Back in the swing

Hi folks,

well I'm officially back at work - although not today as I'm on strike - and I'm loving it. I'm still getting used to the new bunch of kids and last year's year 9s keep coming back to visit and we all miss them heaps!!! I love what we've been doing. The science unit has been great and I had so much fun with the chemistry immersion. I've been doing digital portfolios with all the kids which has been a great opportunity to meet them all (there's only about 240 of them after all).

We had a weekend away at Inverloch recently. Nice scenery and all that but not a lot of fun. We took the child and she complained and misbehaved the whole time. Nice touch when at my dad's graveside she starts carrying on about creepy dead people and whinges after 5 minutes because it's boring..when I think of the hours of mind numbing boredom at her concerts, helping her with homework, taking her here there and everywhere or listening to her crap...and she complains because she has to spend a few precious minutes of her life thinking of someone else...well it doesn't leave me feeling particularly enamoured of her!


Yesterday was an amazing day. Australia finally said sorry to the Stolen Generation. Kevin Rudd's speech was great and if you watched and have a heart, you couldn't help but be moved. I think it was an awesome day to be an Aussie and I felt really proud! Our kids watched it and were great, so many of them asked really meaningful and sensible questions and I really think some of them are beginning to break free of old beliefs!
Of course lots of people are now whining about compensation claims, but if you can sue MacDonald's because their burgers made you fat - even though it was your choice to eat them - then surely people can sue for being taken from their parents as a part of state endorsed genocide.

I'm going to the rally so I'm pretty excited about that too.

See ya.

That's about it...for now

Greetings from DownTown Albury

Yes we are on holidays...for the last weekend of the school hols. For two people who never go anywhere this is actually our second stay in a hotel/motel this month as we spent a weekend in CityClub two weeks ago.

We're actually visiting a friend up here but thought we'd make a weekend of it.

It's very hot and I miss my proper aircon but the little unit here will do. There is a pool but I think I'd burn to a crisp in the sunlight right now. There's a cute Beagle here called Bolly who loves to eat so Max would have been happy. Aaron's not overly impressed with my choice of hotel but hey at least I managed to find something when booking the day before a long weekend.

We found a great pub last night (The Bended Elbow) and they serve Bulmers so we're going back again tonight for dinner and a few pints. Think we'll get a movie in as well and hopefully see some fireworks for Australia Day.

Speaking of which: Happy Australia Day everyone!Amazing display of Xanthorrhoea on road side stop...

Great view of the Murrindi Valley below...

Dromana

I finally got around to joining Diggers Club so I can have a better idea of what I'm doing in the garden and so I know I'm contributing to bio-diversity and the preservation of heritage plants. It was lovely wandering around the gardens at Heronswood and enjoying a picnic on the lawn.
Seeing as we were going all the way to Dromana we decided to go to the beach as well. Little did I know that Sarah had never swum in the sea before so it was quite an exciting day for her. (Since then we have spent many days at the beach in various conditions and I have seen an amazing improvement in her swimming ability. I of course love swimming in the sea so it's been a great time for me.) While at Dromana mum just kept an eye on things for us as she's not so keen on swimming anymore. Took some silly pics with the phone so thought I'd share them with you.

Happy 21st Deanne

This little girl just turned 21....

Happy Birthday Deanne and have a great day

Elving Great Times

We Got Elved


Yes, I know I have too much time on my hands during the holidays...

Broccoli

OK - so it's not the world's most popular vegetable but hey it's rich in anti-oxidants and its ok on the iron front too.

So I served some up last night...fresh from MY garden - and even my boyfriend's daughter ate it! On a slightly more exciting note I went to Luna Park yesterday. Tonnes of fun. We took about 120 kids although they were mainly 7s and 8s so I didn't know them. Plus my old school was there so I got even more confused about which kids I was actually responsible for. So to avoid all confusion I just went on as many rides as I could manage and had a great time.
Will hopefully get pix off Bec's camera and my phone in the next few days.

