Ahhh...

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 This is what I woke up to this morning. 2 cups of coffee. With my love. Noice!!

Have a wonderful day all



Ciao for now...

 

Thankful...

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Well, the Silver Fox is home tonight for 2 1/2 glorious fun filled action packed weeks. I hope we all get along! I am mostly recovered from the 'gifts' the Tweenie/Teenie gave me so all should be well. As if on cue it is raining after being such beautiful weather! The Silver Fox has a s-m-a-l-l- list of chores from me including hedging the bushes which is l-o-n-g over due. I have book for just the 2 of us to go out to dinner tomorrow night. Yay!!

We have found out the work-plan finally! He is up in Townsville/Cairns/somewhere else until November. That is a l-o-n-g time isn't it? (About 1000km drive for those non-Aussies) So we are really looking forward to this time together. After that we will see him once per month whether it be us going up or him coming down. I will endeavour to send one child alone as well for some *extra* bonding! Plus I am going to send them both one weekend and I'm going to go away with my heavenly sister for a long overdue weekend.

So, I am thankful. For lots of things:

• Love
• Work, even if it is far away
• My gorgeous family
• June (I l-o-v-e Winter)
• Friends and family
• Health
• Anticipation
• My babies getting a little more independent
• NO vacation care AT ALL these school holidays as Daddy is in charge

So dear Bloggers, have a lovely day




Ciao for now..
 

Succumbed...

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 This is where you will find me. I have succumbed after all...



Ciao for now...



 

Big Hair?...

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I love this image for the colour of the dress. It is an image from Harpers Bazaar. I'm pretty sure they are up on fashion. Then I noticed it... Did you notice? B-I-G H-A-I-R!! Does that mean it is coming into fashion? Again? I'm not sure whether to be glad or not...

What do you think?

 Ciao for now...

 

Dance Fever...

Whoot whoo. 3rd place in the Jive. His partner is behind him in the black dress!!

Well, what an exciting weekend it has been so far and it is only Saturday afternoon!!! Master T went to a dance-off last night between 2 schools and did a dancing competition with the Tango, the Jive and a Hip Hop number. He won 3rd place in the Jive as above. Well done. He was so keen. He chose his clothes, his partner and displayed such focus and passion for the event. I don't remember boys being like that when I was 11. Were they? Oh, it wasn't just him. All his mates were dead excited too. I got a bit teary at all this excitement and focus. Fantastic really. 

Just come back from Miss T's soccer game. She scored 2 goals and it was 8:0 their favour. The other team were very complimentary and wished them luck for the semi finals. What the? Much appreciated but she hasn't played for 2 years and I don't remember everyone being so friendly. I'm not complaining though.

My kiddies have been sick with 3 different things over about 3 weeks and during this time we moved Miss T's bed into my room so I could keep an eye on everyone. They were all for sleeping together in MY bed but I'm not sure 3 would work. When moving her bed we discovered the base was broken and as she has a back injury, it was off to the shop to buy her a new bed. At 1.7meters and still growing a queen size was really the only option. I feel strange buying her a bed so big though. I'm not sure why. As I had a single bed until I was 22 maybe that is it or maybe it is the potential of things to come. Not sure but what do you think? What would you do?? So we found something that is basic and will be timeless in design AND didn't cost a motza!!

Have a great 'rest-of-the-weekend' everyone. Off to visit the Silver Fox's Mummy tomorrow. What a good daughter-in-law I am.....





 Ciao for now...


 

How Very Civilized...

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I needed to go to Miss T's school for parent/teacher interviews last night. Now, this would be my first such occasion and I had a list of seven teachers to chat to for 7 minutes. This being my first dabble into such an event, I was not sure of the logistics of time, location etc... I need not have worried. It was all so civilized. I sat at a desk (I was number 2), and the teacher's came to me!! Oh the joy! They chatted away and then moved on to the next person when the bell rang. How easy was that??? AND - they knew my child very well. Only one slightly negative comment was she brushed her hair in art! How funny!! She is a bit of a talker so I thought that would be a comment. Wasn't expecting hair brushing. The teachers were different from what I remember as a student. More professional I think, more serious and very focused. 

What a pleasant experience. I took Miss T out and bought her a present for all her hard work. A pair of jeans. Usually I do books or something educational but hey, she needed jeans. Job done!!

Have a great Friday folks. The Silver Fox is home next week for.... wait for it..... 2 1/2 weeks!!! Yay us!!

Ciao for now...



 

Owl Fetish...

