Back to Work

Its really tough after having 4 wonderful lazy (not quite lazy) but 4 wonderful days off.

Only to have to go back to the office and deal with file after file of complaints and investigations. I love the view from my office window, I can see the all the high rise buildings along Surfers Paradise and beyond that is the beach - miles of blue ocean and sand.

Its the sunny days that get me - stuck at a desk when you can be outside enjoying the fresh air and getting down to the beach where the sand is warm and the water is cool - sometimes it is pure torture looking out that window.

On Tuesday management launched the "Rebranding" of our company and were given a complimentary mouse pad, mug and pen which showed the "new logo".

I love where I work and what I do but sometimes I feel that its a lot of "exec" people running around in circles trying to make themselves look really important. They also spend a lot of money on what I think is "wastage". There is nothing wrong with our current logo but apparantly the new logo is going to bring in more business.

The bulk of our business comes in from Finance Brokers who bring deal in after deal. The brokers are mostly concerned with how much commission they get paid rather than on our corporate image.

I don't have a problem with change - I'm all for it, however I feel that the money being spent is "wasted". What I would like to see with this money is to raise the staff wages, give better training to our Brokers on all our products and give the place a coat of paint and new carpet.

Now "management" have to destroy thousands of dollars of "outdated" stationary to fit in with the new look. The website will have to be redesigned, all our logos on walls, carpets, brochures, marketing material will now have to be thrown away - to me this is waste.

Another example of "waste" is management putting on drinks and nibblies at 5pm Tues night - giving staff a couple of hours notice. They organised the catering for 50 people - the last of the "rebranding" sessions finished at 5.40pm and by that time most of the staff had left and gone home. What did they do with the nibblies that hardly got eaten - in the bin....

There is nothing that frustrates me more, than money being thrown down the drain.

EASTER MONDAY - Relaxing

It has been a full weekend but extremely productive. Its monday evening and the house is back to normal - trashed!!!!!!

The girls are now in bed after saying their prayers and doing their devotional - tonight it was "God Can See Everything" - they are amazed that not only can God see everything but that he can "hear" everything and that we cannot hide from him.

It has been a lovely day - poor Mal had to work but someone has got to earn the money so I can spend it...hee hee. The girls and I headed off to the park this morning armed with CB's friend, Rocky, snacks and plenty of water and my book....It was a cool morning which ended up to be quite a hot day.

The book that I was reading "Heartbreaker" can't remember the author but it was about a male prostitute who was mixed up in the occult who came upon the path of a christian. Through building a relationship with the christian, the prostitute was saved from his life and people that dictated to him. He described Jesus "as the bloke" because he could not at first grasp the meaning of Christ and Christianity. Not only did he learn about Jesus but he had to deal with his self esteem and the reason why he turned to prositution. Through God's word this man began to believe that he was a Child of God who loved him - his emotions and physical side of his life were healed and he was able to proclaim that "Jesus Christ is Lord". Powerful story.

While at the park and in between reading my book I observed the children and parents around me. Some parents were lost in discussion completely ignoring the fact that their child had fallen off the slide and was screaming their head off.

I observed another family who were swinging their boys on the swings. The dad was swinging his son higher and higher and the son was saying (in between larfing) no more daddy, stop but he continued to push his son higher and higher - the son let go and landed bang on the head and on his back - the mother cries "he told you to stop - you didn't listen - you never listen - you are hopeless - why didn't you stop when he asked you to" the crying boy is cuddled by the mother while the dad goes and sulks in a corner - arguing back"

Another corner of the park was a dad and his son (about 12yrs) jumping up and down on a rope trying to push each other off - absolutely hysterical - laughing and enjoying each others company - continuing to play the same game for quite some time until they were exhausted...

Families are quite complex and there are always two sides to a story - today at the park I saw a lot of unhappy people trying to enjoy the outdoors and give some pleasure to their children - but sometimes that is just not enough...I've had a full weekend with my family and I begin to understand that love and nurture is the key to a strong and happy family.

