Friday 31 May 2013

Peace and Quiet...




I like 6 am. The house is peaceful and although it is the calm before the storm but I get to relax with a nice cup of coffee. By myself.


I was up at 4.30 getting ready for a new spin class that starts at 5 am. I know. Sounds crazy but it is run 3 times per week and the trainer's name is "Matt the Rock". How can anyone not love that. He does his classes in the dark with strobe lights and we pedal in time to the music. All 25 of us.


So, tick. Exercise done and still plenty of time to get ready for the day ahead.
Sometimes exercise needs to be a bit creative.


Have a lovely day everyone. Do you have a busy weekend ahead?
Ciao for now
Just Martha. xxxx
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Tuesday 28 May 2013

just Chalk and Cheese...




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This whole high school business is a whole new game now that Master T is there. It has made me appreciate his self directed, self disciplined, goal-striving sister ++++. I don't directly compare him to his sister of course but, sheesh, I've had it easy.

Not so with Master T who is kind of.... how shall we say?..... less than motivated by striving to do one's best. He seems to have a less than firm grasp on assignments, deadlines and direction. Not sure if this was always him or if this is merely a settling in period for high school and soon the kinks will all work themselves out. When he received "0" for not handing something in, his response is.. "what assignment, nobody told me?"

Chalk and cheese my two children

It is exam time 

 I am getting involved.

I supervise his study and  have encouraged him to make his own timetable. I am conscious of assisting him to learn using tactile, visual and auditory ways. He is less than keen but I persevere and we do get there. Eventually. I will NEVER do his work but take the time to show him the way. So far I have earmarked him for a career in law as heavens, can that boy argue logically!!! I think he should join the debating team after this!!

His school learns on computers and I think for him, this is a big part of the problem. I don't think it encourages all learners to seek the information in a logical way when all they need to do is goggle a word and hey presto, they don't need to read all those chapters! I make him read those chapters which makes me mighty unpopular but we discuss the content in a hope of making it logical for him and enable him to think a little more laterally, thus increasing his problem solving capacity. I make him write out stuff and then write it out again!! And I make him correct the spelling. Evil I know!!

He has 5 years of this so I am determined to take this time to set him up with good studying skills now to pave the way for the future when the work gets increasingly difficult.

What I don't know is how to give him the passion for learning

Any ideas?


Ciao for now...





 

Sunday 26 May 2013

All Star...

We had a family day today. We try most Sundays to just hang out together. We spent a few hours shopping in a factory outlet type of set up. It took a-g-e-s to persuade Master T to come. Shopping is not his thing apparently, even though he did have birthday money to spend.

I bought a pair of these:

Red converse

 I hope I haven't overstepped that invisible line between adult/ cool teenager.

I guess I will find out soon enough






Ciao for now...







 

Monday 20 May 2013

just Melbourne...


Well, the Silver Fox and I planned a Melbourne adventure. Up at 4.30am to get ready, woofed down a quick breaky and we were off. A text at the airport to the kiddies as a goodbye while quietly insuring that they were up and getting ready for school. Lists of instructions were left for them and Grandpa so all could run smoothly. We left a very forlorn dog sitting at the front door with a 'what the' expression. However, she is totally in love with Grandpa so we knew they would be fine.

We headed down with two sets of neighbours and this was the end result of a Christmas discussion. I am quite surprised it happened but we were very excited as we had never been to Melbourne despite it always belong our desire to go. The Silver Fox and I celebrated our 23 rd wedding anniversary while we were there. How lovely. I warned him that if my hair behaved and defrizzes in the first hour to hang like a curtain of satin down my back, then we are moving there. 

Just saying.

We had a lovely apartment for 6 at Southbank and quickly mastered the most efficient public transport known to man. The Silver Fox and I explored and looked and enjoyed every minute of it, The highlight for me was dinner at Lygon St at an Italian restaurant with a table on the street watching people walk by eating gelati in the cold, looking cold.

It was c-h-i-l-l-y. But somehow it was all fine because life is geared towards coping with the cold. I checked my coat in to Cloakrooms like nobodies business simply because I could! I was hoping to catch up with a blogging friend but alas on this occasion it was not to be. Never mind.

Here are some photos from our lovely getaway:

The gorgeous Yarra



Flinders Street Station with a gorgeous tram


China Town


Yum Cha in China Town



Mmmmm...
Us at St Kilda
Antipasta from Queen Victoria's market
Funky bar
Queen Victoria Market - Soooo heavenly
Afternoon shadows over the gallery

Went and saw this. after all, it is THE Monet

Moving art in the foyer of the NGV

Reindeer made from glass spheres at the NGV
Amazing restaurant in Lygon Street. I had chilli prawn risotto - to die for!!
Fitzroy architechture

Autumn at its best in Fitzroy



Cheesecake from a 100 year old Polish recipe


I would highly recommend Melbourne to anyone to visit is it was so friendly and a delight at every look


ciao for now












Sunday 12 May 2013

Mother's Day...






