The aardvark looking at the beautiful animals in the glossy magazine (ever felt like this?)

You may remember the book Jillian brought home from the library some time ago about the pig who was trying to lose weight but in the end decided that she was better the way she was and that the gym was for the bunnies and elephants. Anyway... Jillian brought home another book from the same series.

This one is about an Aardvark who does not like the way she looks so she goes to get plastic surgery to make herself beautiful, like all the other animals. But her plans are delayed when she discovers that the plastic surgeon is an aardvark too.

The pages above are an exerpt so you'd get the idea of the book.

I know to some they may be a little quetionable for children, but I got to tell you, I love them!

A Day in the Life of Rachel Richter

Well, not exactly a day in Rach's life but wholy dooly a taste was enough. My cousin, Megan, got married today. She looked absolutely stunning in her Lisa Ho dress. Thing is, I was designate 'family' photographer for the day.

You know how it is, nana and the kids, nana and the grandkids, the cousins, the brothers and the sisters, all the girls, all the boys, the oldest boys from each group, the generation of women. All lovely memories I have no doubt, but after "move left", "stop talking", "stand here", "no you can't just duck over there", I was exhausted.



I was informed by my most helpful husband that perhaps it was more stressful than the professional photographer's job as it was my family who were the subjects not some random strangers.



Some smart cookie happened to suggest (noting the absence of one uncle and his family) that perhaps we get some photos at Christmas.... my reply? Sure, sounds great, I just happen to know this amazing photographer, her name is Rachel Richter....

Senses Overload

Why do we love the sea? It is because it has some

potent power to make us

think things we like to think.

Robert Henri

A day that started out 'nice' turned into fabulous by lunch time. You know those places you're at where everything and everyone seems to fit perfectly right into that moment in time?

I finished my conference Saturday lunch time. Met Tony at Pacific Fair and had a divinely made cup of tea, not too hot, too strong not too milky, just perfect. Strolled across to Broadbeach and meandered along the beach to Surfers. Lots of people on the beach just hanging out, some swimming, some playing cricket, some just enjoying being outside, lots to see, feel and smell.

Strolled through Surfers, picked out a new toe ring, walked back along to beach to Broadbeach where there was a blues concert playing at the surf club. Just awesome music to be sitting on the beach at sunset listening to. The only thing missing was a glass of champagne and some candles for the sand.

It was just an all round great day. I love the beach, I love the colour of the water at sunset, the always happy people hanging out, the sand on my feet. Just wanted to sit, soak it all up and store it in my memory forever.

Anyway.... Miss Rach (thanks lovey) has tagged me

1. Four of my favourite jobs

I'm taking this one as four favourite jobs that I would love to have, considering, my previous employments either send me into a state of mild panic reaching for some dark corner to hide in. So my four favourite jobs would have to be working on Getaway, teaching in Fiji international school, Author and teaching (yes, my current job which I love).

2. Four of my favourite local places

Ok, so see introduction to this post.... the beach, Southbank (great minds hey Rach), my home, Wellington Point

3. Four of my favourite foods

Oh gawd! Just 4????? I LOVE food... A well cooked steak with beer battered chips and a Corona, Thai, Caesar Salad, Fresh Tropical Fruit Salad (all exquisite fruits, no apples or grapes please!)

4. Four of my favourite international places

This is places that one day i WILL go to. Bali, Tibet, Kruger National Park, Milford Sound, Canada, Thailand, Mexico, Bora Bora, Machu Picchu, Dubai, Too many amazing places to see....

5. Four name's of people I am tagging

Kath

Jan

oh and that's it.

Thanks Rach

Dirty Little Buggers

I love the bright citrus colours that are around. Another photo taken by the very talented and wonderful Miss Rach.

One of those hugely huge weeks has come to a close. Got to love long weekends.

So as I am typing this I am looking through my new glasses. Yes, glasses. No longer feel like a turtle sticking my neck out trying to read the computer screen. Mind you I think the most amusing thing is how I have been deleting photos from the camera and the computer on the assumption that they were blurry! Nice one.

Putting shoes away last night, could hear this crinkling chattering sound coming from the wall.... TERMITES!!!!! So in answer to Miss M's question, YES WE STILL HAVE THEM!!!! Rudeness.... So I stuck my ear against the skirting boards feeling completely helpless as they happily filled their stomachs with our cupboard. GGRRRRRRR.....

Kath (love her) and I decided to scraplift a page from Ali's book. This is an old photo which I love. Taken at my birthday last year. P.S. I think my husband is lookin spunky. So Kath if you are reading this, time to share share your LO.

