Summer sunset

Tonight, a beautiful sunset filtered pink, orange and red rays through the house....very surreal.

It signals the end of a really fun weekend and the start of a busy busy week, including a challenging day at work tomorrow.  Only four hours to survive then I can focus on Christmas with my family.

Am looking forward to clearing my mind.  The last six months of returning to work after maternity leave have been tough, though I've been keeping positive. It's difficult when my priorities have changed.

I love my husband and little boy so much and can't bear to be affected by work when I arrive home. It's a battle that I sometimes feel I'm losing.

You know that Sunday night feeling you used to have before going to school on Monday?  For some reason I have that now.  It hasn't happened for a very long time.

Better times ahead in 2014. 

My boy is growing up.

My boy is growing up and I consciously have to think about what he now can do.  It never occurred to me that he could sit in a chair without falling off.  I've been sticking him in the high chair or on my lap whenever he eats.

It also didn't occur to me that he could open a pack of sultanas on his own and eat them one by one. I've been hovering around him like a new mum handing him a little sultanas when the previous was chewed & swallowed....

So I tried him on a chair and handed him a pack of sultanas.....and tadahhhhh! It was just like he'd been doing it all his life!

He must think I'm stupid.  He may think I think HE'S stupid. Maybe it's because he can't yet walk or talk I'm treating him like a 4 month old.....or maybe I just need to let go and allow him to grow up.

I have to get my mind around the fact that he's growing & learning everyday, especially at childcare where he gets to check out all the other kids and their activities.

Exciting times but I have a twinge of sadness that his days of needing to be looked after like a baby are further dwindling away.

A house that we designed....I can't begin to imagine.

Image from The Australian House & Garden

Here's a picture of a random front door, a great place to start, a great looking entrance. Could it be possible? Could I be lucky enough to have a house designed by T and myself? I've never built a house, my family never a built or renovated a house.  We just bought a new one...already complete...to suit the needs at that time.

I can't begin to imagine what it will feel like to live in a house that has my stamp on it.  I feel a little grown up just thinking about it.

But where to start......with the front door, I guess.  A front door just like this!

It's sweltering in Victoria

OK, so yesterday we had 41 degrees and it seems I joined everyone else in Geelong by hangin' at the local mall.   But not for Christmas shopping, instead I volunteered a few hours to help wrap shopper's Christmas gifts for a gold coin donation towards Gateways Support Services www.gateways.com.au

Yesterday I was feeling pretty frustrated at work, but I can tell you that after a half hour of wrapping gifts and chatting with friendly shoppers I felt SO much better!

Must be the holidays coming up but EVERYONE wanted to chat and tell me about their Christmas plans, their family and where they were going camping.  This was super as the more they talked the less chance they were noticing how badly I was tying the ribbon or curling it with scissors.

I think I must be obsessed with my son as I told a fair few strangers about my 16 month old....but they seemed to be happy to listen to me as well.

Today, it's slightly cooler but the breeze is making outside just pleasant.  Little P and I had a breakfast tea party on the grass in our pyjamas (more water on us than we drank). Then a neighbour dropped over and I had to run at lightening speed through the house to get out of my pyjamas while they wondered what was going on.

Plus the goldfish have returned from the depths of the water pond just in time for little P to almost snatch one in his grubby hands.  (Must put a gauze cover over this weekend!)

Christmas & holidays are finally here - only one more half day of work - though have been talking with interstate clients this morning while shovelling Weet-bix into Piet's mouth so he didn't yell during the conversation.

Tomorrow, T and I are going to a special place as the first step of what may be a new idea in the making....can't say too much - but, boy, do a I need a change!

Five fish

Santa came early, with some goldfish for Piet. 

I slipped them into the water lily pond and haven't seen them since!

A turtle dove in our plum tree

 

I found the first day of Christmas! In our own plum tree!

Christmas spirit...where art though...?

I'm trying my best to feel Christmassy - the weather isn't helping right now.  Windy, cool, overcast days don't add up to the Festive Season for me. I'm a little worried Christmas will come and go without any real feeling to it - that would be a shame for Piet.

