MAILED OFF SIX BOXES...

Hi there,
My daughter helped lug six boxes to the Post Office; they were mailed off on Saturday, December 26, 2009. CAUTION: The PRIORITY MAIL FLAT RATE BIG BOX looks just like the regular mail big box; we got caught and wound up paying more to mail off the regular two large boxes. It was too difficult to unpack everything, go home for tape and start over. Anyway, just a note of CAUTION: CHECK THE BOXES OR ENVELOPES YOU TAKE FROM THE POST OFFICE AND MAKE CERTAIN THAT THEY SAY 'FLAT RATE PRIORITY MAIL'. It is a huge difference in cost. I speak from experience here. But the GOOD NEWS is that the boxes are off to 6 different military people, to share with their groups. When and if they answer, we'll send more. If not, we'll find new names. We won't be able to send off goodies each time we mail; but we will be able to send off whatever knitted or crocheted items we all have completed. We are small, but we are doing our best. Remember to include your e-mail address on the notes you include on your finished projects. That is how you will be contacted, IF they can contact at all.
Also, another way we can see if our goods have arrived is to click on the names of the soldiers to whom we have sent our boxes or envelopes. Very often, they post their own PUBLIC BLOGS with their names on anysoldier.com. Some even include photos of handing out things to troops or Afghani people who are in need. It is heartwarming to see our troops in all kinds of kind actions. We have every reason to be proud.
Happy New Year to everyone.

GOT AN E-MAIL FROM A SOLDIER!

Hi Everyone,
We received an e-mail from a soldier in Afghanistan. He received a Christmas Card and considered it a card to all of his men. Of course it was, so I'm glad he shared it. What a nice young man! Anyway, he said to THANK ALL OF THE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN in our group who are supporting all of them. I'm sending a box of goodies off to them at the end of the week. Also a box to a Marine and hismen over there.
If you think even the smallest gestures do no good, I urge you to hear the heartbeats of thanks that are sent through the e-mail system. Include your e-mail address on your signed cards and you too, might receive one or more answers. If nothing else, keep those CARDS AND NOTES going over to the war zones; they are cold and they are clearly lonely. This has nothing at all to do with how strong they are or well trained. But we must always remember their feelings, which will only make them stronger when replenished with concern from home. Thank you for all you do and all you will continue to do for our troops. When we stop thinking of them as our 'kids', we become less human ourselves. Remember, a 44 cent U.S. Postage stamp and a simple note can make a world of difference.
Be well and enjoy the rest of your holiday season.

General Mama
Adria

How did I get the nick-name GENERAL MAMA?

I guess I need to clarify this, although it really doesn't seem so important to me in terms of the paradigm of this program. When I was doing my research into how to create a process for getting things out to our military, one of my phone calls involved a Lieutenant Colonel. I had told him that I was a retired teacher and that the kids had always called me Mama-Schu. That is when he kept calling me Mrs. Schumann, which was way too formal for me. So he laughed and said something like, "Well, okay, General Mama; I think you and your pals are going to put a dent into this need. Let me hook you up with other organizations that are doing some of their own things." That done, I contacted organizations such as OPERATION TOASTY TOES and WARM WARRIORS. They are all doing WONDERFUL jobs. HOwever, it didn't seem cost effective to me to mail off completed items to them, pay postage here and then have them have to pay postage yet again to get them mailed to an APO address.
Therefore, I came up with the name, based on what the Lieutenant Colonel called me, of a loose group that had a goal of keeping the soldiers warm with knitted or crocheted items, as well as sending goodies when we could, BUT DOING IT AS INDIVIDUALS UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF A GROUP NAME. That's why I had the tags printed up and I share them with you all. I have repeated over and over again that our loose group DOES NOT COLLECT MONEY OR SOLICIT DONATIONS. Other groups do and they have gone through the process of being very formal. We are a loose group that comes together for the good. Our blog gives information that can help individual action. The printed tags that you attach to your work and send off, make it clear that we are a group. We send off our own things. How do we do that? Where do we get the addresses? Again, I call your attention to the most wonderful website called anysoldier.com It is there that you go through the prompts and get up to two soldiers' names a day and no more than 10 a month. However, each soldier often lists the number of people in his/her group so that things can be sent to that address in multiples.
The MOST IMPORTANT part of this blog is the section (now under previous postings) on PROCESS AND MATERIALS. Check it out. I hope this has settled the question of how I got the name of General Mama. It works for me and I thank the Lieutenant Colonel for the nickname.
Keep knitting or crocheting or buying snacks or other items to send off. Don't forget to use the pre-priced PRIORITY MAIL boxes or envelopes that are the real deal in postage. Oh, and I'm pleased as punch to share this with you, I GOT AN E-MAIL FROM A SOLDIER TO WHOM WE SENT JUST A HOLIDAY CARD! It was wonderful to hear from him. Now that there is a connection, Jeff and I will send off some goodies and a few knitted things. So you see, IT WORKS!
Chanukah is over; please let me wish you a very Merry and Blessed Christmas. Kwanza is right around the corner!

