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

And the Jokester Winner IS

NavyOne

Come on down!

His joke...

NavyOne said...

An oldie, but a goodie:

A young man with a wild and multi-coloured hairstyle sits next to an old man on a park bench. The old man stares at the young man.

"What's the matter, old man?" says the young man. "Never done anything crazy in your life?"

The old man replies: "Yeah. When I was in the Navy, I got really drunk one night and had sex with a parrot. I thought you might be my son."

Your winning prize will be winging it's way to you shortly

Season Greetings from Downunder

To all my friends - all around the globe - I wish you a Merry Christmas and the hopes for a Happy and Safe New Years.

Two days left to enter the Cap Competition

See HERE for details

All you need to do is tell a Military related Joke or Funny story to win -

Brake ... for Elephants...

Part of my Transport Department Library job occasionally requires that I do research for obscure reference queries.

Today I was searching worldwide historic train crash records online and came across two different crashes involving Elephants. (This alas was NOT the research the client needed but I thought I would share the information with my Happy Blogging friends)

• September 15, 1885 – St Thomas, Ontario: Express goods train hauled by a Grand Trunk Railway locomotive hits a dwarf Asian elephant on an embankment. The elephant is thrown down the embankment by the collision; the trains engineer throws the locomotive into reverse, but is unable to prevent a rear-end collision with an African elephant, killing it and derailing the locomotive and tender.

• 1891 – Delta, California: Elephant travelling as a passenger on a Southern Pacific train removes a coupling pin from a car. The train parts, and the forward portion travels 20 miles before the locomotive crew discover the split.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rail_accidents_(before_1900)

 

 

I am trying to find out more information on the 1885 incident - was it a close encounter with the Traveling Circus? - a break out from the Local Zoo?    Interested parties (well.. not the actual Library one) wish to know!

 

Dwarf Asian Elephant?

Milsupport one liners

One of the nicest notes I've received recently from an "Adopted" trooper (Marine) reads in part

well i had no idea what Tim Tams were, but myself along with some other Marines are in love.

:)  Isn't it nice when you can offer munchies that provoke such happiness

[and no... I haven't yet sent this Marine any Musk Sticks - let me bask in the side-effect of Aussie Cookie love for just a bit longer!]

US Navy Drill team

Very Impressive!

Pax goes Nautical

So how about a competition to help make the Merry Season even Merrier?

And let's make the prize a Nautical one - how about an Australian Navy cap!

Bought it from HERE

So what do you need to do to win this very nifty hat?  - Glad you asked!

Tell us (in the comments section below) your best Military related Joke or Short Story

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)

Can be a joke or story that happened to you - or one you are simply retelling.

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. 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 so I can track you down later should you win.

The Winner will need to contact me by 1st of January 2012 at the latest with their mailing address or there will be a redraw.


The Winning Joke will be judged on or about the 25th of December

Toys for Tots clip

Awwww I love this!

Pax poses the question

While other bloggers are neck-deep in the dramas of the world - either preparing to fight zombies or reporting on new Pentagon cost savings, I have been more concerned about clarifying a vex'd question.

To wit......

What Military service DO the Penguins of Madagascar really belong to?

To a casual observer - the answer may appear to be "Navy" - after all their Leader goes by the name of  SKIPPER

Dashing, debonaire crew-cut wearing Alpha Bird

My Source for many things Navy (and strangely many things Hollywood - what can I say - he's diverse!) writes this about the term :- Skipper is the term for the Commanding Officer of a naval command. Also known as the CO, the old man (not to his face), or the boss.

But wait! - the Junior member of the team is called PRIVATE

Cute cuddly and a bit clueless

My source advises "A Private is a rank in the Marines, Air Force, or Army"
Strange... and worrying... is this perhaps a multiforce special ops team?

Their On-the-Spot Science man - Kowalski - known as the 2IC - nominal rank of Lieutenant

Never afraid to try SCIENCE!

At last but not least - their Ka-boom-in-ator

Able to regurgitate C4, detonators and anvils at call.

So there we have the team - one gung-ho commander (nominally Navy); one Private (could be Marine... but he's a bit too cuddly); one Science Boffin (drafted Civvie?) and their Trigger man (*definately* a Marine - his blade work is excellent)

Let's see them in action...

Questions remain......

Answers are required.....

Comments welcome!

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!

This too shall pass....

Taking a short break from the renovation works - mostly so I can sit down until the dizziness passes.

