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Comment by OKCsuzieq on November 18, 2013 at 6:31pm

Gerry, the link I posted has pictures and tells how to pack them. I hope that helps

Comment by OKCsuzieq on November 18, 2013 at 5:21pm

Ok, I'm heading out to get my supplies for my son's care package and since I've never made a cake in a jar I did a Google search and this site is awesome...directions on how to make and pack them. http://spousebuzz.com/blog/2013/07/how-to-make-military-care-packag...

I'll let everyone know how mine come out.

Comment by Rhonda on November 18, 2013 at 5:15pm

Hi kathleeng I actually make cake in the jar, as well as pumpkin bread, banana nut bread, brownies & pumpkin pie. If you wash the jars in hot soapy water the cake is good for 6 months. If you sterilize the jars the cake is good for 1 year. I do this as a hobby/home based business, I sell my jars at local craft shows. People love them & I just have so much fun baking. This is the first time I have sent the jars to my son, I am anxious to see how he likes them. Have fun baking!

Comment by ktssong on November 18, 2013 at 1:18am

Wow....I'm feeling like a pretty lazy mom when it comes to stacking up to all of you on the baking....I work two jobs and by time I get home I'm hungry and tired.  But I have done good on getting a Christmas box together all but the snacks. I want to do snack treats too so I took someone's advice on Rice Krispie treats.  I got the stuff for that yesterday.  I think I can get my tired self to make that.  I really want to do a cake in a jar.  I'll try.  This is definitely the motivational place to come to get me in gear to bake.  I got hungry just reading your posts.  Ha.  

Welcome Ranger...glad to have you share.  And Rhonda, I've never heard of mega stuffed oreo's...is that a step up from double stuffed?  If so, I'm going to get some of those to send too.  ....LMD Iowa, yes, I'm in Mason.  I have one parent alive and she is 90.  She is still cooking Thanksgiving dinner and still drives believe it or not.  She gets offended if we try to do things for her like we insulted her.  I think that's what keeps her going is her determination to show us she is capable.  She just won't stop.  I tried suggesting a grabber instead of bending over because she is not very balanced and she just about disowned me.  I won't do that again.  I've decided to keep notes on what she does to live a long life.  #1 don't let anyone make you think you are old because of your age.  #2 go up and down stairs everyday. #3 Drink lots of coffee.  #4 Pick up sticks in your yard every week...those are a few.  Have a good night all.....Thank you for the motivation...I let you know if I get my treats made too.

Comment by Rhonda on November 16, 2013 at 12:16pm

Welcome to the group Ranger, we're happy to have you as part of our group. I also made my son cake in a jar & sent him a can of frosting with it. I also sent him banana nut bread in a jar & brownie in a jar. I mailed my son 2 boxes yesterday, both large flat rate cost me just under $30. One box had 8 jars of goodies, I hope he will share with his buddies. The other box had a box of jolly rancher flavored candy canes, mega stuffed oreo's (his all time favorite), 2 psvita games, white chocolate covered pretzels & of course his Christmas stocking filled with goodies. I will be making pumpkin pie in jars this week & sending them to him. I hope you all have a great weekend!

Comment by Charlotte(ship02Div930) on November 16, 2013 at 11:14am

Welcome Ranger!! I'm so excited we have moms coming out of hiding! LOL! I, also, have been just a 'reader' on some Navy FB pages. Some of them become too catty and gossipy. I love this page because we literally are all in the same boat! (pun intended!). Tell us a little about your sailor. What's his rate and is he assigned to a ship? My son is assigned to the Frank Cable and he is IT. Is this the first holiday he will be away? When my son went to Guam his birthday was 10 days after he got there and Christmas was 20 after he got there and that was soooo hard for me! He will be home for his birthday this year! We've missed the last two so I am excited!

Proudmom, you will work out a good time to skype and talk. We used to do my Friday afternoon/evening, his Saturday morning. He called me last night when it was his saturday afternoon. He doesn't feel the need to skype as often which is a good sign that he's not too lonely. I can only make it about 3 weeks without seeing his face! Lol. Your son will have to get the Guam cell phone service. Your cell carrier here may say it will work but it most likely won't. My son bought an iphone and I have an iphone so we downloaded an app called Viber....it is terrific! Free text and calling! I often wake up to messages that were left 5 hours earlier but we both know that's going to happen. I am lucky because my son is IT so he is on the computer all the time and email practically all day.

I kind of went on and on, oopsy :) I love that we are getting activity on this page! I am baking today to ship stuff for Thanksgiving.....which probably won't make it!!

Take care!

