tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18153173281893420952024-03-15T17:13:37.390+10:00A Welsh girl in AustraliaBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071999450731273883noreply@blogger.comBlogger332125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815317328189342095.post-81663603526491006692018-07-01T14:48:00.001+10:002018-07-01T14:48:35.430+10:00Cheerio<div>
Hi there,</div>
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I've decided to retire this blog. </div>
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In case you're interested I'm going to start writing another one <a href="https://wheretoshenow.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a></div>
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See you there.</div>
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with thanks for all the support and comments over the years,</div>
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diolch,</div>
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Beth</div>
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x</div>
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<div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://awelshgirlinaus.blogspot.com.au/" data-numposts="5"></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071999450731273883noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815317328189342095.post-89717055650963446542017-05-26T14:40:00.000+10:002017-05-26T14:40:10.500+10:00Sadness for Manchester<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have a heavy heart this week. </div>
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Yesterday I was driving along with a list of jobs to fill my day and I just became sad. Every song on the radio, every image seemed to make me think of the horrible and tragic act committed in Manchester. I just couldn't shift it.</div>
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On the way home from school on Monday afternoon I had a talk with my fourteen year old about it all. We have had similar talks before, which is heartbreaking in itself. I tried again to put an element of perspective on the situation and she listened to me explain about radical behaviour, chance, fear and all sorts of reasons why we can't let the worst kind of human beings scare us into changing the way we live. </div>
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We stopped at some traffic lights and she was quiet so I checked she was OK. </div>
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Her response tore me up....</div>
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The gist of what she said was that she understood that I was trying to reassure her but she was still scared. She was scared because in her short life she has known of too many of these horrific terrorist acts. She has been to Paris; she has had lunch at the Lindt Cafe in Sydney; she has travelled on the underground in London and walked across Westminster Bridge and had we still been living in Yorkshire in the UK it's very likely that she would have been at the concert in Manchester on Monday. </div>
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These acts are not just some stories that happen to other people, she can relate....and she's only fourteen.</div>
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So for all my reassurances about the notion of probability there's still a real fear. </div>
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We talked again on the way to school this morning. We flippantly joked about buying a mountain hideaway and becoming recluses! </div>
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She knows that she'll be growing up into a world where she needs to be vigilant. She may make choices based on fear and I can't necessarily take that away. Her freedom is constantly being compromised and that saddens me. My job is to protect her as much as possible (and give her the skills to protect herself) whilst still letting her experience all the wonderful things that life can offer. </div>
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So for now, we'll be cautious and we'll consider some life choices but we won't hide away. </div>
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Today, I'm just trying to be grateful and not worry the big stuff. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VlpkREo5upeGoO-cvMLZmAbtnp90wZ3W8NAp0OXMnOmWJZrcXk375IfZn2Jhrn9mniH8oJAdb1t695mhzUGZ3GD_9wI3xKht0txol-ml0hAin4Q1wG79T1Tzd6ahSJXcwlhwqPZ6eF4/s1600/IMG_5274+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1579" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VlpkREo5upeGoO-cvMLZmAbtnp90wZ3W8NAp0OXMnOmWJZrcXk375IfZn2Jhrn9mniH8oJAdb1t695mhzUGZ3GD_9wI3xKht0txol-ml0hAin4Q1wG79T1Tzd6ahSJXcwlhwqPZ6eF4/s640/IMG_5274+%25281%2529.jpg" width="631" /></a></div>
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Thinking of everyone involved in the tragedy of Manchester, May 22nd 2017</div>
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<div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://awelshgirlinaus.blogspot.com.au/" data-numposts="5"></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071999450731273883noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815317328189342095.post-85513005929805620602017-05-13T20:42:00.001+10:002017-05-16T08:18:39.623+10:00Umm...hello?If my life was a soap opera it would be taken off air for being too dramatic, unrealistic and unbelievable!<br />
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There's so much 'stuff' whirling in my head that I need to push to the side to get on with the actions of day to day living. Personally and professionally it's all happening. Oh the irony when a work colleague recently asked me what my secret was for seeming to manage all the uncertainty that is currently at my workplace.</div>
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I think I floored her when I explained that it was nothing compared to what else was going on in my life!</div>
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I'm quite a private person and it's a help and a hindrance. It's a coping mechanism as a lot of rubbish can be forgotten about for periods of time. The flip side is that it can also be a bit lonely so there needs to be some release. I find my release in writing. I have been pouring my heart into writing. Raw, emotional, outrageously honest writing that's locked and double locked away for my eyes only. </div>
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This blog has therefore been neglected and I feel a real mix of emotions about that. There's a part of me that feels safe that my private life is just that but there's also a bit that's quite sad that some happy events haven't been recorded like I used to do. </div>
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So I guess this intro is a little nod in the direction of the crappola and it's me acknowledging it in some way so that I can give myself permission to write about good moments. I would still like to capture those nice memories here without feeling like a fraud and that I'm creating an illusion of "an ideal life". </div>
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It's a tiny admission that whilst I don't want to share everything I want to at least put some context around my lack of social interaction. </div>
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Blogging is different for everyone and for me as this blog is not wholly anonymous I choose to mainly share just the positive. </div>
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(It's not about me trying to be cryptic and definitely not about fishing for sympathy. Like I said, my privacy is important to me and I'm actually fine. I'm surprising myself just how fine I am. Everyone has something going on at any one time and maybe I'm just getting more than my share at the moment but I'm holding on. )</div>
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So......moving on.</div>
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Brisbane is a glorious place to be in May. It's also full of public holidays and now that my working week includes a Monday I've been able to take advantage of that.</div>
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Sibs and I took off on one public holiday and packed a picnic and headed to Bribie Island for the day. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVJHwoo-m2CNd7fPQy1oHKdPVO0oydcSpyFYGItPsYRQtKIx9oX7c9hE4Gx4KiY1BrP7kUKQQ-uOy7CpdLpbOzrQ4ViLZlwPlELe6MS7ZT8w_PzgyifbM1sK_OCBEVZGjdAititoOnIQ/s1600/bribie+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVJHwoo-m2CNd7fPQy1oHKdPVO0oydcSpyFYGItPsYRQtKIx9oX7c9hE4Gx4KiY1BrP7kUKQQ-uOy7CpdLpbOzrQ4ViLZlwPlELe6MS7ZT8w_PzgyifbM1sK_OCBEVZGjdAititoOnIQ/s640/bribie+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We walked in the opposite direction to the crowd and wandered the sea shore. It was one of the most relaxing afternoons I can remember for a long time. </div>
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It was good to get away for the day. </div>
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I've also been plodding away with some craft things and trying out some different patterns and yarns. I recently subscribed to a monthly crochet box. I wanted to support a business in the UK called 'Little Box of Crochet' and I now get a gorgeous little box left on my doorstep every month. It's a happy day when the box arrives and it's like opening a present. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2-iKAJ_ks3R0NxdDHkLJ_soOcN7Fe-9v4mpjJ4fvdUn66mqWy8XP640MjYVww45Wz8gq_AmuRapJtcvemrzVkcu6sZvpgkVI9NrBYLnhFG6wBNO91rauhd8-qcN2XSBywvyUSnf8KCA/s1600/IMG_5218+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2-iKAJ_ks3R0NxdDHkLJ_soOcN7Fe-9v4mpjJ4fvdUn66mqWy8XP640MjYVww45Wz8gq_AmuRapJtcvemrzVkcu6sZvpgkVI9NrBYLnhFG6wBNO91rauhd8-qcN2XSBywvyUSnf8KCA/s640/IMG_5218+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Each box includes a very detailed pattern booklet (with photos), the yarn, a crochet hook, a stitch marker and anything else you need like buttons and there's a treat as a surprise. It's certainly got me trying out things I would not normally do and if anyone is interested here's the website link. <a href="https://www.littleboxofcrochet.co.uk/" target="_blank">LITTLE BOX OF CROCHET</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQOqL5GeUkUwuY3PzgRNLFcx_hKIfIpAUC7dKqcWZMFEaLT_KpoGhN25xUV4DQFRwf0VWjT5GAp_xLu4-_XD72ydyGf-LIGc-wXd5y62sfuOYQIoDYnWi9VUfuimKAn1nWhDGuZw5zUc/s1600/IMG_5219+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQOqL5GeUkUwuY3PzgRNLFcx_hKIfIpAUC7dKqcWZMFEaLT_KpoGhN25xUV4DQFRwf0VWjT5GAp_xLu4-_XD72ydyGf-LIGc-wXd5y62sfuOYQIoDYnWi9VUfuimKAn1nWhDGuZw5zUc/s640/IMG_5219+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Possibly a little pointless, but I do love these rainbow mug cardigans. It certainly brightens up my morning cup of coffee. </div>
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Anyhow, it's time to spell check and press publish - taxi duty calls. </div>
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I need to put away my ice cream bowl (the best kind of dinner choice when I'm not cooking for anyone else!) I need to turn off Radio 2 on my Internet radio and leave the conversation with Graham Norton about the Eurovision Song Contest and head to the other side of town to pick up a teenager who's dancing away at a 70's party. </div>
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Happy weekend all.</div>
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Beth</div>
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<div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://awelshgirlinaus.blogspot.com.au/" data-numposts="5"></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071999450731273883noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815317328189342095.post-72224270219270370542017-03-01T09:29:00.000+10:002017-03-01T09:29:44.066+10:00It's been a while....I have been away from blogging for such a long time.<br />
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The truth is I forgot my password. For some strange reason I changed it after my last post and then I just forgot it!</div>
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When I first created a blogger profile and account I used a false phone number (paranoid I would get umpteen scammer calls a day) but of course that meant that the retrieval code to set me back up on my blog was being sent to a made up telephone number! </div>
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They then asked me to identify when I originally set up my account....I'm not sure how I'm supposed to remember the <i>exact date</i> about 7 years ago that I decided to set up a blog!! So that was another dead end.</div>
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And then one morning ta-da, it came to me and here I am.<br />
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So I've been away in another sense of the word too. Six long glorious week travelling in the UK - in the cold. Absolute bliss.<br />
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My cardigans, my girl and I had the best time catching up with wonderful family and friends. I clocked up 3,000 miles in the little hire car and can map out the best and worst coffees up and down the motorways from the Highlands of Scotland to the Devon coastline!<br />
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Sadly there was no white Christmas but there were a few white days in January. One white day incorporated a rather scary drive from Leeds to Manchester along the M62 just before midnight. There is a point on this motorway called Windy Hill near Saddleworth Moor and it's the highest point of any motorway in the UK. The swirling snow was quite disorientating and I remember being very pleased to see my destination that night.<br />