One week till school hols YYYIIIIIIIIPPPPPPPEEEEEE

URGENT Petition RE: Climate Talks in Bali

Hi,

I just signed an emergency petition trying to save the crucial climate change talks in Bali, Indonesia right now by telling the US, Canada and Japan to stop blocking an agreement. You can sign it here:
www.avaaz.org/en/bali_emergency/


Talks are deadlocked, and running into the weekend. Almost all countries have agreed to cut rich country carbon emissions by 2020--which scientists say is crucial to stop catastrophic global warming, and will also help bring China and the developing world onboard. But with just 24 hours left, the US and its close allies Canada and Japan have rejected any mention of such cuts.

We can't let three governments hold the world hostage and block agreement on this desperate issue.

There's still 24 hours left to turn this around - click below to sign the petition - it will be delivered direct to summit delegates, through stunts and in media advertisements, so our voices will actually be heard. But we need a lot of us, fast, to join in if we're going to make a difference. Just click on the link to add your name:

www.avaaz.org/en/bali_emergency/

Thanks!

enjoying the fruits of my labour

This may seem trivial to most but we are already picking veggies from the garden. The basil is a prolific grower and I've taken to giving it away. A few bag fulls have already earned dinner invitations - for basil on freshly caught snapper at one location (mmm this may tempt my vegetarian ethics) and a veggie pasta dish at another. I'm also promised a jar of basil and rocquet pesto - if only my rocquet would grow at the same rate!!!
We have enjoyed our first zuccinni (grilled on the bbq with - you guessed it - basil). I've recently picked squash, tomatoes and carrots although I haven't tasted them yet.
I've also used my own parsely, coriander and oregano in various dishes. It's really a shame I can't cook!

Hope you like your greens...

A few more garden shots

Lemon tree from Ally surrounded by herb garden.
Some pots and some seeds in punnets.
The random rebel pumpkin who escaped from the compost and decided to grow all by him/herself.

Garden update

These pictures were taken by Aaron the other day. Don't worry I have mulched since then but haven't taken anymore photos. The frog bog has also progressed but I haven't got pictures to add to that blog either. Stand by as will get on to that asap.

Every silver lining has a cloud...

The back garden is going crazy. Tonight I took great pleasure in picking basil, spinach and lettuce for dinner. The tomatoes are going great guns - a fact which seems to just fascinate Sarah, and overall it is becoming very productive. We are very lucky to have soil which is incredibly easy to dig. The soft soil just seems to go on and on and on and on with no trace of the clay which allegedly lies beneath. I have of course been digging in lots of compost and manure and relying on our trusty seasol to get everything going. The only problem is the weeds. They are so opportunistic and with the great top soil they have no trouble poking through and taking hold. I seem to be constantly chasing them down - I need time off from all other duties so I can tackle them head on - but I'll just have to persevere and of course Mulch Mulch Mulch.
With the drought there is still a shocking lack of water and I finished off the last of my stored water yesterday. Luckily it has finally started raining and hopefully it will continue throughout the night.
The wind is my other enemy, it snapped off two squash plants the other day- but I've reinforced the others.
Over the weekend I planted the lemon tree Ally gave me for my birthday. Last night I planted some coriander in the herb garden and some lavender between the squash, zucchini and pumpkin to encourage bees to pollinate them for me.
Hopefully we'll get round to taking some pictures this weekend.
Indoors I have two new pots with Japonicas in. It really gives a whole new feeling to the place.