Adria
General Mama
Mama-Schu

AnySoldier.com donations

Hi Everyone,
When you go to the website of anysoldier.com, PLEASE notice that they need donations to keep going. I believe this is a very good organization that you can easily research. They are available 24/7 360 days a year! I got an e-mail answer the same day I sent it off. So, they are dedicated and organized. Although we DO NOT solicit funds on this blog for ANYTHING AT ALL, I feel that I must encourage you to add anysoldier.com to your important places to support. They are spilling blood; a few dollars is the least that we can do. Please continue to SUPPORT OUR TROOPS in every way possible.
According to their website, which I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CHECK OUT BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING AT ALL, donations (FREEDOM ISN'T FREE!) may be sent to the following address:
AnySoldier.com
P.O. Box 715
Waldorf, MD 20604

OR, you can just send an enquiry to the following e-mail address for more information about donating with your credit card, if that is your choice: christina@anysoldier.com
KEEP KNITTING AND CROCHETING....it is getting very cold in Afghanistan, particularly!
I thank you in advance for any assistance you might give to this fabulous organization started by a military person (now retired) and run for only one reason: support of our military personnel overseas or in hospitals.

Sincerely and with hope for your assistance in this matter, I remain

General Mama
mamaschu4u@gmail.com

CLARIFICATION.....

Clarification time! Let me make it very clear that on anysoldier.com the address you get, regardless of where the APO is located, is for a soldier in a foreign land. When I told you the AE, AP, AA origins, that is where the package or card would be sent and then that section of the military takes over to send it to Iraq or Afghanistan or wherever. anysoldier.com gives you all the information that you will need as to where the military person is stationed overseas. However, the point of origin of that person's deployment, is recognized by the AP, AE, AA address. Hope that clarifies. Sorry for any confusion.
Happy end of Chanukah for those it fits and we wish you the blessings of Christmas to the many WOOL WARRIORS who are close to that special day. Greetings and gratitude are sent your way.

General Mama

MEANING OF APO ADDRESSES

Hi there,
Not that it really matters, but when you get an APO address from anysoldier.com, the APO address always has one of the following initials, and here is what they mean:
AE means that the address is out of New York
AP means that the address is out of San Francisco
AA means that the address is out of Miami

Why does this matter? It really does not matter EXCEPT when you are sending a box of goodies or knitted items and then it might make a difference in price if you are NOT using a PRIORITY BOX THAT HAS A SET AMOUNT ON IT. In that case, the cost is the same for any weight anywhere in the United States. Remember that when you are sending boxes of goodies or just cards or notes, you pay the price of postage within the United States; the government handles the delivery after packages or mail are sent to the APO address. However, if you don't use a PRIORITY BOX OR ENVELOPE WHERE THE PRICE IS THE SAME FOR ANY WEIGHT, then this could make a difference. You may wish to pick an APO address that is closer to where you live. So, your best bet is to go to the Post Office and get a free PRIORITY ENVELOPE OR SIZE BOX YOU KNOW YOU CAN HANDLE IN TERMS OF POSTAGE. In this way, it doesn't matter if it is an AE, AP or AA address. Does this make sense? Good. If it does not, contact me at my e-mail address: mamaschu4u@gmail.com
I sent off two more holiday cards today. Just cost 44cents in U.S. postage. Just popped them in the mail. It is easy. You are entitled to two names a day on anysoldier.com. Check it out. Feels pretty darned good! In the meantime, the WOOL WARRIORS are knitting away. Almost time to send off some knitted things.
Keep in touch.....and thank you from me and our military.

General Mama

THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW!

