100% Tired

Matthew had a three day biology camp last week and had to work on Saturday morning; when he arrived home he had a shower and then fell asleep on the couch with Bella. I love these photos of a boy and his dog.

Even Abby was exhausted, falling asleep as well.

The click of the camera woke her, but she was so relaxed that she didn't move.

Aah it is a dog's life.

Inspiration

Today my amazing parents celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary. Elizabeth and I had the joy of spending the morning with them in Toowoomba and had the most delicious lunch at a restaurant called the Cube Hotel.

They do this amazing steak, that is brought to you raw on a 400 degree Hot Rock Grill and you cook it yourself - just the way you like it. Elizabeth who has been struggling with meat in recent months, devoured her rump steak in a matter of minutes and then we indulged in a Cold Stone dessert. Ice-cream, strawberries, chocolate sauce, marshmallows, chocolates and other yummy dishes. It was divine.

This post however, is about two very special people - My Mum and Dad - Brian and Dorothy.

Forty-nine years together isn't about all the things you have done, places you have lived, dramas you have survived, fights you have had . . . It is about the sharing of dreams, and living them. Sharing of sorrows and helping each other every day. It is about the love and example you give to your children and the world around you.  It is about caring and kindness. But most of all it is about each other.

 Mom and Dad are wonderful, At nearly 73 and 68 . . .  they have more enthusiasm for life and energy than most teenagers. I find them inspiring and wonderful. Although I have learnt all the lessons and heard all the stories, to sit back and hear them again as they tell them to my children now . . . is the greatest gift in my life.

So to you both, I love you.  I thank you for my life and I wish you both many more years together.  Next year is the big 50 and we will celebrate in style.

Farewell Boys

The two beautiful men in my life are heading away.

Matt left this morning for a 3-day Biology camp at Hastings Point, NSW and Ivan head overseas tomorrow for a 2.5 week trip.  I am missing you both already.

Be Safe both of you and come home soon.

Jailhouse Frog

Last night this lovely Green Tree Frog decided to jump on Matthew's back. He (Matt) got such a fright and the poor frog, wasn't much better. He then tried to escape, only to find refuge inside Cleo's outdoor cattery (luckily, she wasn't in it).

 I ran for my camera and managed to get these great photos of our 'prisoner'.  He stayed still for ages, before making his escape into the bushes.

 Earlier on in the evening, Sarah had been attempting to feed the Butcherbird by hand. She sat patiently on the ground encouraging these beautiful birds, with bits of meat.

 I managed to capture this beautiful photo of her watching the birds in the tree. So still and serene - what a Princess.

 The reason we were all outside, was that Mum and Dad had found this amazing 1 litre can of German Beer, for Dad and Ivan.

 It took two hands to lift the mug and Dad's face says it all.  What a lovely Autumn evening.

54 Years Working



Matthew - 18; Elizabeth - 22 & Sarah - 14

I am serving my notice after 54 years of hard work - it is a minimum of a 4 year notice period, but I have tendered my resignation and beginning the final 4 years of service in my 58-60 year working life.

Now many of you  may not have any idea what I am talking about, but today I figured out the following - I have been mothering my children for a total of 54 years.  Elizabeth for 22, Matthew for 18 and Sarah for 14.  Each of them has been a full-time job and I have dedicated all my love, time and energy to them, keeping only what I have left over for myself.  

It has been a wonderful job, the pay stinks; but the rewards have been amazing.  I have seen growth and development in all of them, and pay day may not have been in cold hard cash but smiles, hugs and words like 'I love you Mummy' are worth more than all the gold in the world.

So, why am I resigning?  Well I realised today, that unless I resign at some stage, my company (children) will stagnate. They cannot grow and take over their own leadership roles, while I remain working for them.

It is a long-term resignation as I have said - at least a 4 year programme, but today I start the process.  I need re-training, but I am looking so forward to retirement.

Family Fun

We have had a great week with the Canberra Cousins - it has been wonderful to have two such amazing young people in our home.

Today we did a little shopping and then had a walk in the Kholo Park Gardens - we had planned a visit to the rainforest but time got away from us, so we ventured closer to home.  It was just as much fun. Then we came home for a BBQ and a swim - it was lovely.

Dean hates having his photo taken so it was fun to snap a few shots of him.

Alana and Dean

Elizabeth and I

And Dean studiously ignoring the camera as I try to get him to smile for the camera.

Happy Boxing Day

Today instead of sharing Christmas photos with you first - I am going to share something even more special - the talent of my amazing Dad.

