April Book Club

I belong to the best book group ever, no lie. It is made up of women from diverse backgrounds & beliefs, & I thoroughly enjoy myself each time we catch up. There are 16 members, all wonderful in so many different ways, & all of whom enrich my life. We are a changing bunch - we have babies, start new careers, start new relationships, get married, buy houses & lose those we love. The really cool thing is that we do it all together, each month.

I thought that as a new rule for myself I should do a monthly book review, just to allow myself to waffle on. What a surprise!

The Slap - Christos Tsiolkas

I loved "The Slap". What a spectacular book, based on the story of a Melbourne family BBQ where one man slaps someone else's child. There are interwoven stories from the view of the different characters, & the subsequent fallout from that one event. The thing is - how would I react? Would I react like the Mother of the child? Would that make me right? A great read - I highly recommend this book

The Last Lecture - Randy Pausch

This book is the extension of a final lecture given by a professor faced with his imminent death from cancer. It is a true story, & the basis of it is awe inspiring. Apparently some Universities in the USA have their professors to this as a regular thing as part of their job, but Randy really was giving his "last lecture" & wanted a record for his young children. I made it to Chapter 8 & could do no more, not from sadness or distress, I just found him to be a boring writer. However, if I was his child, I would be blown away by the record of his/our story.

The Gift - Cecelia Ahern

Cecelia Ahern wrote the book "PS I Love You" which I totally loathed, but persisted in reading to try to "get it". I should have realised that "The Gift" would just be as awful, but I could always have been wrong? Nope. I wasn't. What a load of shite - far too many words wandering aimlessly on a page. I made it to Chapter 4 & gave up. I cannot even begin to tell you how I wish I could get back that 30 minutes of my life. A dreadful book.

ANZAC Day

Today is ANZAC Day here in Australia & all over the world. So, along with thousand of others in Ballarat, we attended the local Dawn Service & my Dad joined us. It never fails to move me, I always manage to cry, the playing of "The Last Post" is just exquisite. It is also very moving to be standing in a crowd of people, silently, with all honouring our history, just being united in support of the Armed Forces who fought so that we have the freedoms that we have today. We has nice weather, of course it was cold (it is Ballarat) but there was no rain & only a slight breeze. Perfect!

Jeremy, Jack, Dad & Tom

I never used to pay much attention to ANZAC Day as a kid as it was not something that appeared to be a focus in our family. However, after J & I married (or even before really) that certainly changed. He grew up the son of a serving professional army man, went wherever they were posted, & is now a fierce supporter of Legacy. In fact this May he will become the President of the local Legacy Branch, which is apparently trail blazing - for his young age & also for the fact that he has never served in the Australian Armed Forces.

Chocolate muffins & ANZAC biscuits, baked yesterday

So, to all who have fought bravely for me & my family, in the past, the present & the future - thank you. Thank you also to your families, who have given of their time to love to support you, I do no think that their roads would be easy sometimes.

Lest we forget.

Thanks Mum xx

My Mum has been really rather sick for what seems like ages now, been in hospital twice in Melbourne with a rehab stint here at home as well. At one stage I thought we may lose her, and that was a very scary place to go. I really don't know that I would cope without her, because who else would I turn to? She spoils me rotten, she's my best friend, she's my sounding board and she is my biggest fan. She is the most wonderful grand-mother to my boys and I watch them bloom under her care and love, and they are turning out to be lovely men with her guidance.

One of the hardest things for her recovery is that her movement is restricted, which for my Mum is dreadfully awful as she is one of the busiest people I know. She can't garden, play tennis, run around with the boys, go for drives in that car of more than 5 minutes duration. But, she can help me with my current dilemma! I have book group this afternoon, and the theme is "Easter Bonnet". How perfect! Mum is a crafty bugger - and look at the Easter Bonnet she made for me.