We're back! But we nearly didn't go.
About 2 weeks before we were meant to fly to Bali, Indonesia, our youngest Miss 4 (aka Poss) became very ill with a raging fever and difficulty breathing. We rushed her to our local hospital and we found out she had the early stages of pneumonia. It was a scary weekend, Hubby was away working and all I could do was give him updates. Thankfully I had the support of my inlaws and a good friend to help with Miss 8.
Of all the weekends for this to happen, this was the one when Miss 8's dancing showcase day was on. Full hair and make up had to be done for competition photos. Midway through the showcase I got the call from the inlaws that the home visit doctor wanted Poss taken to emergency so I left Miss 8 in the capable hands of my friend and met the inlaws and Poss at the hospital.
All went well for Poss, the antibiotics and puffers did their job and she recovered quickly. We kept her off school and away from daycare just in case.
Then 5 days before we were due to fly out, little Poss developed a new cough and couldn't stop. She struggled to breathe again, we could see she was working far too hard to get the air in, so off to emergency again.
This time she had picked up a new chest infection and the doctor admitted her into hospital. It was then that we asked what was the likelihood of us getting on a plane the following Tuesday. The doc didn't like to speculate and we could feel our holiday that we all so desperately needed slipping away.
Our 2 nights in hospital were up and down; Poss refused to take the oxygen mask and nebulisers, she fought so hard it was exhausting for both her and me. She'd no sooner clear some gunk in her chest when it would get lodged somewhere else and her oxygen sats would plummet again.
Finally the new antibiotics and steroids started to work and we saw a huge improvement. She was tired but was breathing so much easier and they let her come home. A final check up from our GP on the day before we were due to fly gave her the all clear and we were on our way!
We loaded up with all her meds we might need if she got into difficulty while we were away and the address of a reputable clinic in Bali but she never needed even a puffer. We were very fortunate that she made a full recovery and has been well ever since.
So that is my tale of woe I guess, over the next few posts I will post about the trip itself.
Until then... x o
Friday, May 10, 2013
Thursday, April 11, 2013
I've always been really bad at coming up with titles for posts and this is no exception... An update of what's going on
So I haven't been here in a while and I felt like I owed those of you who pop up as direct hits on my blog something of an update so here 'tis...
things have not been good here, I had a rant in my last post and in retrospect that was merely the symptom of a bigger issue. it hasn't been fun here in the land of shish.
so what is wrong you may (or may not) be wondering? I think the bottom line is that neither myself nor my darling Hubby are basically happy right now. That sounds awful and it is. Everyone deserves to be happy and it's has me frantically searching for answers.
I'm a "got to have all the answers" kind of person, I need to know the reason why things are the way they are... to everything. It's frustrating for me when I can't find the answers and for those around me who can not give them to me.
In this case, I was blindsided by how these issues which have been brewing for a long time, seemed to sneak up and king hit me from behind. We were both taken unawares I think and both of us came up with different ways to deal with it. I'm not saying that they were initially effective though.
I'm an emotional talker, I need to get all my feelings out there and heard. Hubby not so much and this makes it tricky and has made the situation flare up on more than one occasion.
However. the more we "talk" (and thankfully we are getting better at it) the closer we're getting to how we can get back to being happy.
On one important front we've established that Hubby is suffering to some degree of depression and are seeking help with that. As for me I don't know if I am too or not, I am frightened to allow myself to admit there is that possibility.
All I know is that these past few weeks have awakened insecurities and doubts in me that have not travelled with me for many years. I am trying hard not to give in to them, trying hard to see the big picture and stay positive. It helps that I have to keep on keeping on, life doesn't stop just because I'm having a shit time of it.
We also have a holiday to look forward to, it couldn't come at a better time believe me! 8 nights in tropical Bali (pictures will follow I promise)
And I bought tickets to the Frank Warren Postsecret lecture / show for this month. Something told me at the time that I needed to get tickets and though I can't adequately explain to Hubby what it will be about (I'm not 100% sure myself!) I think we will get a lot out of it.
So that's a bit about what's going on. I will try to pop in and let you know how we're getting on.