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It was a truly joyous holiday and I loved being part of everyday life with my family and my friends. I lost count of the cups of tea that I drank accompanied by long connecting conversations. I've said it before and I will continue to repeat it but I feel so incredibly fortunate to have these lovely supportive people in my life. It really doesn't matter where we live in the world.<br />
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The holiday was tinged with some sadness too as some friends experienced the grief of lost ones and the cruel kick of illness. Life is a horror sometimes...<br />
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So now it's back to soaring temperatures in another hemisphere. Back to work and school and homework and activities and everything that goes with being mother to a fourteen year old with a way better social life than I have!<br />
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My routine is changing. My work days have changed and my life feels a little topsy-turvy! That's OK, I'm practicing a little self care along the way.<br />
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Beth<br />
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<div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://awelshgirlinaus.blogspot.com.au/" data-numposts="5"></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071999450731273883noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815317328189342095.post-66636527885678321342016-10-02T14:46:00.003+10:002016-10-02T14:46:50.713+10:00A little catch up <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's October! It's those glorious short lived weeks of Springtime before the Queensland summer hits. </div>
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I have been in hibernation and recuperating mode and am just about getting back to normal (whatever that means?)</div>
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It feels like nothing at all and quite a bit has happened over the last couple of months. My days have been a routine of only essential chores with coffee, crochet or a book. Not very exciting but I thought I would just capture a little of it here. </div>
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I have learnt a few things during this time -</div>
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- not wearing contacts or glasses is a good thing for me as I can't see the dust or the tumbleweed effects of having a daughter with lots of long hair!</div>
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- not to peer too closely into the bathroom sink as the blue toothpaste stains stare back and mock me. (On a positive - at least she brushes her teeth!)</div>
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- not having a full fridge is ok and you can do lots with eggs.</div>
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- my cats have a sixth sense and just know when things are not quite right.</div>
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During the last couple of weeks however I have tried to get out a bit more and prepare for a return to real life.</div>
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Sibs has been off school for two weeks holiday and as usual has been busy with social and dancing commitments. She is performing at QPAC next week so I have had to book in my time to spend with her in between rehearsals. We went for a bit of a stroll along the river one day and it was so relaxing just walking and chatting.<br />
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We have managed a couple of days up in Noosa and on one of the days the weather wasn't great so Sibs, Nana, Aunty D and I went to a ladies diy class and made clocks.<br />
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Bad weather never lasts long here and the next morning it was back to beautiful blue skies for a wander and coffee in Sunshine Beach. This photo was taken on my phone and has no filter attached to it. The ocean is just stunning. <br />
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I am not a huge movie goer but one afternoon when I had enough of home, I took myself off to watch Absolutely Fabulous. All was going well as I sat in the back row with a hot chocolate in my hand and the cinema to myself. Then a group of ladies with babies and toddlers came in...and sat right in front of me! The kids had ipads on full brightness, a tupperware box of cake was passed around and not so hushed conversations were had. I wasn't too impressed.</div>
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Last night I tried again, this time to see Bridget Jones's Baby. The cinema was full and everyone behaved! I laughed out loud and it was just what I needed. Maybe the cocktail and the comfy seat helped?</div>
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So another month and another season starts and the countdown to the end of the year big trip is on. </div>
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There's some planning to be done.</div>
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<div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://awelshgirlinaus.blogspot.com.au/" data-numposts="5"></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071999450731273883noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815317328189342095.post-81320914756334068822016-08-09T13:39:00.001+10:002016-08-09T22:57:23.125+10:00Time outBefore I start I should probably state that I'm writing this feeling a bit off kilter.<br />
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I've juggled around with the various hats that I wear before so I know the score. It's akin to playing the same part in a play for a decade and then one night before curtain call someone changes the script.<br />
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The last time was about 16 months ago when I took some time out of everyday life. I boarded a plane in Brisbane, flew to the other side of the world and spent a month making my own decisions.<br />
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As I prepared and packed for that trip there were lots of mixed emotions. I felt that every item going into my bag was emblazoned with the word <i>"me".</i> I had lovely supportive friends who were excited for me but in my head I heard it differently. My core instinct for the last twelve years was being shifted. My 'mother' hat was still in that bag it's just that the 'me' hat had bright neon lights on it!<br />
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By the time I was crossing the Arabian Sea I was just about beginning to let go of the guilt and look forward to the discovery. I slept on the plane (better than I do at home!) and I spent time contemplating.<br />
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I wore lots of hats during that month away - daughter, friend, independent traveller. I had the best time and a holiday where I truly relaxed. It was a chance to press the pause button for a while.<br />
Technology makes the world a very small place and time differences aside I still parented from a distance. I shared the stories about school camp, dancing lessons, getting into the netball team, forgotten lunch boxes. Life in my Australian home didn't really change... I just wasn't there in the moment to live it or worry about it.<br />
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Back in Brisbane I fell back into my world.<br />
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The suitcase went to the back of the wardrobe and the neon light on the 'me' hat got switched off.<br />
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I'm not complaining - that's life. I wouldn't swap a lot of mine.<br />
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Then a long term health issue started to bother me and the prospect of needing to take a step away from things was a real possibility. I needed that 'me' hat again. I pondered and pondered some more and I dithered. I made a decision and changed my mind. Once my consultant mentioned the words - second opinion, referral and oncologist in the same sentence I stopped dithering.<br />
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I filled the freezer, I made lists, I organised my work commitments, I cleaned and scrubbed like the queen was coming to tea! I did so much in the week before surgery that I seriously couldn't have fitted anything else in if I tried.<br />
I was exhausted and then I had horrible morbid thoughts at 4am that made me even more exhausted. I was almost looking forward to the operating table just to have a proper sleep!<br />
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I then let go of every... single... hat...<br />
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On Monday I had some surgery and on Friday I was told my pathology results were clear.<br />
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I was nothing for almost a week. I didn't realise that I was in such a limbo until Friday afternoon. By Friday evening in my head I had <i>"recovered"</i>.<br />
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Well, not quite....<br />
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I should probably enjoy this time. I know how important it is for me to rest to recover and I am doing it. (I also know my mother wants to jump on a plane so I have to re-assure her that I really am doing the right things. Mam - I promise.)<br />
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Being at home and not being in control is a strange feeling though. I have to consciously give myself lectures about things like not picking up the stray pony tail band on the floor - <i>it was yellow and it was there for 24 hours and nearly drove me insane!</i><i>!</i><br />
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I'm not naive enough to think that life is a 'one hat on, one hat off' game. We all multi task, we all take on different roles at different times and I just have to adopt in this theatre where I'm typecast as homemaker.<br />
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It's unbalancing but I'll find a pretty ribbon and tie it around my 'me' hat in a big knot under my chin<br />
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....and breathe....<br />
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<i></i>Beth<br />
x<br />
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<div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://awelshgirlinaus.blogspot.com.au/" data-numposts="5"></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071999450731273883noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815317328189342095.post-80220915154274044952016-07-26T10:22:00.003+10:002016-07-26T10:28:58.661+10:00A crochet chat<div style="text-align: center;">
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About two years I decided I needed a bit of a creative outlet. I set myself a little challenge to teach myself how to crochet. I thought it would be easy - one little crochet hook, a ball of wool, what could be so tricky about that? Well, it wasn't quite as easy as I thought...<br />
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My ipad an I spent many evenings attempting various stitches with varying degrees of success. I struggled with the tension and my crochet samplers grew and shrunk with some alarming regularity. As they say, practise makes perfect and whilst nothing is ever <i>quite</i> <i>perfect</i> my confidence grew and I began to try out work that was a little more exciting than a scarf!<br />
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One of the things that I enjoy making is blankets. I love the anticipation of the project, sorting through the colours and the repetitiveness of row after row coming together. To date I have either followed a pattern or just slightly tinkered a bit with the colours. I got a little bit brave a few months ago and decided I could manage to venture alone...<br />
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I considered my colour choices, decided on the basic stitch and started. I often give my blankets as gifts but I still need to love them whilst I'm in the process. With this one the love began to waiver about a third of the way through. The irregularity of the stripe was beginning to bother me. The initial attraction to the randomness just wasn't working anymore. I noticed that the blanket wasn't really progressing as I just wasn't drawn to picking it up in the evenings.<br />
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Thankfully, the solution came to me and the answer was to mirror the pattern from the halfway point. Ahhh, symmetry..... all became well in my crochet world!<br />
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I've worked blankets with lots of different colour stripes in the past but these three shades needed rhythm and purpose.<br />
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Once a blanket is completed I'm itching to get going again. As a welcome change I looked for a quick start and finish project.<br />
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Back in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales in the little town that was my home for many years the planning is underway for 'Yarndale'. This is a creative festival of all things woolly and they have a community project that you can contribute to wherever you are in the world. This year the community project is to make a woolly sheep. These sheep will be a visual display during the Yarndale weekend and then they will be sold with the proceeds going to Martin House - a hospice to care for children and young people in Yorkshire and a donation will also go to The Children's Liver Disease Foundation.<br />
