We did our best to give our kids names that are not too common and not too weird. We thought we'd done OK with Ruby and Max. Good solid everyday names but maybe not as everyday as Kathryn and Mark. :)
But in the last few weeks, Christina Aguilera (is that how you spell it?) and Jennifer Lopez have both named their new baby boys: Max. Oh dear. I reckon there'll be more Max's than Jack's and Lachlan's before the year is out. Sorry Maxie. We did try.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Beautiful bohemian Bangalow
Last Sunday we went to Bangalow (North Coast NSW) for a day out. It's a beautiful little town. We specifically went for the markets, but all we bought (other than lunch and snacks) was Bungee balls - balloons (kind of like yo-yo's) filled with rice attached to a long piece of elastic and made to look like things. Ruby chose a butterfly, Max got a fish and Mark and I got Santa Bungee balls cause they were free!
Max asked for a piggy. Heather masterfully painted her first ever piggy face. Before he got off the chair Max whispered to me to "take it off". So Heather happily (??) washed off her first ever face painting. 
Hope you can find a calm and beautiful spot this weekend.
We pottered and snacked and laughed and watched buskers and ate icecreams and sat under big shady trees watching the world go by.
Highlights of our day out:
organic chicken hot dogs - delish
by Amber and Heather - 2 of the rainbow fairies. Of course Ruby told them all about "Ruby the red fairy", "Amber the orange fairy" and "Heather the violet fairy" because they had no idea about their fame or magical powers. This is Amber:
Ruby's butterfly face painting was spectacular.
Max asked for a piggy. Heather masterfully painted her first ever piggy face. Before he got off the chair Max whispered to me to "take it off". So Heather happily (??) washed off her first ever face painting. afternoon tea
We had afternoon tea at a funky little cafe in the main street. Good coffee,brilliant cakes - yum.
Hope you can find a calm and beautiful spot this weekend. peace and love
xxxx
Note to self: stop cursing in front of Max
Thursday evening:
We walk in the back door to see a bazillion ants traipsing through our kitchen. Max rushes in. And says:
"where the bloody hell did those bloody ants come from?"
Mark says to me: "where did Max get that from? And what are you going to do about it?
I say: "bloody hell. I'll probably do nuthin' "
*sigh*
We walk in the back door to see a bazillion ants traipsing through our kitchen. Max rushes in. And says:
"where the bloody hell did those bloody ants come from?"
Mark says to me: "where did Max get that from? And what are you going to do about it?
I say: "bloody hell. I'll probably do nuthin' "
*sigh*
Saturday, February 23, 2008
42 things to do before I'm 43
1. see a platypus in the wild - this is something I've wanted to do for a very long time. It's been on my "must do" list forever. This is the year. I might go to Tasmania.
2. run for 6kms without stopping and without collapsing - I can do this, I know I can.
3. lose 6 kgs - I've made a start. I've lost 2kgs since I wrote the list. Hooray for me.
4. re-read "The Art of Happiness" - to help me re-focus. Thanks to Ruth for making think about this book again.
5. learn about Catholic religious practices so I understand what Ruby's doing at school - in just a couple of weeks, she's already learned so much by being thrust in to Lent at the start of the year
6. help with reading in Ruby's class for a morning every 6 weeks or so - I can do this, just need to book some dates in.
7. write a card or a letter each week - they'll be written on a train or a plane for sure, so forgive the scrawl when I write to you
8. sew my own skirts. I'm feeling motivated to sew and of course I have tonnes of fabric.
9. take Ruby and Max to Canberra.
10. read 5 new authors.
11. order Moo cards. I do love them and I want some.
12. make a pavlova. I feel like I can't really live too many more years saying "oh no, I've never made a pav". This might be the year it gets done.
13. have a holiday in Sydney - the kids are old enough to really love Sydney now. Ruby often pretends that she lives in an apartment at the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. :)
14. hire a kayak every now and then. I love kayaking but don't do it often enough. Actually, it happens pretty bloody rarely these days and I want that to change.
15. buy a Max ring. It's a long story. But basically Max wants me to have a "Max" ring to celebrate his birth because I have a "Ruby" ring. Max has started putting money in his piggy bank but it could be a while before I get one if I wait for the coins to accumulate.
