Street Party

A big draw card for the street I live in is the Christmas Street Party. Most of the residents bought the homes when they were all built - when the street was a display village 9 years ago – and have held a party up the end of the blocked off street in December. Sack races and party food, games and fireworks - these affairs grew grander and grander apparently until nearly a hundred people attended – friends of friends hearing how great they were - then the parties got a little less ostentatious – with the past few years a collection of neighbors surrounding a BBQ at the end of the street beer in hands and chatting.

A few of the ‘newies’ and I got together and decided to revitalize the street party – after of course consulting and asking permission of the ‘old guard’. Our street has an elected mayor as well – not sure yet what he actually does but it’s a closely watched position each year.

We had several fun game competitions – egg and spoon race, a fill the bucket race and thong toss. Lost of contenders and lots of laughs. The best spectator one was the apple bobbing – some of the contestants really got involved putting their entire head and shoulders in to the large container.

The party went without a hitch with great weather and of course a visit from Santa with presents of the kids, a sausage sizzle and snacks galore. ( photos of santa posted earlier - bro Jamie was very good natured and agreed to do this..)

Putting name tags on was a masterful touch – especially as I have been in the street for over three years and have people I nod to or wave to and have no idea with their names are. If I say so myself – and I do – the organizers and I did a great job – I love the internet and email for organizing stuff!

I’d love to put a jumping castle in for next year – so will have to have a chat to the others to see if we can all pitch in.

Christmas Elves

Morgan and Lilly ready to open Christmas Pressies.

Santa coming to town

Santa has come to town! Here is a few photos of Morgan and Lilly with Santa - aka Jamie..... at our Street party.

Packing Day

Today was packing day for the Basket Brigade and part of our family tradition to make Christmas come alive for us. For those who don't know about it.

The Basket Brigade is founded on a simple notion: one act of generosity on the part of one caring person can transform the lives of hundreds. Tony Robbins started it off about 30 years ago - his story alone - even though I have heard it scores of times- brings tears to my eyes.




Throughout the Christmas holiday season, in over 200 cities across the globe, International Basket Brigade volunteers will deliver food, gifts and hope to those who need it most and these don't have to be 'poor' or low socio economic folk - its the people who are missed - who fall between the cracks - the struggling owner operator, the family who has a parent seriously ill or recently died - for some reason their Christmas is looking grim and they need a boost - to say that folks out there still care and have love for them.

I was a co-ordinator for 2 years and have been involved with the Charity for nearly 10 years now. Anyways - its great to pretend to be Santa for a day and makes you count your blessings... The people who are receiving the boxes don't know they are getting one - they were nominated anomalously by someone in the community - who know about the Basket Brigade - its all shhh secret squirrel - and quite exciting..

Another Christmas Tradition

You know - you have to make your own family traditions - and we are! I have been cooking merrily away getting ready for Christmas and all the parties we have planned. midnight the other night I still had 3 dozen pumpkin scones going - the other night two batches of fudge. I have made 2 large Christmas cakes and some small ones - to go off to teachers as thank you gifts. I have just rolled out rum balls and apricot balls and cut up the white Christmas. I have sausage rolls to make and the fruit mince pies AND the pudding....- and then I think I am just about there.....

Everyone pitches in with mixing and crushing things for the sweets - but the most fun job is decorating the Gingerbread house..... with lots and lots of lollies.

here is a few picis of the kids going their hardest putting tiles on the roof and ensuring the walls don't fall down.( love Morgans look of concentration and the tongue out..)


I attempted to take a photo of the finished product - but fear that the council will come round and order its demolition due to the unsafe work practices that went on during its construction.

Christmas Preparations

THe first weekend of Dec is traditionally the time we dust off the plastic tree and pull out all the lights and tinsel from storage.

It was stinking hot - and of course we have alot of lights to go on the rood and eves. Morgan is now old enought to get up there and help out. He was a bit nervouse about the ladder - but delighted that he got to sit on the top and wave to neighbours.

I thought you'd also a photo of preparing to go up on the roof.. iceblocks all round!

Checking in....

Back to reality after our wonderful holiday - I will be sharing some photos over the next few days - there are lots more on my facebook photo album. Oh and Morgan will be posting some of his photos on his blog too...

Below is a picture of my rest spot just outside our bure. I know your hearts will be bleeding for me - seeing the suffering I undertook to endure this torture...


Two weeks in a hammock - I was only allowed to write three post cards the whole time and not allowed to think about writing or computers or the internet.... ahhh. bliss.....

The hammock was an exhasting 20 steps from our bure. I managed to drag battered body to it every morning, too weak to move most of the day.. being forced to drink Pina Coladas or cram more fresh fruit or fish down my mouth..... The calm coral sun swept beach was a staggering 15 steps further; where if I could muster the energy, I would snorkel and float about till the strain and stress was too much to bear.

The kids swam, made sandcastles, hunted crabs ( nasty things crabs - they move fast !!) caught toads, swam, ate coconuts, hand fed fish, collected seashells, swam and then for a change swam a bit more. I think they have grown fins.


Ahhh .. now back to reality...

now back to my 1000000 emails...

Woven delights

Some more picis of what we got up to. The kids club was fabulous - and so great - often the kids woudln't want to be with us - they wanted to join in the whole time with what was happenng there. They got to weave stuff, go on walks to catch frogs and crabs ( their favourite) lots of beachcombing and playiing games.

Here the kids have a fruit basket and a fish danlging on a line.. so clever!

