Tuesday, December 28, 2010

My holiday reading line up



Each book above, was a gift, given to me by various folk for Christmas.

I love Christmas but I really enjoy Boxing Day.

On Boxing Day I took to my first book like a lover of creme brulee might take to the glazed, toffeed meniscus of such a pudding, with the back of a metal spoon :- breaking through the crisp skin with a hungry implement, I created shards of sugar that melted in my mouth as I devoured each word.

As I turned each page of my new book, sweet and warm - I dipped my toes into the heart of the story, looked at Paul and sighed, knowing that my Summer holiday has most definitely begun.

If you need me, you know where I shall be - reading.....unapologetically and indefinitely.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Merry Christmas from Frody, Lily and Lucy

What a photogenic bunch



Summer on the deck has kicked in. Afternoon apertifs - with no deadlines, no fixed time to have to rise or be anywhere in the morning. Aaaaah.... 5 weeks of bliss together on holidays. Thank goodness I am marrying a fellow teacher. Does it get any better than this?

A dog's life

Larry, Mo and Curly

Seasons greetings to you all...



... from our beautiful Lily, her photo hanging like a shrine above our fireplace! Our mantle piece decorated for Christmas.

Wishing you peace and harmony at Christmas time. xo

It has been a big year for our family and we draw towards the end of it tired...


but very happy ...

Who is more tired? You will see when you click on older blog posts....!

The 2 partners in crime

A big year for a little girl xo

Monday, November 29, 2010

I have been waiting for this moment - school reports behind me and able to cook the Christmas Pudd



Cooking the Christmas pudding represents so much to me. It means that as far as work goes, I am on the down hill run. Usually I write out my Christmas cards whilst the pudding is on the simmer, smelling the aroma of Christmas wafting through out the house, just as my mother did when I was little.

For Paul, it is a time of wanting to flee or go underground because it is a tense and tumultuous event, as I try to get a 'perfect skin' on my pudding. This year Paul absentmindedly asked mid-cooking, if I would mind moving my car out of the drive. The character 'forgot himself' but soon apologised as he witnessed me blow up, and flap around the kitchen like a Terradactyl.

Every year I make my Aunty Bev's Christmas pudding. The recipe my Mum has always used. My Aunty Bev died of Cancer when she was my age - in her 30s, with a young daughter. I was a kid at the time of her death but I was VERY close to her as was my sister and parents, of course. I often think what it would have been like to die a slow and painful death at such a young age, having to farewell a beautiful, daughter (her only child). Bev loved her daughter, my cousin Lisa, so completely. Lisa, Trudy and I are like sisters and always will be.

I have documented 'the Christmas pudding experience' and asked Paul and Lil to take photos, so that I can teach Lily this recipe - so that this tradition may live on in our family.

Merry Christmas from Paul, Tracey, Lily, Lucy and Frody xo

A precarious moment...

Here goes...

Crumbs...the unveiling - the whole family holds their breath!



Will it crumble? Paul hopes not, as the success of the pudding somewhat determines the tone of Christmas!

Snipping the string

Plonked from the pot after 4 hours of boiling...



..weighing several kilos, Paul has to lift it - playing his part every year.

Cuddles from my kitchen hand and further blog posts overleaf

Lily licking the pudding batter

Ready to begin...

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

High Tea anyone? Seriously - this is an invitation. I need a date!



On Sunday November 21st I am going to a High Tea party at The Victoria Room, Sydney to see Kelly Doust (Author of 'The Crafty Minx') launch her new book 'A Life In Frocks'. She will also have on display, her entire collection of vintage dresses for the guests to peruse.

Apparently guests will be sipping on a selection of gourmet, freshly cut sandwiches and assorted, decadent sweets and we will be sipping on Piper-Heidsieck Champagne!

I am an online member of 'Books and Nooks' - type that in to see the pricing of the ticket and any other details if you are interested in going along.

