Entertaining, alfresco style on the deck

I think that the photos will show how perfect our Sunday was.....

The "before" shot

Ben is making sure the hammock is comfortable

Georgie is waiting patiently for her turn

Georgia in her "model" pose

I hung some old white sheer curtains up to stop the afternoon
sun, they looked lovely floating around in the wind.

Ben with a can of soft drink- a huge treat!

Rainbow lorikeet in the tree right next to the deck

Kodak; part 1

Brisbane's winter has ended. It was only here for 10 weeks and not one of the days was cold enough to need a jacket! We have cool nights, between 2- 8 degrees Celsius (about 35-42F) but the days are glorious, jeans and a Tshirt is all you need.
The humidity hasn't arrived yet so it is wonderful weather at the moment. That will all change within 3-4 weeks and it will be STINKIN HOT until the end of April 2007.
I am looking forward to having 4 distinct seasons in China, stinkin hot summer and a bitterly cold winter.
We have started the outdoor entertainment season. This Sunday we had our friends from Kodak over for an alfresco lunch.
Yes KODAK; I was an employee for 19 years (I started when I was 12 years old LOL), GJ for 15 yrs. We BOTH received the redundancy news on GJ birthday when Ben was 2 weeks old.
I was a contractor (I was made to resign and create a business and contract back to them a few years previously) and as such got nothing but a phone call. But GJ received the full redundancy package.
I am still a little bit angry at the demise of such a juggernaut of a company. At its peak Kodak had over 135 000 employees, but by next year it plans to have less than 50 000 employees world wide. I am still annoyed that the top dogs of the company, who were paid millions of dollars annually did not react quickly enough to a changing market place. The advent of digital cameras has transformed photography, leading to the demise of a once great multinational corporation.
In hind sight, we are luck that we left early, we moved on to bigger and better things and do not have to compete with new ex- employees.
As we were worried about paying mortgages and eating we both started applying for jobs. I was the first to get a new job, with Australian Red Cross. It was very hard to leave my new baby at home, but GJ had the most wonderful experience of being a stay at home Dad for 10 months. My human Hoover - Benjamin, refused bottles and would starve all day until I arrived home, inflated to 150psi. I would pull into the garage and be unbuttoning and meet a ravenous baby at the door and feel the relief as the pressure in my jersey cow like chest abated. Eventually Ben learned that bottles were a necessity and accepted then during the day while I was gone. Now we have the problem of trying to get them off him.
It was lovely to catch up with these friends, they too have left Kodak and have gone onto bigger and better things. The Queensland branch of Kodak was filled with lovely people, we all got on and socialized well together. Family outings were organized regularly and were always great fun. That is what I miss most about Kodak. I do not miss the person that the entire QLD office called "Fankenstein Butface" but that is a whole new story, maybe Kodak, part 3 or 4.

Head wounds

Luckily the children have inherited GJ's concrete like skull.
It was Chelsea's turn this weekend to split her head open, slightly.
Chelsea was playing with a neighbor's boy and slipped and hit her head on the coffee table; she believed Uncle Robbie when he said that it was nothing and didn't bother to tell GJ or myself. It was not until Sat evening when she was cuddling with me on the lounge ( watching season 2 of the new DR WHO series) that she said not to stroke the left side of her head as it was sore! Of course I immediately dragged her to the light and found this HUGE lump and a split, oozing blood slowly. It was a still a bit gappy on Sunday night so I decided to go to the Dr's this morning( Monday), luckily it finally scabbed over during the night and so I dropped her back at School at 10.30 am; after a 34 second Dr's appointment.






These are photos of Ben's stitches from February this year. Ben was playing at the Gym creche and slipped and split his forehead. The Dr had to do 2 small stitches and did it with no anesthetic!!!!!!! I now know that local anesthetic hurts, and is quicker to just stitch, but it was horrible. Our local surgery has a full time nurse (who is lovely) and was able to help hold him down.
GJ is covered with lots of scars and stitch marks, most of which he can not remember how they occurred. I can deal with poo, wee, vomit and snot; but I find blood too traumatic...
I hope the kids will take after me, I have never need stitches for an injury and have no unexplained scars.
GJ's concrete like bones and skull and strong teeth + my skill at avoiding accidents = hopefully accident free kids and un-traumatized mum

Truck rides

The girls were so excited that our neighbor got home early on Saturday and could take them for a ride in his big truck. This photo is taken (zoomed in) from our front door. Poor Ben slept through and missed the ride.
Ben is fascinated by trucks, every afternoon when we hear the truck approaching we all have to run to the front door and watch the truck reverse in. Shane flashes his lights and toots the horn occasionally which makes Ben quiver with joy!

