Friday with Janet

What a great day we had! We arrived and Janet's children were waiting out
the front for us with their new dog, Lucy (Labradoodle). James and Reuben
played on the Xbox virtually all day. Amanda and Belinda hung around us
which was great! They are lovely girls. Janet's sister came up to give us
her opinion of our HPE lesson. We talked heaps, did a little of the lesson
and ate! Janet put on a lovely lunch for us. It was just a wonderful day.

Happiness is having loving friends. Steve Irwins death has reminded me how
precious life really is. I loved hearing how Terri Irwin spoke of her late
husband. They lived life and regretted nothing! In the end its the memories
that you are left with. Bindi and Terri have so many fantastic memories of
Steve. They were happy, they knew what happiness was and Terri is determined
to keep his fun loving philosophy alive!

I may not have the money to live like Steve Irwin but want take that
philosophy on board. I'm not sure how it will start. Perhaps just going to a
beach we havent walked on before or a beach we havent been to for a long
time. Maybe climb a mountain, bushwalk, walk around a city we haven't been
to, drive in a direction and keep going until we find somewhere and stay
overnight. Who knows but I want to start doing it. I have been treading
water way too long. I have to finish uni and I will finish it but not at the
expense of losing time with my son and daughter!

Life is to live.... to live is to love! (is that a quote by someone? It must
be... if not its my quote now!)

Monthly Outing!

Here we are at our monthly outing. It was my turn to pick. BOWLING!!!! what the hell was I thinking! I cant bowl! but it was great to go and have a go. Reuben loved it.

The photo shows Allison with the pink bowling ball, Doris in the stripes, Bob (Doris's new love) behind Doris, Reuben in the orange shirt and Katrina just behind Allison's shoulder. Gail, Peter, Terry and Barb are out of the shot. 

Reuben turns 14

This is Reuben on his birthday (16 Sept) playing his xbox that I got him. He is loving it. It is the old version of xbox as the new one is out of my price range!

He loves Starwars games. He loves role playing games (RPGs - as he calls them). I also bought him a game called Morrowind. He really loves it.

Yesterday he returned from a 4 day camp at Tin Can Bay. He loved it but was glad to get back to his beloved Xbox.

This morning Reuben told me that I mean the world to him. That wouldnt know what to do without me. OMG! Its these little nuggets of gold that make life worth living, that keeps me going on when it seems way too hard. When he puts his arms arounds me when I havent asked for a hug... these are what happiness is all about. Its not how much money we have or the possessions we own. Its love from our family and friends. 

At Uni

Here I am about to jigsaw a piece of acrylic for our design challenge (our first assessment piece). We ended up with 42/50 which was really good. The highest was 47.

Don't you just love the fashion statement with the glasses! 

Steve Irwin had plans for Bindi

Steve Irwin always knew his daughter's fame would eclipse his own and only ever wanted to be her co-star, his best friend and manager says.
Eight-year-old Bindi Irwin will front a women's magazine in September.
A survey in New Idea shows 93 per cent of readers believe Bindi should follow her father's wildlife crusades as the next 'Crocodile Huntress'.

Bindi, speaking at a memorial service for her father last week, said she didn't want his work to ever end.
The Irwin's manager, John Stainton, said the "seal of approval" from the public would be an honour for the little girl.
"She's got a future ahead of her and I've said it before, I've always said to Steve, 'she's going to eclipse you, she's going to be a much bigger star'," he said.
"And he (Steve) honestly used to laugh and used to say, 'I just want to be co-star to my daughter'."
Mr Stainton said Bindi's television show, which is due to screen next year, would be finished as soon as the family felt comfortable.
"When she's on television in her own show, I think she will explode," he said.
"I just think there's a little volcano waiting inside her.
"She's a very special little kid, her whole being is to do what Steve did."
Mr Stainton said Terri Irwin compared Bindi's enthusiasm for wildlife to what other children felt for football or ballet.
"Bindi's whole life revolves around performing and entertaining and teaching kids about wildlife, it's her whole focus," he said.

My Opinion: I think its wrong to put such a big responsibility on such young shoulders. I hope Terri guards Bindi's life like a mother lion. I think its great that Bindi wants to be like her dad but I think she needs to have some kid time and not have so much pressure from the press and the public. 

Terri Irwin still mourning Steve

Terri Irwin says she can't shake the idea that her husband will return home
from one of his adventures.

