EP 24: Care Package Tips and Tricks with Rachel McQuiston

On episode 24, Rachel from Countdowns and Cupcakesgives us all the best tips and tricks for making a great care package. She makes awesome care package designs that you can buy. I ask about inexpensive ideas for things to send, unique ideas, homemade, staples to send every time etc. She sends a large flat rate USPS box about once a month full of goodies when her husband is deployed. We talk care package themes, her favorite one to put together, his favorite one he has received. She also gives the best tip: wrap all the contents inside the care package for a little extra fun and surprise. You don’t need to do this every time but it’s a fun surprise.

Rachel also mentions how during Christmas time she will spend a box full of stuff that her husband can give to the other guys because some guys don’t receive mail during their deployments. I get the run down on just how to ship care packages to deployed soldiers: hint use the USPS (they are the cheapest and will have all the forms you need.) 

One of the things I love most about Rachel’s shop is when you buy a care package design she includes a list of things that could go with the theme of the care package you bought. How cool, right? 

Rachel’s instagram 
Rachel’s shop: Countdowns and Cupcakes
Hurry Up and Wait Instagram 

EP 23: Duty Station Bucket List

On episode 23, I talk about the importance of having a duty station bucket list. Get your free printable checklist here. Start making a duty station bucket list 2 months before you PCS to your new duty station. First make a bucket list of the things you want to do at your current base with only 2 months left. Is there a restaurant you have been meaning to try or an activity that you loved doing and you want to do it again before you PCS? Setting up a duty station bucket list also helps you get out of PCS mode. PCSes are stressful and usually I keep my head down and power through but that means lost time that I could be enjoying the area I am in. So this is a good reminder to do that.

I would start my bucket list for the base I am PCSing to about a month before. This gets you excited about going to a new military installation even though you are in the mist of a stressful time. First category to think about when making your list is food/ restaurants. What is your favorite food or a food that is unique to that area? Maybe you are going to Washington State and you need to try the coffee at the original Starbucks. Maybe you are going to the south and need to try the pulled pork. Then think about outdoor or nature activities that you could do. Are there state parks near by? What about museum or education things to do?

Don’t forget about free activities. And things to do at home like painting a wall or making a really delicious dessert you don’t make often. Also, a great way to find cool things is searching the events of the towns near you and seeing what they are putting on.

Hurry Up and Wait on Instagram 
Hurry Up and Wait Blog 

EP 22: Ultimate Deployment Guide w/Lizann Lightfoot

On Episode 22 of Hurry Up and Wait, I talk with Lizann Lightfoot, the Seasoned Spouse, about the new book she wrote called Ultimate Deployment Guide which is available on Amazon. Her and her husband have been together for 19 years and through 7 deployments so she knows a thing or two. She is a writer and blogger and creates awesome resources for other military spouses which can all be found through the links on her blog. 

She is passionate about answering questions, sharing knowledge with other spouses and pointing them in the direction of the resources they have available to them. We then drive into her recently published book Ultimate Deployment Guide. She created this guide as a way for spouses to feel more confident and at peace when facing a deployment. The book is non branch specific so it should work no matter what branch of the military your service member is in. This book includes checklists and worksheets which means it is personal and you make it your own. The worksheets include getting emergency contact info, writing down all the joint account passwords/ usernames, household budget, car maintenance, etc. The book also includes information on care packages, self-care, and creating a bucket list for yourself during the deployment. 

Then, we chat about communication during a deployment. Lizann gives some great advice about keeping expectations manageable. You don’t really know what communication options are going to be available for a certain deployment until your service member is gone. They might have an idea but remember every deployment is different. Also, Lizann says she gets a ton of questions about the homecoming part of deployment and this again comes down to expectations and communication. Also, I ask about sharing stressful news with your service member that is deployed and how to go about that if they can’t really help with the situation. Will it just make them more stressed? 

I end the interview by asking Lizann some logistical questions about writing and publishing a book as well as other resources. 

Go find Lizann at Seasoned Spouse and you can get her book on Amazon. 

Also, remember to contact her if you are buying in bulk because she can give you a discount! 

Instagram: The Seasoned Spouse 

Most popular post on the Seasoned Spouse: 17 unusual things military families get for free.