As I listen to the silence in my home I feel a deep sense of peace and satisfaction.........knowing that God is with us.

O R A N G E C A K E

EASTER SUNDAY - Lunch

Welcome to my diner....a feast has been prepared for six hungry mouths....

Main:

Roasted Vegetables - Drizzled in Garlic Oil
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Curried Silverside

Dessert:

Orange Cake - with Cream
Easter Eggs (galore)


The main was incredibly delicious considering the kitchen was at least 50degrees - we had to put the airconditioner on so that we could enjoy the meal in a comfortable setting.

I have never cooked this Orange Cake recipe before so I thought I would give it a try. If you would like the recipe - see below:

Ingredients:

2 large oranges
6 eggs
500g sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
550g ground almonds (almond meal)

To make the cake:

* place the whole oranges in a saucepan with enough water to cover
* simmer for 1 hour or until the oranges are completely tender
* to ensure the orange skins are not bitter, change the simmering water up to 3 times
* cut the oranges in half, remove the seeds and puree the orange flesh and peel in a blender

butter and flour 2 x20cm springform tins and line the bottoms with baking paper (a must)

beat the eggs and sugar until pale and thick

combine the baking powder and ground almonds

fold into the eggs and fold in the orange puree

pour into the prepared tins and bake on the centre shelf of a preheated 180 degrees
for 60 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of cakes comes out clean

turn the cakes out onto a cake rack to cool

Serve with cream
........Chinois, South Yarra, Vic

Easter Sunday Celebrations

EASTER SUNDAY - Risen

At church this morning, as previously mentioned the girls were involved in their Easter Play - it had several scenes - all relating to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They were fantastic and made us extremely proud.

After the worship Therese and I sang "The Old Rugged Cross" and it was a very moving moment - during practice it was extremely hard to sing the words however when it came to the service we were able to sing without wavering - God was in the house.

Even though It was Mal's birthday he preached a powerful sermon titled "RISEN"

R – Respect
Distraught Mary being visited by Jesus before he ascended
John 20:11 - 17
Jesus respects our emotional pain and has the time to personally touch our lives.

I – Inspires
Jesus inspires the discouraged disciples on the road to Emmaus.
Luke 24:13 – 35
V 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.
V17… They stood still, their faces downcast.
V 19 … "What things?"…. They then described what they felt and how it wasn’t
going to plan, their disappointment with Jesus

S – Sets Free
Jesus appearing to self destructive/violent/religious Saul/Paul in Acts 9 to set
him free.

1 Timothy 1: 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a
violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 15 - 16
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into
the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners,
Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would
believe on him and receive eternal life.

He had to be set free / delivered for his own good and for the sake of others.

E – Encourages
Read John 20:24 – 28
Jesus helping doubting Thomas with a demonstration of reality.

Sometimes we are so discouraged we put unreasonable demands on Gods intervention
or demonstration of the reality before we will believe again. We don’t want others to
tell us they have experienced the presence of God we want it ourselves then we will
believe.

N – Next
Jesus appearing to John on the island of Patmos. Showing him a glimpse of what is
next.
Read Revelations 1:12 – 18

What does R.I.S.E.N. mean for you?

The power for life and all its challenges comes from the same power that resurrected Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4:11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.

Alive/Revealed: Render apparent, manifestly declare, shining, apparent, publicly, outward. To show, luminousness, fire, light.

Romans 8:11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

EASTER SUNDAY - Happy Birthday Mal

The man is 39 today - happy birthday sweetheart. To start the day I made a feast of coffee and pancakes - a birthday tradition in our family - except for me as no one yet can cook pancakes.

The girls set their alarms early however it was not early enough as Mal was already up - not to worry we got the show on the road...the girls had bought him a lovely trophy saying "Worlds Best Dad" - he was given a lovely white shirt from his mum and dad and he had to wait till lunch for the rest of the pressies.