I can't wait to wear a vintage frock and dress up and enjoy an afternoon of food, fashion and finery. A copy of Kelly's new book is included in the ticket price and has already been mailed to me, bound by tissue paper and ribbon. Heaven on a stick! I am already a third of the way through the book, which I am really enjoying.

My sister Trudy will be in Hawaii then, as will Lynelle. Caroline will be in Vietnam and frankly the event is not really Paul's cup-of-tea (pardon the pun).

I would love some company! If you are interested - even if we haven't met - it may be a lovely afternoon of conversation.

Lily and Paul will be in Sydney with me on the day spending the allotted 'High Tea Time', visiting the Opera House and exploring the city. Got a spare couple of hours on the Sunday the 21st for plushness, relaxation and a sip of tea out of a fancy tea cup?

Text me, ring me, email me or reply on my blog.
My email is velvetinelily@hotmail.com

Home made, iced cup cakes from Lily's 4th birthday party

Monday, October 25, 2010

Lily - 5 years ago, hanging out with Lucy



When Lily was a new born (5 1/2 years ago!!!) the only thing that would stop her crying in the middle of the night was Lucy, our Labrador. With our eyes hanging out of our heads, Matt and I would dutifully walk down our stairs and out into the night air (Lily was a Winter baby) to allow Lily to stare at Lucy for long periods of time... in order to cease Lily's crying.

When we brought Lily home from the hospital for the first time, Lucy would sleep under Lily's bassinet and snore.

When Lil grew to be a toddler I was horrified to walk out onto the verandah one morning to see Lily feeding Lucy weetbix off her plastic, baby spoon.

Now Lily does Lucy's hair, gives her massages, tells her off and dances with her all in the same instant. Lily makes Lucy coffee and pie in her 'mudpie cafe' and Lucy sits on the chair and sips at the sandy concoctions that Lily lovingly dishes up.

Lucy is a very obliging and patient recipient of our family jokes and antics. We put funny hats on Lucy, we have put booties and bibs on Lucy and once Lily put a pair of her dancing shoes on her. Lucy takes it all in her stride and laps up the attention.

What characters they are as they potter around and play.

Lily has always loved Lucy, ever since she was a baby...

Lily - cackling her head off as she rests her feet on Lucy

Soul Sisters



Always up to no good! Paul and I often hear Lily prattling along to Lucy about life.

Lily and Lucy dancing on the 'stage' together

Monday, October 18, 2010

True Friends - True Colours



In the holidays we entertained friends from Boston (Mark, my old school friend and fellow prefect), friends from Annandale/Sydney, friends from Shelly Beach and we were entertained by friends from Tarbuck Bay, Toukley and Wingham.

We had many play dates for Lily, including the one in the picture above at my friend Belynda's place or 'Grudes' as she is always referred. All the kids hopped in the bath together on a cold day after their swim in the pool. These kids have been hanging out with each other since they were born, in fact - well before.

On play dates such as these I notice that each of us mothers each others' children in some way. One of us will run the bath, another Mum will get the kids out of the bath, let out the water and dry the whole crew - because we totally trust one another.

From left to right in the photo above; Zayne, Lily, Talen, Sophia and Xavier have an affinity with each other, like that of the bond that is present between their Mums.

Xavier and (my) Lily are only a day apart in age. When Leisa, Xav's Mum went into labour, I was sure I wasn't just going out in sympathy! No, I was on the phone at the time, at about nine o'clock at night and Grudes assured me that my complaints of bad period pain, were the beginning of the rumblings...sure enough, by 12 that night the ambulance had come, I was taken to hospital and Lily was born at sun rise that morning.

Leisa and Grudes are a whirling dervish of drama and intrigue. Both of them are teachers and I can best describe them by saying, if there was a child on the roof at school, neither one of them would think twice about scaling the building and sitting on the roof to talk a kid down. They are honest and generous and would give you their last dollar. Perhaps they are surprised that I have lumped them together and described them similarly, but they are - similar in some ways, in terms of their values. They are both fiercely loyal and I have witnessed both of them as they have gone into bat for me on several occassions.

