Ladies I have a question- Which customs form do I need? 2976 or 2976-A? and for those of you that mail everything from home, do you just guess on the weight or do you have a scale that you use??
another customs forms question- i read somewhere to keep it generalized (like toiletries, entertainment, snacks), but the usps said to be specific when listing the items. What do ya'll do?
A.Mitchell- i have read where people do the pick up at the door with the flat rate boxes. Just pay online and schedule a pick up.
My first package i listed everything, but others have told me to just generalize, so the other packages thats what i have been doing so i don't half to feel out like 5 forms.I hope its ok to do that? I live in a small town so my post master told me to put snacks,toiletries,etc. and she told me if i send something that is expensive don't put on the form , cause she has had a few customers put on their form bracelet and the amount and they never received it, I'm all new at this so i hope there are others that can help us out.
Just got my baby boy signed up for pre-k, hes in the picture with my son, My son e-mailed me early this morning to make sure i took pictures of him signing up,he doesnt want to miss out on anything.
Hey everyone! I have not had a moment to read all the post. My Son is on his way to meet the USS Bataan and my question is...do they have access to a phone and can they use a calling card? Also do they have access to a computer so they can email? Also how do I send him calling cards or can I send him anything? Thanks!!
thanks regina thats good to know. i wish they would just make a mail drop soon so i would know if any of my letters made it. ive never had to send anything to him on the ship or command. he has always had a p.o. box in norfolk.
I did hear that you don't want to list the expensive stuff, if it's a laptop or camera just put it's a game instead. You don't know who handles the packages after it leaves home.
i think the liquid thing is kinda the same as the when you fly now. just an extra precaution. some one may have shipped a dangerous liquid so the rest of us cant send anything. I have sent liquids before, but not to the ship.
Kellie- do they normally give a date before they leave or is it a round about date? I felt like the months range was a little strange, but we havent done this before so i wasnt sure if that was standard procedure.
a.mitchell- when i saw the photo of the day and the guy looking at a radar screen i thought "how cool would it be if that was her husband" cause you had just posted something about him looking at radar all day. how exciting!! I can almost guarantee my fiance will not be in any pictures he runs from cameras!
Kellie- I agree. just makes me cry more when other people emphasize just how much it sucks!
www.bataan.navy.mil thats the bataan website and there on the top bar it where it says family you can register and then they will send you a user name and password to see photots, get messages from the frg and co.
ooops I sent some Gatorade, I did put each one in a zip lock bag, hope that helps.. I didn't mail it yet should I reopen the box and take it out. I have it in my car ready to take it to the post office on the way to work tomorrow.
My son just e-mailed me and said he received a package yesterday. I sent a package out on the 25th and on the 29th, he received the 29th package first,He really needed the first one first, it had the stuff he forgot to get before they left, the second one had homemade cookies and other goodies.Hopefully he gets it soon.
yep. my sailor told me that they may not get their 2nd paycheck in april. i did read that they should get back pay once everything is settled. but i also read that they are trying to pass a resolution that ensures the military gets a check. but i dont believe it has passed.
Thats crazy! That shouldn't even happen, the sailores and their families shouldn't half to be worried about this, i just pray they pass it today. I'm just shocked!!
JCKV'sMOM- i agree, but i think i read somewhere that there is an amendment to the constitution that won't allow congress to go without a check. I also read thought here were 2 congressmen that were trying to pass a bill that would stop their pay. The congress man basically said that if they can't agree and get this passed then they are not doing their job therefore they should not get paid. I hope that passes but I doubt it will.
A.Mitchell- I'm sure they will get paid on the next paycheck after the shut down is over. I am nervous that it will last longer than a couple of weeks. I don't know what those of you that depend on that check will do! I would be panicking! I pray they will get this all settled by tomorrow!
Thanks for posting that JillG. I makes me worried too! I wonder if that is going to affect us retired military as well? That's what we depend on to pay our mortgage!
On a brighter note, I got a phone call from my son! It was so good to hear his voice again! Just mailed out 2 more care packages today, so I hope they get there o.k.
