tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-127108772024-03-07T16:56:17.603+08:00BattblushLife's crises. The middle of the road.battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12710877.post-75673930611193013982019-12-23T13:25:00.000+08:002019-12-23T13:25:12.604+08:00My Year in Review 2019 edition<br />
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<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">It’s
year in review time. This is not going to be fun, but I am going to attempt to
add a positive with each sad moment that I recount. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">1.
What did you do in 2019 that you’d never done before?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Positive – Taught Year 11 ATAR Literature – and did a damn fine job of
it, even if I do say so myself (and so do my students’ marks). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">The bad thing – I attended the funeral of my Triffitt baby. Losing Blake is the worst thing that
has ever happened to me. If someone offered me a contract stating, “I will bring Blake back to life,
but you have to endure every bad moment of your childhood in order to do so” I would
sign the contract in an instant. In my own blood. Twice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">This review is mainly about Blake. Be prepared. Be very prepared. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">2.
Did you achieve your goals for the year, and will you make more for next year?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">The bad thing – I know I wanted to finish the year at 58kg (I was at 60
at the beginning of the year and still moving downwards), read a huge number of
books and some other stuff. I am ending the year at 70kg (my heaviest ever), I’ve
binge watched Netflix and played mindless games rather than read as nothing
else feels important right now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">The good thing – I am still making goals for next year. I want to read
12 novels, I want to write 5000 words and I submit a short story for the Black
Dog Anthology. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">3.
Did anyone close to you give birth?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">The good thing – My boss Ben and his wife welcomed their first child
into the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">The bad thing – Ben bought his baby into work on the last day and I
couldn’t face seeing him. I choked up with anxiety and I don’t know why. I just
couldn’t. I’m happy for Ben, so it doesn’t make sense to me, but there it is. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">4.
Did anyone close to you die?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">The good thing – Lee’s dad died and he seemed to deal really well with
it. When my Mum died, I went through a lot of grief, not because we were close,
but because we weren’t and now we never would be. Lee seemed to escape that
totally. Even now it seems like a nothing event to him. Brilliant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">And then.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">The bad thing. On the 21<sup>st</sup> September I received a phone call
from my son, Aiden. “Has anyone called you?” My first thought was Cassandra.
She has demons and I felt that something bad had happened to her or her kids.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">“Blake hanged himself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">My world stopped at that moment. I couldn’t move, I couldn’t stay still.
I prowled the house screaming against the news and waiting for someone to call
me back to tell me he’d been revived.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">The call never came. What came was grief, the funeral, an outpouring of
love from friends, family, and total strangers. I don’t know how I survived. I’m
not convinced I have, that I am the ghost of Blake walking the earth searching
for the rest of myself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">5.
What countries did you visit?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">None. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">The good thing – But I interacted with people from around the world who
contacted me to share their experience of Blakey Boy. That meant a lot to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">6.
What would you like to have in 2020 that you lacked in 2019?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">There is nothing that could come into
my life in 2020 that could replace what I lost in 2019. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">The good thing – I guess I would like
to get my sense of self back and with it a sense of will. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">7.
What dates from 2019 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? </span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">The bad thing - 21 September. The day Blake left us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">The good thing – 22 December. The day Erin received an offer to study
Psychology and Criminology at uni. Erin has worked hard at her education ever
since the first day of kindy. I am so proud of her.</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">8.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Despite my virtual ghosting of Term 4, every one of my ATAR 11 Lit
students passed their first two units of study. I means I gave them excellent
foundations in the first three terms which they were able to use for themselves
in Term 4. I’m really proud of myself for that. And them. They pulled
themselves together when I really need them to.</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">9.What
was your biggest failure?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">The bad thing – I spoke to Blake a lot while he was on his prac. He’d
mentioned his struggle with his depression, so I feel I failed him by not
phoning him more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I wasn’t there properly for my students in Term 4. Most of my term was spent
‘door-knobbing’ ie making up a lesson as I’m letting the students into the
room. I spent most of the time in a fog, barely registering my own presence let
alone theirs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">The good thing – However, things began turning around in about Week 7
and I started to get my act back together. Yes, there were a lot of movies for
my students, but I did engage them in conversation based on what we were
viewing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">10.
Did you suffer illness or injury?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">My heart broke.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I’m self-harming by overeating. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">11.
What was the best thing you bought?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">The good thing – We had a brilliant week in Toodyay to celebrate my 50<sup>th</sup>
birthday. It was the last time we saw Blake and I’m glad we had it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">The bad thing – Lee and I spent the entire time believing something was
very wrong with Blake. We commented on it to each other and felt that he had an
illness that he was keeping secret from us. He appeared to be wasting away and
we thought he might be deathly ill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">It turned out, he was, but not in the way that we were imagining. I wish
I could go back to that moment and ask him directly what was going on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">12.
Whose behaviour merited celebration?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Connor continued to perform in the school play, calling on his grief to
put forward a performance that had teachers still commenting weeks later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Aiden delivered the news in a caring, loving way. He and Rachel took us
in whilst in the midst of their own overwhelming grief. It wasn’t easy on them
and at times their nerves were frayed by having so many people infringing upon
their space, but they made sure we were okay when they clearly were not. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">My ex-husband took control of the funeral and made it a time of
reflection and celebration of our child. It was beautiful, sad, and happy all
at the same time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Lee has demonstrated that he really is a bonus-father to Blake, Aiden
and Cassie. There were times when he needed to take over parenting one of my
Triffitt children because I no longer could face it. He did, and in doing so,
kept our family functioning until I could take over again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">My students were my rocks throughout this trauma. Hugs, cards, presents,
the ‘mother-duck’ award, quiet conversations of love and respect, hearts, flowers,
emails, messages on the white board, drawings, lollies, chocolates, a heartfelt
“are you okay, miss?”, and a handmade blue and purple ‘suicide awareness’ Christmas
tree signed by my class of Year 9s all came my way in the aftermath of Blake’s
death and continued right up until the last day of school. I will miss each and
every student. They mean the world to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">13.
Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I can’t talk about it here. I’ve spent a lot of time and energy angsting
over the behaviour of someone I love more than my own life. Hopefully things
will turn around in 2020. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">14.
Where did most of your money go?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Trips to Perth. We couldn’t afford
them, but we did them anyway. Homesickness, birthdays and funerals conspired to
keep us poor this year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Alcohol. Food. Books. DVDs. They’re
all self-medications right now and we need to work ourselves out in order to
progress next year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">15.
What did you get really, really, really excited about?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">The holiday in Toodyay. I really
needed it and it turned out to be the saving grace of this year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">16.
What song will always remind you of 2019?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Chicago by Sufjan Stevens. It was the song we used for the photo montage
of Blake and it’s a song that has significance within our family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">17.
Compared to this time last year, are you: i. happier or sadder? ii. thinner or
fatter? iii. richer or poorer?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Sadder, fatter, poorer. So sad, so fat, don’t care about the poorness. I’ve
been poorer in my life, but I’ve never been so sad or so fat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">18.
What do you wish you’d done more of?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Being honest with someone whose ongoing behaviour scares me. I should
have told them sooner that they’re slowly self-destructing rather than enabling
their actions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Taking photos. I hadn’t realised how few photos I took in Toodyay. The
photos I have of Blake are from other people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">19.
What do you wish you’d done less of?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I don’t know. I think I’ve done exactly what I’ve needed to do to
survive. Is my eating out of control? Yes. Is my drinking getting beyond ‘normal’?
Yes. Do I feel ready to stop? Not quite. Can I stop? Yes. When the time comes,
I will step up and make the change. It probably won’t be today. I don’t see it
happening before Boxing Day. Ask me next Sunday. That sounds about right.</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">20.
How did you spend Christmas?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Christmas is still two days away, but I’m answering it now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I will be spending Christmas Day remembering, laughing, crying, drinking
and eating heavily, and making new memories with Lee, Aiden, Rachel, Erin, and Connor.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t spend it thinking that on the 28<sup>th</sup>
we lose another child (this time to Perth and uni). I won’t. I won’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I probably will. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">21. Who
did you meet for the first time?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Friends of Blake’s. Together, they showed me just how important my boy
was to other people. Online, and at the funeral, I met a batch of people who
raved about the wonder that was Blakey. He was so freaking loved.</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">22.
Did you fall in love in 2019?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I have fallen out of love with life. Nothing matters beyond my beautiful
family and students. The world burns around us (both literally and figuratively)
and I honestly find it hard to not want to throw myself to the flames.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">23.
What was your favourite TV program?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">MASH featured large in our TV
watching this year. The kids started off fairly disinterested, but we
persevered and then it happened – “Abyssinia Henry.” By the end of the episode
the children were hooked; crying and hooked. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">But my favourite would have to be </span><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #3366ff; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">Killer
Ratings</span></i><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">. As Lee states it was “probably the oddest combination of wtf moments
strung together.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">24.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">No. I’m not a hater and I tend to let my hatreds go easily. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Actually, no that’s not true. This time last year I did not hate Scott
Morrison. I didn’t like him, or respect him, but nor did I hate him. He was a
nothing politician in a sea of nothing politicians.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">This year, I absolutely hate him. I hate how he has treated refugees, I
hate how he has closed his ears to climate change professionals, and I hate his many bad
reactions to the bush fire situation. I hate him. And I don’t see myself letting
go of this particular hatred.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Now, I think we need to stop relying upon any politician to act for our
best interests. It’s time we, those who want change, to ignore the government
and do what’s necessary to fix the various crises. #ghostthegovernment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">25.
What was the best book you read?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Earlier this year I reread <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Chrysalids</i> by John Wyndham. It’s the
book that got me into books and, having read it for about the tenth time, I
can still see why.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">My favourite book that I’d never read
before would probably be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jasper Jones </i>by
Craig Silvey. I studied it with my Lit kids and it just blew me away. Loved it.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">26.
What was your greatest musical discovery?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I love the band <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">James</i>. “Laid” and “Getting Away With it
(All Messed Up)”<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>have been favourites
since the 90s. And then, a few months ago Connor asked Google Home to play “Say
Something.” And from that moment I had to have more. I have now listened to
everything <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">James</i> has released and I
love all of it. All. Of. It. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
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What was your favourite film of this year?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">This is the year in which I discovered Adam Driver. Yes, yes, he is Kylo
Ren and no, I didn’t think much of that character. But then I watched BlackkKlansman
and suddenly I found myself excited by a performance. Driver was mesmerising. I
loved the movie, I loved the interplay between the many characters, but I
absolutely freaking adored Driver.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">And then, one night of insomnia recently, I watched <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Marriage Story </i>starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johannson. Oh my
God. As movie plots go, I would probably have placed it on the Weekday Midday Movie
Opposite Ray Martin part of the spectrum. However, Driver and Johannson were
absolutely fantastic and I could not look away. Driver is amazing and I would
watch anything with him in it. Including the next <i>Star Wars </i>movie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">But to answer the initial question, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">BlackkKlansman</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">28.
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I turned 50 in Karratha and celebrated it by having a birthday lunch
that I invited over 30 people to. Five turned up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">A few weeks later we did the family thing in Toodyay and it was the
holiday I needed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">29.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">If my daughter had finished her bridging course.</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">30.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2019?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">What fits?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">31.
What kept you sane?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I am far from sane. Blake’s death tore my heart, mind and soul apart and
continues do so on a daily basis. I don't think I will ever be my true self again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">32.
What political issue stirred you the most?</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Climate change, people who mock Greta Thunberg, the water crisis, the
mockery of a government that is supposed to support the will of the people
rather than their own religious ideologies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">33.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2019.</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Take more photos. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: maroon; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; padding: 0cm;">34.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.</span></i></b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">You came to take us<br />
All things go, all things go<br />
To recreate us<br />
All things grow, all things grow<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">We had our mindset<br />
All things know, all things know<br />
You had to find it<br />
All things go, all things go<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Chorus of “Chicago”
by Sufjan Stevens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">RIP Blake<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">14 September 1994 –
21 September 2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcobYRRDMCfTPDjsKqzUP1sEf7N2XTZAyYB_F-DItZRiXZXzdaq1zTDKb9Ty8iXuL3WrRYELBoLzrK0_HAz_re3kPohhT3OudRIN-PejOKj-2peB9a4PWqUNk3x5miKc4rXUgH1w/s1600/toodyay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcobYRRDMCfTPDjsKqzUP1sEf7N2XTZAyYB_F-DItZRiXZXzdaq1zTDKb9Ty8iXuL3WrRYELBoLzrK0_HAz_re3kPohhT3OudRIN-PejOKj-2peB9a4PWqUNk3x5miKc4rXUgH1w/s400/toodyay.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holly, Blake, Aiden and Rachel chilling in Toodyay, July 2019</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></span></div>
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<br />battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12710877.post-69673000421302528422019-01-01T07:30:00.001+08:002019-01-01T07:30:59.175+08:00Weighing it all upAt a loose end while the family is asleep, I decided to categorise our 2018. I know it's been a great year, but I still wanted to see it on balance.<br />
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Yeah, it worked for us.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHZcEt731z5ioTtRXBPxeMCAGKLMCORk5B367M4PPMOD8RPVhbKgP8K0WwkD1VK2zUPkcRU5Y4IngXjBtBOdiRGw5k0KldS5b6pd21phW1s6mbZBGgpnIaqf4AUkwI7tMlYogLg/s1600/2018-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1131" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHZcEt731z5ioTtRXBPxeMCAGKLMCORk5B367M4PPMOD8RPVhbKgP8K0WwkD1VK2zUPkcRU5Y4IngXjBtBOdiRGw5k0KldS5b6pd21phW1s6mbZBGgpnIaqf4AUkwI7tMlYogLg/s640/2018-1.jpg" width="452" /></a></div>
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battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12710877.post-18866124175642142142018-12-23T15:47:00.000+08:002018-12-23T15:57:30.154+08:00Is this thing on? Hello? It's Christmas...time to revisit my Blog.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #990000;"><br />
1. What did you do in 2018 that you'd never done before?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;">I started my job at Karratha Senior High School. It has
been a rollercoaster ride full of laughter, tears, tantrums, teaching moments,
learning moments, favourite students, students who told me they loved me and
those who openly told me they hated me. Best of all, however, was that I found
a work place where I felt happy within my community of colleagues. Karratha is
the happiest I have ever been.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">2. Did you achieve your goals for the year, and will you
make more for next year?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;">I achieved my reading goals, my cooking goals and my
‘personal space’ goals. It was a successful year, goal-wise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;">I will make goals for next year and they're bound to
revolve around my desire to be a better teacher.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">3. Did anyone close to you give birth?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;">No, not really. The SF community was awash with new
babies, but no one that I know personally. Oh, wait, there was this one couple that I know personally, but I'm not giving away information about other people's births in such a public forum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">4. Did anyone close to you die?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;">In the Trumpocalypse, we’re all dying a little more than
we should each day. This is a terrible part of history and I hope we can
recover from it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">5. What countries did you visit?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;">Not so much countries as country towns. Dampier, Point
Samson, Wickham, Roeburne, Broome. That’ll do, Donkey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">6. What would you like to have in 2019 that you lacked in
2018?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;">Real money that can support my family on one wage. My
wage is nowhere near Lee’s former wage and I feel like I’m letting the team
down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">7. What dates from 2018 will remain etched upon your
memory, and why? </span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;">15 December 2018 (yesterday). A student gave Lee and me
tickets to see “Bohemian Rhapsody” because he felt that I’d been important in
his year. I will never, ever forget that. The movie was wonderful, as was the
gesture. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;">Finishing my first year as a teacher. I discovered that I
am actually good at this. No, I wasn’t perfect, but I haven’t met a perfect
teacher yet. We’re all doing our best in a most-trying circumstance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">9. What was your biggest failure?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;">Not being there to help my daughter during her darkest
moment. I should have been in Perth. I wasn’t. I don’t know what to with that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">10. Did you suffer illness or injury? </span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;">It’s been three years since my ankle injury, but I still
suffer from it. Thanks to conflicting opinions within the medical profession I
have never regained any real control over my left leg. I still need my walking
stick from time to time (like the past 2 days) and it pisses me off, mightily.
Recently I found out that the tears are constantly shredding and that it’s only
going to get worse. Right this moment I am doped up on Panadol Forte and am
wearing my strong brace. I want to go to the gym tomorrow, but this is most
unlikely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;">In positive news, at this rate I might soon qualify for a
disability space at school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">11. What was the best thing you bought?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Duromine. 8kg lost. Curcumin. It really helps my ankle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmd0elBzNuKZGDZSF7N7vHVAvRC6hRF8UTrbGZLU4J9XTV7B6KR5Db3AG9cyCYLESClszJR6EojAh1FgPi5U4SgXU_YuGMjOchGrBHBllcOv9tvcuDnTAXd9GcKfuP_Baan4AVQ/s1600/ankle+gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="195" data-original-width="350" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmd0elBzNuKZGDZSF7N7vHVAvRC6hRF8UTrbGZLU4J9XTV7B6KR5Db3AG9cyCYLESClszJR6EojAh1FgPi5U4SgXU_YuGMjOchGrBHBllcOv9tvcuDnTAXd9GcKfuP_Baan4AVQ/s320/ankle+gif.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;">My entire family because they have made the most of this
year in one way or another. Some lost direction, but I do believe that they
will pick themselves up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;">My boss, Ben, for hiring me. He’s cool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;">A family member who made some stupid decisions and then
had to suffer the consequences. However, we all make mistakes, and everything
is a learning experience. Onwards and upwards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">14. Where did most of your money go?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;">School supplies. Teachers are the only people who steal
supplies from home to take to work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZT7hx6nGsLgPcO9HcaaUnIbSNxqb3GciguSPQRKuxKQBkMXyEGnnWx4TxLV7ZyuhOmh8UntsgIwpoFzWW5POvPR48KeSJ3MKK6t2b002v8VBWBH0KBRXBacF3BsIbT-4t1SspQ/s1600/school+stuff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="236" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZT7hx6nGsLgPcO9HcaaUnIbSNxqb3GciguSPQRKuxKQBkMXyEGnnWx4TxLV7ZyuhOmh8UntsgIwpoFzWW5POvPR48KeSJ3MKK6t2b002v8VBWBH0KBRXBacF3BsIbT-4t1SspQ/s320/school+stuff.jpg" width="188" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's amazing how much this little girl looks like my granddaughter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">15. What did you get really, really, really excited
about?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Work. I love my job. It’s freaking hard and not always
rewarding, but it does MATTER.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Also, having my boss believe in me enough to give me the
ATAR Year 11 Lit students. It’s a brand new course and I’m excited to be part
of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">16. What song will always remind you of 2018?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;">“Baby It’s Cold Outside.” For some reason, this song raised
a lot of anger in the #metoo era, but for me, it was an opportunity to have a
real teaching moment with my transition ATAR Lit 11s. The class debated back
and forth about the lyrics and what they meant, both historically and today. It
was brilliant and the moment when I knew I had them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">17. Compared to this time last year, are you: i. happier
or sadder? ii. thinner or fatter? iii. richer or poorer?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;"><br />
</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;">Happier, slimmer, poorer. Way
happier. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">18. What do you wish you'd done more of?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Writing. I miss it. A lot. These holidays will mostly be
about reading for my ATAR Lit course, so I don’t anticipate things changing in
2019.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">19. What do you wish you'd done less of?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;"><br />
</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;">Hiding from the problems going on in
Perth. I couldn’t do anything concrete, so I applied myself more fully to
Karratha stuff. And then things got really bad for my children.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">20. How will you spend Christmas?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;">No religious expectations. Yay! Presents, food, drinks.
