walking along a stone street...

Casual work

2012-02-14T21:42:00.002+11:00

Always interesting...
Always unexpected...
Always eye-opening...

(picture from newspaper article)

Weekend Clean Up?!

2012-02-11T16:47:00.001+11:00

OK, when I find a great Blog, or site that I want to use for school I BOOKMARK it...today I have been cleaning up what has seemed like HUNDREDS of bookmarked sites. So many in fact that I didn't have time to look at them all - so what is the point of keeping them?

But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.

This is also kind of distracting me from the fact that tomorrow is D-Day - the cut off date for Uni enrolments...I am booked in, I'm strapped in, I'm just about ready to go mentally - that's what I'm telling myself. I will do one semester & see if the brain is working!?

Swimming Carnivals

2012-02-10T17:33:00.002+11:00

Today was the Primary Swimming Carnival! (This photo was grabbed off the internet.)

'The Drama Queen' came 2nd in breaststroke & 4th in backstroke.

Mum is proud!

I dropped her off then next thing I was helping out...tonight I am exhausted after standing for hours.

Trying to ward off hubby's "Man-Flu". Honestly, I don't know why he just didn't go to the Dr & get some drugs. I guess having spent so many hours in hospitals he wants to avoid more meds & visits, but I worry that he expects too much from his body. It is nearly 5 years since the BMT which is awesome, but any help you can give a run down body is actually OK to do...sigh.

2012 is rolling along, whether we want it to or not!

World Read Aloud Day...WOW!

2012-02-04T21:36:00.002+11:00

The SSO turns 80!

2012-01-30T17:59:00.000+11:00

There's nothing like hearing live music - the SSO is truly amazing to hear live.

Pondering what to see this year!?

Hooray for 80 years...

Holidays SCREAMING to an end!

2012-01-27T16:39:00.001+11:00

Yesterday was Australia Day so the Melon & Mum made Damper of course!

It wasn't the best I've made, but it was made with love by us both! Lovely with some golden syrup & butter fresh out of the oven.

Trying to psych up for another year at work. Trying really really hard. Sometimes I remember all the wonderful things I love about education & why it is so incredibly important. Then I remember how exhausted & bitter I felt at the end of last year. I remembered the amazing joy I felt about considering further study, then I wondered if I could...could I really. It's how I felt before I started my B.Mus.Ed, & I survived that. Now I am churning again...can I, will I. Is my brain still up to the challenge or has it been so burnt out & wounded over the years that it's not going to be able to cope with everything??

I keep thinking, if I don't try I'll never know. So I should at least make a start! Sigh...

Kids starting to get nervous & narky too. A busy weekend ahead. We are saying goodbye to two wonderful assistant ministers at church...*tears*. I hate goodbyes, I hate change. I know I shouldn't feel like that but it's just my selfishness. I want things to be easier for ME, but that's not caring for them...

2012. It's barely begun & I am taking very tentative steps forward...

A very cool cover of a song...great HSC idea...

2012-01-18T15:20:00.000+11:00

Standing ovation for Walk off the Earth. A great cover...I LOVE a good cover!! I love performers that think outside the box...students getting HSC pieces ready try to copy songs EXACTLY like the artist who wrote the piece, but a transformation of a song is sooooooo much more interesting. Something like this would get into Encore!!?? (Hey, it's the start of the year. A teacher is already thinking of possibilities ahead...however, once I have students sneering at me, ignoring an instruction & bouncing off the walls of course I will be crying that the holidays were way too short!!)

like

2012-01-17T14:00:00.002+11:00

Librarians Are Ready

View more documents from Jennifer LaGarde

the future

2012-01-16T18:05:00.001+11:00

OK, so I have tried to enrol SIX (yes you read that right) times in the course that I am keen on...

Talk about determination...

I have to take a chance though & follow my heart. Some people I have told think I am CRAZY, that it's a "waste", some have a different vision than me etc, etc - but I do not want to keep on this treadmill of 'sameness' until my spirit has died. I am coming full circle to explore something that I buried deep in my heart...

The Joy of Books

2012-01-12T22:07:00.000+11:00

Today, I heart this...

2012-01-10T17:35:00.002+11:00

These colours & this kitchen (& the little nook in the background) made me smile today...

I found it here...

P.S. I posted off my Uni documents registered post this morning. Fingers crossed they arrive this time...

Cleaning frenzy!

2012-01-09T21:39:00.001+11:00

D is home, he is meant to be working on an assignment, but instead has been pottering around the house & seeing things that need doing - fixing - rearranging - cleaning - making - throwing out - wiping - installing - vacuuming...it's at about this point in the holidays that I start getting worried because he's moving things around that I quite like where they are...because I'm sitting down reading I start to feel guilty because he's working & I'm resting...then I realise that it's good for him to be busy...lucky for me that assignment is due soon so he's trying to finish it tonight. ;-)

There's still more to do. Still trying to sort out my enrolment at Uni (which I have been trying to finalise since November last year)...the original fax didn't work properly, then the email didn't go through properly, then I sent one documents at a time via email, then I posted the documents which apparently were scanned at the PO in Melbourne but didn't reach the person/venue they were mailed to...TOMORROW I am getting all the documents resigned, & I'm off to the local PO to get them posted off CERTIFIED MAIL. I tell you, if I wasn't determined I would have just thrown my hands in the air & said "It's just not meant to be!!!" But I AM determined...

Happy New Year 2012

2011-12-31T15:36:00.001+11:00

Here's to a blessed new year full of new things to learn & new adventures to have!

Much love to you all...

For those who like to reflect on the year behind, here's some questions to ponder...

2012 is nearly here...

2011-12-29T15:16:00.003+11:00

I LOVE this cartoon...
Go the Mayans ;-)

Christmas over for another year...

2011-12-26T21:34:00.000+11:00

How delightful to sleep in this morning!! It was totally awesome.

It was great to celebrate Jesus' birthday yesterday. Our band was rostered on in church so that was fun to play at - there were lots of laughs, a few mistakes & lots of joy. Wonderful to hear some Truth. My two had a great morning - they really loved all their gifts & it was great that they loved watching us open a few things too. I hope they keep growing into caring adults...

Marea & Alf got caught in nightmare traffic do didn't get here until a bit later than we thought, & Katherine & Andrew were running late too...but we all had lunch eventually although I forgot to put a few dishes out. & the bonbons got left up high on a shelf where D had put them! Oh well, it was lovely to relax together & EAT. We will be eating left overs all week?

Tonight D & I wanted to watch an old Dr Who episode that I'd taped...however it was quite scary. So Noggin is sleeping in my side of the bed with D & Drama Queen is sleeping on the lounge so they feel safer. You forget how dreadful fear can be to a child...I am such a dreadful mother...I thought it would get better & they did have pillows over their faces...sometimes it's what you don't see that can be scarier than what you do see & what you imagine is worse than reality...hmmm, maybe there is a lesson there for me as I think about career etc...I am so dreadfully nervous about considering all my options...

