Storytime

I spent a lovely chilled and relaxing weekend with family. We had a house by the beach and even though it is winter, and it was freezing cold, mostly wet and very grey and foggy..I really enjoyed it. It was a time to relax, to chat, to play with a baby, to venture out for a meal, to stay in and nibble on leftovers and have a drink or two. It was also when I decided to draw a line. ________________________ There was a part of me doing the whole " OMG you have a few moments, why aren't you writing? You should note that down, put that thought onto paper before it escapes". Another part realises that these times can never be taken for granted. I could have chosen to write and ignored my family...but I chose them. Made them my priority. And maybe food. But, I also decided to stop beating myself up over not having spent the weekend writing. Or even today, my designated writing day, writing. Frankly, today I have spent the past five hours drivi...

I've just had two weeks holiday. Actually I have a few more days left of said holiday, but my two weeks are nearly up. Sadness 😢 It has been a very good two weeks...and even though I intended to sit back and do nothing, or as close to nothing as possible I have actually done a lot. I went to visit my sister and her menagerie. This trip I took my daughter and grandson. Nothing like some time in the country with family. Little Leobear loved it. So many animals to pat and see... And most enjoyed it. We walked...we played... we sat on the front verandah and pondered the universe. We went to the gallery to see some of my sister's art... It was a very much needed respite by all three of us. Then there was Mother's Day and I did this.. Mother's Day Classic...proving that I am fitter than I thought I was and that you do feel your legs after a very quick 8 kilometres are accomplished! I have done a hell of a lot of gardeni...

My father recently died and the funeral was on Monday. His death was not unexpected, he fought a long battle with cancer, yet even though we knew it was expected, we are never ready to say goodbye. But we did. It was a lovely service, with all four children, twelve grand children (and one great grand child) attending. One of my brothers did a reading, as did my daughter. And I did the eulogy. This was one of the most difficult things I have ever written. I did one for my brother-in-law, but I was one of several who shared memories, stories and thoughts. Here, I was one voice, trying to capture the shared memories of four children. I must admit it took quite a few days to write. So many memories that I couldn't include....I would have spoken for hours otherwise. But I did my best to attempt to sum him up. His hobbies and interests...the way he was. I wanted my family to be proud of the final piece of writing. To be able to say, yes that was him. Yo...

I really don't know where the saying came from, obviously someone who knows that both (animals and children) can be soooooo unpredictable. At the moment though I do work with kids, and so far, so good. There have been moments when I've wondered how I was going to get out of a situation, what would be the best comment to make now...or perhaps if I ignore the loudly yelled 'My Daddy has run away with Aunty Kaye' everyone else in the room will not have heard the comment. Especially the harassed, red faced and getting hysterical mother of child. However at the moment I do wonder how ANYONE with a young child, and who works full time, manages to write. Anything. Even a shopping list. We spent the weekend babysitting. Let's make it clear, we LOVE our grandchildren to bits and so enjoy having them stay. They make us laugh... Make us look at things in a new light. They make us baby proof the house. But they do demand time. For the next two weeks we are ...

I must admit I like to have things planned...but a surprise (especially a good one) every now and then helps to liven things up. As does taking a risk, a chance, doing something you never thought you would do. This weekend I (and my other half) had the chance to MC and host a wedding. It was something I had never thought about, never considered...until we were asked. Asked by a gorgeous young couple, the best friends of our daughter and son-in-law. With a smile we of course said yes...then began to think what this meant. Basically it meant we were there to join in the celebration of their love. There were spreadsheets...dinner where we sat down and got down to basics (you mean you really want us to say this...and that?)...dress rehearsal...and of course the numerous rehearsals we did before the actual event. Our rehearsals, I must admit, were a bit ramshackle with much ad-libbing and being quite stupid. However the day dawned on a glorious day of sunshine and we dr...

Recently we had a wedding in the family. It was the most wonderful day (even with a few hiccups)...with lots of love and smiles, family and friends. And of course words are so important in these events. From the signage (example A above)- so guests know they are in the right place....to the name tags at the reception....from the signs telling people which punch was 'kid friendly' .......to the actual vows. Can I say these vows not only included 'my lover and friend' but also included their cats, their 'bears'.....how true to the couple is that? I think for most of us the day sailed by. The morning was spent getting the garden ready, then back to the hired house for hair and makeup- which was very relaxed...but then it was 'OMG we have 20 minutes to get you in the dress and ready to go'. But we got there.... The bride looked stunning....and I don't think the smiles left faces the rest of the day. I was cool and relaxed, ...