Category: Chronicles

Chronicles

It’s been fairly quiet, with hubby out working and many little things to do. Gradual de-cluttering (it is hard letting go of stuff isn’t it, but it sure does feel liberating when you do! – evidence of a slowly changing awareness.), cleaning, writing, studying, teaching (kiddies), walking, playing, party planning cooking, all that…and, oh, catching up with the dearest of friends who have come back to Canberra. That has been wonderfully refreshing.

I was sad not to take pictures of the mid morning – stretching into mid afternoon – ‘brunch’ we had with these friends. It was such a precious time with us four couples who so naturally and sweetly slot together, whose children play very well together, who so comfortably talk about anything with no judgement, but perhaps a bit of laughing at ourselves and at each other, which friends are so good for, all of it couched in love.

I’ve found I’ve grown the most through these committed, loving, natural friendships where the stretch is gentle and self-awakening. And so I assume, by being involved in these most beautiful of friendships the growth occurs all around, and my only hope is that everyone has wonderful friends like I do.

That was Easter Friday.

Today we are couching it in, the kids are having a video day. I’ve been making sure not to give them any TV time except when needed and so we intentionally go days without any videos, so that I can give them a big sit in with some fun videos without any guilt!!

Here’s a glimpse through our week, showing you how we got to this day where we are going to sit on our bottoms all day and r e s t.

It started with this beautiful ringlet on this beautiful forehead.

We dropped their daddy off at the Governor General House open day to work, and we ducked next doorish to my Nonnas house with their Nonna (my mum) and went for a walk through ‘the forest’. Autumnal colours are just beginning to emerge.

Sophia, of course, found a tree to climb.

And daddy found them.

I really love this man.

I’ve started my early morning running up again. Now that the weather has cooled off, and my favourite fogs and sharp, crisp morning air are back to greet me in the morning, it is something I anticipate and savour. The earliest mornings are the best of times.

And the Folk Festival. It’s an annual family event. The boys band played. I spent a bit of time chasing kids around – meaning: no pictures, sadly. I took a few afterwards when Henry was free to help. He has a calming influence on the children, I don’t know what I’d do without him sometimes.

Gunther tried his hand at ‘daddys work’. We have a picture of Sophia doing this at the Folk Festival four years ago. She was five days old.

Look at her today. We tried to join in on the dancing, but Soph was too tired to enjoy it. She was clamouring to go home, which we shortly did.

But not before doing a few essential jumps.

And here we are. Movie day. Thank you very much. I’m ready for this day.

Happy Easter all.

xo

March 31, 2013
Chronicles

It’s been an absence. I’ve been struggling along with an essay, my first in seven years – or more. I’m rusty!

Canberra had its 100th birthday, I had my 28th. Henry and I are officially in our late twenties and thirty is just around the corner. I don’t mind. I intend to live to 112 and have each year more productive than the last. I just feel I have so much to learn here on earth and so much I could potentially give. I want to give it all. Spend myself into the earth and into its people like nothing else. Of course, as a mum, you’ve got to spend yourself into your kids. Like everything, large scale change depends on the small actions of individuals. It is a wonderful and daunting concept.

In between Henrys absolutely exhausting work schedule the past week (I get the benefit of seeing the monumental effort that goes into these festivals that Canberra likes to throw!) We managed to squeeze in an early morning excursion to the balloon spectacular. We’ve been going to these since Sophia was in my tummy. I love early mornings and I love family outings, so this has been one of my absolute favourite events over the years.

Crazy balloon shapes have only recently popped up in this festival, what a highlight! Darth Vader. No way.

I’m not sure if the Peacock or ‘Franklin’ were Sophs favourites, I guess it doesn’t really matter. They were both cool.

It was a super early morning! 5.30am out the door, it was still dark. It was totally worth it, even though I paid for it through the day with super tired and crotchety kids.

Just to prove all four of us were there: Sophia, Gunther, Me & Henry.

We ducked off to get a coffee before I dropped Henry off at work. These kinds of dates make me jump for joy inside. I just love those happy, carefree times with my family. It’s absolutely right and delightfully fitting.

A few days later Henry was working again, this time at Skyfire. I am not generally a fan of Skyfire, fireworks: great. Crowds: totally not great. The music: not into it. But, showing kids fireworks for the first time: yes please!

So mum and I took them down to the lake, we made sure to go a good distance from the main area, with still a good view, and we did find the right spot.

