News Flash! USA Soldiers spied at Medieval event

well... okay so it's Flat Soldiers (a modern-day Troop Support version of the Flat Stanley).  The Goal is for volunteers to print off the Flat Soldier picture and photograph them on adventures around your home town.  Since I'm one of the SA Downunders' - my photos will be just a wee bit "Exotic" to the average American eye (I hope! :D).  The Photos are then whizzed back to the Soldier's individual Angels for sending on (or in the case of one really clever Angel - added to a photo album titled "What I really did on my last Tour!")

So this last weekend - my FS's joined me on an adventure. My Medieval friends (Society of Creative Anachronism) and I had agreed to travel up the Queensland hinterlands to Nanango to help one of our newer households hold their first event at the local Art Gallery's "Medieval Fair Day"

There were Tourneys and Vikings and Tempting Fudge sellers (who had cunningly added their wares to a pull along cart so they could entice us all with movable goodies)

End of Bout 1 - the defeated on the ground and Miss FS cheering on the victor!)

Beginning of Bout 2

 

The Author.... attempting to look demure!

All five FS's honing in on the static photo display

Tomorrow or Tuesday the Flat Troopers and I will be off to the local State Fair (known locally as the Queensland Royal Exhibition - and by the locals as the "EKKA").  I am hoping for some good shots with fairy floss; and prize winning sheep etc.  [Stand by for the News reports of "Strange woman stampeded by Sheep at Local Faire" :D

Later in the week they will also accompany me to my Museum job.  The Museum has a "life on the reef" exhibit at the moment - swimming with Nemo would be a good photo I think!

 

USS Bonhomme Richard has arrived in town

I have to say I've not seen as many Polite and Friendly YOUNG (ohhh so young to my eyes - 20's to 24's I would guess) service persons in quite a long time.

Of course they are all in mufti - since the wearing of uniform in foreign ports is not allowed for safety reasons - but their general military bearing, good manners, great haircuts, and possibly the accents give them away.

Had I been better organised I'd have asked any of my fellow Soldiers' Angels troop supporters if any of their lads or lasses would be in town - and then would have treated them for a day out at the Koala Sanctuary.  Next time Gromit Next time!

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/us-navy-docks-in-brisbane-20130709-2pnyn.html

May Post

May has arrived - and the lovely Autumn weather of Brisbane is glorious to behold.  Cool but sunny and no rain - wonderful.

"Received" an early birthday "gift" today (my birthday is the 4th) - trip to the dentist for what I had hoped was simply a lost filling.  Turned out to be a crack through the tooth and so I now have one less tooth for the brushing (recovery will take a few days and I am currently very propped up by the pharmacy-grade pain meds). It was my upper right back tooth so it's loss won't interfere too much with my life.

In other actually GOOD news - I have a job interview on Monday for a Library Assistant's position.  So if you can spare some good thoughts - please wing them my way.

Oh and I have heard from my new Soldier's Angel adoptee.  Mike is a clever, articulate and dedicated member of the USA Army.  He's has a wonderfully good sense of humour and we have been exchanging emails since I adopted him.  So very glad I have 'met' him [so far a batch of goodies have been sent off to him - he's received the small batch of Aussie cookies & candy (no no musk stick - I am being nice!) and a plush kangaroo toy he has named "Jack"; and I sent him a copy of the movie "Finding Nemo" (we have been joking about that since my introductory email explaining that I live "half way between the Reef and Wallaby Way Syd-e-ney").  Girl Scout cookies are also on their way to him].  He is very much a ray of sunshine in my life - making all the uncertainties of lack-of-job fade away whenever I chat with him. So very glad I found Soldiers Angels five years ago (almost to the day actually - it was my "Pay it forward" Birthday gift to myself five years ago and never once regretted.)

Now to get over the extraction and be all smiles come Saturday.  I am having lunch with my Parents and haven't wanted to worry them,  Wish me a speedy recovery! :)

edited to add - lol someone just asked me if I have a "wish list' for my birthday.  I do but I don't expect any gifts - your all-abiding love and support are all I need [but if that's just tooo freaky to contemplate - here's my amazon link - http://amzn.com/w/1EUHNLL1YFLO ]

Happy New Year!

