Angel wiv Attitude

Happy 11th Birthday Jordan

2006-04-15T01:08:00.000+10:00

Jordan's 11th Birthday - This year Jordan decided that she wanted to have a sleepover for her party and to take her friends to WetnWild - which is a large water theme park.

3 of the girls that she had invited all play netball (bar 1) had to play netball first - so we planned a picnic in the park between games. We had 4 games to attend (including Chelsea's) and they were every hour.

We took a quick detour home to get changed into swimmers and pick up another friend and were on our way to Wet n Wild. They swam, went on endless slides and fed their faces on junk food and sugary drinks...My plan was to keep them going all day so that when we got home that night we played a quick dress up chocolate game and then put a dvd on and they all fell asleep either in the middle of it or just at the end of the movie.

Jordan had a great day and was thoroughly spoiled with lots of gifts from family and friends.

Emma - The Big Move to QLD

2006-04-15T00:14:00.000+10:00

Emma - This is Mal's niece - she was born in Canberra and has lived in Canberra her whole life - she is almost 18 and has decided that she wants to move up to Brisbane - work for a year before going to Uni. We offerred her a room to stay at our place until she found her feet and a job.

She turned up early Feb and on her first day at our place I turned up after work to find a shopping trolley outside my front door and loud music pumping out the windows...I was so embarrassed....what would the numbers think....

So - our adventures started with having a teenager live with us...something that has opened my eyes greatly - especially as the girls get older...

She slept all day, left her room extremely untidy, left washing in the machine and on the line for days, made huge messes in the kitchen, her ears either constantly glued to her mp3 player or her mobile phone...the list goes on...other than that - she's a good kid

She has since moved in with her Nan & Pa as she felt she had overstayed her welcome. She has a job and is making new friends. I miss our late night chats and our chocolate binges..larf larf...

Back to School

2006-04-14T23:37:00.000+10:00

Back to School - After six weeks of holidays, going to the beach, endless days at Wet n Wild, a trip to Canberra to visit friends and family - it was time to go back to school. They were both extremely excited about going back and catching up with friends. Jordan is in year 6 this year and has been seperated from all her friends but has found that she has made new ones as well as hanging out with her old friends at lunch time. Chelsea is in year 4 and has her best friend in her class - they love school and love being with their friends - I can't believe how quickly they are growing up....

2006-04-14T23:28:00.000+10:00

Spending holidays with friends in Canberra 2006

2006-04-14T23:16:00.000+10:00

Christmas in Canberra with Family 2006

2006-04-14T23:12:00.000+10:00

Girls - hanging out with some friends over the holidays in the Gold Coast

Bright Ideas

2006-04-14T22:58:00.000+10:00

I had this great idea over the January holidays that me and the girls would do a jigsaw puzzle together. I thought I would get a circle one as it was different and the 300 pieces were way too easy so I thought this 1000 Marine Life jigsaw would be a lot of fun.....

So we set the puzzle on the table and the girls were great in helping me find all the edge pieces - that proved to be a lot more difficult but we persevered....then we tried starting on the inside well after that the girls weren't interested....I kept trying to encourage them to help me which they would come over for 5 mins look at a piece...think it was too hard and try something else - so I had this jigsaw sitting here for weeks - plugging away at it bit by bit by msyelf (awww...) and in the end I gave up too...I couldn't go any further and every piece seemed to be the same colour...why did I choose something with a lot of blue and gree in it????

So much for my bright idea - its now sitting in the cupboard - maybe we'll get it out next year...larf larf..

Christmas Day 2005

2006-04-14T22:43:00.000+10:00

What a glorious day - quite a hot one (as usual in Australia). I was feeling quite low as it was a quiet day with the four of us plus mum and dad. I was missing my older sister and her husband and my younger sister and nephews.....they make their own plans usually for christmas and I was reminicising about the old days when we used to have a lot of people in our home on Christmas and all our family would get together and have a bbq...and for the last couple of years I was starting to feel like I'm the only child in our family...everyone's off doing their own thing...Auntie Margaret & Uncle Charlie have gone....

I was looking out the window (feeling sorry for myself) and I saw this rainbow and I knew that God was watching over me and he knew how I felt. I needed to appreciate what I had around me...look to the future not the past...

I know too that mum and dad feel the absence of family but that doesn't stop them blessing and bringing joy to us - especially the girls. So this year mum put on a seafood extravaganza and I've never eat so many prawns, oysters and salmon in my life.....it was a beautiful serene day...

Christmas Eve 2005

2006-04-14T22:31:00.000+10:00

I have to recap due to the fact that I haven't blogged for quite some time and thought I would spend some time - catching you up to speed.....

Christmas Eve was a beautiful time with the 4 of us and my mum and dad - I cooked turkey but we had ham and salads as well...

As you can see from the picture below the girls got to open one present before Christmas day and of course they chose the biggest one - a massive pencil with lots of colouring in stuff from their Auntie Meg and Uncle Age...

I went on holidays Christmas Eve so it was a celebration for me as I had the next 3 weeks off work. Mal & I had a week together in January where we went down to visit Mal's family in Canberra and then he had an additional 2 weeks off...we have to split up our holidays so Mum and Dad don't have to look after them for the full 6 weeks - God Bless their hearts...

Welcome to 2006

2006-03-21T13:26:00.000+10:00

Hey Everyone,

I've been so slack in my blogging lately...been a busy girl...well thats the story of my life.

I've added two new bloggers to my list Hot Scrap & Jacaranda Blog - please spend some time to have a look.

Well I better go as I'm in my lunch break at work and I look forward to adding some more posts soon.

Take care,

Jeannie

Beach Bungy Jumping on their Last Day of Hols

2005-11-12T05:21:00.000+10:00

When we had went to the beach earlier on in the week the girls had seen people jumping up and down on Bungy ropes and thought that would be a lot of fun. We said we'd think about it and continued on our way...

As you can see from the photos below - they got to have their turn. Chelsea had a ball and wanted to do it a second time. Jordi freaked out the minute they launched her in the air...she had to lie down on the beach with me later because her tummy didn't quite feel the same.

Our last day enjoying the peace and tranquility of our holiday - Mal and Chelsea went for a walk along the shore line while Jordi and I fell asleep in the sand.

You couldn't ask for a more peaceful or restful time. I thank God for my family and for the time spent resting, reflecting and rejuvenating.

2005-11-12T05:20:00.000+10:00

Beach Bungy Jumping

Feeding the Pelicans

2005-11-12T05:12:00.000+10:00

Out the front of the unit we had our own private beach that leads onto the Maroochy River. It has a ramp where you can load your boats into the water to go fishing or enjoy watersports.

As we don't have a boat we went for a walk, let the girls play in the sand, tried to feed the pelicans and took some daggie pictures of ourselves.

What a spectacular day, the weather was beautiful, it was peaceful, quiet and serene and Mal and I spent time reflecting on our week while we watched the girls, the boats wizz by and listened to the birds in the surrounding trees...

I was thankful for the break

2005-11-12T05:11:00.000+10:00

Feeding the pelicans

Lazy Days

2005-11-12T05:03:00.000+10:00

There is nothing more fulfilling than hanging out with your family.

As you can see from the photos below the girls are enjoying time down at the pool. The water was too cold for me but somehow it didn't seem to bother the girls. I prefer to lie down on the sunbeds and get some colour on my skin after being stuck indoors for so long.

The only problem was a bee flew near me and I jumped up so quickly that I forgot my mobile phone was sitting in my lap - I was waiting on news how mums 3rd operation went - and splash....straight into the water....Jordi dived down to pick it up but it was too late.... my new beautiful phone...was dead....sorry phone....

For those of you don't know but bees are my worst nightmare - they scare me to death...to get over the shock we decided to get dry, grab something to eat and have some fun down at the park - even Mal enjoyed some of the parks facilities.

2005-11-12T05:01:00.000+10:00

Lazy day - by the pool and a trip to the Park

Day at the Beach

2005-11-12T04:55:00.000+10:00

This day as you can see from the photos below - the girls played in the sand, explored the rock pools - waited patiently for their fish and chips, posed for the camera and enjoyed their time together.

Watching them play and get along so well - is so relaxing and fills me with a deep sense of peace and happiness.

My girls are growing up and I'm enjoying the memories of all our good times together....

2005-11-12T04:53:00.000+10:00

Day at the Beach - still on holidays - visiting the rock pool.

Happy 8th Birthday Chelsea

2005-11-12T04:44:00.001+10:00

We celebrated her birthday while we were on holidays.

We spent the day swimming, going to the park, swimming, having a spa - eating mud cake then going out for a movie of her choice "Charlie & The Chocolate Factory" and then dinner at Hungry Jacks (her choice again).

She got some new clothes, Bratz accessories, Frog Watch (she loves frogs) and pens and some books.

She had a lovely day and was thankful all day "Thank you for my presents, thank you for taking me to the movies, thank you for dinner" - what a girl.

2005-11-12T04:44:00.000+10:00

Happy 8th Birthday Chelsea (Sep 19th)

Holiday at the Sunshine Coast

2005-11-12T04:33:00.000+10:00

As per the photos below, this was the 3 bedroom unit that I booked for a week of school holidays for us and mum and dad - it was to be a family holiday.

However, mum went to hospital 2 weeks before and a deposit had been paid and we couldn't rebook until sometime next year. It was unlikely that mum would be getting out of hospital soon so we decided to go away just the four of us. I needed a break so bad that I couldn't wait until next year.

I was extremly disappointed as mum and dad couldn't come and we had planned to go fishing, lots of fun in the rooftop spa, go shopping and enjoy the views together. So for the first couple of days I cried - the next couple I slept (as I was extremly exhausted with trips to the hospital and added work pressure) and I managed to enjoy the last couple of days before we went home.

It was on the Maroochy River on the Sunshine Coast approx 2 hrs drive from home. What a gorgeous place to stay and unwind - we read books, swam, went for walks, slept, went out for dinner and a movie and of course celebrated Chelseas 8th birthday.

We all enjoyed the break and glad that we went away but there is always next year with mum and dad and I will make sure that nothing stops us getting together......

2005-11-12T04:32:00.000+10:00

Our Unit & views from the unit at the Sunshine Coast - mid September

Trip to Dreamworld

2005-11-12T04:16:00.000+10:00

What a beautiful day it was - we went to Dreamworld with our friends Melissa, Michael & Trinity Frost - whom we call the Frosty's.

It was sunny, warm and not crowded - which was great.

As you can see from the photos below we went on many rides and met many characters.

Chelsea's most adventurous ride was the giant drop (not pictured) its a cart that takes you up really high and then just drops you - we were on the ground praying that she would be alright - she came round the corner with a massive smile on her face.

Jordi's most adventurous ride was the Reptile Rollercoaster - pretty scary for a kids ride let me tell you, mind you it didn't stop us going on it several times.

My adventurous ride was the claw - this was a lot of fun but I didn't seem to have a voice left when I got off the ride....

Mals most adventurous ride was being on the kiddies plane with the girls (he is afraid of heights) but he was our baggage handler for the day - good on you Mal - although he had a lot of fun on the dodgem cars.

The highlight of the day I have to say was when we attended Slime Time - a game show hosted by Nikelodeon and Mal and Michael got picked from the crowd. Mal had to dress up like a monkey and throw bananas and Michael had to get dressed as a baby and sit on paint balloons. I tell you what - Lissa and I had not larfed so hard in a long time - the girls thought there was something seriously wrong with us - we larfed so hard we were crying, our stomachs ached and we needed the toilet.

What a better day than to spend with family and friends - having a good larf (at your husbands expense)...

2005-11-12T04:06:00.000+10:00

Our trip to Dreamworld with the Frosty's at the end of August

Photos, Photos, Photos

2005-11-12T03:56:00.000+10:00

I'm catching up with Photos because:

a) I haven't blogged in a while
b) My blogs haven't contained any pictures recently
c) I can't sleep
d) Need to update my blog

Enjoy.....

2005-11-12T03:55:00.000+10:00

This is the girls Netball Presentation Night - recieving their trophies in August

25 Questions

2005-10-12T11:57:00.000+10:00

While reading the Above Rubies blog I came across this questionaire which helps you get to know me better. Feel free to put your answers in the comments.

