The Recycle Bin’s Neighborhood

Ho Hum Twilight New Moon...what can I say? Ho hum and all their gloomy sultry looks just left me feeling so depressed and blue I felt like going and lying down out in the shopping center car park and ending it all in the pre-Christmas rush. Unless you are 15 wait for the DVD.

The best bits? The scene where Bella jumps on the plane and flies to Italy to save Edward - the HUGE logo splashed all over the plane is Virgin Airlines. The virgin on Virgin Airlines! I burst out laughing at the pun. I hope they intended it as a pun as I am sure Richard Branson paid a packet for product placement. If they didn't - well even funnier. The virgin Bella flying Virgin airlines....big jolly for the day.

Second best bit was right at the end - SCENE SPOILER!- We had a small child sitting not far behind us, and we could hear what he was saying to "Dad, Dad, DAD!" from time to time. Right at the end of the movie, Edward says that he has one condition for Bella before he will turn her into a vampire. "I have one condition" says Edward and Bella says "what is it?" AND the kid behind us yells at the top of his lungs - "MARRY ME!". I kid you not, before Edwards can say, Marry Me! the kid said it! I could only wonder how many times that poor kid had seen the movie already! Either that, or the movie is so predictable that a six year old can guess the plot!

I still wanted to smack Bella as in the first movie - "I love you, and I love him, and I want everyone to love me" and all very Wuthering Heights out in the forest,  but at least Edward's hair was less bouffant that in the previous movie. He looked quite "normal" except for the fact that he wore a suit most of the time - way to fit in Edward, because all 17 year olds wear a suit.

Remember that it is a teenage movie, not based on great literature. It doesn't pretend to be anything more than that, which is a pity because, though the books are simplistic teen lit, the movie was a chance to flesh out the characters, but alas no, they didn't.

I did enjoy the books, despite the reasons listed above. I even enjoyed the first movie to a degree, but this one is too brooding and nasty. I wanted to also slap Jacob who "can't forgive" Edward for telling Bella that he couldn't see her anymore to keep her safe, but hey doesn't see the irony in his own situation when he tells her the same thing when he becomes a werewolf. PLEAAASSSEEEE!

There is not enough dialogue and no suspense - no building of excitement, or thrills or fears for the audience. It just starts, dum de dums along, and then it ends.

But I really, really, enjoyed the spinach and pumpkin lasagne after the movie - now that was good!

Tea cup with biscuit

Daughter1 is visiting today and we are going to see the new Twilight movie - just so that we can discuss with our students! She just phoned and said that she is bringing a treat for morning tea! Why the excitement? The Boy is employed by a company that makes cakes and desserts fo restaurants, McDonalds McCafe, Dominos etc. so when Daughter1 says that she is bringing a sweet treat it is something VERY VERY NICE! I think this is going to be a good day.

It is also possible I need to get out more....

Desperation is when you leave the box of Lindt chocolates that your daughter gave you in your bedroom on a 38C summer's day and they melt, and you want the chocolate so bad that you can't wait to put them in the fridge to reset but suck the molten chocolate off the wrapper until you get a paper cut on you lip from the wrapper's edge.

Not that I would know anything about that, of course.

Christmas card vendor - vanishing breed

I have just completed writing our Christmas cards and enclosing a letter in each. I am feeling rather superior right now!

I find writing Christmas letters rather an anxious task, as it is often the only communication that you have with someone all year, and you want to make sure you share the information with your family and friends, but you don't want to be boring, and you don't want to sound like you are bragging, so you have to try and strike the right cord. I strive for somewhere between sharing the news and making them feel that their pathetic life is still ok. I mean, as a Flamingo Dancer, obviously whatever I do is far superior to anyone else, but I don't want them to feel too depressed during the Season To Be Merry, and we all know the statistics about depression and suicide at this time of year, so one must be careful. It is trying, but of course I can rise to any occasion.

Aren't you glad that you aren't on my Christmas list? Now that is something to be grateful for this Christmas!

gifts for getting the 3rd degree!

