel useful now though! Joe needs something and I can do something about it!

Apparently "week 4" doesnt add up to a month. So I'm gonna celebrate both milestones because it's my blog and I can do whatever I want!

In other WONDERFUL news, Joe has internet in his tent and at work. I've spent all day IMing with him. Isnt technology amazing?!?!? For months we were told not to expect much in the way of internet and phones. Joe came home every week to "warn" me that I may not hear from him, we may have to write letters. So while Joe was in Kuwait I soaked up every second of technology I could dreading the communication cut off when he left for Iraq. So I knew I would have to be very patient when Joe left Kuwait yesterday. So imagine my surprise when I recieved an IM at 4:30 this morning! He was in his tent. On his cot. With his laptop. And for $55/month he can have unlimited (except for the blackouts and small rock storms) internet access all over the FOB! Best money we will spend for the next 11(ish) months!

Oh, and I have finally perfected the at-home frappuccino. I make a pretty darn good french vanilla frap!