Sounds wonderful...

2011-12-23T14:31:00.002+11:00

Christmas. Dreading it?

2011-12-22T21:37:00.000+11:00

Christmas. Dreading it?

This is a great article by Petrea King...we learnt so much for spending a week at her centre post D's transplant. It was so helpful! She has some really good comments to share about Christmas & pain after a loss...worth a read!

I loved this quote: "there is no finite time for grief as there is no finite time for love"

A pack of ravenous 17 year old boys are coming for dinner...

2011-12-21T14:29:00.001+11:00

...madly cooking things I can find around the house as the bank balance is pretty empty until Thursday!

D's group of school guys have planned to have a meal together & then they're watching "12 Angry Men"

What a great movie to see as a student! Anyway...back to the cooking ;-) I hope as Noggin grows up at school he has great teachers who will teach him great things & inspire him...

Holiday Crisis Cleaning (Thanks FlyLady!)

2011-12-18T22:13:00.001+11:00

Holiday Crisis Cleaning
flylady, 12/17/2011 2:00 pm

Dear Friends,

I can hear the panic in your voices. "In a few days, we have a ton of
company coming, what am I to do?" If you want a crash marathon
cleaning session, I can help you, but be warned, without the
routines, your home will be trashed again in a day. So you have to
listen closely.

1. GO GET DRESSED ALL THE WAY TO SHOES, HAIR FIXED AND FACE
MOISTURIZED OR MAKEUP PUT ON. DON'T QUESTION ME ON THIS. JUST
DO IT NOW. Put on some good working music. Not too fast, just slow
and steady. peppy, but not aerobic. Light a candle that has a
good scent or put on some spices on to boil on a very low heat.

We are going to start in our kitchens. As the kitchen goes,
so does the rest of the house.

2. Set a timer and spend 15 minutes in the kitchen. If your
sink is not clean and shiny, then shine it first, then you can fill
the sink up with hot soapy water and start to clear off the left and
right counters. Empty the dishwasher, When the timer goes off. Stop
what you are doing and go to the living room

3. Set the timer again and do 15 minutes cleaning off the
coffee tables or picking up toys or newspapers. Concentrate on one
thing. Not all of it. When the timer goes off, then go back to the
kitchen. Get a laundry basket and put the things that don't belong in
the living room in the basket. Take a garbage bag with you too. Start
throwing away the trash. Don't get caught up in the guilt we have
about recycling this stuff. Just bag it up for now. 20 pounds of
trash in a landfill is not going to kill you. So get over this
perfectionism attitude. As you get your home in order there will be
plenty of time to recycle. For now we are focusing on getting the
home presentable. You can't do this if you are hyper-focusing on
sorting and recycling.

4. In the kitchen set the time for 15 more minutes, continue
to work on clearing the counters. DO NOT GET SIDETRACKED AND WANT TO
CLEAN OUT A CABINET. WE ARE DOING ONLY SURFACE CLEANING.

5. Now take a break and walk around and look at what you have
accomplished in just 45 minutes. Set the timer for 15 minutes
and drink a cup of tea or coffee or whatever you love and just relax.
When the timer goes off. You are back in work mode for 15 more
minutes.

6. This 15 minute session is in the bathroom. Do you have
this! Clean the sink in here first, then pick up towel and dirty
clothes and put them in the hamper. DO NOT GET SIDETRACKED AND START
A LOAD OF LAUNDRY. I MEAN THIS. LAUNDRY WILL COME LATER!

7. When the timer goes off, you are back in the kitchen. For
15 more minutes. We can do anything in 15 minutes. Keep working till
the timer goes off. Then you go to the Living room once again.

8. In the living room, continue to pick up and put away.

9. Every 45 minutes take a 15 minute break.

Adapt this schedule to fit your physical limitations and
children's needs. But you get the picture. Stay focused on one job
for 15 minutes. You are going to be so surprised at how much you get
done in a days time.

My timer is my best Friend.

You can do this.

Now turn off the computer and get to work!

Let's FLY through this Crisis Cleaning, so you can sit back, relax
and enjoy your guests,

FlyLady

P.S. Put this in your Control Journal for future reference, just in
case a friend needs your help.

Order by colour...

2011-12-17T20:29:00.001+11:00

This fascinates me...not logical at all, but very artistic. Not good for remembering where things are though...

We're home...

2011-12-17T16:32:00.002+11:00

Does a holiday get any better? Coffee from Little Gunga & beautiful scenery...sigh. We stayed with friends at Lake Conjola - time to read, pray, rest, play, kyak, eat, laugh & walk for miles to the toilets in the caravan park we were in. There were three shower blocks, most days one was open...I must be so fit now.

We loved having pizza together our last night & Santa came into the shop to say hello while we munched on wood fired pizzas. You never know who you might meet at Milton. Could have sworn I was behind Vince Jones at an IGA.

Now back to washing washing washing, unpacking & trying to get my head together for Christmas.

love

2011-12-09T20:09:00.001+11:00

Ah, memories of the 70s. I love everything vintage on this blog!

End of year staff luncheon

2011-12-09T19:50:00.001+11:00

How lovely to celebrate the end of the year with all the staff today!

A farewell to some, hugs & relief for others, and a slap on the back for all teachers who have made it through the year AND SURVIVED!

All staff were fed & watered & given a small gift - a paper weight. Great for knocking ourselves out when life gets tough...or holding down the thousands of papers we should mark on a windy day...

It really is a lovely school with such encouraging staff to work with.

I am still trying to get confirmation from OUA to find out if I have been accepted to study...I tried to resend some copies off this afternoon & it still won't accept my scanned copies. They haven't confirmed that they got my faxed papers!? Sigh...at this time of year I feel like teaching is wonderful, but then I feel like it's not able to be sustained. My health just can't keep it up for too much longer...so very hard.

Exhausted

2011-12-08T15:47:00.001+11:00

So incredibly weary...but happy that the holidays are nearly here. No school lunches to make today, no pick up from the bus stop, no piano lesson to drive to...tomorrow is a lovely staff luncheon for the teachers, & then we are on hols...

I have pretty much spent the day in bed & the kids are in their PJs at 3:49pm in the afternoon. Bliss...

However, my body is not feeling very well. Lupus...go away please.

It's a condition...

2011-11-29T21:05:00.001+11:00

...it's called "Report Writing Brain".

I have just finished writing about 160 childrens' report comments & I think my brain is no longer functioning at its optimum performance level...

"Teacher Brain"

Let's face it...I need to be here...

2011-11-24T17:33:00.001+11:00

or here...

Burnt Out...

