Merry Merry May

http://marionsmeepings.blogspot.com/2010/05/merry-merry-may.html

Hmm... I suspect my joyful mood is more to do with my having the next two weeks off on recreation leave from work (sloth... indulgence.. computer time... reading more romance & Sci-fi books than can possibly be good for me! Trying to finally get over the last of the Whooping cough - Bonus!) than actually thinking May is that Merry.  It is Autumn over here (that would be "Fall" for you all wot speak USAian ;) ).  Our native trees don't shed leaves in autumn - actually some of them wait for summer and then shed their bark instead (I have mentioned we are a weird weird country - yes?)

I've also got a birthday tucked in to there too (I prefer not to deal with my insincere workmates well-wishes for the day so habitually take it off)  And no... so not telling you my exact age (just that my mental age is about 25 and holding). 

Things I have been up to lately. 

Am still sending letters & the occasional parcel off to my two current military adoptee's - although I think I've lost the plot a little on some of the goodies sent (I really should stop trying to organise it all at 2am on a work night - I'm sure I've ended up mixing up who got what again). Mostly it's munchies and/or fun stuff - I should probably check my online receipts to work out who I shipped the paper aeroplane making kit off to (I'm sure I was thinking "really funny to send to air force guy" and then it's gone of the artillery chap instead. Never mind - I'm sure either of them will find it fun or pass it along if they don't. And I'll make sure when I send the table top catapult it goes to the right one)  I've been over-sending things to the A.F one since he's only there for another few months - figure I'll concentrate my usual 6 to 8 months worth of madness into the short time I've got him.  Artillery Chap still running on silent - I'm just hoping he's not super religious and/or missing the humour of things (the ninja versus ninja game might have tipped him on my oddities at least)

Have picked up a couple of "randoms" to indulge too.

These one's constitute my RAK's for the month (Random Attacks of Kindness - Sending treats out into the wilds and not expecting anything in return other than that warm inner feeling that somewhere, someone is about to feel that they are cared about).

* one is the former team mate of one of my first soldiers adopted through Soldiers' Angels.  Box of treats should reach him in another week or so - included in there are a packet of Musk Lifesavers which I've teased him about (he seems to think I'm joking since why would *anyone* ever eat such a weird flavour. I'm really hoping he'll document the taste experience with shot-by-shot photos. If he does I'll see if he is okay to share them with you all)

 * one parcel of munchies (and as usual a Tinned marsupial*) sent to first of the groups listed at USMC81's website.  I'll get to 2nd & 3rd listed after next payday (must pay bills & mortgage first and be responsible.. sigh.. winning the lottery would be a treat - then I could indulge all the guys to something really special and not worry about counting the costs).  Tried to send emails to all three of them to make sure they don't mind receiving weird Aussie items but no reply received (They are no doubt in the thick of things so I'll just send stuff off and hope it makes them smile just a little bit)

*And I've just found this really great treating system via Soldiers' Angels facebook page - Green Beans Coffees have a "Cup of Joe for a Joe" system where you can donate a small amount and they give free cups of coffee to serving military.  Since I am so caffeine dependent myself (cola mostly) I think this is fantastic [Pax's definition of the four major needs of humanity - oxygen, sustenance, shelter & caffeine]

It's also amazing who tunes into my online ramblings - after my post on the 22nd of April I received communications from the team over at Soldiers' Angels, including the boss who sent me a very nice note and asked for my contact address. I'm still a bit gob-smacked that she took the time from her very busy life to say Hello (actually I had a "OOOHH - spotted by the boss" feeling and gibbered a bit before sending what I hope was a coherent answer back).  Good hearted people like her (and my friend Miss Vicki) are the reason I got involved in the Troop Treating to start with  - I'd like to think I can make a difference, be it ever so small, in someone's life - and to cause smiles on the face of those in hard places.

Pax over & out (and off to be indolent for a few days)

It's a toy - HONEST!! Not tinned koala meat for munchies!

ANZAC Memories

http://marionsmeepings.blogspot.com/2010/04/anzac-memories.html

My Great Grandad - Henry Wheeler - survived Gallipoli yet fell on the Western front 2 years later.

One of his friends - Lieut. Wally Thom - survived the war.
I don't have any of Great Grandad's momentos to remember him by however Great Uncle Wally left a few treasured items.

The menu booklet - if you can read the details - is for the FIRST annual Anzac Dinner - held in Serapeum (near the Suez Canel) on the 25th of April 1916.  Australian Imperial Force - 50th Infantry Battalion & 13th Infantry Brigade.