Fiji- back ......sigh

What an incredible holiday we have just had – one so special I am going to post pictures every few days and a snippets about each picture.

Check out Morgans blog too – he took some very interesting photos from his perspective and little bits about them as well.

What can I say? As the memories of our holiday slip away from my memory like a thief in the night; we try to keep a hold of the relaxation and bliss we felt whilst away – not a care in the world – the worst thing to worry about was what new item on the menu would we try next.

Morgan and Lilly loved Kids Club – a very different experience than a babysitter or commercial type – where the ‘crazy’ guys would take them to catch frogs or crabs, they would build sandcastles, throw spears or roll coconuts on the beach, hand feed fish or learn to weave coconut leaves.

Adrian and I have an incredible time together – connecting and chatting.. seeing each other…. With and with out the kids. They would have dinner at 5.30 and then off to kids club and then we would have several hours alone.. together…to have cocktails and a beautiful meal together – before picking the exhausted peeps up and toddling off to bed in our little beach hut.

Sigh….

Where are those Evetts?

be jelaous... very jealous... We have just jetted off to Fiji for 2 weeks.. .ahhhhhh.. I will leave you some links.

We are staying on beautiful Castaway island - click click here. for thier website.


Castaway Island has a webcam in the main beach house - which is on 24 hours a day. obviously its going to look pretty dark at night - but check in on us as we will be spending alot of time on the beach - right outside where the webcam will be shooting - so I'll randomly wave - just in case you are watching - ha ha.

click here for webcam.

Bye for now - think of us sitting on the deck overlooking sunset and sipping tropical drinks. I can guarentee LOTS of photos when we return.

Hallow ' een

Halloween was a hoot this year. Jamie dressed in his finest and walked around the street with the kids and I. We all carried spooky lanterns and knocked on the doors. It was a valuable lesson for the kids in thanking people for their time and not expecting to get lollies or treats in every door. I was delighted that many of the neighbours were expecting us and some going to the trouble of making gravestones or putting out candles to welcome trick or treaters.

Jamie made us cocktails and kept them topped up as we tottered around the street. We then went back to our house for more cocktails and guests arriving in costume.

Adrian looked fantastic as Frankenstein’s monster – with a greed head and flattened skull, large green fingers. He scared a few kids for real, sending one off crying to his mum on the footpath.

Although most people liken Halloween to an American festival, the roots go much deeper than fifty years from the US. I like to observe Halloween as a celebration of the dead, honour their passing and lesson learnt and look forward to the next day as an awakening to a new part of the year. For me it’s a time of reflection on life.

Sud Monsters

Well after that post, I hd to put something a little more light hearted up. The kids have been swimming in the pool now for over a month - brrr - its still too cold for me. Lilly is doing really well with her strokes - putting her head down and bringing her arms over - jsut got to get the breathing happening - but hey - shes three. Morgan has mastered the back stroke and loves to float around on his back. He is not looking forward to swimming lessons at school as most of the kids there don't know how to swim at all. I am sure they will havge a more advanced class for those who can.. will just have to wait and see.

well - heres a photo of some rare creatures found lurking in my bathroom - Sud Monsters....

A Sad Week

What a dreadful week. One of the kindest and liveliest aunts I have – the wonderful Aunty Marg died last Sunday. She had been quite ill for sometime and passed peacefully in her sleep.

I chose to go to the funeral on my own, I didn’t really think the kids old enough to handle what was to unfold. When Tania and Frazers Baby – their cousin Bethany died, we told them straight away and talked about it for a few days. They didn’t really know Aunty Marg – so I did tell them about the funeral and what happens – but that’s about it. It was an open cask ceremony – which in itself has its own challenges.

It was very sad that as I walked up the lawn to the chapel, I was greeted by cousins – some I had not seen for over 20 years – and I realize that it takes something lie this for the family to get together. We are a close knit family but one that loves from afar – if that makes sense. I have no doubt that if I called upon the help of any of my cousins, I would be rallied around immediately – and yet we hardly see each other now. – as kids we lived in each others pockets. It’s the same with my own brothers and sisters. I drop everything to assist and help them, and I know they would do the same from me – but we forget each others birthdays and usually only see each other at Christmas time. The occasional phone call happens once a month or so – and I do wish we lived closer so that kids would get to know each other better and be able to play.

I still have tears in my eyes as I think about the ceremony – both in the chapel and at the graveside. So horrible – so final. Dons Eulogy to his mum was wonderful – and in typical style – he had us laughing before we wept. She was a remarkable woman who brought so much happiness and love into the lives of her family. I met my great Aunt Bess ( again - the last time was probably 20 years ago) – who is 96 and still drives – she is an incredible lass – that’s for sure. She was the eldest of the family – I don’t think there are many left now – Marg was the 8^th child. How awful to sit and bury your younger sister – I just can’t imagine it.

I can't beleive that the years just slip past so quickly. How is it even possible that I can say the last time I saw one particlar favourite cousin was nealry 20 years ago - he had long hair and a panel van.... far out... now look at both of us - married, kids... phew.

I don’t think I have much else to add to this post – just too sad at the moment.

Enter the skitzo

NaNoWriMo is a word that will be bandied about in this house hold for at least 2 months. Adrian is beginning to hate it and its only been three days. Allow me to explain. World wide, authors will band together for a month and enter a crazy competition to write 50 000 words of a novel that they are only allowed to start on the first day. Every day you enter your written words into a scrambbler word counter and it gets attributed to your score. Before you get your calculators out its just over 1600 words a day.every day. Consistently.

