Wednesday, January 12, 2011
day forty
Elliot is OBSESSED with football. Those of you who know him can well and truly testify to his obsessiveness. He is a tragic Collingwood supporter and is perpetually running out of black textas due to his Collingwood pictures (that never seem to end). Because of that I ordered 24 black ONLY textas for him from the States (via Brooke's mom, yay!) which makes him, and me, happy.
However, because he is so obsessed, he insisted that we go home from the beach past Kardinia Park/Skilled Stadium in Geelong. We left the beach late, everyone was tired and hungry but we went to KP anyway. And Mummy (who is a Geelong supporter, but hasn't been to KP for over a decade) got an awesome surprise when we discovered the new(ish) Premiership Stand and it's display of premiership cups that are viewable from the OUTSIDE!! Yay!!!!!!!!!! I made Elliot pose with me, but he just looked frightened of Mummy's excitedness, so you can just have photos of me instead.
(Actually I think Ivy looks kinda scared too.)
However, because he is so obsessed, he insisted that we go home from the beach past Kardinia Park/Skilled Stadium in Geelong. We left the beach late, everyone was tired and hungry but we went to KP anyway. And Mummy (who is a Geelong supporter, but hasn't been to KP for over a decade) got an awesome surprise when we discovered the new(ish) Premiership Stand and it's display of premiership cups that are viewable from the OUTSIDE!! Yay!!!!!!!!!! I made Elliot pose with me, but he just looked frightened of Mummy's excitedness, so you can just have photos of me instead.
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day thirty-nine
You know how when you have kids/dogs/bikes/responsibilities and you go away somewhere it always seems really hard work? For us, even a day trip involves a packed car.
But we bundles ourselves and our "stuff" into the car and went down to visit Matt's aunties for a couple of days. And we had this view:
And we were thoroughly spoilt. Good company. Good food. Some companionable drinking and board games. It was only one night, and the packing and unpacking was annoying and the kids woke up early, and and and..... It was fabulous. And totally worth every effort and every possible inconvenience.
Friday, January 7, 2011
day thirty-eight
You know what, sometimes you just have to do these things. And they are a blessing and a curse all at the same time. I mean, it's awesome to have a new phone with all the trendy doo-dads on it, but it ruined my P-A-D!
My parents came over today, mostly so Elliot could have a footy match with GD. And the postie arrived at the same time as my folks with another new baby. And all my plans of taking photos of the grandies with the kids went out the window as I had my head stuck in my new phone trying to work the damn thing out. So now you get that poxy thing up there as my "photo" of the day. Haha, sucked in.
(No it's not an iPhone.)
Thursday, January 6, 2011
day thirty-seven
Today was a good day. The postie brought me a parcel. And that made me squeak with joy. It was my sweet sweet new camera bag, a partial Christmas/birthday present from my Mumma and my sis (and also myself lol). I've been using my other one that I love and will still use for almost 2 years... it was handmade for me by Tanya Tindale and I think it's wonderful and she's so clever, but my gear just didn't fit anymore. Which is kinda a good thing because it means I have more gear ;-)
So anyway, my new (not so) little baby is a gorgeous Kelly Moore bag and it's a freaking tardis and I LOVE IT x a gazillion. It's huge. There's enough room for lots and lots of gear. And I love it. Oh yeah, I said that already.
So after I squeaked and squawked about my new bag to the postie (didn't get it), my kids (didn't care), my husbo (wondered if I was strong enough to carry it) I kinda realised that as a work-from-home-parent I don't have colleagues to bounce things off to. So I squawked to facebook.... And all my photographer friends DID get it (as well as my sisters - they always get me).
(I really must post a photo that shows it's actual size - another day. It's way huger than it looks.)
Today's blessing has absolutely nothing to do with a camera bag or facebook or posties or even my kids. Just a little something to remind you that (almost) every cloud has that elusive silver lining....
Chemotherapy sucks. Badly.
But on the plus side you don't have to shave your legs for months at a time. Or other parts I'm assuming, I didn't ask.
Edit> I've just been reminded that also mosquitoes don't like chemo blood. Win! Especially when you go camping on the Murray during peak flood water and there are a million of them around. (Thanks Brooke!)
So anyway, my new (not so) little baby is a gorgeous Kelly Moore bag and it's a freaking tardis and I LOVE IT x a gazillion. It's huge. There's enough room for lots and lots of gear. And I love it. Oh yeah, I said that already.