And the toothfairy has visited again...

Have a happy, sunny and lovely long weekend.

Bxxx

Autumn feels like spring

Had one of those days that leave you smiling in the car on the way home. In my attempts to decerase the size of my stomach we loaded the car up with the kids bikes, our super comfy sneakers, the trusty camera and a bit of cash. Parked the car at the usual Kangaroo Point spot and began the treadling. Thank God Miss Jilly has learnt to ride without training wheels. Certainly makes a difference.

We battled the downhill sections with a yell of "Brake Jilly, Brake!!!" followed shortly by "Left Jilly Left". Arrived at Southbank, rode along the riverfront, turned around and diverged to the waterpark they have built.

Never ceases to amaze me that kids will play in water regardless of the temperature 'outside' or of the water itself. Nonetheless, they stripped off and happily splashed, ran and played...

Took the opportunity to 'play' with the Aperture on the camera. Far too much light, I know.

In an attempt to thaw the children and control the chattering of teeth had a hot chocolate at the Donut King they have there now. Watched them play on the grass and thought, "Some days just rock".

What now?

Do you ever have those stages in your life where you feel like it is all going to the crapper?

This has been me for the past, shall we say month or so. Between migraines once a week and a variety of other unpleasant health concerns I have finally begun some form of 'treatment'. The blood tests, CT scan and other bits and pieces all came back negative only to leave two possible causes. 1. Stress and 2. an over production of insulin... so off to the dietician 'to rule out' blood sugar things. On an eating-every-two-hours plan. Still have the headaches, vommitting, tingling face and fatigue.... But, patience is apparently the key, along with no coffee or extra sugar, so in two weeks we will be able to determine whether I need to go to a general physician or continue on the current path of the dietician. Goodness knows I hope this ensures I lose the 6 kilos I have gained from stuffing my face with sugar to stop me from passing out or looking at people with no freakin idea what they are talking about. You know when you can hear the words but can't reply? Well, maybe you don't, but that's been me for some time. Now there is no Diet Coke, Coke Zero (apparently all very bad for you), Pepsi Max or any other caffenated drink. Oh, sorry, I am allowed 2 SMALL cups of coffee a day, I decided to go for none. I think two is just a tease. No extra sugar on anything, i.e. tea, porridge, biscuits all have to be plain...

On top of that we have termites! Those nasty wood eating critters. Why they can't stick to the acres of forest around us is beyond me, but no, our house is more appealing. Particularly the skirting boards of our bedroom and our cupboards and our bathroom....

There are various other things that are going on that make you wanna crawl under the desk and hide from the world, or those things where you just want to sit and howl but it just won't come...

I would like for Tony and me to feel like we have some control over our lives. That heading towards our 40's (ok I know I am only 31) we are financially stable and healthy, not worrying about whether our house is going to fall down around us before we can afford pest control, that we can start saving for family holidays or trips here and there, or that we don't have to phone these people and ask for an extension for our bill til next fortnight whilst trying to juggle another bill company.

...And then I go and feel all guilty, I have a lovely house (termiteless would make it beautiful), healthy and happy children, a husband who is my soul mate, a full time job which I love, fantastic friends who I just love and enough money to put food on the table and buy a few things 'here and there'.

I am told, that we all go through this, but tell me, what do we need to do to make it better????

One of Rachel Richter's photos

Pigs are Pigs... and there are chickens too

Pigs are Pigs...

This is a book Jillian brought home from the library. Couldn't decide whether it was sending a good message or not. By the end of the book, I had to giggle as I empathised with the Pig. Basically the story follows a weight loss journey of a pig. He goes to a gym but gets scared off by all the fit gym bunnies and the overcrowded sweaty aerobics room. He then reflects and rationalises that some very important people aka Sumo Wrestlers are 'fat'. At that point he decides that he is going to stay just the way he is - see the bottom photo. Hilarious I tell ya!

And then there are chickens....

Jillian came home last weekend from a friends house with these!!!!!!

Between the two cats and two dogs that we currently have we had to say a firm "No". We are not becomming Noah's Ark. One of the teachers at school 'adopted' them. So tute, so fluffy, so tasty for the cats who continued to prowl the cage we had them in....

New traditions....

Every morning Tony and I have taken to having our morning coffee out the front sitting in the gutter. Watching people pass us by with their dogs, listening to the birds, watching the sky change as the sun says hello and then there is us, me in my nightie and hair a fright (giggle) and Tony in his grandpa pants and slippers!!!! It has become our quiet time before the chaos begins.