Last night we put tinsel in his room and tried to get the Christmas tree up (work in progress). My iTunes Christmas music library only has Rod Stewart singin' Chrissy tunes, so I clicked the Play button - it didn't work, T turned on the cricket and poor Rod (and attempted Christmas atmosphere) was drowned out. Note to self: must keep trying to feel the Christmas spirit.

Little P spots his Dad walking down the hill....

Yesterday, to fill in another gloomy day, little P & I headed to Deakin University for a Student Admin errand, where I saved myself $4,000 (in reality I put it off for another date) and to feed the ducks. Lucky for us this is where T works so we three had a weekday lunch together (of gold, frankincense and myrrh, just jokes :-) ).  Piet ate the bread meant for the ducks but I salvaged a few pieces and watched our feathered friends fight over it.

Struggling to get my essay done and was awake for two hours during the night worrying about not having enough time to study - which defeats the purpose, really.  If I'd stopped worrying so I could sleep then I may have been able to wake up two hours earlier this morning to write....

Another gloomy day, T has gone sailing and think I'll take Piet to the plant nursery. This morning I caught Piet eating Dizzy's dog biscuits so he's had his excitement for the day!

Christmas shopping...sooo tiring

On a grey, rainy and windy day Christmas shopping has begun.  I love shopping for other people and only wish I had more money to buy everyone the most beautiful gifts.  However, austerity is in place....or so my husband continues to tell me.

This Christmas bear decided to rest smack-bang in the middle of our shopping mall.  He was so sweet, his chest rose up and down with every breath; he was almost real!

Summer nights

Ahhhh the warmth of Summer nights make me feel so light and happy, the days are long and I feel I have all the time in the world.

These poppy flower pods have opened so I need to save the seeds for next season.  My poppies are bright pink so will share my seeds with T's Mum who has a dark purple flower and her sister who has the white single petal.  This is what real gardening is about - sharing seeds and pieces of plants so that your flowers & plants have a special meaning as you walk through the garden admiring the seasonal changes.

T and I are still learning how to look after some of the things that came with the farm - such as the fruit and nut trees.  Netting them has become easier each year and tonight we covered the almond trees before dinner. The first year it took an entire weekend!....with lots of laughing at first, but then the laughter disappeared, naturally, when two people have different ideas on directions but just the one net.

Summer and December arrive at the same time

Finally the warmth has arrived to warm our bodies....

Do I dare unpack my Summer wardrobe? I can only feel Christmassy when the weather is warm so little P and I headed for the beach this morning.

Yes I feel a little Christmassy now, but am still waiting to be convinced.

I think this mother duck is convinced. Off for some Christmas Shopping!

Sailing season

started a few weeks back and now P is a little older it's easier to spend more time at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club so we can see T.  P even has a little friend at the Club who's father also owns his own yacht so spends every weekend sailing. Lucky for us all the Club has great food, excellent coffee and lots of room for the kids to crawl around!

Who knows, in a few years, these two bubs may even learn how to sail a little boat together.

I really really miss my sailing, even more so all my sailing pals back in Sydney.  Sailing on Sydney Harbour can not be matched anywhere in the world.  I hope Little P will take an interest because it's a great sport for so many reasons, no matter your age, height, weight, ability.

Ahhhh.....they were such fun times.

Maybe again, one day.

New favourite place

Who would have thought a 15-month-old could be so excited about the local hardware store?  The minute we walked in little P started squealing and I had no idea why.

How can someone so little scan a huge store in a tenth of a second to spot the one and only dog in the whole place?  Ok, it's a pretty big dog, but still...

Birthday gift

Friday at last and another day at home for little P and I. The rain has finally stopped but the temperature remains the same - 16 degrees.  Now that the soil is a little softer I'll be able to dig some holes for  the lime trees I purchased some time ago.  I'm so behind with the day to day of keeping house but the most I can stand right now is to push a few buttons on the dishwasher and washing machine.

Today P and I plan a trip to the library and garden store ..... while he's sleeping I'll cook his favourite meal - tomato noodle soup.

