All a bit mixed up

My apologies if you receive these blog notes via email, rather than come onto the blog and read them at random...because I am afraid my dates and blog posts have become very random and out of order.

Everything is such a jumble and moving very quickly. Over the next few days/weeks, I hope to bring you up to speed.. and hope the speed of our lives slows down somewhat....

But basically... we are selling our house.. becoming gypsies.... and going travelling..... more later!!

Not a Statistic at Easter

Not sure where to start but to begin with  - I’m ok, but our lovely little car was written off after an argument with a semi trailer. Any accident involving a double trailered semi full of gravel and rocks and you walk away from…. is a good one.

So, I'm not a statistic over Easter... feeling pretty blessed and happy to be able to write this now.

Last Thursday - just before Easter - I’d packed our car up ready for a camping long weekend and set off to pick Age up from work. Morgan and Lilly had spent the day at vacation care so that I could go and watch a movie by myself, shop and pack in quiet calm.

I took the ICB and always get muddled with the exit to take which is the best to get to Age.  I missed the right one, but having done that a number of times, knew I had a road on the left just round the corner I could double back on and get back to where I needed to be.

What I had failed to realise as I came out of the tunnel, was that although I was on the inside lane and had a unbroken single white line beside me, there was in fact another lane running from the top of the tunnel beside the one I was emerging from and that it would merge further up into mine.  With the white line beside me - I thought it was the edge of the road - not a barrier or whatever the road designers thought it would be.  I put my indicators on and flicked across to drive into the road.

What happened next happened just like the movies - really. You know the lilting music as everything goes in slow motion and stuff starts to smash and crunch?

A huge Kenworth truck barrelled down the lane - minding his own business, when some mad woman drove right in front of him. There was nowhere for him to go but straight into the side of my car; pushing me across the traffic, up the island, through a post and near tipped me over.

He rushed out thinking he’d killed me, amazed that the car hadn’t been tumbled over onto the roof.

Its difficult to fully describe it, but I felt really safe; as if arms had pulled me in while I got pushed and smashed through posts and up the curb. I had no injuries. I stumbled out of the car and began apologising to him. I got my licence and we exchanged details.  It wasn’t till I turned around and saw the state of the car that I realised how bad it could have been.  None of the doors, bar mine, would open. One side of the car had been ripped open like a can. The car was twisted and bits of it lay across the lanes of the road.

Our accident had stopped the traffic on Kingsford Smith Drive at peak hour, so with some help we got the car off the island and into the side street I’d originally been aiming for.

It wasn’t till I rang Adrian that I began to shake. My body failed me as I tried to tell him I was ok but needed him to get in a cab and get me.  I remember being so calm in my head and being so angry at myself as my face refused to form words. Poor Age. He got enough out of me to find me - it was, as I said, only 5 mins from his work.

So, excitement over, I had three police patrol cars and an ambo in attendance - but I was fine so they all went away eventually.

We had to unpack all the camping stuff and whiel we waited for a knight in shining armour (Thanks Max) to rescue us, it looked like we were some homeless bums taking in the sights of the river.

The thing that tells me I was in total shock was that I only took one photo - one of the truck I didn’t see.  I still can’t believe I didn’t see it.  I’ve heard from my uncles and brothers who are truck drivers - how people say they didn’t see them.. and until now, I never believed them.  How can you NOT see something as big as this bearing down on you?

The days seems fresher now. I try not to think I am living on borrowed time. Perhaps what scares me is to think I was saved for a bigger purpose… but what that is, has not yet been revealed.

Here is the photo of the truck pulled into the side street. Big.. isn't it?

Christmas Letter 2011

Merry Christmas, from my family to yours!  I am so so late with my Christmas Cards that I've decided to post my normal letter up here - and perhaps send the actual card later to save me a bunch of stress... SO here goes....

Its the end of the school year, everyone is exhausted and I look back wondering where on earth the time has gone. I’d meant to get this done so much earlier than I did - but well.. you know..

