In My Own Words

Wow, I was filling out the customs forms for three packages I’ve got ready to go in the mail, and since they’re going out tomorrow I put tomorrow’s date on the signature line – 06/01/2010. It hardly seems possible, but there it is, in black and white. Proof positive that sometimes time flies even when you’re not having fun!!

We had a good weekend, and I suppose I’m ready to go to work tomorrow. I spent today doing laundry and putting together four care packages. Well, I got three completed. I need to pick up a few more dog items for the fourth box, which is going to Caeser at FOB Endeavor. I thought I had enough to fill a large FRB, but I didn’t. Another 5-lb. bag of food and a few more treats and toys, and I can seal it up and send it on its way to Caesar.

I got to chat for a few minutes with SSG Pelfrey; one of the packages I’m sending tomorrow is for his troops. Since he never got a list together, I packed a box full of random “stuff.” He said that’s perfect, because he and his fellow Rakkasans love “random.” He’ll probably be on R&R by the time it gets there, but he assured me somebody would open and share any packages that came while he was gone. You never know…sometimes if packages arrive while the contact is away, even if it’s labeled “Att’n: Any Soldier,” it all gets stacked on their bed until they get back. I’d hate for the Red Knight troops to have to wait to dig in to their box of random stuff…LOL!!

Also had the opportunity to chat with 1SG Winning for a few. I mailed a box to him late last week. I gave him a heads up that it was on the way, but I didn’t tell him what was in it. I sent him a set of Harley Davidson sheets; he bought a Harley last time he came home from Iraq, and he misses his bike. A tank just isn’t the same, somehow…LOL! Of course, there is other random stuff in the package; I filled the space around the sheet set with all kinds of goodies. Like 179 individually wrapped Twizzlers…The container they came in wouldn’t fit in the box, so I had to improvise. (Note to self – if you put 180 Twizzlers in a gallon Ziplock bag, it will not zip. If you eat one of them, it will zip.) Also gum, Breath Savers, magazines, and the latest three issues of the I-24 Exchange. I should be able to hear the smile all the way over here when he opens that one. (Did I mention he loves Twizzlers?)

He told me not to forget to send the I-24 Exchange. I still think it’s hilarious that a tanker from Ft. Carson, currently somewhere in Iraq, enjoys reading our little rag of a paper. He’s getting a big kick out of the Dr. Webb saga – “Stay tuned for the next episode of “As the Stomach Churns.” Will or won’t our phantom director actually come to Cheatham County?” He reads the sheriff’s report and the letters to the editor, and has commented that there seem to be a lot of nuts in Cheatham County. I told him most of those stay on the south side…ROTFL!! Perhaps I should send The Advocate, too…hmmmmmmm…then he could compare.

Well, the dryer just stopped, and it’s full of my work clothes. They have to be put on hangers pretty quick or I’ll have to get the iron out. I hate ironing. So, I suppose this is as good a place as any to sign off for now. Y’all take care, and thanks for reading.

It’s time for the next round of care packages. Thanks to a $50 donation from Alicia, $35 from “Raise Dough for the Troops,” and my $40 monthly allowance (which I won’t get until the 25th; my payday) I’ll be able to get some “stuff” for a few of our Warriors. One of them wants Chips Ahoy! and Oreo cookies, and has asked for some dog toys and treats for an FOB hound. I’m still waiting for one of our guys in Afghanistan to e-mail a list of requests from his Soldiers, but if he doesn’t send a list, I still know what kinds of “stuff” they would like to get.

