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Tears of a 13 year old boy....

today we went to a big car boot sale.

Zachary of course, (junk boy extraordinaire) came home with a few bits and pieces. One being these weird walking things. (Technical term for I don't know what the hell they are called!). They cost him all of $4.00 and he is thrilled.

(don't forget to click on the images for a much better image experience...)

Now, he is naturally very good at all balance things, always has been. That's why he was so good at gymnastics, why he learnt to ride a 2 wheeler bike by the age of 3 without training wheels and why he is fabulous at Trials Riding. (oh and riding the unicycle)

Most of the day he was running and jumping in these things - taking giant steps etc. He really enjoyed them. A few times I would hear a thump and then the words 'I'm ok' and off he would go again.

This last time, I heard a thump and an 'oomph' and then silence. Then I heard Stan say 'Are you ok?' and then I heard crying. So, being the good mum that I am, I went outside and saw him sitting in the chair. Tears rolling down his face.



Stay there, I say. I come back inside and get (nope no bandaids or ointment)





I get my CAMERA!

Ba ha ha!

He looked at me and said 'What are you doing?' I said, 'Your tears look fantastic, I just want to take a few photos....'

He looked at me as if I was stark, raving mad.

I am.



Here is the damaged knee....not too bad in the scheme of things really.

And finally - here are three more photos of him cause he looked so darn cute!!!









In this one he is saying 'dooooon't' but then started laughing....

One month in one post!

I know! I know! I am slack as....well just slack and you guys know it.

Here is a big catch up post...in no particular order.

Melbourne Cup Weekend....well Melbourne Cup is a very famous horse race and if you live in the marvellous city of Melbourne you get the day off work, school etc. Even though it is always the FIRST Tuesday of November, many businesses and schools have the Monday off as well - effectively giving us a 4 day weekend....lots of people scarper out of town.

We were no different. We decided to take our pop top caravan down the coast to a gorgeous seaside town called Rosebud. We have relatives who live there (they are in their 80's) and they have wanted us to come down and 'stay' with them for ages. So we did. We met up with Stan's cousin, Moira down there and her friend Martin along with her two dogs Tally and Susie.

Here are just a few photos from the weekend...fishing and also under the awning of our van. (no photos of Samuel as he was always SLEEPING!)





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I couldn't resist sharing these photos of Zachary - love them!

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MELBOURNE CUP DAY: Now we are not into horse racing at all, nor gambling but we came home for the BIG HORSE RACE!

We were invited to go to our friend's place not far from our home for Pizza, Swimming, a spot of Tennis and of course to watch the race!

They have the most FABULOUS house that overlooks Port Phillip Bay. They have installed a purpose built Pizza Oven in their back garden that overlooks their tennis court. It is a resort for us! And boy did we have fun.

Not only did we spend the day with lovely friends, laughing and drinking...we played tennis, ate multitudes of home made pizzas and watched the kids swim. We held a 'sweep' for the horse race - none of us were winners though. Bummer.

Such a fun day.

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SCHOOL SPORTS DAY for BRONTE

Well, this is a day that most kids look forward to and some absolutely dread. Thankfully Bronte is one of the former....

She is in RED team and they ended up coming second overall for the day.

Here she is with one of her ribbons. She came second in the Hurdles...





Look at that fabulous style! Laughing as she hurdles....how fun!

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Halloween is not celebrated in our home. It is a holiday that is starting to infiltrate our Australian culture but still has not taken a great hold. Anyway, Bronte was asked to go Trick or Treating with her friend from school, Grace. Sure I said. She said I want to go as a scary cat. Easy peasy....

We had the black cape already, I bought the black dress with ruffles from Target for around $8.00, the leggings we already had, she put on Zachary's black Dunlop Volleys (a little too big but she didn't want to wear her black boots) and I made a tail out of black tights - didn't even have to cut them...just stuffed one leg with another pair of tights and wrapped the 'empty' leg around her waist - perfect!. I bought the cat ears and the makeup - probably cost me around $15 all up for the costume and she loved the 'blood' I did coming from her mouth. Oh and I bought a fab rubber rat and sewed it to her cape....



So, here she is with Grace...cute huh??

Look into these eyes....

and you not only see a slightly demented looking just turned 13 year old boy but you see the THIRD place getter in the Australian Mototrials 2008 Junior 7 to 12 division!

He is very happy although, of course, wanted to do better.

Stan didn't do well in his class and said that the 'sections' were difficult.

These two tired boys of mine did not arrive home until around 1am on Sunday morning. Like a good mum and wife, I waited up for them and helped with the unpacking of the car and trailer. Riding for two days and driving home from Bendigo - that is a BIG weekend for both of them!

I was kind and let Zachary have the Monday off school - he loved that! Stan had the day off from work as well...

(Remember to click on the photos to see the pictures better....)

My NEW favourite song....gosh I love it...

and can't get enough of it....check it out - it is called 'If I Were A Boy' and Beyonce sings it...

BEYONCE - “IF I WERE A BOY” LYRICS

If I were a boy
Even just for a day
I’d roll outta bed in the morning
And throw on what I wanted then go
Drink beer with the guys
And chase after girls
I’d kick it with who I wanted
And I’d never get confronted for it.
Cause they’d stick up for me.

[Chorus]
If I were a boy
I think I could understand
How it feels to love a girl
I swear I’d be a better man.
I’d listen to her
Cause I know how it hurts
When you lose the one you wanted
Cause he’s taken you for granted
And everything you had got destroyed

If I were a boy
I could turn off my phone
Tell everyone it’s broken
So they’d think that I was sleepin’ alone
I’d put myself first
And make the rules as I go
Cause I know that she’d be faithful
Waitin’ for me to come home (to come home)

(Chorus)

It’s a little too late for you to come back
Say its just a mistake
Think I’d forgive you like that
If you thought I would wait for you
You thought wrong

(Chorus)

But you’re just a boy
You don’t understand
Yeah you don’t understand
How it feels to love a girl someday
You wish you were a better man
You don’t listen to her
You don’t care how it hurts
Until you lose the one you wanted
Cause you’ve taken her for granted
And everything you have got destroyed
But you’re just a boy

Another Teenager in my house!!!

Well, officially, Zachary is now 13! I am not sure how I feel about the idea of now having two teens in the home. Actually, yes I am - I feel overwhelmed. Where have all of those years gone? It is a bit sad really....for me...not for him....he LOVES it!

We had to celebrate a day early as Zachary and Stan left early this morning (6am) to go and compete in the Australian Mototrials Championship 2008. It was sad to just see him for 30 or so minutes on his actual birthday. They will be back late tomorrow night. And WHAT A BONUS if they do well! Here's hoping...

Here are some photos from his birthday dinner - was just the 5 of us plus Joycey from down the road. Please click on the photos for a clearer and more detailed picture...


Goes to show that if it is your birthday that you need to wear the Birthday Hat (as always supplied by Joycey) even if you HAVE to work on your motorbike!


Joycey also gave him this 'Hop In Blankie'. He LOVES it. He has had one from her before but it was on its last legs. There's nothing more that this active child of mine loves to do at the end of the day than getting into his blankie and wrapping himself up in it. He has always been a 'wrapper'! Cosy and warm and safe. This one, is a DOUBLE size and we teased him about there being enough room in there for a girl...he was mortified! Ba Ha Ha




Samuel gave him a Magazine and DVD from TOP GEAR which is Zachary's very favourite TV show. Zachary was thrilled.

Amongst other things (like another Top Gear DVD and some really cool CULT Boardshorts), Stan and I gave him this Jitsie Trials Riding Gear that he loves! The top is a bit big though but he doesn't seem to mind going by the poses he was doing!


Bronte gave him a Jigsaw puzzle, a glue pen, some craft paper and his favourite chocolate - white. This time in the form of a rather large Toblerone (yum!) He loved his presents so much he even let her give him a kiss and a cuddle!!

This was just after the kiss part!! Look at his face!

Here he is, opening up one of his many gifts with our good friend Joycey looking on.

I meant to tell you all the the first photo in this post is a Pavlova. Bronte and Samuel made it for him. Topped with whipped cream and grated Peppermint Aero bar - he thought it was fab!

Coming and going...

these holidays, I have just basically been a taxi service...

'Mum, can I go to Luca's please?'
'Can you take me?'
'Can Rose come over and can you pick her up?'
'Can we go Ice Skating?'
'Can you drive us?'

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes and yes.

Bloody hell. When I was a kid (insert eye-rolling here) we were NEVER picked up and dropped off like this. We RODE OUR BLOODY BIKES EVERYWHERE! Or walked. They were the two choices you had - no, hang on there were three choices - Ride, Walk or not go.

Is it the times we live in? Do we mollycoddle these kids too much?

Samuel rode to his friends house this morning (yay) and called me at 5.30pm asking me to pick him up. Sure I say.
Stan says 'Where are you going?'
'To pick Samuel up.'
'Why? He rode didn't he?'
'Yes, but its raining.'
'So??'
'He'll get wet.'
'So??'
'He might get cold.'
'So??'
'Is that ALL you can say?'
'No.'

And so I went and picked him up. He was grateful. I know - he said 'thanks so much Mum' about six times.

Stan and Zachary are off to the Victorian Mototrials Championship in the morning. They are both very excited. I hope they do well. And bring home a trophy or two. I hope that the trophies are not BEER Glasses this time. Zachary is 12 and nearly has a dozen BEER Glasses. Boring!! Give the kids a trophy with a MOTORBIKE on it! Now that would be COOL.

Bronte is having a sleepover at her friends house. It is always loverrrrly and quiet when she is away. Should I feel bad saying that out loud?

Oh and I guess I should tell you that Zachary arrived home safe and sound from the MotoTrial camp.

He really enjoyed the riding,
the challenges,
being mentored by two of Australia's best riders,
falling off his bike,
breaking his handlebars,
getting dirty,
staying dirty,
eating toasted marshmallows.

Zachary...



Bronte...



Samuel...



Stan...



Check out this great site where you can put your face on a poster, magazine etc (like the four photos above)

Leaving the nest....

today, my youngest boy is leaving us for 4 nights and 5 days.

He is 12 years old.

He is going on Trials Bike Riding Camp with other quite a few other guys his age and older. It is a big step for him as he loves to be with people he knows.

Last year, he went and it was a bit of a trauma. He took his brother's mobile phone 'just in case' and lo and behold on the 2nd morning I had two voice messages from him around 5.00am in the morning. He sounded distressed - not as distressed as I because I didn't get the messages until after 10am!

Turns out he had had a bit of an 'accident' in bed. I had already told him what to do if that happened as it was a bit of an issue then but I guess there is nothing like having mum around if something really happens. In the end though, he managed. Yay!

So, he is leaving tonight and we haven't had bed wetting issues for a very long time now so he is feeling confident. I still worry for him though. It is a long time to be away from his family and being surrounded by all those males!

They will be learning from the best riders we have here in Australia and he is very excited about that.

I will miss him.

He is my constant child this middle boy.

He balances our family.

Holidays + Sun = Visit to Beach

Today I took the youngest two down to our local beach here in Melbourne - just a 5 minute drive from our home is the famous Brighton Beach. Famous for its ridiculously expensive but oh, so colourful, bathing boxes....

Here are a few of my favourite photos from the day....

I have a new look....

well, I haven't but this blog has....I was inspired by Busy Mum who 'pimped' her blog and I think hers looks fabulous!

Mine is basic but then I think we suit basic!

But check out the new look of Bronte and her friend - what a cack!

Feral daughter....that is all I can say

about this photo of Bronte really!!

Taken yesterday at the motorbike track....

Hi...I have a new camera...so am just going to post my favourite

photos so far....

Taken at the christening of a friends' yacht...


















This one is Zachary....love the colours...



Here is a series of photos that I took because Bronte discovered this heart shape shadow in the boys room....



Here it is on the carpet. So then, Bronte and Zachary decided to lie down and get the heart on them...

This one is Bronte...



This is Zachary....



and this is Samuel's most loved Teddy, Flopsy - with an upside down heart...

Happy 14th Birthday Samuel for the 9th of August!!!!

Dearest Samuel,

I know that you now like to get called Sam but you will always be Samuel to us! How I love your smile and how proud we are that you are our son!

The past 14 years have gone very fast. From the day you were born, our lives changed. Such a sweet baby, and a bright bright little boy. As you know, we still have the original answering machine message that you recorded on our phone...'Thanks for calling Kate, Staaan, Samuel, Zacawee and Bwonte. Please leave a message after all the beeps....there's quite a few. Bye." I love it. It is in your bestest 4 year old voice and I remember the day we recorded it. I wrote it down and you read it out. We only had to record twice. And now, 10 years later, it is still on our phone. I can never imagine taking it off although some people try to encourage it!

You have had your share of troublesome times from operations to schooling issues but come through them all so wonderfully, from a sick little boy, you are now a healthy young man (and yes! you WILL get tall soon!!!). You began reading at the age of 18months - funny thing is, at the time, we thought all kids did that! All without any prompting from us. I was wayyyy too busy with you and your little brother Zachary to school you in ANYTHING! - After all, there is only 14months between you both.

You have so many lovely lovely friends, a true testament to your niceness. I am very proud of you for that - now if only you could be that nice to your siblings all the time!!!

I love how you have achieved so well academically, I love how you love dancing and love music. I love how you and your friend Hayley, DJ at little kids parties and get paid for it! I love how you enter online design competitions and get paid for it! I love that you have some direction in life (so far!). I love you!!!!

Happy 14th birthday Samuel Andrew!

Time goes by...

Here is a photo that I really like of Samuel and Bronte together today at the track...deep in conversation perhaps??


'Oops! I haven't updated here in a while!' Sorry for those who do actually read...

Photos from today - we went to the motorbike track (well it IS Sunday after all!) and I took quite a few photos with Stan's camera...cool Panasonic point and shoot thing!

But last week I purchased a DSLR - digital SLR camera...yay! I have been saving my pennies for quite some time - using birthday money that I get every year from Stan's mum and sister, Ailsa. So....I bought a PENTAX K200D which is fabulous.

One of the reasons I bought this camera is that many moons ago in another life, I used to study Art. Included in the Study of art was Photography, not to mention sculpture and printmaking. Anyway, way back in the year dot, my brother and father bought me a fabulous SLR which, at the time, was Camera of the Year. It was a Pentax ME Super and I have a few lenses for it.

As the old lenses for the ME can be used on the K200D, I thought why not?? So I bought it for a great price from JB Hi Fi - $621.00 to be exact - yay! Not bad for a 10 MP DSLR I reckon.

Anyway - I have taken about 222 photos with the K200D - all of the cat! Will show you them another time! lol


A slightly sad and VERY frustrated Zachary! Today at the track he just was not riding to his best ability and he was very teary. I must admit, he was tired - after all I went out last night with some old highschool friends and I didn't get home until around 2am. Of course, Stan was in 'charge' of the kids and Stan went off to bed at 9pm. The kids did not go until way way after that apparently....

Another reason that he is frustrated is that he has had a broken finger for 6 weeks now. Very very difficult to ride with a broken middle finger.... It happened at school at the end of last term. He tripped over, his friend tripped over him and stood on Zachary's hand. Long story short, he has a Salter-Harris Fracture type II. He is going for his third x-ray on Wednesday and 6th doctor appointment (not including the specialist appt!) next week. Hopefully we will have some better news...

Here he is in action...a close up shot!

The colourful Bronte...love this photo!!

Below are a series of shots showing Bronte in one of the trees in our backyard. She loves to climb this tree - as does Zachary. Now she has put all manner of items in the tree and while I was hanging out the washing this afternoon, I looked up and saw this cacophony of colour! I had to snap away - again using Stan's point and shoot camera!

Don't forget to click on the photos for a better view.

More birthdays.....well continuing on with Bronte's

Waking up happy on her actual birthday which was a month ago now!! The 18th of June!



Opening some pressies!!



Wearing the Birthday Hat...






About to blow out the candles...



Yep - the weird Wig Family! This was taken on MY birthday which was on Wednesday the 16th of July. Our friend Joyce has a bag of wigs that a friend gave her. So we all put one on...it was such fun! Click on the photo for a better view...nothing like being silly on your birthday!!










and then mine - the BIG 45! Waaah!!!