The house is quiet at present save the dryer and the washing machine. The family have gone to do the grocery shopping and I have just come back from a walk on the beach with my faithful companion. We had to rush in the end as it has just started raining and as I had my hair straightened yesterday, I hope to be frizz-free for slightly more than 24 hours.
I spent some time with my Mum yesterday and took her to a friend's place for afternoon tea. Mum has been in care now for nearly 6 months, has lost 16 kg and is more active than she has ever been in years. She looks 1000% better than ever and is a joy to take out. Conversation is a little repetitive and apparently I have grown but it is such a joy to spend time with her now she is calm from having a strict routine. I feel so less stressed in general since she has been in care, knowing both her and Dad's health and future has improved.
My Dad has also lost weight and is doing things that he has been unable to do in years like swim and walk every day. Such is life when you were caring for someone with dementia. He looks and sounds so much better and is able to spend quality time with each of is children and their families. It is very lovely. He and I go out to dinner weekly and generally hang out
Today my family will do the shopping and washing, make lunches and I get to choose what we do as a family. Sounds pretty good to me. My brother is taking Mum out for the day with his family.
To all the Mummies out there - hope you have a lovely day with your family.
ciao for now
just Martha xx
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Tuesday 7 May 2013

Teenage Negotiations...

"11 Good Reasons To Get My Helix Pierced"
 Miss T is keen to get another piercing in her ear like some of her friends whose parents are a tad more "relaxed than us" apparently. The Silver Fox lost his mind when she suggested it. God love him. She did remind him that according to him, he "pierced his own ear with a needle when he was 13". Aaah, the joy of sharing with your children and their wonderful memories.

Me? Was I horrified? Did I put my foot down?

Well, no...

You see, I think I can make this work to my advantage by negotiating other issues.

An opportunist? Yep, maybe.

I just think that perhaps I need to choose my battles and fight the big ones. Maybe this isn't a big one. after all, it is just an earring.

So

I asked Miss T to write out her reasons, as above. Some of them are quite creative, especially the one about her paying for it unless we want to. Also, she has spent time finding out about the hygiene issues. I guess my discussion about tattooing and the increase in Hepatitis C has really paid off! The bottom of the note has a diagram and there are a few kisses too. I love the bit about it not being "trashy"and that she will look after it to maintain "hygiene" Awww, my germ warfare training has sunk in!

Also, she has been hounding us to change schools (for social reasons rather than bullying or academia although apparently the school her friends go to has surfing... such a drawcard!).

So, what if I say she can have the earring but that we wish to hear no more about her changing schools?

Could be a win win situation couldn't it?

I guess I will need to negotiate with the Silver Fox

I wonder what I have to negotiate with for him?

I'm sure he will think of something...





 Ciao for now...




 

Saturday 4 May 2013

All Wrapped Up...



Wrapping paper Flower...

Saturday night and it is the dog and I hanging out together. The boys are bike riding and Miss T is currently doing her second shift at a Thai restaurant.

I decided it was time to make some watercolour wrapping paper instead of perhaps reversing Christmas paper and using the white side. It is probably a good idea to put a little more effort into the presentation of a gift isn't it? After all, there is joy in giving and I was a tad embarrassed about my lack of effort.

So, some wrapping paper. Look, I can be arty but haven't done so for such a l-o-n-g time. It is actually very relaxing to create so with some music on (and my trusty helper keeping out of the way and not walking on any of my efforts drying on the floor),  I whipped up about 10 sheets or so. The theme today was flowers but in the past I have done some gorgeous apples, tartan sheets and tulips. The colours are bright and I love the way water colour moves and finds its own design. The paper is quite large and perfect for wrapping small to medium gifts.

Here are some pictures...

Brushes all set up
Some paints
Handy helper supervising...
Melting and mixing together...
Getting a bit boring for some...
Working itself out...
Bit closer to the action but still boring...
I l-o-v-e the movement of water colours...
Close up of Ginger Sass. Aaawww....

 So, that is my Saturday night. The ironing is calling me but I choose to ignore it for now. Might make some peppermint tea and watch a bit of television. It's nice to chill-ax for a while.






Ciao for now...



 

Thursday 2 May 2013

Hello May...



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Life is settling down here a little. I have just come upstairs to bed and 2 mobile phones are neatly charging in my bedroom and 2 computers doing the same downstairs. Finally. It has take a good few months of enforcing the rules to ensure that my 2 Teenies are getting a good night's sleep away from texts and the Internet.

Miss T has settled down too for the time being. She had a tryout tonight for a job at a local restaurant. My hope is to take up a little more time ensuring she is a tad more organized with less time available to surf the net. Also, to be more engaged with the everyday.

To talk to real people, in person.


We also enforce old rules like no phones at meal time and rewards of Internet time on the weekend after good behaviour during the week.

Still...

I am ever vigilant. It took a trip to see my sister to realize the depth of change in Miss T. Teamed with her recent issues with anxiety and depression, action need to be prompt, consistent and thorough.

It is her birthday this week and she is turning 15.

We adore her

So, May has begun. I l-o-v-e the cold: a scarf here, some boots there. the Silver Fox and I are planning a trip to Melbourne to celebrate our 23rd wedding anniversary. He is still working close to home and hasn't been sent away as yet.  We are all feeling very grateful.



ciao for now

just Martha xx


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