The First Box of 2013

While I've had a love-hate relationship with 2012 (which you can catch up on here), I am already in love with 2013 (and it's still a day away)! Last year, John and I rang in 2012 together. For the first time in my life, I had someone to kiss at midnight. There were even fireworks and dancing that night. If I were the star of a romantic comedy, that night couldn't have been orchestrated more perfectly. 

But I digress.

Do you know how difficult it is to find New Year's decorations a month out from December 31? It's absolutely impossible. Apparently all of America does their NYE party planning within a week of the ball dropping. I visited five stores (including Wal-Mart, which I thought sold everything).  It wasn't for lack of trying, but poor John got a pretty bootlegged box of New Year's Eve stuff. Almost all of it came from the birthday party aisle. I guess last year, I should have trolled sales like I did for the Christmas care package... but everything would have said "2012." Ah, such is life.

Here are the contents for a New Year's Eve in a box: 

1. Those noise makers that uncurl when you blow them.

2. A bottle of sparkling cider. Afghanistan is a dry country.

3. Plastic champagne glasses

4. Confetti poppers (they don't have any gunpowder or flammable materials, so they're a-okay to send!)

5. More noise makers

6. A box of hot chocolate mix (because I needed something to take up some space). 

7. Candles. Yep. These were the only thing I could find that said "2013". I know, I know, the birthday candles don't make much sense, but I thought at least one thing in the box should say the year.

(Not pictured) A bag of coffee because John always needs coffee.

Because I was running short on time, I didn't have a chance to decorate the entire box, and instead, just did the flaps. If you want to do something similar, just cut a skyline out of black paper and glue it on a background of funky, Lisa-Frank-esque scrapbook paper.

I wanted to rig up the Times Square Ball Drop across the box, so that when John opened it, he'd see it hanging there (much like the birthday banner I made him). However, because every store was conspiring against me, I couldn't find a disco ball keychain (to mimic the ball) to save my life.

Who knows? Maybe next year we'll be able to be in NYC for the real ball drop! That would be awesome!

13 Posts for 2013

2012, wow. What a year! Strange, thrilling, maddening, challenging, frustrating, and elating... and all in just 366 days. I can't say that I'm excited that 2012 is over, but I can't say that I'm sad to see it go. 

2012 will always be the year that John proposed.  But it will also always be the year that he left for Afghanistan. But 2012 will also be the year that I traveled more than I have in a long time. It's the year I spent more time with my Grandpa, the year I started writing again, the year I began a blog, the year I completed a half-marathon. It is the year I lived in two time zones and tried to function in both of them. And, perhaps, not coincidentally, I was sicker this year than I have been for a long time.

I haven't been blogging for a whole year yet, but I thought it would be fun to take a look back on 13 posts to celebrate 2013.

As a teacher, I operate in the cycle of the school year. August 30th (or around there) always feels like the start of the new year, while January 1st always feels like more of an interlude. And since I've been blogging since the beginning of the 2012-13 school year, I thought it appropriate to categorize the posts with some high school terminology.

The Populars

These posts have gotten the most views, pins, tweets, and likes.

1. I am a Sushi Ninja!  

I sent John a box of faux sushi in September with the intent of giving him something to laugh about . I didn't expect it to be the blog's all-time most viewed post!  

 

2. Shaving John from Hunger

During No Shave November, I sent John a mustache-themed care package with just about as much non-DFAC food as I could possibly stuff into it. 

3. Why Panera Has My Business

An act of kindness made a box of bagels blog-worthy in November.

The Wall Flowers

I loved writing these posts, but they didn't get much traffic. Show 'em a little love now!

 

4. Dogtags

When I started wearing John's in June, I didn't realize how contentious the issue was in the military community. Nor did I anticipate the comments and questions I'd encounter.

5. The 100-Day Mark

We made it to 100 days during September. It was the first time I really wrote candidly about John's deployment and was a huge leap of faith for me. 

6. Crying Over Spilled Beer

Because I'm a wuss, I just had to write about crying during a Sam Adams beer commercial. Yes, you read that right, and yes, there's probably a reason it's the least-viewed post in my blog's portfolio.

The Social Butterflies

These posts received the most comments. And I love reading what you have to think! It's always wonderful see a new comment notification in my inbox! 

7. An Advent to Remember

I sent John an Advent care package this year-- 24 ornaments to hang on a paper Christmas tree. This was the inaugural post, and I was so pleased to see that it struck a chord with my readers!

 

8. Sending a Sweet Treat

During December, I sent my youngest sister what was probably the strangest thing she's ever gotten in the mail.

 

9. Crowdsourcing a Care Package 

Just a day ago, I reached out to the blogo-Twitto-Facebooko-spheres and asked for care package help for a reader. The sense of community and response was overwhelming and touching. You are the best! 

The Teacher's Pets

My favorites. 'Nuff said.

10. Take My Hand, We'll Make it, I Swear...

I just loved this package-- it cracked me up. Plus, Bon Jovi. Is anything else important?

11. Hymns of Thanks

Writing this post was one of the most reflective, calming, and uplifting things I've done for myself all year. 

12. Of Brownies and Banners

This was my favorite care package decoration I've made thus far, and John got a kick out of it too!

The Odd Man Out

There's always the kid who doesn't have a partner...

13. Gra-yes-la Bars!

This is one of two recipes that John consistently asks for. It's easy, as healthy as you want to make it, and extremely shippable! 

Crowdsourcing a Care Package

Jo,

I am eighteen years old and falling in love with my coast guard boyfriend. He has been underway once since we've been together or official as some would say. And he will be going underway once again in [the spring]...I want to send him sort of a care package. But since I cannot send it after he leaves I was hoping to find it all before he goes, and let him open [it] after he goes [underway again]...Now here comes the crazy part, WHAT THE HECK DO I GET HIM FOR ALASKA?!? Please help me find some cute ideas. I've thought of hand warmers, toe warmers, mint chocolates that he loves, and cute little proverbs we send each other. Feel free to email me back or run free with the idea. 

Thanks a million,

Chelsea

I think Chelsea's got a great start there. I've never been to Alaska, but just thinking about it makes me cold. I think the hand and toe warmers would be fantastic!  And, she's tailoring the care package to things she knows her boyfriend enjoys.

Here's what I suggested: 

Food: 

• olive tapenade (or other spreads)
• salsa
• crackers
• homemade cookies
• homemade granola bars (John swears by these.)
• teas
• coffees
• hot chocolates

(Just be careful-- I doubt that there's refrigeration underway, so make sure that the foods you send don't need to be chilled after opening.)

Sentimental: 

• photos
• mini scrapbooks
• mixed CDs (or loading mp3s onto his iPod)
• SD cards with pictures and video
• letters (Number them so he knows in what order to open them. If that matters, of course.)
• a touchstone (A small stuffed animal-- like a Beanie Baby-- or something that means something to the two of you.)

I've never sent a care package to someone underway; however, it would make sense to me that most of what Chelsea's boyfriend would need or would be able to keep would be consumables. That way he wouldn't have too much to store in what, I'm assuming, will be a very small personal space. 

Have you sent care packages to someone underway? Help out Chelsea and sling her some of your fabulous ideas! Either comment, tweet, or Facebook them!