The regular purple ones are nice too.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Chloe and Aggies
Little Chloe has grown very much and is now eating wet food, biscuits, lapping water and using the kitty litter - all achieved with a minimum of fuss. She loves to climb all over Gibbo when he's sitting on the couch. Megan has done a wonderful job raising her from a few days old. She's a very lucky feline.
My favourite aggies are the dark purple ones like this one.
My Boy is Home
I am breathing easy again...Drew is home from Schoolies, alive and in one piece, full of great memories and funny stories. He has a gravel voice from singing, an enormous bruise on his left arm after somehow making contact with a fire extinguisher and is coughing and sniffing with the beginnings of a summer cold. I got lots of stories but didn't ask for too many details; just being told was enough (and I'm sure I didn't/haven't heard all yet. More will come out over the next few weeks, both from Drew and others!).
The Red Frogs were fantastic; the beach parties were awesome; running into your friends at some horrendous hour was exhilarating; having no parents around was liberating; doing as you pleased was unreal; having your backpack searched by police was not; being in amongst the thousands of other Schoolies, all there for the same reason, was exciting; the D kids had a blast. When they booked out, the lady at reception thanked them for being so well behaved and told them to go home and tell their mothers.
I'm just glad I don't have to suffer through that anxiety ever again (it will just be some different kind of anxiety no doubt).
I'm just glad I don't have to suffer through that anxiety ever again (it will just be some different kind of anxiety no doubt).
Monday, November 22, 2010
A New Beginning
I woke up with the thought that never again will I have to pack a school lunch or iron a school uniform. I feel a little liberated; I feel like I'm on holidays (sort of, even though I had to go to work); I feel like I can start to plan some new things in my life. It feels good and surreal and decadent and weird. I feel free! (and sad).
Schoolies continues to go awesomely (touch wood). Meg swam at lunchtime. Gibbo is driving around NSW thinking up things for me to do back here.
Schoolies continues to go awesomely (touch wood). Meg swam at lunchtime. Gibbo is driving around NSW thinking up things for me to do back here.
Walking on Wednesday
We managed to walk last week even in amongst the chaos.
Going for walks is so exciting it makes your ears do funny things.
There's lots to see and smell.
Come on, hurry up.
We have to walk twice as far just to make sure you're still coming.
I think I need to work on my tan before I hit the beach in a week or so.
Do I have to follow them?
Never stop walking when there's a goat behind you. This is what could happen.
Looking all of my 48 years..........and then some.
Who Moi??!?
This is Woofer playing hide and seek with the hares. They won.
The goats quickly worked out how to cross the grid.
Here's Millie, racing around her pen because she knows what's coming...BREAKFAST.
Yes I do have a Daughter
It may not seem like it lately, but yes, I do have more than one child. My other one hasn't featured here much; lately it's been all about Drew (although she has managed to push her way into several photos). I think she looks beautiful in these pics. Here's the Tarcoola Street Gang, all together again for the first time in 12 months. They had a hoot at the Roma Races.
These are the stunning shoes that featured a few weeks ago. It looks much worse than it is - the sand was dry and soft and the shoe is, thankfully, unscathed.
Feeling a Bit Rudderless
Nowhere to go, nothing to do..........now that's a new feeling! Gibbo and Drew did the final pack and headed off around 7.30am, Drew full of excitement, Gibbo just tired.
Meg and the boys left around 8.30am...and then there was one - ME. Alone and unassisted. I spent the day sorting through photos, reading, going for a walk and sleeping. I kind of marvelled at the deliciousness of having nothing pressing to do. It was good.
I had a daughter away camping at the Roma Races. I had a son partying hard at the Gold Coast. I had a husband on a plane to Sydney. It's amazing how quickly you can go from being in each others' pockets to being spread across the country.
I couldn't go to sleep until I'd heard from Drew that all was ok..........actually it was "insanely awesome".
Meg and the boys left around 8.30am...and then there was one - ME. Alone and unassisted. I spent the day sorting through photos, reading, going for a walk and sleeping. I kind of marvelled at the deliciousness of having nothing pressing to do. It was good.
I had a daughter away camping at the Roma Races. I had a son partying hard at the Gold Coast. I had a husband on a plane to Sydney. It's amazing how quickly you can go from being in each others' pockets to being spread across the country.