And with my Battkids for the first time in years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">21. Who did you meet for the first time?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;">The entire English department at KSHS. They’re awesome
and they are my friends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">22. Did you fall in love in 2018?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Okay, Lee and I have always been close. We just fit and
our dynamic works. Lately, though, something has changed and we’re even better
than ever. We’re passionate about each other, we can’t get enough of each
other. I am still crazy in love with my husband and I will organise for
everyone to get their diabetes shots after reading this answer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">23. What was your favourite TV program?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<i><span style="color: #333333;">The Good Place </span></i><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">by a long shot. There is no better show on TV. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time
last year?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Every year I say, “I don’t hate anyone, I’m just not
built that way.” This year I definitely hate three people with a passion, one
of whom is my daughter’s ex. What a complete dickhead. I can’t talk about the
others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">25. What was the best book you read?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<u><span style="color: #333333;">The Marriage Lottery </span></u><span style="color: #333333;">series
by Stasia Black. Yep, it goes the full smut, but the post-Apocalyptic world
building makes it a fantastic read that I find hard to put down. I often
consider moving past the sex stuff in order to read the main plot. I would, but
that would be disrespect to SB’s work, so I don’t </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">26. What was your greatest musical discovery?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;">I have no idea. I have a musical playlist which I listen
to when I’m alone in my study, working. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 200.2pt;" valign="top" width="267"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Laid<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 200.65pt;" valign="top" width="268"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Love is a Stranger<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 200.2pt;" valign="top" width="267"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Afternoon Delight<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 200.65pt;" valign="top" width="268"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">I Love it When He
Calls me Names</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 200.2pt;" valign="top" width="267"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Lay Down<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 200.65pt;" valign="top" width="268"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Tainted Love</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 200.2pt;" valign="top" width="267"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Total Eclipse of
the Heart<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 200.65pt;" valign="top" width="268"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">How Soon is Now?</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 200.2pt;" valign="top" width="267"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Angel of the Morning<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 200.65pt;" valign="top" width="268"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Bad Things</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 200.2pt;" valign="top" width="267"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Kiss Me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 200.65pt;" valign="top" width="268"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Moonlight Shadow</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 200.2pt;" valign="top" width="267"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Sweet Dreams<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 200.65pt;" valign="top" width="268"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Love Will Tear Us
Apart</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 200.2pt;" valign="top" width="267"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Never Tear us Apart
</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 200.65pt;" valign="top" width="268"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">We Belong</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 200.2pt;" valign="top" width="267"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Throw Your Arms
Around Me</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 200.65pt;" valign="top" width="268"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Wicked Game</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 200.2pt;" valign="top" width="267"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Stay</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 200.65pt;" valign="top" width="268"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">I Know Him So Well</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 200.2pt;" valign="top" width="267"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Drive</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 200.65pt;" valign="top" width="268"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Deep</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 11; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 200.2pt;" valign="top" width="267"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Don’t Stand So
Close to the Window </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 200.65pt;" valign="top" width="268"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 156.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 14.18gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">Strokin’</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;"><br />
27. What was your favourite film of this year?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;">It’s such a toss up between <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bohemian Rhapsody, </i>which was wonderful, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Room</i> which was delightfully terrible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
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o:title=""/>
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<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitk4_yRd2GMD5eHPnulkG5ZHz6mFywMbUsxmUZKLfxGiP5c5sd4TfkYn5oIt5pSxbncx0PrR7fPW4OuxG15QXhG1fYkBVbzmKOsGWaGZVm0H7WEXjctfGA_9A_E5wYf0daNW5POQ/s1600/Lisa.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="480" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitk4_yRd2GMD5eHPnulkG5ZHz6mFywMbUsxmUZKLfxGiP5c5sd4TfkYn5oIt5pSxbncx0PrR7fPW4OuxG15QXhG1fYkBVbzmKOsGWaGZVm0H7WEXjctfGA_9A_E5wYf0daNW5POQ/s320/Lisa.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were
you?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;">I was 49. My Triffkids and grandkids arrived from Perth to
spend it with me. It was wonderful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably
more satisfying?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Nothing. It was a great year and I have loved everything
about it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept
in 2018?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;">School Marm, 1950s style.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiih_EbdK5OtNEsEQOR3HiR3LV1zGODFyMhE1EC5Q_pNJT0pqk7vCXHm6l4ELaXi6wXG-2u7hD-9cIsU3HCOSWfC6Xyns4CzUdkrAHqXkvJv02nNHqby-VUVWs6uWSMSxQAdjP-Zg/s1600/school+marm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="453" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiih_EbdK5OtNEsEQOR3HiR3LV1zGODFyMhE1EC5Q_pNJT0pqk7vCXHm6l4ELaXi6wXG-2u7hD-9cIsU3HCOSWfC6Xyns4CzUdkrAHqXkvJv02nNHqby-VUVWs6uWSMSxQAdjP-Zg/s320/school+marm.jpg" width="289" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_3"
o:spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="A person posing for the camera Description generated with very high confidence"
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o:title="A person posing for the camera Description generated with very high confidence"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">31. What kept you sane?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Having a cry in the staff toilets when it all got too
much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">32. What political issue stirred you the most?</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;">The murder of women by violent men in their lives. This form
of domestic terrorism really needs addressing, and soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">33. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2018.</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;">The sins of the mothers visit themselves upon the children.
My daughter faced a situation that my mother, my grandmother, my Aunty and
myself all faced. We all lost. She won. I’m so grateful that she broke our
curse and kept her children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">34. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;"><br />
</span></i></b><span style="color: #333333;">“Okay, guys. You’ve done well. I’ll
play music for the rest of the lesson.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;">“Miss, miss. Can we listen to…Africa?<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Every single time. And guess what, these lyrics work in
with my year, too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">It's
gonna take a lot to take me away from you</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do</span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">I bless the rains down in Africa</span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Gonna take some time to do the things we never had</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Africa –
Toto.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12710877.post-4756172872803811482016-12-23T18:36:00.000+08:002016-12-23T18:36:35.474+08:00Lyn Battersby rethinks the 2016 Blues...<br />
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Or why my year was better than yours.<br />
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Hello, Blogness, my old friend.<br />
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Yes, I Facebook more than is ideal for any one person, so instinct tells me to post this there, and yet, I'm a purist, so I'm doing my 2016 Year in Review here. Hopefully people will read it. Hopefully, I only offend the right people.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;"><br />1. What did you do in 2016 that you'd never done before?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I finished my Bachelor of Arts in English and Creative Writing. It has been a long, long, looooong haul, but I got there and in the end I'm totally proud of my efforts and the marks I received. I remained a person of Distinctions and High Distinctions which still makes me blink in wonder.<br />
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I made a Uni nemesis. He was a superior older white male who gaslighted (gaslit?) me on line. Idiot. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">2. Did you achieve your goals for the year, and will you make more for next year?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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I wanted to attend the Temple twice and I did. I wanted to sew two garments - I did not. I wanted to read 12 novels from our shelves and I did. I wanted to stay below 56kg, but depression and my ankle injury saw me sail above 60kg. I de-cluttered 50 things from the house rather than 52. I emptied 10 boxes of books rather than 3. I completed all Uni units but I did not finish and send Treckie Travers. So, I achieved some and failed others, and yet, my year saw me attain more than I ever thought possible. I won an internship. I educated my son well enough that he'll slide into High School without an issue. I helped my husband cope with a depression that had me fearing for his long-term mental health. </div>
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I will make goals for next year and they're bound to revolve around the Grad Dip Ed that I'll be starting in 3 weeks.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">3. Did anyone close to you give birth?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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My cousin Katriona's daughter gave birth to a baby boy.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">4. Did anyone close to you die?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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David Bowie. Admit it, we all feel close to him.<br />
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My cousins, Sue's, son took his own life. My heart aches for Sue and her family. I know what depression does to people</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">5. What countries did you visit?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">They say the past is a different country and it's a country I constantly revisit. This coming year I hope to look forward rather than back. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">6. What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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My brother. But I think that ship has sailed. As I said, it's time to look forward and my brother and I keep using our shared past to damage each other.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">7. What dates from 2016 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? </span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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25 November. The day I finished my degree. It was so important to me to acquire a higher education and now I have. Onwards and upwards.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Uni, obviously, but also getting Connor back into the formal education system. He's happy to be back at school and is looking forward to starting high school with his friends. I was worried that he'd be behind, but he's not and I'm proud of that. Between bad health and bullying he's been homeschooled on and off for 5 years now, but that's over and we can all move on.<br />
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In a year where my brother decided he no longer wanted to be part of my life, I'm so happy to reconnect with my France family (my Mum's side of the family). These are my blood relations. We share DNA. They are my first and best memories and I have missed them like crazy. I hope 2017 brings actual meet ups with my Aunty and cousins because they are really important to me.<br />
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Having said that, I'm grateful for my Kiely family. We may not share DNA, but they have been there throughout the best and worst years of my life. Lee and I will be spending the 27th with the Kielys and I can't wait.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">9. What was your biggest failure?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Not noticing just how badly my husband was drowning in work-related depression until it was almost too late. Fortunately, it wasn't too late and we managed to get help. </div>
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Looking after my weight. I see the photo of me with my family that was taken at last night's Bookapalooza and I just want to cry with shame. I am horrified by how big i am now after working so hard to lose it last year.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">10. Did you suffer illness or injury? </span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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14 months ago I had a bad fall that ripped apart two ligaments in my left ankle. Thanks to conflicting opinions within the medical profession I have never regained any real control over that foot. I can walk 12,000 steps one day without issue, then need the aid of a walking stick the next. I am so angry about this injury, angry at the doctors, at the specialists, at the step that caused me to trip and, naturally, angry at myself. </div>
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So very angry.<br />
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I also suffered depression and anxiety, but Pristiq helped me find myself again.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">11. What was the best thing you bought?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Pristiq. The recliner couches. Our gorgeous Christmas Tree. It's so prettiful.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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My husband, for owning up to his battle, fighting back and coming out on top.<br />
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Erin for constantly doing her best and getting the marks she deserves.</div>
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My 15 year old nephew for coming out and including us in the conversation.<br />
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Connor for remaining positive in the face of sever opposition and oppression.<br />
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Cassie for recognising a problem and escaping with her children into safety. She has showed remarkable maturity this year and I'm so very proud of her.<br />
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Me, cos, you know, uni. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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A certain person at Lee's work who sparked a depression so devastating that I thought my husband would never recover.<br />
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People who would post about depression on-line, and then tell my husband that he had nothing to be depressed about. They suck. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">14. Where did most of your money go?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Credit card debt, mortgage refinancing, and these amazing recliners.<br />
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Erin's and Connor's school purchases (I nearly cried)<br />
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Oh, and an amazing 50s-inspired dress Lee bought me last week to wear to my graduation that's coming up in February.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I won the Irene Searcy Award for Best Essay of 2015. It was so unexpected.</div>
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Beginning Temple preparation. I've had a few setbacks, but now it's happening. I love my spiritual family.<br />
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My 50s-inspired dress, complete with very full petticoat.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">16. What song will always remind you of 2016?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N3HbrfV0hJM" width="560"></iframe><br />
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In a year where the planet lost a lot of talent, to me the biggest loss was Leonard Cohen. This man seemed to put out his best work just before he died and I mourn his loss greatly.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">17. Compared to this time last year, are you: i. happier or sadder? ii. thinner or fatter? iii. richer or poorer?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></i></b></span>Weirdly, despite being fatter and poorer, I'm definitely happier. I'm in a good place thanks to my Uni marks, Lee's <i>Magrit</i> launch, Erin and Connor's amazing school year, Cassie's solid home life and Lee's recovery. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">18. What do you wish you'd done more of?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Spent more time with Lee. This year we've spent less time together thanks to work pressures, uni, schooling and various other intrusions (including Facebook). Fortunately, we have Wednesday nights together without the children. We ignore our phones, go out for dinner, chat and decompress. We talk of our love and we discuss immediate and long term plans. It's very special and I'm grateful to Lee's former in-laws for taking the kids.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">19. What do you wish you'd done less of?</span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></i></b></span><span style="color: #990000;">Worrying about my weight. And yet, I still do. I have issues.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">20. How will you spend Christmas?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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We wake up, open presents with the kids, have breakfast, drop the kids at their grandparents and then spend the day together in front of the TV with platters of food. This year I'll be going to church in the morning because the day happens to coincide with the Sabbath.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">21. Who did you meet for the first time?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Blake's girlfriend, Jasmine. We went away in January, leaving Blake in charge of our empty house. When we came back we found a girl in residence. She is now a regular feature of our family and we love her. She's cute, she's funny and she just fits.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">22. Did you fall in love in 2016?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Check the answer to this question from 2016. And 15. And 14. And, yep, all the others. I love Lee Battersby. I fall in love with him over and over and I still feel my heart flutter when we come together after even a minor separation. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">23. What was your favourite TV program?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><i>Stranger Things</i>, easily, by a long shot. But <i>Jane the Virgin</i> was my standout guilty pleasure. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Every year I hedge around this question, but this year I'm naming and shaming. He may be the father of my grandchildren but I hate my daughter's ex-partner, Ashley. He terrorised and terrified my daughter to the point where she had to grab her kids and flee. He is a despicable low-life and I cannot stand him.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">25. What was the best book you read?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Graham Greene's <i>Brighton Rock. </i>I felt a complete sense of desolation at leaving Pinky's world behind.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">26. What was your greatest musical discovery?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Leonard Cohen. I mean, I enjoyed him before, but this year, oh my goodness, he rose to the top of my jam-list. I love his work, particularly <i>Nevermind</i> and <i>You Want it Darker.</i><br />
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<b style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></i></b><b style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: #990000;">27. What was your favourite film of this year?</span></i></b></div>
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Dr Strange.<br />
Arrival.<br />
Dr Strange.<br />
Arrival.<br />
Flip a coin. We watched them both multiple times.<br />
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<b style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: #990000;">28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?</span></i></b></div>
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I was 47. I sat an exam (for which I received an HD) then Lee took me out to lunch.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Exercising. I miss running, I miss stepping, I miss the feel of my body moving through space. I miss the feeling of power and speed and being inside my own headspace.<br />
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Also, meeting up occasionally with my Triffitt kids in Fremantle. I love dealing with my adult children. They're really great people.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2016?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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"This doesn't fit anymore. Better add it to the pile." The pile is depressingly high.<br />
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"I must Jamberry my nails!" Fortunately, I didn't get too fat for nail wraps.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnku9Xfh1KEpc3Y_oJUnAhE3FtUaRIHC0lZbhUewsBD-79yzHqhcCfsqO_KH82k1FhtT2_OsTT_xc8ADcAo7muDrWZn0_gRWqL133D8DTiJZn79goEt9NgOTkrtKLJghLEMK6/s1600/Christmas+Mani.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnku9Xfh1KEpc3Y_oJUnAhE3FtUaRIHC0lZbhUewsBD-79yzHqhcCfsqO_KH82k1FhtT2_OsTT_xc8ADcAo7muDrWZn0_gRWqL133D8DTiJZn79goEt9NgOTkrtKLJghLEMK6/s320/Christmas+Mani.jpg" width="175" /></a></div>
20 years as a Jehovah's Witness, but in the end I embrace the Christmas spirit - on my nails.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">31. What kept you sane?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Making lists and sticking to them. It was a year for being organised. It was also a year for forgiving myself when the list fell apart due to other considerations.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">32. What political issue stirred you the most?</span></i></b></span></div>
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Lionel Shriver and cultural appropriation. As a writer I want to feel free to write anything without other presuming to tell me what I can and can't use. As a person with a conscience, I feel certain cultures are not mine to reap. And yet, as a writer, I want to subvert this. I am a woman, an ex-Jehovah's Witness, a rape survivor, a Mormon, a survivor of poverty, a survivor of spousal abuse. I am the 'Other". I am not privileged, so who amongst you can judge me.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">33. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2016.</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The sins of the mothers visit themselves upon the children. My daughter is facing a situation that my mother, my grandmother, my Aunty and myself all faced. We all lost. I hope she wins. </div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">34. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></i></b>My ex-husband told me (just before we separated) that I wasn't smart enough for university. So, this year I have constantly had the words "Steal My Sunshine" in my mind.<br />
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<i>And you know you can't become</i><br />
<i>If you only say what you should have done</i><br />
<i>So I missed a million miles of fun</i>.<br />
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-<i>Steal My Sunshine</i> by Len.<br />
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See, I didn't just say I wanted to do it, I did it. And it was hard. And fun. And amazing. And I did it with Distinctions and High Distinctions. I had offers of internships (2), I won awards (2), I was offered Honours and Grad Dip Ed.<br />
And my ex-husband was wrong. I'm totes smart.<br />
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battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12710877.post-69999146169185255012015-12-28T12:21:00.000+08:002015-12-28T12:25:01.135+08:00It's now after Christmas, so let's look at what I've done.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><i><span style="color: blue;">1. What did you do in 2016 that you'd never done before?</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #741b47;"> </span></span><span style="color: #990000;"> </span></i></b>Travelled
to Bali. My brother and his wife visit a lot and have connections in Bali, so
Lee and I packed up the kids and accompanied my brother’s family on a visit. We
had a great time that included shopping, eating and drinking, but being us we
also visited the museum and drove into the forests and saw waterfalls and
climbed hundreds of steps and just had the best time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">2. Did you achieve your goals for the year, and will you make more
for next year?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Our goal was to move house and get Connor
back into the school system. Well, we moved house and we did get Connor back
into the system, but the latter was a total failure and he’s back homeschooling
with me. I blame the Education Department fully as it is their tolerance of
bullying that made it impossible for Connor to receive the education he
deserves.</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">3. Did anyone close to you give birth?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Not that I recall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">4. Did anyone close to you die?<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">My cousin Andrew died of DVT days after
returning from Nepal. It was a shock that that really shook our entire family.
He was only 51 and was the first of the cousins to go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">5. What countries did you visit?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Bali.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">6. What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">A degree in English and Creative Writing.
3 units to go and I’m there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">7. What dates from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and
why?</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I can’t single out a particular date but
2015 will always be the year that life started to get better for our family<b><i>.</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">It has been a year of achievements for me.
I went overseas, I got through 5 units with High Distinctions in 2 and
Distinctions in the rest, I helped Connor finish Year 5, I lost 16 kg and was
offered a job with Weight Watchers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">9. What was your biggest failure?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Cementing my relationship with my brother.
I want to be close to him, but I somehow fail in this year after year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">10. Did you suffer illness or injury?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Oh my Lordy, yes. It was bad enough having
chest infection after chest infection, but to make it worse, 10 weeks ago I
took a fall that completely tore 1, possibly 2, ligaments in my left ankle. I
still can’t walk take more than 3000 steps in a day without experiencing pain.
I’m waiting for an operation to reconnect the ligaments but we’re looking at 3
to 6 months before that will happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">However, I would go through it all again if it meant Connor never
suffered from Rumination Syndrome ever again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">11. What was the best thing you bought?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Weight Watchers membership? Tickets to
Bali? My Pandora bracelet that continues to acquire charms as celebrations of
my achievements? All of these are because we sold our old house and bought the
one we now live in, so I’d say the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Everyone around me has been amazing this
year. Lee has taken his own weight loss journey seriously and has created an
exercise programme for himself that has seen him lose weight and gain strength.
Erin has started High School with a brand new group of friends and is now
achieving extremely high marks. Connor made the decision to be homeschooled
again and has made the most of the situation, Aiden is continuing his
university and has created a stable home-life for himself and Rachel, Cassie is
doing really well as a single mother and Blake has faced his problems in a
positive way. I am proud of my family and all they’re currently achieving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I received a comment on a post I made
about my depression that left me feeling attacked and confused. So, I withdrew
my secondary family for a while. I still feel rather wounded by their attitude,
but time has a habit of healing wounds, so who knows?</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">14. Where did most of your money go?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The mortgage, which is to be expected. For
once, however, we actually seem to be saving money and have managed to save up
for two holidays within the past 12 months.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Bali. It was a great opportunity that
helped Lee and I face a few issues and take action on them. I dealt with my
depression, I stopped drinking, I lost weight, I focussed on my changing
relationship with my children and I came back to my studies with vigour. I will
always be grateful to my brother and his family for giving us the opportunity
and the space to reconnect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">16. What song will always remind you of 2015?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Maybe<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Budapest</i>,
because it’s my current jam. There’s a line in it there goes “for you, oh for
you, I’d leave it all.” No matter what problems I’ve dealt with this year
(chest infection, torn ankle, juggling uni with Connor’s schooling) I’d do them
all again just to keep Connor safe. It feels like I’m constantly bargaining
with God, ie “You look after Connor and I’ll accept whatever life throws at me
next.” I know God doesn’t cause our problems (Time and unforeseen circumstances
befall us all) but I do believe He helps me bear up under the strain and I will
bear them as long as Connor is safe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">17. Compared to this time last year, are you: i. happier or sadder?
ii. thinner or fatter? iii. richer or poorer?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">This has been a wonderful year for me.