16. do a photo session every month
17. learn how to use the different functions on my camera properly
18. use the treadmill at least 4x every week. I'm on track for this.
19. ride my bike!
20. organise play dates for Ruby and Max
21. print all of Ruby and Max's baby photos. I can't believe I haven't done this.
22. buy a new suit. I'll get another one in winter.
23. have a pedicure. I love them and it's been a long while since I had one.
24. reconnect with Rod and Donna. I miss them.
25. take a Pilates class.
26. learn how to use CUBA. It's a work thing.
27. take Ruby and Max bushwalking. So many beautiful places to go and I'm pretty sure they could both walk for a few k's now without shouting to be carried.
28. read the newspaper. More than just on the weekends that is.
29. subscribe to Crikey. I've got a lot of value out of the free trial.
30. blog at least once a week. I'll try harder I promise.
31. practice compassion everyday. I'm doing OK with this I think.
32. write to Souerng often. Souerng is our 5 year old sponsor child who lives in Cambodia. Ruby and Max tell people she's their sister.
33. stretch every day. I want more strength and less pain.
34. download fave songs/albums from the internet.
35. make time to escape every month or so. There are so many good places to run away to.
36. write my "I believe" manifesto.
37. back up my digital photos. I can't believe I haven't done this very well. I have saved some photos to CD, but I'm not very conscientious with this. And I have got an external hard drive sitting right here beside me.
38. surprise Mark.
39. replant the front garden. We need to do this soon or our neighbours will force us out of the street.
40. stick with natural medicines to improve my health.
41. spend a day with Mark every month or so. We've had 2 days together without kids so far this year. It's a very good thing.
42. buy some gorgeous new perfume. It's been a long time since I last bought myself perfume that I loved/must have.
I'll try my best to do these things before my birthday.
So what's on your list?
2. run for 6kms without stopping and without collapsing - I can do this, I know I can.
3. lose 6 kgs - I've made a start. I've lost 2kgs since I wrote the list. Hooray for me.
4. re-read "The Art of Happiness" - to help me re-focus. Thanks to Ruth for making think about this book again.
5. learn about Catholic religious practices so I understand what Ruby's doing at school - in just a couple of weeks, she's already learned so much by being thrust in to Lent at the start of the year
6. help with reading in Ruby's class for a morning every 6 weeks or so - I can do this, just need to book some dates in.
7. write a card or a letter each week - they'll be written on a train or a plane for sure, so forgive the scrawl when I write to you
8. sew my own skirts. I'm feeling motivated to sew and of course I have tonnes of fabric.
9. take Ruby and Max to Canberra.
10. read 5 new authors.
11. order Moo cards. I do love them and I want some.
12. make a pavlova. I feel like I can't really live too many more years saying "oh no, I've never made a pav". This might be the year it gets done.
13. have a holiday in Sydney - the kids are old enough to really love Sydney now. Ruby often pretends that she lives in an apartment at the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. :)
14. hire a kayak every now and then. I love kayaking but don't do it often enough. Actually, it happens pretty bloody rarely these days and I want that to change.
15. buy a Max ring. It's a long story. But basically Max wants me to have a "Max" ring to celebrate his birth because I have a "Ruby" ring. Max has started putting money in his piggy bank but it could be a while before I get one if I wait for the coins to accumulate.
16. do a photo session every month
17. learn how to use the different functions on my camera properly
18. use the treadmill at least 4x every week. I'm on track for this.
19. ride my bike!
20. organise play dates for Ruby and Max
21. print all of Ruby and Max's baby photos. I can't believe I haven't done this.
22. buy a new suit. I'll get another one in winter.
23. have a pedicure. I love them and it's been a long while since I had one.
24. reconnect with Rod and Donna. I miss them.
25. take a Pilates class.
26. learn how to use CUBA. It's a work thing.
27. take Ruby and Max bushwalking. So many beautiful places to go and I'm pretty sure they could both walk for a few k's now without shouting to be carried.
28. read the newspaper. More than just on the weekends that is.
29. subscribe to Crikey. I've got a lot of value out of the free trial.