I have started early as we will be in Fiji half way through and although there is no internet there, I was planning to bring my laptop and continue with writing whilst we were on holiday. I have been banned and if my laptop peeks its head out in customs it will be thrown in the bin. I have been TOLD. So I have started two weeks early and will still join the rest of the mad group half way through.

Its really that kick up the butt and motivation to get your thoughts on paper and get that book you always wanted to write – actually committed to paper – well – screen.
I am still tossing about the idea to get a blog especially for my book and post every week – I might do that as it may be the only time anyone actually reads it. ( that’s a bit negative..oh well)
So the Skitzo has arrived…. Not happy with the good Captain Juan , the multitude of crew members and Dante to dance around in my head, talking to me at all times of the day and night, disturbing my shower or distracting me while I drive, I now have more people to visit me. Its getting kind of crowded and I hope they get along.

One lot is from the 16th century – see www.captainjuan.com if you haven’t already checked it out – ripping yarn written in conjunction with authors Paul and Jodi and mine – I have dubbed Mistress Moon – a feminist love story within speculative fiction. I think… I now talk to my characters and disturbingly they talk to me back – demanding their time in the limelight. One even argued with me when I went to change her name – I ended up having to change the lead characters name instead.

Now nod you head and smile at me and pat my head. I think I need a nice little cup of tea and a sit down. The Space ship has arrived with some finely muscled men I need to chat to….

Down by the Beach

It’s a perfect day. I am sitting at a picnic bench three feet from the lapping waters of Noosa river. The kids are happily playing in the shade of a mangrove, digging at the roots and uncoverring what little shore life there is here. They have huge buckets and sandcastle making implements, but are preferring to dig with their hands. The sand is not as clean as Main Beach – so has a fair amount of minerals and mud in it – consequently the are filthy. It’s a great day. Lilly is racing in and out with the waves coming in and Morgan is attempting to jump over them. The river here is very shallow and perfect for families of small children. The depth only varies from ankle deep to waist high over about 20 metres.

Boats are buzzing up and down the waterway, children and frolicking in the water and building entire townships in the muddy sand.. Morgan has started an irrigation system of canals and testing the depth of the channels – attempting to bring water into his towns.

Lillys long cotton dress is sodden and I am reticent to call her in from wading out so far as she is having so much fun. I should really get them to change into their togs.

We have spent three lazy days here and the kids have just loved every min of it. Still have two more when Adrian gets here tonight after work. Our idealic holiday has had a few hiccups. Last night I spent a few hours in emergency in the Noosa hospital. Morgan h

ad swum at Girraween and apparently picked up an infection from the dirty water. I had tried all the natural remedies I had access too – but at 10.30pm with him sweating and screaming, I gave in and sought medical advice. There is only so much that rescue remedy, warmed olive oil and politices will do. I am shocked that there isn’t a chemist from Gympie to Caboolture that is open late at night either – and not one at the hospital either.

I think a few well placed photos will sum up what a wonderful time we have had here. I am a bit sunburnt – despite suncream – but there are parts you just can’t reach and others you forget about. Still – its all getting ready for Fiji…

Morgan and Lilly are now in their togs and just for my sanity I have put on a

floating jacket for Lilly. Its far too small for her – but she is so daring – I can see her swimming out to one of the moored boats and then realizing she can’t reach the bottom. She has been swimming for over a year - but its still a bit wierd for me to see such a little lass so confident in the water... Bless Morgan, he continues to drag her back if she goes further than chest high – and it seems he is doing it full time.. perhaps its time for them to come in for an icecream.. isn’t that what beach holidays are about?

Camping at Giraween

Girraween National Park has always been at my doorstep – growing up nearby typically meant I never visited it. Its only now that I have lived away and rediscovering camping that we have decided to go and visit . We spent three days there and on the first night went to a film night hosted by the rangers finding out a lot about the history and of its allure. Its unique beauty is heightened as many of the plants and animals are endemic to the region and the area serves as a time capsule. Wombats a tiny bat and other small native birds are the furthest northern inhabitant here and are flourishing under the national park rangers care.

We could have chosen between two camp grounds only 500 meters from one another but decided on - Castle Rock as it had shaded treed sites nestled amongst large granite boulders. It was high season during the holidays and the camp ground had been booked out for weeks. Despite this – we only saw a few camper vans or tents at one time and surprisingly it was not particularly noisy either. The namesake of the camp ground – a huge monolith and collection of granite bolders held at any one time at least fifteen monkeys… um kids…, all exploring the caves and crevices. The wonderful comradery of the camp children ensured that even the youngest child was looked after and included in the ever changing games and dynamics of the groups.

Little Miss Bossy Boot Lilly soon had 10 year old girls looking after her and was heard singing nursery rhymes and chanting poems from the highest peaks.

Our campsite has not only flushing loos – a relief to Morgan and Lilly who hate the long drops, but a timed hot water shower – a luxury in most national park camp grounds.

It was within an easy walking distance of the creek a series of water way and billabongs perfect fo a quick dip. The murky slimy green water didn’t entice me – but many campers assured me of the cool delights. Morgan was the only one brave enough to get into the slimy depths and he was icecold when he finally agreed he had had enough.