Comment by Ranger on November 16, 2013 at 1:38am

Hi ladies - I have been on this site for several months, and I'm guilty of reading posts but not taking the time to contribute. I'm terrible at keeping up with personal email, Facebook, etc., but being a part of the group makes me feel more connected to my son and obviously, there is a great deal of support being shared.  As you all understand, I worry about him all of the time.  He has been in Guam for about six months and is on base in the barracks. It was very difficult "letting him go", but I have gotten used to his absence.  I remember the excitement and anxiety of the letter he sent home from bootcamp and I am so proud of how much he has matured.  No doubt, being around the world without family has made him grow up.  He tells me not to worry, that the Navy is his family and they take care of each other.  He just became certified in scuba and he hikes when time allows.  He has become very homesick in the last month.  With the holidays approaching he said others are talking about going home, but he won't be coming home to visit until Feb '14.  I just sent him a package for his birthday.  It was about 14 lbs and it cost roughly $48 to send priority mail.  They told me that USPS is responsible for getting the package to the west coast, and then the military takes it from there so they can't guarantee a delivery date.   I told him I sent a package, and he was so much more excited than I expected. I made "cake in a jar" and included canned frosting.  I'm curious to know how the cake tastes in a week..?  I ordered some shorts and tshirts from a website called Armed Forces Gear (per his request).  I guess it's very popular, but they don't deliver in Guam, so I had it shipped to me and then included it in the package. We also included some healthy snacks and personal hygiene items he probably isn't treating himself to. Thank you again for all of your posts.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.   

Comment by LMD Iowa on November 15, 2013 at 1:22am

Ktssong, you said you're in Mason, right? A good friend of mine from high school lives there....small world!  I grew up in the Cleveland area, we're going back to visit for Thanksgiving, will (sadly) probably be the last time I see either one of my parents alive........at 90 & 93, it's been a blessing to have them around this long.  They are also both former Navy!  They met in California during WWII.

The little Christmas tree I got was about 6 inches tall.....I would say it's "desk size".  Maybe a little taller than that.  Got it at Michael's, they sell "mini trees" and it was maybe around $5?  Not entirely sure.....had a coupon for 25% off my entire purchase!  :)  It is decorated with little green, gold & red "ornaments" here & there on the branches.........it was just right!  :)  Don't confuse it with one of those small trees that's maybe 2 feet tall.........this is MUCH smaller.

SuzieQ, in answer to your question, I just used the regular Priority Mail Large Flat Rate box.  Room for the tree in there with plenty of room to spare.  I also got him a stocking & wrapped some little chachkis in red & green paper so that he still gets a stocking for Christmas.   That fit in there, too, and I also wrapped up a variety of snacks so that he is kind of getting "Christmas in a box".   His birthday is December 23rd so I had to wrap something in birthday paper, too!  Bet he never thought he'd get Twinkies for a birthday present!

As it is, I ended up having way too much stuff so I had to start a second box.  (I think it was the container of "people chow" that took up so much space!)  I baked some sugar cookies & have those in a Ziploc bag, wrapped in bubble wrap.  I figure even if they get there in crumbs, he'll still enjoy eating them.

BTW, I just want to put in a plug for CustomMadeByLisa.com.   She makes military purses and they are pretty awesome.  I have one on order that I am anxiously awaiting!  She's doing some custom work for me, making one much smaller than her usual ones (more along the lines of a crossbody purse) but I thought I'd shamelessly put in a plug for you ladies in case you are interested.  It's nice to feel a little connected when our sailors are so far away......to me I know it will feel like I carry a little piece of him with me every day. 

Comment by ktssong on November 15, 2013 at 12:44am

LMD,  I too think the little Christmas tree was great idea.  I talked to my son this week first time in weeks and he is coping better with the death our family has gone through.  He's talked to all his siblings this weekend for quite a long time so it helped him.  And it helped me to hear his voice.  Sometimes you just need to hear their voice and you can tell if they are ok.  I picked up a gel sticky decoration for him to put on his mirror in his barrack to decorate for Christmas it's a little Christmas tree with packages. and I think I'll do a micro optic light tree in a box. something small.  I ordered him his Christmas present of golf shoes and golf glove and picked up a Santa hat for him to wear Christmas Day too.  

Proudmomof2.  I teared up reading  your post.  We are here for  you.  You are right, it's amazing how comforting it is just to know they are on same soil as us.  When they are across the world, our hearts stretch that far.  It's like we went with them.   There is an old song "Gone to Carolina in my Mind"....I think mine went to Guam because that's all I do is plan what I'm doing to make sure he has the support he needs to know he's always thought of back home.  It has to make them warm and cozy to know that.  

Stay warm all....here in Ohio we've had our first snow already and it is cold...was nice to check in and hear from everyone.  Thanking all of you for being here to chat with and share and thank you for praying for our family.  

Comment by Charlotte(ship02Div930) on November 15, 2013 at 12:08am

LMD Iowa, great job on the Christmas box!! Who cares if he rolls his eyes! Lol. My son often does that over stuff I do.

Proudmomof2, Welcome!! I'm so glad you found our group! We are some what little but love to encourage each other! My son has been in Guam for almost 2 years. Your son is going to love it! The island is a wonderful oasis! Especially if he likes to dive! My son took diving lessons when he first moved to Guam and has enjoyed his 'life under the sea'. My son is attached to the USS Frank Cable. We all understand what you say about the kids not being on the same soil. This is my sons first tour and I was not thrilled to hear he was going to Guam. Half way around the world! 17 hour time difference! Ugh! Well, you will figure out a time that is good to talk. We text, email, FB message and skype. People who don't have a sailor far away don't get it!  Will your son be living in the barracks?

Ktssong....I hope you and your family are doing ok. Prayers for you all.

I have mailed chocolate chip cookies and they have made it fine. A little bit of chocolate won't be too bad, just make sure you wrap it well.

I am feeling very blessed since my son will be home for Christmas this year. I am thankful I don't have to ship his 'stuff'.

I hope you all are well!

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