Pax and floods

So you might have heard that we have been having some wild weather over here in Australia....

"ex"-cyclone Oswald has spent the last few days creating merry havoc on the Eastern Seaboard as it swept down the coast.

We have had immense amounts of rain; huge winds and flooding.

Photos of some of the areas HERE

My place is dry and undamaged by the rain or wind - however some of my friends are not so lucky.  The Rivers are still rising as I type and we are unsure if their homes will be flooded out again (many of the same homes went under in 2011 which was listed as "once in 100 years flood").

And in other parts of Australia bush fires still rage...   Ahhh Australia - Beautiful one day, Deadly the next....

Come on over and visit!

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!

Winner! - Poppy Coin Contest

Recently I ran a competition to win a rare coin that was issued to celebrate Remembrance Day here in Australia

There were a couple of heart-felt entries and a winner has been chosen

Old NFONovember 13, 2012 5:02 AM
I'd like to win this as a reminder of my Father, who was in WWI and fought through Belgium, which is where the poppys grew and were immortalized in the poem "In Flanders Fields".

Also, it reminds me of the ties I've made with the RAN, including being honored to participate in the Remembrance ceremony aboard USS Parramata in 2009 at Stirling.

CONGRATULATIONS! - and please contact me with your delivery address for posting

And in other news...

Santa stocking boxes were shipped off to my two adoptee's mid-month... hopefully they will receive them soon

And "in home" news.  I had my first job interview in 15 years today.  It mostly went well despite my having chronic "bad hearing" today (still have an on-going ear infection that the Doctors all agree is "nasty" but have no options on the healing of it other than "take the medication we've given you; apply the drops to your ears - give it time")  Ehhh...

Oh and my trip to Melbourne last week for a training course went well too.  I got to spend one whole day playing "Tourist" (14 hours in a tour bus - eek!).  Couple of photos below

Loch Ard Gorge

The Apostles Rocks (only 8 now!)

Due to lack of numbers the Tour company cancelled the night-time visit to Philip Island Penguin parade which I was a bit sad about. However I stumbled upon the Melbourne Aquarium during my Friday lunch break and spent a happy 40 minutes seeing the exhibits especially their live penguin display.

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And she shopped....

You may recall from my earlier post about the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary that I did a wee bit of souvenir shopping.

Just a couple of things...

The big fluffy koala (so soft so cuddly) is Mine Mine Mine [my inner 2-year-old coveted it and since my inner-babysitter was dealing with Caffeine withdrawal and wanted some peace - a purchase occurred).

The mid-sized Koala is a surprise for my Mum.  She likes cuddly toys just as much as I do but prefers smaller, easier to store sizes.

The Koala & Kangaroo key-toys are destined for my Lads overseas - as are the postcards.

And the pin...  well I got two of those.  One for myself and one to give away to a blog reader.

Here it is enlarged

So how about a quick competition?

okay... so this photo is boring.. lets find another one.

Copyright holder unknown (advise if it's YOU)

Okay so this is a far cuter photo found in the infinite depths of the Internet.

So what say you?  Can you think of a nice caption for this photo?


CAPTION ME! The Funniest, Wittiest or Awww-ful will win the prize

 The Rules:-

Write a CAPTION for this photo

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 e address under my profile)

The Winner will need to contact me by last day of August 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 August

Pax and the Passing of Time

Once again I have eluded the Sandmen and their odd ritual of "Carousel" - easy to do when you distract them with TimTams strewn in their path.   My Palm clock is showing signs of wear and tear - better add more red paint and sparkles to it ASAP!

So today* I shall go off and indulge myself with some Girlie Shopping and lunch out; and ponder how one can access the central data banks of the Registry to knock a few years off the official Birth Certificate



*being forsighty and all I always ensure that I take my Birthday as a rostered day off from work.  Bonus this time since Monday is a public holiday - FOUR DAY WEEKEND!!!

April Milsupport round up

Well it's been an interesting month of Milsupport.

The Easter parcel reached SSgt G in time and he said he enjoyed sharing it with his team (no mention, however, about whether he tried on the bunny ears)

Late parcel went out to my Airforce double-adoptee (So nice I asked to adopt him for a second deployment). Luckily he's been zipping about the countryside (note... not sure *which* country or which side) and wasn't back for his mail for a few weeks so the lateness wasn't a factor - whew!