I had spent the night before with the girls - cleaning the house ensuring that there would be nothing to do in the morning. We dusted, polished, vacuumed and baked and several hours later the house was sparkling (no more housework for at least 3 mths now). Yesterday it was my nephew Lachlan and friend Shwetha's birthday - happy birthday guys I love you lots.....March has a torrent of birthdays.....

The table was set for a celebration feast - not only for Mal but to celebrate the ressurection of Jesus. All dressed it was off to church....the girls were involved in a play - JJ being a narrator and CB being a fly on the wall... buzzzz buzzzzzz

One of the Lilies from my bargain bunch of Flowers

EASTER SATURDAY - Shopping

I've had a productive weekend so far - getting rid of the monster. It was time to head to the shops to do the dreaded Grocery Shopping. For those that know me I absolutely hate Grocery Shopping.

One of my favourite haunts is Runaway Bay Shopping Village. To get there from my place though is a 10 min drive - the closest shopping centre to where I live. At "the village" there is Big W, Target and many other specialty stores. However most of my time is spent in Target.

This Easter Saturday is not the usual casual window shopping, browse through the bargains but a matter of survival of the fittest. My mum and the two girls were with me and we had to hold on tight - you can tell its going to be a bad morning when you see the massive amount of cars parked in the car park.

Not a good idea to go in between two Public holidays where the shops will be closed. Its like its the end of the world...so with our minds set on what we need and handbags held very firmly under our arms we head through the masses. The girls even score some chocie from the Easter Bunny - (sorry no fotie - can't work out how to upload foties from my fone.)

Leaving the grocery shopping till last I come out with many bargains. Hot cross buns for 99cents cupcakes for 50cents, bbq chook for 5bucks, and two bunches of flowers reduced from 20 bucks to 4bucks - seeing as I have got through this laborious task I treat myself to a bunch and buy mum a bunch - I've been taught to shop well - thanks Mum.

POST - MONSTER

PRE-MONSTER

GOOD FRIDAY - Gardening

This holiday weekend I decided it was time to deal with the mess that was out of control in our front yard.

It started off as a weed on the neighbours side and to control this I have sprayed weed killer to stop it from reaching our little garden. I have done this several times as it has threatened to overtake.

However seeing as I'm not much of a green thumb and we work during daylight hours - you get to the weekend and its like - Its too hot, I'm too tired, have too many things to do or I'll get out in the garden later, or I'll do it tomorrow and then tomorrow comes and its, I'll do it next week.

Next week never came. Before our eyes grew this M O N S T E R of a weed which not only overtook our little garden but jumped the driveway to the other side of the garden. We got home one evening from work and our neighbours were out assessing the monster. We decided that when it gets a little cooler that we will pick a weekend and tackle it together. I didn't know how this was going to happen as they are only a young couple and they stay up late and sleep till midday.

So come Good Friday I'd had enough - "Mal - roll your sleeves up" and we got stuck into it - it was hot -really hot and we managed to strangle the monster. However half way thru our clean up we had no room to put the mess - as the tip was closed due to a public holiday. We fitted most of it in our bins but we had to leave the rest to the side of the driveway and at the bottom of the garden.

Saturday Mal worked and I had too many chores to do (escaping housework by going shopping) so we never got to clean up the left over debris. Easter Sunday when we arrived home from church the monster was gone and so was the debris - next door neighbours had kindly lifted the mess and put it in their bins...what are neighbours for.

We now found out that there is a tree growing there with a few little shrubs..which had been fighting for survival...I still don't know what to do with this little garden but I know it needs a makeover!!!!

GOOD FRIDAY: It Is Finished...by A. W. Pink

.
I was thinking about Good Friday today and what it means to me and I came across
this article at Scotwise and it has really challenged me.

As a christian I am always trying to change and live the life that Christ has called me to.

At this time of year as you acknowledge the Death of Christ and Celebrate his
Ressurection please bear in mind that It is not Finished.....

__________________________________________________________

It is Finished!

