He would be 38 years old now.
Showing posts with label Home and Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Home and Family. Show all posts
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Nicholas James Livingstone.......
It is twenty years today since I lost my brother in an accident, he was 18 years old.
He would be 38 years old now.
Gone but never forgotten.....
He would be 38 years old now.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Australia day 2011
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Moroccan light fittings have been installed!
Our electrician has just spent his 4th full day here, he still has at least another 2 days worth of work to do....I'm planning on signing over GJ's entire pay-check to him this month.....
We have had rats chewing out wiring and the dirty filthy tenants (DFT) smashed a lot of the outside lighting which allowed water to get in and rust and fuse all the wiring. We also found burnt out light fittings (so bad it had burnt and cracked the plaster in places) due to too hot bulbs being installed.
The electrician hired a HUGE ladder to replace all the bulbs in our glorious high ceiling (6m / 20ft.). The ladder has gone back, but one of the lights at the highest point is faulty and flickers and hisses....mmmmmm oh the joys of a money pit/dream home!
But on the bright side, I love my Moroccan light fittings which have just been installed on the decks.
We had Friday night drinks and dinner on the deck admiring their beauty.
We got the lights in Jakarta (here is the original post) and now I wish I bought many many more!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Fathers day 2010
There is no way any one could convince me it was warm enough for swimming...I'll wait for December when the water is tepid!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
sneak peak....
Ben chose this wonderful flame red colour for his room, I have the cool green gold and the girls have off white.
Carpet is next week and then it will be our turn.
The house is still filthy; the real estate agency is working on getting all of the bond to cover it and the garden maintenance.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Welcome Beau
Georgia and I had the pleasure of loving all over this gorgeous 3.5 week old baby last weekend.
Newborns are divine!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
What a year.....
We are now four weeks away from stopping the Gypsy lifestyle, moving from one spot to another and moving into our own home. We have had 5 moves since December last year, that is a lot of moving and living out of suitcases and boxes. We have racked up a lot of flying hours too!
It's is no wonder I haven't had time to blog!
I've also had to leave GJ and the kiddies behind and do a mammoth 4 week stint in Perth, Australia for uni, in addition to the monthly trips to Sydney, Australia I need to do to help care for my Mum who has Alzheimers disease.
I have also been in denial about moving and did not want to talk about it, hence no blogging.
The global financial crisis has had a big effect on our lives, even though it hasn't impacted on Australia or Indonesia nearly as much as elsewhere in the world. Unfortunately GJ worked for a German company who were once the market leader in their industry...but not any more.
The share price has gone from a 2006/2007 peak of 41.58 Euro to a low of 2.81 Euro and at that rate there is no room for family expat packages. We had 6 months notice to find another job or leave the country.....We had to leave, which was devastating to us all as we LOVED living in Indonesia. But all good things must end so it is on to the next adventure.......
I have also just found a heap of comments awaiting moderation, even though I don't have comment moderation on.............
Now I have explained my absence, I will have to keep up the momentum and get back to semi regular blogging.I have though kept up my Face Booking......I am now addicted to it lol.
We are now four weeks away from stopping the Gypsy lifestyle, moving from one spot to another and moving into our own home. We have had 5 moves since December last year, that is a lot of moving and living out of suitcases and boxes. We have racked up a lot of flying hours too!
It's is no wonder I haven't had time to blog!
I've also had to leave GJ and the kiddies behind and do a mammoth 4 week stint in Perth, Australia for uni, in addition to the monthly trips to Sydney, Australia I need to do to help care for my Mum who has Alzheimers disease.
I have also been in denial about moving and did not want to talk about it, hence no blogging.
The global financial crisis has had a big effect on our lives, even though it hasn't impacted on Australia or Indonesia nearly as much as elsewhere in the world. Unfortunately GJ worked for a German company who were once the market leader in their industry...but not any more.
The share price has gone from a 2006/2007 peak of 41.58 Euro to a low of 2.81 Euro and at that rate there is no room for family expat packages. We had 6 months notice to find another job or leave the country.....We had to leave, which was devastating to us all as we LOVED living in Indonesia. But all good things must end so it is on to the next adventure.......
I have also just found a heap of comments awaiting moderation, even though I don't have comment moderation on.............
Now I have explained my absence, I will have to keep up the momentum and get back to semi regular blogging.I have though kept up my Face Booking......I am now addicted to it lol.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Every uni assignment this year so far a High Distinction ***
I am nearly ready to snap out of my funk and denial and start to post again.......soon I promise lol.
GJ and the kids are all well, as I am; I'm snowed under with uni assignments (as per usual) and an upcoming prac in Perth...which means 4 weeks away from the family...