Hendo is the bloke of our group, also a teacher, he dotes on his little girls at play dates such as these. His elfin featured little girls; Zoe and Ava, greatly resemble his beautiful wife, Joanna. Hendo is our male perspective on all things feminine.

Our friends can recognise our handwriting instantly, what type of books we read, the words we consistently say - but aren't even consciously aware of and our friends hold a mirror up to ourselves. Each meeting or encounter with our friends reinforces that we are 'known' and that we 'belong'.

True friends know our idiosyncrasies and love us anyway. Lynelle, knows that I don't do 'stand up' concerts anymore or in fact anything compromising my comfort and as such her and Simon accommodate my every need and whim when I stay with them. I know Lynelle disinfects the receiver of the telephone after someone with a cold has spoken into it, and I can pay her out and stir her up about this profusely, because I know her. Friends have come and gone but my friendship with Lynelle has stood the test of time. Lynelle married my friend Simon from primary school and together all 3 of us have a very special bond. I am also pleased that Lynelle married Simon because he is an exceptional cook! The dishes that he tries out he tries out on us!

My friend Caroline is an arbour of strength, tenacity and creativity and like a bird she is drawn to pretty, shiny things to feather her nest - thus her recent trip to our neighbourhood to scour the antique shops.I kept spotting things that 'looked like Caroline' and she spotted a table cloth that 'looked like me'. So convinced she was that it was "my effect", that she said "If you don't buy it, I am buying it for you!"

These holidays I connected with so many different friends on so many different levels. What a nourishing, uplifting bunch of catch-ups.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something BLUE xo



Well I've found my 'blue' - as shown above and I FOUND MY WEDDING GOWN!

I walked into our local, bridal boutique a couple of blocks from our house, tried on 2 dresses and ONE, WAS UNEQUIVOCALLY, IT! Not one to spoil a surprise I will simply say it is pre-loved, a touch vintage and very simple and I am so delighted with it.

After the wedding I will return it to Mel's little store of one-offs, for yet another bride to fall in love with... Such is the circle of life! It fits me like a glove, not so much as requiring a hem really.

Trying it on in the shop, I had that moment - when you try on THE bridal gown and you feel like a princess, a princess that is soon to be wedded and you feel loved and beautiful and magic, wanting to look utterly gorgeous and desirable for your handsome prince! Until this point, I hadn't felt bride-like.

I came home the night of finding my gown and said to Paul with a wine in one hand and severe despondence in the other, "This is the last time, at the wedding, that I will feel like a woman". He laughed, looked at me affectionately as if to say, 'are you turning into a man?' and said, "You are so funny and melodramatic, why is this the last time you will feel like a woman?"

"After you are a bride the frequency of occasions in which you pamper yourself, dress up elegantly, totally waxed and womanly, feminine and perfect are few and far between".

I intend to enjoy this day. A wedding is also an opportunity for a long and luxurious honeymoon, which we have booked and I can't wait... !!!!! xo

I love Wingham



When I went home to Wingham to Mum and Dad's place in the holidays, I came across these quirky, little rustic place card holders for the bridal table. Their intended use I believe is to hold and display photographs, so I will use them for that after the wedding.

I purchased these from Bent on Life, the lifestyle store that is beside the cafe, Bent on Food that is situated in Isabella street, (the main street) of Wingham - that I want all guests travelling to the wedding to visit! Whilst you are there, visit the book store in Wingham that I (perhaps, solely) am trying to keep afloat. Classy accommodation can be found at Tellers - The Old Bank Guest House.

If you wish to scour a charity shop for vintage goodies, like my friend Caroline, there is also a long-standing Op shop. I remember going in there with my Mum when I was a little girl. A good omen for me when I visited these holidays - the Op shop had a wedding display in the window, with vintage bridal gown, veil, shoes, purse and accessories.