How terribly have these blessed words of Christ been misunderstood, misappropriated and misapplied! How many seem to think that on the
cross the Lord Jesus accomplished a work which rendered it unnecessary
for the beneficiaries of it to live holy lives on earth.

So many have been deluded into thinking that, so far as reaching heaven is concerned, it matters not how they walk provided they are "resting on the
finished work of Christ."

They may be unfruitful, untruthful, disobedient, yet (though they may
possibly miss some millennial crown) so long as they repudiate all
righteousness of their own and have faith in Christ, they imagine they are
"eternally secure." .......... Continue Reading

S C O T W I S E

Scotwise Has Won a Warnie

Congrats Scotwise on your Warnie award. You have been a fountain of encouragement in my life and also my inspiration for Blogging.

Blogging for me has been an outlet to share my life with other people and to be able to show others that a christian life is not a dull or boring life, but filled with laughter, richness and an abundance of blessings.

Scotwise brings the teachings of Jesus to you in relevant and practical post - giving you the ability to understand the ways of God and allow you the room to grow, be challenged and also encouraged and to live the life that he has called you to.

Scotwise, may you continue to teach, inspire, encourage and win souls for Jesus.....

Happy Birthday Meglet

It was my eldest sisters birthday on Monday 21st March, 2005 and she is just about approaching "over the hill".

I spent my Friday lunchtime running around with 2 of my work colleagues looking for a gift for her because as usual I leave everything to the last minute. I tell the my work colleages (P&S)that I'm heading down the street (which is actually up) to get my sister a pressie. They go "can we come" I said fine as long as long as they are aware I'm looking for a present. We usually spend Fridays talking about the Hindu, Jehovah Witness & Christian faith - and people think we gossip....

Anyways I'm in the card store - if you know me - I have to find the right card - not any card but the right card - after P & S pick up lots of filth which they think is absolutely hilarious I come upon the "right card" - so I go to pay for it and as usual I don't have cash in my wallet - and the card store only take minimum of $10 bucks - I'm not going to buy something I don't need just to use eftpos. So I leave A&B to go find an ATM and I find them in the chemist looking at hideous eyeshadows - you can get your sister this or that - so absolutely not.

The urge to go to the toilet comes upon me - gotta go girls and leave them wondering what the... I come back and now they are looking at perfume sachets to put in your underwear drawer - P & S go "what do you think about this as a pressie" I say in my most polite voice without being so utterly horrified - no I think I saw some earrings on the way back from the toilet.

Time is ticking (only have an hour for lunch) we go to where they are selling earrings - one of those quaint indian shops that is in a tent thingy - but they are all too gaudy - I hear
P & S larfing their heads off and they come over to me with a tiny box - they say here touch this - so I touch it and aaaghhhhhhh I got the biggest fright of my life - a snake comes out of the box and bites my thumb - I got such a fright I jumped so high I almost knocked over the tent with all the jewlerry and nic nacs in it - the owner of the store gave us such a dirty look. After i composed myself I saw the most beautifulist pink sarong and go "thats it" (time is ticking).

After purchasing it, I realise I need an express post envelope from Aust Post and do you think you can just walk in and walk out in 1 min - NO! 10 minutes later and P & S have finally stopped larfing - say lets go to Woolies as we need lunch - tick tock - after watching them painfully take their time choosing what to eat.. I've got the pressie, the postage envelope - the card!!!

We make it back to work by the skin of our teeth and P&S said that wasn't much of a shopping trip as they would like to spend more time browsing - HELLO they didn't have to come with me but I'm sure they'll think twice about coming shopping with me. The present wrapped and posted, I could sit back an relax - errr get back to work.

Come Monday I send back and forth emails - have you got the card - no card - what address did you send it to - no card in the arvo - no card the next morning FINALLLLY the card arrives and with it is a surprise package - hope you enjoy it Meglet.

Happy Birthday Meglet

I love Sundays

Sundays are my favourite day of the week where my family and I attend church. It has become ingrained into our lives that if we don't go to church its like something is missing...