25 Questions

1. When you look at yourself in the mirror, what's the first thing you look at? My hair

2. How much cash do you have on you? $30

3. What's a word that rhymes with "TEST"? Rest

4. Favorite plant? Tree Ferns

5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone? Dad

6. What is your main ring tone on your phone? When The Saints Go Marching In

7. What shirt are you wearing? Work Shirt

8. Do you "label" yourself? All the time - depends how I feel

9. Name brand of your shoes currently wearing? Cheap sandals from a cheap shoe store

10. Bright or Dark Room? Dark

11. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you? Very nice

12. Do you know what an 8-track is? No Idea

13. What were you doing at midnight last night? Hauling myself into bed

14. What did your last text message you received on your cell phone say? Where r u??

15. Do you ever click on Pop-ups or banners? Never

16. What's a saying that you say a lot? "Whats wrong with these people" or "what the" or "whatever"

17. Who told you they loved you last? My girls this morning as I left for work

18. Last furry thing you touched? Rocky - my mum and dads dog last night

19. How many hours a week do you work? 37.5

20. How many rolls of film do you need to get developed? None.

21. Favorite age you have been so far? now is a good age

22. Your worst enemy? Chocolate

23. What is your current desk top picture? At home - a pic of me - Mal put it on there

24. What was the last thing you said to someone? I'm back

25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to erase all of your regrets, what would you choose? Are you kidding - give me a million bucks anyday...larf larf

She's home....

2005-10-12T11:38:00.000+10:00

After almost 5 weeks of being in hospital and 4 operations later mum came home on Monday.

I had the day off as it was a Pupil Free day for the girls school and I had planned to help my dad get the house ready for mum who was supposedly coming home on Wednesday. I had just got to dads and mum called to say that she was allowed to come home that afternoon.

Well we all went into action mode - the carpets had just been cleaned - the car was booked in for detailing, the girls were sent on a mission to clean up the yard after the dog and pull out weeds. My dad was sent to mums rose garden to bring it back to life and me and another lady from church were armed with disenfectant and mops and hoovers and furniture polish.

We scrubbed, we mopped, we hoovered we stopped for drink breaks (it was hot) we gardened (well dad and the girls did). Then welcome home cards were made, I was sent shopping for groceries and dad went to Red cross to pick up a wheelchair and a chair for the shower.

She arrived home by 2pm and you couldn't wipe the smile off her face - she was home away from noise, crazy patients, smell of the hospital, plastic beds, plastic pillows, mushy food, shouting nurses, drips, drugs and operation tables...

To come home to her sparkling shining house, where her dog Rocky laid at her feet, she was able to look out at her beautiful rose garden and enjoy the sunshine - family beside her - what more could she want - the only thing was me, dad and the girls were so knackered we could hardly keep up a conversation...

I went to bed that night thankful for mum being home - with her toe intact. The doctors said that she was extremely lucky that she didn't lose her toe. We all know that it was the prayers for healing that saved it. I woke up at 3am thanking and praising God for his miracle...

She's home - my dad has a smile on his face again and I don't have to visit that flamin hospital anymore.....no more searching for carparks and getting in lifts

Good Days & Bad Days

2005-10-03T13:00:00.000+10:00

Mum has had some good days and some bad......we are praying for more good days so that she can get out soon.

On Saturday morning she had a few visitors and a great laugh, then in the afternoon she was in a lot of pain. While I was there with my girls, she was crying so they prayed for her. Then they both had their arms around her cuddling her. Chelsea had been listening to my MP3 player which I downloaded christian worship songs for mum and had been sitting there singing to herself while we were chatting, then when she was crying she put the earphone to her ear and then they both kissed her tears away - it was a precious moment for her - being ministered to by her grandchildren.

On Saturday I was out and about with my dad and we had lunch together. It was a special time - having a good chat and a few laughs. My dad has been quite lonely without mum at home and only has the dog and the bird to keep him company. The other day he was talking to himself and i thought - he's been spending too much time on his own (larf larf).

Its interesting when the person suffering gets all the attention and the love and the prayers but the partner is forgotten and neglected "sorry dad - will make it up to you"...He has been such a support for me and mum. He's been picking up the girls from school and taking them to the hospital to see their gran and then organising to get them home. Thank you...

On Sunday while we were at church mum had a fall in the shower and was in a bit of shock - it was a bit of a scare for her but the nurses were there to help her and help calm her down. She said later that she was in bed crying saying "i've had enough i can't take anymore". But the nursing staff have been so gentle with her and do so much for her. She says that the other patients have to beg and grovel for help - and she asks and they can't do enough for her. I said its because the other patients whinge, demand and complain whereas you are so thankful for any help they give you.

Then last night we were able to chat and laugh again - expectant of some good news. The doctor said this morning that there is a good chance of her getting out by next weekend - so that was good news.

The Day After

2005-09-30T13:31:00.000+10:00

Well its been two days actually since mum has had her fourth operation. All went well and she recovered quite well. She has been handed over to the Vascular team which have given her positive news.

The Orthopedic surgeon told her that because of the infection she could lose her big toe - hence the reason for taking her into theatre to clean and wash the bone and the surrounding area. This was not great news and mum did not take it too well - as you know it is the big toe that gives you your balance -well helps you with it anyways...

However they have now finished with her and handed her over to the Vascular team - they are happy with the progress and advised that there is no reason she can't keep her toe. They have now given her stronger antibiotics to totally get rid of the infection. The only thing is - she reacts very badly to the antibiotics and has also been eating very little.

Last night when I went to visit her she looked great - she was sitting up and bright as bright can be. Dad was there with my two girls and they were all joking and laughing - this really made my heart sing...after Mal came and took the girls home and dad left - all the commotion died down - mum and i sat together for our daily chat - help her with dinner - try to make her eat and get her settled in for the evening. As I work fulltime I have been going after work and stay with her from 6-8pm most nights - our time together has been special.

Last night was the first night where I didn't have to try to cheer her up - we just sat together flicking through magazines - just like the old days - no need to talk.....sigh....

I know its just for a season and it won't be long now before she gets home - they are saying perhaps another week. She has been in hospital nearly four weeks now...

Gone to Theatre

2005-09-28T09:21:00.000+10:00

After 5 days of waiting to go into Theatre mum has finally gone in about half an hour ago. This will be her fourth operation and it has been very emotionally draining for her.

Monday has been her worst day so far - she was so looking forward to coming home only to be told she could be there a couple more weeks. With the fact of "you are going to into theatre" and Nil By Mouth all day and then 12am being told "oh sorry it has been cancelled" - then she has been given something to eat only to throw it up (oohh too much info). This has gone on for the last 5 days.

She is a strong woman with lots of faith and has appreciated everyones prayers - she has recieved many cards, flowers, gifts and lots of visitors - this has kept her going and boosted her spirit.

Will let you know how she went - but the people in her ward are the funniest. I try to make jokes about them or the nursing staff or the cleaners to make her laugh.

They have this really good hand cleanser made by Johnson & Johnson and because the nursing staff are so busy half the time I'm helping the other patients in and out of bed - getting them to the toilet on time, helping them with their meals - so I'm constantly washing my hands (paranoid about germs).

I have to make a confession - I'm addicted to the hand cleanser......

Sick Leave

2005-09-27T10:26:00.000+10:00

Hi all,

Haven't posted for a while due to being on Sick Leave - well thats my excuse anyhow...

My mum has been in hospital coming into 3 weeks now with an infected toe that went into the bone of her foot in three seperate places. She is a diabetic so this has been treated as urgent and has undergone 3 operations to date to clean out the infection.

Today she is awaiting her fourth operation today - and it is the waiting that really gets to her. She has had many people praying for her and I've been visiting her on a daily basis as with the rest of my family. I would appreciate all your prayers for her as it is extremely difficult being in pain, reacting to the antibiotics and the patients that she is surrounded by (a lot of pysch patients have been admitted in her area and she has to keep an eye out for them) - but that is a story for another day.

Will keep you updated...

The Weddings & The Honeymoons

2005-08-22T11:56:00.000+10:00

For an update on photos about my sisters wedding please visit her site Miss Concept.
I was the delirious sister.

Daffodil Day

2005-08-19T11:16:00.000+10:00

What is Daffodil Day?

Daffodil Day is the largest merchandise based national fundraising event of its kind for cancer research, education and patient support in the Southern Hemisphere.

It is a day to support those touched by cancer and to focus on hope for a cancer-free future.

At the beginning of last century, people with cancer faced almost certain death. Now, thanks to continuing improvement in research and patient care, more than half of them will be successfully treated. This progress is celebrated on Daffodil Day.

Why was the Daffodil chosen?

The daffodil was chosen as the symbol of hope for all touched by cancer because of its reputation as a hardy annual flower, pushing its way through the frozen earth after a long winter to herald the return of Spring, new life, vitality and growth.......continue reading

___________________________________________________________

A friend of mine "GUY" has been undergoing Cancer Treatment for the last two years and I would like to dedicate this poem to him - I also thank God for his continued healing...

The Daffodils

by William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the Milky Way,

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A Poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed--and gazed--but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

Meg's Bridal Shower - 16th July 2005

2005-08-18T21:50:00.000+10:00

This was one of the maddest bridal showers I've ever been to in my life. At the party there was Adrians mother Eve, sister Jennifer and three daughters, Judy (daughter in law) and family relatives on Adrians side - Dos and Margaret. Of course there was Meg, my mum and myself - the other girls in our family couldn't make it.

Meg was crowned with her Bridal veil and we played games all afternoon "games games games" I said to Meg who was horrified. She hates being the centre of attention and she was the centre for these games - larf larf.

We played dress the barbie in toilet paper to make a wedding dress, pass the handbag, hat & gloves game, memory of baking utensils game and make a posie out of handkerchiefs game.

Meg spent a mixture of the afternoon larfing, crying and feeling deeply embarrassed. To top it off as we finished the afternoon with a luxurious afternoon tea - my favourite being the mashed potatoes wrapped in luncheon meat - we sang "for she's a jolly good fellow" - its one of Megs favourite songs...

Neverending Socialising

2005-08-15T11:45:00.000+10:00

When your weekends are so full - they fly by and before you know it - its Monday again.

Sigh.....

I've had the inlaws up for the last week so it has been a bit full on working all day, then cooking and entertaining of an evening - especially when I usually slip into my daggie jammies & comfy slippers and then sit down and veg...

So.......

On Friday night they took us out for dinner to one of our favourite Restaurants on the coast called Mikes Kitchen Ribs & Steakhouse and it was a lovely evening - especially for the girls. Chelsea as usual gets stuck into the ribs while Jordi opts out for calamari rings and chips. Mal had a humungous open grill and I chose the Ladies Fillet with vegetables - talk about mouth watering food then to top it off the girls had icecream, Mal had chocolate mousse and I indulged in some Sticky Date Pudding with icecream - talk about having to roll us home.

Saturday......

House cleaning - nah! I spent most of the week keeping it up to date so all that was required was some tidying up (mostly the girls rooms - larf larf) I took mum some morning tea as she had not been well and we spent the morning chatting as we usually do. With only enough time to polish down some lunch and get an update with all the Saturday football, I headed into town to catch up with some girlfriends at a little cafe called Bumbles at Budds Beach. As the cafe was full we had to sit outside and it was one of the coldest, windiest day the Coast has had for a while. However the Hot Chocolate and Mars Bar Cheesecake warmed me up immensly.

Saturday night.....

Had to get the girls ready for their Netball Presentation so after braiding their hair, limited makeup and lots of sparkles later we headed out to see them get presented with their trophies. As they are not graded and it is just a fun competition they all got a trophy for participation. After their nuggets, chips, chocies and lollies they headed out to the dance floor to do the Macarena and the Nutbush plus many more songs that sounded alien to me however not so to the 150 girls dancing and screaming...larf larf...I'm feeling my age

Sunday....