I've never, EVER left them for that long before!
I was recently offered a special program for honours students. It was for a post Grad. degree; a Masters of Business Management to be completed concurrently with my main degree.
I would graduated with a Bachelor of Education with a Minor in Science Communication as well as a Masters of Business. I would love to do this....slowly of course.
Unfortunately you can only do it internally, on site in Perth.....hopefully this will change in the future as I would love to do this! I can't see us moving to Perth in the near future!
**** in order to achieve so well I over do it and the consequence....my eyebrows are falling out, I look like a ravenous moth/silverfish has been at them.....TMI?
GJ and the kids are all well, as I am; I'm snowed under with uni assignments (as per usual) and an upcoming prac in Perth...which means 4 weeks away from the family...
I've never, EVER left them for that long before!
I was recently offered a special program for honours students. It was for a post Grad. degree; a Masters of Business Management to be completed concurrently with my main degree.
I would graduated with a Bachelor of Education with a Minor in Science Communication as well as a Masters of Business. I would love to do this....slowly of course.
Unfortunately you can only do it internally, on site in Perth.....hopefully this will change in the future as I would love to do this! I can't see us moving to Perth in the near future!
**** in order to achieve so well I over do it and the consequence....my eyebrows are falling out, I look like a ravenous moth/silverfish has been at them.....TMI?
Monday, January 11, 2010
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Underwater at Pulau Petondan
Friday, August 28, 2009
My baby welcomes the tooth fairy.....
Two days after this tooth fell out the one next to it became wobbly. Unfortunately it disappeared...it is either rolling the floor at a friends house or in the septic system lol.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
About a year ago we discovered that one of our American friends was (and still is lol) a fully trained and degree qualified health educator and as a result, a group of us decided to organise a class for our girls.
The class was, Puberty from your Toes to your Nose! and is designed for tweens (roughly 8-12 years old) girls.
In Australia, when my friends and I grew up, puberty was a taboo topic. You worked it out yourself and it was never discussed, at home or at school. In light of this, we wanted it to be different for our girls, plus having professional help and a group setting made it a hilariously fun time for the girls.
The classes started with the moms and daughters together and then we separated and all worked through different activities. We could hear the girl’s screams of laughter through the closed doors when the green food dye in bowls of water, eyedroppers, tampons and pads came out. The classes worked through all the physical and emotional changes that occur though out puberty and how to cope with them. The subjects were all handled in a frank and professional manner and were completely age appropriate.
The class finished with the girls making beautiful cards for the moms and the mums presenting the girls with bouquets. The girls all received a goody bag each and a copy of this book: My Body, My Self by Lynda and Area Madaras.
The classes were a huge success; we have decided to do follow up courses on female reproductive health and the big S education later on in the year. Our friend has many years of experience and can run small group courses (min 5 max 15 girls per group) or tailor it for schools. If you or friends are interested, please feel free to email me for contact details.
The class was, Puberty from your Toes to your Nose! and is designed for tweens (roughly 8-12 years old) girls.
In Australia, when my friends and I grew up, puberty was a taboo topic. You worked it out yourself and it was never discussed, at home or at school. In light of this, we wanted it to be different for our girls, plus having professional help and a group setting made it a hilariously fun time for the girls.
The classes started with the moms and daughters together and then we separated and all worked through different activities. We could hear the girl’s screams of laughter through the closed doors when the green food dye in bowls of water, eyedroppers, tampons and pads came out. The classes worked through all the physical and emotional changes that occur though out puberty and how to cope with them. The subjects were all handled in a frank and professional manner and were completely age appropriate.
The class finished with the girls making beautiful cards for the moms and the mums presenting the girls with bouquets. The girls all received a goody bag each and a copy of this book: My Body, My Self by Lynda and Area Madaras.
The classes were a huge success; we have decided to do follow up courses on female reproductive health and the big S education later on in the year. Our friend has many years of experience and can run small group courses (min 5 max 15 girls per group) or tailor it for schools. If you or friends are interested, please feel free to email me for contact details.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Movie star kids
The kids had an exciting, yet long and tiring weekend shooting a TV commercial for a Dutch food company.
The add will only be shown in The Netherlands, but we will get a copy.
Georgia was in all three ads and Ben was in two of them. Chelsea was an amazingly good understudy!
This all came about because an agent was in the photo shop last year when GJ picked up some photos I was having printed and asked for his business card.
I was quiet dubious about the whole thing, the kids are shy at first with strangers and have never done anything like this before. They all did fantastically, and are working out what to spend their earnings on.
The TV mom and dad were flown out from Amsterdam, as were the director, produces etc. I was really impressed with how easy the crew made it for the kids. The set was in the middle of this cavernous warehouse and looked so real from certain angles.