Seems my recent bout of earaches/dizzy fits were all related to a really severe infection in my left ear canal.  So severe that yesterday (Friday here) my G.P. (Doc) declared me a hands breadth away from being admitted to hospital for a week or more.

He then signed me off as "unfit for work for the rest of the day" (his appointment was at 11.30am - just across from my work - during my "early lunch break").  I then hurried off to the local hospitals' emergency ward so that proper tests could be done (my GP being unwilling to poke about too much in case he ruptured the ear drum).  3 hours of waiting later and the E.N.T (ears, nose & throat) specialist declared my infection to be both "fascinating" and "the worst she's seen in a long time".  And then proceeded to use the world's tiniest vacuum cleaner to suck out all the nasty greebles. After which I tottered home and slept for about 12 hours.

Today I am feeling better but still a bit unsteady in balance.  And I *am* taking it easy (sort of).

As for the renovation stuff - I am slowly pottering about - applying heat (from a hairdryer) to the nasty modern tile adhesive that is left on the wall - and then peeling/chipping it off with a chisel.  It's a bit physical and very VERY boring however I am a) not required to be up on a stepladder to do it and b) not having to rush to get it done [my levels of urgency are inversely related to how much my head spins if I try to hurry].

So I will keep chipping away at the nasty stuff until it's all clear.  At which point I will be at the point of 'painting walls' - which can occur tomorrow [since Cozzles will be here to do the bits requiring ladders]

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....

Destructo Pax

Today I have been excelling in the old "rip-em-out" methodology of renovation.  De-tiling the old kitchen splashback.

I originally thought it would be a relatively easy job - after all, 50 year old tiles - surely they'd be a bit loose by now?

Turns out not to be the case. So armed with my newest tool...

Rotary Hammer Drill with Chisel tip

I have been gamely trying to detach the tiles from the walls and window ledge.

Seems that the bonding mixture they used to attach the tiles to the wall is more powerful that superglue.  So I am having a few problems of:-

a) the tiles turning to powder as I try to remove but not detaching from the wall, and
b) the cement wall being less robust than the tile bonder. Resulting in lumps of the wall coming away with the tiles et al.

Definitely going to be doing a lot of plaster/concrete patching when it's all done!

Just a bit more to do

I have stopped for the night (it's just after 6pm here) and no doubt my neighbours are excited at the lack of drilling noise.  More to finish tomorrow (post parental visit since I can't make noise before 10am on a Sunday* and the P's will be here for lunch and a bit beyond that. Plus it's a bit too dangerous - with flying tile shards - to do with them in the place)

Once the walls are de-tiled; replastered and painted - my new kitchen cabinets can be put into place.
So far we (Cozzles and I) have put together only two of the seven cabinets - waiting on the rest till there is a spot to install them all.

Cozzles - Queen of the Flatpacks - showing me how it's done :)

And now I'm off to have a nap.  All this hefting of major tools; destruction and saving the universe - takes it out of a Lady! :)


*I could make noise before 10am on a Sunday but I won't.  Seems such a rude thing to do with people trying to either sleep in or just off to church.

Pax and Christmas parcel prep

Eek!!!  I am not sure where the time has gone but it is suddenly half way through November and I have not yet gotten any Christmas parcels off to my two Soldiers' Angels adoptees!

You may be thinking "Relax Pax - you've got ages!" but you would be incorrect.  You see - the USA Military Postal Powers that Be who control mail to those "Downrange" (and elsewhere deployed) have a very regimented schedule they adhere to.  Miss the Deadlines and the parcels may be held over till after December.

So I am feverishly getting my act together.  I have 99% gathered - just need to complete one more Australian themed Christmas wreath and everything can be boxed up and dispatched.

And since I have finally worked out how to run my photo download program on my laptop - you get PHOTOS!  (queue the Ooohing and Ahhhing...  NOW!)

A small Santa sack of Australian goodies each and some Christmas
decorations to add glitter to their barracks

Bits and pieces all ready for wreath construction

Bells and Koalas and foliage - Oh My!

Wreath number two will have to wait until tomorrow night to be created (since it's heading towards midnight here; I am tired; and the glue gun is being painful) and then Thursday I will attempt to fit everything into two Airmail boxes and pay exorbitant prices for overseas priority delivery.

The Parcels should make it to the USA by end of month and then on to Ernest and Mateo :).   With luck I can also co-ordinate a parcel of Aussie munchies (TimTams for the win!) from the Ohio based Simply Australian store (sending food stuffs direct from Australia can be both expensive and result in the parcels being held over by USA customs till checked - so I really prefer to get those shipped from "within-the-States" if I can)

Hopefully a bit of Christmas cheer can help them make it through the Yule Season feeling appreciated and loved.