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Daughter1 hosted a tea party in my honor yesterday to celebrate my gaining an education degree. We toasted to "getting the 3rd degree" as it is in fact my third university degree, but it also felt at times like I was getting the 3rd degree as I went though the 15 weeks of practicum and continuous assessment by lecturers and supervisors!

Niece was laughing that she had been telling a friend that she was going to her aunt's graduation tea party and that they oooohhhed and aaahhheed that at 51 her aunt could still learn new things. She also laughed when they asked about my degrees and she answered "oh she has so many now that she is tired of graduation celebrations and just wants a cup of tea now!". As she was telling me her story I was holding her daughter, my grandniece who is 14 months and I asked her "when am I going to your graduation, little one?" She is booked into kindergaten for the year 2013. Poor little one!

My Mum gave me the teapot photographed above - she knows my passion for botanical themed tea pots and couldn't resist this one when she was out this week. I suspect the hand of my brother-in-law in it, as he was with Mother Flamingo Dancer when she was shopping as she can't go solo anymore and he is the one who takes her shopping usually. BIL in vey good to her, as she has been to him, over the years. The flowers are from my sister and niece.

I bought a bottle of champagne - well as it can't be called champagne anymore due to copyright etc, it was actually.  a bottle of Jacob's Creek Chardonanny Pinot Noir Brut Curvee, but champagne is so much less of a mouthful! It was very refeshing on a hot day, though I just read a review where it was described as a "refreshing dry white with delicate hay/straw and toast flavours. Simple and perhaps lacking character and flavour. Pretty good value for the price "($9.99 AUS). I couldn't taste any hay or toast, but it didn't taste like aspirin like a lot of champagnes seem to taste to me either. I have enough character and flavour to make up for any wine, so was not disturbed by such comments. It was a hot afternoon and the Jacob's Creek Chardonanny Pinot Noir Brut Curvee was chilled to perfection, the food was delectable and the company familiar, so it was all very nice thank you very much. 

Yes, we did drink tea. Two cups I think.

Washing day at W. H. Corkhill's home Marengo, with Gertrude McKern and Maude Bate aust

When I had a Monday-Friday job, Saturday was naturally laundry day. Every week I would have to ask Mr FD to carry the laundry hamper downstairs for me, as it was often too heavy for my back. May I repeat, EVERY Saturday I had to ASK Mr FD to bring down the laundry hamper from our bathroom.

Now, I don't have a Monday to Friday routine, and I do laundry during the week, trying to leave the weekends free. You know, just in case the last threads of our sanity tear and we give in to spontaneity, heaven forbid!

NOW that I no longer do laundry on a Saturday, every Saturday without fail, WITHOUT A REQUEST, Mr FD brings down the laundry hamper and places it with pride in the middle of our small laundry. It sits there like a dog poop on your priceless heirloom rug. I say nothing, trying to ignore it, but oddly enough it makes me want to rip his throat out.

I do not do the laundry. It sits there until the day I do, in the meantime, our dirty clothes mount up on the floor of our bathroom. I prefer not to say anything as when I am back in the work force I will no doubt want him to bring that damn laundry hamper down each and every Saturday again.

I just want to know - does he know what he is doing? Is he playing games with me - stirring the lizard he calls it. Passive aggressive games of marriage...sigh. Or did he just finally get the message through his damn thick skull and is now probably wondering why I am not postulating myself at his feet in gratitude?

Is it him, or is it me? I know, it's him. It is always him. 

'HOME SWEET HOME'

I have been sitting and thinking about my Dad today. Dad died in 2000 at the age of 76. He was the 13th child in a family of 18th children born to first generation German-Australian migrants. By the time he was born some of his elder siblings were young adults. It was the depression and his father, though they farmed was more interested in drinking and partying than feeding his family. Often my Dad went hungry. He told me tales of catching rabbits at the age of 9 or 10 just to have something to eat. Once he was sent to live with am older brother who would disappear for days on end and not leave any food in the house for my Dad, a small child, to eat.

