Ahem, what I was TRYING to say is that I'm sure they'll all get a rich spiritual blessing from the lessons we'll learn tomorrow from God's Book of Nature, as well as His Holy Bible, and will be diligent and quiet and studiously interested in the things dear Noah (that would be ME!) is attempting to teach them...always bearing in mind that the fun Noah, the laughing Noah, the finding us exciting things to do Noah, is a mere half-step away from the Marine Drill Sgt. Noah that emerges, alien-like, from her stomach when the troops get rowdy.

I'm sure they'll be just charming. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Or dead. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> Life IS all about choices, you know...

t&l

My poor tummy is still unhappy. I was carsick the whole trip to town, but when AJ made supper it smelled so good I decided it would be worth it even if I threw it up.

I'm almost entirely sure I won't throw it up, but it is not sitting well anyway.

What better place to recuperate than at the computer? The screen sends out soothing rays that quiet the most fretful invalid, you know. You didn't? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> I thought everyone knew that.

My info arrived today for how to get set up with Amazon Shorts. I can hardly wait, even though it sounds like a tropical summerwear line. "And with your Amazon Shorts, you can combine the Amazon Shirt with optional Jacket, but order now and we will throw in the Amazon Swimming Suit a-n-d the Amazon Terry Cloth Towel . . . for free!"

Off to bed. It's a good thing I only had one baby can of Coke this afternoon.

It has been very cute, I've been sitting on the bed with the laptop, and several times AJ woke up just enough to pat (flail) around and make sure I was there, and now he is curled so closely around me with his whole body, that I can hardly type. I'm probably going to have to sleep on his side of the bed, since he's scooted me almost to the edge of mine.

Cute little Diarrhea Elizablatt seems to have turned into Pukey Elizabarf, doesn't she. She promises me she's not pregnant again. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> But she's sure been queasy a lot lately... <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

t&l

Marines at Haditha

Believer, maybe it will turn out OK for your Camp Pendleton friends after all. In the end...

t&l

There, see Believer, just knew there was more to the story than you read or see in the media. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
What happened to presenting a fair and even report?

lets hope all are cleared and that nothing did happen as was alledged. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

AW is off colour as well TL. Very seedy looking and says her sinuses are driving her crazy. Aussie also had a bad night and AW said he was mumbling and muttering all night when he wasn't snoring !!

She went to bed very early after picking at food all day, eating a bit and then bringing it back up most times. Whats with tomato is what I ask? I mean if it made me sick I would stop eating it.
Right now Aussie is watching footy replays and oblivious to all - he'll be a sleep in the chair in the morning & whinge about feeling like a pretzel <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Not exactly the life of the party here tonight but its apparently a lot quieter <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

just for the record Grumpy is working on a Sat night because - well he can I suppose! Who am I to question the man of the house after all <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

1st Marine Speaks Out Regarding Haditha


War is an ugly thing, in any time, for any generation. I know NO ONE in my generation that was not affected, in one way or another, to some extent (however small), by Viet Nam. But from my perspective, this war is different from the ones which have gone before. There is a savagery on the part of the enemy that is unmatched, I think, in any modern conflict...and goodness knows, the Japanese during WWII (for just one example) were brutal enough, and this brutality was not only condoned, but encouraged.

Here, it seems to me, the callous disregard for life has been ratcheted up exponentially, and Haditha was a hotbed of this philosophy. Beheadings and hangings were almost every day events, with filming done of them, and video reproductions passed out to the populace...both for entertainment and for the instilling of fear in the minds of anyone who might consider crossing the will of the terrorists in de facto control of the town. In the safety of our American (or Australian, or European, or whatever) homes and cities, we can have no idea of what it actually would mean to reside in a place where our very lives are held as cheaply as we would value the fly buzzing around our heads. THWACK!!

I heard recently that the Nicholas Berg decapitation video, which decapitation was performed personally by the recently-deceased al-Zarqawi, lasted for 7 minutes! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Neak's husband says you can see it on Michael Savage's website. Personally, I think I'll pass. I do not think it at all beyond the possibility that terrorists would kill a bunch of civilians, then concoct a story to place blame on the soldiers for unprovoked atrocities. Not in this case, because, as the article states, the soldier in charge of the mission has admitted that the Marines were responsible for the civilian deaths, while denying that they were deliberately targeted, or that the incident was covered up.

Ordinarily, I diligently avoid political and religious discussions. It seems to me that they tend to shed a lot of heat but very little light, and when they're all done, not only has nobody changed their minds but now they're angry, too. Even now, having stuck a toe into this mess of conflicting opinions, I'm not interested in a squabble with anyone. But I feel I must state my believe that a Christian, while feeling sorrow for the evil and pain that is in the world, should never be surprised by any of this, since it was clearly foretold by Jesus Himself, as a sign and a warning that His second coming is near. And it will only get worse as that day approaches. Personal, inner peace is always available on an individual basis to the believer in Christ. Collectively, however, true world peace, while a worthy goal, is (according to the Bible) an unattainable state here on this side of eternity.

