Peanut made a pretty big call today.
She's been into Rapunzel lately, and as much as I find the whole Disney franschise painful for their shocking portrayal of female role models, I let her watch this one. It seemed to have a strong female lead. She has a couple of neuroses, sure, but she has her own impetus and is capable of rescuing herself. However, this feminine empowerment might have taken a step in the wrong direction in Peanut's young head...
Her take on the story? "No, Mummy, Rapunzel didn't live happily ever after, she went to live with a MAN."
Oh.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Monday, March 5, 2012
He's home
Mr Accident is home from his course a full five weeks early. Not injured, as I feared, and so far from failing that it's laughable, but he's home nonetheless.
He went for two reasons - he wanted the job, and he wanted to know he could do the job. It was about proving himself.
But, while he was away doing just that, and doing exceptionally well at it, too, he realized the job sucked. Really, truly sucked. And he didn't want it anymore.
It turns out that all the cooking, and caring, and cleaning, and laundry washing and support that I offered in the preparation has backfired. He just wants to be home with his family, safe and comfortable, where he belongs.
So now he's had his questions answered. He is good enough. He can do it. And his family is well worth the sacrifice of his dream career.
And I couldn't be happier.
He went for two reasons - he wanted the job, and he wanted to know he could do the job. It was about proving himself.
But, while he was away doing just that, and doing exceptionally well at it, too, he realized the job sucked. Really, truly sucked. And he didn't want it anymore.
It turns out that all the cooking, and caring, and cleaning, and laundry washing and support that I offered in the preparation has backfired. He just wants to be home with his family, safe and comfortable, where he belongs.
So now he's had his questions answered. He is good enough. He can do it. And his family is well worth the sacrifice of his dream career.
And I couldn't be happier.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Like (my) mother, like (my) daughter
This never ending rain is causing tension in the Accidental household.
I like to relive my misspent youth by blasting my teenage angst CDs and dancing madly around the living room. Peanut does not approve.
I just threw on some Blink182 and went to make afternoon tea. I heard a heart wrenching wail from the playroom, and a "Mummy, I Do Not Like That Loud Music!"
And when I walked in?
Earmuffs.
She was wearing her baby industrial strength earmuffs.
I swear, it's like I never left home... Mum, are you coaching her??
I like to relive my misspent youth by blasting my teenage angst CDs and dancing madly around the living room. Peanut does not approve.
I just threw on some Blink182 and went to make afternoon tea. I heard a heart wrenching wail from the playroom, and a "Mummy, I Do Not Like That Loud Music!"
And when I walked in?
Earmuffs.
She was wearing her baby industrial strength earmuffs.
I swear, it's like I never left home... Mum, are you coaching her??
Meeting Rhonda
The book signing went really well yesterday! I expected a lot more people there, I guess I expected the whole world to love reading Rhonda as much as I do, but it was very quiet. I had a chance to sit and chat with Rhonda and Hanno about their travels, and important details about who is looking after their chickens while they are away. Rhonda was as delightful in person as she is in print, but perhaps a bit tired from her hectic schedule. She was very nice to chat to though.
However, it was Hanno that stole the show for the Accidental family. He absolutely charmed the girls. He even admired and had a quick play with Bug's "kitty" hand puppet. Peanut woke up this morning and asked to see him again!
The book itself is huge. I didn't expect it to be so thick (so many household and lifestyle manuals are not exactly meaty). And there is so much content!! It will take a fair while to get through it all, which is lovely, because from what I've seen so far it is easy to read, and the layout is very pleasant. it's going to be a keeper, I can tell already. I actually wouldn't be surprised if I end up buying a twentieth edition copy for the girls when they move out of home.
Well, I'd best be off, Bug has been up since 3am this morning (I think she's getting sick too) and she's about two inches from the end of her tether. We're just about to stroll down through the rain to pick Peanut up from the kinder around the corner, have homemade pea and ham soup with fresh rolls for lunch, then tuck everyone up in bed for an afternoon nap. Myself included, today!