2011-11-24T13:27:00.001+11:00

"We work hard, and if that hard work is not recognized by the students, their parents, or the administration, there really isn't much reason to continue working hard.
- S. Borkgren"

Feeling so overwhelmed by work. Yes, I'm only part time, but I just can't seem to suck up my frustrations like I used to. Feeling very burnt out. That quote above made me NOD. Did I say VERY burnt out??

I have had students say "There is nothing I enjoyed about Music this year." I have had parents complain their child seems to do well with other teachers but isn't liking school music now. I have students ask why their children didn't get higher marks? I've had kids argue to my face that I am wrong, that I'm picking on them...they don't stop speaking to each other when I am trying to give instructions to the class - I never had this 1992-2000. Sure, I had tough kids (some kids that are probably in jail now?) but I don't EVER remember the rudeness to be quite like this? Can I just not remember?? Then I went through losing Max & Lucy, then I went through losing health, watching D battle Leukaemia...you know what? I don't want to deal with this crap any more!! I worked so hard to be a music teacher. I put in hours & hours & hours of hard work & study & rehearsals...for what?

Saw my specialist the other day who just said "Oh well, only a few weeks to go..." It's not the weeks, it's the overwhelming exhaustion & lack of desire to be there. As I walk past students snearing at kids who are actually doing something EXTRA (like being in a concert band etc), as kids break into my room at lunch time & hack into my computer, as I deal with students who continually want to argue when they are asked to do something, I just want to sob...I have had enough of being treated like a piece of crap!!!

When I started I was such a young, happy teacher with such passion for what teaching can achieve, I had such a love for the kids. Now I am a parent & that is constant - there is no off switch. I am dealing with my own children, then I go to work...& these kids make my jaw drop. I thought last year was full on - but I made it through. This year it's been so hard to find the good days. I grieve for all the great kids in these classes who get stomped on my the troublemakers...This year has just been heartbreaking. I feel like there is nothing left to give. I feel dead inside.

I am still waiting to hear from OUA about doing some studies with them...D has enrolled in doing his Masters next year though, so if they don't accept me that will be OK I guess. I long to do a job where I don't have to drag myself there & home broken...

Next year The Drama Queen will be in one of the classes I have to take. Yes, I promised to take Stage 3 again next year. I always said that I would leave before I turned into a bitter, twisted, grumpy teacher...I have always tried to teach with excellence, I've always admitted mistakes but poured my life energy into the students. Now I need some of that life energy back to be a mother to my family & run this house. I feel like I can't do this...

So yes, holidays are nearly here. I look forward to them, but I still feel burnt out...

Grief

2011-11-15T13:39:00.001+11:00

We always grieve when there are changes in our lives. Two dear friends - & godparents to my children - are changing their jobs, & the shock of this feels so huge because I won't see them as much...

The suddeness & the unknown must be hard for everyone to process...

Praying for everyone involved & feeling rather numb...

Career change?

2011-11-04T13:32:00.001+11:00

Currently considering some further study...

Feel like I have come full circle & would like to head in a particular direction...need to do some more research & exploring first...

The young girl in the late 80s was headed in a different direction to the one I took in 1989...perhaps my heart feels the pull to revisit it...

Resolution

2011-10-27T22:02:00.001+11:00

a phone call
a cuppa
a few tears
an apology

...forgiveness is beautiful!

Very bad decision...

2011-10-26T17:24:00.001+11:00

On our way home - I feel physically ill to write this - we passed through the suburb my sister lives in & I sent her a message saying we weren't stopping at her place...

...I don't know why I didn't PHONE her & say we were trying to get home & perhaps I would have a coffee with her rather than camp at her place, or what I was thinking but I sent her an SMS & told D to just keep driving. When I got home I thought that was totally LAME, & just don't know why I did that!? How easy would it have been to phone!???? Why why WHY didn't I phone? I love my sisters. I was so looking forward to seeing her place. Was I just brain dead after being away for a month??? We got a sniff of home & I just told D to keep driving...

She is VERY upset & angry with me, & it was so unlike me to not contact her or pop into the hospital where she works to see her...I didn't sleep well on the weekend & am still totally churning about how rude that was. She sent me a devastating email about how selfish I was. Well, ahem, I cannot deny that! It was selfish. I just wanted to get home. There's nothing she can say that makes me feel any worse than I already do. I can only apologise & say that we were all so desperate to get home, the thought of unpacking the trailer for yet one more night was overwhelming, Bonnie & Eric were whining & I just wanted to get home so desperately...sigh. I have really hurt her & I feel bad about that...why did I do something so STUPID!!????

I have to try & phone her. I've left a message...she must be disgusted with me.

Feeling really horrible about it. Sad sad sad!!!!!!!!!

I feel about as small as the little toe in this picture...

Back...

2011-10-25T17:49:00.000+11:00

Been away for a while...back home & back into the slog of work & "normal routine"...thinking about making some big changes in my life!!?

Sick

2011-09-23T08:11:00.000+10:00

Lupus sick - millions of things to do, sore hands, sore joints, sore everything...going back to bed, but don't want to. Got called up to work today...had to say no...

This is what I feel like...an old grandma!!

listening to...

2011-09-21T15:59:00.000+10:00

a bit of Kate Bush.

I accompanied a quirky singer for their HSC this year that had an unusual voice like Kate's...

I could sleep for a year...can't wait until holidays...

Choose Joy

2011-09-19T17:30:00.002+10:00

A journey...

2011-09-16T16:54:00.001+10:00

I have been reading Sara's Blog for ages. I think I cam across it after D was so unwell...to read about another's journey into the world of illness & suffering has been so helpful for me. When I think of her I think of the word GRACE! Her determination to reach out to those around her & to CHOOSE JOY every day has been humbling, & inspiring for me...we are all on our own journey I know. There is so much we go through that we don't get to have a say in. There is so much that we can't choose - although there are ways to eat well & exercise etc, we can't really choose our health or our genes, we can't choose how long we will live, we can't choose how we will end our journey...but we can choose joy! Joy in the journey!

There is a joy in the journey
There's a light we can love on the way
There is a wonder and wildness to life
And freedom for those who obey

And all those who seek it shall find it
A pardon for all who believe
Hope for the hopeless and sight for the blind

To all who've been born in the Spirit
And who share incarnation with Him
Who belong to eternity stranded in time
And weary of struggling with sin

Forget not the hope that's before you
And never stop counting the cost
Remember the hopelessness when you were lost

There is a joy in the journey
There's a light we can love on the way
There is a wonder and wildness to life
And freedom for those who obey

And freedom for those who obey...
~Michael Card

More thoughts on a Christian perspective about suffering here...

HSC Practicals Over...

2011-09-08T18:47:00.000+10:00

This is my awesome boss. Today were the HSC practicals...I survived. (I have a wonderful boss who encouraged all of the students in her care this year - they all rose to the occasion!!)

Hooray...zzzzz. Time for a glass of red...

Fathers Day!

