It was getting tough in 2006 and the workhouse still threatens us in 2011

HariboJunkie

I really don't like this image that the Army somehow preys on the hopeless and that those who join are stupid enough to think they will never be killed. How many of those soldiers we have lost have written "If you're reading this then I am gone" letters to their familes? That shows some realisation of risk wouldn't you say?
Not everyone is so terrified of getting hurt that they would let that stand in the way of a vocation.

Of course as a mother I would worry about a child in the Army but by God I'd be proud of them too and I'd be fairly disgusted to think there were people out there who believed my child was nothing more than a sheep who had been forced to defend his country because the only alternative was the dole. I'm sure there are some youngsters who see it as an escape or a better way of life but who knows, they are probably right. And I think that is so insulting to those for whom it is a dream job, a calling and a career thay can be rightly proud of.

Redlady, do your own painting. I would paint FK I'm afraid. My black dog is now white. :cool:

Catznine I hope little Dog is better soon. How is your friend with the throat cancer?

Grey Queen I have a morbid fear of forgetting things especially guests truning up.:rotfl:

MardyArthur Chin up chicken. :kisses3:

rachbc

My grandfather was in the navy , commanding a submarine. I seriously contemplated joining the navy as a teenager and am very grateful to my parents that they never tried to stop me, no matter how much their hearts would have been breaking at the prospect. My DS is 13 and toying with the idea of Air Cadets at the moment - half of me is screaming no inside but the other half would be increadibly proud (plus I am fairly sure the discipline would do him the world of good!)

Whilst philosophically and emotionally I am a pacificst I am also a pragmatist and know we humans are such in our nature that there will always be wars to be fought - right now I am glad my child is not one of those fighting them but I am very very very grateful that someone's son's and daughters are and think them neither stupid nor !!!!less for doing so.

kidcat

haribo - I think perception of the forces is very much down to area - like GQ says in her area the recruitment office is in the poorer areas. Here they go into the poorer schools, they also venture into my DS high school as they have cadets based there - but (and this is what angers me) they only give talks to the kids in the lower sets. I am sure there are some areas where this is not the case but for me in my area its not so good.

cat_smith

HariboJunkie wrote: »

I really don't like this image that the Army somehow preys on the hopeless and that those who join are stupid enough to think they will never be killed. How many of those soldiers we have lost have written "If you're reading this then I am gone" letters to their familes? That shows some realisation of risk wouldn't you say?
Not everyone is so terrified of getting hurt that they would let that stand in the way of a vocation.

Redlady, do your own painting. I would paint FK I'm afraid. My black dog is now white. :cool:

HJ -I agree. My DH is TA. Been to Iraq and off to Afghanistan next year. This is on top of being a surgeon. Its not a pretty job, but he wants to do it. As did his father, and now his sister and both BIL.

My Ozzie is also now decorated with white gloss - he looks very silly

catznine

HariboJunkie wrote: »

I really don't like this image that the Army somehow preys on the hopeless and that those who join are stupid enough to think they will never be killed. How many of those soldiers we have lost have written "If you're reading this then I am gone" letters to their familes? That shows some realisation of risk wouldn't you say?
Not everyone is so terrified of getting hurt that they would let that stand in the way of a vocation.

Of course as a mother I would worry about a child in the Army but by God I'd be proud of them too and I'd be fairly disgusted to think there were people out there who believed my child was nothing more than a sheep who had been forced to defend his country because the only alternative was the dole. I'm sure there are some youngsters who see it as an escape or a better way of life but who knows, they are probably right. And I think that is so insulting to those for whom it is a dream job, a calling and a career thay can be rightly proud of.

Redlady, do your own painting. I would paint FK I'm afraid. My black dog is now white. :cool:

Catznine I hope little Dog is better soon. How is your friend with the throat cancer?

Grey Queen I have a morbid fear of forgetting things especially guests truning up.:rotfl:

MardyArthur Chin up chicken. :kisses3:

Well said Haribo! It really is a dream job/calling for our nephew, both his parents were also in the forces and we are very proud of him! Worried yes but very proud!:)

Our friend is doing well so far, not being so sick with the chemo and trying to enjoy life while he can. The operation will be after Christmas and life will be more limiting then but hopefully all will be well and he can concentrate on getting better. In the meantime soup production is going great guns here, broc and stilton today and maybe some butternut squash soup for his freezer as well!

