I’m back

After major* surgery my computer is home.

I am soooooo thankful extended warranty options.

Now re downloading and installing all I need and retrieving my goodies from

DROPBOX.

*major: new hardrive, new motheboard, new LCD screen, graphixs card…

Aussie Tim Tams

Here are some of the Tim Tam flavours we have dowunder. There are more, but standing in the biscuit aisle of the supermarket with a camera, well there is only so much time. Tim tams can be found in USA – Google Tim tam slam and enjoy!!

Beautiful – maybe

A little something to delight you on this soggy grey day. Ah the dregs of northern cyclones…
Snaptured these on the weekend, with trusty iPhone camera.
Hmmm be patient be patient: all will be well.
Yes but when.

There’s got to be a morning after…

If we just hold on through the night.

So the song goes, right?

My fabulous laptop is awaitng a death certificate: there may well be no morning after for it. Thank goodness for extended warranties and the smarts to buy them.
I await the next episode.
Millie@ her blogger blog the laurel hedge was having similar problems and the fantastic -oops forgot name/blush – over at beach cottage is struggling with the Dell from hell.
Is this summer time blues or what?

(sorry to be linkless I am writing from my iPhone )

Meantime the date for Gigi the scooter to return home from her cosmetic-make over looms.
Maybe.

I believe my long ordered whiteboard has arrived.

Small mercies.

Summer storms

Here comes the rain Again. It was here at 5am. Thunder is rolling across the city.
Hope my computer comes back from it’s checkup really soon.
Stay warm or cool but always safe.

Yes it is

Yes school is in! Even if you live in a childless world here in the sub-tropics you can tell the school bell has rung.
How? I hear you ask…
The weather is the key. Sweltering searing heat. The sun pounding relentlessly down on us. Bathed in humidity, we wait for summer’s storms. Students strap hot feet into sensible shoes, clasp water bottles and grab their hats.
Roll on Valentine’s day: thence cometh relief.

Australia Day pavlova

Kiwi-Roo

I was born in New Zealand. In my early teens my parents and I climbed aboard a silver bird

we skimmed across the glistening sea.

I became a kiwi-roo.

Two generations before, on both sides, I am Australian.

I have long been an Australian Citizen.

I still call Australia home.

filmed on locations around the world, not blue screen, or computer generated.

Mosaic Monday

dashing through Brisbane city last week, I was struck by the juxtapostion of man made and natural beauty of the city.

I thought it interesting that man must measure time, yet it takes time grow those amazing trees. And yes the buses must run on time too. Or else we don’t.

and special birthday greetings to Mary (love the flowers)

and thanks for the how to tips.

♥ thanks for visiting…

stones & syndromes

my little collection.

‘Leave no stone unturned’ :Euripides

♥

(having font problems – sorry)

syndrome: generally, a pattern of characteristics or behaviors occurring together, that are sufficiently common and distinctive to indicate that they are due to a known cause.

I am sure you have heard of empty-nest syndrome, or suffered it. And you have heard of Orphans: people without parents (for a range of reasons) of any age

Last night after the movie, over a Grill’d Burger MS and I talked.

Upon reflection I see there is ‘ a pattern of characteristics or behaviors occurring together’

and today I did the math 1+ 1 =2

I came up with

OENS or ENOS

Oooh ENOS I like that, as the name of a syndrome I mean, not the HAVING IT.

(I cant seem to turn off the italic funcion)

So what is ENOS?

Empty Nest Orphan Syndrome.

my chicks have flown, now have their own nests, and baby chicks as well

my parents have left life’s stage and thus for now, I am an Oprhan.

It’s not listed in Wikipedia, yet.

♥

Lastly, Bobbie, who girl who loves to talk…

has been having troubles with dreams. She is always looking for someone or something.

(scroll down to Monday 18th January)

Apparently I featured last night, and yes she was looking for me.

I suggested she look for a common thread between all the things/people she was searching for, to see if this threw some light on a subject.

Frankly, I am having enough of a challenge with my ENOS, so featuring in other people’s dream is kind of overtime.

…and Bobbie, I thought you looked very refined today.

iphone test

I have downloaded the new wordpress iPhone app. Now I want to see if it works.
By the way no tears today.

Going Home never felt so good.

on a girls movie night tonight,

we saw this  great film, fantastic music.

Ernie Dingo surely steals the film…

the cinema was packed

watch the trailor here

the meal and conversation after were great too

tears fall

~ The tears fall, they’re so easy to wipe off onto my sleeve, but how do I erase the stain from my heart?

