Heartsore...

The Silver Fox is soon to depart again for hotter pastures where work does beckon and the time frame promised is a mere 5 weeks. Hopefully only 5 weeks. Last time that turned into 9 months. Well, we all survived I know but not having him around is just not the same. We have been married now for 22 years and you know, a girl gets used to having someone around!


The Silver Fox has been home now for 10 months and life for us has been forever changed. In a good way, no a great way. I'm not really able to define it but he is more 'giving' of himself. And we are all loving it, including him. So we are s-q-u-e-e-z-i-n-g in some quality family time and this long weekend helps. We took the kids and the dog on our favourite walk around the point at Coolangatta this morning. We sat and watch whales breeching at Point Danger, walked and talked. Okay, the walk w-a-s 3 hours so there were some grumbles but not from us or the dog. She l-o-v-e-d it! I have lined up some surfing lessons too. Miss T is keen but Master T has already had a few so "knows all about it" Hmmm, we will see.


Tomorrow brings completion of a few chores and a bit of couple time whilst the kids help their Grandfather do some gardening and fill a trailer with rubbish. Not sure what we will get up to. Maybe I can make him come for a run with me and we can walk back along the beach and talk, plan, scheme and just 'be'. I have made the Silver Fox make a few promises like not working too hard and not getting enough sleep. I have lots to do while he is away and have the easy end of the bargain with lots of distractions to fill my day: kids to come home to, sport, chores etc.... He at least is staying with friends so will have some company around. It can get very lonely being by yourself.


 Already my heart is heavy with dread at him going. Almost like some part of me is missing and I feel kind of off balance.


You know?


 Ciao for now...




 

Family Fun...

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Our crazy weekend continues. I am off to a conference tonight for 2 nights, then the Silver Fox is leaving tomorrow. He has done the usual chores from the 'list' I make for him (including fixing a leaking toilet, putting up a TV on the wall, fixing the still-leaking bathroom and cleaning the pool) but we have had fun too. I sometimes look over at him when we are doing stuff and can't really believe he is there, beside me. He asks me why I am smiling. I just am. I like my 'normal' much better that the other way. Not long to go now until we are all as should be.

He has noticed a big change in the kiddies. He thinks Master T has grown like a weed. But. He notices the biggest change in him too, that he is a bit lost without his Dad and realizes this career-move has affected Master T the most. And wrestle!!!! Anywhere, anytime. Master T can't get enough. I don't get boys but I understand enough not to complain about cushions flying, couches pounded and the occasional 'bang, crash, crunch' noise coming from the TV room.

Okay, well, need to pack and get kids sorted for a sleepover tomorrow at my parent's home. Hopefully it will go okay and my Mother's dementia won't cause anxiety. It is her birthday tomorrow so the kids go armed with presents. Being away causes me anxiety let me tell you! I have packed my gym clothes as I am in Week 4 of my Challenge and am 'on f-i-r-e' as the Silver Fox would say. Who would have thought that I would get a taste for all this exercise. When I get back remind me to tell you about my 10km run. I know. I'm amazed too! A-n-d I survived!!

Stay well, smile and be kind to yourself...


Ciao for now...
 

Time...

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As usual time is fleeting.... Today is the Silver Fox's last day and even with his 'Man Flu' he has been a delight. Being a dedicated wife I drove and drove yesterday looking for an open pharmacy on Easter Monday/Anzac Day. After about an hour... success!!! Some special 'Man Flu' tablets and the difference was noticeable. Still we spent the day relaxing with a bit of James Bond and The Bourne Identity series. It was raining so it helped to snuggle on the couch and I whipped up some leftovers for lunch.

Today we will buy him some shorts that don't fall down (7 kg weight loss whilst away - how rude!!) and catch up with my parents for a meal. All this time away means his tolerance is a bit low for answering the same questions over and over....  Tomorrow he boot scoots off again to catch the train at 5.30am.

What does the future hold with regards to work? Perhaps another 2 month stint then a ......... 6 month stint! Yowza!! It is his birthday this weekend coming so he will be all alone. I could try to smuggle a present back for him but all he brought back was his laptop! Boys, got to love them. I couldn't live without my handbag!!!

So dear Bloggers take care. I will be having a giveaway soon to celebrate my 300th post so stay tuned!!!

Ciao for now...
 

Time Flies...

What a gorgeous day!!! See - he is a 'Silver Fox'...

As usual 'time flies when you are having fun!' and all too soon I waved the Silver Fox off after an action-packed weekend. What was great was that he did have a relaxing time with us and was able to forget about work and have fun with his family. This photo above was taken on Saturday and we went to this restaurant for lunch then grabbed an ice cream and had a stroll after.

My boys went and saw Nitro Circus and had a 'fat' time apparently. Good bonding stuff that! We were sad to see him go but it is what it is. No use whinging and whining. I just pray that he stays safe and comes home in one piece and just in time for Easter. He did mention that he went fishing in a crocodile-infested river and thought the boys were joking when they told him to get out of the water that he was in up to his waist!! Australia - got to love it!! 

It is our 21st wedding anniversary in May so maybe I will plan a little surprise for just the 2 of us. Any suggestions?

Happy Monday to you all


Ciao for now...
 

Something is Missing...

We went grocery shopping on the weekend - the Tweenies and I. Now I l-o-v-e grocery shopping! Especially with children. Are you shocked? Oh look, there was a time when it was a nightmare. But. They are older. I hope this gives those of you with little ones something to look forward to. You see my Tweenies are my slaves!! They don't know it but I have trained them for years! Bwahahahaha!! They push the trolley, use their maths to seek out the bargain deal, load the groceries onto the belt, put the bags into the trolley, put the bags into the car, take back the trolley AND help unpack the car. They have even been known to put the groceries away! Bliss!! Heaven! Sometimes I let them put a little something in the trolley. Sometimes I don't. I try not to let this power go to my head but really, it is very enjoyable. Except when one tried to run the other one over with the trolley but then they get 'the look' and they know there will be no 'little somethings' in the trolley. Feel free to read more about my 'look' here. It is my secret power. Usually we also plan the weeks meals prior to starting to shop and suggest meals we would like.

Anyhoo, today shopping went something like this...

Me:      'What does everyone want for dinner this week?'

Silence (cue in thinking music)

Master T:      'We could have Beef Stroganoff'

Me:      'Nope. Dad cooks that'

Master T:      'What about salsa and spaghetti?'

Miss T:      'Nah, Dad cooks that. What about Devilled sausages?'

Master T:      'No, Dad mashes the potatoes. Who is going to mash the potatoes?'

Me:      'Well, you could mash the potatoes'

Master T:      'No, that's Dad's job'

Sighs then silence

We were all thinking the same thing. He has only been gone for 3 days. There is still 39 days to go!!!


Ciao for now...