anyresemblance

Beach life

In years  gone by, the beach house was where my marriage was at its happiest.  We were distant from work pressure, the kids were easy and we could go to sleep listening to the ocean. 

We're renting a house in Jervis Bay where the sand is the whitest I have ever seen and it still feels like quiet little seaside towns strung along the bay.  If you took all your fantasies of a holiday house - comfy beds, hammocks, verandah, fully equipped kitchen, wood burning stove, Netflix, beach decor, board games, fenced yard for the dog, kayak and incredibly lovely airbnb host, this would be it. Oh, and a hot tub where you look up into the gum trees.

Today, we took the ferry from Myola to Huskisson. The captain let the kids steer there and back, played cool tunes on his iPod and was cheerful and friendly.

L took Charlie for a 7km run, then he got to go on the ferry (dogs free) then he was admired by many small children in Huskisson.  He is also having a wonderful holiday.

I can feel the tension of the year slipping away and getting some perspective.

Also, could not be prouder of the 14 year old above who swam national times in her state swim meet this week and is heading to national championships next Easter.

Humankind

People were tiring today but I still got new tyres, correct fitting for the hose, made two kinds of ice cream, went to special edition farmers market (sparse) and made dinner. I am in bed at 9pm saw well. 

Four sleeps

We're going to the beach for Christmas.  The first of the family members arrived last night as an unaccompanied minor from Perth with her cheeky smile and her polite ways.  Charlie adored her and Ned slept on her bed.  Tonight we get another one and the final visitors arrive on Friday morning when we all pile into several cars and head to the beach.

I don't know why I am so stressed about people going hungry when we have loads of great food and the makings of much more.  I forgot to buy mangoes in costco but the world will keep spinning.

Mix tape

Sometimes I love my job, like yesterday when I spent two hours composing a playlist based on our 2016 performance.  If you're interested, it's public on Spotify.  

I am grappling with some professional decisions but reckon I have made the emotional decision already.  

Fleeting

My neighbour's cactus has gone mental overnight with lots of blooms.  I believe they are the night blooming Queen of the Night which only last for one day.

Ham handling

Hams were glazed today and christmas cake was made.  Yeah, one early and one very late but it will taste fine and accompany hot cups of tea after an afternoon at the beach.

It's been another weekend of home making with the room rearranging reaching its final stages.   The younger kid has the bigger bedroom, the older kid has moved downstairs to a bedroom come studio and I have a little guest room with a small bookcase and a day bed to lounge on in peace.  I just need a do not disturb sign for the door.

We went to dog park Christmas party tonight much enhanced by 12 week old border collie. So fluffy. So much love for border collies.

Kidnapped

We've been doing major room reorganisation with associated dismantling and reassemblage of sundry beds and other bits of furniture. I get a guest room out of this which doubles as my retreat. Our first guest my ten year old great niece so I was moving some of my favourite childhood books up and stumbled on this. I vaguely remember watching this film but it rekindled a desire to watch old movies set in Scotland - whisky galore, the 39 steps, local hero and the like.  The accompanying bookcase was a 10th birthday present for me and looking a bit battered so I am giving it a spray of paint to be revealed later.

 

Very nearly there

I was supposed to finish work today but honestly so many unfinished things, I decided to work Monday as well and actually felt a great relief that I did not to have to feel frantic and went to a Christmas lunch and had my hair done.

The food was meh but the company was good and I enjoyed myself and decided I need to spend more time in the office instead of in my cave.

The kids and I had a perfect rainy Friday evening watching Charmed. Can't believe we we've been watching that for 14 years.  Still enjoyable.

Coming soon, however

Is it though?

Heated

That car thing has turned out to be super tiresome since the cheapest option is to replace the entire engine.  Sigh.  Only upside is it will be done before Christmas, reduces the mileage on the car and has a warranty.

It is unspeakably hot here today which is good for drying laundry and not much else.  I did an early walk with Charlie past my favourite house.  The owner was coming out "I love your house" I said, "I love your dog, she said".