Council of Melian

Why Wear a Poppy

2009-11-11T16:05:09Z

"Please wear a poppy," the lady said,
And held one forth, but I shook my head,
Then I stopped and watched as she offered them there,
And her face was old and lined with care;

But beneath the scars the years had made
There remained a smile that refused to fade.
A boy came whistling down the street,
Bouncing along on care-free feet.

His smile was full of joy and fun,
"Lady," said he, "may I have one?"
When she'd pinned it on, he turned to say;
"Why do we wear a poppy today?"

The lady smiled in her wistful way
And answered; "This is Remembrance Day.
And the poppy there is a symbol for
The gallant men who died in war.

And because they did, you and I are free -
That's why we wear a poppy, you see.
I had a boy about your size,
With golden hair and big blue eyes.

He loved to play and jump and shout,
Free as a bird, he would race about.
As the years went by, he learned and grew,
And became a man - as you will, too.

He was fine and strong, with a boyish smile,
But he'd seemed with us such a little while
When war broke out and he went away.
I still remember his face that day.

When he smiled at me and said, 'Goodbye,
I'll be back soon, Mum, please don't cry.'
But the war went on and he had to stay,
And all I could do was wait and pray.

His letters told of the awful fight
(I can see it still in my dreams at night),
With the tanks and guns and cruel barbed wire,
And the mines and bullets, the bombs and fire.

Till at last, at last, the war was won -
And that's why we wear a poppy, son."
The small boy turned as if to go,
Then said: "Thanks, lady, I'm glad to know.

I slunk away in a sort of shame,
And if you were me, you'd have done the same:
For our thanks, in giving, if oft delayed,
Though our freedom was bought - and thousands paid!

And so, when we see a poppy worn,
Let us reflect on the burden borne
By those who gave their very all
When asked to answer their country's call
That we at home in peace might live.
Then wear a poppy! Remember - and Give!

by Don Crawford

In Flander's Fields

2009-11-11T15:04:40Z

In Remembrance

In Flander's Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
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.

~ John McCrae

Fred Figglehorn

2009-11-10T21:12:18Z

Warning: Don't drink anything while watching - high pitch screech is unnerving

Basement cat

2009-11-10T03:51:24Z

moar funny pictures

Slumber

2009-11-10T03:35:21Z

moar funny pictures

Frank

2009-11-10T03:20:25Z

moar funny pictures

Snagged from writer_lilies

2009-11-10T02:46:43Z

People Love That You Are Open and Confident

You're the type of person that's easy to get close to. You're very comfortable in your own skin.

You have no problem showing people who you are, and you're genuinely interested in them in return.

You are an accepting and involved friend. You are truly curious about what is going on in other people's lives.

You may be the first in your group of friends to express concern when someone is having a hard time or making bad decisions. It's only because you care so much.

What Do People Love About You?

Blogthings: Cheaper Than a Therapist

20 Little Known Facts About The Human Body (with commentary)

2009-11-10T00:50:21Z

Why would I make comments about these facts? Something compelled me too. I couldn't help myself. Hay, it wouldn't be me, if it wasn't random.