Tomorrow we’re going to Clarksville to pick up some stuff at Sam’s, and some other stuff at Office Max.  I’ve got a $25 gift card for Office Max, which is perfect – I need some card stock and envelopes so I can create more cards to send to our Warriors, and it wouldn’t be a bad idea to pick up some more packing tape. I also have a pre-paid $25 MasterCard that Mom & Dad gave me for my birthday, which will likely be spent on building up my Soldier Stash. Somehow I feel lost when there’s empty shelves in my care package staging area…

After getting a “Shipment Confirmation” e-mail on May 5th stating that my order had been shipped Priority Mail, on the 19th I finally got part of the supplies I ordered from USPS.com. Gotta love Priority Mail, huh?  I received 25 large FRB’s, and 10 each of both styles of the medium FRB’s. Unfortunately, the customs forms have not arrived yet, so if I’m going to get packages ready to go this weekend, I’m going to have to go to the post office and beg some forms. LOL!  If they have any in the lobby, they’re in a rack I can’t reach. But usually they’re behind the counter, anyway, so either way I have to ask. At least my friends at the post office in Pleasant View know to hand me more than just a couple when I ask for customs forms…

It’s time for this old lady to hit the hay. So, thanks for reading, and I’ll catch y’all later. Hugs {{{{{{Y’all}}}}}}

I’ve had “writer’s block,” or something a whole lot like it, so haven’t updated my blog in a while.  As the whole world probably knows by now, Middle Tennessee suffered a devastating flood the first weekend of May. Our family wasn’t personally impacted by the flood waters, but it’s been really hard to get my mind wrapped around the damage and devastation so many folks have suffered right here in our county. When the call went out for donations of items for flood victims who’d lost everything, I rounded up my entire Soldier Stash and carried it all to the collection center at our church. Deodorant, shower gel, bar soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, underwear, blankets & sheets, it all went. I figured our Warriors would understand if I couldn’t send care packages for a while.

The Troop Support account is also down to nothing again. There was supposed to be a yard sale at the National Guard Armory here in Ashland City, and the FRG coordinator offered space and a table for me to sell bread so I could get the account built back up. I had plans to bake 8 loaves of bread each night this week, so I would have 40 loaves ready to sell. I baked 8 loaves Monday night, then got a message that the yard sale was postponed until June 11th through 13th because Lori (the FRG coordinator) had fallen and hurt her head and her back .  So I took the bread to work yesterday morning, and by the end of the day there were only two loaves left. One person added $5 to her payment for a loaf of bread, so that gave me $35 for the troops. I’ll get a couple of packages put together and mailed off this weekend, and plan on baking again the week of the yard sale. I’m also considering baking some cookies to sell, as well as the bread. Every little bit helps…

We got a free mail letter from one of our Warriors thanking us for the care package. He said it was “perfect,” that the food was well-received, he kept the tuna packets for himself, and the rest was gone in a matter of minutes – “including the box! Them guys can eat you out of house and home!” I got a kick out of that; when I reply to his letter, I’m going to offer to marinate the next box in something tasty so it will be easier to eat. LOL!

One of our Marines in Afghanistan is with a group that has suffered several losses in the past month. He posted on his facebook page yesterday that his dog back home had been hit by a car and killed, and said “Now what do I do?” You can imagine how tough and macho our Marines are, holding it all together in spite of the loss of battle buddies; then for one of them to get the news that their beloved pet has lost its life – well, I can imagine how devastating that would be. I commented on his status that I was sorry to hear of his loss, and told him not to be Mr. Macho; he needs to go someplace where he can yell, stomp his feet, hit something, cry… whatever it takes to grieve his loss. It’s not “just a dog” he lost, as anybody who has ever owned a dog understands; it’s a member of his family that he was looking forward to seeing when he returns home from Afghanistan.

I’m all out of words again. Thanks for reading my ramblings. God bless our Warrior, Charly, and his four-legged friend, Tank. Hang in there, Charly.

It’s been too long since I wrote anything; I thought I’d better check in and let y’all know I’m still kickin’. Last week Jack and I went to East Tennessee for a little bit of rest and relaxation, and I just haven’t got back into the swing of blogging yet.

My birthday was last week, and my #1 warrior in Iraq sent flowers. They were waiting for me when Jack and I got home on Friday evening. I was surprised and touched by Dana’s thoughtfulness. I got Jack to take a picture of me holding the flowers, then posted it on her wall on facebook with a heart-felt thank you. I figured she should at least get to see the actual flowers she’d ordered; you never know when you order flowers online if they’re going to look like the picture you ordered from or not. These were beautiful, I know that much.

