I've been thinking about friendship a lot lately, especially about the different kinds of friends. I believe that friends are in your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
Those there for a reason are there to help you learn or help you with a particular issue or problem and then they're gone again, sometimes leaving pain behind them and sometimes not. Sometimes it's the pain itself that is supposed to help you or teach you something.
Those there for a season endure through a particular stage of your life like when you first start work, or when your children are young. They are the kind of people you gradually lose touch with and wonder "whatever happened to .."
Then there are those who are just there, a part of your life whenever you need or want them to be, with no pressure or recriminations when life gets in the way of seeing of each other. These are the kind of friends you can not see for ages but when you do meet up, you pick up where you left off without any problems. They are the people who comfort you, challenge you and, best of all, accept you for who you are. There are no limitations on when you can meet these kinds of friends. They don't have to be school friends or people you've known all your life; they can even be people you've never met face-to-face (internet friends anyone? :P) They can just appear in your life and you know that you are made all the richer by having them in your life.
I used to feel sorry for myself because I felt like I didn't have many friends until I realised that it's definitely not the quantity, but the quality, that counts. I'd just like to say thank you to all my friends, especially Debbie and Jackie, for not forgetting about me and helping me to feel good about myself. To quote Jeff Fenech: "Love youse all!"
Tuesday, 6 May 2008
Monday, 5 May 2008
Look what I got!
After hanging out washing in the dark and then remembering that it's bin day tomorrow, I traipsed down the end of my 35 metre long driveway to put the bin out. On the way back up, I stopped to check the letterbox and found that I actually had some real mail .. not just bills and junk mail.
I have to admit I was a bit confused about who might be sending me mail so when I opened it and found this ...
I have to admit I was a bit confused about who might be sending me mail so when I opened it and found this ...
(Remember I'm glad there is you)
... I was speechless (which is probably a good thing because no-one here is awake to talk to anyway!) The photo really doesn't do this beautiful card justice. It was made for me by Debbie and will be getting framed and hung up with the others I have received from Debbie and Jackie.
I posted on Sunday about how much I enjoy her company but Deb had already mailed this on the Friday. Great minds think alike but some think faster!
Thanks Debbie. You have made my day .. again!
Sunday, 4 May 2008
The company makes all the difference
Debbie and I had a scrapping afternoon yesterday.
I was feeling dreadfully uninspired and only managed to start, not even complete, 1 double page layout in 4 hours. Despite that, though, I had a great afternoon. It was so nice to be able to just sit and talk, or not talk as the case may be. There was no pressure to 'do' anything except enjoy each other's company. The company really does make all the difference.
Thanks Deb! You really lifted my spirits and I just wanted to let you know that you are a really wonderful person and I'm glad you're in my life.
I was feeling dreadfully uninspired and only managed to start, not even complete, 1 double page layout in 4 hours. Despite that, though, I had a great afternoon. It was so nice to be able to just sit and talk, or not talk as the case may be. There was no pressure to 'do' anything except enjoy each other's company. The company really does make all the difference.
Thanks Deb! You really lifted my spirits and I just wanted to let you know that you are a really wonderful person and I'm glad you're in my life.
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
SS Blog Challenge #15
Life Lessons - When was the last time you had a life lesson -- one that made you feel "BETTER" about "YOU"? It doesn't have to be a life altering lesson; it can be something small, it can be something very minor, but it must be a life lesson. And it must be a GOOD life lesson. What was it?
I don't know if this quite fits the challenge but I realised today that I am lovable and am doing a pretty good job of being a mostly 'single' parent (dh works away for two weeks out of three).
I went to pick the boys up from my Mum's house (she had them overnight and watched them today so I could have the skin cancer removed) and when I arrived, they all, even Alex, came running to give me a hug and tell me how much they missed me. They were only gone from 6:30pm last night to 4pm today but they missed me.
I had been beating myself up most of the night last night for yelling at them and just generally being a "bad mum" yesterday afternoon, but that was all forgotten. So I realised that I mustn't be doing such a bad job after all and that they do love me .. even if they won't pick their clothes up off the floor!
I don't know if this quite fits the challenge but I realised today that I am lovable and am doing a pretty good job of being a mostly 'single' parent (dh works away for two weeks out of three).
I went to pick the boys up from my Mum's house (she had them overnight and watched them today so I could have the skin cancer removed) and when I arrived, they all, even Alex, came running to give me a hug and tell me how much they missed me. They were only gone from 6:30pm last night to 4pm today but they missed me.
I had been beating myself up most of the night last night for yelling at them and just generally being a "bad mum" yesterday afternoon, but that was all forgotten. So I realised that I mustn't be doing such a bad job after all and that they do love me .. even if they won't pick their clothes up off the floor!
Stitches
It seems I have reached 'that' stage in life - you know, the one where your doctor becomes the only person you have time to visit on a regular basis!
I have just had another skin cancer removed this afternoon and been left with five stitches in its place. I know the stitches are the better option but why can't they a least cut out some of the bits I really don't want anymore .. like the double chin and the horrendous belly. I can't really claim it as baby weight anymore .. the baby is 9 years old! Ok, no more whingeing (until next time lol).
I'll get the results of this one next Friday so if you are so inclined, please say a prayer that it's not anything serious.
