Archive for 07/09/2009

Halfway

28/09/2009 Joh holidays, home

I haven’t blogged since last week! The weather turned a bit rough so I turned to inside activities mostly, though we did get some gardening in on Thursday. It was long overdue with some garden beds needing to be mowed rather than weeded. I want to do so much outside it is overwhelming to start sometimes. It looks much better now, yet I still see a lot to do.

We had the kids for a night last week, which is always fun. One of the kids decided to stay with her mum, I noticed her absense. I missed her actually. We didn’t get out with them curtailing our tendency to always go out when the kids are here. Darin thought it was time we did a bit of normal hang out stuff. I remember when my kids would go to their dad’s for the weekend, they tend to have high entertainment expectations when that’s what usually happens. It’s so interesting being on the other side of the ‘every second weekend’ family.

I watched a few films, the most interesting was ‘Flashbacks of a Fool’ with Daniel Craig. I have also been introduced to Carl Baron and laughed till my stomach hurt watching his DVDs. I had no idea he was so cleverly funny. I watched the Grand Final, half heartedly baracking for the Saints. I fell asleep though so I didn’t get to experience the loss. I’ve watched the Grand Prix as well on a few occasions during this season. I can barely contain my advertising analysis though whilst watching these ‘blokey’ things on TV. It’s a whole new reality to me.

I went for a drive to Golden Beach and had a long walk along the beach Saturday morning.

Yesterday we went to Ikea in Richmond to get some cutlery I wanted and as you could expect walked out with a few more items. We went to the National Gallery to see the Salvador Dali exhibition but the queue was for an hour so we took in the rest of the Gallery and resolved to go back during the week. I don’t know why I thought doing this on a Sunday was a good idea…. Ikea was packed also. We had dinner at Bukhara’s in Warragul on the way home. It was my first visit, Darin thought it wasn’t as good as it once was, I thought it was yummy.

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9 Holes

23/09/2009 Joh holidays

Yesterday we went to Cowes for a drive. It was really sunny when we left home and my clothing reflected this. Once I arrived I needed to buy a pair of warm pants because my skirt just wasn’t keeping the wind out. I love the emergency purchase. We checked out some real estate that we’d seen online. It was less than we’d hoped, but it was still interesting to see what was available. 

I spent quite a few years holidaying at Cowes with my family as a teenager. I had never been to Rhyll, so we drove there and I had a look. We also drove around San Remo, there are some amazing views in that part of the world, but no fish and chip shop was open, what’s with that?

We got back home mid afternoon and it was sunny and bright. Darin suggested 9 holes of golf. I haven’t played golf for nearly 20 years, except on the Wii! It was a perfect afternoon for it and I enjoyed it a lot. He is very patient and helpful to play golf with, it was actually more fun than I had expected.

Sitting out on the balcony having a beer, the late afternoon light and shadows over the golf course was tranquil and I was happy about the way I’d spent the second day of my holidays.

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The Ada Tree

22/09/2009 Joh family, relationships, travel

spring-equinox-blog.jpgYesterday Darin and I went for a drive. We were heading for Yarra Junction to have a look around and I spotted a sign to the Ada Tree. I have always wanted to be at that old tree, so we made a detour down the dirt track, walked through the ferny rainforest and there it was. The signs say the tree is just over 300 years old. It’s huge. It’s a miracle of survival with all the logging and bushfires that have been through that area.

On the way there driving through the trees we came across a couple of patches of scarred logged land. It’s so ugly. That area was logged by my grandfather in the late 1930s and he was caught in a bushfire that was documented for an ABC website, so it is a significant area to me. I’ve heard Pa mention the Ada track in his stories of those times.

Leaving the Ada track, we took a different turn and found ourselves no longer on the way to Yarra Junction, ending up in Marysville. I have never seen such devastation from fires and I’ve been through a few fire ravaged areas. It was very sad and eerie. We took a very long way but eventually arrived at our intended destination. The day was done though, so there was not much time spent there before heading home. I think I’d had my fill of sights and adventures for the day.

It was the spring equinox yesterday in Australia.

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Fishing and Sale’s Swinging Bridge

21/09/2009 Joh family, relationships, travel

Yesterday we took the kids fishing. Darin’s son brought his rod for the weekend and was keen. I had asked a couple of the boys at school about the local fishing spots, but I wasn’t clear about where they meant so we headed for Sale. Getting bait was the beginning of the adventure. We went to the petrol station, who sent us to the bottle shop, who sent us to a Camping shop, that was inconveniently closed. Fortunately we spotted a ‘Bait’ shop as we drove away wondering where to go.

The man in the bait shop recommended going along the river past the swinging bridge. I had a vague idea of a bridge, but no idea really about the swinging bridge. We found it and settled on the other side of it for some unsuccessful fishing. I did catch some classic expressions on the faces of the gorgeous children as they watched their rods intensely, screwed up their noses at the worms we were using for bait and reeled their rods in so rapidly the fish would have had to chase the bait to get hooked. I can’t say I was too disappointed about not catching anything personally.

We were there at the right time to see the historic swinging bridge swing open. When I pictured a swinging bridge, in my mind I was looking for a swinging in the wind kind of thing, but this was something else. A part of Gippslands local history that I had no idea about, despite having travelled down that river from the Port of Sale as a kid in my pa’s boat. I have no recollection of it. blog-swinging-bridge.jpg

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New Moon in Virgo – Saturday 19th September 2009

18/09/2009 Joh astrology

The skies have been challenging lately according to what I’ve been reading. The new moon tomorrow is mentioned in the following posts:

Mystic Medusa: Dark Moon now in Virgo

Willow’s Web Astrology: Super Potent New Moon in Virgo Smack Dab on Saturn

Lynda Hill’s Sabian Symbols: Head Honcho or Playing Second Fiddle: September’s Virgo New Moon

I am feeling the dark moon now. I guess the week has been tiring. I was flat after Tom left and all the winding up of the term. I have no big plans for the holidays, but lots of little ones. I’ll focus on the goals after the bell goes at 2.30pm today and I have some breathing space.

