The Eucalyptus Ficifolia - A Survivor!

This is an update to my previous blog post about my favourite tree falling down (July 2009). If you look back at the photos, my tree looked pretty much dead & gone. But, look at it now!

We were just devastated by its "loss". However, luckily for us, we were too lazy at the time to cut it up for firewood - because it has continued to live! It still flowers even though it's lying on its side, & it continues to grow new branches. I cannot believe our good fortune.

The root system had just bent with the tree & there is still enough soil over the roots to protect it. It even survived last summer really well in this condition as the photos show. The dogs quite like to shade in it, can't say that I blame them as the flowers are beautiful.

We have planted out the same species en masse along our neighbours fence line to create more privacy, & the majority of those ones appear to be surviving quite well, even with the drought & water restrictions. One day, a full row of them in full bloom will be a sight to see.

Spiders In The Garden.

It's a frosty, crisp, wintry day here & it's appears that the spiders are enjoying the morning sunshine. How glorious is our garden today? Magnificent.

A Random Act of Kindness From Across The Globe

As much as I know that this will annoy my dear friend Stella, I am going to put her photo here.

She will totally hate this photo being here, but she will just have to accept the fact that I want to pay her a tribute for being such a great friend, & for always being here for me, even though she lives on the opposite side of the planet. We met 14 years ago (at my wedding) & have just been "together" since, despite the differences in time zones. Apparently we are quite similar according to those who know us both quite well, which I am really happy about, because I very much admire & love her. She is warm, kind, intelligent, feisty, funny, gorgeous to look at - the entire package really.

Stella in her allotment in the UK

We have had a hard few months here in our family, with the poor health of some of our loved family members being the main concern, with all that that involves.

These are the beautiful flowers she & Peter sent last week, just to be lovely. How lucky am I to have her in my life? A good friend is a true gift & we need to take care of all our friendships. Sometimes they do take work, sometimes they are just easy, but if they nurture your soul & enhance your life then they are worth it.

Our Beautiful Fishtank.

The fish tank - from the lounge room

This is our fish tank, which lives in the wall cavity in between the dining room & the lounge room. When we first moved into this house all that was there was a series of bits of wood, which made the room look a little bit like a prison cell. After a few months of contemplation we decided to put a fish tank in there & we thought we were so BRILLIANT. However, it turns out that the people who built the house had a fish tank there too - the second owners ripped it out & put the bars in. We are the third owners. It also turns out that we know both lots of previous owners - so much for country anonymity!

The fish tank - from the dining room.

Obviously we had to get the tank made up to order from a local glass shop. It took them four goes to get it right. The first one leaked straight away, the second one bowed out when the water was added & the third one exploded out into the dining room after a night of water sitting in it. Thank goodness there were no fish in that one at that point, & thank goodness we weren't sitting there eating at the table. I cannot tell you the mess it made - shards of broken glass, 80 litres of water & thousands of tiny black stones all over the floor, but at least it wasn't into the lounge room, which at that stage had carpet in it. The tank is a source of joy for us, it's just so peaceful to sit at the table, having a nice dinner & a glass of wine, contemplating this mini lake with family & friends.

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.