PS the other one was just starting to turn into a nasty one but we got it early enough. Whew!
I have just had another skin cancer removed this afternoon and been left with five stitches in its place. I know the stitches are the better option but why can't they a least cut out some of the bits I really don't want anymore .. like the double chin and the horrendous belly. I can't really claim it as baby weight anymore .. the baby is 9 years old! Ok, no more whingeing (until next time lol).
I'll get the results of this one next Friday so if you are so inclined, please say a prayer that it's not anything serious.
PS the other one was just starting to turn into a nasty one but we got it early enough. Whew!
Friday, 25 April 2008
SS blog challenge #14
Blog Challenge #14 - "There's no place like home"
This week tell us about the places you've called home. Have you lived in one place all your life? Tell us about it and why you've chosen to stay there. Have you lived in many places? Where have you lived and what have you done to make each place feel like home? What has been your favorite place to live and why?
Wow, where do I start? We have lived in so many different house (and countries too) that all I ever wanted to do was put down roots and stay in one place.
I was born in Mackay, Queensland but moved to Cairns at a few months old. Then Dad was posted to Singapore when I was about two. After that, we went to England (where my sister was born), then on to Fiji, which is where I started school. Then we headed back to Australia, stopping in Cairns, Qld for a few months, then on to West Aus. Once in WA, we only moved 3 times before we settled in one house for the rest of Dad's year off. Then it was back to Fiji for another two years and into another new house. Another year back in West Aus, Fiji for 18 months then Hawaii for a year. Apartment living was a real eye-opener having only ever lived in houses with backyards! Once I hit high school, Mum and Dad made the decision to stay in one place, Maddington in West Aus.
Then I moved out of home with my now husband to Cloverdale, Thornlie and Maddington (housesitting for his parents while they travelled the countryside). Six months after we were married, we moved into our own home in High Wycombe where we lived for 7 years. The opportunity arose to buy the house we're in now (Huntingdale) so we jumped at the chance (twice the size of the old place for not much more). This is the place I've felt most at home; the most "permanent" place.
Dad was in the merchant navy and was posted all over the world. I can see, as an adult, that we were lucky to be able to go with him, but as a child it was really hard to always be the new girl in the school. I hated moving and always having to start over so I've tried to ensure my kids don't go through the same woes.
Even though I hated all the moving, I loved living in Fiji. Maybe it was just the ages and stages I was at at the time, but it was a really good place to be a kid. Ultimately though, home was wherever my family was and still is. Family makes a house a home.
This week tell us about the places you've called home. Have you lived in one place all your life? Tell us about it and why you've chosen to stay there. Have you lived in many places? Where have you lived and what have you done to make each place feel like home? What has been your favorite place to live and why?
Wow, where do I start? We have lived in so many different house (and countries too) that all I ever wanted to do was put down roots and stay in one place.
I was born in Mackay, Queensland but moved to Cairns at a few months old. Then Dad was posted to Singapore when I was about two. After that, we went to England (where my sister was born), then on to Fiji, which is where I started school. Then we headed back to Australia, stopping in Cairns, Qld for a few months, then on to West Aus. Once in WA, we only moved 3 times before we settled in one house for the rest of Dad's year off. Then it was back to Fiji for another two years and into another new house. Another year back in West Aus, Fiji for 18 months then Hawaii for a year. Apartment living was a real eye-opener having only ever lived in houses with backyards! Once I hit high school, Mum and Dad made the decision to stay in one place, Maddington in West Aus.
Then I moved out of home with my now husband to Cloverdale, Thornlie and Maddington (housesitting for his parents while they travelled the countryside). Six months after we were married, we moved into our own home in High Wycombe where we lived for 7 years. The opportunity arose to buy the house we're in now (Huntingdale) so we jumped at the chance (twice the size of the old place for not much more). This is the place I've felt most at home; the most "permanent" place.
Dad was in the merchant navy and was posted all over the world. I can see, as an adult, that we were lucky to be able to go with him, but as a child it was really hard to always be the new girl in the school. I hated moving and always having to start over so I've tried to ensure my kids don't go through the same woes.
Even though I hated all the moving, I loved living in Fiji. Maybe it was just the ages and stages I was at at the time, but it was a really good place to be a kid. Ultimately though, home was wherever my family was and still is. Family makes a house a home.
Sunday, 20 April 2008
Favourite things
Lita challenged me to do an ABC of my favourite things so here goes:
A: Agatha Christie - the author. I love immersing myself in her books with all their twists and turns.
B: Books - I have a need... a need to read!
C: Chips - Tasty Jack's plain salted ridge cut chips.
D: Donna - my name. It wasn't always this way (used to hate it with a passion) but I've grown into it.
E: Escalators - anything to save my knees from those stairs!
F: Friends - both "real" and the "internet axe-murderer" kind.
G: Green - one of my two favourite colours. (Blue is the other one).
H: Home - my sanctuary from the hustle and bustle.
I: Ice cream - rum and raisin in a cone with choc topping (the kind that goes hard .. YUM!)
J: Jeffrey Archer - another favourite author.
K: Kids - love my three boys (most of the time!)
L: Laughter - "You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing".