Being silly after the birthday song...

My very good friends, Joycey and Joan along with Zachary and myself - yes I HAD to wear the birthday hat too! Mind you it is Joyce's and she will wear anything - truly!

Next birthday is Samuel's - which is in 3 weeks - he will be 14.

The BIG Party!!!

So, the big day arrived...the City Explorer Party for my soon to be 10 year old girl!

We headed off from our local train station at 10.15am Sunday morning. Myself and two good friends, Lynda and Sue were in charge of 10 giggly girls and my two boys...

First stop - Flinders Street Station. Then straight out to Federation Square where the 10 wanna be stars did an impromptu act on the world famous Fed Square stage!!!



Then in to ACMI which stands for 'Australian Centre for the Moving Image'. It was a bit of fun where we looked at movies made by students and played video games for free!

My brother, sister in law and gorgeous nieces met up with us at Fed Square and then we all trundled off to a shop in Swanston Street where there are many photo booths and you can take wacky photos...that took an hour or so.

(only one mishap for the whole day - one of our old duckie shopping trolleys broke - we were using them to transport drinks and food!! So I went off to Target and bought another!!)



Back to Fed Square and watched a busker. Then the City Circle tram out to Docklands Park where we had hot chips and more party food and a good old fashioned play. The girls loved playing Roly Poly down the lush green hills!

Then back on the City Circle tram and back to Fed Square. Here we saw a busker who had the biggest nipple rings any of us had ever seen and boy they were yucky!!

But the next busker was fantastic - his name is Andy Zapp and if you ever get the chance to see him - take the time as he is fabulously funny and talented! All of us loved him!

Finally, at 3.53pm, we boarded the train for home...a big group of tired youngsters and adults to boot! We arrived back at our station where parents were to meet us. Because the cake (that I bought from Mrs Field's) was too large to carry into the city....we set up a table - complete with tablecloth - in the station Car Park. It was a touch of insanity to end the day! We all sang Happy Birthday to the gorgeous birthday girl and then shared the cake amongst guests and their families. Then the girls (and my two boys) retired to the back of my car to open the presents! It was so much fun and the party worked out pretty darn well even if I do say so myself!

THE PEOPLE'S CHIP!!!! Hamish and Andy FOX FM

Here's Bronte with Hamish and Andy from FOX FM. It was Samuel's idea to line up this morning for our part in history - the getting of what is termed the 'People's Chip'. Hamish and Andy - the two guys you see here, have a fab radio show and they called for Smith's Chips to make a new flavour of crisp chip. The people voted for a Gravy flavoured chip and Smith's came up with the goods. It was a small run, only 99 bags of chips per capital city in Australia (poor old Tassie, NT and ACT missed out completely!!) and they decided to distribute Melbourne's 99 at a shop in near our home!

So, off the boys went before school, to line up - here's a photo of Zachary in the line up that is on the FOX FM website...(right click to open in a new window!)



Zachary is the boy in the green and purple school uniform and with the big grey backpack!

Some people slept overnight to get a packet of these elusive chips. Needless to say, my guys weren't successful in getting a packet but they still had fun.

Thanks to Hamish and Andy for being so nice to everyone - it was a blast! Following are more photos from the morning...













Last Saturday, I took Samuel and Bronte to the Melbourne Museum. Zachary and Stan were away for the weekend on a Trial. Zachary came 2nd in C Grade and Stan came 3rd in Classic. Anyway, here are a couple of noice photos of The Bront and Samuel that I couldn't resist showing....





And finally, two photos of Bronte and Jasper the cat, sound asleep!!! Awwwww - how cute!

Madly working on Bronte's Party

(click on the image to see it clearly)

she will be 10 on the 18th of June....and here is the prototype for her City Explorer birthday party!

We will catch the train in to the city, go to the fantastic Federation Square, ACMI, maybe the Art Gallery. Then a free City Circle tram out to the Docklands to a fabulous park, picnic lunch, back to the city, maybe go to the Vic Market etc.

I was surprised that lots of her friends don't go into the city much and it will be an adventure for them. Two of my friends will come along with me to help supervise as Stan will be in England.

Hopefully the party will be loads of fun!!!

mother; mère; moeder; madre; mãe; mutter;

(please remember to CLICK on the photos for a much clearer view!)

In whatever language you say the word mother or mum, it means much the same all over the world. Nurture, safety, love and hopefully laughter.

Today is Mother's Day and it does mean so much to me. I think of many things and what it means.

It means that I am lucky - lucky because of the three gorgeous creatures you see above. Lucky that I was blessed with them. They may cause me grief at times and make me go nutso from time to time but in the big picture - yes I am extremely lucky.

It also saddens me as it makes me realise that yet another year has passed without my very own mother being by my side. My mum passed away on June 1 1998. It is ten years since I have heard her voice. Ten years since I heard her laugh. Ten years since I told her I loved her that one last time. God, how that hurts.






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The photos below are from our day out today. I took so many, I found it hard to choose. We went to Werribee Mansion which is here in Victoria, for a picnic. It was divine.

This is number one child, Samuel or Sam as he likes to be called by his friends! He will forever be Samuel to us though. Aged 13 and a half, he knows what he likes and wants and is a gentle soul to others - not so much to his siblings unfortunately! He is a gorgeous boy/young man.

Now this one is the middle guy. His name is Zachary and is 12, turning 13 this year. He is so sensitive and worries about nearly everything. He is a loving boy who always thinks of others. He is my brown eyed boy!

And yes folks, this is Bronte - the third and last. Thank God! She is a bright light in our lives. An entertainer, gregarious but not known for sweetness! A gorgeous spirited girl who keeps me on my toes.

Here are some fun photos of the three children and my husband and their dad (thought I better make that clear)!!

This is in the courtyard of the mansion....

Notice four funny people doing four funny poses!!!

Stacks on Samuel!!! After all, isn't this what Rose Gardens are for???

The dismantling of the STACK!

And this is Queen Joycey! The woman who likes to mother me...and most times I am thankful for it! She is a very young 78 years of age and she came down to our house this morning (she lives two houses away) in this crown. She is a strange one!! We all love her.

Werribee Park Mansion has a fantastic array of sculptures - this one was a favourite of mine but there were many that I liked.

Oh! Who could THAT be??

And then there are the gorgeous Rose Gardens...but the photo above is part of a sculpture - loads of flowers made out of aluminum cans and placed on old bed springs. Very cool!

The next four photos were my very favourite photos of the roses that I took today. Absolutely divine!

And finally, a sculpture that really tickled my fancy! Entitled something like 'Happy Ending'. What a great headstone this would be to have!!! lol But I did think it fitting for the end of this post as the whole day was fabulous and it has a happy ending!

Fishing? Fun? You betcha....

All of the above photos were taken at the most divine little place in Victoria called Inverloch. The weather was not very warm but the kids couldn't resist the divine clear water and fun on the beach. We caught loads of fish but they were all too small so we threw them back.....we had so much fun!

Who'd a thought?? Pyramids In Melbourne, Australia???

Inspired, yet again, by my friend, the inspirational LL from Lulu's Bay. The challenge was to take a photo of a pyramid.

Check out Lulu's Bay....


and here is mine - a Pyramid in Melbourne! Can't wait to see everyone's contributions!

Z is for Zachary - again!

Yippee! The blood tests came back clear (as I thought they would!!). I was a little apprehensive though.

Today, he went for an ultrasound on his abdomen. He quite enjoyed it...only once did I make a joke about a baby being in there - the look of horror on his face was priceless! Yay me!!

Confirmed that he does have a hernia but it is small. The results will be emailed to our doctor and I will talk to her on Tuesday apparently. So, that is done.

Went out with my two very good friends today for lunch. Simone (of the breast cancer notoriety) and Helen. We had such a fun time - lovely and relaxing. It is so good to see Sim feeling ok. A rarity. Tuesday she goes in for her final Chemo and now we can all see a light at the end of the tunnel. It has been a horrible ride for her and her family. Very difficult. There is still a long way to go but gee - knowing that the last treatment is here is good. She is not looking forward to it though as she knows that for the next couple of weeks she will feel like crap.

So, thankfully, Monday is nearly over....

And the gorgeous boy see above is the one who was feeling sick this morning and just about all day.

I decided to take him to the vet - oops - I mean Doctor!

He was not that keen but I explained to him that we can't keep going on the way we have been. With the headaches, tummy upsets, tears, tiredness and more.

The doctor was lovely. She asked him a lot of questions - many of which he actually answered - a feat in itself really! I said to her that I thought that he might be anxious etc. She questioned him at length about school and he told her that the only thing that worried him about school was the work. Handing it in on time as he doesn't want to get detention!

She decided to take blood just to be sure and rule out things like Coeliac Disease, Diabetes vitamin deficiencies. She is almost 100% positive all will come back ok.

When he was born, he had quite a few things not-quite-right about him. He was born with what we like to call a 'hole in his head' (technically called Aplasia Cutis Congenita) or take a look at this one , hydrocele (fluid filled knackers!!), a hernia about 3 inches above his belly button and a cafe au lait birth mark on the side of his face that covers his temple. As a baby, he was thoroughly checked out and given the all clear. After the hole in his head healed (where the aliens came and sucked out his brains!!), the only thing that had to be done was getting grommets at the age of 14months.

So blood results will be back on Wednesday and I still have to book him in for an ultrasound.

Apparently the hernia should have gone by now?

Best to get him a clean bill of health so that we can concentrate on the matters of the mind I reckon...

Sing along with me.....I don't like Mondays....I don't like Mondaayyys

So, it is Monday morning, 8.00am. Samuel and Zachary have school swimming sports. It's going to be 32 celsius - gorgeous day for it.

Son number 2 is on the toilet with the runs....and has a 'bit of a headache'. He has had a very busy weekend so that could be adding to the turmoil....

I say, 'stay home.' "But I want to go." Tears welling in his eyes. I say 'Go then.' "I have a headache and a sore tummy." 'Stay home then.' "It is my first swimming sports" Tonnes more tears...

Now - whatever I say does not seem to be the right answer.

He is upset. Crying. He is staying home - well coming to work with me. Oh joy of joys!!

Stan has called three times this morning. Samuel didn't put the work video camera cable back in the bag. Stan is very annoyed. It is typical Samuel though. I am now annoyed - I mean - what can we do about that now?

Oh yes, it is MONDAY. I always loved the Boomtown Rats song 'I don't like Mondays'....

Hope it gets better from here!!!

Today, at 10.30am, I am going to a funeral...

the funeral of a gorgeous 6 year old girl who was in Grade 1 at Bronte's school.

She died on Tuesday the 19th of February and had been battling cancer.

I didn't know her really or her mum and dad or little sister. I did, however, used to say hello when I saw her and marvel at this gorgeous girl who, everytime I saw her, had a smile on her face.

Her presence has affected our whole school community. Made it stronger. She will be so sorely missed.

The school has closed down for today so that teachers and families can attend. I am not taking any of my children but I will go, I feel that I need to. Don't want to though.

Please, have Aislinn and her family in your thoughts - it is a very hard road for them all.

"A luminous light remains where a beautiful soul has passed"
Antoine Boveua

Zachary and Stan - What they did today and do every Sunday!!

Well, here they are - the two motorbike nuts in my family! Stan and Zachary.

Virtually every Sunday and just about every Thursday evening during daylight savings, Zed and Stan go to the 'track' and ride their Trials bikes. Notice they are TRAIL bikes - they are T R I A L bikes. These buggers have no seats (really not comfy!) and they have really low gearing which means they can go really really slow and can be controlled more easily.

The point of T R I A L S riding is skill and daring. Good balance is a must and nerves of steel are needed too. Trials riders rode over and through any and all obstacles. The object is to do this and NOT PUT YOUR FEET DOWN. This is bloody hard.

As said quite a few posts ago - Zachary is the Victorian Junior Trials Rider Champion of 2007. He has now moved up with the big guys into C grade.

Last week, he went into a trial competition doing C Grade for the first time officially and out of about 30 riders - he came 2nd! Mind you, I think what he loved most was that he beat his dear old dad Stan and soundly!!! He was thrilled about that.

Today is Stan and my 18th wedding anniversary (although it also marks the fact that we have been together for 25 years). The two of them went to the track for the morning only - normally they stay all day. I went along for an hour and snapped a few pictures and got them both showing off. Zachary took a big fall too - darn! I didn't get it on camera! He cut his elbow but he was brave. If he did it at home it would have been a different story but amongst all the men - well he was a lot braver than I thought he would be!

After the track, I dropped Bronte off at a birthday party and Stan, Samuel, Zachary and I headed into St. Kilda for the Street Festival. Had a really lovely time wandering the streets with thousands of other people!

We then picked up Bronte after 6pm and came home - all of us tired and ready for a snooze!

Today is also Kiah's birthday - she would have been 15. (For those who don't know - Kiah was my most loved dog who died last year). I miss her so much.

Anyway, enjoy the slide show of the two guys full of testosterone!

Out my Kitchen window....

My gorgeous friend, Lynda, who has just moved to Cairo (lucky duck!) has a post on her blog asking people to post a photo of the view from their kitchen windows....

I wasn't going to do it because mine is not that spectacular but I do love looking out there - watching the trees swaying - so I thought 'what the heck!'.

Click on the photos to get a better idea...

For the first photo - I have put together two photos (which explains why it looks a bit weird). This is looking up toward the sky. The big 60+ year old gum tree that you can see to the left belongs to our lovely friend and surrogate grandmother, Joyce. I love to watch it in the wind. The birdlife it houses is fabulous.

Now I guess that I also need to explain that along the wall below my kitchen window is a large bike rack. You know, there are only 5 people in this family but I think, at last count we had 9 bikes? Of course, there are bikes for all different uses and this is where they are stored. The green bit at the bottom of the photo is actually the tarpaulin roof that tries (sometimes in vain) to protect them.




The second photo shows the view out the window if I look straight out and down. Here you can see parts of some of the bicycles...the freshly rained on concret (hooray!) and Jasper our cat - peeking through the fence at our next door neighbours.

Just about in line with the first bike's back wheel, that is where I found our darling, much missed dog, Kiah. She went to sleep there, listening to all of our family noise. I often look out there, hoping that I could see her face yet again.

A big CATCH up post!!!

Oh my goodness! How the time has got away from me. I have not posted here since OCTOBER and I have so much to catch up on. I will try and do it concisely....

First of all - relating to my last post regarding my fabulous friend Simone....she has had her 4th round of Chemo. She has two more to go. She is feeling shithouse. Hates the whole process but is doing her darndest to get on with things. She hates how she feels now. It is so difficult for her, for her two gorgeous boys and her divine husband. Not to mention her super devoted mother Mimi. I see her every couple of days, talk for hours on the phone most days and try and keep her up to date on all the gossip at school. She loves that.

Since October last year we have had end of school, Christmas holidays and starting school again.

For Christmas we did the big 1500 plus kilometre car drive to the Sunshine Coast in QLD. We drive for a whole day, stop overnight at a caravan park and then drive the whole next day. We have plenty of things to keep the kids amused like the portable DVD player, iPods, Gameboys, puzzle books, books, lollies and food. So the trip is not too bad. We stay at Stan's mum's place in Kawana Waters and it is great. The kids love the girls that live next door and they are with them most days all day! Unfortunately it rained so much out of just on 4 weeks holiday we had about 4 days with no rain! Bummer.

Each time we go to QLD we do a 'World'. This year it was time for Wet n Wild. This was good but a little chilly! The photo above was taken there - if you look closely, Bronte's lips are blue!

The drive home was good. We stopped just outside Forster for the night and caught up with an internet buddy for a coffee. Then off to Sydney where we stayed two nights with my brother who lives in Rozelle. The kids got to spend time with their two littlest cousins, Jacob and Evie. Gorgeous kids!



Here they all are after we did the Bondi to Bronte Beach walk...which we all enjoyed so much. That little Evie who is about 18months old walked nearly ALL the way - took us forever!



Here is a photo of Bronte at Bronte Beach - loving the whole idea that a beach was named after HER or was SHE named after the beach? LOL

We arrived home, happy to see the house and Joyce again. Joyce missed us and organised a lovely meal for our return along with doing a general house clean and stocking the fridge with milk and stuff! Yay Joyce!

