Posted in Life in OZ
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We had a lovely AU day. We spent the evening at Regatta Point with Jocelyn and the James family. It was a nice evening to enjoy a picnic on the lawns watching all the pre firework shows- the jet skis racers, the band, the canoe races. We were in a prime spot for the fireworks... which were great this year! I love the atmosphere of the day, I love the family events, I love the fireworks... I love chatting with Joce... it was a great evening. Oh -- What is AU day? It is |
Posted in Life in OZ
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Floriade stared this weekend. Floriade, is the largest flower show in the southern hemisphere and it happens right here in
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Posted in Life in OZ
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I was a bit disappointed that we had to drive all the way to the ski resort to find some snow. A few weeks ago there was snow most of the way up, once you reached the hills ~ but that only lasted a coupla weeks … So, we drove and drove and drove. On the way up we listened to a CD by Doug Philips about the truth behind the pilgrims, which I’ll fill ya in on later, and a few episode’s of Jonathan Parks. So, after passing mile after mile of dry, brown ground … we were happily rewarded when we made our way around those last few turns and saw a hillside or two of the cold white stuff.
The kids spent just about 3 hours sledding down the hill and walking back up to slide down yet again. There were having a blast – experimenting on just what was the best way to hurl your body down the slope. The grins were ear to ear.
After we packed up the sleds we drove down a bit where we found this lovely spot full of snow gum tress surrounded by untouched snow. THAT didn’t last long. The kids were off making snow angels, snow balls, forts, snowmen … they had snow wars and came back to the car soaking wet, with numb toes and stories to share of the fun they had. A few change into dry clothes and warm uggs, a cup or two of hot chocolate and a couple of biscuits and they were right as rain for the drive home.
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Posted in Life in OZ
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I really do get a huge kick out of the country mailboxes here, and have posted pictures of some good ones. I passed by a great row of them a few days back so thought I'd post them just so ya'll can catch a glimpse of the wonderful AU ambiance. This is one of the longer rows that I have seen. A row of them a cool to see but it is the personality of each that makes them a treasure. A Ned Kelly.... I love this view with the dirt road heading off & the gum trees in the background. An old wooden box on a bus stop post... This one look like it will last a blast... I love how this one is attached to the stump.... This one looks like the whole family added their hand prints.... AAwwww The most unique one so far... The middle one is a sink! Can you see it? The faucet is there and all! There is a piece of heavy plastic covering it. What a hoot! |
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Today we went on a bit of a road trip to a property out "back o' Bourke", in the middle of nowhere. It was way back bush country, on the way to the coast. It was a nice drive out there- Devon did the honors and although he didn’t enjoy the 80 kph speed limit, he did well. (he was much more comfortable with the 50 kph through towns). Once we met up with the homeschool group and started following our host onto the property...I wondered what I’d gotten myself into! We were on dirt roads with rather large ruts, big rocks and some good-sized pits to cross over. A few times I was wondering if I should just stop and turn around. At one point I was worried that something was knocked loose from the undercarriage- I stopped for Devon & Dylan to take a look and luckily it was just a branch that had attached itself to the underside of our car. We went on in faith- following the other cars in front of us- like sheep being led to slaughter. We were handsomely rewarded for our trek by the sweeping vistas that awaited us. It was a lovely setting for a picnic, the kids went on a bush walk led by our host- and were able to see a frilled lizard (bearded dragon). The reason we went out was to see brumbies (wild horses) and after lunch, it was time to make that happen. the kids went on a four-wheel drive trek to scout out and see a few herds of wild brumbies! I drove us home so I could take advantage of the 100 kph speed limit (“L”s are only allowed to go a max of 80- so it was a bit longer on the way out with Dev driving) Before we came home we had to stop and wash the car… it was a dusty mess and now the white is visible again. What a fun day! a quiet river view... There are 6 brumbies in this picture~ running across the meadow Running free 3 white brumbies and 1 brown one in the trees Our picnic spot Addison, Samantha and Jasmine enjoying lunch & each other Getting ready to head off on the adventure... Devon and Dylan are standing right up front..Addi is sitting behind them Man! That was GREAT! Dev says "I'll get the gate." Addi & some girls hanging out just a view The three of 'em.
*If I get any pictures from others I'll add them on. |
Posted in Life in OZ
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The boys were with friends all day today, enjoying some game time, chow time, play time and pool time. Meanwhile Addi, Paul & I went to the Vintage Village Farm days at a homestead near the lake. We had a nice afternoon chatting with some lovely people, while we learned a few things about life in AU back in the 1860’s (onwards). After we picked the boys up we came home and watched the movie Dreamer. It is a movie about a race horse starring Kurt Russell and Dakota Fanning. We really enjoyed watching this movie! Anyways~ here are a few pictures of
Now imagine my shock when I was watching I figured line 2 of this sign meant, “if your going to act like a dummy and chase the animals or behave in some other inappropriate manner- don't enter.” I just had to ask!! Come to find out a “dummy” is what they call a pacifier or binky. How funny is that?! And for anyone that assumes that a dummy is something for a baby to suck on to pacify him or herself .... I just have to tell you- we call a dummy a person that is acting dim, brainless, dense, slow, foolish etc. So, now you can see why this sign tickled my funny bone and gave me a chuckle.