So after I squeaked and squawked about my new bag to the postie (didn't get it), my kids (didn't care), my husbo (wondered if I was strong enough to carry it) I kinda realised that as a work-from-home-parent I don't have colleagues to bounce things off to. So I squawked to facebook.... And all my photographer friends DID get it (as well as my sisters - they always get me).
Today's blessing has absolutely nothing to do with a camera bag or facebook or posties or even my kids. Just a little something to remind you that (almost) every cloud has that elusive silver lining....
Chemotherapy sucks. Badly.
But on the plus side you don't have to shave your legs for months at a time. Or other parts I'm assuming, I didn't ask.
Edit> I've just been reminded that also mosquitoes don't like chemo blood. Win! Especially when you go camping on the Murray during peak flood water and there are a million of them around. (Thanks Brooke!)
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
day thirty-six
Today is my little Luna cat's 1st birthday. Not the day we got her, as she was 10 weeks old then, but her actual birthday. She was born in my friend Kim's cupboard of her spare room. Heavily pregnant teen Mumma Puss was caught in a trap (I think) and then brought to Kim's vet clinic where she works as a vet nurse. Mumma Puss had a lot of babies, and I can't remember all their names, only that Kim named them all after food lol. I'll see if I can press my memory here: Pepper, Custard, Gummi Bear, Wasabi, Chilli (and now I'm cheating because Kim reminded me of a couple more today), Koji, Zappo,,,, and one more I can't remember!!! Anyhoo, we adopted Pepper, the gorgeous shy little grey darling and renamed her Luna, for 3 reasons: 1) Luna was the name of the Smashing Pumpkins song we danced to at our wedding, 2) she was the colour of the moon, 3) Luna Lovegood is awesome! So little Luna came home with me and the kids in March much to Matt's chagrin. He pretends he doesn't like her because he doesn't like cats, but every now and then I see him smirk at something funny she did.
So we had a wee little party for her today. The kids made her a party hat which she LOVED (not) and we sang happy birthday and she ate some kitty treats while we feasted on 100s and 1000s bikkies, lolly bananas and chocolate. I tried to take some photos, but you know what, it's kinda hard to take photos of a cat in a darkish room who is trying to destroy her party hat.
(Yes, she's angry at me.)
So for today's blessing. It comes in the form of Kim and her wonderful workmates at the Hamilton St Vet Clinic in Gisborne. But mostly just Kim ;-) Today she thanked me for giving Luna a forever home, and that people like *me* are special for adopting our much loved pets. This is a direct quote from her on my facebook today:
I just about choked on my cuppa. This gorgeous and generous and wonderful soul saves animals because she wants to. Because it breaks her heart into a zillion pieces to see them harmed and unwanted. Because she can't understand that anyone would want to treat another living creature in that way. She has a houseful of animals of her own (cats, dogs, horses) yet she still finds room in her heart and in her home to take in strays and work tirelessly to find them new forever homes. How can she possibly thank *me* for re-homing just one??
She is a true blessing, and the epitome of what it is to be human. So from Luna, and our entire family, and all the gorgeous little darlings you've loved and treasured this year, we give the biggest thanks to you Kim.
So we had a wee little party for her today. The kids made her a party hat which she LOVED (not) and we sang happy birthday and she ate some kitty treats while we feasted on 100s and 1000s bikkies, lolly bananas and chocolate. I tried to take some photos, but you know what, it's kinda hard to take photos of a cat in a darkish room who is trying to destroy her party hat.
So for today's blessing. It comes in the form of Kim and her wonderful workmates at the Hamilton St Vet Clinic in Gisborne. But mostly just Kim ;-) Today she thanked me for giving Luna a forever home, and that people like *me* are special for adopting our much loved pets. This is a direct quote from her on my facebook today:
The biggest reward is having them placed in such amazing lifetime homes like yours! I've placed 52 in the last 12 months best year I've had - it's a pleasure to have such sad beginnings turn into such lovely happy endings! It wouldnt happen without Families like you!! So from Luna and all the other "street kids" the thanks comes from us!! XxxxAnd she thanked me?
I just about choked on my cuppa. This gorgeous and generous and wonderful soul saves animals because she wants to. Because it breaks her heart into a zillion pieces to see them harmed and unwanted. Because she can't understand that anyone would want to treat another living creature in that way. She has a houseful of animals of her own (cats, dogs, horses) yet she still finds room in her heart and in her home to take in strays and work tirelessly to find them new forever homes. How can she possibly thank *me* for re-homing just one??
