I have to say I love surprise pressies. On the weekend I received two late Christmas presents and they were both spot on.
My friend Cath brought me some magnetic poetry on Friday night. I had such a lovely time unpacking them on to my fridge and playing with the words. I have enjoyed them every day, plucking a word and pairing it with another to see how they fit together. I should have had them in the classroom when I was teaching, I imagine the kids would have a great play with them. I’m glad I get to play now though.
Tom and I went shopping for Kristy’s 21st present and I saw a delicate nightlight that had dandelions as a pattern on the white ceramic cover. I admired it and Tom bought it for me. I found a great book for Kristy for her birthday and I was glad I had Tom there to tell me it would be right for her because if I’d been alone I would have been uncertain and possibly would have left it. She liked it so that pleased me.
I enjoyed the 21st and having the kids on the weekend. It was busy and fun. Tom left in the early hours of Sunday morning. It wasn’t long enough, but it was lovely. We had brunch together and a shop on Saturday and I got to spend some precious time with him. It made getting one arm sunburnt on the trip to collect him worthwhile;-).
We live close to town, so tonight, even though we didn’t make it to Carols by Candlelight, we still got to see the fireworks, which I reckon would be one of the best bits!
Tonight when I got home, I had a nap! It was delicious. I feel so refreshed now.
I have mountains of presents to wrap. I feel pretty happy that I’ve managed to get some awesome gifts for people I love. I’m also glad that I’ve got it all handled now. There is one more gift I would love to get, but I have to restrain my spending and say… that is enough. I find it so much fun to buy presents for the great people in my life. I can easily get carried away. I’m very excited about giving them out on Christmas morning. It’s so exciting to have the kids for Christmas eve. All the excitement… how lucky I am.
Yesterday when I posted Tom, Dean and Joan’s presents, I had a little teary. I wished they could be here for the day. I was a bit emotional yesterday, maybe the eclipse got me:). The great thing is that Tom called me as soon as I got home from work and we had a chat, which helped a lot. His phone has died so I haven’t been able to talk to him for days… it was nice to hear his voice.
I think we have lunch handled. Well, Darin has it under control. That is another blessing;).
I have been really productive today. I have cleaned the house and attended to a few overlooked personal matters that I have been putting off. I have downloaded all my photo’s from my camera and my mum’s and put some on facebook for the family to see. I also put my little clip from Asha’s 21st on for the family only… she is still a bit wary, but so many wanted a copy, it seemed the easiest way. I found my iPod! It had been used at the party for the music and whilst I remembered grabbing it, I couldn’t find it anywhere. It was in dad’s car!
I have resumed my exercise today and didn’t do as poorly as I expected. I think the cough I had for most of last term has finally subsided! I chatted with my friends today. It was great to talk to them and bring them up to speed with my fast changing life and hear about theirs also.
I took a risk today. I made Darin and his mum a clip of the photos and small snatches of video I’d taken of his children throughout the year. I was pretty happy that Darin enjoyed it so much. I haven’t got it to his mum yet because she lives in Sydney and I only finished it Boxing Day. Darin’s ex, the mother of his children sent a beautiful gift of home baked goodies to me on Christmas Day. She also put one in for my daughter. I was so touched by this gesture. I sent her a copy of the clip when he went to visit today. She cried when she watched it and said it was the best gift she’d received all year. It made me feel good.
I have to admit there have been challenging times for me this year. I’ve been the ex and I haven’t always treated my exes new partner with the respect she deserves. Mostly to be honest, I’ve just ignored her, after making a few attempts that weren’t well received. I have felt wary of Darin’s ex. I have projected my own attitude on to her. She has really shown the way though and has always been polite and helpful to me. She is the mother of these precious children and as the primary care giver, it is also her influence that makes them such great kids to be around. I realise these situations will always be fraught with emotional responses, but I hope this is the start of a relationship that will ultimately benefit all involved.
It’s hard to believe it’s less than a week since Asha’s 21st. What a packed week I’ve had! It’s all been lovely and I have seen most of the people I love this week. I miss Kate and Tom today, but had Tom here this time last week for the weekend, which almost makes up for it. I’ve had two phone conversations with Kate this week so that’s pretty good too for someone who lives in the UK. My brother Brendan is home from Darwin and Jane and Sam were here last weekend from WA, so these things have been the real gifts for me this week. Watching my daughter shine at her 21st and entertain all her family and friends with the beauty and grace she carries with her was also a priceless treat. I’ve had Darin by my side cooking, entertaining, cleaning up, holding me up when I’ve had a panic and just generally being rock solid there for me is worth more to me than I can say. I feel absolutely surrounded by goodness.