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)

Veteran....

from Brian Fray from the Guelph Tribune



At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th Month

we pause in silence and give thanks to those that have kept us safe.

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them. Laurence Binyon

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!

Caption Contest Winner!

From a supporter... "Does this person even like you?"
 gag-@!@!@!@!--cough--@!@!@!@!

Congratulations to MISS EM

And many thanks to the Good Sports of the Fast Company Marines*

I would like to thank all the entrants who have (almost) managed to put me off eating Musk Sticks for eternity!

Miss Em - please contact me via email so I may send the hat your way.


*usually I offer a small Aussie item as a thank-you gift for those in my photos. Somehow I don't really think these Marines will willingly accept anything else from me.. opps...

Last chance to enter the "Caption THIS" competition

One day to go before the judging of the Caption THIS competition



Mirthful Marines - always a scary thing!!

You still have time to enter if you are swift!

and the prize is a wonderful Australian Army cap

Competition Rules -

*Entries can come in from anywhere in the world (you don't have to be a regular reader to enter!)

*Winner will be required to supply a valid postal address (I will hold that address secure & private)

*You may make more than one entry but try to keep them relatively polite

*Competition closes on the 30th of October. Winner will be mentioned on the Meepings and has one week in which to contact me or a redraw will occur.

***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 and Witty Caption into the draw***

Pax and Hobbies

End of October (almost) so a quick round-up of the months endeavours are in order.

All four of my adopted troops are well and safe.  Two will hopefully be heading home to the USA before Christmas; one has been extended until early 2012; and the last one is stationed "Somewhere not ending in 'Stan" and will be there for another 6 or 7 months or so. (as long as he learns to live with the exotic aroma of Kimchi he'll be okay).

Cards and some small items have been sent along to them in the last month.  For my two guys serving during Christmas, I have found some packs of blank Christmas cards that they can share with their battle buddies - and send to their loved ones at home.


Found them HERE

For my other friends around and about the place - a few other goodies were sent across the waves.

Coffeypot got his hat :)

The winner of the beanie got his hat too!

And the winner of the 200th post Army medallion has confirmed receipt as well :)

Wow I feel a bit like Santa's helper with the amount of things being sent out!

Oh and there is hopefully a smiling (oh please be smiling - and not that "you have amused me enough and now must be ninja'd" grin) friend who received one of these

That makes five of those that I've found and sent out [my four adopted troopers all were happy recipients. One said there was just something special about the implied ka-booms]

Oh and my ninja friend also has one of these - minus the Rising Sun hat pin and slouch clip-

Genuine Akubra!

 He had mentioned some months ago that he really wanted a hat similar to the Aussie Army slouch hats (same colour - same basic style) and well... I'm a bit of a sucker in trying to make people smile so I found him one.

[as a FYI the open crown - in khaki colour - only really comes in the Slouch variety so my happy hat supplier sent me one without the extra bits (badge & slouch clips) but evidence that he'd done a quick bit of unpicking.  He was indeed chuffed at the thought of an Aussie Slouch heading into the hands of a Fearsome USA ninja :D]

In at home news - renovations are on-going.  Veranda has now been tiled [for those that recall - it was supposed to be a "let's teach Pax how to tile so she can go on and do the kitchen herself" - instead it turned in to the usual "Your Father knows best - now be a good girl and watch".  Sigh... one day my parents just might realise that I'm no longer four... ].  Oh and wooden flooring has been installed in the living room (photos to come whenever I manage to put my main computer back together and retrieve them).  I still need to repaint the walls of the Living room; complete the veranda sprucing up (there will be lattice and some attempt to grow climbing plants!) and do the full kitchen refit. Thank heavens I decided not to do anything to the bedroom - or I'd be completely swamped!

Oh.. and in other hobbies (since I guess my Milsupport falls under "obsessive hobby to make adoptee's feel appreciated") - I am a bit of a "Girl" when it comes to collecting some rather exciting examples of gender-specific toys.  (erm... that would translate to "Pax collects Barbies" I guess).

I only have a few - and all are mint-in-box (and I justify my hobby by declaring them as "Investments" instead of "dust-gathering over-priced junk" - as one my ex's was wont to call them) - and I like the unusual or utterly geeky.