Our church is a unique church (I feel) where we larf a lot. It is called North Gold Coast Christian Church.
The service comprises of Praise, Testimonies, Offering, Worship, Communion, Puppets & Preaching and starts at 9.30am finishing usually around 11.30am - depending on if Pastor John has a longwinded sermon.

The thing that is so refreshing about our church is we are just normal people who love to worship and serve God in our community. Members of the church are allowed to give Testament to Gods goodness during the week and also take turn in giving the Communion message - comprimising of both men and women.

We cater for the children by having a puppet show every week and I think the adults actually look forward to it more than the children. We have become familiar with Pastor Jock, Silas, Mrs Bowles, and a new one this sunday called a new character (who I've forgotten) but he is an American Cowboy from Texas and many more.

This Sunday Pastor John preached about being Warriors for God - reading about David & Goliath. It was an inspiring sermon and extremly challenging

Why do I love going to church? Church to me is fun, family and loving people enough to share God's goodness with them.

Bin Scrummaging
Posted by Hello

Bin Scrummaging

Here are the foties people..... I had to go thru the bin to get the pizza box out and the empty bottle of wine. My next door neighbour was outside cleaning his car and was watching me rummaging through the bin like a homeless person.

I continued to rummage until I found the prize - the other two pizza boxes were down to low but managed to not get ants all over me (quite a feat I can tell you) oh and the wonderful smell. A smell like no other - just as bad as that perfume mum put on the other day the new "Green Tea" perfume by Elizabeth Arden - Green Tea is a fabulous drink but who wants to wear it...whoever invented that perfume needs to drink a cup of Green Tea. Who wears coffee perfume??? Or beer perfume..HELLO!!!!

Anyways back to the point...what was it...oh thats right - rummaging through the bins and taking photos of empty wine bottle and pizza box.

Hope the "people's" are now satisfied!!! and my reputation for a weirdo has now been formed by my next door neighbour....

Surprise Visit

I walked in the door late this afternoon after having been out all day with my girls. What happened to doing housework and grocery shopping???? aaahhh do that tomorrow. I'm the biggest procastinator when it comes to household chores - don't get me wrong - it does get done - well eventually....and usually 5 mins before the store closes - well thats how you get bargains girls...

So I walk in the door and I hear hubby on the phone trying to give someone directions how to get to our place - he's going go this way and go that way oh and turn around "no don't go that way". I say here give me the phone - its Brent one of our dearest friends. I tell him ok turn left, up the hill, second park on the left then turn left into that street and first right - wa la he's knocking on the front door.

He was in town so he popped into see us. His wife Celia was at a Woman's conference in Sydney called Colour Your World. He brought with him some easter eggs for the girls and some textas and hairbands and hairclips for JJ for her birthday. As usual they were all over him - hugs and kisses saying "thank you thank you".

So a surprise visit turned into knocking back a bottle of merlot and downing 3 large pizzas (on a break from the South Beach - oops) Some of our fondest memories with Brent is listening and playing to music. I asked him if he had any new music - he goes out to his car and comes back with probably 200 cds. We listed to The Cure, Brian Ferry, Crowded House, Sting - Mal downloaded some Hunters and Collectors songs and of course listened to Mercy Me latest album Undone.

Its nights like these that I always find so relaxing and refreshing - feels like I've had a bit of a weekend.

Happy Birthday 10yr old JJ!!

Preparation Of JJ's 10th Birthday

Boy am I exhausted. It gets harder as they get older. You can't keep much from them. We are giving her my old mobile phone with a new cover, lanyon and had to get her a new no. and she has got $30 credit. She has been asking for a mobile phone for the last year. She knows how to use it, send text and play games and I've told her she has to wait till she's twelve. She said "MUM" when I was seven you said I could have a phone when I'm 10. They never forget a thing and they make sure you never forget that they haven't forgotten.