Yes, I’ve destroyed my ankle and yes, I continue to take medication for my
chest and yes, some of my relationships are strained, but I am happier this
year than I have ever been. Last year was marked by a deep depression that did
not shift until April this year. My trip to Bali and my conversion to being a
Mormon helped me confront some of the problems of my past and helped me
reassess what I wanted from my present and my future. My depression and the way
I dealt with it upset some people, and they’re very scarce in my life right
now, but I remain hopeful that a reconnection will occur. I do weight less than
I did at the beginning of the year and I feel more in control of my life as a
result. Finally, selling our house removed a financial millstone that was
slowing drowning us. Moving to this house released us from that burden. No,
we’re not rich, but we definitely have enough money to live on plus a little
left over for emergencies and savings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">18. What do you wish you'd done more of?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Blogging. I really let it go this year and
I find I’ve missed recording significant elements of my life. I’ve had a great
year, but it’s been recorded in the snippets I place on Facebook which may make
it more of a conversation, but also makes it less of a record.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">19. What do you wish you'd done less of?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I wish I’d stopped seeking approval from
my secondary family. Either they love me or they don’t. Nothing I do or say is
going to change that. I was significantly hurt by my parents when I was a
child, so all my life I’ve sought approval from my siblings, my cousins, my
aunties and my uncles, my nieces and my nephews. Now, I realise that I’m okay
without it. Yesterday I attended a family event and I didn’t give in to the
stress of not fitting in. I just enjoyed the moment as it stood. I do love my
secondary family, but for the first time I actually allowed myself to just be
in their company without feeling the need to prove that I belonged with them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Actually, I’ve just reread this paragraph and I’ve come to the
realisation that this is the year where I stopped seeking approval.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">20. How did you spend Christmas?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The good thing about converting from being
a Jehovah’s Witness to a Mormon is the reclaiming of Christmas. Plus, I’m so
new to the experience, we get to invent our own traditions. Because I’ve never
really celebrated before, the kids have always spent Christmas Eve with their
grandparents and woken up with them. This year I put my foot down and demanded
they spend it with us. Last Tuesday we held a Secret Santa where we all drew
out the name of a person. One by one we walked into Elizabeth’s Bookshop
(Perth’s biggest second-hand bookshop) and bought for our person. On Christmas
morning we put together a cheese platter, and opened our book-gifts. Then we
spent the afternoon reading. It was the best day of the year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">On Christmas morning we woke up and opened the rest of our
presents. We spent breakfast together, then at 9am the kids went off with their
grandparents. At the time of writing they still haven’t returned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">21. Who did you meet for the first time?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In March of this year I walked into
Baldivis Ward and met a whole church filled with Mormons. They have welcomed me
with open arms and I’m grateful for their place in my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">However, I’m grateful to those people who have remained my friends
during this time. Sure, I do things a little differently now, but they still
love me no matter how I spend my Sundays and their ongoing friendship means the
world to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">22. Did you fall in love in 2015?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Every year I look for a witty way of
professing my love for Lee. So, let’s just say Lee, shall we? I love Lee
completely and utterly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">23. What was your favourite TV program?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Much debate has gone on in the Batthouse
this week as we’ve contemplated the length and breadth of this question.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Dr Who</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>gave us its best season to date and
deserves an acknowledgement.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>The
Flash</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>was an unexpected
treasure that brought the family together in discussion as we tried to work out
the truth about Dr Wells. There’s a series of documentaries on ESPN called “<i>30
for 30</i>” that introduced me to the complex world of American sports stars
and the lives they inhabit, ad which has led me into a love of college
football. Lee and I became engrossed with both<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Blacklist</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>True
Detective</i>, both of which entertained us with their intelligent plots,
characters and twists. Any of these could be said to be my favourite, so I find
it impossible to pick just one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: 14.0pt;">Not a hater<b>.</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">25. What was the best book you read?<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">This is so difficult. I read a lot this year, but
everything that stands out in my mind is either a play, a poem or a text book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">However, a week ago I sat up until 2am reading a novel called<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Getting over Mr Right</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>by Chrissie Manby. It wasn’t deep or
meaningful. Honestly, in a year filled with Shakespeare and John Donne and Lisa
Hopkins, this was escapist chick-lit in its most distilled form. And I loved it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Let me also add my nominee for ‘worst book’ –<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Childhood’s End</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>by Arthur C. Clarke. I didn’t not like
it, Sam I Am. I did not like it at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">26. What was your greatest musical discovery?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Remember the good old days when a song would
come on the radio that somehow managed to capture the feeling of the time/space
you were in? I do. I think I was about 18 then. Now I’m 46 and I don’t really
set my life against a backdrop of music. I didn’t really discover any new
sounds or new acts. Instead, I allowed myself to be pulled along in Lee’s and
Erin’s wake and music sort of happened around me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">27. What was your favourite film of this year?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Again, the list is long for this. I
enjoyed so many movies, including<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Julius
Caesar</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>(with Marlon Brando),<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Jurassic World</i>,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Antman, Terminator Umpty-Billion,
Predestination, Gone Girl, John Carter, Big Hero 6, Inside Out, The Force
Awakens<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>and<span class="apple-converted-space"><i> </i></span><i>Suffragette.</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>However, if I had to choose one
favourite it would be<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>What We
Do In the Shadows</i>, an insane arthouse vampire movie filmed in New Zealand.
And<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Everest</i>. And<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Stardust</i>. Yes, those 3 were my
favourite movies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I was 46 and I was in the middle of a
raging chest infection that had me feeling rather weak and sick, so I don’t
think we did a lot. I know Lee, the littlies and I went to The Silver Tree for
dinner and Lee surprised me with a cake, but I don’t think we stayed very long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more
satisfying?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I am really satisfied with this year. I
love my family, I love my life, I love my God and I love the way everything has
come together. I have a lot to be grateful for, so I’m not going to ask for
more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2015?<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Smaller clothes for my smaller frame. I went from a size
14/16 to a size 10 and I was even able to put on some of Erin’s clothes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">31. What kept you sane?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">My spiritual beliefs brought a peace to my
life that had been missing for a number of years. After a dreadful year of
depression, the stability of belonging to a religious community helped me find
direction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Bali also helped me regain some sense of forward momentum, if only
because it helped me make the decision to quit drinking. According to my
family, I really am happier without alcohol.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">32. What political issue stirred you the most?</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The refugee situation. I feel ashamed by
our government’s policies towards people in need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">33. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2015.</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">My most valuable life lesson is that I
really am awesome. I have achieved so much this year, and often whilst sick or
in pain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt;">34. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. </span></i></b><i><span style="color: #990000; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I know you can’t become, if you only
say what you should have done, so I missed a million miles of fun.” Steal My
Sunshine -<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><span style="color: #990000; font-size: 14.0pt;">Len.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The best years of my life are the ones where I have acted on the
things I’ve talked about doing. Last year was a talking year, this year was a
doing year, and I’m a million times happier.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12710877.post-45679693908800822032015-02-22T08:44:00.001+08:002015-02-22T08:44:29.716+08:00Start as you mean to go onYesterday, Lee and I attended the Perth Writers Festival. Lee went because he wanted to reignite his passion for writing. I went because I wanted to buy books. We both got what we wanted, plus we got what the other wanted. Laden down with new purchases (thank goodness for the credit card!) we both came home with a renewed sense of purpose.<br />
<br />
This morning, after a walk and a discussion about the Australian writing-voice, we came home and set up our computers at the dining table. Then we picked an exercise and set about writing some new words. I chose "Last Line" where you pick up a work, write out its last line and then pick up your story from there.<br />
<br />
It's best if you haven't actually read the work before, because it means your mind isn't muddied by the author's words. Lee picked the Locus Awards collection off the shelf and I chose story number 4 -"The Persistence of Vision" by John Varley, a story we likely have read, but not in many, many years.<br />
<br />
Lee read out the last line: "We sit in the lovely quiet and dark."<br />
<br />
And from there we went.<br />
<br />
15 mintues and 390 words later, this was the scene I'd written:<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We live in the lovely quiet and dark. This morning when we were five, before Trotter’s
ravings turned to screams and we had to turn him outside for the sun to eat, we
felt our refuge to be temporary, a short-won thing. Now we had an extra set of
rations, an extra set of blankets, an extra few days to make things right.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Four is easier to deal with than five. Three would be easier
still. That, however, would mean losing one of my own and I'm not read for that. Not yet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m cold.” Jay, my youngest son, has broken the silence.
The air once thick with tension, eases a little. I put my arms around his
shoulders and pull him into my side. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“We’re all cold,” I tell him. “But it could be worse. We
could be outside.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“It’s time,” Argo says. As the oldest child, I have given
him the job of counting to 3600. At the end of each count I take a chance and
light up the thin console. The main power went shut down days ago, but the
back-up generator allows me to shed a little light on the display panel every
now and then. The radar flares. I count to ten, sweep my gaze across its dull
green surface and yelp. Then I shut it down again. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“They’re coming. Help is coming.” Tyler is standing by my
side. He’s seen what I've seen, noted what I’ve noted.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Help is nothing more than a faint blip on the top left
corner, but it’s now visible. We can count our rescue in days rather than
weeks. We’re saved.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jay snuggles closer. “Does this mean we can eat now?” <o:p></o:p></div>
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I want to say “yes” and “of course”, but I’ve been in the
service too long to take such things for granted. Half of basic training was
devoted to holding out a glimmer of hope just to see what the nuggets would do.
75% of them ate their rations, drank their water, jumped up and down to make
themselves seen. That 75% went home to their lives as shop-keepers, garbage
collectors, milk men. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“No,” I say instead. “Remember your training.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Outside the searing winds picked up, shaking the ship like a
naughty child. My sons settled around me and once more we began to wait. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Interestingly, we'd both written about a small family group, waiting for something to happen. In my case I wrote from the POV of a protective parent. In Lee's, he wrote of the child waiting for the mother to act. </div>
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<br /></div>
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As exercises go, it was a good one. It got the creative juices flowing and now I feel ready to continue with my writing day.</div>
battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12710877.post-48533356106440236532015-02-06T12:50:00.000+08:002015-02-06T12:50:30.804+08:00An exercise in random thoughtsThis week's exercise was rather random in tone. Quite simply, I sat down, rested my fingers on the keys and allowed my fingers ride the subconscious-train to freedom.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">"We
built the snowman in mid-January."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
Okay, it became immediately apparent that my subconscious was not in Australia, or, indeed, in any other part of the southern hemisphere. January, for me, is about drinking beer while testing the strength of the air-con. It's most certainly not about snowmen.<br />
<br />
Aware of this, I nonetheless kept my mouth shut and let my fingers get on with it.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">"We
built the snowman in mid-January, at a point when the very best of our
Christmas presents had grown dull and the worst lay broken at the bottom of the
wheelie bin." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
Aha, hmm hmm, yep. Do they even have wheelie bins in the US or UK or Canada or wherever the heck the scene was taking place? I mean, I know they have wheelie bins, but is that what they're actually called?<br />
<br />
<i>Shut up. You can edit it later,</i> I snapped at my all-too-critical brain. <i>When it comes to writing, you've let me down lately, so how about you let someone else have a go?</i><br />
<br />
My brain, not used to being addressed in such a manner, crossed its arms and pouted, but I noticed it didn't move away either.<br />
<br />
And so, slowly at first, but then with some speed, the story came out. I began to notice little things, such as the US setting and the unusual Point of View (first person, plural). Even as I grew used to thinking as an American 'we', I kept to Australian spelling. This, I told myself, was something that should be addressed in the editing process.<br />
<br />
I'm never going to send it out, because it really was an exercise, but, as flawed as it is, "The Snowman" acts as a reminder that when it comes to writing I need to stop editing as I go and just let the story find its own path. This is what I wrote, unedited, unproofed.<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Snowman<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We built the snowman in mid-January, at a point when
the very best of our Christmas presents had grown dull and the worst lay broken
at the bottom of the wheelie bin. The snow came slowly at first, as if deciding
whether this was a neighbourhood worth moving into, but eventually it took the
plunge and settled all over yards and trees and cars. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s still not exactly certain who started the
snowman, but it is suspected that the Beaumont children, with their untamed hair
and wild eyes, were the first to roll the ball that would become the first
layer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What is certain is that the Templemans, those three
children of grace and charity, were away down south, helping to rebuild after
the destruction of Hurricane Lucille. And yet, despite their absence, or maybe
because of it, the snowman became known as the Templeman snowman, for it was
upon their driveway that the beast saw construction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Manuel Rodriguez arrived just as the bottom layer was
being rolled into place. It was his father that pushed his wheel chair close,
his mother who wrapped the blanket firmly around his legs. We welcomed him with
a hearty “Manny” and they left us to our build.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Can I help?” Manny asked and we pushed a mound of
snow into his gloved hands. Manny’s gloves, made from a mixture of leather and
lamb’s wool, left a texture upon the compacted snow, a texture that made the rising
sun dapple and dance around the fractured lanes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Someone suggested we invite Corey Meyer to play, so
construction stopped while he was fetched. He must have been waiting for our
invitation, for he appeared only minutes later, decked out in his full winter
gear and carrying three large pebbles from his sister’s terrarium. We told him
we hadn’t got that far, so he placed it in Manny’s lap for safe keeping.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Carson twins, aged 8 and a half, were late to the
show and, to be honest, we thought it unlikely they’d join us at all. Their
parents, an Australian couple who seemed dazed by American attitudes, had spent
the past year of residence surveying the street from behind the safety of their
net curtains. However, join us they did. Damien Carson arrived with a tie
looped loosely around his thin neck, while Sarah Carson displayed rusted
tin-and-glass earrings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">They also bought with them the first handfuls of snow
that would make up the middle of the snowman. Sarah dropped hers as she walked,
but she scooped it back up, bringing a top layer of dark soil with it. Gently, we
had to explain that a snowman couldn’t contain sand, that it was bad luck, so
she dumped it where she stood (which is just bad form) then fetched another.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Despite this rocky interlude, the snowman’s tummy and
chest took shape and the Australians learnt our ways.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The tolling of the church bells reminded us of the
O’Reilly family. Sure enough, their car pulled up in the street just as we
brought together the first handfuls of head snow. Eight kids rolled out of the
mini-van, three of them peeled off and headed towards us. The O’Reillys were an
original family and really we should have waited until they were home, but
despite the rumours of their New York mafia connections, they didn’t seem too
upset about the slight. Instead, Seamus O’Reilly, oldest child of the street,
removed his trademark trilby and placed it upon Manny’s head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Throughout the morning we came and went. Sometimes we
were three, at others ten, but always we worked; building, decorating,
changing, adapting. Together we built up our snowman, together we created him
from snow, sweat and the bits and pieces of our families’ lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And then, it was time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The snowman was complete. We needed to decorate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Stones in hand, Corey placed one on the lower layer
where the belly button would be, and two in the middle layer for buttons. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Damien unknotted the tie, then wrapped it around the
snowman’s neck. Sarah, scratching at the red of her ears, hooked the earrings
into a small groove on the sides of the man’s head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As probable masterminds of the scheme, the Beaumonts
grinned as they sculpted a wide smile from roasted coffee beans and stuck a
real pipe into its centre. Most people would have brought a carrot for the
nose, but not the Beaumonts. They had stolen a red light from their tree and it
was this that did the honours in giving form to the face. For a while we
debated eyes, but in the end Sarah removed the tin-and-glass earrings from our
creation’s head and placed them in the side space above the light. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And then, the crowning glory. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Manny removed the trilby from his own head and handed
it to over. We weren’t sure who should do the honours, so we decided to do it
together. With forefinger and thumb we reached up and over until, as one, we
finished our creature. For a brief, shining moment, the Templeman snowman
pulsed with life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our parents, keeping one eye on our progress and one
on their own, private, lives, stepped out into the weak sunshine and
congratulated us on our efforts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Manny was the first to leave, his Dad grabbing the
handles of his chair and pushing him up the drive and into their house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Following his cue, we peeled off one by one and
trudged home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The sun crested the top of the sky, before heading
towards the west. The wind blew and changed direction, the air warmed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And, out there all alone, our snowman died.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<br />battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12710877.post-51403307732689555072015-01-24T17:01:00.002+08:002015-01-24T18:57:36.262+08:00FightDay, WriteDay Exercise 2<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="http://writingexercises.co.uk/random-writing-exercises.php" target="_blank">This week's writing exercise comes courtesy of writingexercises.co.uk</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">List five things you most dislike touching, then find five
adjectives to describe each item (e.g. maggots - slithery, wriggly, writhing).
Do the same for your other senses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Five things I hate touching<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Belly
buttons <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Eyes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Raw
pumpkin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Vomit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Flannelette
sheets<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Belly buttons: It’s not just me touching them. I hate seeing
other people touch them, too. This is my biggest phobia and it comes with a
name – Omphalophobia. It’s hard to assign adjectives to the feeling, because a)
it’s a phobia and therefore an irrational fear and b) because I can’t bring
myself to touch my belly button. I will, instead, ascribe words that jump to my
mind at the thought of touching my (or anyone else’s) belly button<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Creepy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Hide<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Blood<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Dirty<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Deformity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">I don’t know why these were the first real words to take up
space in my mind (along with ick, yucky, eww etc) but they were. They were the
images or the sensation I had when I contemplated touching that area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Eyes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Squishy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Squelchy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Delicate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Fragile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Plump<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Raw pumpkin (I love pumpkin, but have an allergy to raw pumpkin)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Reactive<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Burning<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Itchy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Painful<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Bleeding<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Vomit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">I have spent the past two years dealing with my son’s vomit via
his Rumination Syndrome. I had to clean a lot of partially-digested food and bile
from walls, floors, beds, blankets, sheets, cars, toilets, sinks and doors and
so, quickly, built up a tolerance of the smell. However, one thing I never get
used to was the touch of it against my skin as I stepped in it or wiped up the
mess. So:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Slippery<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Slidy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Lumpy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Scary
(you slide across fresh vomit and you fear for safety)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Sticky<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Flannelette sheets<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Dusty
(to me, the texture feels like dust upon my skin)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Hot<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Uncomfortable<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Dry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Rough<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">I’m not entirely sure of what use this exercise is, as I
personally hate the overuse of adjectives and believe that if you have an
adjective then you have the wrong noun. However, as FightDay Write Day is
supposed to be an opportunity to put writing first in my day, I’ll have a go at
writing a paragraph that uses at least two of the adjectives above.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Despite multiple doses of paracetamol and two cool baths, the
child’s temperature remained high. Aided by his mother, I tried to place him in
the bed, but he fought against it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Too rough,” he cried. “Too dusty.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“It’s the sheets,” his mother explained as she pulled him back
into her arms. “He hates flannelette.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">I understood and nodded. “You rest in the chair,” I said and
began stripping the bed. The hospital’s supply cupboard was set for winter, but
I knew the dispensary would carry cotton linen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Rushing from the ward, I found a patch of vomit we’d missed
earlier and slid several centimetres, leaving a trail of slimy bile in my wake.
I’d deal with that later, but for now, the comfort of my patient came first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Not my favourite exercise of all time, but I always enjoy the
opportunity to pull paragraphs from nothing and see where they lead me. The
sheets were the strongest image that I carried into the paragraph and I just
allowed the setting to come from that. Once I set upon the sick child and his
mother, it seemed obvious to include the vomit. As usual, my mind swung away
from the belly buttons, which means I should explore the idea in a story at
some point.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">However, I did enjoy thinking about my hatred of certain tactile
experiences, so I think I’ll continue with the other senses, but without the accompanying
adjectives or paragraph.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">5 things I hate to smell<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Blue
cheese. It’s mouldy. End of.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Cigarette
smoke. Show me one non-smoker who lay on their death-bed and listed their only
regret as never taking up cigarettes. You do that and I’ll allow you to blow
smoke in my face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Other
people’s sweat (although Lee’s does not offend me at all. I’m sure George
Clooney’s is fine, too.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Cats.
I know people love their cats. I do not. I particularly hate the smell they
leave on everything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Men’s
feet (having 2 teenage boys with male teenage friends, this was a hard one to
live with at times.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">5 things I hate to see<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">A
child being smacked. I’m not saying I’ve never smacked a child. I have and I
hate that I have. There’s always a better way to deal with discipline and violence
against another person is never excusable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">A
bruise on a woman’s body. It doesn’t matter how she got it, I’m ALWAYS going to
assume a man hit her. I’m also aware that I bruise easily and I’d hate to think
people assume that about my beloved husband.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Misused apostrophes on commercial signs (people have paid for that sign. The least the
sign-writers can do is provide a proof-reading service)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Pay-by-the-hour
parking in hospitals. You are really taking advantage of other people’s misfortune
when you force them to pay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Toast
crumbs in the margarine container. To me it’s simple. You take a small amount of
margarine and that’s it. You don’t take more than you need then put the rest
back. I cook a lot. Do you really want toast crumbs in your cheese sauce? Same
goes for Vegemite.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Things I hate to hear<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Swearing.
I hate it in everyone, but I especially hate it when I hear children swearing. I’m
told swearers are more honest, but the fact that many writers swear shows this
to be a lie. These people are paid to lie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">2.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">The beep of a smoke alarm that needs it's battery changed. As a Witness and a Census Taker, I heard a surprising number of these in the door-to-door work. I'd wonder how the occupants handled it.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">The
rasp of Velcro being pulled apart. Just rip my teeth out while you’re at it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Furniture
being scraped across wood. Pick it up, for crying out loud.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Music
from a party after 11pm. Well, unless it’s an 80s retro-party with an emphasis
on the years between 1979 and 1983. Then you can be as loud as you like. True
story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">5 Things I hate tasting<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Off
milk. I can’t think of anything as bad as off milk. Not even number 4.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Dates.
What I imagine cockroaches taste like, including the crunch and ooze as you bite
into them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Pawpaw.
Smell and taste like old socks, which is fine in Parmesan Cheese, but not
fruit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Okay,
this is going to be disgusting but it’s one that has stayed with me a long time.
Snot. Yes, snot. 20 years ago I dated a man (or late teenager) who cried a lot
and then kissed me. All I could taste was the snot at the back of his throat.
It was disgusting and my stomach still turns when I think about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Sweat.