Sleep in (woohooo) as the girls were having their final Netball Carnival for the season and being presented with yet another trophy we skipped church and headed on down to the netball grounds. Earlier I had sent Mal a lovely email saying I was still curled up in bed - he had been down at the church early to help set up and as usual assemble his drum kit - he was jealous! However at netball I got stuck with a bitter woman who is squeezing every penny out of her exhusband for child maintenance and I had to sit there for an hour listening to the bitterness and the hatred that came spewing out of her mouth - as Mal said later it was God paying me back for not going to church...larf larf! I did miss church and I heard it was a great morning - doh!!!! I would rather have been at church than watch endless games of netball but thank the Lord its over for another season and I now have my Saturdays back.

Sunday arvo....

Got home just in time to pick up my mum to take her to a Bodyshop Party we only went because the lady who invited us is such a nice lady and the girl who was doing the party was a good frined of hers and was starting out in the business - we didn't want to let her down. We had our hands soaked and massaged with lavender products - not a good idea when you eat a biscuit and you have to lick your fingers - lavender doesn't taste too good...I won't tell you what I had for afternoon tea...I will leave that to your imagination.

Dear me...

What a weekend of eating and socialising - one I don't want to happen too often due to the amount of kilos that are being added each day.

Helloooooooo

2005-08-01T18:38:00.000+10:00

Hey - I'm back......for those of you who read my blog.

I've been busy hibernating - its winter here down underunder and its a tough life when you have to walk around in t-shirt and shorts on the sunny Gold Coast.

Seriously though - it has been a busy couple of weeks with work and family. It was the end of our financial year on 30th June and I've had to deal with every nutter under the sun - thats another story for another day. My brain hurt, my head hurt and I'm definitely not a MATHAMATICIAN.

So instead of coming home and enjoying my fellow bloggers sites everytime I saw a computer I just wanted to cry - so I've stayed away from it and delved into the land of fantasy with a favourite Maeve Binchy Novel.

Speaking of family it is only five more sleeps till my sister Meglet gets married.

Stay tuned for some more updates and plenty of foties to come.....

Its My Party And I'll Cry If I want To

2005-07-12T21:24:00.000+10:00

I had a wonderful birthday yesterday - remind me though to take the day off work next year.

I was woken up bright and early with breakfast in bed made by my wonderful husband and 2 lovely daughters - they were squealing and jumping up and down "open your presents mummy open your presents".

Hang on I say as I'm still trying to open my left eye (it seems to be stuck) and pull the mass of hair that has somehow dredlocked itself overnight - out of my ears and off the back of the bedhead. I also had to ensure that no more saliva was attached to the pillow from the side of my mouth, pull down my pjs which somehow ended up being up near my armpits and blew my nose so I could finally breathe.

Aaghh my family - thats right. I was given a beautiful jewelerry box from the girls which I'd been hinting about for a while and a lovely white platter from Mal that I've had my eye on for ages so that I could serve up antipasto on it etc...So laden with gifts, food and songs I was sent off to work. On the way in I had several text messages from other members of my family wishing me birthday greetings for the day.

I love my birthday - I love the fact that I was born and that birthdays are a day to celebrate your life - your existence - you as a person.....then why oh why did I go to work?????

The minute I walked in I realised no-one remembered my birthday. My desk wasn't trashed and there were no balloons with happy birthday signs and glitter and cards and streamers - just my computer and my 100 files waiting for me to look at. One of the ladies from another department walks in and says "is it your birthday today Jeannie - I remember reading about it on Friday" - I said YES and looked cheerful and happy even though I felt like a sad puppy dog that had lost its way. She said I thought it was - I baked a cake just in case it was - at least someone remembered.

My boss walks in - says nothing, my friend walks in - says nothing....great....Okay Jeannie no pity party's get a grip - its not always about you - then I'm thinking - Yes it is - its the one day a year I celebrate ME!!!! and everyone has forgot and no one trashed my desk.... I make it a huge thing in our department on birthdays to ensure desks are trashed, decorated, morning tea organised, cards signed and little chockies appearing on your desk throughout the day.

So I head off for a department meeting for half hour and come back to find the cake that Sue had made me (bless her cotton socks) stale chips and broken biscuits, melted together tim tams, out of date chockies and dip that was hardened around the sides with water coagulating in the middle - any leftovers that could be found to present a morning tea - with a few balloons on my desk. Happy Birthday they yell - don't cry Jeannie, don't cry - "Its my party and I'll cry if I want to"...but I held off the tears thinking (mum & dad organising party tonight, party tonight - real party with real food and balloons and streamers) and (party at my sisters on weekend - party at my sisters on weekend)....(wonderful breakfast in bed - wonderful family)...

Why is it that you can give out so much to other people and just once a year its time to celebrate your achievements, your successes, your memories and your future but other people can just be so wrapped up in themselves they don't know how to celebrate that with you. I'm not even talking all day - just a couple of hours. Then I realised - these people aren't really my friends - they are just colleagues who I work with - people that know very little about who I am and what my success and achievements are - they haven't travelled with me through my life, seen my ups and downs, cried with me through loss and laughed in times of joy.

It was during this morning tea when I realised how important family are. You can spend your life trying to please other people or impress them or even try to build relationships with them but its your family who love you, who stick by you, who applaude your successes and speak the truth when needed. To this my family - I love you all from the bottom of my heart.

I didn't know how I was going to get through the day, especially after the inlaws rang to say they had forgotten my b'day (mal reminded them the night before) and sitting there saying they couldn't think of anything to buy me and what did I want - grrr - all they had to say was Happy B'day and I would have been none the wiser.

Then not an offer of lunch or even time out for a coffee so I emailed my sister meg and mal and with their funny, quirky and encouraging emails and the promise of wearing a tiara and waving the wand for food and drinks at meg's on Friday - I was able to get through the day - home to family where I knew my heart would be warmed.

I walked through the door of mum and dads and there was my family and balloons, chockies, lollipops, roast dinner - icecream birthday cake with candles and to finish it off cheese and bikkies and loads of pressies - some beautiful earings, a candle holder, flowers, a rug and a beautiful jacket - who could ask for more...I felt loved, appreciated and understood.

Its not about a party or the presents - its just knowing that you are valued and treasured because of who you are!!!

Next year - remind me to have the day off work.......

2005-07-12T21:23:00.000+10:00

Birthday Cards

2005-07-12T21:19:00.000+10:00

Birthday Gifts

Happy Birthday To Me

2005-07-12T21:07:00.000+10:00

Hooraahhh - it's my birthday (yesterday anyhoo)

Game of the Week

2005-07-09T16:08:00.000+10:00

Hit the Penguin

Happy 40th Wedding Anniversary

2005-07-09T15:56:00.000+10:00

My wonderful parents celebrate their 40th Ruby Wedding Anniversary today - Congratulations guys - may you enjoy today and may God bring you both many more blessings and memories for the years ahead. I love you!!!!

Union Jack - Half Mast

2005-07-08T11:50:00.000+10:00

Sorrow - the Union Jack is flown at half mast from Buckingham Palace to mark the horrific attack.

See Scotwise for an update on this tradgedy.

Londoners - my prayers are with you and your families.

God Bless America

2005-07-04T21:10:00.000+10:00

Scotwise has written a tribute to all our fellow American Bloggers:

We here in Australia celebrate with our friends in America, the 4th of July celebrations. America is a great country and having won their independence and freedom, they in turn, have helped many countries to receive the same independence and freedom that they share. America, land of the free, we salute you!

God Bless America! continue reading...

Game of the Week

2005-07-02T10:21:00.000+10:00

To Play the Flying Gonzo Game click here

Warning - Aussie in an Emergency

2005-06-30T23:43:00.000+10:00

When in need - grab a carton - it will help you get through the day!!!

Press the Panic Button

2005-06-30T22:51:00.000+10:00

This is a picture of a Caravan Park that is 2 minutes drive away from my home. Had I seen these pictures prior to leaving for work this morning I would never have stepped out of the house into my car (our home is located on high ground).

The night before we had a lot of rain which was extremely heavy and extremely windy outside. I praised God for the rain as we have been in drought for such a long time and it has been a while since our land has had a good soaking.

I didn't sleep much due to the noise but eventually nodded off to the land of bliss...and snore...and more blisss...and a bit of dribble.

I realised I needed to get going early as the rain was still quite heavy and needed to give myself extra time. As I was reversing out of the driveway mum rang and said "don't go down Smith St - its flooded". I said thanks mum I'll find another alternative.

Driving down to Smith St trying to think of other ways to go - it didn't look that bad and there was a few cars on the road so I proceeded. I was cruising along - very carefully mind you as the rain was quite heavy and I had the windscreen wipers on the fast setting and they were going so fast my eyeballs were nearly going to popout...I think I will be dreaming of them tonight...

Then I get to a spot where I'm standstill - my brain goes "this is what mum must have been talking about". Water everywhere - I'm thinking oh this isn't good - actually this is not good. So I try to get out of my sticky spot and go down some back streets - wrong - so is every other man and his dog....what would have taken me 10 mins was now turning into an hour and I hadn't moved - everywhere I tried to look for an alternative the streets were flooded.

I rang Mal and said - don't even try and bother coming out here in this weather - ring work and tell them you are not coming in...."yes boss - he says to himself" - I'm just trying to help him avoid the pickle that I'm now in.

I ring work and no answer - great...I'm late now by half an hour. Finally someone rings me and says "where are you". I say "I have no idea - I'm down some backstreet - with 600 hundred cars trying to get out". As we talk there is a great flash of lightening and there is silence on the other end "Jeannie are you still there" - am I still here - I've got no where to bleedin go except be washed out to sea... "I'm here I yell" - she says the power has gone out and we are surrounded by blackness - trust the phones still to be working - larf larf".

I said "I'll try and find another way but I can't go home because there is an accident on Smith St and gridlocked all the way to freeway". So by this time and many phone calls from Mal and the girls who have now seen pictures on the television are starting to freak out. The radio presenters are staying - don't get in your cars - stay home - its too dangerous to drive. Thanks for that great piece of wisdom of which I will ensure I will watch/listen to the news everymorning before I leave to ensure it is safe to go out and drive my car.

If only I had listened to my "mammy"....

Another hour has passed - I've made it an extra 2 mins down the road my petrol guage is getting lower and lower and I have to keep the aircond on so that I can see out of the window - how weird is this weather - we are in the middle of winter and a deluge and its warm outside - I have to say "thats Queensland for you". My battery on my mobile isn't looking too good and I have no flamin map in the car to help me get out of the mess.

By now I'm starting to get a bit stressed - one for the fact that there is water piling up everywhere, 2 that I can't get to work (I wasn't really worried about that part) and 3 my family were now really worried about me. Was I praying - boy was I praying...God help me get out of here - help me to breathe and help me to calm down. Meanwhile more and more cars are surrounding me and the waters are rising - I had visions of being crammed together with all these cars and being picked up by the waters and washed out to sea....these are not good thoughts when you are on your own and you keep hearing on the radio "such and such road is now closed, don't go down that street the water is waist deep, don't get in your cars"

I began to see people abandoning their cars by the side of the road and getting out and walking. "Hey - me and this little black duck (well red duck) are staying together and I ain't getting stranded here. My boss rings me and it is now 2 and half hours later and I'm stuck "where are you" if someone asks me that flamin question again....I said - the same place I was 2 hours and 20 minutes ag0.

She said "try and turn around and go home" - dir its not like I haven't tried...then the panic starts and I can feel it rising up within me - help God help...I've never felt so helpless in my whole life. I saw a car float down the street and I'm still on the phone and start crying - she goes "you are all right - just breathe - pull over if you have to and get a grip" me!!!! get a grip!!! I am a grown woman and its just a bit of rain....perspective Jeannie perspective - ummm road flooding, cars trapped....yes perspective...

Then I see it - an empty street but a one way going in the opposite direction - not a car in sight. SO I make the move and pray intensly as I'm breathing deep and hoping that no car will come the other way....I made it and back out on to Smith St where it was deserted - mind you due to the flooding in the middle of the road - great what do I do now...

Then I see the median strip in the middle and notice that most of the water is in the middle of the road. Brainwave - needed with Gods help....I have two wheels up on the median strip and two wheels touching the water. Phone ringing can't answer, text now, still can't answer. I drive like this for 500 metres and then I come across a van with a trailer that is stranded right in the middle - its a tight squeeze between me and the lamp post on the other side but we make it.

