A meme just for fun

I found this meme on a private blog I read and enjoy. I loved reading her responses to the questions, very interesting when you only 'know' someone through blogland...

1. First thing you wash in the shower?
Depends. If I'm washing my hair, then my hair. If not, my arms and work my way down.

2. What colour is your favourite hoodie?
I have a pink Reebok jacket that has a hood.

3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?
My youngest son, my three boys (4 including dear Bunny) all love to be kissed.

4. Do you plan outfits every day?
If I know I'm definitely working in the morning, I decide what I'm wearing before I go to sleep, I don't get it ready though, don't have the room to put it out.

5. How are you feeling RIGHT now?
Relaxed and happy.

6. What's the closest thing to you that's red?
My recliner I'm sitting on.

7. The last dream you remember having?
I rarely remember my dreams when I wake up.....

8. Did you meet anybody new today?
Does the checkout chick at the supermarket count??

9. What are you craving right now?
Nothing

10. Do you floss?
No.

11. What comes to mind when I say cabbage?
The smell of pickled cabbage that my first MIL used to make......

12. Are you emotional?
Yes

13. Have you ever counted to 1,000?
No

14. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it?
Yes, I like the feel of biting into a yummy rich ice cream, especially when it's coated in caramel and chocolate like a Magnum.

15. Do you like your hair?
Yes, it's healthy and I can wear it in any style I like.

16. Do you like yourself?
Most times.

17. Would you go out to eat with George Bush?
Errrr, probably not.

18. What are you listening to right now?
New Moon Soundtrack

19. Are your parents strict?
Yes

20. Would you go sky diving?
My first answer is no, but I've paraglided in tandem and would consider tandem parachuting if the opportunity arose........mmmmm, maybe not, my stomach just went into knots while I was writing this, you go a bit further up in the air when you parachute lol.....

21. Do you like cottage cheese?
I don't mind it occasionally.

22. Have you ever met a celebrity?
I met 'The Reels' and spent time before they went on stage, and watched as they did various drug things and was just mortified and sat there and chain smoked as I watched lol......

23. Do you rent movies often?
Rarely

24. Is there anything sparkly in the room you're in?
A crystal hanging in the window which a girlfriend gave to me.

25. How many countries have you visited?
I've visited and spent time in 15 different countries.

26. Have you made a prank phone call?
Yes, as a young teenager.....

27. Ever been on a train?
Yes, but not many times, and only about twice in the last 25 years.

28. Brown or white eggs?
I don't care. As long as they're hen's eggs.

29. Do you have a cell-phone?
Love my iPhone.....

30. Do you use chap stick?
Yes, 30+ but prefer to wear lipstick, or a lip conditioner with lip liner.

31. Do you own a gun?
No.

32. Can you use chop sticks?
Yes, quite well.

33. Who are you going to be with tonight?
My family

34. Are you too forgiving?
No, not too forgiving.

35. Ever been in love?
Many times.

36. What is your best friend(s) doing tomorrow?
Shopping, coffee, lunch, scrapbooking.

37. Ever have cream puffs?
Profiteroles? Yes.

38. Last time you cried?
Monday night, talking about my depression and how hard life was when the kids were small.

39. What was the last question you asked?
Would you like a glass of water?

40. Favorite time of the year?
Autumn and spring, when it's beautiful and warm without being revoltingly hot.

41. Do you have any tattoos?
No.

42. Are you sarcastic?
MMm, too much at times. It's the lowest form of wit, I remind myself constantly.

43. Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect?
Don't think so.

44. Ever walked into a wall?
A corner of a wall, not an entire wall lol.....

45. Favorite color?
mmmm, red, blue......

46. Have you ever slapped someone?
An adult - once.

47. Is your hair curly?
Couldn't be straighter.

48. What was the last CD you bought?
CD's what are they, I love itunes.

49. Do looks matter?
Yes, it shows you respect yourself.

50. Could you ever forgive a cheater?
Yes.

51. Is your phone bill sky high?
Never.

52. Do you like your life right now?
Yes.

53. Do you sleep with the TV on?
Have never had a TV in my bedroom.

54. Can you handle the truth?
Always prefer the truth.

55. Do you have good vision?
Considering I had eye surgery at 4 years old, and I'm well over 40 my eyes are pretty good. I wear glasses though nowadays more than not.

56. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people?
I don't hate anyone, and that includes two ex husbands.

57. How often do you talk on the phone?
More nowadays.

58. The last person you held hands with?
My two boys yesterday afternoon when we went to the shops.

59. What are you wearing?
House clothes, a pink singlet and a pair of madrid shorts...very daggy, but very comfy.

60.What is your favorite animal?
I love meerkats and ferrets. Domestic animals I like cats.

61. Where was your default picture taken at?
At a scrapping retreat.

62. Can you hula hoop?
I could do it as a child....does one forget??

63. Do you have a job?
Substitute on call teaching at a special school, and at home.

64. What was the most recent thing you bought?
Two fitted single bed sheets, diary for 2010, makeup case, two red shirts for Day for Daniel next week.

65. Have you ever crawled through a window?
No.

Holidays at Rainbow Beach

My reflections on our holiday in a holiday house in Rainbow Beach.

*        I can holiday without the internet, has never worried me before, but I’ve loved having it ‘with’ me the entire time. My iPhone was also great company for me too, as far as the iPod component goes and the fact I can still check my Facebook and Tweets.

*        I loved the fact that the house had a cement floor, it was so quiet and I couldn’t hear every single footfall in the place.