Speaking in an interview on the Nine Network, Terri tells of the bond she
had with Steve, who died from a stingray barb to the chest while diving off
the far north Queensland coast on September 4.

"There never has been before and never will be again another Steve Irwin,"
she says.

"Every day he was my prince charming."

During the interview with Ray Martin to be aired tonight at 8.30pm she
relates how she was told by close family friend and manager John Stainton of
the diving accident and then death of the man known as the Crocodile Hunter.

"He said there's been a diving accident with Steve - (I thought) Don't say
it, don't say it, don't say it - and he said it. He said those three words.
And he died," she said.

"I'm still at the stage where I think he's going to come home. And it didn't
really happen."

Terri says she has found it hard to cope but considers herself lucky to have
received such support and thanked the public for their "thoughts and
prayers".

She says she's grateful for the support during the memorial service at the
zoo last week.

"I walked into the Crocoseum and I knew people would be missing Steve but
the feelings of love and support from Australians was just overwhelming.

"He (Steve) would have said 'Crikey, mate, I can't believe this'."

Millions of Irwin fans across Australia and New Zealand are expected to tune
into the hour-long special at 8.30pm (AEST).

A separate American ABC special will air in the US 15 hours later.

Barbara Walters, who interviewed Terri for an American special, said she
spoke of her continuing bond with her husband.

"You almost have the feeling that she is channelling him," Walters said.

"She feels he is there."

In the US interview, Terri tells how she is coping "one minute at a time -
sometimes an hour at a time with great faith, great determination".

The Irwin children, Bindi, 8, and Bob, 2, did not take part in either
interview.

Meanwhile, Bindi has become the youngest person ever to appear on the cover
of Australia's New Idea magazine in its 104-year history, and a survey in
the magazine showed 93 per cent of readers wanted Bindi to become the next
"Crocodile Huntress".

Bindi stole hearts last week with her eulogy at her father's public memorial
ceremony in which she said she would continue her daddy's work.

Mr Stainton said Steve had always known there would be a day where he would
become his daughter's co-star as her fame eclipsed his.

Bindi's television show, which is due to screen next year, will be completed
in the coming weeks.

Mr Stainton said Bindi's fame would "explode", especially in America, once
her show aired. "I just think there's a little volcano waiting inside her,"
he said.

A week off from UNI

The uni says we have a week's holiday... YEAH RIGHT!!! we are still working our butts off but just not going to classes. There is certainly no holiday! Its not long though and the group work, unit plans and exams will be finished and then we can relax for a few months!

Krystyl came over on the weekend to help me tidy and clean. She is such a wonderful young woman. We are getting on so well now. I feel like we are more friends than mum and daughter. I felt really chuffed because she chose to spend the weekend with me instead of her friends. We went back to her house to have Tacos and watch a dvd. Krystyl even wanted me to sleep in her new bed. Its been a very long time since we shared a bed. Krystyl said she woke up early in the morning and Gypsy (my dog) was laying on her back in the middle between Krystyl and I. She had her little paws up and looking so cute. She was sound asleep.

It was the best weekend I have ever had for such a long time. I felt so loved by her and so blessed to have her as my daughter.

Redcliffe

This photo is looking back to the shore from the end of the jetty. The pine trees keep going either end. 

Again this is not my photo, the whales were too quick to get a shot of their tail.

I was so excited when I eventually got to see a tail out of the water. I was even more excited when I saw the whale and the calf together. 

Redcliffe - Whale Watching

This is where we left from... in the catamaran ( the boat ). 

Whale Watching

This is not my photo but it shows you how close we got... not really that close. I was hoping they would get closer or jump out of the water... of which they did no.

Sea sick? Absolutely, even tho I took motion sickness tablets... 1 prior, 1 when we began and then one when I was feeling really sick!!!

Im glad I went with Allison and Doris but I certainly could not go again. It has also made me realise that I wont be going on a cruise around the islands in a few years. My feet need to be on solid ground! OMG at least I didnt up chuck but many people did and many children were crying. Poor little things! I only went up the bow of the boat once and came back feeling really sick!

The day was beautiful... it sunny, breezy and the water looked stunning. We left from Redcliffe. I actually like Redcliffe. It doesnt have waves but it is a lovely place. One of which I would consider moving to for a few years. 

Good Bye Peter Brock!

Another Aussie Legend lost his life today! Not long after Steve Irwin's death we are saying good bye to another Aussie. He was only 61! Very SAD! Just like Steve Irwin, he died doing what he loved - driving cars! He died living life!