I take another few turns, down some more back streets and back to the familiarity of the home stretch - I start crying again - thanking God for getting me out of this mess (if only I'd listen to my "mammy"). There at the front door are Mal and my girls waiting to give me hugs - I'm ushered it and sat down and given a hot cup of tea to help calm my nerves. I made it home, lots of phone calls were made and lots of stories shared with work colleagues in the same situation.

I will never underestimate the power of rain on the streets of the Gold Coast ever again. Only to be told later - that these roads do flood in heavy rain - all that is said in hindsight - don't you just love it....I've been here 4 yrs now and this is the first time I've experience heavy rains like this...I must finish up now and go to bed - I just needed to get all this out so I could sleep peacefully and return to the land of bliss, snore and dribble....

Flash Flooding on Gold Coast

2005-06-30T13:28:00.000+10:00

On my way to work this morning I got stuck in flood waters - I rang Mal & told him not to bother driving in to work.
Just as well as this is the road that leads to his Office building that he drives on everyday.

Aftermath of the Dinner Party

2005-06-29T22:28:00.000+10:00

On Saturday in anticipation of our guests arriving Saturday night - I slept in, spent some time on the net, procrastinated with the housework, groceries and cooking, chatted on the phone to a friend and flicked through some magazines.

Why is it that I can be so organised at work and in a total zone of going from one project to another, one deadline to another and be in total control (most of the time) of work coming in and going out - producing results and effective time management.

There are two split personalities - who am I and what has happened to Jeannie???

Did Jeannie ever exist when it came to household duties or was she living another life???

I remember when I first got married to Mal and we moved in together - he used to have his stuff all neatly folded in piles, his ironing was done and shirts hung neatly in the closet all buttoned up. He would never let his mother iron his shirts - never mind me - not that that worried me - actual I jumped up and down for joy. After endless Saturday mornings of being dragged out of bed as a teenager by my mother who shoved a massive laundry basket in my face and says "heres your weekly ironing - you need to get this done before you go out this afternoon - sleeping in till 1pm is not good enough - you need to get your act together" funny she still says those words till this day....

Anyhoo how did i get off the track - oh thats right the nightmare of household chores - it could be the memory of a mother who used to slam dishes, put on the washing machine, vacuum for at least 3 hours - screaming and yelling on a Saturday morning saying "am I the only one in the house that knows how to work" as I put my head further and further under the pillow...

So maybe that is why I procrastinate with household chores. The sad thing is though - I put it off so much that I get so close to running out of time. I then decide to go and do the groceries, then I realise I have to put the groceries away - prepare all the food, vacuum and mop - put away 300 loads of washing - help the girls clean their rooms to my perfection all in 4 hours.

I got so carried away with all this business that the girls come into the kitchen after me pulling a cake out of the oven that I had just baked asking what the yummy smell was. Then to my horror I had forgotten to feed them lunch - what a bad mother!!! mind you this is at 5pm. So not only am I bad at domestic chores, I'm also a bad mother. After stuffing biscuits down their throats I kick them out of the kitchen. By now I'm absolutely sweating my guts out - they'll be here in an hour and where is Mal to help me...oh thats right he's working...

5 minutes before they come - I finish all my podantic preparations and want to put my feet up and sleep for 600 years. I have a quick shower - in which time they have arrived and I had trained Mal beforehand in showing them to the lounge - offering them a drink and some nibblies. I walk down the hallway looking like a princess, but if they only knew what ugly, crazed and possesed woman had been in the house before. There is that split personality again.

The evening went well and Mal's workmate, wife and daughter enjoyed themselves. I think they were overawed at the candles on the table and the peaceful music in the background. Mr was a real gentleman and was quiet and polite meanwhile Mrs talked about herself and the 2000 jobs she's had the whole night while their tenacious 5 yr old got louder and louder as the night progressed. We had prayed for an opportunity to share Jesus with them but it never eventuated. I found it hard to say anything at all with Mrs chitchatter going on.

Its more than just sharing your faith though - its about building relationships and finding that common ground. These people were complete strangers to us but after a night that was fun and relaxing hopefully we have planted seeds of Gods goodness, abundance and love.

My little Violinist

2005-06-29T22:15:00.000+10:00

On the left is the picture of my eldest daughter and her friend at their school sleepover. They are playing a song together for their classmates and teachers.

When I look at this picture I feel so proud - proud in the fact that on this particular night she was very sick - just recovering from tonsilitis and wanted to go to the sleepover.

She had organised what they would play and then practiced together. I can say I'm truly blessed.

Confessions of a TV Cooking Show Junkie

2005-06-25T12:12:00.000+10:00

I have to say I love Cooking Shows on Tv - I love buying magazines just for the recipes and I love it when I go to mum and dads and watch the cooking shows on Cable TV.

Jamie Oliver is my favourite, Geoff Jansz is great and I enjoy Nigella Lawson and many more. I love the show Great Food Live and when I have a day off Ready Steady Cook - I used to enjoy Cooking with Huey but my dad put me off by saying he is an army cook and then when I would watch his shows I would have to agree. I would watch the cooking segments on Better Homes and Gardens and of course the reality TV show My Restaurant Rules - not that they did much cooking. My most favourite are the ones that have specials on wines and on cheeses....aaahh heaven...

When I was at home when the girls were babies I used to watch the cooking show religiously at 11am every morning with a pen and piece of paper and I used to write down the recipies like a mad woman (why didn't i think of using the video???). I love to cook and love to watch cooking shows and read magazines with endless supplies of recipies. Have I ever cooked any of these recipes???? I have to admit that maybe out of thousands of recipes - I would have only cooked one or two.....

Tonight Mal has invited a workmate and is wife and daughter over for dinner - people that I have never met and would have no idea what to cook. I look through my recipe books, magazines, zillions of recipes written on scrap pieces of paper. I asked Mal to ask them if they are plain eaters or adventurous eaters (this is a very important question) and do they drink white wine or red wine??? They replied they will eat anything (great!) and they drink white wine (even great!) as I don't drink white wine and wouldn't have a clue what to buy..

Anyhoo - after my brain doing overtime and scouring the thousands of recipes I came up with my favourite:

LASAGNE - What else....of course....why didn't I think of that earlier. Why is it that when we are faced with a challenge that we revert to what is safe and familiar - fear of rejection??? fear of experimenting and not coming up with the goods??? I suppose you should experiment on family prior to presenting it to guests - oh why didn't I think of that earlier - they will be here in 6 hours and I still need to vacuum, buy the groceries, cook and set the table - oh I better get going...

Then there is the conversation you have to think of - will they be relaxed easy going people? or will we just sit there and look across the table staring at each other thinking of the next thing to say. I'll never forget a time Mal and I invited over a new couple from the church several years ago and the conversation was so stunted that it was painful - at least 20 seconds in between each spurt - oh that was a painful night and glad to be over. Mal & I are easing going people and will talk about anything to anyone "not another Telstra story again pullleasse...." anyhoo

Some people you can just gel with and the night goes quickly and you walk away feeling "that was a really great night - we will have to have them over again" or you just stared at each other and talked about the weather and the news most of the night - "painful night - won't have them over again - ever". Then you pray for an opportunity to talk about Christ and what he's done in our lives - sometimes you can open up and no problems and other times its like "don't mention the war" if you get what I mean...

So I'm thinking...what is it going to be like tonight??? Complete strangers to me and to Mal almost - oh what have I gone and done - again...

Then there is the music to think of - do you put on some romantic classical jazz or latin or do you play christian music that has a message in it or do we put on our favourites Phil Collins, Sting, U2, Hunters & Collectors - this all relates to the atmosphere you know - wrong music can kill a dinner party...

Oh and then there is the awkward moment when they first walk in and you say hello to each other - do we take them to the loungeroom or go straight to the dinner table - do you offer drinks first and nibblies or go straight for the table and being the evening meal - and what if their child is a homewrecker and touches my stuff and wrecks things....and wants to eat straight away.....aagghh I think too much and I say I'm not a worrier - well this is one area of my life that I worry because I just want the night to be a beautiful experience for this couple...and to feel the love of Christ in our home.

Better go - Mal just sent me a text message - grrrrr......

Wonderful Smells from the Kitchen

2005-06-20T18:01:00.000+10:00

I walked in the front door tonight after a busy day at work with my children screaming my name as they ran down the hall "mummy mummy" and there were wonderful smells coming from my kitchen....

I walk in with the girls hanging off my legs and hugging me saying "I missed you I missed you" and there is Mal stirring sauce over the stove getting dinner all ready to dish out...

Is there something wrong with this picture???????? NO!!! larf larf.

I would have liked to have said the house was spotless (it was clean though), with the table set and on it were glowing candles and freshflowers in place and being served with a 3 course meal...but you can't have everything...and what would I dream about????

It is school holidays for the next 2 weeks and Mal has today and tomorrow off. I so tried to creep out of the house this morning without making a sound but the hairdryer is so noisy - and it would be great if they made a microwave that didn't beep - as it was they were all fast asleep when I left this morning...

I found it really hard to not feel jealous - knowing that they were off to the park with their scooters, off to McDonalds for some lunch and then making plans for a trip to the movies tomorrow to see Madagascar....Its so great that Mal can have time out with the girls - he works a lot but the time that he does have off he is always doing something with them....

The girls will spend the rest of the school holidays with my mum and dad who will keep them busy with trips to the shops, more visits to McDonalds and time spent doing arts and crafts - oh and getting to watch endless movies on the Disney Channel (talk about spoilt).

They have another 2 weeks holidays in September in which I will have one week off and boy am I looking forward to that - there is nothing better than looking forward to having time off and we will probably spend most of it down at the beach....so I guess I will just have to be patient and bide my time...

For those of you who have been wondering about my decision regarding my current position at work - and for those of you who don't know what I'm talking about then read this post - and if you have - then my decision was to stay "where I am" (for the time being). I thought long and hard about this and was able to speak with my manager in regards to this - she was extremely pleased that I would stay on to help her out.

So here I am trying to stride ahead of God (yet again) and the one thing (not the only thing) that I heard on Sunday morning during the sermon confirmed my decision and that was "you don't have to try and prove who you are" and this is so true. I spend my time working hard trying to prove that I'm good enough - trying to prove that I'm worthy of promotion. Yet God sees me from a different perspective - he already thinks I'm good enough and that I am worthy and that he died for my sins so that I may live a full and abundant life - who am I to worry...

So Lord, I'm sorry for the worrying and I lay my life in your hands (again) and ask that you guide my way and shape my path....and thank you for my wonderful family who embrace and support me in all areas of my life.

Grandfinal Heroes

2005-06-16T23:16:00.000+10:00

We may have lost 21 to 10 but we survived against savage beasts that spent the game, tripping us, slapping us, kicking us, shoving us, pushing us. Note that this picture was taken prior to the game starting (larf larf). We were able to walk off the court with heads held high even though some of us were limping, groaning, bleeding and feeling bruised. We played a fair, tough game but unfortunately our opponenents were young, fast and agressive. It also didn't help with the umpire being extremely bias for the opposing side. We may have lost but we finished second on the ladder and considering our previous losses we finished the season quite triumphantly - its not about winning but about how you play the game. Next week is a bye and then on to a brand new season - oh no!!! my fellow bloggers say - no more netball stories - sorry my friends but C'est La Vie.....

2005-06-13T13:13:00.000+10:00

Another picture of a rose (not from my garden)

2005-06-13T13:00:00.000+10:00

Netbal Princesses

2005-06-13T11:54:00.000+10:00

This is the view from one of our office windows. The trees in the middle line the famous "Cavill Mall" and notice the picture of the polar bears - this is where the Hard Rock Cafe Guitar used to sit until one day it went on fire - they have pulled it down so not sure if they will replace it with a new one.

Netball Miracle

2005-06-13T00:01:00.000+10:00

After the shock of finding it out we made it to the Semi Finals - and getting up off the floor we started to get nervous about the thought of playing in the finals.

Our first game was at 6pm and if we won this game we would go straight to the Grand Final - if we lost we got to play a second game which was at 7.20pm and if we won we get into the Grand Finals.