And welcome to 2013!

Things I am grateful for...

• My Mum is still with us - fighting the good fight against the dreaded Cancer.  She has her good and bad days but accepts every day as a Blessing.

• My Family - both the near and far.  Love and Pride for them all

• My Friends - both near and far (up close and electronic).  Could not get through the days without your support! (and snarky comments - you KNOW who I mean :D)

• My Faith.  Although I am not a Church goer I believe in God, and his Angels, and his son Jesus Christ (I also believe that there are many paths to Heaven and so long as YOUR faith believes in Kindness and Care of it's young, old & vulnerable - you're okay with me!)

• My Life.  I have my ups and downs - my good and bad days BUT I am alive, mostly healthy, have my wits and mobility; and in a 1000 little ways am so much better off than many.  I certainly can not complain!

Things I would like to achieve in 2013

• A New Job.  One where I am valued for my ethics, work ability and determination to Get It Done.  Surely there is one out there somewhere for me?

• Slightly less health issues

• A cure for Cancer  (got to hope!)

• Love.   I haven't given up on the idea that I do deserve someone who loves and respects me.  (an ability to overlook or adore my quirky nature would help ;D).  Applications accepted at the sign of the Dexter-pawed Fox

• That I rock my University classes!  (I am confident I can do this!)

• That my Adopted Soldiers - both official, Unofficial and those I acquire via the Cup of Joe Coffee penfriend program or Letter writing team - stay safe, stay well and return home quickly to their families.  Prayers for them all!

Operation Santa Stockings 2012

I have been working on the Troop Treat Christmas parcels that I am about to send off to my two Soldiers' Angels troopers. [one is my "Official" adoptee - a Marine. The other I meet via the letter team and is my "Unofficial-but-I-Like-to-send-him-emails" friend]

Still a work in progress so final photos yet to come (I need to find shipping boxes big enough to take all the goodies yet not too big that it will cost me $ to ship from Australia. That is part of tomorrow's quest).

All the goodies laid out and ready. (sorry for the blurriness!)

 

Stockings stuffed with all manner of fun things :)

I have included a marsupial toy with each - just because I can!

 

And I have just hand made two Aussie Christmas

wreaths (they are a bit "fluffy" but will hopefully make the

Lads smile)

 

 

Rest of the parcels include Christmassy balloons, and garlands, a mini pop-up tree; and decorations Oh My!  Also some mini candy-canes - and if I can remember to obtain tomorrow - a packet of Musk Sticks each (mwhahaha... my equivalent of "Coal" it the boys have been naughty :D)

 

You may have guessed by now that I adore sending Troop Treats - it really makes me feel like I am able to give back to those that need the Love and Care.



Poppy Coin Contest

Closing date for entries now 25th of November


The Australian Mint has issued the first ever Legal Tender coloured coin - to commemorate Remembrance Day.

Last week I acquired a few - and one will be given away as the Prize to the below competition

This is the coin up close -

In order to enter you MUST write a short paragraph on WHY you would like the Poppy Coin (what it means to you etc). And then submit it - along with your name/blogging name - as a comment to this post.


The Rules:-

Must be PG-13! (if you feel that using a rude word is required then bleep it out - let's think of the potential that one day my Mum might read this)

You do NOT need to be a regular reader of this blog to enter (sniffle... but you COULD stick around and read more - just saying)

You can be from anywhere in the world.

If you win - you will need to supply me with a mailing address. I promise to hold the information safely and never share it beyond my Post Office.

If you leave your entry under the "Anonymous" tag - please be sure to add your name or nickname at the bottom so I can track you down later should you win.

If you find that Blogger won't let you post a message or worse - it disappears into the ether - then email me directly (you can find my email address under my profile)

The Winner will need to contact me by last day of November 2012 at the latest with their mailing address or there will be a redraw.

