Alright, no introspection and thinking out loud this time. Just a glimpse into a USS Lincoln birthday party and the art of care packages.
Yes, care packages are both a fun and a challenging part of separations. The US Post Office has become a great friend. They now have flat rate boxes and I have gotten up to 15 lbs in the flat rate box saving myself $10-15. Sometimes the packages can travel in a quick 5 days, others have taken up to 4 weeks. Both length of time and the heat of the Gulf add to the challenge. Many prepackaged foods fill each box, but there is nothing like a little bit of home. I have learned to bake sweet breads and cakes in jars which can then be "canned" by putting the lids on while still hot. (The Internet has mixed views on the safety of this - but we have not had trouble, yet) This unique method allows goodies to make it to the ship without mold and still in edible form rather than a stale brick. For those looking for other tips, cookies made with molasses and/or Karo syrup have a better "shelf" life. So off to the ship goes chocolate cake, icing, sprinkles, noise makers, candy, and BUBBLES! (Party in a box). I guess all the boys enjoyed the party and I was glad that my sweetie could have a little celebration.
We have a few holidays and celebrations to commemorate when we are together again. The plan is one nice dinner at The Melting Pot - a fondue restaurant where the meal becomes an event. We will celebrate 2 birthdays, an anniversary, a homecoming, a separation from the Navy, and the start of a new phase of life!
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