I Have A Calling...and other bits & pieces...

Well, rather I have been called...

My number came up for Jury Duty this week. When the very official letter arrived a while ago my first thought was "bloody revenue raising speed cameras" but on closer inspection it wasn't a speeding fine, thankfully. I have never been called before and have no reason to get out of it so I filled my details in and returned the letter. I have made it through Round 1 and have to make myself available from 9-11am for two weeks at the end of March. It will be at the Supreme Court, Brisbane. I'm kind of looking forward to it, hoping that if I have to be there I at least get a chance to be part of a jury. Any suggestions or sage words of advice from anyone who has actually been selected..??

Last time I posted we were heading off for two relaxing weeks at the beach. We had a fantastic time, very laid back...mostly we just enjoyed being together and away from routine and regularity. We swam, fished, did a few day trips, snoozed, read, barbecued, lazed by the pool, ate & drank...everything one should do while on holiday. It seems a long time ago now we have settled back into the new school year.

Haven't been online or had our landline phone service connected for over two weeks now...the hard drive bit the dust, as did our wireless router and network key. Quickly followed by the cordless phone, useless anyway as the VOIP was cactus, but it didn't have to go out in sympathy. We have all the new bits and now have a working phone but are still having great difficulty with the PC. John has spent hours online and on the phone to our ISP (who have provided excellent service thankfully) and he whenever he thinks he may have nailed it, it just doesn't happen. It has been so frustrating, I hadn't quite realised how computer dependent I had become. Oh, my (brand new) mobile died as well and we are waiting to hear who is going to take responsibility for repair, will it be Gray's Online, where it was purchased, or Motorola, who manufactured it..??

We have some exciting news...

John's oldest son Brad and his DIL Briohny are going to be parents again...!!! To triplets...!!! I am looking forward so much to having babies in the family again. Briohny is 27 weeks now and doing incredibly well, showing no signs of any of the potential complications of higher multiple pregnancy. Her feet get quite puffy and swollen at the end of the day but settle overnight or if she puts them up for some time. Her doctors are hoping she will make it to 32 weeks. If she gets that far, they will let her continue to 34 weeks but not beyond. So, somewhere between 24th March and Easter these little ones will make an appearance. Briohny & Brad are quite realistic about the possibility of complications and understand that, even despite the very best of care, they may not bring three babies home.

Oh, we know there are two daughters and a son in there...they have two sons already, Blake & Dylan are 11 and 10 and very much wanted a sister. They are lovely boys and will be terrific big brothers.

Will keep you posted...

Not a lot else going on here, Matilda & Myles have settled back into school and are enjoying the challenges of a higher year level. Footy & Cheerleading are back in full swing too...I think we get to eat dinner together three nights in a week now. Part of me loves that they are busy and committed to a team sport, the other part finds it disruptive to family time and frustrating to have to plan meals that taste good reheated. Any recipe suggestions for easy meals...??

Better fly, have to get organised for the day...I have Matilda home sick today, not moving far from the sofa. She had a gastric type bug late yesterday and last night and seems okay today but doesn't want to be too far from a toilet...at school that could be disastrous.

It's A Very Rocky Road Indeed...

Have just busted Myles trying to pull a swift one again...it's been happening quite a bit of late, to varying degrees, sometimes with potentially serious consequences.

This time it's kind of funny though.

He has Home Economics at school tomorrow...during term time they have cooked a number of great recipes so this being end of term they are preparing a treat.

This is the recipe that he brought home for Rocky Road...

200g Raspberry Lollies
200g Peanuts
200g Marshmallows
200g Snakes/Jelly Lollies
460g Milk Cooking Chocolate

This morning I asked him to write out me a list of the things he needed so I could go to the supermarket and pick them up today. He often forgets and remembers once dinner is over etc. on Thursday night and someone (usually John) has to go out into the cold to get what he needs.

Last thing you want to do once you have settled in by the fire for the evening.

He disappeared into his bedroom and this is the list he came up with...somewhat modified...

800g Raspberry Lollies
800g Marshmallows
800g Snakes/Jelly Lollies
500g Milk Cooking Chocolate

*Peanuts omitted as he is highly sensitive to all nuts but he cleverly decided to replace them with Rice Bubbles instead.

It didn't "add up" at all to me...why would you quadruple the lolly part of the ingredients and only add 40g of extra chocolate, the ingredient that is meant to be melted so as to bind it all together. Using Myles rationale the chocolate should have been increased to 1840g, almost 2kg...!!! My estimation of the cost of Myles' list was around $32.00.

After checking with his friend Bryce's Mum on the phone, it seemed that the boys were planning a junk-food-fest..!!! Bryce hadn't been quite so eager and avaricious...he had only doubled the ingredients and his Mum had no idea.

This was a much more clever attempt at pulling a fast one...but still didn't work, I'm still a step or two ahead...!!!

Happy 13th Birthday Myles...

Happy 13th Birthday Myles...

It's hard to believe you are now thirteen...when I first met you at nine years old you were such a little boy. You had your arm in a sling because you had broken your collarbone...that's happened another twice since I've known you.