My Dad Brian is a wonderful man - he is so amazingly talented and gifted. He has a wonderful sense of humour that is wicked and funny (he gave that to me); he has drive and determination beyond most people I know and a sense of humble grace that many in the world should share. He can also fix, make and do anything that he sets his mind to.  He has built a 3-story garage, a sailing yacht, cupboards, fixed walls, doors, floors, plumbing etc., etc., etc.  The list is too long to mention and then there is his carving. . .

Well that is something to behold - so here are just a few photos to share his amazing new achievements:

Toad, Ratty and Mole from 'The Wind in the Willows' by Kenneth Graham

Toad of Toad Hall

Mole

Ratty

So Dad, if you read this I want you to know that I love you and am so very proud of you - you are an inspiration to me - and your talent is amazing. Congratulations on your beautiful work.

Congratulations

My Darling Baby Girl - tonight left her childhood behind and entered the world of Womanhood - congratlations beautiful girl.

We Are Invited!

Mum, Sarah, and I all entered photographs into the Ipswich annual photography competition - today we received our invites for Tuesday 25th - 6.30pm.

The competition has been judged and winners will be announced on the nights - all photographs submitted will be on display - so it should be a wonderful experience. 

A wonderful weekend

I had such a lovely weekend. 

It started on Friday with a great exercise class - boxing, stretching and just fun.
Saturday had my nails done, then my hair (see photos in previous post) and finally attended the Opera with Ivan.  It was so nice to dress-up.  The Opera was lovely, but not my favourite.  An enjoyable evening however, so that was wonderful.

Sunday morning Ivan and I headed out to get some soil, plants and other items and then gardened for a few hours.  We transplanted quite a few plants that were root-bound and planted our 10 plants from the council.  Clearing a garden bed that was overgrown - will try and get some photos today.  Then had a lovely BBQ with Mum and Dad, relaxing afternoon.

Went Cane Toad (major Australian pest) hunting in the evening and managed to catch and freeze about 30 of them. Hopefully, with a few nights collecting we will reduce the population for a while.

Today, Monday, Matt has a pupil-free day - he is heading to the city with his friends and Elizabeth, Sarh and I are going to see the Albert Hall production (movie) of the Phantom of the Opera - celebrating 25 years.

The Luckiest Girl in the world

 Heading out to the Opera - Tosca - a chance to get all dressed up

 Still in love after 23 years and isn't he so handsome in his Black-Tie

 Posing for Sarah

 My beautiful friend and hairdresser Hayley did my hair up for the evening - I feel like a princess.

My Son - The Mad Hatter

Matthew was invited to a fancy dress 'Disney' party tonight and we managed to get him this wonderful outfit - The Mad Hatter - he looked fantastic all dressed up.  Here are some photos:

 Anyone for Tea?

 And here are my sisters!

Follow-up to yesterday's post - The Look

Matt loves computers, in fact he lives computers.

Yesterday he got his new school IPad, so these photos reflect and show a side of Matthew that is special.
Another Rachel idea:

Teenagers and 'The Look!'

I am reading a wonderful book  called Click - How to take gorgeous photos of your kids by Rachel Devine.
It has some wonderful ideas and tips and one that resonated with me, was to take your kids when they are not posed, not perfectly happy - take their mood as well as their photo.  As I was reading this Sarah stormed into the study.  I am now, not even sure what it was all about - and the best part is that I know that neither is she (now).

Well, I grabbed my camera and started clicking - here are some of the results - I am going to call them 'The Look'

It says 'Mom if you don't get that camera out of my face - I am going to  . . .

Then of course there is always the option of the total 'ignore'

 When this didn't work it was the 'cold shoulder' . . .

 And now for my favourite - the hand of frustration!

 Of course the cat scratcher might improve the look - but finally I guess . . .

 I caught that tiny little grin, that lights up the eyes - even when they are scrunched up and the mouth is hidden by the pillow.

Thank you Rachel for a great tip - I have captured not only my beautiful girl - but also some of her fiery, teenage personality.

Running Water

We went to the Ipswich nursery yesterday to get our free plants - as rate payers we are entitled to 15 free plants a year  - this is wonderful as it encourages people to plant in their gardens.  The nursery has mostly native plants, which in turn encourages the native bird and animal life.

On the way home, we stopped in at our local pot store and spotted this great fountain.

So today we turned this ordinary area on our patio from this . . .

 to this . . .

The water sound is not too loud and is really soothing - another small improvement in our life. Then it was BBQ time, a game of snooker and good company - thanks family for a lovely day.