Received an email from Curtis today. Said he likes ship life ok, food could be better, sleeps good with the ship rocking back and forth. lol Doesn't see the outside much at all to tell me what the weather is like. Only been on the ship for 2 weeks now so will let us know what he thinks in a couple of months from now. Boy I miss him so much!!!
Sandra Am Mom, i said the same thing, someone should have told me in 18 years hes gonna grow up and and leave me, I miss him like crazy!!! Hes been gone over a year now and i still can't believe it.
My son informed me i didn't bake enough chocolate chip cookies,everyone is wanting some more. I guess i have alot of baking to do,Lol. I don't mind at all.
Sandra This is kinda like when he was in Bootcamp, couldn't wait to get home and see if there's a letter in the mail box. Now I can't wait to get home to see if I have a email from him. I agree my day off and weekends are the hardest when I'm alone.
The batch of cookies i sent took about a week to get there, i vacuumed sealed them, he said they were good. I don't know how well they will be if it takes 2 or 3 weeks. I just figured since i vacuumed sealed them they would still be ok?
Happy Birthday Sandra AM Mom! Hope it is wonderful! I am glad your friends son will be ok.
ckmom- I have a cannon powershot. its small and compact. its a good camera. its $200 so may not be what you want to send him. but if you did it will last him a long time. my last cannon lasted for 7 years. only got a new one because my fiancee got it for me for my birthday.
Thanks for the info on the camera's. I guess tomorrow I will go and find one for him. I live in a small town with only a Dallor General, don't think I'll have good luck there. LOl
I bought the 20 dollar food saver from walmart, you buy the bags, it works really well.My son has a birthday in July so the cake in a jar sounds like a good idea, i have been wracking my brain trying to figure out how to get a cake to him. Last year for his birhday he was in A school so i had a cake delivered to him from a local bakery, he was surprised. I told him moms can always figure out how to do things or find out things, we are good detectives,Lol
My son has been on numerous deployments (he's been in for 18 1/2 years) one thing I discoverd when sending him home baked items is to put in a metal tin. I line the tin with a double layer of plastic wrap then put the cookies in and wrap it tight, put the lid on the tin and put packing tape around the lid. He says its really fresh when he gets it.
Also for those having birthdays while on deployment, if you have one of the cookie companies at your mall, they sell a tin that holds a cookie (I even had them write Happy Birthday Joe on the cookie), when I got it home I crumpled wax paper and put it on top of the cookie (places that didn't have writing or icing decoration) before sealing the lid, that helped to keep the cookie from flipping over on the lid during shipping so the writing didn't smash and smear. he said it made it almost perfectly intact!! Hope this helps............smiles, Connie
Good afternoon ladies! There is a message on facebook that there is no popcorn on the ship. So if you sailor likes popcorn that would be a good item to send to them.
I am taking a risk and sending my sailor some no bake peanut butter, chocolate and oatmeal cookies. I am going to seal them individually with my food saver. if they melt, they should set back up so he can eat them..if not, well its the thought that counts i guess. :)
well ladies we got some exciting news this week. My sailor is coming home earlier that expected!!!
He was originally scheduled to get out February 2012, but he put in for early out back in January so he could enroll in college. Well in February he was informed that they lost his chit and he could try again. He decided not. He didnt want to go through the headache again....WELL right before deployment he received word that it was at BUPERS waiting for final approval. Then the dreaded early deployment...we figured nothing would happen since they were out, but it was approved. He has talked to whoever he needed to talk to and applied for terminal leave. so if all goes well he will be home this summer! It was such great news I wanted to share it.
I'm still praying for a quick and short deployment for the rest of you so you can get your sailors back soon!
good idea. we met my sophomore year in college. i have graduated and have a job that can (hopefully!) support us while he gets his degree. he's just done with the navy. he wants to do something different.
You ladies are so blessed that you have a stable head on your shoulders, with that kind of attitude you will go far!! There's not many that think that far ahead of themselfs that's GREAT!!