We had a week or so until the start of school. Had books to buy and cover, uniforms to buy and fees to pay. A few thousand buckeroonies later and we were ready!

Zachary started High School this year and is in Year 7. It hasn't gone smoothly





Poor bug was soooo nervous and anxious he wanted to vomit and he sat on the toilet for ages.

He absolutely hates change. Doesn't deal with it well at all and this is a massive one for him. He knows no one at this big school except for Samuel and it has hit him hard.

Last year on his orientation he had the hugest meltdown. I was flabbergasted and reduced to tears myself.

At orientation, we arrived in the hall just on time. I found the row he needed to sit in with his new classmates but there were basically no seats to be had unless he climbed over upteen kids. So, he wouldn't sit down. I said that's ok - just wait there until they call the class to go out etc. They called his class, I was please to see that he tagged on to the end of the line as they filed out. He walked past me and I was about to say good luck when he said 'follow me.' The class went one way out of the hall, he went the other and went down the back of the hall and sat behind some chairs - virtually in a ball.

Oh my GOD! There he was, tears rolling down his face saying I can't do this. I am not good at this stuff. I feel sick. I am going to vomit etc etc. I just didn't know what to do. I talked to him (but inside I was thinking 'I don't know where the class has gone - how will we find them') He was saying that he wanted to go home. I told him that wasn't an option. Anyway, I said I have to get someone to talk to you. He said no. I said yes. I went up the front to the Principal and told her what was happening. Of course, I looked tragic as I had tears rolling down my face! Anyway, she was lovely, told me to go and sit with him and that she would send someone over. A school counsellor came over. Tried to speak with him. And then told me that he would take him to his office and talk to him. I have probably never seen a sorrier sight than Zachary walking off with this man, he had his hat pulled down over his face and looked soooo small!

The school handled the situation well. So very caring and thoughtful. The principal came to me 20 mins later and said that he was ok. I saw the counsellor and he said that Zed wouldn't go into the classroom (I can see why - he would imagine 20 sets of eyes looking at him as he walked in and they would be able to tell that he'd been crying). So, the Year 7 co-ordinator worked out what boys in his class that also had no friends from their primary schools and called out two boys. Dalton and Aaron. They introduced Zed to the boys and then a year 8 boy who is a Peer support guy showed the 3 around the school. Finally the three joined in on a tour with a bigger group from their class and that was that. Traumatic but hurdle over.

I was so upset at his meltdown and was so happy that the school handled it they way they did.

Fast forward to Wednesday. Year 7's started a day earlier than the rest of the school. We tried not to talk about school too much in the weeks prior just small things. Talked about the boys that he met last year and how he should look for them etc.

Samuel, Bronte and I take him on his first day. Joyce wanted to come but I said no, too much. Stan wanted to come but I said no! Poor old Stan. Anyway, we are waiting downstairs of the school with teh 200+ other new Year 7 students and suddenly Zachary wells up. He takes me by the arm and we go to a quiet place and tears are falling and he says he can't do it. I was more stern this time and said, yes you can. Remember you enjoyed it last time etc. Anyway, it was time to go in the hall. We found his class row. He sits down. He looks so small. He has his school cap on. He is the only one in the whole room. He is blinking a lot. I can see he is trying to hold it together. He is taking lots of breaths. He pulls his cap further over his eyes. I think, lucky he has got that on to hide a little. A teacher goes towards him. He starts to panic. The teacher speaks to him and I can see that she is asking him to remove his cap. Oh no! I know what this will do to him. I know also that she asked him nicely and explained that it is for outdoors only. (I am good at lip reading! lol) So he removes it. He has nowhere to hide. The class is called to leave the hall. I think I have positioned myself well this time and he can just wave goodbye. The class leaves...he comes to me - again.

He is dissolving. No noise, just tears spilling over. He feels ill and it is much the same as last time. Straight away I say that I will take him to the principal. He comes with me, I tell her he has missed where his class has gone and she takes him - all smiles. He silently walks away, big bag on his back. I cry a little too.

I see the principal later in the coffee room. She tells me he is ok. I know he will be but gosh it is so so hard to see them go like that.

He comes home - happy enough - got 3 guys he hangs with - Dalton, Aaron and Keda. He likes them. Likes his teacher a lot too.

Phew.

Yesterday, I am taking Samuel and him to school - it is Samuel's first day back. Zed is in the front seat, the other two in the back. I look over at him and he has tears. I ask if he is ok. He says he feels sick. I say you'll be ok. I am just dropping you guys off, I am not coming in at all. He asks me to come in but I say no. I do the drop off. He kisses me goodbye and looks kind of ok. He says he wants to vomit. I wave as cheerily as I could and off B and I go. I feel bad.

He gets home and has enjoyed it. His friend Aaron cried in class and he felt bad for him but he said it was good to see that others were upset too.

The next day, he and Samuel had to ride their bikes to school - it is only 3kms away. So he seems fine. Time to go, where is Zachary? I find him on my bed, tears. Come on Zachary - off you go. I feel sick he says. You'll be fine. And he was.

So, this week - there has been just one morning without tears. He says he likes school, likes his teachers etc but doesn't know why he feels so sick in the morning and cries. All we can do is encourage him and point out the positives each and every time. This parenting thing is hard!!!

Bronte and Samuel started the day after Zachary did - here are some photos....

Devastating news....

Sim and Zachary in August. She was Zachary's Sponsor for his Confirmation.

My friend is called Simone. We have a coffee every weekday morning together after school drop off and before I need to be at work. It is amazing how much talking we can fit into 30 minutes really. We both love a chat.

Over the last two years we have become really close. I have never needed to have a best friend as I find my friends all fullfil different aspects of my life - I guess I know Simone really well and she knows me. Amazing what sharing 30 minutes of your life a day does over two or three years.

Anyway, she is 41 the mother of two boys aged 11 and 13 and has a gorgeous husband called Stephen.

She is a hard worker, does everything for the men in her life (yes, she even irons their UNDIES!) I am the antithesis of her - she is a neat freak, I am a fucking grot. She cleans non stop - I do not. I guess we do have something in common - we love our families. (oh and we LOVE to say Fuck a lot! ROFL)

Anyway, she has had a different life from me. Father left her mother when her sister was 1 year old (Sim was 3.) With love, hard work and help, the girls turned out well. Her mother is fabulous! There were some tragedies and hiccups along the way but in general - life was good.

On Monday night, she finds a lump. Doesn't tell Stephen. Tells me at coffee in the morning. She is beside herself. She goes home and tells Steve, makes an appointment at her GP and off they go. GP says that it is 10% chance it is cancer - unlikely due to her age but to be on the safe side - he gets her to go to see a specialist. She is seen the next day (Tuesday). She is sent to have an MRI and mammogram as well that day. Specialist says on Wednesday, oh yes, it looks like it is cancer and you need to go for a Core Biopsy and ultrasound tomorrow and then come and see him for the results on Monday.

After the core biopsy and ultrasound are done - they say to her oh we are sending this now to emergency pathology. She rings me, distraught. I say that must be because it is the weekend coming up so he can have the results in time on Monday.

Stupid me.

A phone call at around 11.45am this morning, please come and see the specialist now. Steve and Sim go and get the news. Cancer > mastectomy > Chemotherapy. 75% chance that it hasn't spread anywhere else.

She had blood tests today, is booked in for a bone scan and CT scan next Thursday. Mastectomy and reconstruction to happen within the next two weeks.

Her mother is devastated. We all are. Her two boys - well it is hard to even comprehend how they are feeling. I mean, I can't work out how I am feeling! She is strong at times, vulnerable at others - but all the time thinking of her 3 guys, her mother, her sister who is due with her 3rd baby in 6 weeks, she is thinking of me, my kids, Stan. How are we all?

I have called a couple of our good friends tonight to break the news. It is very draining being the news breaker. My eyes are swollen. They feel gritty. I have been good up until today. Strong for her. I didn't cry too much the first few days - but today - gee - it is waterwork city! Tonight I went for a drive by myself for a couple of hours. Just went nowhere.

Today, I went to see her mother. That was so hard. We just held eachother and cried. Cried for a lot of things I think. For the unknown. For the future.

We will tackle this one step at a time.

Please keep her in your hearts.

Neglected life...

yes, I have been neglecting a lot of things lately. Not just this blog but life in general. I don't know why.

Since I last posted Zachary (the Victorian Junior Trials Champ!) had his 12th birthday and party. The party was at the Oakleigh Motorcycle Club. He invited around 8 of his friends and we invited their parents and siblings for the day. It was so much fun. The kids all got to ride the little PeeWee 50cc and one of the dads rode one of Stan's bikes.

We had a barbecue. Stan organised a Treasure Hunt and a Scavenger Hunt (which they all loved as the track is built on an old rubbish tip site!!). I organised a pinata bashing and a cool donut cake!

A great Day!

Bashing the Skateboarder Pinata - ooooh kids love this!

Lining up for the 'bash!' Hoping that the kid before them doesn't break it open!

Zachary beginning a jump (showing his friends what he can do!)

Mid air shot!

Big kids on the little bike....

Ummm - do you think you are doing it right??

Stan taking the smaller kids around on his bike....

Gosh they had a ball!

Zachary = Victorian Junior Trials Rider Champion 2007!

Well, it is official! Zachary is the Victorian Junior MotoTrials Champion Group B for 2007!

After riding for two days, Saturday and today, he came FIRST! I am so proud of him! We all are. Stan came home tonight at 8pm and told us the news. By the way, Stan came THIRD overall in his category - he got two trophies and a green sash - how cool! A double celebration.

Zachary is now on a motorbike trials riding camp, so we haven't seen him but I spoke to him on the phone tonight - he was thrilled.



Here are some photos of my shy boy (yes he is shy) during his acceptance speech. Have I mentioned that I am proud of him? LOL




This was a two day event and at the end of the first day, he was coming second and was behind by 13 points. It was a hard slog to make up the difference and a very big ask but today he came out on top by TWO WHOLE POINTS!!



Click on the photos to see them in better detail.

Wow - it has been a while...

since I have posted here. Sometimes, time just gets away from me. As I get older it goes so much faster!


Have been very busy this past month. Stan turned 50 on September the 6th and we had a big party on Saturday the 8th. He made a lovely speech about how much he loved us (which was so nice to hear!)




We had a fantastic Music Night at Samuel's school where we got to see him play in the Training Concert band. That was fun and very much an eye-opener. So much talent there - it was fabulous.


Here is a photo of Zachary in his new Ra.Re the Kid top that I love. We went to a place called 'Volcano Joe's' (the old Smorgy's) with Stan's mum and sister who were down from Queensland. I took this photo there while we were waiting for them to arrive.



And finally, here is Bronte - taken tonight. We have the place to ourselves as Stan and Zachary are away for the weekend at the Victorian Trials Championships (hope they are doing well!) while Samuel is at a sleepover party with some of his new friends from school.

Bronte and I went out for dinner tonight and then on to the movies. Went and saw Hairspray and we loved it! Well I loved it - she really liked it! LOL A fabulous movie well worth seeing. Samuel went on Friday night to see it with a few of his friends from dancing and they all adored it - he was horrified that there was such racism and segregation in the 1960's. I told him it still happens now.

Anyway - here's some photos of my skater-girl Bronte. She loves this outfit - the two tops are from that great Italian label I love, Nolita Pocket and the jeans are from Just Jeans that I got at the Op Shop for her for $1.00! They are a great fit and she loves them. Will have to go to Just Jeans and check out some more I think!

Stan comes back tomorrow night fromt he motorbike trial, while Zachary gets to go to 'Trial Camp' up near Bendigo for 3 more days. He is a bit apprehensive but there are kids there that he knows well so hopefully he will not feel lonely. I miss him already!

He did it! He did it! And She did it!

Zachary IS Junior T.R.O.Y. (Trials Rider of the Year)

He came home with the big trophy and was very very pleased with himself. He came first in 4 of the 5 trials over the season and they take the best 4 scores. He loves this trophy!




And Stan came Third in the Classic Twinshock grade. He was excited too and I am so proud of both of them!

And finally, Bronte came second in a competition that was open to students from 3 schools. They had to do some artwork or write in 50 words or less about why they love Sandringham Beach (the area where her school is).

She wrote a fabulous poem - came equal Second and won $30.00! I must get her to write it down for me - it is lovely.

Funny thing is...there was meant to be 1st, 2nd and 3rd. In fact, it turned out to be 2 equal 3rds, 2 equal 2nds and one 1st. ALL from our school! We were very proud.

Zachary came home today from a 3 day school camp. I picked him up at 2.30pm, took him for a milkshake and he fell asleep at the table! Went and picked up Bronte from school, came home and he had a shower and lay down on the couch at 4.30pm. He has been sleeping every since! Poor bug! LOL

So, so busy....

I put the wrong date on these groups of photos - should have been the 14th of August!

We went out for Joan's birthday to a Chinese restaurant. Joan is Bronte's Godmother and a good friend of ours. A few years ago, Joan was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour and she has been through so much. She is pretty darn healthy now though and we are very thankful that she is here with us!

So, here is Kirsty, Joan's 20 year old daughter, Bronte and Joan sitting at the table.



Here is Bronte, with the sculpture that Kirsty did at the restaurant. How cool is this? Bronte loved it - so did I!




And Bronte here - doing what she does best....showing off!




At Samuel's school, they have this major event called the "The Night of the Notables".

This is a project where the student chooses someone 'notable' and they research them and then present their person to an audience of fellow students, family and friends.

Samuel chose Professor Graeme Clarke who invented the Cochlear Implant. He had to dress up as him (pretty easy this one - a suit jacket, shirt and tie with a white coat over the top - ours was a Football Goal Umpires Coat!!).

Each student stood in front of everyone and talked about their chosen person in the 'first person' for example, Samuel said 'Hello, my name is Professor Graeme Clarke..." etc etc. He did a great job on the presentation. Then they each go to their 'stand' where they have information about their famous selves and they have food that they think their person might like to eat. He had lamingtons as Prof. Clarke is Australian. It was so impressive what each of the 25 did - amazing really - a great showcase of their abilities and really showed how much they have grown as students in the last 6 months.



First Communion for Bronte!

What a build up and what a day!

Here she is just before we left for the church. But the day started way before...first I took her and her bestie, Anna, to the hairdressers to get their hair done. They loved that idea and both looked gorgeous and felt a little grown up.

Bronte was nervous at making her First Communion. She had to read a Prayer of the Faithful at the Church (and of course she did that very well!).




Here she is with her 'boys'!! Don't they all look handsome? Zachary wanted to wear a tie (surprise surprise!) and chose one of Stan's old ones.

These photos are before we left for the Church.

Don't forget to click on them to make them larger - lots more to see if you do!



And here she is with Father Frank AFTER she had made her First Communion. First photo is a cack - Father Frank said 'BIG smile Bronte' and she did the old Luna Park trick! He thought it was very funny!

After church, we came home to a lovely evening of celebration with family and friends, good food, good wine and good company.

I meant to mention also, we gave Bronte a gorgeous Nao Lladro Communion Girl figurine to remember the day and her God mother Joan, gave her a gorgeous 18ct gold cross. She was a lucky girl!



This photo is of Zachary of course! The day after First Communion, we went out as a family to the Motorbike track and he showed us what he has been up to. This is a sequence of shots that I am happy to say that I didn't see in real life! I would have been scared! Great riding by him though!

HAPPY 13th Birthday my Gorgeous Samuel!!

Well, it has happened! Samuel is now a TEENAGER! Now where did all of those years go I wonder??

Here he is - pretending he was asleep - just so we can all come in and sing Happy Birthday and hand over his gifts...

A typical picture of Samuel - smiling - happy - joyful!

Bronte and Zachary putting on a Show for us after a yummy dinner of Tortellini Carbonara, Garlic Bread, Salad and Pavlova with Chocolate Cream with Mint Aero Bar!

Samuel in the background holding on to one of his gifts from us - an iPod dock thing with speakers, radio and alarm clock - he loooooves it!

Bronte just about to give Samuel a big birthday smooch!

Here it is...the Birthday Pavlova with Chocolate Cream and Choc Mint Aero Bar. A requested item by the Birthday Boy!

