Ok, nothing too profound at all today and this post is really only for the likes of Kat, Em, Tammi, Peach, Bron and maybe Stace (although I know she hates quilting!)
I'm on my iPad and linking up with you is difficult to say the least, but seeing as you are all in my real world I'm sure you won't mind!
Check out this awesome calendar......
(Oh and if you are feeling particularly generous, I'd love one thank you very much!!)
Ha ha.
Xx
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
New picnic blanket
Remember my post when I said I'm not really known for my crafting ability? Well that didn't actually mean that I can't craft....
I was on a picnic last year and saw a funky blanket made from cut up old jeans and thought I'd give it a go. A few pairs of old jeans that were destined for the op shop....
Chopped up and mixed with some cute apple fabric...
Bordered with a lovely bright green....
(A fuzzy kind of photo - wanting a new iPhone much.....?)
All completed and ready for picnic-ing on.
And that's just what we did yesterday. Chicken, salad and hot chips down the beachfront on a beautiful sunny Spring day to make the most of the school holidays - LOVE.
For my first attempt at quilting I have to say that I am rather proud of myself!
I was on a picnic last year and saw a funky blanket made from cut up old jeans and thought I'd give it a go. A few pairs of old jeans that were destined for the op shop....
Chopped up and mixed with some cute apple fabric...
Bordered with a lovely bright green....
(A fuzzy kind of photo - wanting a new iPhone much.....?)
All completed and ready for picnic-ing on.
And that's just what we did yesterday. Chicken, salad and hot chips down the beachfront on a beautiful sunny Spring day to make the most of the school holidays - LOVE.
For my first attempt at quilting I have to say that I am rather proud of myself!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Relax, don't do it!
Yes I did just title my blog post after an old Frankie goes to Hollywood song......
However, I have good reason to. As I write (on my iPhone) I am soaking in the bath in the kids bathroom.
Ikea tea candles everywhere (and NO my legs are NOT hairy - it's just the dodgy candlelit photo!!).
I got home from work to an overcooked dinner as I had the oven up too high, half my craft projects on the lounge room floor and a list in my head of a million unfinished 'things' that I think I simply have to do.
I flicked through my blog reader while the kids were doing the dishes and came across no less than 4 blogs about homeschooling and a gorgeous post by Em (ok, so I can't link on my phone - meh). All of these posts reminding me that it is actually OK to run a bath, soak in it and just relax.....! Aaaaah.
No the kids bathroom is not sparkly shiny clean, yes I can actually smell the dirty clothes in the basket next to me (and I washed yesterday - go figure) and yes, that is a bottle of dog shampoo behind my pretty candles.....
So what?
I'm relaxed.
The 'to-do' list will still be there tomorrow. And that's when I'll deal with it!
Xx
However, I have good reason to. As I write (on my iPhone) I am soaking in the bath in the kids bathroom.
Ikea tea candles everywhere (and NO my legs are NOT hairy - it's just the dodgy candlelit photo!!).
I got home from work to an overcooked dinner as I had the oven up too high, half my craft projects on the lounge room floor and a list in my head of a million unfinished 'things' that I think I simply have to do.
I flicked through my blog reader while the kids were doing the dishes and came across no less than 4 blogs about homeschooling and a gorgeous post by Em (ok, so I can't link on my phone - meh). All of these posts reminding me that it is actually OK to run a bath, soak in it and just relax.....! Aaaaah.
No the kids bathroom is not sparkly shiny clean, yes I can actually smell the dirty clothes in the basket next to me (and I washed yesterday - go figure) and yes, that is a bottle of dog shampoo behind my pretty candles.....
So what?
I'm relaxed.
The 'to-do' list will still be there tomorrow. And that's when I'll deal with it!
Xx
Friday, September 2, 2011
Beans, beans, the musical fruit.....
Breakfast time in our home is sometimes a bit of a pain... Hubby wants a full tummy to go off to work (and despite my complete aversion to white bread he still insists on it) preferring a cooked brekky to my favourite of homemade muesli and my own yoghurt with fresh fruit. Mr 13 will eat 2 bowls or more of Vita-Brits and top up on them throughout the day, while little Miss fussy 11 is a lot harder to please - her tastes vary from day to day.
I find that if I menu plan for breakfast along with the rest of the meals it's a lot smoother in the mornings.
I've wanted to try a Tana Ramsey recipe for Baked Beans for ages and a friend mentioned doing them in the slow cooker - sold!!
I googled a bit then made up my own variation.
In they went overnight and we woke up to delicious baked beans for brekky - a million times better than tinned ones, and I know exactly what's in it!
Served on toasted English muffins (yes I know, white bread.. Sigh) with a little grated cheese.
Best brekky for a chilly morning.
Now the bad news...
How do I put this?
Beans make you fart.
A lot.
And we took another drive up to check out the country town we will be moving to if the bank says yes. An hour and a half in the car with a farting family made for an interesting day trip I must say!
Good for a giggle I guess...
X
I find that if I menu plan for breakfast along with the rest of the meals it's a lot smoother in the mornings.
I've wanted to try a Tana Ramsey recipe for Baked Beans for ages and a friend mentioned doing them in the slow cooker - sold!!
I googled a bit then made up my own variation.
In they went overnight and we woke up to delicious baked beans for brekky - a million times better than tinned ones, and I know exactly what's in it!
Served on toasted English muffins (yes I know, white bread.. Sigh) with a little grated cheese.
Best brekky for a chilly morning.
Now the bad news...
How do I put this?
Beans make you fart.
A lot.
And we took another drive up to check out the country town we will be moving to if the bank says yes. An hour and a half in the car with a farting family made for an interesting day trip I must say!
Good for a giggle I guess...
X
Sunday, August 28, 2011
City to Surf
So for the third year in a row I've gotten up with the sun, dressed up as a tooth fairy, caught the train into the city (complete with wings, glitter and a tutu) and walked 12k from Perth out to City Beach..
This year hubby did the 4k walk with Miss 11 and Mr 13 did the 12k with me,
And my work mates,
Doesn't he look like the odd one out?
He ran ahead and met us at the finishing line. Wish he'd met us with a masseuse!
Just one more photo of the Tooth Fairies for you...
Perhaps I should have taken a pic of us skipping across the finish line, but we were too stuffed, so just enjoy the non sweaty, happy smiling pics!
X
This year hubby did the 4k walk with Miss 11 and Mr 13 did the 12k with me,
And my work mates,
Doesn't he look like the odd one out?
He ran ahead and met us at the finishing line. Wish he'd met us with a masseuse!
Just one more photo of the Tooth Fairies for you...
Perhaps I should have taken a pic of us skipping across the finish line, but we were too stuffed, so just enjoy the non sweaty, happy smiling pics!
X
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Decisions, decisions
Last weekend hubby and I went for a bit of a drive.
We've both had a dream for years of buying a few acres and having a little hobby farm. Our vegie patch has been both productive and enjoyable for many years, as have our little fruit trees and our chooks, but we are always talking about what else we could do to be more self-sufficient/sustainable if we had some more room to play, get a cow, have some sheep....... How good it would be for the kids etc.
Well the opportunity may have just presented itself.
We drove an hour out of the city, which makes it and hour and a half from where we live, and had a look. This time of the year it's gorgeous. Green fields of wheat (ok and crappy fields of GM canola, but this is not the post to debate the evils of genetically modified foods!) rivers flowing nicely due to the pleasant amount of rain that we have finally had.
The internet had quite the array of blocks of land and homes for sale out here so we cruised around and had a look. Including this one - 9 acres backing onto the river.....!
And what would we do for work you ask.....?
Well - this actually.
Hubby's trade is a baker/pastry cook and I think his heart is wanting to do it again, but for himself this time (ie, not working in a supermarket for a grocery giant). This bakery is for sale and if it's God's will for us it's looking as though we may well become the new owners. Scary stuff hey!?
The dilemma?
Well this Ruby Rose here has lived in the same beachside town for my entire 41 years of life on this planet!! I've never considered moving away from my family, my friends, my church..... I just always assumed that I'd get a block of land kind of close to the beach (ah yeah - dream on Linda!)
Hubby is doing all that he can for us to do this, but this heart is torn - I'm such an oak tree with deep deep roots planted in this hometown of mine, and hubby is a groundcover! Pick him up and plant him elsewhere and he'll thrive..
We visited the little church there on Sunday and met some truly lovely people, including plenty of other homeschoolers. We checked out the sporting opportunities and many other facilities available and it's all good. But I'm still hesitant. Excited and hopeful, but scared and hesitant.
I've spoken to this gorgeous girl and asked how on earth she packed up and moved from NZ over here - she said they just did it, without over analysing it.... Which is precisely what I'm doing!
This Kiwi babe is coming for a cuppa on Friday and will most likely say the same thing - just do it.....
So that's what I've been up to lately.
Will keep praying and will keep you posted.....!
xx
We've both had a dream for years of buying a few acres and having a little hobby farm. Our vegie patch has been both productive and enjoyable for many years, as have our little fruit trees and our chooks, but we are always talking about what else we could do to be more self-sufficient/sustainable if we had some more room to play, get a cow, have some sheep....... How good it would be for the kids etc.
Well the opportunity may have just presented itself.
We drove an hour out of the city, which makes it and hour and a half from where we live, and had a look. This time of the year it's gorgeous. Green fields of wheat (ok and crappy fields of GM canola, but this is not the post to debate the evils of genetically modified foods!) rivers flowing nicely due to the pleasant amount of rain that we have finally had.
The internet had quite the array of blocks of land and homes for sale out here so we cruised around and had a look. Including this one - 9 acres backing onto the river.....!
And what would we do for work you ask.....?
Well - this actually.
Hubby's trade is a baker/pastry cook and I think his heart is wanting to do it again, but for himself this time (ie, not working in a supermarket for a grocery giant). This bakery is for sale and if it's God's will for us it's looking as though we may well become the new owners. Scary stuff hey!?
The dilemma?
Well this Ruby Rose here has lived in the same beachside town for my entire 41 years of life on this planet!! I've never considered moving away from my family, my friends, my church..... I just always assumed that I'd get a block of land kind of close to the beach (ah yeah - dream on Linda!)
Hubby is doing all that he can for us to do this, but this heart is torn - I'm such an oak tree with deep deep roots planted in this hometown of mine, and hubby is a groundcover! Pick him up and plant him elsewhere and he'll thrive..