Thanks for stopping by x o
things have not been good here, I had a rant in my last post and in retrospect that was merely the symptom of a bigger issue. it hasn't been fun here in the land of shish.
so what is wrong you may (or may not) be wondering? I think the bottom line is that neither myself nor my darling Hubby are basically happy right now. That sounds awful and it is. Everyone deserves to be happy and it's has me frantically searching for answers.
I'm a "got to have all the answers" kind of person, I need to know the reason why things are the way they are... to everything. It's frustrating for me when I can't find the answers and for those around me who can not give them to me.
In this case, I was blindsided by how these issues which have been brewing for a long time, seemed to sneak up and king hit me from behind. We were both taken unawares I think and both of us came up with different ways to deal with it. I'm not saying that they were initially effective though.
I'm an emotional talker, I need to get all my feelings out there and heard. Hubby not so much and this makes it tricky and has made the situation flare up on more than one occasion.
However. the more we "talk" (and thankfully we are getting better at it) the closer we're getting to how we can get back to being happy.
On one important front we've established that Hubby is suffering to some degree of depression and are seeking help with that. As for me I don't know if I am too or not, I am frightened to allow myself to admit there is that possibility.
All I know is that these past few weeks have awakened insecurities and doubts in me that have not travelled with me for many years. I am trying hard not to give in to them, trying hard to see the big picture and stay positive. It helps that I have to keep on keeping on, life doesn't stop just because I'm having a shit time of it.
We also have a holiday to look forward to, it couldn't come at a better time believe me! 8 nights in tropical Bali (pictures will follow I promise)
And I bought tickets to the Frank Warren Postsecret lecture / show for this month. Something told me at the time that I needed to get tickets and though I can't adequately explain to Hubby what it will be about (I'm not 100% sure myself!) I think we will get a lot out of it.
So that's a bit about what's going on. I will try to pop in and let you know how we're getting on.
Thanks for stopping by x o
Monday, February 25, 2013
I do, in fact, mind
hiya
long time time, no write I know. Truthfully I just could not face another "so this is what I've been up to" blog post. Maybe another time, we'll see.
Really I'm only posting now because I need to vent / rant / carry on like a pork chop, take your pick... so if you'll indulge me a little.
I don't know about you but there are some things in a relationship that never change, some are good like the way my dear Hubby can make me laugh like no one else can... a really hearty sidesplitting laugh that leaves me gasping for breath afterwards... all from stuff that no one else will ever "get" except for us.
Then there are not so good things, every relationship has them... from a niggling little irk that rubs you the wrong way to deal breaker stuff.
I have a niggling issue with my dear one that will drive me bananas till the day I die, I'm sure. And it's not just the issue itself that is so maddening but the fact that while everyone else around us can, my darling can not (or perhaps will not) see it.
I will not go into specifics as I'm a believer that everything I write here should be available for Hubby to read even though I know he doesn't.
I'm simply fed up with the assumption that has been made up to this point that if we don't argue or even talk about this splinter of a problem, that all is OK and he can go ahead and do what he wants.
I DO, in fact, MIND
PS: I thought I should perhaps clarify that in this case we have already "discussed" the issue (read that as said "discussion" ending in a stalemate as it always does).
The assumption I'm talking about above is that after our "discussion" has ended and the dust has settled (in albeit uneasy truce but by no means forgotten), he interprets this as his green light to proceed because apparently I'm over it and everything is back to being fine.
The issue remains, same as always and still friggin' unresolved GAH!
long time time, no write I know. Truthfully I just could not face another "so this is what I've been up to" blog post. Maybe another time, we'll see.
Really I'm only posting now because I need to vent / rant / carry on like a pork chop, take your pick... so if you'll indulge me a little.
I don't know about you but there are some things in a relationship that never change, some are good like the way my dear Hubby can make me laugh like no one else can... a really hearty sidesplitting laugh that leaves me gasping for breath afterwards... all from stuff that no one else will ever "get" except for us.
Then there are not so good things, every relationship has them... from a niggling little irk that rubs you the wrong way to deal breaker stuff.
I have a niggling issue with my dear one that will drive me bananas till the day I die, I'm sure. And it's not just the issue itself that is so maddening but the fact that while everyone else around us can, my darling can not (or perhaps will not) see it.
I will not go into specifics as I'm a believer that everything I write here should be available for Hubby to read even though I know he doesn't.
I'm simply fed up with the assumption that has been made up to this point that if we don't argue or even talk about this splinter of a problem, that all is OK and he can go ahead and do what he wants.