Darling Samuel - you have given us lots of joy over the past thirteen years. May you keep your joyful spirit for the rest of your life (and may you learn to tidy your room too!!)

Lots of love Mum and Dad

xxXXxxXXxxXXx

Thirteen in any language is the same = Teenager!

While he is not officially a teenager yet, our Samuel had his 13th Birthday Party today.

The quandary a few weeks ago was 'Should I invite my friends from my new school or just my friends from my old school?' I said 'Ask them all!' (generous soul that I am!)

So, today, 11 of his bestest friends met up with us at the local La Porchetta restaurant for a Pizza lunch. He had from his Birth Group - his oldest friend Jackson, from his Primary School, Issie, Beth, Hayley, Claire, Luca (a boy) and Lachie. From his High School came Jacob, Luke, Sam and Praveen. Then of course was Bronte and Zachary. Oh and me! - Left Stan at home because A) he does NOT like Pizza and B) he needed to fix my car!

Lolly Bags in hand, birthday treasures and left over Birthday cake stowed in the back of the car, we headed to the Movies to see The Simpsons. I was so dreading this part as I am so not a Simpsons fan.

I am happy to report that I quite enjoyed the movie and the kids loved it and were fabulously behaved!

Next Thursday is the REAL birthday - so I can technically say that I am NOT the mother of a teen .... yet!

So, a few snaps of the event and the last one is just one I took tonight of Bronte (yes! my nine year old daughter adores her sleepsuit!!), Jasper the Cat and Stan - all snoozing on the couch! Aaawwwww!

Moon Stuff...

Yesterday, I woke up with a shocker of a cold - a real head cold and a few aches and pains. Felt so ill, I called work and said I couldn't come in and I lay on the couch shivering most of the day!

I picked up the two youngest from school at 3.30pm, nicked home and gave them afternoon tea and then back out again to Bronte Bronte's basketball training. At 6pm, we came home, quickly had a rushed dinner of leftovers, took Samuel to his Dance class and then Bronte and I went on to her Primary School where we had a meeting about Holy Communion. It was a tad boring but we got through it well enough! Me, feeling ill but still did it because I have to really - Stan got home from work and felt a bit sick too so he took himself off to bed!

On the way home from the Communion meeting, I spied something wonderful in the sky. A gorgeous super-large moon. I said to Bronte, what's that? And she thought it was a hot air balloon - it was so so large and glowing yellow. We headed for it - didn't go straight home and it just got more and more beautiful. Decided to go home and see if we could see it from there - Zachary got on the Carport roof (as only he would) and was super impressed. I decided to put them all in the car again and drove toward it again...with each passing minute it got higher and higher. We drove to a pedestrian overpass and got out and walked up. It was a lovely sight still and the kids were in awe. Took a few crappy snaps - but this one will give you an idea of the divine colour.

We arrived back home and they were all so happy to have seen it. Almost made me forget I was feeling crappy actually!

Two Kids off to Mass this morning...

with our good friend Joycey...

Samuel and Bronte (Zachary and Stan are at the Motorbike Track) love to go with Joycey because a) They ALWAYS get to do the Offertory Procession where the 'gifts' are carried to the altar and b) she takes them for later morning tea/lunch to a lovely Cafe. Secretly, I think this is their favourite part and just quietly, it is MY favourite part too! A quiet house. How fantastic is that?

Trivia Nights - not Trivial at all!!

Last night we went to our Primary School's main fundraiser for the year. It was a trivia night and they are always such fun!

Our table was allocated the colour Navy - so, I made some Australian Navy hats and we wore them - called ourselves H.M.A.S. Intelligence. Shoulda called ourselves H.M.A.S. Mediocre or H.M.A.S. Middle of the Road going by our results!

Really, I wanted to called us H.M.A.S. Smart Arses but thought some in our little Catholic Community wouldn't appreciate it!

Some of the questions were really obscure but we did pretty darn well considering. The night was M.C.'d by a well known Melbourne Radio personality (who has a child at our school) - Matt Tilley from FOX FM - he did a really good job but by the end of the night - with around 230 people having had a few drinks - we were a little hard to control!!

The Silent Auctions were fantastic and the loud ones were even better. A painting by Bronte's class fetched $1000.00 other classes paintings went around the $500-$600 mark and no, we didn't bid!

Can't wait to see how much was raised!

Yesterday was such a GORGEOUS day

here in Melbourne that I took advantage of clear skies and having only TWO kids (remember that Zed and Stan were away at the trial).

So, off we went to the local train station and choofed it into the city...Melbourne has this great thing at the moment - only $2.50 on all Public Transport on Sundays - it's called the 'Sunday Saver' or something similar anyway...

It takes 15 mins by train to get into our gorgeous city...we arrived at Flinders Street Station and walked across to Fed Square (Federation Square - it is THE best place to visit!). Went to the Tourist Information Centre and found out about the FREE Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle Bus.

We quickly ducked into ACMI, THE best place to visit in Melbourne - and had a quick look at the Pixar Exhibition - I took a great photo of the kids with Sully and Mike - see down below. We will go back there with Zed and see the whole thing in a few weeks..

Time to walk up to Exhibition Street to catch it the bus...first time ever we have been on there.
It is great - there is lots of information about the city buildings and sights. We hopped off at stop number 5 - the famous Queen Victoria Market (or the Vic Market as it is known to us locals).

The two kids I had with me, eldest Samuel and youngest, Bronte - could not remember having been there before - they were too young last time we went. They loved it! Were amazed at all the fruit and vegies, the meats and fish, the clothing and junk that we saw. They loved seeing Code One Police Rock Band apparently the

"only full time Police rock band in the world. Real cops playing songs by everyone from the Black Eyed Peas to Stevie Wonder, Justin Timberlake even Gwen Stefani. You won’t believe your eyes or your ears! It looks weird but they’re great and are totally entertaining!"

Then we went to the delicatessen area of the market and sampled a few goodies for lunch...smoked salmon and cream cheese (mmmm), the kids had bratwurst in rolls while I had a Turkish Pide - yummo!

Next, off to catch the tram back down to Flinders Street Station...walked across the Pedestrian Bridge to Southbank where they have great restaurants (but we were way too full for that!!) and fantastic Street Theatre. Watched a couple of really entertaining shows and bumped into a family from our Primary School! Small world!

A quick look at the famous Sunday Craft Market and a wander around the Arts Centre. Went to really impressive toilets in there - lots of padded walls!

After that, we went back to Fed Square and watched another bit of fabulously funny Street Theatre... We started out this journey at 10am and by now it was 4.30pm...time to catch the train home...a great day had by the three of us!

....and the WINNER is......

Zachary!

Yes, there was another Motorcycle Trial day today and he won his class which is Juniors. He is leading the Trials Rider of the Year series by quite a bit now with just one more trial to go and I have been told that there is no way he can lose the Series now - even if he doesn't compete!!! Yay!

He came home tonight, tired and happy. Another trophy...another step closer!

(note:) the photos above weren't taken today - they were taken a couple of weeks ago!

Samuel has updated

his Oakleigh Motorcycle Club website and I think it looks fantastic. Not bad for a 12 year old eh? (Not bad for any age actually!)

Click on the image above (that he made!) and it should take you to his website...

And this link takes you to the video that he took, edited and uploaded...a little pixelated but you can get the idea...

Catholic ways and rituals....

You know, we were raised in the Catholic faith, my husband and I.

Our children - well the two younger ones - currently go to a Catholic Primary School and all three have been raised within the Catholic Church....

Here is Zachary with Bishop Elliot on the evening of Zachary's Confirmation. A ritual that Zed really looked forward to and he now has memories of it that he will cherish.

For someone like me - who rarely agrees with the Churches teachings - it is a little difficult to pass on to the kids the enthusiasm that is needed. However, while I don't agree with what I see as a lot of hypocrisy within the Catholic Church and its laws, I do agree with the basic morals and Christian beliefs that are taught. Why, then do I feel guilty about all of this?

I look at my friends (my age) who go to Church weekly if not more...I look at them and think 'Do you REALLY believe? Do you REALLY believe in the Church? Do you REALLY believe in God?' Because I don't think I do.

I feel bad thinking that and even worse for putting it in writing but there it is...I am not sure that I do believe in God but I do wish I did. I do know that I believe in the goodness of people whether they be Christian or not. I do believe in the power of love and I believe in peace.

But, I feel a little lost in that I do not have faith in God but I do know that I have faith in humanity. I think in part, that it is to do with the death of my mother (who was a devout practising Catholic) and the death of my father. It also has something to do with the fact that I believe that the Church is manmade - man made rules that have not moved with the times. Rules that in some ways opress women and humanity. I dislike the double standards of such things.

However, Stan and I both believe that by giving the children an education within the Catholic system prepares them for life. Gives them a sound moral base and prepares them in a way to be inherently good people (hopefully).

So, with this in mind, Zachary received the Sacrament of Confirmation. It was a thrill for him.

Next month, Bronte will be making her First Communion and she is so, so excited!

Holiday Experimentation

I haven't taken many photos these holidays. Don't know why - the kids have had a ball. Here are a couple of photos I have taken of Zed Boy - and mucked around with them in Photoshop to try and get them to 'pop'. Fun to do - hope you like... Kate

Luna(cy) Park

Haven't been to Luna Park in years - last time I don't even think Bronte was born or she may have been a baby.

My brother was down from Sydney with his 3 year old son and my brother wanted to go to Luna Park. Zachary was off motorbike riding with Stan so Samuel, Bronte and I went with them.

I am ALWAYS chief bag holder at these kinds of places - just can NOT stand rides at all - am happy to watch though.

Samuel and Bronte went on every ride and loved it all so much. I didn't even get to take many snaps but here are some.

A lovely day was had by them!

T.R.O.Y.

stands for Trials Rider Of the Year.

And Zachary is now ahead by 13 points. Two more Trials in the series and if he places in both he will win the title of Junior TROY. How exciting!

At the moment, Stan is coming second in the Classic Trials Rider Of the Year - so hopefully we will have a double celebration!

Click on this link...(it is the Oakleigh Motor Cycle Club website that my other son, Samuel has developed.)

OMCC Twinshock Practise Day 2007 (you will need Flash)

Here you will see a video of the Trials riding done at our club. Zachary is the second rider in the pale yellow tee.

Happy 9th Birthday Bronte!! Today is the day!!

We woke her at 7am and this time she swears she wasn't pretending to be asleep!

Remember to click on the photos to see them clearly...

The photos down the bottom are the kiss-fest photos - I love to see the kids showing love like this (and YES! that includes Stan!!)

Then there is the large storyboard that shows Bronte from waking up to the end of the night. The Birthday Hat is a tradition here. It is Joyce's and the Birthday Person gets to wear it all day if they want! Everyone loves it!

She was spoilt today...

She received the following...

Singstar PS2 Game (beause I love Singstar!!)
Gameboy DS Game
Guinea Pig Beanie Kid from Samuel
Smiggle stuff from Zachary
The Young Divas CD from Joyce
Black Dunlop Runners with hot pink
Red Ugg Boot Slippers
Zachary's old Heelys that are too small for him
Books
Smiggle $20 Gift Voucher from my friend Simone
Money from her Godmother
Money from my sister
Money from Nana
Money from Stan's sister
Money from our friend Tim

She has more money than ME!

It is sad yet exciting to see your youngest grow.

Parties are fun....

Well the party is over - thank goodness! Fun was had by all and it is one of the easiest parties I have done/organised! We got to La Porchetta 15minutes early and set ourselves up. The guests arrived and presents were opened. Bronte was thrilled with them all... Grace - PS2 Game Eyetoy Groove Anna - Two Judy Moody Books Nicolette - Hits for Kids 2 CD Kearly - a fabulous Kids Cookbook (and they have JUST finished baking horrible coloured muffins out of it now!) Ellen - Fibre Optic Lamp and some dice game Brianna - Scrapbooking things

She loved all of her presents.

After a meal of Garlic, Aussie and Margarita Pizza (Joyce and I had smoked salmon, capers and onion pizza!!), they were all ready to see the Movie, Shrek3!

It was a really fun movie - I highly recommend it - Joyce and I laughed a LOT!!

Then it was finished and all of the girls except Anna, were picked up from the cinema. Anna has come back here for a sleepover...hence the late night cooking!

Cake time....now look at this masterpiece!!!

It is Bronte's party tomorrow and we are doing a pizza lunch at La Porchetta followed by going to the movies to see Shrek 3. She is so excited.

Here is her invite that we sent out...












and here is the cake that Zachary and I made - can you guess what it is??

The Anniversary of Dad or Opa as the kids called him...

The 14th of June 2002, another day that started as any other.

It was a Friday morning, I had taken the two boys to school and then took Bronte to 'Bubbles and Bootees', a playgroup that I ran at the school for mums and dads with young children. We used to have Champagne and food and coffee! At 9.30am in the morning - a good Catholic school we are!

Anyway, I remember looking up at the clock at 9.58am. Don't know why but remember being startled that it was only that time.

Went on with the playgroup and finished that around 10.30 or 11am - not sure which. Headed towards home with Bronte who was 3 at the time and decided to stop at a couple of Op Shops and have a browse...didn't find anything exciting though.

Got home and saw that the Answering Machine was flashing away. Listened to the messages, a couple from my sister and one from my sister in law. They were strange. Christine (my sister) asked me to ring her at work which was a bit unusual. The one from my Sister In Law asked if I had spoken to Christine - I began to feel uneasy.

I found my sister's work number - at the time she worked at the RSPCA in Bairnsdale, Victoria. Rang the number, a man answered and I asked to speak to Christine.

He said "Sorry, she has gone home, her father died." I said (and I distinctly remember this) 'But that's MY father!' and I hung up. Shaking.

I called Joyce my neighbour - who is ALWAYS there for me in a crisis. She knows my dad she knows what to do. I say to her 'Joyce, Dad is dead' She cries out in anguish - I can hear it still - and says I will be right there. She runs to me. I am standing in my kitchen. Shocked. She says what happened? I say I don't know I rang the RSPCA and he said Dad is dead. She is confused. I say I have to ring Stan but I can't remember his phone number. I say I have to ring Christine but I can't find my phone book. We look and I can't find it. I sink to the floor. She locates the phone book somewhere, I find Christine's number. I can't remember if I speak to her or not. I think I do. She tells me he had a massive heart attack and is dead. She is upset that the RSPCA guy told me as she instructed him not to...I ring Stan and get him paged...he answers the phone and all I say is 'Dad is dead. The RSPCA told me.' He speaks to Joyce. She is crying. I am too.

It is pretty much a blur but Stan comes home straight away. Joyce calls friends of hers and ours - Joan and Les - Joan is Bronte's Godmother. They look after Bronte I think?

I talk to my brother Stephen who lives in Olinda. We decided to drive to Bairnsdale even though Dad died in Neerim South. We meet at Christine's with my brother Michael and I think Mark comes down from Sydney. We meet with Dad's girlfriend Marina. She is devastated. She tells us what happened - he woke in the morning not feeling well and got up to go to the toilet and had a heart attack as he got up. The Ambulance guys worked on him for 20mins (I think) but no good.

My friends from the kids school rally around to look after the kids and help Stan. I am away for a few days with my siblings and it is not so bad. Not too many arguments about things - everyone is hurting in their own way. They want to bury dad on the 18th of June. That is Bronte's birthday. I ask if we can do it a day earlier or a day later but no one wants to. Thanks for that.

So, all arrangements are done. Stephen and I come home to Melbourne. The school community rally around - send meals to the house and offers of help.

I had already organised Bronte's party for the 18th. A Fairy Party at the Fairy Cave. I rang my friend Sue and asked her to talk to the people who were running it to see if I could cancel and shift it to the Friday. No problems. I gave Sue a list of the invitees (the list was in my head). She rang them all and told of the change of plans and the reason.

There was a viewing on the night before the funeral. I decided to go. Stan didn't want to so I went with my siblings and Dad's girlfriend was there too. All I can remember is that he was in his pyjamas! Why was he in his pyjamas I asked? Marina (the gf) said she chose that because he loved his pjs and he looked so comfy in them. He also loved to chew PK chewing gum so she placed a packet in his pj pocket. He looked peaceful yet different. His nose looked big. I remember thinking that over and over - that his nose looked pointy! Funny the things you think about.