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I have watched the crochet community post their creations on social media and marvelled at the different interpretations. From my attempts my favourite was my little girly sheep in her pink jumper, so she will packaged up and sent back to Yorkshire. I wonder where she'll end up?<br />
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Details of the woolly sheep community project can be found - <a href="http://yarndale.co.uk/little-woolly-sheep/" target="_blank">HERE</a> and you have until September 9th to contribute.<br />
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Another community project that I have just completed also came to my attention via social media. It's called #jennysblanketofhugs. A very kind and thoughtful individual is creating a blanket for a young girl who sadly has just learnt that her brain tumour has returned. The idea is that people can crochet squares that will then be made up into a blanket.<br />
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I really wanted to do my bit to contribute to this blanket. I set to work on the plain square and after a couple of attempts (that tension thing again!) I managed to get the required size about right. The same thing happened with the stripes - my size was out and the sides were wonky. The bobbled one was a real challenge for me - rows of increasing and decreasing number of stitches and bobbles that were way too flat! On Sunday evening I was on attempt number six or seven and then a thought came to me. These squares are just three squares in a huge blanket of hugs. There are numerous individuals from different corners of the world expressing their squares in their own way. Just like we hug. Each hug is different - similar... but different. Each square made for this blanket would be similar but different.<br />
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That's the beauty of this blanket. It has a colour theme, it has variations on plain, stripes and bobble squares, but it's full of individual hugs that give it that that beautiful uniqueness.<br />
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On Monday morning I came back from a yoga class, got straight into sewing in the stray ends to my (slightly wonky) squares, took the selfie that was requested with my contribution and these will be posted off to the UK this week.<br />
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The details of the #jennysblanketofhugs project can be found - <a href="http://justpootling.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/jennys-blanket-of-hugs.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></div>
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<div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://awelshgirlinaus.blogspot.com.au/" data-numposts="5"></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071999450731273883noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815317328189342095.post-5823826186889516012016-07-12T15:59:00.000+10:002016-07-12T16:18:41.474+10:00Winter school holidays<br />
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It's Winter here. It's socks, slippers and cardigan weather...and I'm <i>loving</i> it! The daytime sky is a beautiful crisp blue and the temperature hovers around 20 degrees. Then as the sun sets the evenings are cooler and spent under blankets or some nights around the fire or heater. I wish it was Winter all year in Queensland.<br />
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We have just come to the end of a few weeks holiday. As the last break was a pretty busy one (to say the least), this one was much more sedate and all about catching our breath and forgetting about the usual frantic planning of everyday life.<br />
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I was fortunate enough to be able to take a couple of weeks away from work and cherished my moments with Sibs. There was some serious chilling out with a few pyjama days; we shopped, we had some dinners with friends and we de-cluttered like there was no tomorrow. In fact that's what I should be finishing off now but paying a few bills online suddenly became - 'let me write a blog post before I do anything else!'<br />
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My sleep pattern, which is never the best, had some serious hammering with Wimbledon and the Euro 16 finals. Wales made it to the semi's and there were a few 5am football starts after 2am tennis finishes! The benefit of all that TV watching was that the blanket that seems to have taken me forever is now finished.<br />
I started this one way back in February and was making it up as I went along. There are only three colours and I began to fall out of love with it. I realised after a while that the lack of symmetry was bothering me so at the half way point I mirrored the pattern and then it made sense again. It took almost 4 months to do the first half and just over 4 weeks to do the second half!<br />
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One evening I needed a start and finish project so I made this wooly sheep. He has his own removable jumper which is a little on the cute side and I can see a flock in the not too distant future.<br />
(The pattern is from Attic 24 link <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/woolly-sheep.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>)<br />
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I re-introduced my Sunday G&T but have to admit to getting a little confused last weekend. Just as I was about to sit down with my drink and my new book it dawned on me that it was a Saturday. Needless to say I carried on regardless!</div>
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Spending time with Sibs has been a giggle and her sense of fun and humour is really developing. There have been some days where we have been helpless with laughter, so much so that I had to stop driving one afternoon as I couldn't see through the tears!<br />
She has introduced me to snapchat and even though I only have one contact it's a fun way to keep in touch.<br />
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This has been a holiday of mainly resting and re-gathering with a few full days thrown in here and there.<br />
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Life continues to feel like a whirlwind and the momentum of the year is still hurtling past. On the health side I have conceded to the realisation that the numerous non surgical interventions that I have been attempting will not give me the long term solution. It was worth a go but now the bed is booked and I will be hibernating for a while.<br />
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<div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://awelshgirlinaus.blogspot.com.au/" data-numposts="5"></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071999450731273883noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815317328189342095.post-73642471037424084142016-05-24T13:28:00.000+10:002016-05-24T18:24:47.297+10:00Scoliosis - 18 months on<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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I'm a little overdue with this scoliosis update but as they say - better late than never. </div>
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Sibs has had a couple of appointments recently with the first one being an MRI scan. She is used to these now and the experience doesn't faze her in the slightest. She is becoming quite the expert in remembering to wear the right clothes with no metal bits which leads me onto quite a funny little tale...</div>
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Before I get to that, I'll just record the procedure for the MRI appointment. The all important job of choosing a movie is first on the list and she always hovers between the familiar (as she knows she might not get to the ending) and the opportunity to watch something different. </div>
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There was a younger child being scanned earlier and I'm not sure if Sibs was amused at the fact they kept the donut screen in front of the machine or not? I personally thought it looked a little scary from my side of the room! (Note for my mother - they are not dirty socks - they are white and have grey heels and toe parts!)</div>
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Once the scan was sorted it was then onto some measurements that the research team then log for their findings. Sibs's height growth has slowed down during the last 6 months. This wasn't a surprise as I can see for myself that she hasn't changed as much as she did in the few months before the last scan. I had noticed that her feet had stopped growing too and there hadn't been as frequent a cry of "nothing fits" for a while.</div>
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One of the researchers also takes photos of various angles of Sibs's back and torso. This is where the funny story comes in. </div>
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I was sitting watching the photography from a little distance and concentrating on the researcher telling us that these photographs could be used in a study paper. Being a typical mother I have to admit I checked to see what crop top Sibs was wearing. Hmm, I don't recall that particular one Sibs....!</div>
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It turns out that from the extensive supply of crop tops that my thirteen year old possesses, she decided that on the day that she gets to show the medics (and now possibly the world?) she would wear a home made one...wait for it...made from a pair of knickers!! I'll let you work out the how.</div>
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I was a mixture of proud and mortified! I couldn't argue with the fact that it ensured that she didn't have any metal bits though.</div>
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As you can see from the photo above when she is standing upright her scoliosis is hardly noticeable and her shoulders and waistline are pretty even.</div>
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It is only as she begins to lean forwards that the extent of the curve becomes clear. I think I have mentioned this before but I haven't recorded any clear photos. This was the way that it was first noticed and what prompted the start of the interventions.</div>
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There is also some very slight left rib protrusion when she is lying flat on her back. </div>
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The research team will continue to track and record the results of the MRI and various measurements in order to try and understand the complexity of the condition and hopefully find some answers for treating and even preventing future cases.</div>
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Then a couple of weeks later it was back to see the spinal surgeon for a check up. Once again the routine is to get to the clinic, pick up some paperwork and then get up to date x-rays. </div>
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Trying to juggle work and school pick up meant that we hit the South Bank traffic and we cut it <i>very</i> fine to make the 4.15pm appointment. The two bits of good news were that we made it in time and then the magazines in the waiting area had been updated!<br />
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After studying the x-rays and measuring Sibs's back Dr A came to the conclusion that the degree of the curve of her scoliosis is increasing. Not such great news....<br />
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Because she had been excited about the fact that her growth was slowing down, Sibs had began to hope that the brace would no longer be needed. Also during the very first meeting with the surgeon there was a discussion about wearing the brace for about 18 months.<br />
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Telling this to a girl that counts down <i>everything </i>(curse those iphone apps!) then in her calculations that would mean that time was up just about now.<br />
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I had been casually talking through different outcomes and options with her and as much as the conversations were heard, I'm not sure how much she really wanted to believe. In her mind, March 2016 was going to be her last month of wearing her brace.<br />
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So back to the news about the increase. We've been here before - her last appointment showed a similar story. The increase is small and still keeps her in a bracket that is under the recommended degree for surgery. Sibs's curve is at 37% and surgery is recommended from 40% upwards. Interestingly she is back where she started in terms of degree of curvature. In one way that is a reassuring thing. It decreased at first when she had a bit of a growth spurt and even though it has gradually crept back it probably means that by wearing her brace she has prevented the curve moving into the 40+%. If she had opted not to persevere then the chances are high that she would now be facing back surgery.<br />
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Anyhow....she rallied and now has another countdown! Her next appointment is July but she's set her expectation of stopping wearing her brace for October.<br />
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I continue to say the same thing - I am so incredibly proud of her. Her resilience is pretty amazing. She picks herself up and onwards she goes.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sibs has given her approval for content and photos in this post.</span></div>