The Winning comment will be judged on or about the 20th of November 25th of November

***just in case the whole idea of writing something is wigging you out, I have included some examples on how you could frame your entry***

"I would love to win the Poppy Coin because it reminds me of the service my *insert name/relative/friend* here"

"Would be a cool thing to have in my memorabilia cabinet - along with my other Remembrance Day badges"

August Milsupporting

Yay! I have just joined up with the Soldiers Angels Letter & Epal writing team - and just sent off my first "Hello! How are you?" email.

Hoping it will make the recipient smile when he receives it :)

And my Adopted troopers are hopefully well and enjoying various treats sent over the last month.  It can be a bit hard finding the "Very Thing" to send when you have no contact back but I will keep sending a mix of the useful and the ridiculous - and hope that the parcels are reaching the Lads. Perhaps one day I will hear from them. Until then, I just take comfort in the fact that none of my letters, postcards or parcels are being returned to me marked "Unknown" and keep praying that they are safe and well and constantly amused/bewildered/amazed at the things I manage to send them.

This months parcel is a "Mystery Box" of goodies from the Soldiers Angel store.  Sounds like a lot of fun (with practical items included too) so I hope the parcels reach them soon.

Trying to do that bit extra....

Lately I have been feeling like I am not giving quite enough of my time and energy to supporting the troops (both USA & Australian).

Currently I have 3 adoptees via Soldiers' Angels (deployed either Downrange or Overseas) however one went "No Mail" at the beginning of March and will be home (God Willing) safe and sound by the beginning of April.  My Other two adoptees are the super busy sorts so I hear only intermittently from them (I have no problem with this - rather that they concentrate on work AND contacting family than me - so just the occasional out-of-the-blue "I am still alive and well" email is all I need).

The Batch of Marines I adopted via AnyMarine.com have been silent for the last two months.  I am not sure if they have moved base etc (Prayers are being said for their continuing safety) so am mostly sending the odd postcard to stay (hopefully) in touch. Last silly item sent to them was my very favourite craft book "Klutz Book of Paper Airplanes".  Tried and tested across Iraq by many many adoptees (the book includes paper for plane construction so the guys don't need to worry about finding any resources).  [I am aware that some of you will be judging this as a 'frivilous' thing to supply however when given the choice - via emails months ago - their contact person requested "silly versus practical" to keep them smiling]

One area that I haven't really gotten involved with (so far) was helping send support and written "Hello's" to veterans and wounded warriors.  So tonight I have gone seeking for more involvement via Soldiers' Angels (they have some of the most amazingly organised support groups for all manner of groups - however I can't join the "Sewing team" - I sew but not in the quantity of items required nor do I think I can afford the regular shipping costs across the pond; Ditto for "Operation Top Knot" - which is hand made or donated Baby items for support of expectant military wives;  And I don't think my joining the "Baking team" would be a brilliant idea as my cookies would probably be brick hard after a few weeks in transit to the USA and then on to Downrange)

So I have searched through the available teams and believe I have found the very team that I want to give time and energy to -

The Wounded TLC Team
(extract from the SA information page on this group...)
The Wounded TLC Team is comprised of registered Soldiers’ Angels who want to make a big difference and lend support during the difficult time when a hero is ill or wounded. Knowing they continue to be remembered when no longer deployed can be a huge boost to wounded warriors who face months and years of recovery.
This team is the core of the Wounded Warrior Support efforts of Soldiers' Angels, and a vital part of helping the wounded recover both physically and emotionally for their challenges. Team members send cards and letters of support to service members who are sometimes suffering catastrophic injuries and need to know they are not forgotten. The only commitment is to send a card/letter a week. Individual packages are not sent, but sometimes there are requests for supplies for hospitals or a particular soldier's need.

If you know somebody who would appreciate support from the Wounded TLC Team, please email us. If you would like to join the WTLC Team and help make a difference in the life of a recovering wounded warrior, join Soldiers' Angels. Click here to get started! After you become an Angel, go to ApprovedAngels.com to sign up for the team.
And as of tomorrow I will begin to send letters and Australian postcards to a brave recovering trooper.  Hopefully he will get a kick out of receiving mail from "Downunder"

And this makes me a Happy Pax...

Pax is Happy - Ernest is heading home!

One of my Long-Term adopted soldiers (National Guards) is on his way home after an extended deployment and I am so happy for him.