She sees my old sim on the bedside table this morning and says "whats that sim card for" doh...ummm ooohhh I know "I have just switched from Telstra to Optus for cheaper calls" she's onto me....

Last night homer (oops I mean hubby) refused to help me blow up 100 balloons (a tradition) so I hand pumped them, then had to tie them, oh my fingers were numb after no. 63. I finally rope hubby into transferring the balloons from the loungeroom to her bedroom. All that done I start preparing the table for tomorrow mornings sumptuous feast of "pancakes" with the birthday table cloth and the birthday sign and "P O P" what the....okay so JJ wakes up 9 hrs early to see her balloons - she goes back to sleep with a smile on her face

Next I start to mop the floor (11pm at night - can't stand the ants hovering on any tiny morsel of food they can find) "P O P" JJ comes out again - need to go to the toilet - its amazing I didn't have to change her sheets!!!!! What is with these balloons - they contintued to POP when I fell into bed exhausted after trying to change the flaming mobile phone cover which wouldn't go on at 12.30am.

I'm just drifting off to sleep into fantasy land and most people know how sensitive to noise I am "P O P" - I jump out of bed thinking where am I, whats happened... ohh the balloons, the balloons. I go back to sleep I think by this time it was 2am. Boy are those balloons loud I think it has to do with the long tiled hallway where the noise just echoes to our room (speaking of frights I just got frightened as one of my staff crept up behind me and I should be working...) anyways where was I oh I drift off to sleep again and "P O P" well this time my right arm flung out and smacked hubby right in the middle of his back as I got such a fright, lucky he wasn't lying on his back..

Needless to say I'm exhausted and I'll never buy balloons from Crazy Clarks ever again. I'll be surprised if there is any left by the time I get home from work. Our pancake feast was yummy and she was so excited - we only let her open a few gifts and the rest for tonights party.....

Top room is JJ and bottom is CB...since this photo they have posters everywhere, more furniture and the beds have changed positions

The loungeroom and our bedroom...

Our kitchen and dining room....

The front of the house and the front entrance leading you down the hallway...

Tour of "Our House"

Come on a journey with me through our home. It is filled with love, laughter, peace and the presence of God...

Mal & I had bought this house at the peak of the boom on the Gold Coast in Pacific Pines. We would have loved to have purchased one "pre the boom" but due to financial circumstances this couldn't happen.

We had moved up to the Gold Coast 3 years prior and were sick of renting, complexes and having very little privacy. It was a tight squeeze to get the deposit together and with the help of mum and dad we made it (brown paper bag coming soon with the last installment dad)...

So enjoy the ride oh and the colours (put your sunglasses on)

Netball Madness

The girls play for the Helensvale Netball Club where they have over 200 girls participating each Saturday at Mudgeeraba. The season started last week but this week they have whats called a "March Past" The club asked the girls to PLEASE ARRIVE AT 10AM. March past will be starting at 10.30am. The best looking and most enthusiastic club wins, so get your team busy on banners, flags, face paint or whatever you like, in the Helensvale club colours.

Needless to say with such a large club (the smallest club consisting of 7 players) we won the "March Past". I mean what kind of an event is a "March Past". It entailed my girls spraying their hair with blue hairspray waving their streamers and marching past all the parents only to sit down and listen to the organisers of the competition go "blah blah blah and have fun and enjoy yourselves in the new season...

I was there from 10am and we never left til 1.30pm - the whole time thinking I've got housework to do, cooking for guests coming tomorrow, grocery shopping and the list goes on.. Meanwhile I had to listen to the "blah blah blah" watch CB's organised coach giving everyone a turn and a rest and making sure that all the girls would have a turn at playing all the different positions. It was worth it when I watched CB score her first goal, she has come a long way from last season hugging her opponents, lifting up her friends skirts and looking anywhere else but the ball. Afterwards she said "when I scored the goal I felt like I just wanted to explode".