30. blog at least once a week. I'll try harder I promise.
31. practice compassion everyday. I'm doing OK with this I think.
32. write to Souerng often. Souerng is our 5 year old sponsor child who lives in Cambodia. Ruby and Max tell people she's their sister.
33. stretch every day. I want more strength and less pain.
34. download fave songs/albums from the internet.
35. make time to escape every month or so. There are so many good places to run away to.
36. write my "I believe" manifesto.
37. back up my digital photos. I can't believe I haven't done this very well. I have saved some photos to CD, but I'm not very conscientious with this. And I have got an external hard drive sitting right here beside me.
38. surprise Mark.
39. replant the front garden. We need to do this soon or our neighbours will force us out of the street.
40. stick with natural medicines to improve my health.
41. spend a day with Mark every month or so. We've had 2 days together without kids so far this year. It's a very good thing.
42. buy some gorgeous new perfume. It's been a long time since I last bought myself perfume that I loved/must have.
I'll try my best to do these things before my birthday.
So what's on your list?
Monday, February 11, 2008
and then my heart melts just a little bit more
Tonight, this boy, the boy that pooed and weed his way through 4 pairs of undies and countless pullups yesterday, melted my heart just a little bit more.
Every night there are endless declarations of love. Tonight he called me his "scrummy honey". Many, many times. I love that. I love his very intense affection. Sometimes it can be a wee bit suffocating, but mostly it is very, very precious.
peace and love
xxxx
this photo was taken on Max's first day of being an "upstairs boy" at kindy. "Upstairs" is the big kids room at kindy, it's a big deal. He didn't want to go.
Every night there are endless declarations of love. Tonight he called me his "scrummy honey". Many, many times. I love that. I love his very intense affection. Sometimes it can be a wee bit suffocating, but mostly it is very, very precious.peace and love
xxxx
this photo was taken on Max's first day of being an "upstairs boy" at kindy. "Upstairs" is the big kids room at kindy, it's a big deal. He didn't want to go.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
School photos and some news
Here she is - the smallest, and without doubt the cutest, child in class P/1M:
with the biggest backpack ever carried by a 4 year old child (surely it is, it's huge): 
* Ruby's religious education has begun in earnest. She understands that baby Jesus was born at Christmas but is convinced that *baby* Jesus will be dying in a few weeks time just after he delivers chocolate across the world. This story hasn't changed for a couple of years now, but I was hoping a Catholic education might be able to set her straight.
* Ruby has learned a new prayer: "in the end of the Father, the Son and the Holy syrup (!). Thankyou God for this new day. Thankyou God for the games we play. God is the King of the Jungle (roar!), God is the King of the Sea (bubble, bubble), God is the King of the Universe and God is the King of me". It's beautiful and it has actions. Very very precious. We asked her to say it about 12 times tonight and she was very gracious to say it over and over and over. I did record it but it's dark and fuzzy, so will need to ask her to perform again.
* I missed the first ever information session at school tonight. I completely forgot about it and was just leaving work when it was starting. Oops. That "Mother of the Year" nomination is looking more unlikely every day.
* Our new house cleaner started yesterday. We came home last evening to a sparklingly clean and lovely house. Heaven. We spent at least 20 minutes admiring Donna's work. I talked to Ruby and Max about how we have to keep the house neat now that it's clean because Donna will be coming every week. Ruby asked "are people coming to stay". I said "no" and she said "so why did Donna clean our house?". I explained that it's nice to have a clean house all the time and she said "yeah, like everyone else's house". *sigh* Anyway, I'm looking forward to Donna's weekly visit.
Yesterday was a calm day. Today has been chaotic. As "C" appears to be the letter of the week, I'm hoping tomorrow is cool and composed and not cantankerous and challenging.
peace and love
xxxx
with the biggest backpack ever carried by a 4 year old child (surely it is, it's huge): and here's the big schoolie with her crazy mumma and nearly hysterical baby brother Max:
* Ruby's religious education has begun in earnest. She understands that baby Jesus was born at Christmas but is convinced that *baby* Jesus will be dying in a few weeks time just after he delivers chocolate across the world. This story hasn't changed for a couple of years now, but I was hoping a Catholic education might be able to set her straight.
