Recorder Lessons

This is my friend Judy, who is teaching me recorder. I have so much performance anxiety I cant play in front of her. She pretends to tidy stuff up and I pretend to play. She asked me last lesson to record my practice onto a machine and play it back to her so she can hear how I am progressing. Now that I have the tongeuing down pat, I just have to learn to blow more gently. I laughed at her suggestions to blow softly because I been blowing so hard, I find it hard to keep the breath coming. Ive developed my diaphragm so much from blowing hard that when I talk things like apple skin or rice that might have been on my teeth come out like a speeding rocket sometimes.

Judy has a an Order of Australian Merit for music education and this picture of her that I took today will be going into the music education magazine. Shes 65 and has more energy than a 2 year old boy. The first time I met her energy was like running into a brick wall and very confronting for me. I love her so much because she only does what she has been put on this earth to do.

Pregnant Woman Sculpture

When I first arrived in Canberra I went to the National Art Gallery, as I walked through the doors I saw this totally awesome sight http://nga.gov.au/mueck/acquire.cfm. I have seen her many time and each time I notice something new, Id missed before. Ive also loved standing and watching peoples expressions and especially the children. I dont think shes on display, well I couldn't find her yesterday but she is definitely worth spending time with.

The 5 Love Languages

1 -Compliments

2 -Gifts

3 -Service

4 -Quality time

5 -Touch

I saw the book (# The Five Love Languages - Gary Chapman ) on my friend Leighs blog and got it out from the library for a squiz. I finished it the day before the "Aspects of Love" retreat. When I arrived at the retreat I found that it had been planned around the 5 love languages book. No coincidences in this live, I say.

I started using the compliments when I arrived in Canberra. At first it felt like I was loosing something and it was hard to get them out. I noticed people changed the way they behaved towards me, like straight away, so I was encouraged to keep going. I never say something as a compliment that is not true for me. I don't bullshit. My job is to build people up. Sometimes though, I have to give them a reality check and it undoes it but Im trying.

During the week I went to visit a friend out of the blue (normal working hours). It was on my way to collect the computer that had been at the shop getting the Trojan removed. When I got there my friend was very happy to see me and asked me to have a cup of tea with her. I wasn't going to stay but decided when I saw her lovely face she had lost her normal bright and energetic way. So I stayed and we chatted about this low period. In this time I just loved her up, told her that her energy (which is palpable and confronting when you first come in contact with it) is the most amazing about her and secondly, that she only does what Godde put her on this earth to do. I just kept slipping things like what a wonderful mother and grandmother she is into the conversation amongst other fabulous stuff she does very well too. So by the time I started to leave I notice she had recovered 3/4 of the energy she normally has. Shes not a touch person, so I just stood close to her and said take care. She actually put her arms around me and we had a nice long hug. So in that scenario, I used complements, service ( i stayed longer), gifts (my honesty), quality time ( i focused only on her and let her see my emotions through my facial expressions) and touch.

I like this concept of the 5.

Here are some Autumn peepers I found today outside the National Art Gallery.

Gettin Old

My cousins wife and I had a catch up today in Woden. We were talking about the aging process. She said "Check my shoes out" I looked at them and said "What" then she said they are two different shoes and I found out as I was starting the car, but when your this age you just dont care to change them.

Then I told her on friday morning I had a meeting at 8:30am so I was a bit rushed getting to work. Seems like a 5 am starts not early enough these days. Anyway I wacked my shirt on (Cotton) and ironed it by wetting my hands under the tap and patting all over the shirt. I was looking pretty smick by the time I mounted the stead (bike). Rush into the meeting and realize 1/2 way through that my shirt was on inside out. Laughin.

Aspects Of Love

Yesterday I did a silent retreat with the Anglicans and since it was Valentines day I thought it appropriate that I meditate on love for the day since I don't have one muliga of my own. I didn't speak to anyone for about 8 hours which is not that unusual for me because I live alone. But the great thing is that it was at a centre that is set up for that kind of thing. There is a Labyrinth, a biblical garden and lots of little nooks and cranny's you can sit and draw, take photos ect. It was a lovely lovely day and I felt totally loved up at the end.

Jenny Louise Scott

My little flup dog sprightly walked with style

When she passed me by, I couldn't help but smile.

I always wondered would she be a red or pink lipstick girl

And her tail sways with such an attitude curl.

We sat through each others pain

No words said; understanding just the same.

For 7 long years we strolled together

for 7 long years through dark and light

for 7 long years she protected me

with nothing but her tiny beating Heart.

Work In Progress

Morning Ride

Ive been eyeing off this leaf for two mornings, this morning I picked it up. I couldn't resist it any more.

On the up and up I went to my dress maker last night. Saba, and shes from Arab Land. Her and her daughter do traditional dancing and I'm thinking of joining them. When I left there I had a fresh gardenia in my hand and sweet pea seeds to plant and enjoy in the future. I think I'm gunna love this woman.

