R.E.S.P.E.C.T

Ever really watched your husband at his trade?
Ever gone to work and actually seen what he does day to day?

I met Marc when he was a kiln operator at the brickworks factory and certainly didn't go and watch him bake bricks.
Then about 5 years ago we started our own Handyman Service - doing mostly cleaning, gardening, repairs etc. To be really honest, it wasn't the most romantic of businesses........
He was getting restless, bored and totally exhausted.  Plus the added downfall of waiting, and waiting, and waiting, to get paid by the companies we did jobs for.  It was time for a change.

When Marc was 14 he started his apprenticeship as a Baker/Pastry Cook and worked in the industry for about 20 years, including many years as Bakery Manager in one of the big chain supermarkets.
He always said he'd only go back to baking if he was doing it for himself - not a company.

Well as you all reading this blog know by now - that's exactly what he's doing!
And I for one am so very proud of him.


Making puff pastry



Viennese biscuits



Meat pies of many different varieties




My favourite - mushroom pie (best ever in my opinion!)


Family quiches


Yep - he's been a busy little cookie this week getting ready for tomorrows opening.

I've never seen him in this environment before though, this is all new to me and it's like a fresh look at this awesome man I married.
He's practising his trade, his gift, his passion - and I'm watching along with such respect and admiration.
I'm seeing him in his element and my heart is welling with a new found pride for him.

He's the man!!

xx

Update

Just a quick update for you all (well those of you who aren't on Facebook or Instagram)
We are here!

We're having problems getting our phone connected, therefore no Internet - so this is from my phone....
We are renting a gorgeous place on 5 acres about 4k out of town on the river.



The verandah looks out over the property - to the 40 odd fruit bearing trees/grape vines, the 2 dams with ducks living on them, a paddock where we will pop some sheep for our freezer (sorry Deb!), the rolling hills, the wildlife, oh I could go on and on but I don't want to bore you......
Let's just say this place is gorgeous.

A new friend came over for a cuppa on Friday with her 5 boys. The kids all went exploring along the river and came back muddy, wet, dirty and HAPPY! Mr 14 said to me later "that was probably one of the best days of my life Mum!"

We did return home last night to this though



A fire along our driveway which was started by sparks from a passing freight train (um, yeah - we did pick a house right next to the rail line....)
But check out this



My son, my hubby and the new neighbour had it under control before the fire brigade got here. This is a pic of Mr 14 using the hose from the truck IN HIS WHITE CRICKET PANTS!!!!
Never mind, the grin on his face is worth it to me!

I'm still unpacking and getting things arranged, we have our mattress on the floor in the lounge as the carpet in our bedroom smells of cat pee (eeeew) but we are here.
Will keep you posted.

Xx

Signed and sealed

Well, we've signed the documents, secured a rental to live in, booked a truck to move our 'stuff' and we'll be living up there by the end of this week!


This morning I was having a bit of a stress (of course) then just towards the end of my bible reading I found an old familiar verse;
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, whose thoughts are fixed on You.

I'm fixing my thoughts.

Xx

Farewell

It's getting real now....

I've packed dozens of boxes and realised that I've only got a few nights left in my lovely home, only a few more meals to cook in my beautiful kitchen, only a few more loads of washing to do in my brand new laundry etc, etc, etc..... Yes, I am a tad attached to my house.

On Friday evening I went out with my workmates for an amazing Asian banquet for Chinese New Year.  A farewell for me was also included at the end, they wished me all the best and I came home with a lovely new watch.  As I hugged and kissed the girls in the carpark I realised that this was now a "Goodbye".

Then today we met some of our nearest and dearest down at my most favourite place in the world (the beachfront) for a farewell.
THAT made it real.
I came home and was a bit grumpy, irritable and snappy.  Hubby told me to stop packing boxes and give him a cuddle (although I didn't want to).
I broke down sobbing like a big sook.

"I'm scared and I'm sad.  And I'm sad and I'm scared"
Lots of tears and sobs and snot (sorry, but this is one of those raw posts)

He hugged me and just let me cry.  I got it all off my chest, to the point where my head aches from crying so much - I think every now and then a jolly good cry is necessary don't you?

One thing that keeps ringing in my ear;
A very special friend of mine hugged me as we left this afternoon and told me how jealous she is.  I said "really?????? Why?"
She said that there have been many opportunities for her and her hubby to do what we are doing - pack up, move out and have an adventure - but fear has held her back and here I am doing what she really wishes she could do.