I received great stuff too, as you do at this time. I especially appreciated the camera from my parents. Darin and I bought a camera recently that has disappeared. I’ve really missed having a camera. I didn’t realise how much I would. I got it in time to capture some of the delight of Darin’s beautiful kids opening their presents today and the smiles and glee at playing with all their new toys. I’m not going to list all the other lovely things.
I’m off to bed, full of gratitude for all I have in my life. I hope all readers have had a safe and lovely festive season.
I know that Wii is old news to most, but yesterday I had my first big play on it and understand now. It is really fun. I went to my brother Tim’s and he and his wife Nicole shared the joys of Wii with me. I had Nicole for secret santa this year and bought her a Wii Fit. I am not sure if it was a gift or a punishment today. My body is really sore from the 40 minutes spent checking out all the ‘games’ on it. After getting my age assessment …. a painful truth at having a body age a good ten years older than the reality, I had to really throw myself into the exercises, and now it hurts.
Asha came over and we played bowling and other games. I thought I would whip Tim on tennis, but no… I barely won a game. I did manage to do ok in the yoga section. It involved being still! I have to get back into my exercise and routines… ugh! I got some great action shots of Asha and Nicole battling it out in baseball. I’ll be keeping them for blackmail… the facial expressions are priceless. It’s amazing how much you get into it.
Tim and I shared our iTunes libraries and he told me all the concerts he’s been to this year and is planning to go to. We happily chatted about music, reading and film after the physical exhaustion of the Wii playing had depleted me. He has a great room full of the best music posters, autobiographies and films. I borrowed a couple of autobiographies… they are actually to be passed on to my other brother Danny, but I am going to read them first. My brother and his wife are awesome and I enjoyed my day with them. It was a bonus to see Asha too!
I am bragging I know, but I am finished my shopping. I have totally enjoyed it this year and feel really pleased with the gifts I have to give. I am excited about Christmas. Each time I’ve been shopping, I’ve bumped into my best mate from school, Rhonda, and we have had a coffee together….totally unplanned. How fortunate is that! I have found the things I have been looking for with ease. I feel like I’ve had plenty of time this year. It’s been cruisy.
I spent the afternoon showing my dad how to download podcasts. I gave him the ipod I won from school a few weeks ago. I still have the ipod I won from Mr Wong ages ago. My kids already have ipods. My dad likes to listen to talkback so I thought he might like it. He was quite facinated to find all the ABC radio programs there to be downloaded. I am sure I will have to go over it again a few times with him.
I’m having Christmas lunch at the parents and celebrating Christmas Eve with the young people. Boxing Day will be extended family with my Auntie. I’m lucky I don’t have cater… then I would be frantic.
We’ve had lots of spontaneous gatherings here lately and I feel like I am cleaning up after little celebrations constantly. It’s ok though, I’m actually enjoying it this year. It is a different lifestyle with adult children, with their own cars to run themselves around with and their own jobs and money to fund Christmas with. I am getting quite fond of this freedom I have now. It’s not so bad after all!
I’m off to Melbourne tonight as my daughter has won a day spa and can bring a friend. I am so pleased she chose me to share this with! Tomorrow I am going to be spending the day being massaged etc with her. Aren’t we lucky! I tell you all about it when I get back. It couldn’t come at a better time.
Thinking about Christmas and how I would like to do it this year, this song goes through my head. I also love ‘Bloody Well Right’.
Christmas is about giving and with all this economic downturn talk that we are hearing about, there is more than one thing that can be given. I haven’t been ‘shopping’ as such this year. I have been thinking about each person in my life that I love and what is best to give. I am trying to spend good time with the people I love since I haven’t gone away this pre- Christmas season. I usually go away to avoid the whole Christmas thing. So whilst I will buy some actual presents, I am also trying to be present. To give my time, care and love in real ways as well as physical gifts.
I have realised, finally, that some people I love would prefer to receive nothing. I read something once: Too guilty to recieve, too resentful to give. It applies to some people. I have always thought that generosity is always a good thing, but there are some that find it embarrassing or makes them feel awkward. I need to recognise and allow that. The aim is to expand love and goodwill, not to create a feeling of discomfort.