However I don't believe I can really see me adding THIS one to my collection any time soon.  She just looks a bit too perky for my taste (plus... I can't see any zombie-destroying arsenal. And how can you be a Marine without the Z_D_A??)

 And that's all from me so Goodnight All.

Everything

Pax is wistful....

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/everything.png

Saint Crispin's Day

...And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian.'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispian's day.'

Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember, with advantages,
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words-
Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester-
Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,

But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;

And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
(Henry V Act 4, Scene

Caption Re-cap

So it's been brought to my attention that I may be offering the wrong sorts of prize incentives in my recent competitions.

Seems that the Rough-Tough-CreamPuff crowd favours more this sort of THING

So if you know of someone that really wants to enter the CAPTION THIS contest but thinks the prize is just a bit too *too* - let them know that I'm willing to offer alternatives  (sweet caring soul that I am)

Pax does Emo

A Rose for Remembrance

For Love Lost and A Heart Forsaken

Good luck with your life - I hope your choice was worth the pain

Caption This for Pax and Prizes

Some of you may remember my scientific experiments with the colourful Australian sweet (aka candy) MUSK STICK.

If you're new here - or need a refresher - check back on the reactions of one of Test Subject Groups at America's First Sergeant's website; or Navyone's recounting of his exposure.

Go ahead... I'll wait...

..................

..................

................

..................

Back?  Now aren't they all a Happy Happy Bunch! (snickers)

So how about I lift one of those photos (with permission of course - let's not have any grumpy A1S's about) and we can do a Caption Contest. 

Caption Me!!!

*Competition Rules - entries can come in from anywhere in the world.

*Winner will be required to supply a valid postal address (I will hold that address secure & private)

*You may make more than one entry but try to keep them relatively polite

*Competition closes on the 30th of October. Winner will be mentioned on the Meepings and has one week in which to contact me or a redraw will occur.

***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 and Witty Caption  into the draw***
Oh and the prize?

How about an Australian Army cap?

Rising Sun symbol in Gold and in relief on the brim and buckle
Available from HERE.

And in case you are wondering how it looks in person - here is the delightful Coffeypot modelling one that I sent him as a gift

See! Even the Navy guys like them :)

 and........ GO!

Baa Baa Pax

We are poor little lambs
Who have lost our way.
Baa! Baa! Baa!
We are little black sheep
Who have gone astray.
Baa! Baa! Baa!
Verse of The Woofenpoof Song

Some of my readers may be aware that I suffer from the occasional bout of Insomnia.

Are you also aware that those short on Rem-Sleep are incredibly susceptible to impulsive online shopping?

However my occasional 3am Amazon.com trollings pay dividends in nostalgia (by way of giving them shiny gold pieces first).  So I am currently avidly watching my latest acquisition.

Oh and for the youngsters in the audience that don't recognise the lyrics above - it's Baa Baa Black Sheep (aka Black Sheep Squadron)

I should probably mention that I can't recall more than three or four episodes of the show - it was considered "too violent" by my parents so only my older brothers were allowed to watch it at home.  This edict did NOT, of course, apply at my Grandmothers house so I caught some of the shows on occasions. So I am having a wonderful time catching up on the storyline [the pilot episode is pretty good :D]  (and wondering if this show is the basis of my belief that Marines are really amazing... if amusing...  Perhaps I should look into that in depth?  Pink candy may be involved in the scientific analysis)

So if any of my bloggie friends happen to wander through my part of Australia and want to catch up on some really cool "Hollywood'd Military tales" - you can bring the popcorn!

Pseudo Stabby Love

Awww... how cool is this :)



1GB memory Bayonet Flash Drive

Found it HERE

Someone remind me if I can send this sort of technology Downrange or Not?

Or should I just invest in one for a competition prize some time?

**Oh - and I may be spending way too much time corresponding with Military types - found myself today trying to explain the importance of keeping my friends at-home addresses as secure as their Downrange ones... the word "Hopsec" just kind of happened...**

WINNER!!

And through the extremely scientific method of "all names on small folded pieces of paper - tossed into hat - one drawn out"

We have a winner for the Australian Army Medallion

Congratulations to:

ExAFCrewDog

Could you please contact by Email (paxford AT gmail DOT com) by the 15th and I will arrange to ship to you by registered mail 

[contest disclaimer - please note that a lack of contact will result in a redraw]

Priorities...

I really need to remember this...

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.

Be Vwery Quiet...