M: Music - no particular genre. Just whatever I'm in the mood for at the time.
N: Nature - I like watching the seasons change .. just don't like weeds!
O: Organisational stuff - things to help me get a bit more order in this chaotic world.
P: People watching - love to sit in a busy mall and just watch the people go by.
Q: Quiet - need more of that!
R: Reminiscing - love looking through photo albums and re-living all those experiences.
S: Scrapping - enjoy the process as well as the end result.
T: Tools - got to have the right tools.
U: Useful information - all those little facts to store away.
V: Vices - chocolate & books.
W: Wet weather - love listening to the sound of the rain on the tin roof.
X: Xanthophyllic leaves - autumn leaves that have turned yellow (and many other shades)
Y: Yolk - A fried or boiled egg with a runny yolk and warm toast to mop it up with. Yum!
Z: Zoo. I really enjoy going to the zoo (any zoo!) and just watching the animals.
A: Agatha Christie - the author. I love immersing myself in her books with all their twists and turns.
B: Books - I have a need... a need to read!
C: Chips - Tasty Jack's plain salted ridge cut chips.
D: Donna - my name. It wasn't always this way (used to hate it with a passion) but I've grown into it.
E: Escalators - anything to save my knees from those stairs!
F: Friends - both "real" and the "internet axe-murderer" kind.
G: Green - one of my two favourite colours. (Blue is the other one).
H: Home - my sanctuary from the hustle and bustle.
I: Ice cream - rum and raisin in a cone with choc topping (the kind that goes hard .. YUM!)
J: Jeffrey Archer - another favourite author.
K: Kids - love my three boys (most of the time!)
L: Laughter - "You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing".
M: Music - no particular genre. Just whatever I'm in the mood for at the time.
N: Nature - I like watching the seasons change .. just don't like weeds!
O: Organisational stuff - things to help me get a bit more order in this chaotic world.
P: People watching - love to sit in a busy mall and just watch the people go by.
Q: Quiet - need more of that!
R: Reminiscing - love looking through photo albums and re-living all those experiences.
S: Scrapping - enjoy the process as well as the end result.
T: Tools - got to have the right tools.
U: Useful information - all those little facts to store away.
V: Vices - chocolate & books.
W: Wet weather - love listening to the sound of the rain on the tin roof.
X: Xanthophyllic leaves - autumn leaves that have turned yellow (and many other shades)
Y: Yolk - A fried or boiled egg with a runny yolk and warm toast to mop it up with. Yum!
Z: Zoo. I really enjoy going to the zoo (any zoo!) and just watching the animals.
Wednesday, 16 April 2008
Phone calls
Bradley rang me at work today. The conversation went something like this:
Me: Sales office. Donna speaking.
Brad: Can I speak to Mum please?
Me: This is Mum sweetie. What's up?
Brad: Oh that's right. You have another name at work.
Me: What other name?
Brad: You know... Sales office Donna.
Me: (stifling laughter) Sales office is where I work, not part of my name.
Brad: Whatever!
Me: What did you ring for darling?
Brad: Just to say I love you.
Me: What did you break?
Brad: Nothing .. yet. I don't think my brothers broke anything either but I'll just go check.
(puts phone down and runs to find brothers. Loud yelling and crashing ensues)
Brad: (picks up phone puffing from all that running) Nope. Nothing's broken.
Me: You sure? It sounded like it.
Brad: No. That was just Alex being loud.
Me: Oh. Ok. So what did you ring for?
Brad: Nothing. I just love you.
Me: Ok sweetie. I love you too. I have to go now and do some more work.
Brad: Ok Mum. Love you.
Me: I'll see you soon.
Brad: Ok. Bye.
(then just as I'm about to hang up..)
Brad: Mum, Mum, Muuum!
Me: What Brad?
Brad: I just remembered why I really rang. Can we have the chocolate biscuits in the pantry?
Kids .. gotta love 'em!
Me: Sales office. Donna speaking.
Brad: Can I speak to Mum please?
Me: This is Mum sweetie. What's up?
Brad: Oh that's right. You have another name at work.
Me: What other name?
Brad: You know... Sales office Donna.
Me: (stifling laughter) Sales office is where I work, not part of my name.
Brad: Whatever!
Me: What did you ring for darling?
Brad: Just to say I love you.
Me: What did you break?
Brad: Nothing .. yet. I don't think my brothers broke anything either but I'll just go check.
(puts phone down and runs to find brothers. Loud yelling and crashing ensues)
Brad: (picks up phone puffing from all that running) Nope. Nothing's broken.
Me: You sure? It sounded like it.
Brad: No. That was just Alex being loud.
Me: Oh. Ok. So what did you ring for?
Brad: Nothing. I just love you.
Me: Ok sweetie. I love you too. I have to go now and do some more work.
Brad: Ok Mum. Love you.
Me: I'll see you soon.
Brad: Ok. Bye.
(then just as I'm about to hang up..)
Brad: Mum, Mum, Muuum!
Me: What Brad?
Brad: I just remembered why I really rang. Can we have the chocolate biscuits in the pantry?
Kids .. gotta love 'em!
