Mel's 22nd birthday

Here are some pics from the event. The young ones are usually shy of the camera and were reluctant to have their photos taken. I guess that's obvious! Ah well, I managed to get some anyway. They'll have to do. Nick (the rock star looking one- or 70s emulator as he calls himself) was in fine goofing around form!

Mark and Laura flew to Melbourne Friday evening and caught up with Mel that afternoon. They don't feature in the photos taken at the Pancake Kitchen, where Mel chose to share a meal on her birthday.

Tomorrow, school resomes for the fourth and last term of the school year. It is just 9 weeks and packed full of the end-of-year events that'd be expected.

I've had a busy and productive holiday. It's been great to spend some really good times with my kids and my parents in Adelaide as well as completing a lot of school work.

I'm looking forward to this time, with more family birthdays to come too!

Photos

Laura and Mark and Mark with me on my 52nd birthday in August

My oldest son, Mark, is a professional artist. He does some part time work gallery sitting, but not regularly. I wrote somthing about his art in an earlier post. He's in Singapore at the moment and has an exhibition there.

He'll return to Adelaide on Wednesday.

On Friday he flies to Melbourne to give another one of his artists talks about his work.

His partner is Laura. She works as a personal assistant to the Adelaide Senator. The life of politics would not be my choice, but she seems to thrive on it. She was this senator's campaign manager for the Commonwealth elections last November. It was through this campaign that this senator was elected to parliament for the first time.

They live in a town house in the city of Adelaide, about 3 blocks from the city centre of Victoria Square. It's what you'd call a central location!

They are a great couple who enjoy the night life that Adelaide city has to offer. She is very supportive of Mark's art career and they both enjoy visiting exhibitions and watching live bands. They both DJ at times too.

Mark is an expressive kind of guy. He's certainly not the traditional few words man and can express himself and share well when he feels comfortable with people.

I'll miss him if, well actually it's more like when, he and Laura spend a few years overseas in the not-to-distant future.

Another Sunday

Wow, Sunday again... already!
I have to say that the week has gone slowly, probably because I've been tired due to end of the 3rd term. I always find the 3rd term of the school year the most difficult. It is the coldest term, being the heart of winter, and many illnesses spread their merry way around classrooms. I think this is exacerbated because the year 'adds up' by then. The holidays haven't allowed enough time to recover each time before getting back into the intensity of relating with so many kids with issues and so stress and fatique build up- not that I'm complaining. I enjoy my job. I'm merely making an observation about something that shows in all the staff and kids.
Anyway... the holidays are here. I've slept in a little yesterday and today and catching up on washing and watering the garden ready to spend this week in Adelaide staying with my youngest son so my daughter who shares with him can have a break up here. She'll enjoy spending time with the animals, including Mutley, and watching pay TV, etc.
I'll spend the time in Adelaide catching up with family and doing lots of school paper work and shopping. It'll especially be great to spend a more extended time with Nick, my youngest son, who isn't doing too well at the moment. He seems pretty happy to have received an entrance exam for a course for which he's applied. He's an especially gifted writer and will do well in the course should he get in and manage to attend. Getting out and about more will help him.
It is really frustrating find a good psychiatrist who is taking new patients and who has an appointment available withing the next 2 months. This is a real problem. There is such a shortage of doctors in all fields in this country.
Anyway... I'll catch up with Mark before he flies out to Singapore on Wednesday morning. He's organising and attending his own exhibition there and the venue is paying all his expenses as well as paying a daily 'wage' for spending the time there. I think he'll be there for 8 days. Artists have to pay their own expenses and a fee for exhibiting in a gallery space until they become more renown. Mark is getting more known and respected in some circles, so it is something of which he can be proud- I sure am! Of course, we mothers love our kids no matter what, eh?!!
Mel (my daughter) will spend time together tomorr before she catched the bus up here, then we'll spend other time during the next two weeks shopping, etc. It is her birthday on October 11.
I'll also enjoy spending time with my second son Bryan in between his work commitments.
I like living and working here but I do miss my family in Adelaide. It's good that it's only 2 hours away by car.
Enough of my rambling.
hugs and prayers
Julie

School Animals

Thought I'd start showing some of the animals at school- they're mine, but I share them with the kids and staff there- still have no more of my family on camera, but will get them organised during the holidays. Mel's (my daughter) birthday on the 11th October will be an opportunity!