The crazy week is finally behind us however now that my Study Group has begun I have to offer up a draft of 'something' by next Wednesday.

The week at work had a highlight yesterday when I wore the dress T and P bought for my birthday....hahaha.  This is it pictured, I love it and it felt wonderful to wear to work on a day with many meetings.  The Country Road birthday gift arrived just in time as my favourite dress - a 5 year old Max Mara - has worn out in several places. It might even make a guest appearance out at dinner tonight!

Birthday wishes

We are now experiencing the coldest Spring in 40 years....but all the more reason to rug up on the sofa together to celebrate my birthday last night. A last minute 'call in sick' from our babysitter and my birthday dinner was postponed til Friday.

But you know, last night's dinner of eggs and canned spaghetti on toast was just perfect. And why? Because my husband cooked!  Nothing warms my heart more than having someone cook you a meal...with pancakes for dessert. Now that's what I call a birthday dinner.

Before the sun went down yesterday we out on our gum boots and trudged around the soaked paddocks while the rain drizzled down.  It feels like the middle of Winter nearly two weeks out from Summer.

Wednesday means a day at home today. Cold and raining again so I have my hands around a big cup of hot chocolate while working on my essay until little P wakes up.  Everything outside is wet and dreary, though the sweet peas are cheering me a little - and my stunning pink birthday roses light up the white kitchen table.

A day to re-gain my energy and to re-focus before an exceptionally crazy day back at work tomorrow PLUS a day for cuddles with my little boy.

Remembrance day

 Cold and windy again today but inside the cafe at work this morning everyone stopped, stood still at 11am for Remembrance Day, was nice to be a part of this. It also helped me survive the Monday of a busy week.

The cool weather is not stopping little P from experiencing farm life:

and tonight T finally put Piet's yacht in the pool, such a big smile on their faces...must be father/son bonding?? One day he can have a yacht the same size as his Dad's but for know this one will do.  The yacht was the first birthday present he received - the night of the day he was born nearly 15 months ago.  The nurses thought it funny to have a yacht sitting on the windowsill of the hospital suite.

Uni started today so I have the heater on and ready to curl up on the couch to complete some readings. Tony at the yacht club, P in bed and Dizzy at my feet - love such a quiet peaceful night at home for a change.

Little beach holiday....in front of a big fire

Little P and I picked Tony up from work and we headed to Lorne to stay with his parents. Lorne is about 40 minutes south-west of Geelong on the Great Ocean Road of Victoria. Usually in November the night would be lovely enough to eat outside, ridiculously for this time in November we had the fire going and stayed inside out of the rain and wind.

Was very lovely though, I hadn't realised my birthday was coming up so quickly and part of why we were there was to celebrate (apart from Piet's grandparents wanting to give him lots of hugs and kisses xo).

Cockatoos made an appearance on the balcony - I just love when P sees something for the first time in his life.  Imagine what he's thinking of these noisy, pushy birds with yellow bits on their head!!?? They woke me up at 5am yesterday screeching and flying high over all the houses.

The weather today is still not great for us but perfect for Tony who's out sailing in the two-handed race (4 hands really, two crew).  Little P and I will go for a swim this afternoon and then try to choose a birthday present at a store where I'd like to take home everything I can get my hands on, aka Country Road. T's parents also gave me some funds to spend on myself plus water lilies for a water feature (that T may put together??) and Lizzie made just the perfect Wellington boot stand for the three of us.  Little P may receive some little boots form Santa? He has to learn to walk first..haha

This week will be busy at work PLUS a silly snap decision one month ago to try and finish my MBA means the Study Season starts tomorrow and this Thursday night I meet with my study group to begin an essay due in February....and you can put your money on it...our home printer died last night in the middle of printing out 36 pages of Tony's sailing instructions.

More importantly, the second season of Borgen starts on Wednesday night.  You must watch it...fantastic! 9.30pm on SBS.

Now it's shopping time!

A little piece on haircuts (Piet's, not mine)

Piet's hair was in his eyes, so I grabbed a pair of scissors and took a little snip, and then another. Trying to salvage his fringe I made such a mess of it and have vowed never to touch it again. 