*        I can put something down in a room and still have room to walk!! My house’s size has always been an issue with me, but since coming home and having spent 10 days in a larger house, it only gets to me more. My bedroom at the house was my haven, loads of room, loads of cupboard space which were largely empty of course and a lovely ensuite. My room here, I can barely put a bag down on the ground, and if I do, I have to step over it to get further into the room......

*        Having a lot of space meant I was happy to stay home when the boys went fishing, I could sit on the lounge (choice of two lounge rooms, sit on my bed or lay on the lounge chair by the pool. I was never bored, with my MacBook and a good stash of books and audiobooks I was very very happy to wile away the hours.

*        Allowing the kids some extra freedom and treats. I’m strict with bedtimes and it was lovely letting the kids stay up late, they watched movies or played on their handheld devices. It was fantastic to let take them out to eat, and for ice creams, rare treats in our lives, and very much appreciated. So nice to not be rushing around and constantly organizing them. The break did them a world of good too.

*        An opportunity to explore a new area. I’d never been there, perhaps as a child, but I can’t remember. We had a newspaper article which we’d saved from earlier this year, or eateries and we managed to visit some of them. Next time we’ll try some more eateries.

*        The house’s kitchen was a good size although the appliances weren’t nearly as good as mine, but they were new and clean. The BBQ was used for the meals we cooked at home.

*        I missed my friends and am grateful for the means I had to be able to stay in touch with them.

We’ve booked again for next year. I handed the keys in this morning and left a deposit for next year.

More pics to upload later.......

Days I once only dreamed of

I can remember when Billy-Joe was in pre-school and I had a toddler and a baby at home, mothers telling me how wonderful school holidays were...... I almost cringed when they told me....I hated school holidays coming up. It left me with the same feeling I have nowadays when someone tells me they're moving house, or having a baby..... I have a deep thankfulness within that says 'Thank God it's not me'.

How do you get to that point? It's never going to happen that I'll feel calm and relaxed with kids around....not until they leave home lol....

Holidays now are so different. They're fun, for the most part calm and so much more relaxed, even moreso that I could ever have hoped for.

I've spent this morning lying by the pool, finishing my book. My tan is developing nicely and I'm feeling healthy and happy. Dear Bunny took the kids fishing and brought home some fresh bread and ham for a late lunch. The kids played in the pool for a bit and then we sat outside with them too.

At 4pm we headed out to walk along the beach. It was just the most beautiful day. Actually these kinds of days are rare here. It was hot, but not too hot. It was breezy but not too windy. The air was balmy and felt good on my sunkissed skin. The kids played along in the water while we walked along. We walked for about an hour and a half. We visited one of the pizza shops to pick out our pizza for dinner later.

Once home, we sipped wine by the pool and watched as the kids played. I even jumped in quickly too cool off and then Sammy and I headed for a nice warm shower.

Dinner was delicious and now we're sitting down watching 'The Goonies', well I'm pretending to watch it.... My MacBook beckons....

Just as an aside, I have a new love affair..... Thanks to my dear friend SuzyQ I've found a new brand of thongs. Can you believe it? I've not worn thongs in years and years. I hate them. I think they look cheap for one thing, and another they're so damn uncomfortable. These however are awesome. They are so soft and feel great on my feet. I'm very impressed. I bought one pair during the last Myer Sale (a sandal pair) and today I bought a pair of thongs at the local surf shop..... Do yourself a favour and buy a pair, not only are they gorgeous but they feel great......Take the time to peruse this site, it takes a while to load but is worth visiting.

Lazy Blogger Catches Up

Once again time goes by and my poor blog is neglected. I've had time, just not the inclination. I write them in my mind, but never post them. I could even do them on my phone, just jot down notes and then elaborate when I'm near my MacBook, but I don't.

The school holidays went by quickly, and were so relaxing. The first week was an odd one for me. I lacked motivation to do much and actually missed my kids while they were at golf clinic. The dust storm really played havoc with my eyes so I'm glad that week is over. In the second week, we just chilled out at home for much of it. We watched some movies together, and went to the pool a couple of times. Peter's niece Ashlea helped the kids with some swimming pointers, as I especially want Mickey to feel more confident swimming in the pool at the holiday house in Rainbow. I can teach swimming, but somehow I knew the kids would take instruction more kindly from Ash than from me. It was good, because I took them out again the next day to continue the lessons. I don't think my kids quite reconcile "Mum, with teacher".....

The card making retreat was last weekend. It was an away one staying at the Mapleton Holiday Centre, ooops a feeling of de ja vu, I know I've already blogged this stuff lol.... My mind is a sieve!!