We visited the little church there on Sunday and met some truly lovely people, including plenty of other homeschoolers. We checked out the sporting opportunities and many other facilities available and it's all good. But I'm still hesitant. Excited and hopeful, but scared and hesitant.
I've spoken to this gorgeous girl and asked how on earth she packed up and moved from NZ over here - she said they just did it, without over analysing it.... Which is precisely what I'm doing!
This Kiwi babe is coming for a cuppa on Friday and will most likely say the same thing - just do it.....
So that's what I've been up to lately.
Will keep praying and will keep you posted.....!
xx
Thursday, June 23, 2011
More Bragging - Part 2
Another in my tribute to my friends..
Tonight is my beloved journalist friend Deb.
We met at playgroup in 2000 when our little Miss 11's were only 5&6 months old and our boys were 3. She very soon became my prayer partner and my Jiminy Cricket in the conscience department! Deb is the sort of friend you NEED. She doesn't "pussy foot" around the truth, she says it, as it is.
For example
Me "My hubby is driving me NUTS! Honestly he's not beng very nice lately..."
Deb "Are you loving him?"
Me "But he's doing blah blah blah"
Deb "Fill his love tank up and show him unconditional love"
Me under my breath "shut up Deb" out loud "hmmm, what if it doesn't work?"
Deb "What have you got to lose?"
Who knows that it works every time?!?
She is that strong voice of sensibility every time I need it.
Best of all though, she's a crack up to hang out with and awesome to go shopping with. We planned a date to Habour Town (factory outlet) once, and that morning she sent me a text to the tune of "This is the day that the Lord has made" but with the words
This is the day, this is the day
That we go shopping, that we go shopping
We will rejoice, we will rejoice
And find bargains here, and find bargains here!
Totally irreverent we know, but we both got a giggle out of it.
Oh, and we totally found plenty of bargains!
Deb is the friend who stops you when your conversation is drifting into gossip, the friend who reminds me how many years I prayed for a hubby when I'm having a grizzle about him (I adore him, truly!) She's the friend who prays over the phone with me if I'm having a moment, calls and asks my advice, or just calls and says "hey, how's things?"
We are very different in our personalities - she is vegetarian and I love my meat, she is a cat lover and I'm NOT! (whoops, there goes half my followers.......!) I'm a gardener, she wouldn't know if she had salad herbs or noxious weeds in her backyard.
Our sons are polar opposites - hers is a genius (think Big Bang Theory) and had memorised the elements table before mine knew his ABC's. While mine is Mr Sporty/outdoors.
Our daughters on the other hand are peas in a pod - ditzy, pretty little ladies. Remember the comment about the actress getting her arm chopped off to play Bethany Hamilton? Let's just say it was one of our girls.............!
She went back to Uni and did her degree in journalism while still being a wife and Mum to 3 kids. She got awards for being the best in her class (ok, so I'm such a good friend that I can't remember which award she got.......) and got the internship at the paper she always dreamed of working for. She doesn't blog - yet, but I'm looking forward to the day she does.
I love her, I'm proud of her and I'm so blessed to be her friend.
Xx
Tonight is my beloved journalist friend Deb.
We met at playgroup in 2000 when our little Miss 11's were only 5&6 months old and our boys were 3. She very soon became my prayer partner and my Jiminy Cricket in the conscience department! Deb is the sort of friend you NEED. She doesn't "pussy foot" around the truth, she says it, as it is.
For example
Me "My hubby is driving me NUTS! Honestly he's not beng very nice lately..."
Deb "Are you loving him?"
Me "But he's doing blah blah blah"
Deb "Fill his love tank up and show him unconditional love"
Me under my breath "shut up Deb" out loud "hmmm, what if it doesn't work?"
Deb "What have you got to lose?"
Who knows that it works every time?!?
She is that strong voice of sensibility every time I need it.
Best of all though, she's a crack up to hang out with and awesome to go shopping with. We planned a date to Habour Town (factory outlet) once, and that morning she sent me a text to the tune of "This is the day that the Lord has made" but with the words
This is the day, this is the day
That we go shopping, that we go shopping
We will rejoice, we will rejoice
And find bargains here, and find bargains here!
Totally irreverent we know, but we both got a giggle out of it.
Oh, and we totally found plenty of bargains!
Deb is the friend who stops you when your conversation is drifting into gossip, the friend who reminds me how many years I prayed for a hubby when I'm having a grizzle about him (I adore him, truly!) She's the friend who prays over the phone with me if I'm having a moment, calls and asks my advice, or just calls and says "hey, how's things?"
We are very different in our personalities - she is vegetarian and I love my meat, she is a cat lover and I'm NOT! (whoops, there goes half my followers.......!) I'm a gardener, she wouldn't know if she had salad herbs or noxious weeds in her backyard.
Our sons are polar opposites - hers is a genius (think Big Bang Theory) and had memorised the elements table before mine knew his ABC's. While mine is Mr Sporty/outdoors.
Our daughters on the other hand are peas in a pod - ditzy, pretty little ladies. Remember the comment about the actress getting her arm chopped off to play Bethany Hamilton? Let's just say it was one of our girls.............!
She went back to Uni and did her degree in journalism while still being a wife and Mum to 3 kids. She got awards for being the best in her class (ok, so I'm such a good friend that I can't remember which award she got.......) and got the internship at the paper she always dreamed of working for. She doesn't blog - yet, but I'm looking forward to the day she does.
I love her, I'm proud of her and I'm so blessed to be her friend.
Xx
Thursday, June 16, 2011
More bragging
Well I see that many people are doing blog 'series' on different subjects, so I'll jump on the bandwagon with my own....
I'd like to brag on a friend or two, or more.
At the risk of being accused of favouritism I thought I'd just let you know about them in order of how long I've known them - the oldest to the newest.
So here we go!
My oldest 'best' friend has been in my life since high school. We rode our bikes to school together, had sleep overs, crushes on boys, listened to music (INXS, Midnight Oil, Dire Straits - what can I say, it was the 80's). We graduated and went to graduation parties together - hmmm the less said about those the better! We chose our varied career paths, hers in office/business and mine into dental therapy. We fell in and out of love and helped each other pick up the pieces.
I'll never forget the early morning I phoned to tell her my boyfriend had died, she was at my place within minutes to be by my side. Sadly I had to do the same for her a few years later.
She was by my side at my first wedding, at the hospital as soon as I had my babies, and again right by my side when my first marriage dissolved. Well, lets say we both helped each other pick up the pieces after dissolving marriages..............
She's part of my family and even calls my grandparents 'Grandma & Grandpa'. My kids only know her as "Aunty Bindi"
She wholeheartedly approves of my hubby and they get along very well.
We don't catch up as much as we should, but when we do it's like no time has passed at all.
She's my oldest friend and I still refer to her as "my best friend from school". Love her!
The next one I've known since school, lost contact with, then resumed the friendship many years later at church. She's probably the one I get the most 'intimate' with, she's my beautician! And boy is she good at it too.... An absolute perfectionist when it comes to exact eyebrows - mine are spot on.
I call her Molekins as a nickname, but her real name is Kat. Miss 11 used to say "meow" when she was very very little if I said "Aunty Kat is coming over".
This chick is a great friend and I'm glad we found each other again.
The final one for tonight is my Tans.
Ever had one of those friendships that you totally treasure?
A rare gem that is priceless and incomparable?
That's what Tania is to me.
This woman knows me. She is the one I can totally bare my soul to, the one who will listen while I whinge or dream and who will then speak timely words of wisdom into my life. She is smart, gentle, fun, caring, wise and beautiful.
When I was on my own with my 2 kids for many years Tan and I went away on holidays together courtesy of her. We toured wineries and chocolate factories, went to fireworks and concerts together and promised that when we found our TDHs (tall, dark and handsome) we'd do it with them..... I ended up with round, grey and spunky though!
She is AMAZING at technical stuff and rolls her eyes at my uselessness with anything to do with computers, but I've worked out the best system for this ~ I cook dinner for her and she shows me what to do! Just this week she showed me how to put songs from my iTunes onto my iPhone - yay! (I have previously mentioned that I am a complete techno retard.....)
Tans is an awesome woman of God and it is a privilege to have her as a friend.
That's all for tonight, I'll have 3 more next time.
The only thing is that none of these lovely friends blog or read blogs!!!!
xx
I'd like to brag on a friend or two, or more.
At the risk of being accused of favouritism I thought I'd just let you know about them in order of how long I've known them - the oldest to the newest.
So here we go!
My oldest 'best' friend has been in my life since high school. We rode our bikes to school together, had sleep overs, crushes on boys, listened to music (INXS, Midnight Oil, Dire Straits - what can I say, it was the 80's). We graduated and went to graduation parties together - hmmm the less said about those the better! We chose our varied career paths, hers in office/business and mine into dental therapy. We fell in and out of love and helped each other pick up the pieces.
I'll never forget the early morning I phoned to tell her my boyfriend had died, she was at my place within minutes to be by my side. Sadly I had to do the same for her a few years later.
She was by my side at my first wedding, at the hospital as soon as I had my babies, and again right by my side when my first marriage dissolved. Well, lets say we both helped each other pick up the pieces after dissolving marriages..............
She's part of my family and even calls my grandparents 'Grandma & Grandpa'. My kids only know her as "Aunty Bindi"
She wholeheartedly approves of my hubby and they get along very well.
We don't catch up as much as we should, but when we do it's like no time has passed at all.
She's my oldest friend and I still refer to her as "my best friend from school". Love her!
The next one I've known since school, lost contact with, then resumed the friendship many years later at church. She's probably the one I get the most 'intimate' with, she's my beautician! And boy is she good at it too.... An absolute perfectionist when it comes to exact eyebrows - mine are spot on.
I call her Molekins as a nickname, but her real name is Kat. Miss 11 used to say "meow" when she was very very little if I said "Aunty Kat is coming over".
This chick is a great friend and I'm glad we found each other again.
The final one for tonight is my Tans.
Ever had one of those friendships that you totally treasure?
A rare gem that is priceless and incomparable?
That's what Tania is to me.
This woman knows me. She is the one I can totally bare my soul to, the one who will listen while I whinge or dream and who will then speak timely words of wisdom into my life. She is smart, gentle, fun, caring, wise and beautiful.
When I was on my own with my 2 kids for many years Tan and I went away on holidays together courtesy of her. We toured wineries and chocolate factories, went to fireworks and concerts together and promised that when we found our TDHs (tall, dark and handsome) we'd do it with them..... I ended up with round, grey and spunky though!