He is a lovely guy - definitely a favourite to send treats to, and I have a warm happy glow just thinking he will be soon safe at home with his loving family.

Safe Travels Ernest - I hope your trip is short and uneventful!

December catch up

Wow - time has really been flying here.  I am still madly working away at the apartment renovations and the end is (mostly) in sight.  One wall left in the living room to patch up and repaint and then I can move all the bookcases back out and achieve order. So looking forward to that!

In Milsupport endeavours - I have had a LOT of fun this year playing Santa-Pax. 

• Decorations and small gifts made their way to three of my Adopted Troopers.  Reports back from the two I am "Friended" with on Facebook are that they were very happy with the assortment of silly things received.

• The Re-adoption of one of my previous Soldiers' Angels troopers.  He is USA Airforce and once more Downrange and in the thick of things.  With the wonderful help of my friend Vicki in California - a parcel of Christmas decorations managed to be sent off to him just prior to the Military Christmas Mail deadline.  Vicki went above and beyond by baking a huge batch of Chocolate Chocolate Chip cookies and sending them with the decorations.  Appreciative Noms were achieved [R makes sure that most of the things I send him are shared with his crew so Happy Airforce points achieved]

• My newly adopted team of Marines missed out on the "authentic made-by-Pax" Christmas wreath but scored well in the TimTam (an Aussie Chocolate covered cookie/biscuit) area.  I also sent them some Aussie toys - some foam boomarang-ish throwing toys [foam to avoid injuries to themselves; equipment and figures of authority]; a bullroarer [which sadly failed to give enough noise due to it's teeny size - replacement has been sourced and will be sent along shortly] and a wee cuddly Koala [there are 15 of them - surely one of them is manly enough to be seen with a fuzzy toy :D].

I *have* given the Marine team the option of receiving practical stuff (i.e hygiene stuff or chemical hand warmers or some blankets etc) but their "Point Man" (or should that be "Point Sgt?") says they are enjoying the randomness of my parcels and to keep that up.  I have to say that I am REALLY enjoying treating this bunch - their appreciation of "Weird Aussie Troop Support" came when I was at an emotional low point and has helped to remind myself just why I do this (To Give and not to count the cost - to cause smiles and joyful confusion) - I think I'm hitting the targets okay so far :)

So currently I have 4 adoptees via Soldiers' Angels - and the team of Marines via AnyMarine.com - which is accounting for about 1/4 of my fortnightly pay packet.  I think after a few of my troopers head home in January/February I may need to cut back on the milsupporting for a little bit and get the finances back in order  [of course I say that now... and then I will see the plea for someone to adopt "Army person X - who never receives any mail and needs some cheering up" and I'll be back to the official Three adoptees again.  Yes Yes - I know - I *am* a soft touch but since studies have shown that this sort of support really helps the morale and confidence of deployed troops - most of them young enough to be my children had I not foolishly squandered my reproductive years - then the cost to myself is just something to factor in and work around.] 

New Year's Eve is tomorrow here in Australia so I will leave you all with the wish that 2012 is good for you all - and that you remain safe and well.

Pax - signing off for 2011

Parcel (almost) away!

The Last of the Adoptee's Christmas cheer parcel is all set to go - will take it to the Post Office tomorrow and pay eek-ful airmail prices so that it reaches Airman G in time.

I feel a bit bad - this one was supposed to be all done and gone almost a week ago (just after I agreed to adopt him), however health and other life interruptions happened unfortunately.

SO here are a few photos of the parcel.

Slightly different style for the wreath due to my running out of Gum leaves
(the flower is wattle if anyone is curious). And the Silver bells are really jangly.
(heh heh heh)

A small Santa sack of goodies!
Not made by me - got them from HERE

The rest of the box is full of tinsel garlands / decorations and
sugar candy canes - something to add sparkle to his bunk/work area.
I use the Tinsel as packing material to hold it all secure - my regular
Postal Office is highly amused at having to snip off the odd "sticking-out bit"

So that is the three Soldiers' Angels adoptees taken care of.  I'll be sending something more food related to the Marine group (there are 15 of them so it's a bit harder to send individual stockings and still be able to pay the mortgage.  What I wouldn't give to win the lottery right now!)