The add will only be shown in The Netherlands, but we will get a copy.
Georgia was in all three ads and Ben was in two of them. Chelsea was an amazingly good understudy!
This all came about because an agent was in the photo shop last year when GJ picked up some photos I was having printed and asked for his business card.
I was quiet dubious about the whole thing, the kids are shy at first with strangers and have never done anything like this before. They all did fantastically, and are working out what to spend their earnings on.The TV mom and dad were flown out from Amsterdam, as were the director, produces etc. I was really impressed with how easy the crew made it for the kids. The set was in the middle of this cavernous warehouse and looked so real from certain angles.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
A tough week
Last Tuesday would of been my brothers 36th birthday.
I am finding it hard to imagine what he would of been like at this age, he will forever be a gorgeous eighteen year old to me.
His birthday, as well as the anniversary of his death, are always tough times of the year.
This year was even tougher.
On Nicholas's birthday this year, my mother and sister attended the funeral of my mums closest friend.
They had been friends for nearly fifty years.
Sonya was one of the few people that has known me for my entire life.
Most of my childhood memories include her and her lovely daughters.
The day before, my mum attended the funeral of another of her close friends.
Unfortunately I could not get a flight out to Australia in time for either funerals.
It has been a tough week.
I am finding it hard to imagine what he would of been like at this age, he will forever be a gorgeous eighteen year old to me.
His birthday, as well as the anniversary of his death, are always tough times of the year.
This year was even tougher.
On Nicholas's birthday this year, my mother and sister attended the funeral of my mums closest friend.
They had been friends for nearly fifty years.
Sonya was one of the few people that has known me for my entire life.
Most of my childhood memories include her and her lovely daughters.
The day before, my mum attended the funeral of another of her close friends.
Unfortunately I could not get a flight out to Australia in time for either funerals.
It has been a tough week.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Sambolo Sanitarium
We just got back from a wonderful 4 day weekend at Sambolo.
We had Christmas carols, decorations, crackers and dvds!
I really needed a chill out!
Jakarta has been driving me crazy the last few weeks, probably why I haven't written too much on the blog lately......
- The lack of any wine under $50 a bottle,
- alot of imported foods gone,
- Exponential price rises across the board,
- The blonde tax.........times the price by 1000 for the 'bule' (westener) mentality,
- Trades people who fix a leaky toilet by painting the ceiling.
- Doing all the washing, cleaning, ironing, cooking etc in a 3rd world country while working part time and studying full time----very different to doing it in Australia.
I do not like to feel so negative!
I need a break so I can come back and rediscover all the joys of Indonesia!
The kids and I will be spending a few weeks in Sydney over Christmas, we all can not wait to go to a supermarket and gaze at all the available foods (we will feel at home as the local fruit shop sells imported tropical fruit including durian!)
Monday, September 15, 2008
Frequent flyer points
Frequent flyer points...are they worth anything?
I saved up all my Ansett point for years and lost them all when they went under in 2002.
I went to use some of my Qantas points a few months ago and they had all expired.
So why book a mum traveling alone with three kids to the southern hemisphere from the southern hemisphere via the northern hemisphere???????
Especially when there is a direct flight at roughly the same price.
The answer is so she can get a few FF points.
What the...
So my schedule:
leave home to get to airport 2 hours @3.30pm
wait at airport for 2 hours
Jakarta to Singapore 1.5 hours flight (cross the equator) 7.35 pm
arrive Singapore
wait for 5+ hours until 12.30AM and fly to Sydney
wait for 5+ hours until 12.30AM and fly to Sydney
wait for 5+ hours until 12.30AM and fly to Sydney
arrive Sydney 11.50 am
clear customs (nearly as bad as Jakarta), wait for shuttle bus and arrive home at 2pm
A total of 19 hours traveling with kids with out a pack mule/disciplinarian.
There is another option
Leave home at 5pm fly directly to Sydney and arrive at 7.20 am, and get there nearly six hours earlier.
But get no frequent flyer points.
Guess who made this decision....no not the office
No, the jackass who is not flying with his wife and his three kids.
I feel so much better now I have vented to the world LOL.
I saved up all my Ansett point for years and lost them all when they went under in 2002.
I went to use some of my Qantas points a few months ago and they had all expired.
So why book a mum traveling alone with three kids to the southern hemisphere from the southern hemisphere via the northern hemisphere???????
Especially when there is a direct flight at roughly the same price.
The answer is so she can get a few FF points.
What the...