The walks of Girraween are all one way, with most well graded and maintained. September is the time to visit Girraween with all the wildflowers blooming. The walk to the Junction – where two creeks meet was just the right length for us – we hadn’t gone walking for 2 months and the kids were pretty wingy and tired by the middle of it – the return walk just under 5 kms. The trek out is worth all the whining though. Its truly stunning. I really felt like I had been dropped into one of the Northern Territory gorges a million miles from anywhere. The sheer rock faces and the creeks were stunning ( no crocs though)

Campsites are on relatively flat ground and the rangers are systematically building flattend sites with gravel and backed up with wood. We had a new addition to test out with this camp – a large pergoda totally screened – fantastic – now called our kitchen tent. Freed up lots of space from our own sleeping tent for storage and meant we could keep a table erected with the small stove and other kitchen things out – rather than hide it in the car or stow it into our tent. It was welcome relief too to sit under it in midday and be free from flys and the sun.

We availed ourselves to the chocolate shop only a few kms away and sat in the perfumed gardens sipping iced drinks and savoring the silky chocolate delights.

Animal Rescue - got nothing on me.

Lilly and I were riding around the edge of one of the dams looking for cast ewes or ones hiding in the grass. A movement in the water made me look over and I just assumed it was a fish flicking up. Another small movement at the bank made me stop the bike and look harder. This dam is one that is used for pumping – so has very steep banks and is not graduated – it goes to 20 feet deep very suddenly. The water had dropped a lot in the last month or so – so the waters edge lapped up against mini cliff faces – all of about 3 or 4 feet high. There huddled on a ledge no wider than a few inches wide was a tiny day old lamb. It must have been walking with its mother on the top of the bank and slipped. I can’t imagine how lucky it must have been to have landed on the ledge and not into the water and drowned.

The challenge in front of me was that this skittish lamb was sure to leap into the water and drown if it saw me approach. So commando style, I crawled up the bank and through the grass over the top above the lamb. I had to lay flat and reach down across the incline to a full stretch to be able to get close to the lamb. At the nano second I launched myself further to reach it, I hoped feverently that I would not lose grip on the ground and slide down into the freezing green depths of the dam – lamb in hand. Thankfully this didn’t happen, but I did end up with a struggling, mucus encased lamb in one hand and facing a precarious unbalanced position far too close to the dam waters than I had ever intended to be. A bit of belly crawling backwards saw me sitting on the dam bank covered in mud, gras stains and new lamb poo – but triumphantly with the lamb in arms. The poor little thing was wet and exhausted and I knew that its mother will have given up on it – so took it back to the orphanage – a special set of small pens in the shearing shed where all the orphaned and mis mothered lambs are taken. They are fed and within a few days hopefully matched up with a mother who has lost a lamb or one who can support another.

A special experience for me was to introduce birth to the kids. Mum brought one of the ewes into the hospital paddock – close to the orphanage. She had been cast for hours and had lost strength in trying to lamb. It was getting very dark when we checked on her again – hoping that in a safer spot she’d be able to finish herself. She wasn’t dilated enough and the lambs head was very big. The kids all looked as the legs and tiny nose showed. It took both mum and I to pull – and mum had to assist with the head to come out. The lamb slithered out and covered us in afterbirth. The kids eyes were as large as dinner plates as they watched – and to their credit none of them said yuck or gross.

We all rolled home dirty and smelly – another day on the farm – but a valuable lesson for the kids.

Pici of Jodi and Lilly on one of the bikes.

Off and Away

Hi - we are off camping and visiting folk for the next two weeks - so I will be posting after this.. ( and where we are going has NO internet.. urggggghhhhhh!)

Off to my Mum and Dads now - then camping at Girraween for 3 days, then up to Noosa to visit Jan, and then camping somewhere up there...the school holidys really aren't long enough!

Weddings and frills

We have just been to a beautiful wedding – that of Xanders mum and dad – Bec and Eli. Xander comes for sleep over when Donna comes to look after the kids for our rare date nights. Set overlooking the Brisbane River at Bulimba, they had a gorgeous backdrop for photos and for guests to enjoy quiet drinks and nibbles.

Bec arrived in a boat resplendent in a fitted red dress, he long hari twinned in ropes and tied with fresh daisies. She carried a possy of daisies and simply glowed. I haven’t been to a wedding for years an d listien to the vows again – the look on the young faces of that couple, eager and innocent, full of hope and joy.

Weddings really are a reflection on your own thoughts toward marriage –what you see in it – what your hopes are. I found myself bleary eyed, the tears constantly running. I can’t explain why or for what reason. Morgan made me laugh – he said loudly to Lily, Mummy isn’t sad – girls cry when they are happy. I was happy for Bec and Eli. Delighted that they had made their commitment in front of their friends and family.

My two monkeys looked great in their finest – Lilly proudly showing off her broken arm in her satin gown. I am glad I bought the gorgeous dress and Morgans matching waistcoat, bow tie and pants. We’ve used them for just about every good occasion and dinner we have been to for a year. Sad days ahead – in not too distant future – when they don’t fit any longer. The kids had a table to themselves. I am not sure how many kids the chef was expecting – but the food for them kept coming out – at last enough chips, crumbed chicken wings, nuggets and sausages to feed 50. After four soft drinks each, I had to put a stop on their sugar consumption. They were starting to go just a bit mad and wer peaking in their sugar high as the speeches were set to begin. Young Xander – bless his heart, told Lilly off for being so noisy during his dads speech.