I was happy I saw him as it helped me realise that it was final. That he wasn't just a 4 hour drive away.

Anyway, the funeral was lovely. I would not speak but my sister did. It was nice. Samuel who was 7 at the time wrote something about his Opa. I think it was nice but can't remember. He read it out at the Church. Zachary and Bronte did drawings of Opa - the three stood at the altar in front of the coffin and laid the writings and drawings on top. It was a special moment.

When I look back on such defining moments - I can see humour. I giggle slightly when I think of what I said to Stan 'The RSPCA told me dad is dead.' I mean no wonder Stan was confused!

I think of how people came together for his funeral and how it was the day of Bronte's birthday. How she got presents in the morning and then we went to the Church for the funeral. Of how at the wake - everyone sang Happy Birthday to her and she had the best fun. How she thought that it was a wonderful day. How we had the Birthday Cake and the Birthday song.

How, on the drive home to Melbourne the next day, we saw the most SPECIAL sunset and Samuel said 'Look mum! Opa has sent that sunset for Bronte's birthday present - isn't it beautiful?' and he said 'I bet Grandma is happy to see him and I wonder if she is mad he had a girlfriend?' - how kids bring things into perspective is amazing!

I miss my dad, I was not close to him but I miss him. I was a bit upset at him for a while after mum died so didn't have much to do with him but he knew I loved him. I had emailed him photos of the kids just a few days before he died so was happy that he got that.

I miss you dad. I love you.

Went out to a meeting the other night...

came back to this...Zachary and Bronte sleeping in our bed - Stan was sound asleep too but he didn't look as cute...

I just LOVE looking at photos of my sleeping children - there is just a pure sweetness about them - an abandonement that is inviting...

While You Were Sleeping

by Tara Simms


While you were sleeping,
I sat by your bed.
I watched you
as you smiled through your dreams.

I traced your perfect shell ear,
Touched every curl
On your little head.

I tried to sleep
But the sound of your breathing
Drew me back to your room.

I couldn't resist
The magic which tugged
At my heartstrings
And brought me to your side.

I settled on the floor
Once again.
Back against the wall,
Holding your tiny hand in mine.

While you were sleeping
I fell in love with you all over again.

While they are not tiny anymore, I just love looking at my children while they are asleep. Here is a great one of Bronte and Zachary in our bed just last month. How peaceful they look and how angelic. It does make me realise how lucky we are!

Time marches on

and June is speeding by... June, the month of death and birth. The month of celebration of life and the month of introspection of death. How final death is.
We are nearly half way through, thank God.

Mum's anniversary of her death has gone by, today is the date of mum and dad's Wedding Anniversary.

Only have dad's anniversary of his death, Bronte's birthday and my brother Stephen's 50th birthday to go.

This month is difficult.

But I think just for me.

The kids have not much of an idea...Stan doesn't really either. I think he is of the mind to just get on with it. I am of that mind too but really it is easier said than done.

I love the cartoons and writings of Michael Leunig - his writings speak to me and he is profound and sometimes dark. Suits me to a tee at the moment I think.

The above cartoon is fantastic...sorry that the words are blurred - they read...

When the heart
Is cut or cracked or broken
Do not clutch it
Let the wound lie open

Let the wind
From the good old sea blow in
To bathe the wound with salt
And let it sting

Let a stray dog lick it
Let a bird lean in the hole and sing
A simple song like a tiny bell
And let it ring

and I also like this one...

Check out this short Movie that my 12 year old made

for his maths project. It is about Water Wallies and Water Saving... I think it is very very good but the second half may not make too much sense to you as he has to talk over the top of it....but I still wanted to share...comments welcome.

Oh and you need to have your sound on....

"If you learn by your mistakes, how come

you aren't a genuis then Dad?"

This was said by my nearly 9 year old daughter, Bronte, this afternoon in the car when Stan and I were having a little 'discussion'.

We looked at eachother and burst out laughing! What a great question - especially to ask of her all-knowing and always-right father!

That kept him quiet for a bit!

Nine years have gone by without my mum...

and you know, it doesn't get easier - it is just different. Really different.

This day, 9 years ago, my mother died and in 17 days time, Bronte will be 9.

June is a difficult month for me...mum died on the 1st of June, Dad died on the 14th of June 4 years after mum. Bronte's birthday is on the 18th of June - we buried Dad on her 4th birthday...

I wanted to share this letter that mum wrote to us a while before she died. It isn't dated but I can tell that it was amended not long before she got ill as she inserted a reference to my 'wee girl'. She knew I was having a girl and loved the name Bronte.

In it she mentions names - Bert is my father, Christine, Stephen, Mark and Michael are my siblings, Catherine is me (Kate). Joseph, Alicia, Patty and Leonie are my brother and sisters in laws and Stanley is my husband.

Her 'special little ones', Christian, Daniel, Morgan, Imogen, Samuel, Zachary and Caitlin are all her grandchildren. Then she came along later and added 'Catherine and Stan's wee girl' that was Bronte as I was pregnant with her.

Anyway, the letter was read out by my sister Christine at mum's funeral - none of us knew about this letter until Christine read it out - she kept the secret to herself and it really made me cry. Here it is in full but if you want to read it in mum's original handwriting, click on the two photos below...

To my dearly beloved family, I thank my God for each and every-one of you and I am grateful for the time He has given us together.

He has blessed my life with the gift of you my darling Bert, you have been with me through thick and thin (mainly thick!) you have always been my anchor, you have given me love and support all our years together. No regrets Bert, we have both done the best we could. Remember, I have always loved you.

Christine, Stephen, Mark, Michael and Catherine, how I love each and everyone of you my precious children who have been a joy and delight to me, each of you have given your own pleasure and pain as I am sure I have given to you all. This is family, this is life, this is love.

Through you, my children, you have bought to our family an extra dimension and diversity which has enriched us all or could if we let it - Joseph, Alicia, Patty, Leonie and Stanley who have tried to adapt to the Geikowski way. (I myself am still trying) keep on perservering my extended family the rewards will be worthwhile.

Now to my special little ones, Christian, Daniel, Morgan, Imogen, Samuel, Zachary, Caitlin and Catherine and Stan's wee girl. I cannot find the words to express how much I love you all and treasure the joy of holding and kissing each of your beautiful faces. I thank you for your unconditional love. How blessed I am.

Be sad, grieve, be angry, but most important allow yourselves to feel, do not block out whatever emotions that are with you at this time or in time to come. I wish I could be with you physically to help each of you through this time. I pray that you come together as family and love, help and support eachother especially your father which saddens me the most.

I love and bless you my beloved family and thank God for all He has given me. Know that if it is possible, I will be loving and watching over you all and praying to my God to draw you closer to Him and to eachother.

God Bless

Your loving Pat, Mum and Grandma

And that, folks, says it all.... I miss you so much mum!

My 15 year old niece is gorgeous

although I can't post a photo of her here without her parents permission. WHICH is hard to get seeing as they aren't conversing with me right now! Anyway, Imogen is a divine girl - the oldest of 3. She was born with a condition called Hirschsprung's Disease which involves the large and small intestine. Immediately - well almost immediately after her birth it was noticed that she did not pass her first stool. She was whisked away to another hospital for emergency surgery (this happened in Perth WA) and came away from that surgery with a colostomy bag which must be so so daunting for any parent let alone a first time parent. I mean, we ALL want the same thing for our children don't we? Good Health. Anyway, even though it seems that my brother is not talking to me, he called today and left a message - Imogen is in hospital having an operation. Oh no! I think so I call the hospital and ask to speak to her. I get her on the line and she is very croaky. Had an op today to expand the scar tissue in her intestine where they joined the large intestine to the small intestine. Poor thing has been ill for over a month and hopefully this will be ok. It was nice to speak to her. Lots of love to you Imo!

What a game!

Bronte has taken up Basketball as her preferred sport. A shame really seeing as I am a netball girl and have quite a few trophies to prove it...but yes! I KNOW it is not all about me!

She loves this game called Basketball. Tonight was their second 'real' game of the season and her team won again - this game was close - 14 points to 10.

Not much in it all the way and she was happy that she scored another goal this week - no $5.00 for that though thank goodness!

It was so close I nearly had a conniption! I mean I can't take the excitement of a close game! I hope they don't expect to win every time but gee they have come a long way in the past 4 weeks. They have really gelled as a team.

Oh and what is it about Basketball uniforms being SO DARN BIG??

I mean the singlet is a size 14 - they all have size 14's - the girls are only 8 and 9 years of age! But I guess it kinda looks cute all oversized...weird though.

Getting ready for a big

step in Zachary's religious life....his Confirmation.

We belong to the Catholic faith and Confirmation is basically where a person becomes an adult within their faith. Zachary is 11 and very very excited at this next step.

He needs to have what is termed a 'sponsor'. Someone that he will be able to go to in times of need, someone that will be able to direct him within the faith and someone that he can trust.

This is a big step for him because he is not a very social person. Unlike Samuel and Bronte, he is a child of very few words but many deep thoughts. He is someone who thinks and watches and thinks some more before he will say/do anything. He is someone who has to feel comfortable before he allows others in.

So, of course, this narrows the field a LOT. Joyce is already Samuel's sponsor, so he is going to ask my good friend Simone. She doesn't know yet but she will be THRILLED.

I can't wait to see her face because she knows he struggles with social needs and she will be so touched. Yay on Zachary!

I am so delighted for him...

(disclaimer) even though I am not religious - this has true meaning to him and my family.

Having a break

from painting the kitchen architraves and doors...have I ever told you guys that I really don't like painting? Well it is not the painting that I don't like - in fact I like painting - it is the preparation...the cleaning the sanding, the filling.

So, I am just about finished and it makes the kitchen look so much brighter.

We have an ex-war commission home. Originally 2 bedrooms and red clinker brick. Built in the 1940's on good sized blocks of land (for the city).

We bought this home in 1989 - October to be exact and it was when interest rates were at 18%! We figured that if we could afford repayments at that rate - it could only get better. That was in the days of no kids and two incomes. I think our initial repayments were $1450 per month.

We got married in February 1990 and we were both still working.

Even when the interest rates dropped and dropped - we kept paying at that rate and paying more when we could. I took a package from where I was working at Vic Roads and got a great payout - all bar $2000.00 went on the house and then, just before Zachary's 2nd birthday, Stan was retrenched from his work - and he had just been there for a year - he got a pretty good payout and all of this went on the house and we had PAID IT OFF! Yay - I think it took just 7 years for us to do it - we were pretty pleased with ourselves...

One of the owners before us put on a very long back room as an extension. We originally used this room as a spare room.

We found out when Samuel was 5months old that we were expecting another baby and besides going into panic mode, we decided to add another room. All Stan had to do was insert a wall and door across the long spare room and voila - two more rooms!

The middle one became Samuel's, the other became my office. And of course Zachary went into the original room when he was a baby. Not long after, both boys were in the middle room with bunks and the new baby, Bronte went into the original bedroom which was next to ours.

Fast forward a year or so and the boys went back into the original bedroom as it was the biggest one and Bronte into the middle room. Then, when she went into a big bed we decided to put ALL three in the one room and made the middle room a playroom with TV and Video player and we had a sofa bed couch in there for visitors. It was great while mum and dad were still around as they could come and sleep in there.

Eventually, the visitors have stopped and the kids were getting bigger, so we decided to move Bronte back into the middle room - this was around October 2006 and it was not a great idea as far as Bronte was concerned.

She didn't want her own room. She wanted to stay with her brothers. Why does everyone ELSE get to sleep with someone and not her? Oh man, it was difficult.


Everynight Bronte would come into our room at 2am on the dot. It's scary, it's too dark, it's too noisy - any excuse she could come up with - we got it. At 2am, it certainly didn't work putting her back in her own room - who wants to listen to an 8 year old crying hysterically at that time? It was out of the question after the first few nights that she would actually join us in our bed...not enough room. So, she started to bring in her pillow and special blanket at 2am and lay them down at the end of the bed on the floor and snooze away. We often didn't even hear her come in...

After a while she thought she would prepare for this early morning ritual by putting her blanket and pillow in BEFORE she went to her own bed. I said no way to that one pretty quickly though.

My friend was saying - you have to stop this. You can't let it go on. During the day I would talk to Bronte about it and she would say she would try not to come in but every morning she was there.

We made her room nice, got her a lovely antique replica cast iron bed, painted the walls a sunny yellow, put hot pink accessories around and more. She loved her room - during the day - not at night.

Last night, I realised that she hasn't been in our room for a month. I knew it was getting good but a whole month and she is happy. She still doesn't like her door closed but she has a fabulous hot pink big flower night light that we got from Ikea that seems to have made all the difference. We leave it on (and it is high on her wall) all night and she said it makes her happy.

Well, I am now happy too thanks very much! Just goes to show that if you try and FORCE things like this - it just makes for unhappy inhabitants - if you take it slow it works out in the end.

Anyway - the reason I started this post was....while I was painting...I was thinking...how much we have all grown and changed as a family. It is a work in progress. Mostly a really rough work and we are doing it by the seat of our pants but it is going ok at the moment...fingers crossed.

Anyway - he she is, relaxing in her room...reading, with the Jasper the cat!

Just a few more photos of

Samuel and Bronte taken on the 27th of May. Zachary and Stan are away for the weekend at a motorbike Trial so, we went out all day shopping...and then out for dinner by ourselves. Had a lovely time. Came home and watched 'Happy Feet' on DVD - that is a good movie - better than I thought it would be.

Here are some of the photos I wanted to share...

What a difference HAIR makes...

Samuel got his hair cut. But first, here he was just yesterday...has pink through his hair because a girl from school 'coloured' his hair for the School Sports...it turned out she put a semi-permanent dye in and it still hasn't washed out after more than 10 washes...so I took him to the hairdressers today. My goodness...I loved his hair long but I think I love the way he looks with short hair better.... Wanna vote on it? Click on the images to see them larger....

I am now $5.00 poorer....

because of a new love of Bronte's!

She has joined a basketball team and they had their first official game of the season last night.

We won! 22 points to 14 points and the girls played so well.

They are in an Under 10 team and only 2 girls have ever played before and neither of those was Bronte. I told her last week in the Grading Game that when she got her first goal in a real game, I would give her $5.00. Well, she got her goal and the look on her face when she did it was priceless. It was so so nice to see.

Well, last night they just did everything right and surprisingly, worked really well as a team. Bronte had about 5 shots for goal all up which is a great improvement from 3 weeks ago when she said "mum, I am NEVER going to dribble the ball. I don't want to get caught for travelling." and "I am not going to EVER shoot for a goal, because what if I don't get it in?"

Well, she has really taken to the game like a duck to water and not only is she dribbling, she is ducking and weaving and shooting at the board. It is great to watch.

So now, we have basketball training on Wednesdays from 4.30pm to 5.30pm and a basketball game on Thursdays. She loves the uniform and she loves the sport.

When I said, 'why don't you try netball instead? That is a great game, I used to love playing netball. You've seen all my trophies haven't you?' she looked at me and said, "mum, I don't have to like everything you like do I? Netball is boooooooring." How sad for me!

I will take a photo of her in her uniform and post it here later...

Your comments are just great to read

and I wanted to thank you all so much for taking the time and making the effort to actually post on here. I love to read them all.


I am feeling so much better within myself now that I have left an online group. I am laughing more and enjoying my family and friends who have already commented that I seem more relaxed now. Not quite as relaxed as the chick in the picture but I hope you all get the drift!

Detoxifications....

there is something that I have been meaning to do for a while...

And I have started to do it...

Detoxing my life...

It feels great.

I've Been Tagged!

Lynda from Lulu's Bay has tagged me for a meme but I am unsure what the word meme means!! LOL I do know though that you have to have a look at Lulu's Bay - the food and photos of the food are glorious!

So, anyway, back to the meme - I have to list:
1. Four of my favourite jobs
2. Four of my favorite local places
3. Four of my favourite foods
4. Four of my favorite international places and four people who I am tagging.