I DO, in fact, MIND
PS: I thought I should perhaps clarify that in this case we have already "discussed" the issue (read that as said "discussion" ending in a stalemate as it always does).
The assumption I'm talking about above is that after our "discussion" has ended and the dust has settled (in albeit uneasy truce but by no means forgotten), he interprets this as his green light to proceed because apparently I'm over it and everything is back to being fine.
The issue remains, same as always and still friggin' unresolved GAH!
Saturday, January 5, 2013
December 2012
the thing about December is that an awful lot happens in the space of one calendar month! I look back now for things to tell you and I can't remember what I was doing.
I know we did a lot, December sees the end of the school year here so the kids are exhausted but we still push them along to get everything done; school assemblies, class parties, swimming lessons etc etc.
The dancing year ends with a huge concert over 2 nights. This year I was lucky enough to strike an agreement with another mum where we each took a night to dress both kids so the other could watch the show in it's entirety. It was amazing! I had tears in my eyes watching Miss 8 dance her heart out.
Now while all the craziness of school and dancing is going on as well as having to show up at work... nothing else gets done! No Christmas shopping or cooking, no cleaning above the basics... the tree was lucky to be put up early(ish) this year, it's frustrating but there are only so many hours in the day!
Then a week before Christmas, my parents arrived from interstate for 2 and a half weeks. It was exciting because I haven't spent Christmas Day with them in 15 years. I think they enjoyed themselves here, they didn't do all the touristy things as they've been there, done that on previous trips. The heat got to them, our Christmas Day was 38 degrees Celsius followed by a 40 degree week long heatwave so much of their visit was spent sitting under our air con watching the tennis (Hopman Cup) and the cricket and playing with the kids.
New Years Eve was a fun time, we spent it with the family and some close friends, Hubby made us Mojitos (modified ones for my friend who can't drink Bacardi, we called them Modkas... the alternative was Vajitas hehe). I had a little *ahem* hangover... nothing a panadol and big cooked brekkie the next morning didn't fix.
During this month, there wasn't a lot of me time. I managed to read at night, sometimes until very late but I really needed that wind down time. I got very frustrated at not being able to sit and write in peace, storylines kept popping into my head and it sent me a bit nuts. I managed to scribble things down as I thought of them so I wouldn't forget.
There was very little movie and tv time so I'll only list the books I read. Most were short stories and novellas...
Wish List by Sylvia Day
a short and sweet holiday romance, I love how she can create a world with wonderful detail in such a short space of time / pages.
A Dark Kiss of Rapture (#0.5 Renegade Angels series) by Sylvia Day
I liked this story but would have loved it if it had been longer... it was just a snapshot into a very interesting paranormal world. I'm hoping the rest of the series expands on the concepts and characters.
Big Girls Do It Better (#1 in series) by Jasinder Wilder
this was ok, just a bit of fluff to read. The characters were likeable and I would have liked a nice conclusion for them but the book ended quite abruptly on a cliffhanger. It made me feel a little cheated, I might go back to the series later but I'm not rushing.
Her Master's Kiss by Vivien Sparx
a sub/dom erotic story with very little actual sex in it. It did have an ok romantic storyline but then as an additional thing at the back of the book, it had a fictional interview with the characters and they both seemed very different to how they were in the book, in fact I didn't like them . Don't think I'd bother with the follow up originally titled Her Master's Kiss 2 unless it turns up on Amazon for free and I have absolutely nothing else to read.
Covet (Vampire Erotic Theatre #1) by Felicity E Heaton
I really liked the paranormal ideas in this story, they were different to the usual vampire "rules". It is well written (vastly improved to what I've read of her work previously) and kept me interested.
Crave (Vampire Erotic Theatre #2) by Felicity E Heaton
This follow up in the series was just as good a the first. It follows a different character's story as well as continues an ongoing story. You get enough tidbits about other characters to keep you interested in following the series.
The Boat Builder's Bed by Kris Pearson
I know we did a lot, December sees the end of the school year here so the kids are exhausted but we still push them along to get everything done; school assemblies, class parties, swimming lessons etc etc.