One of the funny things that happened at the wedding was that I met one of my first art teachers. A red haired lady came round lighting the red candles at each table. Her precise and neat blouse and prim jewelry gave her away to me – 20 years on mind you. I approached her and asked if hshe were an art teacher and her eyes glittered with recognition. I spoke about my writing projects – in particular the Reclaim Sex after Birth one. Its funny – once you mention you are writing something in that genre – it allows often complete strangers to open up and tell you details of their sex life that would not normally ever be discussed this side of a bottle of rum.

I also met Donnas new boyfriend and he was everything I had expected – cheeky , chatty and delighted to be in the company of the very lovely Donna. It seems happiness is everywhere – and out of my many fiends – Donna is one who deserves as much as the universe can dish out.

We decided to leave after Xander and Lillys tiff and leave the cake cutting and rest of the speeches to be said in relative silence. It was well after 9 in any case – so coupled with a sugar high, I think they did well to get that far.

Seaworld Expedition

Last night we tottered o ff to Seaworld for the Energex’s Staff Christmas Party. Its always held early as they want to include as many people in the celebrations as they can – with storm seasons in Oct to Jan – if it were held closer to Christmas then a great number of people would not bed allowed to come as they have to either stay close to base or be on call for disaster recovery. With al ittle over 6 thousand people there – it was like a very busy day at Seaworld with long line ups on popular rides.

We had around 3 hours to wander around Seaworld and get on as many rides and see as many shows as we could. Last year we stayed at Nara resort and had 2 days to explore – so had seen everything and went on most rides a number of times – so it wasn’t a mad dash. Lilly is a little taller this year and able to get one many of the bigger rides – she ‘is over’ the baby rides ( oh dear).

We sat in awe ( again) watching the dolphin show. The pure delight and rapture on both kids faces was enough to put a lump in my throat. What mad woman decided it might be a good idea to buy toffee apples and give them to two ravenous children at the start of the night? These pictures don’t fully show the extent of stickiness that ensued. I don’t like toffee apples ( well to be fair the last one I had was about 20 years ago and I remember the apple was shriveled and gross) but I have to say I really liked the ones the kids had – the apples were so fresh and the toffee not too sweet..

We planned our trek well and got to do and see everything that each person wanted. Lilly was too short to go on the Pirate Ship so Morgan and I hopped aboard. He was thrilled and delighted for about the first three swings. As it tipped higher and higher up, the poor lad clung to the silver grip bars for fear of his life. To his credit as I kept asking him if he was ok , he kept nodding. I put a protective arm round him but I am not sure if that settled him any. Although he said he thought it was fun – he didn’t want to go back on it. We rode the dragon flume several times and got very wet.

Lilly and I boarded the Burmuda Triangle ride ( she only scrapped it in with her height) and set off very excited. All the rides have a different feel for sure when its dark outside! We were up the front and again – to her credit – she did not show any fear. I had an arm round her and I could feel her heart pounding and she shook like a leaf in some of the spookier bits. Outwardly, she was smiling and she waved at the mechanical aliens. It wasn’t until we were 5 seconds from disembarking that she broke into tears and told me she was frightened. Oh bless her! After checking out the snoozing Polar bears, when asked what the best thing so far was – she chose the triangle ride…( oh dear)

We ended our evening off with some more sedate rides – I love the old fashioned merry-g-round and Lilly and I rode the horses for 3 sessions. I love the music and the gentle motion of the horses, the glitz of the decorations and the fancy mirrors. Lilly did really well with her arm in plaster – but I doubt that much would.

It was a great night and a real family fun experience where I felt very connected to each person. As a reward for our savings on our power consumption last quarter we are going to Dreamworld shortly - so have decided not to do this during school holidays – as we want to do it when we don’t have so many people to line up with.

And the rotten mother of the year goes to…me

I have topped all charts for mother guilt here. What sort of mother leaves her 3 year old suffer a broken arm for 4 days? Well –this one.

On Sunday afternoon, whilst I was preparing some afternoon tea, the kids played out on the lawn with Age. Lilly had a long ribbon tied to a stick and was enjoying the beauty of it fluttering in the air. She started to twirl around and around with it; but Adrian told her to slow down and to stay in the middle of the grass as she kept coming close to the fence and the brick edging. Of course she did neither, got dizzy and fell over onto the bricks with a crack. She sported an egg on her head and was slightly concussed. We went though all the tests for a broken limb and although tearful, she seemed to be fine and able to do all the twisting of her wrist and griping motions. We iced her arm, bandaged it and I took her to bed for a cuddle and a calm down; careful not to allow her to go to sleep.

After about half an hour she pepped up and ran outside as good as gold. We went to the park and continued our day. She had a little bruising on her arm that night – but her other arm had been scraped by the bricks – so looked worse.

I kept and eye on her and got her to do all the testing a few times a day. She was a little protective of her arm and less boisterous – but even a bruised arm can hurt a lot. The kicker for me to take her to the doctors was last night. After bathtime – she loves to be swung up in the air by her arms ( I know – a nice calming sedative pastime – just before bed) She raised her arms up to me wanting to be swung up – so I obliged. She screamed for over an hour. Our Miss Lilly is s tough little nugget – so I knew this was serious. We iced and bandaged her up again and made an appointment with our local doctor – no use in trekking out at night to the outpatients to wait there in the cold for hours.

I don’t have a ‘doctor’ – but have visited this new clinic just up the road a few times- they have a skin cancer clinic there – which is a must do every year – especially in our climate. He is very sweet and very thorough and took Lillys arm very seriously. He did all the same tests that I had and asked her where it hurt. She did say it hurt but didn’t cry or seem agitated at all – so he said he wasn’t concerned. He wrote a referral for an x ray and said that if I really felt it was necessary then to go and get it seen to in the next few days.

