Chuffed

My nephew Hamish did these drawings over the period of 5 years when he came to stay. I had to force the issue every time but now he looks backs on them with a lot of happiness. What is interesting is in the family portrait Adrian is the biggest and at the time was about 17. He had an extension for the head because he was so tall. He drew all men with huge muscles and his comment was. Gezz Ness everyone is so buff. It was lovely hearing the stories behind each drawing now. We all enjoyed it.

My BEST Dad

Dad arrived last night and we sat up till 12, which was way past our bedtime. This morning we set the agenda for a trip to Fyshwick to look at electric bikes. We found one and both rode it for about an hour and I love the idea. Dad says hes buying it tomorrow. So then we press on to the  Zeirholt Premium Brewery for an unscheduled stop and a couple of PINTS. Dad started at 11:38 on his pint and I was rummaging in my hand bag to find my camera and by the time I got it all working he only had 2" left in the glass. So had to buy another.  At 3:30pm we both realized that we walked out of there with out paying the bill of $19. So embarrassing. I rang and told them we will be back tomorrow with the cash. Its so lovely having him around. My hair seems to have a golden shine to it.

Conehead

Went to work today and found out I should have been on my first day of long service leave. I'm so loving my job and having a great boss I only realized at 9:30 when I couldnt update my Flextime sheet....

I also got a message from a guy at work after I sent him a meeting request for some training at my desk, who declined because its on ANZAC day and he would be too drunk. Funny bastard!

Sniff It - I SAID SNIFF IT!!!!

Over the last week, two pictures similar to this one above, have appeared on my Facebook page which I commented on. Lets face it everyone is entitled to my opinion like Madonna said.

The first one was a young man who was pointing at the camera with the index finger right down the barrel. To which I wrote "smell this"... I cracked up laughin and thinking I was too deadly all to no avail. No one commented......

Not to be put off by that though, today another one appeared and I wrote "did anyone sniff it" to which my sista added - God that's random Ness.  Well then I added " its my job to focus on the stuff others miss" then proceeded to like my comment because, just for April I am liking all my own comments on Facebook. But then the unconscious mind went to work and I retracted today's statements, just in time Id say.  Thank Godde sista knows how to pull me up.

Its got me worried as to why I find a pointing finger so damn hilarious. Its kept me bursting out in laughter all day. But I'm seriously wondering about this second bout of Facebooking and my ability to be discerning.

Tina - Part 2

Tonight I finished the last Danish Shortbread  Tina made me as a gift.  Ive had some time now to process what occurred during her visit. At first I was concerned that she was in the early stages of grief loosing her only sister. My imagination was over active as usual and all the things that I thought might happen didn't and it was very easy and lovely to be with her. Dad put me straight and said if you are going to worry about everything that could go wrong, then you would do nothing. Hes right of course. Agian! We had lots of laughs. She has most of her teeth which is pretty good going for an 89 yo who grew up in the war years. So I didnt have to pre chew the steak.... Nah Im just talking shit now....

Tina called me on Sunday to thank me for the hospitality and she said she didn't once feel like an old mother while in my company and felt like we were more like sisters. Which is how I would also describe how our energy mingled. She started off castigating me as soon as she got in my car when I picked her up because I didn't know my way around Canberra after living here for 9 years and then I told her about my Dyslexia and from then on it was all good. Shes sharp my Tina. I think this going straight on the attack as soon as people are confronted by my presence is probably a good thing coz that way we can get it sorted right there and then. This happens when dad first sees me after an absence as well. So still don't know if its an age thing or a Kim thing but I guess that will come to light when I'm ready for it. See, Tina thinks I did her a good turn and I think she did me a good turn. For instance, I now know I will not be spending Easter alone in Canberra anymore because I enjoyed her visit so much. I will either invite someone or go somewhere else.

At night we sat around in our nities and talked about philosophy, art, religion, sex, IT, while she showed me pictures of various people in her life. I asked her to bring them, I'm curious about her Dutchness. We had a picture of her sister at the table the whole time she was here because I felt she and I needed it. At night when she went to bed I went into her room and gave her a kiss on the forehead and told her a story about something trivial such as how I loved looking out my window through the fly wire on a stormy night for the moon, when a child. How I could still smell the dusty fly wire and the humidity all entwined in little squares.