1. A human being loses an average of 40 to 100 strands of hair a day. **Ask my husband, he'll tell it's more than that. I tie my hair back (in a ponytail or braid) and he still manages to come up with a wad of my hair on cleaning day.
2. A cough releases an explosive charge of air that moves at speeds up to 60 mph. **boom!
3. Every time you lick a stamp, you're consuming 1/10 of a calorie. **No calories? What's the point
4. A foetus acquires fingerprints at the age of three months. **That I didn't know.
5. A sneeze can exceed the speed of 100 mph. **sonic-boom
6. Every person has a unique tongue print. ** Really? Let's go as Gene Simmons if this is true.
7. According to German researchers, the risk of heart attack is higher on Monday than any other day of the week. **It's Monday! No bloody wonder people have heart attacks on Mondays.
8. After spending hours working at a computer display, look at a blank piece of white paper. It will probably appear pink. **ooh prudy colours
9. An average human drinks about 16,000 gallons of water in a lifetime. **Anyone want to put out a small forest fire? That or lock the door to the loo?
10. A fingernail or toenail takes about 6 months to grow from base to tip. **Funny, it seems to take forever for mine to grow.
11. An average human scalp has 100,000 hairs. **Look at #1.
12. It takes 17 muscles to smile and 43 to frown. ** Nah it doesn't. Only 2 for each, see - :) :(
13. Babies are born with 300 bones, but by adulthood we have only 206 in our bodies. **I thought it was304 bones? Oh well, shows what I know.
14. Beards are the fastest growing hairs on the human body. If the average man never trimmed his beard, it would grow to nearly 30 feet long in his lifetime. **Aren't beards great - for those who can grow one. I mean really, it's a great place to hid snackage when watching a movie.
15. By age sixty, most people have lost half of their taste buds. By the time you turn 70, your heart will have beat some two-and-a-half billion times (figuring on an average of 70 beats per minute.) **Why wait that long? I've heard some people who are younger than that and have no taste
16. Each square inch of human skin consists of twenty feet of blood vessels. **If you cut them, will they not bleed
17. Every human spent about half an hour as a single cell. ** ~~playing fake trumpets~~ It's a blood platelet? Is it a vein? No, it's Amoeba Man.
18. Every person has a unique tongue print. Every square inch of the human body has an average of 32 million bacteria on it. **Okay… was buddy who thought this one up listening to Jonathan Coulton?
19. Fingernails grow faster than toenails. **again with the nails...
20. Humans shed about 600,000 particles of skin every hour - about 1.5 pounds a year. By 70 years of age, an average person will have lost 105 pounds of skin. **That's almost as bad my response for #'s: 1 & 11

Stolen from myth_adventure

2009-11-09T20:43:54Z

When I snagged this from Mythie, I was having a bit of a 'Gollum-moment' :P Now that I've calmed down a bit (not too much *heh*) I'm able to finish & post. enjoy!

FOODOLOGY

1. What is your salad dressing of choice?
French, Thousand Island, Catalina

2. What is your favourite sit-down restaurant?
Eastside Mario's and The Old Triangle, even though it's been a while since I was last to either.

3. What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?
Lasanga

4. What are your pizza toppings of choice?
Pineapple, Mushroom, extra cheese and bacon.

5. What do you like to put on your toast?
Cream cheese, marmalade and pb&j.

TECHNOLOGY

1. How many televisions are in your house?
three

2. What colour mobile phone do you have?
black and silver

3. How many computers are in your house?
Too many to count - trust me…. I no longer have a dinning room

4. Have any idea how many megahertz your computer has?
You're serious, right? Which ones the laptops or desktops?

BIOLOGY

1. Are you right- or left-handed?
Ambidextrous

2. Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
yep

3. What is the last heavy item you lifted?
parcel that has to sent to my father-in-law.

4. Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
yep, but it wasn't at the hands of another human

BULLCRAPOLOGY

1. If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
nope

2. If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
Most definitely. My list of possible names are far too long to list.

3. Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for £1000?
not for a measly 1000, no

DUMBOLOGY

1. How many pairs of flip flops do you own?
I don't wear flip flops. I don't even wear sandles

2. Last time you had a run-in with the police?
Never

3. Last person you talked to?
Chemist at Shoppers

4. Last person you hugged?
I received hugs from the kids

FAVOURITOLOGY

1. Season?
autumn

2. Holiday?
Halloween

3. Day of the week?
Saturday

4. Month?
October

CURRENTOLOGY

1. Missing someone?
yes

2. Mood?
I'm not moody

3. What are you listening to?
nothing

4. Watching?
Steve Wilkos on youtube

RANDOMOLOGY

1. First place you went this morning?
Downstairs to sweep the front-room floor

2. What's the last movie you saw?
Igor

3. Do you smile often?
Not really

OTHEROLOGY

1. Do you always answer your phone?
Depends on whose calling and when

2. It's 4 in the morning and you get a text message; who is it from?
I don't get text messages, but I have received phone calls that early.

