Happy 12th Birthday Sarah

Birthday girl with all her presents. I think one of her favourites is the coupon book, she has on her lap. It is an all year round gift with redeemable coupons for things like 'no chores, an extra hour to stay up late; being called Princess for a day etc. etc.' It is going to be a fun present.


Talking to Daddy who is in the USA.

Photos from today at uni & on the way to uni

Driving to uni today. I had my camera ready as I crossed the river. It turned out to be a great photo and then while sitting in the traffic I decided to take another picture.


Once I got to uni, I walked past the lake and the ducks were so happy after the rain. This elegant pelican was quite regal in the middle of the lake.

Photos of flooded rivers

Flooded Brisbane river. Luckily it didn't come over the banks this time.

(Sorry Ian, I will make sure that I always post the daily photo in my blog, so that you can click on it and enlarge it.)

Alice in Wonderland Review

I picked up the children today and straight after school we went to see Alice in 3D. I had heard quite a bit of negative reviews, so wasn't sure I even wanted to see it - although I don't usually worry about reviews. The children were however, very keen so we decided to give it a go.

At first I didn't enjoy it, but at one stage realised that I was enjoying it. I am not however, convinced that the 3D added anything to it, unlike Avatar. So would just see it in regular format.

For me it was a typical Tim Burton movie, one that I wasn't sure that I enjoyed at the time, but one I am sure I will watch over and over again.

How creative are you?

Sarah has been making 'things' since she was a little girl. Recently she has been collecting the drink's trays from the drive-thru at McDonalds. She kept saying she wanted to make a Robot!

I couldn't see how she was going to do this and the pile of cardboard poles and trays in her room has driven me crazy. I am always moaning at her to 'tidy' it all up and throw away the 'junk'.

Last night she appeared - and here it was - A Robot!

Congratulations love, you are amazing!

Drowned Rat!

Yes Mom, I did look like a 'drowned rat.'

5am this morning I woke to a flooded front garden (again) and needed to clear the channel alongside the house to allow the water to flow away. I also emptied the pool and lowered the level in the water tank, so it wouldn't overflow.

All is well now after a full day of rain. Luckily never too heavy - just continuous. I am however, sitting now in the cool of evening, no rain and everything green.

Now it starts!

Uni begins for the year tomorrow. I am quite excited about the beginning of lectures. My first course tomorrow is Australian literature and one novel and two short stories into it, I am quite enjoying the selection.

Wednesday is going to be the big test for me as it is the Writing fundamentals course - the one I am least looking forward to.

Thursday is Gothic literature and there is a lot of reading for this course, luckily I have read most of the novels and Elizabeth did the course two years ago, so will be my sounding board.

Tonight, Matthew has been a gem, sitting doggedly helping Sarah with her Math homework. Now Sarah doesn't enjoy Math at the best of times (it is Matthew's favourite subject other than IT) but his patience with his frustrated and annoyed sister has been wonderful.

He also gave me his English assignment to edit/proof-read and I was so thrilled with the quality of the document. His language was advanced and eloquent. Very well written. Given the previous years of struggle I have had with him in this area, it is wonderful to see his maturity kicking in. Well done Matthew!

Elizabeth had her first day of uni today. It was a long day from 10am until 4.30pm and she has decided that Ivan may no longer travel on Mondays; that way she can get a lift into and out of uni with her Dad.

Tonight we are facing potentially heavy rain (again - of course Ivan is away) and I managed to worry Mom and Dad with my frustrations of coping with things on my own. Sometimes it just gets to me. It is however, nice to know they are always here for me. Of course I also have two and a half grown up children to help, so it is really not too serious. Anyway lets hope that all is well.

That is me for the evening, signing off to watch some TV, to read and get some rest before my big day. Oh yes, I also fitted in a visit to the gym today. 30 mins on the treadmill - 150 calories and 5 mins on the rowing machine - 50 calories. Then I enjoyed 10 mins in the sauna - maybe no calories but very relaxing.