* Ruby has learned a new prayer: "in the end of the Father, the Son and the Holy syrup (!). Thankyou God for this new day. Thankyou God for the games we play. God is the King of the Jungle (roar!), God is the King of the Sea (bubble, bubble), God is the King of the Universe and God is the King of me". It's beautiful and it has actions. Very very precious. We asked her to say it about 12 times tonight and she was very gracious to say it over and over and over. I did record it but it's dark and fuzzy, so will need to ask her to perform again.
* I missed the first ever information session at school tonight. I completely forgot about it and was just leaving work when it was starting. Oops. That "Mother of the Year" nomination is looking more unlikely every day.
* Our new house cleaner started yesterday. We came home last evening to a sparklingly clean and lovely house. Heaven. We spent at least 20 minutes admiring Donna's work. I talked to Ruby and Max about how we have to keep the house neat now that it's clean because Donna will be coming every week. Ruby asked "are people coming to stay". I said "no" and she said "so why did Donna clean our house?". I explained that it's nice to have a clean house all the time and she said "yeah, like everyone else's house". *sigh* Anyway, I'm looking forward to Donna's weekly visit.
Yesterday was a calm day. Today has been chaotic. As "C" appears to be the letter of the week, I'm hoping tomorrow is cool and composed and not cantankerous and challenging.
peace and love
xxxx
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Beautiful fairies in our home
1. Wear beautiful fairy dresses (not ever to be called princess dresses).
2. Carry a beautiful fairy wand (not ever to be called a swirly straw)
3. Fill a basket with fairy dust (not ever to be called confetti)
4. Cast beautiful spells on mummy - who so far has been an angel, a frog, a swimming pool (!), a butterfly, a piggy and Barbie.
A beautiful morning.
Walk on a rainbow trail...
"Walk on a rainbow trail; walk on a trail of song, and all about you will be beauty. There is a way out of every dark mist, over a rainbow trail." Virginia Woolf
Feeling calmer today. Thank heavens for rainbows, there have been a few about this morning after some really heavy rain.
Thanks too for your calls and kind thoughts and wishes this week, I never ceased to be amazed by the generosity of spirit of many people we know. I'm grateful for that.
I'll post some'first day of school' photos later today. :) It's been a BIG week.
peace and love
xxxx
rainbow pic is from Wikipedia
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Random questions
- Why am I trying to pretend that I'm not in a whole lot of pain? What's that about? Why can't I just say to people "yeah dammit my back IS really really sore". nb. I was in a pretty awful car accident on the Freeway in Melbourne last week.
- Why are taxi drivers freakin' lunatics? With the exception of my special cab guy (Carl), why is it that cab drivers everywhere sense that I'm a nervous passenger and try their best to terrify me with their erratic and reckless driving behaviour?
- Why can't work be straightforward and predictable for a week? Why can't there be more calm and less chaos just for one week? Surely that's possible.
- Why is Max so dead set against making friends with boys? *sigh*
- Why doesn't Max want to be a "big boy"? Why does he fight so hard against going to the toilet, giving up his dummy and today - moving up to the big kids room at kindy?
- Will Ruby always stutter in times of big stress? I'm hoping the answer is 'no'.
- Will Ruby thrive at school? Will she love it? Will I be happy or sad tomorrow when she starts?
- How many more years do we have to be on a car lease? And is it possible to do 10,000kms in 64 days without going completely mental?
- Will our house ever be presentable every day? Will Ruby, Max AND Mark ever learn to pick up after themselves? AND will Donna (who starts next Monday) be the perfect house cleaner? I hope so.
- Why am I blogging when I'm in a cranky mood? I know the answer to this one - because life's not always perfect and I don't ever want to fool myself into pretending that it is.
This is the thunderstorm, I'm waiting for the rainbow.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
We believe
It's important to *believe* in something, to state it boldly and throw your beliefs out into the world.
I love Jonathon's manifesto. I think I'll start working on my own manifesto.
I'm having fun with "believe". :)
xxxx
image is from jonathon adler's website
I love Jonathon's manifesto. I think I'll start working on my own manifesto.