He looks like a Benedictine monk!

Despite this we've been out in public together (as per above photo) and am politely listening to strangers comments/suggestions on how to fix his hair.

Have you ever tried to cut someone's hair? It's seriously only for experts...

Spring farm images

Looking back on pictures I took two weeks ago when the sun spent an entire day in front of the clouds

...onions, oregano, leeks, broad beans, chives, artichokes, spinach, chard, garlic, almonds, poppies, snow peas, lavender...

The grass is just too long, the ride-on lawn mower has decided to take early retirement - bad timing with Summer and long grass a bad combination for the upcoming fire season.

And these guys, well, they are absolutely the laziest sheep ev-er! 

Are they having story time over in their nice little corner! 

Hey guys, thought about munching a few blades of grass at some stage??

Public holiday

But just another rainy and windy day here.  The rain has been coming in sideways! Sitting looking out the window waiting for a lull in the rain...once it appeared I grabbed Dizzy and we headed off to see the vege garden and the results of two full days of rain.

My bounty above.....these are on a platter...that's how big the poppy is - as big as my hand.

The rain doesn't seem so bad now, I have the gorgeous poppy as company just next to me while I write.  The broad beans will fill our tummys for dinner tonight.

Saturday shines sunny

Let me take a breath...ahhhhhhhh.......to unwind from the week.

We fought another tough battle against the germs and won.  Childcare, you have so many positives...and then you let us down.

But! Here we are Saturday morning and you rise and shine sunny and warm. Thankyou! Breakfast outside, despite a runny nose and the husky squeaky voice, little P is finally eating again AND sleeping through.

T and I took turns, this week, staying home to care for him.  How things have changed.  Ten, twenty years ago, would a man's workplace have allowed him to take carer's leave for the day giving his wife the chance to keep her job up-to-date? Probably not.  We've been watching the first series of Mad Men - set in the 60's - and gosh things were so sexist, I don't think I would have handled it too well.

This weekend will be fun and sun.  A friend from Melbourne is coming to stay the night;  I've planned a super dinner and said friend has promised to reciprocate by helping me in the vege garden tomorrow morning, following by moving sheep ready for shearing (neglected to tell her that last part).  To celebrate achieving these tasks we'll sneak out to a local winery for lunch.

Oh, by the way, while Piet was sick I still managed to complete my surprise...

SURPRISE!...(previously non-descript-coloured letter-box is now red)

Friday on my mind......

I've been looking forward to this Friday since, ahhh, I had Wednesday off work. There's a 'task' I'd like to do around the house and since I've made up my mind I just can't wait.  Today has arrived with sun! Bonus! But started a little earlier than expected.

Daylight savings has thrown little P's timing out; bed wasn't until after 8 last night so was sure he'd sleep in this morning, stupidly I stayed up reading til almost 11pm.  But, alas, I heard his yelling out about 6.45am.

So, here is the start to our daily breakfast when Child Care is not on the agenda.  One Weet-Bix each, plus water for P and a tea for me.

Little P also has a bowl of fruit and a piece of toast with either Vegemite or Peanut Butter.  Actually most of the toast ends up on the ground but he seems to have licked off the butter and toppings.  (Dizzy eats the scraps).

I was hoping for a sunny day today - to help me with the 'task' I plan to work on, however need to get P and I ready to go to the hardware store this morning.

Will keep you updated!

Oh boy...this kid!

This kid is just making my heart melt each and every time I look at him! I can't help staring and won't let him out of my sight - which means I'm NOT really getting much done on my days off. (He's sleeping at the moment)

Is this normal? I have no idea.  Actually, even though T, little P and I have been passing around a cold for the last 8 months, life is still pretty swell right now.

What things do I like the best, I hear you ask?

* Well for starters, each night I cook dinner while T gives Piet a bath - the sounds of laughter from both of them plus the splashing of water makes me feel smile from the inside out.