3. If you could change your eye colour, what would it be?
perfectly happy with what I have

4. What flavour do you add to your drink at Sonic?
Don't have a Sonic here.

5. Do you own a digital camera?
yep

6. Have you ever had a pet fish?
at one time or another

7. Favourite Christmas song(s)?
Don't particularly have a favourite

8. What's on your wish list for your birthday?
I don't have a wish list. I don't normally get birthday gifts on my birthday

9. Can you do push ups?
depends. But do I really have too?

10. Can you do a chin up?
my chin is up enough, thank you

11. Does the future make you more nervous or excited?
rather indifferent at the moment

12. Do you have any saved texts?
Only on IM's programmes

13. Ever been in a car wreck?
no

14. Do you have an accent?
people say I do

15. What is the last song to make you cry?
"A Pittance of Time" by Terry Kelly (break out the kleenex, peeps)

16. Plans tonight?
Just online stuff. Packing things for Stickboy

17. Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?
Sometimes.

18. Name three things you bought yesterday:
Cold/Flu meeds for the kids, milk & bus tickets

19. Have you ever been given roses?
yes

20. Current worry?
life, the universe, and other things

21. Current hate right now?
how long have you got?

22. Met someone who changed your life?
I hope so....

23. How will bring the new year?
like I did this year

24. What song represents you?
Can't really say

25. Name three people who might complete this:
*shrugs*

26. Would you go back in time if you were given the chance?
yep

27. Have you ever dated someone longer than a year?
I had an ex who was about 2 years younger, but that was during high school

28. Does someone love you?
I hope so

29. Ever had someone sing to you?
yes

30. When did you last cry?
I don't recall

31. Do you like to cuddle?
yes

32. Have you held hands with anyone today?
no

33. Are most of the friends in your life new or old?
new

34. Do you like pulpy orange juice?
not really

35. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Almost anywhere

Namárie mellyn nín

2009-11-08T07:14:15Z

This really should go under the subject line of 'Random babbles', but it's past my bedtime.

I can't sleep. It's not for the lack of trying. I just can't fall asleep :P

Shortly before making this entry, I went upstairs to checked on the human cocoons - they're snoring *heh* I just hope I won't be overtired for the Deployment Zone activities tomorrow.

Anywhoo.... I had typed out this long-ass entry about my week - the kids are doing fine in school, I'm doing a little better on the treadmill, other random stuff like when I was at Guides Thursday night. The fact that no one has been sick with either H1N1 or the regular flu, though there's still a long waiting list for the shot *rab* But somewhere along the line technology ate my post.

I had mentioned to the other Guider (in my new unit) that there are more than likely some Thursday nights that I'm not going to be able to attend; there are Ship's Network meetings (mini discussion group on activities that the families left behind can do while the ship's away), if Stickboy happens to call home - definitely don't want to miss that especially since the calls are very limited to begin with. Not to mention, I or the kids don't want to be sitting in the house doing nothing for the next 6 months.

When I happened to mention the possibilities of phone calls, she told me to tell Stickboy that I'm to tell him to call home when it's a little more convenient. Convenient for whom? Her? Yeah... I don't think so. I looked at her rather funny then explained, "The ship's compliment is something like 245 personnel, and everyone's vying for the use of the phone and at 10 mins (per person) that not a whole lot of time to talk - it's long enough to say 'I love you, the kids are driving me insane and it's snowing' and with the kids they'd want to talk with Dad, etc... if you get my drift. Her sister isn't too swift either. I know I've had my moments of unclarity, but this chick takes the cake. *facepalm* Her ol' man was taken off the Freddy for "so-called medical reasons" and "sent the Fleet School because it would be too much of a hardship for his family if he went" - her words, not mine. WTF?!? I still feel like telling her to grow up and grow a pair. She knew what she was getting into when she married. *shakes head*

(Back to Guides & the parents) Funny thing, when I happened to mention to the parents that if during this deployment, that a meeting was shortened by say 10-15 minutes, would they have a problem. I had one father ask why and I told him since I have no need to lie nor did I go into great detail, his reply blew the other leader away. He said, "Lady, if my wife was gone for as long as your husband and his co-workers, I'd rather be home sitting by the phone waiting for the call. It wouldn't even matter if the call came in the middle of the night." Come to think about it, the rest of the parents agreed with him.