I totally have to remember this.
I don't want to let fear of the unknown stop or hinder me.  I have a BIG God and He tells me to "fear not".
Deuteronomy 31:8 "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD is the one who goes before you.  He will be with you, He will neither fail you nor forsake you."

I'm still not yet doing a happy dance and my heart is still kind of heavy, but the sadness is fading and the anticipation of what is to come is very slowly dawning...

xx

Go

Great name for a conference (our church had one last year)
Awesome at a green light.
Go forth....

Go

Over the years I've had people come and go in my life.
Fair weather friends have come and gone.  I've lost one or two really good friendships that ended badly.
Hey, I've even been through a divorce......
I just didn't ever think that I would be the one going.

Call me silly, as I know the entire world does not end at the outskirts of my lovely seaside hometown, but I honestly thought that there was no reason to leave.  I know, I know - broaden your horizons Linda!!
My Grandparents live in the same home they built about 64 years ago (married 66 years - so awesome)
My parents live in the same home they bought when I was 6 months old - yep 41 years.
I love my home and - well apart from Marc seriously needing a change of jobs - I could see no reason for us to not follow in the "stay-put" ways of my ancestors.  Only problem with this is that there are two halves of this marriage! Surprise!

I'm getting excited, truly I am. I may be a little less stressed when we actually find a house to live in out in the country - sheesh rentals are scarce out there.
(I could tell you a rather amusing story about the fact that I haven't rented for about 18 years and tried to explain this to a property manager who insisted on wanting rental references from us........... Maybe later!)
I'm up to my eyeballs in packing cardboard boxes and culling anything that has been unused or held onto for too many years - I don't think either of us realised how much stuff we have accumulated over the years.
I'm possibly due for something............?

So aside from a super heavy heart two nights ago (as I strolled along the beachfront after a hot day packing boxes) I think I'm nearly ready to Go.

Maybe my next post will be a bit more meaningful, but I did promise Em that I would blog this whole journey.

xx

What blesses my heart

Hubby and Mr 14 were playing backyard cricket after dinner tonight whilst Miss 11 was flitting around the garden. End result? She copped a tennis ball to the mouth......

After the usual over reacting, crying and general carrying on and once an ice pack was in place it was time for a cuddle. Seems my lap isn't as comfy as his.
This totally blesses my heart.

Some background - Miss 11 was only 5 weeks old when I found myself raising 2 babes on my own. (I have no intentions of telling too much of that story, just know it bought me a LOT closer to God)
She spent the first few years of her life in a family of 3 - no Dad. I met my hubby at church (wanted to set him up with another single friend!) and we were mates for over a year before I even realised he was 'the one'. Miss 11 was very protective of her Mummy back then and wasn't too sure about this guy - it was cool when he was Mummy's friend, but not a boyfriend. Eeeew!
She found it difficult initially adjusting to not only having a Step-dad, but also having new siblings - going from a family of 3 to one of 7. Let's not mince words here, there were times when she was a right moo cow!

Fast forward 6 years to this.
She calls him Mod - My Other Dad.
They go on lunch dates together and she gives him foot massages for ages (I never get them!)

I love the relationship these two have and I think my hubby is the best Step-dad in the world.

Xx

Moving to the country, gonna eat a lot of peaches......

Yes, I know, I didn't post all of my photos from the January Photo a day thingy......
I kind of had other things happening..

Remember this post here ?
Well it's happened.  We've bought a country bakery and we are moving up there in 2 weeks.
Panic anyone?!?!

It's a very long story as to why its taken so long to go through and I'm not going to bore you with the details, just know that God's hand is on it and I'm slowly getting excited.
We have to find somewhere to live out there which is the part that is stressing me out - I'm imagining how 2 adults, 2 kids and a shitzu will go sleeping on the floor of a bakery? Not.

Lessons learned,

* I am a control freak, and this is not always a good thing.

* I've learned that I can trust my husband - see above lesson!

* I have some of the most wonderful friends on this planet, and I won't lose them just by moving an hour and a half away.........


To all of those amazing friends who have let me whinge and cry but also guided, supported and encouraged me - THANK YOU!!  You know who you are.
(One of you suggested I change my blog title to "The Baker's Wife")

I will keep blogging this journey and let you all know how we go.
Pray for us.

xx