The Picture Tells The Story

If you're a long-term reader (and therefore a cultural and intellectual giant... oh hang on...), you'll know that my computer was on the verge of collapse. Every time I switched it on it would look at me, go with me on this, and say, "I just want to die in peace... stop tapping me. Ouch."

Unsurprisingly, the 3 month boat trip to Australia finished it off. Farewell, prehistoric desktop computer circa 2002. You were certainly useful. And slightly too big.

I'm very pleased to say I backed everything up - which is so not like me - so hoorah!

Anyway now we have a new computer and I'm starting over. I'm actually going to have files and folders with names that mean something, instead of "Misc, Flowers, Singapore 2004" and "Generally Oldish Things."  It's amazing how much more organised I feel just by having it in my house.**  All my photos will be categorised and documents filed. See? I sound organised already. Actually I was just going through some photos, grouping them into folders actually, when I found this:

 

It took me a while to remember taking this.  You'll never guess what this is.  Ready?

This, my cyber-web-savvy-friends, is my bag of essentials I had packed during the bushfires in January.  Yup.  Should we have to suddenly evacuate to a safe area, this trusty hessian bag and its contents are what I had deemed The Most Important Belongings Of Them All.  All that stuff I was saying about me being organised? Scrap it.

This is what is inside the bag:

1 x stuffed giraffe
2 x teddy bears
1 x Wenlock or Mandeville (UK readers will know what I am talking about)
Sunscreen
Passports
2 x small childrens quilts
Various children's books

I remember putting this together and thinking this was the worse evacuation pack ever.  Where are the essentials?  Where are the things that, should we lose the house, we would cry over?

So I packed my GHD.  In my defence though, I knew this was stupid at the time.

Also I do have to say that when this was happening, most of our possessions were still on the boat coming from the UK.  I wonder what I would have packed otherwise?

Thankfully, there were no fires near us this year.  We only had one day of an extreme alert so we prepared the house, packed a bag, decided on a plan - we live right beside national park and it's the price we pay for doing so.  There hasn't been a major blaze in this area for 70 years - apparently that's a good thing, I'm not sure. Anyway, I'm very grateful we needn't have worried but, as is the case every summer in Australia, I'm acutely aware others did.

So this has me wondering - what are your evacuation essentials?  Please say a hair straightener.  Then I won't feel so stupid.

Wow, I really have digressed haven't I?  Hello blog.  I'm back!

**If you are reading this and you have seen my house recently, I agree.  It does not look like an organised person lives here.  But some literary freedom is allowed here because it's my blog.  X

Tweet

It's February 2013. What the...?!

Hmmm. Call me daft, call me old, call me both daft and old... but how on earth is it February already??  How??

Please excuse my absence.  My computer is broken and I've discovered iPads aren't in love with Blogger.  Speaking of broken, our things finally arrived from England after three months.   This would be great news except that there was some kind of mishap on the way and nine of our boxes were waterlogged.  Woo!  Oh how we laughed.  So we've had the usual just-moved-house sea of boxes all over the place, with the added joy of mouldy, smelly items and insurance assessors called Tony.

Did I mention the computer is broken?

Anyway, somewhere during all this I saw an ad for a job I really, really wanted.  I didn't completely stuff up the interviews (**pats self on back... wonders when did back become so flabby**) and now I'm back at work.  I treasure my time as a stay-at-home mother and I think knowing it was always temporary made it more special.  I won't say getting back into work is easy after a few years at home, in fact I could write a lot more on it.  But I love the job and I think in the long term it's a good thing for our family.  It's a good feeling.

We're loving being back in Australia.   Our son now says "bucket / pocket / cricket" like an Aussie and it makes me chuckle.  And yesterday when it was going to be 22 degrees I grabbed our jumpers thinking 22 degrees is a cold day.  Ha!  It's like we were never away.

Oh, and a friend has lent me The Tudors on DVD.  Where have I been???  I had no idea Henry VIII was such a hottie,  and didn't they all have remarkably good teeth? If you haven't seen it, basically they just bitch about the Pope and shag each other, with each sexual encounter commencing with the man slowly running his hand up the woman's thigh.