Anywhoo.. before I head up for the night ...er morning. I want to say, *slaps self in case of really bad translation* Danke myth_adventure. Sie sind eine Puppe. Ich bekam Ihr Paket spät gestern.

Sweet dreams all

Christopher Walken

2009-11-07T22:24:43Z

Mini update.

2009-11-07T20:54:03Z

I've been telling myself that I'm going to be on LJ more, but by the time I decide I'm going to make an entry I'm falling asleep at the desk.

Well... a longer entry will have to wait until later. I must attend to the feeding frenzy. Okay, I realize that that last sentence doesn't make sense, but it's been one weeks.

Random gift

2009-11-07T06:43:07Z

Someone sent rurokenlover this and she sent it to me XD. And of course, I'm sharing it with all of you XD XD

Oh the weather outside is....

2009-11-06T12:50:04Z

Okay. Who's bright idea was it to order snow?! o_O Then it's not just snow, it's a snow/rain mix *shakes snowy glow*

Apparently, we're being hit with a Nor'easter today. One of the places that will see the brunt of it will be Cape Breton, the it's NL's (Newfoundland/Labrador) tomorrow.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to re-shovel the steps and front walk.

Remember Remember the Fifth of November

2009-11-05T18:57:50Z

Remember, remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, 'twas his intent
To blow up the King and the Parliament
Three score barrels of powder below
Poor old England to overthrow
By God's providence he was catched
With a dark lantern and burning match
Holloa boys, holloa boys
God save the King!
Hip hip hooray!
Hip hip hooray!

A penny loaf to feed ol' Pope
A farthing cheese to choke him
A pint of beer to rinse it down
A faggot of sticks to burn him
Burn him in a tub of tar
Burn him like a blazing star
Burn his body from his head
Then we'll say ol' Pope is dead.
Hip hip hooray!
Hip hip hooray!

Crossover fic

2009-11-05T05:54:58Z

Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining Pulp Fiction and Teletubbies.
The story should use bondage as a plot device!

Generated by the Terrible Crossover Fanfiction Idea Generator

Oh dear elbereth, give me strength

2009-11-04T13:26:00Z

I've contacted the school, about transferring rurokenlover to a much closer school. Unfortunately and to much confusion to quite a number of people (myself included), the preferred school strangely enough is considered out of area - yet it's about 15 minutes away, whereas the one she attends is nearly 50 minutes away. Why a school that is somewhat closer is considered out of area boggles he mind, but it has to do with school/house location boundaries. *wants to bitch slap MLA's (city councillors) with a cold wet fish*

Anywhoo......

The person on the other end couldn't understand a simple request.

Me: "Good morning, I'd like to make an appointment with the principal, please. At her earliest convenience could you please call back with a time.”
Voice on phone: “Well, you’ll have to call to make an appointment to see the principal.”
Me: "Thank you, here is my #. Goodbye"

*facepalm* I've got this nagging feeling it's going to be one of THOSE days.

*pokes Stickboy in case he's reading this* Don't be surprised if you get an email from the school's principal.

**Update**

update: I have an appointment.*oooooh spoooky* I'll be going with a calm attitude, but if she gives me a hard time, ball's outta her court.