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He Came, He Went

17/09/2009 Joh family, friends, home, relationships

Words cannot describe my feelings when my son walked back in my door. Or when he left.

He looks vibrantly healthy and happy. We had a great time. He had stories to tell and was still able to entertain and amuse with ease. I got to see all his friends. It’s harder to let go this time it seems, when I know he is thriving and won’t be coming back except for weekends. Not that I would want it any other way, but still it is a letting go.

It was great to see all his friends. I laughed a lot with them all. He shared the ridiculous ‘phone jacker’ with us and his latest tunes. I still have “I’ve Got Hurt Feelings” jumping in and out of my brain to annoy me. Darin cooked an amazing feast for us all on Sunday. He also took a pile of photos that recapture the time. Friday night no one went to bed till daylight. It was as though I didn’t want to miss a moment with him. The weather was great for the weekend it was all I could ask for.

I am very proud of him. He has ventured off bravely and made his dreams come true. There were some lonely and worrying times for him, but he hung in there. Most of all I am glad he is still himself. It left me wanting more.

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Seeing Paul Dempsey

15/09/2009 Joh music

Last Thursday, Darin and I went to Belgrave after work to see Paul Dempsey at Ruby’s Lounge. It was a busy night. My mind was racing with the events of the next few days. We called in to see Wilma, but missed her. We had dinner at the pizza shop a couple of doors up. It was a refreshing menu. Lots of old favourites.

We had our licences scanned to enter the venue, which was a new experience for me. I was curious about it and the door lady explained to me that it was for safety reasons. Apparently I was revealing my lack of going out in city establishments. I wonder how long it will be before it becomes a local practise.

Leena played before Paul Dempsey and I really enjoyed her. The main act was good too, yet I was tired and cold by then and had an hour and a half drive home. So I left early so I could be home in time to get enough sleep to teach the next day. I know I’m old.

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Excited

10/09/2009 Joh family, health, music, relationships

Tom is coming home tomorrow. I haven’t dared to think about it too much over the last two weeks but recently I can’t hide from the longing to see my son. Everywhere I go lately I have bumped into one of his friends who share my anticipation. Darin and I are planning a gathering over the weekend so close family and friends can all catch up with him at the same time. I’ve been invited to the party with friends as well so it seems like an action packed weekend is ahead. Again.

After last weekend I was exhausted so I started exercising again yesterday morning. I woke up really early Wednesday morning (possibly from such an early night), so I got back on the cross trainer and again this morning. I feel great for it. I needed some extra energy to get through these closing days of the term.

Tonight we are off to see Paul Dempsey at Ruby’s Lounge in Belgrave. I first saw him as a soloist on Rockwiz (see below)and loved his voice. I’ve been enjoying his new CD that I downloaded from itunes on Tim’s recommendation.

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Resting

08/09/2009 Joh family, friends, holidays, home, relationships

Tonight is a quiet night. Darin is already asleep on the couch and I won’t be far behind I think.

Sunday was busy, Wilma and Darryl came and fitted wooden venetian blinds to my windows. I love them. Asha visited briefly in the afternoon and it’s always lovely to see her. One of Tom’s mates, Phil dropped in too. Interestingly I’ve bumped into many of Tom’s friends this week, after missing them all for so long. Tom is coming home this weekend, so we are all looking forward to seeing him again. I can’t wait.

Darin cooked a delicious lunch of crumbed cutlets and salad with crusty bread for us all on Sunday. It was beautiful to watch him showing Jack how to cut things and crumb etc. He is so patient and makes a great teacher. I felt sorry that he had to cook on father’s day, when really I should have been looking after him, yet watching them do this together seemed perfect. I think he really enjoys it.

I tried to phone my dad for father’s day, but didn’t catch up with them (my parents) until the next day. They are in outback QLD currently and were not reachable. Sounds like they are having a good time though so all is well.

It’s only 8 days until the school holidays and although it’s only been a six week term for me due to my long service leave, work is a tense place currently, I’ll be happy to put a fullstop on this term.

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Luna Park

07/09/2009 Joh family, relationships, travel

Awaking in the motel room earlier than expected we had 4 hours to distract three very excited children on Saturday morning from the much anticipated joys of Luna Park. The buffet breakfast was a good start and from there we headed for a walk around St Kilda. I loved the community garden and the farmers market next door. We strolled past the cake shops and enjoyed a coffee. Jack(8) took this great photo blinded by the morning sunlight.jacks-photo.jpg

Still having an hour to fill we headed back to the room and Darin squeezed a shower in, there was no waiting for him to have one earlier in the morning. This photo recalls the waiting, waiting, waiting feeling of the morning. waiting-for-luna-park.jpg

We entered the gates with a larger crowd and the fun began. The ”horseys” were a big hit with the girls and Jack was in bliss since his height was not an issue on any of the rides. Not so lucky was  Elise (4) denied the Ferris Wheel because she was too short. 

My most memorable moment of the day was waiting in the line for the Scenic Railway for what felt like an hour with Ruby (2) in my arms. She fell asleep and I was quite anxious she would wake up on the ride and be terrified. She did wake but was far from terrified. She is a thrillseeker and made my first ride on the Scenic Railway a joy with her gleeful expressions.

We had perfect weather and the kids were great, totally enjoying the day and being patient with each other as their different rides were enjoyed. The trip home on Saturday afternoon was quieter with only Jack staying awake for a game of eye spy. Another early night for me though!

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