My son is on the USS Bataan. He has not emailed or called since he has been there. I have sent him a few emails and have a box ready to send. Are all your sailors doing okay? I am worried about him since I have not heard from him at all. I know that it has only been a few weeks but being the mom I am just worried. Can anyone tell me how they are doing?
my girl is also on the Bataan. She called last week. We have not heard since. I cannot even email her since she never sent us her email or sent us the correct address with her department or division. I know she is ok and will just have to wait until the next call when I can get all the proper information. Hang in there.
Kathy thanks for the info. I am glad your daughter is doing well. It makes me feel so much better being able to use this site. Everyone on here is a blessing for my sanity. Again thanks.
JillG
Apr 4, 2011
JillG
Apr 4, 2011
JillG
another customs forms question- i read somewhere to keep it generalized (like toiletries, entertainment, snacks), but the usps said to be specific when listing the items. What do ya'll do?
A.Mitchell- i have read where people do the pick up at the door with the flat rate boxes. Just pay online and schedule a pick up.
Apr 4, 2011
siscarrie
My first package i listed everything, but others have told me to just generalize, so the other packages thats what i have been doing so i don't half to feel out like 5 forms.I hope its ok to do that? I live in a small town so my post master told me to put snacks,toiletries,etc. and she told me if i send something that is expensive don't put on the form , cause she has had a few customers put on their form bracelet and the amount and they never received it, I'm all new at this so i hope there are others that can help us out.
Apr 4, 2011
siscarrie
Apr 4, 2011
chandlersmom
Apr 4, 2011
chandlersmom
Apr 4, 2011
JillG
Ok I looked at the newsletter. they talk about box numbers. My sailor told me it his address was just:
NAME
Engineering/Repair
USS Bataan (LHD 5)
FPO AE 09554-1657
am i missing a box number??
Apr 4, 2011
JillG
Apr 4, 2011
siscarrie
Apr 4, 2011
ckmom
Apr 4, 2011
JillG
Apr 4, 2011
JillG
Apr 4, 2011
JillG
ugh. i hate that phrase "dont know when they will be getting back" i have to say that alllllll the time to people.
Apr 4, 2011
JillG
a.mitchell- when i saw the photo of the day and the guy looking at a radar screen i thought "how cool would it be if that was her husband" cause you had just posted something about him looking at radar all day. how exciting!! I can almost guarantee my fiance will not be in any pictures he runs from cameras!
Kellie- I agree. just makes me cry more when other people emphasize just how much it sucks!
Apr 4, 2011
JillG
Apr 4, 2011
ckmom
Apr 4, 2011
JillG
Apr 4, 2011
ckmom
Apr 4, 2011
JillG
i doubt it, but ya never know with the navy. im sure there are lots of people that send liquids.
Apr 4, 2011
siscarrie
Apr 5, 2011
siscarrie
Apr 6, 2011
JillG
Apr 6, 2011
siscarrie
Apr 6, 2011
JillG
http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=59615
The US Navy Facebook posted this about the shut down.
Apr 6, 2011
JillG
JCKV'sMOM- i agree, but i think i read somewhere that there is an amendment to the constitution that won't allow congress to go without a check. I also read thought here were 2 congressmen that were trying to pass a bill that would stop their pay. The congress man basically said that if they can't agree and get this passed then they are not doing their job therefore they should not get paid. I hope that passes but I doubt it will.
A.Mitchell- I'm sure they will get paid on the next paycheck after the shut down is over. I am nervous that it will last longer than a couple of weeks. I don't know what those of you that depend on that check will do! I would be panicking! I pray they will get this all settled by tomorrow!
Apr 7, 2011
JillG
Apr 7, 2011
Songbird800
On a brighter note, I got a phone call from my son! It was so good to hear his voice again! Just mailed out 2 more care packages today, so I hope they get there o.k.
Apr 7, 2011
ckmom
Received an email from Curtis today. Said he likes ship life ok, food could be better, sleeps good with the ship rocking back and forth. lol Doesn't see the outside much at all to tell me what the weather is like. Only been on the ship for 2 weeks now so will let us know what he thinks in a couple of months from now. Boy I miss him so much!!!
Apr 7, 2011
siscarrie
Sandra Am Mom, i said the same thing, someone should have told me in 18 years hes gonna grow up and and leave me, I miss him like crazy!!! Hes been gone over a year now and i still can't believe it.