Nobody has to believe what the Bible says, of course. But if you do believe, you should consider 1 Thessalonians 5:3, a text set specifically in a passage considering the second coming of Jesus. It says, "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." From all over globe today you can hear, in the call for "Peace, peace," the fulfillment of the first part of this text. When men, through their conquering wars, negotiated settlements, treaties, and "binding" agreements come to the point where they say at last, "We have done it. We are safe," according to the Bible, sudden destruction (Jesus' return) is at the door. Fellow Christian, keep that in mind as you follow the news and read about the continuing human efforts to bring peace to this troubled planet.

"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads: for your redemption draweth nigh." (Luke 21:28)

t&l

Last night I fell asleep on the couch while knitting a baby blanket for a couple at church. I awoke at 10:15 this morning - not in time to run the powerpoint for our 10 a.m. worship service at church.

Then, I was going to take D to see 'A Prairie Home Companion' movie around 2 p.m. this afternoon. Decision was reached at about 1:15. The next showing in town is at 4:oo this afternoon. The schedule is not doing so well. Anyone want to go outside w/ me and pull poison ivy?

I hear you.

Glad I met you, at least on the internet, too <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Amen

SS

Where is the verse...'My grace is sufficient'? I gotta go to work....Haven't loaded my Bible software on this computer...that's on my infinite list of things to do.

Morning to all the neak & tl family - that includes all posters too of course - I do hope you had a good weekend <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

the weekend was reasonable peaceful here with Michael being the noisiest little devil of the whole crowd. It would appear that he has found out that the voice box is a tool for making noise and is quite happily testing it out. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />
I remember encouraging AW to speak when a baby - well she thought about it and decided she wouldn't right then - and then when she FINALLY decided she would utter words - well I spent the next 17 years telling her to shut up! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> oh goodness did I type that ?? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

of course now we are back to encouraging her to talk <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

oh well such is parenthood <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

TL I'm not knowledgeable enough to argue one way or the other on when or how our Lord will come – his time is not our time and God has his way of doing things no matter what we think or desire.
I feel myself what is important is to live your life as if our Lord is coming tomorrow, at least try to and ask forgiveness when you – as we say in OZ - bugger up. Because we all seem to at times. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />


Like you tl I find the Vietnam war has affected all of my generation in some way. Many know and live with those who fought in it and conversely know those who fought against it.
All war is brutal and I’m not sure this war is especially brutal just that for the first time, WE at home are seeing the very dirty results of it live or by video and can see what our soldiers probably see every day. It started in Vietnam and technology has now allowed us to get inside the vehicles, to wear the helmet that our soldiers wear. Is that good?
Truthfully I’m not sure it is. I feel the danger is that we could become so blasé about such violence that we may become the very thing we are trying to stop – totally unfeeling about the lives of others. War twists your values and emotions and frankly I’ve enough of that at home without watching it elsewhere.

Today was very interesting talking about getting used to such wars and losses. I attended a memorial service with AW at the SAS barracks for the 10 members of Company A killed while in service. How horrible for their families it just cuts like a knife to see the children.
Serving and former members of the ADF joined the families of those killed to pray and remember mates. Very sad and I admit to crying. I truly understand AW’s inability to remain unaffected by the Military ceremony. She hates it. Like my daughter I feel I would not be able to handle many of these. Very avoiding I know. How agonzing it must be to be the wife, mother, father, child of the slain.

A chaplain who was in a follow on Blackhawk told a story of how he held a sergeant in his final moments and all he was worried about was his mates, his wife and his family and asked that his wife forgive him for not coming back . I had tears pouring down my face and thanked God for Grumpy even as he is and Aussie the same.
I saw grown tough war hardened men cry and thought what have we - this country - done to such men.
Though I have not said it to AW I do not think Aussie could give it up even if you told him he was going be killed. They just don’t think that way it appears. But one hopes and prays and knows nothing is beyond our Lord.

"Only the Dead Have Seen the End of War" –Plato
- how sad that after nearly 2500 years we have not found a better way – but yet what do you do when people like Hitler arise? Let them win? I could never agree to that peace at any price.

I suppose that like AW and the countless women before her we will have to let our men go to war and wait for good news. But we don’t have to pretend we like it.

Oh goodness lets talk about ------ COOKING instead that’s pleasant & can be yummy. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

APPLE & CELERY SOUP with blue cheese & chive toasties

Serves 4 takes about 20 minutes o prepare and another 25 to cook.