On Wednesday I went to Maroochydore and picked up my cousin. She's from Germany and has been in Australia for 18 months and we've only just met. I was so excited and nervous. I have never spent any time with any of my cousins. I met one once in 1984 when I went to Europe, but it was a family dinner, where we only spoke a few polite words. In all my life, I've never even said the word 'cousin' in relation to myself. I took her up to Montville for the morning. It was nice we browsed through a few shops, had a coffee and a light lunch and then came home. It was lovely to speak German to her too. I was surprised at how much I still know, and it was lovely to be understood. I know that if I spoke it frequently, it would improve very quickly. It still feels quite familiar on my tongue. Sara was a lovely houseguest, considerate of us all, and helpful too. The kids just fell in love with her, and as she's a Nanny and au pair, she related to them very well. We had an easy evening watching TV and then a fairly early night as we had to get up early so she was at the bus station at 4am!!! I'm so glad she came to visit, and even happier that we made it happen. It's not easy meeting someone and then having to feel close immediately just because you are related, but we got along well. For her sad upbringing, she's got a good head on her shoulders and has learned some hard lessons in life through her Mother who tragically committed suicide fifteen years ago. I never met my Aunty, and knew next to nothing about her. She was 8 years younger than my Mum, and when they moved to Australia, Toni was the annoying little sister that shadowed my Mum. When my parents married, Toni went back to Germany with her parents. Sara said she always spoke of Australia and would have loved to come back. It's a shame that she never got her life in order, her drinking undercontrol and her manic episodes managed enough that she could have made something of her life.......very very sad. Sara has a close bond to her other sisters, who when I think about it one of whom is also a cousin, the other not......ah, so confusing, my family is so small but not simple. I had a good day of feeling connected with family, an insight into how other people feel when they are surrounded by a large family....... I have two parents and my brother and my closest relatives are my Aunt and Uncle in Geelong, who aren't even my aunt and uncle.....technically speaking. My Uncle is my Dad's cousin, so actually my second cousin.... Very nice to spend time with a cousin. I wish she lived closer. She left on Thursday morning to spend five days in Cairns and then she flies out to Germany to return to her sister who's very very ill and will die from Endometriosis!! The sadness in Sara's life is not ending yet.

We arrived in our rented holiday house in Rainbow Beach yesterday. It's an awesome house, and the best part I can access my wireless internet....I'm very very happy about that. I thought it might be a little too remote for wireless. There's nothing around here, we're miles from Gympie....... The house is spacious, newly renovated inside, (the outside is tired, but the pool is nice). There's a living room AND a family room and the bedrooms are spacious and there's an ensuite. This so much nicer than the unit in Caloundra. The kids can have one area and we another. The beds are so comfy, with eggshell mattresses, I had a lovely night's sleep. (Thank you Alaine)

We went exploring this morning. It's a bit blowy and Peter wanted to find a fishing spot that was sheltered, we had a late lunch and now the boys have headed out. I was going to lie by the pool, but it's a bit cool, so I'm updating my blog instead. My bed beckons and my Diana Gabaldon book is too....

A few photos.

A girl needs to Facebook, even in the bush!!

At Rainbow this Morning. (ISO set wrong, blown out but still a nice pic)

Sara and I

One of the cards I made on the card making weekend, and the reason my ISO was set wrong on the little camera. Love this card.

Book Giveaway

If you love reading and are interested in following a blog which has great reviews, you can hop on over here go my friend's blog, become a follower and enter into a draw to win one of the above books. More details over here.

Daisy Chain Scrapbooks Cardmaking Retreat 2009

I've been away for the weekend to my first card making retreat. The Food and Wine Show, is on the same weekend as the next Scrapbooking retreat, and the girls have been trying to get me to the card one all year, but I declined, thinking two was overkill..... but when it fell on the same weekend as the F&W show, it was a lay down miser e (sp?).

I wasn't even really thinking of this retreat, it was so close to the last one, so I didn't feel like I 'needed' a retreat. When I spoke to Barbi and Suzy on Thursday morning, I felt the first stirrings of excitement, and from then on I looked forward to the weekend with a keen anticipation.

On Friday I created my 'to dos' and set about making sure the weekend was a success, for myself and for my boys left at home. The house was left tidy, everything up to date, and I was packed, rested and organized for a great weekend of creating.

I'll start with the negatives as I update my thoughts from the weekend, get them out of the way and pay them the negligible due that they deserve. Sleep, as always when away for a short time, was pretty crappy. Late nights, combined with crappy mattresses, early mornings and unfamiliar surroundings resulted in a night of light dozing at best and full wakefulness at worst.

That's out of the way lol, and I can discuss the myriad of positives.....

* I got to see Barbi doll sitting across the table from me - just like the old days. She didn't need to cook and the demands from the other cardmakers were minimal, so she actually got to play and create and converse....... We stayed up till last, with Dawnie, just like the old days, like our first retreats, it was lovely to revisit those moments.

* Spending time with Nellie and Linda. I enjoy their company, and their antics, but it's so often snippets thereof as I see them when they're working, or on their way home, so I rarely get a chance to spend any length of time with them.

* An opportunity to focus on cardmaking rather than scrapbooking, effectively taking away the need for me to feel guilty about not scrapbooking. This meant that I could focus on playing with items I'd only read about previously. I got to colour in with water mixed with Tim Holz distress inks, and I used Tombow markers.

* At long last I mastered the Cuttlebug and am even proficient enough to help others..... I'm sure Suzy and Barbi have breathed a huge sigh of relief lol..........

* Got to spend an entire weekend with Suzy. We spend a nice easy, relaxed time together, in sync with each other's thoughts and needs - pretty special actually. There's a calm and soothing aura of understanding when we're togeth, er, doesn't matter if we're shopping, having a D&M or creating together......

* Spending time not worrying about a single chore! No washing, dusting, cooking, cleaning, or tending to anyone's needs other than my own. Soooooo self indulgent!!

* Catching up with friends I don't see nearly enough, Carrin, Sue, Susan, Alaine and Kristie-Anne. I wish I'd had more time to catch up even more. The time flies by so quickly and I wish I could have chatted more.......

* Even with sleeping much worse than with recent retreats (and coming home to sleep) my hours spent in bed were cut drastically and thanks to the new eye gel I have, and lots of pain killers for the hangover without a drink syndrome, I feel remarkably wonderful this evening.....