4 x Favourite Jobs:
1. Hmmmm - the first job I loved was as a Work Experience student at a Printing place. I loved it so. Picture this, I was a 16 year old impressionable girl. It was an all-male workplace and the the guys were gorgeous - well two were! They all took it upon themselves to educate me in the world of men! Little did they know I had three brothers - two of whom were in the navy so not much surprised me. They were protectors of me as well and I loved that. I learnt to work hard and to put in extra from that place. I learnt about the world of printing and I loved it. I learnt that guys like that are a lot of talk and bluster! I was offered an apprenticeship there but in the end, turned it down. Not sure if that was a good thing or not.

2. Another job I loved was when I joined the Computer Department at Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute here in Melbourne. I was just out of a re-training program and got an 8month tenure (maternity leave placement). Suited me fine as we were off on a backpacking trip around the world. I loved it there. It was rather an autonomous job yet I had to complete a lot of statistical data entry. The women that I worked with were fantastic and I still remember them today and this job was in the late 80's!

3. Working at Vic Roads when I returned from our jaunt overseas. I first got the job as a Temp but it turned into a 4 or 5 year stay. I loved it and was quick to ask if there were any full time positions. It was in the Payroll section and was a very high tensioned job. We ran two payrolls and both were worth over $1million a fortnight. By my final year there I had a position of responsibility that I loved. My boss was a good friend as were the fellow workers. We all loved the work. I met some wonderful people there!

4. No other favourites - oh hang on - my Paper Round that I did twice a week in the afternoon when I was 10! We lived in a small country town and my dog then was a labrador kelpie cross and he was a gorgeous chocolate colour. We used to do the paper round and to certain houses he would take the paper in his mouth and deliver it to the person! What fun! It wasn't fun however, when it was windy or rainy delivering those papers - no plastic wrap on them in those days!

4 x Local Places:
1. Rickett's Point - Black Rock - gorgeous to sit and sip a Latte overlooking Port Phillip Bay
2. St Kilda along the beach - going for a walk or a ride on the bicycle
3. Inverloch - a gorgeous small seaside town - perfect for camping
4. The City - Federation Square - love it!

4 x Favourite Foods
This one is tough:
1. Grilled Salmon on a bed of Rice
2. My roast vegies - nothing beats it!
3. Chicken Wraps with salad, garlic mayonnaise and avocado - toasted
4. Ice Cream - any!

4 x Favourite International Places:
1. Arles - in the South of France
2. Northern Philippines
3. Bali
4. Warsaw

4 x people I am tagging
No one - it is too hard!

Kids (and adults) behaving badly....

Thinking about the disco last night, I can equate it to some behaviour I see online...

Why would children think it was ok to act in that manner when they wouldn't do such things at home?

Why do Adults on online forums think it is ok to call others names, cast aspersions upon character and judge people when they don't KNOW the people or their actual circumstances?

What is it that says to us 'it is ok to act inappropriately and bugger the consequences'?

I would dearly love to know why this can be seen as ok because to me it isn't. No matter what.

It was suggested today, that if I don't like something that has been said on the board or if I don't agree - I should ignore it. I will try that although I think what if I applied that same solution to the behaviour I witnessed at the disco last night - the damage would have been a whole lot worse.

What are we doing wrong here? Both with the children and online relationships? Where are our responsibilities? Maybe we should all just turn our backs and walk away when we witness behaviour or read something we don't care for. But then what message does that send? I know but do you?

I found this article online - it is very apt...

Bystanders play a part in bullying behaviour Medical Studies/Trials
Published: Friday, 3-Dec-2004

Bystanders play a part in bullying behaviour

While talk of bullying often focuses on the aggressor and the victim, research from the University of South Australia (UniSA) has found that bystanders play a part in bullying behaviour.

In an international study looking at bullying and harassment in primary and secondary school students, UniSA adjunct researcher, Professor Ken Rigby, says that victimisation most commonly occurs when other people are watching.

And he says that when bystanders step in and speak up, it significantly reduces bullying and harassment. "Unfortunately, only on a minority of occasions do bystanders seek to discourage bullying, but when they do, it actually stops some 50 per cent of the time," Prof Rigby says.

And alarmingly, the study has also found that Australian students are less likely to tell the teacher than any of the groups of students in the five countries taking part in the project, including Bangladesh, England, Israel, Italy and South Africa.

"There's a culture against 'dobbing' here in Australia that needs to be addressed - students need to feel that they are doing the right thing by informing teachers." "These results shows us that anti-bullying programs need to teach students better bystander behaviour, including safe and effective ways of discouraging harassment, as well as informing teachers," Prof Rigby says.

"Anti-bullying programs are the most effective way in which schools and communities can address the problem."

In fact, Prof Rigby has found that when schools get wholeheartedly behind anti-bullying programs, the success rate can be as high as 60 to 70 per cent. "What we have found is that bullying programs can be highly effective, but there needs to be a high level of implementation from the school community - in the classroom, in the playground and at home.

"The programs need to encompass the entire school community, from broader school policy down to classroom interaction, such as discussions with children about bullying, how to access help and provide assistance to others if needed.

"It is clear that the best predictor of success is not the content of the program but the thoroughness of the implementation."

School Disco's Fun? Or....

Well the night of the school disco arrived last night with lots of excitement and anticipation. My two youngest were going and Bronte was doubly excited because it was her first year at the 'senior' disco.

She asked if I would help out on the night and I said sure! She had her bestest
friend come over for a sleepover, Zachary went to his best friends for a sleepover and Samuel had one of his best friends over for a sleepover.

I tell you - these kids have a great social life!

I should tell you - my daughter is 8 and so is her friend. The senior disco encompasses Grades 3 to 6 - so the ages are from 8 to 12 that go there.

Zachary went straight from school to his friends place so and got ready there so I didn't get any photos - a darn shame too because he looked so gorgeous I coulda squeezed his cheeks!

Bronte and her friend A, got ready here. 'A' has the most divine thick hair and I said I would curl it for her. As her mum doesn't do that kind of stuff, she was thrilled. Unfortunately, the gorgeous curls fell out pretty fast but she was still happy with the mascara I put on her! (No lippy!!)

Bronte's hair was a little more involved - I had to plait it in little plaits that morning after her shower. She wore it to school in little plaits and just before we were ready to leave I took it out. She loved it...all crinkly and fun!

Here are their photos...


























Note the last one where Bronte is standing on her TIPPY TOES to try and be as tall as 'A'!! And 'A' is 6 months younger than Bronte! LOL

Now, these photos were taken before the disco.

We got there and all was well. Too much food, hyped up kids, boys who think dancing is so not cool so they run and jump instead.

To tell you the truth, I was disappointed in a lot of the behaviour I saw there...

First they were each handed a glowstick that could be used as a bracelet. Then they all went into the hall which was decorated with helium balloons. As the lights went off - I noticed knots of boys...didn't think too much of it until I realised that they were sucking the helium out of the balloons! Jeez! I put a stop to that really fast and made them clean up all the mess - strings and stuff from the balloons...they didn't like that much!

Next, I noticed some trying to break the glowsticks. Man! And then, I go over to the darkest corner and someone has sprayed the carpet, walls, curtains with the stuff! I did my nut - well not really but they all knew where they stood on that one. There was a dad standing near the boys, looked at me and said 'is that not allowed?' Ummm der?? I said sweetly 'NO!' LOL

Then a really naughty boy - I know them all - came up to me and said that this other boy who is naughtier than the first is in the mens toilets and it is covered in the stuff. So, I go there and march right in - turn off the lights and it looks like a divine starry night in the middle of nowhere! Or a bloodbath on CSI when they use the UV lights! So, the dad that was on the toilet door was informed that he needed to go in and supervise them.

I thought that was the end of the shocking behaviour but then it got worse. Kids throwing party pies at each other or just squishing them into the carpet for fun? And right behind me kids started getting cups of water and tipping them over their heads because they were hot? Never mind that they were in a carpeted hall? I spoke to one who I know comes from a really well to do family and asked him if he would dare treat his own home in such a manner? He said no and I said to him so what gives you the right to treat the school in this way? He teared up and said sorry. Oops!

Bronte came over to me half way through the night and said they wanted to go home. I asked why and she said because it was boring. No one was really dancing and the bigger kids were pushing the littler ones around. Meantime, Zachary had come up to me crying (and he is in grade 6) because he was hit in the face accidentally from someone running past like a maniac....I took the girls home 20mins early - I am sure the kids were glad to see the back of me but not as much as I was to see the back of them.

I was disappointed in the behaviour from the senior students - most of the problems were from Grade 6 students - boys in fact and I think I will be writing an email to our Principal about it...

When we got home the girls had fun doing Singstar and playing with Samuel and his friend. The girls got to sleep at about 11.30pm and Samuel and his friend 'I' snoozed off at about 12.

Then they were all up this morning early and bright as buttons...blah! Made pancakes and a video movie and had a ball...lucky ducks.

Mothers Day - gorgeous yet bittersweet

I do so love Mother's Day. It is the ONE day of the year that I am guaranteed a wonderful day - the WHOLE Day. There are two not so wonderful things about Mother's Day though.

1. It ends and all goes back as it always is...

2. I miss my mother even more

So, the day started being woken up by whispers, hearing directions being given and shuffling, giggling and lots of shushing...

The door opens at 8.30am and in they all come shouting HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!! And I look up and Stan has the video camera going...Oh No! They are all happy. All thrilled and excited. I get gifts...the latest Jodie Picoult book, Nineteen Minutes from Zachary. Robbie Williams RUDEBOX CD from Samuel, a gorgeous old fashioned looking mug from Bronte and a Womens Weekly 501 Low Carb recipe book from Stan. Yay. The cards the kids made were gorgeous...and I will always keep them.

Off they all went again to make breakfast. Can I tell you, the last thing I want to do when I first awaken is eat but what can you do? They made the most yummiest Banana Pancake (none of the shaker stuff!) and a Banana Smoothie and a cup of coffee (decaf of course!). I ate half the pancake - it was massive, drank half the smoothie and drank half the coffee. Then I was allowed to rest again...

I started my Jodi Picoult book and in the background I could hear dishes being done, the floors were washed and the house was vacuumed. I love it! This is the best present that Stan could give me really! It is awesome!

Then we packed a picnic lunch and off to the city by train we went. Got off at Melbourne Central and looked through the shopping precinct. Spotted Krispy Kreme's (I don't like them but I told the kids that I might get them one on the way back) and we went into a games place where they play a game called Warhammer. It was so fun. The young guy played a game with us and showed us how it all worked. Walked down towards Federation Square - a place we all love.

Saw some fun things along the way. Saw some Jazz bands play in the square and watched a pretty average street entertainer while we had our picnic. Then into ACMI for a little look and back out to the square, watched another street entertainer called Andy Zapp. He was so great - I haven't laughed so much in ages.

After that we caught the City Circle Tram which is free. I have always wanted to do that.

On the way Zachary spotted a Hummer. It wasn't just ANY Hummer it was a super STRETCH hummer. He was so excited he yelled out WHOA! LOOK AT THAT HUMMER! The whole tram full of people stopped mid sentence and looked! It was very funny!

Then we continued on our way and got off the tram up at the top of Swanston Street.

We went across to the Victorian State Library and out the front is this fantastic monument. Of course they all wanted to climb it....

You have to click on the photo to appreciate the size and how hard the task was!!

And here is Stan...trying to do the same thing. He did get higher than these photos show but not any where near as high as Z!

Here are some more photos.

I love this one of the 4 of them...

And this one is too darn cute for words...check out Bronte's top - MY MUM ROCKS! LOL



How's this for a good photo - My Mum Rocks!! Ass! LOL It really says on Zachary's top BASS.



I think that you can all tell we had a wonderful day in the city and as a family. I want to thank Stan, Samuel, Zachary and Bronte publicly for showing such love.

When we arrived home, we went up to Joyce's for Mother's Day dinner and had some laughs. Even Jasper the cat came up.

Had a lovely lovely day. Full of love and joy. Of course, this made me think of my mum and just how much I miss her still.

And another thing...

Hard rubbish abounded our area this past week and we picked up some goodies! Can't help ourselves really.

Here are the three kids out the front of Joycey's house on her old couch (it actually was Kiah's) and watching Telly on the footpath. They had a blast.

It was very sad to see the old couch go....another link to Kiah gone.

Biker Boy....

that I took of Zachary on Sunday at the motorbike track...

He is riding his new motorbike - a GasGas 200cc Trials bike (yep! no seats!) and loves it of course....

I wanted to show a little of what trials riding is about. It is about riding over obstacles, it is about balance and control. It is not a speed sport, it is a technical sport and can be really awesome to watch.

Reading a really good friends blog tonight

she posted a note that her daughter wrote - it is so gorgeous and one of the things that I love to keep from my children.

It reminded me that I had this from Bronte - she wrote it in Prep when she was 6 to her good friend (at the time) who had been away from school sick... You have to click on the image to see it larger....

And, just tonight, she had to do a drawing of her family for homework.
Here we are - all in our favourite clothes apparently.

Zachary and I went for a School Tour on

Tuesday morning to the High School that Samuel is going to...just so that Zachary could get a feel of it on his own. Funny thing is, they handed us a card with the Information Night info on it along with the handbook and I popped them straight in my bag. Two days later, I am scavenging through my bag for a pen and I pull out everything...there on the table, I see Samuel 'fake smiling' up at me! And lo and behold there he is right on the information card! How fun! So here it is for all to see...

There's been some crazy thoughts

going on in my head the past few weeks....hard to put into words but I just feel a 'bit on the outside'.

Does it worry me? Maybe.

I think it is the culmination of a very emotional year so far for me, my family and friends.

There are online shenanigans recently that have really blown my mind with the level of nastiness that has been going on.

I belong to a closed forum but maybe I should say I am a 'member' of a closed forum - questioning lately whether I actually 'belong' there.

Things were said to and about others that really made me question the reason that I am there and this time, I was not really involved. Some people seem to enjoy, and even feed off such nastiness but me? I am so, so over it.

Friends have been commenting lately to me that I have 'lost my spark', that I don't have the witty comebacks that I used to....well I have been thinking about that and the above stuff has been getting me down.

So, I know what I should do...but don't want to as there are some ladies there that I really like but do I like them well enough to stay? Are they real friends that are worth staying for? Would any of these people, who are behind screens and keyboards even notice if I left? Does it really matter to me if they don't?

Just have to have a brag here...

Zachary and Stan went off to a motorbike trial today - left at 6am, drove for 2 or 3 hours, rode the bikes all day and arrived home about an hour ago - tired and dirty...

We went out to see how they went...shithouse said Stan - he came near to last and he said Z came 6th. I was surprised but he was grumpy so left it at that...

Anyway - after unpacking the car and trailer - Z and S came in and Z offered me a glass of coke...I said no thanks. They were both looking at me intently and I said is it poison or something? And they started laughing. I looked at the glass and said - where did you get that glass? from the side of the road? And they laughed some more...

I drank half of it - it tasted like caffeine free coke - no alcohol and I put it down. Zachary had to say 'look at the glass mum' and so I did and yes! He came FIRST Place in the Juniors and I was so excited. He was too.

The buggers hatched the plan to pretend they did badly (well Stan DID do badly) and to give me a drink in the glass.

Now, I am thrilled - don't get me wrong BUT a glass for a motorbike trophy?? How crap is that? Last ones we got for most improved etc were coffee mugs - I mean really - give 'em a proper trophy for God's sake! LOL

Uploaded some photos from the camera tonight

and really wanted to share...

Stan, Zachary Bronte and I went to Yarra Bend on Anzac Day. For those that don't know, the Yarra River runs through Melbourne and it is our main river here. There are beautiful parklands. We decided to go for a picnic - Samuel stayed at home and had his good friend Luca over for a visit.

Anyway, here are Zachary and Stan. Zachary decided to make a boat out of bark and sail it down the Yarra. He made a sail out of paper that was in my bag and proudly launched the boat. He watched it sail down on the current and laughed when two people in a canoe came past and the guy said, 'Boat Ahead!' Nice man!

Yep, here is Bronte on the same day at the same place, enjoying herself as usual!

Finally, here is a photo that I took just the other day of Zachary - I really love it ....relaxing on the trampoline!

What a life!

A sure-fire way to make me cry...

Samuel made this video for me last night. Gosh I love that boy!
We were both sobbing as we watched it and I really would love the whole world to see how gorgeous Kiah was....

Injuries kids suffer while

riding their motorbikes....