The dancing year ends with a huge concert over 2 nights. This year I was lucky enough to strike an agreement with another mum where we each took a night to dress both kids so the other could watch the show in it's entirety. It was amazing! I had tears in my eyes watching Miss 8 dance her heart out.
Now while all the craziness of school and dancing is going on as well as having to show up at work... nothing else gets done! No Christmas shopping or cooking, no cleaning above the basics... the tree was lucky to be put up early(ish) this year, it's frustrating but there are only so many hours in the day!
Then a week before Christmas, my parents arrived from interstate for 2 and a half weeks. It was exciting because I haven't spent Christmas Day with them in 15 years. I think they enjoyed themselves here, they didn't do all the touristy things as they've been there, done that on previous trips. The heat got to them, our Christmas Day was 38 degrees Celsius followed by a 40 degree week long heatwave so much of their visit was spent sitting under our air con watching the tennis (Hopman Cup) and the cricket and playing with the kids.
New Years Eve was a fun time, we spent it with the family and some close friends, Hubby made us Mojitos (modified ones for my friend who can't drink Bacardi, we called them Modkas... the alternative was Vajitas hehe). I had a little *ahem* hangover... nothing a panadol and big cooked brekkie the next morning didn't fix.
During this month, there wasn't a lot of me time. I managed to read at night, sometimes until very late but I really needed that wind down time. I got very frustrated at not being able to sit and write in peace, storylines kept popping into my head and it sent me a bit nuts. I managed to scribble things down as I thought of them so I wouldn't forget.
There was very little movie and tv time so I'll only list the books I read. Most were short stories and novellas...
Wish List by Sylvia Day
a short and sweet holiday romance, I love how she can create a world with wonderful detail in such a short space of time / pages.
A Dark Kiss of Rapture (#0.5 Renegade Angels series) by Sylvia Day
I liked this story but would have loved it if it had been longer... it was just a snapshot into a very interesting paranormal world. I'm hoping the rest of the series expands on the concepts and characters.
Big Girls Do It Better (#1 in series) by Jasinder Wilder
this was ok, just a bit of fluff to read. The characters were likeable and I would have liked a nice conclusion for them but the book ended quite abruptly on a cliffhanger. It made me feel a little cheated, I might go back to the series later but I'm not rushing.
Her Master's Kiss by Vivien Sparx
a sub/dom erotic story with very little actual sex in it. It did have an ok romantic storyline but then as an additional thing at the back of the book, it had a fictional interview with the characters and they both seemed very different to how they were in the book, in fact I didn't like them . Don't think I'd bother with the follow up originally titled Her Master's Kiss 2 unless it turns up on Amazon for free and I have absolutely nothing else to read.
Covet (Vampire Erotic Theatre #1) by Felicity E Heaton
I really liked the paranormal ideas in this story, they were different to the usual vampire "rules". It is well written (vastly improved to what I've read of her work previously) and kept me interested.
Crave (Vampire Erotic Theatre #2) by Felicity E Heaton
This follow up in the series was just as good a the first. It follows a different character's story as well as continues an ongoing story. You get enough tidbits about other characters to keep you interested in following the series.
The Boat Builder's Bed by Kris Pearson
| an easy read. nice to have a story set somewhere different... in this case New Zealand though all the spelling was in US English which kind of irked me a little. The story is told through both female and male lead characters and though the story was short there was enough character development to get to know and like them. I would have liked a little more drama to their conflict, much of it was told as inner monologue fears. Would definitely recommend this for anyone looking for an entertaining quickie romance read. And that's about it for me... Happy New Year! Hope 2013 brings you success and happiness x o x o |
Monday, December 3, 2012
October & November 2012 - No I'm Not Dead
Oops! I've done it again. I got half way through November and still hadn't posted for October so I thought I'd do October and November together. And I know it's only the 3rd of December but if I didn't pull my finger out and write something, I knew I wouldn't be updating until the New Year.
I am happy to say that much of the reason why I haven't been posting here is because I've been writing my other stuff. If I don't get it down when it is screaming inside my head it gets lost and it's been very noisy of late. Recently I gave myself a deadline to have something that I was happy with ready for a date I'd set to catch up with a good friend so she could take a look. I had already shown her an outline and this time I wanted to show her more of the actual story. It ended up a few scenes that will end up somewhere in the middle of the story, since then I've been working on what happens before and after.
