Parties

Last weekend we had a busy one. Sat was my work Xmas party. This is important to me as it is one of the few times Matt gets a bit of a taste of what I do. The nature of my work as a Speech Pathologist means I don't get to celebrate publicly, as it is important that i respect the privacy and confidentiality of the families i work with. Sometimes i get a bit frustrated especially as Matt works in such a public field. Occasionally i feel like screaming i do cool stuff too! Pathways is different to other places I have worked. It is very much a colaborate effort between staff and client families, including families of staff.

Anyhoo Matt, Liam and Gareth were to attend to the BBQ but Matt was sick and couldn't go. Liam and I had fun, especially as I was doing face-painting for a long while :-)

Next it was straight to the airport and onto my parents for Dad's 60th. It was awesome to catchup with most of my extended family. And wow we have extended in the past 12 months. Matt's and Bree's family as well as some close friends of Joel and Anita were all there. It was a wonderful relaxed evening, I had a great time and i think Dad did too.

Unfortunately i was too busy having fun and again forgot to take some happy snaps but will try to locate some then add later.

The rest of the weekend we hung out with my family. Then it was back to Sydney and work for me this week. Matt has stayed up in Qld for the month thru until Xmas, to spend some quality time with his family and help his sister's family move into their new place (very exciting). Give him a call if you want to catch up.

Gorgeous little guys and gals

Four of my dearest friends recently had or are expecting bubs. No denying, we are now the grown ups!

The first arrived in September... Jen & Terry's Dante Michael.

This week Liz & Paul welcomed Pela Jean:

And this little munchkin, Isaac, will be a big brother soon:

Hugs and love to all!

November in the Balcony Garden

Argh! The caterpillars. A couple of months ago I posted a piccie of a butterfly in one of my pots and commented that I hoped it was a 'good' bug. Nope, it is the enemy, the dreaded Cabbage Butterfly (white-pale yellow wings with a black spot). The butterfly itself is not the problem, it's 'the very hungry caterpillars'.

So far I have been using some companion planting and picking them off individually but I am loosing the battle. Today I bought and built exclusion netting (see photos).

In other garden news I have had a few fails recently. My mushies became too waterlogged, potato rotted in the pot and the lettuce is all in Mr Smokey's belly. But it's a learning process and some things are flourishing so I am happy. I may have also solved my irrigation difficulties... stay tuned.

Happy Feet Two Wrap Party

All dressed up ready for the Dr D - Happy Feet Two wrap party. 

Below, the lovely couple to the right of Matt and I are Cherie and Gareth. Gareth is an animator (lensing and pre-vis artist). He and Matt get along well. Cherie is an OT. They are both fellow (ex) QLDers. Cherie and I hit it off straight away and for the past two Dr D Xmas parties I have been trying to convince her to come work for Pathways. I finally succeeded, Cherie and I have been working together for about 6 months. It's all a little cosy, but they are such beautiful individuals and a great couple - fast becoming firm friends.

Blog roll

At the risk of being narcicistic I have added a blog roll - it's in the right, smaller column towards the bottom. In it, is a selection of my favourite blogs ranging from friends and family, gardening, craft to speechie stuff. Since Matt introduced me to Google Reader (beit a couple of years ago now), then, made things worse by getting me a smartphone, I have become an avid blog reader. I very rarely watch television anymore! If you have not explored the world of blogs yet, I strongly encourage it.

A quick shout out - my first ever blog love was the Offbeat Bride. I have watched it grow and with it kind of 'graduated' to Offbeat Mama and Offbeat Home. These remain to date some of my favourite blogs.

Happy reading!

October in the Balcony Garden

Zoo Trip

A couple of weekends back - Liam and I visited the zoo - our first proper 'touristy' outing.

Aw...   Liam's first ferry trip.

We spent ages watching the gorillas. They knew it was nearly food/bed time and kept peering though the glass for the keepers. The little guy beating his chest was a cheeky monkey.

Lemurs - who's watching who?

I have vague memories of the clock from visiting as a child.