~unknown

At the moment I cry a lot, especially in Drs rooms.

I am well, but I am sad.

I am not sad all the time. But a shadow of sorrow crosses my day, nearly every day.

Thus I go gently through the days, allowing myself the time and space to heal.

Library Loot

visit Eva for Mr Linky listing

♥

running late – as ever

I discovered my local library is open a little later on Thursdays and in this hot weather this suits me.

I picked this book up from the 7 day return section:

It is a fascinating book.

read the New York Times review here

charming & creative.

read about the author Yoko Ogawa

there is to be a discussion re this book here (starts 25th Jan)

♥

We used to have a long table, though not as long as the table Mary Moody talks about.

I found a feeling of serenity settled over me as I began to read this book.

The old family photos and hand written comments drew me quickly into a place I was happy to be.

I have not read the recipies yet, but the story of her parents, and the home she created in the blue mountains have enchanted me and I look forward to reading more.

this is for you

(and you know who you are)

starts at 2.36

mosaic monday

this is my 1st attempt at this

Mary @ the little red house hosts this challenge

weekend views

(I am number 75 on the Mr Linky List)

top row: old butter churn/my inner courtyard kitchen garden/2 old knights

lower row: a wasp building a nest/chinese jar/street courtyard work in progress

Golden Globes 2010

i just ♥ award season

before the glamour and the fun

$100,000 to go to the victims of the disaster

HOLLYWOOD, CA, January 14, 2010  –  The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is announcing at the Golden Globes that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association Foundation is donating $100,000 to Wyclef Jean’s Yele Haiti relief fund for the victims of the earthquake.

♦ ♦ ♦

The Australian actress won the award for Best Actress in a Television Series, Comedy or Musical:

The United States of Tara.

♦ ♦ ♦

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama: Sandra Bullock – The Blind Side.

grr I wanted Emily Blunt to win for The Young Victoria. But I hear Blind Side is great, inspiring etc..

♦ ♦ ♦

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical: Robert Downey Jr. – Sherlock Holmes. This is on my to see list.

♦ ♦ ♦

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical: Meryl Streep – Julie & Julia. Missed this so I am waiting for the DVD.

♦ ♦ ♦

Best Director – Motion Picture: James Cameron – Avatar. OSCAR next I guess, I better see it .

♦ ♦ ♦

are we seeing a pattern?: maturity & experience seems to be winning the day.

♦ ♦ ♦

Best Motion Picture – Drama: Avatar.

♦ ♦ ♦

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama: Jeff Bridges – Crazy Heart.

♦ ♦ ♦

Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series – Comedy Or Musical: Alec Baldwin – 30 RockBest

see the pattern yet?

♦ ♦ ♦

Best Screenplay – Motion Picture: Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner – Up In The Air.

On my must see list

♦ ♦ ♦

Best Performance by an Actress In A Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television: Drew Barrymore – Grey Gardens

♦ ♦ ♦

Best Television Series – Comedy Or Musical: Glee

♦ ♦ ♦

Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: Kevin Bacon – Taking Chance

♦ ♦ ♦

Best Original Score – Motion Picture: Michael Giacchino – Up. Just out on DVD here, gotta get me one.

♦ ♦ ♦

unsilent loom

Not ’til the loom is silent

And the shuttles cease to fly

Will God unfold the pattern,

And explain the reason why.

The dark threads were as needful

In the skillful weaver’s hand,

As the threads of Gold and Silver

In the pattern that He planned.

feeling woven.

It’s a Girl

Melbourne Zoo 1:10am Saturday 16th January 2010

a little joy came into the world.

Dokkoon delivered a healthy baby early today giving Melbourne Zoo its first baby elephant. She is only the second elephant born in Australia, and entered the world safely at 1.10am after keeping Melbourne waiting on tenterhooks for more than a week.

In the wild, most elephants are born at night, which allows their eyes time to adjust and get their legs moving so they can join the herd the next day…more

here is a little piece of music just for the new baby.

Haiti

devastation in Haiti

read here & here

American Red Cross includes a DONATE HERE BUTTON

an Australian list of how to help

Loves

Things I love: which as you know is different from  our treasures.

Old fashioned letters from dear friends (yes, I received one today).

strong ISP reception.

books.

movies.

film award season (about to start).

postcards & newspapers from afar.

adirondack chairs.

reading blogs.

hugs: giving & receiving

old friends * new friends * those yet to be found

scrummy salads.

my laptop (please be good)

wonderful cafes

being organised * planners* calendars

serendipping (thanks N)

new flash

apparently we will be buying blue things for the baby due in June.

