Farewell long summer days

Beautiful little darling with golden ringlets.

 Sunset at the beach.

Boys running wild.  Magic.

It has been such a wonderful day here.  We started early with a garage sale to clear out some bits and pieces and had early hagglers from 7:30 onwards.  It was so cool to sell some books to a guy who was on the lookout for 8 books in particular, seven of which I had.  It made his day and he was so excited!

This afternoon was just the most delightful community experience.  The group of mates my eldest son has are a great bunch of kids.  Sporty, mature, confident and lots of fun.  One really great bonus is that the parents are equally as good company.

So boys and various parents met up for a BBQ at the beach and drinks for the grown ups.  It is such a privilege to be a part of raising and shaping my son and his peers for becoming the grown ups of the next generation.  I had a sense today that this was a rare and special thing.  These people are just a rockin group of people who love to have fun and hang out.  Then to drop off the boys to watch the premier league game and home to get tucked up in bed after a satisfying day.  Happy days indeed.

Next event.....girls night out in a couple of weeks.

TAP TAP TAP

So today I am feeling like there is a very real possibility that this vague idea to write some things into a more formalised story might actually be important and worthwhile.

I have hit 15 000 words and am allowing myself a fantasy indulgence that I am a real "writer" and switched off from the rest of the world ( including the dishes and vacuuming) in true romantic and dramatic creative style.

I was going so well until I was distracted by some vintage typewriters on ebay.  Not that I plan on using one to write with.........it's just that they are super funky and would look great on my bench here at blog headquarters.  

I leaves me wondering what on earth I did with my time before the internet.  

Mmmmm....something to ponder on there.

Probably time to read the written word instead of electronic data.  It would also help finish the dozen started books next to my bed.

operation strategic mission :: get a good nights sleep.

Tidy room.....check!

Scented candles.....check!

Freshly washed linen.....check!

Chamomile tea.....check!

Now all I have to do is slip into deep sleep for 8 hours....

42 degrees south :: a perfect day

Each time we have another sunny and gorgeous day, I try to remind myself that winter is around the corner and to totally savour the sun and the warmth it brings.  A lazy day on the deck soaking up the sun and enjoying the moment.

A perfect day to admire the view

A perfect day to work on my tan.

Felix invented a water fountain using the hose, a couple of bikes and a bit of imagination.

A moment in time :: looking beyond

I probably drive by this jetty a few times a week.  I love and am inspired by this beautiful stretch of road right beside the water and the boats and the rustic old jetty that stands out with it's green roof and primitive charm.

Today I decided to stop.  Not for any reason other than to just be in the moment.  I could have rushed home conscious of the groceries in the car, the chores to do at home.  It was a choice, between duty or a long deep breath for my soul.  I needed to appreciate close up how much this spot moves me.  It's as if looking at that wooden shack like structure, it comes alive with the personalities and many moments spent over the years here looking out over the water at sunset.

Have other's emotions been stirred and risen to the surface from the many generations that find their way here as well?  I like to think so.  I like to be reminded how we are just a little piece of a bigger puzzle.

I realised all over again how very blessed I am to live right here, right now.  Such a contrast to the dusty flat plains of the place I grew up.  Not that it wasn't beautiful in it's own way and not that I don't long for the still and quiet and hot and dust of the country.  I just see what a gift I have to embrace in this particular point of history.

Again, I am humbled and thankful.

A day in my life :: in my dreams.

This one's for a friend of mine.  Is this what you were thinking?

It's been a long day on the domestic front.

This is my tired worn out cranky mama face.  I am so glad that the Lord gives us a new day to start all over again......the joy comes in the morning or something like that?

Godspeed to all you tired parents as you unwind and enjoy some well earned rest this evening.

Multi-tasking Queen

Camera, Coffee, Children

All life's important things together.

its friday pizza night.

 Sarah and the kids watching mama make the pizza dough.

Gorgonzola and proscuitto with a little mozzarella is simply the best pizza followed closely by olive, tomato and three cheese.

small beginnings

The day of small things - is especially God's day, whose "strength is made perfect in weakness; who raised Joseph from the prison, David from the sheepfold, Daniel from slavery, and converted the world by the fishermen and the tentmaker, having Himself first become the Carpenter.