Postcards have been winging their way across to a Wounded Warrior based in Texas. I am hoping they make him smile just a bit.

Oh and I acquired a new adoptee via Soldiers Angels too - so far just an introductory letter, an Aussie postcard and a box of goodies (from the Soldiers' Angels store) have headed his way but I am working on his May Parcel as I type (more below)

May goodie parcels...

There is (as I type) a Water Balloon Launcher and 300 water balloons winging their way to SSgt G.  Hopefully it will be a great team toy and fun in the Hot Hot Hot of where-ever he is.

Available at Amazon.com

I did attempt to send a WBL to Airforce Adoptee however for some reason (a weird twist in the time/space continuum?) Amazon's supplier will ship to one AE/APO address but not the other AE/APO address..  Never mind - it's the last parcel for him so I can easily substitute an Aussie Sweets and Munchies pack instead and I am sure he won't mind.

For my Newest adoptee I am trying to order some "Summer Sausage" for him (okay so first I had to ask my "Go To Guys" exactly what the heck that was since we call it something different Downunder).  Hickory Farms have Military gift packs which is lovely - however I am once again having problems with "postcode does not exist for that area" error messages.  I have emailed them and will hopefully hear from them shortly.

Oh and in a RAK [Random act of Kindness(?)] I have shipped some Timtams, Caromello Koalas and Musk Sticks off to a new friend in the USA.  He advised that he's received them but nothing so far on taste tests (I am figuring 2 out of 3 will meet approval).  And being a Sweet and Lovely Pax I did not send any Vegemite to befuddle him further - Go Me! :D

**********
Also a reminder that the ANZAC pin & keychain competition ends on the 1st of May.  There are FIVE entries so far but I'd love to see a few more (just remember to reply at that post to enter).

Pax and the Renovations - almost done!

It's been some time since I bored you all with the status of my apartment renovations.  So let us have a "look see" at the current state of the Home of the Pax

Kitchen -  looking from lounge area (note - the kitchen and lounge are all one rectangular room - 1/2 of my apartment space)

Kitchen - pantry & fridge side

Lounge room - (same side as sink/dishwasher in kitchen) - you can see the new doors leading to the Balcony; and my mini computer zone

Lounge room (other side).  These bookcases hold only my DVD collection.  The Majority of my books are stored in the bedroom and hall bookcase.
At some point (when I have saved up a few more $$) I will be finishing the Splashback in the Kitchen; and hopefully getting some wooden "venetian style" window blinds to replace the not-quite-block-out blinds I have installed.  (oh and renovate the bathroom.. and paint the bedroom and hall and... never ending :D)

Never the less - I am most happy with how it has all turned out - and so thankful that my Dad is such a Handyman (he laid the tiles and helped me install the kitchen benches).  My home is now *MY* home once more - and I feel safe and content to be here.

And for any of my friends that wish to travel and visit.  I *will* be acquiring a comfy mattress for the floor so at least ONE of you will be comfortable.  However - Must be willing to be bossed about by my cat :)

Mwahaha! Pax Plots (again!)

I have just sent off another "Cup of Kaboom" to one my Soldiers' Angels adoptees - I *love* these cups!.  Clever mixture of utter silliness and maximum Coffee storage!

Hoping he likes it!

And in Potential Pax Plotting - I know someone that would shriek in horror at receiving the next item

Possibly more bearable than some of the Customised "Hello Kitty" combat weapons at this site - http://www.loneleeplanet.com/2009/12/top-7-hello-kitty-combat-gear/

Have I mentioned lately just how much FUN I get from sending the weird and the wacky downrange to my Adoptees?

And for my friends that are fearful of my continuing existence - relax!  They've first got to GET to Australia and then track me down to retaliate (snickers)

Everything

Pax is wistful....

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

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!

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 has been plotting....

BWHAHAHAHAHA!!!!



Stand by for Defcon 1 in five... four... three....