She is AMAZING at technical stuff and rolls her eyes at my uselessness with anything to do with computers, but I've worked out the best system for this ~ I cook dinner for her and she shows me what to do! Just this week she showed me how to put songs from my iTunes onto my iPhone - yay! (I have previously mentioned that I am a complete techno retard.....)
Tans is an awesome woman of God and it is a privilege to have her as a friend.
That's all for tonight, I'll have 3 more next time.
The only thing is that none of these lovely friends blog or read blogs!!!!
xx
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Soul Surfing
One of my closest friends and I took 6 young ladies to see "Soul Surfer" the movie based on the autobiography of Bethany Hamilton. Wow!
I did wonder if these 10-13 year old girls would be a bit too young to cope with this story, but it was spot on. What better time to sow into their lives the knowledge that you can do whatever you put your mind to, no matter what the circumstances (actually the movie even quite boldly states Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength")
My little Miss 11 has already read all about Bethany and looks up to her (mostly because they have the same name.....!) but to see her story in a movie made it so powerful. A talented young surfer, just came 1st place in a major tournament, sponsored by Rip Curl- whole surfing career ahead of her until a shark attack leaves her with only one arm.... She could have sat back and spent the rest of her life playing the victim - "poor me, I've only got one arm" but she didn't. Sure she questioned how this could possibly be the Jeremiah 29:11 for her life - "How could this be God's plan? That I only have one arm? That I can't do the thing I love the most?" But she CHOSE to make the most of every minute of her precious life and live it to the full. She got back on her board, re-learned how to surf (pushing up with only one arm and keeping her balance), refused to be labelled as handicapped and went on to not only compete but win!
Isn't that just like life?
We get all our ducks lined up in a row, then bam! Things go pear shaped.
We all have the opportunity to sit back and be victims of our circumstances or to do what Bethany did and make lemonade from the lemons life handed her.
This is the sort of person I want my kids looking up to. Good on her for being a true role model.
xx
(I have to say that 2 highlights of the afternoon were one 13 year old saying that Bethany is her new hero and one un-named little miss asking how they made the actress Anna Sophia Robb look like she lost her arm - "did they chop her arm off to play the part?".... I just LOVE this age!!!!!)
I did wonder if these 10-13 year old girls would be a bit too young to cope with this story, but it was spot on. What better time to sow into their lives the knowledge that you can do whatever you put your mind to, no matter what the circumstances (actually the movie even quite boldly states Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength")
My little Miss 11 has already read all about Bethany and looks up to her (mostly because they have the same name.....!) but to see her story in a movie made it so powerful. A talented young surfer, just came 1st place in a major tournament, sponsored by Rip Curl- whole surfing career ahead of her until a shark attack leaves her with only one arm.... She could have sat back and spent the rest of her life playing the victim - "poor me, I've only got one arm" but she didn't. Sure she questioned how this could possibly be the Jeremiah 29:11 for her life - "How could this be God's plan? That I only have one arm? That I can't do the thing I love the most?" But she CHOSE to make the most of every minute of her precious life and live it to the full. She got back on her board, re-learned how to surf (pushing up with only one arm and keeping her balance), refused to be labelled as handicapped and went on to not only compete but win!
Isn't that just like life?
We get all our ducks lined up in a row, then bam! Things go pear shaped.
We all have the opportunity to sit back and be victims of our circumstances or to do what Bethany did and make lemonade from the lemons life handed her.
This is the sort of person I want my kids looking up to. Good on her for being a true role model.
xx
(I have to say that 2 highlights of the afternoon were one 13 year old saying that Bethany is her new hero and one un-named little miss asking how they made the actress Anna Sophia Robb look like she lost her arm - "did they chop her arm off to play the part?".... I just LOVE this age!!!!!)
Friday, June 3, 2011
Bragging
When I was younger my Mum had a little flip photo album called a "Brag Book" so she could put her favourite pics of us kids in and keep in her handbag. Mostly for when we travelled interstate to visit relatives.
Nowadays we have our cameras on our mobile phones and we have our "Brag Books" with us at all times. (Go on - admit it. You show people pics of your kids. Don't you?)
Well I'm going to brag a little.....
This is my 13 year old son helping his little sister with her maths today
This is a boy, who struggled through maths all during school, but this year is FINALLY grasping math concepts. This Mumma's heart is thrilled, and glad we made the decision to homeschool.
This is my 2 blessings at craft group on Wednesday.
(Apologies for the clarity of the pic)
I made a nice healthy carrot cake to take, seeing as we'd pretty much consumed more than our fair share of food colouring eating the Rainbow cake!!
I'm so proud of these two.
They fight, they argue - so do other normal kids.
They play together, giggle, annoy me by not doing what they are supposed to, drag me from one end of Rockingham to the other for their sporting ventures every Saturday morning.
They bless my heart when they cuddle up to me and tell me something they think I might not know (because when you are 13, Mum's and Dad's don't know nearly as much as you do...........!) or just snuggle up on the couch.
Sometimes I truly want to bang their heads together and send them back to school (no point pretending it's all rainbows and lollypops homeschooling) but I wouldn't swap them for the world.
I love these two and thank God for them everyday.
xx
Nowadays we have our cameras on our mobile phones and we have our "Brag Books" with us at all times. (Go on - admit it. You show people pics of your kids. Don't you?)
Well I'm going to brag a little.....
This is my 13 year old son helping his little sister with her maths today
This is a boy, who struggled through maths all during school, but this year is FINALLY grasping math concepts. This Mumma's heart is thrilled, and glad we made the decision to homeschool.
This is my 2 blessings at craft group on Wednesday.
(Apologies for the clarity of the pic)
I made a nice healthy carrot cake to take, seeing as we'd pretty much consumed more than our fair share of food colouring eating the Rainbow cake!!
I'm so proud of these two.
They fight, they argue - so do other normal kids.
They play together, giggle, annoy me by not doing what they are supposed to, drag me from one end of Rockingham to the other for their sporting ventures every Saturday morning.
They bless my heart when they cuddle up to me and tell me something they think I might not know (because when you are 13, Mum's and Dad's don't know nearly as much as you do...........!) or just snuggle up on the couch.
Sometimes I truly want to bang their heads together and send them back to school (no point pretending it's all rainbows and lollypops homeschooling) but I wouldn't swap them for the world.
I love these two and thank God for them everyday.
xx
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Birthday girl
Well Miss 10 became Miss 11 today. A young lady, but still very much a little girl. While many of her friends are swooning over Justin Beiber, she's still watching Barbie movies and High School Musical. I am more than happy though, there's no rush to grow up, there will be plenty of time to be a teenager and an adult. I want her to enjoy being a little girl for a bit longer.
Opening presents on our bed this morning - not sure if she was more impressed with the 2 sequels to Anne of Green Gables or the gold necklace - I kind of think Anne won!
Today was a day off from homeschooling so she got to watch her movie whilst I had this beautiful friend visit.
This friend from school blogged about rainbow cupcakes last week so I figured I'd have a crack for Miss 11's birthday cake.
I made a double batch of my vanilla cake mix, split it 7 ways and coloured it (yes - I know "good grief, look at all those artificial food colours!!!" What the heck - it's only a birthday once a year!), baked each layer separately (ok, so it was raining, kids were occupied and I didn't have much else to play with today!), hubby put it together and iced it - have I mentioned he was a baker pastry cook for 20 years....?
Then some of our family came for dinner and devoured it!!
Not to blow my own trumpet, but flip it looked AND tasted amazing!
Happy Birthday my Princess.
Xxx
Opening presents on our bed this morning - not sure if she was more impressed with the 2 sequels to Anne of Green Gables or the gold necklace - I kind of think Anne won!
Today was a day off from homeschooling so she got to watch her movie whilst I had this beautiful friend visit.
This friend from school blogged about rainbow cupcakes last week so I figured I'd have a crack for Miss 11's birthday cake.
I made a double batch of my vanilla cake mix, split it 7 ways and coloured it (yes - I know "good grief, look at all those artificial food colours!!!" What the heck - it's only a birthday once a year!), baked each layer separately (ok, so it was raining, kids were occupied and I didn't have much else to play with today!), hubby put it together and iced it - have I mentioned he was a baker pastry cook for 20 years....?
Then some of our family came for dinner and devoured it!!
Not to blow my own trumpet, but flip it looked AND tasted amazing!
Happy Birthday my Princess.
Xxx
Sunday, May 22, 2011
{Almost} Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Would you believe it's finally here?
Yes, Autumn has arrived and bought with it some rain and cold weather - hooray!
We actually even had a storm on Thursday (of course I had 3 loads of washing on the line didn't I?)
I've crocheted 2 big snuggly blankets so far, one for Miss 10 in hot pink and one for Hubby which suits our lounge perfectly, we've had the heater on today for the first time this year and, as I type, I have a pot of chicken soup cooking - yum!
I was curled up in bed the other night and remembered a message I did for a ladies group a few years ago and thought I'd about blog it (I don't think any of you were in my loungeroom that winters day in 2002 so you won't mind if I'm repeating myself!)
Seeing as winter is officially only a few days away it's probably time to make some preparations for the season. Just as we don't experience glorious summer all year round, we don't always have fine weather in our lives and we need to be prepared for those darker days, those 'winters'. Here are a few tips.
Store up for winter ~ In colder climates or remote places people use store cupboards for provisions, we also need to store up in prayer and on God's Word so we have provisions to draw on when lean times strike (Prov 20:4).
In the same sense, a three course meal eaten last week won't give our body sustenance this week. We can't live off last year's three hour prayer meeting or last months revelations, we need to continually be building up our spirits - or stocking up the pantry!
Sometimes winter storms come suddenly so
Don't wait for the storms to hit before you clean out the gutters ~ (Psalm 51:10)
Just as leaves block the water flowing through the gutters, we need to clean out anything that's blocking the flow of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. If there is unconfessed sin, bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness etc in our hearts, we need a clean out - now, so that there won't be problems when a 'winter' arrives.
Get dressed for winter ~ I'm pretty sure none of us walk out the door in the mornings naked, we do spend time preparing for the day - don't we.....?
We need to spend time getting dressed in the natural as well as getting our inner clothing on. Colossians 3:14 says the most important piece of clothing is love. Don't wear it like an overcoat that is the last thing to be put on and the first thing to be taken off - wear love close to your heart, like 'thermal underwear' to protect you from the bitter winds of 'winter' like persecutions, accusations and offences. Remember love covers a multitude of sins.
