Aussie Troop support...

I have been asked a few times why I support the USA troops instead of my home-grown Downunder lads and ladies.

Well.... it's really so much easier to find reputable support groups already set up in the USA (such as Soldiers' Angels / Green Beans Coffee / AnyMarine) -  and I know, from personal experience and from Friends recommendations, that these groups are run efficiently and with respect for the troops and their operational security.

Since Australia has only about 1550 troops deployed at this time, home grown support groups are not as easily found.  I don't have personal contacts within the Regiments (much to my Mothers joy, my days of dating the Uniform'd are past) so finding an insider that coordinates needs, wants & contacts is almost impossible.

And our official Defence website Troop Support has only the option of sending emails* off into the ether OR buying premade postcards that you can then dispatch to an official Australian defence address that will forward them on to Downrange.  (*the email address has a number of stipulations and information re. spam attacks so I'm a bit doubtful of it's efficiency)

In the interest in seeing just what the postcards can do (who they can reach - will there be a reply/response? - what time line will that take?) I have just purchased a 10 pack of Official (and rather ugly looking!) postcards.  Once received I will send them off - bearing happy troop support messages and report on the outcome (who knows! I might find some Australian "over there" in need of a steady supply of Aussie Musk Stick sweeties!)

Pandering the Pax

Just home from seeing Kung Fu Panda 2.

Really enjoyed it!

And it's possibly a good thing to be boyfriend less at these screenings - I can recall the last one always being uncomfortable when I would start crying in the sad scenes.

Pax has been Caffeinated!

Wow those Green Bean Coffee people are super organised!  I sent out 30 coffee vouchers on tuesday and by tonight (friday) 28 of those have gone out to (I'm hoping) now slightly happier-and-coffee-filled troops.

I have also had a couple of Pen-friend (well.. in this electronic day & age - email actually) requests, and I'm busy sending back Hello's tonight.

And fear not Oh Loyal Readers - I will remember to consult the "Pax should NOT" list in the event I end up sending any of them Aussie munchies (mutter.. grumble... well at least *I* like Musk Sticks so all the more for ME!)

If you happen to find yourself with a bit of extra change and the desire to make someone deserving happy with an RAK (random act of kindness) then I can really recommend the Cup of Joe program (click on the side bar link to go straight to their donation page)

Even more fun than an explosive-carrying Penguin!

Mmm... comfy Pax!

Day off today as I had to be home to take delivery of my uber-comfy new mattress (pillow topped one - mmmm... take THAT Mr Insomnia!)

And since I had to be home anyway I have arranged for the 1800-Got-Junk crowd to pop over later today to pick up the old mattress and a few bits and "pieces" (the pieces being two chipboard cupboards that I took massive delight in taking the BIG Hammer to - mmm... stress relief through violence - who'd have thought it! Bwhahaha!).  I'm also going to ask how much more it will cost if they take the metal 3-drawer file cabinet too [tried to give that away but no takers :( ]

Oh and since I am home - and the computer connection is actually working (grumble.. mutter... stupid local telco and their constant "maintenance on hub" work.. grumps) I have managed to organise some more "Cup of Joe" vouchers to go out to the troops downrange  [I love the idea of caffeinating them all up and setting them loose - heh heh heh]

So soon I shall be "Organised Pax" and have to find more things to amuse me (*looks up at the peanut gallery - gives angelic smile*)

Late night Paxing

Past 11pm here in Australia so I will keep this post brief(ish) and just do a bit of "what I have been up to lately" updating.

Actually not doing that much I guess - have managed to sort out my financial drama's (fingers crossed) and will therefore be able to start planning some apartment renovations. 

First on the list is to reverse the built-in veranda (since sadly the place isn't resale-able until it's fixed) - this will involve installing a replacement for the big old heavy sliding door that was removed a while back.  Once that's installed, I'll be getting some help to pull out the extra walls & windows bit that enclosed the overhanging area (should prove to be relatively easy as all the works were cunningly built on the inside of the existing aluminium veranda shutter system).  I don't have a hard & fast timeline on this as I will be doing a lot of the work myself (jigsaw cutting through part of a bookcase/bench system etc. And YES - I do promise to count my fingers before & afterwards and take photos of any 'amusing' incidents).

Rest of the apartment renovations (bathroom / kitchen / laying new floor coverings) will be on hold until my parents return from their latest Bush camping adventure (Mum is feeling well enough to travel at the moment and wants to seize the opportunity at what might be her last chance to enjoy the bush).  My Dad is quite the handyman and is already VERY excited at the idea of being "in-charge" of the work here.

So part of this weekend has been spent (in the company of BFF) pricing various items at the local hardware superstore, and getting starting prices for a sliding door / french door system (and I have to say EEEEK! Darn that's gonna be expensive!)