Good Tuesday morning to you all,
The most important part of this blog can be found as you scroll down to MATERIALS, SUPPLIES and PROCESS. I think I may hold off on further blog writings because I don't want the MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES-PROCESS to be beneath less important blogs. There is a created PROCESS by which you can be involved on many different levels. That is the point: PROCESS AND INVOLVEMENT. It can be as simple as a note to a soldier with a 44 cent U.S. stamp. It may be as involved as a box of knitted items or goodies, or even purchased wool items to send off. Remember: we are dealing with WOOL as it is not flammable. We are also dealing with camouflage colors: dark olive, gray, black or a sand color for Iraq. I have listed colors approved by the military and available at MICHAEL'S CRAFTS below in the MATERIALS, SUPPLIES AND PROCESS blog. As I said, this is the most critical one to read so that you may get involved. Once you get your APO address, keep in mind that any mailings are the cost of what they would be in the United States. The military takes the boxes to the foreign places. Remember: we are NOT collecting money and won't ever do that; we are providing information and organizing an effort to get things sent off. I have the WOOL WARRIOR tags if you want them. Just let me know and I'll mail them off to you. Either way; just get things mailed out.
Please have a happy holiday season. Merry Christmas and a Happy Chanukah. It is always a time for giving, to my way of thinking; this time of the year makes it even more precious. Thank you for your involvement.

Sincerely,

General Mama

Getting a Box Ready to Mail Off:

I'm getting a box ready to mail off to an APO address that fits an officer in Afghanistan. I have about 8 neck socks and two scarves. If you send me your finished products, I will mail yours with mine. You would need to contact me either on this blog or my e-mail address, which is: mamaschu4u@gmail.com

Keep knitting and crocheting! We may be a small group, but we are growing. Anything helps.

Happy Sunday,
General Mama

We need a new printing company that will deal!

Hi Everyone,
If you know of a cooperative and caring printing company that is individually owned, please let me know. I had 200 of our cards printed up at KINKO'S, but it was way too expensive. We need another company that will work with us and help with a large amount of printing these cards. They are adorable, with kudos to Joanie for designing them for us. However, it is imperative that once these 200 are used up and sent off to our military on garments created by you WOOL WARRIORS, that we find a new venue for printing the cards. Let me know if you are aware of somebody who would give us a nice discount for our charitable endeavor here. It is their volunteer army too! Anyway, we currently have 200 of them - maybe 150 now that some have been mailed off to warriors and warriorettes (to be PC) who have already completed scarves or hats or whatever. Thanks.

Hugs,
General Mama

Let me know if you are out there!

Up and ready to head off to Cedars Sinai for Jeff's surgery. I'm bringing my knitting bag with me, but of course, and it is filled with finished product so that when people in the waiting room ask about what I'm knitting, I can just show them. WE NEED TO SELL THE PROJECT AND GET PEOPLE INVOLVED. I repat, yet again (big sigh) that this has nothing at all to do with support of war; it has everything to do with support of our troops. There is a huge difference!
Knit and crochet away, dear warriors and warriorettes! Let me know if you need anything that I can provide for the effort. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO PASS ON THE INITIAL BLOG THAT PROVIDED A PROCESS BY WHICH WE ALL CAN BE INVOLVED IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. I like to shout that part.

Love,
General Mama

Wow! Things are starting to perk around our project! Just received two beautiful wool scarves in the mail from Hal - former Navy guy and dear friend. Lady Stephanie, up in Ferndale, has finished two and they are ready to be sent off. She's just waiting for the special WOOL WARRIOR TAGS to arrive. I have sent off one package full of school supplies and one neck sock to a military person in Afghanistan. We wait for his response in that we followed his requests on his ANYSOLDIER.COM website. Patricia is almost finished with her creation. I have done 7 neck socks and two scarves for another soldier to hand out to children he sees who are cold. So, we are moving along! Thanks so much for your cooperation. One drop of love and concern at a time fills a whole bucket! Shirley is posting our blog over at our local library. Kathleen, in Chicago, is spreading the news with her group of library ladies. She's also placed a bulletin notice in her synagogue's newsletter. Ricky, who is a powerful voice in any organization, is sharing this with her church. Joanie designed our card, which is in production over at KINKO'S as I write this. These cards will be sent out to you, upon request, so you can attach them (with a personal note inside) for the soldier to whom you are sending the item or items. Just punch a hole at the top of the card and attach it to your item with a bit of yarn. Let's keep it personal and extend our hearts and hands over the many miles to our military 'kids'.