Here is what the news said...

Australian motor sport legend Peter Brock has been killed in a rally crash in Western Australia. WA police have confirmed that a car competing in the Targa West rally crashed into a tree near Gidgegannup, east of Perth, killing Brock and injuring his co-driver Mick Hone.

Although ambulances were reportedly not called to the accident, which occurred just before midday about 40km out of Perth, police investigators have travelled to the scene.

Brock appeared to lose control of his vehicle on a tight hairpin bend before slamming into a tree, a witness to the fatal crash says. A rally spectator, identified only as Jock, told Macquarie Radio that he was standing just metres from the site of the accident.
"The back end just slid out and that was it, it was all over," he said.
"The car didn't roll, the back end just slid out from behind him and slammed straight into a tree and it got him right in the driver's door."

In the meantime, the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) said it was working with evet officials and police to investigate the crash.
"On behalf of the motor sport community, CAMS offers its sincere sympathy to Peter's family and many friends," a CAMS statement said.The Targa West rally began in Perth yesterday, with Brock and Hone racing in a 2001 Daytona Coupe.

Glorious Career

Brock is a nine-time winner of Australia's most prestigious racing event, the Bathurst 1000.
The 61-year-old father of three, rose to national fame for his racing victories in the 70s and 80s, becoming known as "Peter Perfect" and evolving into a full-blown television personality.

After officially retiring in 1997, Brock made two return visits to Bathurst in 2002 and 2004 and returned to top-level touring car racing as a team owner of "Team Brock" in 2002 in the V8 Supercar category.

Before his last outing at Bathurst, the vegetarian Brock said he felt as though he had lived a 'blessed' life, but that things for a race driver could be tough also.
"Motor racing is a roller coaster, it can be very, very cruel and very, very kind," he said.

'King of the Mountain'
Editor of Wheels magazine Jed Bulmer says Brock was the consummate driving professional who won many accolades, but will best be remembered for his mastery of the race circuit at Bathurst.
"You know the great Australian touring car race and a race which is regarded as one of the most difficult touring car races in the world and Peter was the nine-times winner there at what is known these days as the Bathurst 1000," he told ABC radio.
"He had a long and very successful career there, he was the 'King of the Mountain' as he came to be known." 

Science Exam Today

Actually it's TONIGHT at 6pm! Like what are they thinking? Don't they know
we are all brain dead at time of day! Ah the pure joy of UNI !!! And yep...
here I am at 2.30am wide awake, can't sleep... its typical! Wish me luck!!!
By the way... its only worth 20% of our total assessment... maybe that is
why I'm not stressing. Or am I? Maybe I don't realise that I am... why else
would I be awake at this time??? Hmmmm well, I was hungry... I made a cup of
tea and some raisin toast. Now, I might go back to bed and get some sleep.
Bye!

Goodbye Steve Irwin !!!

Steve Irwin has died. Reuben and I just cant believe that he has gone. Such a great family man which such fantastic energy and values in life and for life.

I cant believe how upset I am over this. I didnt know Steve Irwin but his personality made you love him. He loved his family so much and they loved him too. I am sad for Terri and the kids. I say this everytime someone passes... "life is so fragile!" but how true is this... in a situation where you never thought would be a problem, he lost his life. Will Australia ever recover? He was an authentic and genuine Australian individual. The world will you Steve Irwin!

Teenager's crucifix banned from school

Teenager's crucifix banned from school: "Teenager's crucifix banned from school
Sunday Aug 20 05:55 AEST
A Christian teenager has been banned from wearing a crucifix by her school.
Jamie Derman, 17, told News Ltd newspapers she was stunned when told to remove her crucifix or she could be suspended.
A Sunbury Downs Secondary College student, Ms Derman's cross is outlawed as part of the multicultural college's new rules on jewellery and dress.
But churches has criticised the ban, saying it discouraged students' religious aspirations.



Ms Derman said she felt discriminated against.
'I am angry, confused and upset,' she said.
'I honestly believe I should be allowed to acknowledge (my Christianity). Being told to take it off hurts. It cuts really deep.'
The cross had sentimental value because her baptism gifts were missing, Ms Derman said.
'I can't understand why it is not all right for me to wear a cross,' she said.
'I honestly felt like crying.' Her father, Gordon, said the ban was the equivalent of ordering a female Muslim student to take off a religious head dress.
'Nobody should take offence to anybody wearing a religious sign,' Mr Derman said. 'She has a right to wear it. I believe it is discriminatory. If we had a Muslim girl come wearing a headscarf, nobody would say `boo' about it.'
A reasonable demonstration of one's faith was something Australians should rejoice in, said Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne auxiliary bishop Christopher Prouse. 'People's religious aspirations need to be respected,' Bishop Prouse said.
Sunbury Downs principal Brett Moore said teachers had enforced the new dress code. 'It is not my decision, it is the policy,' he said. 'Necklaces should not be visible.'"