To a pair of city eyes, Wingham really doesn't have a great deal more - a couple of bakeries, my Aunty & Uncle's stock feed shop, a cute florist, with lavender in buckets out the front and yet I love the place - my home town. So glad to be marrying there.

Oh, "The Wingham Brush" is remarkable, filled with fig trees and flying foxes it shares its perimeter with my old, primary school. There is also a quaint cooking school called 'Duck Under the Table', which teaches cheesemaking and the cooking of various cuisine. Caroline, as I mentioned before, is bringing a host of girls from Sydney, for the weekend - to make cheese.

I insist on few things for this wedding but 3 of which that I will not compromise on are:

(1) Fresh flowers for the table - a la Bella Vita Florist Wingham, in support of a small and local establishment (2) A good feed of good food
(3) Simplicity.

Experimenting with ideas for our rustic, country wedding

Friday, October 1, 2010

My public and sincere apologies to you all ...

In my post below about Badminton, I have used the apostrophe several times. Each time I use it I cringe, worrying about my misuse of it. The mechanics of my writing has never been fully developed. I am not as grammatically correct as I would dearly love to be, unlike my friend Moira at school.

When I went to school I learnt language and the construction of it through osmosis - through immersion and by way of a philosophy known as 'whole language'. I was never taught grammar as such.

When I went to Uni a phenomenon was streaking through NSW, whereby nouns where being coined 'participants' and verbs something equally as ridiculous? I didn't know the original and correct grammatical term, let alone then be able to transform the grammatical term into it's new guise.

Thus and apologies - you are left having to put up with my insistence to press on writing, whilst exposing you to my clumsiness. I have an editor for my book - thank goodness for Sally, she will save you from feeling like someone has run their finger nails down the chalk board!

I cannot afford the time or the money to do a writing course at this time. I applied for a scholarship and was unsuccessful, but I will keep applying. Until such time, thanks for putting up with my 'mussy' language, it is important for me to express my thoughts.

Moira and blogging friends, please read the Badminton post below and correct me on my misuse of the apostrophe and or any other faux pas that I make in any blog posts. I will only learn through correction. I would be grateful of the lesson.

I have not played Badminton since Christmas day when I was a kid...what a fabulous game!

Paul bought Lily the shuttlecock and bats to get her through the school holiday boredom that sometimes rears its ugly head.

However... our 5-year-old-John-McEnroe walked off with the huffs on several occasions this morning because Mummy and Paul (sorry did I include Paul, it would be fair to tell the truth here - Mummy ) became quite competitive taking up quite a bit of Lily's game time.

I know what we will all be playing Christmas day this year. Bring on the family comp! Be sure to put a cheap and cheerful Badminton set in every one's Christmas stocking - particularly the adults'. Dad will love you for it. Even the Mums will get into the action I promise you.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Today Lily went on her first playdate ever to her best friend's house - without her Mummy



Today I dropped Lily at her best friend's house for a play date - without me.

Asha is Lily's best friend. Asha is Balinese. She looks like an Indonesian princess; chocolate eyes, chocolate skin, chocolate hair and Lily and Asha just adore one another - they always have.

Asha's mum, Amy and I have always met up at the park or a play centre, but today the girls had a play at Asha's house. They are now talking sleep overs! We shall see in the future, it may be a different story when the sun goes down.

Being an only child (at this point) Lily loves the company of other children. The two girls have a really precious bond - having been drawn to each other very early on when they were both bubbies-in-cots at pre-school.

Funny how the parents of the friends that your children befriend, become your friends. Thank goodness Lily has exceptional taste in people. Perhaps she seeks out people with similar values to us/to me? I stepped into Amy's house today and it felt like I was walking into my own home:- colourful, mosaic pots everywhere, a strong sense of culture, love, family and nature infiltrating every room. Asha's family are beautiful people and we welcome them into our lives.