As I drove out of the carpark, I thought – bugger it – we are out and about – might as well totter down to the nearest xray place to get it looked at… Lilly was so funny getting it done. She asked lots of questions and was very serious about it all –earning her a few stickers. I saw the xray as it came on the screen – and even to my untrained eye I could see the damage.

So back to the surgery we went and was fitted in immediately. Lilly has a hairline fracture on both bones very close to the wrist. The lumpy bit at the end of the bone has a slight chip as well. She sat very still while she was bandaged up. Nothing gets past her! One of the male nurses walked past and she said quietly to me – “Mummy – that man has a lolly in his mouth.” He looked at her in that startled rabbit stare and swallowed the offending sweet. I told him he had been sprung. He grinned and offered Lilly a few of the lollies in the jar beside him.

Back home - she is less enamored with her cast. She has successfully pulled out as much of the wadding that she can get to. I had to leave her for a few moments in the bath to help Morgan and came back to find she had ripped off the very tightly bandaged plastic bag and was merrily dunking her arm in and out of the bath.

On the way to bed she announced she didn’t need it any longer and showed me that she can twinkle her fingers and roll her wrist without it hurting. Sigh.. my Miss Lilly. Our Little Warrior Princess.

Fathers Musings

Happy Fathers Day!

We purposely had a very restful fathers day – with little structure or plans… delightful! The kids jumped into bed with us in the morning and presented Adrian with handmade gifts and pressies we had chosen together. Lilly had a book with a little scruffy haired girl called Molly – and very like her and had worked hard on a beaded necklace – which she wore immediately.

Morgan had a little pair of shears and a larger Daddy one – so of course they had to go out and cut things down together! He also made a little dog made of pegs which holds a pen – for Adrian’s desk. Its so cute – should have gotten a photo before it headed off to Adrian’s work. I can’t imagine being a craft teacher thinking – what crap thing can we make out of this rubbish? …. And then go ahead and create something quite funky.

I have just taught Morgan to make us a cup of tea. He knows to be very careful with the hto water and the safest spot to pour it is on the floor. Quite disturbingly he likes to have a head set on while he makes tea – it’s an Australia Idol thing – a gift from a friend of mine who works in call centres – but it makes him look like a McDonalds check out dude. Too funny.

Talk about little mirrors – Morgan has decided that he won’t be wearing a top to bed any more- Daddy doesn’t – and the other night he announced he is not wearing PJs at all – as Daddy doesn’t.. after nearly choking on my cuppa – a family decision was made that we all wear PJS thanks very much….

So the rest of Fathers Day was spent pruning bushes to make a sort of cubby house in the front yard, weeding and then a respite to go to the new park the kids had discovered near the airodrome. Very cool – lots of great things to do and a flying fox which Morgan could just swing on till it got dark.

Home again – and Age made the kids a Bobby Dazzler – a mocktail he makes for me when I have a cocktail night – lots of sugar and whipped cream and 100s and 1000s – a kids dream.

Age washed his bike with Morgan – it had been raining the week before and it was pretty muddy and gross. Age is now riding at least 7 trips a week – trying for the magical 10 trips. It’s a bit over 26 km into town and takes him an hour and 15 mins – but is slowly beating that time down. Not amny bikeways to go on – but he has chosen back streets as much as he can and he reckons its very restful and distressing.

Had Mum and Dad up on Thursday – they actually drove themselves up ( with the help of a new Navman) wow!! So impressed. I took them out to lunch at the kids favourite restaurant – the Lone Star. So proud of them that they made it that far – so no excuses now – not to pop and see us hey?

My exciting news this week of course is that I was interviewed by Mr Dad – a USA radio guy – on my book I co-wrote with Jodi Cleghorn. I have ot admit I was very nervous beforehand – but did some voice exercises and re jigged my thinking and then was cool after that. I am kicking myself as you always think of perfect answers afterwards – just hope we sounded like we knew what we were talking about…. Will keep you in the loop on the release of the podcast.

Well – best be off – hugs to all and happy fathers day!

Is This The Face of Evil?

So I ask you - is this the face of evil? allow me to inform you that YES - it is.....

On Saturday, we went to a Mad Hatters Party to play croquet. Its beyond me why and how lawn bowls became more popular. Apart from our team not knowing who went next and confusing the colours up – we had a hoot and I am sure once you get those things down pat , it is a very fast and sociable game. Adrian was on the ‘other’ team…( oh and he had a possum stuck to his hat. I might add here that when he was looking for ways and means to attach the said rodent to his headware, Lilly was most insistant that he NOT staple it as it would hurt the possom.)

We played a competitive game called gateways –where as a team you strategize to get one of your team members through the hoop before the other team. There is a lot of bumping the other teams balls out of the way to ensure the next person in your team could have a clear run through the hoop. Adrian, without fail, knocked my perfectly formulated hit, right out of the way. A definite game to play with friends or workmates to improve communication and strategizing… I’ll have to do some internet searching to see if I can include my experiences with Captain Juan!

The kids had a good knock around with the mallets too and it seemed to be popular with each group we went and had a chat to. The party was in honour of a good friend – Sarah – turning the grand age of 40. not that I should laugh or think thats old.. not far away for me at all.. what a terrifying thought.