I guess I should also look at heading to bed.  It's past midnight here and I am guessing my work would find it a nice change not to have "Zombie-Mari" shuffling about the place till the first batch of caffeine kicks in.

Good Night to you all!

Mwhahahah

Pax has been plotting (again)

[enjoys the fact that there is a core group of people who cringe whenever I mention the "P" word]

And in other news... I have now 3 adopted troopers and a small group of Marines to send goodies and letters of silliness too (newest adoptee acquired last night - hopefully he will be fine with the Goofy Australian's antics)

And sorry Coffeypot - still no Navy adoptees (I just can't seem to get "lucky" there). Maybe you should seek out one and send them my way?  Just don't mention my abiding fear of deep water and it will be bonza :)

So... just as a general question and not implicating myself at all... how DOES one ninja-proof an apartment?  Are Nightingale floors still all the rage?  How about a pressure-activated trap door / oubliette combination at the front door?

Mmmmm.... oubliette....

Pax and Troop Treats

Did you know....

*... that receiving even ONE parcel or letter from home can make a deployed trooper grin from ear to ear ?

*... that reaching out and connecting with a deployed trooper can make the difference between them having a "day" and 'HAVING A GREAT DAY' ?

*... that your troops serve for LOVE OF COUNTRY.  Wouldn't it be nice if their country showed them love in return?

*..... you can do this from the comfort of your home?

*.... you can send these letters and parcels just by joining some established Troop support groups - Soldiers' Angels  and AnySoldier.com ?

*.... that even if you don't have time to write or send parcels - you can still send COFFEE vouchers? '

*.... Or if you can bake cookies - that The Strength Behind the Strong has a COOKIE quest ?

Did you realise that there is no time like NOW for giving the gift of support?

*******************
In the interest of full disclosure -

*I have been a member of Soldiers' Angels since April 2009.  And I think they are an amazing group!
Their motto is "May no Soldier go Unloved"

*I have been donating Coffee vouchers via Cup of Joe since 2010.  I have met some of the most amazing people via their "Cup of Joe penfriend" program.

* I have known the organiser of The Strength behind the Strong since 2010. She did amazing things for her group of deployed Military Police; and now that they are home - TSBS is organising a Cookie Quest for a deployed Marine.

*I have not really been involved with the AnySoldier.com program at all (a few R.A.K parcels of Aussie goodies have been shipped out over the last two years but I've never really "clicked" with sending items to a totally random soul.  I mean... what if they have an Aussie-phobia! or worse... detest Musk sticks!)   However two Marines (A1S and Major Pain ) that I respect greatly have recently made blog pleas to be involved with this group so I will give it a go.  Apologies in advance to my guinea pig  erm... new recipients.  I promise NO PINK THINGS (unless you really really want them)

November Paxing

Just a quick update from me, as I am drowning in a sea of renovation projects and am finding computer time scarce.

Two of my Soldiers' Angels adoptees - Mark and Mario - are due home very shortly. Prayers are being said that you have a fast and safe trip home guys.  I have enjoyed being your appointed Angel and hope that you had fun with the silly things sent to you.

In Cup of Joe news I would very much like to thank ExAFCrewDog who submitted some Cup of Joe Vouchers linked to my blog - very very kind of you Sir!  (and also reminded me that my regular bi-monthly voucher donation of coffee vouchers were due so that's been sorted out too :).
If any of my readers have some spare small change and would like to give to a worthy cause - please consider the Cup of Joe program.  For as little as $2 per voucher you are giving a deployed trooper the joy of receiving caffeinated beverages AND a note from you at home.

In AT HOME news.  Today, we (myself and my Dad), removed the last of the built in kitchen benches and sink.  Tomorrow (being my rostered day off from work) we will level the void where the cupboards used to be with concrete, and then after work during the week I will continue to strip out the old tiles (vinyl on the floor and ceramic on the walls).  Next weekend we will begin the kitchen floor re-tiling which should be fun.  New kitchen cupboards will go in once the floor work is completed so 2 to 3 weeks till it's all done.