I'm having fun with "believe". :)
xxxx
image is from jonathon adler's website
Monday, January 14, 2008
'There are 3 billion women...
who don't look like supermodels and only eight who do.'
In 1998, The Body Shop debuted a self-esteem campaign, featuring a generously proportioned, rubenesque, doll called "Ruby." I fell in love with Ruby when I saw her in a Body Shop store. She's beautiful. The message, and of course the name, stuck with me.
I want my Ruby to grow up confident, believing she's as beautiful and fabulous as she is. The recent mini drama about Jennifer Love Hewitt being "fat" was ridiculous and infuriating. I wish there was more reality and less hype in the world.
"I believe your most attractive features are your heart and soul" Savage Garden
peace and love
xxxx
In 1998, The Body Shop debuted a self-esteem campaign, featuring a generously proportioned, rubenesque, doll called "Ruby." I fell in love with Ruby when I saw her in a Body Shop store. She's beautiful. The message, and of course the name, stuck with me.
I want my Ruby to grow up confident, believing she's as beautiful and fabulous as she is. The recent mini drama about Jennifer Love Hewitt being "fat" was ridiculous and infuriating. I wish there was more reality and less hype in the world.
"I believe your most attractive features are your heart and soul" Savage Garden
peace and love
xxxx
Thursday, January 03, 2008
1, 2, 3 days of photos!
I've taken some more photos today. Amazing.
Here are some pics from today: crazy bucket boy and then some little mini books I created while we were at Noosa. They're just waiting for me to get photos printed now. I'll try to do that this weekend.
Here are some pics from today: crazy bucket boy and then some little mini books I created while we were at Noosa. They're just waiting for me to get photos printed now. I'll try to do that this weekend.
peace and love to you today
xxxx
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
What happened on Christmas Day?
It was a big day. Fun, funny, calm, chaotic, peaceful, panicked, relaxing, relentless. Good times. It was a good day.
xxxx
Hooray!
Hooray for taking photos 2 days in a row. Here are some random pics from around the house this evening. I'm not sure if I can take pics every day for 365 days straigth but I'm feeling pretty chuffed I managed it for 2 consecutive days. :)
Hooray for a Christmas present from Auntie Julie and Uncle Paul arriving today.
Hooray for leftovers.
Hooray for Fifth Leg Chardonnay on sale at Jim Murphy's.
Hooray for the return of my blogging mojo.
Hooray for a reasonably quiet day at work.
About believe: "Success means having the courage, the determination and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be". George Sheehan. Thanks George
peace and love
k xxxx
ps there will be Christmas photos soon, I promise. Although you could check them out on my Flickr page - they're up already. xxxx
Hooray for a Christmas present from Auntie Julie and Uncle Paul arriving today.
Hooray for leftovers.
Hooray for Fifth Leg Chardonnay on sale at Jim Murphy's.
Hooray for the return of my blogging mojo.
Hooray for a reasonably quiet day at work.
About believe: "Success means having the courage, the determination and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be". George Sheehan. Thanks George
peace and love
k xxxx
ps there will be Christmas photos soon, I promise. Although you could check them out on my Flickr page - they're up already. xxxx
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
New Year blessings and new beginnings
Peace be with you.
May 2008 bring you more calm than chaos. More laughter than lassitude. And more love. Lots more love.
I'm feeling quite positive about 2008. I usually feel quite sad and reflective at New Year's but this year feels different. I feel a buzz. A change is coming.
During 2007, my 'one word' was peace. After considerable dithering, my word for 2008 is 'believe'. It's a compelling word for me right now, so I think it will be a good fit. Other contenders were 'challenge', 'dare' and 'leap'.
I'm not sure that I'm quite ready to abandon 'peace' yet though. Perhaps I can just collect words each year, progressively adding one at a time, without ever actually letting any go. Sounds like a good plan.
We talked about our 'one word' over dinner tonight. Ruby quickly settled on 'learn' - which is a good choice given she starts school in 29 short days time. fingers in ears la-la-la. Mark is not decided yet but his one word may be either 'contemplate' or 'productive'. Or possibly both. Max suggested that his could be 'not being naughty'. Ha! Like that would ever happen. So we talked about positive framing yada yada and he's thinking about 'good' or 'try' or maybe even 'toilet'. I should admit that Max was heavily influenced by the rest of us.