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<div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://awelshgirlinaus.blogspot.com.au/" data-numposts="5"></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071999450731273883noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815317328189342095.post-59430740338889208782016-05-20T16:22:00.002+10:002016-05-20T16:22:28.383+10:00Contemplating.<br />
I've been staring at this screen for a long time.<br />
Starting to type sentences and then hitting delete.<br />
<br />
I've been back and forth to this 'new post' page on my blog umpteen times over the last few weeks doing the same. Two or three sentences in and then delete.....<br />
<br />
Why do I sometimes need to record things and then other times nothing I write feels right?<br />
<br />
When I look back over the last few months, lots of things have happened.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>There's been a month of a family visit with days out and a little holiday up the coast.</li>
<li>Sibs and I got <i><b>the best</b> </i>upgrade at a Madonna concert in March and had a fabulous night out. She's such a great little concert buddy!</li>
<li>We were super busy with a huge production of Hairspray at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre in April where 14,000 people came to watch the show over a weekend.</li>
<li>I've started to organise a big holiday for the end of the year and I'm already getting excited and am counting the days.</li>
<li>Sibs has had a few hospital appointments and check ups with some updates on her scoliosis. (I will update on that soon)</li>
<li>I'm back singing with a choir and it's hard work but so much fun at the same time.</li>
<li>We've had a great house guest from the UK staying with us and she was a breath of fresh air.</li>
<li>I'm still in the decision stage about my health options....(I can be such a procrastinator)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
Lots of bloggable and recordable moments...<br />
<br />
But I'm just too tired.<br />
<br />
Life is hurtling by and I'm just about holding on. Gosh, I sound like such a drama queen! Maybe I should just delete that last sentence too??<br />
<br />
Each week I mentally plan things for the days ahead. I make lists and then I prioritise. I've even been known to prioritise within my priority list but it's funny how sorting out the study cupboards never <i>quite</i> makes it onto any priority list...ever!<br />
Work days are generally accounted for and on my days off I go through a lot of the boring and mundane things like grocery shopping and meal planning and cleaning and cooking and admin stuff and medical appointments. I have my regular yoga class on one of these days off and once in a blue moon I occasionally throw in a 'me' treat.<br />
<br />
I know I'm just <i>too</i> tired when this kind of thing happens. - I'm wandering around Coles aimlessly comparing the prices of brown rice packets when my phone beeps and tells me I have a message. I get as far as the frozen food section before I decide to play the message and it's to tell me (in a lovely way) that I was expected forty five minutes ago for an appointment for a facial! Now granted these appointments are rare but that's even more reason that I would have been looking forward to it!<br />
<br />
I also know that I'm <i>too</i> tired when lots of people are asking if I'm OK. Now that's lovely and caring but also a bit disconcerting!<br />
<br />
As I'm typing away here I think I know some of the answer. I've just gone back and read my last post. The one where I thought about self care. The one where I made a bit of a promise with myself that I think I've broken....<br />
<br />
I don't know why I might believe that I'm so indispensable! The world will not stop spinning if I don't contribute for a while.<br />
<br />
I think it might just be time for that new kind of normal...<br />
<br />
I'll sleep on it.<br />
<br />
<br />
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Can one define "normal"?<br />
<br />
I thought that I knew what <i>my</i> normal was but I'm beginning to question it.<br />
<br />
I've recently been challenged.<br />
Just before Christmas I was literally stopped in my tracks by an acute episode of pain. That hasn't happened for a while. I'm extremely good at avoidance and denial. I know I am, but I still do it. If I can bury my head in the sand until it disappears I can almost convince myself that it didn't happen! This time though, as much as I tried my usual coping method I conceded and dragged myself to my GP. Lots and lots of tests and scans and specialists appointments later I had some investigative surgery.<br />
This week I had a follow up appointment with the surgeon and I was questioned on the severity and frequency of the pain. During this discussion I began to realise that my normal is probably not quite what it should be!<br />
<br />
I haven't thought about my response to the question "How is the pain?" for a while.<br />
It is what it is. Part of life.<br />
I just spouted out my stock response of :-<br />
<br />
"I am so much better than I was...."<br />
<br />
"It's not too bad now....."<br />
<br />
"Yes, I think I can manage...."<br />
<br />
"Medication works most of the time...."<br />
<br />
<br />
The last time that I was challenged on this was quite a few years ago. A pharmacist had made a comment to me one day about the strength of my medication. It got me a little worried about what I was putting into my body so I went to see a Chronic Pain Specialist in a tiny room in the community hospital where I lived. He was an anesthetist and also ran a pain clinic to look at alternatives to traditional medications. Over time I tried massage, acupuncture, reiki, yoga, physiotherapy, tens machine, homeopathy... Some worked, other didn't.<br />
<br />
I have just adapted. I have more good days than bad and I really think that I am better than what I was.....<br />
<br />
It's not all consuming anymore and I'm not frightened to plan things in advance with a chance of changing arrangements. Did I really live like that?<br />
<br />
So I may have normalised my situation and consequently accepted a level of tolerance. I've been OK with it. I've been managing - but now it's been questioned again.<br />
<br />
Someone has given me a possibility of a different normal. Not perfect, but potentially better. There are a few hurdles and hoops to consider and I'm working through how much of a jump I'm prepared to take but I am considering it all.<br />
<br />
I'm keeping a detailed diary and an open mind. I'm trying to dispel ingrained beliefs of what's acceptable, manageable and expected and I'm trying to look at the real picture.<br />
<br />
It's good to question things, it's good to be challenged.<br />
<br />
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It's not me trying to be clever or anything, it's just that I take extended leave over the Christmas and New Year period so January is still a lovely blur of days with no structure. It's a little like a month 'on hold'.<br />
<br />
I'm now back at work, Sibs is back to school and we are on the treadmill of real life again.<br />
<br />
Each February I consider the year ahead and make some plans. Some concrete and some tentative. I get a little nervous when my life is too mapped out as it just seems to speed up time. You know that feeling of not quite enjoying the moment as you're waiting for the next thing to happen?<br />
<br />
I have quite a few things on the calendar for February and March; I know what's happening during the Easter holidays; I have a feeling what June and July will be like and I'm planning a trip home in December. That's quite enough I think!<br />
<br />
I've never pressured myself with resolutions and goals, but I have been thinking a little about getting more regular with this blog. I remember a year or so ago I felt that I had lost a bit of momentum in my blogging and that I had nothing to write about unless it was a major change to everyday life. I seemed to be waiting for the "amazing" moments before I posted anything. I guess it's a self imposed definition though....?<br />
<br />
As a reminder to myself and a push to blog more there is a lovely quote that I saved on my phone just before Christmas that I instantly loved.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><b>"<i>Life is amazing. And then it's awful. </i><i>And then it's amazing again.</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #073763;"><b>And in between the amazing and the awful it's ordinary and mundane and routine.</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #073763;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Breath in the amazing, hold on through the awful, </b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #073763;"><b>and relax and exhale during the ordinary.</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #073763;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #073763;"><b>That's just living </b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Heartbreaking, soul-healing, amazing, awful, ordinary life.</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #073763;"><b>And it's breathtakingly beautiful."</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #073763;">LR Knost</span></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've decided to adopt the following line as my mantra for 2016.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: #073763;">Breath in the amazing, hold on through the awful, and relax and exhale during the ordinary.</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm not suddenly going to bare my soul here, but I do want to capture a little bit of the in-betweens of life's stories.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just to get me going - this is a glimpse at my recent <i>amazing</i>, <i>ordinary</i> and a little bit <i>awful</i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXqfilZFhZ-8o9IN2B21RBsteXSv3_jMRHwhyphenhyphen3mX8xZAmQi9Kr5wZ9U5a7OL1CvNxI72TBN8JKIx1Tl-KIuU3km1W7X8AbJ6euANfNMU2L6d-PSplYACYN3lLzzNx35F_VD7iB7ijwdU/s1600/IMG_0604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXqfilZFhZ-8o9IN2B21RBsteXSv3_jMRHwhyphenhyphen3mX8xZAmQi9Kr5wZ9U5a7OL1CvNxI72TBN8JKIx1Tl-KIuU3km1W7X8AbJ6euANfNMU2L6d-PSplYACYN3lLzzNx35F_VD7iB7ijwdU/s640/IMG_0604.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">evening stroll in Noosa</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp00g3aXbr_XjtoicnVqtkgATdJpntjOAnJbd3mRm-vPGCqhOtzsWVYiZAsddDdZeTkbKeXiu_MJyRvtTZ5DFrqGW-p_Pl3rjMg9CwRYbN0P2h7uulqI7uNvBqsA3HRWDi5GFQGg-Lzgg/s1600/Pic+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp00g3aXbr_XjtoicnVqtkgATdJpntjOAnJbd3mRm-vPGCqhOtzsWVYiZAsddDdZeTkbKeXiu_MJyRvtTZ5DFrqGW-p_Pl3rjMg9CwRYbN0P2h7uulqI7uNvBqsA3HRWDi5GFQGg-Lzgg/s640/Pic+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Australia Day get together, chatting with Sibs in the pool and a day at home with the cats. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZreMDQac5_2om8XHd_GufxamxG62p6KA5huNlvr56ryngw93ZsicvIjIIlJzL91iH-1tPSEv2T_h2DGN5ieTR8DtprT5aYyzlepwqrB25nfuZxmEPVlLNKYzxPepqW1Gg9b9__H4Mw10/s1600/IMG_0946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZreMDQac5_2om8XHd_GufxamxG62p6KA5huNlvr56ryngw93ZsicvIjIIlJzL91iH-1tPSEv2T_h2DGN5ieTR8DtprT5aYyzlepwqrB25nfuZxmEPVlLNKYzxPepqW1Gg9b9__H4Mw10/s640/IMG_0946.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">emergency hospital with Twmff who thankfully made a good recovery.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://awelshgirlinaus.blogspot.com.au/" data-numposts="5"></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071999450731273883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815317328189342095.post-20922077809454198912016-01-16T15:48:00.000+10:002016-01-16T15:48:24.740+10:00HelloooooHello out there. It's been a little while since I visited this blog. I've been on a holiday that started last year and I'm not sure what the date is or what day of the week it is. I know we've started a new year but don't push me on any more details!<br />
<br />
So let me recap on the last month or so.<br />
<br />
My December started OK and then I got a bit unwell and ended up starting my break from work a little earlier than expected. A hospital stay a few days before Christmas wasn't quite on the plan, but it didn't stop the festivities and Christmas day was celebrated with some family and friends.<br />
<br />
We sat out in the shade and ate our usual salads and fish and then more salads and meat and then ice cream cake.<br />
We Skyped and Facetimed grandparents in the UK and an uncle on a boat in the middle of the ocean somewhere and we messaged people from all over. It's always lovely but never <i>quite</i> right..... It just makes me just a wee bit homesick.<br />
<br />
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<br />
For New Year we headed up the coast. First to Mooloolaba (love that name) and then up to Noosa. It was all very relaxing. It was picnics and gentle walks around markets and coastal paths, heading to the beach when the crowds went home.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQzf9QzQCbbxBtNkMnkaRtOT-kVkQs1FC3sLlAsurNQ344Tvc1zS-CUjxAIe9mufePVWzOtYCmrvIrVicYm1QicGvf41i7tvoKYU0ZPTUdrOoIYpRHrJ3k5fQssPVItSBTjf8bi7kbYA/s1600/IMG_0608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQzf9QzQCbbxBtNkMnkaRtOT-kVkQs1FC3sLlAsurNQ344Tvc1zS-CUjxAIe9mufePVWzOtYCmrvIrVicYm1QicGvf41i7tvoKYU0ZPTUdrOoIYpRHrJ3k5fQssPVItSBTjf8bi7kbYA/s640/IMG_0608.JPG" width="481" /></a></div>
<br />
We decided not to venture far on a Summer holiday this year so have been spending the time at home doing a few diy jobs and pottering around. The pool area got a bit of a tidy up and we've been enjoying the peace and quiet there in the early evenings. There may have been a sly G&T and bowl of crisps involved!<br />
<br />
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<br />
