In-Laws at Christmas

Just like those shots from the eighties!

 From top to bottom, left to right: Simon (brother-in-law), Tim (uncle-in-law), Darren (brother-in-law), Selina (and unborn bump - Jeremy's sister-in-law), Pa (or Great Pa - my father-in-law's father), Michael (father-in-law), Annette (mother-in-law), me, Nathan (Jeremy's nephew - Darren's son), Sam (Nathan's brother and Jeremy's Godson), Isaac (my absolutely fantastic and adorable son) and Jeremy (my rock, my wonderful husband). Taken in the backyard of Annette and Michael's Walkley Heights home.

Ancient Sentinel Stands Guard Over Children

 

This beautiful ancient guardian stands sentinel at the Fairview Park Primary School children's playground. I consider this tree to be significant. It is a large, old gum tree, that provides beauty, habitat and shade. The plaground area is enhanced by it's presence, and it softens the atmosphere of the portable classrooms and metal playground equipment.

 Providing a large amount of shade, also provides a great place to come and eat lunch with the kids as table and benches are provided.

Favourite Present

This is the most beautiful present I have ever received. This Oxfam decoration was from my son (hubby did the purchasing). I cried when I looked at the card because it had Toddlers scribbles on it. And the photos inside are absolutely gorgeous (I have three to choose from!). I cried looking at these too. I love them so much.

Naked Tryst

This post contains adult themes.

I would love to lie naked with you
Drawing love hearts
With your fingertips upon my breast
Running imaginary lines
Upon my wrist and inner elbow, tingling..

I would love to lie naked with you
Pressing my palms to yours
Measuring the span of my fingers
Ear to your chest to hear the beat of you
And feel nothing but love.

I would love to lie naked with you
And feel sweet kisses on my shoulders
Tender lips upon my skin
Until I turn and see your eyes
Dancing at me and grinning with love.

I would love to lie naked with you
So close that I can feel
Your breath around my body
As we gaze at each other
Revelling in the possibility of the moment.

Copyright © Aurian 2002

Beauty

I had my legs waxed at Evolve today.

It is very professional, and very relaxing. It feels like a day spa even getting your legs waxed. However, it is very overpriced for leg waxing, although I do like the fact that roller wax is used (though I don't know exactly how this is more hygienic than pot wax).

Beauty services are very personal. First off - you are revealing things that you wouldn't show your best friend in bright light to a complete stranger. So the venue has to provide you with some dignity. It has to be comfortable. It has to be private. This is why I don't like places at the plaza where everybody is rushing around opening and closing doors - it feels more like sheep being shorn than a beauty experience. Evolve provides this atmosphere. On top of this, it makes you feel special - it has a fantastic customer points and discount program for friends. I don't know if is a good deal at all - but it makes you feel valued. The graphic design on all these services is also very professional.

This may be factored into the cost of the services. For a leg and eyebrow wax I pay $65. Now the funny thing about this is that I like to save money - but I won't go to the cheapest waxer around (or any other beauty service for that matter) just because they are the cheapest. I want quality at a good price. It doesn't have to be the swishest place on the block, but I will pay a little bit extra for a dayspa like feel.

Update: Evolve has 25% off waxing, pedicures and manicures if you book on a Tuesday, until the 28th of February 2010.

Christmas Cards

Today gorgeous boy and I made Christmas cards. I didn't make any
purchases (except water usage) to make them. They consisted of some
medium weight paper I found in a drawer, and Toddler's hand painted
with a brush and paint that I also scrounged.

I stamped his handprint in the middle of each card. They look great!
So simple yet effective.

I had water and a cloth on hand for cleaning up. As Toddler was in his
highchair during the activity I also put some paint and water on his
highchair, and he did some fingerpainting for the first time (which he
really enjoyed!) It was a fun activity for both of us, and I got
something done as well as spending quality time with him. I was
surprised by how easy and quick it was. It was quicker than shopping
for ethical cards!