Anyway, that's me right now.  When I get a new computer I'll be sure to write some more.

By the way, how are you?

Shallow Resolutions

So, it turns out "have tidy shelves" is not an acceptable New Years resolution. Not according to my husband, anyway.

Oh Sydney, I love you but you're a bit of a tart.

Nor is, what I thought was a goody, "mop the floor from time to time."

I toyed with "get the dining table fixed after 11 years" - in fact I even got a quote.  For $6,000.... no, not a typo... I would want a lot more to show for it than one pissy wooden table. I would want at least twenty pissy wooden tables, thank you very much.

So our "colonial Australian" cedar table will keep its massive crevice through the middle.  It sure is a hoot when dinner guests lose their meals to it.  Many a wine glass has been smashed owing to this wonky table, and if I was feeling optimistic I'd say it's part if its charm. Instead I'll just say that it's broken.

I do quite like "get rid of the festy 90s feature wall which I had absolutely nothing to do with." Basically, some genius built a chipboard wall in our lounge room and then painted it "red wine."  It was perfectly fine for them, they sold the house to us so we are the suckers living with this massive blood clot in our home.

I am desperate to get rid of it but its power points keep me from taking to it with a hammer. Electrocution with some amateur demolition, anyone? One day I will get a cabinet maker in to build a decent room divider, but that is dependant on a lottery win, easy!  Until then it's Old Chipboard.

Anyway I have finally decided enough is enough, and I started painting it last night.  Our new colour? Pavlova.  It was a toss-up between that, Damascus Cream, White Cliffs, Peaceful Bay or Smoked Oyster.  If I had to choose a paint name for myself, for no particular reason, I'd go with Hello Sailor.

But back to resolutions.  How NOT rock'n'roll am I?  Even when I try to come up with a more impressive resolution, one that doesn't read like a to-to list, I falter.  Store wine correctly?  Keep shoes in those clear boxes so I can see them easily?  Not shout so much?  Iron?   Own more than one belt?  Start drinking beer from a glass not a bottle?  Stop nagging my husband (although I call it "reminding")?  Join a book club?  Be able to jog more than 4km in Sydney (so sweaty!  Such thirsty work!  There is no hiding the wobble in these little summer clothes!)?  Install a bird bath in the garden in a bid to teach the children about our native fauna? Use words like "fauna?"

Shop for seasonal produce with a wicker basket?  Learn how to fill my tyres with air instead of just kicking them with my hands in my pockets?  Make jams and preserves?  Stop at just one chocolate?  Or two?  OK, three.  Top up my superannuation?  (Ha!  Haha haaaaaa!!!)  Wear one of those wrap-around aprons while baking, so I look like the main character in Bridesmaids?  Blog more?

I know, I know, not very deep or life changing are they.

I think I'll go for "be more patient".  I have felt every last inch of patience desert me over the last couple of months.  I want it back.

And there is nothing to test my patience like the two more coats of pavlova paint I need to do to this bloody wall.

Happy new year to each and every one of you!  If you loved 2012 I hope 2013 is even better.  If you'd rather forget last year, fingers crossed this is the year for you - enjoy!

Thank you for checking in and I hope you stay with me this year.

Tweet

Marriage Advice

Today is our seventh wedding anniversary. We don't usually go crazy for anniversaries but today we went all out. We did lunch.  Fancy lunch.  I nicked a photo of the cafe from their website so I can show you - it's a shame you can't see the view.  Or the perfectly manicured women... seriously, I have never seen so many designer sunglasses perched on such glossy hair.

www.burntorange.com.au
I'd include a wedding photo but they are on my PC which is on a big ship somewhere.

Today has got me thinking about marriage.  What makes a good one?  I know taking marriage advice from someone with just seven years under their belt is wrong.  Like when people pronounce the "h" in "white" because they think it's posh - wrong.  But it's something I am interested in, plus it's my blog.  So here we go.  It's not an exhaustive list, by the way.  I'm hoping you can add to it.

Rule number 1 for a happy marriage
Don't marry a dickhead.  If he gets into fights, deliberately ignores your birthday, kicks puppies, sings "Jelly On A Plate" when you're walking around naked - these are warning signs.