The beginning......the early days..... the standing your ground days...... the working hard days...... the not quite there days......the wrestling and growing days.

Days to be cherished and learnt from and enjoyed and joyfully embraced whilst purposefully ignoring the loud sharp voices of discontent and instant comfort.  

Delayed Gratification :: staying focused

I am just back from my weekly training session with Teresa.  She is such a gorgeous sweet looking woman with the kind of eyes that light up and personality that naturally makes you feel good to be around.  She is super super fit & super sexy and super motivated personal trainer.

What you can't see from that adorable smily face is the tough love she is ever so happy to inflict on her victims.  I mean....only one hour on......and  I just KNOW that tomorrow I am facing a world of pain.  My legs still have the wobbles and I am scared about next week already!  When I message her to complain about my treatment, she sends back an insincere......I'm ever so sorry message.

In reality, I am really grateful for her fabulous attitude and her courage to be a "real" person.  I think that we all need an encourager and she is one of the best.

I also was told recently by a friend that physical pain is my friend.....I am not totally convinced but there may just be some wisdom there.

It's a bit like everything really, a bit of pain now for a lot of gain later.  Whether it be relational, spiritual, physical or mentally.  Take the book of proverbs for instance, it's full of little gems encouraging the principal of self control and self discipline.


Hard work means prosperity, only fools idle away there time.


Work hard and become a leader, be lazy and become a slave.


Lazy people want much and get little, but those who work hard will prosper and be satisfied.


It is better to be patient than powerful, it is better to have self control than to conquer a city.


So on that reminder......my eyes and mind stay focused and my body tags along behind.  It is after all such a wonderful high after starting the day down by the beach working up a sweat.

It's also so comforting and grounding to see the regular early morning crowd each day.  The lively group of elderly Italian ladies who walk by smiling and, lost in conversation,  passionate about sharing their lives.

The elderly man who swims in the Derwent and stands for a big stretch on the pontoon.

The young men in their kayaks that glide by who stop by after to enjoy a coffee whilst contemplating life and looking over the beautiful river landscape.

The world is full of endless possibility and goodness at this particular moment.....a gift to be savoured and a treasure for the soul.

Where else would I be?

Perspective

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.  


For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope  that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.  

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 

And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

good choices :: best choice

A few years ago one of my relatives said that when making big decisions that she had learnt that there were often many options laid out in front of her.

She shared that there were plenty of good choices. Things which appeared reasonable, responsible and productive.

The key was to decide was it just a good choice or the best choice.  Once you have two paths, good vs best, it's amazing how much clearer the right and best path is.

This is something I put into practice after my enlightening discussion with her and found really liberating.

Often I had been pressured into the choice which was best for someone else yet mildly good for me and those I am responsible for.

I just remembered that conversation this  morning and was prompted to realise it had somehow been forgotten in the survival and daily grind of the last couple of years.  I love it when you remember something really great and profound.

Bring on the next decision, I am ready.

Timing is everything :: my new favourite song

We watched this movie a while back and I fell in love with the soundtrack.  Sarah and I also tried really hard not to fall head over heels for the guy who sings it.  Garrett Hedland...check it out as it's a must see.  It's sad but real and there is just something about a film which shows the frailty of humans which gets to me.


When the stars line upAnd you catch a breakPeople think you're luckyBut you know its grace

It can happen so fastOr a little bit lateTiming is everything

You know I've had close callsWhen it could've been meI was young when I learned just how fragile life can beI lost friends of mineI guess it wasn't my timeTiming is everything

And I could've been the child that God took home,And I would've been one more unfinished songAnd when it seems a rhyme is hard to findThat's when one comes alongJust in time

I remember that dayWhen our eyes first metYou ran into the building to get out of the rainCause you were soaking wetAnd as I held the doorYou wanted to know my nameTiming is everything

And I could've been another minute lateAnd you'd never would've crossed my path that dayAnd when it seems true love is hard to findThat's when love comes alongJust in time

You can call it fateOr destinySometimes it really seems like its a mystery

Cause you can be hurt by loveOr healed by the sameTiming is everything

It can happen so fastOr a little too lateTiming is everything