I hate it when my face sweats and the drips into my mouth. Yeah, you know what
I mean. It’s salty, but not like Samboy chips are salty. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"> So, things I hate on a sensory level. There are many more I could list, but these are the most apparent in terms of writing. </span></div>
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battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12710877.post-55313465546690602362015-01-21T09:57:00.002+08:002015-01-21T09:57:51.424+08:00FightDay, WriteDayAs noted in my previous post, I'm finding it hard to get my act together to write. In response to this I've instituted FightDay, WriteDay; that one day of the week in which I fight off the rest of the world in order to fulfill a writing exercise. I did actually do the exercise last week (on Friday) but as we didn't have internet at the time, I couldn't put it up.<br />
<br />
So, here it is, last week's FightDay, WriteDay exercise.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>When it comes to writing, I’m far more interested in the
story of character, rather than the story of place. Often, when editing my
work, I come across sections of “white space” where characters are ‘doing their
thing’ inside a setting devoid of colour, texture or being. For this, my first
official FightDay, WriteDay, I’ve decided to do an exercise that focuses on
setting rather than character. The exercise, taken from Fiction Writer’s Workshop by Josip Kovich, asks me to “describe
places where you have worked…Describe how people handle their tools and
machines...(The objective is to) concentrate on the details and energy of a
workplace.” (p44)<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>As per the rules of the exercise, I’m not going to say what
my workplace is (was), so see if you can work it out by the description I give.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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Long ago, back in the 90s, The Powers That Be made a promise
“You’ll never wait longer than 5 minutes.” By the time of my induction, circa
2001, it’s a promise that has been broken, but not forgotten. A woman
approaches, hands a sheaf of bundled notes, sticky with the juice of her
toddler’s orange and a dog-eared passbook through the Perspex window. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“You’re not supposed to make us wait longer than five
minutes,” she complains. The smile I offer is meant to be consoling, but it’s a
thin smile, worn tight by weeks of hearing the same thing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“That advert stopped years ago,” I answer. “We’re
understaffed and doing our best.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Still.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Still, a remark made by someone who wants to protest, but
has no ground upon which they can firmly make their stand. I have her money, I
have her details. In return, she has my attention for the next few minutes. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I open the passbook. Despite its worn appearance, it’s still
mostly blank. I turn to the second page, carry over the balance, check my
terminal for any outstanding transactions. The reason for the emptiness quickly
becomes apparent. At least a dozen child-support payments have hit the account
without being recorded. I pick up one of several pens allocated to my bay and
manually bring the book up to date then stamp and initial the corrections.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“They’re phasing passbooks out,” I inform her. “You’ll be
asked to move over to an ATM card soon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“But not today.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, not today. You’ll be allowed to finish the book, first.
After that they probably won’t provide a reissue. It’ll also make banking a lot
faster.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“But then I won’t have an excuse to come here.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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As if I’m the social highlight of her week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I wipe the balance from my screen, then make the deposit,
first of all filling in the blue slip, then sorting the individual notes so
they all face upwards. A quick count and recount confirms the amount of $560. A
lacky-band bundles the ten $50 notes together, which I tuck into my safe, while
the three 20s are added to my drawer. A mental count confirms I’m well within
my drawer limit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My face time with the woman takes less than three minutes,
including updating her passbook. I offer to stamp her daughter’s hands, which
is happily accepted. One side states the child is “Not Negotiable” in blue. The
other, outlined in red, shows her as “Cancelled”. The mother finds this
amusing. She leaves in a slightly better mood. This was an easy one and soon
I’m calling “Next” to the waiting customer. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<i>Hmmm. After completing the exercise, I noticed I’m still
more focussed on the characters than their setting, however, I do think I offer
enough clues to situate both women and their roles within the setting. </i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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After doing this exercise, I came home and wrote another 500 words on a short story. It didn't follow the exercise at all, but it didn't matter. The exercise had achieved my number one purpose, it got me thinking creatively again.</div>
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battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12710877.post-31777039609302228382015-01-07T21:11:00.002+08:002015-01-07T21:11:58.699+08:002015 - The Year I Take Up Writing. Again.Well, the year is a week old and so far I've written 500ish words.<br />
<br />
Not per day.<br />
<br />
Total.<br />
<br />
Let's face it, at 500ish words per week, I am not going to write a publishable story any time soon. This needs to be redressed, pronto.<br />
<br />
So, my writing career is my career and I'm responsible for it, so what am I going to do to redress this issue?<br />
<br />
Simple. I'm going to dedicate one day per week to a new writing exercise. Every, oh, I don't know, let's call it Wednesday, yes, every Wednesday I'm going to sit down at my computer, Google writing exercises and commit myself to fulfilling one exercise. I shall blog the exercise here and how many words I wrote. Hopefully, that will lead to another six days of writing, at which point I'll start a new exercise. I'll take a chance and say I tried (Ian Curtis.)<br />
<br />
I shall call this The Year of the Writing Exercise and it shall be my year. I've got my play list set up, I've got a new laptop, I've got a great motto for the year and I've got a desire to make a difference in my own life this year.<br />
<br />
I'll see you next Wednesday.<br />
<br />
PS If you have a writing exercise suggestion, please feel free to comment. I might have to moderate your comment (if you're not a follower), but I tend to do that quite quickly.<br />
<br />
<br />battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12710877.post-67587543749355086922015-01-07T17:23:00.000+08:002015-01-07T20:32:49.077+08:00It's the final countdownSaturday is moving day, so we have now reached the point of adding the word 'last' to the things we do around the house.<br />
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<br /></div>
<div>
January 1 saw the last dinner date at Glenelg Way, an experience we shared with our McMinns. We ate Beef Obsession with bread rolls. This seems fitting, because all our social functions this year have featured Kris and Kim. They've shared many of our highs and lows including a cold and the first Dr Who of the season. I'm really looking forward to our first dinner at our new house.</div>
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Yesterday saw the last walk to the beach for the kids and me. Where we're going is roughly a 10 minute drive to the beach, so the kids and I won't be able to don bathers and head out as we used to. To be honest, it's not something I'm likely to miss all that much, as Rockingham's beach (routinely voted Best Beach in Australia) is way nicer than our local hangout.</div>
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Sunday was our last lunch at Sharkey's. This is significant because Sharkey's is our favourite place to eat in Mandurah. Great food at a reasonable price plus an excellent view made it an ideal place for the family to hold our weekly family meetings. Here we would eat, catch up, discuss the week we'd just had and plan for the week ahead. We'd make goals and discuss any problems and successes. We'd congratulate each other for the successes and work through the problems while just feeling the connection that is us. I'll miss Sharkey's and its significance a lot. </div>
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And this afternoon I cooked my last slow cooker meal. Tomorrow we pack up the kitchen. so I've made one last meal which we'll eat tomorrow night. After that it's pizza and Chinese until that wonderful moment when my slow cooker sees light of day again.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4dPDBABfCmC-oUO1uKkqy36qkSYEsBJDchptq5NW2uXCsXI6bbSltM5mKr_Z_4vdBy0zbfJDKPeNyh69JyVFznst7PkJSFjUCecxPZbtR7yW4LSBHkA7RKEilLzxJC-PK43X0Q/s1600/2015-01-07+17.17.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4dPDBABfCmC-oUO1uKkqy36qkSYEsBJDchptq5NW2uXCsXI6bbSltM5mKr_Z_4vdBy0zbfJDKPeNyh69JyVFznst7PkJSFjUCecxPZbtR7yW4LSBHkA7RKEilLzxJC-PK43X0Q/s1600/2015-01-07+17.17.15.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our last (homecooked) supper. Apricot Chicken.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Of course, it's not all doom and gloom. Amongst all these lasts there has been one new habit that Lee and I hope to take to the new house. This week we've taken to sitting outside on the patio, beer in hand, feet up on chairs as we gaze over our garden. It's not a big thing and it's not at all significant in any way shape or form, but it is just a moment of quiet togetherness before the next rush starts. Right now we're in the eye of the storm, existing in a moment of silence between packing boxes and moving them into the truck. Everything that needs to be done to this point has been done, but there is still so much to do. For this moment, however, there is silence.</div>
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And there is us.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kcRGFwm6FbDEvPUU1OEyVCO9YziYhMnVNSUPSRjyZ_RnZ2oWWYQE1aLk4IwD43-yWnzNhiCQussDKr-j9cehHRm5_clFhS2be3YELXqN6vRlMGpNLpdLMXU6ilIUsm_nBhetxQ/s1600/beer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kcRGFwm6FbDEvPUU1OEyVCO9YziYhMnVNSUPSRjyZ_RnZ2oWWYQE1aLk4IwD43-yWnzNhiCQussDKr-j9cehHRm5_clFhS2be3YELXqN6vRlMGpNLpdLMXU6ilIUsm_nBhetxQ/s1600/beer.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beer garden. Literally.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQYneMCNM3SJG9cb-5ue0E6QvURRmcU8qqaeUhPcv278mWCeARm3mkNy7IZSEP441rmweIVYxwUOobOeMItYNdVfO9X-aAUV_JSvj8vNp3n40Qg3kDU3x6nAZC0RPDpzMSX6bMw/s1600/2015-01-07+16.21.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQYneMCNM3SJG9cb-5ue0E6QvURRmcU8qqaeUhPcv278mWCeARm3mkNy7IZSEP441rmweIVYxwUOobOeMItYNdVfO9X-aAUV_JSvj8vNp3n40Qg3kDU3x6nAZC0RPDpzMSX6bMw/s1600/2015-01-07+16.21.44.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Takes me back to my student days. Oh, wait. These are my student days. Well, it's a memory for the kids, anyway. Also, pickswhich bed is Connor's and which is Erin's.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDRsi65zx53gpAtY6pqoCa_dYDA6lHFQtVXPEb8avQw1q9FfOAwLWr-JNQXBxmxrewtzzCektnDMA-wlrF26Lbnfh1ybfv8ACcdbnedaFfEVuy1E-mAWGOMo9LGbj8nndql-IBg/s1600/2015-01-07+16.21.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDRsi65zx53gpAtY6pqoCa_dYDA6lHFQtVXPEb8avQw1q9FfOAwLWr-JNQXBxmxrewtzzCektnDMA-wlrF26Lbnfh1ybfv8ACcdbnedaFfEVuy1E-mAWGOMo9LGbj8nndql-IBg/s1600/2015-01-07+16.21.48.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erin's old room. Erin's a neat-freak, but this is ridiculous.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2Hc5lzMA_NbYKsqW1hZq_TBIixYyVTi7ptQtimUUIjkiuXxbpe6D1KhVJx_HpHdIg33Cjeyu5Hq5cVZxAYft_THLf61Kpn-83_HBGD1_RkOuoGfCRiuWRtU_3LqyHModZG7-zw/s1600/2015-01-07+16.21.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2Hc5lzMA_NbYKsqW1hZq_TBIixYyVTi7ptQtimUUIjkiuXxbpe6D1KhVJx_HpHdIg33Cjeyu5Hq5cVZxAYft_THLf61Kpn-83_HBGD1_RkOuoGfCRiuWRtU_3LqyHModZG7-zw/s1600/2015-01-07+16.21.54.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One room, many rooms. Started life as Connor's room, then became the reading room, then the book room (you could not see carpet for books) and is now the empty room. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLL9y3OpEkyl3murcD5j0OvzK_I3X01JEXq_l-vcYoiMIBw7mI_eYq3qry6gZtMUcKjkMzczam2tQIsaPE1U23Ej0YdL1pq91kx3pGarPq5UEumVHEo2e7OzrxlDhLp7hySOdHg/s1600/2015-01-07+16.57.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLL9y3OpEkyl3murcD5j0OvzK_I3X01JEXq_l-vcYoiMIBw7mI_eYq3qry6gZtMUcKjkMzczam2tQIsaPE1U23Ej0YdL1pq91kx3pGarPq5UEumVHEo2e7OzrxlDhLp7hySOdHg/s1600/2015-01-07+16.57.10.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another room of many colours. Started as a sitting room. Then a reading room. Then Connor's school room. Then the Lego room. Now, it's box room.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Are we ready for moving day? I hope so. I'm excited and I'm sad. Baldivis represents new beginnings for our family, but a lot of firsts happened in Meadow Springs, too. </div>
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Aiden attended High School here and became a Dad in Year 12. A year later he was no longer a Dad. He met his current partner while living in this house, applied for uni here, made some of his best friends here. Cassie came here when she needed refuge. Erin found her independence here and Connor was homeschooled during his illness.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOyS3uXUEanEm4wr18O6546ey-ZyNqEFqQCKI9DU_J4dkuj63QOMV51D8VYFa_NC0uuwkbqsZnBIM07FJFlMhXg0hpjf57pHAS5W8KkZudt8dhxve2A9_H02PFRguDLU834kR9UQ/s1600/2015-01-07+17.06.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOyS3uXUEanEm4wr18O6546ey-ZyNqEFqQCKI9DU_J4dkuj63QOMV51D8VYFa_NC0uuwkbqsZnBIM07FJFlMhXg0hpjf57pHAS5W8KkZudt8dhxve2A9_H02PFRguDLU834kR9UQ/s1600/2015-01-07+17.06.37.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">However, Most Chameleonic Room award goes to: The Upstairs Loft. In it's time it's been the TV room, the exercise room, Cassie's bedroom, Aiden's room when Georgie was expecting the baby, Aiden and Georgie's retreat when the baby came, teenage retreat when Aiden's friends came over after the Very Bad Breakup, party room and, finally hobby room. It was hot in summer, freezing in winter but thank goodness we had it during a turbulent 6 years.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So, there it is. The end of 6 years. Apart from my childhood home in Amberley Way, Balga, I've never lived anywhere as long as I've lived here. Yes, it's a white elephant and yes, it's provided us with many, many headaches, but it was our home and it sheltered us through a lot of storms. Good bye, Glenelg Way. You shall be missed. </div>
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Mostly.</div>
battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12710877.post-58214999206195727522014-12-23T16:56:00.000+08:002014-12-23T16:57:22.920+08:00Don't Look Back in Anger. <div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">My Big Fat End of Year Meme</span></u></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">1. What did you do in 2014 that you'd never done before? </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">I am very proud of myself this year. Not only did I continue to do well at uni (studying my BA in English and Creative Writing at Murdoch) but I also undertook several courses via Open Learning. I studied and passed units in Forensic Science, Forensic Psychology and the Scottish Referendum. It was all interesting stuff and, for the most part, I enjoyed it.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">I also managed to achieve a number of tasks featuring things I'd never done before. Some of these include: paint my nails black, take the kids to the beach by myself (thereby facing a major phobia), mow a lawn (I enjoyed it so much I've sort of made it my thing) and make a Swiss Roll from scratch (a complete and utter failure, but it did become an amazing trifle).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px;">For something completely different, I decided to celebrate turning 45 by attempting 45 tasks for this year. I'm not going to go into all of them (I completed roughly 30) but some of the things I achieved were: wash and polish the car, declutter 45 things from the house, play hopscotch with the kids, and make a donation to a worthy cause. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px;">Every year, Lee, the kids and I make resolutions (we call them yearly goals) and yes, I will be making more for 2015. Even keeping half of them means noting achievements that I might otherwise not have noticed.</span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">3<b>. Did anyone close to you give birth?</b></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> My daughter, Cassandra, gave birth to Anthony. Not long after this she became a single Mum to Aisla and Anthony. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">4. Did anyone close to you die?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Yes. My Uncle Neville died and it was devastating. I cannot convey how much I loved Uncle Neville and what he meant in my life and I still feel choked up when I think about him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">5. What countries did you visit?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Trenzalore. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">6. What would you like to have in 2015 that you lacked in 2014?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Before I answer this, I'd like to hark back to the answer I gave to this question last year:<i> "Connor's health returned to him. His illness is difficult on the family, but it's awful watching him suffer every day."</i> Well, Connor has been Rumination-free since September and we have agreed to him rejoining the school system. So, the answer to this question now is: "Connor enjoying a full year at school."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">In addition to this, I'd like to add that I'd like to see my adult children making choices that add security to their lives. I want my daughter and sons to step along a path that leads to a secure and happy adulthood.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">7. What dates from 2014 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> December 9. Erin and Connor had a joint birthday party (13 and 10) which celebrated their separate year of triumph. Erin this year enjoyed being Head Girl, a member of the Mandurah Junior Council and was named Dux of her school. Connor started the year as an extremely sick little boy of 23 kilograms, but ended it at a healthy 33 kilograms. He also started the year without friends (his illness made it impossible to have play-dates) but ended it with 10 children invited to his party. 9 came. The party was such a joyful event because it was the culmination of everything we'd put into practice for the year.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Achieving 2 Distinctions and 2 High Distinctions at uni despite also homeschooling Connor. I learned a lot about myself this year. Now I'm considering what comes next; Honours or a Degree in History?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">9. What was your biggest failure?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> I don't feel I failed anything. I completed 4 units of uni, I took Connor through Year 4 as a home-educated student, I helped him achieve wellness, I kept Erin focussed on her studies and her activities. Lee and I sold our house four days after putting it on the market and found a new home 3 days later. I call that a positive success.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">Okay, if pressured to come up with a failure, it's this. Despite sending 4 stories out, I failed to make publication. I did receive an Honourable Mention in the Writers of the Future competition, which isn't too bad, but a real publication would have been fantastic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">10. Did you suffer illness or injury?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> My uterus was destroyed via an Endometrial Ablation Procedure. I was told it would be painless. It wasn't and the pain lasted nearly 2 weeks. On the plus side, I've now missed 2 periods. On the negative, I am still rampantly hormonal.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">11. What was the best thing you bought?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> My second slow cooker. Our oven died earlier in the year so I resorted to slow cooking. In the end we only got the oven fixed because we're moving house, not because I want it back. I learned to bake bread, make roasts and concoct fudge in the slow cooker which helped me feel as if I achieved new greatness within the kitchen.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">12. Whose behavior merited celebration?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Erin has had the most amazing year and has worked hard for it. People tell us we must be proud and yes, we are, not with the achievement, but with the effort Erin put in. Our daughter was made Head Girl, was voted onto the Mandurah Junior Council and attained Dux. She did this while going through the usual hormone changes that attack 12/13 year old girls and she did so with a smile and a willing attitude.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> My daughter's ex-boyfriend. He routinely screws her over and then expects forgiveness. I hate this man more than I can express.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">Also, those of my former religion. We are supposed to be a group that prides itself on love and yet, this year I saw no sign of this love. I went through a lot of hard times due to Connor's illness and not once was I offered a shoulder or a listening ear. As a result, I have decided I no longer associated myself as a member of that religion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Conversely, thank you to every single person (a mixture of atheists, Catholics, Mormons and Pastafarians) who walked with us every step of the way. You actually </span><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">epitomized</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> real, human kindness and love.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">14. Where did most of your money go?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Bills, the car, the mortgage. Wine. Really. I spent 8 weeks alcohol-free and we had heaps of money during that time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Christmas. Yes, I'm celebrating it this year and I can't wait. We have a tree and we have an angel, courtesy of our beautiful friends, Kris and Kim.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdLUXPjsO4umew5vX5DPrX-S0tW7O3Ny9hQ_xRzA9PwwA2oEhnecXpCC7n8aAk1QQz1wlVxzFXc_JcN7UzDEHTFisB_yCsVptfZUqFdLGTSmlzwaqt1jWtB5n45paZ1w7VYYF1Q/s1600/2014-12-21+08.23.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdLUXPjsO4umew5vX5DPrX-S0tW7O3Ny9hQ_xRzA9PwwA2oEhnecXpCC7n8aAk1QQz1wlVxzFXc_JcN7UzDEHTFisB_yCsVptfZUqFdLGTSmlzwaqt1jWtB5n45paZ1w7VYYF1Q/s1600/2014-12-21+08.23.20.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">16. What song will always remind you of 2014?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">"Cap in Hand" by The Proclaimers. The Proclaimers are Connor's absolute favourite band of all and we could not take a car ride without one of their songs playing, usually "Cap in Hand." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">Also, it was the year of the Scottish referendum, which I studied, so the lyrics seemed particularly resonant. Really, Scotland, what were you thinking?</span></div>
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<pre style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; word-break: break-all;">I could tell the meaning of a word like serene,
<span style="color: #007fbf; cursor: pointer;">D</span> <span style="color: #007fbf; cursor: pointer;">G</span> <span style="color: #007fbf; cursor: pointer;">A</span>
I got some `O' grades when I was sixteen,----
<span style="color: #007fbf; cursor: pointer;">D</span> <span style="color: #007fbf; cursor: pointer;">G</span> <span style="color: #007fbf; cursor: pointer;">A</span>
I can tell the difference 'tween margarine and butter,
<span style="color: #007fbf; cursor: pointer;">D</span> <span style="color: #007fbf; cursor: pointer;">G</span> <span style="color: #007fbf; cursor: pointer;">A</span>
I can say "Saskatchawen" without starting to stutter.
