Pmackey
 Advanced Member
 Posts:515

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| 13 May 2010 05:32 PM |
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So I'm starting this thread to find some suggestions of handy dandy gadgets and items to have out at sea that a Coastie might need..or want.
What was/is your most valued item?
Proud Mom of SR Mackey _____________________________ According to the apostle John, the more we understand the shoreless ocean of God's love, the less we'll fear the choppy waters of life, for "perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). |
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| Proud Mom of FA MACKEY USCGC JARVIS (WHEC 725) Honolulu, HI |
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Cooch Trusted Member / Recruiter
 Veteran Member
 Posts:2176

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| 13 May 2010 05:37 PM |
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Portable DVD players, laptops, IPods, video games. Anything that can keep you entertained/occupied in your off time is good. My most valued item was probably my CD player (Ipods weren't around yet when I was on the cutter). But these days, the Ipod would be perfect, along with a wall charger.
"To me, clowns aren't funny. In fact, they're kinda scary. I've wondered where this started, and I think it goes back to the time I went to the circus and a clown killed my dad." - Deep Thought by Jack Handey |
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Old Guard2 Trusted Member
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 Posts:8535

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| 13 May 2010 05:46 PM |
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If you have someone that enjoys reading... Colin LOVES his Kindle!! He can read tons of books, don't get me wrong he likes his DVD's and music but he can read for hours on end. With the Kindle he can take as many books as he wants in all sorts of genre's and only carry one thing that is no thicker than a pamphlet! But Cooch +1! Good stuff to have there, too!
Proud mom of SN Robertson, Colin USCGC Seneca
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| USCGC Seneca #1 :-) |
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Pmackey
 Advanced Member
 Posts:515

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| 13 May 2010 05:54 PM |
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Space is obviously limited on a ship- is there storage on land back "home"?
Proud Mom of SR Mackey _____________________________ According to the apostle John, the more we understand the shoreless ocean of God's love, the less we'll fear the choppy waters of life, for "perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). |
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| Proud Mom of FA MACKEY USCGC JARVIS (WHEC 725) Honolulu, HI |
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Cooch Trusted Member / Recruiter
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 Posts:2176

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| 13 May 2010 05:58 PM |
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Not if they're living on the ship, but portable electronics generally don't take up too much room. You have a locker in addition to your rack, which opens up for storage. We can always find room to store our toys.
"To me, clowns aren't funny. In fact, they're kinda scary. I've wondered where this started, and I think it goes back to the time I went to the circus and a clown killed my dad." - Deep Thought by Jack Handey |
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Old Guard2 Trusted Member
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 Posts:8535

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| 13 May 2010 06:06 PM |
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Colin loved this last patrol... he had a barracks room. He got to leave behind a lot of stuff in his room. Extra room for more snacks to take. We went shopping at Target just before he got underway in March, with the exception of a tube of bengay for a worn out mom, I spent 125$ on snacks, top raman, cheez-its, cookies, a funky sippy cup with straw for him to use in heavy seas, razor blades, deodorant... that kid loaded down with all sorts of crap! He was surprised when I pulled out my credit card for his stuff. But I had fun buying all of it with him. The taxi driver about dropped on the spot when he saw the cart load of stuff we had to put in his trunk... but that was alright, we had fun. :)
Proud mom of SN Robertson, Colin USCGC Seneca
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| USCGC Seneca #1 :-) |
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E Trusted Member
 Posts:1969

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| 13 May 2010 06:15 PM |
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Macbook air+Iphone. I have one locker and that's it. I buy my movies off of itunes or if I get a blu ray I just rip it so I can take it underway, it has my movies, some games, books, etc. Our food allowance goes to the boat and he usually has a large selection of snacks and stuff, but I have a high intake of amped energy drinks and sunflower, neither good for my health:)
"If, in order to be popular I have to do what other people want me to do, regardless of my own convictions, then I have no desire to be popular, and I am quite sure I will never be." Commodore Ellsworth Bertholf, First Coast Guard Commandant |
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lan56
 Basic Member
 Posts:441

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| 13 May 2010 06:27 PM |
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As Cooch mentioned the importance of an iPod cannot be underestimated. At my station, we listen to music as we work--sounds minor but having good music to listen to while you are painting, cleaning, etc... makes a world of a difference in morale. A guy from a 270' said ships allow listening to music while working, but I haven't been to one to know. Either way, make sure he takes the iPod/music player, battery charger, and has a thorough playlist made before getting underway--important stuff! :) |
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Old Guard2 Trusted Member
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 Posts:8535

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| 13 May 2010 06:29 PM |
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Oh there is more than enough food on the Seneca to feed them for long after a 2 month patrol is over... However, they all seem to buy more snacks just in case the ship somehow becomes an episode of "Lost" and they never have to worry! Boxes of cheez its, easy mac, top raman, wanchai ferry chinese food... anything like that.
Proud mom of SN Robertson, Colin USCGC Seneca
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| USCGC Seneca #1 :-) |
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coastiewifejenna
 New Member
 Posts:97