Evil Pax and her minions are hunting a marine

Say your Pwayers, kiddo

... Ring Ring.... 
"Hello! This is the A.C.M.E supply shop - how can I help you?"
"Umm.. yes... I need the tools to capture an A1S marine"
"Hmm.. our look up guide describes those as VERY difficult to capture - would you prefer our "how to capture a Ravening Yeti" guide instead?"
"No... no... it really needs to be this one particularly pesky person"
"Well.. we *could* send you the 'Instant bear pit' kit [launches into jingle "One flip of the lever and he's no smarter than an average bear"]
"Ahh.. could you throw in one of those Handy-Dandy illudium Q-36 explosive space modulator's as well"?
"Certainly Miss - those come with a portable A.C.M.E medic station. Would you like to take out some A.C.M.E insurance too?"
"...."
"Now will that be cash or charge?"

Stand back! Pax is doing Science!

Breaking news...

dateline Australia... 16th September 2011

Sadly it would seem that my on-going Science experiment has had a wee bit of a set back.

Marines recoiling from the Insidious pinkness

The Finding that "1 in 10 American Military Members don't hate Musk Sticks" has been disproved by my latest set of Guinea Pigs Happy Volunteers* (aka members of the United States Marine Corps)

I am told that a full account of the up-close-and-Pink encounter will be shortly posted by my 'on the spot' assistant** (he that is proffering the Sugary Sweetness in the photo above)

Hmm.. so that is now the USA Army, Air force, Navy & USMC.  Any suggestions on who I should find for my final control group?

Oh and I am so very tempted to get myself on of THESE t-shirts.

I wonder if they make any in pink?

Oh well.. back to the Lab. My Data must be carefully massaged compiled for the final presentation.

******

*Volunteer (n.) pronounced un-witting vic-tim
1. A person who performs or offers to perform a service voluntarily

**Assistant (n.) pronounced Coll-ab-or-ator. 
1. a person who assists or gives aid and support

Un-bear-ably cute

Look!!! It's a  Bear-et!

You can buy them HERE

This Post dedicated to all my friends who just *adore* the beret as a practical Military headwear choice.

(you know who you are :D)

We have a Winner!

Drum roll please....

The winner of the excellent hat of winter wooliness AND Australian Army-ness is.....

KEVIN

Kevin (aka Anonymous AKA [i think] Spider monkey dude) - please contact me via email

(paxford AT gmail DOT com)

And thank you to the other entrants [stay tuned - in a few more months I'll have another exciting prize to dispose of!]

Ding Dong - Cadence Calling

Wait... you mean the miliary don't actually do it like this?? :D

Prayers for the Fallen

They shall be remembered

artwork found HERE

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want;
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil;
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the
Lord forever.

Psalm 23

Tired Pax is Tired

Well it is the last day of my recreation leave today and I don't feel that I have achieved enough.

True I have the door varnishing almost conquered [the outside has been all sanded back with fine grade sandpaper and therefore only requires another coat or two to finish. The Inside is to be sanded today].  I am cranky that I still haven't been able to do the overlapped bits - due to the installer playing "Oh! Sorry! How about tomorrow?" with me for most of the week.  He has now said "Saturday PM! Definitely!" - which is all well and good that I might finally get the doors off the sliding rails to finish painting - but gives me no idea of when I can get them rehung [hopefully I can learn the trick to getting them on & off and can just get some strong-armed help Sunday night to rehang].

Oh and yes - I have organised the new living room floor installation.  Contract signed for wooden floor boards to cover the floor area - and installation for sometime in October.

Still dithering over floor tiles for the hall, kitchen & balcony but I'm getting closer to a choice on that.  I need to purchase those in bulk and store them for now as I will be (eventually) learning how to tile from my Dad (with the balcony as the "learning zone").  The Hall is also an easy area to do. 

The Kitchen... sigh... that's a whole 'nother drama there that I will close my eyes to, cover my ears with my hands and loudly sing "La La La" till it magically goes away.  [but if any of my blogging friends know anything about re-planning kitchen space so that there is room for a table? - please contact me!]

Now if only I had another week of leave - I might actually find time to do that whole "relaxing" thing (or not... Pax's in a natural state of rest tend to devour books, donuts and annoy the cat by hogging the couch)

In other news - I think I will extend the drawing of the woolen hat to early next week.  So you have another few days to enter (or if you are on the Navy vs. Marine all-in-brawling teams - you have time to add a few more amusing exchanges)

Now excuse me as I go to once more apply varnish - wait for it to dry - sand it back - and then do a final coat. 

My Life - So Darn Exciting!