I have been quite emotional about world poverty this year. I watched ‘The Girl in the Cafe’ on the ABC on Sunday night and that kind of kick started it for me. When I read/watched on The Fischbowl blog: World on Fire today I just had to wizz over to Kiva and lend some paypal earnings. I cried. I remember when I was youth worker, I cried all the time during this season because I knew those kids I worked with would never get what they wanted for Christmas. The other place for lazy people like myself to make a contribution to world povery is Global Giving.
My kids and I usually go to the shopping centre and find a card on the Salvo’s Xmas tree to buy a gift for. I like to find one of a nana because since mine have died, I like to give to someones grandmother. My kids usually pick out some kid their age. My dad kick started this tradition when he recognised he already had enough. He gave my kids some money and for his gift from them, he wanted them to shop for someone else. My parents have been very generous and get so much pleasure from giving all year round that it has been contagious. I must admit, I am more focussed on what to give than what I want. I already have everything I want.
The other thing that I feel is important to give is gratitude. When you give someone a gift, there is nothing more rewarding than their expression of joy at receiving. That is where the pleasure lies in giving, the anticipation that someone will get joy or happiness from it. If you have nothing to give – be grateful for what you have received. That will be everything to the giver.
You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.
- Winston Churchill
I got my copy of Surprise! last week. I really enjoyed it (being a big kid at heart). It is a refreshing and beautiful story, that embraces the ‘random acts of kindness’ and connectedness themes. It’s perfect for this season of Christmas.
My daughter, who is studying to be a Primary school teacher also really enjoyed it. I watched her read it and smile. Then, like myself she began rattling off ways to use it in the classroom.
This last week of school, we’ve had no text books. The students hand them in to the second hand sales. They know their reports are already written, so it is sometimes a challenge to keep them engaged in learning. There are also lots of interuptions. This activity kept most of them quite interested.
Last week we read and discussed Christmas stories ranging from different cultures, traditions, films and our own personal stories. I had a huge experience with that, which I will share down the track. This week I read them ‘Surprise!’ They loved it too. They were inspired and it led beautifully to the activity for them; to make a Christmas picture book for younger children to be included in the Christmas Hampers each class puts together for our local Vinnies to distribute to the community. They got a lot of pleasure from making the books and put effort into their work.
‘Surprise’ is written by Karen Andrews and illustrated by Kim Fleming. Karen has self published this book. Her blog Miscellaneous Mum has allowed me to follow her journey to share this gorgeous story with the world.
It’s Karen’s (the author) birthday today. She is 30 years young. Karen is a Sagittarian too! I think the optimism of the sign comes through in this book and I think it is a remarkable accomplishment that will bring joy to many. Happy Birthday Karen and thanks for ‘Surprise!’
Life has been hectic again this week. My birthday on Tuesday was absolutely divine. I was showered with gifts and greetings from friends, students and family. I felt very blessed and loved when I got to bed, not to mention full of great food. I was really touched by so many people remembering me via texts, phonecalls, emails, facebook, visits and singing out across the playground. A couple of Tom’s friends even visited with flowers and chocolates!
I have sore feet from dancing yesterday at school. We had around 700 students line dancing the afternoon away. It was fun. I was surprised they all participated so well. It was a house based activity and I wore my red shoes, to get into my house spirit. They are silly shoes to wear dancing though and I must throw them out so I don’t make the same mistake ever again. They are so pretty though, but I have blisters!
My daughter had a tupperware party here last night. I don’t know what I was thinking when I said yes, weeks earlier. It was fun though! I am NOT a tupperware or party plan kind of person and when she told me she’d booked the party she prepared me by saying ‘you would probably be happier to hear I’m pregnant, but….’ She knows me well. I have a fridge full of cakes and cheeses and yummy food… but no time to eat it and as Tom’s still at schoolies (and surviving as far as I can tell), the timing is all wrong.
Today is the last day for our year 9s. It has been full of departure gestures and rituals. Tonight I have a mass and social to attend with them. It’s been so hectic and I have struggled to do half of the things I usually do with my homeroom on their last day; being a co-ordinator as well has certainly cut into my time. The students still responded with hugs and cards and thank-you gifts. I feel very grateful for their generosity with me. Another group off to the senior campus and the wide world!
