I’ve spent most of the day stripping the second layer of paper from the walls of the upstairs spare bedroom today. When I first moved into my home, the three bedrooms had really disgusting vinyl wallpaper on them. Not anything that I could live with, that’s for sure. I got straight into ripping off the outer vinyl layer of paper. I then spent a lot longer soaking and removing all the paper and glue traces in my bedroom.

Asha’s room was finally completed last year when Tom moved in there and he and his dad prepared it for painting, and then painted it. My ex-husband is always very particular about his handyman jobs so it was very well done. I’m not sure how I managed to get away with that, but I think Tom’s super influencing abilities won him over. Whose ex-husband paints a room in their house for them?

As I am preparing my house to let it out whilst I am away, I have to paint my bedroom and the other bedroom upstairs.  There was wallpaper on the ceilings of those upstairs rooms and I can’t tell you how much my arms ache from a day of it. I’m not finished yet either. My dad called in to help and brought me a step ladder. That helped a lot actually because I’d been using a rocking chair cause I was too lazy to bring a more stable chair upstairs. I’m like that. A health and safety nightmare.

I really appreciate my parents. They are so supportive of each of us to achieve whatever it is we want to do. I watched mum stress about Kate being away and I know she’ll fret about me just as much, but they still support us to do what we want to do. I feel unconditionally loved by them. All six of us live very different lifestyles and some hugely different to theirs and yet we are all helped out in different ways. I’ve only recognised that and appreciated it lately. I used to think everyones parents were like that.

I moved into this house 5 years ago and did plenty in the first year. Then I met Andy. He distracted me! I did pay someone to paint the kitchen whilst he was here, but in all honesty my redecorating came to a virtual standstill during this period. We were always going away to interesting places during the holidays and I rarely have enough left over energy during the term. 

I kind of like doing it though. I like seeing the improvement. I think a lot. Today I was thinking about the things that room has seen in the years we’ve lived here. I had my music up loud and I was remembering when Tom was learning the baritone saxophone and how the noise (and in the beginning it was just noise) would fill the whole court. I was remembering how relieved I was when the old guy on the corner told me he was in the city band and loved hearing the sound of the kids practising their instruments. Asha learnt the drums and flute so there was a lot of practising sounds. I can’t say I loved them.

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I know that Wii is old news to most, but yesterday I had my first big play on it and understand now. It is really fun. I went to my brother Tim’s and he and his wife Nicole shared the joys of Wii with me. I had Nicole for secret santa this year and bought her a Wii Fit. I am not sure if it was a gift or a punishment today. My body is really sore from the 40 minutes spent checking out all the ‘games’ on it. After getting my age assessment …. a painful truth at having a body age a good ten years older than the reality, I had to really throw myself into the exercises, and now it hurts.

Asha came over and we played bowling and other games. I thought I would whip Tim on tennis, but no… I barely won a game. I did manage to do ok in the yoga section. It involved being still! I have to get back into my exercise and routines… ugh! I got some great action shots of Asha and Nicole battling it out in baseball. I’ll be keeping them for blackmail… the facial expressions are priceless. It’s amazing how much you get into it.

Tim and I shared our iTunes libraries and he told me all the concerts he’s been to this year and is planning to go to. We happily chatted about music, reading and film after the physical exhaustion of the Wii playing had depleted me. He has a great room full of the best music posters, autobiographies and films. I borrowed a couple of autobiographies… they are actually to be passed on to my other brother Danny, but I am going to read them first. My brother and his wife are awesome and I enjoyed my day with them. It was a bonus to see Asha too!

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Today I’ve achieved nothing. It feels like the first normal day for a month! I had a few things to do, but the Post Office was closed and then I gave up on the list. I’ve watched a few DVDs and just felt lazy and ‘can’t be bothered’. I haven’t even unpacked from my trip to the beach.

My son and his friend both bought ‘Twilight’ today and have read most of the day. I think that book has hooked them into reading almost as the Harry Potter books did. All the kids are reading it.  I find it interesting that something comes along like this and suddenly they all want to read! I haven’t yet got my hands on the rest of the books after reading the first one, but I’m sure they will be lying around in abundance after the kids have rapidly consumed them.

I’ve started reading a collection of Stephen King short stories. I haven’t been getting into any of the books I’ve started lately. I’ve tried all kinds of things.

I am out of routine.