Serious to Superficial

I have been trying to work out why my last few posts are so superficial. I think I am still unnerved by the events that took place here.

I have a little problem with too much empathy. Strangers or casual acquaintances love to tell me their problems, death of their loved ones and to confide in me. On the whole I am honored that they feel comfortable enough to do this with me. I love to listen and can listen quietly or ask the right questions to help them. I also like to talk. As I have grown older I have been able to ground myself more and more and to stop myself taking on others pain. Sometimes it all builds up and I find myself sick with worry or grief and then realize that it is not my emotions I am dealing with. It is still hard to let go of these feelings.

I think the events surrounding the death of all my family (Brother, Father, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles), except for my Mother and Sister has shaped me into the person that I am now. I realize that life can be fleeting. Young and old people die, and do. My coping mechanism is to go "“glossy"” for wont of a better word. I turn on clothes, jewelry, books, cooking, kids stuff side of my brain and zone out of serious stuff.

As I write this my brain is trying to divert the conversation back to glossy stuff, a good movie I watched yesterday, Champagne, and how pleased I am that Mash is back on TV at 5pm.

I think I am going to need a few more superficial/ glossy days.…..

LCD or Standard TV

Doesn't this look strange....

Unfortunately in the month and a half since Chelsea smashed the TV, this has started to look normal. We walk around with a permanent squint.

GJ and I have started to look around for replacement TV's (insurance does not cover children's naughtiness).
We have some choices to make:

• Replace with a cheap no-name brand for about $300
• Replace with a quality brand analogue TV for about $600 and by a set top box to go digital
• Upgrade to LCD, HD TV about $5000.
• A LCD TV will not fit in the cabinet. I have a sideboard that would serve the purpose, but then I would have to part with my beautiful existing cabinet.

We have to decide what a TV is worth to us. I am also worried in regards to our move to China, would it travel successfully or would we leave it in storage? As I type this I realize that it is just a TV, and as much as the Kids and GJ would enjoy a big crisp digital screen, we don't really need one. If we wait until we come back from China the price might of come down enough to make it affordable for us.
I have also realized in the last week that I don't actual watch the TV that often, I listen to it, but as I am usually busy doing something else I can't see it. Bob, Thomas, Teletubbies and the Wiggles all sound the same on a mini TV to a big fancy one!

The Handbag Gene

My sister (she and my mum both have this exact ring) sent me this picture in an email with the statement " you need one of these"
This is my actual reply:-

"Thankyou, I would love it for my Chrissy present.......

I still tell people about the night GJ and I, went out in Sydney for dinner with me wearing all yours and mums glitz (we are talking serious big real sparkly stuff).
I was in a handbag shop yesterday looking for a new bag, I have probably bought 2 in the last 10 years....( I missed the handbag gene/DNA you must of got 2 lots). The sales woman commented about how all women love bags and purses and I looked at her blankly and explained my purchasing history. LOL. Of course I didn't find any thing I liked and left, I thought I just needed you here. I'll help you buy shoes ( I got all of the shoe DNA !!!!!!) and you will have to be my jewellery and bag personal shopper... "

My sister is now sending me all sorts of links for handbags online LOL. I have realised that I am different to the norm.. I do not have a passion for handbags purses or jewelery.

Well except for my diamond stud earrings, I did just have to have them.....

I am on my second purse in 12 years, I have had my current handbag for about 4 years, they are still in good condition, so I will probably have them for a few more years.

I rarely wear my engagement ring, my wedding band is practical and all I need, I have the antique fob chain necklace that Mum gave me for my 21st and my earrings and that is all I wear. I don't covet or want more. That is not to say if someone gave me something big and sparkly I would not accept it. I love jewlery, I just don't need it. I had fun in Sydney wearing TanTan's and Mums things for one night, but it was easy to give it back. I feel the same way about handbags and purses.

But, I am obsessive about shoes. I have added another 5 pairs in the last few weeks without trying.

I think that TanTan probably owns as many bags as I have shoes.

I also love books, I borrow often from the library but I must own my favorites. I love magazines but I gave them up when I gave up my career/income (I also gave up expensive skin care, but that is still too difficult to talk about LOL).

In summary

Limited handbag and jewelery DNA + excessive book and shoe DNA

= Happy medium

Book Meme

Shannon from "Rocks in my Dryer" is hosting a meme about favorite books. I thought that I would quickly type out my list. Quickly-what a understatement that is, how does someone with a passion for books pick out a few...... I am sure I will be editing and adding to this post for weeks. But the 2 (more like 3.5) hours I have already spent on this today is enough.



Books that changed your life

Enid Blyton’s the magic faraway tree, as it introduced me to the joy of reading
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, In a small way it helped me find a sense of peace after my brothers death. The Power of One by Bryce Courtney as well as his April Fools Day.

