}

August 22, 2010

A brand new kitchen for the family

Joanne, Antony and the children have been through a hellish 6 weeks while their kitchen was totally gutted, their floor in the dining room, kitchen and corridors was torn up and a gaping hole (to make a door) was smashed through their wall. Dust. Dirt. Mountains of rubble. Workers coming and going. Loud hammering. No kitchen. That was their constant lot for weeks on end.

But, I think you'll agree the final result - a modern, stylish, open plan kitchen and a much lighter and airier dining room - have been well worth it. The kitchen has now been christened with their first dinner party and all their friends were very impressed. But I don't think the Botings will be in a rush to do any more large renovations for a while. They are enjoying their new kitchen and some much needed peace and quiet.


During





The result!



August 21, 2010

Just Good Friends

This is a story I remember reading as a child. I hope you enjoy my interpretation:

As usual, I wake up early and I gaze at the man who is sleeping next to me. He has such a kind, loving face, even when he sleeps, and I feel deep affection for him. It will be some time before he wakes. I let my mind wander and I remember back to how we met.

We met at a pub called "The Cat and Whistle" which I visited often. I was first attracted to him, not because he was good looking, but because he seemed kind and gentle. Every night, he used to sit at the same table alone and drink his beer and watch people playing darts.

Then one night, a blonde woman came and sat at his table and started talking to him. From then on, each night, they sat together. To be honest, I felt very jealous. Then after 20 days, they had an argument and she went away. I felt extremely happy. The next night, I went straight over to his table and I sat beside him. I fluttered my eyelids and he smiled at me. There was no need to talk. We were just two lonely souls connecting. Spontaneously, he put his out his hand and caressed my cheek. Later that night, it just seemed natural to leave with him. And we have been living together ever since.

We have never spoken about our pasts. And that is a good thing because life was very hard for me before we met. I am one of four and our father deserted us when I was very young. I had two babies of my own, but they were taken away from me. It is a very painful memory.

My attention comes back to the man sleeping next to me. I cannot imagine life without him. Suddenly the alarm goes and he wakes up. I pretend to be asleep and through closed eyelids, I watch him get out of bed. As usual he puts his foot into the wrong slipper and he groans. Then he turns round to me and says "Wake up, lazy bones!" but as usual, I roll over and lie in the warm hollow that his body has left. "I suppose you want me to get you breakfast in bed again, do you!" he says.

He walks out the bedroom and I can hear his footstep as he goes to the kitchen. Then, I can hear the clinks and clanks of him making breakfast. It's time to get up, I think. I leap out of bed and I go to join him in the kitchen. He is at the table, eating cornflakes from a bowl. "Nice of you to join me!" he says. He pushes my bowl over to me and I lap it up happily. It's not true that we cats only swish our tails when angry.

August 12, 2010

Sam's Poem

Sam has been studying about Pirates at school and she wrote a poem. Pretty fabulous considering she's 10 and wrote it in ten minutes flat. Must have the Sorrel genes!

I am going to tell you a story from long ago
about a pirate, our enemy and foe.
It all started that night
when I was in bed wrapped up tight
and then I heard a noise from the door
I looked down and saw a letter on the floor.
I picked it up and I read "you shall be
DEAD DEAD DEAD"
That noise again I heard from the door
I dropped the letter on the floor
And then it came in and it wouldn't go back
"Oh no", it's Calico Jack!!!

July 31, 2010

Gratitude (2010)


A new lease on life

  • Teaching provides a new lease on life
  • Meds.


More

  • Liza into Mack's life.
  • Russell visit and the Wentworth Falls experience 



July 01, 2010

Special connections (2010)


Liza

  • Liza comes into our lives

Teaching

  • Janice
  • Lauren
  • Kimberley & Romy
  • Sam, Tim, Matt
  • Ed, Fee, Matt x2
  • Debbie (Academy of English)
  • Bella (student)
  • Sue


More

  • Craig
  • Jo's card on my 40th



June 30, 2010

The family attend a word cup match in Cape Town!

Unfortunately not many photos were taken - but there are two to commemorate the event. Sam is a natural on the Vuvuzela.

June 29, 2010

Vivid Sydney 2010 - Light Festival

St Mary's Cathedral all lit up for the festival



The Sydney Baracks


The Opera House







May 31, 2010

Challenges (2010)


Financial settlement

  • Settling finances with Ally ahead of our divorce


Teaching rejections

  • First student who wants to leave
  • French girl (Int) - class too disruptive
  • Evan (thick glasses) - more lively, more individual attention
  • Pre-Int girl - not show us enough attention
  • Ron - 2nd time I got him
  • Sweet girl (ele) - changed mind once class mill
  • 3 princesses in upper - stayed
  • Upper class from hell - 2 girls + guy complained in class (interview skills)
  • Last class - 3 wanted to do test to go up
  • Fat face


Teaching drudgery

  • ISR's - huge waste of time
  • Marking essays
  • Electives a lot of work


More

  • Swallowing
  • Release of grief re Ally
  • Craig irritations

May 26, 2010

May 02, 2010

Sam's 10th birthday

Beautiful photos from Cape Town. Happy birthday Sam!










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