2011-09-04T14:51:00.002+10:00

Happy Fathers Day Dad. Miss you so much today. You were so patient & kind.
Gently going through my maths homework with me as a young girl, often ending in tears. I never really understood maths very well. You'd be so proud of B & E - they love maths & do extra maths before school every morning!! Go figure!!??
I have great memories of you laughter, your great sense of humour as you watched shows on ABC - you loved British humour, rather than American...
You were such a gentleman. Even though your own Dad was an alcoholic & left you & your family when you were young, you didn't ever talk much about those hard times. You encouraged me not to make excuses for myself because my life was hard, but to use that strength to make wise choices & not wallow in self pity...
You encouraged us to be kind, to be fair, to "dare to be a Daniel", to stand up for what is right - even when that is hard...
You washed up after us all every night, without complaint. "You need to study Elissa" - so I did...
I relished your favour, I hated to hear your raised voice because I had done something silly...
You cared for Mum, you were worthy of respect & never had to ask for it...
You listened to me, all of my hopes & dreams at the dinner table. My journey at church, hearing about Jesus & sharing what I learnt with you & Mum...
You were my soft place to fall. You always had great advice to help me...
Driving me to piano lessons, taking me to youth events, helping me at tennis, proof-reading through essays for me...
Your lolly jar on the coffee table. Your little treat at night time, your cup of tea & a few lollies - your special "Dad treat"...
When you died I didn't realise all the ways you helped our community!! You listened to girls at my high school read - girls that were really struggling with English & just needed someone who was patient to listen to them, you volunteers at a community center to help get secretarial work in order, helping at the church art shows, helping become a bowls umpire...so many amazing things you did in your lifetime...
Listening to stories of your days working for the police with people like "Bumper" Farrell.
Listening to whispers from Mum that you were given a feather to signify cowardice time & time again because you didn't join up to fight in war time, when physically you were told you couldn't & your colleges told you that you were weren't to go...how heartbreaking that must have been for you...you were such a brave brave man...

Then you were gone so suddenly...I didn't get a final hug, a final word, a warning. Just a phone call saying I 'should pack a bag & race up to be there'...then another call to say 'No rush, he's gone.' Gone...what a hole you left when you died Dad. I do miss you - still! Nearly 20 years since you've gone. I wish I could show you a bit of my life now. I wish my kids could have known you...

D is such a great Dad to our children. There really is a new depth to a relationship when you see the one you love snuggling with little ones...so grateful for him. He's in the studio playing some jazz while the kids sit near him. I know you had your doubts about him. I guess like any father you wanted to know my husband would care for me. He is not you, but he is himself, & I do love him. I hope we leave a good legacy for our children & grandchildren...but I don't think I can be as good a parent as you were to me Dad.

Graduation Day 1993?
The first member of the Barry clan to go to Uni ;-)

I have learnt so much about life & death since 1995 when you died. So many friends still have their parents in their lives. I have had to go on without you & mum. I have grown more dependant on God I guess. I rest in my Heavenly Fathers arms today. He has been my faithful Father through so much joy & so much pain over these years...your sister had a wonderful dream about you, that you were in one of your suits, like the ones you wore to work, but it was all white & you were telling her you were OK...I don't know for sure where you are Dad, but I am so honoured to have known you, to have loved you & I am so grateful to be your daughter.

So glad I had you as a Dad.
Kevin Barry 1932-1995

Been reading about amazing people working in Japan...

2011-09-02T16:42:00.000+10:00

Looking forward to doing this again soon!

2011-08-22T21:35:00.001+10:00

However there won't be that funny man with the red bag on his head travelling with us this time ;-)

Something important...

2011-08-16T23:40:00.002+10:00

Tonight I was interviewed by Megan Dredge. We spoke about teaching & some of our experiences & hopefully there are some words & thoughts that might encourage others...how amazing to look back on my own adventures in education. I have achieved more than I realised...wow! How important it is to reflect & consider the journey...

Who'd have thought a comment from my piano teacher could spark a career!?
"Have you thought about studying Music?"
"Music? At Uni? Do you think I'd be good enough?"
[Snort] "Of course you'd be good enough!"
"You really think I could be a Music teacher?"
"I wouldn't suggest it if I didn't think you were capable!" [rolling her eyes & shaking her head]

Ah, those innocent days. All of those lectures. Going off to pracs. Teaching in rough state schools full of housing commission kids. Teaching in expensive private schools with loads of resources. Assignments. Bigger Assignments. Recital. Certificate...now I have a B.Mus.Ed? Someone pinch me, is this real? I survived that first year. I did things I didn't think I could do. I made programs. I put ensembles together. I taught Infants AND High School. I went on camps. I marked rolls. I prepared for parent teacher interviews. I shared myself, my weird sense of humour, & my life with all of those kids...

Sometimes I miss that pat on the back from Mum & Dad who used to say "We are so proud of you!" I think we need to do that for ourselves? I do, especially since Mum & Dad aren't around any more. To sit down with yourself & say "You are not totally hopeless! You have really high expectations & you get disappointed when you don't manage to achieve every single goal you make, but look at the 90% that went well!" Yet I so miss them & their advice & wisdom. I wish they could see me now...that man who used to put his spare change into little money boxes & take to the bank - for me - so that when I finished school I would have some savings to help me study. That care. That vision. Sacrifices made on my behalf, before I even knew how to ask for them. A woman who loved me & showed me glimpses into her world of patient care for others - the aged, the mentally unwell, the sick. Tthe nurse. A Mum who would travel into the city to answer phones & counsel those who needed ears to listen to them. How I miss the wealth of my parents wisdom & how I miss their laughter. I wish I could say "Look, I have been a good teacher, & now I have returned to this job. It's all thanks to your love for me that I was able to do any of this..."

Teaching is certainly a continuing adventure & it's not over yet (despite the fact that I have been looking into other options this year). There is more to do. I'm older & wiser. I don't want to give up hope! But it has been oh so hard this year...but life without hope is horrible.

Hope is such an important thing. As D & I used to turn & say to each other when he sat waiting for another round of chemo "there is hope". As I walk into a classroom setting up, psyching myself up, considering what is about to enter the room I tell myself "there is hope". As I watch my children - the children I thought might not survive in my dangerous womb I think "there is hope". I wait for test results to see how my body is currently behaving inside & think "there is hope". I wait to hear from my sister, caring for four grandchildren, who is exploring some life changes & think "there is hope". I read a blog about an amazing lady touching lives all around the world, yet she isn't able to leave her house due to an illness & pray "there is hope".

"Once you choose hope, anything's possible." ~Christopher Reeve

asleep the snow came flying - tim story

2011-08-15T18:57:00.000+10:00

* lovely place to play *

2011-08-13T18:08:00.002+10:00

Trial Music HSC over for another year...

2011-08-12T14:00:00.000+10:00

...now just the HSC to go...