<span class="" style="color: #007fbf; cursor: pointer;">A</span> <span style="color: #007fbf; cursor: pointer;">D</span> <span style="color: #007fbf; cursor: pointer;">G</span> <span style="color: #007fbf; cursor: pointer;">D</span> <span style="color: #007fbf; cursor: pointer;">A</span>
But I can't understand why we let someone else rule our land,
NC <span class="" style="color: #007fbf; cursor: pointer;">D</span>
we're cap in hand.</pre>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">17. Compared to this time last year, are you:i. happier or sadder? ii. thinner or fatter? iii. richer or poorer?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> 1)Happier. My boy has been well for 3 months, which is all we prayed for last year. 2) As for weight and money, they're about the same. We're moving to a smaller house in 2015, so we should see more money on pay-day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">18. What do you wish you'd done more of?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> I kept up my study, I wrote more than I did last year and I looked after my children. All in all, I'm happy with my level of activity this year.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">19. What do you wish you'd done less of?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Commenting on Facebook. What a complete waste of time and energy. I won't be commenting much next year, because really people just want you to validate their own opinions and that's not always the case.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">20. How will you be spending Christmas?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Drinking beer and eating food with my brother and his partner and our children. Raymond and I weren't the closest growing up, but we are beginning to discover just how much we love each other. I can't wait.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">21. Who did you meet for the first time?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> My best friend Sharon introduced us to her husband, Adam. He is her third husband and he's perfect. Sharon and Adam have the sort of simpatico that you usually only see in partners who have been together a long time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">22. Did you fall in love in 2014? </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">I am so in love with my husband, Lee. He is the reason I managed to get through 4 units of uni, Connor's illness and the stresses of Cassie's break up. He stands by my side, holds my hand and lets me know that all is right with my world. He is the love of my life, the most important person in my world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">23. What was your favourite TV program?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> "Community"! Kate Eltham and Rob Hoge sent us a surprise package for Christmas and inside we found 3 seasons of this show. One episode and we were addicted and I've since watched them right through 4 times. Community was definitely my Number 1 show for 2014.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">Also, this year we allowed the Battersby children to watch Battlestar Galactica for the first time. Watching their reactions to each important plot development made me fall in love with the programme all over again.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">No, not really. I don't do hate, not really. I hate actions, but not people. Well, apart from the one person I do hate, but I hated him last year, too. Treat me badly and I'm likely to forgive you. Treat my kids badly, however, and you're on my list of hate.</span></div>
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<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">25. What was the best book you read?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> I read some fantastic novels this year: <i>The City and The City</i> by China Mieville, <i>The Chemistry of Tears</i> by Peter Carey, and <i>The Shining Girls</i> by Lauren Beukes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">Without a doubt, however, by absolute favourite book was <i>Havenstar</i> by Glenda Larke. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">This was my Goodreads review: "</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">There is so much I want to say about this novel but some how the words fail me. I've read a lot of books this year, for uni, for judging and for personal pleasure. This book is, without shadow of a doubt, my favourite to date. There was absolutely nothing I didn't love about this work: the characters, the setting, the world-building and the religion, each and every part of it was pitch perfect and believable. I fell into the world of Stabilities and Instabilities, into Havenstar and into the Chantries seamlessly." 5 stars.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">I can only gush about this work and how amazing it is. A masterpiece of our time.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">I just want to add that the edition I read was published by Ticonderoga. There's history to this book and I'm glad Russell Farr went ahead and picked up with others left off.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Brilliant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">This wasn't one of my most prolific years for reading, but it was a year filled with quality. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">26. What was your greatest musical discovery?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> I can't decide between Baxter Dury and The Hilltop Hoods. Dury's "Happy Soup" taps into my sadness and desolation, while "Cosby Sweater" by The Hilltop Hoods instantly lifts my mood. I find myself dancing the moment the opening beats start.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">27. What was your favourite film of this year?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> "Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll." A docudrama about Ian Dury featuring Andy Serkis in the lead role. Not only did I fall back in love with Ian's music, I also discovered and become a fan of his son, Baxter. I also loved "Eric and Ernie", a docudrama about Morcombe and Wise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> I turned 45. My Triffitt kids surprised me by picking me up and taking me out for lunch. I had Chili Mussels.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Having one story published. My stories were good (one received an Honourable Mention) but they did not find a home and I am saddened by that.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2014?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> "Does my butt look big in this? How about this?"</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">31. What kept you sane?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> "Community." BBQs with the McMinns. Talking religion with Sharon. Watching Connor slowly get his life back. Wahu wine.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">32. What political issue stirred you the most?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> I don't know. I'm fairly new to this politics thing and I seem to have come to it during a particularly bad time in Australian history. We have a dreadful Prime Minister who should be called to account for his actions. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">33. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2014. </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> This, too, shall pass. I suffered a fair amount of depression this year, to the point where I considered self-harm. I got help and support from my family, but through it all I kept my eye focussed on tomorrow. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">34. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px;">"I'm on my way, from misery to happiness today</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px;">Aha aha. Aha aha."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px;">Yeah, that was my year. It started miserably, but we're finishing it as a happy and strong family that fuels itself with love and laughter.</span></span></div>
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battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12710877.post-65611883208194587512014-12-23T15:05:00.001+08:002014-12-23T15:07:19.552+08:00Oh, dear. Is that the time?On May 29 of this year, I posted that I'd be using this site to record recipes. And then, on May 30, despite my better judgment, I went back to Facebook. You know what happened next.<br />
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So, here I am on December 23, getting ready to record my year in review and accepting that, after seven months, maybe I need to update my blog.<br />
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Okay, to begin with, here's a recipe. I've been very active on a certain <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/SlowCookerRecipes4Families/?ref=br_tf" target="_blank">slow cooker site on Facebook</a> which links really well with the <a href="http://www.slowcookercentral.com/" target="_blank">slow cooker central website</a>. I've been an active member for about four months and, as a result, have been exposed to a couple of fads. My favourite recipe to come from the site is this Obsession sauce which I use for all sorts of sauces.<br />
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Obsession Sauce<br />
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1 can cream of mushroom soup<br />
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce<br />
2 Tbsp Mint sauce (I probably use more like 3 or even 4 Tbsps of the thick sauce because I really like mint)<br />
1 packet French Onion soup<br />
1 onion, diced or sliced into half rings (I personally prefer sliced into half rings)<br />
<br />
Mix together, pour over any cut of meat (I love it on chicken) and place in slow cooker on low for around 4-6 hours depending on speed of slow cooker.<br />
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Too easy. Too delicious. I serve with mashed potatoes and carrot, but you could also serve on rice or with roast veges. I have also used the sauce to marinate roast lamb before slow cooking (cook on low about 8 - 10 hours).<br />
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<br />battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12710877.post-46944399055455004222014-05-29T20:08:00.001+08:002014-05-29T20:16:02.719+08:00Adapted recipe - Australian Eclair CakeAs I mentioned in my last post, I'm going to start blogging the recipes I adapt. The first featured recipe first appeared at <a href="http://www.chef-in-training.com/" target="_blank">Chef in Training</a> and immediately took my fancy. This is Eclair Cake and I have to admit that it was, for me, love at first sight. However, like any great love, there's always room for improvement and as it's from the US, we here in Australia don't have two of the ingredients - Cool Whip and Graham Crackers. However, I am a smart and versatile little cookie (or biscuit as we say here in Oz) so I thought over my options and decided to adapt the recipe using Vanilla Fruche and Savoiardi Sponge Fingers. The reason these ingredients came to mind is because I make an amazing trifle using both these ingredients and even my trifle-ambivalent husband wolfs it down when I make it. So, a few weeks ago I made the adaptation and sure enough, it was a huge success.<br />
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Today the kids and I made it for tomorrow night's dinner (yes, it is one of those recipes that does well with a good rest) so I thought I'd post the recipe and a few pictures. Now, be warned, I'm not posting here with a view to food-porn, I'm posting recipes made in my own kitchen and photographed with my Samsung Galaxy 3 camera. They're not high-gloss or high-tech. They're more like a story your mama would tell you, wholesome, true and unfiltered.<br />
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So, here it is, my Australian Eclair Cake.<br />
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12 Savoiardi Sponge Fingers cut in half along the join (I use the really big ones)<br />
<br />
1 packet vanilla instant pudding<br />
500 ml skim milk<br />
2 tubs vanilla Fruche<br />
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Frosting:<br />
3 Tbs Meadow Lea Light Spread<br />
3 Tbs cocoa<br />
3 Tbs skim milk<br />
1 cup icing sugar<br />
<br />
1 cup white choc melts<br />
1 cup milk choc melts<br />
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Method<br />
<br />
1. Sprinkle pudding mix over milk and beat for 1 minute. Transfer to fridge and allow to cool for 14 minutes.<br />
2. Meanwhile, layer a square casserole dish or cake tin with one third of the sponge fingers.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUrvttH16cQe6dpIMyi8oVQbLdWdxOWqu7LBZqSdLHU1Eza58Dqz9-j0jtfiwKkSCNOA5f7_0W1_YGLOWI6RwuJAL-0ZGu39mf-Q0JVUCUaveMYDusx4-U1xmx2L6AMzLNP-2gA/s1600/2014-05-29+15.50.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUrvttH16cQe6dpIMyi8oVQbLdWdxOWqu7LBZqSdLHU1Eza58Dqz9-j0jtfiwKkSCNOA5f7_0W1_YGLOWI6RwuJAL-0ZGu39mf-Q0JVUCUaveMYDusx4-U1xmx2L6AMzLNP-2gA/s1600/2014-05-29+15.50.23.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're having my sons over for dinner tomorrow night, so I've doubled the recipe. They'll thank me later.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZgMsCw2eoo_JbEyY61lfSFsXnftcaNmd6acjA4lcS2bZdZH-639sVLbXp4RP6cKDaVnIwD4YdbXag1UQhf-PPDTp0KAPEvQdGy4yfU79y4T1ngYu1BikRKUPwoL-8dMOgqVwaw/s1600/2014-05-29+16.18.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZgMsCw2eoo_JbEyY61lfSFsXnftcaNmd6acjA4lcS2bZdZH-639sVLbXp4RP6cKDaVnIwD4YdbXag1UQhf-PPDTp0KAPEvQdGy4yfU79y4T1ngYu1BikRKUPwoL-8dMOgqVwaw/s1600/2014-05-29+16.18.32.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second layer of biscuits on top of pudding layer</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-qdH8GjX27d9AWsASdaeW-fSN4CjUuso_OqnbZC4y0BfpNbY4DtLrE-iArHt2kav1BpFYC4vxCn-9Sa6iNxFqv951JTmaZC65rC435ppKl9zHjzW4Jvd0ie1U8Q2sa90rW9PIQ/s1600/2014-05-29+16.18.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-qdH8GjX27d9AWsASdaeW-fSN4CjUuso_OqnbZC4y0BfpNbY4DtLrE-iArHt2kav1BpFYC4vxCn-9Sa6iNxFqv951JTmaZC65rC435ppKl9zHjzW4Jvd0ie1U8Q2sa90rW9PIQ/s1600/2014-05-29+16.18.35.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Depth shot. I think I might need a deeper dish in future.</td></tr>
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3. Once the pudding has set, remove from fridge and mix in both packets of Fruche.<br />
4. Spread half the pudding and Fruche mix over the sponge fingers.<br />
5. Add another layer of sponge fingers (should be another third)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2c02WaKR8FSfOi3NxK15NcfBEJsqkt7PHfNXVEsdX_WflUb9R6kfSuRiTN0oHiHVodLMDLsJnYeNNRnvG7QDChCRUpJKZsTbI3VgflcoZZ4KpJ6mG_0bD9X4RUdvplx5e_otJw/s1600/2014-05-29+17.30.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2c02WaKR8FSfOi3NxK15NcfBEJsqkt7PHfNXVEsdX_WflUb9R6kfSuRiTN0oHiHVodLMDLsJnYeNNRnvG7QDChCRUpJKZsTbI3VgflcoZZ4KpJ6mG_0bD9X4RUdvplx5e_otJw/s1600/2014-05-29+17.30.46.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frosting layer. The frosting is somewhat runny, but this is a good thing as it soaks into the various components of the cake.</td></tr>
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6. Add rest of pudding and Fruche mix and smooth over.<br />
7. Add rest of sponge fingers.<br />
<br />
8. In a separate bowl, slightly warm the margarine into the milk until it is just soft but not melted. Add cocoa and icing sugar and beat with an electric mixer until well combined and free of icing lumps.<br />
9. Spread over savoiardi layer.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYASxvNjeHsEIylOPzsMzuXK7TU5LhOesAlYvgB5KqzK1oZsyegVY3Jce6eNI4JQU7dJZ_klrd21BN3v-49m6cMk_YmEjyJSeGtkHVJ5i1YkyUhkV9AYz8svfUnArSFA206glfVA/s1600/2014-05-29+17.31.03-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYASxvNjeHsEIylOPzsMzuXK7TU5LhOesAlYvgB5KqzK1oZsyegVY3Jce6eNI4JQU7dJZ_klrd21BN3v-49m6cMk_YmEjyJSeGtkHVJ5i1YkyUhkV9AYz8svfUnArSFA206glfVA/s1600/2014-05-29+17.31.03-2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not hugely fussy on making it look elegant. I want people to know I made this.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIVsOilDvqoxWYm2Vm0B7KXEE8RTNXhtDJhe_SGhyIVSoh_I6A4Jl6qrnitePYw8eZQDpFEAivF7T2LxLX_VWOguNAAB3ML2kYGKjvkL4q7cQK8YRDmP9WQUu_6uVJ8D02xC4Gw/s1600/2014-05-29+17.31.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIVsOilDvqoxWYm2Vm0B7KXEE8RTNXhtDJhe_SGhyIVSoh_I6A4Jl6qrnitePYw8eZQDpFEAivF7T2LxLX_VWOguNAAB3ML2kYGKjvkL4q7cQK8YRDmP9WQUu_6uVJ8D02xC4Gw/s1600/2014-05-29+17.31.31.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erin stirs the chocolate melts</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypX2A-mClWjGt8M83xI9ybGVwWBv7yteAJwLMFJ372MUC44BWpoYbIZbd2p1ZLmrbKRd5oJI9vnjBWd4lzTjuk_jUQ1JhxsHJBrE-5m7_JpLmgpzQ6dSzEuilcFIvmet12el20w/s1600/2014-05-29+17.40.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypX2A-mClWjGt8M83xI9ybGVwWBv7yteAJwLMFJ372MUC44BWpoYbIZbd2p1ZLmrbKRd5oJI9vnjBWd4lzTjuk_jUQ1JhxsHJBrE-5m7_JpLmgpzQ6dSzEuilcFIvmet12el20w/s1600/2014-05-29+17.40.03.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connor turns Pollock with the white chocolate layer.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmS3T7G5Vggz7bWQ3rKCRkAX7iMu89GNJJKh_k9Sje_9wPWH9n1fajxUWtYPUmvj9ABooP0JFwznS6W0dSBokjxCuYGOxd5KTyNk4r4g0G5wIbIM1JBhyVi3dRHERBMlKXNnecg/s1600/2014-05-29+17.40.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmS3T7G5Vggz7bWQ3rKCRkAX7iMu89GNJJKh_k9Sje_9wPWH9n1fajxUWtYPUmvj9ABooP0JFwznS6W0dSBokjxCuYGOxd5KTyNk4r4g0G5wIbIM1JBhyVi3dRHERBMlKXNnecg/s1600/2014-05-29+17.40.19.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently there's a smiley face in there. Apparently.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erin also tries to be all Pollock about it, but turns more towards Pro Hart.</td></tr>
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10. Heat both lots of choc melts but do not combine.<br />
11. Once thoroughly melted, drizzle white chocolate over frosting layer.<br />
12. Finally, drizzle milk chocolate over white and place in fridge for at least 6 hours or overnight.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Layering. It's not just for the 90s fashionista.</td></tr>
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The savoiardi biscuits soften under the layers giving this its cakey-consistency.<br />
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So there you have it. Real food, real photography, real adaptation in the wild. I so can't wait for tomorrow night.<br />
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<br />battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12710877.post-3056558438566983292014-05-29T14:55:00.001+08:002014-05-29T14:55:08.234+08:00And now for something a bit differentToday I discovered a major flaw in my decision to delete my Facebook account. It all comes down to recipes or, rather, the lack thereof. Particularly my own. A couple of weeks ago I found <a href="http://www.chef-in-training.com/2010/08/eclair-cake/" target="_blank">this recipe</a> on Facebook and really wanted to give it a go. The problem was, it's written in Americanese using USian products. However, I am a good cook (or so I believe) but better than that, I'm an excellent adaptive cook. I can take almost any recipe and make it low-fat or kid-friendly or Australian. And that's just what I did. I took the Eclair Cake (linked above) and turned it into Australian Eclair Cake. <div>
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<div>
I cannot begin to describe just what a massive hit this was in our house. People not only begged for seconds, the bowls and spoons and serving utensils were licked so clean it was almost impossible to tell whether they'd already been through the dishwasher or not.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Tomorrow night I have my adult sons coming for dinner, so I've decided to make Australian Eclair Cake for dessert. The only problem is, I'm no longer on Facebook. Okay, in this case I don't really need the recipe (it wasn't that hard to adapt), but just thinking about the process I went through made me realise just how much I rely on FB as a storage system. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
I really, really do not want to go back on Facebook, so I've decided to blog my Evolved and Adapted recipes instead. I was all for starting a new blog, but Lee convinced me to use Battblush instead and use labels to make searching for recipes easier. I'll be using the labels adapted recipes and/or evolved recipes according to whether I've taken the recipe from a different site and used it as a base (adapted) or whether it's an old recipe I've learnt in the past and made my own (evolved). Where possible I shall endeavour to always either link to the adapted recipe or reference the evolved recipe. </div>
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<br /></div>
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A general disclaimer: Recipes are one of those handwavery things that tend to suffer from a mishmash of copyright information and misinformation, so if you think I've stolen your recipe then please contact me so we can discuss it. As far as I can tell from my research, it's almost impossible to copyright a recipe as lists of ingredients and the method of putting them together cannot be 'owned'. What can be owned is the literary way in which those two 'ideas' come together. So, if your ingredients say "1 cup SR flour, sifted", that cannot be copyrighted. However, if you say "1 cup of SR flour, sifted beneath the golden rays of God's sun as the cock crows" then yes, you own copyright on that. I have as much right to say "place in fridge for 8 hours" as you have, but I cannot repeat your instructions to "Place in Aunty Mary's favourite red pot, the one Uncle Ralph gave her as an anniversary present and cook on middle shelf for 8 hours." I can say "Place in 9 inch square dish and cook on middle shelf for 8 hours."</div>
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I think. If you disagree, feel free to discuss.</div>
battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12710877.post-76735853626644933302014-05-28T16:57:00.002+08:002014-05-28T16:57:54.598+08:00Binding BooksYes, two blog posts within one hour. After the last post I feel the need to talk about something a little more thoughtful. So, here I am talking about my relationship with books.<br />
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I was always a precocious reader. The earliest book I remember reading out loud was <i>Dick and Dora</i> at the beginning of Grade One, just to prove I could. My teacher (Miss Gaunt) then went into a Grade Two class and borrowed books for me to read. The first novel I remember reading and immediately re-reading was The <i>Chrysalids</i>. My Grade Three teacher (Miss Barradene) read us the first chapter on a Friday but I couldn't wait through the weekend to find out what happened next, so I asked to borrow it. Happily for me, she said yes. I returned it Monday, complete and then had the joy of listening to it being read a chapter a day until the rest of the class caught up. The first novel I read in a day was <i>Five Go To Smuggler's Top</i> when I was in Grade Four and after that I was disappointed if every book wasn't read in a day.<br />
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Then came Grade Five and my childhood ended.<br />
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I discovered adult novels and possibly at just the right time. My mum left when I was nine. The repercussions of this have been discussed at length but one of them includes my access to reading matter. When Mum left she really didn't have time to pack much more than a bag and my ABBA cassettes (true story). In her wake she left most of her clothes, her sewing machine, a half finished knitted jumper and two book cases filled to the brim with books.<br />
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Oh, and my brother and me. But that's not the point of the story.<br />
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The point is: Books! Lots and lots of books. And not one of them was forbidden to me. The first adult book I read was <i>Gone with the Wind</i>. I was 10 years old and had no understanding of the American Civil War, or slavery or white trash, but I did have a thorough and abiding appreciation for the importance of a pretty dress and so I was hooked. It took me slightly longer than a day to read (in fact, from memory I think it took me about two months because I still had to read children's books, too) but it was well worth the read. I came away from <i>Gone with the Wind</i> with the knowledge that the man you love is not necessarily going to be the man of your dreams.<br />