It was an extremely nerve wracking experience, I have an awful habit of down playing and rubbishing my own work (ie pointing out all the faults I see) so to avoid this as much as possible I ducked out of the house while she read to pick up our pizza.
Her response was very positive and she's the kind of friend who doesn't bullshit to save your feelings so hers is an opinion I trust. And this initial response has spurred me on, I am trying to write a bit each day. Some days, of course it's not possible. Things are getting crazy with all the end of year commitments but writing is a nice escape.
I've done a lot of reading and tv / movie watching as well. Forgive my super brief reviews.
Films
Rock of Ages: I seriously didn't expect this to be a musical. The trailer intrigued me but I'm not a fan of Tom Cruise so was conflicted. At the end of the day, I liked it even with Tom in it. There was enough humour in it to keep me going.
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure: I decided the kids really needed to see one of Mummy's favourite movies and happily they liked it (though some of it flew over their heads, not a bad thing). Now when the kids argue I tell them to "Be Excellent To Each Other" hehe. Daggy Mum jokes are my specialty
Think like a man: i think that's what it's called, the fact that I can't be bothered checking might give you an idea of how much this movie meant to me. It was pretty boring, the funny bits were not funny enough. Meh
Puberty Blues: The 1980's film adaptation of the Australian teen novel. This year a tv adaptation was released here in Australia as well and both are great. Well worth a watch. Hubby surprised me when he told me that this movie had been one of his favourites back in the day.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter: having read the book, I was keen to see the film and see how they would adapt it and I liked what they did. The movie was fast paced and didn't get bogged down as much as the book.
The Campaign: very entertaining veg out comedy :)
Cosmopolis: at 10 minutes in, I was like WTF??? Hubby insisted we give it a bit more time but we were still WTF??? so we fast forwarded a bit to see if it improved any and the answer was no sadly, it did not. we never finished it :(
Brave: love a good kids movie and Merida is a gutsy character :)
Hotel Transylvania: for the kids again but I liked the humour... "Scream cheese" still tickles me :)
Magic Mike: what can I say? I had to re-watch, this time with Hubby. He actually didn't mind it either :)
TV
Breaking Bad Season 1 & 2: why didn't I start watching this earlier???
Puberty Blues: a great nostalgia trip back to the late 70's / early 80's. The fashion, decor and language is fascinating.
Revenge Season 2: not quite as captivating as season 1, I'm hoping it gets better.
Supernatural Season 1: again why is it only now that I'm discovering this show???
The Walking Dead Season 3: OMG I hate the Governor!
American Horror Story Seasons 1 & 2: this show is fascinating! at first it scared the bejeezus out of me then I got acclimatised and Wow!
Reading
Reflected in You by Sylvia Day: follow up to Bared to you. I am addicted to this story!
Rapture by Lauren Kate: the final installment of the Fallen series and frankly I was a bit disappointed. The characters were lacking in their emotion and the whole adventure / mission was predictable. There was very little suspense. Everything was tied up in a neat bow at the end but what annoyed me most was they had an awesome antagonist character, who I really liked and expected to play a major role in the series after the first book and expected to find out more of his story and he didn't end up doing much at all.
Delilah's Diary by Jasinda Wilder: a little bit of fluff to read, it ended abruptly with a lot of questions unanswered but then I found out that there are more parts to the series. not sure if I will bother to continue with the series yet.
Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick: a lot of this installment of the hush hush series felt like more of the same of the first book. it only got slightly more interesting at the end. enough for me to continue...
Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick: book 3 in the hush hush series, this was a lot better. I can't stand it when we are not given much insight into the male lead character ( mainly because the story is told from the female lead's perspective) and it was good to get to know Patch a bit better. I've invested enough time in this series to see it through to the end so onto Finale...
And that's about it, I hope I haven't lost the few readers I once had... forgive me. Take care and if I don't "see" you before Christmas, hope you have a good one. Sending you lots of warm fuzzies x x x
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
September 2012
October 2nd and it appears I have my metaphorical shit together early (by my standards) LOL
It's school holidays here and I am grabbing a rare quiet moment when the kids are playing in their rooms. Should I be worried that they're so quiet? hmmm...