Zachary loves Trials riding...a great sport - not too dangerous....here's the website that Samuel (aged 12) has made for our club.... Oakleigh Motorcycle Club.

Clever eh?

Here are some photos of Zachary's swollen leg - he fell and the motorbike fell on top of it....it is still swollen - and this happened on Easter Monday! He has had x-rays - no breakages and now has to wear a pressure bandage...it is about 3.0 cms fatter than the other one....and sometimes it aches....

I wonder about online life and real time life

and think - is it like this for everyone?

I tend to keep my online friends a 'secret' from my real life friends - although I don't like the term 'real life friends' as I consider many of my online friends real life friends as well...now I have confused myself!!!

Maybe I should say, I tend to keep my online life a secret from my real life - that's not much better is it?

Anyway, I have shared so much about myself and my family with my online friends - I can think of only one or two real life friends who I might share as much with but really - my true online friends - well they know more than most. I love my online life. Really love it.

Love meeting up with my online friends too - spent some lovely times in Sydney and Queensland with my online/real life friends and I will treasure them and the memories.

Going to see Mean Girls was a highlight a few years ago with some of them. It was just pure fun.

It is awesome when you think about this technology that has enabled friendships not only 100's of kms apart but COUNTRIES apart. People whom I would never have known but for the internet. Lives I would never have shared.

Sometimes it can be a trial - these online personas - some people think or don't think before they say hurtful things. That is sad. But online life can bring great humanity. Humility and sheer joy.

Thank you to my online friends - you have enriched my life in many ways!

ANZAC Day means many things to a lot of people

To tell you the truth, I had not thought about it in depth over the years. I think it might have something to do with my 'mixed' background actually.

Mum was born to Scottish parents who emigrated out here I don't know when! LOL I know that mum's dad (who died many years before I was born) was in the English Lighthorse Brigade - well I can't even truthfully say I KNOW that but I think he was. Saw a photo of him once in his uniform and with a horse. I should make that a mission of mine to find out more about that.

My dad was born in Berlin Germany and was a young boy when the 2nd World War ended. He emigrated out here to Australia at the age of 18 in 1952 I think it was. He never returned 'home' and he rarely spoke about his childhood. Even when I was growing up in the 60's and 70's we were referred to at times as Nazi's - those were the days when the word Wog was bandied around a lot too. I remember asking dad if we were Nazi's (I was probably 7 or 8 at the time) and he said 'No! We are Australians!' and that was good enough for me.

We didn't live life with the German culture which is unfortunate in hindsight. All traditions we had were English traditions. Mum didn't speak German and therefore everything was in English. I suppose at the time, being German wasn't popular either - and dad's thoughts were that he was Australian and therefore he needed to be an Australian - I remember him writing to his mother once and he was using an English/German dictionary - I thought it was to translate from German to English but NO! It was to translate English to German - he had forgotten a lot of his language and I was surprised at that....thought it quite funny actually!

War and conflict weren't discussed in our household from memory or maybe that is also because I was the youngest of 5 and if it was I wouldn't have understood it. Who knows?

Two of my brothers joined the Australian Navy at the age of 15 or 16 - went across from a country Victorian town to Perth - away from family away from friends. My mother found it very difficult to say the least. One brother loved the Navy life - one hated it.

My sister also joined the Navy but I think she was 18 or 20 or so. Had a lot of experiences up in Darwin - went up there to help the clean up after Cyclone Tracy - I think that was in 1976.

Me? I was just at home and went to school, rode horses, played tennis, squash, judo, swam in Mulwala Lake all summer - had a great growing up. I think it was easiest for me when I look back. Youngest - 3 out of the home already (although there is only 7 years between myself and the eldest - my sister - 3 brothers in between).

My mum and dad gave me a wonderful childhood in retrospect. I remember long summer days, taking my dog Dhoby who was a brown kelpie/lab cross with me wherever I went. Known around town as the girl in the red fluffy coat and the brown dog. Those days were full of fun and sun. Freedom and laughter.

Horseriding bareback through the town of Yarrawonga, going to Mulwala Golf Club and riding all day. Gosh I loved it. When Dhoby would get tired, he would jump up with me onto the horse and ride across in front of me. A sight to be seen now I reckon.

Anyway - I guess the ANZACs have helped me in this freedom of sorts. When I think about how much those young me lost - their lives, their freedom, their future - it brings me to tears now. More so than ever before. Probably because now I see the events through the eyes of a mother. I mean Samuel is 12, boys of 15 and 16, lied about their ages and went to war. How horrible is that thought as a mother?

Well the kids have gone back to school

and I went back to work today...

My boss (who is also my friend!!) was so happy to see me. I was happy to see her as well. She is just so so busy and so inspiring. She works really hard and often I wonder how she achieves it all.

She has three children - two teenaged boys and a daughter aged 12 (who is one of Samuel's best friends).

This is a bit about her.... MacBeth Genealogical Services

I love working there - I work 2 hours a day, 4 days a week doing office work and chatting with Sue, her husband Bob and the other part timers.

I don't get paid a lot but I don't have to work school holidays. It is no big deal if one of the children are sick to bring them in to work (or to even take the day off) and besides all of that, Sue and Bob are the nicest people - our whole family gets on really well with them! They are the ones that came out with us for Stan's and my anniversary not long ago.

Anyway - no photos of them but wanted to share how lucky I am!

Friday the 13th...now that was funny!

I went out for dinner. With Paula - my very good friend from my Highschool years. I love Paula. She is always there and always forgives me for not calling her. She is the kind of person who I know will forever be around and I am sure she knows I am there for her too.

Anyway, we went out for an impromptu dinner. With some other 'girls' that we went to school with! It was so much fun!

There was Paula, Mary, Trudi, Suz (who would like us to call her Suzanne now! Ha! as if we can!), Lesley, Karen, Mary-Ellen and myself.

Wow - what a blast from the past. Some I have seen within the last 5 years but I was looking around at these women who were just young teenage girls when I first met them. It was strange.

I came to the 'big smoke' in Form 3 (Year 9 as they now call it) and I think I was 14 years of age. Not only was I a born and bred country girl, I was appalled that I had to go to a GIRL'S School! Aquinas College in Ringwood, Melbourne.

Now, most of the girls had gone through Primary School together and here I came, a country chick who had moved from town to town every 2 to 4 years. A different way of looking at things.

I have great memories of Aquinas - even though I hated it for the first 6 months. The girls were welcoming and fun.

Paula and Mary were my best friends at that school. I only stayed there for 2 years and left at the end of Year 10 to go to Box Hill TAFE to study Art. ada, I stayed in touch with Paula and Mary...went to Paula's wedding and Mary went off to Canada and found a nice boy and married him!

Anyway - looking around the table last night, I looked at these women and truthfully - even though we are all in our 40's - there was no real difference to what they were like as teenagers. We reminisced about smoking and sex. About teachers. Boys. We talked about our marriages. It was surprising how many had failed marriages behind them. Paula - although she speaks to Bruce daily still and he plays a big part in their 3 children's lives; Lesley; Suz (oops Suzanne!); Trudi. Karen never married but has the oldest child I think - she is 17. Suz and Trudi have remarried. I just thought it was a lot but now that I think about it it probably reflects todays society.

Most have stayed around the same suburb. Paula and I are the only ones that haven't.

Anyway, we laughed and shared. It was a great night. I was nervous to go but am so happy I did!

Oh and Kiah and Halley

the cat, are buried in the front yard....

Stan and Zachary made a large blue cross for Kiah (Halley has a large white one) and a plaque. Stan put it at her grave tonight as well. Will take a better photo tomorrow and put it here as well. They are buried side by side. Halley has one large colourful windmill on her grave, Kiah has five shiny windmills....sometimes I look over there and they are all twirling in the breeze. I like it when they are...

Tonight we had a late Easter Egg hunt

in our front yard. Courtesy of Joycey (our neighbour, friend and surrogate nana) and Joan who is Bronte's Godmother.

They came around at 5.30pm. Joycey hid the eggs and the kids had to search. Took them a while too! They really enjoyed it.

Here are a few snaps....

Bronte searching for the eggs.....

Samuel happy with one of his finds!!

All three happy with their bonus Egg booty!!

Here is a lovely photo of Joyce, Joan and the kids...one to treasure......

It was my mum's birthday on the 7th of April

while we were away camping. Unfortunately, my mum died way back in 1998.

Being away made it easier for me.

What made it harder was that my sister and I would normally chat on the phone the day/night of her birthday. That didn't happen either. I was hoping against hope that Christine would have rung me (and knowing that my mobile was out of range I was hoping for a missed call or message when we got back to civilisation.) None on the mobile....and when I got home - no message there either. Don't know why I expected one in retrospect....

Anyway, my mother's name was Patricia Margaret Geikowski (nee Lynch). She died on the first 0f June 1998 - just 17 days before Bronte was born.

She was a loving mum, kind hearted and always interested in her kids and grandchildren. She loved us all.

I remember her smiling face.

Mum had not been well for quite some time. She suffered from adult onset diabetes and was insulin dependant. She was a smoker. She wasn't a drinker. She was overweight but had been a lot heavier in her younger days. She had gastric banding many years before. She was never that happy in herself but as the youngest of 5, I never really knew that.

Anyway, mum and dad lived in Bairnsdale (country Victoria) where my sister Christine, her husband Joe and one of my brothers Michael, his wife Leonie and their two children Morgan and Daniel lived.

Mum had been getting stomach pains for quite some time. Apparently she thought it was cancer.

I went up to Bairnsdale with Samuel and Zachary for a week and spent time with mum and dad. We had a nice time, we took mum to Lakes Entrance for a drive, we walked along the beach. She laughed with the boys. It was nice.

Here is the last photo I took of mum. I love it. Don't forget to click on it to see a larger view. She loved my boys. She would have loved Bronte so much too.

We returned to Melbourne. Get on with things.

I get a call a couple of weeks later, mum is in Bairnsdale hospital. She is very sick. They have to operate on her stomach. It is a burst ulcer and it is really serious. I am eight months pregnant with Bronte. Anyway, she is critical and they Helicopter her down to the Royal Melbourne Hospital and I meet her there. When I see her I cry. I am there by myself - I think it was late at night. Stan is home with the boys. I can't remember details really but I remember feelings and kinds of snap shot images.

It doesn't look like mum. She has tubes everywhere and she looks not like mum. I stay for a few hours. They say to go home they will call in the morning.

Dad is still in Bairnsdale as are my sister and brother. I have another brother, Stephen who lives in Olinda - about a 50min drive from the city. He lives there with his wife Alicia and their 2 girls (now have 3), Imogen and Caitlin.

I can't remember when Dad comes to Melbourne. I think it is the next day. I can't even remember when Christine comes down. I know Michael doesn't because 'he wants to remember her as she was'?? I have another brother also in Sydney - his name is Mark. I think he flies down at some stage...

Anyway - I know I am vague on all of this and I am sorry. Maybe it is a way of dealing with the pain. Who knows. I know that I go in everyday to spend a couple of hours with mum. She is in Intensive Care and in a medically induced coma. I am heavily pregnant and it is boiling in there and nowhere to sit as the nurses are up to her every couple of minutes. She has a couple of operations. Her stomach is apparently falling apart - they try and suture and the sutures fall out? She then has a super bug. So whatever they seem to be doing there is something else that goes wrong.

Each day I go in. Friends from my mothers group look after the boys who are aged around 2 and 4. My dad stays initially for a few days and then goes back home as he feels 'useless'. My sister goes back too as she has work. Stephen - well he goes in at night time after work so that is great!

I am running ragged. I feel horrible. I am tired. Mum is the same everyday. Each day I hope that she will recover. I take in a gorgeous photo of her and the two boys that I took on my last visit there - just two weeks before. I want the nurses and doctors to see what she was like before. That she wasn't like this. That she is their grandmother. That we love her.

The doctors call me. We have to have a meeting. They want all family members there. Mark is there, Stephen, Christine, Dad but not Michael - he won't come.

Stan comes and so does Alicia. I don't think they are in the room. Oh hang on they might be. Anyway, they start laying out the options. A nice young doctor, an older one and some nurses. Basically there are no options. The young doctor looks at me while he is explaining this - he has tears in his eyes. I am thinking this is because he knows that mum won't see my baby. I start to cry. We have to decide to turn off the machines. We wonder aloud if they can bring her out of the coma beforehand. They say no, she would be in too much pain (well I think they say that.) We cry. The thought goes through my mind that this is like going to the vet to get an animal put down. But this is my mum. We all agree. They say we are doing the right thing. I think maybe when they turn all of that offm she will wake up.

We go out. They begin the process. Dad and 4 of her 5 children are in there with her. It is quiet. Someone cracks a joke. We all touch her. Talk to her. Laugh. I tell her I love her. A while goes past. I have to go to the toilet. I say to mum in a joking way 'I am going to the toilet. Don't wait for me.'

I go to the toilet. Come back and she is gone. I am so upset. She just stopped breathing. Apparently it was very peaceful but not only do I now feel overwhelming sadness, I feel guilty. I wasn't there at the very end.

We are ushered out by the nurses. They fix her up and after 20mins or so, they call us back in. I am shocked. She is very yellow now and bloated. She has an Iris placed on her chest. I start to smile (in shock I think) and I say "look! Her yellow face matches the Iris!" I keep asking the nurse why is she so yellow? Apparently it is the toxins in her system. I leave. It looks less like mum than she did before.

When I leave the room I also feel relief. I feel guilty for that too. Now I won't have to travel in everyday, organise the kids and be in the hospital for a few hours. How bad is that??

We all go back to my house. It is a surreal experience. My brother Michael comes down (not sure when). We all discuss funeral arrangements. My brother Mark needs to go back to Sydney and asks if we can hold off the funeral for a week. We all agree. Stupidly.

So, my mum is dead. Arrangements are made for the following week. Everyone goes home. Life goes on as it was but doesn't. In hindsight it was ridiculous to put off the funeral. It was a surreal week of normalcy and then it all descended on me again. I felt for sure that the baby would come a few days before the funeral or even on the day and that I would miss the whole thing. I was beside myself with worry. But no, Bronte was a good girl. She didn't do that to me. The day of the funeral came. It was held in Melbourne at WD Rose - just 5mins drive from my home. We got to the chapel. There were lots of people there. Family, cousins, mum's brother. Can't remember who else. Oh my friends from highschool and others. Joycey looked after the two boys at the back of the chapel. We were all sitting up the front.

The coffin was big. I was shocked at that. I mean, my mum was only like 5ft 1in. But the coffin was huge. I asked why. And they said that her body had swelled because of all the toxins. They said she would be too heavy to carry out. A final indignity.

At one stage, I heard a voice from the back. It was Zachary. He said 'Is Grandma in the Treasure Box?' I love that memory!

She was wheeled out - I think Stan was a pall bearer. I should ask him. Joe, Michael, Stephen, Mark. Can't remember who else.

She was driven away and cremated. It was sad.

Everyone came back to our home. Well we did have food at the chapel and then cousins etc came back afterward. It was fun but not.

I have views on cremation that I will share another time...

You know, some days even now, more than 8 years later, I still go to pick up the phone to tell mum something. I refuse to throw out my phone book even though it is in pieces because it has her name and number in there....

Here she is with Dad. Both happy and smiling. It was dad's photo. I took it from his house after he died a few years after mum. I took it because I don't have many photos as my sister has them all. I love this photo of both of them.

Dad has written on the back.....

5-2-98 Captain's Dinner aboard "Princess Murray"

Our Easter....

was spent in the countryside of Victoria, camping. Real camping. You know, the kind of camping where you have to take your water in with you, there is no power and we use portaloos. However, we do take our campervan so all comforts are not forsaken! I also take our super warm and comfy wool doona and loads of pillows. Love that cozy feeling on a cold night!

We left, all loaded up with the campervan, one motorbike on the front of the van, one on the back and Bronte's PeeWee 50 on the roof! The load we tow is horrendous! All so that Zachary and Stan can compete in a motorbike Trial.

A 3 and a half hour drive, we arrive at Glenmaggie. Some of the loveliest countryside to be seen. All green and lush and large rolling hills and beautiful valleys. The nights are crisp and clear and the sky is full of billions of stars. The days were divine - not too hot but clear blue skies and no wind.