Rule number 2
Don't be a dickhead.  We all have our moments, but recognise when you are being one and take immediate action.  An apology is a good start.

Rule number 3
Buy a boat.  Now I don't own a boat, in fact I don't even like them.  But at my grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary party my grandfather made a speech which included this advice:

I always say the secret to a good marriage is to have a boat.  Then when she is nagging you all day, you can go out on your boat by yourself for some peace.  

Cue awkward glances around the room as guests wondered if he was joking or not.  He wasn't.

I include it here not because I think we should all go out and buy a boat.  But there is something to be said for a bit of "me time."  Not a lot, but a little bit, regularly.

Rule number 4
This one comes from my grandmother (her husband didn't have a boat, but he did have a very impressive shed). She always said never go to bed angry - and I think that's good advice. She also had a theory that you should always sleep together because it's really hard to stay mad at someone you are sharing a doona / duvet with.

Rule number 5
Encourage and support your partners' friendships. Good friends add such richness to your life, but when things are busy most of us need a nudge from time to time. Unless you think they are dickheads (see rule number 1).

Rule number 6
I don't think marriage is meant to be hard. But that doesn't mean everything in life is meant to be easy. Savour that little nugget, for that is about as deep as I get.

Then again, don't take marriage advice from me. My husband just pulled up in the garage and I didn't even realise he'd gone out - and on our anniversary too.

But what I am really interested in are your comments. What advice have you received - and do you agree? What would your number one rule be?

Tweet

A Change of Scenery

Anyone there?

Got sick of checking in and seeing no new posts?  Thought "Oooh doesn't she think she's all fancy, too busy to update her blog?  And sooooo not a natural blonde."?

Well, if anyone is still there, and I've become rather fond of you since I started this site, I'd like to say hello.

From Sydney.  Not London.

We are home.

First sight of Australia in 2.5 years.
I was having a moment when I took this - how beautiful is it??

I do find myself missing the UK, I'm a bit of a sook like that.  But it's just wonderful being home.  I absolutely love living here, there is nothing like being near family and old friends.  Except for being near family and new friends... similar.

The move wasn't all smooth sailing.  Ever been on a long haul flight with two vomiting children?  Not something you care to repeat in a hurry, is it?  Illness aside, the kids have been having a ball.  It's all one big adventure, but they still have some adjusting to do.  Then there have been the small, niggling things like... let me see... forgetting to tell the children what burrs look like.  So they scurry off, sans shoes, then start screaming as they find themselves in a prickle patch.   An excellent bit of parenting on my part.

And - oh my God - the third series of Downton Abbey has not even started yet.  But I will rise to the challenge and roll with the punches.  I will also be regurgitating other annoying cliches as I wake up and smell the coffee.  See what I did there? Boom!

So now I'm not longer "an Australian mother of two living in London."  Soon I won't be a stay-at-home mother... yes, it's time to get back to work.  So there are plenty of changes at the moment.

I have had such fun writing this blog that I will definitely keep it going.  I hope you haven't given up on me and buggered off.

That's all for now, but I'll leave you with a photo from our last few days in London.  I love it, despite just noticing my husband looks a bit evil. In the picture, that is.  Let it be known that my husband does not look evil in general.

Tweet

Bye London. It's Been Fun.

It's 11pm on our last night in the UK. I should be in bed but I'm nervous about the flight, so rather than not sleeping I am writing this. I'm not going to re-read it or try to make it pretty. So just excuse it and if it's terrible, well I'm tired so it's allowed.

Moving is just so emotional. The endless goodbyes, everywhere you go and whatever you do is a "last" and then there are the practical things that need organising. Hardly the stuff of a good belly laugh, is it?

I keep thinking of things I wish I had done. We didn't go to Wimbledon Common for a last hurrah. I know it isn't going anywhere but coming back and visiting when on holiday is not the same thing. I have been saying for years I want to ice-skate outside, well I have had every chance (even walked past an open rink today) and I still haven't done it. But that's me having a whinge - absolutely allowed before a big flight with small children, I say.