However, it was Hanno that stole the show for the Accidental family. He absolutely charmed the girls. He even admired and had a quick play with Bug's "kitty" hand puppet. Peanut woke up this morning and asked to see him again!
The book itself is huge. I didn't expect it to be so thick (so many household and lifestyle manuals are not exactly meaty). And there is so much content!! It will take a fair while to get through it all, which is lovely, because from what I've seen so far it is easy to read, and the layout is very pleasant. it's going to be a keeper, I can tell already. I actually wouldn't be surprised if I end up buying a twentieth edition copy for the girls when they move out of home.
Well, I'd best be off, Bug has been up since 3am this morning (I think she's getting sick too) and she's about two inches from the end of her tether. We're just about to stroll down through the rain to pick Peanut up from the kinder around the corner, have homemade pea and ham soup with fresh rolls for lunch, then tuck everyone up in bed for an afternoon nap. Myself included, today!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Welcome to Autumn
I woke this morning to dark skies and pounding rain. The children and I had slept in an extra two hours. (Well, except for Peanut, she woke quietly at six and played in her room with her dollhouse.) It was so dark that we needed to put the lights on to see our late breakfast, and for Peanut to do her reading practice.
There is a huge puddle that surrounds our house, we are living on the Accidental Island today. My poor potted mint is under two inches of water, and the chicken pen is a swimming pool, far more suited to ducks.
So there is only one thing to do, really. We've bunkered down. It's the perfect day for craft, stories, and playdough. The girls will probably watch an episode of play school, I'll get stuck into the ironing, and then we'll have homemade rolls for lunch.
After nap time, however, we're heading into town to meet Rhonda Hetzel. She's written a book based on her wonderful Down To Earth blog, so we're going to get our copy signed. (If you are not familiar with her blog and you are interested in simple living it's worth a look. It's so damn good that it is included in archives of the National Library of Australia.) I've been reading her for about four years now, so I'm very excited to actually meet her! I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.
There is a huge puddle that surrounds our house, we are living on the Accidental Island today. My poor potted mint is under two inches of water, and the chicken pen is a swimming pool, far more suited to ducks.
So there is only one thing to do, really. We've bunkered down. It's the perfect day for craft, stories, and playdough. The girls will probably watch an episode of play school, I'll get stuck into the ironing, and then we'll have homemade rolls for lunch.
After nap time, however, we're heading into town to meet Rhonda Hetzel. She's written a book based on her wonderful Down To Earth blog, so we're going to get our copy signed. (If you are not familiar with her blog and you are interested in simple living it's worth a look. It's so damn good that it is included in archives of the National Library of Australia.) I've been reading her for about four years now, so I'm very excited to actually meet her! I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
...and now a return to our normal programming...
The chicken house is finished! I attached the hinges and door latches yesterday, and it's now snug and weather proof. Which is lucky, because it's absolutely pouring here.
It was lovely working on the coop yesterday. I dragged it in under our big eaves to stay out of the rain, which fell in drumming sheets just beyond my work area. The girls were napping peacefully, exhausted from a morning at the science centre. I sanded and drilled, hammered and problem solved, and had some space to think. There was a much needed mental clarity that came from working with my hands, without the distractions of the radio or tv (or small children!)
Given my low skill level for wood working, I think this peace was only achievable because I was looking for a practical, not beautiful outcome from my efforts. There were a fair few false starts and work arounds required. As a wise man once told me, "once you've screwed something up twice, the third time you're an expert." I am now an expert hinge hanger, and I can also caulk up unwanted screw holes like a champion...
I am very satisfied with the finished product. I was so excited that I dragged it straight around to the chicken pen, even in the pouring rain. Then, when it was bedded in and solid, I tucked myself up small, crawled inside and shut the door. (It is only a coop for two chickens, not exactly roomy.) The soft light slanted in through the slatted door, the rain beat on the roof, and I was in my own snug world.
I almost convinced myself not to get chickens, and just keep it as my secret hideaway at the bottom of the garden. I was only stopped by the thought of the neighbors calling the men in white coats ("Where's mum?" "Oh, she's hiding in the chicken coop in the yard...") Actually, knowing my neighbors, they'd probably want a go too. We'd need to work out a schedule!