Thursday, 10 April 2008
SS blog challenge #12
Blog Challenge #12 - Getting To Know You
Copy and paste the following section into your blog and answer as best as you can. You can elaborate (I hope you do), you can post pictures, you can be deep, you can be funny. Whatever you choose -just be honest.Second part of the challenge - post a picture (from this week) of you at your computer. Don't worry about cleaning up - just post and have fun.
1) Right now I want: to hire a cleaner. The house looks like a bombsite!
2) I wish I knew how to: be myself. When I work out who that is, it might become a bit easier!
3) When I want to indulge myself, I: read a book or three with a cup of coffee and some good shortbread biscuits.
4) You’ll never see me: skydiving, bungee jumping or walking on anything high that I can see through. Yep, I don't do heights!
5) A childhood memory that I love: having lunch on Dad's ship. He worked for Cable & Wireless as an engineer on several of their ships and we got to go on board for lunch on Sundays if the ship was in port. All the kitchenhands, who were big burly Fijian guys, used to make me extra poppadums and save me the mandarin oranges from the condiments tray for sweets. I still love mandarin oranges to this day!
6) 2 things I do every single day: hug my kids and do laundry.
7) Happiest moment of 2008, so far: No one single moment stands out, so my happiest moments would have to be the times when the kids and I are all happy and laughing at the same time.
8) Describe yourself in 3 words: knowledgeable, introverted, caring
9) 2 scrap related goals for this year: finish 2006 & 2007 family albums and get up-to-date with the boys' baby albums.
10) You have $40 that you MUST spend on yourself – what do you do with it? Buy a new book, or some scrapping stuff. Then again, I've never had a manicure so I might do that instead.
Copy and paste the following section into your blog and answer as best as you can. You can elaborate (I hope you do), you can post pictures, you can be deep, you can be funny. Whatever you choose -just be honest.Second part of the challenge - post a picture (from this week) of you at your computer. Don't worry about cleaning up - just post and have fun.
1) Right now I want: to hire a cleaner. The house looks like a bombsite!
2) I wish I knew how to: be myself. When I work out who that is, it might become a bit easier!
3) When I want to indulge myself, I: read a book or three with a cup of coffee and some good shortbread biscuits.
4) You’ll never see me: skydiving, bungee jumping or walking on anything high that I can see through. Yep, I don't do heights!
5) A childhood memory that I love: having lunch on Dad's ship. He worked for Cable & Wireless as an engineer on several of their ships and we got to go on board for lunch on Sundays if the ship was in port. All the kitchenhands, who were big burly Fijian guys, used to make me extra poppadums and save me the mandarin oranges from the condiments tray for sweets. I still love mandarin oranges to this day!
6) 2 things I do every single day: hug my kids and do laundry.
7) Happiest moment of 2008, so far: No one single moment stands out, so my happiest moments would have to be the times when the kids and I are all happy and laughing at the same time.
8) Describe yourself in 3 words: knowledgeable, introverted, caring
9) 2 scrap related goals for this year: finish 2006 & 2007 family albums and get up-to-date with the boys' baby albums.
10) You have $40 that you MUST spend on yourself – what do you do with it? Buy a new book, or some scrapping stuff. Then again, I've never had a manicure so I might do that instead.
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
Parent-teacher night
Last night was parent-teacher night for all three boys. It's really interesting to see how much they're growing and changing mentally as well as physically.
I wasn't sure what to expect because all three, yes all three, have had detentions in the last two weeks for not completing work or not handing in homework. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Andrew and Bradley's teachers are very happy with their overall progress and enjoy having them in their classes There were lots of comments about their lovely manners and willingness to help others so the regular beatings must be working (just kidding!) We just need to work on getting them more organised and improving their somewhat faulty memories! ("But I forgot it!")
Alex's teachers were, in general, happy with his attitude in class and manners but he definitely needs to improve his memory skills. He keeps "forgetting" he has homework (even though it's written in his diary), to actually do his homework and hand it in when he's finished (hence the detentions). The positive though is that all of them said he was very capable, intelligent and would go as far as he chose.
All in all, a very good result (considering the detentions!) Well done boys. Keep up the good work.
I wasn't sure what to expect because all three, yes all three, have had detentions in the last two weeks for not completing work or not handing in homework. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Andrew and Bradley's teachers are very happy with their overall progress and enjoy having them in their classes There were lots of comments about their lovely manners and willingness to help others so the regular beatings must be working (just kidding!) We just need to work on getting them more organised and improving their somewhat faulty memories! ("But I forgot it!")
Alex's teachers were, in general, happy with his attitude in class and manners but he definitely needs to improve his memory skills. He keeps "forgetting" he has homework (even though it's written in his diary), to actually do his homework and hand it in when he's finished (hence the detentions). The positive though is that all of them said he was very capable, intelligent and would go as far as he chose.
All in all, a very good result (considering the detentions!) Well done boys. Keep up the good work.
Tuesday, 8 April 2008
Happy news
Oh happy day!!
We're going to be hearing the pitter-patter of little feet again!
October 19 2008, or thereabouts, will herald the new arrival amidst much fanfare and rejoicing!
I'm hoping for a girl, but kind of expecting another boy. So long as they're ok, it doesn't really matter though, does it?