Sibs and I have been on walks through the forest area behind our house and have been discovering all sorts of pathways that lead us up and down the mountain. As it gets so hot in the daytime these walks have usually been around dusk but I have managed to drag myself out of bed to do some mornings. (Oh OK, so it was just the one morning!)<br />
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I have loved the time with her and the conversations that these walks have prompted. Special and precious moments have been created.<br />
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It wouldn't be a holiday without some crochet and I have a few projects on the go courtesy of the Spotlight sale.<br />
There's a ripple blanket as a housewarming gift and lots of colourful scarves that will be heading back to the UK as presents.<br />
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We have been to the cinema, had a few morning coffees out and about and met up with some friends here and there. So nothing extraordinary exciting but everything that long and relaxing summer holidays should be. It's been the right thing to stop and enjoy being at home.<br />
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Tomorrow we're going to the theatre to see Les Miserables (again) then we'll have dinner out by the river.<br />
Next week is full of rehearsals for a production that Sibs is involved with that starts in April and I'll be doing some volunteer work and starting to think about the transition back to work and school routine.<br />
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There's a few more sleeps till then so I should be able to finish off the pile of library books before they're due back.<br />
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Here's to a happy and healthy 2016.<br />
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<div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://awelshgirlinaus.blogspot.com.au/" data-numposts="5"></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071999450731273883noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815317328189342095.post-41617378583241251752015-11-30T14:03:00.001+10:002015-12-01T11:16:09.319+10:00More musical memories - Sheeran and Sonatinas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Exactly a year ago I wrote a piece about a piano concert and a rock concert. <a href="http://awelshgirlinaus.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/from-mozart-to-mick-and-lot-inbetween.html" style="background-color: #eeeeee;" target="_blank">HERE</a> I didn't realise that my life was such a pattern of predictability as here I am twelve months later writing about the same things.</div>
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Yesterday was the annual piano concert for the pupils of a couple of local piano teachers. This is Sibs's fourth year and as usual there was an incident that we now come to associate with this concert. </div>
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Year 1 - playing an octave or two too high</div>
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Year 2 - forgetting her music</div>
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Year 3 - the flyaway ponytail</div>
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....and then there's year 4</div>
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This year it all started well. She was pleased that she was one of the first to perform so that she could enjoy the other players. </div>
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A few minutes into the piece there was a stray breeze and her sonatina music fluttered before dancing off the piano onto the floor! It threw her off guard for a moment but she kept going. </div>
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So another year, another story.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there goes the music...</td></tr>
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On the theme of music, the previous night we were at Suncorp Stadium enjoying slightly different sounds. Ed Sheeran was in Brisbane supported by Passenger and Rudimental. I had managed to get some tickets when I was back in the UK in April and surprised Sibs with them for her birthday a few months ago.<br />
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I had heard that he was a good live performer but I was surprised how good one man and a guitar could be. It takes some guts and self-confidence to perform a stadium show with no fancy stage set up and just a guitar and a loop pedal. There were a few screens behind him, as to be fair if you were seated any distance away he would have been an ant sized spot! No-body seemed to mind this pared back look though.<br />
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I was familiar with his music but his live performance plays around with this familiarity. I was seriously impressed. His songs grew on stage with layers upon layers being added via the loop pedal and the crowd loved it. Whatever Ed asked, they obliged. It was a beautiful sight to see the sea of arms punching the air to 'Bloodstream' and then phone lights illuminating the stadium during ' The A Team'.<br />
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Here's a little clip of the 'The A Team'. (I'm not sure if it works on mobile phone view)<br />
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Every single time Ed Sheeran has performed in Brisbane it's rained and of course Saturday was no exception. It didn't deter the enjoyment though and my plastic poncho stayed in my bag so I just got a little bit wet!<br />
He worked hard to keep us entertained and the show was over way too soon for my liking.<br />
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Sibs was seated some rows behind me with a friend and I glanced back a few times to see her on her feet with arms in the air. During the de-brief in the car on the way home I loved the fact that she has become as much a people watcher as me and had to smile when she told me all about the antics of the couple in front of her.<br />
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Great weekend of music.</div>
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Making memories.</div>
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<div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://awelshgirlinaus.blogspot.com.au/" data-numposts="5"></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071999450731273883noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815317328189342095.post-38239279202646664812015-11-25T17:48:00.000+10:002015-12-17T11:59:53.841+10:00My little trouper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , , sans-serif; line-height: 15.6px;"><i><b>proud:</b> - feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of achievements, qualities, or possessions of someone with whom one is closely associated.</i></span></div>
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Dear Sibs,<br />
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I know you don't read this blog, but maybe one day you'll stumble across it and it will tell you about certain moments in your life. I'm sure you'll remember all the significant ones - the holidays and the events but just like me, you'll possibly forget lots of other smaller but precious ones.<br />
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You know how you like to write things down in random note books around the house? Those note books that we sometimes find in unexpected places and have a chuckle or a smile at the memory? That's a bit like my blog. This is where I write down some memories that we make....<br />
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Last week I was extremely proud of you. I know I told you, but I really want to remember it so I'm writing it here.<br />
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2015 has been a biggie with plenty of changes and challenges, and the diagnosis of scoliosis has seen you manage the wearing of a restricting back brace day and night. Do you remember how that's all that you were concerned about was the question of whether you could keep on dancing?<br />
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Your lovely dance teachers who have been so supportive throughout the years made sure that you could keep on dancing....and dancing....and dancing....<br />
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Then when you started your new High School you told me you wanted to audition for the dance group. (Did I show my apprehension? I hope not, and if I did I was just being super protective.) You were so thrilled when you got a place and I remember you telling me how good all the other girls were.<br />
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Last week you got to showcase what you have worked on during the year with this school group. It wasn't a big glitzy affair, just a small theatre of parents, family and friends getting together to support their girls.<br />
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You <strike>smiled</strike> beamed all the way through.<br />
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I couldn't take my eyes off you.<br />
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I remembered back to when you were three and we had just arrived in Brisbane and you said you wanted to dance. We lived a few minutes walk away from a dance class and one Saturday morning you dressed up as a fairy and I took you there. You beamed that day too.<br />
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I have since been lucky enough to see you perform in big productions on big stages and I have always been so proud but last week it was intimate and special.<br />
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Last week I got to see <i>you</i> dance.<br />
I got to see exactly what you love to do and it was so beautiful to watch.<br />
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You had told me about the piece that you choreographed and I knew how excited you were to perform it. I was a bit lost for words...and <i>just about</i> managed to contain the water works!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYd694ccFklArE4Gz1i3fr1cHEzr0fVVSZsIxv5k8-IT_kkcNl5L3SWQ3-PWvhKFPJXBWFzBikv01CCHjjR3PcYZYJ3dmzkqjbw4-PHV3LXtLMejuIJwzrqp0QTB4Hpbm5dDJI55Ao0Q/s1600/IMG_0103+bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYd694ccFklArE4Gz1i3fr1cHEzr0fVVSZsIxv5k8-IT_kkcNl5L3SWQ3-PWvhKFPJXBWFzBikv01CCHjjR3PcYZYJ3dmzkqjbw4-PHV3LXtLMejuIJwzrqp0QTB4Hpbm5dDJI55Ao0Q/s640/IMG_0103+bw.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Let it Go" - music by James Bay, choreography by Sibs</td></tr>
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You have been so resilient this year.<br />
You have exceeded all of my expectations in the way that you have adapted to things and you need to know that you are becoming an incredible young woman.<br />
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You're a courageous little trouper.<br />
I'm proud of you.<br />
<br />
Caru ti,<br />
Bupper<br />
x<br />
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<div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://awelshgirlinaus.blogspot.com.au/" data-numposts="5"></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071999450731273883noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815317328189342095.post-37717110262378989462015-11-15T00:33:00.000+10:002015-11-15T01:00:00.134+10:00Look for the helpers.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The tragedy that has occurred in Paris has really touched a nerve with me today. </div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4n2sU-1INwfyJUkUBMIWhYQI_4U28xcebym_ublDJ0yPFjDWWtSNR6BVJZYSnKbosibDTx7mIwlVGz5aqeMlFIagfnBnAEjcG4ktjiYiwZk8TbepLvESgrXDavF7R1Tms8JypXIAjhi4/s1600/paris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4n2sU-1INwfyJUkUBMIWhYQI_4U28xcebym_ublDJ0yPFjDWWtSNR6BVJZYSnKbosibDTx7mIwlVGz5aqeMlFIagfnBnAEjcG4ktjiYiwZk8TbepLvESgrXDavF7R1Tms8JypXIAjhi4/s640/paris.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Intuition is a funny thing. You can call it coincidence, gut feeling, a niggle, whatever....but when it kicks in it can stop you in your tracks. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's certainly stopped me today. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have a bit of a routine. I wake up too early and I go to bed too late. (Yes, I'm writing this at 12.30 am). I do try and counteract this and wind down in the evenings but I'm just no good at getting enough sleep. One of the things I try and do is switch off from any screen time</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> before bed. I'll usually just read or crochet for the last part of my awake time instead. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For whatever reason, I didn't follow my usual pattern and last night I scrolled through Facebook and I </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">saw a post from a friend in Paris. It was written in French but I got the gist and </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I wondered what concert she referred to that she was attending that evening. I sent a quick </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">'Amuse toi bien' (Have fun) message and </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I smiled at her "This is the life" comment. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When I woke this morning I did something else that I <i>never</i> do. I picked up my phone and checked a news feed. I did it before I even got out of bed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Intuition....?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I saw the beginnings of the reports coming in from Paris. At that point a lot of things were unclear and there were only a few mentions of casualties but I knew that a concert venue had been part of the attacks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As the morning went on I kept watching and reading the news and the stories were getting worse. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I had to turn the TV off as it was too harrowing.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> There was that niggling feeling... I couldn't stop thinking about my Facebook exchange the night before. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I checked my phone and eventually there was a message - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"We are safe but it was a close call. We were at The Bataclan last night...."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It went on to say how awful it was in Paris. I can't begin to imagine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Once I knew that my friend was safe, I was quite emotional and I found it </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">difficult trying to explain to Sibs what was going on. Having some kind of connection to the awful situation was increasing my feelings of vulnerability. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All day today I kept thinking about the theatre, the concert, those awful moments of realisation for those innocent people. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">People in the wrong place at the wrong time...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I want Sibs to see the world. I want her to feel that she can explore but each time something like this happens it quietly petrifies me...</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">------------</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sibs and I went to a party tonight. I wasn't really in the mood but we danced and it was fun. On the way home we began to talk about the day and the conversation quickly moved to how the news and social media was dominated by the attacks in Paris. We spoke about the relative safety of where we lived and we tried to find a sense of perspective in the tragedy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I remembered a quote that I read earlier in the day and it helped. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>my mother would say to me,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping'."</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Fred Rogers</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There <i>are</i> always helpers and there <i>are </i>great acts of kindness, compassion and care in the midst of the horror. There are good people with good hearts. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The good will always outnumber the bad.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPdM53up3OZAMYX4KCPj217WT43faz6LANaKQUcjUo-EkrYdo_kpeT4vne17NtG1zQcQPVX8xRTa0w30hn0KINO_WLL-P3sOpGPqb2JmcW0BXY-dufTq4NMTVCLIH8Gb6SMThrWb6LDw/s1600/paris+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPdM53up3OZAMYX4KCPj217WT43faz6LANaKQUcjUo-EkrYdo_kpeT4vne17NtG1zQcQPVX8xRTa0w30hn0KINO_WLL-P3sOpGPqb2JmcW0BXY-dufTq4NMTVCLIH8Gb6SMThrWb6LDw/s640/paris+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Paris est dans mes pensées.<br />
Paris is in my thoughts.</div>
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<div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://awelshgirlinaus.blogspot.com.au/" data-numposts="5"></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071999450731273883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815317328189342095.post-65662686253394524722015-11-05T18:46:00.001+10:002015-11-05T18:46:48.501+10:00Herman the German is back!<br />
Herman is back!<br />
<br />
I've missed Herman... It's true, when you can't have something, you want it more.<br />
<br />
Herman and I were friends for some months. I looked after Herman until one day I had a slip of concentration and accidentally killed him off!<br />
<br />
Herman was no more....<br />
<br />
Now I should probably explain that Herman the German is actually a cake. No, he's not just a cake, he's a friendship cake. I wouldn't usually associate a gender with an item of food, but I will make an exception with Herman. He's a little bit special. You can't buy a Herman cake and you can't just decide on a Sunday afternoon to make a Herman cake - you have to be given the starter culture. It could be said that Herman is ageless and indefinite.<br />
<br />
Well, maybe not quite indefinite....The story about me accidentally curbing Herman's existence needs a little explanation.<br />
<br />
Herman is actually a version of those irritating chain letters that you got when you were a kid but it's without the irritating bit.<br />
Basically you start with a bowl of <strike>gloop</strike> culture - aka baby Herman. This is similar to a sourdough starter and this is what you look after for 10 days before it becomes cake Herman. You stir baby Herman daily and feed him with sugar, flour and milk on day 4 and then again on day 9. At this point baby Herman becomes too big for his bowl and you create four equal portions of him. You can then keep the chain going by passing on three of these portions to friends. On day 10 you are ready to make a cake from your remaining portion. (I would usually pass on two portions, bake one and keep one going.)<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
On one occasion after feeding Herman the necessary ingredients on day 9, I then forgot to divide the mixture into 4 and just went ahead and made a ginormous, enormous feed an army sized Herman cake. The cake didn't work and I had no baby Hermans left! It was a sad day....<br />
<br />
However....one of the friends that I had previously given a baby Herman to, had gone against the instructions of keeping Herman warm and loosely covered in a large bowl and had gone ahead and put him in the fridge - what a wonderful rebel she is!<br />
<br />
So about five months after I had passed him to her she gifted me a refrigerated portion and even though it was touch and go for the first few days I revived him and he's back.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXh98Ny5oZArwORpNkoOU_3NwA4kpAc2DLpjFdE9f6xUHqQ6MUZ69edNoXmkfKtbnVtQq8i2b-Ng-LVSFriBQCJf8s8RYAkBbr7UNdGyrNbPG1rurXBmem6EhacRzWFmurB_0djX3vpk4/s1600/IMG_9898+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXh98Ny5oZArwORpNkoOU_3NwA4kpAc2DLpjFdE9f6xUHqQ6MUZ69edNoXmkfKtbnVtQq8i2b-Ng-LVSFriBQCJf8s8RYAkBbr7UNdGyrNbPG1rurXBmem6EhacRzWFmurB_0djX3vpk4/s400/IMG_9898+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Yesterday was day 10, so I have given two portions away, I have one ready to go through the 10 day cycle again and I also baked one. The best bit is that it worked. Herman became a cake and he was delicious!<br />
<br />
Next time I'll give one portion of culture away, I'll bake one, keep one going and I'm going to try freezing a portion, It will be like something out of a sci-fi cryonics novel! I wonder if he'll survive that?<br />
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<br />
<br />
It's always a well received cake whatever I do with it. There are many variations and the one I made last night had chopped up apple and a handful of cranberries.<br />
<br />
Good to have you back Herman,<br />
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<br />
<br />
Link to the Herman the German Friendship cake website - <a href="http://www.hermanthegermanfriendshipcake.com/" style="background-color: #eeeeee;" target="_blank">HERE</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div id="fb-root"></div>
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<div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://awelshgirlinaus.blogspot.com.au/" data-numposts="5"></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071999450731273883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815317328189342095.post-84960393768692591082015-10-27T15:43:00.001+10:002015-10-29T09:57:07.392+10:00GratitudeThere was a moment in my day yesterday that I felt a whole range of emotions and I haven't been able to shake off all day today.<br />
<br />
It was just a normal Monday afternoon. Sibs was head in her books and laptop in the study completing her homework. She had returned from school, changed her clothes, helped herself to a snack and drink during which we had the usual conversation about what to have for dinner. Just so normal...<br />
<br />
I went to collect the post and there was a report from our sponsored child in Zambia.<br />
<br />
Sibs was reading it out to me as I was pottering around.<br />
<br />
There was information about M's house, what she did on the weekend, what her favourite colour was and then when Sibs got to one question and answer she just stopped....<br />
<br />
"The most precious thing that I have is......"<br />
<br />
In the blank was the word "nothing".<br />
<br />
We both just looked at each other with teary eyes.<br />
<br />
I am sad that M feels she has nothing that she considers precious and I am grateful that we are able to make a tiny difference to her and her community in gaining some degree of independence and well being.<br />
<br />
The conversations that have been prompted by our letters from M have been invaluable and I wish she knew that she makes a difference in our lives too.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.worldvision.com.au/" style="background-color: #f3f3f3;" target="_blank">World Vision website</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://awelshgirlinaus.blogspot.com.au/" data-numposts="5"></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071999450731273883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815317328189342095.post-15545324691176641712015-10-23T23:18:00.000+10:002015-10-29T09:57:24.159+10:00Nostalgia<br />
In 2010 I went to a Simply Red concert that was heralded as their farewell tour. I had been a fan since the start and as a poor student I saved up my pennies to buy their tapes. Their music was entwined with so many stories of my life and the memories that I had created over time. I was really excited to see these songs performed live.<br />
<br />
I remember being at that concert and thinking that the other people there were all older than me. Upon reflection, they weren't. I was just in denial. It was the music that made me feel ever-young.<br />
(Incidentally, they lied about it being a farewell tour, but I have sort of forgiven them for that...)<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Last weekend I went to see Robbie Williams perform in Brisbane and the same thing happened again. I was with a friend some years younger than me and she mentioned that there were many more older people there than she expected. I didn't even <i>consider</i> that I was one of them!! (How conceited of me.)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
You see, in my mind Robbie and I are still oh so young! I still think of him as a fresh faced prankster youngster and I'm just a few years ahead of him! (Although I have to say that close up he's not ageing quite so well....!<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
I lived and worked in his home town of Stoke on Trent when he was just starting out with his music career. It was when the rest of the world didn't know who he was. He was Robert back then, or Rob if you really knew him well. He was the local boy that had just signed this big record deal and was about to become famous.<br />
<br />
It was a time when I was also starting out on <i>my</i> career path. I had just completed some post graduate study and I was spending a year putting into practise all the theory that I had learnt during the previous 12 months. It was my first ever regular and real paycheck job. The first time I lived totally alone in a little house in Stoke and then in a flat on the top floor of a lovely old terrace in Wolstanton in Newcastle-under Lyme. It was my year of finding resilience...making it up as I went along all by myself. More memories...<br />
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<br />
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I think that this tentative connection is why I feel such a soft spot for anything Robbie Williams.<br />
He's one of a few artists that I might have bought everything that he's released. I've just felt the need to support his success.<br />
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Like many other performers his music seems to hold me in the past. Not necessarily back to my time in The Potteries, but just over the years since then. I know that it's your sense of smell that is the most powerful in provoking memories but I can catch a bit of a song and I'm instantly transported back in time.<br />
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For me, a song or a piece of music can define an era, a year, an occasion or just a moment.<br />
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I hear Madonna's 'Crazy for you' and I'm in the little cafe in Ystalyfera drinking milky coffee...<br />
"Sunday, Bloody Sunday" and it's a seventeenth birthday party...<br />
Bronski Beat's "Why?" and I'm in Dan-y-Coed on a drama residential course...<br />
Anybody who's a Welsh speaker and who's ever been to Llangrannog will understand if I just say "Nefol Dad" and "Pan ddaw yfory"?<br />
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There's <i>countless </i>more that I could list but that would just be self indulgent and I wouldn't know where to stop! The power that a tune has to draw me back to another time is quite a pull.<br />
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So music is good for my soul - it makes me feel like a younger version of myself.<br />
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Thank you Robbie Williams for bouncing around on stage and belting out hits from a couple of decades ago. Thank you for taking me (and most of the crowd in Brisbane on Saturday night) back to a bit of our past.<br />
The days after the concert I revisited so many tunes that have shaped my life, and I danced like a crazy woman in the privacy of my own kitchen....!<br />