Cheers

I had a birthday

Yet another birthday has gone by. Not a bad one at that.
I got to go nursery shopping on the Saturday- the frogbog just got a lot closer.
We also went to the Ivy for dinner with a few friends. I had drink and cake on the Friday night at work - even the kids got in on it with a cute message on the white board and heaps of wishes on MySpace.
On Sunday - the actual day - I was thrilled to find flowers on the zuccinnis, tomatoes on the tomatoes and carrots looking close to picking. I've even got a capsicum happening.
I had breakfast with mum, she gave me a Balance Hanging with positive Chinese messages. I collected Dee as well so she could come up to see her mum. We stopped at a few places along the way, saw Ally, did the mandatory exchange of plants. Went home via everywhere imaginable - ending with chips in Camberwell.
I also received champagne and flowers from my gorgeous neighbours and on Monday morning there were roses on my desk from a secret admirer (who revealed his identity by lunch time - Aaron didn't feel at all threatened!!!!)
I really should take some garden photos so I can post them but oh well- another day.

Nothing to see here...move on

Really, there's nothing to report on the home front. No new plants, no new pieces of furniture, no new landscaping or finishing of the deck in the alfresco, no new fruit trees, no new work on the frog bog, no nothing!!!!
Unfortunately there aren't likely to be any additions any time soon. With Aaron still off work plus the cost of his specialist bills and medication and now Sarah having medical complications and also having to see specialists and try all sorts of exotic (read expensive) medications, there is literally nothing in the coffers to go towards the house. My secret stash has of course been eaten up with things like school camp, last of the drama fees and medical bills and then of course just general house-hold expenses. I can't really go around buying things for me (garden) when we can't really pay the bills.
So probably the next addition to my front garden will be a large real estate sign and moving van in the drive. May have a giant garage sale as I think we'll need the room when we're renting a tiny bedsit in downtown Broadmeadows.
In other exciting news we had our first huntsman spider of the season. Not impressed considering there are no trees anywhere near us. My theory is it may have jumped on my car when I was under a tree at work and then moved onto the house. My other theory is that it may have been living in our garage undisturbed since we moved from Olinda (we had a couple when we first moved in almost a year ago that I know came from the hills) and as I'd moved the light in the garage to see properly when we were replacing my headlamp it may have decided to come out and explore. It was a bit of a lucky find. We were on our way out and I happened to notice a dark patch on our otherwise perfectly rendered portico. I said to Aaron (it was hard to see in the dark and it was just above the throw of my headlights) "Is that a spider or a dark patch on the render?" I felt a little silly as I have a brain that likes to imagine spiders that aren't there. It turned out it was a somewhat large arachnid so I pummeled it with bug spray and finished the poor thing off with a broom. I felt guilty as Bhudda preaches respect of all living creatures, however, I just can't stomach spiders and Aaron is even worse so it needed to go before it found its way inside. I just hope it comes back as something nicer and my karmic cycle doesn't bring me back as a spider for my crimes against our eight legged friends!
On the brighter side it is finally raining. It's a good solid soaking and the ground doesn't seem too sure what to do with it all. However, my vegies are loving a good long drink as opposed to the warm, dry northerly winds that have characterised their existence thus far. If it stops raining I might take some pics. The weeds are happy too!
One week til my birthday, maybe if anyone asks me what I'd like I'll suggest a Tattslotto ticket or plants for my garden.
All for now!

Happy Hallowe'en 07

Aha, it's my favourite time of year again...Hallowe'en...or as I prefer to call it...Samhain...but then again seeing as we're in the southern hemisphere it could actually be Beltain. Anyway, it's a great day.

This year I got dressed up before I went to work...and confused a number of people in the process. Kate thought I was a very competent CRT from behind, when in fact it was just me doing my job. Others asked if it was St Patrick's Day because I had green in my hair and a few people asked me if I am American...they got my pro-Celtic ramble for their troubles. Still the kids got a laugh and that was great!


In the evening we went to the Lindsay's Citizenship Ceremony, which was lovely. We bought them an Australian Legends CD and enjoyed a drink with the four brand new Aussies. Now all I have to do is work on Aaron.

By the time we got back it was too late for Sarah to go trick or treating...but we had promised. So I suggested she just visit her mum. So I did her make up, she got dressed up and away we went.
We then had a bit of a photo session out the front..