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The next book to be plucked from the shelf was <i>Audrey Rose</i>. All my life I had believed in God, but my God was a Catholic God and I was not aware that there were other forms of spirituality or looking at the process of death. <i>Audrey Rose</i> introduced me to the idea of reincarnation and for many years I became an absolute believer in the notion. Now I see reincarnation as being unfair - what's the point of living multiple lives if you have no memory of the life that's been, but for a while there I tried to imagine what my next life would be like and believe it or not I found a lot of comfort in that.<br />
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Thirdly, and most importantly, I found myself at the end of the year reading <i>The Thorn Birds</i>. Actually, I didn't read it all the way through the first time and all because of the adult language. I was the child of a truck-driver who had a truck-driver's vocabulary and yet I had a bit of the prude about me, even then. I hated bad language, so when the f-word popped up in <i>The Thorn Birds</i> I put it aside and went onto something else. A few months later I girded my loins, picked it up again and devoured it. Very quickly it became one of my most re-read books of all times. In fact, I think I may only have read <i>The Time Traveller's Wife</i> and <i>Clan of the Cave Bear</i> more regularly than <i>The Thorn Birds</i>. This was the first novel I ever read that featured Australia as the setting and I was amazed to discover that my country could be written about in such a way. In time I came to read <i>Picnic at Hanging Rock</i>, <i>The Sun on the Stubble</i>, <i>They're a Weird Mob</i>, and many more classic Australian novels, but it was <i>The Thorn Birds</i> that made me feel my Australianness.<br />
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Recently I've had occasion to buy and re-read all these (adult) novels and to my surprise (and pleasure) it's <i>The Thorn Birds</i> that stands up to my childhood memory of it. The characters and setting feel both fresh and familiar to me as I anticipate every moment just before it happens, but I'm experiencing them as if its all new and unknown. I feel a bond with this book, a tie that comes not just from being an Australian reader but also an Australian writer. There's a loneliness at the heart of the book that I hook into, a loneliness of self and spirit that I 'get'. I have read a lot of Colleen McCullough's books in my life, and I love them all, but this is the 'special one' the one that made me think like a young adult rather than a child.<br />
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Maybe that's why I'm feeling a bond to these books at the moment. I've spent a lot of time thinking about my childhood lately, not just about the bad times, but also about the good. Mum's death at the end of 2012 has me thinking on what was and what brought me to this point. I love books and when I look back, most of my 'good' memories can be tied to a book. My mum and I had some pretty awful moments in our life, but one aspect of our combined time together on this planet was our joint love of <i>Clan of the Cave Bear.</i> No matter how mad we were at other (and I was always mad at her) we could sit down together over a glass of wine and discuss our love of the Auel series.<br />
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It might also explain my great love of wine.<br />
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<br />battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12710877.post-80846169902638352332014-05-28T15:50:00.002+08:002014-05-28T15:50:28.272+08:00Counting chickens Last Friday Lee and I had a conversation that basically went:<br />
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Lyn: Connor's been at school full-time for two weeks now. I'm writing heaps and the house is clean and I'm feeling at a bit of a loose end. I wish I had decided to judge the Aurealis Awards this year because I'm feeling that I need something else in my life.<br />
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Lee: Well, surely there's something new you could do or try.<br />
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Lyn: I <i>have</i> been thinking about going back to uni full-time as an internal student.<br />
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Lee: There you go. Do that.<br />
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Fate: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!<br />
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Connor came home from school, walked through the door and started vomiting. That was Friday afternoon. It's now Wednesday afternoon. His Rumination Syndrome has, overnight, regressed to being as bad as it's ever been. I haven't written a word. I have barely cooked. I haven't touched housework since then. Connor is pale and depressed and looks as if the world is ending. We can't get him to smile or laugh or play. He's just lying on the couch being totally miserable which, I think, just makes him worse. Hoping to distract him with something positive, we tried to send him to school this morning. He lasted all of two hours before his teacher gave up and sent him home.<br />
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I'm not asking for pity or sympathy or a shoulder. I'm mainly recording this because it needs to be recorded. I need to remind myself that yes, this is bad, really bad, but he's been bad before and then he got not-so-bad for a while. The school is more determined to help out this time. Last time they sent him straight home on the first sign of illness. Now, they give it four attacks before they call me.<br />
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There are moments I want to cry in frustration. I really thought the worst was behind us, that we were now working towards wellness. We were, for the most part, getting our lives back. Now I'm second guessing myself and wondering if I did the wrong thing by putting Connor back into the school system. I feel as though I can't cope with this again and then I get up and cope with it. My washing machine is back to running constantly and the house has redeveloped a sickly smell that clings to everything.<br />
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We are going to try school again tomorrow. And we're going to try everyday even if it means he's doing a mixture of school and homeschool. I feel it's important to keep him in the system this time so that when his symptoms calm down again he'll already be in the routine.<br />
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Until then, I'll be here, at home, staring out the window as the world goes on.battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12710877.post-12485377736937098622014-05-23T05:38:00.000+08:002014-05-23T05:38:36.315+08:00On commentingI've had a few people email me to say they wanted to comment but couldn't. I put a block on commenting mainly because of the spam content I was getting. I have, however, opened commenting up once again, but it does come with a proviso. If I get spam or negative comments (as in, the reason I left Facebook) I'll have to block them again.<br />
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I am glad you're reading me and I love to read your reactions. So far I am really enjoying my total freedom from Facebook. For instance, now Facebook is gone, I'm writing roughly 1500 - 2000 words per day. Just this morning I've written 1300 and I've been up for an hour.<br />
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Having received three books in the past five days (<i>The Thorn Birds</i> by Colleen McCullough, <i>The Autumn Castle</i> by the wonderful and amazingly talented Kim Wilkins [thanks, Kim] and <i>My Story - Lady Jane Grey</i> by Sue Reid) I'm reading a lot. I'm also working on an assignment on Woolfe's <i>Mrs Dalloway</i>, plus researching the various witch trials of the 17th Century story while writing a story about them. So far <i>The Witches Pit</i> is 5000 words long and is roughly half way.<br />
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Okay, I admit, a few zombies have died at the hands of my plants and more than a couple of pieces of Candy have been Crushed, but on the whole I'm nowhere near as tied to computer games as I used to be.<br />
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What's more, I've been contemplating my spirituality and where I'm at. Yes, I believe in God, but my belief in the way I worship has taken a beating lately. There is going to come a point when I have to make a decision and believe me, it's no easier than the drawn out decision to leave Facebook. In fact, there are many, many similarities between the two. I've survived losing one. Can I survive losing the other?<br />
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So, that's where I'm at right now. Hopefully next week I'll be somewhere else.<br />
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That's life.battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12710877.post-64127508320277449692014-05-22T12:38:00.001+08:002014-05-22T12:38:30.057+08:00Trigger - it's not just the name of a horseIf ever Lee or myself were to die due to anything other than extreme old age, it's likely that any police officer investigating the case would walk into our house and immediately point the finger at the surviving spouse. Not that there's anything amiss in our marriage. We are, as most of you know, two people who have the utmost respect and regard for each other, two people who make the most of each day we get to spend together, two people still very much in love. <div>
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We also love serial killers. Okay, we don't love the people themselves. I'm sure some of them (BTK for instance) loved their families, and others may even have been the charitable sort (ahem, John Wayne Gacy). However, I think we can all agree that serial killers are, generally speaking Not Nice People. No, what Lee and I love is reading bios about them, watching documentaries about them and taking in movies and TV programmes featuring them. When it comes to being writers, serial killers provide a wonderful treasure trove of stories and histories and we love them all.</div>
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However.</div>
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There are two serial killers who, for me, cause all sorts of anxiety within my bruised soul. Lee and I watch any documentary or docu-drama about this pair and immediately my heart speeds up and I go into panic attack mode. Lee checks with me over the course of the programme to make sure I'm okay and I always assure him that I'm hanging in there. He knows these two set off feelings of terror and helplessness in me. They are, in a word, my trigger.</div>
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That's the power of Myra Hindley and Ian Brady.</div>
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Even typing this I can feel my blood thumping in my ears. Anything to do with these two sets me off, and yet, for reasons I shall go into shortly, I persist.</div>
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Last night we watched a docu-drama about Lord Longford's relationship with Myra Hindley. Even before it started Lee asked if I was sure I wanted to watch it. I assured him I did. He pressed play. Straight away we had original footage of the case and the tent surrounding the recovered bodies. This is terrible stuff, but it's not what upsets me. I know it's coming, but for now I can sit, ostensibly detached, and just observe while we're taken through the drama of Hindley and Brady. </div>
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And then it arrives. The picture and soundtrack that terrorizes me; the photograph and voice of Lesley Ann Downey. No matter how much I steel myself, how much I prepare myself mentally, it happens. I see that child's face, hear the pleading in her voice, and I'm lost in the fear of being helpless, of begging for freedom, of wanting to go home. </div>
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So, why do I do it? Why put myself through such torture?</div>
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Recently, on Facebook, a friend stated they can't read or watch or interact with anything to do with the Holocaust. That's their trigger and they refuse to allow it into their lives. That got me thinking about my own life and the triggers I have. Oh, I have phobias (don't even look at my belly button) but they don't induce a neurosis-linked episode in me. Despite all that happened to me as a child, I can handle books, movies, stories anything to do with rape, child abuse and incest. I'm not saying I view such things with detachment. I don't. I very much identify with what's being presented. I take it on, I make it part of my experience, I rejoice in the fact that I made it out in one piece. I don't like what happened to me, but I do like who I am. I can handle anything of that nature that comes my way.</div>
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Except Lesley Ann Downey. She was a child, a little girl of ten, who was kidnapped, tortured, assaulted and murdered. Witnessing what she went through never fails to tear me in two. I know what it is to be her, to beg for freedom, to fear for life, to know that this is it, the final moment. I know what it is to have no will, no voice, no rights in the eyes of the other person. Every time I hear of it happening to Lesley Ann I feel that loss anew. I want to hide away and not be found. I want to be safe even while knowing there is no such thing.</div>
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So, again, why do I do it?</div>
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Lee and I talked about it at length last night and as we did so it began to make sense for me. It's because I'm here and she's not. That part of my life ended when my tormentor died. With him gone I was free to pick up the pieces and try to put myself back together. Obviously, as with any broken thing, there are bits missing, but I am relatively as whole as everyone else out there and I'm okay.</div>
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Not so for Lesley Ann. She never got away from her tormentors. They used up the little bit of life she'd had, then buried it in the moors. Only two parts of her remained behind: her voice, recorded on tape by Hindley and Brady, and her pictures, reproduced by the pair as they tortured and molested her. People view those pictures, hear that voice and they feel disgusted. Their focus is on the killers, not the victim. This is a situation we face over and over as we buy into the various media representations of serial killers. It's always about the killings, not the dead themselves. In Lesley Ann's case the viewer may feel sympathetic pity for the child but they don't place themselves in her situation. And that, I feel, is where I come in.</div>
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Despite my horror of the situation, I feel an empathetic bond with Lesley Ann. To live this life to its full with all its trials and its blessings is a privilege I have and she doesn't. I am alive and I am able to understand and digest what Lesley Ann suffered, and so, I do. I hear her words and I take them in. I remember them, I hold them close, I place them with my own memories. The pictures of her are placed next to those of me, both the good and the bad. No, it doesn't help Lesley Ann. She's dead and generally forgotten. As a result, there should be someone who knows what it is to be that child, to feel the absolute horror of it both peripherally and personally and then be able to push past the ghosts of Hindley and Brady and be with the little girl whose voice is still alive. </div>
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battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12710877.post-81362976736766087772014-05-19T14:45:00.002+08:002014-05-19T14:49:08.250+08:00End of this (current) era.Today I took a massive step. Tired of the ugly toxicity of Facebook, I decided to close down my account. If you look for me there you won't find me for I no longer exist. Good-bye 'friends', good-bye Bejewelled Blitz, good-bye hours of trawling through a multitude of status updates only to find them filled with hate, bile and nastiness.<br />
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I am a humanist. In fact, I think the term may, actually, be secular humanist. I believe in the over-all goodness of humankind, the over-arching kindness we're capable of extending towards one another in both the best of times and the worst of times. I know humanity is linked by acts and thoughts of love. I believe in the power of one and many.<br />
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I really believe this and yet, trawling through the updates filled with ego and hatred this morning, I came to a startling realisation. I would not invite many of the people on my flist into my home to eat with me, so why did I allow them into my house day after day? What, in reality, were they doing to improve life (no, not mine, but their own)? Did they really think spouting hatred at one another was the answer? After some time spent moving back and forth along the various newsfeeds I sat back and wondered just what it was I was gaining from these so-called 'friendships'. And what were they gaining from me?<br />
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The answer, it appeared, was absolutely nothing. How could we enrich each other when all we're doing is talking but not listening? Nearly every post I read was nasty either in the original post or in the comments that followed. Opinions were slapped down and nobody really cared what anyone else thought.<br />
<br />
And then, finally, came the last straw. I followed <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/16/when-to-end-a-friendship_n_5325932.html" target="_blank">this link about friendship</a> and realised, this was it. This summed up my feelings perfectly. I've ended friendships in the past. I've known when a relationship became too toxic to support and needed to be eradicated. I'd culled a bff-situation that had once been the virtual love of my life. I'd severed the bad links in the past and, after the grief of separation, I'd discovered a freedom of thought and spirit that made breathing easier. So it was with Facebook. It was time to acknowledge that the relationship was over and that I needed to move on.<br />
<br />
So, I went onto Facebook and gave one hour's notice. I was leaving. What really surprised me was the number of PMs and comments I got supporting my decision. Lee, knowing how lonely I get, tried to talk me out of it. He advised me to cull the false-friendships rather than myself, but in the name of equality I needed to make a sweeping change and so I did. Those who are my true friends are still with me. We can still contact each other to catch up.<br />
<br />
Look, end of the day, I really do care about people, both individually and as a group. I don't care what your political leanings are, or your religion, or whether you prefer soy milk over cow's. I don't care if you prefer cats to dogs or Mansfield over Woolfe. Your opinion is important but so is mine. You matter to me. My family matter to me. I matter to me. My membership on Facebook is not important. You are. And therefore, you know how to reach me if you want to talk.battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12710877.post-52098504306005438212014-05-05T12:54:00.001+08:002014-05-05T12:54:24.722+08:00The Ups and Downs of a Life More Than Half LivedAt the beginning of the year I posted 45 things I wanted to achieve in my 45th year circling the sun. If you've been following my blog you'll know I got off to a flying start and achieved quite a lot in the first two months. And then, suddenly, thanks to writing, uni and general stuff, I slowed down. Well, I'm happy to say that this week I unexpectedly managed to find the time and circumstances to cross another three off my list.<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">18. Clean out the walk in robe. </span><br />
<br />
To be honest, I hate making goals regarding cleaning. Keeping the house neat and tidy should come naturally to any house wife, shouldn't it? Shouldn't it? It doesn't come naturally to me. I hate cleaning and can always think of something I'd rather be doing, such as playing with my kids or reading or writing or...well, really, that's it. Also, I'm now married to a man who'd rather see me happy and relaxed with the kids rather than cleaning and handing out orders to the family, so he actively dissuades me from housework. I love that there's no pressure to Get Things Done, but at some point I begin to notice just how much it's built up and suddenly everyone is given a tea-towel and a spray bottle and told to get into it.<br />
<br />
Last Wednesday was that day. Lee had spent the weekend painting Connor's school-room. We had put everything from that room into our bedroom, so as the painting came to an end and the various items removed back to their appropriate place, I once more began to notice just how bad the walk-in robe really was.<br />
<br />
So, I grabbed a chair, placed it in the middle of the robe and made a thorough survey.<br />
<br />
It was worse than I thought.<br />
<br />
I had an hour before school started, so I called the kids in and between us we emptied the robe out. We were half way through when Erin had to leave. By this time I was sniffling and wheezing, so took this as my cue to ingest a hayfever tablet. It didn't help. I spent the rest of the day removing items, dusting them, dusting shelves, making decisions regarding what would be kept, thrown or given away. Piles were created, then dealt with. I vacuumed, I sprayed, I wiped, I put back. By the end of the day I was exhausted, but it was done. The walk-in room was spotless.<br />
<br />
Here's the down part. I ended up with dreadful hayfever that I couldn't control. I had to double up on the dosage it was so bad. By Thursday I had what felt like the beginning of a sinus infection, tinnitus and asthma. Ventolin and two days of colloidal silver have seen off the infection and asthma, but the tinnitus remains.<br />
<br />
But at least it's done and (ahem) dusted.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWct_GAexccfWhyoALuZD5ra4Hap3s3G17QP-FqD97THgMLTdcYQWXsc0jn02KpQDeCbNAZdoD7gJCqojtM2xsk7DJ3SODDBWwTrxRZiwNjfZJ2G_MpsYduv7PK8wVzM397H1y_g/s1600/2014-04-30+08.11.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWct_GAexccfWhyoALuZD5ra4Hap3s3G17QP-FqD97THgMLTdcYQWXsc0jn02KpQDeCbNAZdoD7gJCqojtM2xsk7DJ3SODDBWwTrxRZiwNjfZJ2G_MpsYduv7PK8wVzM397H1y_g/s1600/2014-04-30+08.11.04.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our room is not normally like this. This was how it looked when everything from the robe was removed. Honest.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45bK8wYr-TgMU9cgi-JQQxtle3D-nTS8y4HIntU6zj2usNXszYxx_istQvfdl2E4-7un3zjYIPKI21FeW3QKBBRLZi0Lr22ha_SsglsDpGz2W9DPYqsqBHVxmzxCYRLW2pVJvsA/s1600/2014-04-30+13.29.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45bK8wYr-TgMU9cgi-JQQxtle3D-nTS8y4HIntU6zj2usNXszYxx_istQvfdl2E4-7un3zjYIPKI21FeW3QKBBRLZi0Lr22ha_SsglsDpGz2W9DPYqsqBHVxmzxCYRLW2pVJvsA/s1600/2014-04-30+13.29.44.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After. I love my robe. I'd say about 85% was removed and either thrown or given away.</td></tr>
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<br />
Which leads me to:<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">25: Declutter 45 things from the house. </span><br />