Randomness

3 Weeks til the holidays YEAAAHHHHAAAAA!!!!! Oh, and for my little Miss M who is missing Miss NZ in gym crime, she will be back soon all loved up and ready to take on the tready. Special thanks to Rach Richter for another fabulous lot of photos. Want to share one here. The one above is by far one of my favourites. You girls are great.

Note to self and everyone else, make sure enough 'h's and 't's are supplied before buying 3 packs of Basic Grey Sticker letters!

How good would it be to be able to scrapbook all day whenever you wanted? I look at my ever growing pile of projects that I would love to be able to do and say a big fat "Doh!". So much wonderful inspiration and ideas around and I want to do every single one.

Peace Across Generations

Miss Jilly decided that we should paint a canvas together. So we got all Peacey and painted little squares with peace signs and swirls. Next step is to paint our names on the peace sign somewhere. I love looking at how the she interpreted the same idea. Man, got to watch the kids watching you to make sure what they are copying is ok. No more hands on the hip feet tapping ranting and raving nut case lady. 'Specially when I hear Jillian and Joshua talking to each other using my words and attitude.

Nearly up to date on Emily's cards. These are so much fun. In the therapy sense. I get all artsy and 'who cares'. Top one is note to self - remember spiritual nurturing, I miss - being fit, Symbols you love - I love the sun and the peace symbol. Not for the concept of world peace and harmony but just that it is a reminder of the importance of peace within. The sun is constant warmth and brightness. The beach one was something you love, love, love and the bottom one is where you find inspiration.

I hope that you are all finding your love and inspiration.

Briohny xxx

It's back

My computer is back! 6 Weeks later, a new hard drive (again), a new DVD Rom drive and two new USB ports. You think it would've been easier to replace the whole thing don't you????

Oh how much I have missed it.

Thank you to all your well wishes about Grandad. The funeral was Thursday and despite my misgivings about a full requiem mass, the ceremony truly was beautiful. The family went back to Nanas house for some afternoon tea and dinner. That, I think was the best part, the kids outside playing back yard cricket and us all inside drinking, reminicing, laughing, sharing and just hanging out together.

So around here things have been crazy as usual. The weekends are spent playing cricket across in the park, painting on whatever we can find or drawing hop skotch on the driveway...

Four weeks til Easter. Looking foward to catching up on some much needed scrapping time. Gawd! So far behind in Emily's cards!

Love to you all

Briohny

xxx

Contrasts

This week has been all about contrasts. Things like the red wine that tastes so damn fine with the dark chocolate but is so bad for your waist line, the time you yell at your kids for yelling at each other and then you realise how modelled behaviour really does work, the fights you have with your partner about sharing the load but you don't know what load it is you want them to share.

I think my biggest contrast this week was the passing of my grandfather. Nana asked me to make a scrapbooking collage (think poster size) that has all the family in it so she could put it in grandad's room at the nursing home. I finished it last weekend, she was going to take it up there today and he dies yesterday.

I managed to find a photo on Tony's computer as mine still is in the Bermuda Triangle of Computer Repairs. This is of Nana and Grandad taken Christmas two years ago.

Love and Light to you all

Briohny

xxx

Computer Woes

I miss my computer (sigh....) Materialistic I know. I'm way behind on my weekly challenge cards, there are no photos to play around with, no software to upload photos with, pictures to scan or documents to print. There is no school work that I can access quickly, no place to save any work, hence why there is a photo from google images pasted above. How nice would it be to be there....

On a what-i-do-have note. I must say that I am still immensily enjoying work. There are regular challenges and working with the little kids still proves to be very different from the teens. I had a year 6 class last week and got a tinge of i-miss-this.

Love to you all

Briohny

All Growing Up.

It was with a tinge (well okay a great big giant gulp) of sadness that I swallowed my protective mother side and tried to be a supportive objective mum.

Josh came home today and asked for a 'private' conversation in his room. After he shut the door, I thought "oh God, we are going to have the penis-is-changing-pubic-hair talk". Instead
I got a "I got asked out by a girl today and I don't know what to say" problem.

Do you know what his response was? "I will get back to you tomorrow, after I check with mum" That a boy! After a discussion about what he wants to do and not do, and the no kissing or hand holding (hey, he is only 11) speal from me, he came to a well thought out decision and response. One that as mum I am very proud of and as a girl I think is a great answer.

Catch Up

Yes, yes, yes, I know I have neglected the blog for sometime. Yet again, my computer is visiting Harvey Norman to be repaired (gggrrrr...). So I have managed to ascond a Tony's computer to update bits and pieces.

