More Adventures of the USA Flat Soldiers

Last week our Heroes and Shero were spotted at the Queensland Exhibition (aka our State Fair)

They looked to be having a great deal of fun!

They found the Pirates Revenge Water ride

Watched the Dairy Cow judging

Stopped by the Australian themed garden display

Failed to be pecked by Kookaburra statues

And ended their day at the Funnel Cake stall

Later in the week they were spotted at the Queensland Museum...

"Swimming" with the Fishes at the Great Barrier Reef exhibit

Visiting the Muttaburrasaurus langdoni
 

Much fun was had by all (especially the curious by-standers who would engage me in chat with the opening line of "What ever are you doing?".  It's a good opportunity to mention to them that Troop Support programs exist all around the globe!)

Next week.... more adventures of the Flat and Funny.... STAY TUNED!

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 ]

Pax and March

Sorry - it's been rather busy here lately and I'm behind with the old blogging.

In the "Good news" realm - I started a volunteer position with my State Museum's Library last week. Really interesting work and I like the people I am working with.  Back again this week (one day a week to start with - am hoping to move that to two days a week when possible so I can get this project conquered!)

In real paying work news - nothing so far.  Still looking.

In "hobby" news - I spent last Saturday working in the kitchen for a medieval feast.  14 hours of work and boy was my body wreaked by the end of that.  Sunday I spent trying to remember not to groan too loudly as I attempted to move any muscles  [and yes - full on kitchen work with very few breaks can be really exhausting!].  I had a great time too!  (no photos as the only one taken of me is from a weird angle - making me look stranger than usual ;)

In University course news - I am finally beginning to make sense of the course I am doing this semester (Systems and Database Design).  I feared that I had a terminal case of the "Dumbs" so am pleased that I am finally working it out logically in my mind.

And in Blog-o-sphere news - if you haven't yet entered the Haiku competition over at Red Bull Rising you have one week left before it closes.  Prizes are VERY nice indeed (love love love the Doctrine Man cup!)

Oh and in milsupport - my adopted Marine should be receiving a small basket of Easter goodies soon.  Hope he likes it! :)

Pax and competition prizes

New blog Competition will be held shortly - once  I sort out the prize I wish to bestow upon the winner.

Sadly, as much as I like you all, the prize will not be the following (too $$$ for my unemployed pocket to bear)

but you can buy one for yourself HERE

Hmm... the military teddy bears seem a bit too twee....   and sadly I would never get away with trying to ship the mini swords (the Australian and USA postal services seem a bit less than excited about shipping those sorts of things)

Oh Look!  They are now listing "Field Rations" and other freeze dried foods too...
http://www.militaryshop.com.au/catalogue/displayProducts/lineId/3551.html

And all the equipment for eating and heating.  [although I notice that the eating utensils are still a metal based product.  One day I may blog about the downrange friend for whom I found some sturdy plastic ware for - all very sad that the taste of metal in his mouth from standard issue cutlery would trigger PTSD attacks.]

Oh - they do have cuff links.  Is that of any interest to the readers?

Or I guess I could just buy some more of their nifty hats (offered once before as a prize.... I *think* Coffeypot ended up with one (it's late here and the brain is snoozing a bit)

There are also the usual extra bling bits of keyrings and the like....

Any suggestions from the Readers?  Just remember that it has to be affordable enough for me to acquire two of (so that any victim of the "Caption this photo" games gets one as way of apology) AND needs to be of small to middling size for International posting.

Pax and plants

At home news...

In the hopes that I can establish a small herb garden on my balcony (and break the "Curse of the Black Thumb" that I seem to have for plants) I have begun a small "Green Project"

Day 3 after planting.
Nasturtium's in the top pot; basil and mint in the bottom

Oh and in case you marvel at how fast those two plants on the bottom are growing - sorry to admit that I got those two from the local market - already slightly grown.  The top pot - now that one is my gardening foo at work (from small seeds great things will come... and possibly be named "Audrey" )

Day 15 of the experiment and so far so good... even the current summer heat wave hitting our area hasn't (yet) caused any problems...