See that beautiful tree from Otekah

My owl fetish continues

I only recently discovered I have an owl fetish and they make my heart sing. My heavenly sister went to Disney World in Florida recently with her family and brought me back this gorgeous Hedwig. It was very generous but my sister is like that. This soft owl now completes my little corner in my bedroom. It is actually a puppet with a head that turns and it makes heavenly 'owl-y' sounds. I'm in love. The beautiful tree holding my recently purchased Elk jewellery, is from Otekah in Tasmania. Isn't it lovely?

Do you collect anything?



 Ciao for now...


 

Modern Home...

These days I am into the modern, almost industrial look with a few soft edges. I have had the Queenslander, the Georgian home and now a semi-modern. I think I still have one more house in me atleast and would like to go something like above. Square, minimal, sleek. Anyone see that email about the house in Africa that closes down to a secure box? Bit too security conscious for me but I do like the look of it when 'open'. You decide:

It shuts up tight for security. But. I l-i-k-e it. For now anyway...



Ciao for now...

Invisible...

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 I was talking to a friend of mine the other day. We were talking about feeling invisible. Do you ever feel invisible. She has. I have. I am sure we all have at some point. Do you know what I mean? Well. You are present, but no one r-e-a-l-l-y sees you or, r-e-a-l-l-y hears what you are saying. Have you ever had that happen? I'm not sure why. Maybe people are too busy, maybe their minds are too full of babble to listen properly. Maybe their lives are too frenetic to see and listen. Not to the words exactly but what you are trying to say. Not being heard, really heard.

Communication is more that just words isn't it? It is being present, giving your full attention. Taking time to totally understand. I wonder what troubles today's generation will get in to as they shortcut their way through communicating. We will see. What about you? Do you ever feel invisible and if so, what do you do about it? Does this observation come with being more aware of yourself and life around you? I'm not sure...

To me, my friend is not invisible. She lights up a room with her smile and sees the positive in everything. She also has one of those hearty laughs. A-n-d she is very passionate about reading and writing and talking... Nope. Not invisible to me. 

Back to deep and meaningful folks. Let me know what you think...

Ciao for now...




 

Turquoise Window...

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Hmmm, I wonder what can be seen from this window? The T's are on the mend although I had to chuff Miss T out the door for her 1st day back following her 'long weekend back to health'. She was c-r-a-b-b-y! However, life goes on and must resume some sense of normality. Master T is wandering around looking for stuff, still in his pjs. Not one to get a shifty on in the mornings either. Ahh, the joys!! He was, however, up on the weekend before 7 to watch TV. Hmmm, not really understanding his logic. 

Me? I'm blogging away, have to pack a clothing bag for charity and still have a lunch or two to make. Need to get a shifty on myself. I have just spoken the the SF and he had been up since 4am. 


I think the view from this window would be wonderful, new, exciting... Nah! Bit much for a Monday morning I think. Have a lovely day everyone.





 Ciao for now...
 

Weekend...

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Aaah, the weekend again. Miss and Master T much improved. I think I might sing the praises of good old Vicks as a remedy back to health. The Silver Fox is out deep sea fishing with some buddies on an overnight trip and my parents are driving back today as Mamma is much improved. They should take 2-3 days to get back depending on how much jiggling bruised ribs can stand. I have collected their mail and dropped off some milk and bread so all they can just defrost something to eat and climb into bed. 

So, the weekend to ourselves..... What to do? I would l-o-v-e to curl up in the corner and read a good book as above. But. Still have 2 assignments to do for my course and then I am done. Might load the kids up with movies and Playstation and have a pyjama weekend. Sound good? What are you going to do?

The weather today is fantastic. Have a lovely weekend all

 Ciao for now...


 

Sick days...

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Miss T wanted to sleep with me last night so I know she must be feeling r-e-a-l-l-y unwell as she had declined my offers thus far. I thought a week of each of the kiddies sleeping with me would suit but in the past she thought that was 'er, no thanks'. A kind but definite decline of my invitation. So last might I made her have a bath, new pyjamas, a slather of Vicks and into bed. Medicine, water, tissues, rubbish bin, tucked her in... All set.

What do you do when yours are ill? My mother used to change our beds and our pyjamas after we had a bath. She always told us we would feel better even though it was such a chore to have a bath when you are not feeling well. But you know, once tucked in we did feel better. Always. Do you ever look back on your childhood with adult eyes? Do you consciously take the good parts and consciously not take your un-favourite bits into your family life? This is one tradition I take.  To me it means love, security and comfort. Do you know what I mean about consciously looking at your family life with adult eyes? I spoke about it here some time ago.