Ok so September has been full on, I've been to school assemblies, a sports carnival, the state final for the Wakakirri competition (storytelling through dance for school children), kiddy birthday parties, a work sundowner for Hubby (man those guys know how to party!) adult birthday dinners and football (Aussie rules & Rugby league) grand final BBQs ( sadly neither of Hubby's teams won).
I weeded my garden almost single-handedly, Hubby did one area but I did the rest over a period of weeks and I've planted a few (hopefully water hardy) plants.
Hubby's Nan came to visit which was bittersweet, it is always lovely to see her and unfortunately we don't have the opportunity to see her often as she lives interstate but she is 87 and we are never quite sure if when we see her, it will be the last time. Nan herself, treated this visit a bit differently, like it was her last and it was hard to say goodbye.
So it has been just a bit mental! I think I was looking forward to this lot of school hols far more than the kids, if only for the fact that I didn't have to get out of bed so damned early! The downfall unfortunately is that there is very little "me" time to be had during the day but I am resolved to sneak in a little here and there hehe
We also made a huge decsion (for us) and booked flights for a family holiday in Bali next year. For Perth residents, Bali is a relatively close and cheap overseas holiday option. It worked out cheaper than flying interstate to visit my parents and we really REALLY need a decent break away where the trip is not spent visiting. I don't know about you but visiting family with all the issues and baggage that comes along with it is not considered a true holiday in my book.
Bali provides a holiday where we and the kids can all enjoy something. I have been hesitant for a long time about Bali due to the bombings in 2002 that targeted tourists and the last time I was there (1998) it was very different to what I hear it is now from people who go regularly. Hubby went on a boys trip there this year for 4 nights and gave it the thumbs up. He knows how paranoid and fussy I can be and still thinks it's a great idea.
I can't tell you what a difference it makes to have something like this to look forward to :) :) :)
My big bit of excitement re: me time was that I really got stuck into my writing, I have been alternating between tweaking my outline and writing scenes that I see clearly in my head. I had a close friend read what I had of my outline early in the month (or was it late August???). She gave me a lot of encouragement and food for thought. Since then as new ideas have come and storyline flaws have become apparent, I have modified the outline. It is still evolving but I like where it's heading :)
And I've managed to sneak in a few movies etc so here's what I've been watching / reading...
Films
The Avengers
I was a bit worried that it would be all action and nothing else but it was really cool. I loved the snippets of humour they worked into it. The Hulk was great :)
Men In Black 3
No disappointments here, the story was really great. Very funny, double thumbs up :)
Dark Shadows
I was so disappointed with this movie, even the funny bits weren't that funny especially since they had all been shown in the trailer. I honestly thought I would like it because of the Johnny Depp / Tim Burton combo but I didn't :(
Snow White and the Huntsman
Kristen Stewart starring as Snow White held me back from watching this for so long and my instinct was right. I hated her in it, I really did. Don't get me wrong she wasn't the only thing wrong with this film, the ending left a lot to be desired in the way on lack of action, suspense and wrapping it up in a good old fashioned happy ending. I did like Chris Hemsworth's character though and do concede that in this particular version of the tale he was too old to end up with Snow White but this film seriously fizzled at the end. :/
The Lucky One
I finally got around to watching this film as well and sadly it left me a bit meh, just like the novel. I did like Zac Efron in it (love a man with big blue eyes and long lashes) but the lead characters just weren't very engaging. :/
TV
Doctor Who
He's back and I love him. Man those weeping angels scare the bejeebus out of me!
Sons of Anarchy Season 5
whoa! so far this season has me watching (or rather peeking) through my hands. it has been so brutal yet I can't help but keep watching.
Reading
Power (Book 4 in Souls Savers) by Kristie Cook
I have really been looking forward to reading this :)
I've left the honeymoon period with this series now (not a bad thing!). At the beginning of this series it was all about the love story for me and I was unable to put the book down. Now the story has matured; in some ways Alexis and Tristan's relationship is like any married couple which is cool and makes them very relatable and now the storyline focuses more on their adventure. So the story is still working for me, it's keeping me interested by branching out and developing other characters but also by painting a vivid picture of a world that I can picture as being 'real'. Throw in a twist or two in the plot and I'm still hooked :)
And that's it peeps, hope you're all well x
It's school holidays here and I am grabbing a rare quiet moment when the kids are playing in their rooms. Should I be worried that they're so quiet? hmmm...