Books that you have read more than once

The Anita Blake series by http://www.laurellkhamilton.org/
The Belgariad and Malloreon series by David Eddings
Diana Gabaldon Cross stitch series
I have also loved Zenna Henderson’s The People collection
The Necroscope series by Brian Lumley, very strange and dark, yet compelling and hopeful

Series that I like

JD Robb’s In Death series about futuristic Lieutenant Eve Dallas
The Vampire chronicles by Anne Rice
The alphabet murders/Kinsey Millhone mysteries by Sue Grafton
Anita Blake mysteries
Diana Gabaldon cross stitch series
The lion the witch and the wardrobe



Books that you would want on a desert island

Any type of survival manual as well as the Swiss family Robinson for inspiration.
Oh I can’t choose, I want my whole garage of books plus the local library and more…..LOL

Books that made you laugh

I have this book borrowed from the library at the moment, It is based on the BBC series of the same name, it is HILARIOUS! Grumpy old women (but still feel 18 inside)


Books that you wish had been written

More in the Cross stitch series and a follow up to Belgariad so we can see how life is treating Garion and his family.

Books you don’t enjoy

Australian early history/ fiction, I don’t know why I don’t like this style

Books that you are currently reading

Any simple Mandarin language book that I can get my hands on.
Christ the Lord by Anne Rice, I have started it and are amazed that she has managed to make the young Jesus so real.
I have just bought The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, I think it is going to be one of my all time favorites.
I am also reading Crystal Gorge by David Eddings, Cravings by Laurell k Hamilton, HTML in an instant, Best Chinese idioms, The family managers everyday survival guide, Babyland by Holly Chamberland and Pip by Freya North. I also have the first four of the Dark Tower series to work through.

Books that you have been meaning to read

Christ the lord by Anne Rice

Books that you remember as a real page turner

Dan Browns The Da Vinci code. I read this about a year ago after I had wondered what all the hype was about. I couldn’t put it down and read it in a night.
I find the Patricia Cornwell Scarpetta novels very exciting.

Non-Fiction books that you have enjoyed


I am reading a lot of books about China in preparation for our move. My favorite is The DK Eyewitness travel guide to China. Ben calls it the statue book, he loves to look at the pictures. Chinese for Dummies by Dr Wendy Abraham is also proving to be very good.
Raising Boys by Steve Biddulp. The girls have also introduced us to a love of atlas’s.

Children’s books that the family has loved

I am currently introducing Georgia to The Enid Bylton series. I adored the Pookie series by Ivy Wallace and have managed to get 3 of them for the kids. Georgia and Chelsea also love the Rainbow Magic Fairies series by Daisy Meadows.
Georgia is enjoying The illustrated childrens bible by Maretha Maartens

A few Favorite authors

Cathy Kelly, Jane Green, Anne McCaffrey, Linda Fairstein, Chris Manby, Tom Clancey, Stephen King




I just had to add this picture. This is one wall of my bookcases in the garage. There is more, a bookcase in my bedroom, bookcase in my office, the kids have 2 bookcases in their toy room and boxes in the shed. I am working through a shelf at a time to list them on Library Thing.This is a free (for the 1st 200 books) web page that catalogues your books and saves the info. All you have to do is type in the isbn No and it does the rest. Paul at BAGGAS put me on to this. It even has a widget that shows random books that you can load onto your sidebar.

The wonderful world of blogs

I had never noticed blogs before until I was researching our move to China and discovered Jim Jaggers Blog; Viva Shanghi. The simple interesting writing style and the wonderful photos captivated me. I started looking around and found blogs everywhere. On a Bloggers site there was a button that said “click here for your free blog” and the rest is history.
I have found so many like minded people from all around the world. I have also found that is very cathartic and fun to record our family’s life. This will be a wonderful journal of our move to China (when it finally happens).
As I realize that many people might and probably will read this, I keep some things private. Our religion, my battle with PPD, work history, political beliefs etc are private, not for public consumption. I like to keep my stories light, refreshing and friendly; I save the juicy stuff, real emotions for my closest friends. I wish I could open up more, but I just can’t, so I have great admiration for people that do.
If I find a blog that showcases things that don’t match my beliefs, I leave and don’t come back. Unfortunately not everyone is the same. There has been an instance lately where a blog I read regularly was ridiculed by a militant feminist blog with a huge readership. The owner of this blog, a lovely, pregnant stay at home mum has been hurt by the comments and ridicule. Do people think that because they are on a computer it doesn’t matter if you are rude or hurtful? I live by the old rule, IF YOU CAN’T SAY SOMETHING NICE, SAY NOTHING.
I have been thinking about this a lot lately, and feel that the WWW is a wonderful thing, but it should be taken with a grain of salt. I will be moving the computer out of the office and into the living room as the girls are starting to use the internet for school and I will want to see everything that they do. I will also be activating Nanny Net.
Life hasn’t changed since school; it only takes a few to ruin it for many.