I’ve worked a full time contract at the school Morgan and Lilly go to - and its been a real blessing. Last year was full of very early morning starts - the kids being dropped at school early and having to hang about till I got there after driving however far I had to go. Although last year I worked fairly much consistently throughout the year, I had a few days here; a week there - between contracts to cool my heels and get ‘stuff done’ - including my writing.  Its a bit of a shock to the system -  its the first time I’ve worked in a paid role full time for an extended amount of time since having the kids.  Intermix this with my attempt to continue my short story writing and collaborative writing projects  as well as ( yes I have “SUCKER” tattooed to my head) me starting as leader with Joeys ( the tiny scouts) - leaving very little time to do much else. Its been good  be in the same area and for times when kids are ill - been able to get to them within moments of a call. I’ve worked in special needs across the college - with classes from year 1 through to year 9 .There has been some interesting and challenging times; but I wouldn’t have it any other way.  

 This year, Morgan and Lilly have: been to dance classes; competed and performed (they have won a number of trophies and were awarded the perpetual trophy for their studio this year)  played AFL for the whole season ( Lilly even played at the Gabba twice in the half time matches for the Lions) play a juniors style basketball, love Scouts ( and all the camps and outings they do) go to Karate (though not as regularly as they do the other activities) as well as did really well (As and Bs) with their school reports.  They’ve lost teeth and grown inches.

Age has stayed with Energex, but the whole company has shifted to a new premises, making his journey to work a very long and arduous affair.  He has moved roles and now works in Risk.  Adrian’s health continues to be a concern,but with careful monitoring, he manages it masterfully and is still able to work full time; even been able to negotiate a day a week from home. I continue to be the main driver and love our little Hyundai.

So blessed with the amount of travelling we have been able to do this year - all due to my full time job - money well spent as far as I am concerned. We went to Vanuatu last Christmas holidays, experiencing the five star and the village lifestyles whilst there. Highlights were defiantly the volcano and the incredible snorkelling trips we did all round the coastlines.  Easter saw us heading to the traditional camping spot at my parents property, bringing friends and relatives together for a heap of dirty wholesome fun. June holidays saw the kids and I drive up to Longreach to visit my sister Julie and her tribe; once again, bringing the country life to Morgan and Lilly. September holidays seemed to flash by with us spending the entire two weeks in New Zealand, tucked away in a chalet on the Coromandel Peninsula. Highlights involved the bubbling mud at Rotarua, speedy carts at Rotarua ( just about everything at Rotarua actually) big walks and hot sands at the (more bubbling stuff) Hot Water Beach.  Weekends through the year have been filled with AFL matches, Dance competitions or practices and scouting stuff. Age and I did manage to escape for a weekend to Sydney to celebrate our 18th Wedding anniv. (eek!!)

The floods throughout Queensland took our breath away as we watch icons of our state and city engulfed by the swirling torreds of mud. I cried buckets of tears for those lost and like many, sat glued to the live TV and internet watching it unfold. Although tragedy didn’t touch our immediate family, the waters came very close to loved ones homes; and many of the people I work with lost their entire homes and possessions.

Although I don’t feel as if I have had much success, looking back on my writing, I’ve been internationally published in a number of anthologies this year and invited to write regular columns for a variety of cutting edge sites. I have nominations for my science fiction short stories for the Aurealis Awards (its a big deal) as well - now THATS a bit exciting. My regular short stories, however, have screeched to a halt and I am feeling their absence immensely.  My novel languishes on my hard drive and paints are slowly drying up in the shelf.

I treated myself to bike hire for a weekend to Byron in August with the excuse of going to a writers festival. The festival itself was a boost of inspiration - but the riding I did made me long to be mistress of two wheels so badly, I am near to tears thinking about it now. All seasons for things, so I understand I need to be patient.  I’ve turned into such a big girls blouse about some things (esp when the kids are up on stage - I am an embarrassment)  

I’ve enjoyed catching up with all you lovely folk on Facebook, checking out photos as they appear and connecting - albeit briefly on skype or chat. Its the only way I seem to be able to see most of you..

Next year sees me full time teaching work in special needs again next year - at the kids school - so fortunate!

Best sign off - wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season. Stay safe. 

Hugs Annie and the rest of the Evetts.