Ok so September has been full on, I've been to school assemblies, a sports carnival, the state final for the Wakakirri competition (storytelling through dance for school children), kiddy birthday parties, a work sundowner for Hubby (man those guys know how to party!) adult birthday dinners and football (Aussie rules & Rugby league) grand final BBQs ( sadly neither of Hubby's teams won).
I weeded my garden almost single-handedly, Hubby did one area but I did the rest over a period of weeks and I've planted a few (hopefully water hardy) plants.
Hubby's Nan came to visit which was bittersweet, it is always lovely to see her and unfortunately we don't have the opportunity to see her often as she lives interstate but she is 87 and we are never quite sure if when we see her, it will be the last time. Nan herself, treated this visit a bit differently, like it was her last and it was hard to say goodbye.
So it has been just a bit mental! I think I was looking forward to this lot of school hols far more than the kids, if only for the fact that I didn't have to get out of bed so damned early! The downfall unfortunately is that there is very little "me" time to be had during the day but I am resolved to sneak in a little here and there hehe
We also made a huge decsion (for us) and booked flights for a family holiday in Bali next year. For Perth residents, Bali is a relatively close and cheap overseas holiday option. It worked out cheaper than flying interstate to visit my parents and we really REALLY need a decent break away where the trip is not spent visiting. I don't know about you but visiting family with all the issues and baggage that comes along with it is not considered a true holiday in my book.
Bali provides a holiday where we and the kids can all enjoy something. I have been hesitant for a long time about Bali due to the bombings in 2002 that targeted tourists and the last time I was there (1998) it was very different to what I hear it is now from people who go regularly. Hubby went on a boys trip there this year for 4 nights and gave it the thumbs up. He knows how paranoid and fussy I can be and still thinks it's a great idea.
I can't tell you what a difference it makes to have something like this to look forward to :) :) :)
My big bit of excitement re: me time was that I really got stuck into my writing, I have been alternating between tweaking my outline and writing scenes that I see clearly in my head. I had a close friend read what I had of my outline early in the month (or was it late August???). She gave me a lot of encouragement and food for thought. Since then as new ideas have come and storyline flaws have become apparent, I have modified the outline. It is still evolving but I like where it's heading :)
And I've managed to sneak in a few movies etc so here's what I've been watching / reading...
Films
The Avengers
I was a bit worried that it would be all action and nothing else but it was really cool. I loved the snippets of humour they worked into it. The Hulk was great :)
Men In Black 3
No disappointments here, the story was really great. Very funny, double thumbs up :)
Dark Shadows
I was so disappointed with this movie, even the funny bits weren't that funny especially since they had all been shown in the trailer. I honestly thought I would like it because of the Johnny Depp / Tim Burton combo but I didn't :(
Snow White and the Huntsman
Kristen Stewart starring as Snow White held me back from watching this for so long and my instinct was right. I hated her in it, I really did. Don't get me wrong she wasn't the only thing wrong with this film, the ending left a lot to be desired in the way on lack of action, suspense and wrapping it up in a good old fashioned happy ending. I did like Chris Hemsworth's character though and do concede that in this particular version of the tale he was too old to end up with Snow White but this film seriously fizzled at the end. :/
The Lucky One
I finally got around to watching this film as well and sadly it left me a bit meh, just like the novel. I did like Zac Efron in it (love a man with big blue eyes and long lashes) but the lead characters just weren't very engaging. :/
TV
Doctor Who
He's back and I love him. Man those weeping angels scare the bejeebus out of me!
Sons of Anarchy Season 5
whoa! so far this season has me watching (or rather peeking) through my hands. it has been so brutal yet I can't help but keep watching.
Reading
Power (Book 4 in Souls Savers) by Kristie Cook
I have really been looking forward to reading this :)
I've left the honeymoon period with this series now (not a bad thing!). At the beginning of this series it was all about the love story for me and I was unable to put the book down. Now the story has matured; in some ways Alexis and Tristan's relationship is like any married couple which is cool and makes them very relatable and now the storyline focuses more on their adventure. So the story is still working for me, it's keeping me interested by branching out and developing other characters but also by painting a vivid picture of a world that I can picture as being 'real'. Throw in a twist or two in the plot and I'm still hooked :)
And that's it peeps, hope you're all well x
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