Highbrow Weekend

We're off to the opera tomorrow night - in the park. I'm the advance party, heading there at about three pm to "bag" a spot by spreading out the picnic blanket. I'll snack and read and relax until the others arrive. I've never heard of the opera (Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci) but I'm sure a balmy night and a picnic will be the perfect match.

Melt Down...

In huge contrast to the Northern Hemisphere blogs I read, we have been sweltering for the past four days with (celsius) 39, 39, 40, 42 degree heat. The blessed change arrived about 6.30 last night, and people, dogs, cats, horses and I imagine, even birds and bees everywhere can feel normal again. Global warming? It's happening, folks.

We are Family...

I've been musing on the topic of family lately. How you are still connected, whether you ring each other every day, week, or once a year on birthdays (when the birthday person is usually out celebrating and misses your call!). Technology has helped families stay in touch more often and more easily - blogs, g-mail chat, texts, e-mails....but some feel this is no replacement for a live chat. I always feel that extended family are close to me, as we just pick up where we left off when we catch up. I guess that years of growing up under the same roof makes an indelible connection. My immediate family (Paull & Eliza) are a great source of pride, friendship and support for me - I enjoyed every bit of parenting them towards adulthood. Of course, there are inevitable clashes in families, but your love and kinship pulls you through those. I also love the way that our little family of three opens up and includes a variety of friends - as my fridge magnet says "Friends are the Family we choose for ourselves" (very wise, fridge magnets, I find.......)

Leaving on a Jet Plane - again!

After a great holiday, Paull is back to the VERY cold New York City - his plane is due to fly out as I type this. I'm much more relaxed about the whole thing this time - I know he is happy and enjoying himself there - and that is what we want for our kids. Also, I'm planning MY next trip to visit him. He and friend Alan (a paramedic just off night shift) were determined to have one more Aussie beer on the observation deck. Bon Voyage!

Intentions 2009

A column in last Sunday's Telegraph caught my eye....Yasmin Boland wrote about a powerful exercise to clear the decks for a new year. So, I tried it, and it is quite profound.
1) Make a "Ciao for Now 2008" list: all the things you want to leave behind. The failures, regrets, mistakes.

2) Next, make a "Gratitude 2008" list. All the things that you are grateful for from 2008.

3) Now make an "Intentions 2009" list. Maybe 10 goals, your main aims for 2009.

Finally, the good bit - tear up or burn your "Ciao for now 2008" list. Those regrets are gone. Read your "Gratitude" list aloud, and put your Intentions list where you will see it regularly.

I was carrying some professional bad times into 2009 - now I really feel like I have let them go, and also realise that I have so much to be grateful for. 2009 - bring it on!!

Keeping Cool at Coogee

This is where I'll be this afternoon - when the worst of the 41 degrees celsius is passing - to cool down, swim if there are no sharks or bluebottles, and go to the pub across the road after for a beer, a burger and a gelato. The 30 minute drive is well worth it!

It's true!

Time you enjoyed "wasting" is definitely NOT wasted time. After a lovely NYE involving French champagne, Margaret River Semillion, Tiger Prawns and profiteroles, we are just floating along enjoying the lack of deadlines. With the kids up at Byron Bay for a week, things are pretty peaceful and laidback around here. I needed a bookmark for my Christmas novel and this was the first one I put my hand on. The next day, as we drove to a secluded harbour beach for a swim, we passed a van with the same message scrawled across the back window. Synchronicity - who am I to argue?