Now, a promise. This blog is meant to be a bit deep now and then, to get you thinking about yourselves more and to remind you to take care of yourself. Of late I have been a little untrue to my original goal, maybe a little superficial at times. So, I promise to balance deep with superficial. Oh, did I tell you I am nearly finished my course? And my teacher said of my submitted work that it was of 'a very high standard'. Stoked really to receive such praise. I do like learning. Hmmm, maybe another course after this? Who knows.

Ciao for now...


 

Number 2...

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Miss T is unwell: temperature, cough... Sounds all too familiar to me. Off school, medicine, tepid baths, sleep. She wants to do her homework, even while she is snuffling and coughing away. Girls! So stoic really. She is 13 now and heavenly. A teenager officially. She loves that bit. She giggles alot. Finds humour in small things. Oh, she does have a bit of a dark side too. I usually send her for a bath if she is snitchy in the afternoon after school. Her life gets a bit complicated it would seem. I can usually hear her singing away after a few minutes. Water does that to her. Relaxes her like nothing else. She is part mermaid I think. I have always thought so. I ask her then if she wants to talk. She usually says no but might say yes so I keep the offer open. Now she is poorly and a bit snitchy. Being sick is like that  So far this high school/teenage thing is okay. So far. Hope she is better soon. She has soccer on Saturday that she will hate to miss it. 

Where has the week gone? For me it has been juggling my roles. Bit of smoke and mirrors really. It is all in the wrists....

  

Ciao for now...



 

Just For Minute...

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Still being quite a hectic week. Master T is still unwell. Any 11 year old boy who will be placidly led to a bath and bed at 6pm is definitely not well. A bit of Vicks and a good sleep saw him off to school today  so maybe he is on the mend. He is making himself a milkshake as we speak. 

The Silver Fox seems to be quite robust and has not developed any untoward symptoms as yet. Which is good. We are having trouble getting Mamma home as there are now floods blocking they path. In 3 places no less!

Me? Role conflict to the max. I haven't even been able to do my early morning posts!! Maybe if I just curl up in this bed for just a minute it will all work out. What do you think? It is quite beautiful. I think I like the ceiling the best...

Ciao for now...




 

Bed Rest...

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We have had an interesting week so far. We discovered that The Silver Fox had inadvertently used Master T's toothbrush over the weekend. This is the Master T who had vomiting, temperatures etc... Oh oh. We are waiting to see if anything develops.... I tried to comfort the Silver Fox by saying that Master T probably hardly really cleaned his teeth with it. I'm not sure if he did or didn't but there are not many words to dispel the feeling and image of using the toothbrush of another. Gross, related or not. Time will tell if anything untoward develops.

Mamma was due to leave my sister's home this morning but unfortunately had a fall last night. Not sure how but a trip to hospital shows nothing is broken, just bruised. But. A 12 hour car ride home might be pushing it a little. She isn't coping with the everyday as she lives more and more in her twilight world of dementia. She is at the crotchety stage which doesn't make it easy for all concerned. She really wants her home. Did so about 1 hour after she arrived. Now she is in bed with a big question mark over her. Tough decisions to be made....

 Ciao for now... 




 

Monday Already?...

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Just about to drop the Silver Fox off at the airport. We had a lovely weekend.  In a way it is nice to savour every moment, knowing it will soon come to an end. Sort of a nice way to live - appreciating the every day - being engaged in the 'moment', so to speak.... Unfortunately Master T was as sick as a dog this weekend. Temperatures (39 degrees C), vomiting, nasty cough. Requiring medication every 4 hours. Very poorly. I felt sorry for him because one of the things both boys were looking forward to was bike riding for hours. Not to be this time. The SF took Miss T to her soccer game. A win 3:2. Yay!! They hung out together for a while. He notices the biggest changes in her and needs to get to know her all over again each visit. He thinks she has a great sense of humour bit I think she scares him too with her maturity. He is very proud of who she is. 

I shared us with some friends for breakfast on the Sunday. In a large muffin pan I cut the crusts of 12 slices of bread and squished them in each individual case, cooked that until a bit crispy then added an egg to each with some parsley. Worked a treat. No sticking, no mess, eggs cooked to perfection. I added some bacon,  oven-roasted tomatoes, baked beans, pancakes and pre-made toast. Took less that 1//2 hour to cook everything. Served with coffee and juice. Job done. I served 8 as quick as a click of the fingers. Highly recommend the muffin pan trick.