All three of the troops I sent cookies to received them in pretty good time. Actually, the two Soldiers in Iraq got their cookies before my Marine in Kuwait, but that might be his fault…he had posted on facebook that he heard Zippy the Super Snail was on vacation the day I mailed the three boxes of cookies, which may have put a hex on his…LOL! I’ve just bought more bananas, applesauce, chocolate chips, and raisins for the next bunch of cookies. As soon as the bananas reach the perfect state of over-ripeness, I’ll be baking again.

Ron was in Kuwait longer than expected, so when he finally got to Iraq he had two packages and a card waiting for him. The cookies arrived the next day. The first box I sent had a set of Steelers sheets, a pillow, a Steelers monkey, and a bunch of goodies for him and his Soldiers to share. The second box had a Steelers throw in it. He sent me a message on Yahoo IM to let me know he’d gotten everything, and said the cookies were still moist and tasted awesome. I told him that was my grandpa’s secret cookie recipe with a Ms Tracy touch, so of course they were still moist and delicious…I mean, c’mon now…would I send icky cookies to our Heroes?? I think not…*giggles!* I also gave him a hint – pop one of those cookies in the microwave for about 10 – 15 seconds, and it’ll be just like eating one fresh out of the oven. I think by the time I gave him that advice, all the cookies were history, which is why I’m getting ready to send some more.

I got to chat with one of our Warriors who just got back to Iraq from his R&R leave. He said he and his family had lots of fun, but he misses them already. It’s a common theme – going back after R&R is harder than the original deployment, both on our Warriors and on their families. He said his son has grown so much (he’s 3) and his daughter is becoming a little lady (she’s 8 if I remember correctly) and he is missing it all. He’s been in the Army forever and a day, and deployments are nothing new to him and his family, but that doesn’t mean it’s any easier when you’re separated for so long from those you love. He’s got grown children, one in the Navy and one in the Air Force, and a teenager as well. So you can pretty well imagine how it’s been – a lot of moving around, and lots of milestones missed while Daddy was deployed. Just one of many sacrifices that are made on our behalf every day. Not something we should take for granted – though too many do just exactly that.

When we were chatting, he said it is so important for our troops to know that people appreciate them and support not just them but their families as well. I asked if there was anything in particular that I could send to him and his Soldiers to help put smiles on their faces, and he said “Just keep writing. You’d be surprised how much a letter means over here.” Before he signed off, he said “Thank you for being who you are.” I couldn’t think of a response to that one; who I am is all I know how to be. So I just told him to rest well, and stay safe, and that I’d catch him later. (Actually, what I said was “Rest well, William. Blah blah blah, nag nag nag, STAY SAFE! Don’t make me have to come over there… Catch ya later, gator.” That got a smiley face icon in reply…)

I need to make a trip to Sam’s and pick up a few things for the next round of packages. The tubs of individually wrapped twizzlers are popular, and any kind of trail mix, nuts, sunflower seeds, granola bars, beef jerky and slim jims. They’re cheaper at Sam’s, and I can buy a case each of several items and put together some pretty good care packages that hold a good variety of “stuff” for our kids in the sandbox. I just call ‘em “pocket-friendly snacks.” That covers a lot of territory. LOL!

Okay, I’ve gone on long enough to put everybody to sleep and then some. Thanks for reading my ramblings; I never quite know where I’m going when I sit down and start typing. Y’all take care, and I’ll type at ya later. (Consider that to be fair warning!)

I guess since I feel called to support the troops, it shouldn’t surprise me when things work out in unexpected ways and allow me to send more packages than I thought possible.  I invariably wind up spending more than I intended when I go shopping for care package “stuff,” and end up short on funds for postage. That used to make me fret and worry that I wouldn’t be able to get the packages mailed to our Warriors, but I don’t do that any more.

Somehow, it always works out. Like the line in “Field of Dreams” that says “If you build it, they will come,” I have discovered that “If I pack the boxes, they will get mailed.” Maybe Ms. Betty will pay the postage, leaving me with money to buy more “stuff.” Someone might order some bread just in time to mail a couple of packages. An angel with a generous heart may make a donation to “Help Ms. Tracy Support the Troops.” A couple of times, I have received a check in the mail from an angel in Hailey, Idaho with a post-it note attached saying “Keep up the good work.”