Tuesday night came and we were all pretty nervous - a few people from work came, plus spouses and kids to support us and cheer us on.

The first game we played at 6pm (I was on the wing) - we got absolutely flogged. They were fast and furious and there was no way our little legs could keep up with them (we are quite a short team)....after an extremely hard and fast game we did not cherish the thought of having to play again - most of us felt like going home and sleeping for the next 10 years.

The second game we had a chance to catch our breath and mentally prepare ouselves - we all changed positions again and I was back in my normal position of Goal Shooter and we gave as good as we got - we were hot and by half time it was 10 all...the pressure was on.

We stepped up the defence and got a few turnovers and before we knew it we were up 7 points - the tide had turned and for the first time all season we felt in control of the game...We won by 4 points - we couldn't believe it we were all jumping up and down and hugging each other.

The good news....we are in the Grandfinals....The bad news....we play the team again that just flogged us....oh well it doesn't matter if you win or lose - as long as you have fun and thats what we do - we have fun, laugh at ourselves and laugh at everyone else (hee hee)

Stay tuned for the GrandFinal results on Tuesday night...

Amazing Game

2005-06-12T23:53:00.000+10:00

I have an amazing game for you! Click here, but let me warn you it's tougher than it looks. After you finish playing the little game, let me know how you did. Honorable mentions will be given to those who succeed! And unless you have a steady hand, I doubt you will

Haven't Felt Like Blogging

2005-06-12T18:18:00.000+10:00

Hey....I'm back to the world of blogs....as you may have noticed I haven't blogged of late. It isn't because I can't think of anything to write (because I have plenty - let me tell you) but more to do with putting in a lot of hours at work and just not feeling like blogging....

Early mornings and late nights get to me after a while and its like my whole body just wants to shut down...don't want to see anyone...don't want to talk to anyone...(except my family) just want to go to bed and curl up with a book, mal and my girls...

In the last week we have had 4 farewells in our department and only one of their postions have been replaced (they will not be replacing the other 3)...hence the early mornings due to the heavy workload. If you don't keep up with the workload you will be viewed as incompetent regardless of the circumstances...

By Thursday I was called into the Operation Managers (Ned) office with my Manager to discuss my current position. The previous week I had put my name down for another position in another department - mainly to upskill - it would have been a step sideward in regards to advancing my career however I wanted a bit of release from the pressure that was building from the heavy workload and I also wanted to be able to walk away from the office each night and leave the work there.

He was devastated that I wanted to leave but I said "no offence" just to upskill. He asked me what my ideal position would be and what I really wanted to do and what the key areas I enjoy working in. I spent some time explaining my role and my position and what I enjoyed and what I didn't enjoy.

He then went on to say that I would be a loss and they couldn't afford me to go at the moment and what could he do to make me stay - he was aware of my need for an increase in pay but this was not my main reason for moving on. He said he knew he was being selfish by forcing this upon me...my manager sitting beside me knowing full well what I really felt "said nothing" (thanks for the support bud). He said take it as a compliment that we want you to stay...I laughed at this remark.

I said "apart from my manager taking me out to lunch while she was away on a 2 week break - to thank me for filling in her shoes - that is the first time someone has said thank you in the whole 18 mths of me working here and the fact that they appreciate my hardwork - once I said, and now you are sitting here telling me that I am an asset and that you don't want to lose me and I should take that as a compliment...the eyes starting tearing up (oh no not now - be strong, be strong- don't cry don't cry) a few tears popped out and he handed me a tissue (meanwhile my bud is still saying nothing...). I said I have never felt more underappreciated and undervalued in my whole entire life"

Ned looked like I had just slapped him and he was absolutely horrified that I felt this way. I said "the reason I make such a big thing of farewells and birthdays and any special occassions or people being rewarded is because I want them to feel special. I want them to feel valued and loved and appreciated - not because I want people to do that for me (although that would be nice) but because this is "who I am" I am a giver, a hardworker an encourager and a motivator. I have been brought up on strong values and I like to treat people as I would like to be treated.

I have no idea why the conversation turned like this and I was able to keep the emotion out of my voice but the only response was silence....thinking....more silence....Ned said he was sorry that I felt this way...we've had many discussions before on touching the human heart by encouraging the staff and sowing value and believing in people - I think our discussions had finally hit home with him...

We had been in his office for over an hour (my lunch break of course just gone down the tubes) and regardless of how I felt in the end he needed me to make a decision (because it was business as usual) to stay or take on the other position. He said that they could look at redefining my role, take away some of the admin and give me some special projects, and look at my pay - but this would take a while, in the meantime they needed to fill the other role quickly and I needed to make a decision (I thought I had already done that by applying for the other position). My manager then somehow manages to find her voice (note the sarcasm..) and says that if I decide to stay that I might not like the decision they come back with."

Ned goes "you could take on the new role and in the meantime we come back with the position that you are really looking for - but too late". Great - talk about feeling total pressure...So I said "so if I don't take on the new role but you come back with something re my current role that I might not like - but too bad the other role has been taken..." he goes "thats about it" he then goes "whats your gut feeling" after just being bombared by guilt, having the needs highlighted in my department and that I would be a huge loss if I left...I said I would think about it overnight and let them know Friday.

Friday turned into a day from hell....and the opportunity never came about to discuss with them my answer - in a way I was glad because I hadn't had time to fully process what was happening. At the end of the day - its just a job and it doesn't rule my life. I have family, friends and my church that are my life - these are things that refresh me, vitalise me and encourage me. At the same time I have to help with making a living so there is no point in just being a blob at work - I like to be challenged and to improve myself.

After much thought and with Mal just listening, I have prayed, read two novels, spent time with my family and had some retail therapy I have come to a decision..... to be continued...

NETBALL NEWSFLASH

2005-06-06T23:17:00.000+10:00

The Cap'n of our netball team rang up the sports centre to see what date the new season starts and as the lady was saying goodbye she said "see you Tuesday at 6pm".

Cap'n goes "we aren't playing" and lady goes "yes you are - you're in the Semi Finals and your first game is at 6pm - if you win that you go straight to the Grand Final next week"

Cap'n goes "how could we be in the semis when we only won a couple of games" lady goes "if you don't win the semi - you still get a second chance and play another game at 7.20pm because you came second on the ladder"

Cap'n goes "you must be wrong - are you sure you are talking about our team" lady goes "absolutely so see you Tuesday"

Cap'n comes running round the office going "we're in the semi's, we're in the semi's"

After she tells us this most hilarious story and we've all been rolling on the carpet - she is telling the truth - cap'n is telling the truth. We get up off the floor and start to anaylse how we could have got to the semis......

must have been the two or three forfeited games against us that put us almost on top of the ladder - how funny...it was hard to get back to work after being shocked off our socks - now's the hard work - if we don't win the first game we have to play a second and we will prolly lose - we are such a bunch of misfits.....

so please pray - really pray this time.....that I won't come across any leaping giants, alcohol breathing boozers or pink striped nutters....(long long story) or that feeling of let me say "anger & violence" rise upon me that I will need anger management classes for the next 10 weeks...

Netball Update

2005-06-03T00:48:00.000+10:00

Last week - got thrashed

Week before - got thrashed

Week before that - our opposition forfeited which gave us a win

Next Week - didn't make it to Semi Finals (suprise suprise)

Moral of the Story - please pray for us....

Farewell CM....

2005-06-02T23:24:00.000+10:00

This week has flown by yet again and its Friday almost. What a week at work I can tell you - it has been filled with lots of laughter, hard work, crazy interviews and emotional goodbyes...

This week I was asked to run the staff meeting as it was our Chief Manager's (CM) last day. She resigned several months ago and time has flown by. I love any excuse to party, celebrate, pull pranks and make someone smile so I thought this was a great opportunity I couldn't let pass.

Several of my colleauges schemed and planned with me to organise a special farewell. We decided on a morning breakfast - which would usually be held at our early morning staff meeting - so that she wouldn't suspect anything.

Tuesday afternoon after CM left for the day - I got some of the staff to help me blow up balloons. We blew up that many we filled her whole office - so that when you opened the door balloons came bursting out. I also wrapped her computer, keyboard, phone and mouse in newspaper so that she could not work the next day - we also moved her desk, cupboards so that she could not get in....we pasted her business cards all over her desk and I wanted to continue on the walls but was encouraged nicely to "stop" I also wanted to put a little bit of margarine under the door handle - but was reminded again to "stop". So with her office sabotaged and signs put up "NO WORK ALLOWED" - I headed to the boardroom where I set up for the breakfast.

I spread out the table with a nice cloth and put up balloons, flowers and a sign that said "xxx (the name of our company) will never be the same again" - as this was put up staff were signing their names and putting messages of encouragement and good will for her future - a nice touch I thought.

Wednesday morning came around and I dragged my heavy eyes into work. I had sat up the night before working on some team building games for the meeting - seeing as it was a farewell and we didn't want to be sad and mopey I thought we could do something fun - like play "pass the parcel" and "truths v lie".

We had fruit, orange juice, blueberry muffins, hot chocolate and cappacinos and then we had bacon and egg, ham and cheese sandwhiches delivered (I ate mostly fruit of course - NOT).

CM walked in and was extremely surprised and totally overwhelmed - I noticed she had a piece of paper in her hand which must have had a list to bring up at the staff meeting - she never got to that piece of paper in the end.

I started the meeting with the "truth v lie" game - you had to say something personal about yourself - 2 had to be the truth and 1 had to be a lie and the point of the game is to work out what the lie was - this also gives people an opportunity to open up a little bit and share a glimpse of their life. Some people found this extremely difficult while others found it quite easy.

When the questions were put to our Operations Manager (OM) - he found this very difficult - I suppose you have to be wary from a management point of view and distance yourself from staff, but he was not able to mention anything personal about himself at all. Its amazing how he can give presentations on the business, give pep talks to staff, be updated on all the latest comings and goings yet was unable to give of himself in such a small way.....

I was a bit nervous about "pass the parcel" as we were all adults sitting in a corporate office, all wearing business attire and wondered what the staff would think. I had even brought in a cd player and played "Classified" from Bond a female quartet - which was uptempo music. The parcel had a freddo frog attached to it with a question - a mixture between personal and business. The staff laughed so much and even made fun of the business questions.

The last question was "Which TV Character does OM remind you of?" One of the girls goes "I know, I know" and she blurts out "Ned Flanders" the nerdy neighbour who lives next door to Homer Simpson - well the place erupted and OM is now called Ned and as the news filtered out to the rest of the office you could hear "HEY DIDDLY HO" when he walked by and lots of snickers.

The funny thing though was the OM loved the meeting. He said he has never laughed that much before...and throughout the whole day he kept saying what a good meeting it was - he never stopped smiling the whoe day....hello - what parties has he been too - this made me feel really sad - because it was a silly game with silly questions. I laugh a lot because my life is filled with sunshine and the goodness of God and I cannot begin to imagine what life would be like if I could not laugh.

This meeting put everyone in a festive mood for the day and CM was able to clean up her office, have a wonderful lunch with the staff and was presented with some excellent gifts....If I hadn't had gone to the effort of making it a fun day - it would have been a quiet farewell, empty words spoken from management and a superficial thankyou given.

Instead CM was able to leave the company with her head held high, lots of laughs to remember and the feeling that she was loved and cherished by her staff members...how awesome is that???

Moral of the Story: God loves us so much...I am reminded of this verse in Mat 7:11 "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"

There is no greater place than being in relationship with God, knowing him, loving him and sharing your life with him. The people that I work with are just existing - all are searching for meaning in their life - as I have shared with them fun and joy how much more does God want to pour out on them - to love them, to heal them, to bring them financial freedom..

Lord I pray tonight for my CM who walks another path away from our business - I pray that it was Jesus in me that she saw and his love that she felt. I pray for my OM that he will know your joy and your peace in his life and I pray that I may continue to grab hold of these opportunties to show the light of Jesus to these people and to give God all the glory....Amen

Crumbs from the Master's Table

2005-06-02T22:17:00.000+10:00

I haven't been blogging much of late but one night when I got home from a friends place last week, I was checking my blog and there was a comment from some old acquaintances.