Fairview Park Reserve Playground

573-581 Yatala Vale Rd
Fairview Park


View Larger Map

Fairview Park Reserve Playground is a very safe play area as it is situated far from the main road, with the other three sides bordered by neighbourhood fencing, the Fairview Park Primary School and Pangari drive, respectively. There is a gentle slope northwards that diminshes towards Yatala Vale road, with most of the grassed area being an even surface. This is the best grassed area in Fairview Park for ball play, and I love to run on it with bare feet.

Access is easy via bus, with Stop 64 on the 542 route at the park. A walking trail surrounds the park with direct access from Anona Way, Pangari Drive and Yatala Vale Road in the north western corner. Most of the trail is gravel with sections closest to the playground being concrete. Access is limited from a southerly direction. It is possible to go through the grounds of Fairview Park Primary School from Pangari Drive (when the gates are open), or through the school oval via Nepondi Court, or via the gate onto the oval from Hamilton Road. None of the options through the school or oval are pram friendly.

Pressure

Felt like I have to be all things to all people but suddenly the feeling has gone away - like I have realised that it doesn't matter if I get things done or not - my drive to achieve something is due to the fact that I want to show people an achievement. The pressure was coming from my thoughts - that I needed to have my personal goals organised. But I don't even know what my personal goals are:)

Slowing Down

The problem with slowing down is that it takes so long. The irony of slow is that it is slow. To learn to slow down takes a long time. To type slower. To be more thoughtful before I make decisions. To consider what I write. To see mistakes as part of the journey - to let them be. To exist consciously with my whole self in every situation. To be comfortable because I am worth it. I am worth the time. I am worth the time to treat myself well. My dreams are worthy of my own time. My dreams could be my No. 1 priority. So what are my dreams and how do I identify them? My mental and spiritual health at present is my No. 1 priority. My mental and spiritual health is worth my time. Feeling good is worth it. My inner expectations even to have a blog that answers all is a pressure I place on myself.

Things that are on my mind before I sleep tonight: setting up my account and getting a signed copy of my drivers licence. Calculating how much the payment could be on our mortgage. Answering the rest of the questions in chapter 1 of the money book. Reading the magazines I have purchased. Listening to the new meditation CD. Going through my YANA notes. Keeping a mood diary. Tidying up the piano and desk in the dining room. Moving the computer into the dining room. Getting a new desk and playroom shelves from IKEA. Sorting our photos. Storing Isaac's toys properly. Cleaning the toy library toys. Returning books and toy library toys to the library. Reading all the books I have borrowed. Learning all the stress relieving techniques properly. Keeping a list of useful quotes. Planting more vegetables and herbs. Weeding the rest of the vegetable garden. Setting up the dates for the fertilising of the tomatoe plant. Filling out my new diary. Calling Jeremy's mum to arrange a change of babysitting day. Checking through the bags that I put away that I really want them. Go through the bathroom cupboard. Finish going through the farm shelf in the garage. Box everything up for the next garage sale. List remaining items in the Adelaide shopper. Count books and list in the Adelaide shopper. Read the books I have borrowed from the library. Set up a bill paying system in our Rural Bank account. Keep a record of bills in the system. Buy Jeremy a home gym. Organise a birthday for Jeremy. Organise babysitters for a date night. Set up the bird feeder again. Buy some bamboo wind chimes. Sign up for the permaculture course. Do a community workers course at TAFE. Do a social work degree. Do a course in professional writing. Learn how to manage myself. Find out who I am and what I really want and what is going to make me really happy. Find out which things I am doing for others and for unimportant rules I have set myself, and which things really matter. Do what I want, and not what I think I "should". Be true to myself. Enjoy life. Know that I can do my vocation and be a great Mum to Isaac:) Love me.

Too much variety

William Cowper (pronounced 'kuper') was a poet. He wrote many hymns. And he also had manic depression (bipolar). A quote that I have often heard - "Variety is the spice of life" is from Cowper's poem The Task. 'Variety is the very spice of life' it states. Well, with depression too much variety makes me feel ill. Too much going on.