bloomin' scientist in training!

as I looked over the big box of Brio train set and accessories, the stall holder let me know the forty dollar price tag was not correct and was now twenty bux!
Memories came flooding back of my beautiful boy Jackson Steele, who was always so lively and enthusiastic about playing and learning. His very favourite toy was his Brio train set complete with Thomas the Tank engines.All the engines and carriages have magnetic links to satisfy the budding scientists. He'd spend hours on end linking tracks til they resembled small cities of winding tracks, bridges and stations.
Well of course I couldn't wait to surprise Jackson with my prize find and was thinking we could stash it away with his original set in the shed.
I only had time to dump it on the kitchen table as I rushed out again.
Not long after that I received a text from beautiful (minimalist) boy (now 19)........train set?
My reply..................................got it for 20 bux!
My budding scientist has well and truly blossomed into a Brio train set genius.
Produced this all in the time it took me to run my errand.
Good luck with your science degree Jack!!

just a stage.

Oh my, teenagers of today.
I live with two of the little buggers and boy do they push it!

Maddi is doing 5 TEE subjects to try and get uni entrance, honestly, talk about push it.
She has to study and get assignments in and attend classes.
The pushing continues into the weekend when she is up and at 'em ready for her work as a fairy helper at children's birthday parties. Wow, the noise and rushing and organising the parties one after the other, I have told her so many times to stop pushing those boundaries.
As if that isn't enough for a mum to cope with, in the mail comes her certificate from TAFE for Creative Industries, she chose to participate in these classes after school. Also, a reminder to renew her first aid training has arrived!
"What about doing a course in boundaries and limitations, and Parents know best"! I say!
"It's about time you learned  your limits young lady -
"you're what"?
Now she informs me she has a part in the school musical production, Seussical!
The rehearsals are Sundays, and Tuesday and Wednesday after school.
BTW did I mention Tuesday also consists of before school footy training, then after school rehearsal it's off to the gym for a body step class followed immediately by Pilate's?

My GOD girl, you are dynamite, rules are rules!

Her room is a mess and she won't wash up. She sleeps in sometimes and growls at me.
Tsk, tsk tsk. I just don't understand it, I'm sure she will improve, she will learn to make better choices, it's just a stage.
 

Jo Blogs: and there she was

Jo Blogs: and there she was: "Almost 16 years ago my darling daughter arrived into the world of breathing her own air, but for so many months before that we felt like we ..."

and there she was

Almost 16 years ago my darling daughter arrived into the world of breathing her own air, but for so many months before that we felt like we knew Madelyn, she was already deeply in our hearts. From early in the pregnancy we knew it was to be a daughter and always Madelyn from that moment.

Every check up revealed a greater risk of her early arrival and we were counselled on the effects of that scenario.

I just knew in my heart my daughter would be strong and feisty,  and no one was going to predict when she would be born, she'd decide for herself thanks!
I 'd spend time daydreaming of her making mud pies and creating her own fun with whatever she could.
All the time I knew she was growing and developing well and we'd talk to her and encourage her to hang in there.

This day 16 years ago I headed off to King Edward hospital for the weekly check and usual lecture about Madelyn's pending early arrival, just like every other Monday.
I really didn't feel any different, just tired, usual for 34 weeks pregnant.
 To every one's astonishment the doctor visit revealed I was 5 cms. dilated , aahhh, our Madelyn was on her way, how exciting to finally be meeting our little doll.
Early the next morning our hearts almost burst with pure joy as she was born absolutely perfect, first apgar score 9 out of 10. Our precious little bundle weighing in at 5 pounds was so incredibly pretty with beautiful dark hair and a rosebud look wrapped in a pink swaddle.
As we wept with joy she was handed to her darling Daddy as I went for surgery.
Hours later I woke crying, yearning, pleading to see my baby girl. It seemed too long to wait for my eventual return to my little family.
As I was wheeled into my room - there she was snuggled and asleep with her Dad in his loving arms. My heart leaped  at this vision - what more could a woman ask for, I felt like the luckiest woman alive.

I have always known Madelyn has a strong character and  even described herself as being feisty when she was about 10. It is amazing to think a developing baby in the womb has personality and a nature developing as well.
Now my beautiful (almost) 16 year old is so unique, has great wisdom and empathy. 

Thank you my darling Maddi for being you and may you continue on the path of being your own person.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADDI - WE LOVE YOU DEARLY XXXXX

because we have typhoons

a typhoon has hit Shoalwater, namely in our living room.
After tiring of heading for the record of least amount of cooling devices in a suburban dwelling, we have finally installed ceiling fans.
Not just any old fans of the Bunnings type; you see my Lindsay likes to wait to afford to buy the best.

We have TYPHOONS !!!

We carefully chose the biggest, strongest, most 'air flow-ness' possible.
Their size, shape and aesthetic value bore no relevance by comparison and the fact that we now have that trendy industrial look in our untrendy house is to be dealt with when the novelty wears off.
  As the temperature rises and we "hit the switch" the typhoons whip their magic across our sweltering bodies. AAAHHHH
This magic extends to drowning out the T.V. and any idea of conversation is rudely interrupted!
Q. What's black and white and read all over the lounge room?
A. Our newspaper - left on the coffee table when the typhoon hit!

Well, OK,  there are some drawbacks -  never fear - because there is one thing I DO know and that is  how important it is to be 'COOL' !!

Peace out man.
I'm off to batten down.
XX

I'm a blogger.

Well, here it is at last. Being bored from a lack of paid, useful work has led me to believe blogging might be a good pastime.
After navigating my way around the set up I am finally doing it.

Now, what to impart to blogland.

Mmmm, FISH OIL !!

It's supposedly good for the joints, and as mine are needing some soothing and oiling, I believed every word of the advert. and went to get my stash.
Upon revealing to the family chemist I needed the liquid form as 'the radio' listed it as the most effective, he agreed and proceeded to push the massive litre bottle as the best purchase at $38.00.

Now that is 100 days @10mls a day, yippee - my joints will love me.


The pain and suffering my joints cause continues as I gag and retch each day to soothe them.
The constant piscatorial taste was not to be an issue according to 'Mr. Friendly' chemist.
 The flavour, he says, is lemon and lime, ha ha - yeah right. That would be the lemon and lime you squeeze on your fish - hellooooo, it still tastes like fish!

In ninety three days there will be a review and in the meantime Mr Friendly won't be reeling me in again!