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| 13 May 2010 06:38 PM |
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Slim Jim, poptarts, ramen noodles, and the flavored drink packets(incase the waters tastes funny). My husband would take movies, save them to his external harddrive and the took his laptop and his external hard drive and survived off of that. Something to think about.
I support Red Fridays! |
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Pmackey
 Advanced Member
 Posts:515

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| 13 May 2010 06:44 PM |
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You guys are ALL full of some GREAT ideas.. As I knew you would be :wink:
Proud Mom of SR Mackey _____________________________ According to the apostle John, the more we understand the shoreless ocean of God's love, the less we'll fear the choppy waters of life, for "perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). |
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| Proud Mom of FA MACKEY USCGC JARVIS (WHEC 725) Honolulu, HI |
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Cooch Trusted Member / Recruiter
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 Posts:2176

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| 13 May 2010 09:22 PM |
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A lot of times, you bring the ramen and easy mac for the times when you don't like the meal that is being served. There's over 100 people on the larger cutters, so it's impossible to please them with every meal. I try and be careful with the snacks though, because it's much tougher to work out when the ship is pitching and rolling. No need for the extra pounds lol.
"To me, clowns aren't funny. In fact, they're kinda scary. I've wondered where this started, and I think it goes back to the time I went to the circus and a clown killed my dad." - Deep Thought by Jack Handey |
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E Trusted Member
 Posts:1969

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| 13 May 2010 10:11 PM |
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Every time we get off the boat I feel as if I've gained 10 pounds. It's that open galley! I showed the crew a ghetto tamale last patrol, thats all everyone wants to eat late at night.
"If, in order to be popular I have to do what other people want me to do, regardless of my own convictions, then I have no desire to be popular, and I am quite sure I will never be." Commodore Ellsworth Bertholf, First Coast Guard Commandant |
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Pmackey
 Advanced Member
 Posts:515

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| 13 May 2010 10:14 PM |
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That's awesome E! Sounds like the perfect snack! Junk food is a must if your heading out to sea!
Proud Mom of SR Mackey __________________________
According to the apostle John, the more we understand the shoreless ocean of God's love, the less we'll fear the choppy waters of life, for "perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). |
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| Proud Mom of FA MACKEY USCGC JARVIS (WHEC 725) Honolulu, HI |
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captkyguy Trusted Member
 Veteran Member
 Posts:4691

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| 14 May 2010 02:27 AM |
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Some great stuff mentioned above with obvious first hand knowledge but my vote would be the "Life Jacket"... 
Kyle
In his life changing name God Bless! |
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| In His life changing name, God Bless!
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jkribell
 Veteran Member
 Posts:1302

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| 14 May 2010 04:23 AM |
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PMackey said...Space is obviously limited on a ship- is there storage on land back "home"?
Please know that if there is anything he wants to "stow" he can leave it with us if that is an issue. We aren't going anywhere! We still have Heathers room empty. Although we are thinking of renting it out..... We have tons of storage under the house as well!!
Proud Mom to FS3Kribell-USCGC Hamilton, San Diego USCG Aux Member District 14 Divison 1
DSO-CC/EM/PA; Flotilla FN/SR |
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| Lucky to live in Hawaii - Mom to FS3Kribell, USCGC Hamilton, San Diego |
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Old Guard2 Trusted Member
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 Posts:8535

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| 14 May 2010 11:54 AM |
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What's that like with an empty room? Colin has to bring his skinny butt back to Ft Worth and clean that disaster he & his ex-girlfriend left behind for me. I don't care if I stay in that house until he retires and is the Ancient Mariner of the Coast Guard... that boy is bringing his butt back to clean that room, I'm not doing it!! LOL
Proud mom of SN Robertson, Colin USCGC Seneca
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| USCGC Seneca #1 :-) |
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Pmackey
 Advanced Member
 Posts:515

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| 14 May 2010 12:03 PM |
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Jan, Thank you so much!! I will be adding your phone # to his iphone when he gets it back.. If he needs ANYTHING I will be sure you are the one he can call.. I know this is his first Venture away from home and he may be hesitant to call- but I will be sure to remind him all the time you are there.. Hopefully he can meet you at some point!! There is another gentleman and his wife and kids who live there also. He will be in the reserves for about 6 mth before going active. Gosh I am so thankful for you guys!! Who would have EVER thought I had friends in Hawaii??? Not me!
Proud Mom of SR Mackey __________________________
According to the apostle John, the more we understand the shoreless ocean of God's love, the less we'll fear the choppy waters of life, for "perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). |
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| Proud Mom of FA MACKEY USCGC JARVIS (WHEC 725) Honolulu, HI |
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Pmackey
 Advanced Member
 Posts:515

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| 14 May 2010 12:04 PM |
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OldGuard said... What's that like with an empty room? Colin has to bring his skinny butt back to Ft Worth and clean that disaster he & his ex-girlfriend left behind for me. I don't care if I stay in that house until he retires and is the Ancient Mariner of the Coast Guard... that boy is bringing his butt back to clean that room, I'm not doing it!! LOL Holy COW Macie ROFL That is HILARIOUS!!! I totally understand ya girl!
Proud Mom of SR Mackey __________________________
According to the apostle John, the more we understand the shoreless ocean of God's love, the less we'll fear the choppy waters of life, for "perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). |
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| Proud Mom of FA MACKEY USCGC JARVIS (WHEC 725) Honolulu, HI |
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Gears Trusted Member / Recruiter/
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 Posts:3816