Firstly I love my new job and my new school. Despite being hugely busy I am having a great time being busy. So far I have taught year 3 and 4. I was petrified this morning as I now have a year 3 class three times a week and oh my gosh they are so small and jittery. Give me a room full of teenagers any day!!!! I did enjoy myself at the end of it however, my behaviour management does need reviewing.

Jillian has settled in like a dream, informing me that I don't need to walk her to her room any more. She has a wonderful teacher. Her favourite part of the day? "Lunch time where I chase the boys, but don't worry mum, it's only tiggy". (OMG!!!!!) Jillian's vocab has changed somewhat. She has discovered words like 'wonderful', 'gorgeous', 'fabulous'. So for the past week we have been hearing, "Today is going to be a wonderful day". "Mum, you look fabulous", "That top is just gorgeous". How wonderful to have such optimism.

Josh has had a little rougher beginning to the year. Always harder when you are a bit older. He has made some friends and is enjoying school thoroughly. As per Jilly, he has a great teacher who has certainly helped in classroom and playground ethics.

Haven't been doing anywhere near as much scrapping as I would like. The page above is another Aussie Dare challenge. I lifted it from an Elsie sketch that is on her blog.

Had a photo shoot with Rachey Richter (see links on right) on the weekend. I know she will work magic on our photos, despite the lack of cooperation from Jillian and Joshua. Tony said next time we have a family shoot, the kids can stay with mum and him and I will just go. Kind of defeats the purpose honey....

Inspired by Aussie Dares

Journalling Reads...

The nerve of those Whos. Inviting me down there - and on such short notice. Even if I wanted to go my schedule wouldn't allow it. Four o'clock, wallow in self pity; 4:30, stare into the abyss; 5:30, jazzercize. 6:30, dinner with me. I can't cancel that again. 7:00, wrestle with my self-loathing; I'm booked. Of course, if I bump the loathing to 9 I could still be done in time to lay in bed, stare at the ceiling and slip slowly into madness. But what would I wear?

Practical Magic

I LOVED this challenge (dare #14) set out by aussie dares. So much so that I am going to create a mini book on the challenge. So many great quotes from so many great movies.

Awesomeness

Today was a completely awesome day. Just wanted to share that.

Also want to say a huge thank you to those people who have taken the time to comment on the Em cards. It is has given me a 'kick' reading the comments.

Do you 52?

Love this challenge set by the divine Emily A deck of cards, a few thought provoking comments, a whole 12 months and you got yourself a ready made year in review.

Week 1's challenge was Something you are proud of. I selected 'I am proud of the direction my life is taking'. Things are good. I have a new job which is just so very exciting, I adore my husband, and my kids add an element of humaness to our lives.

Week 2's challenge was What is Powerful to you. Answered this one fairly easily... My job. Not a day goes by when I am working that I am aware of the importance of my role as a teacher. I have the ability to determine what these children's educational lives will be like and what perceptions they may hold about the world and themselves. This is, indeed a very powerful role to me.

Week 3's challenge related to I am. Found this one a little tougher as I wanted it to be pertinant to the recent events of my life. I also did not want it to be a card of affirmation. You know the standard (yet not to be diminished) me, happy, loved.... So I chose the statement, 'I am learning to say no'. This holds particular significance to me. I am learning to say "no" to things I do not really want to do. I am learning to say "no" so I do not stretch myself again. I am learning to say "no" so I can say "yes" to my family and myself more. More importantly, I am learning to say "no" and not feel guilty.

Thanks Emily for sharing this great idea.

Been a While

Yes, it has been a while and the blog has been neglected, actually, I have been intending to post but the whole 'couldn't be bothered' mentality has been rather prominent in my mind of late.

There is too much to do in just being lazy around the house. Who would of thought that being lazy actually requires more effort than being busy?

Photos are of a bit of what has been happening around here. Josh is with his dad camping for two weeks, the cats are hot and grumpy, jilly has been doing chalk drawings and 'camping' out the front. She even was rubbing sticks together to 'make fire' hhhmmmmmmm..... Went for a crop at Scrapbook Princess and had a fab time. Did the compulsory Christmas LO, a family one using the paper that Rach Richter gave me for my birthday (so delicious) and the one of Josh above.

Officially back to school next week and it certainly will be one that is full of new beginnings for all of us. New year level for Tony, new job and new school for me and new school for kids. How wonderfully exciting.

Changes

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.

Edith Lovejoy Pierce

2006, was by far the most challenging year I have had so far. I am glad to say, that although I have learnt depths about myself and my family, I am not sorry to see it gone.

