40 is the new 40....more birthday pics

These photo's were taken by Anon ( YOu know, the one that is genius at helping out and taking great pictures when everybody else forgets their camera! Thank you miss photographer)
This is me with some of the soup. Each soup had a label and each soup was yummy. We had
- roast capsicum
-pumpkin
-Mr Youldon's soup
-Tomato, Corn and chilli chicken
These where the picnic blankets that were set up for people to sit around. We had dips and crudites to start. The dips were - roast onion and garlic
-mexican dip
-tuna and capers
- peanut satay
Here is the wonderful woman who gave her time and missed seeing the boys win by 7 goals (I think) Again this is not a sufficient way to say thank you - but thank you ever so much.
Here is another wonderful lady who did ever so much. I nearly killed her with all the hauling we had to do to get all the stuff down to the kitchen! She cooked and cleaned and cooked and hauled and cooked and served and I appreciate it sooooooo much. Thank you Mum for all that you are and all that you did. You are amazing and awesome.
The 40th cakes that ended up looking like playdough because I was icing them at 11'o'clock at night and we all know that Trin doesn't function after 7:30! So playdough cakes it was. They were a hit with the kids at least.
Other photo's and Brenton's epic speech can be viewed on his facebook page. Get ready for the long listen - it goes for 30 minutes and he thanks everyone and apologises lots also!!!!!! It's a BIG coming of age I think.

One Sock Days

Today started off like any other day in the Pobjie household. I could only find one sock and then after an extensive look I could find two - and they do match sort of.....spots and stripes, right.
My day did get better. Look what I found on the side of the road when I went for my morning run/stroll/check out what other people are throwing out.

And to top it all off some fun photo's of our weekend. Free pony rides in the sun and a beautiful photo of my beautiful boy.

Preview

camera corrupted some people mo shots (sorry anon, all that effort and file corrupted, boo hoo. I will track you down and do another!!!!!).....but others survived.
BIG MASSIVE THANK YOU to all those that read this who helped. It all ran smoothly and well because of you guys and what a day!!!!!! More shots to follow when I track those people that had cameras down and can wake up.

Do it I say, Do it!

Right, you can all stop clasping your hands in prayer and hang on to your panties instead, I've finished exams and I'M ON HOLIDAYS.  AROOOOOOOOOGA!

Date Night

It's date night again tonight, after possibly the world's worst exam this afternoon (although I figure that if I pass 3 out of 4 of my courses after having a miscarriage that's not too bad!).  Last week we had pancakes and crazy hats.  I think Andrew won (although I did have to sticky tape it on his head so he could make the pancakes).

If I were smarter....

I could paste the video on our blog but I am not Calli!!!... so

check this out it's the Beatty's that I am going to work for- How excitement!!

http://www.insidequeensland.com.au/Story003.html

Story Title: Angels over belyando

Yey yey yey, I even had wet eyes I was so proud of them!

Lindy hop till your legs drop off!!

Oh wow!! I'm jealous and looking forward to seeing Andy throw Cal around like a rag doll!

Here I am...

If you know me you may call me "Govie" but to all others I am Lady Kati "Governess" ;-)

I move to 200kms drive from Clermont on 25th July and the only thing I know about the place is that it has a shoe tree outside the petrol station, I'm already wondering which shoes to take and add to the pile-they will be sprayed a fluro colour so that next time google earth takes a pict you will all see the mark I have made on Clermont!!!

3 more sleeps till Fiji and 16 school childern!!

Cause we want to party too

Andrew and I are going with Jono Lindy Hopping on Saturday.  We can't dance Lindy Hop (Jono can), I'm not even sure that you can say 'Lindy Hopping'.  Of course we'd rather be rocking out at Brenton's do but we're pumped that we can party on the other side of the world in honour of his 40th!

For me studying means the chance for study breaks.  And study breaks mean that I need a totally opposite experience to studying.  So today, while looking for ideas on what to wear on Saturday I ended up looking like a tribute to Rosie, the World War II poster chick.  Oh what fun an old scarf and a red lippy can be!