Ingredients
----------------------------------------------------
SOUP

1 small Head of fresh celery roughly chopped about 3 1/2 cups
1 oz Butter
4 cups Vegetable Stock
1 medium Brown Onion, peeled and diced
2 medium potatoes finely chopped
2 Cloves of garlic
2 tea spoons ground ginger
4 medium apples peeled
Salt and milled pepper

TOASTIES
mild Blue Cheese about 3 1/2 oz
finely chopped chives – 1 cup
8 slices large wholemeal bread crusts removed boys so don’t complain
2 oz butter
2 bacon rashes finely chopped if you want meat

Method

SOUP

Melt butter in a large pan.

Add onion & garlic and cook, stirring until onion is soft.

Add potatoes, celery, apples and ground ginger

Cook, stirring, for a further 5 minutes

Add vegetable stock & bring to boil.

Simmer covered for about 15 min or until vegetables are tender

Remove from heat

Season with salt & pepper

Allow soup to cool slightly then in the blender in batches until the soup is smooth

Return to pan and reheat until soup is hot & ready to serve.

Now the toasties – you can actually add bacon to these for the meat eaters who won’t do without but its up to you.

TOASTIES

Melt butter in a large frying pan

Add spring onions & bacon & cook until bacon is lightly browned or spring onions are soft if you are not using bacon – don’t burn them or brown them too much

Spread blue cheese over 4 slices

Divide bacon/spring onion mix over cheese & place remaining bread over the 4 slices like a sandwich.

Melt extra butter in the same pan

Add the sandwiches and cook until brown in both sides & cheese is slightly melted

Cut the slices into 4 triangles each just like you do for the kids – or men hehehehe

Garnish soup with some more blue cheese and 4 toasties each and then dig in. Its yum

Hey AW, sounds that soup sounds yummy, it's extremely cold here so soup weather! AND I have half a slice of blue cheese in the fridge looking to be used <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

My only doubt is what kind of apple?

Where is Eve - she might know.

That was fast. 3.5 hours to the second page.

Something odd has come over me. Yesterday, religion. Today, politics!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

I'm not trying to start a fight, a discussion, or a meeting of minds. I'm just stating my own opinion. In passing... While I don't agree with everything he does, I like George Bush. Generally. I don't usually like snarky jokes about him. But this one made me laugh out loud. And it's made me laugh again every time I've read it since the first time earlier today, when a friend from work sent it to me.

Donald Rumsfeld is briefing George Bush in the Oval Office.

"Oh, and finally, sir, three Brazilian soldiers were killed in Iraq today.

Bush goes pale, his jaw hanging open in stunned disbelief. He buries his face in his hands, muttering, "My God ... My God."

"Mr. President," says Cheney, "we lose soldiers all the time, and it's terrible. But I've never seen you so upset. What's the matter?"


Bush looks up and says ...

"How many is in a Brazilian?" <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

t&l

Thank you, cc46 and SS. I would never, ever have wished upon my daughter (or anybody) the events of the past year. I wish her husband had never had an affair. I wish she had never been hurt. I wish the baby hadn't died. I wish. I wish. I wish.

And yet, since these things--and more--all DID happen, I will never stop being thankful for the people we have met because events drove us to this board, for the interesting friendships that have been formed, and for knowledge and insights that we would have been unlikely to have gained any other way. Thank you to you all--each one who has contributed and participated in this journey through treacherous and uncharted territory. You have been, and are, valuable to us all in ways you don't even begin to know.

t&l

2 Corinthians 12:9

Me, neither. That's why we're lucky the Bible is so clear on not only how, but when He will return. Although it teaches that no man knows the day or the hour, it also explicitly states that we can know the signs of its approach, and what they are...which are quite a bit like reading the current issue of Newsweek, Time, or your local paper, when you come right down to it.

However, I don't argue religion. Should our opinions differ on some Bible topic, your opinion is as good as mine, which is as good as anybody else's...and no opinion matters, really, except what God has said in His Holy Word. Our church believes that the Bible should be allowed to interpret itself, and that neither human opinion nor tradition is an authoritative part of this process. So I don't expect anybody to be taking anything I say, or personally think, as something of any greater validity than the next guy's. There is a higher Authority than us all, and if I am wise (Not always, unfortunately! Not even necessarily OFTEN!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />) I will submit to it in faith, whether I understand or not. I'm not so hot on faith, in the absence of understanding, I'm ashamed to admit. It's an uphill climb for me, and some days the mountain top seems impossibly high, too! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

t&l

So we were dull today. Nobody can be fascinating every single moment, after all! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

t&l