For those of you who know me, get yourselves up off the floor and relax. I'm not pregnant but Bec is! I'm going to be an aunty again and this time there's "only" one bun in the oven. (They had twins the first time with a few problems along the way, but everything has worked out ok. I can't believe the twins are nearly 5yo!)
This makes it all the more amazing that she managed to stay so calm during Mark's "little episode" in hospital. I would have thought with all those hormones flowing around she'd be a blithering mess. I know I would have been!
Congratulations Mark and Bec. Wishing you a happy, healthy pregnancy and an even easier delivery!
We're going to be hearing the pitter-patter of little feet again!
October 19 2008, or thereabouts, will herald the new arrival amidst much fanfare and rejoicing!
I'm hoping for a girl, but kind of expecting another boy. So long as they're ok, it doesn't really matter though, does it?
For those of you who know me, get yourselves up off the floor and relax. I'm not pregnant but Bec is! I'm going to be an aunty again and this time there's "only" one bun in the oven. (They had twins the first time with a few problems along the way, but everything has worked out ok. I can't believe the twins are nearly 5yo!)
This makes it all the more amazing that she managed to stay so calm during Mark's "little episode" in hospital. I would have thought with all those hormones flowing around she'd be a blithering mess. I know I would have been!
Congratulations Mark and Bec. Wishing you a happy, healthy pregnancy and an even easier delivery!
Thursday, 3 April 2008
Baby steps
I know what I need to do to lose weight but have just not had the motivation to follow through. Exercise just always seems like too much hard work and the numbers on the scale never seem to go in the direction I want them to. So ....
I have decided to focus less on losing weight and more on increasing my level of fitness.
It's the little things that are making a mental attitude difference. Things like encouraging myself to "move more" instead of "you must exercise"; giving myself permission to eat whatever I want and then finding out I usually don't want it after all; drink water before eating to see if I'm actually hungry or just thirsty; giving myself permission to not finish everything on my plate if I'm not hungry.
These things may seem rather simplistic or be something that others do normally, but for me this is a lightbulb moment. Hopefully these few small things will help to improve my overall attitude to food, fitness and my weight.
Baby steps .. you must walk (and buy a decent sports bra) before you can run!
I have decided to focus less on losing weight and more on increasing my level of fitness.
It's the little things that are making a mental attitude difference. Things like encouraging myself to "move more" instead of "you must exercise"; giving myself permission to eat whatever I want and then finding out I usually don't want it after all; drink water before eating to see if I'm actually hungry or just thirsty; giving myself permission to not finish everything on my plate if I'm not hungry.
These things may seem rather simplistic or be something that others do normally, but for me this is a lightbulb moment. Hopefully these few small things will help to improve my overall attitude to food, fitness and my weight.
Baby steps .. you must walk (and buy a decent sports bra) before you can run!
Wednesday, 2 April 2008
Invisible woman .. part 2
To the insensitive clod at work:
I know I am a capable, intelligent person and I know that most people who know me see me that way...
And I realise that I am finally becoming more visible as a person and not just as a resource...
...but it still hurts that I seem to have lost my identity somewhere along the line. I know I'm overweight but that doesn't mean that I'm not a woman or that I don't have any feelings.
There are just some things that you don't say to a woman, even if you consider her a friend, and especially not in front of a room of people. The statements may be true, but please think before blurting out things like:
"Even fat chicks need loving. Isn't that right Donna?" and
"Why would a guy marry an overweight woman? There's got to be something better out there somewhere."
I know in my head that this is reflection of you and your attitudes, not of me personally, but the emotional response is far more powerful than the rational response will ever be.
I am just grateful that I am now a bit stronger than I was a few months ago and managed to hold it together enough to give you a glare that should have melted the paint off the wall behind you. Hopefully some of the power from that glare has permanently sterilised you or at least caused some lasting pain in your nether regions! (Then again, maybe that was caused by the rather severe verbal emasculation you received from numerous sources after sharing your little pearls of wisdom).
After thinking it through (and banning you from setting foot in my office ever again), I have come to the conclusion that I actually pity you and your small mind. You don't seem to realise how much you are depriving yourself of with attitudes like that. I wonder if your wife realises just how shallow you really are. Best of luck for the future because you are going to need it.
Yours sincerely,
An intelligent, caring, capable, accomplished woman
(despite my weight!)
I know I am a capable, intelligent person and I know that most people who know me see me that way...
And I realise that I am finally becoming more visible as a person and not just as a resource...
...but it still hurts that I seem to have lost my identity somewhere along the line. I know I'm overweight but that doesn't mean that I'm not a woman or that I don't have any feelings.
There are just some things that you don't say to a woman, even if you consider her a friend, and especially not in front of a room of people. The statements may be true, but please think before blurting out things like:
"Even fat chicks need loving. Isn't that right Donna?" and
"Why would a guy marry an overweight woman? There's got to be something better out there somewhere."
I know in my head that this is reflection of you and your attitudes, not of me personally, but the emotional response is far more powerful than the rational response will ever be.
I am just grateful that I am now a bit stronger than I was a few months ago and managed to hold it together enough to give you a glare that should have melted the paint off the wall behind you. Hopefully some of the power from that glare has permanently sterilised you or at least caused some lasting pain in your nether regions! (Then again, maybe that was caused by the rather severe verbal emasculation you received from numerous sources after sharing your little pearls of wisdom).