Another thing Ive realised since being with her is that I love flying kites. That's why I now have two kites and planning to fly them regularly. The trip to the arboretum where she went and spoke to every kite flyer and mother with a new baby tickled my fancy. A yet unknowing role model for me.

Nanny naps are in order big time when you are 89. Which may I say, I totally agree with. Farting or rather trumpeting are also in order and again I totally agree and conform to that as well. Hand over heart now, bowels are high on the agenda, especially in the mornings when nothing happens.  I had to put my foot down and stand over her to drink water and eventually everything come good.  She laughed at me later, once routine had been established again, saying I was bossy.  Wha???

The most adorable part happened on Easter Sunday, when she was telling me about a Chinese peanut seller in the war and immediately asked me a question in Dutch, to which I gave the traditional blank stare. She pressed on and then said, Oh sorry I was talking Dutch wasn't I! We laughed so hard and became so full of love it was just what I needed to clear out a whole heap of crap that had been stuck inside me.  That showed me I was doing my job as a healer. That there was a good rapport between us which had just gotten stronger.

Oh and did you know that wearing sunglasses gives you more authority?

Poetry In Motion

Well well well, the kite was a hit. From the first attempt to the possibility of owning a stunt kite in the space of two hours. Even thinking of getting a purse kite that I can fly when Im waiting for my coffee to be made at Brew Bar.  I had so much fun. Doing this as a regular form of relaxation from now on.

People were staring at us flying the kite. It might have had something to do with the constant wise quips and the continual laughing. I feel really happy today.  Was a rough start to the day though as we discontinued daylight savings. It kind of snuck up on me and when I found out, I had already made the commitment to meet at the arboretum. Sista said "oh its easy now because Ive worked out how to know what the actual time is the next day. You just turn your phone off when you go to bed and the next morning it will start up with the right time." Well, I did that and I was still an hour early for the kite action. Anyway sorted it now. Apparently they dont switch over till 3am and I turned my phone on at 2:45am and thought it was right. Its so foreign this daylight savings to us Kajarine girls.

Loriendale Orchards

My phone reminded me that it was Apple Day at the Loriendale Orchards about 50 km from where I live at 9am this morning. I had actually planned to go to school for the day but cut it down to 2.5 hours as the call of the apples got to much for me. Ive been doing this pilgrimage since 2004 when our choir sang there. These guys grow everything organic and their Jams, Relishes and Jellys are superb. With over 140 varieties of apples there's plenty to taste test and the BBQ.... well everything was a taste sensation. It was nice to be out in the country where there was real dust dirt and a small bushfire. Kind of like the realness of all that. Cows and dogs and a circle of feathers where there had been a life and death struggle recently. Bit of a reality check.

Kites Kites Kites

That whats gunna be in my dreams tonight. Last Sunday, when I was at the arboretum with Tina, I saw a heap of kids flying kites. It made me smile and feel really happy. Tina liked them too.  After trying to find out if anyone had one, my mate agreed to come flying with me and the yet unseen kite.  I'm not going to sleep tonight due to excitement, but if I should accidentally go to sleep then I shall dream of kites and clouds in the shape of knights and maidens flying kites.

Telstra

Telstra and I have had a rocky relationship to say the least. After a 25 year relationship we parted company for 4 years. When they come knocking on my mobile I negotiated a nice prenup which included bytes of this and that. Well now I'm glad we got back together in 2006 and things are getting stronger everyday. For instance, this commitment to reconciliation with the first and all Australians. Could have been put together a bit more stylish, though it is a good start. So glad they are leading the way. Small steps at the grassroots makes a big difference in the long run.  This commitment is displayed at the counter so you cant help but see it because its in the way when you go to pay.

Knitting a Knot

Found this illistration by Cristina Barsony which tickled my fancy. I'm so exhausted from summer and too much light, I'm looking forward to couching and darkness to create something either in crochet or knitting.