I'm so looking forward to spending the night in my own delicious bed. I hate sleeping in a single bed, it's far too small.....and those plastic covered matresses aren't the most comfortable things to sleep on.

I've come home to a happy family. Mickey and Billy-Joe had funny tummy cramps, not sure from what though. DB was cooking my steak burger for dinner and cut his finger as well as the roll!!! Of course he won't go and get it stitched...... He'd changed the sheets on his bed, so I've gone down and remade his bed and cleaned up, we're just having ice cream and enjoying Idol.

Kids are back at school tomorrow, and I'm a little sad. Who would have thought school holidays could become such a wonderfully relaxing experience.......just an awesome break. And the best thing, is four days back at school and we had to our rented house at Rainbow Beach for ten days.....

I created lots of lovely cards...... I will photograph and upload them tomorrow.

*

Best laid plans

Thank goodness the classes on Jessica Sprague's site are available forever, and don't expire like some of the others do. This is the first lesson in Digi in Deep, the most advanced digital scrapbooking class. I've enjoyed doing it. Now that I've upped the RAM in my MacBook, I'll do more. She has added another class which I may sign up for. It focuses on working with text. I'm so much more comfortable with the text tool now, thanks to her classes. I should do more though, it's one thing to follow a video, another to do it all myself.

This week hasn't panned out quite like I wanted it to. The kids at the golf clinic has been a big plus for the week. They've just been so excited. I picked up Billy-Joe at lunch time today, because he had a bad headache. I left the other two there. When I went to pick them up, the Pro, Mark told me that the kids had played 18 holes, then 9 holes and had gone out AGAIN!!! He said the kids are so keen, he can't stop them. They were disappointed that I'd picked them up earlier than normal.

I'd done some groceries in the morning and was on the phone to Apple for an hour still trying to resolve my dropout issues. It could be a modem issue, so we've changed some settings. I've had no further problems today, but time will tell. I had a pedicure in the morning so am sporting nice pink toe nails. I laid down for a bit in the late afternoon, I'd had a headache all day.

Dinner was simple, a Woolies chook and I made a delicious greek salad. I splurged today and bought Greek Feta instead of Australian Feta and now I understand the more than double price tag. The Greek Feta is so creamy and crumbles beautifully through the salad. Love the salty combination of fetta, olives and the freshness of salad topped with a good quality olive oil.

My dear Bunny is finishing work early tomorrow and taking me out to lunch. We are going to Eumundi to eat at a pub there. I'm shop sitting tomorrow night. Am looking forward to seeing Karen. The weeks go by so quickly, but I miss her when I haven't seen her all week. Thank goodness for iChat. Barbi is away having a well deserved holiday. I pray that the weather has improved. The dust storm would have spoiled her last couple of days too. Today was clear and the air was fresh.

A dusty day

I was going to the beach today. To catch a few rays, and Vitamin D, and to listen to the waves roll in. It's a windy and revolting day with the air thick with dust. Apparently there have been dust storms south of here and they even hit Brisbane, and we've had more than our fair share. I have so much trouble with my eyes normally and I got a new paraffin gel for them on Friday which has helped enormously, but the dust in the air is too much today.... I've had to put the a/c on in the bid to clear the air. The light is a funny yellow, chillingly reminiscent of the dust storms I lived through in Geelong during the Ash Wednesday Bush Fires all those years ago. The kids are out playing golf. I've not had a call so they must be doing fine. The wind has died down now, which means that the dust is just sitting there, thick, heavy and intrusive.

My boys are growing up

I remember, not all that long ago, approaching the school holidays with a heavy heart and dread...... What a dreadful admission for a mother to make. My days were difficult enough with two small kids and then when they were all home together it was diabolical. There was no peace and quiet. They fought and got into mischief all day long. I hated it. I breathed a huge sigh of relief when they were all in bed, and then faced it all the next day.

Nowadays, while I still breathe a sigh of relief when they go to bed, my days are so much nicer. I have talked about this before. In those days I was so grateful for the holiday care programme. It saved my sanity. It meant I had days that were quiet, and I could be home on my own, or do errands, or have my hair done. Just time to be me!! As the kids got older, they didn't like holiday care so much, but I still sent them, that time for me was crucial and a great way for me to feel rejuvenated.

Now I look forward to the holidays. I can lie in and the kids quietly watch TV or play on the Wii. Bliss!! We can do things together, without almost giving me a coronary. I can take them places and know that they are well behaved, much calmer days. A wonderful reward for all the hard work I put in in the early days. The routine, the discipline, the constant haranguing has paid off, it more ways than I can count. The structure and the order, and the not letting them have their way while hard work at the time has brought its own rewards, thousandfold!!!

Today another another stage was entered.

The kids started a golf clinic. For four days, they have tuition and a game. They play and have a clinic session every Saturday and play most Sundays. Sammy generally comes home after clinic, while Mickey and Billy-Joe stay for the game. Sammy likes to come home with Daddy and has had enough. We were a little concerned about how he'd cope with the clinic, but decided to 'make' him go, to push him out of his comfort zone. Their beaming faces when I picked them up this afternoon, said it all!! They had an absolute ball. Their scores were amazing. Billy-Joe played sensationally. DB was stunned! He said he's destined to be the worst golfer in the family lol......