It was lovely working on the coop yesterday. I dragged it in under our big eaves to stay out of the rain, which fell in drumming sheets just beyond my work area. The girls were napping peacefully, exhausted from a morning at the science centre. I sanded and drilled, hammered and problem solved, and had some space to think. There was a much needed mental clarity that came from working with my hands, without the distractions of the radio or tv (or small children!)
Given my low skill level for wood working, I think this peace was only achievable because I was looking for a practical, not beautiful outcome from my efforts. There were a fair few false starts and work arounds required. As a wise man once told me, "once you've screwed something up twice, the third time you're an expert." I am now an expert hinge hanger, and I can also caulk up unwanted screw holes like a champion...
I am very satisfied with the finished product. I was so excited that I dragged it straight around to the chicken pen, even in the pouring rain. Then, when it was bedded in and solid, I tucked myself up small, crawled inside and shut the door. (It is only a coop for two chickens, not exactly roomy.) The soft light slanted in through the slatted door, the rain beat on the roof, and I was in my own snug world.
I almost convinced myself not to get chickens, and just keep it as my secret hideaway at the bottom of the garden. I was only stopped by the thought of the neighbors calling the men in white coats ("Where's mum?" "Oh, she's hiding in the chicken coop in the yard...") Actually, knowing my neighbors, they'd probably want a go too. We'd need to work out a schedule!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Loss
There is a house in my community that is full of children's toys. A tiny table and chair. Soft teddies and balls and a farmyard set.
But there are no babies. No kids. Just two parents with empty arms.
My dear friends have lost another baby, their third late term pregnancy loss. They buried their first, a full term, beautiful, perfect baby daughter in a tiny white coffin. They lost their second a year and a day ago. A little boy, also perfect, but too young for this world. And now, again, today, they lost another baby daughter. They have been waiting, praying and hoping. She has been on bed rest, struggling through mind numbing boredom and constant fear that this baby will be torn from her womb, too. He has been working full time, studying part time, and nursing her with gentle, constant love and attention.
Now the worst has happened. Their precious child came into this world this morning and stayed for just fifteen minutes, then left to spend eternity with her brother and sister. Her mother and father left the hospital with empty arms.
Her parents are devastated. Their family are devastated. The whole, tight knit community is devastated.
And I am left searching for meaning, for reason. Why? WHY? If there is a God with a bigger plan, how could this possibly be part of it? How can continuously breaking the hearts of two devout people be necessary to achieve the outcome He wants? Surely an all powerful deity, this God of Love, could find an easier, kinder way?
I wish I had a clever line to end this on, something to wrap it up neatly and leave you on a positive, but I don't. I just don't. I guess real life is just never neat.
But there are no babies. No kids. Just two parents with empty arms.
My dear friends have lost another baby, their third late term pregnancy loss. They buried their first, a full term, beautiful, perfect baby daughter in a tiny white coffin. They lost their second a year and a day ago. A little boy, also perfect, but too young for this world. And now, again, today, they lost another baby daughter. They have been waiting, praying and hoping. She has been on bed rest, struggling through mind numbing boredom and constant fear that this baby will be torn from her womb, too. He has been working full time, studying part time, and nursing her with gentle, constant love and attention.
Now the worst has happened. Their precious child came into this world this morning and stayed for just fifteen minutes, then left to spend eternity with her brother and sister. Her mother and father left the hospital with empty arms.
Her parents are devastated. Their family are devastated. The whole, tight knit community is devastated.
And I am left searching for meaning, for reason. Why? WHY? If there is a God with a bigger plan, how could this possibly be part of it? How can continuously breaking the hearts of two devout people be necessary to achieve the outcome He wants? Surely an all powerful deity, this God of Love, could find an easier, kinder way?
I wish I had a clever line to end this on, something to wrap it up neatly and leave you on a positive, but I don't. I just don't. I guess real life is just never neat.
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