These animals reside in the school office:

A very relaxed 'Peeper' Eastern Bearded Dragon














Peeper was tense when he first came to school to live, but not any more, as you can see!

'Zag' Golden Bell frog

Mark's art... and a pleasant weekend

Wow! When I went into my blog list to edit the last post to say I CAN'T load photos onto the site from Word format I found this draft. I must have run out of time to finish it and then forgotten it!
I've been to Adelaide to the official opening of my oldest son's latest art exhibition. This exhibition will run for a month now, and also coincides with the Melbourne Art Festival, to which he has also sent works. He is exhibiting in Singapore in October and has established quite a fan base in New Zealand. He's getting there- he's 28 years old and is very committed to his art. I am very proud of him. Of course his art is very 'out there'! This exhibition is titled 'Apples'. It is a series of work that takes as it's focus the Apple iPod. You can see his art at Grenaway Art Gallery, Kent Town or onine at http://www.greenaway.com.au/ARTISTS/SiebertM/Apple/ApplesWrk.htm
I will add now that the exhibition is over and it was a success in that Mark sold several works and is doing well with this agent promoting him.
He's being interviewed on Radio National during this week and just discovered he is a finalist in an art prize in Sydney.
I enjoyed my 'catch-up' with my family during the weekend, so did Mutley. The cats and ducks left behind here weren't as happy but they're fine!
One more week of school left now before the holidays... and so much to do but all of it ok! Assessment Profiles to complete for all students in Science and Health learning areas, reports to write and I'm finalising applications for funding to be sent to Sydney tomorrow. Two classes and I are asking for funding to further develop 2 garden areas. I'll write more about them and the animal program I'm doing some other time. I'd better get on with work now.
Blogspot never prints the time accurately here... must be set on a different time zone- maybe where it's based? I don't know, but I thought I'd mention it because you might think my plans for the day or evening are a bit 'funny' given the times that'd be showing onscreen!
Have a great week everyone!
hugs and prayers

photo additions

I'm in the process of adding some photos to my blog, now that I have a digital camera. I'm really enjoying the camera.
I've added a couple of pics of Mutley at work so far and will continue tomorrow. It's late now... midnight, and I need to get some sleep.

precious birthday surprises

I've just had my 52nd birthday last Thursday. I so appreciated the time I've spent with my family who made the effort to travel here from Adelaide (2 hours each way) over the last few days. My 3 youngest kids arrived at my place of work (school) at the end of the teaching day to surprise me. They took me out for coffee, then to a meal at a restaurant overlooking Moonta Bay. They then drove the 2 hours back home so Bryan could get to work by 7:30 the next morning.

My parents drove here Saturday and took me out for lunch at a cafe overlooking the sea, then on to a different cafe in Moonta for afternoon coffee and ice cream (even though it's still really cold here). We had Cornish Pasties for tea... Cornish pasties are a part of the heritage of this area. They are not getting any younger and have their share of health issues and I so appreciated them making such an effort to visit and spend time here with me.

My oldest son and his partner visited here today. They 'shouted' me to a wonderful meal at an Italian restaurant. We spent time chatting and relaxing within busy life schedules.

On each occasion we spent time relaxing here at my home looking at family photos I have been scrapbooking during the past 3 weeks.

I've been involved in a wonderful blogging site belonging to 2 wonderful people who lost their son to Hypoplastic left heart syndrome last year. He was just 4 years old. They enveloped him with such love and gave him such an incredible life during the short time they were privaledged to know him. They appreciated him and continue remembering him via their site. They have sooo many photos and videos that they share with us and they write in such a poignant way about the love in their hearts for their precious son who suffered so much. He was always smiling. This is in part due to his own nature but a huge part of this is due to their strength in giving him such security in their love, showing him values of respect, love, honour, peace, commitment, faith and honesty. They showed such appreciation of him as a person while supporting him through chronic health crises.

I have the DeMellos to thank the new outlook I have on life. I can't say they have renewed my enthusiasm for life because I don't think I ever had enthusiasm for life. I never found living life easy. I didn't really know why when I was a kid, or even until the last year or so really, but I understand the reasons now. Suffice to say that I have an appreciation for the time I have to spend with my family and friends. I appreciate that I have them around me, I mean I REALLY appreciate this. I always said I appreciated them and I did, but now I feel so glad to be alive and living. I've been living in an emotional fog all these years. Please don't think I didn't love my family before... I did... but now I have the emotional energy to really let go of the negative emotions and to rest in the peace and tranquility of love. I value life and just want to spend as much time with the people I love while I can.