I remember the first conversation you and I had without John & Matilda around. It was the day you and Matilda met for the first time...we were at Hanging Rock and had gone to retrieve a kite that had crashed. You asked me if it was just Matilda & I living at my house then offered that it was just Dad and you at your home. You then told me that when you first saw me that you thought I was your Mum. It made my heart melt. We had a conversation about your Mum, you told me that you aren't really sure if you remember her or whether you "remember" her through photos and what others tell you. I felt incredibly sad for you.


This past 12 months has seen a huge leap in your growth, both physically and in maturity. I'm quite sure you grow overnight...you are going to be tall like your Dad, your feet are enormous already. Your Dad & I have noticed great leaps in your emotional maturity, you have taken on leadership roles at school and at football and enjoyed the responsibility that comes with them. We were so proud to watch you receive your awards at Graduation last December.


You are funny, oh so cool, smart and mostly very easy to get along with. I feel that this year is going to be a great one for you...new school, new football team, new challenges.


Happy Birthday Sweetheart...I hope your day is very special. I'm very proud of you and forever grateful to your Dad for giving me the opportunity to be your Mum.

Absent Blogger...

Have been somewhat absent these last couple of weeks, no real reason...didn't have a lot going on to write about really. Sometimes I find I need a break and to step away.

Matilda and Myles enjoy playing Marco Polo when they are in the pool...Myles simply cannot help but peep, he finds it utterly impossible to keep his eyes shut.

They solved the problem this way...

That's Myles rash vest Matilda is wrapping around his head...



Goggles on top to hold it in place...look at the difference in their skin tones. Myles always wears his rashie, Matilda always wears 30+ sunscreen...he is quite fair, she is very olive skinned and tans very easily.



A great look...



Apparently it resulted in "the best ever" (Matilda's words) game of Marco Polo...!!!

Will try and be a bit less absent...have been catching up with everyone else's news though.

Two bloggers on my blog roll are having giveaways at the moment...head on over to visit Karin & Snickollet. Karin is giving away some gorgeous hand made drawstring bags in vintage fabrics, Snick's giveaway is a beautiful book from Barefoot Books, their books are just gorgeous.

You never know, you might get lucky...!!! I'm working on a giveaway of my own, stay tuned.

Perfect Summer Day...

Had a delightful day with Matilda & Myles today...it began gently, no hurry to get going anywhere, we lingered over breakfast and I had a second and even a third cup of coffee...(we tried a new blend from Merlo Coffee this time and it's just divine...rich, velvety with no bitter "grab" in your mouth, so hard to pass up a second & third cup. Just divine.

We picnicked today at Victoria Point, right on Moreton Bay. Last weekend we went out for a drive...mainly as it was incredibly hot and the aircon in the car beckoned. We happened upon this tiny little picnic area, right on the water, lovely & shady and very private. We claimed our space and enjoyed our alfresco lunch...somehow food always tastes better outdoors and by the water.

The tide was coming in so while we waited for the water to be deep enough to swim in Matilda & Myles climbed trees, played on the swings, did cartwheels, dug for crabs and pretty much just hung out doing kids stuff. They enjoy each other's company very much and get along so amazingly well, John & I consider ourselves so very blessed...they make family life so very easy.

I set myself up in a shady, grassy spot with my very comfy outdoor chair. I went equipped with books, a magazine & cryptic crossword but didn't open them once...the kids were such good company, great conversationalists and entertainers...being with them today was a great pleasure...one of those days where you feel that, as a parent, you must be doing something right.



It was still really hot here after dinner tonight...I opted for a swim over something on television...Matilda joined me. We had an absolute blast...it has been a long time since I "played" in the pool...we did handstands and somersaults in the water, went diving for toys, floated on our backs and watched the fruit bats flying past the almost full moon, discussed the meaning of life & the beauty of the Aurora Australis while trying to spot the satellites zooming by.

Feeling full to the brim and very content with my lot in life tonight, very content indeed.

Running Away From Home...

Bit of a lazy post today...I found this clip yesterday while checking out another and just loved it. It's too good to keep to myself. I enjoyed it even more when I discovered the boy's name was Magnus...I have a special little friend also named Magnus who is quite like this boy...thoughtful, very smart & has an original answer for everything.

Enjoy...



Matilda gets home from Noumea this evening...am really looking forward to seeing her and hearing her travel stories...if running true to form she will not stop talking for many hours then fall in a tired heap. No doubt she will be quite exhausted, she will have had a week of very late nights (she usually needs 9-10 hours sleep each night) and very full days. We have no plans for tomorrow and are planning a gentle day...it is the last day of school here in Queensland and students are "encouraged" not to attend...the schools cannot officially condone taking the last day off however do not mind if the students do not attend. I love the Summer break, 6-7 weeks off school and no real plans. Matilda and Myles will probably both travel to Victoria to spend time with their grandparents in the New Year, if only Josh would go away too then John & I could have a "holiday" here at home.

Hmmmm...that means it's my last child free day at home alone today for some time...better make the most of it. Might get some Christmas shopping in.

Quick Post...some photos...

