In Training

Jack Army Must Read

"Yesterday I experienced something I didn't think I ever would, but knew was a possibility"

I've been reading Jack Army for a long time, this post really hit me.

I'm gonna have a visitor!

My first one, and it's my Dad! 

All I had to do was come down with a nasty long-lasting viral infection on top of some other very stressful situations in a foreign country while my significant other is off being soldier!  If only I'd known...

He's flying in today to make sure I'm okay and take care of me if needed.  Staying two weeks, too!  Which means he'll be here for my birthday which I was originally going to spend at work, and then alone. My Mom very unfortunately couldn't come because of work, but maybe she'll come later this year. I would really love that.

Yay!

Back to Back Championships!!

Go Cats! Go Cats! Go Cats!

The Arizona Women's softball team has beat the Tennessee Lady Vols to win back to back National Championships!  For the third time!

That makes EIGHT national championships since 1991!

Can't believe I missed it, but I know my Dad & Mom were watching and cheering - both graduated from the UofA.

To honor this glorious occasion, I will sing a breathtaking rendition of Bear Down Arizona!

Bear Down Arizona
Bear Down Red and Blue
Bear Down Arizona
Hit 'em hard
Let 'em know who's who - Rah! Rah!
Bear Down Arizona
Bear Down Red and Blue
Go! Go! Wildcats go!
Arizona Bear Down

Shingles Update

Announcement of Shingles

Don't let the jingle-y-sing-song name fool you, shingles makes you feel like you want to die.  And it's not just the constant itching and severe pain either, it's the depression as well.  Which, when that happened I did not know was connected to the shingles, I just thought I was losing it completely.  I was crying all day, I was so mad about everything and jittery, too.  All day.  Then I get online later to look up something else about shingles and there it is, under the symptoms: Depression.  I was so excited because that meant that I wasn't going crazy.  Always nice to find out. 

I spend at least half the day every day in bed because I'm so exhausted.  This is normal.  Even going down the stairs sometimes makes me breathe hard.  I take a ten minute shower and have to lay in bed for 45 minutes to make up for it!  That's pretty much the reason for the lack of posting when I thought I would be able to do more being home 'sick'.  I ran out of food yesterday (and toilet paper!) so I had to go the store, just had to.  Looking back, I don't know how I made it.  I was okay as long as I was moving, but as soon as I stopped I felt like crashing to the floor - so I would kneel down for a few minutes and try to regain some strength to go on.  Sounds so dramatic. 

One of the things that has gotten me through this is the memorizing of Bible verses.  I was going to read James, my very favorite, but my mom suggested that I read Philippians because she felt that in some ways that it paralleled what I am going through (really, what everyone is going through all the time). 

I've memorized verses before that have helped me through a history of severe migraines - 4 - 8 hours of pain and nausea carefully and as much as possible ignored by reciting Psalm 23 and the children's prayer 'now I lay me down to sleep'.  (Thankfully, the docs think that I might have 'outgrown' the migraines, haven't had one in over two years!)!
For this week, I have so much enjoyed memorizing Philippians 4:4-9.  As follows

Rejoice in the Lord always!  I say again, rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near. 
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. 
Whatever you have learned or received, heard from me or seen in me, put these into practice.
And the God of peace will be with you.

That was from memory, so it's slightly different from the link but still dang good if I do say so. 
I'm so comforted by those words.  And also by the fact that my big handsome Royal Marine Commando let's me know that he's praying for me, something I'm so blessed by.
Off to bed I go. 

Loyalty to Her Majesty?

Was surfing the British ARmy Rumour SErvice (ARRSE) forum as I am daily prone to do (sister sites: RuM Ration - Marines / Navy and Rear Party - family / friends) and I came across an interesting question:

Loyalty to Her Majesty - Would You...? which poses the following

A UK Government continue to pass more legislation effectively turning the UK into a Stalinist state.
At some point Her Majesty decides enoough is enough and makes it known that she wishes change.
Whoever the current El Presidente is says Stuff You, Liz and moves to remove the Monarchy and the Queen you swore to protect.
She asks for a little help. The MOD order you to stand easy. What do you do?

So far there have been 179 votes with
92% saying 'Weapon - check, ammo - check. Which way to Downing Street'
and the rest saying 'An army needs discipline so I'd toe the Gubmint line'

and some very interesting comments.  I'll be posing the question to Royal the next time we chat, though I'm sure I already know his answer.