I kind of wasted my day, in that I didn't do anything special. I had an appointment to have my routine mammogram done, and had to pick up some groceries. At home I'm still organizing my drawers and stuff. Losing my desk with the filing cabinet has actually taken some storage space away. I still need some stuff from Ikea and am hoping like heck that my girlfriend is going again this Friday.

I did have a kip this afternoon which was very nice. It wasn't as hot today as it's been the last few days, so was much more pleasant.

Dinner is Quesadillas, with a coconut cake for dessert.

Just a little homesick

A bizarre title, I know! I've lived here for twenty years next month. Almost half my life and certainly most of my adult life.

Anyone who knows me knows I hate sport. No, hate is too strong a word. I love that people can play it and enjoy it. I don't enjoy watching it and in general I hate the cult mentality of people who follow a sport, or who actively involve their kids and push their kids into a sport........but, as I'm a girl of many shades and shadows......I have a passion within me for Geelong, which I can't explain.

Watching a knockout final of a team I don't even follow heightens my hidden passion for the game. Funny thing is though, I don't think the passion is so much linked to the game but for the town that it represents.

I left Geelong nearly 20 years ago. I love it here. I love the family I have here, the dear friends I've made, and the climate is just glorious. I don't intend leaving here.....it's perfect!!

But I miss Geelong. I yearn for the town, with an aching hurt that is normally only saved for an individual, not an inanimate object like a city!! Perhaps having an oft times broken heart leaves a part of oneself in the place......ah that's the romantic notion, but the reasons run far deeper than that.

I love the place. I grew up there. I lived there. I loved there. When I left there, a small part of me remained. A portion of my heart will always yearn and miss there. Possibly the sad and rushed nature in which I left the place has added to that too.

I miss the prettiness of the place. I miss the food and the culture. I miss the 'cityness' of the place.....

Geelong, always and forever in my heart.

Now Pussycats - do me proud and win the Grand Final..........

Testing

I am testing a new app on my new phone which enables me to post from my iPhone. Have just spent the entire morning on the phone to telcos. Westnet
Because I currently don't have a working landline and optus because I'm having problems setting up my account on the net. I need this so I can monitor my usage on my iPhone. Making changes with telcos is never straight forward.

Monday Monday

I know, a lame title, but it's better than 'An update'.....

I had a nice Monday. Peaceful, organized, quiet, stress free. Just perfect. I just have unrelated thoughts....so I will just dot point them.

*my home phone died some time over the weekend. Not happy Jan. It's only 2 years old and wasn't cheap. It was a good phone, a cordless that I could actually hear the caller perfectly well when they spoke. Technologically advanced indeed for a cordless phone...... But it carked it. I have no idea why. Battery is fully charged, but line is dead when you ring it. Thank goodness the 'netski is still working, so I know there's no problem with the line. I ordered another online last night, without an answering machine, much cheaper and my friends and family can all SMS me nowadays anyway....

*I dropped in to visit my friend Dawnie and helped her with her computer. I tidied up her bookmarks, taught her how to us a bookmark toolbar, re organized her start menu......I just loooooveeeee organizing people's puters for them, and I'm very grateful that my friends let me!! It's getting weirder and weirder working on a PC though, for the most part it's instinctive and then I'll do something completely MacLike which of course does nothing.....

*I ordered Snow Leopard. Can't wait to do the upgrade. It's faster, sleeker and that's so good. It appeases the techno hunger within lol....... When I was a PC girl, I learned so much, and most of it was damage control. With my Mac it's so different, it's productive!! Wish I knew more. I'll have to buy a new book, to peruse all the wonderful things that Snow Leopard is capable of. When I was a PC girl, I never ever considered upgrading unless I was buying a new machine because the cost was prohibitive..... Now it's so easy and affordable. I'm thinking about changing the name of my blog according to my Apple passion, but I'm not sure about copyright....

*I walked again today on my treadmill. Second day in a row. I'm just walking, not jogging yet. I felt good. I want to lose a couple of kg before we go away. Plus I know it's so good for me, and I love it when my legs firm up.

*The bane of my life at the moment, is preparing for Billy-Joe's cooking lessons. When I was in high school (insert dreamy music here) I brought my 50 cents and we cooked whatever we needed to. The ingredients were all supplied. When the teacher wasn't looking, I'd dive back in to the pantry to gather up garlic and onions and extra herbs. Even at the tender age of 13 I knew that there was more to life than 'Cooking the Australian Way'. I was a flavour junkie even back then. I wasn't bought up on plain fare, so it stems from then, plus I was fortunate to have been exposed to the food of many different cultures, and I loved it............anyway I digress......... Billy-Joe has to bring the ingredients for cooking, which in itself doesn't sound terribly onerous, but when you have to chop the garlic and grate the ginger, and measure out all the ingredients, it puts a whole new slant on the term 'Mum, we're doing cooking at school'. They are indeed ONLY cooking, no selecting ingredients, no chopping, washing, dicing, measuring, grating, mincing.......you get the picture.....they are merely COOKING. Tip all the crap your Mum put in the plastic bag for you and COOK it!!!!! The mind boggles, wonder what the lesson plan holds for those lessons.......they'd be short!!! Sooooo, because I had to prep the ingredients for a stir fry for Billy-Joe to cook tomorrow, we are having pie and vegies for dinner....sorta kinda negates my walk.......but serves a greater purpose lol.......

*Fathers Day this weekend. Another day to celebrate and enjoy........ We'll have a BBQ in the backyard and are all looking forward to it.