I still have to do all the repainting of 75% of the apartment - however I am hoping I can wrangle a few extra days off work so I can "have at it" in one fell swoop (so to speak).

With luck I can complete all the work by the first week of December.  My Celebratory plans involve the purchase of a 6ft Christmas tree that I can set up in the corner of the room; and the displaying of my nativity set (my ex was very anti anything Christian so my most recent Christmas's have been very low key events.  This year I plan to rebel and CELEBRATE my inner-faith outwardly)

And that's all from me.   Stay safe all!

Quick update

A Reminder that the competition for the Australian Army medallion closes on the 8th of October - so four more days to send in an entry if you'd like to be in the draw.  (in case you encounter Blogger being being a pain to leave comments - you can email me directly, advising you'd like to be part. paxford AT gmail DOT com)

In Troop support news - I have recently heard from three of my four adoptees. All are doing well, and counting down the days till they come home.

Another silly item has been sent off to two of them; with a more practical snack pack (purchased from the the Soldiers' Angel online store) sent to the other two. (I try to alternate the snacks versus amusement parcels when I can)

In home renovation news - I spent two days ripping up the carpet tack trails in the 3mW x 5mL living room. Not a very fun job at all but necessary prior to the hardwood floor installation. And my day off work yesterday was spent removing the kitchen bench that formerly separated the kitchen and living room. Again this was primarily to assist the new floor installation (the bench base intruded into the living room area by 2 inches and had to go if it was to be laid in square.

Not quite as hard a job as I had feared - thankfully!

I still need to undercoat the exposed wall; add an endcap
(cunningly created from part of the discarded bench top); and
re-attach the cupboard door. The gap in the concrete will need to be
filled in - luckily my Dad is champion at that sort of thing.

Kitchen refit will be occurring after the tiles are relaid - possibly november/december at the rate that Weekends are being eaten up with other family gatherings. At least that will give me more afterwork time to repaint all the walls first!

I am tiring of it all - Remind me again why I was confident I could do most of this myself?

Oh.. and the Cat has graduated from dragging in dead rats and live lizards - to dragging in a very VERY annoyed grass snake. Luckily my kitchen tong-foo is mighty (I *may* have been operating on sheer terror of course) and I managed to open my new sliding doors; deftly scoop the offending creature up and out across the balcony. It survived it's encounter and was last seen slithering it's way down the carport. Needless to say I failed to attain any sleep that night at the thought of a revisit.

Pax's 200th Blog Post and a Prize

***edited to add - If you find that blogger won't let you leave a comment to enter the competition please email me your interest @ paxford AT gmail DOT com and I will manually enter your name into the draw***


The Meepings first began way back in the mists of time (well... 22nd of November 2005 actually) and was created as a base for my "serious" posts (and then promptly forgotten for a few years - whoops!), with the silly stuff and meme's (oh jeezss the amount of stupid memes) taking up room on my LiveJournal account.  Over the years I lost interest in LJing and moved over to Blogger as my primary means of communicating with the world at large.

Mid 2009 saw me begin my tentative forays in to the world of Military Support and regular postings here.  I learnt, over time, what my adopted troops might like, and what might make them smile; and I was blessed to make contact with some amazing people across the Globe, many of whom remain my good (if distant) friends today. And over the years some really amazing gifts have reached me too!

So in celebration of the 200th post - and as thanks to my friends and readers (many one and the same!) - I would like to run a very special competition.

Well... the prize is very special - the competition just run of the mill.

Front

Reverse

Actual size - approx 2 inches

This medallion celebrates the 110th anniversary of the formation of the Australian Army. 

Our Country became a federation in 1901 (when the Six States agreed to join together as one nation).

To Enter to win this Medallion all you need to do is post a reply to this blog entry saying "YES I WANT TO ENTER" - or words to that effect. 

The Competition will run until the 8th of October and will be a simple "name drawn from hat" method of picking the winner.

Rules
You do NOT need to be a regular reader of this blog to enter (but once you get here - stick around! I can be really amusing at times :D)

You can be from anywhere in the world. All that I ask is that you respect that this item represents my Country's military, and is to be treated as a prized possession.