* I seem to have misplaced my 'procastination'...did I leave it in the hospital birthing suite? Because since I've had Piet, time has been limited, but I'm getting a helluva lot more done than I ever did.  The minute I arrive at work, I get stuck into the hardest task first and always leave the office having finished what I needed to.  Employee of the year, I say!

* Seeing Piet grow up right in front of my eyes is also pretty spectacular.  He plays with trucks now!! And dinosaurs!!...just what I'd always dreamed of (or maybe I'd dreamt of a little girl who played with trucks and dinosaurs..) but anyway..

* Dizzy slowly starting to accept that Piet is here to stay also puts my mind at ease.  Piet receives either a quick lick on the face or a nose nudge on the top of his head from Dizzy each morning, just a small acknowledgement that Dizzy's aware Piet is a person - and a potential ball thrower, dinner giver, walk taker(er).

* The work/life balance is slowly getting easier. The first few weeks I had Tony, Piet, Dizzy and myself planned minute by minute - no fun for anyone.  I've relaxed, lessened my stranglehold on what MUST happen and now go with the flow.  So what! if yesterday I arrived at Piet's childcare without his 'change of clothes' bag - at least I had his bottle of milk and home-made yoghurt.

* Having a healthy child is something for which we're so lucky.  Childcare sent out notices this week about the increase of kids allergic to eggs & nuts attending the centre. Therefore, no cake or nuts to enter - and all food to be checked at the door.  Ice-cream cake for all, I say!

* We're on the verge of starting to renovate our house...oh Lord...it's been awhile coming and the day its starts I'm going to sing the Hallelujah chorus from the roof when Tony's beloved shed is the first thing to be knocked down.

* This blog - has been behind for so long - but I made it a priority to get back up to speed now that little P is less attached to me by the hip.  Feels great to get some words out in the open (hint hint to my sister) and one day people may even read it :-)

* The warm weather is here - and we all made it through another Winter in an extremely cold house where you even put off going to the toilet to lessen the chance of frostbite.  The insects!? Well, I can give them a miss, but I guess they're just part of it.  Note: Piet's ear sticking out after being bitten by a mosquito - his entire ear almost doubled in size.

Ahhhh...Piet's awake..

Now, back to reality - today there's washing, vacuuming and a visit to the vet. But! Tonight! The babysitter arrives! And my husband and I go out for a romantic 3rd wedding anniversary dinner - just two weeks late - but still will be fun!

Sim x

Reflection

Ahhhh....it's Sunday night - after a horrendous week - and finally I can sit down to reflect. While all the events were unfolding one after the after I had a strange feeling that this was a learning experience.

On Wednesday we had crazy winds that brought the garage shed down; while cleaning the debris Piet was playing in an ants nest, (I didn't realise at the time) and was bitten all over his face and neck... the next morning he woke up with one eye almost closed and a swollen cheek - and i knew the day was going to be a little out of the ordinary.

So at 8am I called to make a doctors appointment - at 8.30am Dizzy decided to jump the damaged shed fence and wedged herself in the metal, howling.  So bleeding from head to paw I peeled her down and called the vet.

Half in pyjamas we arrived at the vet 20 minutes later; my hands covered in blood, Dizzy trailing blood behind her and Piet sporting two purple closed-up eyes.  What a sight we must have been!

Dizzy spent the night at the animal hospital,  Piet saw his own doctor and his grandparents came over so T and I managed to make it into Melbourne for the Carji Greeves Best & Fairest at the Crown Hotel.  We had a great night - however the make-up artist who did my make-up used something I reacted too - the next morning I woke up with a closed eye myself.

We stayed at the Crown Metrolple http://www.crownhotels.com.au/hotels/metropol-en.html that night (will do another post later in the week) and had a superb sleep in - the first in over a year!!! Oh how I miss them...!

This afternoon we took Piet to the pool - a beautiful way to end the weekend.  The minute he sees the water he just wants to be in it, so cute.

A roast chicken and paella for dinner, a chat to my sister on the phone, a few pieces of chocolate and I'm ready to put the week behind me and get stuck into an intense week at work and enjoying life with my two boys and 'stitched-up' puppy.