An update

The photo is of Sammy and Mickey all dressed up for their Book Week Parade this week. Sammy's theme was space, and in his normal lateral way, he chose to go as Mercury the God. Thank goodness, I said, I can do a toga lol.....that's about the scope of my costume making. Mickey's theme was an aboriginal one, and I was lucky we had some nice t'shirts which Nanny had brought back from Cairns years ago. It was Billy-Joe's and fitted nicely on Mickey. I worked this day, but was really pleased that I took the time to take a photo, seeing as I couldn't be at the parade. Morning light is just a glorious one to be taking photos in. I'm so proud of my boys and think they're just beautiful.

The unseasonally hot weather has continued, but it's been very nice. Peter and I are in holiday mode which is a really nice place to be. With out holidays coming up, the anticipation and waiting is just fantastic. There are only three weeks until the end of term, and I can't wait for it to finish. I'm tired and need a break.

I went on the treadmill again today, first time in weeks. I'm going to start again, looking forward to getting fit again.

Angel in my home

I've made no secret of the fact that my kids were hard work. The two youngest were too close together, coupled with my middle child having extra needs, my depression and the early years were damn hard work.......

I'm not generally one who considers their children to be perfect either. I've sat through too many conversations where Mums wax lyrical about how wonderful their kids are, and I wonder if they're living on the same planet as their kids lol...... I know we can have a blind spot where our loved ones are concerned, but common sense and reality has always prevailed with me. I have always easily acknowledged my childrens' faults as easily as I've glowed in pride when they've been praised.

Every now and again something happens which is so profound that it takes your breathe away. My kids are at a Catholic school, for many reasons. I wanted a faith based education in a small, well funded and caring community. I'm lucky I have that. I'm not Catholic but I have a faith, and a good respect of religion.

Sammy has a book which goes between school and home. It's a valuable communication tool set up initially for a child who rarely articulated what was going on around him. Today the message was a little different.... 'Sammy was uncomfortable going up for a blessing'.........

We sat down at afternoon tea and I asked him why he didn't want a blessing today in Church. He was reluctant to answer me and I could tell this was not a two minute conversation, or something to be brushed off..... I asked him if he wanted to come and talk to me on my own, and he did. There the revelation unfolded.

'Honey, why didn't you want to accept a blessing'
' I don't want a blessing, because I don't believe in the Bible'
' What don't you believe in?'
'They talk about things that aren't true. Mum I know my ancient history and they talk about slaves in the Bible and I know they came from somewhere other than what they're saying in the Bible, it's not true. How can I believe that someone touches Jesus' hand after being ill for many years and suddenly they're okay again - that just doesn't happen Mum'

Okay, deep breath here.....thinking fast here too. Thinking to myself, 'how old are you child? 9 or 19' This is not going to be an easy one.

' Sammy the Bible is based on stories, which have been handed down. Can I tell you a secret, I struggle with lots of what's in the Bible too. Maybe you just have to view them as stories, legends almost. Do you believe in Jesus?

'Yes, but only because we have AD and BC'
'It says in the Bible, that God speaks to people and I've never heard him Mummy' (he's crying at this stage.....
' Well Jesus lived. Do you believe that Jesus is the son of God?'
'No Mummy'
Shit, Lord help me I'm out of my depth here......

I continue
'Do you know the difference from right and wrong?'
'Yes Mummy'
'That's because God speaks to your heart, he tells you what to do, even though you don't 'hear' him, you feel him there'.

I think Sammy you have to have boxes in your brain, some for your ancient history knowledge and another for your Bible knowledge, and they need to be kept seperate.'
'It's so confusing Mum'
Sammy I struggle with it too,and it's okay to question things, there's nothing wrong with that, you're a smart boy and if something doesn't make sense, it's okay to make it try and make sense'
'Just keep it seperate Honey. Let's go out and have some afternoon tea'

He was still teary but held my hand and we walked out together.

'Do you think Honey, that if you believe in God, that you are not being loyal to the Egyptians?'
The tears ran freely again, hurt and dismay in his eyes. Tears of sadness at his betrayal and a disbelief that I understood.

'Honey those Egyptians and people from all the ancient civilizations that you love, would be proud to have you amongst them, and they would not be sad if you believed in God'....'You are not being disloyal'.

'Do you know how I know there's a God Sammy?'
'How Mummy?'
The tears welled up again and his beautiful face looked up at me expectantly.
'I look in your eyes Sammy and I see God. I listen to you sing and I hear Angels. You are beautiful and good and smart and you're living proof that there is a God. I was blessed when you were given to me.'

His tears ran down his face, mine rolled down mine into his hair.

Precious Blessed Child.

I love you with all my heart.

How old are you?

Deeply immersed in iPhone land......

I had a full day today. It started early, the two youngest were involved in a Book Week parade, so I needed to dress them up, thankfully I got that sorted last night and was all organized for this morning. I was rapt to leave the house, spotless and tidy and have the kids all dressed up and I was at work by 8.20am. My day was an eventful one. I had non verbal kids, one who abused me, he also went AWOL. I had another that's not keen to transition from one location to another and another who hit himself over the head. Thank goodness for assistants.... I self talk the entire time, trying to turn a situation around. I can't get angry, and definitely can't become upset. It was a hot day again today too, plus I spent time in the garden. I think the universe is trying to tell me something lol... I'm sure DB sniggers everytime I tell him I gardened lol.....

I've spent the entire evening scouring my iPhone manual. I'm very very excited as I've taught myself how to turn mp3 files into ringtones that the iPhone can recognize....... I realized today that I've spent so much time reading how to use the functions that I hadn't even worked out how to make a phone call..... Got there in the end though lol...