Just love all my little pink grand-daughters

Life’s Treasures.

‘For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’

what do I treasure?

1. God.

2. My family – the one’s here, gone before and yet to arrive.

3. This second life I have been given.

yes it is

because this year will include the 10th anniversary of the repairs to my heart

I have decided to draw a line in the sand, so to speak, and to change the name of my blog

and the direction…somewhat.

Library Loot – kind of

I went to the Brisbane City Square main library

so this weeks loot is a small tour

going up

from the main floor down to the courtyard

meeting room – it looks kind of suspended in air

and finally, a piece of art.

this was interesting…look what it is made from

made it

With a great struggle I made it to the city to put in my writing entry for this.

I did my best, but the main thing was to meet the deadline.

gobsmacked

I’d read reports of easter eggs in the supermarkets already

but was astounded when I saw these!

and look they are reduced in price…wonder if they have been frozen for a year? ewww

and yes it is a real word see this dictionary here

for another astounding event scroll on down

I called my mobile phone service provider and asked why is it when I sit in the same chair/place  in my home – where I receive  the strongest signal on my phone – that sometime I get service from my provider and other times it switches to ‘roaming’.

roaming = $$$ out of my pocket and into theirs.

They told me that iphone is designed to connect to the closest strongest server.

Interestingly since then, my phone has ALWAYS connected to my server, everywhere at home, and no matter which room I am in.

Gobsmacked.

Baby boom

several friends have had babies in the days since Christmas, or just before. Seems to be a lot of boys…

here is a lil cutie from FNQ. Eli gave his mum a challenging experience

she said she underestimated the pain ‘by about 1000%‘. ouch!

This is Eli at 7 days.

They just returned home yesterday.

All is well.

♥

Film Review

Separate Tables.

1958

The quiet days of The Hotel Beauregard, are disturbed when circumstances compel guests to face their passions, values  and conflicts

Repression and lust dress carefully for meals at ‘Separate Tables’ at the Bournemouth seaside boarding house; the title is the metaphor for keeping every ‘nice’ and orderly. And minding your own business.

Fearsomely strong cast playing powerfully weak characters.

Rita Hayworth and Burt Lancaster wrestle through their individual and collective angst oscillating between passionate clinches to desperate runs for freedom. Exhilaration juxtaposed with despair.

John’s (Lancaster) new love, the owner of the hotel, Miss Cooper tells him, ‘When you’re together, you slash each other to pieces. When you are alone you slash yourselves to pieces’.

David Nivan is  Major Angus Pollock,  (he won the 1959 OSCAR for his portrayal )  a stereotypical cad, played with originality, his deep seated inhibitions and repressed anxieties are displayed with agonising detail.  An item in the local newspaper reveals his moral weakness.  He is the catalyst of Sybil’s disgusted breakdown and justifications for her mother ‘taking a stand’.

Deborah Kerr plays Sybil Railton-Bell, with a  fine authenticity. The object of the Major’s attention, she is ever clutching her handkerchief or frumpy cardigan; all trace of beauty repressed and held back with Bobbie pins.  She is appalled when The Major tells her he thinks they are alike.

Sybil is ruled over by her mother; played with sharp correctness by Gladys Cooper. Hers is the moral tone all must rise to, the setter of an intolerant correctness.

The Major, having fallen short is given his marching orders. He is to vacate by lunchtime tomorrow. This is the instruction Mrs Railton-Bell (Cooper) gives the owner.

A night of high drama, passion, rejection and reconciliation brings us to the final scene: breakfast at the Hotel Beauregard.  All guests sitting at their separate Tables.

Cooper is reigning, as usual. But this is her last hour.

In the light of day one by one each character finds the strength to stand up to her and reaches out to the Major. Unable to condone this charity Mrs R-B stands to leave, and instructs her daughter to come with her.

Sybil rebels.

The message is everyone deserves a second chance.

Everyone needs forgiveness.

Everyone needs to be loved.  Everyone needs a friend.

Though this film is in black and white, it lacks nothing. Actually I think it adds to the production.

10/10

wet weary sunday

Brisbane has had some short sharp storms today.

I am grounded today. By me.

Because of my heart condition I sometimes have to take a tough attitude with myself. All the Christmas and New Year celebrations, associated activities have plum tuckered me out.