The Silver Fox and I snuggled and chatted long into the nights about 'what if' we did this, 'what if' we did that. He is all too aware of what he is missing out on and that our little family needs to be together. At his work they have mentioned his job might last until after Christmas. We will know more soon but goodness gracious me if that is not a l-o-n-g time. He is concerned about the impact it is having on Master T, especially as Master T is in that stage of his life where he needs a constant male influence. Talking on the phone or Skype every night  is the best for now. He is also concerned about Miss T and had a really great time with her when it was just the two of them. It all goes far too quickly. 

The Silver Fox said he is good for 2 weeks and then he is bereft. As a house guest where he lives he is a dream. He cooks, cleans, fixes... he sanded and oiled the outdoor setting before he came home. He says he has to do something to patch the hole in his heart.

We did get a walk on the beach in the drizzle and the cold like above. We also did a movie marathon-family-thing. As you do. Again my petrol tanks are filled until the next time.





 Ciao for now...


 

Friday Delight...

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Is Blogger being beastly again? I seem to have no followers or signature at this moment. Maybe it is the cold and it doesn't want to get out of bed. I know I didn't. I think it is about 13 degrees c in my home at the moment but will be chillier outside!! Master T is doing a speech today on Star Wars and Lasers for 3 minutes. His choice. I just helped him with the timing. He ends with 'may the force be with you'. He can't wait for that bit.

Miss T had 10 minutes to get up and catch the bus so out the door she ran with banana in hand as breakfast. She has her first soccer game tomorrow and is r-e-a-l-l-y looking forward to it. Bet it is chilly at the soccer fields at 7.30 in the morning.

The gorgeous Silver Fox is home this evening for the weekend. We have nothing planned except family time so I can't wait. The weather is supposed to be wretched which seems to happen when he is here. I haven't made a to-do list t-o-o long for him, I hope. My parents have gone away for the week to stay at my sister's, so we will have him all to ourselves. Can't wait...

Best get Friday done I suppose. Have a happy day all...




Ciao for now...



 

Water Colour...

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When the Tweenies ...eer, Teenie and Tweenie that is, were small I went to water colouring lessons. I was a busy girl: two little kids, working part time, my own business too, big house, dependent parents... You know how it is. Well, I went to these water colour lessons. It was run in a group with an older lady as my teacher. We had amazing people in our group. 

One lady learned to read at the age of 30 but had such a talent for acrylics and was trying her hand at water colours. She shared her story once and I was sobbing in the background as she told us how dumb she felt all her life until the school wanted her to help teach her daughter who had just been diagnosed with dyslexia, and that is when they found that s-h-e had severe dyslexia! The school then began to teach them both.! Goosebumps even now at the thought of how she struggled. Another guy painted amazing boats with just a flick of his wrist. Still another lady painted the most amazing birds down to each little feather. Me? What did I paint? I SUCKED at it. Totally...

You see it required too much planning for me when I was at such an action stage in my life. Water colours had to be planned and I was a bit of a Nike girl 'just do it'! (there is an eyebrow story that goes with my motto - not very successful. I digress...) You see with all the go-go-go in my life, I couldn't plan, rest, relax. I even had a beautify treatment when Miss T was small and was strumming my fingers in aggravation at how slow the whole process was. 

Plus my teacher wanted us to draw trees all the time. Boring trees. That's okay but she also wanted up to draw flowers. That was okay but they were both less than inspiring. I mean a poinsettia in a jam jar: p-l-e-a-s-e! She would always say "Oh, are you finished first again my dear?" Yep, she was talking to me. 

My goal is to learn water colours again when I am more patient. I did put it to good use though, I used to paint my own wrapping paper, put the Phantom of the Opera on and paint reams of it on beautiful paper, later at night when the kiddies were in bed. I painted the teacher's at school drawer liners/wrapping paper as their end of year gifts. To be different. Master T always wanted apples - red and green. Miss T tulips. I also painted my own cards for a while too.

So on to my bucket list it will go. What about you? What is on your to-do list?

 

 Ciao for now...


 

Red Door...

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Hmmm, I wonder where this goes? Do you want to peek? Would you go through the door? I would. Doesn't that tree look beautiful? Sometimes, you just have to take chances, don't you think?

Ciao for now...




 

Best friend...

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The Tweenies and I are thinking up doggy names.... in case we get a dog. I just want to be home a little more than I am now. I am very excited to think that we might have a new member in the family. Master T r-e-a-l-l-y wanted a Chinese baby girl. Hmmmm, Miss T wanted a baby with an English accent. Double hmmmm. They both jumped at the alternative choice of a dog. 

Phew, that was a close one!!! 

PS: Hello to my new followers. I've tried to send you a message but alas Blogger is still being fickle. Thank you also everyone for your lovely and helpful comments of late. Much appreciated. Off to post Felicity's prize today...


 Ciao for now...