Pax rolls the dice

I recently replaced some of my board games - the original sets were old and missing pieces - so I thought it was about time for an upgrade (helped along with an amazon gift vouchers given by a dear friend)

So I invested in a really nice new Monopoly set

(photo from amazon.com; and all rights held by Hasbro of course)

and I got to thinking about past games of the big M.  The Good family games where we played for fun; the not so-good Family games when my brothers would tag-team to own all the properties; and the very VERY memorable games played with a range of ex's.

I'm wondering if perhaps it's a Guy thing (?!) - that whole "must win - must own the board even if I need to crush you to do it".   And I am thinking that I may begin applying the M-test to all potential suitors. 

Just think... I'd get to see their real self at play. 

Now I'm not suggesting that I will only find worth in someone that plays half-heartedly; or even worse - tries to let me win.  Just that it might be a really great way to discover if my intended Honey has the belief that winning means he can connive, or cheat, or belittle his opponents, just to get that little grey counter around the board faster than me.

Just think of the time and emotion I'll be saving on the ones that can't understand that a game should actually be FUN! (and the ones that survive the M-test will then move on to the Trivial Pursuit gambit - just to make sure)

Oh and if this works - I'm totally going to patent the idea!  (oooh just think of the lawsuits Hasbro would be throwing at me!)

Personal Pax

In my debut audio post (sorry for the linking weirdness – I’m still bumbling about trying to get a direct MPG file to download) I mentioned that I would love some questions from my Blogger friends.

Actually there is ONE question I’ve been asked a few times that I haven’t really addressed

“You never really write about yourself – just your Milsupport/adoptees and sometimes your home improvement work. What’s up with that?”

What’s up indeed! 

Firstly you have to understand that I was raised to not show my woes to the World. That whole “Smile at your enemy and cry in the dark” kind of mindset that is prevalent amongst some of the more stoic nationalities.   So only my closest friends are aware of all the dramas besetting me – and frankly I’m okay with that.  Those friends are bright enough to realise that while I might wail and rage against the unfairness of the Universe from time to time; that I won’t let it become my sole-state of mind and spiral down in to despair [actually most of them would begin applying a swift kick to my butt should I ever fall that far]

And Secondly – do you REALLY want to read about all that kind of Cr@p on a weekly basis?  Cause yeah... it would bore me to tears and I’m living it the first time around!

 So yes!  while I may come across as Ms. Sunshine & Aussie Roses – You, my Dear Readers, will (eventually) come to realise that :-

• 80% of my natural personality is buoyant and up-beat.

• 10% is goofy;

• 5% Machiavellian

…and that other 5% is most assuredly Emo** and you will all be so very very glad that I don’t let my Goth-wearing inner-teen out very often at all (cause the poetry, quite frankly, bites).

 And let’s all be honest – You mostly come by this page for a bit of Aussie Madness; good cheer and the rare opportunity to win Musk Sticks – Don’t cha? J

Should you really want to be more than just a “distant blogger friend” then you’ll find my email in the Contacts section. 

Write me – start a dialogue – become a better friend and I will reciprocate.

But don’t do this if you are male and it’s *more* than friends you are after.  The Universe has recently yet again shown me that I am an abysmal failure at judging the True Heart of a person so I think I will be avoiding all emotional entanglements for the foreseeable future.  [well.. unless it’s Gerard Butler – cause a girl’s got to have her breaking point!]

**Emo has been associated with a stereotype that includes being particularly emotional, sensitive, shy, introverted, or angst-ridden

Quick Pax Post

I have so many interesting blogs planned but haven't yet found the time to execute the necessary steps for them (that includes the audio posts) - so sorry to be such a slacker, all -  but here's a quick watery Milsupport update instead.

It's SUMMER - well Downrange it is.  And as I have done every DR Summer for the last 3 years of Soldiers' Angeling - I have sent something goofy to my adoptee's

You can get your very own HERE

It's a water balloon launcher - or WBL in Pax speak.  Fun for the drenching of friends & superiors. It's a three man/woman/camel operation - one person each to hold one of the handles; and one to pull back the middle bit. A Fourth crew person could be added for quick re-loading the balloons if they're organised.  So definitely a team toy.