Thanks doesn't seem enough in this situation, but I'd like to express it anyway. Thankyou for providing me with the opportunity to gain life enthusiasm, appreciation and love.

Thankyou to my family who made such an effort to simply spend some time with me here. It is a birthday time to remember in years to come.

It's been difficult to put this into words because words don't really 'cut-it' (or at least my words!)but I've done my best.

bye for now
Julie

that Saturday

It has finally arrived... and in some ways it is always too soon. I speak of the last Saturday of the holidays.
It is a bitter-sweet day. I know I have to get into the usual weekend mode preparing home for school in a practical sense- ensuring washing and housework are up to date, but not least turning my body clock around from the casual 'take my time 'atitude in the mornings to 'wow! it's 6am, got to get up and I'm not even too tired' mode! This is no mean feat for a night owl, but I've enjoyed my 2 weeks break from it so I can't complain.
I spent 3 days in Adelaide with my 4 kids and my parents. It's great that I can stay a bit longer than one night at a time now. I've organised things here so that works and can take my companion with me. No, it's not a man... pity... but he is still good company. I speak of my Border Collie/Kelpie dog Muttley! He also comes to school with me often and is a great companion for kids (and staff) who are struggling a bit. Nothing like tha unconditional love of an animal to drive those blues away!
My daughter, Mel (short for Melanie) and I made gingerbread. It is popular fare in my family and we had a blast! Of course we also went shopping, spending time at Ikea and Big W.
Eating out at cafes is also a must so we all spent time doing that.
My parents, Muttley and I walked along the beach. It was very pleaseant despite the winter cold. There wasn't much beach actually... full moon and rough weather... but it was still great. We had coffee and snacks at a cafe by the sea. We were in an area protected from the elements by clear blinds. Even so the froth from my cuppaccino blew off the spoon on one occasion as I tried to lift it to my mouth! It was a bit 'brisk'!
The last 2 weeks have involved catching up with school paper work and preparation. It's been great to have that time.
I also caught up with myself a bit more, if that makes any sense. I've read articles about Aboriginal education and how one school addresses this in an 'outside the square' way... right up my alley. I will apply to teach there next year because, although the school I'm at will probably have another year's work there for me, it is not guaranteed and I feel the need to set things in place. I love where I'm teaching now. I get to do all kinds of programs, and I know that I can apply my complete tendancy to 'think outside the square' in a supportive environment.
Of course, should I win a position there I will have to relocate to Adelaide and I'm really in two minds about that. There are pros and cons for either outcome. If my application is not successful I'll be happy enough to let things ride into 2009 unless anything else more interesting surfaces.
Anyway... I'd better get myself going with this Saturday.
Catch you all again soon.

Struggling

Wow... it is sooo hard to get myself to start writing each time, as you can see from the time between the blogs! I found that when I wrote the second to last post I felt some sort of releasing of burden so I will keep on trying.
Camp was fantastic! It was great to share in memory-making experiences with these kids, many of whom are from highly disadvantaged backgrounds... poverty, isolation, transcience, family difficulties and associated dysfunction are huge. I have always worked in 'disadvantaged schools' and find the kids and their families great to work with- to see the joy felt with every experience is heartening.
Many of the kids don't get to the city at all and have never seen many cars on the roads, etc, so that was an experience in itself.
I was really tired during the weekend and relaxed, did some gardening and talked with my kids on the phone.
My youngest son had some issues with his Tourette's and associated OCD but is learning to deal with it. He is currently also struggling with the fact that his father is a 'monster' as he puts it. Professionals in this field tell me that most guys in his situation go through this time of difficulty in accepting what their father has done to them and their families- the fallout etc, and that they get through it in time. He is nearly 19 now and has been facing this difficulty for a year now.
He and his older sister share a 'unit' near the city of Adelaide. They are feeling more independent and are facing their issues as they go along.
Now and then they ask me if I'm still on the 'guilt trip' and I say that I am taking their past encouraging comments to heart to change my 'self talk' first, then hopefully the heart will follow.
They are amazing people, as are the older 2 boys who take a keen interest in them, checking but not rescuing, keeping them company, etc.
Anyway, I need to get going now... it's 10:50pm here and work awaits again tomorrow.
Bye for now...
Julie