Milsupporting update.  My Official adoptee - lovely Sgt of the Marines - received the parcel of jerky that I sent earlier in the month.  He writes that he shared it with his team :).

There is a Valentine's Day parcel yet to reach him - a box of Old-fashioned V day sweets (according to the Amazon.com sales blurb at least).  Not sure if any of those small candy message hearts are enclosed but if they are - hope he's careful! :D

No word lately from the Unofficial Soldier adoptee in A'stan - Message received just after New Years that he loved the Christmas stuff.  No word since. I really hope he's okay!

Wish I could adopt another to virtual "hug, and pat and call him George" but have told myself that I must remain at one official only until I have a new job.  At least at one I can afford to keep up the level of monthly troop treats and not worry (too much) about my bank balance.  Sgt A is deployed until June so I still have some fun things on the list left to send him :)

*Pax is Plotting*

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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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"

Show your pride!

I love buying things from the Military Shop - mostly so that I can either send to my overseas Vetern friends; or to my Adopted Soldiers from Soldiers' Angels.

This month they have a really nice fridge magnet that I must acquire at least one of for myself



you can buy them HERE

I am sure I will find a few other bits & pieces in their online catalogue too.

Oh! and I have acquired an extra Poppy Coin.  Legal Australian two dollar coin with a red poppy on it's reverse.  On the 11th of the 11th I will be putting up a blog competition for it so please stay tuned for that

 

 

 

Updated to add....

Gosh I would love to own one of the below special Poppy medallions.  They have them in Silver (which I can *almost* afford but not really justify) and Gold (which is too $$ unfortunately).  Maybe I will bookmark the page and when I am back in employment I can celebrate by purchasing one.

 

Available from HERE but I don't know for how long...

 

 

Red poppy coin released to honour lost diggers



I will be looking about for a few of these coins.  Perhaps one can be used for a competition prize...

 

 

By Andree Withey 

Updated Fri Oct 26, 2012 2:37pm AEDT

A special $2 coin bearing a red poppy has been produced to commemorate the wartime sacrifice of Australian service personnel.

 

It is the first coloured coin produced by the Australian Mint and only 500,000 being made. The red poppy coin is being distributed by the RSL for a donation of about $10. There will also be a non-coloured version and both are legal tender.

Pax's Poem Competition

I am currently tired, cranky and very tired of Life handing me Lemons (without the sugar there is NO way to make lemonade)

So how about a competition?  Specifically a POEM competition



The Rules:-

Write a POEM for Pax about Pax (or Aussie things) - it can be nice, it can be snarky - don't make it too rude.
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 the 10th of October 2012 at the latest with their mailing address or there will be a redraw.

The Winning Poem will be judged on or about the 30th of September by an independent judge (ie. not me since I luvs ya all and have a hard time picking one over the other)

And the prize....  is something Aussie military (natch!)

Front & Back of the coin
Got it from HERE

It is quite heavy... but oh so pretty. [Australian Army Rising Sun insignia on the front - Australian flag & slouch hat on the reverse]

If you are looking for inspiration then check out Coffeypot's earlier creations HERE.  Coffeypot isn't eligible to win since I have already sent off one of these to him for his prior poetic poppings but he can (and hopefully will) make comments on the other entries.


And GO!

September Paxing

Very quick update since it's late here and I need to sleep before I nod off over the keybozzzzzzz.....

Ah-hem... lets try that again shall we?

Milsupporting is going well - I have met some really lovely troopers this time around and am very much enjoying sending out cards and occasional useful package.  Girl Scout cookies (and a parcel with a toy) went off to a Airforce 1stLt recently.  I suspect (since it was a "once off" parcel request) that I should have sent really useful things but meh... I'm sure everyone else in his group got those.  After all - when you really need something to hug when the hit sits the fan - isn't a fuzzy Platypus toy the first thing YOU think of?