We are not just talking support; we are doing something about it! GOOD FOR US and thank you, from my heart.

General Mama (6 star)
Wool Warriors and Warriorettes

I'll keep you posted. Is anybody out there listening? I'm not sure about this blog business, but both my son and a Lieutenant Colonel told me this was the way to go. So, I'm blogging.

Just came back from KINKO'S where I dropped off the format for the card that Joanie designed for GENERAL MAMA AND THE WOOL WARRIORS. It is being printed, as we speak. I had them made in a fold over card fashion so that each of you may write a note to a soldier when you attach this card to the finished 'creation'. I'll pick them up on Friday in that Jeff is having surgery tomorrow over at Cedars.

Let me know how many you would like me to send off to you, please. Hope you are all knitting. I finished another wool neck sock this morning and have started a new one. I'll have plenty of time over at Cedars to knit and read. And that is that for now. Hope you are all keeping warm and dry.

Love,
General Mama

SPECIFIC MATERIALS AND IDEAS

I have been asked to repeat some of the PROCESS of participation that I had previously shared in personal e-mails. So here goes.
MATERIALS USED FOR KNITTING OR CROCHETING: First of all, I have been told that if we are knitting for military use, we should ONLY use wool because acrylic is flammable. Some wonderful organizations of long standing contributions to the military - OPERATION TOASTY TOES or WARMTH FOR OUR WARRIORS - use bright colors and acrylics because they give to hospitals, where camouflage is not an issue. Further, some of their work is used to just 'brighten the barracks of soldiers". I am trying to create a VIRAL production of camouflage warmth for our soldiers who are in action. So I went to MICHAEL'S CRAFTS and visited their special area for soldiers.

They have, evidently, worked with the military to come up with acceptable camouflage colors in wool. They are: Patton's dark olive; Patton's heather; Patton's gray; Patton's black. I also iron on a Dill American Flag to my work but that is optional. I have created some smaller items without American Flags so that military personnel might pass them out to youngsters who are cold.

PATTERNS: MICHAEL'S CRAFTS does provide a FREE pattern for a neck/helmet sock. However, I have simplified what I am knitting to a neck sock, minus the head or helmet part. It is simple, pulls over the head to warm the neck and can also be pulled over the chin and nose for additional facial warmth. Here is that very simple pattern: KNIT 2, PURL 2 AROUND AND AROUND AND AROUND UNTIL YOU HAVE 9 INCHES. I CAST ON 108 STITCHES. YOU MUST ALWAYS START WITH KNIT 2 AND END THE ROW ON A PURL 2 SO THAT THE PATTERN IS ACHIEVED. I use 5 #9 bamboo knitting needles - stitches on four needles evenly divided and work on the 5th needle. However, many people are doing this on two needles and just sewing up the back with a seam. I prefer a seamless sock, but either way, the finished product will provide warmth. I will take a picture of a few of my finished products to put on this blog; but I'm still learning all this technical stuff and need to rely on my wonderful son Geoffrey to help me out. He is understandably busy with his own life, but has been most cooperative in his mother's effort to organize an effort to add to those who are already sending warm items to our troops.

COSTS: I believe that the Patton's yarn is $4.95 a ball. It was $3.95 a ball, but sadly, they've raised the prices on this at MICHAEL'S CRAFTS. I get three neck socks out of 2 balls of yarn. The Dill American Flag iron on patch is $1.50 a patch. So far, I'm the only one ironing on the American Flag patch but I want to share the information with you. Lastly, as I have said in a previous blog, whatever you decide to send to a soldier, PICK UP A FLAT RATE POSTAL BOX YOU KNOW YOU CAN AFFORD TO SEND. Then, fill the box. If you buy school supplies or have lots of things to send, you may find yourselves in a financial bind just getting it all mailed off.

GENERAL MAMA'S WOOL WARRIORS TAG AND NOTE: I will have thes printed up on card stock over at Kinko's. If you need some of these, just contact me and I'll mail them off to you free of charge.....or at least as long as we can handle that. Why use these cards? Lots of reasons. First of all, you can write your own personal note on each card. Second of all, it will appear to be a legitimate organized effort. Third of all, in my opinion, this is a charity and costs should be tax deductible. I AM NOT COLLECTING ANY MONEY NOR WILL I EVER DO THAT. That is cumbersome and unnecessary for my purposes - our purposes. I am merely trying to provide organization and a process for those people I know or those who attach themselves to this effort. However, having said that, it is my opinion that any yarns or supplies you purchase to send finished products off to our soldiers, are considered a charity donation and therefore, tax deductible. Check it out to be sure.

