Posts by CeriseRose

8

Lest We Forget...

by Englishman in

jw
friends

seems like a suitable time to post this.. englishman.

lest we forget..... .

poem by laurence binyon.

I had a bit of a strange experience on my journey home. My boyfriend is a US citizen and an ex-Marine (discharged due to injury). I'm Canadian and never served in what passes for our armed forces (I'm sorry, but in comparison to other 'first world' nations, ours is really not a driving force if you know what I mean...).

Canadians, being relatively peaceful overall (plus with our small forces), tend to have not gotten involved in many conflicts during my lifetime. I've never thought heavily around war other than to know I don't like it (who does?). I know facts and figures (Dad was a WWII buff), and I like history so I have a good overall knowledge. I memorized "In Flander's Fields" as a child (it's still in my head today), and for the years I wasn't a JW, wore a poppy in and observed the 2 minutes of silence on Remembrance Day on November 11.

While driving me home a couple days ago, we passed a military convoy just south of Seattle. We were laughing because my honey has a convertible PT Cruiser and they must have radioed up the line that we were coming because we had heads swivelling in unison to look at it (it was either that or I was looking particularly good that day and I highly doubt that...hehe). My boyfriend commented that they must be heading to Bremerton to ship out to Iraq.

It was odd, because I'd seen military units in Canada, but never that large and never 'heading off to war.' I got a look at the faces of the men leaving their families behind. At my relatively tender age of 35, they looked barely old enough to -be- married, much less to be heading off to a place they could die.

I disagree with war. I disagree with a lot of the politics around going to war. But seeing them really hit home that regardless of my feelings around politics or war itself, the people that do believe and do go and fight should at the very least have the respect for doing so, especially since it comes at a personal cost, the least of which is separation from their families, the greatest their own mortality.

I feel ashamed at the years I didn't wear a poppy, and ignored those 2 minutes; I felt ashamed at the time of not doing it. I'm not going to ever forget that again.

15

What did you do with your Bible Studies?

by Nosferatu in

jw
friends

when you left the troof, what did you end up doing with any bible studies you had (if you had any)?

CeriseRose

The one I had was fairly unproductive. She was actually my only source of 'true' time the last while (i.e. if I didn't have her, I'd probably have been inactive). When I left, my JW friend asked me for her contact info, the intent was to get her studying in her own language (Mandarin). I wasn't so worried because a) she didn't want to study in Mandarin and b) she was extremely uncomfortable with strangers.

My dilemma now is I've been feeling horridly guilty for not talking to her directly once I left. It's been about 5 months and I keep thinking that I should. So I may drop by her work in the next little bit, or try to call when I think she might be home. I really did enjoy her company when we studied...it was more like a friendship.

6

We're back...

by CeriseRose in

jw
friends

mr. pookiehead and i just got back from visiting friends in mississippi.

i had never been so it was a fun experience.

i've finally tasted 'grits' (which i liked) and had fried catfish which was divine.. y'all have been prolific in your posting.

CeriseRose

We were in Jackson. This trip we weren't going any farther than city limits, but next time it's entirely possible that we do move around (we were comparing all the places we'd been/hadn't been...Louisiana is one of the ones we both haven't seen so it's on our list). hehe

That would be great to wander over your way next time we're around! And enticing us with food is the best way to get to us. *giggles*

*hugs*

6

We're back...

by CeriseRose in

jw
friends

mr. pookiehead and i just got back from visiting friends in mississippi.

i had never been so it was a fun experience.

i've finally tasted 'grits' (which i liked) and had fried catfish which was divine.. y'all have been prolific in your posting.

CeriseRose

hehe Well I'm one of those weird people who could live on oatmeal. And since I like cornmeal I figured they'd be okay. But I can totally see how they'd be an acquired taste.

6

We're back...

by CeriseRose in

jw
friends

mr. pookiehead and i just got back from visiting friends in mississippi.

i had never been so it was a fun experience.

i've finally tasted 'grits' (which i liked) and had fried catfish which was divine.. y'all have been prolific in your posting.

CeriseRose

I had grits salted and buttered. I can totally see frying them and them being good. Our friends in from the UK put syrup on them though...Mr. Pookiehead had had them before and could tell them it's done that way too...and since one of them loves maple syrup, that's how it went.

I didn't think about the catfish being a scavenger. I eat crab etc., so it's not too much different than that. hehe

And frogin? No. Last time I was near a frog it was to dissect one in grade 12.

6

We're back...

by CeriseRose in

jw
friends

mr. pookiehead and i just got back from visiting friends in mississippi.

i had never been so it was a fun experience.

i've finally tasted 'grits' (which i liked) and had fried catfish which was divine.. y'all have been prolific in your posting.

CeriseRose

Mr. Pookiehead and I just got back from visiting friends in Mississippi. I had never been so it was a fun experience. I've finally tasted 'grits' (which I liked) and had fried catfish which was divine.

Y'all have been prolific in your posting. It'll take me a bit to catch up! hehe But I wanted to say hi and let anyone who cared to know, know that we made it home safe and sound.

16

Insomnia

by Uzzah in

jw
friends

well here i am at 36 hours and counting.

i can't sleep.

thus the reason for my proliferation of posts lately.. anyone with any cure alls, home remedy spells?

CeriseRose

From the health food store: HTP5 (or 5HTP can't remember which spot the number's in) Kava kava (if they're not banning it this week...they keep waffling) If it's your mind racing, "California Poppy" works well From the aromatherapy shop: Any of the 'lights out' or sleep remedies. I have also used straight lavender as a calming agent. A little less out there: Healing Garden brand lotions/bathstuffs...in their sleep line OTC: Sleep-eaze or Nytol. Neither is non-addicting, won't work more than one night out of every 4 or so (you can take the pills repeatedly but they tend to not work other than how I described. I take one when I know I'll get a long night in, even if the next couple are bad. Showers will also calm you and naturally wind you down. Not too hot though or you could be too hot to comfortably sleep. One thing...don't 'worry' about sleeping. That can sometimes mess you up. No caffiene after 4 pm, earlier if you're really reactive to it. Wine is good if you want the hit to sleep, but it will screw up your REM sleep which might end up counterproductive. That's why I use the herbal stuff. Hope it helps!

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