In "not quite Milsupport but gosh I'm having fun" - tshirt sent out to Old NFO; Coin & pin sent off to Coffeypot; oh and virtual hugs sent out to the rest of you (just so you don't feel left out)

In "At Home" news. 

• Mum seems to be responding better to the medication she is currently on. Less pain, more Getup&go. She is currently talking about maybe "One last trip out Bush" with Dad in the coming months. I thank God for every day she is with us and hope she gets her wish to go camping once more [they have a small caravan so there are comfy beds and other civilised amenities to make things easier for her]

• With my work... I will find out this coming Tuesday if I am still employed or not (yes... they plan to announce 14000 forced redundancies on 9/11 - what a charming way to try to divert attention from your Allies day of Remembrance:(. This New State Government has no empathy or shame).  I will let you all know later this week what the situation is... I think, even if I am made unemployed, that I can still manage my current Troop Adoption commitments - which will keep me sane and feeling useful at least.

Okay - must go sleep (I tried that earlier and my brain refused to shut down... warm milk might help. And no Coffeypot - I have no whiskey in the house to "Fortify" the milk with. Pity that!

Pax is feeling challenged

well.... at least I THINK these could be used as challenge coins... perhaps? maybe?

Although I only have a very hazy idea what a CC is - and perhaps these are too big and too heavy.

Anyshinycoin (as my friend Coffeypot would say)

I originally ordered TWO of these - with the thought that I would keep one for my collection and use the second as a future blog prize.

Through an accounting glitch I have ended up with FOUR of them (all duly paid for after I contacted the supplier and advised them they had oversupplied, but I loved them and would keep.. oh and here's my credit card info for the other two...)

Front & Back of the Medallions
Got them from HERE

They are quite heavy... but oh so pretty.  [Australian Army Rising Sun insignia on the front - Australian flag & slouch hat on the reverse]

And seeing that I now have THREE extras... do you think this is the sort of thing that would be of interest to someone that is currently serving "DOWNRANGE" - or would it be one more piece of heavy junk for them to drag about?

One of them WILL be used as a Blog competition in the next few months for my regular readers.  I just need some inspiration on what sort of competition to run.

Hmm....

Limerick comp?  "There once was a Pax from Downunder..."

Haiku perhaps? "Winter Pax rejoices..."

A Nordic Ode? "Bright the day, and kindness surrounds..."

Ehh... or maybe a Military Mentor might make mirthful merriment magically materialise (aka... someone send me a Silly Photo to Caption please!)

Seriously I am open to *most* suggestions

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.

And you thought YOUR native animals were weird!

Just sharing for those of my readers that keep thinking that Australian animals are cute & cuddly

Photo found via Facebook and I can not find the owner to attribute. If *you* are the
copyright holder please let me know so I can attribute OR take down if requested

More information on our exciting Aussie aquatic mascot can be found HERE. 

I recently sent a toy one of these to my newest Soldiers' Angels adoptee - I'm sure he is going to be opening the box and going "Wuh....?" 
[and since long time readers will surely ask - no musk sticks in this parcel. He needs to *ASK* before I will supply those.  And just to make sure he knows what he might be getting in to I sent him off a printed copy of the BEST musk stick review I have ever read. Bwhahahah!]

Pax'ing the Past 2012

Yesterday I stepped back in time and attended the Abbey Medieval Festival

It was a bit of an adventure to reach the event site - 2 hours of travel to get there (bus to the city - train to Caboolture - Event bus to the Abbey area.  However it was worth it to catch up with a number of my Medieval Reenactor friends; to watch some of the tournaments; to eat rather delicious but-bad-for-me food; and to do a small amount of shopping at the market booths.