Thus today has been a PJ day, mostly on my bed. It is grey and wet outside so I might be in the best place.

REMEMBER

Emergency Management Queensland advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure loose outdoor items.
* Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters.
* Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
* Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.
* Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.

1600 lightening strikes.

and then there is the cricket…Australia just made it to 100 runs. That’s the total for the day not for one batsman.

I have been napping and eating fruit through the day.

Hope the weather & the cricketers improve.

I will for sure.

Day 2 is posted here

for no other reason than I think this kid is cute, oh and Bunny’s are important to me.

Introducing:the 200 day plan

I had the delight of a really great conversation with my daughter on Christmas evening.

I had been thinking about 2010 and some things I want to achieve, which is not the same as making resolutions.

Interestingly resolutions seem to be always about giving up something.

Reading Bobbie’s post on the subject, I clicked on the link to Christine Kane’s blog she had posted.

I liked the discussion, though didn’t agree with everything, but that’s ok

in life we need to pick and choose from here and there to build the world we want and need.

I liked the one word concept. Skimmed through her list.

I see now, she has creativity listed. However I had chosen, (before NYE)

this word to be my focus in 2010

I made a little list of things I want to create. (many are underway)

My home

My Book

My Children’s Book

My Garden/courtyard

With serendipitous harmony, this fitted with my daughters concept of a

200 day plan

a serious self-made program to create the life one ought to have.

an attempt to create a life devoid of ‘the I wish I had/If only I….’

To imbed serious substantial quality into time and space.

This is day one.

can I last? Can I achieve?

Yoda: there is not try there is only do.

Happy New Year

My Best

what a boring banner jane – re do it! yes I will.

Best Decision: to move back to the city

Hardest decision: to buy a car

Best find: filing cabinet on wheels

Best Movie: The Young Victoria

Most annoying: AVG 9 upgrade

Most irritating: flu cough (weeks of it)

Best flu cough Buddy: A-M

Most inspirational: peoples confidence in me/My daughter

Most motivational: walking

Most mental stimulation: the walking talks with M

Best fun: taking the 2^nd Miss 5 out.

Best Nic name: ‘the hug lady’

Most Delight: MY daughter, her husband and 3 daughters.

Fav. TV show: Master Chef

Most Fun: getting my iphone (while I had the flu)

Best Photo: frozen orange

Best Look: as ‘Mame’ with a fabulous fascinator

Best online purchase: my bookcase

Worst rip off: Garden Umbrella bought on line

Cutest Purchase: white bag with navy bow.

Most Blog chuckles: Millie and MOTH

Best Book: ‘The Uncommon Reader’

Best Book Series: Bernard Cornwall’s Civil War series

Best food: healthy salad

Best music: Susan Boyle

seasons greeting

may you find the star you seek

may your journey be safe and fulfilled

may peace & love abound in your life.

image

Library Loot

see the list at Marg’s Blog

This was a fabulous book to read.

Really a charming story, with a nice little twist.

5/5 star for sure.

(a 7 day turn around read from my local library)

Loose ends.

just to tie off some loose ends, projects started now completed.

Back HERE I posted re my teeny bathroom storage problems.

Here is how I solved the problem.

and HERE is the post re a cottage garden.

here is mine now…

fresh salad and herbs any time. The berries are ripening.

the real deal

back here I posted a MEMO to Santa…with an image.  Here is the real deal. I was delighted to receive this photo from my daughter. Even more delighted at her handiwork,  and shed a few soft tears over her thoughtfulness.

Virtual Advent Tour

finally, after a challenging month I am begining to feel ‘Christmassy’.

I have taken part in the Virtual Advent Tour for a few years now.

Marg & Kailana

continue this fabulous annual event.

Great work girls.

On Thursday 24th December I will be sleeping in late, don’t ring me. I will also grab a nap a bit later in the day if I can,

though with our swimming and family dinner at a mexican restaurant ( a  l-o-n-g story)

I might not manage.

Why all this sleep you ask?

Yes, I can hear you….

I am going to sleepover at the home of 3 of my grand daughters.

I shall be in the room with 2 of them.

And what time do 5 & 7 year olds wake up on Christmas morning?

I hope hope hope for 5am. P-L-E-A-S-E.

However before we get to all that, I am striving to focus on the real reason for Christmas.