But I am proud of us, as a family. Can I say that? I'm proud that we picked up our lives, flew them to the other side of the world, plonked them down and had a ball. We did it. I'm not saying every day was beer and skittles, that's not possible, in fact some days stank. Just as they would have done anywhere. But on the whole, we have had a fantastic time and I am sorry to be leaving. But I'm excited about getting back. 

To anyone living in Southfields can I just say, it is a gem of a place. Please love it and appreciate it as someone who only got to live there for a brief time.

Although I am quite happy to leave our maroon bathroom behind, with it's ridiculous number of plungers beside the loo. Urgh.

But just around the corner we will have "firsts." Our goodbye will be hellos. We are moving back to Sydney, where our children will have grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. I feel so lucky that of all the places in the world, it's Australia I get to go home to.

So goodbye UK. It has been a absolute privilege.

And Australia - here we come!!

Xxx


Tweet

A New Toy in the House

I don't like my childen playing computer games. I have my reasons, all hypocrital as I was once the Donkey Kong Junior master.

But with a flight from London to Sydney imminent, I'm relaxing my stance. OK, I am actively encouraging it.

My son has a Leapster Explorer and he loves it. Now that I'm paying more attention to it, I've got to say I'm impressed.

I'm not the only one who has been paying more attention.  His little sister has too. And the fights have been something else. "My turn!" "My turn!" "My turn!" "My turn!" (Repeat x 1,000.) Pass the ear plugs. And the bottle.  Actually, some Pringles would be good too. 

A few weeks ago, my little girl asked for one for her 4th birthday. It would have been the perfect present - less fights and a great form of entertainment for the flight. But we said no because of the price. 

The very next day I got an email asking if I'd like to review the Leapster GS Explorer by LeapFrog which is described as "the ultimate learning game system." What was that? What great timing? Why yes, clever kitten, it was.

Now, this is an upgrade from the Explorer. Like the Explorer, the children can sign in with their names and we adjust the settings so the learning is age appropriate. It's super sleek, and this is from someone who, until recently, thought an i-pad was an i-pod. It has an in-built camera and video recorder, and the kids love decorating the pictures they have taken and making their own albums.  I predict we'll have a lengthy and very unique series of mementoes of our last few days in London.

But what my kids really, really love about the GS is the motion sensor. So rather than just using the controls to play a game, you also shake the whole thing about. This was quite the discovery in our house. I imagine Mrs Einstein felt much the same as I did.

What do I like about the Leapster GS Explorer?
My kids love it. I asked each of them why, several times in fact, and I haven't got beyond "I just LOVE IT!" and "it's the BEST!" but I'll keep trying.

It's one of those educational toys that's entertaining and fun. There are games to do with problem solving, science, reading, and then there are things on there just for a giggle.  I can even input specific words into spelling games.

I have come around to computer games for my children, in the same way that I am happy for them to watch TV. Both are good in moderation. Have a play on your Leapster GS, then put it down and go kick a ball.

What don't I like about the Leapster GS Explorer? 
The voice it uses. You know how some car GPSs give you the option of choosing the voice / accent you like? I wish this had it.

Also I don't like that it tells the child to ask your parents to download things for it. Kids take that literally and think it has to be done immediately.  So I'll be cleaning the oven (or pretending to clean the oven) and one of the kids will run in, GS aloft, telling me to download more apps now!  NOW! NOW!!!The answer is no!  NO!  NO!!!

Would I buy the Leapster GS Explorer?
At over £60, this is historically more than we would pay for a new toy.   But it is suitable for children aged 4 - 9, giving it a longer shelf life than most toys.

Also, as your child develops new interests, there will most likely be an app or game for it.  For example, my son is really into geography at the moment, so his aunt bought him the Globe Earth Adventures game.  This is right up his street (although I have an issue with the teeny tiny fact that it says "everyone" in Australia lives on the coast.  Ummmmm?).

This new toy has proved to be a real hit.  They still fight though - they might have one Leapster each, but of course they want what the other one has.

What about you?  Do your kids play computer games?

Sponsored post - I received the Leapster GS Explorer in return for an honest review.


Tweet