The tower was rather thrilling for Soph as it changed from Pink to Red to Orange and on through the rainbow.
I only took a couple of photos as I mostly just wanted to cuddle my kids and enjoy the view with them. It is just beautiful seeing things like this through their eyes. Their ‘Wows’ and ‘oohs’ and ‘Look! It’s a shooting star!’ bring big light to older, staler senses. Children are one of the best things for us adults.

So our week wound on with a few resting days at home, a few gigs to go to and an Uncle up from Tasmania to spend time with.

Then came birthday day. Mums birthdays are never much I think. Mums are the ones who make birthdays happen for children and for husbands, but this time I had my first taste of my daughter taking care of birthday traditions.

Henry was sick as a dog, poor thing, he had to pop in to work, so we all went together and I dragged the kids around. We had fun jumping around Civic sculptures.

I feel this is rather an unusual fountain for a city centre, but when I read that it was bequeathed by Alexander Downer in honour of his father I saw it in a new light. Now I see a father raising up his son and passing on a gift which the son is reaching for. That is appropriate and a close father-son relationship ought to be honoured. As our time in the city fast ran out and Henry was still working I did get cross. I hadn’t had a chance to do that retail therapy Henry had promised. So palmed the kids off on him and I dashed of, getting a few presents for the three other friends who have birthdays around mine and bought some new dresses from a favourite shop. (natural fibres and potentially ethical – though I’d definitely like to look into that!) It was very very brief, but when you become a mum even five minutes of rushed time alone is luxury – and retail therapy! Unheard of!

Then on to the Arboretum where we had a spot of lunch with my mum, dad and brother. I always think it’s appropriate to spend the anniversary of your birth with the people who are responsible for your arrival on the firmament. We had lunch in the absolutely amazing construction of the Arboretum ‘Village Centre’, high ceilings with wood highlights through the entire building. Then we rolled around on the lawn ampitheatre, well the kids did. And finished off with a chilled out stroll through the Himalayan Cedars and the rust coloured words, ‘Wide Brown Land,’ on the hill.

Finally, at home, Henry soldiered through cooking dinner, then crashed into bed for a nap. I whipped through the cleaning, then with two exhausted children finished off with a ‘birthday’ cake. By then though, I was totally over it, so I cut it up and headed outside to eat alfresco. Sophia was not too be put off. ‘Are we singing happy birthday?’ ‘No, we’ll just eat it and go to bed.’ ‘No, let’s sing happy birthday.’ A little pause. I just waited to see what she would do. ‘Come on Gunny, let’s sing Happy Birthday to mummy.’ So Gunny began: ‘Happy Birthday’, then Sophia: ‘To You!’, Gunther again: ‘Happy Birthday’, Sophia: To You! Then Soph sang all the way through to ‘Hip Hip!’ where Gunther joined in again with the ‘Hoorays!’

It was a beautiful moment, one of those times where you see and really notice how your little baby is growing into a big person with responsibilities and the ability to think of and look after another person.

The sun set and shone through the leaves of our plum tree making them glow and then it was bedtime.

Uncle David came with two of his mates, Henry crawled out of bed and we finished the day with beers and interesting conversation.

Now we are looking ahead to a PINK birthday party for Sophia in two weeks time and finally our move out of our village which has been home for 5 1/2 years, ready to step into life’s next adventures.

March 22, 2013
Sutton Walks

Many evenings after the dinner dishes are done the kids and I go for a final frolic out-of-doors. We have been doing this all Summer as, truly, the best part of those hot Summer days is when that fierce sun sinks down into the faraway hills and his glow dims to a deep golden. It is best for young porcelain skin and my light-sensitive eyes.

For us it is the best of ways to relax, a way for my kids to witness nature going to sleep, and a time to stretch our limbs in new ways. Sophia, such a monkey, climbs higher every time up the tree next to the park. We hunt for natures goodies, climb down rocks to be near the tiniest pond which flows under the bridge, and find that there is beauty even in the smallest details. We watch the bees, find where ladybugs set up for the night (a few dozen all on one plant), we see galahs cawing to eachother before they go off to sleep and we always see the rabbits out on the grass eating up before they wriggle into their burrows for bed time. I love seeing these things through my childrens eyes. Everything is unique and wonderful to them and I find myself joining in and encouraging this wonderment. We say goodnight to all the living things as we go back to our house. I point out the ants who are extra busy before it rains. I follow the flight path of the bee, one of my favourite of all living creatures. I share their enthusiasm entirely and I hope I foster it too.