Their names are Phil & Alli - and their new blog is called Crumbs from the Master's Table please feel free to drop by their site and say hello.

Phil has written an awesome blog on Where Was Jesus? and answered some interesting questions from someone who is lost and looking for answers.

I first met Alli probably when I was 12 yrs old and we got saved in the same church around about the same time - she was a friend of my older sister. We moved churches and our lives moved on also.

I first met Phil whenI was 14 or 15 when he played guitar at a church or youth group that I attended.

Through the years we heard that Phil met Alli and they got married - what a small world. Its amazing the connections you have with people and as life goes on these connections come and go. Then out of the blue, God puts them across your path again. It has been 2 years since Phil & Alli have been in the States and by the looks of things they are doing well.

Phil was surfing the blogs when he came across my mums blog- who then linked him to mine and my dads - I was pretty excited. I will pray for Phil & Alli and their 4 beautiful children that God will continually guide and strengthen them. I also thank God for our paths crossing again.

Blogging Away

2005-05-30T22:51:00.000+10:00

Last night I sat for hours on the computer while everyone was in bed asleep - writing about what a wonderful weekend I had - and how the weather was beautiful and how I got to spend time with my gorgeous family.

Mal is yelling from the top end of the house - go to bed you'll be tired in the morning. I'm happily typing away, type type type...enjoying the peace and stillness of our home in the wee dark hours of the night....

The writing just flows and I'm editing and re-typing and correcting....I have my finished master piece and WA LA....the computer crashed....

It was gone - my new post - down the drains and I hadn't saved one bit of it...I had sat there for two hours labouring over my words and perfecting my phrases... it was gone in less than a minute.....so I sat there absolutely shocked and rebooted the computer - nothing, zilch, finito - gone....

So I clicked on this game Get The Paper in the Bin and wasted more time before heading to bed with my tail in between my legs (my best score is 4 - try and beat that)....

When I told Mal what happened in the morning - he just larfed and larfed (thanks darl...NOT). Needless to say work was so busy today that I didn't have time to smell the roses....never mind think about being tired...

Australia in Shock

2005-05-28T09:51:00.000+10:00

All Australians have been following the story of Schapelle Corby who almost 8 months ago was caught with 4.1kg marijuana in her boogie board bag in a Bali Airport.

We have watched numerous news and current affairs programs on wether she is guilty or innocent over this time. We have watched her cry and break down, pleading her innocence.

She has now been through the trial proceedings in Bali - her lawyers trying to give evidence that she is not guilty and that the drugs were planted in her bag by someone else.

Yesterday the verdict was to be revealed of her fate by the Indonesian Court. It was like a media circus and all of Australia stopped to await the news....

I was in the boardroom at work with all my colleagues watching the proceedings, waiting, whispering, praying, hoping...

I personally believe that Schapelle is innocent........

Then the verdict was announced "20 years imprisonment and a $10,000 AUD fine"

The boardroom was quiet with shock, tears forming in the staffs eyes as they watched her breakdown and then taken from the public eye back to the Bali Jail....

I will pray for Schapelle.......Australia she needs our prayers

How many Australians will now travel to Bali as a holiday destination?????? Not me thats for sure!!!!!

Schapelle Corby - THE VERDICT

2005-05-28T09:24:00.000+10:00

Corby: The verdict'No! No! And then she looked upwards and seemed to be praying'

SCHAPELLE Corby was trapped like a tropical fish in an aquarium running out of bubbles.

She began breathing hard, blowing in and out, sensing her fate was sealed as the Indonesian judge in his red and black robes, sitting in front to the left of her, began reading from the foolscap pages lying on the green baize table in front of him.

Judge Langang Dauh's voice was harsh, strident and accusing. His tone never wavered.
It was 10.54am local time in the Denpasar courtroom. A solitary ceiling fan whirred ineffectually overhead in a cream-coloured steamroom.

Crammed through every open window, the television and camera lenses focused their goggle eyes on her.

Hair swept back in a black bun like a Javanese matron, modest, black high-necked blouse, ankle-length pale pink skirt. Pearl stud earrings and a plain watch on a broad band. Perfectly made up.

For an hour and a half she had maintained her composure, a contrite figure, black and pink, as the two other judges had read from their foolscap pages, reviewing the evidence against the woman accused of smuggling 4.1kg of cannabis into Bali last October.

She sat demurely, hands clasped in a triangle, forefinger to forefinger, thumb to thumb. The judges read on; their voices almost monotonous. She had glanced around a couple of times to see her family when she had arrived at the courtroom at 9.07am, carried along, almost running, between two lines of police who charged their way through a side door.

Her parents, Michael Corby and Rosleigh Rose, had arrived five minutes before, in another heaving media scrum.

They sat, sad-eyed, strained and uncomprehending with sister Mercedes and her Balinese husband, translating in the front row of blocks of five seats in this tiny courtroom. Other friends and Australian diplomats sat behind them.

Australian tourists handed Indonesian photographers their digi-cams to send pictures home. One middle-aged woman waved an Australian flag through one of the windows.

For some who came here, it was almost like another episode of Big Brother. Another TV reality show.

But this was real life.

And now, after an hour and a half, as Judge Dauh got into his stride, the Indonesian media got ready. This was a real question of life and death, not a show.

The motor drives began clicking and the videocams rolled, and Schapelle looked at the local pack leaning through the windows by the judge's right elbow and she began to cry.

Now she was biting her lip, rocking backwards and forwards in her chair. She was mouthing "No! No!" And then she looked upwards and seemed to be praying.

At 11.15 an Indonesian cameraman alongside me translated the judge's firm utterance:
"There is convincing proof . . ."

She knew she was gone then. She was wiping tears from her eyes.

To her right, one of her Indonesian lawyers, Lily Lubis, knew she was gone, too. She slumped behind her desk, hands over her face.

It was getting worse. Schapelle was desperately trying to get herself under control, breathing in and out like a weightlifter about to attempt a record snatch and jerk.

Judge Dauh had finished. Now it was the turn of chief judge Linton Siriat. Schapelle was ordered to stand.

She straightened her skirt, almost stood to attention.

The courtroom began erupting into chaos.

As Judge Siriat announced the sentence -- "20 years' jail, 100 million rupiah fine" -- all hell broke loose as he rapped his gavel three times.

Watching the Sunrise

2005-05-26T06:08:00.000+10:00

This morning I woke up and it was still dark outside and our house is fairly cold as we have tiled floors and no curtains in our living area (we are surrounded by complete privacy) and when we bought the house we were told by the agent that it was insulated (NOT).

I have woken up and spent my time in prayer for my family, friends,church and community and also for my work situation. Everyday seems to bring new pressures and added responsibilities. There are times when I get down about working full time and wishing that I could spend the time at home taking care of the house and being there for when the girls came home from school.

There are two girls at work who work part-time and I feel jealous that they only work 3 days a week (larf larf). I stayed at home when my girls were born until my youngest started pre-school. So I have spent their formative years with them at home - I slowly went back into the workforce part time before going to work full time a year later.

I know that this is for a season only (how long Lord??) and I know that if I was at home full time that I would get restless very easy - I do find it hard to stay still - that is until I get home of an evening when I'm exhausted (lol).

I've looked out my windows this morning and seen the beauty of God - the colours in the sky as the sun rises - red hues and golden glows, the hint of blues and the rays shining through the clouds. I look out on my yellow roses that are starting to bloom (and my weeds) and I begin to praise God and thank him for the many blessings that he has bestowed on me.

I thank God for my working full time because it has helped us pay for the high mortgage on our home, to be able to provide clothes for the girls and to help pay for their violin lessons, netball games and for the fun outings we go on. I thank God for a supporting husband who helps me in every area of our life - for his provision and for his love. I thank God for my two beautiful princesses that are a gift from heaven and I am thankful of parents who help me with the girls after school - for their neverending love and support.

I thank God as I'm reminded of his word in Psalm 119:105 "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path". He has given me everything I need to live life abundantly and it is in his word - Give thanks in all circumstances, Praise Him, Draw near to him.

This morning while I have been writing this blog I have made pancakes for my family - I usually only make them on special occassions. The girls usually eat breakfast together when they first wake up and Mal and I usally eat something in between showers, doing hair, packing lunches, tieing shoe laces. My family will wake up to worship music, freshly cooked pancakes, candles glowing and the table set - why? because they are all a blessing to me...

As I think about my day ahead - the complaints awaiting an answer, the staff awaiting answers to their questions, the meetings I have to attend and finding out how to cope with 3 staff members leaving in the next week because these people are not being replaced...

I read in my bible this morning in Proverbs 16:1-3 " We can make our plans, but the final outcome is in God's hands. We can always "prove" that we are right, but is the Lord convinced? Commit your work to the Lord, then it will succeed".

I thank you Lord for this day - I thank you that no amount of worry or stress will make the work easier but I commit my work to you, I commit my family to you and I commit my life to you. Thank you for your love, blessings and abundance for my life and for my family. Amen

THIS WEEK

2005-05-21T14:08:00.000+10:00

Woohhooo - its the weekend.... What a week....I've been limited to blogging for only a half hour each night this week as Mal has needed to use the computer for work and for preparing his Sermon for this Sunday on Leftovers are Important Part 2.

This week I've:

* Went to the gym once

* Cooked dinner everynight this week (oh except Tuesday)

* Posted 2 blogs (about to post a 3rd)

* Found the bestest hot chocoloate ever from Nestle called Double Blend (seeing as I don't
drink tea and coffee)

* Attended 16 mindless meetings & listened to 2 "fall asleep" teleconferences

* Answered approximately 20 questions per hour per day

* Went up and down in the lift at work 32 times

* Filled up the lollyjar at work for the staff (and me - with all my favourites)

* Was scared to death and almost died when a spider was found on my shoulder

* Played one practical joke on a staff member and now I will have to watch my back

* Didn't have to play netball as the opponents forfeited (yeh another win on the board)

* Drank 40 glasses of water and went to the toilet after every 3rd glass...larf larf

* Went late night shopping with my mum and youngest daugher (almost tempted to buy a
gorgeous Velvet Victorian Jacket - the colour of sage green - might go and put it on layby)

* Only picked up my books to study once - and I just picked it up and looked at it

* Took 30 photos on my camera

* Played with my girls and spent time doing girlie things like blowdrying their hair...

* Slept, snored and dribbled

* Consumed endless amounts of chocolate

* Watched American Idol with Mal (Go Carrie or is it Go Bo??? - can't decide)

* Surfed the net when I could sneak in a minute or two

* Watched my beloved Saints get beat again

* Sat through almost 3 hours of netball - watching my girls play

I think there's something missing from that list somehow????? Oh I know what it is - HOUSEWORK....

Well I better go as I'm meeting my mum.....

WEEK AT THE GYM: ONE MAN'S STORY

2005-05-17T11:58:00.000+10:00

Today myself and a work colleague were "umming and ahhing" about whether we should go to the gym at lunchtime today or go for a coffee instead when I received an email today from another fellow gym enthusiast.

You might have already read this before but I thought it was quite hilarious and wanted to share it all with you.....

Dear Diary,

For my fortieth birthday this year, my wife (the dear) purchased a week of personal training at the local health club for me. Although I am still in great shape since playing football 20 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try. I called the club and made my reservation with a personal trainer named Vanessa, who identified herself as a 26 year old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swimwear. My wife seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.

MONDAY
Started my day at 6:00am. Tough to get out of bed, but it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Vanessa waiting for me. She was something of a Greek goddess with blond hair; dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo! Vanessa gave me a tour and showed me the machines.

She took my pulse after 5 minutes on the treadmill. She was alarmed that my pulse was so fast, but I attributed it to standing next to her in her lycra aerobics outfit. I enjoyed watching the skilful way in which she conducted her aerobics class after my work out today. Very inspiring, Vanessa was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time she was around. This was going to be a FANTASTIC week!

TUESDAY
I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door.
Vanessa made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air, and then she put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. Vanessa's rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT! It's a whole new life for me.

WEDNESDAY
The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the
counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a CEO in the club parking lot. Vanessa was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. Her voice is a little too perky for early in the morning and when she scolds, she gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying. My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Vanessa put me on the stair monster. Why the hell would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Vanessa told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. She said some other stuff too.