The weather has started to turn into sultry summery temperatures, having skipped spring all together. The rains have come and I love to hear it on the tin roof out the side. I am sure it won’t be long before the kids get in the pool – but its still got iceburgs in it as far as I am concerned. We are all looking forward to getting back into camping – with our first date set at the end of September – up in Girraween.

My week is filled with writing articles or short stories or lately working website updates and tweeks. Its so frustrating and takes so long. What we want on the site changes – and so does all the parameters. I am learning lots – doing a fair bit in HTML – as I have no software to build it with… so its all good experience I guess.

I am doing a bit of a chuck out and overhaul of cupboards – so anything not tied or nailed down is being scrutinized and chucked out. How many damned towels does one family need… and don’t get me started on t-towels..

A bit scatty tonight – haven’t had much of a chance to write or do stories this week – all website stuff which I have promised myself to stop doing – I can be up till 3 am fiddling.. and its not good for sleep patterns ( which are getting more and more out of whack)

Thanks for reading and keep commenting- makes me feel like this matters….

First Performance

My heart is about to burst.

Friday marked Morgans first public performance.. and yes I was there – camera in hand –and shot both photos and videoed it. Pathetic. I nearly wept the whole way through (obviously hormonal) and my hands nearly fell off with clapping at the end… and this is prep year.. Goddess Help me in future years. This is a picture of him about to start - with his favourite teacher - Mrs Allen ( who prompted all the kids) This is a project that they formulated and scripted themselves on their favourite subjects in the last 6 weeks - Dinosaurs, flying objects and volcanoes.


The quality of this clip is not grand - and I am aware Morgan put the microphone too close to his mouth -making it very difficult to understand what he was saying - but he did very well - an no stage fright. There were about 40 people in the audience -as well as his classmates.

Below are a few more photos from his classroom - and of the dispays they had. He was so thrilled to show them off to everyone. The dino world one is a collective mini world they made and each child made a miniture dinosaur out of playdo - really detailed..

I have to say I am really impressed at the breadth of knowledge and subject areas the class is doing. The teachers are constantly presenting them with complicated and detailed words and pieces of information – and the kids ‘get it’! part of Morgans presentation was explaining why things fly – the forces used and required! ( far out) they really integrate lots of fun things in with the learning.

Morgan was so delighted to be able to show Lilly around as well.. Such a shame she isn't going to school next year - she is so ready!!

Railway kids continue

Just got home from visiting Nanny in Noosa. We had an action packed weekend – starting with a trip on the famous Gympie Rattler – a restored steam engine that winds its way around some beautiful countryside full of cows and alpacas..( the Australian countryside is nothing but diverse!)

We were very luck to be put into a private cabin – which seated six people. Both Adrian and I remember having to catch trains that had carriages like this – though he caught them more frequently than I did.

Its a bit of a worry when you remember things being in working order and now they are museum pieces. The thick stubby cardboard tickets brought back many memories for both of us as well.

Morgan and Lilly had a hoot on the train – we were able to go out on the balcony and watch the tgrees slowly go past us and watch the track whiz under us. The smell of the coal being burnt and the sound of the chuffing up the hill.. such a great days trip out for all of us.

Middway we stopped for a sausage sizzle and a leg stretch, while the engine filled with water and had to be turned around. Amazing engineering. I think they said the engine weighed 800 tonnes – would that be right? It had to be loaded on a big turn table and manually spun round.

Morgan and Lilly were very tired at the end and were very good cuddling each other waiting to go home.

We had a bit of a kip at Nannys before we went out to dinner –which of course we had to wear our finery to. The kids are looking so grown up now…

A trip into the Past

Have you ever visited a childhood site filled with memories and was shocked when seeing it with adult eyes?

Last weekend while visiting Mum and Dad, I decided to take Jodi and the kids to the Dalveen Tunnel. Jodi is writing a story on a woman who is stuck in tunnels and has never been in one before – so although it isn’t particularly long or dark like an underground pipeline tunnel, it would give her an idea of the oppressive feelings you have when consumed by darkness.

My sisters and I used to go down to the tunnel on a regular basis. Sometimes we were given 20c to go and by a banana bar ( not sure of the name – but it was a taffy like yellow banana flavored bar) which was pulled into three pieces as we walked along the tracks. The tunnel was huge, long and very spooky. It was cloven into the steep hillside by Scottish workers nearly 200 years ago with simple picks and shovels. Bricks were made on the site and some still lay by the small waterhole near by.

We drove down to the nearest spot and struggled to clamber over the fences – which as a child I remember bounding over. I decided to walk over the hill and we would climb down and walk through the tunnel and then wander back to the car. As we climbed over the last fence and looked over the side to the tunnel opening, I had my mummy eyes on and they were wide with horror. There is no way I would climb down the steep embankment now and couldn’t believe that we used to race up and down the edges so easily and with little fear. The ledge was at least 20 feet in the air and I remember sitting on it swinging our legs and generally chatting as we watched the clouds and birds go past. My feet tingled with that awful dread and I began to sweat. Good Grief! How was I going to lead 3 small children and Jodi – who was afraid of the dark and of heights down there?

We wandered down a little way and I found a small relief in the cliff face. I took a photo of it on the bottom and wondered afterwards what possessed me to think I could bring a three year old down that. In their defense though – they were perfect – and followed my instructions to the letter ( probably terrified to death) AND are still talking about the adventure.