She is a true blessing, and the epitome of what it is to be human. So from Luna, and our entire family, and all the gorgeous little darlings you've loved and treasured this year, we give the biggest thanks to you Kim.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
day thirty-five
Sometimes it really pays to know your limits. And when you know them, then respect them. In my case it pays to know my children's limits because their limits are consequential to mine.
I dragged my kids out to Heide today, a place none of us have been to before. I know many photographer friends love the surrounding gardens, but I had no expectations. I invited myself to tag along with my little sister and Mum and Dad for lunch and then maybe, maybe, take a stroll through the exhibition. I'm a bit of an art bogan... but I like to think I'm fairly open minded when it comes to art, especially because my sister is an artist and I dabble in the odd photography ;-)
When the first thing you see as you walk in the door is something that looks like handwriting by a 6 year old, and your almost 6yo asks what kid wrote it, I should have known what to expect...
So I took the kids outside for a wander. We didn't go far, just outside the door really. But the kids had a run. I lay on the grass looking through the canopy. Ivy also lay down next to me, and for a moment everything was still and happy. And then she was all: shoes off, shoes on, hat off, hat on, my feet hurt, my tummy's sore, I'm not sleepy anymore, I want to go that way, Mummy you come too................ ETC ETC.
Then I hit my limit. I was over it. I said that's it, we're going home. But we'll just go back inside to say goodbye to Nanna and GD and Aunty Jenna first. On the way back inside Ivy took her shoes and hat off again, and ran away. And then after we said goodbye and we walking back to the car I discovered that there actually was some nice looking garden with more sculptures. Just 5 more mins I said to the kids. We'll go and check out the tin cows. It was further than it looked from the path. When we got there the kids wanted to turn straight back around and go back to the car. Elliot's drink bottle was empty. And there was a hill between us and the path leading back to the car. Halfway up the hill Ivy sat down and wouldn't get up. And then took her shoes off. Again.
Today's story is not so much of a blessing, but a reminder. Sometimes it really pays to be a bogan parent and not try to instil any culture in your kids whatsoever. At 5 and 2 years of age, they don't get it or respect it.
And the moral of the story - know your limits! Gah!!!!
I dragged my kids out to Heide today, a place none of us have been to before. I know many photographer friends love the surrounding gardens, but I had no expectations. I invited myself to tag along with my little sister and Mum and Dad for lunch and then maybe, maybe, take a stroll through the exhibition. I'm a bit of an art bogan... but I like to think I'm fairly open minded when it comes to art, especially because my sister is an artist and I dabble in the odd photography ;-)
When the first thing you see as you walk in the door is something that looks like handwriting by a 6 year old, and your almost 6yo asks what kid wrote it, I should have known what to expect...
I'm bored.
I'm hungry.
I'm tired.
Why can't I touch anything?
This is boring.
When are we going home?
So I took the kids outside for a wander. We didn't go far, just outside the door really. But the kids had a run. I lay on the grass looking through the canopy. Ivy also lay down next to me, and for a moment everything was still and happy. And then she was all: shoes off, shoes on, hat off, hat on, my feet hurt, my tummy's sore, I'm not sleepy anymore, I want to go that way, Mummy you come too................ ETC ETC.
Then I hit my limit. I was over it. I said that's it, we're going home. But we'll just go back inside to say goodbye to Nanna and GD and Aunty Jenna first. On the way back inside Ivy took her shoes and hat off again, and ran away. And then after we said goodbye and we walking back to the car I discovered that there actually was some nice looking garden with more sculptures. Just 5 more mins I said to the kids. We'll go and check out the tin cows. It was further than it looked from the path. When we got there the kids wanted to turn straight back around and go back to the car. Elliot's drink bottle was empty. And there was a hill between us and the path leading back to the car. Halfway up the hill Ivy sat down and wouldn't get up. And then took her shoes off. Again.
Today's story is not so much of a blessing, but a reminder. Sometimes it really pays to be a bogan parent and not try to instil any culture in your kids whatsoever. At 5 and 2 years of age, they don't get it or respect it.
And the moral of the story - know your limits! Gah!!!!