(I think I may be allergic to...fun?)

I can't wait for exams to be over (42 hours), although I'm sure going to miss my study breaks.

Party Central

Oh my. All the stoppers are out and we are on the down hill side of the up hill run that is the 40th bash.
In between choosing soup recipes and making false mo's for our photo booth, I am also nursing a sick girl and warding off any bad germs that are getting up my nose.

In the middle of no where...

Does governess suit Kati Mac....

Cause I've just been offered the job out of Clemont QLD.....

Hmmmmmmm

I love my Sisters

While trying to find some cool things to do at Pobj's party I stumbled across this (I think we will use it for people to leave messages for Pobj) It is totally cool. A library card on which I can write anything ....and what better way to fill one out then to declare my love for each of my beautiful sisters!
Hope you are having a great weekend.

Where I'm At

I figured that it was about time for an update on the life of me.  Just to let you all know that I haven't drowned in a pool of my own tears, or comfort-eaten myself into a sugar-induced coma.

I guess the one word that best describes me at the moment is 'roller-coasterish'.  I have wonderful days that are full of beautiful things, including remembering our poppy seed in happy ways.  Then there's days when I'm so sad it's deep in my bones and I feel so heavy that I'm afraid I'll fall through the floor.  And then there's days that are a combination of both, tears and smiles, sobs and laughter.  I never know what a day is going to hold, and neither does poor old Andrew.  He definitely has a crazy woman on his hands.

I'm also all over the place in other ways.  This week I have thought about becoming a jeweler, making awesome silver jewelry like Rachel.  Then I decided to become a photographer like Carrie, and when we come back to Newcastle I'll join Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.  And then I decided that I really should study for my law exams.  So I did.  A little.

I finished one exam today, it was ok but I'm really not looking forward to the next three.  Although I am looking forward to them being over, so the added stress is taken away and I can just be.  I can spend all day watching tv.  I can seriously clean the house.  I can buy fruit from the Dappermarkt.  I can deflate, and then re-inflate.  That, I'm looking forward to.

(Pics by the Husband.)

Happy Birthday Brenton!

Due to time-constraint issues (exams, eew), this is the best 40 I could come up with.  But what more could you want, I think 40 gram of nootmuskaat (nutmeg) is quite the way to bring in the big four-oh.  All kinda spicey-like.

Happy Birthday, we know it was a great one, may there be many more to come!

Andrew and Calli

The BIG 40th

Yesterday I snuck out and decorated the old man's office. This is for his actual birthday. You should see what I have planned for the party in 2 weeks. All around the walls which you cannot see are things about 40 eg. 40 celebrities who are 40, 40 ways to say happy birthday in 40 different languages, 40 reasons we love him, 40 songs to sing when you are 40 ect. I will post these lists sometime. Now, I have to get back to baking the chocolate cake and sticky date puddings and organising some games for our Small group 40th birthday celebrations games night....hmmm I think fluffy bunnies and a dress up relay are the order of the day.. although I do also have some dice that we got given for our honeymoon!

Sunny Sunday Afternoons

Written by Connor and Kenzi
We were frustrated at the start because our bikes weren't in working order. Connor's bike had a flat tire and Kenzi's bike had a chain that was rusted hard. We decided to walk instead. Mummy did something, she broke up three sticks. Two were tall sticks and one was a short stick. She mixed them up and then we picked a stick. Kenzi picked the short one and so she got to choose where we were walking to. Kenzi choose the beach at Throsby Creek. Off we went. On our walk we collected 1 plastic soldier, 2 smooth rocks, lots of little daisies, 1 plastic ball, 2 knitted maroon mittens, 1 amazing leaf and 1 poisonous berry.
Connor bought his soccer ball and we played juggles and Connor got up to 10. We also played save the goal and Mummy was terrible, but Connor and Kenzi both got some goals in.
We had a great time on our Sunday afternoon walk in the winter sunshine. We have no camera at the moment, so no pictures, but plenty of smiles.
We wish you could have all joined us in our Sunday afternoon ramble - although Connor thinks that you may have been put off by the stink bombs he dropped on the way home!!!!!