THURSDAY
Vanessa was waiting for me with her vampire -like teeth exposed as her thin, cruel lips pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being half an hour late; it took me that long to tie my shoes. Vanessa took me to work out with dumbbells. When she was not looking, I ran and hid in the men's room. She sent Lars to find me, then, as punishment, put me on the rowing machine, which I sank.

FRIDAY
I hate that woman Vanessa more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic, little cheerleader. If there were a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat her with it. Vanessa wanted me to work on my triceps, I don't have triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the stupid barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich. The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like a drama coach or choir director?

SATURDAY
Vanessa left a message on my answering machine in her grating, shrill voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing her made me want to smash the machine with my planner. However, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven hours of the Weather Channel.

SUNDAY
I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year, my wife (the COW) will choose a gift for me that is fun - - - like a root canal or a vasectomy.

Leftovers Are Important

2005-05-16T12:17:00.000+10:00

Yesterday Mal preached at church. I have heard him preach so many times over the years that I am able to seperate him from being my husband to being the preacher - allowing God to speak to me through the word and what has been spoken. I find myself going "amen" and "thats great" and "fantastic" out loud, not because he is a great preacher (he is though) but because God is speaking to me.

He spoke on "Leftovers are Important" - he based it around the scripture from John 6:1-13 but honed in on v12 "When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples - Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted". There have been times when God has touched us, healed us, we have seen a harvest of souls, watched his miracles in action, witnessed the power of prayer - and from this we need to gather the leftovers from these events - gather them up, store them up. He talked about "being full and satisfied" eating all that we could eat but using the leftovers or scraps for the journey ahead.

He talked about the good and the bad circumstances that happen in our life and with the leftovers we are able to take the positives and the negatives and use them for our gain in the future.

Something that really spoke to me was when he talked about "Brokeness is for Greatness" being fragements, pieces of broken bread - picking these up to be able to build God's kingdom. From my brokeness and the pain and suffering that I have lived in my life so far that the "leftovers" that I have stored can allow me to reach "greatness" in God.

He took us to the scipture in 2 Cor 11: 22-27 When Paul had been beaten, and shipwrecked and imprisoned and how these made him the person that he is today - he used these events of his life for the positive - he didn't become a victim of his circumstances.

Jesus was trying to teach his disciples and made it extremely clear that "IT WASN'T ABOUT THE BREAD” – it was about caring for people, loving them and helping them come into a relationship with Jesus Christ and God the Father – it was for the Disciples to recall the spiritual lesson on learning to live by faith.

In conclusion he talked about Mary in Luke 2:19 “she treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” allowing the events that had just happened to her to be able to be gathered, stored and treasured.

Lord Jesus I thank you for your word and for speaking to me. I pray that I will display love, peace, joy, kindness and patience to all that I associate with this week. I pray that the “leftovers” of my life will be used for your kingdom and for your glory. Amen

2005-05-15T16:11:00.000+10:00

A collection of flowers from mum and dads garden

2005-05-15T16:09:00.000+10:00

These are climbing thingy flowers from mum and dads garden

2005-05-15T16:08:00.000+10:00

Another rose from Mum & Dad's rose garden

2005-05-15T16:05:00.000+10:00

A rose from mum's garden that she picked and put in a vase

2005-05-14T10:53:00.000+10:00

Dad

You've always tried to help make everything

right with my world.

You've been there to laugh with me, to be

proud of me, and to be happy for all the good

things in my life. And, maybe even more

importantly, you've shared my disappointments,

and listened as I worked out my thoughts

and feelings about so many things that

troubled me as I was growing up.

You're a very important part of my world,

Dad, so I want to thank you now,

and tell you that I hope everything will

always be right with your world, too...

because I love you.

Happy Birthday

Without You life would not be so Beautiful

2005-05-12T07:22:00.000+10:00

What a blessed Mothers Day I had - so spoilt by my husband and daughters. I was woken to breakfast in bed and I was given an attachment for my phone in the shape of a fish - it jingles when you walk, some beautiful orchids in a vase, Anthony Calleas new album which has The Prayer and Bridge Over Troubled Waters, and I got some sweet smelling gifts and of course some beautiful cards.

The most precious thing was the tags that were attached to my gifts

"Without You life would not be so Beautiful" - I felt loved and adored.

2005-05-12T07:14:00.000+10:00

Mothers Day Lunch - What a day!!! I cooked lunch for my mum - with all her favourite food. We started off with a nice Pink Champagne, Pumpkin soup with crusty bread, Lasagne and Salad and to finish it off Lemon Meringue Pie - our stomachs were full at the end and by the time mum and dad left - I had to have a bit of a sleep because I was so exhausted....

Boy Am I Wacked.....

2005-05-10T21:31:00.000+10:00

I certainly got wacked tonight by 7 aggressive women...what the!!!! Last week we had a really great game of netball - it was goal for goal - an amical game - we won by 1 point on the buzzer.

This week however was an entirely different story - after a hard day at work (yes I did work and didn't daydream too much and didn't surf the net at all and didn't chat for too long or go to the toilet 300 times because I drank so much flamin water....)

anyhoo..... as I was saying after a long hard day at work and a serious training session at the gym (and yes I did work up a sweat) and I'm on the treadmill running and one of the personal trainers comes up to me and says "glad to see you're back" - excuse me!! I've been back for the last couple of weeks - have you ever tried having a conversation with someone while you are running on the treadmill - you can barely breathe never mind run - and after 5 wks of not attending the gym your fitness level tends to drop - so I'm like trying to act all athletic like and pretend that I can talk meanwhile I'm praying "get lost and leave me to die on this machine"...

anyhoo...I've managed to digest again ooppss I meant digressed (is that a word - must ask Mal) after a hard day at work, serious training session at the gym our netball game is at 6pm - have you ever seen a woman in a netball skirt wearing stillettos??? sight to see I could tell you - that was me because the floor in the ladies changing room was disgraceful - trying getting changed without putting your stuff on the floor, bench or vanity top - I managed to juggle it all though - meanwhile I'm still in my stillettos trying to put my runners on and someone comes barging through the door - and guess who's standing behind the door???? ME!!! thats right I got "wacked" by the door and not only that I was pushed straight into the wall in front of me so my nose got severly squashed on the filthy slimy walls.....

anyhoo...I'm trying to tell you about the game tonight - we played against these "thugs" after my hard day at work, serious training session at the gym, fight traffic to get to the sports centre (now that is another story and we won't go there) and I get "wacked" in the ladies changeroom where my nose has been squooshed against a filthy wall and my opponent this week is a midget...however you spell it...one whack of my hips people usually go flying - not this midget - she was a rock statue - everywhere I went - there was the rock statue - she wasn't moving and I kept getting pulled up for contact - not my fault - she wouldn't move...

anyhoo....she reeeked of alcohol....beats me how someone can play with so much alcohol in them - you would think she would forget where she had to stand she had drank that much...

we were getting thrashed because they were so mean and pushy and rough and agressive and mean...and my temper was getting the better of me so much so that the spirit of violence was coming upon me....I'm praying real hard for the Lord to help me not to get upset "its just a game Jeannie - have fun" have fun when they were bulldozing us and tripping us over and being agressive

........and the rock statue wouldn't move so how was I supposed to get the ball and shoot a goal if the midget wouldn't get out of my flamin way....just as my elbow was about to be positioned in her ribs - the buzzer went and I thanked God for helping me from not committing the sin I was about to partake of..."violence"....needless to say "we lost".

soaked in sweat (I know you wanted to hear that) a girl from another team asked if any of us wanted to play an extra game - all she got was a glare and quickly exited the scene....

on the drive home I had to repent of my temper and all the bad thoughts I had about those thugs....I put on some music which helped my seething soul and thought about my precious family at home waiting for me - wanting to know how my day had been.

boy am I wacked.......

2005-05-08T22:34:00.000+10:00

Happy Mothers Day Mum - I love you

IF I COULD BE A...

2005-05-07T20:13:00.000+10:00

John from Scotwise has tagged me to play a game where I pick four of the following occupations and tell what I would do if I could be those things.

OK, I'll play. Here's the list:

If I could be a scientist... a farmer... a musician... a doctor... a painter... a gardener... a missionary... a chef... an architect... a linguist... a psychologist... a librarian... an athlete... a lawyer... an inn-keeper... a professor... a writer... a llama-rider... a bonnie pirate... an astronaut... a world famous blogger... a justice on any one court in the world... married to any current famous political figure.

Here are my answers...

If I could be a gardener..... my front and back yard would be filled with fragrant flowers that I could pick everyday and put in my home, I would make it weed free so that no weeds would ever appear, I would plant a liquid amber tree where my girls could climb the branches and have many adventures, I would create a rose garden outside my bedroom window and wake up to their sweet smell every morning

If I could be an architect.... I would build a Queenslander house by the beach where my family could come and go and make themselves at home. I would build a conservatory where the sun shone straight in with a peaceful flowing fountain in the centre, in this room there would be lots of ferns and greenery and a wind chime by the door. I would build a room for Mal and his books - a place where he could spend time with the Lord and write. I would build a room for the girls where they could play, dance and dress up and I would build a home theatre with a plasma screen where Mal & I and the girls could watch unlimited football and movies and listen to music

If I could be a chef.... I would cook pasta every day and bake lots of chocolate cake

If I could be a painter.... I would walk around all day wearing trakkies, and a spotted paint shirt. I would paint pictures of my family and pictures of flowers, lakes and sunsets.

Right, now that I am finished, I can now tag three people, who will I tag? How about.....

Birthbabe, Living Lifeskills, and Bryans Nonsense

Marriage - a Testimony to the Unbeliever

2005-05-06T22:43:00.000+10:00

While Mal has been away in Sydney at a Pastors conference this week I have had lots of time to think...think...think - I usually think about chocolate but tonight I have been thinking about Marriage - our marriage and the testimony that it is to Unbelievers.

Mal and I have been married for almost 13 years now and are going from strength to strength..

When I meet people for the first time their reaction to me when they find out that I've been married for this amount of time is amazing - the next reaction I get is that I have a 10 year old and 7 year old (people think I only look 23 - that is a compliment) however people are amazed these days that someone as young as myself can be married for that amount of time and still love each other deeply.

There are so many people who have been hurt through marriages whether it be their fault, their partners or a mix of the two. Today marriage only has a survival rate of 1 out of every 2. These are shocking statistics. People now live together rather than marry - their belief in marriage has dissappated - whats the point??

The only thing that has kept Mal & I together, because our personalities are so different and so extreme (they say opposites attract) is Jesus Christ and our deep love for each other. He is the head of our home and always will be. Not only that, but our committment to each other and the ability to work through each situation as they arise.

Unbelievers look at Christians and see how they behave - they make a judgement on whether we are true followers of Christ or whether we are fake and hypocritical. They know the difference. I want people to see our marriage as something more than just a concept, but rather seeing through it and finding what it is that binds us together.

There a few things that I see that is important to living out this testimony and some values that God is still teaching me, and these are:

be positive about each other in front of others

pray together

learn to laugh together

enjoy each other's company

find common interests

talk to each other

allow the grace of God to work on our imperfections

encourage each other

do not hold a grudge

keep intimate details private

forgive each other

learn to cry with each other

The list could go on forever but these are just some examples of living a marriage that honours God, honours our family and is a testimony to those that are searching for love.

We had, 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 read out on the day we got married and not only do we believe in it but with Gods help, we try to live it out

"Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud,

never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do wrong.

It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out.

If you love someone you will be loyal to them no matter what the cost. You will always believe in them, and always stand your ground in defending them.

Love never fails" (The Living Bible)

Is your marriage a Testimony to Unbelievers - can they see Christs love through both of you?

2005-05-05T22:26:00.000+10:00

I love Roses

Roses are Red

Violets are Blue

Angels in Heaven

Remind Me of YOU!

WACKY article of the WEEK

2005-05-05T21:43:00.000+10:00

Sydney Prisoners to operate Jail Call Centre

Prisoners are to operate telephones for $35 a week at a call centre inside a Sydney jail.