After thinking it through (and banning you from setting foot in my office ever again), I have come to the conclusion that I actually pity you and your small mind. You don't seem to realise how much you are depriving yourself of with attitudes like that. I wonder if your wife realises just how shallow you really are. Best of luck for the future because you are going to need it.
Yours sincerely,
An intelligent, caring, capable, accomplished woman
(despite my weight!)
Wednesday, 26 March 2008
Numb nose
As I sit here typing, I am very aware of how strange my nose feels right now. Or rather, how it doesn't feel, because it's numb but only on one side.
I had a skin cancer removed from the left side of the bridge of my nose this afternoon at 5pm. It is now 7:40 and it's still numb. It's the weirdest feeling because it's sort of itchy but if I scratch it, the itch doesn't go away because I can't feel myself scratching.
Luckily the doctor doesn't think it's anything serious but it was bigger than he expected so we'll just have to wait and see. He's sent a sample off for testing but he won't have the results until early next week. One of those hurry up and wait situations that we all love so much.
Putting on the rose-coloured glasses now.. it'll all be fine!
(Public service announcement: Please make sure to get any lumps and bumps on your skin checked out regularly.)
I had a skin cancer removed from the left side of the bridge of my nose this afternoon at 5pm. It is now 7:40 and it's still numb. It's the weirdest feeling because it's sort of itchy but if I scratch it, the itch doesn't go away because I can't feel myself scratching.
Luckily the doctor doesn't think it's anything serious but it was bigger than he expected so we'll just have to wait and see. He's sent a sample off for testing but he won't have the results until early next week. One of those hurry up and wait situations that we all love so much.
Putting on the rose-coloured glasses now.. it'll all be fine!
(Public service announcement: Please make sure to get any lumps and bumps on your skin checked out regularly.)
Tuesday, 25 March 2008
Things I'd forgotten ...
... how sore my feet get after standing most of the day. (I'm helping out by doing a particular job at work which involves standing most of the day. I also get to open lots of boxes and tell the computer what's in them all. Sounds fun right??)
... how much I enjoy early morning cuddles and tickles with the boys. (Until someone starts kicking, then it's everybody out!)
... that when your body tells you you're actually hungry, you better eat now or feel really sick for the rest of the day. (fairly self-explanatory but I missed lunch)
... that I enjoy talking to people who are 1) grown-ups and 2) aware enough to get some of my more obscure comments.
... that while I sometimes don't like being the one in charge, I love being a mother. Specifically, mother to my boys.
... I can fix things that go wrong with my car. Like the absolutely dead battery in my car this morning when I was already running late for work. Jumper leads and a spare battery anyone?
... it's OK to say no and not give a reason. "No. I'm not able to do that." "No. I won't be attending." "No, thank you. I really don't want any more."
... just moving more can change your mood.
What have you recently remembered about yourself? Leave me a comment and let me know or post a link to your own blog in the comments section.
Oh, one more from me ...
... I really need at least 8 hours of sleep per night.
So on that note, good night and sweet dreams.
... how much I enjoy early morning cuddles and tickles with the boys. (Until someone starts kicking, then it's everybody out!)
... that when your body tells you you're actually hungry, you better eat now or feel really sick for the rest of the day. (fairly self-explanatory but I missed lunch)
... that I enjoy talking to people who are 1) grown-ups and 2) aware enough to get some of my more obscure comments.
... that while I sometimes don't like being the one in charge, I love being a mother. Specifically, mother to my boys.
... I can fix things that go wrong with my car. Like the absolutely dead battery in my car this morning when I was already running late for work. Jumper leads and a spare battery anyone?
... it's OK to say no and not give a reason. "No. I'm not able to do that." "No. I won't be attending." "No, thank you. I really don't want any more."
... just moving more can change your mood.
What have you recently remembered about yourself? Leave me a comment and let me know or post a link to your own blog in the comments section.
Oh, one more from me ...
... I really need at least 8 hours of sleep per night.
So on that note, good night and sweet dreams.
Monday, 24 March 2008
Laughter
I really think there is nothing like hearing a child's laughter to make things seem better.
I'm sitting here this morning listening to my three boys giggling away at some silly TV show. There's no fighting or yelling or "Muuuuum" ... just giggling.
I really do love my boys. I should probably remind myself of that a bit more.
ETA: Less than five minutes later: I shouldn't have blogged about it .. it really was tempting fate! Now I have two out of three in tears and the third is defiantly refusing to go to his room for time-out. At least there's no blood .. this time! The joys of life with children, especially with boys.
I'm sitting here this morning listening to my three boys giggling away at some silly TV show. There's no fighting or yelling or "Muuuuum" ... just giggling.
I really do love my boys. I should probably remind myself of that a bit more.
ETA: Less than five minutes later: I shouldn't have blogged about it .. it really was tempting fate! Now I have two out of three in tears and the third is defiantly refusing to go to his room for time-out. At least there's no blood .. this time! The joys of life with children, especially with boys.