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<div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://awelshgirlinaus.blogspot.com.au/" data-numposts="5"></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071999450731273883noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815317328189342095.post-16646708690254157592015-10-15T19:25:00.001+10:002015-10-15T19:25:28.648+10:00Scoliosis - one year check upIt's been a full year since Sibs started her treatment for her scoliosis so time for a bit of a re-cap as we recently had a consultation with the spinal surgeon to review her condition.<br />
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The first part of the consultation is always an x-ray. We book in and after a quick gown change Sibs is then photographed with her brace on. The CD of the x-ray is then prepared and we head back to the waiting area. We read the same magazines as last time...and probably the time before that(!) before being called into the consulting room where Sibs gets into another hospital gown for a quick examination.<br />
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Dr A then studies the x-ray images on his screen, fiddles about with the mouse to take some measurements and compares the results from our last visit.<br />
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This time he informed us that the degree of the spinal curve had increased....<br />
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I could see that Sibs was disappointed but we were quickly reassured that this wasn't a big concern as we just needed to put things into perspective. Meaning - Sibs has grown 3cm in six months and the curve has increased by 1%. With a (self confessed) margin or error for his measuring, Dr A was not at all perturbed by the increase. Yes, in a perfect world the percentage would be lower and decreasing, but this is real life.<br />
She is still under the 'magic' number of a 40% curve which is the goal to prevent surgery.<br />
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Her skeleton is still maturing and Dr A believes that she still has some growth to go so the next six months will be a pretty crucial time. There's nothing that she can do apart from wear her back brace as much as she can. Her body will grow as it will and we just have to wait and see.<br />
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On a 'normal' day my little superstar wears her brace close on to 24 hours. It's off when she showers and when she does some sporting or dancing activities but that's it. I don't take for granted that she is committed to wearing it. I know that she is trying so hard to prevent any surgery.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkOtF9xdeTYOXIcOw3R_Yz1r6H5GFeTS1AqQ3iPVFCUBJCy4upGAz8f7lsxMFAIqWR9rRIFZUUewV4CCQ1WBhRWpyQa99OQVJhDzbAMV55h7849FqasfNkO7Sw-106_T72Nnjh_Wk0lg/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkOtF9xdeTYOXIcOw3R_Yz1r6H5GFeTS1AqQ3iPVFCUBJCy4upGAz8f7lsxMFAIqWR9rRIFZUUewV4CCQ1WBhRWpyQa99OQVJhDzbAMV55h7849FqasfNkO7Sw-106_T72Nnjh_Wk0lg/s640/download.jpg" width="297" /></a>As I've mentioned in previous posts we are <i>extremely</i> fortunate that her scoliosis is relatively pain free and if her curve hovers around a mid 30s degree then any discussion around surgery is likely to be for the cosmetic look of her back. Sibs has indicated that this is not an issue for her and I'm so glad. In an upright position there is no sign of scoliosis. It does not prevent her from any of the activities that she enjoys and apart from some clothing issues she is coping beautifully.<br />
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Just in the last few weeks she has managed a pretty busy schedule of rehearsals and performances in a dancing show in the city. It's probably the longest periods of time that she has not worn her brace in the whole of the last year. She would spend a day at rehearsals and after a quick shower would be back in her brace as soon as she could. I was a little apprehensive that she would experience some back pain being without the support of the brace but thankfully this wasn't the case.<br />
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Watching her on stage was a joy. She smiled all the way through and I could see just how much she enjoyed it, actually, make that <i>loved </i>it!<br />
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In some of the potentially unforgiving stage costumes I have to admit that I was looking out for the shape of her spine and whether her movement appeared restricted. Biases aside - she did great!<br />
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We are approaching the hot Summer months now, so I know that it will become uncomfortable again. We'll just have to start cranking up that air con! I know she also gets frustrated at not being able to wear some of the let's say 'skimpier' summer outfits, but secretly I'm actually ok with that one!<br />
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So that's where we're up to. No major changes, no major decisions to be made just yet.<br />
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Oh and of course, each hospital visit is obviously followed by a treat at the nearby chocolate shop. Can't go past the thick Italian hot chocolate whatever the weather!<br />
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<div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://awelshgirlinaus.blogspot.com.au/" data-numposts="5"></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071999450731273883noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815317328189342095.post-58423926689078349402015-10-13T16:53:00.000+10:002015-10-13T18:50:04.223+10:00Just an update on a few weeks holiday. <div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Back to real life this week.</div>
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Back to lists, packed lunches, schedules and routines.<br />
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I wrote this post a week or so ago. I logged onto the computer this afternoon intending to write about something else and realised that I had never pressed publish on this one. So even though it's a bit out of date, I've just added a bit to the end and I'll write a scoliosis update another day. </div>
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The last few weeks were a glorious mix of relaxation and activities. During the school holidays we managed to grab those few slow mornings that we craved where we just pottered around the house. Sibs came with me to my yoga classes and one morning we called back in the little French coffee shop around the corner to indulge (supporting a local business is very important!)</div>
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We drove up the coast where Sibs spent a bit of time with a school friend and I carried on a little further to Noosa. I packed a book and some crochet and prepared myself for silence and solitude. I almost ignored a text that invited me for a drink but decided last minute that I couldn't really turn down the words 'sundowner drink at Sunshine Beach'.... Could you?</div>
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Then followed a few days of girls time in Noosa where we got up early and visited Eumundi market and stayed out late and walked up and down Hastings Street. </div>
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During the few days in Noosa we managed to fit in a late celebration of a few birthdays and managed a catch up with lovely L and the kids.</div>
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Afternoon picnics in my day were soggy cucumber sandwiches, warm orange squash and maybe a custard cream biscuit to finish. An afternoon picnic 'Noosa style' was a falafel salad, a grapefruit, avacado and goats cheese salad and a lamb and herb salad. There was also different types of bread and the best cheese platter outside of France. The cheese didn't last long enough for me to take any photos!</div>
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The cake was shared between the three birthday guests hence the number 95 - their combined ages!</div>
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The next day, as a birthday gift from her uncle, Sibs was treated to a hair appointment in a salon overlooking the river. It was almost like being on a boat looking out to the water at the pelicans flying past. </div>
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That was definitely one of the slow and relaxing days of the holiday.</div>
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So what else did we get up to? There were a few shopping outings to spend the numerous birthday gift vouchers, a movie, some clearing out of accumulated stuff that seems to breed in my house and the expected holiday time baking to restock the freezer. The occasional meal out was another welcome perk of a no routine fortnight.</div>
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Towards the end of the holiday things got a little busier as Sibs was rehearsing for some dancing performances at one of the Southbank theatres. It was an exhausting but incredible experience for her but her smile on stage made every hour that she put in worthwhile.</div>
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I helped out a little backstage and got to experience that wonderful theatre camaraderie with the young performers all pulling together and supporting one another. Took me right back to my teenage years....</div>
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So after a houseful of people over the last weekend I am slowly getting myself back on track. The bed linen and towels have been washed, the floors mopped and meals have been prepared for the week ahead. </div>
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Tonight it's netball for Sibs, tomorrow it's my choir night and Thursday there's piano for Sibs and singing group for me! (Why did I think it was going to be a quieter week!)</div>
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<div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://awelshgirlinaus.blogspot.com.au/" data-numposts="5"></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071999450731273883noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815317328189342095.post-42912894215077557042015-09-17T17:47:00.000+10:002015-09-17T17:47:28.904+10:00Life between the plans<br />
I've been counting days and maybe hours until this evening. School holidays are here. No clock watching, no list making, no planning...<br />
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Even though Sibs is now a teen I still relish the time off with her and the chance to have lazy morning chats. School holidays have always been special times for me. The first morning off used to involve watching Play School in our pyjamas, but we've now moved on from there. Now it's just morning tea in our pyjamas where we ponder the day ahead.<br />
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When life is so jam packed with mostly necessary routine, it's an absolute luxury to take back control.<br />
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There's a little plaque with a quote that I bought on my trip home a few months ago that's hanging in the hallway. </div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #073763;">"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans".</span></b></i></div>
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It's from one of my favourite songs 'Beautiful Boy' by John Lennon. The Double Fantasy album was the first LP that I bought for myself way back in the early 80's. I still have it and I still love it. </div>
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It's funny how some quotes and sayings just stay with you, and this is one of them. Yes, I am a planner and a list maker and most of the time this works for me. Sometimes though I need to <i>not </i>know what's happening tomorrow. Just live the day and see what it brings.</div>
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These next two weeks we'll fit in a bit of shopping, maybe some painting and baking, some time in Noosa and time to catch up with people. I don't know exactly when all of this will happen....we'll just wait and see.</div>
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Happy holidays,</div>
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<div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://awelshgirlinaus.blogspot.com.au/" data-numposts="5"></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071999450731273883noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815317328189342095.post-46613679116549246632015-09-09T13:38:00.002+10:002015-09-09T13:43:31.993+10:00Spring time stuff and happenings.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Spring is here in the Southern Hemisphere. It doesn't last long before we get hit with the heat of Summer so I have to try and make the most of the precious few weeks left of cardigan weather.</div>
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Life here seems to be getting busier all the time. I feel like one of those hamsters in that perpetual round exercise wheel! I have swapped around my working week and slightly changed my hours so I'm often a little confused as to what day of the week it is. Sibs is involved in different music, dance and sports activities that have early mornings and now one evening to plan. On top of this, during this last week or so there has been extra music rehearsals and a strings concert, Sibs has joined a new netball team and I have joined a Choir and a singing group and have been to the theatre twice and to watch a band on Saturday night. No wonder I'm feeling that there's fewer hours in my day. </div>
