You are there. Saying hello, sending “gifts” being mindful. You are always a gentleman. In the chaos that is my mind and my life, I don’t always pause to really see your presence. But please know that your messages would be missed if they stopped. I hope you had the chance to spend time with your family over the holidays and that you are staying warm where you are. An older shot that I know you would appreciate

The first sunset of the year was a cracker!! I am sitting at my kitchen bench sipping tea and reflecting on the fortnight that was Christmas – New Year and associated shenanigans. My laundry is littered with clothing and bedding from a week of visiting my parents and camping with what I am starting to consider as my real family. The parental visit was filled with stupid drama based on power plays and the frustration of someone whose mind and health are declining. It is a reminder that we never really know when we will reap what we sow in life. As I shake off the power plays and have rants that reflect the pain of long years of such twisted and toxic [...]

What does one do on Christmas night when one lives in the southern hemisphere? Put on your brand new light-up wings and frolic in the front yard of your house, of course! I am in love with these wings, which also have a flashing function. They are definitely going in the camper when we head out for NYE pineapple camping in a couple of days. What was your favourite Christmas gift?

Screenshot December 16; Identify five of your favourite photos from the year. I had a quick scroll through my phone and the album I keep my images in and came up with these At the start of the year, Cyclone Alfred threatened Brisbane. There was mass panic and hysteria as people unused to such a weather system prepared and then waited as Alfred changed course and seemed to tease the South East Queensland coast. Ultimately, it was a fizzer for many people, and those most affected lived to the south of Brisbane in New South Wales. It rained a lot, so Mr Jones and I took the opportunity to create some wet t-shirt shots On a grey day in June, Mr Jones found [...]

Screenshot I am getting further and further behind with this thing. But here is the third installment of “2025: The Year in Review.” December 10 – A moment you felt proud this year and why I made a bucket hat! Earlier in the year, I connected with a local charity sewing group. Every week, an eclectic bunch meets to sew up items for a range of charities. Things we make include: baby items for young disadvantaged mothers and clothing, pencil cases and library bags for children entering foster care. One of the more challenging items we make is a bucket hat. Every time I went to sewing I would choose other options to sew rather than a bucket hat!! Including a pencil case. [...]

I finished reading a book today! “Wait!” I hear you say. “Don’t you read all the time?” I don’t actually read many books. I am not proud of this statement, but it is true. From childhood to young adulthood, I was a voracious reader. But, somewhere between reading Enid Blyton to my children and drowning in the incredible mental load that is my profession, I got out of the habit. These days I read opinion articles on relationships, sexuality, education, and the indigenous history of Australia. But to read an entire book from cover to cover? Not something I do often. But this post is not about my reading habits. It is about what I read and the questions I am now asking [...]

Screenshot When I first saw this meme and thought about doing posts based on it, I had this fantasy of completing at least a small comment for each day. Like many fantasies, the actual enactment looks very different when it is brought to life. Anyhoo, here is today’s installment. December 5: Routines you’ve upheld If there is anything that has been constant this year, it is the lack of routine. Every time I get into a routine and my life feels productive. something changes. We go on a trip, I start a job and have to quit volunteering. We come home and then work is very hit and miss. The lack of routine has been very frustrating, but the process has forced me [...]

Christmas in Australia is hot. It is also very close to the longest day of the year. Currently where I live, sunrise is at 4:44am. Last Sunday saw our family gathering at my brother’s farm for a Christmas celebration before No. 1 Son and his wife head off to Europe for their delayed honeymoon. At 4.30am, after staying up late the night before playing FARKLE we were treated to the yodelling from the dogs kenneled next to our van in response to the rooster housed a bit further away. Gotta love farm / van life. I did get a couple of nice shots in the early morning light, though. As I wrote this post, I was thinking about Sinful Sunday. I miss interacting [...]

It is that time of the year when people say, “Where has the time gone?” When this journalling idea popped up, I thought I would give it a go. Screenshot December 1: Three positive things that have happened this year There have been many positive things in my life this year. The first one that pops into my head is the wedding of my son. Even though it caused much stress for the bride in the lead-up, it really was a perfect day. The second thing was our trip through Western Queensland. I posted about this trip a few times, but if you would like some amazing images, you can click here or here. Lastly, the most positive thing that has happened this [...]