Here are a few of the snapshots I managed to take. Sadly, I failed to remember that I had a camera with me for some of the time, so these are just random photos. [and Very Sorry Guys - I missed a shot of the Comely Lass in the Mini-mini-mini Red Stretch-Velour dress and knee high leather boots. Her outfit can be termed "meji-e-val" since it had a Double-headed crest over her most salient features. You will just have to visualise it instead!]

Citadel Free Company

Cozzles wielding a Mighty Sword!

The Big Bad Wolf (aka Horn'd Beast) was there too.
Obligatory "Furry" shout-out to NavyOne! :)

Obleix et Asterix Domesticus
(the attendees are encouraged to dress-up - this one was a crowd pleaser!)



  

I did a very little bit of shopping (there were so many nice things but sadly I have to save my dollars until I know if I'm going to be retrenched from my job) however I did find and buy two of the above small "Knightly" charms (they are about an inch long and so shiny that the camera didn't manage to capture any details).  I will be sending one each to my two current adopted soldiers :).  [Adoptee the third goes "Mail Stop" on the 15th of July so sadly no more cards or letters or silly gifts can be sent to him from here]

All in all an enjoyable day - my spirits weren't even "dampened" by the icy drizzle that was happening on and off all day.

Pax and July

And enter the month of July...  it is going to prove to be a challenging month indeed!

In the next few weeks I may discover if my job is to be axed or not :(.  Under the new State Government that was recently elected, any positions they consider "non-front-line" are to be reviewed and considered for retrenchment.  This is to reduce the Public Sector workforce by over 20,000 jobs so that the State can start to balance their budget. [I personally support the idea of paying our bills and being in the black but think their method of doing so will prove to have a rebound effect in the long run with 20,000+ (not counting all the temp & contract staff that have lost their positions already) joining the unemployment rolls]

On the Lets-look-on-the-bright-side - I am very good at what I do (financial management/purchasing for Departmental needs) and have a good work ethic, so there is a high probability I can find another job at my level if any are offered. [or perhaps the Powers-that-be actually DO value knowledge and information and might leave some of the Library operating.... I can only hope]

In happier news - I have heard from one of my Adopted Soldiers.  He and his troops are coming home earlier than first expected and I am so very happy for them all.  If you feel inclined - please say a small prayer that they all make it home safely - only one more month to go until they are back on USA soil.

My other two adoptees remain "Silent Soldiers" for now - meaning I have heard nothing from them.  And that's okay - choice of reply/contact is *always* theirs to make.  My Newly adopted Marine is about to receive his very own Water Balloon Launcher so I hope it makes him smile and smile.

And now I am off to sleep - long days at work ahead of me. I am trying to get a project started and hopefully finished before they do any radical changes to my position - plus... can't hurt to look keen can it?

Caffeinated Pax

Wow - that was a quick week. Seemed to fly by, what with the 10 hour working days and then home to go "Flub" in front of the computer.  Very few interesting things on the free-to-air channels either so I have finally organised to get Cable TV installed as of tomorrow.  I am justifying the expense on wanting to watch the Olympics in all it's 8-channel glory. I have even taken some leave from work end of July into August so I can happily watch hours upon hours of really fit people do amazing things.

And then a few weeks after that I will very happily watch the Para Olympics and cheer on all the Aussies and USAian teams. Oh and *this* amazing Japanese sprinter - if she manages to fund her way to attend [Maya Nakanishi - she has released a tastefully done partial-nekked calender to help raise travel costs. ***WARNING - PROBABLY NOT SAFE TO VIEW AT WORK - SOME PARTIAL NUDITY***  The Calender seems to be available only via Amazon.JA (Japan) - HERE]

I had wondered how many of the USA team may be wounded warriors and did a bit of a Google search.  Lovely to see that the U.S. Paralympics website has a whole area dedicated to the Military

And in Caffienation... :D -  I like to send off "Cup of Joe" donations via the Green Bean Coffee group.  With every donation I send (be it $30 for 15 vouchers or $60 for 30) I get to write a short letter - usually thanking the unknown recipient for their service and telling them a little about myself and my country (..."It is Winter here in Australia - which means that up here in Queensland we are all wrapping up in our woolens and moaning how cold it is (which means it is less than 20 degrees Celsius with a wind chill:D - we're a bit thin skinned up here in the sub-tropics [you would probably love it!....")  It isn't the wittiest of writing but sometimes I get the nicest of replies back from those that get my coffee donations. 