In Milsupport - I've been a bit quiet.  I did manage to send off a care parcel via the Soldiers' Angel Store to the person coordinating the RAK marine group.  It will go with a bonus pack of Girl Scout cookies which is a really cool thing.  And as usual weekly letters / postcards have gone out.  However the latest International postage stamp is HUGE - kind of makes it hard to find room on the postcards to actually write a message! (and while I am tempted to often write "Wish you were HERE" I try to avoid that.  Although it IS a sentiment I really feel since even with our weird reptiles, insects and other furry animals Australia is really safe - so long as you avoid the musk stick sweeties!)

In upcoming Blogging news - I am planning on inserting the occasional audio clip.  Finally you will get to laugh at my accent (the Lord knows the locals do!)  I should probably mention here that since my Dad was born in Scotland I have a wee bit of an unusual non-Aussie inflection going on. Ah well... at the very least you *should* be able to understand most of the words even if you then have to write in for a 'Lingo*' translation!

So are there any burning questions you'd like to ask me? (polite ones that is - *eyes the peanut gallery with wary apprehension*)  Send me suggestions on what you would like to hear - however be warned that I tend to sing off-keyish so musical number suggestions should be kept to a minimum.

Whoops.. now heading towards midnight so I will end my not-as-brief-Brief.

Stay safe!

Pax, over and out

*Lingo, the way a certain speech community speaks, see jargon

Safe Travels Jerad!

I have received word from Soldiers' Angels admin that my super-silent-adoptee Jerad has completed his deployment and is (or will be soon) on his way home.

Whilst I never did have any contact from him, many prayers were sent heaven-ward on his behalf.

I hope his trip home is safe and uneventful!

Holding Out For A Hero

Where have all the good men gone
And where are all the gods?
Where's the street-wise Hercules
To fight the rising odds?
Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night I toss and turn and dream of what I need
                                                Bonnie Tyler

Well occasionally reality comes and smacks you upside the head.

Friends in danger downrange; and at home - a dear friend in a domestic abuse situation.

I really have nothing to complain about - my emotional dramas are nothing compared to theirs.

Prayers being sent for them all - and the hope that a hero can rescue my friend (the police hero type)

The 91st Psalm

 "You will be safe in God's care; his faithfulness will protect and defend you... God will put his angels in charge over you to protect you wherever you go."

Pax'd in June

Today has been something of a Foggy-brain'd day - parting of the ways between a friend and I last night means I'm somewhat upset and not coping with life very well.  I accept the reasons for the parting as being inevitable (differing viewpoints on one very important aspect of any relationship) but that doesn't mean that I am happy that it's occurred.  He seems to feel the need for distance so I will wish him well and hope he stays safe.

One upshot of "Foggy-brain" meant I locked myself out of my apartment this morning - keys on the inside, me on the outside going "oooh poot".  Luckily my BFF has a spare key so I caught up with her when she finished work and she very good-naturedly came home with me and let me back in.  Must remember to give a second key to BFF2 so I have a backup for my backup (not that there should be a "next time" but better to be prepared)

On the "Milsupport" front - I have had a very lovely email from newest adoptee. He is well and currently safe.  More letters, postcards & munchies to be dispatched to him shortly.

And National Guard adoptee has also been in touch :)

I know that some times it's just not possible for the adoptee's to contact their Angels - but when it does happen, it's like receiving a bubble of happiness - knowing they are safe and well, and excited about what has arrived (and fearful of what may come - Bwhahaha!.. whoops... don't mind me :D)

Oh and Aussie munchie parcel just shipped to my Cup-of-Joe penfriend too (standard items - bikkies and sweets - including some musk sticks)  I had pre-warned him that a treat pack would be wending it's way to him and he seemed a little excited :D

And I have just acquired a random marine to support (random = just sending a parcel off to a central contact person who will then pass on to a member of their troop).  Have some Aussie treats and furry marsupial toy all picked out.  Wonder if I should put my email/blog addy on the card - or should it be a real & proper RAK*. Will think on that and decide in the next two days (it can't go till Monday USA hours so I have a little bit of dithering-time up my sleeve).

So other than this weeks' postcards to adoptee's (which should have been posted out yesterday except I was having something of a minor breakdown along with a migraine attack- sorry about that!) I am all caught up with "My Boys".  Soon I shall begin plotting my usual June/July gift to them all (it's summer over there and hot hot hot - what better to send than a small item of ballistic water-borne mayhem I ask you?)  Must check in with Miss Vicki too - she likes to send rubber duckies to my boys as well (a tradition now reaching back for my three years of Soldiers' Angeling)

And now I'm off to make dinner and wait for the latest episode of Doctor Who to come on (my life... so exciting!)

*RAK (aar-aa-k). Noun. Adverb. Adjective.
The Act of unexpectedly doing something nice (RAK-Random Act of Kindness).
[Dictionary of Marion-ism's]