So my schedule:
leave home to get to airport 2 hours @3.30pm
wait at airport for 2 hours
Jakarta to Singapore 1.5 hours flight (cross the equator) 7.35 pm
arrive Singapore
wait for 5+ hours until 12.30AM and fly to Sydney
let me repeat...
wait for 5+ hours until 12.30AM and fly to Sydney
and again for effect
wait for 5+ hours until 12.30AM and fly to Sydney
arrive Sydney 11.50 am
clear customs (nearly as bad as Jakarta), wait for shuttle bus and arrive home at 2pm
A total of 19 hours traveling with kids with out a pack mule/disciplinarian.
There is another option
Leave home at 5pm fly directly to Sydney and arrive at 7.20 am, and get there nearly six hours earlier.
But get no frequent flyer points.
Guess who made this decision....no not the office
No, the jackass who is not flying with his wife and his three kids.
I feel so much better now I have vented to the world LOL.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Janny got lost....
I had a huge stress attack last week when TanTan (sister) rang and emailed me to let me know that Janny (my mum with Alzheimer) was missing.
It is all ok...but we both had an hour or two of sheer panic.
Janny left a message at Tan's office that she had had her handbag stolen........We did not know where she was, if she had money, a phone, or ?????????.
We figured out that she had got somewhere safe as she had found Tans work phone number (she can not remember phone numbers).
Janny moved into the retirement village last weekend, and the phone has still not been connected.
It turned out that she had dropped in at the her old home and left her handbag on the lounge and then just left......so she had her keys and went home to the village and asked them to call Tan.
We had the village staff looking for her, Tan in a mad panic to get home from the city and me.....sitting in Jakarta unable to do anything.
Tan found the handbag and has returned it. We have also taken some of the credit cards out of her purse...we are uncovering huge amounts of credit card debt.........Nothing we can't handle, but just another sign that the Alzheimer is getting progressively worse.
Since this happened, a few other mini crisis's have occurred.
I am so thankful for communication technology....
Tan and I can use our mobile phones to talk (landlines don't seem to work at my house.....)
I can also emphasize with Tan for hours on Skype FOR FREE!!!
It is all ok...but we both had an hour or two of sheer panic.
Janny left a message at Tan's office that she had had her handbag stolen........We did not know where she was, if she had money, a phone, or ?????????.
We figured out that she had got somewhere safe as she had found Tans work phone number (she can not remember phone numbers).
Janny moved into the retirement village last weekend, and the phone has still not been connected.
It turned out that she had dropped in at the her old home and left her handbag on the lounge and then just left......so she had her keys and went home to the village and asked them to call Tan.
We had the village staff looking for her, Tan in a mad panic to get home from the city and me.....sitting in Jakarta unable to do anything.
Tan found the handbag and has returned it. We have also taken some of the credit cards out of her purse...we are uncovering huge amounts of credit card debt.........Nothing we can't handle, but just another sign that the Alzheimer is getting progressively worse.
Since this happened, a few other mini crisis's have occurred.
I am so thankful for communication technology....
Tan and I can use our mobile phones to talk (landlines don't seem to work at my house.....)
I can also emphasize with Tan for hours on Skype FOR FREE!!!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Failing to correctly mother a boy child
I have forgotten a vital piece of information in regards to Ben's education.
I forgot to lay down the law of putting the seat down when he is finished.
I hope it is not too late to retrain him in correct bathroom etiquette!
I forgot to lay down the law of putting the seat down when he is finished.
I hope it is not too late to retrain him in correct bathroom etiquette!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Guilt........
I feel bad about not updating my blog...but in my mind how can I blog when I have essays and assignments due? Blog guilt......
I can't relax and enjoy a massage any more...not when TanTan is stuck in Sydney doing all the caring for my mum. Sister guilt......
(don't worry, I can still have a creme bath and blow-dry...I just take all my books LOL)
Lets not even start on the whole mother guilt thing...whether you work or don't work you still feel guilt!
Shopping..see #1 who has time???????
I hope I can balance it all out asap!
I can't relax and enjoy a massage any more...not when TanTan is stuck in Sydney doing all the caring for my mum. Sister guilt......
(don't worry, I can still have a creme bath and blow-dry...I just take all my books LOL)
Lets not even start on the whole mother guilt thing...whether you work or don't work you still feel guilt!
Shopping..see #1 who has time???????
I hope I can balance it all out asap!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Indonesian Independence Day, 17th August 2008
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — An Indonesian mayor has ordered security officers in parts of the capital to go door-to-door on Independence Day to make sure people are flying the national flag.
We won't be getting a knock on our door lol.
We love decorating for Independence day.
The streets are looking so vibrant this week. All the roads and buildings are covered in flags as well as all the colourful banners for the upcoming election. The city is alive with colour.
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