If you win - you will need to supply me with a mailing address. I promise to hold the information safely and never share it beyond my Post Office.

If you leave your entry under the "Anonymous" tag - please be sure to add your name or nickname at the bottom.

The Winner will need to contact me by October 14th  at the latest with their mailing address or there will be a redraw.

Spring has Sprung

Well... Downunder in Australia it has.  (Our Spring lasts from the 1st of September until the last day of November)

Some of the trees are now blooming and we are heading towards my favourite time of the year - when the Jacaranda trees bloom, coating the streets below them with a layer of purple petals.

Photo found HERE

Jacaranda time coincides with University exams so it is not anticipated by all.  For the Horticulturists amongst us - this is NOT a tree native to Australia, however it became very popular in the 1920's as an ornamental tree for street verges and gardens.

And despite the official decree that "Spring Has Arrived" - the Weather is still a bit nippy, with a forecast of down to 12 degrees celsius tonight (53.6F). So for we delicate sub-tropic dwellers it is still jumper (aka pullover / sweater), extra blankets and electric heater time.

Oh and you may recall I'm in the midst of renovations at my place (segueing slightly from the topic but still weather related - honest!)

These are my new (replacement) veranda doors.  And as soon as they went in I (with the help of Cozzles) gleefully ripped out the rest of the inbuilt sections of the veranda behind them, and had all the junk carted away. The Veranda balcony is now open to the elements and will - in time - become host to a small BBQ (Barbie!) and pots of climbing roses that I will endeavour to keep alive  (Pax does not a green-thumb possess).

I have since discovered a wee bit of a problem with painting the doors - necessitating that the installer returns and lifts both sliding ones OFF until I can varnish the raw areas; and will then return a day or two or more later to put them back up.

So guess who's going to be whining about the cold to you all?  [I have plans to tack up a blanket or two to the outside top facing to block the worst of the chilly breeze; and security-wise none shall pass the partial aluminum siding and shutters]. Luckily I am still on leave from work so I can get the varnishing done super quickly and then beg and plead and whine (no - I have no shame where frozen tootsies are involved) at the installer until he returns and replaces them.

In other news :-

Milsupport for my four adopted troopers is going fairly well.  I managed to send off one of THESE to all my guys. Hopefully it will make them smile whenever they use it.

R.A.K parcel of some Aussie sweeties (aka candy) went off to a new acquaintance.  It was a gesture of Good Will and Troop Support and (sorry... having to pause sligthly so I can have a giggling fit..) Kindness, however it caused a bit of a stir  and therefore Musk Sticks are back on the "Pax must NOT" list [along with various 'Miss Manners' notes like "do not use the word 'sweet' when referring to Marines - it makes them grumpy"; and "do not send Drakkar Noir to anyone that doesn't like Musk Sticks" (however I'm a bit puzzled as to why & how research on that last rule occurred)]

My monthly donation of Coffee vouchers via the Green Beans "Cup of Joe" has been made. This is a really worthwhile and affordable Troop support program and you can find details on how to participate HERE.

And lastly the Competition for the Australian Army insignia hat is still open to entries until this Saturday.  Just please remember to include your name on the entries for them to be valid.

Pax offers a Prize

About a fortnight ago I asked if anyone was interested in winning a woolen Australian Army hat.

Well the answer appears to be yes, however there was only one suggestion on how to judge the competition (rhyming Aussie slang contest).

Unfortunately that idea, while it is amusing, would mean I have to wade through the attempts (with possibly one too many references to Pax having "Kangaroos loose in the top paddock") so how about we try the old standby method of:-

You post a reply to this blog entry saying "YES I WANT TO ENTER" - or words to that effect, and then I will have my BFF Cozzles draw out one name from a hat in a weeks time.  Making it fair to all.

Rules

You can be from anywhere in the world. All that I ask is that you respect that this hat represents my Country's military, and is to be treated as a prized possession.

If you win - you will need to supply me with a mailing address.  I promise to hold the information safely and never share it beyond my Post Office.