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This was accomplished without me even noticing at first. It was as I was marking off #18 that I happened to look down the list and notice this one. I'd already decluttered 28 items at that point, so the disposal of old magazines, kid art, old shoes, outgrown clothes, tatty handbags and other paraphernalia (including two wedding dresses) brought the total up and over the 45 mark. The bonus of that was a great feeling. What wasn't so great was opening the bag to my wedding dress and finding it covered in yellow and brown stains. I was hoping to sell both dresses, but in the end mine has to go to the Sammies. I'm not paying to dry-clean something I'll never wear again, so off it goes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqewJF64YEy9LNuMstvCPSXgGvzcBX5wxbb2Thh275wRHjxwRbYdrtK3nvvPCRza-3gC5tjKNpxtINFVGzI-1nju9zgiipJICWGAMd1JWyxw5gg_BVyKjdRdkwQzrMFs9I3xvS4A/s1600/2014-04-30+12.42.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqewJF64YEy9LNuMstvCPSXgGvzcBX5wxbb2Thh275wRHjxwRbYdrtK3nvvPCRza-3gC5tjKNpxtINFVGzI-1nju9zgiipJICWGAMd1JWyxw5gg_BVyKjdRdkwQzrMFs9I3xvS4A/s1600/2014-04-30+12.42.08.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's time to let go of the past and hold onto the present whilst exploring the future. My dress from my wedding to Lee. </td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
And, finally, the loveliest goal reached this week:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">29: Play a full game of hopscotch with the children.</span><br />
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This was one of those unexpected moments that make life that little more golden. Lee and I had decided a weekend break was in order. The kids were desperate to try archery, so we decided on Toodyay, a town we'd often passed through to visit my Mum, but one we'd never seen properly. We did some research and found that the Moondyne Festival was coming up. Connor and I had covered Moondyne Joe (local bushranger and convict) in our lessons on WA history, so this all seemed to coincide nicely. We saved up our money, made our reservation and then, on Saturday morning, left on our trip.<br />
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It was fantastic. Lee and I have created a very strong and loving family unit with all our children, but what we have with the Battkids is really special. The four of us make a core unit that has faced, weathered and defeated some pretty big storms. Erin and Connor think nothing of holding hands while walking together and so that was us in Toodyay, being a family of tourists, the kids walking together with Lee and I arm-in-arm behind.<br />
<br />
Armed with nothing but our good humour we arrived at the Archery Park and announced ourselves as absolute beginners whose only claim to experience was watching <u>The Hunger Games</u>. We were given a basic lesson, given our bows and arrows and told to go off and enjoy ourselves. And so, we did.<br />
<br />
I have to admit, I was really nervous about Connor. My darling boy has the best personality in the world, but he is given to bouts of stupidity. Yeah, he mucks around and plays the fool. No, don't tell me it's a boy-thing. I have two other boys and they're not on the same scale of silliness as Connor. I was fully expecting to have to be on Connor's back throughout the entire excursion, pulling him up, reminding him how to behave.<br />
<br />
I needn't have worried. Connor was excellent. Erin was also excellent, but then Erin's behaviour is always of merit. We knew she'd be fine. Connor's brilliant behaviour was an added bonus. At the end of our time I could only compliment my two wonderful children on their amazingness (yeah, it's a word. My kids prove it.)<br />
<br />
Anyway, on we went to Toodyay. We had a lovely time touring the town, eating out, eating at the van, eating in the car. One of the rangery-types at the caravan park lit a bonfire and encouraged the kids to feed it while we sat back and enjoyed the show and a bottle of wine.<br />
<br />
Sunday came and with it the Moondyne Festival. I won't go on about how great it was, except to say that we enjoyed it very much. At the end of the day we toured the Toodyay Gaol where Moondyne Joe was kept for part of his incarceration. As it was festival time, they'd made it an interactive experience with games and dressing up. One of the games on offer was hopscotch. The kids begged me to play. They didn't have to beg too hard. I told the kids the rules and away we went.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RHXWIHW51XM6CtLP6TPWTNtkI6pC7W3UAvVN1ejbQ2YjFF1pEAo8o-rtiOdjG1imvgTlWIYgzOH0e4eF8PoXlphlWNHOdlbm1rV7A7dIWvVlRiEAMjB_BCgFf-Hrl-Je8JSqQQ/s1600/2014-05-04+13.42.00-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RHXWIHW51XM6CtLP6TPWTNtkI6pC7W3UAvVN1ejbQ2YjFF1pEAo8o-rtiOdjG1imvgTlWIYgzOH0e4eF8PoXlphlWNHOdlbm1rV7A7dIWvVlRiEAMjB_BCgFf-Hrl-Je8JSqQQ/s1600/2014-05-04+13.42.00-3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obviously I'm not in any of these pictures because I was taking the photos. Lee may have one which I'm sure he'll blog at some point. Meanwhile, here are pictures of my kids. Because I love them.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj428iDU4ueZpIUebNI7AfZXGA_-TXDOtOM61gyYa585VFCbOYW7FdxXRQMb2PUpTG1Xryxfylvj3nwok-2vW2-rurGW3TCwNod3-xU_C-aGP-gWtRxoYgXY631-bLeKNfyCyH8AQ/s1600/2014-05-04+13.42.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj428iDU4ueZpIUebNI7AfZXGA_-TXDOtOM61gyYa585VFCbOYW7FdxXRQMb2PUpTG1Xryxfylvj3nwok-2vW2-rurGW3TCwNod3-xU_C-aGP-gWtRxoYgXY631-bLeKNfyCyH8AQ/s1600/2014-05-04+13.42.26.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-Kizt1rtCLMAnIlbfNUTfviMRQ0Iin_7eOcWiqhRru3QymnY5tDAZEOJ8QLf4wo9AfX5aevNn7fTWGrh3M7IzstQfihoI7IbEjj6u14GXOlrjxKsYoBHCOvm9NKk5sCcmAoYxQ/s1600/2014-05-04+13.48.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-Kizt1rtCLMAnIlbfNUTfviMRQ0Iin_7eOcWiqhRru3QymnY5tDAZEOJ8QLf4wo9AfX5aevNn7fTWGrh3M7IzstQfihoI7IbEjj6u14GXOlrjxKsYoBHCOvm9NKk5sCcmAoYxQ/s1600/2014-05-04+13.48.26.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Toodyay Gaol people put on an amazing experience for families. Well done! </td></tr>
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You can find more photos of the Gaol (including Erin and Connor) at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OldNewcastleGaolMuseum" target="_blank">Facebook page </a><br />
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It was one of the best half-hours of the weekend. We threw our rocks, we hopped, we cheated. It was wonderful. Some of the better goals I've achieved have centred around enjoying myself with my family, particularly my kids. Which brings me back to my original point. Don't fret about housework. Spend more time with your kids. In 20 years Erin and Connor will remember jumping squares with their Mum, not that she kept the bathroom clean. Do what is right for you and the people you love. The rest will follow in its own time.<br />
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<br />battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12710877.post-82286052275916881722014-04-29T18:01:00.001+08:002014-04-29T18:01:16.790+08:00It's been a year, but...It's been more or less 12 months since Connor's first attack of Rumination Syndrome. At the time we had no idea what the problem was. All we knew was our child was extremely ill and nothing seemed to help. We tried changing his diet, cutting out certain foods and introducing others. We tried Gaviscon and special waver-tablets that they give to kids going through chemo. Nothing helped. He was tested for every allergy and every disease, including leukemia. Everything came back negative. The doctors shook their heads. He saw at least 6 different doctors but none of them knew whether it was physical, social or psychological (I now believe the latter. Which doesn't make it less of an illness.)<br />
<br />
Three times he was hospitalised. The final time I took him to Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and refused to leave until he was admitted. Meanwhile his sick bag filled and filled until, finally, it exploded.<br />
<br />
They admitted him on the spot.<br />
<br />
24 hours later (or 3 months, depending on how you time such things) we had the diagnosis. Rumination Syndrome: no cure, no real treatment. Try chewing gum. Try breathing exercises.<br />
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Nope, they didn't work.<br />
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<br />
Finally around January, just as we, as a family, had learned to live with the illness and make adjustments to our life, we started to see a slight improvement. Day by day we noticed some lessening of attacks. 40 became 30, became 20, became 10. From attacks every day we started to see the odd day missed. This was mid-February and Lee and I were starting to raise the possibility of Connor returning to school. Mid-March we started to see records broken.<br />
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3 days clear.<br />
<br />
5 days clear.<br />
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A week.<br />
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The only thing we could put it down to was time and maybe, perhaps, Chamomile Tea. It was something we'd tried about 2 days before the first signs of let up and even now we notice it gets worse if he doesn't have the tea for a while (such as when he's been at his Nanna's).<br />
<br />
Vomiting would recommence in between but for shorter periods.<br />
<br />
Two weeks ago Connor enjoyed 9 days straight before he started again and even then it was only once a day for 3 days.<br />
<br />
We could handle this. If Chamomile Tea was the answer then we were happy to make it an ongoing part of our life. The school was contacted and yes, they were only too happy to take him back.<br />
<br />
No conditions. Connor is now accepted as having a disability because he's registered as such with Centrelink. It's amazing the difference a legal label makes.<br />
<br />
Guess which 9 year old is super-excited about his first day back at school tomorrow? It's been a horrible, awful year, but this is the light at the end of the tunnel.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, Lee and I took Connor to meet with the teacher who'll be picking up Connor's schooling. She's a young thing, early 20s, sweet, kind and everything I could have asked for. In fact, she's everything I did ask for. I put in a request for a teacher who is understanding of Connor's illness, who will make allowances for it, will be patient, will understand when he has to run from the classroom without explanation. The teacher was allocated and came to the meeting loaded with ideas on how to handle Connor. Our boy will be given a card which he'll place on the table when he has to leave suddenly. This way he doesn't have to put his hand up, but she'll see at a glance why he's left. No other child will know what this means, just Connor and his teachers.<br />
<br />
Yes, teachers. He's been allocated to an assistant (there is another child with needs in the class) and she will give him any help if there are problems. He's also being given a blanket, beanbag and pillow and a 'chill out' area, so if he feels too sick to continue, he can lay down, then return when he feels ready. The theme this year seems to be "Let's keep Connor at school." This time last year they called me at the first sign of vomiting and told me I had to pick him up. In the end I gave up and home schooled. The feeling this year is very different. They asked me how many vomit sessions constituted a mum-call. I decided on four, usually because this is the point where Connor starts to feel weak.<br />
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We've decided to break him into the system slowly, one day this week, one day next week, two days the following...etc. Today Connor told me he wants to go two days next week. I'm more than happy to let him self-pace the return.<br />
<br />
I am so pleased and happy with this result. Meadow Springs Primary School is an amazing place and I'm incredibly happy with the education and care my children have received there. The staff are nothing short of wonderful and deserve all the recognition in the world. The consideration they are giving our boy is second to none.<br />
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Below are some photos I took a few minutes ago. They show Connor getting ready for his big day. I'm as excited and as nervous as a new mum watching her baby enter their first day at Kindy. Yes, I'm scared. What if it all goes wrong? What if Connor hates it and wants to go back to homeschooling? What if I return to my normal life, only to have him get sick again.<br />
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Well, it's a no-brainer really. I'll hold Lee's hand and make the decisions as they need to be made. We've got through this together, as a family and we'll go through the next chapter in the same way. Because that's what we do.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymSAd91a7JxydPH-wYa-6OnV_t6aQYupvj7u2-yVn0xRfM_Sh0wdSd-ynIcsITfn7j2yXa3yaV4Ysgx5A9hQPIjnq6O4BQ62UpIQeArw9lXecccR_A-zFZh9IPhj8KRjBB2vV5w/s1600/2014-04-29+17.15.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymSAd91a7JxydPH-wYa-6OnV_t6aQYupvj7u2-yVn0xRfM_Sh0wdSd-ynIcsITfn7j2yXa3yaV4Ysgx5A9hQPIjnq6O4BQ62UpIQeArw9lXecccR_A-zFZh9IPhj8KRjBB2vV5w/s1600/2014-04-29+17.15.00.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hat into bag, just like any other school kid.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vomit bags into bag. Not quite like any other school kid.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWD_4zEDt0tEXHcNgzMhsX-SPqcVaCdDsy2fVuKzjLLaQuOqovrVCw_aj-DL3V-BlS83flsSq2bJxKXLwemv_8xsad_9nrrRG-_AnXkST9v6YEtOA8NX6i8l_pR7dubGT8ieiOA/s1600/2014-04-29+17.15.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWD_4zEDt0tEXHcNgzMhsX-SPqcVaCdDsy2fVuKzjLLaQuOqovrVCw_aj-DL3V-BlS83flsSq2bJxKXLwemv_8xsad_9nrrRG-_AnXkST9v6YEtOA8NX6i8l_pR7dubGT8ieiOA/s1600/2014-04-29+17.15.17.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Tomorrow is going to be the best day ever..."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRtQfN33KQ-XEFXE-DQJ406i3cwCamY3640HwLSCCF6SA344mSRrv1ANslmcGaeCyVB7PGg4nZf39emwv85WG10WS4aaH-dR9K_3zxyrvJ4z__LtGxsT9-vsosB498vw-KuA9IQ/s1600/2014-04-29+17.17.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRtQfN33KQ-XEFXE-DQJ406i3cwCamY3640HwLSCCF6SA344mSRrv1ANslmcGaeCyVB7PGg4nZf39emwv85WG10WS4aaH-dR9K_3zxyrvJ4z__LtGxsT9-vsosB498vw-KuA9IQ/s1600/2014-04-29+17.17.22.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I'm so excited, Mummy. Can you tell?" Umm, yeah, I sort of gathered.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUpUAgufU__C_YIcovVu7vArFvSKnmTRxJQ5w0_K_6QX_YDw3bqwjS2dbZghIRzjp8XatiNCinZhxYsDxDCmytYn58IK0y_dAjMSp09Qr2R3Nve3Ciz8X1dorF2RMjdPchXcyRQ/s1600/2014-04-29+17.17.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUpUAgufU__C_YIcovVu7vArFvSKnmTRxJQ5w0_K_6QX_YDw3bqwjS2dbZghIRzjp8XatiNCinZhxYsDxDCmytYn58IK0y_dAjMSp09Qr2R3Nve3Ciz8X1dorF2RMjdPchXcyRQ/s1600/2014-04-29+17.17.23.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My happy, beautiful boy, returning to life as a 'normal' school kid. (Ignore the messy bed. That's how Connor rolls.)</td></tr>
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<br />battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12710877.post-3504085926825288902014-04-22T07:22:00.001+08:002014-04-22T07:22:58.164+08:00A tale of things past<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Once, back in the 70s, 85 Amberley Road, Balga, had been an
ordinary house owned by ordinary people intent on going about their
ordinary lives. There was a Dad (ex-cop, now electrician), Mum (housewife, poodle-perm) and two boys (five and two). Dad was everything a Dad should have been: warm, loving, generous sense of humour. Mum was what you'd have expected from a Mum: great cook, semi-interested in housework, good with crafts and given to gossip. The boys were normal boys, rough, ready for a fight and really into Spiderman.</div>
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I loved this house so much. It was a classic house of its time and suburb. A product of the 40s, it was built to bring a second chance at life to returning soldiers and their families after the war. Most of the houses on the street were owned by the military and every few years we welcomed a new young family as our next door neighbours. As we grew older, they didn't. The house next door was given over to newly-weds and those with young children. We saw those children go from being babies to toddlers but never any further, for they'd move on again and the next couple would arrive.</div>
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Not number 85, though. Somehow the army had passed over it and a normal suburban couple and their kids lived there. They were a forever family, built to grow up and old in that little house, just like my family in number 37. </div>
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I've spoken about Maureen in my blog before. Maureen was, and continues to be, the mainstay of my life. She taught me so much and it was through her I started to understand the importance of music, of marriage, of family, of crafting, of cooking and of reaching beyond what my own parents had given me. My mum and (various) dads might have created and raised me, but Maureen molded me into an individual. She was the first person to say "You're smart. You can do anything you want in life." At some point I stopped hearing the message, but I never stopped thinking about Maureen and what she would want for me.</div>
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The person I haven't spoken in depth about is Doug. Doug was important too. He taught me that men can be decent and loving without being abusive or over-stepping any boundaries. He, and only he, is the reason I trust any man today. In a childhood full of men, it was his character who shone most brightly. He was good, kind, strong, opinionated and gentle. While Maureen taught me the importance of being true to myself, Doug taught me the importance of being true to others. He used to compliment me and tell me how amazing I was. Initially I was shy and refused to believe it. I would hide my face and shake my head. Later I held my head up and announced "I know." Doug was kind in both this instances and soon put me right. "It's best to say 'Thank you' to a compliment. Just a simple 'Thank you.'" And so I do. </div>
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As I grew older and started to develop, he advised me to tone it back, to have people listen to my thoughts rather than look at my breasts. He taught me how to catch a man's gaze and hold it so he wouldn't be tempted to sneak a peek. Yeah, they still stare at me and they peek as much as they want, but the important thing is, I use my brain to speak for me, not my breasts.</div>
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I met Doug and Maureen when I was nine and for the next six years they were the most important people in my life. They kept me going through what was the absolute worst time of my life. Because of them I was able to hold my head above water and keep my sights on the shore-line of turning 18 and getting the hell out of my life.</div>
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And then, at 15, everything changed. Dad died. It as a sudden death, a freeing death, especially for me. I've never cried over my Dad's death because even then I knew it was the best thing ever likely to happen to me. That chapter of my life was over. My brother and I went off to live with my uncle and aunty and real life began for us.</div>
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I was happy for a while. Sort of. It wasn't a perfect life but it was better than the previous one. I still got to visit Doug and Maureen on weekends and kept them up to date with what was happening in my life. I told them about my new boyfriend. I shared with them when I lost my virginity. For the first time I talked to them about my childhood and just how awful it was. They'd known it was bad, but they hadn't known just how bad it was. However, I also outlined my plans for my future and uni. I was going to be a writer and an English teacher and have a big house and lots of kids and a wonderful husband. I was going to do all this and they were going to be by my side through it all.</div>
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And then they unveiled their grand plan. They were selling up, packing up their van and taking their boys around Australia. My Dad's death may have had a positive impact on my life, but it had also had one on theirs. They'd come to the realisation of how short life was. They had sat up late discussing his death and my revelations and decided that a close family was the most precious possession they had. They determined to close ranks and head out on the road.</div>
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Within two months they were gone.</div>
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I never ever saw them again. Thirty years later there's a place within me that still feels the deep and ongoing pain of their leaving. They were supposed to be my forever people. They weren't.</div>
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I think that's why I find it so easy to let go of people today. People I love come and go from my life with surprising regularity. Children, best friends, siblings. They've all, at some point, said, "Enough's enough. Good-bye." It hurts when it happens, it hurts like crazy, but not like losing Doug and Maureen. Back then I didn't know how to handle it. I was a child, a child who had, in turn, lost her mother, her father and now her best adult friends.The grief was immense and eventually I withdrew into myself until I was ready to let go. I still do that today and it helps.</div>
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On Sunday I had reason to revisit Balga. I pointed out my old street to Lee (it had changed from Amberley Road to Amberley Way sometime during the late 70s) and we took a tour for old time's sake. The biggest shock was not how run down my old house was or how small it seemed. No, the biggest shock was that number 85 is gone. Oh, there's a number 85 there. In fact, there's three of them, but they're not the 85 that I knew and loved. They've torn it down, removed my past and replaced them with faceless units that mean nothing.</div>
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I had Lee drive past twice to make sure I hadn't misread the number, but no, it really had disappeared. </div>
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This is the stuff writers dream about. It's the stuff that informs stories, that builds setting and creates scene and character. This morning I woke up with the first paragraph in my head. Obeying my instincts I wrote that paragraph down and saw it as a gateway into my novel <i>The Camp of Women</i>. By the end of the paragraph I wasn't seeing the house anymore, but Maureen, Doug and the life they've led me to. They're gone, their house is gone, but I'm still here. I could have been the sum of my parents' input, but I'm not. I'm the creation of Maureen and Doug Smith. I am who I am because of them. I love my family because of the way they loved. I delight in cooking because Maureen taught me to bake. I can accept a compliment with grace because Doug taught me how to. </div>
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I miss them so much but I'm grateful for the years that they gave me. I would be a very different person if they hadn't entered my life and I will always cherish them for that. I wish I could track them down and thank them personally, but it's not going to happen. I have accepted they're gone for good and I accept the good they left behind.</div>
battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12710877.post-29123532263033032622014-03-19T17:22:00.001+08:002014-03-19T17:22:52.207+08:00An update...sort ofI've been pretty quiet on the blog-front this week, mainly due to having very little to discuss. Most of my time has been spent either working with Connor at his home-schooling, or keeping up with uni reading. So far I've read <u>Robinson Crusoe</u> and <u>Mansfield Park</u> and now I'm about to start <u>Jane Eyre</u> (literally, as in, as soon as I've posted this and poured myself a glass of wine.)<br />
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This week I did manage to catch up with my daughter, Cassandra. I love hanging out with Cass, particularly as she's now matured into a fine young woman and a wonderful mother. There was a time when I despaired of even being able to have a civil conversation with her, but now we manage to sit and talk about all sorts of things and I feel a lot more confident about where her life is going. Cassie has so much promise and I feel she'll come to advanced education rather late (as I did) but I know she can accomplish great things with time, support and a loving hand.<br />