Keep warm ~ (Heb12:29)
When 'winters' come - (and they do) don't sit out in the rain having a 'pity party' ~ you will inevitably be out there on your own if you do....!
Come inside, into the Father's presence, sit at His feet and stay warm. Keep the Holy Spirit fire burning in your heart - Luke 24:32
One final thing to keep in mind, although we aren't even officially in our Winter yet - Spring always comes after Winter. There are times of new growth ahead.
Yes, Autumn has arrived and bought with it some rain and cold weather - hooray!
We actually even had a storm on Thursday (of course I had 3 loads of washing on the line didn't I?)
I've crocheted 2 big snuggly blankets so far, one for Miss 10 in hot pink and one for Hubby which suits our lounge perfectly, we've had the heater on today for the first time this year and, as I type, I have a pot of chicken soup cooking - yum!
I was curled up in bed the other night and remembered a message I did for a ladies group a few years ago and thought I'd about blog it (I don't think any of you were in my loungeroom that winters day in 2002 so you won't mind if I'm repeating myself!)
Seeing as winter is officially only a few days away it's probably time to make some preparations for the season. Just as we don't experience glorious summer all year round, we don't always have fine weather in our lives and we need to be prepared for those darker days, those 'winters'. Here are a few tips.
Store up for winter ~ In colder climates or remote places people use store cupboards for provisions, we also need to store up in prayer and on God's Word so we have provisions to draw on when lean times strike (Prov 20:4).
In the same sense, a three course meal eaten last week won't give our body sustenance this week. We can't live off last year's three hour prayer meeting or last months revelations, we need to continually be building up our spirits - or stocking up the pantry!
Sometimes winter storms come suddenly so
Don't wait for the storms to hit before you clean out the gutters ~ (Psalm 51:10)
Just as leaves block the water flowing through the gutters, we need to clean out anything that's blocking the flow of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. If there is unconfessed sin, bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness etc in our hearts, we need a clean out - now, so that there won't be problems when a 'winter' arrives.
Get dressed for winter ~ I'm pretty sure none of us walk out the door in the mornings naked, we do spend time preparing for the day - don't we.....?
We need to spend time getting dressed in the natural as well as getting our inner clothing on. Colossians 3:14 says the most important piece of clothing is love. Don't wear it like an overcoat that is the last thing to be put on and the first thing to be taken off - wear love close to your heart, like 'thermal underwear' to protect you from the bitter winds of 'winter' like persecutions, accusations and offences. Remember love covers a multitude of sins.
Keep warm ~ (Heb12:29)
When 'winters' come - (and they do) don't sit out in the rain having a 'pity party' ~ you will inevitably be out there on your own if you do....!
Come inside, into the Father's presence, sit at His feet and stay warm. Keep the Holy Spirit fire burning in your heart - Luke 24:32
One final thing to keep in mind, although we aren't even officially in our Winter yet - Spring always comes after Winter. There are times of new growth ahead.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Apple Park
Today we left home bright and early and took a long drive down to Donnybrook in our States South West. A homeschool excursion had been organised and about 20 families from Rockingham and Bunbury trekked along.
We went to an organic orchard to learn how the apples are picked and sorted.
We then all got to go out into the orchard and pick a mixed bucket of Sundowners and Pink Ladies.
Have you ever plucked an apple straight off the tree and bitten into it? YUM!!
So crunchy and tasty!
Needless to say we bought home 5 kilos of organic apples today...
A picnic at the Donnybrook Apple Park for lunch - SERIOUSLY the best playground for all ages. The kids and I had a ball, and so did my Mum....
Yep, that's her up the top of a massive climbing frame with my son!
Her 'inner child' was released for a while today and she convinced me it would be a great idea to twist and climb through the tubes and tunnels all the way to the top of a tube slide - dopey me... I have friction burns on my bruised elbows where I tried to slow myself down! Ouch. But boy did we laugh!!!!
She then navigated us to Gnomesville - a quirky little spot amongst gorgeous dairy farms and rolling hills ("babe, buy me a farm PLEASE?"). People from all over the world bring garden gnomes here, with stories and poems. All types of gnomes as far as the eye can see, in the middle of the bush.
Good fun!
All in all a great day. A long drive and we're all tired, but great.
Have I mentioned how much I love homeschooling lately?
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
We went to an organic orchard to learn how the apples are picked and sorted.
We then all got to go out into the orchard and pick a mixed bucket of Sundowners and Pink Ladies.
Have you ever plucked an apple straight off the tree and bitten into it? YUM!!
So crunchy and tasty!
Needless to say we bought home 5 kilos of organic apples today...
A picnic at the Donnybrook Apple Park for lunch - SERIOUSLY the best playground for all ages. The kids and I had a ball, and so did my Mum....
Yep, that's her up the top of a massive climbing frame with my son!
Her 'inner child' was released for a while today and she convinced me it would be a great idea to twist and climb through the tubes and tunnels all the way to the top of a tube slide - dopey me... I have friction burns on my bruised elbows where I tried to slow myself down! Ouch. But boy did we laugh!!!!
She then navigated us to Gnomesville - a quirky little spot amongst gorgeous dairy farms and rolling hills ("babe, buy me a farm PLEASE?"). People from all over the world bring garden gnomes here, with stories and poems. All types of gnomes as far as the eye can see, in the middle of the bush.
Good fun!
All in all a great day. A long drive and we're all tired, but great.
Have I mentioned how much I love homeschooling lately?
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Chookies
One of these things is not like the other ones, which one's the odd one out?
That would be Toby, who thinks he's a chook not a dog.....
And this would be him chowing down on the poultry grains with them.
If only the eggs he lays on the lawn were like theirs....!
Ps - see my son's bare feet in the background? Yep - still no signs of winter down here yet, lovely sunny days and slightly cooler nights. Zero rain.
Xx
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
That would be Toby, who thinks he's a chook not a dog.....
And this would be him chowing down on the poultry grains with them.
If only the eggs he lays on the lawn were like theirs....!
Ps - see my son's bare feet in the background? Yep - still no signs of winter down here yet, lovely sunny days and slightly cooler nights. Zero rain.
Xx
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, May 9, 2011
Mothers Day 2011
I know, I know, everyone has done their Mothers Day posts and mine is a day late - but this one is SPECIAL. It's got photos!!
See
Exactly what I needed/wanted. Oh how well he knows me.
And this from Miss 10
E = enormous...!
So I guess the gym isn't working then? (Nor the homeschooling spelling lessons - enoughmus??)
Plus - yay! Brekky in bed
I am one blessed Mum!
Hope you all had a wonderful Mothers Day, and when I can get the flopping computer to work I'll link up full credit to the lovely friend who took some time out today to show me how to do photos.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
See
Exactly what I needed/wanted. Oh how well he knows me.
And this from Miss 10
E = enormous...!
So I guess the gym isn't working then? (Nor the homeschooling spelling lessons - enoughmus??)
Plus - yay! Brekky in bed
I am one blessed Mum!
Hope you all had a wonderful Mothers Day, and when I can get the flopping computer to work I'll link up full credit to the lovely friend who took some time out today to show me how to do photos.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, April 21, 2011
This is the stuff...
This is the stuff
Francesca Battistelli.
This song just blesses my heart!
Besides the fact that it's just so toe-tappingly catchy, it could seriously be my anthem.
"In the middle of my little mess, I forget how big I'm blessed"
Short and sweet, but go and have a listen, read the lyrics and see if it doesn't brighten your day.
Xx
Francesca Battistelli.
This song just blesses my heart!
Besides the fact that it's just so toe-tappingly catchy, it could seriously be my anthem.
"In the middle of my little mess, I forget how big I'm blessed"
Short and sweet, but go and have a listen, read the lyrics and see if it doesn't brighten your day.
Xx
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Identity crisis
Ever had those times when your whole identity is kind of threatened? Where you just don't feel like all the hats you're supposed to wear are fitting properly? Who am I and what am I doing on this ride anyway....?
That was me last week.
I felt like I was doing a totally rubbish job homeschooling my kids ~ aaaaargh, send them back to school.
My house was trashed and I really couldn't be bothered doing anything about it.
I hadn't menu planned for a week or four and had been chucking together any old meal, nothing particularly nutritious either. (Oh, and due to this fact add in that I'm feeling kinda chunky......)
The garden is looking very sad because it's still too flipping hot and dry.
And to top it all off, I wasn't in the mood for being 'wife of the year"
Actually I was a bit of a cow.
Needless to say, by last Thursday night I was sitting on the floor of my bedroom amongst a mountain of folding in tears, wondering where I'd gone wrong.
Usually I pride myself on being quite organised, a capable cook, good at budgeting, green thumb, level headed etc, etc, etc. But the attributes I'd identified myself with were all in jeopardy.....
What on earth am I good for if I'm not being all these things?
God reminded me of a revelation I'd had a few years ago and I'm so very glad.
Do you remember The Lion King?
Think to the part where Simba is summoned by Mufasa's ghost in the clouds - (oh and try to imagine the deep voice of James Earl Jones as Mufasa...!)
"Simba - you have forgotten me"
"no, I could never"
"You have forgotten who I am and therefore you have forgotten who you are - You are my son, and the one true King of Pride Rock"
Only my revelation went something like this,
"Linda - you have forgotten me"
"Aaah, excuse me? I'm a bit busy trying to work out who I am just now, I'll be with you in a sec God"
"You have forgotten who I am Linda, and therefore you have forgotten who you are - I am your King, you are my child, the apple of My eye, your identity is in Me and what I've done for you, not in whatever you are doing. Remember Me and remember who you are......."
What a relief. What joy that I don't need to prove anything - to myself or to others.
My worth is not in what I can do well or what I've managed to stuff up, my worth is in HIM. Because HE thinks I'm worthy.....
In the movie Mufasa's ghost fades away saying "remember who you are, remember who you are.........."
So now that's what I am doing - remembering.
That was me last week.
I felt like I was doing a totally rubbish job homeschooling my kids ~ aaaaargh, send them back to school.
My house was trashed and I really couldn't be bothered doing anything about it.
I hadn't menu planned for a week or four and had been chucking together any old meal, nothing particularly nutritious either. (Oh, and due to this fact add in that I'm feeling kinda chunky......)
The garden is looking very sad because it's still too flipping hot and dry.
And to top it all off, I wasn't in the mood for being 'wife of the year"
Actually I was a bit of a cow.