[edited to omit personal family information my mum wasn't happy to see included]

Lest we forget - ANZAC Day 2010

http://marionsmeepings.blogspot.com/2010/04/lest-we-forget-anzac-day-2010.html

In Flanders fields the poppies grow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, 3rd May 1915

ANZAC Day 2010

They shall grow not 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 (1869–1943)

Mil-Support - can you spare the time to help?

blogged at - http://marionsmeepings.blogspot.com/2010/04/mil-support-can-you-spare-time-to-help.html

You will all know by now that I'm a wee bit involved in sending munchies & treats to the USA troops in the Middle East.  If you've ever wondered how it feels to reach out and touch someone, but aren't sure you want to commit to an organised group such as Soldier's Angels then here is your chance.

Two of the Blogs I follow have requested assistance for troop support -

Care parcels required for Afghanistan troops - see the information at http://usmc81.blogspot.com/2010/04/in-country-contacts-for-care-packages.html
[some of these people are due to return home this year - one group is there until 2011 - casual parcel sending would no doubt be welcomed. Email the contacts to find out what they most need]

And Adoption of some MP's required - see the information at http://www.thestrengthbehindthestrong.com/home/airborne-help-us-adopt-50-single-soldiers-who-are-heading-to.html (about 20 or so left to be adopted)
[this is a new deployment - you will be assigned one person and will be encouraged to send letters & parcels regularly over the next year. Contact Christine via email and offer your help]

Warm fuzzy photo...

http://marionsmeepings.blogspot.com/2010/04/warm-fuzzy-photo.html

I just had to share this (it's okay - he said I could)

This is N - he is one of my online buddies who usually manages to make me smile even on my really bad days. 

See his totally Leet soccer skills! :)

Sunday Pax update

I'm not quite sure how it got to be half-way through April already - definitely had a blink-and-missed-it time of it so far. 

Health wise - just enduring the lasting effects of Whooping cough here. B's into his 6th or 7th week and his coughing attacks are still going strong. He's not had any further blackouts (so far) which is a good thing since it looks to be my turn for the 'aving-funny-turns drama [Friday early morning saw me kissing the carpet - I decided at that point that staying home immobilised in bed would reduce my chances of a spectacularly lurid public turn*].  B just kind of patted me on the shoulder and departed off to work - really great how we have that mutual worry/love/support thing going on :(.

*I have found peace with the concept that my life is an unwitting sit-com for the universe. Just wish I could reap the advertising revenue...



Career wise - our main library is still under-going the refit after the water damage in February. The Powers that be have decided (in their infinite wisdom and nurturing kindness) to take the opportunity to not only downsize our collection and services, but also the staffing levels. We've lost one position already; another staff member is off on secondment to the Health Department and more are set to be released as and when they can justify the culling. Once the main library is reopened they are scuttling the branch one (where we are currently huddled - attempting to continue supplying the information needs of a state wide organisation). So far I'm not in the line of fire (technical staff do a wider range of tasks at a higher level of applied learning so they can't really function without us) however I'm now taking on even more work (equivilant of 2.5 positions) and I'm not winning any friends with my being stupidly ill. 

Milsupport wise - actually this keeps me sane and happy. Reaching out to a stranger in a far land might seem a weird hobby to have but I find myself happier after writing (hopefully) amusing letters & cards to the guys (after all - can't bore them with the mundanity of work & family dramas - so you find yourself seeking the silver-lining and funny events in the day to recount).  I worry about J - he's the first adoptee I've had that I haven't heard from. At least I comfort myself with the knowledge that so long as none of my mail gets returned that he's going okay over there.  Adoptee #2 - R - seems to be going okay, we share a couple of interests (monty python for one) so it's much easier to send him really silly things to keep him smiling [I've just exposed his team to Top Gear much to the delight of a few of his guys that have seen it before. Possibly not as much fun to an American as NASCAR but easier for me to work out which to send].  And I should be receiving word in a few weeks if I'm still okay to adopt an MP - and yes.. exposing poor unsuspecting Americans to weird Aussie cuisine and items *is* lots of fun (Bwhahaha!).

Can you help?

Todd Nicely is a wounded American Marine - his wounds are quite servere and his family are hoping that receiving cards from well wishes will give him a little joy.

So if you can spare the time and a postage stamp - would you please send a card or a postcard to him? (his mailing information is in the link above)

Pax

Blogged at http://marionsmeepings.blogspot.com/2010/04/can-you-help.html