I actually was able to play through the pieces OK accompanying a student!

Feel like falling into bed now. Poor David was meant to play for someone but is in bed & seems worse than before? Dreadful flu has hit us both so badly!

WHERE IS SPRING???

Flu

2011-08-10T17:12:00.000+10:00

...snot, cracking headache, shakes, hot, cold, flat out in bed...this is my life since Monday night.

I have just so much to do. Tomorrow is a Music Trial HSC rehearsal then I am accompanying a student on Friday...feel like I have run over by a bus. Health is just so precious & we take it for granted!

Blauch!

This is what my term is currently shaping up to look like...

2011-07-26T20:18:00.000+10:00

Back to work

2011-07-20T22:16:00.008+10:00

I couldn't sleep last night & only got about 4 hours sleep. Not worried about anything in particular, but just thought & thought & thought...going to have a hot milk tonight & do some meditations to help me...

Anyway, I managed to wake up & JUST made it into work for the whole staff meeting day. My brain was only processing about 70%, but I am so thrilled that I was able to go. A fascinating & insightful speaker, Trevor Cooling, was sharing thoughts on Christian teaching & what that looks like...

How wonderful for staff to have a day to hear some great ideas, to toss around some questions & consider how they might revise some teaching strategies for this term. Refreshing...

I liked his ideas about "What-If Teaching"
* Is there something to see anew?
* Is there a learning strategy which communicates that?
* Are there "habits of the classroom" that encourage seeing anew?

And I got teary hearing the line "Dare to be a Daniel" - my Dad used to say that to me...how wonderful to hear it again & consider seeking the best of the situation I'm in, like Daniel was asked to do. God didn't remove him from the difficult place...I have some difficult classes, I have some things I don't like about teaching p/t (but I don't feel that I have the health to return to f/t work anymore) yet there are disadvantages in only being there a day or so. Yet, I am encouraged to do the best I can, & seek excellence in planning, presenting & evaluating lessons - even though I'm finding it hard & wondering about work. I can't hold up those 10 years in the 90s, that is a distant memory now. On a practical level it has helped me, but I can't hold up those memories for current student because they are still getting to know me - they don't know the Mrs Stonestreet of those days...anyway, even on FOUR hours sleep it was good to consider teaching & education & chat with the staff around me, & pray & get our heads in a good place for the term ahead...

It will be super busy. There is so much happening, starting with parent teacher interviews Week 2, closely followed by Trial Music HSC. My kids are teetering on the brink of illness, & I have so much to do. I need to get back to school to do some more things, but I need to keep them warm & dry. These are the things I never experience before having kids - like being able to give so much time to work (perhaps that's not always healthy). Now I feel torn between two worlds. I'm learning about the whole work/family balance still & it's harder than I thought it would be. Having gone through the loss of children & being incredibly blessed to have Drama Queen & the Melon, it's hard learning to stretch myself. I don't want to take them for granted, I don't want to forget the fact that they are two living blessings for us, I don't want to forget the tears & all we went through to have them. Some women manage it all amazingly well, yet I think the line that women can have it all is from a fairytale. You can't because both worlds need you & there is always a compromise...anyway...

Just throwing all of this exhausted rambling out there into the Blog world before I fall into bed.....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....

Pray

2011-07-16T20:32:00.002+10:00

Praying in church Sunday morning...so love the community at Gymea. I am just keeping the flu at bay, so am so hoping to go...

There is something quite moving about meeting with God at the start of a new week...gets my head in the right space & helps me focus on what is ahead. And what is ahead this week is another week with kids & getting back into a work frame-of-mind. Don't know if D will be up to working or not. Hmmmm, poor guy.

His BMT anniversary passed us all by...we sat at the dinner table as a family last night & realised that it was FOUR years since his transplant! How wonderful to have him here with us...so grateful! The kids have loved hanging out with him so much this week!!

Hooray for a God who loves & helps us through such horror, for holidays, friendships, family & each other. For work, for food to eat & a house to live in - keeping us warm on these cold winter nights. For gifts we can use & share. For being able to do hard things & growing having experienced them. For music, for art, for good films, for books, for freedom here in Australia, for education...

We are blessed.

I don't want to take any of this for granted because I know that life is so short...

Seeking warmth

2011-07-15T14:15:00.001+10:00

Doesn't this look delightful?

It's a cold day here. D is still fighting off his dreadful cold, & I am just managing to keep it at bay. The kids are enjoying their school holidays. So feeling cold & shaky, but the day is full of blessings - I've been to pilates, I've borrowed from the library, hugs from the kids warms up my body & my heart...just about to make some toasted cheese sandwiches for lunch :-) A peaceful day...good books, snuggles & a DVD for the kids.

Sigh...roll on spring. My old bones are cold...

Reading Reading Reading...

2011-07-14T14:05:00.004+10:00

Love sitting with the kids, nuzzling up to read a good book...

Pocket Money...

2011-07-12T21:18:00.001+10:00

Pocket money has been saved & today I promised the kids they could buy something special they wanted with their money...

The Drama Queen returned to the Build-A-Bear shop & bought herself another cheap bear (white) & named her "Stephanie" [rhymes with Bethany, the other bear's name!].

The Melon bought himself a remote control spider...oh joy.

P.S. Did I say money they had saved? I meant that they had "nearly" saved up & I kicked in the diff as a special holiday treat! I hope that they remember I'm not such a pathetic mum in the future...

I teach...

2011-07-08T00:19:00.000+10:00

Been hunting lots of dust bunnies...

2011-07-07T22:02:00.000+10:00

I emptied out about 10 vacuum containers FULL of them after cleaning up my Music Room today...& there's STILL more to do...

Thinking about my classroom

2011-07-06T14:44:00.000+10:00

Wanting to make it more cosy, but I have very limited time & resources so have been on the internet looking at amazing room displays etc. I bought an old armchair for the room which has been great. Have lots of ideas...I am going in tomorrow to put up fresh posters & freshen up the room & vacuum up the MAJOR AMOUNT OF DUST in everything in there!

Singing along to the 80s mix on in the lounge room...ahhhh, the 80s - weren't they great!?

2011-07-06T13:56:00.001+10:00

The man I love...

2011-07-05T10:16:00.000+10:00

School holidays

2011-07-04T21:15:00.001+10:00

Bonnie went for a late bike ride with D this afternoon. She is such a fit little thing. She crashed tonight though ;-) [Not the bike, I mean fell fast asleep before she'd had a chance to ask me to read!]

So nice not to have to make lunches & to just have a BREAK from the business of term. I love the holidays. To sit with a book, to do some planning for the next term, to consider topics & what I could do better, to just hug the kids & have a sleep in etc. It's awesome...

still praying

2011-07-04T01:09:00.001+10:00

for Japan...what an amazing effort to clean up what must have seemed totally overwhelming! Go to the link - it makes me feel so whiney after complaining about the kids mess in my house.