I had occasion to hear this world famous choir and was deeply moved

the beauty of the lyrics, the harmony and the amazingness of the orchestral music all compounded

to deeply touch my heart.

here are the lyrics:

For unto us a child is born,
To us a son is giv’n;
The government shall rest on him,
Th’ anointed one from heav’n.
His name is Wonderful Counselor,
The Mighty God is he,
The Everlasting Father,
The humble Prince of Peace.

The increase of his government
And peace shall never end;
He’ll reign on David’s ancient throne
As ruler of all men.
Upheld with justice and righteousness,
Forever his kingdom will last;
The zeal of the Lord God Most High
Will bring these things to pass.

Lord Jesus, come now and reign in me,
Be Lord of my life this hour.
Come be my Counselor and my God,
My source of wisdom and power.
Watch o’er me with your Father care,
My heart and my mind, fill with peace.
I worship you, my Lord and King,
My praise will never cease.

Christmas

image from Jo Young at Flickr

just think, in a week, you may well be about to sit down for a fabulous meal with all the special people in your life.

OR

you may not be.

Some will be lonely, sad, alone;  alone, even in a crowd, others will have there 1st Christmas without the someone they love most. Many families will be struggling to find some joy in the day, children will go without. Some will have no heat, others no cool. Many will lack food, or even peace. Some will lack safety.

Yes, Christmas is about

so please, find a way to share it. Receive it when it comes your way ,

and give it freely where ever you can.

To my family, friends, including virtual friends and all of you who visit here

Library Loot

check out Marg’s loot, and read others on Mr Linky

I loved the Master Chef Book. I went out and bought it. Great introduction

for young adults, young married, perhaps even children.

within the sorrow of loss, I cannot find the ’space’ to read this, maybe another day.

this was ghastly to read. I am sure the author did her best, but there were too many cliches for me.

I did not get past 40 pages…

inner city beauty

this magnificent tree, with sunlight playing upon the flowers caught my eye and reminded me

that amidst the sorrow of loss, there is always the beauty of everlasting nature.

$50 food challenge

read the intro here

comments from the mum

Teenagers in the kitchen cooking dinner…a beautiful sight to behold…

the boys have now moved in to wash the dishes and clean up the kitchen…

the kids have taken up their $50 a day on meals challenge, and are being very responsible.
They are cooking and cleaning…and I am in mummy heaven…lol

Chicken and mushroom fetticine with mango and avocado salad

Not breakfast we have Weet bix and cornflakes galore. Milk they need to provide and they drink that by the truck load. They plan itheir lunch and dinner menu, I take them shopping. I want them to have a sense of ownnership and responsibility.

Monday night- Bbq chicken salad $35
Tues night -pizza night 6 pizzas got one for free $32
Wed night-chicken and mushroom fettuccine and salad $37

5 x 3ltrs milk @ $3.16 = $15.80

Lunch items for the week
nuttella lge $5.98
bread $8.00
fruit $15.00
cookies ingredients in pantry
wraps12 $3.95
lettuce, tomatoes $5.00

lunch things bought together at the beginning of the week, lunch menu decided between eachother.

Thurs- Taco’s
Fri – shepherds pie
Sat – chicken salad wraps
Sunday-bbq and salad

We actually have two nieces staying with me since Saturday so the $50 is stretching a little further than 7. Girls are 18 and 15…

I have taken the kids shopping each day…we had decided to do the dinners individually to give them a sense of ownership the lunch things were bought at the beginning of the week.

Kids fine tuned their menu on Monday night at Family Night, one of the kids had already been assigned to Monday dinner.

Memo:santa

This year

I will be hanging my stocking next to Miss C, Miss A, & and Miss A’s.

december 09

At the moment I do not know how to say what I want to say, so I will say nothing.

…pass the tissues.

maybe tomorrow

Not Happy Jan!

some computer internet NASTY has *hijacked my browser.

I want it back.

I have managed to get IE8 up and running but Google Chrome has wafted off somewhere.

*actual term

 

 

Named

meet Lexie.

1st dinner

friends came over for dinner. I used a cake stand to serve the salad.

not sure why the image is blurry. Managed to find a few Christmas decorations today.

Copenhagen: Believe it or not?

are you a believer or not?

weather grid

check out what’s hot and not at the Copenhagen Climate Summit

Nameless

looking for a name for my new baby.

farewell again

image from flickr

as another farewell looms; this time a young mother, suddenly gone from her lovely daughters

I am grateful for the HOPE that stems from belief.

Thankfully the Wyunnum writer has the same hope, at this time of her brother’s passing.

s i g h