My week with the kids...so far

2009-11-03T03:30:51Z

This is bit of a rant/vent post as much as an update

Well, I went to school this afternoon for Willy's IPP (individual program plan) meeting - some might recognize it as an IEP (Individualized Education Program). Anywhoo.. some of the people at the meeting were helpful, but I still got the feeling that ones like the principal and the lead learning Ctr teacher don't think I have a clue when it comes to the boy's strengths and weakness. Though the person from the school board has been very helpful and knows that if there's something I don't like (in their planning) I will speak my mind. Overall, the meeting went smooth and will be forwarding me a draft recommendations of the boy's next set of expectations.

Than I went to see Sharon's teacher next. She's doing well academically, but with Stickboy away she's missing him and the less-than-wonderful kids in her class know this and are trying to take advantage - or so they think. The teacher, has been getting on their cases and has been working with Sharon to help get over her frustrations. While listening to him, I had mentioned that whenever she gets upset she normally draws to help vent. I had suggested that I get her a notepad/journal so she can write down what's bothering her instead of getting upset in class. He liked the idea and didn't see any problem with her having a book to help with her stresses. Earlier this evening, I had given her a journal to write in which has her name inside as well this inscribed on the inside of the front cover:

Sand and Stone

A story tells that two friends were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand: "TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE."

They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one, who had been slapped, got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him. After the friend recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone: "TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE."

The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone, why?"

The other friend replied: "When someone hurts us, we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it."

LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND, AND TO CARVE YOUR BENEFITS IN STONE.

....when she read it she started to cry then she replied,

"Is this book the sand or the stone?"

I told her it was both. She was to write the things that bothered her and made her happy.

As for Katlynn, I asked her to get a out of area transfer application from the office. I want her out of that prison that she's attending now. Actually, I'm not the only one, her father before leaving asked me when I was getting her out of there. Bad enough there are video cameras in all the junior high classrooms, and having to be buzzed in and out of the school, a number of students making it hard to learn anything b/c the (substitute) teacher couldn't be bothered to do something about the disruption (even with speaking to her) but the last straw (for me) is about 12 days ago (in the news) it was reported that a staff member (the night custodian) has been placed on leave after sexual assault allegations came to light. This of course is aside from my concerns about travelling to and from school, etc... (there are a number of other concerns, but I don't want to bore anyone).

?

2009-11-02T06:04:06Z

You Are a Question Mark

You seek knowledge and insight in every form possible. You love learning.

And while you know a lot, you don't act like a know it all. You're open to learning you're wrong.

You ask a lot of questions, collect a lot of data, and always dig deep to find out more.

You're naturally curious and inquisitive. You jump to ask a question when the opportunity arises.

Your friends see you as interesting, insightful, and thought provoking.

(But they're not always up for the intense inquisitions that you love!)

You excel in: Higher education

You get along best with: The Comma

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

Blogthings: Take a Quiz. Annoy Your Friends.

Mini update

2009-11-02T00:52:06Z

Thanks dawna for the lil ghost XD

Welcome knd79 and meghan723 to my ~~insanity~~ journal.

All done until next year.

2009-11-01T04:29:09Z

Well another Halloween has come and gone. The kids did fairly well with their treats only 2 black grocery bags of chips and another one and a half with gum, chocolate (bars, etc) and misc candies, which all and all that's only one bag of chips down from last year but still a good haul overall. Dad came over and helped out, so instead of dishing out he stay at my place while I took Sharon and Willy around the block.

They probably could've done a little more if they wanted too, but it was rather warm for them and they wanted to help dish out. So after we arrived back home, I put their candies aside Dad and I sat back as the kids dished out to the treaters.

Katlynn and her friends Katie and Nicole canvassed a little more of the neighbourhood while collecting a little more for her brother and sister.

Under the cut are pictures that were taken yesterday (there was a Halloween party at the MFRC)and this evening.