I feel a sense of relief and pride, that our girl has the intuition to find herself a wonderful, little person as her best friend. Let's see how the teenage years go - we probably won't even get to meet the parents then will we? Can one insist upon this? They are so protected when they are young. Lily can move in with my sister during this period and Trudy can monitor and interview her compardres!

[The photo above is of Lily before she left for Asha's house this morning. She woke early to draw copious amounts of pictures to take to her best buddy Asha].

Lily, the night before her play date with Asha



Last night, Lily went into her room and layed out all of her clothes(including her Strawberry Shortcake knickers) in readiness for her play date at Asha's house.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Today I...

began the first day of my holidays !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We walked our puppies and then I came home and did all of my Christmas shopping online for Lily. I finally tracked down the tree house that was around when I was a kid - you know the one that popped up and had a family of 5 with a car and a swing in it, that you wound up?! I think Lily and I will fight over it. My cousin Lisa had one when we were kids and I loved that thing!

Interestingly, when the Magic Tree house was first created 25 years ago in France, I doubt it was advertised in the way that it is now and I quote:

"The Magic Tree teaches children the notions of ecology, renewable energies and the protection of endangered species".

Vulli, the French company have since made the tree electronic, making the whole countryside come to life when you open it up, "recreating sounds of birds chirping and that of a running river".

The characters have also been environmentally named since I was a youngster. There is: 1) Martin - the forest ranger father 2) Begonia - the fruit and vegetable growing Mummy 3) Robin, the little boy 4) Cherry - the little girl 5) Basil - the dog who comes with his own humane kennel. How life has changed!

As Lily is starting big school next year, I also ordered cute little, 'Lily Kate' stickers and iron-ons for her school belongings and uniform. Beside her name are pictures of owls wearing sunglasses! Too cool for school. She will love these when she unwraps them under the Christmas tree.

I also ordered a little something for myself - personalised stationery, with my blog address up top - you should see the image that I selected for the paper - so cute and yet so totally unnecessary!

I also ordered 2 good books for my holiday reading.

How uplifting is this weather! Drowning in my own self-absorption and loving it.

Friday, September 24, 2010

This week I ...


- had breakfast with Lily in her cubby outside (view from the cubby, looking outside in the photograph above).

- sat in a tranquil garden by myself, surrounded by the smell of spring. I smelt Azaleas, reminding me of the tending of an old-fashioned garden - like my late-Pop's. I smelt real roses that have a perfume that makes you sigh - the colour red, like a Mr Lincoln.

- wrapped Lily tightly in a warm blanket and nursed her like a newborn, after she came out of surgery distressed. I felt the power of the love between a mother and a daughter. When Lily came out of the anaesthetic she was confused and screaming for her Mummy. The nurses came and got me and as soon as I held her, she stopped. Her little body relaxed and she went back to sleep in my arms. I patted her. I had a moment, a revelation, I felt so lucky. Our love for each other, our knowledge of each other, is instinctive - no words are needed. I have lived knowing the love of a child.

This week I ...
- let a handful of significant people into my life - almost physically feeling the accommodation and transition. I let go, let my guard down and realised their extreme loyalty to me and consciously accepted them into my inner circle. I resist intimately taking 'new people' into my personal and immediate world because each being requires; tending, love, water, sunlight and nourishment. I am aware that my time and energy only allows me to nurture a select few close friends. My priority is raising my family. As I get older the friendships that I forge are fewer, but stronger.

-laughed loudly and deeply, expelling sorrow and tiredness, breathing sunshine and colour into my soul.

- was affected monumentally by the depth of kindness, protection and support offered by my friends.

- took steps to alter my life and well being in 2011. I created a plan that suits me, enabling me to achieve a level of fulfillment, creativity, balance and harmony in my life next year and for the remainder of this year.