Sunday, 23 March 2008
Easter and my Dad
I had often wondered how the date of Easter was worked out and knew it had something to do with the lunar cycles, so I finally googled it and found this:
Prior to A.D. 325, Easter was variously celebrated on different days of the week, including Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. In that year, the Council of Nicaea was convened by emperor Constantine. It issued the Easter Rule which states that Easter shall be celebrated on the first Sunday that occurs after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox. However, a caveat must be introduced here. The "full moon" in the rule is the ecclesiastical full moon, which is defined as the fourteenth day of a tabular lunation, where day 1 corresponds to the ecclesiastical New Moon. It does not always occur on the same date as the astronomical full moon. The ecclesiastical "vernal equinox" is always on March 21. Therefore, Easter must be celebrated on a Sunday between the dates of March 22 and April 25. (http://wilstar.com/holidays/easter.htm)
So now you all know too .. if you didn't already!
My dad always told me that in the northern hemisphere, specifically England, the vernal equinox is regarded as the first day of spring. He said he had only ever remembered that fact from school because the 21st of March just happened to be his birthday!
Speaking of my dad, last Friday would have been his 62nd birthday. I still can't believe that it's been almost 8 years since he died. He was a really wonderful human being and an even better father. I have so much to thank him for and continue to do so, even though he's not physically here with me. He was always there for us, not necessarily in the way we wanted (grounded for life rings a few bells), but now that I'm a parent myself, I can understand almost everything he went through. I am so grateful he chose Mum and I to spend his life with and that he gave me my little sister who is so like him at times, it's scary.
I know he wasn't perfect .. no-one ever is .. but everything he did came from love and wanting to help us grow to make the right decisions for ourselves. He certainly didn't agree with some of them, but he was able to admit when he was wrong and we were right. Not straight away mind you .. it often took a while, but it would happen. In those cases when we were wrong and he was right, I don't think I ever heard him say "I told you so" or "it serves you right". He would just be there on the sidelines waiting to help if we wanted or needed him to.
I really miss just talking to him. We could talk about almost anything. I am very much like him in that I can converse on just about any topic without appearing a fool, but he had the whole thing down pat. He could walk into any room and fit right in, whether it was high society or blue collar. I always admired him for that and his ability to put people at ease.
I'm not 100% sure in what I believe happens to us after we die, but I like to think that wherever he's ended up, be it heaven or as sub-atomic particles floating in the ether, that he's watching over us and that he's proud of himself and the example he set us.
I miss you so much Dad and so do your boys. Love you.
Prior to A.D. 325, Easter was variously celebrated on different days of the week, including Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. In that year, the Council of Nicaea was convened by emperor Constantine. It issued the Easter Rule which states that Easter shall be celebrated on the first Sunday that occurs after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox. However, a caveat must be introduced here. The "full moon" in the rule is the ecclesiastical full moon, which is defined as the fourteenth day of a tabular lunation, where day 1 corresponds to the ecclesiastical New Moon. It does not always occur on the same date as the astronomical full moon. The ecclesiastical "vernal equinox" is always on March 21. Therefore, Easter must be celebrated on a Sunday between the dates of March 22 and April 25. (http://wilstar.com/holidays/easter.htm)
So now you all know too .. if you didn't already!
My dad always told me that in the northern hemisphere, specifically England, the vernal equinox is regarded as the first day of spring. He said he had only ever remembered that fact from school because the 21st of March just happened to be his birthday!
Speaking of my dad, last Friday would have been his 62nd birthday. I still can't believe that it's been almost 8 years since he died. He was a really wonderful human being and an even better father. I have so much to thank him for and continue to do so, even though he's not physically here with me. He was always there for us, not necessarily in the way we wanted (grounded for life rings a few bells), but now that I'm a parent myself, I can understand almost everything he went through. I am so grateful he chose Mum and I to spend his life with and that he gave me my little sister who is so like him at times, it's scary.
I know he wasn't perfect .. no-one ever is .. but everything he did came from love and wanting to help us grow to make the right decisions for ourselves. He certainly didn't agree with some of them, but he was able to admit when he was wrong and we were right. Not straight away mind you .. it often took a while, but it would happen. In those cases when we were wrong and he was right, I don't think I ever heard him say "I told you so" or "it serves you right". He would just be there on the sidelines waiting to help if we wanted or needed him to.
I really miss just talking to him. We could talk about almost anything. I am very much like him in that I can converse on just about any topic without appearing a fool, but he had the whole thing down pat. He could walk into any room and fit right in, whether it was high society or blue collar. I always admired him for that and his ability to put people at ease.
I'm not 100% sure in what I believe happens to us after we die, but I like to think that wherever he's ended up, be it heaven or as sub-atomic particles floating in the ether, that he's watching over us and that he's proud of himself and the example he set us.
I miss you so much Dad and so do your boys. Love you.
Happy Easter
I know Easter for kids is mostly about the chocolate and that, according to them, there is nothing wrong with eating chocolate for breakfast, but I'm having a little bit of an issue with chocolate for breakfast at 4am! Couldn't they at least wait until 6am when I'm sort of awake to deal with the hyperactivity??
One good thing though .. I'm putting Alex's excess energy to good use. He's currently vacuuming the TV room and as soon as he's finished that, he can do his own room. I'm sure I could keep thinking of things for him to do but very soon I have to put him into the very small two door car and traipse all over the countryside visiting relatives.