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| 14 May 2010 03:06 PM |
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I recommend bringing his favorite brand of toilet paper. The cutters usually buy John Wayne Brand TP. It's rough, tough, and don't take shit off anyone... Let's see how long this post lasts.
Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please. - Mark Twain |
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| "I was born in a barn and raised by Wolves. I'm not apologizing for anything." |
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Pmackey
 Advanced Member
 Posts:515

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| 14 May 2010 03:11 PM |
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 Thanks for that amazing visual Gears.. it has made the start of my day that much better!
Proud Mom of SR Mackey
According to the apostle John, the more we understand the shoreless ocean of God's love, the less we'll fear the choppy waters of life, for "perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). |
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| Proud Mom of FA MACKEY USCGC JARVIS (WHEC 725) Honolulu, HI |
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captkyguy Trusted Member
 Veteran Member
 Posts:4691

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| 14 May 2010 07:14 PM |
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LOL...awesome Gears...the fire service seems to buy the same brand!
Kyle
In his life changing name God Bless! |
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| In His life changing name, God Bless!
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jkribell
 Veteran Member
 Posts:1302

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| 15 May 2010 05:07 AM |
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Ok- so I went through her room and sent all her stuff to San Diego when she finally got an apartment. I will admit, I was pissed when I was doing it and I just wanted all her stuff gone. There is a king size bed in her room and it takes up the whole room. Her closet is full of the Christmas Decorations. At this house, the storage is under the house and exposed to the elements so if you care about something - you gotta keep it in the house. She will be visiting next week and then when she leaves, I am heave hoeing everything else in there. It is going to be my office/peaceful place. I don't think she will be back any time soon and if she does, she can sleep on the pull out couch. That's my story and I am sticking to it!!!
Proud Mom to FS3Kribell-USCGC Hamilton, San Diego USCG Aux Member District 14 Divison 1
DSO-CC/EM/PA; Flotilla FN/SR |
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| Lucky to live in Hawaii - Mom to FS3Kribell, USCGC Hamilton, San Diego |
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wepprop
 Veteran Member
 Posts:3943

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| 15 May 2010 02:55 PM |
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I have offered to personally clean out my childrens' rooms. My plan is to put everything in garbage bags out by the curb, take the room down to bare walls and floor, repair the drywall, repaint the entire room with several coats of paint, then get the carpet replaced. My wife won't let me and, so far, I've listened to her. But one day she's going to come home from work and find out the job is (almost) done... |
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husband
 Advanced Member
 Posts:528

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| 18 May 2010 04:55 AM |
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PORN!
HAHA! Just kidding...I personally brought a lot of movies, books and XBOX games.
The kindle is a great idea. Better than lugging 3 or 4 books with you.
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jen899193 Trusted Member
 Moderator
 Posts:2514

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| 24 May 2010 06:38 PM |
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snacks and music are great!!!! toys are fun too!! i have sent cards, various nerf toys, and puzzle books. silly things seem to help with time passing while underway.
Jen
Proud Coastguard Mom of
OS3 Church, Brittney R. Camslant Chesapeake, VA
"Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." ~Benjamin Franklin
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| ~Jen~
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poogotflung
 Basic Member
 Posts:201

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| 24 May 2010 08:50 PM |
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Well for the first six months the Most Valuable Item should be a big ol' PQS book! Should keep one busy enough.
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uberchris
 Advanced Member
 Posts:697

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| 25 May 2010 11:36 PM |
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damn straight! put down the xbox and the tv remote, and pick up a SEOPS book.
Gravity brings me down.... |
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E Trusted Member
 Posts:1969

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| 27 May 2010 01:35 AM |
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duck tape. the guy who sleeps above me refuses to use the ladder and instead just steps on my mattress and usually steps on me or some other form. I duck taped his whole rack and left a small entrance by the ladder. lol.
"If, in order to be popular I have to do what other people want me to do, regardless of my own convictions, then I have no desire to be popular, and I am quite sure I will never be." Commodore Ellsworth Bertholf, First Coast Guard Commandant |
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jkribell
 Veteran Member
 Posts:1302

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| 27 May 2010 02:43 AM |
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ezekiel97 said...duck tape. the guy who sleeps above me refuses to use the ladder and instead just steps on my mattress and usually steps on me or some other form. I duck taped his whole rack and left a small entrance by the ladder. lol.
LMAO-you are certainly an evil genious - I wish I woulda thought of that!!! duct tape all over the toilet rim except the part I want hit.....hmmmmmmm
Proud Mom to FS3Kribell-USCGC Hamilton, San Diego USCG Aux Member District 14 Divison 1
DSO-CC/EM/PA; Flotilla FN/SR |
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| Lucky to live in Hawaii - Mom to FS3Kribell, USCGC Hamilton, San Diego |
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