If you are looking for something to do for your deployed service people, but aren't sure about how to contact them or what to send - *this* is a wonderful way to start.

And sometimes you make a connection with the Trooper* on the other end.  I have made some of the Best of Friends from ticking the "Yes I am happy to be a penfriend" box whenever I donate more coffee vouchers.

In other troop treating news - Soldiers' Angel store has packs of Girl Scout COOKIES for sale! 9 packets of biscuits (cookies) per parcel.  I have ordered a parcel each for my three adoptees and I hope they will really enjoy them when received.

Later this month I need to arrange a water balloon launcher for Cpl TT (ooh the inner Pax-Joy of sending a watery ballistic "toy" to a Marine to play with - Bwhahahaha!) and possibly more snack or hygiene packs to the other two adoptees.  I try to vary the items so it's always a surprise and occasionally useful :)

Oh and you recall I was Medievally Dreaming last weekend?  Sadly that trip failed to occur.  We had really heavy rain throughout last Saturday night and by Sunday morning things were super soggy and not optimum for travelling.  So next year for sure....  Actually I may even be there as one of the re-en actors by then [need to get a tent first - oh and a bed that is off the ground since my very awful knee problems mean that the less strain on them the better. (yes yes... one day I may bore you with the Ice Skating accident I had when I was 20.... or not... maybe just take it as "Pax was a klutz and caused life long damage to herself) :D]


*I tend to use the word "TROOPER" as a generic military tag since calling Marines Soldiers or Soldiers Marines or Air Force/Navy anything else gets confusing. Plus some of them get a wee bit upset if I get it wrong

Troop Treating

Hello everyone! I am woefully behind on posting reports - sorry about that!  I do have two other posts partially written but just need to sort out my photograph issues before those can "go live" (one of those posts includes photos of the wonderful box of gifts that Coffeypot has sent me)

In the mean time - let's talk about the Perils of receiving Troop Treat parcels from the Mad Australian Lady :D

Adoptee R (airforce - soon to head home again) received a parcel of Aussie sweets (candy) and biscuits (cookies) recently.  I included the infamous Musk Sticks. 

R wrote to me (and has given permission to repost)

The goodie parcel arrived...along with the musk sticks. The guys that I am here with were not part of the 2010 musk life saver experience, so they were very unassuming as I offered them candy from Australia. Many took a bite, stared at me and then asked..."what the Hell is this"? Others took a bite, frowned and disappeared...one guy actually liked them and asked for more...

The best story came from a guy...he is really nice and was very thankful as I offered him a stick in passing. He immediately shoved the entire stick into his mouth and walked into the tent. Well, missing this is totally unacceptable, so I follow, to find him sticking out his tongue and shaking his head. He asked what was that, so I told him. He then said..." I just shoved it in my mouth, I am beginning to regret that". The cookies went pretty fast, but for some reason people don't trust me as much as before. People even went so.far as to sniff the cookies first...AWESOME!!!

Bwhahahahaha!  I adore R and his sense of humour (his awesome wife and he are both Monty Python fans too!)

And G (Army) - who recently received a water balloon launcher and 300 odd water balloons writes about his own adventure....

The water balloon launcher was a hit. It was after I launched one at one of my soldiers (at near point blank range), that I read that the balloons could be launched at up to 80mph. oops

 Hopefully the young soldier is okay - "Opps" indeed :D

So far no communication received from newest adoptee.  Hopefully his shipment of "Summer Sausage" reached him in an edible condition.  His June parcel will have a water balloon launcher of his very own! and with luck he will read the instructions first :D