The tunnel isn’t half as big or as long as I recall. However, in the middle of it – very cold and still a bit spooky. The echoes reverberate around you and the oppressive darkness sinks deeply into your psyche. Its hard to distinguish where you stop and the darkness begins. The hand cast bricks are starting to crumble with age and the smoke from fires long past is flaking off the ceiling.

We walked out into the fresh air and sunlight having chased away the past demons trapped in the constant night and breathed deeply. Neither Jodi or I wanted to let the kids know who freaked out we had been in the dark.

The kids thought it was a wonderful adventure and desperate to go back again.

Reading Eggs

Sunday again and summing up our week. Been a funny old week. Morgan has become very empassioned with reading- its great – really starting to understand that certain symbols carry meaning. He wrote a list today or the things he wanted to do in the day. Sounding out the first letter of the word. I am so proud – not only of him making a list and trying to write it - but in his time management skills and thinking about what others would like to do as well.

I'll just explain what this list is all about. the top left hand is a picutre of a game boy and the letter g. Morgan has put hte number 3 next to each item - as they are all important - he didn't know which was to be a number 1.

the next picutre on the right - is a slide - and P - for park

Under this is a his bike - and a b - well - its a d but kids get them mixed up all the time.

make sense??

There is a internet site called reading eggs which claims can teach your child to read in 6 weeks. So far I have been very impressed. It mixes games and repetitions and recognition. Lots of song and funny things both Morgan and Lilly have been delighted with…. And an annoying little ant that sings catchy songs that stick in your head….. On Friday he got himself dressed and ready for school and woke me ( at 6 am) so that I could log him on to do reading eggs. Now that it commitment and passion.. good on him!!

Lilly doesn’t quite have the hand control or dexterity required to use my mouse to do the program – she can point to things and tell me – so she certainly have the understanding. Its not only the letters of the alphabet – its sounds like the double ee or phonic sounds like ‘at’ and recognizing the combinations within other words. He is able to recognize a large number of words now – and after weeks of saying he doesn’t get to read or do anything at school – he is delighted to be doing this at home. I just have to smile when he gets in the car after school and is so upset that they didn’t do any writing or learning that day.. how cute is that?

Been planning my next few projects, now that the ebook has been launched.. However still need to get on top of the marketing for it. I seem to be making a habit now of staying up late – don’t seem to need much sleep. Its very cold at night and my fingers are all seized up – hardly able to type.. so will leave it here..My writing schedule has become quite busy with yahoo answers, a social commentary blog, 2 short stories a week and a review…I have also just downloaded the competitions for this month – and I have a load to get ready for – so will need to brush up the first drafts I have lying around…

Catch you all next week.

Impromtu Performace

Ok - I know this is really sad..but it was so funny I had to post it here. This was not staged at all. I had asked the kids to sit on the bed and get ready to sing something for Uncle Frazer and Aunty Fluff to cheer them up. We had talked about some things they could do... so ... I pressed play and here is what happened..I am still laughing - pair of dags....

I tried to film this again later - but the impromtu 'ness' and timing was never re-created.

Lilly Cooking

When I asked Lilly what she would like to do with me today, she said she'd like to cook lunch. So - we made a quiche and salad. Can I say she made most of it!! I was so proud of her. She cut he capsicums up, cracked the eggs and poured the milk in and mixed it up. It was VERY seasoned with salt and pepper. She cooked the onions and capscums ( on this video) and was super careful of the heat and the pan.

I got the hot stuff out of the pan - but she then ensured that there was cheese in the bottom of the pan before pouring the egg mixture over the top. We put the oven on and when it beeped to say it was ready, Lilly ran and told me. She was so chuffed!

Looking forward to doing more cooking with her...

Painting

Morgans Jungle Room

This weekend we have been preparing Morgans room for painting…. And then painting it. He has been so patient, Adrian put the challenge that his room needed to be spotless for a continuous month and this was completed the first month the goal was set. ( typical!)

Morgan has wanted a jungle in his room for along time , so we borrowed books with coloured pictures, looked at designer texts and visited Bunning numerous times. I must admit the colour Morgan and Adrian chose would not have been the one I that I would have chosen, but now that the third coat is up , I think it looks great. Bright and Loud, but great.

I cannot imagine how painful it must be to paint a room with a paintbrush or a roller. We discovered the pad system about 15 years ago at a home maker expo and although the original ones have disintegrated through wear and tear, the market has met the challenge and there are a few reputable companies who sell them. What is means is that the kids can help with the painting and contribute without being in the way.

This photos is when we first started. – Lilly had to be kept with tight rains as she was very enthusiastic with her brush work – but once in the swing of it – we were able to steam through the room at a great pace. Small hands and bodies close to the skirting boards make painting those areas a bit easier. They were both very mature about it – and didn’t touch the wet paint at all.

The furnature is now back in place and looks great. We are going for a wlak tomorrow to find a brach for the stuffed snake to hang on and somewhere for the possum to sleep in. Morgan has also spotted a large stuffed crocodile from Ikea he would like in his room – so we have looked at his pocket money and usingit as a activity for him to work out when we can go and buy it. Little piece by little piece, learning comes. His rooms looks great! With the light on it – its so fresh and light. We have the bug now and looking at the next room to be done.

Lilly had a challenge of keeping her room tidy now too. She needs to put her dirty clothes in her clothes basket and keep her shoes and toys in their spots – so not much. We have her paint already- a delightful purply pink. I am really keen to get started and decorate it the way I wished I had a room – full of fairies and butterflies. I am so thankful that Lilly loves them too. Lots of lace and frills…