I discovered this site earlier today and fell in love with it. I always want to take more photos but am too lazy to lug the camera around with me. But this site has inspired me. I love the photo a day idea. I'll give it a try. Maybe I should just keep the small cam in my bag.
I took a couple of photos today.
a Bangladeshi toran I bought in Eumundi :)
my kitchen word. :) it used to be H-O-M-E, but I've revamped for a new year.
Enjoy 2008. Know that - "there are years that ask questions and years that answer. " - Zora Neale Hurston. Which will it be for you?
peace and love
xxxx
May 2008 bring you more calm than chaos. More laughter than lassitude. And more love. Lots more love.
I'm feeling quite positive about 2008. I usually feel quite sad and reflective at New Year's but this year feels different. I feel a buzz. A change is coming.
During 2007, my 'one word' was peace. After considerable dithering, my word for 2008 is 'believe'. It's a compelling word for me right now, so I think it will be a good fit. Other contenders were 'challenge', 'dare' and 'leap'.
I'm not sure that I'm quite ready to abandon 'peace' yet though. Perhaps I can just collect words each year, progressively adding one at a time, without ever actually letting any go. Sounds like a good plan.
We talked about our 'one word' over dinner tonight. Ruby quickly settled on 'learn' - which is a good choice given she starts school in 29 short days time. fingers in ears la-la-la. Mark is not decided yet but his one word may be either 'contemplate' or 'productive'. Or possibly both. Max suggested that his could be 'not being naughty'. Ha! Like that would ever happen. So we talked about positive framing yada yada and he's thinking about 'good' or 'try' or maybe even 'toilet'. I should admit that Max was heavily influenced by the rest of us.
I discovered this site earlier today and fell in love with it. I always want to take more photos but am too lazy to lug the camera around with me. But this site has inspired me. I love the photo a day idea. I'll give it a try. Maybe I should just keep the small cam in my bag.
I took a couple of photos today.
a Bangladeshi toran I bought in Eumundi :)
my kitchen word. :) it used to be H-O-M-E, but I've revamped for a new year.
Enjoy 2008. Know that - "there are years that ask questions and years that answer. " - Zora Neale Hurston. Which will it be for you?
peace and love
xxxx
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Feeling grateful and reflective
I'm not whingeing today. phew. Thank heavens the 'woe is me it's raining too much' episode was short lived. I'm not very tolerant of myself when I'm in a mood. Good thing my family is *very* tolerant - or blissfully ignorant ;) which is much more likely.
Been thinking today about what my 'one word' for 2008 might be. "Peace" has served me well in 2007, even though I don't think I've tried very hard with it. There are a few new words in contention, but unless I'm struck by a flash of inspiration in the next couple of days I may well stick with 'peace' for another year.
The end of a year always makes me think hard. Here are some quotes that resonate for me today, from a new site I've discovered.... http://www.inspirationpeak.com/
"This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind...let it be something good." Author Unknown
"I will not die an unlived life. I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire. I choose to inhabit my days, to allow my living to open me, to make me less afraid, more accessible, to loosen my heart until it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise. I choose to risk my significance; to live so that which comes to me as seed goes to the next as blossom and that which comes to me as blossom, goes on as fruit." Dawna Markova
peace and love
xxxx
ps we're heading home tomorrow so there will be photos soon :)
Been thinking today about what my 'one word' for 2008 might be. "Peace" has served me well in 2007, even though I don't think I've tried very hard with it. There are a few new words in contention, but unless I'm struck by a flash of inspiration in the next couple of days I may well stick with 'peace' for another year.
