In Training

Just-In-Case Survival Kit

It's about to get a little personal up in here! I have a very, very good friend and former Royal Marine Commando that has started his own small business custom-making survival bands, animal collars, headbands and more using para cord! He was sweet enough to give me one in the early stages and I LOVE IT! Once he got a website up and running I knew I had to write about it.

The USMC Band

During the month of June, Just-In-Case is giving 20% of sales to Soldiers' Angels (you might recognize the charity as one of my favorite military organizations!)! There's even a cool graphic that he's updating to let you know what the donation is up to every day.

The Just-In-Case Survival Kit website

Just-In-Case on Facebook

Just-In-Case on Twitter

If you read this blog at all, you'll know I don't do this kind of post... ever.  I don't ususally feel comfortable vouching for somebody or something - but I can 100% tell you that this guy is sane and his products are quality.  I hope you take a look!


Headbands!

Irish Car Bomb: The Drink

As some might know, the Irish Car Bomb is an alcoholic drink made with an Irish stout (as in Guinness), Bailey's and Irish whiskey.  I'm not a drinker and don't frequent bars/pubs so I hadn't heard of it until a couple years ago.  As you can see by my blog roll I like a lot of food blogs - one of which posted a recipe for Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes.  This was my introduction. 

I was instantly turned off by it, as were several of the author's commenters (click the link to read through).  The author eventually changed the name to Chocolate Whiskey and Beer Cupcakes, but wasn't happy with the debate in her comment section. 

I've read a little bit about The Troubles in Ireland and don't think it's something that should be taken lightly.  Even if I wasn't familiar with The Troubles, I wouldn't use the drink name (or any subsequent desserts) because car bombs - any sort of bomb - are a very real, very frightening threat our Armed Forces and their allies face every day overseas.  My husband spent an extremely tense tour in Iraq patrolling - and not a day went by that he wasn't aware of the danger. 

But it's not just that.  Royal and I lost a good friend and excellent Royal Marine to an explosion in Afghanistan in 2008.  He was just 26 years old.  I can't put into words how devastating Elmsy's death was for his family, friends and fellow Bootnecks. 

A couple days ago, another of the blogs I read posted a few recipes:
Irish Brownie Bombs (um, they have a tan top...)
Irish Car Bomb Cheesecakes.
She also does a cake bomb, imagine that.

Look, I know it's "just a drink" and I should "get over it" (clever, right!).  I'm not calling for a universal beverage name change. I'm just putting out there - in time for St. Patrick's Day - that it's a crass, thoughtless and cruel way to order what sounds like a perfectly delicious drink.  

My husband completely agrees, but I put it to my Twitter followers to see what they thought:

@nicorussell - "pretty distasteful name for a drink really"
@Letters2Afghan - "over here [UK] we would never call our drinks and desserts that"
@LacyinTX - "Nope, not just you. I don't like the sound of that either"
@collca - "I totally agree with you"
@jenlars8 - "Not just you, but I've never been to a bar that served anything named like that. Must be regional??"

Happily, no one responded in favor of the drink (proving once again, that I follow lots of awesome people on Twitter!)! 

Missed my blog birthday... AGAIN!

Apparently, it's tradition!  I always seem to forget...

I have been blogging here since November 8th, 2005.  FIVE YEARS! 

I think a little trip down memory lane is in order --

My very first post. It seems so long ago now! I've really grown. I started blogging because Royal was with the Marines and out of contact for the very first time since we'd met.

How we met. Almost six years ago...

Learning to understand his English + Bootneck speak. I've heard communication is important in a relationship!

Inspiring day at the gun store.  I used to work at a gun shop (yes really) and this is about one incredible day. 

A Royal Marines Commando training story by my Royal. 

I'm no longer Royal's girlfriend. We're engaged!

My very first Conmando post: Watch out for the 'Conmando'.  There would be many, many more to come on this S.O.B. (including more than one in 2010).  Probably one of the first times I was linked by the Mudville Gazette!

How to handle a drunken chav. Excellent story.

You are not welcome here (Part I).  A Walkabout bar in England refused a drink to two Royal Marines in uniform that had come in after a funeral. This was even linked by Grim at Blackfive!

We got hitched in Tucson, Arizona (my hometown)!

We moved in together!  In Britain!

A weekend away in Glasgow; OR the big ol' protest we ran into.

The banking saga. Royal was getting ready to deploy and the British banks wouldn't have me!

The first round of deployment troubles.

Is there not enough jobs in America?  Working in Britain.

Padres, doctors, hospital visits.  Pretty much all while Royal was deployed.

The Faslane Peace Camp. A photo essay. Someone went so you wouldn't have to!

Oh yeah, I had mono and wasn't told.  Found out after returning Stateside (unfortunately without Royal) and visiting my U.S. doctor.

Finally letting everyone in on what Royal's job was in the Marines.

Go Home British Soldiers, Go Home. Royal Marines (including Royal) mistreated by Scottish yobs.

The joys of the bi-continental military marriage!

More fun, this time with Sky.

Two long years working on U.S. Immigration for Royal. (Best to scroll down & start at the beginning!)