Time for a late cup of tea and then heading off to bed. DB has not come back upstairs, so he's fallen asleep down there..... It's feeling bizarre for an August night to be sitting here in a singlet and short pj bottoms with the fan on!!! Bizarre weather indeed.

A new member to the Apple Family

For months now I've been waiting to get my iphone. Funnily enough, my existing mobile phone just carked it. It won't even hold enough charge for a single day anymore, even though I bought anew battery. It's only out of contract in four weeks time and it's had it!!

I was going to buy the new one, the 16GB 3GS, but decided this morning that the 8GB iphone was certainly more than adequate for my needs and I would probably update in two years anyway. This has saved me quite a bit of money, so I'm rapt. I was extra lucky, because it was the last 8GB iphone in my town. The 16GB iphone is out of stock, and they couldn't even give me an ETA. Billy-Joe is beside himself because he has my old phone, but it's not good enough for him. I don't want him with a phone that will die, although he has it turned off at school all day anyway and he's pedantic about placing it on the charger everynight, so it's a short term stop gap. He has my old old phone currently, but it doesn't have bluetooth or music capabilities. I'll wait and see to decide what to do....

I should have slept today, I've got two days of work coming up. My eyes are on fire due to tiredness and the fact that the air has been so hot and dry. I had to relent and put the A/C on, it was revoltingly hot inside. It's winter for goodness sake and was 35 degrees (95F).......ridiculous!!

Scrapbooking Retreat @ Daisy's

Karen Knight and I

Just come home from a funfilled weekend @ Daisy's. Can't believe it's all over again, at least it's never long to the next one. I feel tired, but re energized in a way that can only be achieved by spending two whole days relaxing. No one to worry about, no one to cook for, or wash for or clean for......... Bliss!! I completed 3 A4 layouts and made four cards. I need to crop and edit those pics before I can upload them. I had my MacBook with me, but limited myself to spending time on it. Didn't want to waste precious retreat time computing, I can do that anytime after all..... I even left my farm fallow, so I could scrap without worrying about harvesting my crops [grin]......

The theme was Barbie's 50th Birthday, and the interpretation was very loose lol..... Karen K and I came as slumber Barbies, what an awesome way to arrive in pjs!! We even had a 'Ken' there, you can see 'him' standing behind me. He was totally in character lol and was very cheeky, thought he was in heaven with this bevy of Barbies.....

Karen Knight and I

Karen Knight, Lisa Webb, Lisa Hayes and Kim Zerner......

It was fabulous catching up with Kim. We only know each other through the retreats and have become friends even though we don't contact one another much after the retreats. I set up a Facebook page for her over the weekend, so hopefully we can keep in touch more that way. Karen Knight was positively glowing with her beautiful baby bump, new hairdo and a lovely relaxed attitude, she's a beautiful girl with a tender heart, thank you Karen, for adding something special to my weekend. Lisa Hayes and Lisa Webb - thank you both, for your entertaining banter, even though you informed me that I had a flat head (lol.....)!!! Kim, so glad you make the long journey to join us, hope you had a fab time... Two of my closest friends were unable to come this weekend, and I missed them very much. I'm already looking forward to the October card retreat to spend time with Suzy, and unfortunately won't spend another with Karen B until February 2010. Thank goodness she's booked in because retreats for next year are booked out already. For Karen and I, this is nice time which is rare for us together. We can converse and not be interrupted and I love seeing her relax. With Suzy we can discuss out 'geeky' issues together and catch up with what the many emails can't always sort out.

I've come home to a spotless house, a load of swimming clothes from this morning, washed and ready to be hung out, a dishwasher full of clean dishes, and everything else in place. I am truly blessed to be able to enjoy these sojourns with my girlfriends and know that I come home to a happy family and order.

Book Giveaway

A friend of mine's daughter is giving the opportunity of winning books on her blog.

Follow the instructions and you could win yourself a lovely book.

I have been sadly neglecting my blog of late. Life has been busy and my computer leisure time seems curtailed somewhat. I wonder who did invent Facebook lol........

After a fairly dry year workwise, I've landed an 8 day contract. Apart from the fact that I'll actually get paid, it means that the school is still happy enough with me to have me work there. My finances take a dive, and so does my self confidence. Eighteen months, I've been at this school and I've finally realized that I do indeed have a job there. However unpredictable it may be, the positives far out weigh the negatives. I've had a great class these past two weeks. Autistic kids, with just enough teenage angst to make it interesting. The neglect that some of these kids are exposed too still astounds me, but I have a good feeling knowing that in some small way I've been a positive thing in these kids lives. I love spending time with them, talking to them, listening to them and helping them. I will miss these kids and look forward to going back into their class at some stage. Their regular teacher is feeling better which is good.

It's my darling Bunny's birthday tomorrow night and we're all excited. The extra work has come in handy, as it means he's getting spoilt for a change. I bought him three Black Adder DVDs, a gift certificate at the Golf Club for three private lessons and I'm even hiring a baby sitter and taking him out to dinner on Saturday night. We're going to a Thai restaurant that we went to about 7 years ago. We always said we'd go back and have never had the money/time/inclination. Fortunately the place still has a good reputation so we know it will be good.

Not much else to report. Life is good and humming along nicely. I can't believe where the year is going and we are all beginning to get excited about our holiday in October.

Family Matters

I am really happy that my brother is now very happy in his life. No-one should stay in an unhappy marriage, and no-one should compromise themselves in order to do so. I believe you need to be true to yourself. Always!