My son informed me i didn't bake enough chocolate chip cookies,everyone is wanting some more. I guess i have alot of baking to do,Lol. I don't mind at all.
Apr 7, 2011
ckmom
Sandra This is kinda like when he was in Bootcamp, couldn't wait to get home and see if there's a letter in the mail box. Now I can't wait to get home to see if I have a email from him. I agree my day off and weekends are the hardest when I'm alone.
Apr 8, 2011
JillG
Apr 8, 2011
JillG
Apr 8, 2011
siscarrie
Sandra i will be praying
The batch of cookies i sent took about a week to get there, i vacuumed sealed them, he said they were good. I don't know how well they will be if it takes 2 or 3 weeks. I just figured since i vacuumed sealed them they would still be ok?
Apr 8, 2011
ckmom
Apr 9, 2011
JillG
Happy Birthday Sandra AM Mom! Hope it is wonderful! I am glad your friends son will be ok.
ckmom- I have a cannon powershot. its small and compact. its a good camera. its $200 so may not be what you want to send him. but if you did it will last him a long time. my last cannon lasted for 7 years. only got a new one because my fiancee got it for me for my birthday.
Apr 9, 2011
ckmom
Apr 9, 2011
siscarrie
Apr 9, 2011
siscarrie
Apr 9, 2011
Connie S
My son has been on numerous deployments (he's been in for 18 1/2 years) one thing I discoverd when sending him home baked items is to put in a metal tin. I line the tin with a double layer of plastic wrap then put the cookies in and wrap it tight, put the lid on the tin and put packing tape around the lid. He says its really fresh when he gets it.
Also for those having birthdays while on deployment, if you have one of the cookie companies at your mall, they sell a tin that holds a cookie (I even had them write Happy Birthday Joe on the cookie), when I got it home I crumpled wax paper and put it on top of the cookie (places that didn't have writing or icing decoration) before sealing the lid, that helped to keep the cookie from flipping over on the lid during shipping so the writing didn't smash and smear. he said it made it almost perfectly intact!! Hope this helps............smiles, Connie
Apr 10, 2011
siscarrie
Apr 10, 2011
JillG
Good afternoon ladies! There is a message on facebook that there is no popcorn on the ship. So if you sailor likes popcorn that would be a good item to send to them.
I am taking a risk and sending my sailor some no bake peanut butter, chocolate and oatmeal cookies. I am going to seal them individually with my food saver. if they melt, they should set back up so he can eat them..if not, well its the thought that counts i guess. :)
Apr 10, 2011
JillG
well ladies we got some exciting news this week. My sailor is coming home earlier that expected!!!
He was originally scheduled to get out February 2012, but he put in for early out back in January so he could enroll in college. Well in February he was informed that they lost his chit and he could try again. He decided not. He didnt want to go through the headache again....WELL right before deployment he received word that it was at BUPERS waiting for final approval. Then the dreaded early deployment...we figured nothing would happen since they were out, but it was approved. He has talked to whoever he needed to talk to and applied for terminal leave. so if all goes well he will be home this summer! It was such great news I wanted to share it.
I'm still praying for a quick and short deployment for the rest of you so you can get your sailors back soon!
Apr 10, 2011
JillG
Apr 10, 2011
JillG
Apr 10, 2011
ckmom
Apr 10, 2011
siscarrie
Apr 11, 2011
npsailormom92(Ship03Div025)
Hello ladies,
My son is on the USS Bataan. He has not emailed or called since he has been there. I have sent him a few emails and have a box ready to send. Are all your sailors doing okay? I am worried about him since I have not heard from him at all. I know that it has only been a few weeks but being the mom I am just worried. Can anyone tell me how they are doing?
Apr 11, 2011
Kathy Dee
my girl is also on the Bataan. She called last week. We have not heard since. I cannot even email her since she never sent us her email or sent us the correct address with her department or division. I know she is ok and will just have to wait until the next call when I can get all the proper information. Hang in there.
Kathy Dee
Apr 11, 2011
npsailormom92(Ship03Div025)
Apr 11, 2011