I couldn't go to sleep until I'd heard from Drew that all was ok..........actually it was "insanely awesome".
That Speech
Good morning ladies and gentlemen, parents, friends and most of all my fellow students of XXX College. I am honored to be able to stand here today and share with you a vote of thanks. I sat down last weekend with a week of schooling to go and thought back over my journey through XX, XX and now XXX College and thought just how lucky I am to have been a student here for the last thirteen years.
Firstly, I’d like to thank Mr. H on behalf of the year 12’s for your blessing as we venture out into the world, all going our separate ways. Our lives will be enriched by the experiences we have had throughout our schooling life. We appreciate the resources you have provided for us, not only do they reflect on our schools’ reputation but they look fantastic. I thank you for the opportunities you have provided us and being there supporting the students for everything, from musicals, public speaking competitions, camps, sporting events and driving us to numerous events in the ‘Xmobile’. I still to this very day question your musical taste.
To the teachers I thank you for your infinite wisdom and being on our backs constantly, keeping us achieving our very best. For the past five years of senior school you have dedicated every waking minute to helping us realise our dreams, getting the best possible marks and making the class room an enjoyable environment. I thank you for being there when we needed to talk about anything whether it was school related or not. You know I’ve been thinking, I don’t think the word ‘teacher’ is the appropriate word to describe you guys – as I look back on our time together I consider you all friends, which is why I’ve added you all on Facebook, so please accept me - haha just kidding. We’ve been through the good times and the bad, the times when you told us to put on our hats and our answer was ‘Miss, please, I’m getting a mad tan for formal’; the times in class when we laughed and got no work done; the times you answered our ridiculous questions about life and the times when you persisted if we didn’t understand something – to the English teachers, to be honest I still have NO idea what a discourse is, but thank you for trying. You’ve all been there from the start of our journey into adulthood and we really do appreciate it, even if we haven’t always shown it.
To our loving, caring and amazing parents I thank you the most. I thank you for the washing, the ironing, the cooking, the checking of assignments, the numerous times you drove us to school events, everything. You’ve spent countless hours helping us with our school work from hearing our times tables and spelling in primary to… well times tables and spelling in high school and giving us advice about life. Your morals and beliefs have been instilled in us forever – you’ve taught us right from wrong. We will never be able to repay you for everything you’ve done for us except pass on the lessons you taught us to our children… maybe we’ll even find you a nice retirement home.
If the last thirteen years have taught me anything it’s that you only get out what you put in. This school has an amazing feeling of inclusion and a sense of belonging and I’ve always felt part of a bigger family. It is the parents, teachers and students of this wonderful College that foster this feeling. Can we please give a round of applause as thanks?
Finally, to the amazing cohort of year 12; here we are guys, freedom, I mean, graduation. Three days away from graduating and it only feels like yesterday that we stepped foot into high school, all the new classrooms, subjects, people and teachers. The memories we have shared since year eight, and some of you since preschool, will stick with me forever. I thank you for all the good times we shared at lunch, camps, in the classroom and outside of school - these will be the memories that I will cherish forever. Now as we choose our own paths, some of you will continue in education, while others will go straight into the work force. We have all discovered our individual talents here at XXX College – whether it’s been academic, cultural or sporting. With this in mind, I would like to end with a quote by Mark Twain for the Class of 2010:
The Email
Gibbo and Maryanne,
I'm so glad I watched Drew's speech. He absolutely was the right person for that job. I was sitting by myself, with vacant chairs on either side of me, just sobbing and laughing and sobbing and laughing. I was pleased that XXX was also able to listen to his speech. I love the fact that Drew is such a physically strong looking boy who is in tune with his emotions!! He is so grown up!
Well done mum and dad and congratulations, you've raised a wonderful young man for our world! It is such an achievement!(I want to do the same!!)
I had to have a panadol when I came home, a hug from XX and a little ly down.... and Drew and XXX
are not even my children!!
Firstly, I’d like to thank Mr. H on behalf of the year 12’s for your blessing as we venture out into the world, all going our separate ways. Our lives will be enriched by the experiences we have had throughout our schooling life. We appreciate the resources you have provided for us, not only do they reflect on our schools’ reputation but they look fantastic. I thank you for the opportunities you have provided us and being there supporting the students for everything, from musicals, public speaking competitions, camps, sporting events and driving us to numerous events in the ‘Xmobile’. I still to this very day question your musical taste.