A dear friend and Marine lost. We remember.

Also worth a look: Royal in America - funny incidents Royal has with people here thanks to his Britishness.  My photo posts - phots that are important to me.

Thank you to everyone that's stopped by these past five years!  Especially to Pat at Past Imperfect and the wonderful guys at Right Hand of God!

Commando Cupcakes!

I know.  Just reading that is the coolest thing ever. 

Wait until you see them!  Royal Marine Commando cupcakes!

Thank you Angelina Cupcake, thank you. 

And we drink another toast

to God, Queen and country in honor of those that we'll now only see in our dreams.

As many may already know, the Royal Marines from 40 Commando have lost 14 men - too many men - since May.  Our hearts go out to the families and friends of these brave men.  My husband and I think of them often.

Always after reading the news reports, I dread the next time I speak to my husband, wondering if he'll have known the most recent fallen hero.  It will not have been the first time.  Even if he doesn't, it's difficult to see the pained look on his face. The pained look mixed with a deep yearning to have been there. 

And so we'll drink another toast to the fallen.  May they rest in peace. 

'Conmando' Caught. Again.

Yeah.  Again.  In case you don't know, the 'conmando' (aka Graham Eckerman, or Liam Kissane) is a bastard (nicest word I can think of to describe him) that cons people out of money by pretending to be a Royal Marine Commando - or in this most recent case, Royal Army.  For example, he tells people he's collecting money for the military charity organization Help for Heroes. 

His most recent scam was foiled when an older gentleman, Ian Smith, noticed that the boots he was wearing were not regulation forces issue and alerted the police.  Seriously, Mr. Smith deserves a hug.  Full article here.

This guy is scum.  The worst of the worst.  He actually led people to believe that he had won the Victoria Cross.  Sick.  Eckerman/Kissane is now in custody and will be sentenced next month.  Thank God.

Previous 'Conmando' posts:

Watch out for the 'Conmando'.

'Conmando' Update: "I Was His American Girlfriend".

Royal Marine 'Conmando' Update II.

UPDATE -- UPDATE -- UPDATE!!

Eckerman/Kissane/Whatever will be spending over two years in jail!

Ian Smith, the pensioner that caught Eckerman, said after the trial,
"No sentence would have been enough for him.  People in Ashton under Lyne, and lads wearing the genuine Queen's uniform would all have wanted to see him put away for longer."

Absolutely.

Twitter Catch Up

So.  It's true.  I love Twitter.  Obviously, I tweet more than I blog!  Yikes.  This seems to be a common thing that happens to bloggers once they discover Twitter - neglect the blog for a while and then find their groove again later.  I hope this is that!

To start: here are some great links that I posted on Twitter but haven't blogged about:

Rosie the Riveter? No. Velma the Welder! : Velma worked on Higgins boats - a very, very important part of our D-Day victory! Via WWIIToday.

Businessman in Taunton (home of Royal Marines - 40 Commando) would rather hire a pedophile than a member of the armed forces.

Great article by Victor Davis Hanson on the Tom Hanks WWII-Pacific/Iraq-Afghanistan comments.

Lastly, Guinness Milkshakes? YES!

I will be better about posting on my blog in the future.  But, please take a look at my Twitter page, too!

One Year On - R.I.P. Elmsy

I hope that you've heard about Corporal Liam Elms before.  If not somewhere out in the world, at least here on my page.  He was killed one year ago today while on patrol in Helmand, Afghanistan.

A true Royal Marine Commando always, he was enthusiastic and funny.  When we met I had come a long way to visit Royal (and consequently a bunch of other Royal Marines) and Elmsy made it a point to include me in conversations and even offered to take photos of us.

Royal and I had many friends stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq in 2008 and every day one of us would get online and check the news.  See if we could find any mention of a friend.  See if someone we loved had been killed.  Unfortunately, on January 2nd, 2009 I logged on and saw Elmsy's face.  It was difficult to believe.  I hadn't seen him that long ago...

I told Royal.  He was devastated. 

After receiving comfort from and giving comfort to the Royal Marines that knew him (and some that did not), we toasted to our good oppo in the Royal Marine tradition.  Royal and I decided then and there that WE would never forget Corporal Liam Elms' sacrifice.  We will drink to Elmsy.  We will always remember.



A photo he took of himself when we met.  Like I said, funny!
Rest in peace, Elmsy.  Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends.

Elmsy's Lasting Tribute Page

Corporal Liam Elms RIP Facebook Page

Links for today

A few I've been saving

Most realistic combat gave EVER.

Valour-IT and a great motivational poster!

Some good advice in this one: Don't bring a knife to a coffee fight.

Veteran's Day at the World War II Memorial from Reason.tv.

The Warrior Song on Blackfive.

Happy Thursday everyone! 

** UPDATE **

One more: Royal Marine leaves battle in Afghan to donate kidney to 3 year old son.

No poppies here

Running out the door to Art Appreciation but wanted to post this: 
Row as Strictly dancers are banned from wearing poppies over health and safety fears.

Crazy.