We spent the day last Sunday with John's oldest son Brad, his wife Briohny and their boys (John's grandsons) Blake & Dylan...Blake is 9 and Dylan 8. They were holidaying on the Gold Coast and as we don't see them nearly enough it was a great chance to catch up.

We went to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, the day was glorious, the sun not too hot to be out in and a gentle breeze was blowing. The Sanctuary was great, I hadn't been there in 30 years so it was wonderful to see the positive changes that had been made.

Here's a few quick pics of the kids...

From L-R...Matilda, Myles, Blake & Dylan. Seconds after that photo was taken the koala pooed in Matilda's hands...she was grossed out but relaxed a little when the koala carers told her it was all eucalyptus leaves, nothing else. Myles is Blake & Dylan's uncle, the similarities he and Dylan share are uncanny. Blake is fair and blue eyed like his Mum.



Myles with baby croc...just as well it was firmly taped shut, they are quite snappy even at this size. We saw a number of larger crocs while we were there. Nothing like getting a close up look to remind you that humans are not at the top of the food chain...
Unfortunately our day was way too short...it was so hard for them to fit everything in that they wanted to do. They will be in Queensland in March for a wedding so we hope they will come and spend some time with us then.

Better get a move on...it's cheerleading night and I need to get dinner organised before I go.

I have another post brewing on the outrageousness of surgeon's fees...not happy...!!!

Proud Mama Here...

Being the end of the first school semester, it's school report time here...

Myles brought home an impressive report last week...excellent results in Maths, English & SOSE but more important for him, excellent results in attitude to work. He has only been at his school since the beginning of the year. We made the decision to change schools after a series of unfortunate events at his previous school...in a nutshell there was a distinct lack of warmth and communication. His end of year school report was distressing to read...mostly because it wasn't a true reflection of Myles. At the beginning of the year we spoke with the deputy principal at his school and raised some concerns at his having to study German and Music, both subjects he had never studied before...we were assured that it wouldn't be a problem, that the teachers would be informed and allowances made. This did not happen. The teachers then both complained at the end of the year (via his school report) that he had been not trying and had been disruptive in class all year. And we find this out in December...!!!??? If this had been a problem all year why was it not addressed with us much, much earlier...??? There were two other critical incidents that led us to think that we did not want this school preparing Myles for secondary education, so the decision was made.

At the start of the year we enrolled Myles at his current school, he wasn't at all happy about having to change yet again, in fact he was downright hostile but after day 1 he was sold on his teacher, as were John & I. There are very few teachers in the public school system with their Doctorate in Education...we have one of them. Mr. Y. is warm, funny, dedicated, committed, honest and approachable...also sporty and competitive. Myles idolises him and he has huge respect from his students and their parents alike. He is the most requested for teacher at the school. His comments on Myles school report reflect Myles true nature, he has him sussed right out, there is nothing Myles wouldn't do for him.

Matilda's school report came in the mail yesterday. As per usual we expected it to be good, she routinely brings home excellent school results, always has, right from Prep. This time it was outstanding, STRAIGHT A's...!!!

Her teachers commented that her excellent results were due to good organisation, excellent research skills and attention to detail. She also received all A's for classroom conduct and attitude to work. They also said that she was a pleasure to teach and that they love having her in their classroom.

Can't ask for much more than that really can we...??? While they can be difficult and hard to motivate at times at home, it's good to know that we can send them out into the world and they know how to conduct themselves in a way that will do themselves and us proud.

So, apart from lavish praise and letting them know that we are very proud of their efforts and achievements, we decided that the longed for trip to Dreamworld, (see most recent post), would happen these school holidays.

Secretly, I'm looking forward to going too..!!!

School Holidays...!!!

Am looking forward to having Myles and Matilda home for the next two weeks...I love the time they are on school holidays, especially the days we just dag around at home.

It saddens me to hear parents complain that their children are going to be "under their feet" or "in the way" when school is out. We often have a "PJ Day" for the very first real day off, that is the Monday of the first week. The kids sleep in then get up and snuggle on the sofa in their PJ's and I cook pancakes and hot chocolate for breakfast. Sometimes they choose to get dressed, other times they have a shower and then put fresh, clean PJ's back on. It's not quite the same in Queensland as it was in Victoria, PJ Day is much more cosy when it's freezing outside. Don't get me wrong, it has been cold here at night, last night was 6 degrees, very cold indeed.

These holidays they have a bit of a list of "things to do"...some will get done, some they are only dreaming of...

• Go to Dreamworld
  
• Day at Mooloolaba Beach
• See Prince Caspian at cinema
• Shopping with "the girls"
• High Ropes course at Thunderbird Park
  
• Meeting new cousins
• Sleeping in
• Clearing out the hallway cupboard
• Go to the library
  

As for me...I'm hoping, hoping, hoping that my special friend LISSY and her family will pack their camper and point the car north. I so want to be able to walk & talk and drink coffee with her. I met Lis online and she and her family have become very dear to me. Their beloved husband & Daddy has been fighting cancer for the last year and a half, it's almost 12 months since his bone marrow transplant. It's been a difficult time for them all, I am in awe of their courage.