- scratched the surface and found profound joy.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

The edited version of 'The Proposal'



Well over a week ago, I sat down to write an excerpt for my blog entitled 'The Proposal'. Over 3,000 words and a chapter and a half (of my book) later, I still haven't a short, sharp and interesting post to shower you with.

My apologies. I keep getting texts and emails from people saying "Where is the proposal story?" I need to tell it as a whole because it really was a weekend long memory and each moment leading up to 'it' was significant.

But to be brief though and because the purpose of a blog is to be a blog and not a novel, I will say that 'the proposal', culminated in two separate events.

The official proposal occurred whilst on a romantic weekend away at Blueys Beach.

A second proposal ensued a couple of days later when we returned home. On that occasion, Paul proposed to Lily, bending down on one knee and placing a "diamond" ring (please note the inverted commas) on Lily's squidgy, little, ring finger, asking for her hand in marriage.

Paul told me later that he had found Lily's ring, well before mine.

Lucky for Paul - both girls said yes!

The above photograph is of the beautiful pink lilies and roses that the staff at my work had sent to our door, after hearing the good news of our engagement. Rebecca our social club organiser - you are gorgeous!

When the flowers arrived I thought how wondrous it is that the very idiosyncrasies and peculiarities of our colleagues, who often create such vexation to our spirit, suddenly become the very personable and endearing qualities that reduce one to tears!

I cannot leave the place that I work. These people are truly beautiful friends.

Last night, three girl friends from work took me out to dinner to toast our pending wedding.

I am a very lucky girl xo

A sunny spot at our breakast table



The vase of lilies were from Paul for my birthday. An engagement and a birthday all in the same week!

The pot of parsley, from a friend at work, is sitting on my dining table as I attempt to de-mystify if indeed it is just an old wives tale, that giving parsley to a friend, makes that said friend pregnant!

For those of you who are also 'trying', save yourself the effort of trying to channel the blessings of the fertility Gods, by accruing and displaying bowls of quinces around the home. Quinces in bowls do not deliver.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Paul proposed on Saturday night! We are getting married!



Above and below are some old and fav pics of us since we have been together...

When time permits, I will go into a bit more detail...about the proposal, which was beautiful....

It will be a country wedding - a party, a celebration and we can't wait!

Us xo

I like this one of us smiling at each other ...

Us at the Hunter Valley

The early days

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Our baby's going to big school ! ! !



Today was Lily's first day at big school - The first of 6 Kindergarten Transition days. What an exciting and emotional time (for the Mums). Lily was up at dawn in anticipation.

How cute are the shirts that the school has had printed for next year's Kindys!!!

Our baby's going to big school !

The morning of the big day

Mummy and Lily on the step, ready to go to big school



A last cuddle on the step with my babe, before we head off to our first Transition at big school.

Lily, being an industrious, little beaver!



Lil was keen to sit down and get started on her Teddy Bear hat. A studious, little character, just like her mother!

Lily, finished her work and waiting patiently



We were so proud to watch Lily make her Teddy Bear hat all by herself. Our baby had coloured it in, written her own name on it 'Lily P' (always with a love heart beside), cut it out by herself on the dotted lines and even stapled the head band on. She sat quietly whilst the other little poppets around her finished.

When the teacher read a story to the children, Lily sat cross legged up the front and listened, showing beautiful manners. I am so pleased now that we took the hard road of following through on consequences, insisting on politeness, good manners and kindness.

It's too easy to give in as parents. We witnessed some rude behaviour from some of the other kids today. Many kids spoke over the top of the teacher, pushed in and displayed a lack of manners. We were disappointed that their parents didn't intervene, as clearly the teacher kept saying the same names over and over again. Unfortunately in life, the squeaky wheel gets the most oil.

I am so pleased that I have said "no" a trillion times to Lily, to reiterate right from wrong. Today, it all paid off. On her first day at big school, Lily called upon everything we have ever taught her.

We are so proud of you baby !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Teddy Bears Picnic at Big School



At the end of the day all the kids went on a treasure hunt and relaxed with their picnic.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Writing beside the scent of sweet peas...



