The first change I instated {which I also did last time} was to do a second box. This one is sent with him as well, but is meant to be opened at the beginning of the patrol. I like to call it his "First Night" box:) In this one, I like to put several photos, little sentimental or funny things, various {extremely well-sealed} favorite snacks and candy, and odd little things to make his life on deployment just a little bit easier. I also like to include cards and individually wrapped gifts for any holidays or occasions that will come while he's gone. My husband is VERY particular about some things, and it makes me feel a little better knowing that he is taken care of:) My list for the next "First Night" box includes:
- The box itself...I picked up one of the cute, decorative photo boxes on clearance at Michael's for a few dollars in a pale blue color. By the way, anything feminine is appreciated while they are down there with nothing but nasty manliness all around them for months at a time. That makes me feel completely okay with using the super adorable blue box with white dandelions on it:)
- A handmade pillowcase to go on the travel size pillow I got him awhile back...He prefers to sleep with a pillow between his knees so I got him the small one in the hope that it would be easier to manage in his tiny rack. I already found some lovely yellow canvas to make it with, I'm just not sure whether I want to embellish it yet or not. I am considering putting our doggy's paw prints and my hand prints on it:)
- A Scentsy Baby Buddy...These adorable little stuffed animals from Scentsy are small enough to be practical on the boat {as practical as a plushie can be for a full-grown man lol} and hold interchangeable Scent Paks that smell amazing and will help keep his rack smelling amazing while also giving him something to cuddle with:) I chose "Penny the Pig" because she is bright pink and cute as can be, and I got a Scent Pak to put in her for the "First Night" box. Also, the Scent Paks can be used in place of fabric softener while doing laundry without undoing the fire-retarding of the uniforms or coveralls:)
- Lots of other Scentsy stuff...My husband loves the way our favorite scents smell and is crazy about Scentsy because he prefers for his surroundings to smell nice! So, I got him Travel Tins, Scent Circles, Room Sprays...all kinds of stuff! I chose fresh, somewhat feminine scents since they are down there suffocating in a giant cloud of man stink and Axe body spray, plus the extremely pungent odor that can only be described as "boat smell" lol
- Clif Bars are a must...Justin just loves them and I have to oblige since not only are they one of his favorites, but he also works out a lot while he's gone since there isn't much else to do other than sleep and stand watch.
- Photos, of course! I also got him these gel super stickies that I prefer to send over magnets because then the pictures won't fall if you bump them accidently or anything like that. He hangs his favorites in his rack so that he can look at me and Kairi as he falls asleep at "night" {aka, whenever he has to go to sleep in order to be up and rested for watch, which can and will be any time}:)
- Cards and presents wrapped up just in case there isn't a mail drop in time for whatever occasions he may be missing. For instance, if he won't be here for his birthday or Christmas or Valentine's, then I will send a little something witty to make him smile marked for that day so that he has something to open and all that fun stuff:) I went ahead and bought the cutest little chocolate bar just in case that has cake batter and sprinkles and everything, and is wrapped up in pretty paper x)
- Letters, marked for different "purposes"...I want to send him several. The ones I've thought about so far are "Cheer up, buttercup," "A hug from home," "100 reasons why I love you," and one for when he has had it with everyone that I haven't quite come up with a name for yet:)
- Toys. Lots of toys. Like I said earlier, there isn't much to do on patrol for the guys if they aren't standing watch. My husband is a huge geek {me too, I must admit!} and so I like to find little toys like Pokemon, Star Wars, Marvel and such as. I also like to throw less constructive stuff in there. Justin loves to mess with people, so I figured that he might find some use for a bunch of ping pong balls and some silly string:) Nerf and small squirt guns usually serve similar purposes on the boat as well:)
- Girly stuff. Bottles of NICE body wash! Last time, it was oodles of Victoria's Secret. This time, he is getting Bath & Body Works, Spa H2O and Philosophy. Anything shower-wise that goes with him needs to be moisturizing since they have controlled humidity and it is always as cold as possible. I also like to put in at least 5 or so lip balms. Justin hates chapped lips more than he hates taking the trash out, and that is definitely saying something. And don't skimp on things like that if you can help it. The better quality that you send, the longer it will last and better it will work, and will thus make for a very content sailor. Also, remember that lotions/moisturizers are going to be much appreciated because of the lack of humidity. Body sprays are a favorite as well and you can never send too many:)
- STAMPS AND ENVELOPES! Even if you are "pretty sure" that your sailor already has that covered, it can't hurt to be extra safe just in case. These are very important since they occasionally get the chance to get mail out, and it would not feel great to know that other wives got letters while you didn't. And try to include enough stamps for several letters so your sailor may share with those who may have forgotten {or didn't know, like us last patrol}...If it weren't for the guy who was nice enough to give Justin stamps last time, then I wouldn't have received my anniversary letter:)
- Notebooks...Boys are smart sometimes, and like to write their ideas down. It's also a good idea to include one for your sailor to write to you in, since on subs there are times when they cannot email or would like to share things that can't go through the email system. Plus, they can use it as a journal and a kind of release, and if you do the same while he's away, you can switch when he gets home and you will both have great reading material for a good while:) We both like Moleskin Journals because they look nice and are very resilient to the kind of abuse they will most likely suffer in Justin's rack or in my purse:)
- Anything that you can find or think of that he might need can fit inside the box. I have found several neat little things that I think he will love and use a ton while he's gone. There are these amazing little mini-bungees that I found at Target that I'm sure will have endless uses for him. Justin also gets extras of his favorite pens. Possibly an extra pair of headphones since Justin has a knack for losing them. A thermos or coffee cup because he loves his coffee and cannot have enough cups...Anything, really:) {to get the most of my space, I stuff the cups with smaller things}
- If your sailor may be up for a promotion or anything during the next deployment, try to include patches for whatever he is getting. And since the uniform shop sells them with unfinished edges, it's best to finish them up so that he can just sew them right on:)
So, I have a lot of work cut out for me, and that is only one of the things I am taking on this time. Next post, I will write about my ideas for the actual Halfway Night box, some tips for mail drops, and maybe even my super special secret project that I am working on for my dear Justin! And I will post plenty of photos once I start getting everything together as well, so don't fret!:)