The end of a year always makes me think hard. Here are some quotes that resonate for me today, from a new site I've discovered.... http://www.inspirationpeak.com/
"This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind...let it be something good." Author Unknown
"I will not die an unlived life. I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire. I choose to inhabit my days, to allow my living to open me, to make me less afraid, more accessible, to loosen my heart until it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise. I choose to risk my significance; to live so that which comes to me as seed goes to the next as blossom and that which comes to me as blossom, goes on as fruit." Dawna Markova
peace and love
xxxx
ps we're heading home tomorrow so there will be photos soon :)
Friday, December 28, 2007
Noosa
is not as much fun when it's raining non stop. The really sad thing is I'm probably the only one going stir crazy. Mark, Ruby and Max are relaxed and chilled and still swimming every day.
We've had Christmas at Noosa - a rare Christmas adventure on our own. It's been peaceful and quiet, just what we wanted.
On Christmas Day we had long and leisurely lunch at the Boathouse Restaurant - it was perfect. The food was delish and the views up and down the river were beautiful. We all had a really lovely time and Ruby and Max were pleased to be able to take a few special toys from Santa with them so they could play between courses.
Even though it's been raining every day, and is progressively getting more and more set in as the cyclone is building up off the coast :O, we've been out and about quite a bit this week - to the movies (we loved the Bee Movie), to the river, to UnderwaterWorld......specifically to see the Crawly Creatures exhibit. There's a lot of hype about this exhibit but there's really very little to it. The most impressive of the crawly creatures were the BIG spider crabs. They were incredible. Ruby's favourite animals at Underwater World was the seals and the hermit crabs and Max's faves were the clownfish and the spiders (even though we didn't actually see spiders). My faves were the spider crabs and Mark's were the otters. I don't think the otters looked very happy though. Their enclosure was small and grubby.
We braved the shops today. Mad but true. I really wanted to buy some new runners so we all tripped down to Sportsco and I happily bought the most expensive shoes on the 40% off table. They were a good buy and are unbelievably comfortable. If they weren't so ugly, like all runners are, I'd wear them all the time.
I've taken a *lot* of pics but can't download them to the laptop, but will definitely post some when we're home in a day or two.
Hope your Christmas was happy and sane.
xxxx
We've had Christmas at Noosa - a rare Christmas adventure on our own. It's been peaceful and quiet, just what we wanted.
On Christmas Day we had long and leisurely lunch at the Boathouse Restaurant - it was perfect. The food was delish and the views up and down the river were beautiful. We all had a really lovely time and Ruby and Max were pleased to be able to take a few special toys from Santa with them so they could play between courses.
Even though it's been raining every day, and is progressively getting more and more set in as the cyclone is building up off the coast :O, we've been out and about quite a bit this week - to the movies (we loved the Bee Movie), to the river, to UnderwaterWorld......specifically to see the Crawly Creatures exhibit. There's a lot of hype about this exhibit but there's really very little to it. The most impressive of the crawly creatures were the BIG spider crabs. They were incredible. Ruby's favourite animals at Underwater World was the seals and the hermit crabs and Max's faves were the clownfish and the spiders (even though we didn't actually see spiders). My faves were the spider crabs and Mark's were the otters. I don't think the otters looked very happy though. Their enclosure was small and grubby.
We braved the shops today. Mad but true. I really wanted to buy some new runners so we all tripped down to Sportsco and I happily bought the most expensive shoes on the 40% off table. They were a good buy and are unbelievably comfortable. If they weren't so ugly, like all runners are, I'd wear them all the time.
I've taken a *lot* of pics but can't download them to the laptop, but will definitely post some when we're home in a day or two.
Hope your Christmas was happy and sane.
xxxx
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Christmas in the city
We made our annual Christmas pilgrimage to the city yesterday to look at the big tree, the beautiful lights, the Myer Christmas windows and to ride the Santa Express. It's a good tradition that Mark and I started the year of Ruby's first Christmas. The kids love it. I love it too. We went with our good friends Jan, Col, Ella and Huddy and another dear little boy called Nathan. It was nice to have dinner together in the Queen St Mall as all the lights were coming on around us. The kids had a great time running around, going a wee bit mad and crashing into people who were walking through the Mall.
I think the green heart is a new addition to the tree. I love it. I wonder who thought to add it. It's a lovely touch.
My fave decorations are the reindeer. They look best at night time when they are all lit up and glowing. Beautiful.
Christmas seems more frantic than ever this year. Sadly. I'd love some moments of quiet through the madness but I can't see it coming for a while yet.