Van Dieman's Land or Bust

VAn Dieman's Land of Bust (2) - this one has better lighting

Mini group shot. There were something like 12 ladies there ealier, but we we're all that was left. (Halloween Party @ HRMFRC)

Kangaroo Willy

Kangaroo Willy and Kat

As one of the Outsiders - Tony if I'm mistaken

As one of the Outsiders - Tony if I'm mistaken

A vampire bride-to-be (before make-up)

A vampire bride-to-be (with make-up)

Willy the kangaroo

Sharon and Willy after getting home with their loot

Nicole (a friend)

Katie (a friend)

Under the Party Tree for November

2009-10-28T23:36:26Z

scots_fic
addmenowdamnit
useless_facts
xsyntrik
janetweiss69
alovelygirl
unusualthing
answers_for_all
gangrel_pri
flytoheaven
wicked_swann
random_yayness
doctorwho
graphic_yayness
muskrat_john
rq_awesome_club
writer_lilies
underdark_icons
blueberriepie

...anyone else I missed and who's bday isn't listed.

For myth_adventure

2009-10-28T23:08:37Z

Sorry if my translation might be a little off (it's been a while)

Glücklicher Geburtstag zu Ihnen
Glücklicher Geburtstag zu Ihnen
Glücklicher Geburtstag Lieb (Mythie)
Glücklicher Geburtstag zu Ihnen.

Von guten Freunden und wahr,
Von alten Freunden und neu,
Glück im Mai geht mit Ihnen,
Und Glück auch.

Operation Saiph

2009-10-28T01:48:03Z

I've started a Facebook group Operation Saiph after the current deployment. I'm trying model it after the former MSN group for Operation Apollo. So if you're interested and want to show your support, feel free to join.

The group's intention is to give support to the spouses, family and friends of HMCS Frederiction during their recent deployment. A place to keep in touch or get to know some new people. We all come from different backgrounds, different places, & share different experiences; these may be able to benefit other military spouses. This is a place where the wives can exchange ideas, opinions about Military life, deployments, bases, our husbands/wives careers, pay & benefits, & what homecoming is going to be like! ;)

This group is RANK FREE, especially since one of the definitions of rank is - Strong and offensive in odour or flavour!! Also, OPSEC will be observed. I do not want to change the group's status from open to either Closed or secret or worse case scenario - deleting it completely.

I Am A Military Wife

2009-10-27T14:54:39Z

I am a military wife - a member of that sisterhood of women who have had the courage to watch their men go into battle, and the strength to survive until their return. Our sorority knows no rank, for we earn our membership with a marriage license, travelling over miles, or over nations to begin a new life with our military husbands. Within days, we turn a barren, echoing building into a home, and though our quarters are inevitably white-walled and unpapered, we decorate with the treasures of our travels, for we shop the markets of the globe.

Using hammer and nail, we tack our pictures to the wall, and our roots to the floor as firmly as if we had lived there for a lifetime. We hold a family together by the bootstraps, and raise the best of 'brats', instilling in them the motto: "Home is togetherness", whether motel, or guest house, apartment or duplex. As military wives we soon realize that the only good in "Good-bye" is the "Hello again". For as salesmen for freedom, our husbands are often on the road, at sea, or in the sky, leaving us behind for a week, a month, an assignment.

During separations we guard the home front, existing until the homecoming. Unlike our civilian counterparts, we measure time, not by years, but by tours - married at Petawawa, a baby born at Gagetown, a special anniversary at Uplands, a promotion in St Jean. We plant trees, and never see them grow tall, work on projects completed long after our departure, and enhance our community for the betterment of those who come after us.

We leave a part of ourselves at every stop. Through experience, we have learned to pack a suitcase, a car or hold baggage, and live indefinitely from the contents within: and though our fingers are sore from the patches we have sewn, and the silver we have shined, our hands are always ready to help those around us. Women of peace, we pray for a world in harmony, for the flag that leads our men into battle, will also blanket them in death.

Yet we are an optimistic group, thinking of the good, and forgetting the bad, cherishing yesterday, while anticipating tomorrow. Never rich by monetary standards, our hearts are overflowing with a wealth of experiences common only to those united by the special tradition of military life. We pass on this legacy to every military bride, welcoming her with outstretched arms, with love and friendship, from one sister to another, sharing in the bounty of our unique, fulfilling military way of life.

~ Author Unknown