I will miss this wonderful space we have had in this little village. It has been most pleasant for our family to have this massive expanse as basically an extension of our backyard. I am totally grateful to Australia for the vastness it provides. I love this feeling of space, room to stretch legs and be private whilst being utterly surrounded by practically nothing but nature and while still have neighbours in calling distance. It is perfect. I am thankful.

We actually found some leeches in this water hole, so this is the last time we will be doing this here!

Frogs eggs, it has been many months since there was such a big batch of eggs, today also we saw many bugs mating and I think it must be time for the Autumn baby boom.

That lovely, dominating, fatherly structure, the Sutton Village Hall. Here, in this village, the community spirit of the past still carries on. Just one reason why I love this village so much.

Lady bugs seem to love this plant. Plantain is great for so many things, not least totally alleviating insect stings. The leaves, roots, seeds are all edible & also can be used medicinally as a poultice.

Yes, we did eat these, and no, we did not die. I am growing more confident in my ability to identify and cook wild mushrooms, so far there are only about 3 that I am totally confident with. Books and experienced mushroomers are the most help here.

Another day:

To me, this picture is Sophia all over, free, abandoned, expressive, wild. She is a lot of fun.

The humble bee. This creature is not to be underestimated, as those around the world experiencing colony collapse disorder in their hives are now learning first-hand. (Many American fruit/nut growers ship hives upon hives of healthy Australian bees over to their shores where our bees are destined for certain death. They pollinate and await the Varroa Destructor mite which heralds their demise. Thankfully this mite has not made it to Australia…yet…let us hope it never will.) Decades of pesticides are biting us in the rear-end. I hope Australia learns before it is too late. Anything we can do to ensure the vibrant future of our natural habitats and animals is not enough! I never understand people who couldn’t care less about these creatures. If it were not for these tiniest of animals the naturalist and scoffer alike would have no food; no fruit, no nuts, no veges, even flowers would shrink from sight. God built all sorts of wonderful systems into the way this world works and it is out of a pure love of His creation that I am driven to protect it. I can not understand the apathy.

This one I did not eat, often these mushrooms, if they are too close to trees, will carry slaters, and this one did, though in every other respect a superb mushroom.

Sophias finds.

This is a tree I never see in flower. I suspect it is a brief, once a year event.

And an au natural slippery slide.

Beautiful Dancers.

This boy, that face, that hair! <3

March 9, 2013
Have Bus Will Travel!

Here it is!

Beautiful Big Bedford. It has come in the nick of time, at the perfect time and is exactly what we were looking for. After doing over 3000 kms up and down the south east of Australia (from Taree to Melbourne) in the past week we ended up finding our ideal bus only 15 minutes from Henrys familys place, where we have parked it for all the adjustments we will need to make to get it registered and in running order. In the end we did not compromise on any of the essentials that we wanted which were: Fair price, Bedford, Diesel Engine in good condition, sturdy rust-free body, and minimally fitted out – as we would strip it anyway.

We are not kidding ourselves, this is not the end, only the beginning! There is a lot of work to be done, & still lots of research (though we are pretty informed by now!), finally though, action can be taken. We can begin kitting it out, moving out and moving in.

Apart from repainting the exterior we will also strip the entire interior, except for the framing which divides the main bedroom from the bunk & bathroom area and the kitchen and living area – all of that just so happens to be in the exact spots we were planning on putting them – fancy that! We are going for a clean and neutral look with all of the inbuilt furnishings; light wood floors, beige walls. We are thinking textured wallpaper for some feature areas (the curved part of the roof), most of the character will come from rugs within and the adjustable furnishings. Because it is such a small space it is completely necessary to keep things streamlined, light and bright in there. We are looking forward to buying our own stove and cooktop, LED Lights, solar panels, installing our own plumbing including a composting toilet and Henry has ideas for a passive solar ‘air conditioner’ he is inventing, and basically being able to alter things to be exactly the way that we want them. What a luxury after six+ years of renting!

It’s a lot of fun to be able to do all this debt free within our budget. Though home ownership is sometime in the future for us I am trusting that the time to rustle up the money for that will come. With houses and land so expensive in Australia I feel good about looking outside the box in order to move forward whilst having an adventure at the same time.

Living in a bus will suit our family down to the ground. I watched my children running and jumping around our bus when we brought it home (‘home’ which is now less about ‘where’ and more about ‘who’), and I thought, ‘this suits my kids perfectly!’, with their wild hair, their boundless energy and inquisitiveness.

Sophia shouted ‘Oolevoir’ (Translation: Au revoir) out the window and we really will be saying that in just a few months. But not yet. And not here in this space at least.

January 15, 2013