Then when that game was finished with CB's team winning 2-1 I saunter over to JJ's game. I had sat thru "blah blah blah" got soaked with a summer shower, listened to parents whinge complain and gripe and had to sit on the grass because as usual we left in a hurry, no chairs no food and I only got water for CB and JJ. I sat down on the sidelines of the ashphalt court and got sunburnt from the reflection of the tar on my face. I then had to watch JJ's disorganised coach (who am I to talk) a man of course - with screaming girls go "I wanna be centre or I wanna be Goal Attack". I felt like standing up and yelling "give me the bibs - you go here and you go there" and deal with it..instead the screaming continued until "thank the lord in heaven above" the signal sounded for the start of the first quarter.

My troubles forgotten as I watched JJ with a proud heart. She has definitely improved in her fitness from last year - running from one side of the court to the other - throwing and catching well and her footwork was fantastic (in netball you can't step). Her team rewarded with lollipops for winning 5-4 we left parched and extremely sunburnt (who thought of bringing suncream? - its a winter sport).

Happy Birthday Auntie Margaret

Today Auntie Margaret would have been 71 years old - happy birthday. My sister posted a picture of her today on her blog and I thought cool I'll go and get one of my favourite pictures of her at Sanctuary Cove and scan it in. Do you think I could find it? I've searched everywhere - hi and low to no avail. So I thought I know there is a picture of her in my wedding photos - do you think I can find my wedding photos?? I haven't seen that album since we moved last year - DOH!!!

I will just have to relay my memories of that day at Sanctuary Cove. She was up here on holidays not long after Uncle Charlie had died and me and the girls thought we would take her out for a day trip to Sanctuary Cove. It was another beautiful sunny day on the Gold Coast and we walked through the shops, looked in windows, visited the confectionary shop and ate fish and chips down by the water. We were sitting near a group of people and she says I know that man. I also knew this man but couldn't put a name to the face. We sat there for ages trying to figure it out then I remembered "it was Pat Cash" an Australian Tennis Player.

She said it is always rude to keep staring at famous people, so we chatted away, glad now that we had solved the identity of the mistery man. During our conversation she kept looking over to PC and said "I wonder who that young girl is, he is with?" we'd have a discussion and worked out that it could have been his daughter. During this time Auntie Margaret must have stared at PC at least 50 times....she would remind the girls - its rude to stare at people...larf larf

We got back to mum and dads place and she said she'd had a wonderful day......

I miss you Auntie Margaret....may you be dancing in heaven with Uncle Charlie and singing with the angels...

JJ CB Hubby & Me

My Family

My family consists of hubby, JJ and CB. I met hubby almost 14 years ago. We were friends at first and hung out with my sister and other friends. On Valentines Day 1990 he sent 12 red roses to work. I had no idea who they were from (well I had a sneaking suspicion) so I rang my sister. She said "give him a call and ask" so I did - I asked if he sent the flowers and he said "maybe" I said "yes or no" - he said "yes". I thanked him and hung up the phone quickly.

Our relationship blossomed from there and we have now been married 12 years. It hasn't always been an easy road - extremely rocky at times. I thank God for keeping us together though and we have managed to get through the storms. Today we are the best of friends and just about do everything together. We had our gift from God, JJ when we were married 2 years - she will be turning 10 next week and she is so excited. She is gentle, quiet, yet funny natured girl. She loves to read, be creative with craft and hang out with her mum.

CB came along after we had been married 4 and a half years - she was planned for Spring and out she came on time. CB is a mischevious, affectionate loving child. She loves to sing, dance and talk but most of all she loves being at home where she can play on her computer, colour in and play with her Bratz dolls. She will be 8 in September.

Without my family it would be a lonely existence but I have been blessed with a wonderful hubby and 2 beautiful girls who reflect our love for each other.

Lost by 2 Goals....