I Found it!

Every year I try and find a book for each of the kids for Christmas. I get to build up our little collection and they get to enjoy a really good picture book. I will never stop doing this - even when they are 64. Picture books are awesome.
I found a book at the library the other day that I must get for Kenzi for Christmas. Why? Because the little girl in the book is like Kenzi.......and the illustrations are amazing.
The Book is called "Sunday Chutney" and it's by Aaron Blabey, which, by the way is a great name for an author, don't you think?
Sunday is the name of the girl in the book. She has led the most extraordinary life and lived all over the world (which is not like Kenzi at all). Her imagination is wild (which is totally like Kenzi)
The whole book is great and shows a girl who makes the most of her situation and has real honest to goodness spunk.
Why did we not think of calling our Kenzi Ruth, Sunday Chutney.
Oh, and clicks for me for already having parts of Christmas presents or at least thought about them.( Now I must go and sew up those IOU's from last year!)

Goodbye

Last night Andrew and I said goodbye to our little poppy seed.  We wandered down to a favourite spot by the canal that runs in front of our house, scattered some flowers on the water, and wept.  Andrew read this poem by Jane Tyson Clement:

Into the dark which is not dark

but only the light we cannot see,

reluctantly I let you go.

What was your source - children of years?

Surely I cannot claim your birth;

for when I found you, even then

you were not strangers to the earth.

I was privileged, to disclose

briefly, a portion of your days.

Now you are free - but not complete;

for none of us is this the end.

Somewhere the valley holds the mist,

the four fields shimmer in the haze,

the man of patience and the child

and the sea-eyed girl draw deep their breath

and live, and have no fear of death.

I wish you guys had been there.  Our little poppy seed's grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins.  But you weren't, so we said goodbye for you, joined by two guys behind us getting high on pot, and canal boats filled with tourists lumbering past...an Amsterdam goodbye for our Amsterdam baby.

Boobies, Tits and Nipples. Oh I feel naughty!

I have been looking for 40th birthday quotes for Pobj's party and I found this poem. I am getting so old - cause I laughed out loud at some of this and nodded my head in agreement wit other parts!
Sorry to anybody that is offended by the title - heck I am offended by the title, but my sisters will be so proud of me!
This is by
Pam Ayres.

Oh, I Wish I'd Looked After Me Tits

Oh, I wish I'd looked after me dear old knockers,

Not flashed them to boys behind the school lockers,

Or let them get fondled by randy old dockers,

Oh, I wish I'd looked after me tits.

'Cos now I'm much older and gravity's winning.

It's Nature's revenge for all that sinning,

And those dirty memories are rapidly dimming,

Oh, I wish I'd looked after me tits.

'Cos tits can be such troublesome things

When they no longer bounce, but dangle and swing.

And although they go well with my Bingo wings

I wish I'd looked after me tits.

When they're both long enough to tie up in a bow,

When it's not the sweet chariot that swings low,

When they're less of a friend and more of a foe,

Then I wish I'd looked after me tits.

When I was young I got whistles and hoots,

From the men on the site to the men in the suits,

Now me nipples get stuck in the zips on me boots

Oh, I wish I'd looked after me tits.

When I was younger I rode bikes and scooters,

Cruising around with my favourite suitors.

Now the wheels get entangled with my dangling hooters,

I wish I'd looked after me tits

When they follow behind and get trapped in the door,

When they're less in the air and more near the floor,

When people see less of them rather than more,

Oh, I wish I'd looked after me tits.

You're Dumped

I was having a conversation with Connor the other night. We were talking about life and things that were going on at school. About halfway through the conversation this is how it went,

Connor: Mummy did you know I had a girlfriend?
Me: No, remember there are no girlfriends until you leave school - way to messy.
Connor: It's Ok I dumped her.
Me: Oh, I do hope you were very kind. How did Rielly take it?
Connor: Don't know, but I just couldn't have her as my girlfriend any more.
Me: Why not
Connor: Mummy, I saw her pick her nose. I just had to dump her.