I was down to $21 and change in the Troop Support Account, and I’ve got a lot of “stuff” to put in care packages – and no shortage of Warriors to send them to. The very day I hit that balance, I got a phone call from the principal at one of our Middle Schools; she wanted to order two loaves of bread. ($10) Not thirty minutes after she called, one of my friends at the office asked if I could bake 4 dozen wheat rolls (another $10). So instead of mowing the yard when I got home from work, as I had planned, I got busy baking bread and rolls.

I had two extra loaves of bread the next morning, which I took to work and set out on the counter – and they were bought in no time. ($10 – we’re up to $30.) The principal sent one of her office workers to pick up her bread, and sent an extra $10 for two more loaves which she wanted to give to the staff at the board office. The principal at Ashland City Elementary came over and asked if I could bake her two loaves of bread. (If you’re keeping track, that puts us at $50) When Cindy paid for the rolls, she added an extra $5 for the troops. (Okay, now we’re up to $55.)

Today, a friend from Ashland City Elementary came over to talk to the director of finances, and brought me $20. She said she’d been meaning to pick up some items for care packages and couldn’t ever remember to do it, so she hoped it would be okay if she gave me cash instead. Without fretting or worrying about not having enough postage to send anything, I wound up having $75 within a 48 hour period of time, which will take care of several packages. God (and His angels) will provide.

This weekend, the Family Readiness Group for the 278th ACR is collecting items for care packages to go to our local National Guard troops in Iraq. I’m going to take a bunch of things over and drop them off. They’ll be there from 1:00 to 3:00 Sunday afternoon, so we’ll head over that way after church. I’ve challenged my friends and co-workers to do the same, but haven’t gotten any response to my challenge, so we’ll just have to wait and see if they come through.  I have adopted several members of the 278th who signed up on AnySoldier.com already, but I intend to support the activities of the FRG as well, to get as many care packages to our guys and gals as possible. They held bake sales and yard sales and such last time our Guard deployed; I’ll help with those when they do it again. (Hey, I can bake!! LOL!!)

Okay, I guess I’ve rambled on enough. I better sign off before somebody rolls their eyes at me and tells me to “Shut up, already!” Y’all have a good’un; don’t forget to pray for our Troops! And to my deployed Warriors – blah blah blah, nag nag nag, STAY SAFE!! Don’t make me have to come over there… Hugs {{{{{{Dana, Kenneth, Ron, Erick, Kelly, Ian, Charly, William, Erik, Yenny, Adrian, Addie, Joseph, Patrick…oh, goodness, ALL of Y’all!!}}}}}} Just be careful, okay??

1SG Winning, one of our “repeaters,” is back in Iraq for a year, and I’m getting his first care package put together. I’ll be sending homemade cookies soon; for now it’s comfort items and treats. He’s a big Steelers fan, so his first box will have a set of NFL sheets with Steelers logo on the pillowcase, a nice soft pillow, and a stuffed Steelers monkey. Also includes beef jerky, tropical blend trail mix, Smarties, Boston Baked Beans (candy), Sixlets (chocolate candy – melt resistant), toffee coated sunflower kernels, a box of Little Debbie Peanut Butter & Jelly Oatmeal Pies, and the last three issues of the I-24 Exchange.

It’s been awhile since his last deployment, and I can’t remember if he likes or doesn’t like raisins. So I’m going to send him an e-mail and ask if he prefers raisins or chocolate chips before I bake cookies. If he says he likes both, I’ll buy both and bake a batch with raisins and another with chocolate chips. See, I’m easy to get along with…and I try to take good care of our Warriors.

It’s been a busy day, and I’m kinda running out of energy, so I guess I’d better wind this up before I fall asleep on the keyboard or something. Y’all take care, and thanks for reading my ramblings.