If you leave your entry under the "Anonymous" tag - please be sure to add your name or nickname at the bottom.

The Winner will need to contact me by September 20th at the latest with their mailing address or there will be a redraw.

And...... GO!

Pax'ing the Pinkness

The Suggestion has been made to me (by persons who shall remain unnamed) that I seem to take an unholy delight in the tormenting of bewildered Americans via the insidious pinkness of the Musk Stick sweetie.

In my defence I must protest that my very first sending of the infamous MS – back in mid 2010 – was as simply another odd Australian candy (aka sweet / lolly) to send to my adopted soldiers.  It was reported back to me by the nice young Military Police trooper “C” as

 "I finally know what the colour pink would taste like - let's never do THAT again!"

Wondering if this was a simple aberration of taste (after all He IS from the same nation that thinks combining Jam and Peanut paste is a delicacy), I sent off some more MS’s in the next troop treat parcel to go out (to Pv2 J of the USA Army).  J's response to it made me laugh so much that I made THIS blog post.  J never did explain what he meant by the “priceless reaction” from his battle buddies – but it marked the real start of the “supply to as many of my unsuspecting American friends / Soldiers’ Angels adoptees as possible” plot.

Wait! Did I say Plot? 

No no – NOT a plot!

It is a scientific experiment I swear! 

And I now have hard data from my research that 9 out of 10 USA troops have THIS reaction

Airforce guinea pig... lovely lad!

There is of course that 1 in 10 that is obviously a misplaced Australian at heart (happy beaming smile at the thought) – these brave souls are then moved on to the Vegemite part of the taste experiment and the Hard data compiling begins all over again.

Oh and notice that I pinpointed mid 2010 as the start date of my MS generosity? – well it seems that Izzy (one of my very first 2009 adopted soldiers via Soldiers’ Angels) is feeling left out of the fun.  We’ve remained friends over the years and as he has a birthday very soon (next week even) one of the items in his “Fun Aussie treats” birthday box are a pack of the Pinkness.  I’m rather hoping there are action shots as he “shares” his bounty with his family and friends.

Why yes... I AM a sharing caring sort – thank you for noticing! 

(Hmm... maybe I should drop Minnesota OFF the “places I plan to visit” list?)

Sadly, however, my research is incomplete – so far I have only received scientific data from troops of the USA Army; the USA National Guard, and the USA Airforce.   Can you name the two USA Military Forces missing from this list?

However all is not lost - there are still two “experimental’ Packets of the Pink out in the wild – and so far uneaten (I believe). 

One pack is held by our illustrious America’s First Sergeant of the United States Marine Corp.  I begin to suspect that A1S may be hoping that the Pinkness will succumb to his steely-eyed stare of doom before he is required to taste any (Hah!).

The other is in the possession of Navyone who has been kind enough to offer up his sea-going taste buds for the test .

The fate of my experiment is now in your hands, Oh Gentle Readers, – So just drop over to their web-blogs and “encourage” them to participate.

Just a simple remark left on their latest blogs - something polite and to the point would work...

"Hey *insert blog name* so what about those Musk sticks?"

Do it for SCIENCE! 

Do it for the Pink Stuff! 

Do it for Queen and Country!.. .whoops.. you USA guys are a Republic, right?... okay do it for MY Queen and Country!  

Oh and don’t forget to tell them that PAX sent you (sweet angelic smile)

*** If you would like your very own Military person to send treats and friendship to,  then please consider becoming a member of Soldiers’ Angels 

For the cost of one parcel a month; one letter a week and the opening of your heart to a person deployed – you too can reap the benefits of knowing that you CAN make a difference in another persons’ life.

Pax posts out

It's post day today - as in snail-mail going-off-to-my-troops post

It's been a low news week for me (no adventures with chain-saws or nail guns to write about; and whilst the dentist trip was $$ it was mostly dull) so this weeks' post are cards and postcards.

Hopefully colourful enough that they will bring a smile to the faces of everyone that encounters them on their journey

Oh and for those that collect stamps - the latest International one is this very cute koala

So Australian theme all the way - hope it lets them know that they are cared about!