January, Jacquie & John

So our summer holidays haven't been awesome. Matt's new job is going well, but a little stressful as he 'finds his feet' being his own boss and everything. Mr Smokey's illness and subsequent passing made Xmas & NY a major downer. And just to top things off... since new years, I have been sick, really sick. Some sort of flu thing with the works - fevers, chills, body aches, headaches and a horrendous cough - wracking my whole body until I (occasionally) throw up. I was even tested for whooping cough - which came back clear, thankfully!

In among this we did have a highlight, a visit from Matt's mum, Jacquie and her husband John. They caught the train down from Brissie (not as nice as they had hoped) and stayed in the city. Matt met up with them most days and I ventured out a couple of times. We showed them around our 'hood and Jacquie wanted to visit Vaucluse House. They bought Matt and me passes to the 'Historic Houses Trust of NSW' (http://www.hht.net.au) and we visited a few sites/museums.

Addison Road markets

In the carpark, lol!

Ferry to Manly with Jacquie's friend, Karin.
Matt and I also enjoyed catching up with Karin again, she's a cracker.

Elizabeth Bay House

Great weather for sight seeing!
This day we did an air-conditioned car trip.

Jake in Sydney

Less talk more photos...

Busy busy, a lot of rambling

Hi, I know I have been quiet again lately, with the change of seasons, and a bit of an attitude adjustment, I have actually been super busy. Some recent highlights include:

- did a 'mini' triathalon - one of the Pink series and have another this coming Sunday. Went freeform/meditative dancing with Nina - something I have had in the back of mind to do for ages. I am also starting a rollerskating class tomorrow night, with some friends from work and have been going to the gym regularly including completing an 8 week program being a prac subject for Matt. Despite being active and eating reasonably well, my weight and heath has not improved. *too much information warning* Recently I also hurt my back, and my weight no doubt contributed to this as well as the lack of success to date in making a baby. Just today my GP has referred me to an endocrinologist and doing some other stuff too - hopefully some answers soon.

- had my first piano exam - preliminary grade, woot. I got a B which I am happy with as nerves got the better of me and I made lots of mistakes. The feedback was, yes, I made many mistakes but they were minor, I captured the gist of the songs. My teacher and I have developed an ambitious plan to help me achieve my goals. Next up is Muscianship over the summer holidays and Grade 1 piano in Feb.

- as a wedding anniversary gift I bought Matt couple guitar lessons - romantic? Within 3 sessions Matt has quite comfortably caught up to me. I have not done a formal singing lesson in yonks, not since Nat has been busy touring, but would really like to restart them too, if I can find some time.

- tackled a few crafty things lately: crochet beanies and socks, paper-making, making seed tape for the garden, a few gifts/surprises ;) and a few fails.

- the garden is growing. Will do a separate post soon(ish)

- work is going along steady - still loving my Tuesday Toddler Music Group. Waiting to hear if my application to write a paper about the group has been accepted. The DA for the renovations went through council this week and the 'house' is very nearly finished. Next year is going to be challenging . We will all be working off site, mostly from home, hmmm, need to move the craft off my desk. But 2014 will be awesome - essentially triple the size, both in office and therapy space, including a dedicated 'sensory' room and expanded preschool program.

- family are all good. We have been unofficially offered another 12 month lease on our awesome little big house. Mr Smokey is his usual sooky self. Liam and Liz have both moved on from flipping burgers and have 9-5 corporate jobs. Liam with Suncorp and Liz, iinet. Liam plays two games of soccer per week and often goes to the gym with Matt.

- Jake stayed with us last holidays, with Neets and Sam in the city at the same time  - separate post to come also. Also visits from my sister, Nita and recently Ewen and Margaret.

- finally, if you haven't heard the news... Matt is now officially a former film editor. He finished up his final gig last month. This has been 'in discussion' for the past two years. He still loves storytelling and may go back but the lifestyle was just too punishing and other things have called. Over the past year, while working full time, he has earned his Cert 3 and 4 in fitness. Now waiting for his rego and ABN to come thru and applying for gym work. The main goal is Uni next year, science. Application in, offers in Jan.

What's your news?

Qld trip April 2012

End of term one NSW school holidays I headed north for a week. The focus of this trip was the friends catch ups that were sadly missed at Xmas due to illness. Unfortunately Wisowaty's were crook this time, so will have do with images and chat over the Interwebs for now.

The cheeky Miss Paige and I

Happy and huge (tall!) Dante

You're a strange one Sarah!

Entire Matthews clan

I still had some good quality time with my family. For something a bit different I stayed a few nights with Joel and Bree. They are also into 'home harvesting' but have taken it to another level then me with a huge, drip irrigated, netted, staked, with worm hotels, raised garden bed in the front yard.

Joel and I sharing a bevvy on the verandah

One of the reasons the garden bed in the front yard.
Joel and Bree's 'puppy' Kiddo

Watched Jake play a game of soccer

and hung out on the sideline with Sammy.

Alex, Neets and Scott were there too but I didn't get photo of them. Alex is tall! Well over me now - taking after his Dad and Uncle Matt.

Boxing Day - Happy Feet Two

Going thru a bit of a backlog of photos at the moment and I have found some I forgot from summer holidays in Qld. On Boxing Day, Happy Feet 2 opened so the Aurisch/Bell/McMillan clan went to see it at a local cinema (and cheered loudly when we saw Uncle Matt's name in the credits).

Xmas 2011, part 4/4 - Davey and Curtis

The 'real' Xmas afternoon was spent with my family - as there are currently no small kids we tend to have a few too many wine / champers / cider / beer and go into food comas from mum, Grandma, Anita and Bree's fantastic cooking. Unfortunately by this time I didn't have the energy to take happy snaps, here are a few the next morning.

Dad, Mum and Kimmee on Dad's pressie

Dad & Grandad testing it out

Joel and Bree's emu

Even the dogs got pressies this year.

Xmas 2011, part 3/4 - Aurisch and Bell

The 'real' Xmas morning with Aurisch's & Bells.

Hurry up Uncle Matt!

Sammy decided she was a Xmas pressie:

Xmas 2011, part 2/4 - extended Davey family

Xmas with most of the extended family on my Dad's side, at my cousin's (gorgeous!) new place.

It wouldn't be a family BBQ in Queensland without a large piece of plastic, a sprinkler and a squirt of detergent :)  

...and the big kid!

Xmas 2011, part 1/4 - Aurisch and McMillan

We're baaack! Moved into the new place and it is FANTASTIC! More about that later, but here are the Xmas piccies I promised...


This year's Xmas trip north was a short one. My work year finished late and Matt started his new role early in the new year. Sadly, I also spent much of the week in bed with some type of viral thingy and we had to cancel some of our long awaited catch ups. Despite this it was lovely to spend time with our families.

Our first 'Xmas' was the night I arrived as Ewen and Margaret were heading to Gladstone the next day. It was also my first time seeing Anita and Scott's new place.

The view from the back porch!