So, watch out all you boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands and wives out there, don't pick your nose or you will be dumped!

Our Little Poppy Seed

I’ve had a blog post rolling around in my head for the last few days.  But that’s where it’s stayed.  Until now.

 

Warning: you may want some tissues before you continue.  I haven’t even started writing and I’m blubbing all over the place.

 

I just want to share the story of our little baby with you.  It’s been the craziest week I’ve ever lived through, and while the blog is mostly a happy place, it’s a place to share our lives, and this is mine at the moment.

 

A week ago on Friday we found out we were pregnant.  Our little baby had a personality right from the start, the first time we dipped the pregnant stick nothing showed up at all, our baby was a jokester, hiding until his (just going to use ‘he’ cause that’s what feels right) mummy and daddy had a second go.  And then there were two pink lines, the first mark our kid made in the world (that and the rather excessive growth of my breasts, woh baby!).

 

Andrew and I were so excited.  We really didn’t know what to do with ourselves.  We wanted to celebrate, but we also wanted to mark the beginning of a new life for us, our little family.  We wanted to do something that could become a tradition for each addition to our family, no matter how they ended up part of us.  We settled on buying a nice copy of The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Expurey and we were going to write a message in it for our child.  In the book it talks about a rose being unique in all the world, and that was our baby.  We wanted to let the baby know that we loved him, that he was a beautiful and unique creation with no other like him, and that we valued him for everything that he was, and all that he may become.

 

We spent Friday and Saturday treasuring our little secret between us.  We were so excited to tell people, but we wanted to wait until Liz (Andrew’s mum) had come to visit, we wanted to tell at least one of our family face-to-face.  So we headed off to Sweden on Sunday with joy in our hearts and a baby in my tummy.

 

Sweden was beautiful.  Every day Andrew would come home for work and have a chat with my belly.  I spent a few days scouring the footpaths of Lysekil looking for a rubber band to close my jeans, my tummy was a little swollen and I had been walking around with the button undone.  I finally stole one off the spring onions in the supermarket (bad Calli) and used it til it snapped and then kept on using it after!  We went for beauty walks, something Andrew was adamant about doing.  We had a lovely week of becoming 3.  It was seriously great.

 

On Thursday night I had a little spotting, but after some Googling I thought it was ok.  On Friday the spotting became bleeding.  And then the bleeding became big clots.  We traveled home that day, me feeling the worst I ever had, with uncertainty over what was happening, and a feeling in my heart that we’d lost the baby.  The bleeding and clots continued and after a call to the doctor we were pretty sure that I was miscarrying. 

 

Saturday was spent curled on the couch, Andrew and I clinging together, crying together.  And Sunday wasn’t much different.  We’re up and down, just like the clichéd roller coaster.  We joke about our little baby, and then we cry.  I guess it’s just all part of the process, and I’m so glad that I have Andrew to go through this with.  I couldn’t wish for a better person.  He understands, he cries with me, he holds me when I’m crying, he feeds me spinach and anything else containing iron, he tells people what’s going on when I just can’t, he held my hand (or my whole body) when we were at the doctors, he stays home from work when I just need someone.  He’s my husband, and he’s totally fulfilling the ‘for better or for worse’ part of his promise to me.

 

We’ve got beautiful friends here who are showering us with love (and food and flowers and Scrubs).  I’m so thankful for them.  And I’ve got my wonderful family who call, shoot me emails and texts, and just let me know that they’re there, even if they don’t know what to say and feel helpless being so far away.  All I need to know is that you’re there.  That’s all. 

So, this has been a long one, but I just wanted to tell you the story of our little baby, who almost made it to 5 weeks, who would have been born on Sunday the 7^th of February 2010, who was the size of a poppy seed…