Little dog is not limping so much now so the rest has helped. I think she will become a downstairs only dog now but maybe that is no bad thing, I am often too tempted to retreat upstairs on bad days and of course she follows me for cuddles. Now I will have to make "base camp" down here and maybe get more done as a result. With ME it will have to be a little chore and rest, another chore and rest etc., but at least I will be going in the right direction. I am helping to run a "Dr Bruce Campbell self help course for people with ME" and have to do my homework myself to show that it does work!:o

Has anyone found any good vouchers or discounts for Christmas presents? I am still so pleased with the Boden one and the rompers I got for little gd:) Christmas will happen ready or not but like everyone else we are economising big time this year!

redlady_1

One of my friends has just left after serving 35 years in the Army, having had an Oxford University education and has walked straight into a very highly paid job.

Alternatively I have seen people grow into true leaders having had nothing at the start, including family. The training soon sorts the ones who have the desire from the ones who are doing it because of nothing else. It is not an easy road to travel.


Not everyone comes home in a box, is injured or becomes homeless and I am very proud and honoured of my association with both HMF and the RBL.

HJ - Woman, empty your box!!!

katieowl_2

I meant no offence to anyone with family in the forces. I think it's great if that's what you want to do, but I don't think it should be the last remaining option for a kid to 'earn a living' which seems to be what it is around here.

Anyway...feeling really horrid here today - do so hope I'm not coming down with DS's cold. Really misty, you can't see the other side of the lane at all. I've dug out the drier fluff to make some firelighters Tidied up my sewing cupboard, and am wondering if I have what it takes to make each family member a small Xmas pressie from what I have in the house? Wonder if that's possible...certainly for the DD's, but the OH and DS?

Creeping about the house a bit because of the B&B person who's on nights in town. He got in about 3.30 am. Set the dogs off of course Mattie laid on the bed with barky hiccups for about half an hour, while I kept poking her and telling her to shush! Everything I can think of doing today is noisy!

So I was really tired when I got DS up this morning at 6.30...got him off to college with a copy of our Tax Credits notification and the award letter, he's going to query it, and find out how they are expecting us to pay our 'half' if we can't appeal - hope it's monthly not termly!

Dinner tonight has to NOT involve either potaotes or leftover sausage casserole or I think I might scream! (I'm going to see if DH can be persuaded to eat sausage for lunch)

Kate

Hobsons_Choice

My lad knew from leaving school he wanted to be a fireman or join the RAF. He joined the RAF as a fireman and loved it! No wars to fight then though, thank goodness. Being in the Armed Forces gave him confidence and taught him good skills. He's now a high serving officer in the police force.
Smileyt: Thongs ain't what they used to be :rotfl:

Pink.

My son is 17 (will be 18 in December) and has had his heart set on the Royal Marines for four or five years now. He's a bright boy, probably the brightest in our family. He has strong leadership qualities...he is doing A levels at the moment, is a prefect, captain of the rugby team and is head of house in his school. He toyed with leaving school at 18 to join the Marines but his sister talked to him and persuaded him that he should go to uni and get a good degree first. Thankfully he listened to her but he still has his heart set on the Marines.

To be completely honest, I'll be devastated if that is what he eventually chooses after uni as it wouldn't be my choice for him.

But it's not about me anymore....He is almost an adult and it's about him and his life choices now. All I can do is hide my own fears and support him. Even if it breaks my heart....he'll never know. As long as he is doing it for the right reasons I must support him in his life choices. I believe that we have to give them roots to grow and wings to fly. We have to allow them to grow up and grow away if that's what they want. I'm also a firm believer that if we give them the freedom to do that then they will come back to us again.

That was certainly the case with my daughter and she and I (despite a bumpy ride in her teenage years) have a fabulous relationship now. Lets hope it will be the same with both my boys.

Pink

mardatha

I agree with whoever said the army recruits hardest in the bad areas - seen it all my life. The Borders are jobless at the best of times and the KOSB regiment is always on recruiting drives. I wouldn't have liked mine to join up.
Wish to god this bloody rain would give it a rest. Days and days of the stuff. I had to upend a milkcrate in the hen run for them to walk on, they were at the back door all the time complaining that their feet were wet & they were tired walking on tiptoe to keep their tummies dry. I also put in a bit of broken ladder to let them walk on, they can pretend they're Kate Moss on the catwalk. Erm chickenwalk.
I see the weather's to turn colder next week - best check that you've got water, heat and light sorted out in case of snow/burst water mains/powercuts. We supposed to get the new fire in next week, will take 3 days and they need to knock half the wall down