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The last time I spent New Years Eve at Inverloch was in 1983 if I remember correctly. It was a more sedate event this time. I stayed with Rhonda and her daughters friends. It was an immediate culture shock for me after having a quiet few days at home after Tom had headed off to his event. It was fun though.

I loved my drive there. I listened to the xmas mixes my brother Tim had made me this year. I love the CD’s he puts together for me. He has great taste in music. He always knows what I like. This year has been no exception. I was feeling very appreciative of my life on the trip over there. I was appreciating driving on the bends and the beautiful countryside. I was reflecting on how lucky I am. I have such great friends. I have spent some quality time with most of my friends lately and enjoyed the warmth and hospitality.

Sadly it has been wet all week and the swim was postponed due to the weather. I’m glad I got one in on Sunday at Wilmas. I did go for a long walk on the beach alone the first morning I was there. I remembered the last early morning walk I’d taken on that beach had been with Andy and Ella around four years ago. It was really cold that morning and we’d wrapped this bright red scarf I had borrowed from my mum around Ella, cause she was cold. I wouldn’t let Andy take photo’s of Ella wearing mum’s scarf cause I didn’t think she’d be impressed.

Rhonda and I went for a drive to Cape Patterson Wednesday afternoon. I was amazed at the building going on there. I really like that beach. I had a nap when I got back. I met up with my friend John and enjoyed a few beers in the pub before the crowds came on New Years Eve. The rest of the night was spent with Rhonda and the girls. The girls were in and out really, as teenagers do on such occasions. My kids texted me to let me know they were safe, along with many friends and family.

I got home this afternoon and had another nap. Now I’m wide awake and catching up on the feed reader and emails!

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I am reflecting on what I have achieved this year. December 2007 seems like a lifetime ago. It has been a pretty full year for me and an enjoyable one mostly.

We’ve got through Tom’s last year of going to school and now my work is done in child rearing. Now I’m a spectator in my adult children’s lives. He was disappointed with his VCE score, but it wasn’t so bad. The pain only seems to last a couple of days. I saw a kid at the movies last night and she struggled to remember hers. I find it all very amusing really.  Asha has finished her second year at Uni and has made a good life for herself in Melbourne. Both my kids have two good jobs and are very independent, but fun to be around so I’m pleased with how it’s turned out.

My family are all well and happy. Kate’s moved to the UK and whilst I miss her I love hearing how much she’s enjoying it. It has inspired me. She split up with her boyfriend who is still in Melbourne over Christmas and yet she is still pretty upbeat. It was inevitable I guess.

I moved my blog to my own domain this year and have dropped a pagerank with google, part way through the year. I’ve managed to hang in the Top 100 Australian Women’s Blogs by the skin of my teeth (currently at 99), although I dropped out for a month or so at one point. I’ve had over 21,000 views this year. I must admit I like Wordpress, but I haven’t blogged as regularly or put as much time into it this year. I’ve taken very few clips for Revver and have participated less on line and more in real life this year. I think it’s a good balance though. I’ve enjoyed staying in touch with people through Facebook.

Andy and I started Poohduck in May, he is doing most of it now. I love his photo’s. I’m glad we’ve stayed friends. We’ve had our moments, but all in all I have a lot of love and respect for him.

At school I have survived a year as Year 9 Co-ordinator and made the big decision to move next year. I’m heading overseas to work. I have always wanted to travel so I’m taking this opportunity of an empty nest to do so. I’m leaving in July. I need a change. I haven’t loved my school this year as much as I have in the past. I don’t want to sit around in a big old empty house doing the same old stuff. I’m excited and nervous and don’t really have a solid plan yet, just a firm decision and strong intention.

My social life has gone off (as they say) this year. I think being single has provided a lot more social opportunity and I caught up with an old school friend in October who is also separated, so we have made an effort to go out more and socialise. It’s been fun. I have made some great new friends this year also.

So many other things, good films, great music, interesting places…. but it’s all here on the blog. I’m off to the beach for a couple of days. Happy New Year everyone. I’m looking forward to 2009. I think it’s going to be amazing.

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Today has been very busy. I’ve caught up with my second cousin, Laurie, at my Auntie’s passing through on his way to Tasmania. I haven’t seen him since my grandfathers funeral last year and that was a blur. I visited Andy’s sister… who is also heading to Tassie and I dropped some stuff off for her to take to him. I enjoyed her gorgeous son, who is less than a year old. He was such a contented baby and it was peaceful to hang out with them.