Needless to say, by last Thursday night I was sitting on the floor of my bedroom amongst a mountain of folding in tears, wondering where I'd gone wrong.
Usually I pride myself on being quite organised, a capable cook, good at budgeting, green thumb, level headed etc, etc, etc. But the attributes I'd identified myself with were all in jeopardy.....
What on earth am I good for if I'm not being all these things?
God reminded me of a revelation I'd had a few years ago and I'm so very glad.
Do you remember The Lion King?
Think to the part where Simba is summoned by Mufasa's ghost in the clouds - (oh and try to imagine the deep voice of James Earl Jones as Mufasa...!)
"Simba - you have forgotten me"
"no, I could never"
"You have forgotten who I am and therefore you have forgotten who you are - You are my son, and the one true King of Pride Rock"
Only my revelation went something like this,
"Linda - you have forgotten me"
"Aaah, excuse me? I'm a bit busy trying to work out who I am just now, I'll be with you in a sec God"
"You have forgotten who I am Linda, and therefore you have forgotten who you are - I am your King, you are my child, the apple of My eye, your identity is in Me and what I've done for you, not in whatever you are doing. Remember Me and remember who you are......."
What a relief. What joy that I don't need to prove anything - to myself or to others.
My worth is not in what I can do well or what I've managed to stuff up, my worth is in HIM. Because HE thinks I'm worthy.....
In the movie Mufasa's ghost fades away saying "remember who you are, remember who you are.........."
So now that's what I am doing - remembering.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Autumn??
Don't get me wrong, I love Summer. Love taking dinner down to the beach in the evenings, swimming lessons, long school holidays, shorts and tank tops etc....
But enough already!!
It's MARCH!
We should be in Autumn - leaves changing colour, cooler days, a little chill in the evening air maybe?
Nope - I think Summer is putting up a good fight to stay longer this year and Autumn is a bit too cruisy to resist...
So today I put the air-con on (yet again) when I got home from church, baked some comforting pumpkin scones for afternoon tea and plonked on the couch to read blogs from the Northern Hemisphere. Scrolling through pages and pics of homemade blankets and cozy fireplaces - aaaaah. Dreaming of rain - you know, that wet stuff that hasn't fallen from our Western Australian skies for AGES.
I then pulled out my Jamie Oliver and Stephanie Alexander cookbooks for some menu planning inspiration, before viewing the forecast for the week...... No soups or hearty slow cooked casseroles for a while yet.
I think this is the first year ever that I'm looking forward to winter.
But enough already!!
It's MARCH!
We should be in Autumn - leaves changing colour, cooler days, a little chill in the evening air maybe?
Nope - I think Summer is putting up a good fight to stay longer this year and Autumn is a bit too cruisy to resist...
So today I put the air-con on (yet again) when I got home from church, baked some comforting pumpkin scones for afternoon tea and plonked on the couch to read blogs from the Northern Hemisphere. Scrolling through pages and pics of homemade blankets and cozy fireplaces - aaaaah. Dreaming of rain - you know, that wet stuff that hasn't fallen from our Western Australian skies for AGES.
I then pulled out my Jamie Oliver and Stephanie Alexander cookbooks for some menu planning inspiration, before viewing the forecast for the week...... No soups or hearty slow cooked casseroles for a while yet.
I think this is the first year ever that I'm looking forward to winter.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Gleaning
Now I'm not very well known for my crafting ability.
I can garden - and I love gardening, and I can cook - very well actually (aaah, so modest too!). Most of my friends wouldn't refer to me as "Linda the crafter", but after today that may change......!
My Mum mentioned to me that there is a craft group at the church over the road from her house and that maybe I should take the kids along. Being new to this homeschooling gig I thought we'd check it out today.
So very glad we did.
It's in the church hall and full of interesting people from all walks of life - well mainly those in their twilight years. We had an introduction day today, made name badges for ourselves and worked out what we might like to do. We had such a lovely morning, met some delightful people and got some fantastic ideas for future projects.
Isn't it amazing what we can learn from those of other generations?
I saw my 13 year old son talking with an elderly gentleman about woodworking and having a laugh with some ladies trying to make a bird feeder, while Miss 10 was being her usual social butterfly self and charming all the little old ladies by asking questions about card making, mosaic tiling and crocheting. I myself had idealistic visions of quilting and crochet and a homemade Christmas!! (Hmmmmm - keep dreaming Linda) I was so proud of the way my kids behaved themselves today, they were in the company of much older people and some special needs people and they shone. (No, I'm not going into a big "how good are my kids" post - I was just really proud of them today)
The thing I really enjoyed about today though was gleaning.
Watching those whose lives are unhurried, unworried, uncomplicated.
They've done their child raising, they've paid their mortgages off, they've finished their working years and they are now enjoying their grey hairs. Somehow, I think that the stresses and tension we place on our daily lives are foreign to that generation.
My Grandmother didn't have a microwave, a washing machine, a dryer or any modern appliances but she still managed to cook, clean and wash for a family of 7 and raised them in a 2 bedroom home. My mother didn't have a dryer but managed to keep my siblings and I in clean/dry cloth nappies for a few years. She grew our vegies and made our clothes, knitted our jumpers and baked our treats, read us stories, showed us sunsets, taught us skills and loved us. Yes I remember stressful times with Mum (especially when I was a teenager), but I'm sure she spent more quality time with us when we were kids than I do with mine.
So on top of my week of encouragment I'm going to take a leaf out of Grandma's, Mum's and all the oldies at the craft group's book and stress less, I'm going to smell the flowers I grow, let Miss 10 bake and forget about the mess, go on walks to the skate park with Mr 13, talk with them, listen to them, make things, craft more, worry less and enjoy my life - every minute of it.
I can garden - and I love gardening, and I can cook - very well actually (aaah, so modest too!). Most of my friends wouldn't refer to me as "Linda the crafter", but after today that may change......!
My Mum mentioned to me that there is a craft group at the church over the road from her house and that maybe I should take the kids along. Being new to this homeschooling gig I thought we'd check it out today.
So very glad we did.
It's in the church hall and full of interesting people from all walks of life - well mainly those in their twilight years. We had an introduction day today, made name badges for ourselves and worked out what we might like to do. We had such a lovely morning, met some delightful people and got some fantastic ideas for future projects.
Isn't it amazing what we can learn from those of other generations?
I saw my 13 year old son talking with an elderly gentleman about woodworking and having a laugh with some ladies trying to make a bird feeder, while Miss 10 was being her usual social butterfly self and charming all the little old ladies by asking questions about card making, mosaic tiling and crocheting. I myself had idealistic visions of quilting and crochet and a homemade Christmas!! (Hmmmmm - keep dreaming Linda) I was so proud of the way my kids behaved themselves today, they were in the company of much older people and some special needs people and they shone. (No, I'm not going into a big "how good are my kids" post - I was just really proud of them today)
The thing I really enjoyed about today though was gleaning.
Watching those whose lives are unhurried, unworried, uncomplicated.
They've done their child raising, they've paid their mortgages off, they've finished their working years and they are now enjoying their grey hairs. Somehow, I think that the stresses and tension we place on our daily lives are foreign to that generation.
My Grandmother didn't have a microwave, a washing machine, a dryer or any modern appliances but she still managed to cook, clean and wash for a family of 7 and raised them in a 2 bedroom home. My mother didn't have a dryer but managed to keep my siblings and I in clean/dry cloth nappies for a few years. She grew our vegies and made our clothes, knitted our jumpers and baked our treats, read us stories, showed us sunsets, taught us skills and loved us. Yes I remember stressful times with Mum (especially when I was a teenager), but I'm sure she spent more quality time with us when we were kids than I do with mine.
So on top of my week of encouragment I'm going to take a leaf out of Grandma's, Mum's and all the oldies at the craft group's book and stress less, I'm going to smell the flowers I grow, let Miss 10 bake and forget about the mess, go on walks to the skate park with Mr 13, talk with them, listen to them, make things, craft more, worry less and enjoy my life - every minute of it.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Critique or Criticise?
Here's something you probably don't know about me.
I love to read fiction.
I could walk to my local library and sit there for hours when I was a kid, I would ride my bike home with a basket full of books and sit up with a torch at night under the covers reading. Occasionally I would find a dubious "teen" book and discuss it with Mum. I know it was her who encouraged my love of the written word.
A few years later I discovered the "Queen of Crime" Agatha Christie and I was hooked.
I love her books and am thrilled every time ABC has a telemovie on. I try to imagine the settings (having never been to England or seen an English village) and would consider my ultimate night out to be a "murder/mystery dinner"!
After a particularly enthralling Miss Marple episode last week I tried to explain to hubby (not a reader) what my addiction was and why. I googled Agatha Christie and tried to impress him with her many feats; being known as the best selling author of all time, writing over 80 mystery novels and many plays, being outsold only by the bible etc. I obviously didn't impress him much as he was snoring while I was reading..........
I kept reading and googling and was a little miffed to find some negative reviews about my beloved Agatha. Mostly they were such petty things like - her famous fiction detective Hercule Poirot would have been over 100 if her novels were written chronologically (um - it's fiction!) or - she must have been racist to have referred to foreigners as "foreigners" (heaven forbid!) etc. I found it weird that people felt that they must say something negative. That they must criticise.
I have always been under the impression that to critique is to review or analyse something in order to make it better ie, a recipe needing a tweak, a budget that's just not working, a room in your home that is decorated all wrong, a blog post that's not quite right and you need someone to critique it for you, to let you know where you are going off course. But that to criticise is to find fault with, express judgments about. At least that's what my old faithful dictionary says, but a modern google search of the word critique came up with this - "the art of criticism." Yuk.
How awful that it's apparently no longer what you do to improve something, it's now an artform.
I've been critiqued before, in the old sense - been corrected, nudged back onto the right path, been pointed in the right direction and accepted it, knowing that it's for my own good. I've been encouraged to try harder, go further, stretch bigger, tweak, improve, grow. Always by those who see potential in me for more.
I've also been criticised - many times, usually by those who care nothing for my improvement or for my own good!
How much more pleasant is it to accept critiquing than criticism?
Anyway, all of this to say - I am very good at criticising.
Yep. Me.
Especially at home. Finding faults. With my family.
Plop.
Praise God that there is a solution!
Prov 10: 31-32 - The Godly person gives wise advice..... The Godly speak words that are helpful.