I hope you all had a wonderful Saturday afternoon... wherever you were... whoever you were with ....and whatever you were doing! |
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Spring in Canberra brings the Floriade flower festival. Addison and I had a girls day last week. We went to the flower show, ate lunch with Paul at work, went to the mall, got a GJ TimTam drink, went to a movie and did a little shopping. It was a nice date day. Enjoy the blooms~
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Posted in Life in OZ
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Have you ever noticed different street signs as you are driving across the country? Different signs from where you live, signs without words- just a picture and those local to the area know what the sign means but people passing through have to try to figure it out? Devon and Dylan have a DVD of a comedian, Brad Stine. This guy is so funny. He has this whole bit about that very thing- street signs. It is a hoot to hear and will make you crack up. We have listened to it numerous times. And have become more aware of differences in sings. So, you can imagine the wild thoughts and frantic grasping for logic that I tried to apply when I saw this street sign :
Was it a multi purpose sign? Did it mean there could be roos ahead and the bridge may ice over? Did it mean the bridge was so slick even the roos couldn’t cross it on their feet? Did it mean that skiers or roos could cross the path? Was it telling me that the roos would shoot by as fast as people on skis? Was this an area known for large amounts of snow fall and roos? I was pretty sure it didn’t mean, “wild roos have been known to ski across the intersection”. I mean how would they lock in their ski boots?
Yes, those are the thoughts that flashed through my mind as I was hurling down the parkway at 100 Km per hour. My shoulders instantly tensed up, my neck was on swivel mode, eyes frantically scanning the horizon, foot pressing on the breaks to slow the car down, my entire body was tensed waiting for whatever was going to happen when I crossed that signage. What about you? What would you have taken that sign to mean?? |
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I was the person writing up the current issue of our homeschool news letter for the large group we are involved in. People that are organizing events emailed me the information all month, I compiled it all into a Word document, organizing by dates. I made sure everything was in the same format & font as well as fixed any typos or added in driving directions as needed. I had to change a few spelling typos as the activities were coming in but I thought nothing of it. Until… I started to cut and paste all of my information into the last newsletter ( using the old form for the template) Apparently, Microsoft Word, comes in other versions. The newsletter was obviously set up on an Aussie computer! You know how Word underlines a misspelled word? Well, all of a sudden, ALL of these words in my document were showing up as being wrong. I didn’t know that there were so many common words that are spelled differently here. The person that does the next newsletter will be going on about that darn American spelling ! (
Talk about playing havoc with your spelling…. Note to self: don't sign the kids up for a spelling bee here. Wonder which way the kids will learn these common words….
Here are a few examples: American spelling on left- Aussie on right color- colour Program- Programme favorites- Favourites check- cheque math- maths mustache-moustache mom- mum pajamas-pyjamas snicker-snig*er specialty –speciality flavor- flavour honor- honour neighbor –neighbour center - centre theater-theatre defense-defence realize-realise catalog-catalogue encyclopedia- encyclopaedia maneuver-manoeuvre jail-gaol jewelry- jewellery curb-kerb licorice- liquorice mold- mould plow- plough story- storey stories- storeys |
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It's Friday. We had scrap booking at our house and had a lovely morning with some friends over, visiting and catching up while I scrapped Dylan’s 13th year in his album and After lunch we all packed up and headed to a "Dinos & the Bible" conference with some folks from Creation Ministries ( http://www.creationontheweb.com/ ). The church we met at is just about 2 miles away so Devon and Dylan rode their bikes while Addi and I hopped in a car with a friend that had been over and was heading to the same place. The boys left early giving themselves about 1/2 hour to arrive. I was wondering where they had gotten to... when I arrived at the church with no sign of them. Hum... they knew where the church was, although we had only went there once before~ we drive past it all the time. I didn't worry about them, I figured if they couldn't find it they might ride around for a while but would eventually make their way home. Knowing they were together I was not concerned so to speak. Then about 20 minutes into the conference the boys pulled up out front, I could see them from my seat so I walked out to see what had happened to them. Dylan was in tears and just wanted me to hug him. Not what I was expecting. After a second or two Devon filled in that Dylan had been “swooped” by a magpie. (You can read about swooping in an entry called It's Spring from a few days ago) He was just so upset poor guy. He had peck marks on his helmet and could hear the scratching of the claws, as he raced away from the large black bird squawking and chasing him. They did what they were supposed to and just rode hard to get out of it's territory. But it shook him up. And there was Devon with him...without a camera! Okay, that's wrong... I know it. He was alright in a minute and ready to ride home by the time the conference was over- going on a different path of course.
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