Monday, January 3, 2011
day thirty-four
Today and tomorrow marks a couple of days of mourning for me. I don't make a fuss anymore. I just light my candle and go about my day. But 4 years ago today we found out during our 13 week ultrasound that we had lost our much loved and wanted baby. It was the very worst day of my life and marked the beginning of a very dark and very sad period of my life. I won't go into too much detail about that day 4 years ago, as it hurts a lot to drag up the memories. But the months that followed were very tough. We suffered another (earlier) miscarriage and we very nearly lost another baby. But we didn't lose that one, and that pregnancy went without a hitch to bless us with our darling Ivy.
Her pregnancy was blissfully uneventful after the 8 week mark when we thought we'd lost her. I was happy as a clam. I found out I was having a daughter and wept tears of such pure joy that I thought I might just burst. It was like a complete yin and yang. I felt so terribly guilty for being happy to have her growing away in my belly when my other "daughter" did not (we don't know the lost baby's gender, but I always refer to her as a girl). When she was born healthy I felt a massive wave of relief and gratitude. Without the losses we'd suffered she would not be with us.
But during the 2.5 years that followed I sunk into a deep depression. One that was all encompassing of many of the hurts I'd suffered, including our miscarriage. I forgot to love my kids, but especially Ivy. She was a somewhat difficult baby, a bad sleeper and a loud cryer. I forgot that I fought so hard to have her. Forgot that she WAS my blessing.
Ivy is the reason and the blessing. Sometimes I just need a reminder. Today is a reminder.
Her pregnancy was blissfully uneventful after the 8 week mark when we thought we'd lost her. I was happy as a clam. I found out I was having a daughter and wept tears of such pure joy that I thought I might just burst. It was like a complete yin and yang. I felt so terribly guilty for being happy to have her growing away in my belly when my other "daughter" did not (we don't know the lost baby's gender, but I always refer to her as a girl). When she was born healthy I felt a massive wave of relief and gratitude. Without the losses we'd suffered she would not be with us.
But during the 2.5 years that followed I sunk into a deep depression. One that was all encompassing of many of the hurts I'd suffered, including our miscarriage. I forgot to love my kids, but especially Ivy. She was a somewhat difficult baby, a bad sleeper and a loud cryer. I forgot that I fought so hard to have her. Forgot that she WAS my blessing.
Ivy is the reason and the blessing. Sometimes I just need a reminder. Today is a reminder.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
day thirty-three
I have a friend called Layla who I have known for 15 years. She is a wonderful and special soul and an amazing friend. We've been through a lot together. And I'm so grateful to the universe for bringing us together.
We met on our first day of living on campus at uni together. She was living at Deakin College, I was in Barton College. The local pub was "The Ponds". Somehow (the details are shady) on the first night after having been to the pub we stumbled upon one another and we were both wearing connies (Chuck Taylors) and decided that if 2 chicks wearing connies from different walks of life randomly run into each other on campus then we are destined to be friends. And that we were. We became such fast friends it made my head spin. And not only did we hang out at uni but Layla came home to Melbourne with me many weekends and became part of my family. That year we grew up together. There was so much laughter and tears and drunken debauchery. Gherkins and steak Diannes. S-bends and M-bends. Slurries. Tennessee Mist. If it was something ridiculous, I guarantee that Layla and I did it. I just can't put into words how much our friendship changed me and helped shape my life. We only went the Deakin Waurn Ponds together for one year, but it feels like so much longer. But after that one year it didn't matter where either of us lived or what we did. We were still as bonded as glue and paper. Forever.
So fast forward several years later and Layla meets and marries a handsome German fellow living in Melbourne. They decide to live in Germany for a few years after getting married before settling down in Melbourne to start a family. This summer Layla and Mario came back for Christmas and New Years for a short visit and also said that they were looking for a house to buy for when they came home for good in around September 2011. They are looking for said house in a neighbourhood not far from me, which means that when they come home we can have out of date cake together every single day if we want to!
I drove Layla and Mario out to the airport today for their long long flight back to Germany. As I type this at 3:25pm, their plane is just about to take off. I fought back tears as I unloaded their bags and said my goodbyes again. And you know what today's blessing is?? In 9 short months Layla will be living here. In Melbourne. Just around the corner from me. So while I've missed her dreadfully over the last 2 years and will continue to miss her while Germany claims her for the next 9 months, after that she's home. And I won't need to miss her anymore.