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Those that know me well will know that whenever I get super busy I crave quiet time. It's my way of re-energising. I find that I have to talk myself out of that silly feeling of "I shouldn't just be sitting here" and enjoy the fact that I have the chance to do nothing for a little chunk of my day. So in the middle of the mayhem of a Monday with a hundred and one different plans in my head I headed to the library for some escapism books and I spent some time experimenting with a new crochet stitch and some chalk painting.<br />
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The world didn't stop because I didn't mop the kitchen floor!<br />
Then after a couple of hours I was back to crazy lady with a mission to do all the tasks on the to do list.<br />
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When I posted the above photo of the books on instagram last week my sister in law thought the top one was 'The Secret Strippers Club'. I'll just clear up any confusion - it's Supper Club! I can't tell you what any of the books are like yet as I haven't had time to read them!<br />
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So what else has been going on? Last week whizzed past and by the time it was Thursday evening I was ready to drop, However. I needed to think about a lunch that I was going to the following day. A lunch with 369 other women of whom about 367 were complete strangers! Not quite my idea of re-energising.<br />
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I had quietly ignored the emails that had been flying back and forth about this lunch with messages about remembering to book manicures, pedicures, hair, spray tan etc (!?) (Still not sure if they were serious or not!)<br />
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It was getting more and more like 'The Real Housewives of Brisbane' by the minute.<br />
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I did not take on the advice and did not source a Spring dress from an exclusive little boutique. I opened my wardrobe very late on Thursday night (possibly very early hours of Friday?) and made a choice between two frocks. I <i>did</i> manage to paint my toenails to match my dress though. Then just as she was getting ready to leave for school Sibs informed me that the chosen dress was a little 'granny looking'. Really!!<br />
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Out came dress number 2 and it was deemed ok....<br />
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But....there was a nail polish clash.<br />
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Breakfast of a coffee and a chocolate croissant helped me to decide on a better colour - even though carbs were a no-no according to the last email about my preparation lead up to the lunch! (Such a rebel!!)<br />
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I managed to muster up some enthusiasm and remind myself it was all for a good cause.<br />
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During the lunch, there was lots of champagne - <i>"in a chilled glass please!" </i>(told you it was like Real Housewives!), speeches, silent auction goodies, noise and more noise. Fours hours later I was done.<br />
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I met some lovely ladies and I met some interesting characters but I couldn't wait to kick off the strappy heels and stop.<br />
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I'm still in that hamster wheel this week, still not getting to bed early enough, still constantly planning the next day and then the next, but I'm getting on with it. I always say that it's about living the moments.<br />
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I almost didn't take my own advice and thought about not going to see a band last Saturday night because a little part of me thought that it was sensible to stay at home. I'm glad I went. It was four hours of noise, but it was really good noise.<br />
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I have choir rehearsal tonight, a 7.15am breakfast meeting in the city in the morning, a get together with some girlfriends on Saturday night and on Sunday I will do<b> absolutely</b> <b>nothing</b>!<br />
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They say that Spring time brings new energy and I really hope that it throws it my way.<br />
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<div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://awelshgirlinaus.blogspot.com.au/" data-numposts="5"></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071999450731273883noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815317328189342095.post-54250498779767344772015-08-21T15:10:00.000+10:002015-08-21T15:10:08.124+10:00Thirteen<br />
In what feels like the blink of an eye my girl who has a special place in my heart is becoming a teenager.<br />
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I can't begin to capture the joy and happiness that she creates.<br />
(Is it too dramatic to say that? Will she think that I'm a right old softie?)<br />
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I do think it's safe to say that she knows that she is loved and she knows that I am proud of her and of the way that she is growing into a beautiful young lady. I feel really lucky that we still have valuable chat time and there are many life lessons that over time I'll share with her. I could probably write a book of them, but I'm sure someone has beaten me to that!<br />
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Now as she hovers on the cusp of the next milestone in life I wonder what's ahead of her?<br />
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Her dreams are not my dreams and vice versa but I do wish her certain things.<br />
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<li>I hope that she continues to approach life with a smile on her face.</li>
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<li>I hope that she maintains the compassion, kindness and respect that she has for others and can practise this on herself too!</li>
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<li>I hope that she makes life long and meaningful friendships with people that will love her as she deserves to be loved.</li>
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<li>I hope that she finds her voice in the world and isn't afraid to use it.</li>
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<li>I hope that she can keep building her resilience and that her heart will be strong enough to manage those challenges that will inevitably come her way.</li>
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<li>I hope that she never forgets that I will always be her biggest supporter...Yes, there will be times that I won't necessarily agree with <i>everything</i> that she chooses and does...(I'm not <i>that</i> naive), but I will be there for her. </li>
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So to my teenage Sibsy girl - get prepared to over-live your life, open your eyes and embrace opportunities, give things a go, have fun along the way, and don't forget your manners!<br />
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Love you now, always and forever </div>
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<i>(and more than you'll ever know...)</i></div>
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Cariad mawr,</div>
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Bupper</div>
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xxx</div>
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PS, My other hope for her is that the pierced ears that she has patiently waited seven years for won't hurt too much!<br />
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<div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://awelshgirlinaus.blogspot.com.au/" data-numposts="5"></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071999450731273883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815317328189342095.post-31774412199045533782015-08-05T16:48:00.000+10:002015-08-26T09:26:02.956+10:00Some images from Minjerribah - Stradbroke Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkihHj-FEHoODasYhn1Z0E8e_6-XSA4b_DLbRVxwEtfskc_yjIfX5k4aRFIY3ON7H0_RZ666-R_2Snm19EPdPKp43F4YdjzJrljiNrQ7NUuhmE7kPJC0ec1CsKQT8EuXW4cba78BXltzo/s1600/b11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkihHj-FEHoODasYhn1Z0E8e_6-XSA4b_DLbRVxwEtfskc_yjIfX5k4aRFIY3ON7H0_RZ666-R_2Snm19EPdPKp43F4YdjzJrljiNrQ7NUuhmE7kPJC0ec1CsKQT8EuXW4cba78BXltzo/s640/b11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is a photo post with a few sparse words here and there.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmQXeQ0ePyIqO5TFriCiyfwbbtlLiN-LFFDeghfHjw8esoeK_eN8v5564kc000wLHMbzef0y5tNM3_CgYGV44JHMaQMHLqwuy4J9h3H0dL6YojaahkXnUx0Oc3rthQ85Yf9x381iOChI/s1600/b10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmQXeQ0ePyIqO5TFriCiyfwbbtlLiN-LFFDeghfHjw8esoeK_eN8v5564kc000wLHMbzef0y5tNM3_CgYGV44JHMaQMHLqwuy4J9h3H0dL6YojaahkXnUx0Oc3rthQ85Yf9x381iOChI/s640/b10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A few weeks ago Sibs went away camping to Stradbroke Island known locally as Straddie, or to give it its aboriginal name - Minjerribah.<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> </span> It's an island just off the coast of Brisbane and it takes 25 minutes to get to via the passenger ferry or 45 minutes via the vehicle ferry. </div>
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I don't really do camping.... so I stayed at home.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPU5CLEa42xEU4X5crGDjmk-TAS7VKeisFLc4SXcU22BhhpczOWgeIiU4weHpN4ygRkaeG7R3az6cxZrl5ESSCbjNyxZzTWehxpRLeHkBdJYwOv9VfE9MvW-76ypOSbiPX90gK871ZhfU/s1600/b8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPU5CLEa42xEU4X5crGDjmk-TAS7VKeisFLc4SXcU22BhhpczOWgeIiU4weHpN4ygRkaeG7R3az6cxZrl5ESSCbjNyxZzTWehxpRLeHkBdJYwOv9VfE9MvW-76ypOSbiPX90gK871ZhfU/s640/b8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I knew that I would miss out on the beautiful views and tranquility of the sun, sea and sand, but sand in tents and I just don't get on! So with the instructions of "have fun, take care and lots of photos" I waved her off. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaiEp8MLnfHp1loohNpcO4ultfEibKIzfiy5TSLK62rTmWl-QWLpaDQ6uoX9f8Cek6TM_0es_lFQcZmrsTcKabnRIpDw7429k-B6vBCSvrrWtMyq8lkETiJRfxUKPC7tXauhLOZGkQ_A/s1600/b6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaiEp8MLnfHp1loohNpcO4ultfEibKIzfiy5TSLK62rTmWl-QWLpaDQ6uoX9f8Cek6TM_0es_lFQcZmrsTcKabnRIpDw7429k-B6vBCSvrrWtMyq8lkETiJRfxUKPC7tXauhLOZGkQ_A/s640/b6.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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She got to spend time with her cousin, her uncles and her dad and she swam, sand surfed, fished, cooked around the camp fire, walked, talked and took a hundred and one photos!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DdTGyFwIFvCKM5W-DD-rne6NSCTdtlrQKK4olswEemKscgqKxMZZJHNg96t5ka7uLfJr65O61RPlNzgOfp7cfURkKWV3AcLuj55V4pQlOFLrfcqgbDaIoKNzHMn8SlN-14GCxkVs6FI/s1600/b4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DdTGyFwIFvCKM5W-DD-rne6NSCTdtlrQKK4olswEemKscgqKxMZZJHNg96t5ka7uLfJr65O61RPlNzgOfp7cfURkKWV3AcLuj55V4pQlOFLrfcqgbDaIoKNzHMn8SlN-14GCxkVs6FI/s640/b4.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Sibs planned to write a blog about Straddie so I asked her to choose some photos and I uploaded them and left them in a draft post. However, life got in the way and things like homework and socialising kept eating into her time so the photos have just been sitting here. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOZXTjiXTXwuqWyTunIiW8JrTYwGgIqOHxvym5KnrLcZYZvukkAHW8kuCLi4PUGVzve4L9m4P51t135qCgr5F5Y_xQCcH9qDLdP4sijOkIyNGfhqFErHRXTeS87dhnLk7WbES4SP5VvE/s1600/b7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOZXTjiXTXwuqWyTunIiW8JrTYwGgIqOHxvym5KnrLcZYZvukkAHW8kuCLi4PUGVzve4L9m4P51t135qCgr5F5Y_xQCcH9qDLdP4sijOkIyNGfhqFErHRXTeS87dhnLk7WbES4SP5VvE/s640/b7.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I wanted to write a blog post myself this week but the words just didn't come to me. That sometimes happens. There's lots going on in my head at 1am and by the next day....nothing!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIa0_18P_x_sbTPqaqH-6f7YZ-GjRPfFJLBQktfYt9lfkEuMFMQ8PAYOWk1TdQ4FbvI2l28HUAi-jHM3uuRHuBOeOFxFEL7Yljnqlc-U4SagMVUbVQ6pfpnAmCo45Uydk_mJN6c-Fl4UE/s1600/b12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIa0_18P_x_sbTPqaqH-6f7YZ-GjRPfFJLBQktfYt9lfkEuMFMQ8PAYOWk1TdQ4FbvI2l28HUAi-jHM3uuRHuBOeOFxFEL7Yljnqlc-U4SagMVUbVQ6pfpnAmCo45Uydk_mJN6c-Fl4UE/s640/b12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So I'm just going to take advantage of these images. It seems a shame not to share them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WNFc3dbPikNRruOMBSzmj4TDel0Jq6bBMvE5hbAM_ZCHvyK7czGhpKJ8T7fxpKh5zfvlXP2ZOlTEZmPrTq3IJdEP1NnVIDlsu32_b7i3jVPD-6Vw35A7IdjhU7ugVYvIi4xsEDZJWu0/s1600/b9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WNFc3dbPikNRruOMBSzmj4TDel0Jq6bBMvE5hbAM_ZCHvyK7czGhpKJ8T7fxpKh5zfvlXP2ZOlTEZmPrTq3IJdEP1NnVIDlsu32_b7i3jVPD-6Vw35A7IdjhU7ugVYvIi4xsEDZJWu0/s640/b9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is Winter in my little corner of the world. Not bad is it?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPj9EuVlN7r5gY8v4n91WFxdNbxCgsxXRXZwjc32GBzV55SUMne_YCDNFuoV3EMULv5QAizR8HZzq7J0xqDyZaKf1u8LV-2NvuAcDGtOQtvMw8xl-ZUU1WcCROzpOawQMNQPiWKz55N0/s1600/b5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPj9EuVlN7r5gY8v4n91WFxdNbxCgsxXRXZwjc32GBzV55SUMne_YCDNFuoV3EMULv5QAizR8HZzq7J0xqDyZaKf1u8LV-2NvuAcDGtOQtvMw8xl-ZUU1WcCROzpOawQMNQPiWKz55N0/s640/b5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://awelshgirlinaus.blogspot.com.au/" data-numposts="5"></div></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00071999450731273883noreply@blogger.com1