Once we've visited the in-laws, it's over to my Mum's house. She mentioned something about taking a drive to Rockingham Beach (about an hour's drive) but I have absolutely no desire to be trapped inside a car with three hyped up boys for that long. Hopefully I can talk her into going to the local pools where they can work off some of their boundless energy, before coming home and falling into a deep 12 hour sleep. Hey .. a girl can dream can't she?
One good thing though .. I'm putting Alex's excess energy to good use. He's currently vacuuming the TV room and as soon as he's finished that, he can do his own room. I'm sure I could keep thinking of things for him to do but very soon I have to put him into the very small two door car and traipse all over the countryside visiting relatives.
Once we've visited the in-laws, it's over to my Mum's house. She mentioned something about taking a drive to Rockingham Beach (about an hour's drive) but I have absolutely no desire to be trapped inside a car with three hyped up boys for that long. Hopefully I can talk her into going to the local pools where they can work off some of their boundless energy, before coming home and falling into a deep 12 hour sleep. Hey .. a girl can dream can't she?
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
QUIET!!!!
"Mum, can I have some biscuits?"
"Mum, I need my uniform shirt ironed"
"Mum, where's my homework?"
"Mum, he hit me"
"Mum, he started it"
"Mum, I'm still hungry"
"Mum, Mum, Mum, Muuuuummmm, look at me"
That's it! I'm definitely changing my name this time and I'm not telling anyone what the new one is!
Please just be quiet, please, pretty please??
"Mum, I need my uniform shirt ironed"
"Mum, where's my homework?"
"Mum, he hit me"
"Mum, he started it"
"Mum, I'm still hungry"
"Mum, Mum, Mum, Muuuuummmm, look at me"
That's it! I'm definitely changing my name this time and I'm not telling anyone what the new one is!
Please just be quiet, please, pretty please??
Thursday, 13 March 2008
Where is the time going?
I can't believe it's been two whole weeks since I blogged anything. Two whole weeks!! Where has this year disappeared to and why is it in such a hurry to get there?
The last two weeks have been rather .. um .. interesting. I was feeling very uninspired and sloth-like over the long weekend (March 1-3) and had managed to have a very quiet one until Monday morning. Then I got a phone call from Peter telling me his brother, Mark, had been rushed to hospital at Southern Cross (about 150kms from the minesite where they work) with major abdominal pain. Mark was then airlifted to Perth via Royal Flying Doctor Service on Monday morning. The doctors did some tests but couldn't figure out what was causing the pain so they decided to operate at 12 noon. They found about a metre of his small intestine had died and was rotting inside him. Poor guy was cut from chest to groin, put into an induced coma and onto a ventilator in ICU. He was taken off the ventilator on Wednesday afternoon and moved up to a normal ward on Friday. He's now well on the way to recovery but will still have to take it easy for another month or two.
I went over to the hospital and sat with Bec (Mark's wife) while he was being operated on. Another friend (Kirsty) turned up as well so the three of us sat and chatted in the coffee shop at the hospital. When I thought back on those five hours later, I realised how scared Bec must have been, yet she still managed to put that aside and have a normal conversation and even a few laughs.
Isn't it amazing how strong we women can be? When faced with all manner of problems, we put our "faces" on and keep going. Why do we do that though? I think we have to let go of the need to preserve the face for the world and instead, show it how it really is. Not all the time of course, or the world (as our families know it) would come to a screeching halt while we dealt with everything. But to just sometimes give ourselves permission to not be everything to everyone, to not always be the strong one, the happy one, the one with all the answers.
Because, let's face it .. none of us have all the answers.
The last two weeks have been rather .. um .. interesting. I was feeling very uninspired and sloth-like over the long weekend (March 1-3) and had managed to have a very quiet one until Monday morning. Then I got a phone call from Peter telling me his brother, Mark, had been rushed to hospital at Southern Cross (about 150kms from the minesite where they work) with major abdominal pain. Mark was then airlifted to Perth via Royal Flying Doctor Service on Monday morning. The doctors did some tests but couldn't figure out what was causing the pain so they decided to operate at 12 noon. They found about a metre of his small intestine had died and was rotting inside him. Poor guy was cut from chest to groin, put into an induced coma and onto a ventilator in ICU. He was taken off the ventilator on Wednesday afternoon and moved up to a normal ward on Friday. He's now well on the way to recovery but will still have to take it easy for another month or two.
I went over to the hospital and sat with Bec (Mark's wife) while he was being operated on. Another friend (Kirsty) turned up as well so the three of us sat and chatted in the coffee shop at the hospital. When I thought back on those five hours later, I realised how scared Bec must have been, yet she still managed to put that aside and have a normal conversation and even a few laughs.
Isn't it amazing how strong we women can be? When faced with all manner of problems, we put our "faces" on and keep going. Why do we do that though? I think we have to let go of the need to preserve the face for the world and instead, show it how it really is. Not all the time of course, or the world (as our families know it) would come to a screeching halt while we dealt with everything. But to just sometimes give ourselves permission to not be everything to everyone, to not always be the strong one, the happy one, the one with all the answers.
Because, let's face it .. none of us have all the answers.
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