School Camp

It's been sooo difficult to et myself to blog since the last post. Writing is so painful I guess, but I really found the last post so beneficial and have been doing well since... feeling like I'm beginning to rise above the fog a bit.
I'm off to school camp in Adelaide for a few days with kids from Years 4 - 7 (ages 8 - 13 years)... should be a blast with the great teachers and parents we are taking with us! It will be cold but good.
Anyway... I'll make a reall effort to post something more during the weekend...
Bye for now...
Julie

Silly me

...interesting that when I came back inside after calling... and calling... for the 'missing' cat I mentioned in my last post, what do you know?! There she was sitting inside in the hallway with a look on her face that just said 'what?' She must have been hiding right in under the spare ensemble bed in my son's old room. Maybe I do worry too much... as my daughter said... :) Maybe she should come when she's called... grrr!
I went to the local takeaway/dine-in place that looks over Moonta Bay for tea tonight. It was really nice looking over the water as the lights came on. This was before I came back home and discovered the not-missing cat and before I wrote my last post.
I organised tomorrow at school and have been doing lots of knitting since then and will now go back and finish the ball of wool I'm using before turning in for the night.
Bye again...
Julie

Long Weekend

What to say... hmm... it has been a quiet and productive weekend. Anyone who knows me knows that I find quiet a bit lonely, but it is something I'm getting used to since my younger 2 kids moved to Adelaide.
I have the dog, Mutley, who comes along to school with me some days. He really loves it there and they really love him. He is quite the 'student' joining in with assemblies, choosing which student to sit with, then sitting calmly the whole time.
Of course he is willing to give this because his first love is well known and pandied to by the kids- retrieving tennis balls when thrown by anyone willing to spend the time. He became more obsessed at first, but now has settled into a routine. He knows classes come out for sport, so he waits nearby on the oval for students to visit him and throw his ball. He doesn't interfere with their games, especially if there are larger balls involved.
Of course, resisting tennis balls proved to be a challenge. It seems a couple of teachers have told him not to chase the ball onto the asphalt area because he interrupts their lessons. He's taken that absolutely literally to be observed at all times. Whether or not all kids are at school or if it is after hours he will not chase the ball onto the asphalt area. He stops 'dead' at the edge of the oval. He is a fast learner and very obedient. He loves to please.
He's good company. I have 3 cats here too. They usually hang around our yard or in yards nearby. The oldest generally stays inside there days- she has bad arthritis in her hips now. Otherwise she is very healthy. Our 'hand-raised' one, the youngest, is 'missing in action' at the moment- she was here earlier today. She's taken over from the previous matriach and keeps intruders out of the yard. I think that's what she's doing at the moment because I just heard fighting- unusual around here really, but she must be experiencing some difficulty at the moment. It's 7:20 pm. She'll be in later I guess. I do like them to be in by nightfall- responsible cat ownership for wildlife safety and also for their own safety. I hope she's ok. My daughter tells me I worry too much. Of course, she was always the keeper of the animals before she moved in January.
There are 3 Muscovies. They are really cute, and wag their tails and hiss in greeting when I go out into the back yard.
I'm enjoying the animals. They provide company, but it would be great to be able to have a human conversation with them! :)
I planted lots of new plants in the garden, weeded and tidied and began spreading 7 tonnes of river pebbles. I'm not as fit as I used to be but hopefully the garden work will help that during the coming weeks!
Anyhoo, enough of my rambling... the long weekend is over and I'd better get things organised for the working week.
Bye for now
Julie

Hi

I'm embarking on a blog, although writing about 'stuff' is something I find challenging when there's emotion involved. Factual is good, emotion... well, let's just say writing brings it out. I guess that's the idea. It has been suggested that I keep a journal and many a time I've bought a 'speccy' looking book expressly for that purpose, only to never put one mark in it! Ah well, I'll give it a go in the blog world.
It is the Queen's Birthday long weekend here in S Aus so I have a bit of time to get some things organised around here. I've begun knitting after years of absence. I find it calming really, so I guess it's a good thing to keep doing. I'll begin some work in the garden... always theraputic and relaxing. Otherwise I am starting some art works about my kids who have all left home. That is something I've been strugling with this years as it means the end of an era and also magnifies my 'singledom'.
Never mind- my job is relationship intensive and I have things to do. Even so, finding someone to share with on a deeper level would be good. I'll see what happens. It's a matter of making a better choice this time and that can't be guaranteed can it?! I'll keep working on my own self and wait...
Enough for now...
Hope your day is great... all that you need it to be...
Bye for now