We're off to the shops this morning to buy a few more gifts and then this afternoon, we're all excited about going to see The Wiggles.
peace and love to you
xxxx
I think the green heart is a new addition to the tree. I love it. I wonder who thought to add it. It's a lovely touch.
My fave decorations are the reindeer. They look best at night time when they are all lit up and glowing. Beautiful.
Christmas seems more frantic than ever this year. Sadly. I'd love some moments of quiet through the madness but I can't see it coming for a while yet.
We're off to the shops this morning to buy a few more gifts and then this afternoon, we're all excited about going to see The Wiggles.
peace and love to you
xxxx
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
The answer to the big question
....did you watch Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy? If you did, you'll know that the answer is 42. But maybe you don't know the question. I don't think Arthur ever found it.
looking a bit shabby here, but it's the end of the day and I'm allowed to look shabby, cause I'm 42!
I got some great pressies this year - the treadmill :O; a pedometer, some gorgeous stuff from Perfect Potion, jarmies, a new teacup, books.......and.....a pair of thongs. A work mate couldn't believe I didn't have thongs, so he bought me a pair - just gorgeous. Or maybe not. Perhaps I don't wear thongs because I have *ugly* feet! You know, they're actually pretty comfy to wear. Don't tell. 
Anyway, it was my birthday yesterday. And this year, as I'm now 42 (sob), I'm expecting some great revelations about the meaning of life, the universe and everything. I didn't find it today, but I know I have another 365 days (cause it's a leap year) to discover it. If you find the meaning of life, I'd be happy for you to tell me so I don't have to keep looking. ;)
I had a good birthday for a work day. We went out for dinner on Sunday night - to Mt Cootha. Lovely. And dear Jan made a cake for me that we had at the park Sunday lunchtime. Thanks Jan. And happy birthday to Ruth who has also just had a birthday. x Mark finally put my treadmill together and I used it last night for the first time - hooray for me. Feeling all fit and self righteous now even though I know I'm still porky.
R+M were very excited about my birthday and told me constantly that "it's very special" and "you're very special mama". Loved that. Max was calling me "big birthday girl" - loved that too. :)
Anyway, here's some pics from yesterday:
Anyway, here's some pics from yesterday:
looking a bit shabby here, but it's the end of the day and I'm allowed to look shabby, cause I'm 42!
me with my cake-lovin' mates.
I got some great pressies this year - the treadmill :O; a pedometer, some gorgeous stuff from Perfect Potion, jarmies, a new teacup, books.......and.....a pair of thongs. A work mate couldn't believe I didn't have thongs, so he bought me a pair - just gorgeous. Or maybe not. Perhaps I don't wear thongs because I have *ugly* feet! You know, they're actually pretty comfy to wear. Don't tell.
these 2 are up for a party any time of day or night.
see - ugly ugly toes. Blergh.
Every year, I buy the Courier Mail on my birthday so I can get the special birthday report for the year ahead. This year, it says: "Because the new moon falls today, this will be a year of firsts. You will make discoveries about yourself and about life. A year when you dare to be different and accept any challenge you meet. Life will change." Oh dear, that sounds big.
Here's to the year ahead and new beginnings.
peace and love to you
xxxx
Saturday, December 08, 2007
End of year ballet finale
Wowsers, what a production. Ruby's end of year ballet concert was spectacular and she loved every single minute of it.
Mark, Max and I went to both concerts and our friends Jan and Ella came along to watch as well. During the first concert we sat in the front row which was great cause Ruby could see us and squeal and wave. During the second concert we were in the middle of the audience. This wasn't so great. Ruby was distracted because she kept looking for us in the crowd. Towards the end of their dance Ruby stopped dancing and just stood looking out into the crowd. The other koalas kept dancing. The other koalas exited stage left. After what felt like a very long time watching her stand out on the stage on her own, Ruby realised she should have left the stage. She tippie toe ran to the exit stage right. Oh dear. She realised she'd gone off the wrong side and then tippie toe ran back across the stage to exit on the other side. Everyone thought it was choreographed. Phew.
We've had a fun year of ballet.
peace and love
xxxx
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