Awhile back I told y’all about the dog we adopted from AnySoldier.com, Ms. Lmat Lucky. The last round of care packages I sent out included one to Lucky, and contained two bags of dog food and three packages of dog treats. I included a thank you card addressed to “Lucky’s Warriors” and a couple of magazines for them, as well as a handful of Guardian Angel cards.

Today I got an e-mail from one of Lucky’s Warriors thanking us for the goodies. It’s a great e-mail, and I’m sharing it here.

Tracy and Jack,

Thank you very much for the dog supplies.  Lucky is very grateful.  Every time we get mail from the post office, she follows us like she is waiting to see if she got mail.  It is so funny.  She helps our team in more ways than one.  Security/awareness and morale.  To give you a little background about us; we are a small specialized Air Force team that lives and work on an Iraqi Army base.  We advise Iraqi Army leadership on all base operations, from interior and perimeter security, infrastructure, life support services for the troops, communications, fuel support, vehicle maintenance, ammo storage and issue, medical support, etc.  While we are away and asleep, Lucky is our eyes and ears.  In fact we recently had a security assessment of our living area and she was listed as essential to the security of the compound by the inspecting team.  This report was forwarded up to our General and his support staff.  She will let you know immediately if anyone is lingering around the perimeter of our living compound.  She is not a fan of the Iraqi people to put it nicely.  We spoil her as a token of our appreciation for her hard work…. as you can see in the attached pictures.  She also helps with the morale of our team.  It is funny to see the effect she has on us.  Combat trained soldiers playing and talking to her like she can understand.  I guess she reminds of home.  Having support from people such as yourself makes this job much easier to bare.  Thank you very much for the time and resources used to send these supplies.  It is appreciated.  Thank you!

–
John Dukes

The photos that were attached included one of Lucky checking out the care packages that she’d received, and one of her stretched out on a couch snoozing. From the look of her shiny coat, I’d say she’s well taken care of.  I’m glad our guys are able to have a dog, and I’m glad Lucky has her Warriors to look after as they are looking after her.  Dogs are not held in the same regard by the Iraqi people as here in the US, to say the least.

Once again, I thank you for reading my ramblings. Y’all have a good’un, and I’ll type at you later. If any of my Warriors are reading this, you know the routine…blah blah blah, nag nag nag, STAY SAFE!! Don’t make me have to come over there!!

Not a whole lot new going on at the moment. I just thought I should check in and let y’all know I’m still kickin’.

I have been impressed with how quickly the last several packages I have mailed have reached their destinations. I have several Warriors that I never hear from when I send boxes, but I’ve got two who are on facebook that let me know when they get their stuff. One is in Kuwait and the other is in Iraq. The one in Kuwait got the last package I sent (homemade cookies, and some magazines) in 5 days; the one in Iraq got hers in 6 days. Since I am accustomed to it taking 10 days or longer (based on past Warriors who have been good at letting me know they’ve received their care packages), I’ve got to say “Hats off to Zippy the Super Snail!” He’s done a marvelous job lately! (Maybe the postal service finally decided to let Cletus the Slack-Jawed Snail go…)

A few of our Warriors will be heading home soon. I’m happy for them, but I’ll miss them. Once they return home, we lose touch. While they have become like family in my heart, I’m just another supporter, of no consequence in the grand scheme of things once they return to the “real world.” Seriously ~ they have so much catching up to do with their families, friends, and life in general; issues to be dealt with, etc. – it would be unrealistic to expect them to have the time or the inclination to try to keep in touch with some stranger who stuffed a few things in a box once in awhile and mailed it over to the sandbox. “Unrealistic” is not a term that has been used to describe me…at least, not that I am aware of…LOL!  I do give them our phone number and tell them if they are ever in our neck of the woods, to give us a call and we’ll have them over for supper – out of over 450 Warriors we’ve adopted, we have met (and fed) exactly 2 of them. It was a great honor both times to meet our Soldier face-to-face and thank them in person for serving our country.

I hear the laundry calling my name…guess I’d better get the shirts on hangers before they wrinkle, and get the jeans folded… Type at y’all later…thanks for reading my ramblings, and take care!