About 30 female inmates will handle inquiries for government agencies within the next month before pitching for private sector campaigns in the future, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Prisoners at the medium-security Dillwynia Correctional Centre have already begun training.

The inmates will soon begin marketing CSI products, such as recycled ink cartridges and refurbished furniture, to schools and businesses.

They are then expected to take calls for government agencies, such as licence renewal inquiries normally handled by the Roads and Traffic Authority.

The initiative has generated a fierce union response, warning the local industry would be damaged if cheap inmate labour was widely used

Waiting...waiting...waiting...

2005-05-04T23:01:00.000+10:00

I'm waiting for Mal to call me after the end of his meeting tonight - he's probably out with his buddies having coffee somewhere.

So while I'm waiting I thought I would update you on how things have been this week...

Extremely busy - I know when the staff need me to speak with a difficult client they go in this childlike voice "Jeannie..." I go YES????? can you speak to this lady - she's not happy and she wants to speak to my supervisor....

I put my adult voice on because sometimes when people ring me at home they ask to speak to my mum - what the!!!! I am the mum, anyhoo...... I got abused left right and centre by this neurotic woman who was podantic with every aspect of her mortgage - okay so one of the staff members made a mistake and I apologised profusely and fixed up her loan, but there is no need to carryon like a lunatic...after the phone call I put up a sign that says "don't bother me I'm cranky". When I wasn't looking someone took the sign down and hung it gently on my back - larf larf.....NOT!

I'm still waiting..........

On a positive note though my Manager came back on Tuesday - and said she would like to take me out to lunch and say thank you for covering her role while she was away - I was pretty shocked as I don't think she's ever said thank you for anything. It was a lovely lunch especially since I didn't have to pay (oops those Scot genes are getting out of control again).

Have you ever tried to push a wheelie bin across the yard after it has been raining for 10 days straight - in high heels and a long skirt????? (when are you coming home Mal) needless to say I didn't have time to clear the mud off because as usual I was running late....

Still waiting......

It has gotten cold here - after 9 mths of beautiful warm weather you can start to fill the chill in the air and if you don't wear a warm jacket in the office you will freeze to death because "they" don't know how to turn the airconditioning down.

So this morning I get one of my suits out that I haven't worn since last winter and notice the hem has gone on both legs at the bottom - I thought if I iron the seams in really hard that will keep them up - it appeared to work until I got out of the car and walked across the carpark - I saw these straggley cuffs hanging down - what the!!!!! so I get into work and ask if anyone has a needle and thread (as if) so one of the girls says staple them - so I stapled them and
wa-la it stayed up - no need to sew them up now... (ohhh please mum don't read this....)

waiting patiently.....

The day proceeded to go from bad to worse. I found out that the
G-Train has been suspended for 1 match - not for striking but the "intent" to strike - hello - give me a break. However, without him I know we can still win...I will pray anyway "support ye the saints"

Well looks like I'll call it a nite - can't keep my eyes open any longer......"ring ring" its the phone!!

I'm outta here

I MISS.........

2005-05-04T21:59:00.000+10:00

He has been gone four whole days now and it has been extremely quiet without him....only 3 more days to go and he will be home....

I miss the sound of the front door opening while I'm cooking dinner only to hear the girls go "daddys home" and run madly to meet him at the door....

I miss his endless phone calls to me at work during the day.....

I miss him falling asleep on the carpet in front of the tv.....

I miss our conversations in the morning before the girls get up - catching up from the previous day....

I miss him saying "do you want me to go get you some chocolate"....

I miss him going on about endless facts and boring stories about sport.....

I miss our prayer time together......

I miss him taking the trash out, hanging out the washing and unpacking the dishwasher - oh and killing the spiders....

I miss him filling up my car with petrol....

I miss him telling me to drive carefully and not get involved in any more road rage incidents....

I miss his hugs and kissess (all 600thousand of them)....

I miss his companionship.....

Cry Baby Cry

2005-05-01T15:03:00.000+10:00

It has been a while since I've cried......I don't like to be sad and I love to larf....but today I have felt like crying.....

This morning Mal drove off to Sydney this morning to attend the World AOG Church Pastors conference - he will be meeting up with his mates and all his Bible College pals....he will be gone for 7 days and he left before church and the girls and I were quite sad.

Before he left for the 10 hour drive ahead, we prayed for him and did a group hug (mind you I was still trying to wake up) CB did make me larf though because we were going through his checklist to make sure he remembered everything and she goes "did you remember your underwear - it would be terrible if you forgot those" and we all burst into fits of giggles -what a cutie....

But me wanting to cry is more than than him leaving us for a couple of days. I lead worship at church this morning and just felt the tangible presence of Christ with us - it was beautiful.

The sermon was about being humble - and oh how I felt humbled. It was around the scripture which talks about "whoever humbles himself like this child, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven". I have heard many sermons on "being humbled" you have to be the least to be the greatest but none have impacted me like this morning.

Maybe because I feel God is stirring something within me and I'm reminded of the scripture in

Phill 2:3-5 "Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as beter than yourself. Don't just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too and in what they are doing. Your attitude should be the kind that was shown us by Jesus Christ" (The Living Bible)

We have been on the Coast here for nearly 4 years and in that time - I have gone from full time ministry to working full time in the workforce - what is God speaking to me?? What are the gentle tugs on my heart - why do I feel like crying????

Just needed to get that out of my head....

2005-04-30T22:45:00.000+10:00

A typical Queensland Home - this was an empty block of land when I moved to the area. In my morning walks I saw every stage of the house being built from the foundations to the final landscaping.

2005-04-30T22:21:00.000+10:00

Burgandy Iceberg - I'm not much of a gardener - as you can see the leaves have a slight yellow look to them and the grass beneath doesn't look too healthy - but after the much needed rain came - it saved my beautiful rose

I Lurrrvvve Chocolate

2005-04-28T22:53:00.000+10:00

Chocolate Makes Me Happy...it only comes out late at night when little critters are in bed so tight.

As I reflect on my day I take a piece that is filled with pineapple - yummo and let it melt in my mouth. Today I felt overwhelmed by my workload - I have had to step into my Managers role while she has been away and I've been able to stay reasonably calm and relaxed.

I take a piece that is filled with caramel and bite into it straight away - mmmm mmm mmm. The staff feel that this is time to air their complaints about her, their frustrations and disappointments. I kept thinking about "Shout For Joy" that I read this morning in my Bible.

This time I munch around the chocolate to find a strawberry centre - delic!!! and told the staff that it is not an easy job being a manager and imagine the pressure she must feel to reach targets, organise staff, deal with time frames and deadlines and communicate openly and constantly about business needs and have to attend mindless meeting after meeting....

This time I look at the pattern of the chocolate and look at the back of the paper to see what its filling is - that was lucky "its Turkish Delight" - this was put aside for hubby and I was able to find another caramel one.....

The staff were not going to get a reaction out of me and I was not going to be negative about her in front of them....sometimes it is wise to guard our tongues - especially as women....

On a positive note I went to the gym twice last week and have been twice this week - I'm still deliberating wether I should go tomorrow - being Friday....mmmm what to do????

I love plain chocolate as well - nothing better than putting it in your mouth and letting it melt till there is nothing left. Nothing beats Cadbury though and Lindt comes a close second.

Chocolate is best eaten when you don't have to share it with anyone - if you've ever seen the Cherry Ripe add on tv with the girl stealing her partner's cherry ripe - thats me. My girls are very protective when they have been given some - they guard it with their lives.

I was taught this bad habit while growing up by my dad who would watch us eating something yummy and say "look over there" I would look over "there" and before you know it my chocolate biscuit had been consumed by a Scottish Git. Somehow that trait has been passed onto me, but my girls are somewhat wiser than I was - they have been told by their dad to keep it in tight reign...

When I was in hospital before giving birth to JJ - (in and out like a yo yo with endless complications) my dad would sneak me in a crunchie bar and coke. We had to hide these from the doctors and nurses. After I had JJ I had an addiction for Crunchie's. It got so bad I had to hide it from Mal - I couldn't get by a day without having a Crunchie. Through Mal's prayers I was delivered from Crunchies and he allows me now and then to purchase one....

I lurrrrvve Chocolate....

SHOUT WITH JOY

2005-04-28T07:05:00.000+10:00

After months of no rain - the last couple of days the Gold Coast has been been drenched.

This morning I woke up to the rain falling on our roof - I love that sound. As I do every morning when I get up I look out the window to see what the sky looks like. The rain was falling softly and specks of sunglight was shining through the clouds and hints of blue were being revealed.

What a morning to be alive - this morning in my daily devotions I read from Psalm 100: 1-5

"SHOUT WITH JOY before the Lord, O Earth!

Obey him gladly; come before him, singing with joy.

Try to realise what this means - the Lord is God! He made us - we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Go through his open gates with great thanksgiving; enter his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.

For the Lord is always good. He is always loving and kind, and his faithfulness goes on and on to each succeeding generation."

Amen to that - I'm running late this morning - should be leaving for work in 15mins. Its another day and another dollar but this morning I SHOUT WITH JOY at the goodness of God and pray for another opportunity to share this with people in my community...

I heard a story yesterday of a Priest talking to children about Christ being the Shepherd and the Sheep being God's people. A child asked "well who are you" the Priest took it to the congregation as well as to the children to work out who he could be. In the corner a young girl aged 8 - said "you are the sheep dog" and the congregation laughed till the tears ran down their faces and the children glowed in the knowledge that their Priest was the Sheep Dog.....

Have a great day everyone and may the Lord be with you today.....

2005-04-28T06:59:00.000+10:00

The AFTER photo - oh what a mess. The only thing that was missing was Miss Concept - we missed you fellow scrapper....

2005-04-28T06:57:00.000+10:00

Having fun. The girls did pages with photos of themselves and each other, mum did pictures of the land their house was built on and mine was a feature of CB's Jazz Concert and Test. The girls have so much fun doing this...as did me and mum...

2005-04-28T06:51:00.000+10:00

After our trip to the Park - we went to have lunch at Mum and Dads - where dad cooked a BBQ - yummy. After lunch the girls began their Scrapbooking session - this is a Before Photo...

2005-04-28T06:48:00.000+10:00

Whenever we take the girls out we go and collect Rocky - mum and dads Toy Poodle for an outing. He had an absolute ball. We went for a walk around the lake and just before we finished he lay down on the grass and refused to move...

2005-04-28T06:43:00.000+10:00

On our day off on Monday - we went to the Park - it has finally opened and the girls were extremely excited.

ANZAC Day

2005-04-25T20:59:00.000+10:00

On 25 April every year Australians commemorate Anzac Day. It is Australia's sacred day. The day has the same significance in New Zealand, Australia's counterpart in the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (the ANZACs) at Gallipoli.

What is it Australians commemorate on Anzac Day?

Australia and New Zealand at war

On 25 April 1915 Australia and New Zealand were at war. Along with the Allies (the major Allied Powers were the British Empire [Britain and her colonies and dominions], France and the Russian Empire), the ANZACs were fighting against the Central Powers (Germany, Turkey [then known as the Ottoman Empire], and Austria-Hungary).

In response to a request for help from Russia, which was being battered by the Turks in the Caucasus, the Allies decided to begin a campaign which they hoped would distract Turkey from their attack on Russia.

The plan was for the Allies to attack and take the Gallipoli Peninsula, on Turkey's Aegean coast, from which point the Allies believed they could take control of the Dardanelles - a 67 kilometre (42 mile) strait which connects the Aegean Sea with the Sea of Marmara - and lay siege to Turkey's main city, Istanbul (then Constantinople)....continue reading

Lest We Forget

2005-04-25T20:54:00.000+10:00

For the Fallen

They shall grow not old

As we that are left grow old

Age shall not weary them

Nor the years condemn

At the going down of the sun

And in the morning

We will remember them

by Laurence Binyon

LEST WE FORGET

2005-04-25T09:23:00.000+10:00

An Army Bugler plays the Last Post

2005-04-25T09:12:00.000+10:00

THREES A CROWD - JJ's school friend is constantly in our home. With this dynamic it has caused a tension between the two sisters. After sorting through some issues, and many chats later the girls are able to hang out together and have fun with not too much friction.