I went to Wilma’s for a swim in her pool… and to spend time with her. It was blissful swimming the afternoon away.  I took this photo when I got out with wrinkly fingertips after soaking too long. I checked out my beautiful spare room there, that I intend to spend plenty of time in. We had a lovely steak and salad barbie, which was tasty, due to the swim induced hunger I reckon. I love spending time with her. Old friends are great are they not?

I had to come home tonight cause Tom is going to Pyramid Rock thingy and I wanted to see him before he goes. I don’t know why he can’t just stay home and watch TV on New Years Eve, would be less stressful for me!

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Tonight is a New Moon in Capricorn. This will be a great time to set intentions and goals for the whole year, not just the new month. Jonathon Cainer in his audio forecast mentioned that Saturns position at New Years Eve will make our resolutions powerful this year. In fact he indicates that old saying ‘careful what you wish for’ because the likelihood of getting what you want is great and it will be difficult to reverse.

There are a lot of planets in Capricorn right now. This New Moon says Capricorn has a grounding power and a fearless attitude, so a good time to face any excesses that have occurred and get back down to earth. A great place to come from when planning the year ahead.

Mystic Medusa says this new moon will be the real kick start of the long era of Pluto in Capricorn and all the shifts that will bring.

Yep I know I’ve posted twice today, but this new moon has crept up on me. I will be in and out during the coming week, so posting will be less predictable than the unpredicatable way it has been this month!

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I’ve had a fabulous couple of days with the family and friends. Christmas was the joy I always hoped for. Too much food, plenty of laughter and many loved ones surrounded me. I adored my presents this year. I didn’t want anything specific this year, so it was all surprises as well.

I missed Kate, but had a great 2 hour chat with her on facebook on Boxing day morning, that satisfied some of the need to hang out with her. My brother Brendan was also absent from our Christmas day this year. He was in Darwin though with his adopted family and I know he enjoys those Christmas’s as well. The remainder of us enjoyed mum’s fabulous cooking, Tim’s great music and all that goes with the family getting together.

Yesterday we went to my Auntie Judy’s and spent a relaxing afternoon eating and conversing with mum’s extended family. There were four out of the seven of her siblings there. Way too much food has been consumed by myself. We dropped my brother Danny off at Seaspray on the way home from Judy’s. I don’t think I’ve ever been there before. It looked beautiful. The rain we’ve had lately has really transformed the countryside and in the late afternoon it was really picturesque.

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Every Christmas is different really isn’t it? I remember how excited I would be as a child. I feel that again after a long time. In between these years there has been a lot of stressing, rushing, overspending and people pleasing involved in Christmas… not in a good way. Last year was probably the quietest Christmas of my life. It could have been lonely, but really it was ok, just quiet.

My house is clean and I’m just about to have a soak so I can smell as good as it does. I feel infinately blessed and grateful to have so many to love and be loved by. Hope all readers have a brilliant Christmas Eve however it is spent.  

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I am bragging I know, but I am finished my shopping. I have totally enjoyed it this year and feel really pleased with the gifts I have to give. I am excited about Christmas. Each time I’ve been shopping, I’ve bumped into my best mate from school, Rhonda, and we have had a coffee together….totally unplanned. How fortunate is that! I have found the things I have been looking for with ease. I feel like I’ve had plenty of time this year. It’s been cruisy.

I spent the afternoon showing my dad how to download podcasts. I gave him the ipod I won from school a few weeks ago. I still have the ipod I won from Mr Wong ages ago. My kids already have ipods.  My dad likes to listen to talkback so I thought he might like it. He was quite facinated to find all the ABC radio programs there to be downloaded. I am sure I will have to go over it again a few times with him. 

I’m having Christmas lunch at the parents and celebrating Christmas Eve with the young people. Boxing Day will be extended family with my Auntie. I’m lucky I don’t have cater… then I would be frantic.

We’ve had lots of spontaneous gatherings here lately and I feel like I am cleaning up after little celebrations constantly. It’s ok though, I’m actually enjoying it this year. It is a different lifestyle with adult children, with their own cars to run themselves around with and their own jobs and money to fund Christmas with. I am getting quite fond of this freedom I have now. It’s not so bad after all!

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