Change was the common theme of 2006, and alot of it. Always big, significant, challenging changes too. We ended renting and bought a house, I found new firm friends and lost a couple along the way. My relationship with Joshua's father became more accepting and less conflict loaded, I turned 30 and was happy with what I had accomplished with my life so far, I set some goals that are selfish and I don't care. I ended at one school and am beginning at another, I am not classroom teaching but beginning a new defining and exciting stage of my career. I went from long hair to short. Found the source of my 8 year struggle with calf injuries. My computer crashed, twice, and neither time I had backed up. I sorted true friends from true associates, understood and learnt to love my children in a different way, reached a different level of companionship and friendship with my husband, took alot of personal criticism and comfortably worked towards minimising these 'flaws', found new facets of me, and above all, through these challenges and blocks I came out on top with a satisfied mind.

Bright side of the road

I love this photos of the kids. The page, I know it is very loud, I wanted to do something different. Scraplifted it from Kristina Contes. Man I love her work. It is a real cross between Ali and Elsie. I'm thinking that maybe she has become a new favourite! (Did you grab your chair Kath?).

What's your happy-bright-side-of-the-road page?

Goodnight 2006

Tried to get a cheesy family shot, the last for 2006. Got some absolute crackers. Hope you all had a wonderful night, whatever it is you may be doing. Here's to a great year filled with lots of love, luck and happiness.

Love Briohny xxx

Today

Have been feeling quite off for the past few days. Over tired, very sore, just generally feeling pretty ordinary. So this morning after waking up feeling like I was trapped between two cement pillars, Tony suggested getting some fresh air into my lungs.

So off we headed to Wellington Point. Took a leisurely stroll across to King Island, collected some 'shells' on the way. I feel somewhat better.

Came home, had a lovely salad roll and made a shell mobile with Jillian. But do you know what was really nice??? I cooked a nice dinner and we sat at the table, as a family, and ate and chatted and enjoyed a simple thing.

I like it when days like today happen.

Art Folder

I did this cover for my art folder. Well it's not actually an art folder as such. It's going to contain bits and pieces of inspiration, LO's I like, photographs, sketches and well all things that inspire me. Currently I either have everything ripped out of mags and shoved somewhere or glued into sketch pads. I'm hoping that I can get everything in here.

Can't wait to start using it.

Grinchmas part 3

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more. ~ Dr. Seuss

Grinchmas part 2

Apparently, as we don't have a chimney Santa has to have a special 'Santa Key'. It is not sufficient enough to inform a 5 year old that Santa has magical powers and can open our door with his special key. Noooo, we've had to make a special Santa Key just for our door! Sigh...

Me Right Now

Right now I am...

• Still very happy about ending one journey to begin another.
• Still liking a doodling canvas I did some time ago. It hangs on my journey wall.
• Loving my favourite LO
• Happy that I pass a tree every morning and afternoon where the brightness of the red mesmerises me.
• Happy with my new hair.
• Loving having my candles lit each night. Such a calming light.

Grinchmas

Ok, Ok, Ok, We, that would be my DH and me, are the first to readily admit that we are not really, actually, not at all Christmas people! Yes, yes I know, I have heard all the "but's..." before.

In fact, one of our all time favourite movies is the Grinch. We didn't even have a Christmas tree, until last night. No tinsel in this house, pretty coloured lights, snow flakes (please we are in QLD and it is summer), Wreaths on the door or any other Christmas thingymajigs that encompass the commercial christmas.

BUT!!!! Last night we relented. We purchased a small christmas tree, one set of lights and a star to adorn the top branches. AND.... I even started a little tradition. Just a little one and it will be only one... I purchased each of us a christmas ornament for the tree. So with our lights and our small tree there are 4 lovely little ornaments. And you know what? It brought a little smile to my face...

Who knows maybe next year, we may even get that wreath for the front door. BUT there will be NO christmas carols!

Love and Happiness to you all

Briohny xxx

Remember the days of the old school yard...

Today was the last day for me at Wynnum SHS and I will remember...

I will remember the wonderful children who took the time each morning to come to my staff room door and give me a cheery good morning or who would do anything to help make your day just that little bit easier.

I will remember those students who provide me with such motivation to be the best teacher and role model I can be for them.

I will remember the teachers who have become life long friends.

I will remember the dirty, grotty, dusty feeling of the chalk dust left on my hands after teaching a lesson in G 13.

I will remember the lessons I have taught students and the lessons I have learnt.

I will remember the days in the old school yard, we use to laugh alot...

Meanderings of the Yellow Wall

Yes, the yellow wall is still continuing its journey. The photo above is an update of the how the wall is travelling. All I can say is it is content on its path of inspiration and happy vibes.