I really rate the concept of 'giving a service'. Obviously I also enjoy being the recipient of a service too!

My sister Trudy has looked after Lily for me, when Lily has been sick, with a roaring temp, when I had an extremely important event on at work that I could not get out of. She has taken a sick day, made the drive from Sydney and administered panadol every 4-6 hours, recording each dosage in 24-hour time with the precision of the intensive care nurse that she is.

When I come home from work, I get an official, medical 'hand over' that falls just short of her asking me to sign, indicating that I have understood the state of the patient, before I take over my shift.

My friend Lynelle rang me today and told me to 'save the date' for the 25th of September, as her husband is cooking a 3 course meal for her and 4 of her closest friends for her birthday. Lynelle asked her husband for this service, as a gift.

My artist friend, Caroline, provides a service to her community. She teaches art at her son's pre-school each week. I am told that every youngster in the centre knows who Andy Warhol is as a result of this and the little, characters have created Pop Art inspired portraits of themselves to prove that they are familiar with this genre.

As I watch Paul wash every pair of dirty clothing in our household each week, I love the man more and more and more...

I love that before I went to bed last night I said to Paul (the early bird), "after your surf in the morning can you pick up a tub of wax (as in hair removal wax) from the supermarket when you pick up the morning papers?" Bless this man, he buys the bread, the ingredients for our nightly meal etc... all before I have even got out of bed.

My point is this - this morning I awoke to my breakfast, the papers and a tub of wax. Give me the luxury of a service over an expensive, dust collecting gift any day.

We all procure far too much 'stuff'. In a time poor society, giving time to others is precious.

Incidentally:

"Australians, per capita, are the biggest producers of waste in the world, averaging 2.25 kilograms a person every day". planetark.org

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Play this clip and spare some love for missing little girl, Kiesha



I feel so saddened by the disappearance of Kiesha, the 6 year old who was admitted to hospital with an infected, adult bite mark on her face, prior to her now lengthy disappearance. To hear through the media that she had spent her time playing idly in the neighbourhood, with stray cats, was evidence of her sorrow.

Who was protecting and loving this innocent, little girl? Hearing of this dear, little angel who had no voice and became invisible makes me want to right the wrongs of this world. Should I become a foster parent? Or do I just continue to love my own daughter and be kind, loving and aware of injustice and neglect amongst the children that I teach, being vigilant about reporting abuse? Is this enough? What can we do? What can I do to make a difference?

I hear the politicians arguing over nonsense as they prepare for election - I see no reform or genuine improvement dedicated to the lives of Kiesha and the other, lost little girls and boys suffering in silence.

Justice can never be served for the loss of this young life.

Kasey Chamber's song 'Am I Not Pretty Enough?', reminded me of Kiesha, when I heard of her disappearance on the radio. This clip I found on YouTube.

God bless her beautiful soul.

Saturday, July 31, 2010

What is your sin? Cabaret and the 7 Deadly Sins.


Last night we were mesmerized as Tim Rogers and his 7 piece band, belted out their definitions of the 7 Deadly Sins through music, at the Opera house. Cello, double bass, piano, violin, accordion, guitar, drums and vocals created the sound and essence of each of the 7 deadly sins.

Which prompted us to ponder: what are our vices?

What are your biggest sins out of the 7?

1. Lust
2. Greed
3. Wrath
4. Sloth
5. Pride
6. Envy
7. Gluttony

I had to confess that we didn't need the cheese platter that we indulged in after the show at the Opera Bar. Gluttony would be on my list of sizable sins. It was, however, the best blue cheese I have ever sampled.

I don't see lust as a sin, unless misplaced or misdirected.

Sloth - I am definitely prone to an unmotivated moment, when I get one, only because I am so ridiculously busy the majority of the time.