Facebook

Here is a bloody funny conversation I had with my mate Gary on Facebook just now - Enjoy!


i always remember you telling me how you did drink and stuff so your family can have a better life. well you certainly achived it
8:19pmGary
We do what we can - you know how it is - sheltered reserved life, bible classes and choir practice - it all pays off in the end
the bags in the section of the seat in front of you
8:20pmKim
true. im suffering so bad from empty nest syndrome simmone is nearly ready to choke me...
8:22pmGary
you'll get over it, go out and hit the single bars - take up pole dancing, get blind every night, blow your wages on the pokies - look back at your life and it's probably not so bad
8:22pmKim
fuckn make me laugh, i nearly snorted some rice out my nose
8:23pmGary
I just snorted diet coke out of my nose at your response
keys are sticky as snot
8:23pmKim
stop it, im dying
8:24pmGary
do you reliase that I have just missed Home and Away
8:24pmKim
BUMNUTS, my tummys hurting... stop it
hey does anyone get empty nest syndrome on that show?
8:25pmGary
I don't watch it I just hang shit on everyone else that does
8:26pmKim

I was getting scared for you for a minute. Who need home and away when youve got the main street of katherine for a reality check
hey and what with the piped music these days in the main drag
8:28pmGary
The unfortuneate thing now is that Katherines main street resembles Lajamanu, Ngukurr or any other stinkersville. I don't mind the piped music as they have been playing the local FM station
8:29pmKim
yes its quite relaxing really. I was waithing for "I left my heart in Fitzroy Xing" but it didnt come on. I was so disappointed.
8:30pmGary
I have been summoned to the dinner table - I will chat again - take care and keep safe
8:31pmKim
been fun Gary - your will always be sir lancelot to me XXXX

And my big boss said good night DEAR!!!! Im chuffed. Im happy and Im loving myself more and more.

Eat Pray Love

I'm luvin this book by Elizabeth Gilbert. This quote by a Texan man cuts her of with "See, now that's your problem. You're wishin' too much, baby. You gotta stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone oughtta be." even I didn't see this line coming. Its so funny and true.

Faith Hope and Love

Ive been pondering these three darlings for the past 8 months, but this morning on my ride around the lake I actually worked out what colour each of them is for me.

Faith - Belief in something when there is no proof, but you believe is true - Purple.

Hope - An optimistic feeling for something desired - Pink

Love - A feeling essential to life - Red

I saw two examples of hope this morning which started this thinking. It was a lone kayaker rowing his canoe. Hes hoping he wont bump into something, since he cant see where his is rowing. And a man with a stick sweeping the way before him, because he doesn't see well.

December 1992 - A True Story

This is the response I sent back to the people who sent me their funny stories. Ive had some good laughs today.

Don't read this if you are sensitive.

December 17th 1992. I went on the last holiday with my mum and dad, I knew it would be the last with the three of us together. I'm 31 years old, but felt 16, especially with holidaying with mum and dad. Mum was well into her dementia phase at this stage and it was so stressful for all of us including mum. We were driving to Port Augusta to see dads father. Dad always used to get crusty at us girls wanting to pull up for a pee, so that set the scene for major angst about driving from Alice Springs to Port Augusta in the one day. Mum and I did great and managed to only pee at the designated pee stops, but 160km out of Port Augusta, mum had to pee. Because of her condition, we always took her word for it. And secretly I wanted a wee too. She, in her limited way told dad that she needed to wee, so he pulled over reluctantly. The country side was all salt bush and sand. Not a tree in sight or a blade of grass. It seemed like there was a 40 degree 90km wind as we both stepped out onto the side of the road from the air-conditioned car, looking for that perfect spot. Mum being pretty damn keen had gone about 3m into the scrub, and squatted, I was waiting patiently to give her the toilet roll but mum had other plans. She backed out this huge number two. I'm thinking "oh this will be nice" trying not to look, busting myself and she decided it was now the right time to get that grogen out. So I gave her some paper and went further into the scub so I could keep an eye on her. I was scared she would run into the scrub and get lost. (no trees, go figure) I'm squatting there doing my stuff and next minute I'm getting the urge to push as well. What the ? Luckily I had the toilet roll in my hand. All was going well as I could see mum pulling up her pants, but then I saw a Mac truck approaching so fast I didn't have time to do anything except hide my face. The bastard beeped his horn twice. Those low long calls those trucks do. BBBBBRRRRRR BBBBBBBBRRRR. I was so shame that my guts started to cramp and it wouldn't snap off , if you get my drift. To add to this angst dad was beeping the horn too. Finally started to unroll the toilet paper and as I did the wind caught it so I was wrestling the mongrel thing so I could finish this job. Ah!!!! but that was too easy hey. My gut was cramping again every time I twisted around to do the job. So I just pushed through the pain and everything was in order again. I was so full of stress I couldn't even sigh. When I finally got back to the car dad said "What took you so long?" I was so frazzled I told him mum had started doing a crap and I went out in sympathy with her and my arms were too short to reach my bum..... he starting laughing so hard, it made mum and I laugh as well, which was just the thing we needed after having such a horrific pee stop. We all did the hand washing routine together, but dad couldn't help it and everywhere we went on holidays, dad told the story. And that's how I got such a thick skin.