To the teachers I thank you for your infinite wisdom and being on our backs constantly, keeping us achieving our very best. For the past five years of senior school you have dedicated every waking minute to helping us realise our dreams, getting the best possible marks and making the class room an enjoyable environment. I thank you for being there when we needed to talk about anything whether it was school related or not. You know I’ve been thinking, I don’t think the word ‘teacher’ is the appropriate word to describe you guys – as I look back on our time together I consider you all friends, which is why I’ve added you all on Facebook, so please accept me - haha just kidding. We’ve been through the good times and the bad, the times when you told us to put on our hats and our answer was ‘Miss, please, I’m getting a mad tan for formal’; the times in class when we laughed and got no work done; the times you answered our ridiculous questions about life and the times when you persisted if we didn’t understand something – to the English teachers, to be honest I still have NO idea what a discourse is, but thank you for trying. You’ve all been there from the start of our journey into adulthood and we really do appreciate it, even if we haven’t always shown it.
To our loving, caring and amazing parents I thank you the most. I thank you for the washing, the ironing, the cooking, the checking of assignments, the numerous times you drove us to school events, everything. You’ve spent countless hours helping us with our school work from hearing our times tables and spelling in primary to… well times tables and spelling in high school and giving us advice about life. Your morals and beliefs have been instilled in us forever – you’ve taught us right from wrong. We will never be able to repay you for everything you’ve done for us except pass on the lessons you taught us to our children… maybe we’ll even find you a nice retirement home.
If the last thirteen years have taught me anything it’s that you only get out what you put in. This school has an amazing feeling of inclusion and a sense of belonging and I’ve always felt part of a bigger family. It is the parents, teachers and students of this wonderful College that foster this feeling. Can we please give a round of applause as thanks?
Finally, to the amazing cohort of year 12; here we are guys, freedom, I mean, graduation. Three days away from graduating and it only feels like yesterday that we stepped foot into high school, all the new classrooms, subjects, people and teachers. The memories we have shared since year eight, and some of you since preschool, will stick with me forever. I thank you for all the good times we shared at lunch, camps, in the classroom and outside of school - these will be the memories that I will cherish forever. Now as we choose our own paths, some of you will continue in education, while others will go straight into the work force. We have all discovered our individual talents here at XXX College – whether it’s been academic, cultural or sporting. With this in mind, I would like to end with a quote by Mark Twain for the Class of 2010:
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you
didn’t do than by the ones you did do.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbour.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.”
The Email
Gibbo and Maryanne,
I'm so glad I watched Drew's speech. He absolutely was the right person for that job. I was sitting by myself, with vacant chairs on either side of me, just sobbing and laughing and sobbing and laughing. I was pleased that XXX was also able to listen to his speech. I love the fact that Drew is such a physically strong looking boy who is in tune with his emotions!! He is so grown up!
Well done mum and dad and congratulations, you've raised a wonderful young man for our world! It is such an achievement!(I want to do the same!!)
I had to have a panadol when I came home, a hug from XX and a little ly down.... and Drew and XXX
are not even my children!!
The Last Friday
Friday was a real celebration........I had a rather severe meltdown in the kitchen that morning, sobbing in Drew's embrace but got it all out of my system by the time the ceremony started. I walked him up the aisle.
It wasn't as sad a morning as I had expected...maybe the kitchen meltdown helped. It was a really happy occasion, a celebration of all that had gone before. We shared a morning tea; the kids went off to do the traditional (forbidden) driveby. It didn't end so well with a couple of fines handed out. Parents went to lunch at a local club. After the driveby the kids went to L's and swam in their uniforms. Then I caught up with Drew and we finished the Schoolies shopping and checked out (and purchased) formal photos.
When we got home Drew started to pack for Schoolies. I was a bit dazed and just sat on the couch, watching. I couldn't believe the week was over; the past 18 years were over. By 9pm I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer and wandered off to bed. The TC boys came to stay but I couldn't even get up to say hello.
I was shattered, physically and emotionally.
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