Some pix

Sorry these are a little late but here are some photos we took whilst in Mt Beauty and surrounds..

Rach & Che

Today is Rachel's birthday.

Happy birthday Rach, I hope you have a wonderful day and know what an amazing woman and friend you are.

MWAH

Today also marks the 40th anniversary of the murder of the legendary freedom fighter - Ernesto Che Guevara

How fast they disappear...

Yes folks, the holidays are nearly over. Not that I'm complaining (everyone loves to attack teachers on the subject of school holidays don't they?) as I am looking forward to going back to work - but I feel like I've had the best break I've had in ages.

We ended up going away to Amy and Travis' afterall - it was really wonderful, stunning scenery, great company, fabulous food and - dare I say it??? - a few awesome wineries along the way. Aaron's health improved so much and I felt really rejuvenated. It also inspired us to get moving in the garden so I have spent much of this week planting out vegies. Ultimately, we want to move to the country - but for the moment we'll just have to make the most of what we've got.

I spent today up at Ally and Dave's and had another great day. Kinglake - like Mt Beauty - is very lovely and again got us thinking about moving away from the burbs.

Anyway, I will add some photos soon.

Wendy

Burma

I recently received this email.

If you get a chance sign the petition you can also cut and paste this email and forward it to others.

Thanks


Dear friends, Burma's generals have brought their brutal iron hand down on peaceful monks and protesters -- but in response, a massive global outcry is gathering pace. The roar of global public opinion is being heard in hundreds of protests outside Chinese and Burmese embassies, people round the world wearing the monks' color red, and on the internet-- where our petition has exploded to over 200,000 signers in just 72 hours. People power can win this. Burma's powerful sponsor China can halt the crackdown, if it believes that its international reputation and the 2008 Olympics in Beijing depend on it. To convince the Chinese government and other key countries, Avaaz is launching a major global and Asian ad campaign on Wednesday, including full page ads in the Financial Times and other newspapers, that will deliver our message and the number of signers. We need 1 million voices to be the global roar that will get China's attention. If every one of us forwards this email to just 20 friends, we'll reach our target in the next 72 hours. Please sign the petition at the link below -if you haven't already- and forward this email to everyone you care about: http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_burma/t.php The pressure is working - already, there are signs of splits in the Burmese Army, as some soldiers refuse to attack their own people. The brutal top General, Than Shwe, has reportedly moved his family out of the country – he must fear his rule may crumble. The Burmese people are showing incredible courage in the face of horror. We're broadcasting updates on our effort over the radio into Burma itself – telling the people that growing numbers of us stand with them. Let's do everything we can to help them – we have hours, not days, to do it. Please sign the petition and forward this email to at least 20 friends right now. Scroll down our petition page for details of times and events to join in the massive wave of demonstrations happening around the world at Burmese and Chinese embassies. With hope and determination, Ricken, Paul, Pascal, Graziela, Galit, Ben, Milena and the whole Avaaz Team

hols...don't you just luv em?

There's something about the first week of the school hols for me...I think it's called exhaustion...physical, emotional, intellectual maybe even spiritual... so I spend much of the first week sleeping or at least in a sleepy state. With Aaron around power naps are out of the question so I've basically been in go-slow mode as such there's not a great deal to report really.

I did a lot of washing today and some digging in the garden. The soil I've been turning over has been compacted down over time and didn't want me disturbing it, but once I got through the initial crust it wasn't bad at all, lovely sandy loam and just right for my newest garden bed. At this stage I'm just preparing areas and hoping that at some time I'll get round to putting plants in.

As for the rest of the week we were hoping to go away for a few days but medical experts have said "no" due to Aaron's current condition, we'll see how we go for next week. Tomorrow I'm going to tidy up the garage so I can put my car away again and do some more digging as I find that quite therapeutic.

See ya