This just amazes me. Aren't we in a democratic country? How is it that these teachers can just make these decisions? Now if it was about any necklace for safety that is one thing but because it is a religious symbol, now that is just not on! Does it mean that Muslim girls are not allowed to wear their scarf, or somoan boys under 12 must have their hair cut? What is going on in this school? No wonder the girl is confused... I certainly am!

Let's Run in the Rain

She had been shopping with her Mom in Wal-Mart. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence.

It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout.

We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Wal-Mart.We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world.

Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child come pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.Her voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in. "Mom, let's run through the rain," she said. "What?" Mom asked. "Let's run through the rain!" She repeated."No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit,"Mom replied.

This young child waited about another minute and repeated:"Mom, let's run through the rain."
"We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.
"No, we won't, Mom.
That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.
"This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?"
"Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!"

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes.Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mom said.

Then off they ran.We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing. Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday. 

Five for Fighting - new album

I just listened to their new song, The Riddle... what can I say but AWESOME!!! I am looking forward for the album to be released!!! I love their sound. I loved their song 100 years from their last album. This song is just a wonderful.
www.fiveforfighting.com

You have to listen to this song. Go to the website and hear it there.
Here are the words to the song:

"The Riddle"

There was a man back in '95
Whose heart ran out of summers But before he died,
I asked him Wait, what's the sense in life
Come over me, Come over me
He said, Son why you got to sing that tune
Catch a Dylan song or some eclipse of the moon
Let an angel swing and make you swoon
Then you will see... You will see
Then he said, Here's a riddle for you
Find the Answer
There's a reason for the world You and I...
Picked up my kid from school today
Did you learn anything cause in the world today
You can't live in a castle far away
Now talk to me, come talk to me
He said, Dad I'm big but we're smaller than small In the scheme of things, well we're nothing at all
Still every mother's child sings a lonely song
So play with me, come play with me
And Hey Dad Here's a riddle for you
Find the Answer
There's a reason for the world
You and I... I said, Son for all I've told you
When you get right down to the
Reason for the world... Who am I?
There are secrets that we still have left to find
There have been mysteries from the beginning of time
There are answers we're not wise enough to see
He said... You looking for a clue I Love You free...
The batter swings and the summer flies
As I look into my angel's eyes
A song plays on while the moon is hiding over me
Something comes over me I guess we're big and I guess we're small
If you think about it man you know we got it all
Cause we're all we got on this bouncing ball
And I love you free
I love you freely
Here's a riddle for you Find the Answer
There's a reason for the world You and I...

[Thanks to Lauren (mangotango2025@yahoo.com) for these lyrics]
[ http://www.azlyrics.com/ ]

2 Great sites!

This site is Memory Creators. Awesome LOs and sketches and ideas. A must to see.
http://www.memorycreators.com/

The other site is... Splitcoast Stampers

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/

I wish I could put more than one picture into a blog!!! 

End of Week 2 (uni time)

Wow... the end of week 2! Uni goes so fast! I am so tired this week! So tired that I feel sick! I worked Wednesday and this morning at the school (as a teacher aide). I am working with Indigenous kids, supporting them in the classroom. Im not sure how long it will go for.

Uni is intensifying! We have a lot of group work this semester. Thankfully, I am either doing them with Janet or Megan or both.
Today we had science so I had to finish work 12 and drive over. I got there at 12.15pm. I made great time! Megan and I started our lab work, which was to measure circumference and diameter of various tubes and graph them. We found that the gradient gave us pie, no not strawberry pie!!! Its 3.14, actually mine was 3.2 but that was pretty close. Yesterday we had the same teacher, Lisa Slender for Sose. We had a 3 hour tute with her. She makes it tolerable and almost fun! LOL

Ok well now Im off to lay down and just veg!

BYE ;-) 

Making Memories foam stamps Layout.

Love this layout too!
http://gallery.lifetimemoments.com/showphoto.php?photo=117319&cat=8794&limit=recent