So now my goal this week is to encourage. To nudge my children onto the right path, to direct, guide and lead. To build up and not put down. So that when they are older they will do what Agatha Christie did - ignore the critics.
I love to read fiction.
I could walk to my local library and sit there for hours when I was a kid, I would ride my bike home with a basket full of books and sit up with a torch at night under the covers reading. Occasionally I would find a dubious "teen" book and discuss it with Mum. I know it was her who encouraged my love of the written word.
A few years later I discovered the "Queen of Crime" Agatha Christie and I was hooked.
I love her books and am thrilled every time ABC has a telemovie on. I try to imagine the settings (having never been to England or seen an English village) and would consider my ultimate night out to be a "murder/mystery dinner"!
After a particularly enthralling Miss Marple episode last week I tried to explain to hubby (not a reader) what my addiction was and why. I googled Agatha Christie and tried to impress him with her many feats; being known as the best selling author of all time, writing over 80 mystery novels and many plays, being outsold only by the bible etc. I obviously didn't impress him much as he was snoring while I was reading..........
I kept reading and googling and was a little miffed to find some negative reviews about my beloved Agatha. Mostly they were such petty things like - her famous fiction detective Hercule Poirot would have been over 100 if her novels were written chronologically (um - it's fiction!) or - she must have been racist to have referred to foreigners as "foreigners" (heaven forbid!) etc. I found it weird that people felt that they must say something negative. That they must criticise.
I have always been under the impression that to critique is to review or analyse something in order to make it better ie, a recipe needing a tweak, a budget that's just not working, a room in your home that is decorated all wrong, a blog post that's not quite right and you need someone to critique it for you, to let you know where you are going off course. But that to criticise is to find fault with, express judgments about. At least that's what my old faithful dictionary says, but a modern google search of the word critique came up with this - "the art of criticism." Yuk.
How awful that it's apparently no longer what you do to improve something, it's now an artform.
I've been critiqued before, in the old sense - been corrected, nudged back onto the right path, been pointed in the right direction and accepted it, knowing that it's for my own good. I've been encouraged to try harder, go further, stretch bigger, tweak, improve, grow. Always by those who see potential in me for more.
I've also been criticised - many times, usually by those who care nothing for my improvement or for my own good!
How much more pleasant is it to accept critiquing than criticism?
Anyway, all of this to say - I am very good at criticising.
Yep. Me.
Especially at home. Finding faults. With my family.
Plop.
Praise God that there is a solution!
Prov 10: 31-32 - The Godly person gives wise advice..... The Godly speak words that are helpful.
So now my goal this week is to encourage. To nudge my children onto the right path, to direct, guide and lead. To build up and not put down. So that when they are older they will do what Agatha Christie did - ignore the critics.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
His will not mine
"I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy and steadfast love, because You have seen my affliction, You have taken note of my life’s distresses" Psalm 31:7 Amplified
New Living translation "For you care about the anguish of my soul"
Got hit right between the eyes with this last night.
I was having a bit of a "why me God? Why not me God?" whinge to Him. Not questioning His reasons or His ways, just asking "why?" "why not?"
Bit of soul baring and secret revealing from this blogging Ruby-girl, putting it all out in public, but here goes....
Hubby and I have been on the infertility round-a-bout for a few years now. He has 3 older kids from his 1st marriage, I have 2 from mine and we love and adore them all dearly, we know that they are all amazing blessings and all 5 of them mean the world to us.
But we've been unable to have one of our own.
We've watched as people we know have had planned and unplanned pregnancies and rejoiced with them hoping that it will be our turn next for a "suprise" but it hasn't been.
We did the emotionally, physically and financially draining journey down the IVF road last year - unsuccessfully.
I met a woman in the waiting room having an embryo transfer the same day as me - 4 months later she happened into my work glowing with a pregnant bloom, while all my embryos had gone to heaven.
Someone very close to me was going through IVF at the same time as us and we shared phone calls and hormonal chats together - she is due in 4 weeks which means that we would have been due this week......
Oh my aching heart.
Last night I had a bit of a whinge, "Why not God? Why didn't ours work? Why?"
I spoke with a dear friend of mine today who, this week, has had her 3rd miscarriage.
"Why God?"
I don't know why. He knows
I don't understand His ways. His ways are higher
I only know what He told me last night;
He takes note of my lifes distresses, He cares about the anguish of my soul
I will be glad and rejoice in His mercy and steadfast love.
I will trust Him, at all times, whether or not I have the answers to "why God?"
New Living translation "For you care about the anguish of my soul"
Got hit right between the eyes with this last night.
I was having a bit of a "why me God? Why not me God?" whinge to Him. Not questioning His reasons or His ways, just asking "why?" "why not?"
Bit of soul baring and secret revealing from this blogging Ruby-girl, putting it all out in public, but here goes....
Hubby and I have been on the infertility round-a-bout for a few years now. He has 3 older kids from his 1st marriage, I have 2 from mine and we love and adore them all dearly, we know that they are all amazing blessings and all 5 of them mean the world to us.
But we've been unable to have one of our own.
We've watched as people we know have had planned and unplanned pregnancies and rejoiced with them hoping that it will be our turn next for a "suprise" but it hasn't been.
We did the emotionally, physically and financially draining journey down the IVF road last year - unsuccessfully.
I met a woman in the waiting room having an embryo transfer the same day as me - 4 months later she happened into my work glowing with a pregnant bloom, while all my embryos had gone to heaven.
Someone very close to me was going through IVF at the same time as us and we shared phone calls and hormonal chats together - she is due in 4 weeks which means that we would have been due this week......
Oh my aching heart.
Last night I had a bit of a whinge, "Why not God? Why didn't ours work? Why?"
I spoke with a dear friend of mine today who, this week, has had her 3rd miscarriage.
"Why God?"
I don't know why. He knows
I don't understand His ways. His ways are higher
I only know what He told me last night;
He takes note of my lifes distresses, He cares about the anguish of my soul
I will be glad and rejoice in His mercy and steadfast love.
I will trust Him, at all times, whether or not I have the answers to "why God?"
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Green, green grass of home
On my Facebook profile is a section that asks what my favourite quote is, I've written
"The grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence, it's greenest where you water it the most." I don't remember where I first heard it, probably at church, but I totally believe it.
I was talking to a woman I recently met who had left her hubby and was bringing up her kids on her own as "it just wasn't working anymore." This breaks my heart.
Having gone through a divorce many years ago and knowing what that feels like I so wanted to encourage her, but as she was a stranger I hesitated....... I shouldn't have.
Not wanting to repeat what I posted here but my favourite quote is so true, especially when it comes to marriage. If it's "not working" ~ DO SOMETHING to make it work! Water it! Fertilise it!
My vegies need fertiliser, plenty of poo and compost to make them thrive.
There's no denying that often in our marriages there is plenty of poo isn't there? There are times when you just want to throw some poo his way (usually verbally) and there are times when life just stinks, but it's what you do with it that makes all the difference. I could, in my garden, leave the manure and the compost in one big pile to rot and smell (though I don't think the neighbours would appreciate it!) or I could spread it out, dig it in and plant some seeds resulting in harvest...
In my marriage, I can let irritations fester in one little corner of my thoughts, or - I can dig them over, plant some seeds of forgiveness and love and let those ones grow.
It's my choice.
I can look at my spunk through my own magnifying glass eyes and see every one of his faults and closely study them, or I can look through God's eyes and see hubby as a child of the Most High, the apple of His eye, fearfully and wonderfully made!
I can look at him through Shallow Hal's eyes and see who he truly is......
"The grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence, it's greenest where you water it the most." I don't remember where I first heard it, probably at church, but I totally believe it.
I was talking to a woman I recently met who had left her hubby and was bringing up her kids on her own as "it just wasn't working anymore." This breaks my heart.
Having gone through a divorce many years ago and knowing what that feels like I so wanted to encourage her, but as she was a stranger I hesitated....... I shouldn't have.
Not wanting to repeat what I posted here but my favourite quote is so true, especially when it comes to marriage. If it's "not working" ~ DO SOMETHING to make it work! Water it! Fertilise it!
My vegies need fertiliser, plenty of poo and compost to make them thrive.
There's no denying that often in our marriages there is plenty of poo isn't there? There are times when you just want to throw some poo his way (usually verbally) and there are times when life just stinks, but it's what you do with it that makes all the difference. I could, in my garden, leave the manure and the compost in one big pile to rot and smell (though I don't think the neighbours would appreciate it!) or I could spread it out, dig it in and plant some seeds resulting in harvest...
In my marriage, I can let irritations fester in one little corner of my thoughts, or - I can dig them over, plant some seeds of forgiveness and love and let those ones grow.
It's my choice.
I can look at my spunk through my own magnifying glass eyes and see every one of his faults and closely study them, or I can look through God's eyes and see hubby as a child of the Most High, the apple of His eye, fearfully and wonderfully made!
I can look at him through Shallow Hal's eyes and see who he truly is......
Monday, February 14, 2011
iPotential
Ok - so it's common knowledge among my nearest and dearest that I am a techno spaz, not very computer savvy, or as a close family friend says "she's IT retarded". (Note the absence of photos, graphics or decorations on my blog!)
But - I do have an iPhone and an iPad. Both amazing inventions intended to enhance your life, fantastic applications to download, great features etc.
If you use them........
Yep - my phone has very few apps, neither does my iPad. I make calls and txt with my very $$ phone and I use my Christmas present iPad to blog - and that's about it. Much to the disgust of one very close friend (Tans).
I was pondering this to my hubby in bed the other night - "Babe, do you think our lives are like iPhones? Soooo much potential, if only we would download it."
So many things we have the opportunity to do and be, so many places we could go, so many chances, so many risks to take,
if only we would do them
be that
go there
take them
I'm not talking "Eat, Pray, Love" here, ie leave your hubby, flit around the world and find yourself.
I'm talking about your God given potential, my potential. Am I making the most of every moment He's given me? Am I using all the talents and abilities He's gifted me with for Him, for His Kingdom and His purposes? Or am I like my own iPhone - so much potential yet only being used for the boring basics? All talk and no action (OUCH!)
Might just get off my iPad and go download some Jesus time.......
But - I do have an iPhone and an iPad. Both amazing inventions intended to enhance your life, fantastic applications to download, great features etc.
If you use them........
Yep - my phone has very few apps, neither does my iPad. I make calls and txt with my very $$ phone and I use my Christmas present iPad to blog - and that's about it. Much to the disgust of one very close friend (Tans).