Having said that, I have always mourned the loss of the relationship I had with his previous wife. They were together 17 years. A long time. A long time for us to develop a close relationship. Even with the argument that happened during that time, and the ensuing estrangement, I never stop missing our friendship. Mum told me that she had agreed to drop by last weekend with the girls. They say good things come from bad, and I guess having Dad take that 'turn' set some minds thinking. The visit never happened because one of my nieces was quite ill and it wasn't wise to have her around Dad. It's her birthday next Monday. I always think of her birthdays. I sent her a card for her 40th and never had a response, but that's okay. She knew I was thinking of her. I took on board, her planned visit to my parents' house and I invited her for Billy-Joe's birthday luncheon on Sunday.

My heart raced last night when I hit the send button. No reply last night, but I was having server problems so later in the evening no emails were sending or receiving. I sat with a stunned look on my face as a reply came through this morning. She is dropping in on Saturday afternoon. Kiana is still not 100% and I'm not sure if she's ready for the whole family thing just yet. She will bring the girls around on Saturday afternoon and I am so very very excited. I never thought I'd see the day. I don't know how our relationship will be. I don't expect to be bosom buddies. But I do want her to understand and respect the fact that she will always remain a much loved Auntie to my kids. We love her and I want her to know that. She has always turned to me in times of trouble, even during our estrangement. She knows I don't judge. She's known deep down inside of her, buried beneath the hurt that I have always loved her.

I'm very nervous about seeing her. It's been years since we've spoken. I can't wait.

Birthday Week

Monday starts with my niece's birthday. I still can't believe Julia is 16. I still remember and feel the depth of my emotion as I held her in my arms in the hospital. I thought she was the most beautiful baby I'd ever seen. For years I wanted to have a daughter just like her. The good Lord decided otherwise and I was blessed with three beautiful boys instead. My two gorgeous nieces are growing up so quickly. They are children no longer. Time just passes by so quickly. I'm so happy that now I'm able to really enjoy life so much more. It's like things have slowed down and I'm smelling the roses again.

Next weekend we celebrate Billy-Joe's birthday. My first born son is a beautifully natured child and I'm so proud to be his Mum. My boy will be 13 next Monday. He is so kind and loving and is an absolute delight to be around. He's great company and we share many interests. Like me, he loves all gadgets and it's so cool to grow with my children. Next Sunday we'll have a luncheon for him. He's chosen lots of yummy food, including a chocolate chunk mud cake totally covered in maltesers. He will want home made sausage rolls too. I have yet to finalize the list. When we celebrated Mickey's birthday I was amazed at how much food we put away. I will have to make more this time.

I've got his birthday presents sorted. He's getting a mobile phone. I bought a sim card through Savvytel. They are a great provider as their prepaid calls don't ever expire. Billy-Joe will be stoked. There are more and more often times now where we really need to contact one another. The time has arrived where he needs one. I've set up my old phone and will give him my current phone, when the contract expires on it. I've also bought him Sims2 for the Mac, so he'll be rapt. Mum and Dad have bought him a Manga drawing book, so he'll be a very very happy teenager.

Last weekend was great fun. Friday night was scrapping as usual and in sharp contrast to the Friday before when I was worried about my Dad. Saturday Barbi ran a class, and we were able to scrap there until 6pm. She'd catered and the food was yummy, as usual. I was hoping like mad that Karen could make it, and was so excited when she was able to come for the Saturday afternoon. Suzy was there Friday night and Saturday, so I felt pretty excited that I spent another weekend with her. With her work schedule, it's not uncommon for me not to see her for a few weeks at a time, so this was a huge treat. We did take our MacBooks but both of us were creative. I need to take some photos in day light tomorrow and upload them. Lisa made some of us wheat bags, so we sported them at various times over the weekend. Not only are they great for a sore neck or the tops of your shoulders, they are cosy when it gets cold. I've been wanting one of these for ages, but they were rather expensive to make. I was rapt when Lisa offered to make me one. Not only did I get to spend some much needed time with my best friends, I also was home at a good hour on Saturday night. Peter cooked a delicious steak dinner with vegies that he steamed in cream. We had a great night. I drank wine, laughed, ate and virtually fell into bed at the end of the night.

Sunday was full on. Even though dear Bunny had looked after the washing, there was loads of other stuff that needed doing. I made the weeks' lunches, ironed the kids' uniforms and cleaned the bathroom and laundry, and loo. I dusted and cleaned up some crap that's been collecting in my room. Sometimes I wish I could do with less crap. I would just love the minimalist look in my house. Books and papers, I just breed the stuff.....shits me to tears. The kids and DB went to golf yesterday and I was able to finish the washing and then I sat and watched two more episodes of True Blood which I'm totally hooked on. I'm loving the whole vampire thing, just fascinating. This series is better than the books it's based upon. I find Sookie in the TV series has more depth and intelligence than the Sookie Charlaine Harris portrays in her books. Even though the story lines are changed, I find they have more depth and substance to them as well. Karen and I are just loving the episodes and are excited about watching the second season, virtually as they come out on US tv.

On the topic of TV, I'm disappointed that MasterChef is finished for the year. I'm over the moon excited for Julie, I think she was a deserving winner and can't wait for her book to be released. I think I will enjoy her style of food. I would love to learn how to present food like they do in good restaurants. I think it just makes the food look exquisitely delicious, and so tempting. I would love having my food look as well presented and as good as it tastes.