Back at the family "home" many of the children actually slept out in the shed [barn] and used hessian sacks as blankets. The bathroom was the dam or the creek. Food, usually, what they could find. Dad often told me that he probably owes much of survivial during his childhood to the lady who lived on the neighbouring farm, who would give Dad food to eat. I wonder if that woman ever knew what a role she played in my Dad's life? Other people no doubt would have just thought him a waif from a hopeless family, and not cared, but she did. Her generosity shaped my Dad.

Thoughout his life, he was always concerned that no one left his table not full and content. If anyone hung back he would urge tidbits on them. Sharing his food and his table was a joy to him, and one of the ways he showed his care and concern.

As Christmas draws near, I think of Dad, and the love and pride he had for his family. No Christmas ever passes without one of his Grandchildren remembering how Grandpa would steal food from their plates and pretend that he was going to eat it, and when they played the games and complained would return the food, and usually some from his own plate as well. He hated to think that someone might go hungry, or miss out. We neve did of course, we would all have a very full tummy when we rose from the table. Dad would complement the food and say "isn't that wonderful"! He showed his appreciation to all.

So, in many ways, though he is not physically with us, Dad still shapes our Christmas. We plan the menu, we talk about the food we will make and share. We strive to bring pleasure to each other. And to ourselves. Dad also taught us to honor ourselves as well. We deserve good things too. The real pleasure though comes from sharing and giving to others. That nourishes our spirit and our family bonds, even more than the physical food. That is the finest lesson Dad taught us, that caring for others is the greatest gift that we can give ourselves. Caring for others can change lives and shape generations to come. Just like the woman who shared her food with my Dad, sharing what we have can have far reaching effects that no one can know or see, but they are there. Through her simple kindness, our family continues to grow and prosper and pass on the gift that she gave my Dad.

Care about those around you, do the little things and the world grows and the gift goes on and on.

Tuesday night:

FD rolls over in bed.

Mr FD : Be careful!

FD: What?

Mr FD : Be careful of the chicks!

FD: Chicks? We have chicks in our beds?

Mr FD : Penguin chicks.

FD: How many penguin chicks are in our bed?

Mr FD : Lots - 8 to 12 at least.

FD : We have 8 to12 chicks sleeping in our bed with us?

Mr FD : Yes, so be careful when you move.

FD: If they poop on the sheets I won't be happy

Mr FD : Oh they won't do that, they have diapers.

FD : Of course they would! How long are these chicks staying with us in our bed

Mr FD: I don't know, awhile. Until their parents come back for them.

FD: And where are their parents?

Mr FD; On holiday.

FD: You are making them breakfast. 

Wednesday night

Mr FD : I am going public

FD: Going public about what?

Mr FD : Tiger Woods and I.

FD : You've had an affair with Tiger too?

Mr FD: Yes. I feel so used now.

FD: Where did you meet him?

Mr FD : In the valley [night area].

FD: What were you wearing?

Mr FD : A tight little number. Blue, orange, a splash of red.

FD: Did you wear heels?

Mr FD: Oh course! And sequins. It was kind of a jumpsuit thing.

FD: Do you think you will recover?

Mr FD : I feel sooooo used...sigh 

Calm waters ahead

I am bringing my rampaging soul back into balance. Daughter1 had a meeting with Small Balls the Principal - she took HR and the union with her. I don't have details as yet, except what The Boy has passed on but the meeting went ok and Daughter1 is feeling 'empowered". Empowered is a good word in the Flamingo Dancer world. The union rep was so impressed on how she presented, and the information she wrote that he wants to offer her a job! That's my girl!

Daughter2 is feeling back in balance too, and Son has found out he is the last man standing for the next round of job interviews. I have asked if I can resubmit my assignment and I am waiting for a reply - if not I will live with it. I obviously made some errors and so I may have to suck it up and be a big girl.

Thank you for your support during my blood letting. Small Balls the Principal is still going to get his. Maybe Daughter1 should resign the first week  that school returns in 2010, then he can squirm and find a replacement when all the good teachers are taken! My quiver of sticks are in readiness... 

And it is raining so the heat has decreased. I am going to make a superb dinner tonight, inspired by Jamie Oliver, and maybe even crack a red and sing Christmas carols at the top of my rather off key voice. What I lack in talent I make up for with gusto and volume!