Feel so compelled to pray for these people...it breaks my heart to read that many are turning to suicide. I can't begin to imagine the heartbreak of being the only surviving member of your family - but I wish I could hug them & encourage them to not give up! There is hope...

Careful...

2011-07-03T22:20:00.000+10:00

...saw this on a Blog the other day...watch out for those cliffs hey!?

Remembering childhood with a theme...

2011-07-01T14:47:00.002+10:00

My Baby is TEN!

2011-06-28T19:44:00.000+10:00

I heart

2011-06-12T17:51:00.000+10:00

I AM SO COLD!!!

2011-06-09T09:54:00.000+10:00

It is FREEZING today. I have Eric home with the flu...we've been cuddling up on the lounge trying to get warm. I think I have ice blocks for hands!

He sang a SOLO at an Infants assembly yesterday!!!! Talk about brave :-)

Stylish has gone out the window...I don't look like this glamorous woman, but I AM devouring lots of hot coffee. I'm in polar fleece pants & top & I am STILL cold....BRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!

The Drama Queen runs...

2011-06-04T17:25:00.001+10:00

...in the indi school cross country. This was a snap someone took on the day. Little cutie patooties aren't they?

Proud of my little pumpkin [on the left]!

Just found the most awesomely cute cards...

2011-06-04T17:24:00.000+10:00

I think they are called eggpress in NY.

Superstar

2011-06-03T08:35:00.000+10:00

My daughter passed her Preliminary Piano Exam with AMEB yesterday...so proud of her. It is so different being in a parents shoes watching your child do the exam. Made me remember Mum & Dad & their many trips to the city with me for exams. She got an A! I think she is so much more talented than shy little Mum ever was. She did all her pieces by MEMORY! She blows me away!!

Today she is running in a state cross country event - so nervous for my little one. She is out there without Mum or Dad...the school took a bus with lots of our kids - top 4 kids in each age group. I'm not expecting her to place at this event, but again, I am so proud of her.

I've been hit by the horrific flu AGAIN this week. Prayed I'd be able to get to the exam yesterday...I'm off to bed I think...but there's so much housework to do. D was looking for clean undies this morning - just to show how behind I am with folding laundry!

Feel very blessed. Precious children & hubby...Zzzzzzzzzzzz...

Leukaemia Foundation

2011-05-28T12:45:00.001+10:00

D speaking at a big event in the city today. He opened the day speaking about life with & after Leukaemia...so proud of him! He said there were about 140 people - that's a great turn out. Hope he enjoys it & hope that the people attending are able to learn from his experiences too...he is amazing!

Hooray Hooray it's Friday!!!!!!!!!

2011-05-27T13:30:00.001+10:00

I love the end of the week. No more making school lunches, nagging kids to hurry up & get ready, forcing myself to hurry up, the whole routine of the week - checking homework, helping them make sure they have what they need for the day etc etc etc...I like it when Friday arrives. I have a lovely stretchy pilates class, then get a white horse coffee, then head home for a rest or to do some chores...
I'm about to head off to the library to return books. I've finished marking Stage 3 music exams & typing results into the school markbook. I'm going to get something healthy for lunch, then will head off, pick up the Drama Queen, then crash at home. Hooray...Friday always makes me smile!

Mexican Wave Exam

2011-05-25T19:06:00.001+10:00

Showed this before exams this week! :-)

Brrrrrrr...

2011-05-25T13:49:00.000+10:00

...I feel like this today! It's freezing here in Sydney!

Coming soon...

2011-05-20T08:19:00.000+10:00

* studying * reading * exam week at school * marking * reports * programs & registers * practicing * piano exam for the 'drama queen' * drum lessons for 'the melon' * cross country state competition * D speaking at a cancer day in the city *

Life is wonderful but very busy at the moment...

Spooky

2011-05-14T14:06:00.002+10:00

Mothers Day

2011-05-07T12:09:00.005+10:00

Tomorrow is Mothers Day in Australia. It is also Max & Lucys' birthday. So it is a bittersweet day for our family. We celebrate the children in our arms & the children who are not in our arms.

I am so unbelievably blessed to have Bonnie & Eric - for someone who didn't know if she could keep a child alive in my womb I still cannot believe they are both so beautiful & here. Yet the world isn't always a safe place either...love carries risks...

Being a mum is certainly one of the best, one of the hardest, one of the most amazing things to happen in my life - I'm still learning about this 'role' - motherhood. Thank you God for my cross country superstar, & my brave boy. I am so grateful for the chance to be a parent.

Happy 11th Birthday ~Max & Lucy~.
Hugs & kisses to you both. I miss you so much, more than you will ever know. I'm so sorry that my womb wasn't the soft, safe place I wanted it to be for you both. Know that you were both wanted & loved so desperately. We will make some muffins tomorrow to remember you both. Bon & Ric want to celebrate your birthday (although I think they secretly want some muffins too). I can't believe I teach Grade 5 this year - you would have been in those classes...but I love a God who holds all things in His hands & helps us through the good & bad times. I know you are safe in his care now. XXxx

"A family is a circle of love, not broken by loss, but made stronger by the memories - we remember..."
8th May, 2000

Royal Wedding 2011

2011-04-30T17:22:00.000+10:00

We enjoyed watching last night :-)

I really wish them all the very best...they have so much pressure on them. It was certainly a beautiful wedding...love this "excerpt" from it...

"Blessings"

2011-04-27T16:45:00.002+10:00

I heard this song this afternoon written by a lady who watched her husband battle cancer (brain) & this song was written on that journey...Someone from the MISS site posted it. Music can be very powerful...

Not long to go...

2011-04-27T11:25:00.000+10:00

...everyone seems to be in such a frenzy. This poor couple have so much pressure on them.

There's nothing like a wedding, but it's the days, months, years ahead that are more important. Hair goes grey, bodies grow old but LOVE is so important...'faith, hope, love but the greatest of these is love'...

D & kids back to school today. Peace & rest for Mum today ;-)

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T16:46:00.002+10:00

My favourite Easter song...He is Risen!!

(I was so sad that I couldn't get to church this morning...but Bonnie & I prayed together & whether or not I am there isn't important...I read through the passages again this weekend that speak about Jesus & it seemed so amazing & so fresh for me...so totally incredible that we struggle to realise how incredible it is...& what hit me this year was the fact that the Bible speaks of the WOMEN who arrived at the tomb & the first people who realised something had happened! Woman who were considered unimportant & so weak in those day were acknowledged & the fact that their testimony is written about is pretty amazing really! I just read this:

An ancient resurrection story would not be fabricated on the basis of women's testimonies, who could not testify in court.
Jesus' opponents admitted by their actions that the tomb was empty.
No one had a reasonable motive to take the body.