We met on our first day of living on campus at uni together. She was living at Deakin College, I was in Barton College. The local pub was "The Ponds". Somehow (the details are shady) on the first night after having been to the pub we stumbled upon one another and we were both wearing connies (Chuck Taylors) and decided that if 2 chicks wearing connies from different walks of life randomly run into each other on campus then we are destined to be friends. And that we were. We became such fast friends it made my head spin. And not only did we hang out at uni but Layla came home to Melbourne with me many weekends and became part of my family. That year we grew up together. There was so much laughter and tears and drunken debauchery. Gherkins and steak Diannes. S-bends and M-bends. Slurries. Tennessee Mist. If it was something ridiculous, I guarantee that Layla and I did it. I just can't put into words how much our friendship changed me and helped shape my life. We only went the Deakin Waurn Ponds together for one year, but it feels like so much longer. But after that one year it didn't matter where either of us lived or what we did. We were still as bonded as glue and paper. Forever.
So fast forward several years later and Layla meets and marries a handsome German fellow living in Melbourne. They decide to live in Germany for a few years after getting married before settling down in Melbourne to start a family. This summer Layla and Mario came back for Christmas and New Years for a short visit and also said that they were looking for a house to buy for when they came home for good in around September 2011. They are looking for said house in a neighbourhood not far from me, which means that when they come home we can have out of date cake together every single day if we want to!
I drove Layla and Mario out to the airport today for their long long flight back to Germany. As I type this at 3:25pm, their plane is just about to take off. I fought back tears as I unloaded their bags and said my goodbyes again. And you know what today's blessing is?? In 9 short months Layla will be living here. In Melbourne. Just around the corner from me. So while I've missed her dreadfully over the last 2 years and will continue to miss her while Germany claims her for the next 9 months, after that she's home. And I won't need to miss her anymore.
january one - day thirty-two
Happy happy new year to one and all. 2011 is going to be a bloody marvellous year. I have lots of living and loving to do. I plan on feeling well and being well. I will be a better mother. And I will be a better wife. Amongst all the goodness that 2011 promises for me personally I also have 3 dear friends getting married (two of which I am a grooms-woman for, yeehar!) which is just so exciting I can hardly wait - thankfully they're in the first half of the year otherwise I'd just about explode.
But first, a new project! The Summer of Love project continues throughout January with an added bonus - my annual photo-a-day challenge. I plan to take a photo every single day for the month of January and post a lil story to go with it, and continuing on with my loved up feeling my theme this year is Small Blessings. I plan to find the silver lining in every cloud. Whenever things looks bleak or I find my mood wavering I'm going to find a blessing to help me shake it. I can't wait to share it with you.
So here we go:
Today I worked at Village and while I was silently dreading it, I had this weird moment as I headed up the steps to work thinking that by working here I can help pay off my home loan quicker. It can help for us to afford small luxuries. I felt grateful for having a small casual job. I was working 7 hours today and boy was I grateful for the double pay! When they sent me home a couple of hours early I was a bit annoyed but then driving home I realised that I could eat dinner with my kids and bath them and get them ready for bed. And then I found Wizard of Oz on the telly and watched some of it with Ivy (who was enraptured by it) and remembered that I couldn't have done this if I worked til 7. The double pay wasn't worth it.
But first, a new project! The Summer of Love project continues throughout January with an added bonus - my annual photo-a-day challenge. I plan to take a photo every single day for the month of January and post a lil story to go with it, and continuing on with my loved up feeling my theme this year is Small Blessings. I plan to find the silver lining in every cloud. Whenever things looks bleak or I find my mood wavering I'm going to find a blessing to help me shake it. I can't wait to share it with you.
So here we go:
Today I worked at Village and while I was silently dreading it, I had this weird moment as I headed up the steps to work thinking that by working here I can help pay off my home loan quicker. It can help for us to afford small luxuries. I felt grateful for having a small casual job. I was working 7 hours today and boy was I grateful for the double pay! When they sent me home a couple of hours early I was a bit annoyed but then driving home I realised that I could eat dinner with my kids and bath them and get them ready for bed. And then I found Wizard of Oz on the telly and watched some of it with Ivy (who was enraptured by it) and remembered that I couldn't have done this if I worked til 7. The double pay wasn't worth it.
day thirty-one
NYE
Hot
Really hot
Kids paddled in their pool
Adults had some beverages
Fun
Happy New Year!
Hot
Really hot
Kids paddled in their pool
Adults had some beverages
Fun
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