I was pondering this to my hubby in bed the other night - "Babe, do you think our lives are like iPhones? Soooo much potential, if only we would download it."
So many things we have the opportunity to do and be, so many places we could go, so many chances, so many risks to take,
if only we would do them
be that
go there
take them
I'm not talking "Eat, Pray, Love" here, ie leave your hubby, flit around the world and find yourself.
I'm talking about your God given potential, my potential. Am I making the most of every moment He's given me? Am I using all the talents and abilities He's gifted me with for Him, for His Kingdom and His purposes? Or am I like my own iPhone - so much potential yet only being used for the boring basics? All talk and no action (OUCH!)
Might just get off my iPad and go download some Jesus time.......
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Sucking eggs
Strange title for a post I know, but it's the name of a library book I picked up on Monday and have been struggling to put down ever since...
"Sucking eggs - what your wartime Granny could teach you about diet, thrift and going green" by Patricia Nicol.
I was under the impression that this would be a bit like the old CWA cookbooks that had great, old fashioned household tips and hints - some that put a bit of a grin on your face, but I was surprised to find that it is actually a bit of an historical account of the life and trials of British housewives during the 2nd World War.
How they had to plan family meals around food rationing, how they were all encouraged to "Dig for Victory" by growing their own vegies and being self sufficient, how they had to clothe themselves and their families with clothing rations and were again encouraged to "Make do and mend" by only buying or making the clothing they would need, sensibly looking after what they had and not senselessly frittering away money on fashion trends. How they had to carefully think about every trip they took as fuel was so desperately needed elsewhere, most times they walked or cycled and only sourced locally made or grown products.
I'm not yet finished reading (I'm up to the chapter on beauty - putting your best face forward, and how to keep your hair looking presentable when water for bathing was to be spared and luxuries such as shampoo were not easily attainable...... Berets, snoods and headscarves suddenly became quite popular!) but this book has got me reflecting:
Why did it take war time for people to be so sensible?
Why did the government have to intervene to encourage the public to buy home grown/made National products so British money wouldn't be spent overseas thus boosting their own economy?
Why is it that today more than ever we have such a need for sensibility but so many excuses against it? For example, it's been said that one square kilometer of solar panels placed in the red centre of our country could apparently power our entire nation, but it won't be done due to the fact that those running the coal powered electricity companies would be rather put out. Another example is that we have no qualms paying for fashion items and designer labels if we don't see the 3rd world sweat shop conditions they are made in.
Now I'm not planning on joining a hippy commune (although I've often lamented not being born Amish......!) nor am I about to join Peter Garret and chant anti-establishment songs, but I am beginning to become quite passionate about our environment, the future of our planet and what we are leaving for our children and grandchildren. I am of the opinion that way back in Genesis we were given a mandate to look after this amazing planet that He created for us. I know that there is a time and a season for everything and that according to 2Peter 3 this world will one day pass away, but until that time I believe we should be responsible guardians and inhabitants of this incredible earth He's placed us on.
I need to get off my soapbox for now I think!
Not a regular post for this little Ruby girl, but this is what is going through my head just now.
"Sucking eggs - what your wartime Granny could teach you about diet, thrift and going green" by Patricia Nicol.
I was under the impression that this would be a bit like the old CWA cookbooks that had great, old fashioned household tips and hints - some that put a bit of a grin on your face, but I was surprised to find that it is actually a bit of an historical account of the life and trials of British housewives during the 2nd World War.
How they had to plan family meals around food rationing, how they were all encouraged to "Dig for Victory" by growing their own vegies and being self sufficient, how they had to clothe themselves and their families with clothing rations and were again encouraged to "Make do and mend" by only buying or making the clothing they would need, sensibly looking after what they had and not senselessly frittering away money on fashion trends. How they had to carefully think about every trip they took as fuel was so desperately needed elsewhere, most times they walked or cycled and only sourced locally made or grown products.
I'm not yet finished reading (I'm up to the chapter on beauty - putting your best face forward, and how to keep your hair looking presentable when water for bathing was to be spared and luxuries such as shampoo were not easily attainable...... Berets, snoods and headscarves suddenly became quite popular!) but this book has got me reflecting:
Why did it take war time for people to be so sensible?
Why did the government have to intervene to encourage the public to buy home grown/made National products so British money wouldn't be spent overseas thus boosting their own economy?
Why is it that today more than ever we have such a need for sensibility but so many excuses against it? For example, it's been said that one square kilometer of solar panels placed in the red centre of our country could apparently power our entire nation, but it won't be done due to the fact that those running the coal powered electricity companies would be rather put out. Another example is that we have no qualms paying for fashion items and designer labels if we don't see the 3rd world sweat shop conditions they are made in.
Now I'm not planning on joining a hippy commune (although I've often lamented not being born Amish......!) nor am I about to join Peter Garret and chant anti-establishment songs, but I am beginning to become quite passionate about our environment, the future of our planet and what we are leaving for our children and grandchildren. I am of the opinion that way back in Genesis we were given a mandate to look after this amazing planet that He created for us. I know that there is a time and a season for everything and that according to 2Peter 3 this world will one day pass away, but until that time I believe we should be responsible guardians and inhabitants of this incredible earth He's placed us on.
I need to get off my soapbox for now I think!
Not a regular post for this little Ruby girl, but this is what is going through my head just now.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Newly named
We have given one of our choooks a name.
My 10 year old has been nagging me to name them since we got them, but I'm not really into that, although we did nickname one "George" as in Curious George because she is always the first to greet us and run to us, the first to tilt her head and see what we are doing. But we have now named the lightest one with the fluffiest bum "Joy". (Apologies to anyone with that as their name, including my aunty). Here is why.
Two days ago hubby informed me we had a sick chook, she was staggering like she'd had a few drinks, gasping and carrying on a bit. By the late afternoon we noticed she was going downhill pretty quickly and decided to take her away from the others to die in peace. We scoured Google for advice and one of the possibilities was that she may have been egg bound and the remedy was to give her a warm bath! She lay there weakly and I pretty much resigned myself to digging a hole... The kids and I gave her a cuddle and prayed that she would get better, popped her in a washing basket with some towels and left her for the night.
I made sure I was up first yesterday as I didn't fancy the kids finding another feathered body in the laundry (Miss 10's Christmas present canary carked it a few weeks ago and she discovered it......) BUT - rejoice! There she was clucking away at me in her basket, standing on both feet much better and most certainly not dead! A warm bath can do wonders can't it?
Praise the Lord for answered prayers - even for chickens!
Now let's just hope there are no more near death experiences for us to name the others.....
My 10 year old has been nagging me to name them since we got them, but I'm not really into that, although we did nickname one "George" as in Curious George because she is always the first to greet us and run to us, the first to tilt her head and see what we are doing. But we have now named the lightest one with the fluffiest bum "Joy". (Apologies to anyone with that as their name, including my aunty). Here is why.
Two days ago hubby informed me we had a sick chook, she was staggering like she'd had a few drinks, gasping and carrying on a bit. By the late afternoon we noticed she was going downhill pretty quickly and decided to take her away from the others to die in peace. We scoured Google for advice and one of the possibilities was that she may have been egg bound and the remedy was to give her a warm bath! She lay there weakly and I pretty much resigned myself to digging a hole... The kids and I gave her a cuddle and prayed that she would get better, popped her in a washing basket with some towels and left her for the night.
I made sure I was up first yesterday as I didn't fancy the kids finding another feathered body in the laundry (Miss 10's Christmas present canary carked it a few weeks ago and she discovered it......) BUT - rejoice! There she was clucking away at me in her basket, standing on both feet much better and most certainly not dead! A warm bath can do wonders can't it?
Praise the Lord for answered prayers - even for chickens!
Now let's just hope there are no more near death experiences for us to name the others.....
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Veruca darling
"Daddy I want an oompa loompa and I want one NOW!"
Ever have those Veruca Salt moments? So many things that I want, but I want them right away? And not just material things, not just the goose that lays the golden eggs..
Those things that I feel will make me a "good/better" wife, mum, friend, daughter.
I want to be more organised, more social, more efficient, kinder, softer, blah blah blah....
And I give God this never-ending wish list and stand there mentally stomping my feet just like Veruca singing - "I want the world, I want the WHOLE world"
Now there are things that I CAN do in the natural to attain some of the above - I can be more diligent with my devotionals and actually put into practice what I'm reading! I can spend more quality time in prayer, making sure I keep His presence in my home.. I can follow my "Flylady" routines daily to keep the mess at bay, be consistent with discipline, eat well, excercise, etc etc etc.........!
You and I both know that God isn't going to roll His eyes and sigh "Yes Linda/Veruca darling, you can have everything you want right now". Just so that I shut up and stop whining.
He knows full well what I want, but He also knows exactly what I NEED.
He knows what it will take to build depth of character in me, He knows what it will take for me to grow and nurture quality attributes and He will put in my path the neccessary situations and circumstances to develop them. Will I face it and embrace it? Or will I stomp my feet, pout and say "It's not FAIR!"
Veruca Salt was a demanding little pratt who ended up sliding down the chute where all the bad eggs go - not quite what I've got pictured for my life!
I guess what I'm going to do is this - Trust in the Lord with all my heart, lean not on my own understanding, in all my ways acknowledge Him and let Him direct my paths. (Prov 3:5-6)
I might not get my own way at times, but I can be confident that He knows what's best for me. Life might not be fair, but God is good, all the time,
And all the time - God is good.
Ever have those Veruca Salt moments? So many things that I want, but I want them right away? And not just material things, not just the goose that lays the golden eggs..
Those things that I feel will make me a "good/better" wife, mum, friend, daughter.
I want to be more organised, more social, more efficient, kinder, softer, blah blah blah....
And I give God this never-ending wish list and stand there mentally stomping my feet just like Veruca singing - "I want the world, I want the WHOLE world"
Now there are things that I CAN do in the natural to attain some of the above - I can be more diligent with my devotionals and actually put into practice what I'm reading! I can spend more quality time in prayer, making sure I keep His presence in my home.. I can follow my "Flylady" routines daily to keep the mess at bay, be consistent with discipline, eat well, excercise, etc etc etc.........!
You and I both know that God isn't going to roll His eyes and sigh "Yes Linda/Veruca darling, you can have everything you want right now". Just so that I shut up and stop whining.
He knows full well what I want, but He also knows exactly what I NEED.