There are currently FOUR of these either heading or arrived in various parts of the Middle East - and hopefully they will invoke fun, excitement and only minor International Incidents (hey.. A girl can hope! :D).  I have suggested the guys bone up on their "Plausible Denability" lines just in case

"Why No Captain - I have no idea how you became so soaked. Random Rain storm perhaps?"

"Watery Missiles Admiral/General/Minor Deity - what ever do you mean Sir?"

And if all else fails they should just use the old stand-by excuse "The Goofy Aussie dared me to do it!"

And no - sorry - I can't provide any action shots.  Of the Ten that I have sent off to Adoptee's over the years nary a one of them have managed to take any snap-shots or filmed footage (one of them did mutter something about "...it's too hard to take a photo when you're running to hide the evidence" - what ever that would mean *sweet angelic smile*)

So I am hoping that all Four of my adoptee's (J, E, M & RAK Marines) get a smile out of these.

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 is a Slacker! - updates follow...

I swear that I think to myself "I must go update my blog" and then life intervenes and I'm once again weeks away from the last post and feeling guilty [actually I do guilt really well - the nun's at my girls school *really* had an effect on me... but that's another tale]

Updates on the "Boys":

Justin *may* have been located.  Actually he may be where he's always been just that my mail is now reaching him(?)  You might recall that I had the Cunning Plan to send a small parcel to him via Amazon.com.  In the Past if I've had parcels rebound to them they have advised me promptly, so I knew that if J's parcel bounced back to them I should hear about it in 3 or so weeks from sending date.  Last week passed by and nothing received from Amazon so I'm really hoping that he got the book okay.  I've now resumed my regular letters to him in the hope they get through too - I can hope at least.

K is home on leave - happy thoughts are directed to him and his family.

C had a birthday late September. Parcel with cake in it arrived early and I remembered to think Warm, Fuzzy thoughts at him on the day [yes yes... points to the peanut gallery ... it IS a fact that so many of my normal thoughts are naturally "fuzzy" - these ones had extra fuzz applied :D]

J2 has been in touch via Facebook and Myspace (oooh social networking how I do love thee, you maketh it easy for me to know people are safe).  He's reported back on the Aussie treats he received and I'm hoping he'll let me quote his reaction to the Musk sticks :)

Oooh and I may have a guest blogger or two lined up. Kyle (he of the air force and amusing quips) has agreed to be Primo Guineus Piggus so we'll see how that goes.

In 'at home' news - work: we may be back in our library by the end of October (see my post on what happened to it here). The refit is shiny & new & utilised all of the insurance money. It's also in shades of grey, white & charcoal (dull dull dull) and we are verbotten from putting anything colourful (or interesting) on the walls or in our cubicles. I'll post photos when I get back down there.

My mum... she has been getting along okay. Remaining cheerful. They can't give her Radium treatments unfortunately (aparently you can only have one dose of those in a lifetime and since she had a cancer 20 years ago that was her 1st & only chance at that). So they are giving her some sort of oral treatment that will hopefully disperse the cancerous cells missed by the op. Time will tell how that goes.  My Middle brother Mike & his family travelled up from Sydney for a weeks long visit.  Two of my three nephews were there (the eldest had to work unfortunately) so Mum & Dad had two rambunctious teenagers (14 & 15) running about the place. They looked like they loved every minute of it.  Family lunch on the weekend (BBQ with the Men tending the flames and the women sitting & chatting - got to love tradition :D) saw all of the family gathered together for a few hours. Good to see them even if the reason to is a sad one.

It's Sunday Pm here so I need to stop larking about on the computer and go do some chores (walk to the shop in the rain for some groceries; clean the kitchen; vacuum the cat.. okay vacuum the cat FUR off of everything but idea 1 might stop the problem at the source)  No rest for the wickedly Pax.

Pax got presents!

blogged at http://marionsmeepings.blogspot.com/2010/05/pax-got-presents.html

Well okay.. Pax bought these for herself but at least I got an actual delivery on my actual birthday.

Ordered a few weeks ago from Diesel - really good quality t-shirts x 2

Awesome geek potential (must now fend off geek boyfriend from stealing until I've worn at least once)

Ooh - and apparently a Penguin covered box of Love is in the International Mail and should make it to me shortly (now I feel better)