Praying

2011-04-23T12:11:00.000+10:00

Been looking through some Stormie Omartian books this weekend. She writes a lot about prayer & I really believe that prayer does make a difference...or rather God can make a difference in our lives if we let Him...if we ask Him!
She went through such a horrific childhood - being locked in a cupboard by a mentally unwell mother & abused, & because she has come through all of that her words are even more believable/powerful...she is a bit of a hero of mine actually. It's so great to have strong women to "look up to", a bit further along their life journey. Anyway, on a weekend where I am full of the flu & achy it's been so encouraging to read some of her thoughts about prayer.
(I love this picture of her too!)

So 'busy'...

2011-04-15T09:24:00.006+10:00

Japan's Crisis Could Leave Emotional Scars

Read this today. There must be so many needs, so much to do over there...still blown away by what's happened & reading about the many needs there...

Much to do here too. My boss is back - trying to make lists of things to do for school. I've spent the some of the morning working on the Music WIKI pages for my clases to add some videos. We are off to Pilates this morning soon. Then hoping to catch up with Nan & Pop this weekend + Megan & Stephen! Busy weekend...busy week ahead. These holidays are going too fast & if I don't make lists my brain gets frazzled. I'm loving the sleep ins. Need to get rid of this flu...

* Last Day of Term *

2011-04-05T09:12:00.000+10:00

How EXCITED am I??

I worked back for an hour or so - with the kids - & cleaned up the room, dusted, packed, sorted, put up new posters, folded etc. Finally got some Christmas posters removed & feel that I can face another term...after a break.

Thank you God for getting me through Term 1 with some super hard children. I survived yesterday & am really looking forward to a holiday now!! HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Big Noggin' Making Gingerbread Men at School...

2011-04-01T19:00:00.000+11:00

How I love this little boy!

haircut & a birthday...

2011-03-23T15:11:00.001+11:00

I did promise Bonnie that I wouldn't cut my hair until the Easter school holidays. It was soooooo 'long' (for me) & thick & heavy & frustrating & made me feel frustrated!!! Yesterday I was in a lot of joint pain (Lupus?) & in the shower this morning as I struggled to wash my thick hair & looked in the mirror I decided that enough was enough & I had to break that promise...she will be sad but I am feeling so much happier. AND since we are camping very soon this will be much easier to take care of in & out of the water...can you see the sparkle back in my eyes again?

Today my little boy has turned SEVEN!!

Can't believe it...this little one that was so prayed for, & hoped for is 7...my parents were right, the years DO go fast...

* watching * hoping * praying *

2011-03-17T16:13:00.002+11:00

Struggling to think today...

2011-03-17T12:06:00.000+11:00

My head feels "fluffy" & I feel sore & weak today. I am finding this year quite hard...I feel really sucked dry of energy. Perhaps the last few years is catching up with me...

In the face of what is happening around the world of course it is nothing & I hesitate to even write about it, but it recently took me ages to get over a simple flu - a week of feeling ok & then it seems to have come back. Perhaps the Lupus is not as under control as I thought it was...

But I have life & breath, I have a house, a husband, sweet children to hug & hold me. I am blessed more that I ever dreamed I could be...but a day is hard with a fluffy brain :-)

A beautiful prayer for Japan...

2011-03-16T08:02:00.003+11:00

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/a-prayer-for-japan

Can't believe my SIL was living right near where the epicenter was...so glad she's back in Australia, but so heartbroken for all the people in the middle of so much heartache over there...

40

2011-03-03T10:08:00.000+11:00

Guess what today is?

A special birthday!

Although I still have this dreadful flu/sore throat I am so blessed. This morning I got breakfast in bed with big hugs from my two precious children - who I didn't know that I would have at one stage. They are my little miracles. I got hugs from my amazing husband who is still here - alive - after such illness & horror. I am surrounded by blessings every day...so glad to be heading into this decade of my life. The body isn't as good as it used to be, but the brain has learnt so much over the years...

Hippo Birdy 2 mee!

Found this on a website somewhere...many of these aren't in my top 40 interestingly...life is too short & precious to be petty...but I thought I'd throw it up here...

THE TOP 40

1.) Peace of mind (and a piece of property).

2.) A will.

3.) Willpower.

4.) A savings account in your own name (and an IRA in the name of your future security).

5.) A mammogram.

6.) A manicure (not to mention a pedicure, a facial and a massage--all on the same day).

7.) A set of matching luggage.

8.) A ticket to some exotic place to unpack it.

9.) A great hairdresser, gynecologist and stockbroker.

10.) A passionate, fiery, unforgettable love affair.

11.) A little black dress that makes you look five pounds thinner.

12.) A sense of humor, style and purpose.

13.) A selfish streak.

14.) A spiritual foundation that gets you through a very bad night without going crazy.

15.) A facial foundation that gets you through a very long day without going ashy.

16.) A good bra.

17.) A good spa.

18.) A library card (used often).

19.) A credit card (used sparingly).

20.) At least one person in your life who says: "You call, I come."

21.) Good body language (multilingual!).

22.) A broken heart and the knowledge you can survive it.

23.) A cause celebre (domestic violence, infant mortality, save the whales--your choice).

24.) A personal relationship with God.

25.) A personal trainer.

26.) Selective amnesia ("What Saturday morning meeting?").

27.) Gall.

28.) A good skin-care regimen.

29.) The ability to converse on any subject without benefit of concrete knowledge or access to facts.

30.) A shocking secret.

31.) A pair of silk pajamas.

32.) A lifetime membership in at least one organization dedicated to uplifting Black folks (e.g., National Council of Negro Women, the NAACP).

33.) The phone number of someone who is good with their hands.

34.) At least one drop-dead, don't-speak-to-me-because-you-know-you-don't-know-me gorgeous photo of yourself.

35.) A friendship that has stood the test of time.

36.) One last chance to tell the guy you were crazy about in your 20s who treated you like cigarette ashes on the floor what you were too dumb to know when he walked out with your heart in his hands: "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

37.) A soul mate.

38.) Faith, hope and a good fantasy.

39.) A dream.

40.) A plan to make it come true.

Yum Cha

2011-02-25T13:07:00.000+11:00

Went out for lunch with my antinatal friends yesterday - we enjoyed Yum Cha together for lunch.

Only seems like yesterday we were all meeting to learn about birth...

New Zealand hit by earthquake...

2011-02-23T13:11:00.000+11:00

Just found this on a website asking for prayer...I've been watching the news this morning in tears...

"Here is a list of prayer requests:
1.      People are still trapped in buildings. Pray for the comfort and safety of those who are trapped. Pray also that the rescue teams will be able to get them out. Some people are having to have limbs amputated in order to be rescued.
2.      Pray for those who are searching for loved ones and do not know whether they are dead or alive.
3.      Pray for those who are grieving the loss of family members. At least 65 people's bodies have been recovered but that number is expected to rise.
4.      Christchurch people have been living with aftershocks for the past 6 months. They are exhausted, frightened and wonder if life will ever become normal again.
5.      Pray that God will help the church to offer love, peace, comfort and assistance to those who are hurting and frightened.
6.      Many New Zealanders have no religion at all. Pray that through this time of tragedy many will cry out to God and find his strength and salvation."

