rlindzie Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 well let me start from the beginning. I meet my current bf online and we hit it off great, we talked all the time and text eachother like mad, and we grew to like eachother a lot. Then we meet and it was like fierworks! it was love at first sight for both of us. I know it sounds crazy but we really do love eachother. We talked about getting married even, that is when he comes back. He is an MP in the army and going to deploy soon. He is leaving for iraq and will be there for. Of course i am going to wait for him and be faithful and supportive and I am so proud of him. What do I need to do for him? What can I give him to make it a bit better over there? What does he need from me? And how will i breath when he leaves and is in harms way for a year?! how do i get us through this? I am so lost and this is very new to me I have no idea of what to expect. If there are any military wives or gf or family or service men/women who have been through this or going through it now, i can use your advice, experience and support in this. Anything you think would help will be great.
quankanne Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 the best advice was from my one cousin, an Army reservist who has been deployed twice to Iraq and is now assigned to Fort Killeen, preparing soldiers for missions to the Middle East: he said that no matter how worried or scared you are, no matter how much you miss them, the best thing you can do for your soldier is to be their strong support. Meaning you let them know how proud you are, and that you're thinking of/praying for them and their mates ... and don't let on that you're scared or worried, because morale is very, very hard to maintain when they have to work away from their loved ones and someone they're trying to help might see it otherwise. I know how hard it is to see someone you love go off into the great unknown (I come from a military family), but Carter's words ring true: It's about helping these men and women keep up their morale even when they feel unappreciated by their fellow countrymen AND the folks they're serving in the host country. if possible, look into joining a group that sends care packages and letters to soldiers (your honey would be a great point-man if you decided to get your family and friends together to send stuff to his squad, that's what we did with our one nephew) ... you might feel it's just a small thing, but to those guys/gals over there receiving your letters and packages, it's like Christmas. Favorites? Candy to share with the kids, pens and notepads for kids to scribble on; baked goods and beef jerky were my nephew's favorites (the inventor of the Seal-A-Meal machine should be canonized, that was perfect for keeping food fresh and uncontaminated). so far, though, I think you're WAY ahead of the game, kiddo – your boyfriend has a good and loving woman who is willing to help him through this assignment, and that is priceless. hugs, quank
serial muse Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 Oh, hugs...I haven't got any direct experience but I do feel for you! I have heard it from many sources, though, that care packages and letters are huge, as Quank says - they mean so much to the soldiers. I wish you both the best.
Sam Spade Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 the best advice was from my one cousin, an Army reservist who has been deployed twice to Iraq and is now assigned to Fort Killeen, preparing soldiers for missions to the Middle East: he said that no matter how worried or scared you are, no matter how much you miss them, the best thing you can do for your soldier is to be their strong support. Meaning you let them know how proud you are, and that you're thinking of/praying for them and their mates ... and don't let on that you're scared or worried, because morale is very, very hard to maintain when they have to work away from their loved ones and someone they're trying to help might see it otherwise. I know how hard it is to see someone you love go off into the great unknown (I come from a military family), but Carter's words ring true: It's about helping these men and women keep up their morale even when they feel unappreciated by their fellow countrymen AND the folks they're serving in the host country. if possible, look into joining a group that sends care packages and letters to soldiers (your honey would be a great point-man if you decided to get your family and friends together to send stuff to his squad, that's what we did with our one nephew) ... you might feel it's just a small thing, but to those guys/gals over there receiving your letters and packages, it's like Christmas. Favorites? Candy to share with the kids, pens and notepads for kids to scribble on; baked goods and beef jerky were my nephew's favorites (the inventor of the Seal-A-Meal machine should be canonized, that was perfect for keeping food fresh and uncontaminated). so far, though, I think you're WAY ahead of the game, kiddo – your boyfriend has a good and loving woman who is willing to help him through this assignment, and that is priceless. hugs, quank Best advice ever. Not to mention that if you do all these things he'll fight as a tiger but will also be careful and level-headed as a scientist, all motivated by the though to get the darn job over with and come back to his girl. Aww, who says romance is dead .
Author rlindzie Posted March 10, 2009 Author Posted March 10, 2009 thank you for the great advice! i will remember to keep him uplifted and confident, the last thing he sould be worrying about is me. will definetly make packages to send to my bf but i think i will send some to other soldiers too, that never crossed my mind i was so concerned about my bf that i didnt stop to think about the other loved ppl over there that might not get the same support. I will also get one of thoes seal-a-meal thingys, that makes so much more sence than tin foil! jw what are the best foods you can make that will make the trip over there and still be good? just wanted to say thanks again for the advice and well wishes
quankanne Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 sweets are a big hit, especially home-cooked stuff – I used the S-A-M to package banana cake (I'll post recipe in a bit) and beef jerky from my hometown; my cousin Carter would always ask for homemade cookies of different kinds because they were easier to carry & share (somewhere on line there's a suggest way for packing them to keep them unbroken). also look on different sites to see if they've got a list you can send with your BF and have him check off whatever items they want/need after they get there. Gold Bond powder in the little yellow travel-size containers was popular with my nephew, but he really really liked the anti-Monkey Butt powder (better than goldbond). Maybe a grooming kit with tweezers and nail clippers, things they don't think to carry? The packets of lemonade and Crystal Light to add to bottled water. suggestion list
quankanne Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 as promised: Banana cake 2 cups sugar 2 1/4 cup flour 1/2 tsp. salt 3/4 cup oil 3 whole eggs 1 tsp. vanilla 1/2 cup chopped nuts 1 1/3 tsp. baking soda dissolved in 1/4 cup soured milk* 4 large ripened bananas, mashed Sift dry ingredients together in large bowl, then add oil, eggs, vanilla and milk. Mix well. Add remaining ingredients. Bake at 350º for about an hour in a greased and floured oblong pan. *to sour milk, add a few drops vinegar, let sit until it thickens I generally throw bananas in the freezer when they get too ripe to eat, then collect enough to make this recipe. Just be sure to seal them in a ziplock bag when you thaw them to catch all the "juice" from the melted ice, and add it with the peeled, mashed bananas to the cake batter – it adds to the taste! ~~~~~ Snickerdoodles 1/2 cup shortening 1 stick butter, softened 1 1/2 cups sugar 2 eggs 2 3/4 cups flour 2 tsp. cream of tartar 1 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 2 tablespoon sugar 2 tablespoon cinnamon Cream together shortening, butter and sugar: add eggs. Add flour, cream of tartar, soda and salt, mixing by hand. Form dough into balls about 3/4” in diameter, dip in sugar-cinnamon mixture, then press onto lightly greased cookie sheets, flattening slightly. Bake 8-10 minutes at 400º F. note: recipe can be doubled or tripled, and dough can be frozen. The cookies will be softer/puffier if you bake immediately, and thinner/crisper if you bake straight from the freezer.
Author rlindzie Posted March 10, 2009 Author Posted March 10, 2009 thanks for the info and recipes i will try them this week and the website is a wealth of info! thanks again! oh and i was wondring bc i see your sig. says the mexican brady bunch, my bf is mexican american and i was wondering if there are any mexican treats i could also make him? im carribian so our food is not so diffrent but i want him to have a taste of home stuff his mom makes him
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