Envy: I did envy the non-working group of Yummy Mummys at the park the other day. They talked of their love of not working, of going to the gym and putting their babies in the creche. They had six packs and ran half marathons in their free time??? I tried going to the gym after Lil was born (5 years ago). She screamed so much in the creche, that the child care workers had to keep paging me.

Wrath: I get cranky when I get tired, does that count? I seem to be tired most of the time......
Oh and I get cranky when I'm hungry. Wrath would be witnessed when I'm both hungry and tired.

Pride: Yes, I am very proud but always humble enough to apologise, tell the truth and acknowledge other people's endeavours and achievements.

Greed: not relevant to me. I don't aspire to material or monetary wealth. I will take comfort, simplicity, safety, security and homeliness over decadence, excess and wastefulness.

How do you rate? Be honest!

Love a red wine or three? Chocolate by the square or by the block?

Friday, July 30, 2010

Off to Cabaret at the Opera House Tonight!

Tonight Paul and I are watching a cabaret show at the Opera House. My sister, Trudy will drop us into the Opera Bar early, so that we can take in a drink, dinner and the sights and sounds of Sydney.

Lily has packed her Barbie dolls and will stay with Trude in Sydney for the evening. We will catch a cab back to Trudes later in the night, hopefully after a coffee in the city.

Escaping from the daily grind - work has consumed me of late. This half of the year is my busiest time. Sorry to neglect you dear blogging friends. I will get back on the radar this weekend.

xo

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Tea, coffee, me ?

I have abstained from tea, coffee and alcohol for months.

Last night, Paul and I sat by the fire and with a red wine in my hand and a rosy glow on my cheeks - Paul played me record after record - of all the songs that he wooed me with, when we first met.

Each song took us right back to our courtship, when each of our 5 senses were amplified.

Last night I was courted all over again. I feel so safe and loved with you Paul.

So nice to take time out to connect and 'just be' with your, intimate, significant other.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Home to Mum and Dad's Farm


We went home to Mum and Dad's on the weekend. On my first night there I read a novel from woe to go, because in the presence of her Nanny, Poppy and Aunty Trudy (who was also home, from Sydney), Paul and I are both obsolete to Lily. Lily follows her Poppy around like a puppy dog; feeding the animals, shifting the fences, breaking in the horses, testing 50 cows for pregnancy! You can see her little, pink gum boots marching in the paddocks, a mile away from the house.

Poppy had arranged to give Lily a new, baby lamb, to keep for a pet - that was the reason for our trip. When we arrived and Lily was shown her baby lamb, which she named 'Pat', she then asked Poppy if the next animal he could get her could be a giraffe????? Poppy replied that he would if he could! I think they ended up agreeing on a piglet.

Little Pat is so soft and cuddly. Her tiny, little bleat nearly makes your heart cry. She is so timid and likes to stay close to her Mummy.

Animals are so therapeutic. My sister and I both had a pet lamb when we were at high school and we had to get up through the night, every four hours to feed Nonny and Mo, their warm bottle. I want this experience for my girl. I am so pleased that Lily loves animals and is so kind to them.

On Saturday morning, we 'went into town'. We visited my Aunty and Uncle, who own the 'Farm Produce Store'. We had lunch with them at 'Bent on Food' and I bought a love heart, black board from 'Bent on Life', the kitchenalia and homewares store in Wingham. I then perused the new book shop in Wingham. Wingham 'the friendly town', has never had a book shop, so I spent up big in support of this quaint, little store, so that it remains open for my subsequent visits.

When we returned home 'from town' someone had placed a block of wood, from the wood pile, at each door of Mum and Dad's house, denoting that a visitor had been. Last time I was home, a visitor had placed our gum boots in a fancy arrangement at the back door, indicating, once again, evidence of a visit - in our absence ---- a country thing...

Mum and Dad are always entertaining. People drop by continually. We had coffees, drinks, cups of tea, cheese platters and home grown, grain fed, T-bone steak and salad with relatives and friends whilst we were home.

Just what the doctor ordered.