Each night we sat around a large campfire with friends that we had made the year before. Col, Jo, Gemma, Georgina (Georgie!), Harrison (H) and William (Will Will). The kids are aged 10, 8, 6 and 2 and they all got on so well with our kids it was marrrrrvellous. Other families came to our campfire at night and even some diehard bike guys with no kids loved being around the fire with us all too. The first two nights we played Chinese Whispers which was hilarious! Adults and children alike - 20 or so of us - all laughing our heads off! 18 year old boys who I thought would be way too cool for the game loved joining in too...it was a great thing to see.

Of course we had toasted marshmallows everynight - half the fun was searching for the perfect marshmallow stick. Then everyone would put the two-bits in to try and educate on the best way to toast. Well I just like 'em burnt thanks!

Motorbike riding all day everyday...trials is hard work. Samuel, Bronte and I had to 'observe' both Saturday and Sunday - hard work out in the sun. Observing is where you 'score' each rider for the 'section'. We looked after section one (closest to the toilets!) and it is a spectacular section as the A grade riders and the Experts manage to jump there bikes over impossibly large logs. In fact, in the photo below where you see Bronte and Samuel sitting on top of a big fallen tree - well the bikes use a ramp and get right up there and over the other side! Very fab to watch! Not too many accidents in my section thank goodness and I only had to lift bikes of their riders 5 times!!!

Zachary was hopeful of getting a trophy this year. He came 4th though so missed out by 2 points. Bad luck really as he was in the running for 1st place there for a while until he made a really silly error and was given 5 points. He was really upset but that is the name of the game.
Stan did well the first day and was also in the running for a place/trophy but he also did a couple of silly things and didn't place.

Easter Bunny came to our area which was cool. Bronte had her 'Easter Bunny Rocks' tee on in anticipation!

Only one super serious injury on the weekend which saw a 19 year old Expert Rider rushed to the local country hospital and then airlifted to Melbourne. Thank goodness it wasn't on my section! Not sure what he did but I know he was up a steep incline and somehow flipped backwards and ended up damaging his spleen and pancreas. Apparently that is super serious and he is a very lucky boy to be ok. Generally the sport is not too dangerous as it is not a speed based sport. The kind of injuries that happen are more your broken arm, fingers, bruising, scratches from the blackberry bushes and the like.

Late last night I was trawling through Blogs

reading so many wonderful and varied entries - it is enthralling.

I happened upon a link to iVillage - my old stamping ground way back in the late 90's! I used to live there (when it was known as Parent Soup) and it was my lifeline on many occasions.

Well I went back and had a look and the old playgroup that I belonged to - junebugs 1998 is still there and I was amazed to see so many familiar faces (names) that I became all nostalgic and signed up there and then!

I posted and yay! a couple have remembered me (or so they say!! LOL).

So, I intend on being a regular over there again...because they were an amazing bunch of ladies "way back when" and I am sure they still are.

So, here's to new OLD friendships - hopefully they will blossom once again!

Here's are two photos that I have put together lately

just for fun!!

The first one is Bronte in a new top I bought her that she loves. Taken today!

This is Zachary in his new top - one by an Italian label Ra.Re The Kid that he loves - also taken today!

Don't forget you can click on the images and they will open larger, so you can see them better.

Today is April Fools Day

and my friend Lynda Loo (who's blog is fabulous - see her link) got us good!! I woke up to loads of emails because of that LL - loved it!!! Thanks for the laugh.

My three kids have gone off to Mass with Joycey - it is Palm Sunday. I don't go to Mass - really only at Christmas and sometimes school masses. Unfortunately, my Catholicism went by the wayside when mum died. I am yet to embrace religion again but am really happy that my children go to a Catholic School - well the two younger ones do and that they go to Mass with Joyce.

Here is a photo of Bronte and Zachary just before they left. Didn't get one of Samuel as he was running late (as usual) and still getting dressed. Last I saw of him, he was running down the driveway with his shoes and socks in his hand, yelling 'I'll put them on in the car!'

No, that is not a new dog for us. We are dogsitting Lexi for my friend Sue. She is a lovely dog and manic about tennis balls (see Bronte is holding a yucky one in her hand!)

Stan is off doing a 15km for The Royal Children's Hospital - his work entered in a team. He was a bit excited and worried about chafing. I am so pleased that he is doing this and managed to get him some sponsors through my friends at school.

The forum that I belong to...

well one of them anyway...is organising a book to commemorate Ava and her life (if you don't know what I mean by this read way down below!!)

So, the cutoff day was today and of course I left it to the last minute as usual...I like what I did (I think!).

Check it out...don't forget to click on the photos for a larger view...

I chose that song because I just love it when sung by Damien Leith (the Australian Idol winner) and I can't get it out of my head. It seems so appropriate and it is just so beautiful to listen to. I do hope that when the Rosemeyers get this book that it will bring them some comfort.

Why is it that everytime I mention

something to Samuel that he doesn't like that he responds so negatively? Like this morning, he was printing out some homework and I checked it over. I found a couple of spelling mistakes and a sentence or two that didn't actually make sense. I told him "you just need to fix up these things."

Oh my goodness, the look I got, the tears welled up. The excuses came out 'but I will be late. I knew you would find something wrong.' etc etc Well, if you knew I would find something wrong buddy boy, why didn't you make sure there wasn't?? I didn't say this to him. Would have made it worse. So, he had to change a few things. Not a big deal I thought. Well, I was wrong.

So, he prints it out again. Looks great, I tell him so. He says thanks.

All over? Nope. I then mention the school photos that he had done a couple of weeks ago. I mentioned it even though I said to myself I wouldn't. I mentioned it because he has his student id hanging around his neck with this photo of him doing a weird smile and his hair parted down the side. When I saw the photos the other day I was gobsmacked! How could this be my handsome boy? He had this super fake smile - one that he does when he doesn't want to show all of his teeth - God knows why. And his hair! I thought, when I saw them - well that is a waste of $32! But then thought oh well - school photos are never that great etc etc and reminded myself that I should have just ordered the group photo as I have plenty of nice single shots of all of my kids. Next time I will do that. Anyway, so I say why did you do the fake smile in that photo? And of course he comes back with 'I didn't! It is my normal smile.' Ummmm no it isn't I say - look at these photos etc. Well, again I have set him off. I just can't seem to communicate with him anymore.

Will show the photo here this afternoon when I get back from work...

And to top it off, as he is walking out the door (he has said Goodbye and I love you mum already) I say 'have you got your lunch?' 'Yes.' 'What did you take?' 'An apple.' and I go off my nut - we have had an issue the last two weeks with the food he is taking to school. Either a banana or an apple. That is it - for the whole school day.

He does have a big breakfast. But now he has decided that one piece of fruit is enough for the day. This from a boy who used to take 2 pieces of fruit, a sandwich and snack things. Now he is down to 1 piece of fruit??

I found this out on Monday (the kids make their own lunches from a large variety of offerings)
from Samuel's arch nemesis, Bronte. I hear this conversation...

Bronte: 'Samuel, have you made your lunch yet?'
Samuel: 'Yes.'
Bronte: 'When? I didn't see you?'
Samuel: 'Shut up Bronte.'

Now, I am not silly. I realise that something is happening. So I say 'Samuel, have you made your lunch yet?' 'Yes mum.' 'Can you show me please?' He goes and gets it. Whoopee - one whole banana!

I asked him what is going on. Has someone said something to him? Apparently not. Are you buying food from the canteen. No, I'm not. Why, then are you only taking one piece of fruit? I am not hungry, there is no time to eat, etc etc. No good reason as far as I can see.

So I say, sorry you have to take at least a sandwich and two pieces of fruit. But I don't want to he says. I say, bad luck. He capitulates. Who knows if he eats it??

So, each day since Monday I get him to show me his lunch. Good so far, until today of course.

Because he is still completing homework well past the time he is meant to be off to school. He says there is not time to make a sandwich (well I would have done it for him if I had known) - I mean we all get up at 7am - he doesn't need to leave until 8.15am - loads of time don't you think? So, it is already 8.30am and I say - what have you got? One apple. What!!?? No, sorry - grab a sandwich as well. The tears start. I am late. I don't have time. Well, he took a sandwich but now of course, I feel bad. The day has begun for him and for me in a negative way.

How to change? How to encourage him to eat enough for a growing teenage boy (well almost a teen)?

Suggestions anyone??

There is a little girl at school

who just started this year - she is in what we Victorians call Prep. She is 5 years old. Last month, a note came home from school, Aisling (ash-lin) has had a recurrance of cancer. How shocking and it is just plain wrong.

The children came home absolutely horrified that someone at their school might die. Apparently she has had cancer before and went into remission at 2 years of age. It has now returned - much more aggressive and apparently the prognosis is not good.

I feel so sad for the family (whom I don't even know!) although I am sure I have met them as I run the uniform shop at school. I feel sad for her, for her new little friends at school. I just think that it is so unfair. It makes me cry.

Please keep Aisling and her family in your thoughts...

Tonight it rained and it was glorious!

Unfortunately it didn't rain for long but we got a bit of a drenching - perfect after 2 days of 30+ degrees and the oppressive humidity to go with it! As soon as it started, Bronte and Zachary ran out and played in it. Collected some in buckets for watering the garden later...they loved it and it was so refreshing....so here are a couple of photos to prove that YES! It did rain in Melbourne one day in March 2007!! How nice to be a kid hey?

This week has been busy...(when is it not??)

Bronte made her Reconciliation on Wednesday night. For those non-Catholics, this is the Sacrament of Confession. It is an important time in a Catholic person's life and the evening was appropriately reverant. She was nervous and excited. The children go in, one by one, to a room (not a small, dark box like we did in our day!!) and Stan and I had to indtroduce Bronte to Father Frank. Then we left them. They have a little talk and voila! Done! She was relieved and proud. We were very happy for her. Here she is with Stan, Zachary, (Bronte), Samuel and her surrogate Nana, Joycey.

And with her best friend who is 6 months younger than her but about a foot taller! LOL

And a lovely shot of the candles the children decorated...



During the evening she started to feel ill, became hot and had a 'funny tummy'. I thought it was nerves but as the night wore on she became progressively worse. When we got home, I gave her some Panadol and popped her in our bed. She was very hot and shivery. She had the Thursday off school (which she hates btw as she might miss out on something!!). A nice restful day ensued.

Evening of Thursday March 22nd 2007

Tonight we had to go to Moorabbin Town Hall as Samuel's school had their Chorals night. He is in GRANT house (and their colour is PURPLE). They had to sing 3 songs. One set song - The Light Electric from the movie FAME - each house sang that one. 'To Be With You' by Mr. Big and Like A Prayer by Madonna. It was so fun to watch.

Joycey, Bronte and I went as Stan and Zachary had to go to the motorbike track as it was the last weekday ride with Daylight Savings.

Bronte was not at all well during the evening but was fine in the lead up. She was a trooper though and was able to sit through the whole thing and was very happy for Samuel. He so enjoyed it.

Unfortunately, Lonsdale House won (puke yellow!!) but a great evening was had by all!

Friday 23rd March 2007

Bronte was home again today and the weather here is horrid. Boiling hot (33+ C) and a shocking hot northerly wind.

Zachary rode to school this morning (a 3km trip each way) so I decided to go and pick him up this afternoon - too hot to ride I reckon. Bronte went up to Joyces in the aircon and in Joycey's bed - so is happy enough.

Samuel rode home (With his trailer and Sax) even though it was so hot. He is excited as the school have purchased a brand new Tenor Sax and it will be his! Yay! Still a bloody big instrument though. He then went and met up with his friend from his old school who now goes to Haileybury College (an exclusive school close by) and now they are here on the PlayStation. What a life they have. Funny thing is, the uniform is the same except his friend has an expensive embroidered pocket! LOL And the fees are about 10 times what we pay!

Some other things that have

been taking up our time... Bronte had some homework for school where she had to make a 'reading fort'. Of course, brother Zachary relished the chance to help her and here is the construction they came up with. They did it on the trampoline and it was a great task.

Here they are (you can just see Zachary in the background of the tent thingy).


Then we have the fabulous contraption that Stan made so Samuel could still ride to school on those days that he had to take his Saxophone to school...a recycled golf buggy. Revamped so that it can accommodate a large Sax case and so that it can be towed behind his bike. Yay. So, on Thursday mornings he tows the Saxophone to school, leaves the trailer there overnight and then tows it all back on Friday afternoon.

Here's a sequence of photos of him the first day he took it to school...


Click on the photo so you can see it a bit better...Stan did a great job!

Time has gone on...

and of course, I still miss Kiah...some days more than others. My gorgeous email friends sent me a gift which I received yesterday. A voucher to go to my local nursery so I can pick out something appropriate in her memory. Thanks to you all so much. How lucky I am!

The last few weeks have not been that great on the one hand but for the kids it has been pretty good. We went away to Sorrento last weekend - it was a long weekend - and had a lovely time. Met up with some families from school and had a general relax.

This was the view 200 metres from our van - isn't it divine?

Zachary got his new Prep Buddy today...

and he is very happy. I think the little boy is called James D. I am pretty sure that is what Zachary said.

It is a great system they have at school. Zachary is in Grade 6 (last year of Primary School) and his little buddy has just started Prep. The preppies know they can go to their buddy for help - especially in the playground!

Makes the big kids feel important and the little ones - special.

Samuel got home today from his 3 day school camp. It was quiet here without him. He SMS'ed me a few times a day telling me what was going on. They did Kayaking the first day along with some initiative games/projects. They also did surfing, rope work and more. He loved it and was tired when he got home. Off to snoozeland early for him tonight!

Bronte is so loving her class this year...she is in Grade 3 and it is her first year where she has 'real' homework and she loves it!! (so far!)

Every day I have been crying...

for Kiah, for Ava, for myself.

Words can not explain how I feel at the moment. So many things are happening in my life and it seems everything is out of my control.

I wonder when it will get better?

Some more on Kiah....

I want to put down here all that I felt/typed when she first became ill to when she died.

Here are posts from me and then replies from others from a small community I belong to and feel at home with ....

Kiah - my gorgeous dog - who will be 14 on February the 10th - is just not herself today...and I know it is not good.

Stan has just arrived home from the UK - as soon as I saw him I burst into tears. I have been googleing and I am scared as anything.

She can barely walk, has really pale gums and is really lethargic - just looks at me all of the time and tries to follow me...I want to take her to the vet but I don't if you know what I mean?

K8

So sorry, it does not sound good. Maybe it will turn out to be something which the vet can treat, but her symptoms are not good.

I have had three Golden Retrievers put down and it broke my heart to do them all. The last dog I asked the vet to come out to the car so she went to sleep in a familiar environment.

I really hope it does not come down to this for you. They really are like family.



K8,

((hugs)) Hope it works out to be treatable.Try to get her to the vet asap.

Thinking of you

Cheers
K

So sorry to read this k8

Go on just take her, she is feeling awful as well.

I so hope it is treatable.

so sorry too K8. Hopefully the vet will shed some light. I hope it is positive. Thinking of you and your beloved Kiah.

Oh K8
Thinking of you, I know you'll do what's best for you and Kiah
G xxx

K8 I am so sorry to hear this
Fingers crossed here that Kiah will be ok.
{{HUGS}} to you too

Got back from the vet about an hour ago....the prognosis is not as immediately dim as I thought. Her heart and lungs are fine (phew) but all of the Lymph nodes in her neck are very swollen. This is not good BUT no other nodes on her body are enlarged (this is good). He is hoping that it is some sort of infection so she has been put on antibiotics - if they go down - good - if they don't - no good and I am thinking that he thinks that they won't go down...I am thinking that anyway.

She is walking around a bit more - is a bit more like herself but still obviously not. I know that the day will come that she won;t be here and many of you may not understand how I can feel so bloody bad about this.

She is my dog - not Stan's or the kids - she's mine and has loved me unconditionally from day one. She's put up with so much crap over the last 14 (nearly) years - from us getting THREE kids - each changed her life more and more - to being there when all the sad times happened - ie when first my mum died and then my dad. To loving me no matter what. This stuff is waffle I know but I love her so much - she is my last tie really to the alive times with my mum and my dad.

I did want to thank you all for your lovely thought