Tuesday nights are Netball Nights. It has been over 15 years since I played Netball competitively and only 10 years since I played Basketball competitively. Pioneer has a Netball team and I was asked to be sub for a game late last year and I told them it had been a while since I played - they go that doesn't matter we play for fun. WRONG... they so do not and it is Indoor Netball which means we play in nets and it is fast... before I realised that the ball was coming towards me it hit me straight in the face "remember next time Jeannie put your hands up to catch the ball"

Netball is a non-contact sport so I proceeded to stomp on, elbow, trip up and push over my opponent (oops) at the end of the game the girls says - you did really well. Out of a 40 min game I probably spent 38 of those minutes out of play for contacting - remember Jeannie its Netball not Basketball. In between breaths I thank them for letting me play. I thought I was fit however the next day I was in that much pain I could not attend work - it took almost a week for my arms, legs, back, buttocks and ankles to begin moving again without going "eeeh,ohhh, owww, uhhhh".

We now have a new team this year and tonight was our 1st game of grading. We lost by 2 goals however we must have had at least 60 shots at the goal - our GS is away in NZ for the week so we didn't do too bad considering. What was meant to be my night out has turned out to be a family affair with hubby and kids - next time bring a rug and a picnic guys...

Mondayitis

I woke up this morning and thought - oh no its MONDAY but on my way to work mum cheered me up by sending me a text - thanks ma!! Its dreadful waking up realising you have 5 days ahead chained to an office desk - but when you get to work its okay and you can handle it - its just those few moments before getting out of bed that is the worst feeling ever.

Victim of Road Rage

Hey, what is it about me and driving??? I was on my way to netball practice yesterday with my two girls and the music was on we were singing and listening to CB in the backseat chattering away and I go to over take a car, but in our Daewoo there is a blind spot and I didn't totally turn my head. In my side mirror I saw a car so I quickly went back into the lane I was in, expecting that car to overtake me instead I see him tailgateing me.

I start to freak out because I can see this falcon and a guy with a cap on and a dog in the back sitting on my tail. He's MAD...he then trys to run me off the road (meanwhile I'm trying to act normal for the girls) my legs and whole body begin to shake with fear and I'm praying, boy am I praying "God please let this lunatic go away" the next thing we are stopped at the lights and he gets out of the car - I say quickly to the girls - quick lock the doors - he wants me to get out and I said "Sorry don't talk to crazy people" he gets back into his car and then gets in front of me this time my eldest JJ says "what did that man want" and what is he doing???

Keep driving I say keep driving as I know I will soon be at the netball courts and there will be 8 girls from work waiting. We make it to the netball courts and crazy man parks me in. I get out of the car and he heads towards me and the next thing my friend who is a TALL dark Islander girl gets out of her car. The guy sees my friend and seems to calm down unexpectedly and then tried to say I crashed his car and tried to point out one of the many millions of scratches on my car (oops sorry hubby) that was where I hit his car.

If I was driving down the Smith street motorway doing 100 (alright 110 clicks) and I hit his car I'm sure it would be much more than a scratch. Get to the point...Ok if I'm going to have someone stalk me and be a "road rage driver" he could have been a younger guy with tatts and no teeth - instead he is and old man and stutters "i i i i i i i'm go go going to re re re report yo yo you to to to to to the po po po po lice". I walked away and said "whatever" trying so hard not to collapse to the ground after being a VICTIM OF ROAD RAGE.

Let Me In!

I've finally made it to the world of Blog...yipeee. Until a couple of months ago I'd never heard of "bloggers" but here I am fully immersed with my own new page.

My dad started with his blog called Scotwise and has harassed me to read his posts. I now look forward to his teachings and inspirations each day - i'm hooked. We were then to discover my older sister's page Miss Concept who is absolutely hilarious and makes you think outside the square. Mum then decided she was not going to miss out and named hers Jesus World seeing as she is surrounded by all the theme parks and I look forward to her beautiful poems that she has hidden, written on little bits of paper. I also hear Smoko Break is about to enter the world of blog from my younger sister.

So...after feeling totally overwhelmed with my family and all their talents - what have I to offer?I'm just an Angel wiv Attitude