Busy, busy, busy

We have just had one of the busiest weeks we have had in years.

Friends from the USA came and stayed for 4 intense days of chatting, catching up, having fun and just hanging out. Sandy and Charlie are the most amazing couple I know. Both in their sixties, they have the energy and zest of 20 year olds. Both amazingly fit they bounce through life dragging you along with them.

As houseguests they were wonderful, happy to get up at 5am and let the dog out, feed her and make their own breakfasts before heading out for a morning walk. Always ready to dive into helping in the kitchen or with washing etc and more than ready to feed or keep themselves entertained.

Then today I had the joy of acting as hostess to the wife of a business colleague of Ivan's from South Africa (my home country). Catherine and her beautiful girls Olivia 4 and Pippa nearly 2 spent the day with me, while their Daddy conducted business with Ivan. I was daunted by the idea of playing hostess to them (I have sort of outgrown young children), but I so enjoyed the most delightful morning with an inspiring 4 year old, who has a vocabulary that would put most adults to shame. She lit up my life with delight and joy and I am only sorry I didn't have my camera with me to capture her beauty as she enjoyed a chocolate ice-cream that covered her whole mouth. Little Pippa was so adorable and despite coping with the difficulties of travelling with such young children and dealing with strangers, Catherine and I enjoyed a few hours of chatting and sharing experiences of living in Australia. I think I found in that beautiful child all the delight I have missed of having young children around me. For the first time ever, I realised that I am going to enjoy being a grandmother one day - no not too soon, but I know that I am going to love it.

Life has been extremely hectic for weeks now and the overwhelming feeling of it all has sort of got to me, but as I have sat here to write, I realise that I will cope. Things will slow down a little and I will capture some sense of order and serenity. Hopefully all this will occur soon, as from March 1st, I am back at uni and then who knows how I will feel.

Okay busy world, here I come. Enough dallying in front of the computer screen.

Happy Birthday Elizabeth

Happy Birthday Elizabeth.

Yesterday Elizabeth, Mum and I went to the Chermside shopping centre (the other side of Brisbane). Everyone raves about it and we were certainly impressed. We started with a yummy breakfast and then enjoyed the shops. Looking in all the fun ones without feeling pressured by husbands of little children to hurry up and leave.

This was Elizabeth's gift from Ivan and I, a ring with all the semi-precious stones. It suits her delicate hand so well and she loved it - hmmm what a pity, as I was quite happy to have it if she didn't like it.

Finally, a birthday cake especially for you.

A plain double sponge cake with blackberry jam filling, vanilla icing and sprinkles. What the 20 year old ordered!

Congratulations on your birthday darling.

Not too bad for a 46 year old!

Elizabeth and I ready for the gym in our new clothes.

We figured out that if we looked the part, we might begin to feel like we knew what we were doing and it would motivate us.

Tomorrow is another gym day after school drop off.

A lot of hard work.

As part of my Birthday present, Ivan gave me a year's membership at our local gym. I am now 46 years of age and have been gaining a kg every year or so and really need to think about my health.

So today after 60 squats and 40 sit-ups, 20 mins on the treadmill and 4 mins on the rowing machine, I am on my way to losing 5kg and getting back a fanastic figure. My goal is to fit into my leather pants again.

Look out for some photos, if I can get out of bed tomorrow.

Grieving

This is dedicated to my beautiful friend Michelle.

Michelle's Dad died yesterday, rather unexpectedly after a long health battle and then in the early hours of this morning her nephew was killed in a car crash at age 20.

Michelle, all of our family sends you love and comfort at this time and we will pray for you and your family as you deal with this time of loss.

First Day of School for 2010

Boo Hoo! First day of school, we don't want to go back to school.

Matthew started Senior school today and Sarah had her very first day of Middle School. It was a big day for them both. We took our annual height photo and it will definetly be the last photo where I am taller than Sarah. Next year I will be in the front of the group.

Sarah and Matthew had beautiful new-style school hats as well and they both looked really smart.
The best part of the day was picking them both up and Sarah's first words were: 'I love Grade 7' and Matthew's 'It was great, I wasn't bored.'

They both liked their teachers and came home enthusiastic about school. Matthew helped Sarah organise her folders and timetable and they both completed their first day of homework without a complaint. A good start to the school year.

Ivan is back at work tomorrow and Elizabeth and I are heading to the gym after school drop-off.

A great day - well done children.

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY

Happy Australia Day to all.


With 38 degree heat today, Ivan got up at 4.40am to prepare the area for his (and Sarah's vegetable garden beds). I woke her around 8am and she quickly dressed and joined her Daddy to fill it with soil, blood & bone and fertilizer. When it cools down a little (or maybe on Saturday) they will plant the vegetable seedlings we bought yesterday.

Soon we will hopefully have onions, lettuce, radishes, tomatoes, carrots, capsicum and beetroot from our own vege patch. Now we just have to keep Abby (our dog) from digging up the bed and the birds and snails from eating the seedlings.