He knows what it will take to build depth of character in me, He knows what it will take for me to grow and nurture quality attributes and He will put in my path the neccessary situations and circumstances to develop them. Will I face it and embrace it? Or will I stomp my feet, pout and say "It's not FAIR!"
Veruca Salt was a demanding little pratt who ended up sliding down the chute where all the bad eggs go - not quite what I've got pictured for my life!
I guess what I'm going to do is this - Trust in the Lord with all my heart, lean not on my own understanding, in all my ways acknowledge Him and let Him direct my paths. (Prov 3:5-6)
I might not get my own way at times, but I can be confident that He knows what's best for me. Life might not be fair, but God is good, all the time,
And all the time - God is good.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Australians all...
Just got home from our annual pilgrimage to the Skyshow - the big fireworks display in our city to celebrate Australia Day. I've done it every year since I can remember; with the youth group as a young teenager, with various dates over my young adulthood, with my ex while living up in the city, as a single mum with one of my best friends and now with my hubby, kids and a big group of church friends. The Skyshow has become a set tradition in my family and it's gotten me thinking about what being Australian really means to me, and what I should be teaching the kids about being born "young and free".
We truly live in a lucky country, a land of so many opportunities but many times we can get so caught up chasing after what we haven't got and miss the blessing in what we really do already have.
We don't have devastating poverty, we have a welfare system.
We don't have a corrupt dictatorship government, we live in a democracy.
We have freedom of speech and freedom of religion and we are totally free to exercise these.
We have access to good medical care, uncontaminated food and water, safe public transport.
I could go on and on...
I want my kids to know that men fought and died so we could have this, women lost their husbands, children lost their fathers for us to live "young and free". People gave a great sacrifice so that we could sit back tonight and watch amazing fireworks in a free country.
I'm proud to be an Aussie, to be True Blue, a Skippy chick, Dinky Di. This is my country and I'm proud of it.
God bless Australia.
We truly live in a lucky country, a land of so many opportunities but many times we can get so caught up chasing after what we haven't got and miss the blessing in what we really do already have.
We don't have devastating poverty, we have a welfare system.
We don't have a corrupt dictatorship government, we live in a democracy.
We have freedom of speech and freedom of religion and we are totally free to exercise these.
We have access to good medical care, uncontaminated food and water, safe public transport.
I could go on and on...
I want my kids to know that men fought and died so we could have this, women lost their husbands, children lost their fathers for us to live "young and free". People gave a great sacrifice so that we could sit back tonight and watch amazing fireworks in a free country.
I'm proud to be an Aussie, to be True Blue, a Skippy chick, Dinky Di. This is my country and I'm proud of it.
God bless Australia.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Kiss the Bride
On Friday my husband and I had the honour of witnessing the wedding of our pastor's daughter. It was a stunning beach ceremony followed by a very meaningful reception in the beautiful South West of our State. The bride is absolutely drop dead gorgeous and her groom is a hottie, but that wasn't what made this such a moving wedding. The reception was a unique blend of Australian/Italian and New Zealand/Maori culture which was in itself thoroughly enjoyable and insightful.
However - for me, the thing that stood out from all of the above was the fact that this gorgeous young couple have united together throughout their dating and courting and have honoured God in every way. They have sought first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness in every way. They haven't compromised.
To see a very modern young couple walking the path of abstinence until marriage is truly unique in today's Western world where sex before marriage is encouraged and usually "the norm". To know the pressures put on young people to follow that norm and to see them stand up and shun this, knowing that there is a "far more excellent way" is what made this so special to me.
I have watched this young lady grow up and if I could have anything for my daughter it would be for her to follow in the footsteps of this bride. I have seen the depth of the commitment to God of this groom and my heart deeply desires this for my teenage son. I have also seen the way my pastors have parented their children over the years, the intimacy in their relationships with their kids, the way they haven't compromised God's standards in their lives. I see the depth of their walk with the Lord in everything they do.
Raising a bride like Bianca and a groom like Jordy doesn't just "happen". It takes dedicated prayer, devotion to parenting and unconditional love 24/7...
I am so very proud of this young couple, but not half as proud as their parents are, and I have been truly inspired this weekend that this adventure of parenting is worth it all.
However - for me, the thing that stood out from all of the above was the fact that this gorgeous young couple have united together throughout their dating and courting and have honoured God in every way. They have sought first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness in every way. They haven't compromised.
To see a very modern young couple walking the path of abstinence until marriage is truly unique in today's Western world where sex before marriage is encouraged and usually "the norm". To know the pressures put on young people to follow that norm and to see them stand up and shun this, knowing that there is a "far more excellent way" is what made this so special to me.
I have watched this young lady grow up and if I could have anything for my daughter it would be for her to follow in the footsteps of this bride. I have seen the depth of the commitment to God of this groom and my heart deeply desires this for my teenage son. I have also seen the way my pastors have parented their children over the years, the intimacy in their relationships with their kids, the way they haven't compromised God's standards in their lives. I see the depth of their walk with the Lord in everything they do.
Raising a bride like Bianca and a groom like Jordy doesn't just "happen". It takes dedicated prayer, devotion to parenting and unconditional love 24/7...
I am so very proud of this young couple, but not half as proud as their parents are, and I have been truly inspired this weekend that this adventure of parenting is worth it all.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Little Foxes
It's no real secret that I enjoy my garden. To me, sitting and enjoying my morning cuppa on my bench and checking out how much my plants have grown overnight is a big good morning kiss from heaven.
However - general busyness, hot or cold weather, work, or just slack times often means that my dreamy little "Better Homes and Gardens" ideal looks more like "Backyard Blitz" before they start..! Usually when this happens it means rolling up the sleeves and getting down and dirty. It also usually means that I'm gonna end up aching all over for a few days too. Every time I swear to myself that "if only I did just a little bit everyday.........."
Marriage is sooo like my garden - well mine is anyway.
If I fertilise with loving words, water with kindness and encouragement and sow seeds of selflessness then I'm going to harvest those in return.
When I am diligent I try to pull out the little weeds of attitude everyday, prune back the clever comebacks (and I have a few good ones up my sleeve!), dead head the selfishness, uproot the discontent and "catch all the little foxes before they ruin the vineyard of my love" Song of Solomon 2:15.
But I'm not as diligent as I'd like to be...
I see my pastors marriage and to me that is a fruitful, blossoming, healthy marriage - it is a "Better Homes" garden. I'm sure they have weeds, but they pick them out early and don't let them grow into big "Jack and the Beanstalk" arguments which are harder to uproot and hurt pulling out.
To have a lush, fruitful garden takes time and effort, but the harvest and rewards are worth it - how much more worth it is marriage?
Think it's time I pulled on the garden gloves and sharpened up the secateurs, and got down and dirty.......
However - general busyness, hot or cold weather, work, or just slack times often means that my dreamy little "Better Homes and Gardens" ideal looks more like "Backyard Blitz" before they start..! Usually when this happens it means rolling up the sleeves and getting down and dirty. It also usually means that I'm gonna end up aching all over for a few days too. Every time I swear to myself that "if only I did just a little bit everyday.........."
Marriage is sooo like my garden - well mine is anyway.
If I fertilise with loving words, water with kindness and encouragement and sow seeds of selflessness then I'm going to harvest those in return.
When I am diligent I try to pull out the little weeds of attitude everyday, prune back the clever comebacks (and I have a few good ones up my sleeve!), dead head the selfishness, uproot the discontent and "catch all the little foxes before they ruin the vineyard of my love" Song of Solomon 2:15.
But I'm not as diligent as I'd like to be...
I see my pastors marriage and to me that is a fruitful, blossoming, healthy marriage - it is a "Better Homes" garden. I'm sure they have weeds, but they pick them out early and don't let them grow into big "Jack and the Beanstalk" arguments which are harder to uproot and hurt pulling out.
To have a lush, fruitful garden takes time and effort, but the harvest and rewards are worth it - how much more worth it is marriage?
Think it's time I pulled on the garden gloves and sharpened up the secateurs, and got down and dirty.......
Thursday, January 13, 2011
It's only the beginning
Whenever I start something new Deborah Conway's song finds it's way to my lips; "It's only the beginning, and I've already gone and lost my mind".
Well let's hope I've not lost mine just yet.
This blogging thing is new to me, but journaling down my thoughts isn't, creative writing isn't and talking about myself certainly isn't!!! So here goes....
The inspiration for this blog? Mrs duckegg blue and teacups too (who I'm sure will show me how to put a link in!)
The inspiration for my blog title? Two long time friends and a little joke we've often shared - whenever we've been particularly creative in the kitchen or garden, been super motherly with our children, or simply had a rather virtuous day the phrase "Well colour me red and call me Ruby" has chimed out. Why? Well the three of us have on occasion been known to read "Above Rubies" magazines and have aspired to be "a Ruby wife".
Proverbs 31:10 "Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? Her value/worth is far above rubies"
No I don't have 16 and counting children.
Yes I am homeschooling my kids this year.
No I don't spin yarn! But yes I do desire to be a Proverbs 31 wife and mother.
I want to be clothed with strength and dignity and laugh with no fear of the future. When I speak I want my words to be wise and for kindness to be the rule when I give instruction. I want to carefully watch over the ways of my household and not have to bear the consequences of laziness. v 25 - 27
This is why I'm blogging, this is my journey.
(Plus - my favourite colour is RED!)
Well let's hope I've not lost mine just yet.
This blogging thing is new to me, but journaling down my thoughts isn't, creative writing isn't and talking about myself certainly isn't!!! So here goes....
The inspiration for this blog? Mrs duckegg blue and teacups too (who I'm sure will show me how to put a link in!)
The inspiration for my blog title? Two long time friends and a little joke we've often shared - whenever we've been particularly creative in the kitchen or garden, been super motherly with our children, or simply had a rather virtuous day the phrase "Well colour me red and call me Ruby" has chimed out. Why? Well the three of us have on occasion been known to read "Above Rubies" magazines and have aspired to be "a Ruby wife".
Proverbs 31:10 "Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? Her value/worth is far above rubies"
No I don't have 16 and counting children.
Yes I am homeschooling my kids this year.
No I don't spin yarn! But yes I do desire to be a Proverbs 31 wife and mother.
I want to be clothed with strength and dignity and laugh with no fear of the future. When I speak I want my words to be wise and for kindness to be the rule when I give instruction. I want to carefully watch over the ways of my household and not have to bear the consequences of laziness. v 25 - 27
This is why I'm blogging, this is my journey.
(Plus - my favourite colour is RED!)
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