A good read...

2011-02-19T13:13:00.000+11:00

The heart of this world’s fractured and we all bear the fault lines.

Continue reading how to mend the broken places over here….

Cyclone Yasi

2011-02-03T14:05:00.001+11:00

This has hit poor QLD! So much hapening up there - floods, cyclones...please God NO MORE!! But thank God that it doesn't seem to be as bad as they thought it could be - & three precious little babies born last night, one in the eye of the storm with a visiting English midwife in an evacuation center. Just amazing!!

Now it's moving inland...

Two days & counting...

2011-01-29T12:11:00.000+11:00

School is drawing closer...butterflies building...planning & excitement growing...

Happy Australia Day!

2011-01-26T13:45:00.000+11:00

We're having a great relaxing day together - there's a BBQ being cooked as I type, (with some lamb cutlets - thanks Sam for the idea) & we're all together. I got up early & watered the garden, I washed my car, I hung out heaps of laundry in the HOT sun, & this afternoon I'm going to sort through the kids bookshelf with all the things they need for school (another school year incredibly starts in 4 days)...it's so great to be together as a family. It's great to have air con CRANKING throughout the house!! Thank you so much God for my family...I do love them so...

Holidays are nearly over...

2011-01-21T16:49:00.001+11:00

...& work is just around the corner. I am feeling overwhelmed...we've had time away, & a big break, but it has disappeared just way too fast. Lots not done yet!!

I have been so weary the last few days I feel that when I wake up the memories I have are so jumbled it's hard to focus on what was a dream, & what was reality. That's how spaced out I've been. Trying to pray, trying to read, trying to suck up some energy to play with the kids before they go back to school, finish reading borrowed books, photocopy worksheets for school, plan topics, sort out things for piano students...I feel a bit overwhelmed, yet I think I hold others around me up too high, & then I feel more overwhelmed thinking "I can't do as much as they do". I really feel like someone has disconnected me from my power point & I am listlessly flailing about, trying to do things each day. I sit with laundry baskets around me trying to psych up to put all of those things away. I sit with my school basket next to me still full of ideas & worksheets that I need to get ready for Monday. I sit with the childrens' bookshelf still half unpacked thinking about fixing it up for next week. I sit looking at Bonnie's bed which needs painting...

I live in a world full of youth & energy with so many doing amazing things, I feel like I am running on half speed, unable to do enough. I went to Pilates this morning & it's wiped me out for the whole day...

Perhaps the heat has gotten to me today?

I live with the limitations of my body. I love a God with inifinite capabilities. I have two wonderful little children who are having a peaceful day today because "Mummy is tired." I have a husband who has gone to work with a spring in his step because all his specialists at Westmead Hospital have said he's going OK. I am very weary today, but very blessed. Just put on a roast. I have clothes to wear & a house to live in. I can cope with this weary body...

Queensland Floods

2011-01-12T21:02:00.000+11:00

My thoughts & prayers go out to people in QLD & northern NSW as they cope with the shock of the floods...I can't seem to stop watching the news, with my mouth hanging open. What a shocking start to 2011 - last year Haiti, this year floods.

Please Father, help all those people...

Depot Beach (far away in time...)

2010-12-28T15:44:00.001+11:00

Depot Beach (near Batemans Bay on the NSW South Coast) was such a lovely place - rainforest on one side & beach on the other. Camping is always full on, especially before Christmas. I have sent no cards, have not bought all the pressies I hoped to, but it was so lovely to be surrounded by such beauty. Here's some snaps our friends & the kids captured last week...

Gatro Bug Hit Here Christmas Eve...

2010-12-28T13:40:00.000+11:00

...we are still recovering.

(Actually Drama Queen got it while we were camping & shared it with us...what a nice Christmas pressie.)

...waiting to see if Superboy gets it...

In between carols at the Myer music bowl in Melbourne on TV I was running to the bathroom...

..."noice"!

BEWARE - it's going around...

Post Christmas 2010

2010-12-27T18:04:00.000+11:00

"From our house to yours, Merry Christmas sweet friends. Glory to God in the Highest and Peace on earth!"

Sunday

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What a great day out - on a boat, friends, prawns, bubbly, sun, water...it doesn't get much better than that...

Anne girl...

2010-12-11T22:27:00.000+11:00

Watching Anne of Green Gables...brings back so many memories of watching it in Year 11 & talking about it with my best friend. Makes me feel wistful & nostalgic...

It's been a big week...a picture paints a thousand words!

2010-12-10T09:59:00.000+11:00

walking along a stone street...

Casual work

Weekend Clean Up?!

Swimming Carnivals

World Read Aloud Day...WOW!

The SSO turns 80!

Holidays SCREAMING to an end!

A very cool cover of a song...great HSC idea...

*like*

*the future*

The Joy of Books

Today, I *heart* this...

Cleaning frenzy!

Happy New Year 2012

2012 is nearly here...

Christmas over for another year...

Sounds wonderful...

Christmas. Dreading it?

A pack of ravenous 17 year old boys are coming for dinner...

*Holiday Crisis Cleaning* (Thanks FlyLady!)

Order by colour...

We're home...

*love*

End of year staff luncheon

Exhausted

It's a condition...

Let's face it...I need to be here...

Burnt Out...

Grief

Career change?

Resolution

Very bad decision...

Back...

Sick

listening to...

Choose Joy

A journey...

HSC Practicals Over...

Fathers Day!

Been reading about amazing people working in Japan...

Looking forward to doing this again soon!

Something important...

asleep the snow came flying - tim story

* lovely place to play *

Trial Music HSC over for another year...

Flu

This is what my term is currently shaping up to look like...

Back to work

Pray

Seeking warmth

Reading Reading Reading...

Pocket Money...

I teach...

Been hunting lots of dust bunnies...

Thinking about my classroom

Singing along to the 80s mix on in the lounge room...ahhhh, the 80s - weren't they great!?

The man I love...

School holidays

*still praying*

Careful...

Remembering childhood with a theme...

My Baby is TEN!

I *heart*

I AM SO COLD!!!

The Drama Queen runs...

Just found the most awesomely cute cards...

*Superstar*

Leukaemia Foundation

Hooray Hooray it's Friday!!!!!!!!!

Mexican Wave Exam

Brrrrrrr...

Coming soon...

Spooky

Mothers Day

Royal Wedding 2011

"Blessings"

Not long to go...

Happy Easter

Praying

So 'busy'...

like

the future

Today, I heart this...

Holiday Crisis Cleaning (Thanks FlyLady!)

love

still praying

I heart

Superstar