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This Thursday I'm off to UWA to see Alexander McCall Smith give a speech. I love McCall Smith with much loving lovingness. His Mma Ramotswe is one of my two favourite novel characters (the other being Henry from <u>The Time Traveller's Wife</u>) and so I really look forward to hearing the creator talk about his product.<br />
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As an author I really love watching other authors discuss their work. Mma Ramotswe is the sort of character I like to create myself, as she is quiet, gentle and good. Yes, good. She is a good woman who does good things for other people. Sometimes her clients are not so good, but they always get what's coming to them, one way or the other. When I was a child my dad used to talk about his mother and how she was the last 'true lady'. I always liked this idea of being a 'lady' and I think Mma is the embodiment of the ideal I built up in my mind. I'm not always 'good' and I have done quite a few wrong things in my life, but, like Mma and the lessons she took from her horrendous marriage to Note Makote I have used them to move onwards and upwards.<br />
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Because that's always the better than the alternative.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>A fine day out</b></span><br />
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The other thing we did as a family this week, was visit the "Sculpture by the Sea" exhibition. Now, I must say that I enjoyed quite a few of the pieces, but on the whole was rather underwhelmed by the exhibition as a whole. I had, previously, seen two pieces from last year's Castaways exhibition that seemed to have been transplanted from one beach to the other, but what really surprised me was the huge number of recycled works on display. When I last visited (two years ago) I'd say most of the pieces were built from original materials that had not been repurposed. However, this year, a great many of the artworks were built from recycled material. I couldn't help but feel that this was, in a large part, due to the impact of Castaways upon local sculptors.<br />
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Below are some photos of my favourite pieces in order. The bottom one is not an artwork, but a piece of natural beauty we found at Cottesloe Beach.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxurQsy3zovc0tadjF7kCVnu_1atXyZ8EzorqgM47VqSOvQk2EEfgXs6lfOdR_q_YCOFIyXEeYp3fL1DmlD_BWIakPZVY5JJgl8yFpF2LRIRZPbrEI3Oo6l3kYGkSie9rkPVEX2A/s1600/2014-03-15+11.53.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxurQsy3zovc0tadjF7kCVnu_1atXyZ8EzorqgM47VqSOvQk2EEfgXs6lfOdR_q_YCOFIyXEeYp3fL1DmlD_BWIakPZVY5JJgl8yFpF2LRIRZPbrEI3Oo6l3kYGkSie9rkPVEX2A/s1600/2014-03-15+11.53.32.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo does not do the work justice. The spinning arms caught the sun's rays and threw them off. The effect was nothing short of dazzling.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGZXJ3uD_59TerS7bI35-WSbuclnZTqlkSKjrcPKY9K_LNyDP2UHjLxcapYcz108uOVFsJz0CvocBNYiS6pcO15JoB1ePzI6POFoOro_2lPnzZ0VQ1JuLUt-GwZbJMjNAWH5SjA/s1600/2014-03-15+10.49.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGZXJ3uD_59TerS7bI35-WSbuclnZTqlkSKjrcPKY9K_LNyDP2UHjLxcapYcz108uOVFsJz0CvocBNYiS6pcO15JoB1ePzI6POFoOro_2lPnzZ0VQ1JuLUt-GwZbJMjNAWH5SjA/s1600/2014-03-15+10.49.04.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is something about this man's work that captivates me over and over. Lee finds him somewhat derivative, but I love the simple beauty of the lovers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKZ5CROAQQ3AXD7_6DSTQaVC0xkix7eJE23W9Lw2J3Ue8zvALCHlBUJGM83vFd3FJTf7H9v3uZtjk-NqA_SB7nLasHfhLvIz6T0dzj5jLXbyLHufg2Muzu_SeBgdnR5Y9Z82dAA/s1600/2014-03-15+10.56.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKZ5CROAQQ3AXD7_6DSTQaVC0xkix7eJE23W9Lw2J3Ue8zvALCHlBUJGM83vFd3FJTf7H9v3uZtjk-NqA_SB7nLasHfhLvIz6T0dzj5jLXbyLHufg2Muzu_SeBgdnR5Y9Z82dAA/s1600/2014-03-15+10.56.39.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This begged "Please, touch me." I did. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJpxWbOJghN-3uZXmbIEzp6HV2T3mDu4ud8d-ieq3RWEU_77IQFjBoINHyyltaQrGKTft3vYHQ8BANpowXtgUaVkEHcEOydpk_qiqdOvHvKkGyVamLB0eIwfYCOc9ov3Up5qC4g/s1600/2014-03-15+11.12.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJpxWbOJghN-3uZXmbIEzp6HV2T3mDu4ud8d-ieq3RWEU_77IQFjBoINHyyltaQrGKTft3vYHQ8BANpowXtgUaVkEHcEOydpk_qiqdOvHvKkGyVamLB0eIwfYCOc9ov3Up5qC4g/s1600/2014-03-15+11.12.29.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing under this was the ultimate in visual stimulation. No matter where you stood, the effect was unique.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRF8Jig-jISMd7it_LeHpZT9iYiQ9sDF24XCt5EkCShZi4Flm-If-xgWY9yydJL1ibREz5Z1oecDFwYcYfeymEYHc52GazxJk-t9efvfDXSui8KxQEnEp_tumPruwzXEUTtq4maw/s1600/2014-03-15+11.12.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRF8Jig-jISMd7it_LeHpZT9iYiQ9sDF24XCt5EkCShZi4Flm-If-xgWY9yydJL1ibREz5Z1oecDFwYcYfeymEYHc52GazxJk-t9efvfDXSui8KxQEnEp_tumPruwzXEUTtq4maw/s1600/2014-03-15+11.12.32.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view. We stayed with this piece for ages.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyy1ZKwpF7XS8dm133mjn5hFMOVmi6fjHzaf3NK71z5I2M7CfSzuOPA350HmHT6oJG9KOll3zW9jHFp6Vw6kIjzE2bC-jffVvocmEq6mzoPzHid7PUawtCNlhSBRdmIXIBTJT_A/s1600/2014-03-15+11.06.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyy1ZKwpF7XS8dm133mjn5hFMOVmi6fjHzaf3NK71z5I2M7CfSzuOPA350HmHT6oJG9KOll3zW9jHFp6Vw6kIjzE2bC-jffVvocmEq6mzoPzHid7PUawtCNlhSBRdmIXIBTJT_A/s1600/2014-03-15+11.06.02.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A piece of recycling showing the effect our debris is having on our oceans. Apparently, everything in the glass container came from the oceans. Each piece (syringes, bubble wrap, a toy car) was made to look like a marine creature.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5yOXAx8VUwxGAbU6bTUOVhatgqD10zxTAHr2HaSv7Sw2r1rFgGRsGCus9cMkI6bYWi941FlB2jMSOrxso4l1xOAUngB2sfqrbUPZTZAZLw1GR4diSg056TAlgrDRS5ibVMG9Sg/s1600/2014-03-15+11.19.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5yOXAx8VUwxGAbU6bTUOVhatgqD10zxTAHr2HaSv7Sw2r1rFgGRsGCus9cMkI6bYWi941FlB2jMSOrxso4l1xOAUngB2sfqrbUPZTZAZLw1GR4diSg056TAlgrDRS5ibVMG9Sg/s1600/2014-03-15+11.19.29.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay, not a firm favourite, but a lovely photo of our whole family.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBV0mgbNy8ZHhwq8qes2bkebGN96C5WAKN9Vr8C0xpvYAp_8L-HnutOq39EiS-7mTP62J9yEjYWY3harAlUbIs7q8FBS7nY0XBXouX51ctlZ6H77mnz10zYHPyMd3QXe2XAKf5w/s1600/2014-03-15+11.57.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBV0mgbNy8ZHhwq8qes2bkebGN96C5WAKN9Vr8C0xpvYAp_8L-HnutOq39EiS-7mTP62J9yEjYWY3harAlUbIs7q8FBS7nY0XBXouX51ctlZ6H77mnz10zYHPyMd3QXe2XAKf5w/s1600/2014-03-15+11.57.57.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were heaps of these walking along the rocks at the jetty. They were truly beautiful to behold.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14jv3MIKr8OCDgLNC1gpGuqQFqTrZu37tjLgS5yZZQrCp0Q7lLMDVr6u8aKEgC09fIeilGGSwFXd0acGtZ4Pqhp00vBpIYFPvNA1Vbil7Qf2Vx7EnK0ikCuLYgVerJz7Q4YsZag/s1600/2014-03-15+12.00.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14jv3MIKr8OCDgLNC1gpGuqQFqTrZu37tjLgS5yZZQrCp0Q7lLMDVr6u8aKEgC09fIeilGGSwFXd0acGtZ4Pqhp00vBpIYFPvNA1Vbil7Qf2Vx7EnK0ikCuLYgVerJz7Q4YsZag/s1600/2014-03-15+12.00.01.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, it's a PVC goon bag. No matter where you went on the beach, you could see this. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB10VD8D6g2wbu3w2YNdD3JRD97HYr1JelP8YRFTiAwLvxG6zyi15A6oKaQ53KvIcfHHSUwrGbCQNe06kBRsrv3hoLSx6lIt1PoGLi5RNMIZwRjUqEi4gmkyg8LZpU_HDAv76j6w/s1600/2014-03-15+12.01.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB10VD8D6g2wbu3w2YNdD3JRD97HYr1JelP8YRFTiAwLvxG6zyi15A6oKaQ53KvIcfHHSUwrGbCQNe06kBRsrv3hoLSx6lIt1PoGLi5RNMIZwRjUqEi4gmkyg8LZpU_HDAv76j6w/s1600/2014-03-15+12.01.25.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connor obviously loved this piece. He took 25 photos of it.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5a-lsyKT4qqf0_QgZfyc2d7ZpXIxpQf1EiUxDE5F3EqjXMMeT2k4BsCpgWBI8mmHUBaUzy1hPWPXqw5mjdltSGCOfvQMUhi154tY0jAHCmoufiE-SpWeF60J22iOzSQH1BIX6Q/s1600/2014-03-15+12.18.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5a-lsyKT4qqf0_QgZfyc2d7ZpXIxpQf1EiUxDE5F3EqjXMMeT2k4BsCpgWBI8mmHUBaUzy1hPWPXqw5mjdltSGCOfvQMUhi154tY0jAHCmoufiE-SpWeF60J22iOzSQH1BIX6Q/s1600/2014-03-15+12.18.07.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This artwork is really rather blah, but it seemed to both delight and anger the butcher bird at its base. The bird kept trying to fight it and stroke it at the same time.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6Rn4Ws1ytOGZAz-bM3J_x2FhwGaQc4yaP6GI8iHWhiW-XtjpP34nDRmQMk6EOpDUQQMeOaHwrKGf2NT_8kn1azFfusrhNgshjMAKAubeFT20Qqje43qd7h9mSQmTtOhGapRaWw/s1600/2014-03-15+12.18.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6Rn4Ws1ytOGZAz-bM3J_x2FhwGaQc4yaP6GI8iHWhiW-XtjpP34nDRmQMk6EOpDUQQMeOaHwrKGf2NT_8kn1azFfusrhNgshjMAKAubeFT20Qqje43qd7h9mSQmTtOhGapRaWw/s1600/2014-03-15+12.18.14.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took a few laps with the bird as it tried to work out what was going on.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXw94tzg_NWI9PIDS1d0WTGWWkSkxPADyOUH642qyb8tF9Hisy485g_5uxqp7s_9ArEFq3L79tFo9iovzgJytjIXeFG_qCNFMr8FzG0hPV8x1iu8GM8XXEhe9XBvGzOCLVluRbcQ/s1600/2014-03-15+12.05.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXw94tzg_NWI9PIDS1d0WTGWWkSkxPADyOUH642qyb8tF9Hisy485g_5uxqp7s_9ArEFq3L79tFo9iovzgJytjIXeFG_qCNFMr8FzG0hPV8x1iu8GM8XXEhe9XBvGzOCLVluRbcQ/s1600/2014-03-15+12.05.49.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I loved this. Pure and simple, love.</td></tr>
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<br />battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12710877.post-70961365287015088172014-03-04T10:45:00.003+08:002014-03-04T10:45:43.665+08:00Watch out! A cranky lady resides here.Well, you know that's not really me. When it comes to angst, I tend to turn my grumbling on myself rather than others. I am, however, a person who admires a cantankerous nature in others, especially if it's the sort of nature that is directed towards not only Getting Things Done, but also Getting Things Changed.<br />
<br />
As a woman who went though her formative years in the 70s and 80s, I've witnessed a lot of change, particularly in the areas pertaining to women. Oh, there's still along way to go, but I really do believe that my generation was the first to be taught "You can be anything you want in life" and actually believe they meant anything, not just secretary, teacher, nurse etc.<br />
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When I was a Mum-deprived child in my pre- to mid-teens, the person who had the most positive impact on my developing psyche was my Dad's best friend Maureen Smith. Maureen was a woman in her early 30s, happily married to the love of her life, Doug, and raising two sons, Glenn and Neil. She wore a classic 70s poodle-perm and worked as a crossing guard to bring in a little extra money. She saw Dad dropping my brother off at Kindy in the early days of the separation and asked if Mum was okay. Dad told her Mum was gone and Maureen immediately offered to help.<br />
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Within days she was at our house and organising to look after us while Dad sorted himself out. Maureen was not a Cranky Lady. Far from it. She was gentle, kind and full of love for those around her. She was, to me, the embodiment of grace and gentility. She was, in short, a real lady.<br />
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She was, also, extremely determined to help me grow up with some sort of feminine ideal. She took me as a proxy daughter and taught me all she thought I needed to know in order to be a strong woman of the future. My family life was pretty bad but Maureen was constantly telling me that I was wonderful, that I was loved, that I was smart and fantastic and the best. She approved of everything I did and never made me feel bad about myself.<br />
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I worshipped Maureen, so when she said "You can be anything you want when you grow up" I knew what I wanted to be; I wanted to be just like her. And I am.<br />
<br />
Thanks to Maureen, I learned:<br />
To knit.<br />
To crochet.<br />
To make a fruit cake from All-Bran.<br />
To put family-time ahead of house-work (she'd be proud to see how well I applied that lesson :))<br />
To dress nicely for my husband once a week in anticipation of his return from work.<br />
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Yes, a lot of women would feel some of these go against feminist principles (particularly the last one), but I really do find they suit me. I am a maternal woman and family is important to me. But, I have also faced a lot of adversity and difficulty in my life and, thanks to Maureen, I've come out of them with a strong sense of my own self-worth. Nothing has defeated me and I like the woman I've turned out to be. I wouldn't be the me you yourself call friend, lover or mother without Maureen Smith.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkQ2-M1S1Amlfm_M33QzinGiEU99D4IegFycRNuTGnm_lmTWstGzq51s6znGPUbnScjNFcEQrdJAQ13CoURfAroaxp79kw7-vFiJA9byqlusWc7bp3n5Z_uF-H_vPIZQcc5oDOA/s1600/2014-03-04+09.44.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkQ2-M1S1Amlfm_M33QzinGiEU99D4IegFycRNuTGnm_lmTWstGzq51s6znGPUbnScjNFcEQrdJAQ13CoURfAroaxp79kw7-vFiJA9byqlusWc7bp3n5Z_uF-H_vPIZQcc5oDOA/s1600/2014-03-04+09.44.05.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks to Maureen, I can knit Tom Baker-esque scarves for my son.<br />And ignore the cushions lying on the floor.</td></tr>
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Now, as a middle-aged woman of the 21st century, I find myself looking beyond family happiness and focussing on what the rest of the world is up to. All too often I watch in despair as I see us do terrible things to each other. I witness my own country commit crimes in the name of "Good Government" and I feel powerless to do anything but share my anger via Facebook.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbxPIZ7WEzKFLzVmMAvPtCrUxVYS4NCYM5il-803TFW6yCfWW_7UykF7aSdZbXk0WE993Y1bQSh1hpXbeqr7hqgl65nr8uaosTXNbkYRdJRUdH2aW5Fo5FGbEXPFZ64JGcQysWQ/s1600/reza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbxPIZ7WEzKFLzVmMAvPtCrUxVYS4NCYM5il-803TFW6yCfWW_7UykF7aSdZbXk0WE993Y1bQSh1hpXbeqr7hqgl65nr8uaosTXNbkYRdJRUdH2aW5Fo5FGbEXPFZ64JGcQysWQ/s1600/reza.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, I'm a slacktivist. But what can I do?</td></tr>
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Which is why I wanted to use this stop on the <a href="http://fablecroft.com.au/about/publications/cranky-ladies-of-history/cranky-ladies-of-history-blog-tour" target="_blank">Cranky Ladies of History tour</a> to discuss my favourite hero, Beate Klarsfeld.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKt7HIYiCmOOcU0gXIVBvNDbcDA1887anOf3Ekh6pyS69hjYQcYr4UuU0_NQWZOMyp8sWkmIG_K8nvrw3mNDBL_vR3D_0xKgo9yA2xvpLUWiIZGE0xz6CHxP4pbmgz-A9yp-isew/s1600/young+beate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKt7HIYiCmOOcU0gXIVBvNDbcDA1887anOf3Ekh6pyS69hjYQcYr4UuU0_NQWZOMyp8sWkmIG_K8nvrw3mNDBL_vR3D_0xKgo9yA2xvpLUWiIZGE0xz6CHxP4pbmgz-A9yp-isew/s1600/young+beate.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
The 70s were a time of growing awareness for me. At some point I learned the truth of my heritage. Joe Dineley (Dinely?) my biological father was Irish.<i> Okay</i>, I thought. <i>There's a certain coolness to this, as long as he's not IRA</i>. My biological maternal Grandfather, Rudi (Rudy?) Sander was, however, a German immigrant, who came to Australia some time in the 40s.<br />
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Also, towards the end of the 70s I became aware of the work of a man named Simon Wiesenthal. Wiesenthal's crusade to bring Nazis to justice made me aware of the atrocities of WWII and for the first time I came to understand the real horror that lay beyond the hi-jinx of <u>Hogan's Heroes</u>. People, I realised, had died during this time. Millions and millions of people. Later I would come to understand that it wasn't just the 6 million Jews, but also another 5-6 million non-Jews such as gypsies, homosexuals, intellectuals and yes, even my own Jehovah's Witnesses (called Bibelforscher in Germany). I was so embarrassed by this knowledge and the knowledge that I was, in part, German. However, I had no way of doing anything positive with it. So, I let it go.<br />
<br />
Anyway, back to Wiesenthal. Simon Wiesenthal became, for me, the face of Nazi Hunting, but it was still an impersonal face. He was, after all, a Jewish man who had personally been exposed to the Holocaust. His cause was just that, his cause and the cause of those who suffered as he had suffered. I could see and appreciate what he did, but really it meant nothing to me.<br />
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Three years ago Lee and I were settling in for another night on the couch in front of the History Channel. The show we'd chosen to watch was one about Nazi Hunters and I was pretty certain the focus would be on Simon Wiesenthal. I was wrong. The first episode we saw was called The Monster and The Butcher. The story of Klaus Barbie (The Butcher of Lyon) was told and for the first time I heard her name: Beate Klarsfeld.<br />
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Beate Klarsfeld (nee Kunzel) was not born into a Jewish family. Quite the opposite, actually. Born in Germany in 1939, Beate was the daughter of a Wehrmacht soldier. Whilst her formative years were spent in relative ignorance of all that had gone on in her country, this changed when she moved to France to work as an au pair. One day, in 1960, she was standing at the Metro platform waiting for a train when a young man introduced himself as Serge Klarsfeld. A French Jew, Klarsfeld had been personally affected by the Nazi regime when his father had been rounded up and taken from the family in 1943. He never returned.<br />
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It didn't take long for Beate and Serge to become involved and, in 1963, they married and started their family.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbA8zBsMiYObKVZMWRd-oCdRF9wiRZv3EjvEzZORy7HuqbQ7_rUOUYH8cgdcUcQxf5BiZkwRlNbajkIxca_u_n6Que9qUmRjgO1E3zifFO0sNUgAPReOEcU-K-64FmI5at0z0Zg/s1600/family+time+for+Beate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbA8zBsMiYObKVZMWRd-oCdRF9wiRZv3EjvEzZORy7HuqbQ7_rUOUYH8cgdcUcQxf5BiZkwRlNbajkIxca_u_n6Que9qUmRjgO1E3zifFO0sNUgAPReOEcU-K-64FmI5at0z0Zg/s1600/family+time+for+Beate.jpg" /></a></div>
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Now most women, myself included, would have thought "How terrible. I wish I could do something, but I have a husband to look after and a baby to raise and really, it's all in the past. What can I possibly do?"<br />
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Not Beate. In 1966 Beate began campaigning against the West German Chancellor Kurt Kiesenger for his work within the Nazi propaganda department and as a result lost her job. Now this, to me, is pretty amazing in and of itself and again, I think I would have been somewhat impressed with myself for this achievement had it been mine. I mean, apart from saying a few damning remarks on Facebook or Twitter, how many of us have actively led campaigns against an official in power? And, who would dare do so in a country that had an international reputation for dealing with those who spoke against authority?<br />
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Beate Klarsfeld would.<br />
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Beate Klarsfeld did.<br />
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In 1968, a year before I was born, Beate Klarsfeld took activism into her own hands, literally. Disguised as a reporter, Klarsfeld managed to confront Kiesenger during a conference, denounce him as a Nazi and slap his face. Yes, she was arrested and convicted to a year's imprisonment (reduced to 4 months), but this act of heroism had its effect. The following year, following denouncement after denouncement by Klarsfeld, Kiesenger was soundly defeated at the polls.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18BIFIDZ3F4ApFMVXRWsxwHpt0Oc0-_y0A4AsyYzrtojlBB2wjDeFRnosTH7HTcUvDuud5mG4uyi7IQh2zppzBcO-JTbrqYgC0XC9VqOkyEF95RkDhL_2rLOkCfNKSVNodp5agQ/s1600/slap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18BIFIDZ3F4ApFMVXRWsxwHpt0Oc0-_y0A4AsyYzrtojlBB2wjDeFRnosTH7HTcUvDuud5mG4uyi7IQh2zppzBcO-JTbrqYgC0XC9VqOkyEF95RkDhL_2rLOkCfNKSVNodp5agQ/s1600/slap.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Klarsfeld, being arrested after the slap.</td></tr>
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At this point I'm thinking "Well, glass of champagne for me and a good lie down before returning to the bosom of my family."<br />
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Uh uh. Not our Beate. She's already got her next target in her sights.<br />
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I could go on and on about all that she attempts and achieves (along with a few failures) after this, but I'm going to cut to the chase.<br />
<br />
Klaus Barbie.<br />
<br />
Growing up in Australia during the 70s and 80s, there were some Nazi names that equated to the Boogie Man for me. Hitler (obviously), Mengele and Eichmann were, in my young and impressionable mind, the most evil of men. They were the reason people hated all Germans. Klaus Barbie was a relative unknown to me, at least until that Nazi Hunters episode.<br />
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Known as the Butcher of Lyon, Barbie was a Gestapo officer placed in the French town of Lyon. Here he carried out acts of torture and barbarism against the citizens and was personally responsible for the deaths of 14,000 people including the 44 Jewish orphans he sent to Auschwitz.<br />
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After the war, a US intelligence service found him and offered him a position as an anti-communist agent. Once this became known he was moved to Bolivia. Tried and condemned as a war criminal in his absence, Klarsfeld turned her attention upon Barbie and began a campaign to have him extradited to France for trial. It took 12 years and her own arrest in Bolivia, but eventually Barbie was extradited and faced his accusers. Finally, in 1987 he was found guilty and imprisoned for his crimes. He died in his prison in Lyon, the scene of his worst crimes against humanity.<br />
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I fell head over heels for Beate Klarsfeld over this. Barbie was a man who was, to all intents and purposes, being protected and paid by the US and would have continued to be so if not for the ongoing actions of this woman. The plight of the Jews in France was not Beate Klarsfeld's problem, but once she knew the problem existed she got cranky and did her utmost to address it. The <a href="http://www.klarsfeldfoundation.org/" target="_blank">Beate Klarsfeld Foundation</a> was started and as a result the following war criminals faced their day in court:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Klaus Barbie (1987)</li>
<li>Rene Bousquet (1993)</li>
<li>Jean Leguay (1989)</li>
<li>Maurice Papon (1998)</li>
<li>Paul Touvier (1994)</li>
</ul>
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Today, Klarsfeld is alive, well and just as vocal as ever. She is hated within Germany and seen as a traitor to her country, but I see her as a hero to humanity. As a woman in her mid-life, I am inspired by Beate Klarsfeld and all she achieved. The example she and her husband Serge set is nothing short of outstanding. At a time when I find it hard to deal with family, my son's illness, my writing career and university, I look to her and think "She had a family AND caught Nazis. Who am I to say it's all too hard?"<br />
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So, there we have it, two of the women in my physical and intellectual life whom I love and wish I could be like. We all have them, we all take a piece of them into ourselves. Now, let's celebrate these Cranky Ladies of History.<br />
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<img alt="Cranky Ladies logo" src="http://fablecroft.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Cranky-Ladies-logo.jpg" /><br />
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<br />battblushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719167383981886383noreply@blogger.com0