Christmas Craft idea

I have just seen the most beautiful craft idea for Christmas here. Please follow the link and check it out , Brandi is so talented.

Portrait of Jenny

Chelsea has created this beautiful portrait of me.

Georgia's party re-run

Georgia was very disappointed to find that she had slept through the cake and candle extravaganza on Sunday, so we decided to hold a repeat performance on Monday night while GJ was at UNI. Everyone had at least 3 goes at blowing out the candles. The cake tasted even better after a night in the fridge (and a huge dose of kiddy spit!).




Here she is on Tuesday morning ready for school. We have got the full braiding of the hair on at the moment as nits are going around the school AGAIN.....and my girls have a beacon in their hair flashing a huge welcome sign to all nits in the vicinity. Read my post here (in the comments section) about how Chelsea wanted to keep one of her's as a pet.......
I am the person that the other moms come to for advise on nits as I have perfected the system down to a T. We have been lice free this whole year....touch wood......
I think I will have to do a post on "Jens top 10 nit tricks" soon.

Egg Free Chocolate Crazy Cake

Crazy Cake

"This cake was popular during the depression, and does not have eggs in it."

Original recipe yield: 1 -9 x 13 inch cake.

INGREDIENTS:
3 cups all-purpose flour (self raising)
2 cups white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups cold water

DIRECTIONS:
Sift flour, sugar, salt, soda, and cocoa together into a 9 x 13 inch ungreased cake pan. Make three wells. Pour oil into one well, vinegar into second, and vanilla into third well. Pour cold water over all, and stir well with fork.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 to 40 minutes, or until tooth pick inserted comes out clean. Frost with your favorite icing.

I followed these instructions the first few times, but now I just throw it all in a bowl and mix. I have found that it is slow to cook so I usually cook it for 40 min, then turn the oven off and leave it in there for another 30 min. For Rob's cake I had half a block of dark chocolate which I melted and added to the mix just before I put it in the springform pan. DIVINE !!!

I got this recipe off the Web site All Recipes. We were having a kids party a few years ago and one guest had severe nut and egg allergies and this is what turned up from google. It is now a much requested family favorite.

Party season has started

Party season has arrived.

The 1st birthday was my niece Brooke,

Happy 10th Birthday Sweetheart

I missed out on seeing the birthday girl, as Georgie was too sick to visit. We didn't want to add germs to Brooke's presents so GJ took Ben and Chelsea to visit.

The next Birthday is Robbies, on Tuesday 8th August. We had an early party for him on Sunday night. The kids just love a family party and get so much joy in all the preparations.

This year we are covering the table with white paper and then painting decorations. Georgia painted all the writing on the table and got up to 1 balloon before she got too tired.

Georgia's table decorating

The finished decorating

Chelsea blew up the balloons and we tied them up and put the banner up as well. We had some cute Dragonfly lights up over the table which don't show up in the photo. On your Birthday the rule is that you get to choose your favorite dinner, Robbbie chose his all time favorite-Corn Beef/silverside-much to the kids disgust. The kids always pick the type of cake and icing. We had Chocolate mud cake with purple icing and marshmallow flowers.

Birthday cake

After dinner Rob was lucky enough to have 2 kids rumble him and play horsey with him. Ben was also pleased to have something soft and warm to wipe his messy, dribbly face on.

Sleeping beauty

Poor Georgia is still sick, she lasted until dinner was served and managed to eat one bite of a baked potato before curling up on the lounge and falling asleep. Her fever spiked at 101.5 degrees, the poor little thing has a rough trot the last 2 weeks.

We went to the Dr's this morning for a check up. I haven't taken her before as there is usually nothing they can do for vomiting and the flu, but when she got so hot and had a blotchy rash on her body we decided that it was time. The Dr feels that it just a virus, and has prescribed nothing but Dymadon. He wanted a sample just in case, now that was an adventure and a half....

Imaging a small dark cubicle (probably filled with a gazillion germs) with me crouched down trying to catch and Ben fascinated, trying to push me out of the way so he can see better and Georgia with a severe case of stage fright. Needless to say the Dr did not get a sample.

Georgia is desperate to get back to school, she was upset about not going and Chelsea was upset about going..... I can't win.

Georgia has lost 2.5 kg in the last week, when you only weigh 25kgs it is a lot. I have just worked it out in my head, it would be like me loosing 7kg in 1 week (daydream, day dream :) .........).