This post is mostly for readers from New Zealand or Australia, but for anyone else still interested, the RSA has some good info about what Anzac Day stands for.

Anyway! Because I am a Pippins leader for Girl Guiding NZ, I went to an Anzac memorial service this morning. Along with the usual service content of prayers, hymns, poetry and wreath-laying, I spotted a few people wearing medals and various decorations that I assume belonged to their fathers/grandfathers.

Both of my grandfathers were war veterans, and I know mum has her father’s medals, which were left to her when he passed away in 1995. After we left the service, I asked her what she thought of the people who wore the things they had inherited, and whether or not she would ever consider doing so in memory of her father.

She said she wasn’t sure, and that although she understood that it was being done as a symbol of pride in their relatives, and she didn’t think her father would have objected to her wearing his, she didn’t know that she had the "right" to wear them or that it would feel appropriate.

When we got home, her younger sister phoned, and I asked her the same question. Obviously she doesn’t have the medals in her possession, but she said that even if she did have them, she definitely wouldn’t wear them since she wouldn’t feel like they were really hers to wear.

I also thought about what I’d do. Although I don’t typically attend Anzac services (this year was the first year I have been, since I was a kid going as a Pippin and Brownie myself) I don’t think I would wear them if I did go. Although I certainly respect my "Poppa", acknowledge the things he did and don’t think he would mind my wearing them, I don’t think it would feel right, especially Anzac services together. If we had, and it was our "thing", perhaps I would feel differently. I am aware, however, that the people I saw today are entitled to feel differently.

I don’t know their family circumstances. Who knows, the veterans themselves might have asked their children or grandchildren to wear the medals to services on their behalf once they died or became too frail to attend in person, in which case it is obviously perfectly acceptable.

Either way, I’m interested in what other people think (as always), is this appropriate or not?

This morning I went outside to discover that while I was in the shower, the painters had already been hard at work painting the patio doors.

I knew this was going to happen, and had planned to take proper Before and After photos as part of P365, but unfortunately I wasn’t quick enough and they were already painted before I got the chance, so instead of a proper Before photo, I had to dig up what I was surprised to find was the ONLY photo on my harddrive in which you can see the bits that used to be green! The side of the door on the right and the lighter green bit above the doors.

Isn’t it funny that they’d been green for 30+ years, and yet nobody had thought to take a photo of something so unexciting? Although oddly I did think to take a photo of balloons!? o.O

Earlier today I couldn’t think of what to post for Music Monday, since I’ve posted all my favourite songs, but tonight the sister of one of my friends suggested this, and I thought "Well duh! Who else could I pick!?" She really does have a awesome voice, AND she gets extra cool points for picking a musical theatre song! :)

Unfortunately Youtube won’t let me embed the best (shortest) video of her singing, so, if you haven’t heard her already (and you’re REALLY missing out, she’s fantastic) you need to click on her photo to get to it. What do you think will happen for her now? Obviously SOMETHING will! Do you think she’ll win the show? Get a recording contract? End up on the West End (since I wouldn’t be at all surprised to discover that she could act!)?

Personally I think she’d be a pretty good Madame Morrible in Wicked. No. Seriously. I am truly not making fun of her! Look at Madame Morrible and then at Susan. Could you imagine her playing this part? Am I COMPLETELY insane, or do other people agree that this could work?