A Scary Australian Story!!!

The dangers of living in a country which has so many creepy crawlies is this....finding a suspected red back nest underneath a patio chair that you usually sit on! Now, for those overseas visitors who don't know, red back spiders are nasty nasty creatures that can kill you (or make you very sick) with one bite (well, if you don't run off to hospital for an anti-venom apparently!)

So whilst looking out my study window this morning, I spotted this!!! Out I rushed to inspect. Now, there was a big white backed spider taking up residence there, but somewhere in that mess, I'm sure a scarlet backed hunter lurked just waiting for a big butt to land above!
And so, out with the brave broom (and not so brave handler!)!!!
Voile!!! No more red back nest! Phew! Close call for bottoms-on-my-veranda-chairs avoided!!!!

Spiritual Enlightenment????

The 12 year old goes to our church youth group! He loves to go and actually reminds us that it's on usually. They play games there, get fed (party pies, pizza, fish bites in Lent (lol!) etc). It also gives him the opportunity to catch up with old primary school friends who went to different high schools. During the evening, they also have a spiritual awareness session. This consists of a variety of activities including watching relevant dvds, having a guest speaker, looking at pictures, etc etc. Following this they break into girl/boy groups and have reflection time.

So, last night, Dear Husband picked up the 12 year old from youth group. He came home with his usual vigour and enthusiasm. As per usual, I also asked him about his night and what he'd learnt. His response last night was exceptionally eager. 'I learnt heaps', he said.

'Oh', said me. 'Like what?' (Naturally, I was expecting him to tell me some great recount about some missionary somewhere, a biblical story perhaps or similar).

'Well', he replied, 'I learnt that I am awesome at eating'!

Huh??

'They had an eating competition and I won! I ate so much and I beat this really big kid'!!

Okkkkkk....enlightenment...yes! Spiritual? Ummmmmmm!




Btw, I've pimped my blog. What do you think??? Is it too much or ok to read? I fell in love with the polka dots (sigh....child of the 80s that I am!!!).

Ahoy Me Hearties!!!!

Did you know that today is apparently International Talk-Like-A-Pirate Day?

Neither did I until I saw it on the tv this morning!

Nevertheless.........

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!! Welcome aboard! Put yer cutlass up for some good bloggin' fun!!!

And this courtesy of my kids.........

What is a pirate's favourite letter?
R-rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, of course!!!!

School Projects!

I love school projects...usually! They can be so much fun, if the project is motivating and interesting. Now, I'm not one of these mums who has to interfere (ummm...usually!) and as you can see, Miss 8 enjoyed making her 'Thailand Snapshot Box' all by herself! We did go to a certain travel agent and pretend that we were thinking of a holiday so that we could gather pictures, but....ahem...I won't tell if you won't! ;)

Now all was going well with the box....it went off to school in its completed form along with an assortment of appropriate items - souvenirs from a friend who recently travelled to Thailand, a keyring borrowed from another friend, a bag of rice etc. Until tonight! When wayyyyy past bedtime, Miss 8 gasps and suddenly remembers that she has to write a whole talk up on said box! Arrrrghhh! Needless to say, panic was high in this house tonight, and Miss 8 went to bed for the second time this evening one very unhappy girl!

Sooooo...guess who has an early start tomorrow!

Paying It Forward For Nie

About a month ago, I had never heard of Stephanie Nielsen or the Nie Nie Dialogues. A lot has changed since then. As I was doing my weekly scroll through blogs a few weeks ago, I couldn't help but note so many blog entries about Stephanie and her husband and the tragic private plane accident that they were involved in and the way that so many internet bloggers had banded together to raise money for their recovery.

Initially, I had detachment. Stephanie and I didn't have a lot in common (we were on different sides of the world, she is sooo much younger, we go to different churches, she has way more children than me etc etc).

But then I started going back and reading Stephanie's blog. What I found there was riveting. For the last few years, she has written about the stories of her life. Through her words, I started to feel as if I knew her wonderful, energetic four children. I read about the love story between her and her husband. I celebrated the achievements of her extended family (How I realise what I am missing by not having a sister!). And I marvelled at the creative flair that she demonstrated in decorating her own home. I was so enthralled that I sat at the computer for hours just reading about her life and wondering why I hadn't come across her blog before.

The most amazing thing about Stephanie's blog is simple. She loved her life. She rejoiced in her role as mother and wife and celebrated the basic things that we so often overlook. In our rush-filled existence it is so easy to take so many of life's basic pleasures for granted.....the pleasure of sitting outside under a tree to eat dinner, the pleasure of our children going back to school, the pleasure of making others happy.

So touched was I by reading the blog that I started to look around at my own life. And you know what? I felt ashamed! Ashamed that I had so easily fallen into the trap of finding the day-to-day grind of life a drudge. Ashamed that the simple things felt 'too hard'. Ashamed that I'd fallen for the negative at times when I should have remained positive.

Yesterday, I read this entry on Mom Logic. When I finished, I got up and turned off the computer. I walked out to my children and asked them if they wanted to go for a walk with me (Ok, dog included...I was feeling brave!). For the next half hour, we walked and talked and just enjoyed being with each other. We had a Nie moment.....and all thanks to a woman who is fighting for her life in a hospital on the other side of the world!

I cannot agree enough with Mom Logic.......pay it forward for Stephanie. And for the simple pleasure of being a mum!

To help Stephanie and Christian's recovery, go to this site for more information.
To keep up-to-date with their progress, read Stephanie's wonderful sister, Courtney's updates here.
To visit Stephanie's blog, go here.

Praying for Stephanie and Christian and that they will be back home to their loved ones soon.

For Those Rellies Way Down South!!!

Lookie at what we got yesterday!

Whaddya think???

Off To See The Netball Wizard!!!

Date......Netball break-up party tomorrow!

Theme.....Come as your favourite Hollywood star!

Problem.....No costume, no ideas and no time!

Solution......Friend with ballet-happy daughter and a cupboard full of used-once costumes! (Don't ya love friends like that!)

Answer........one happy Dorothy.......Hey, it's Hollywood enough for me!!!! Tee hee!