SPECIFIC COSTS OF MAILING THINGS: Most people do not know this: when you get a military AP ADDRESS, the costs involved in mailing are the same costs of mailing anything in the United States. If you are mailing a box, you are NOT paying the costs of mailing to Afghanistan or Iraq or Germany or wherever. You are paying the cost of the weight that anything would cost to mail within the Continental United States. This is good to know. So a simple holiday card to Iraq or Afghanistan is just the cost of a U.S. postage stamp. Good to know.

HOW DO I GET A SOLDIER'S NAME TO SEND THINGS? You go directly to ANYSOLDIER.COM. You have to sign up, which is free of charge. Why? They need an information trail to make certain that addresses are used properly. Once you do that, they will give you a list of soldiers who have signed up to recieve cards, knitted or crocheted items, school supplies for Afghani or Iraqui children, etc. You can only get two addresses a day.

WHAT SHOULD YOU SEND TO OUR SOLDIERS? Very often, when you click on the soldier's name, he/she may list things they would appreciate. Very often, there is nothing there. However, I was told that soldiers appreciate and actually treasure, holiday cards or notes sent to them. That is a matter of just a U.S. stamp!

One soldier indicated that he wanted school supplies sent. Another appreciated snack foods that are not perishable. Another indicated anything warm - such as neck socks or wool slippers, etc. At the very least, we can send notes and holiday cards. They are appreciated.

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP SUPPORT OUR MILITARY IF I'M NOT A CRAFT PERSON? You can send a holiday card. You may wish to donate money to the website ANYSOLDIER.COM as they have indicated a need. You may wish to pair up with a knitter and pay for the mailing costs of product she/he produces. You may wish to offer yarns to seniors who are strapped for money or who are in retirement homes. You may wish to encourage your child's school to teach kids how to knit so that they can support their troops. You may wish to encourage THE GIRL SCOUTS OF AMERICA to consider this craft and patriotic project. You may wish to send snacks or goodies that are not perishable.

My feelings are that I'm frankly tired of just sending on mushy e-mails people have sent me asking to support our troops and having it end there. THAT IS NOT ENOUGH! Mushy e-mails do not help our troops; sending them needed items - even if that is just a card and a personal note- does help.

If this blog helps to organize and provide information, that is the goal. I consider each and every one of our troops to be one of mine; I hope you do too.
We have an ALL VOLUNTEER MILITARY; let us be an all volunteer warrior of another kind - SUPPORT!
Let's get busy or busier! Thanks for your time and efforts.

General Mama and the Wool Warriors

Of course, I'm up early in the morning watching MORNING JOE from New York! Can't seem to turn my internal clock around from years and years and years of getting up early to be in a carpool at 5:30 A.M. So here I am, retired, and still getting up in the wee hours. Good time to blog.
I hope that the main purpose of this blog catches on: knitting or crocheting for your troops and a process by which this can be done! This is NOT political; that is for another time and space. It is absolutely HUMANITARIAN with a simple goal of getting warmth out to our troops wherever they may be. Additionally, some who register with ANYSOLDIER.COM have asked for school supplies to hand out to the Afghani children. Jeff and I found the 99 CENT STORE a great place to get school supplies. SUGGESTION: GET YOUR FLAT RATE MAILING BOX AT THE POST OFFICE FIRST SO THAT YOU KNOW WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD IN POSTAGE. THEN, FILL IT WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES OR KNITTED OR CROCHETED ITEMS.
I'm going to Kinko's today to photocopy (on card stock) the cards designed by my friend Joan. If you need them to attach to anything you wish to send, just let me know and I'll mail them off to you. In the meantime, we can all do the following: knit or crochet; send holiday cards to our troops; donate to ANYSOLDIER.COM; help with yarn for people who wish to knit or crochet but who are pinched financially. Thanks for your time. Let me know if I did this correctly....PLEASE! I'm still very much a quill person so this new fangled computer community is absolutely new to me. In the meantime, PEACE.
General Mama