Finding joy in the everyday

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." T heador Seuess Geisel (known as Ted) was born on the 2nd of March 1904. We all know him as Dr Seuss.  Did you know: He was never a doctor, he added the name as a joke because his father always wanted him to become a doctor. His name "Seuss" is actually pronounsed "Soice" and in "voice". It is a German name. His first book was turned down 27 times before it was published. He had no children of his own, however he created on that he called Chrysanthemum-Pearl that he used to brag about! He was married twice, his second wife Audrey said he was always a bit scare of children. He wrote "Green Eggs and Ham" as a bet to prove you could write a book with only a few words. It contains 50 different words.  The words are: a, am, and, anywhere, are, be, boat, box, car, could, dark, do, eat, eggs, fox, goat, good, green, ham, here, house, I, if, in, let, ...

Today is my son's birthday - he is 24 years old.  I asked him what he would like for a gift - as I know he has quite a long wish list!  A few years ago the wish list would have contained computer games, books, music and DVDs.  Last year he wanted money so he could buy computers parts for his custom made computer, this year's list contained the following - maturity has arrived. This was a little pricy, but happy to contribute. Circulon 12"x18" Outdoor BBQ Pan - he found something almost as good in Costco that he bought with birthday money so now he is the proud owner of one roasting pan! Circulon 10-Piece Set What a nice dinning table my son selected I did think when I had 2 sons that I would never be able to buy "house and home" gifts as most men don't want saucepans for their birthday.  But I have a rather unusual son who loves to cook . .  and would love saucepans as you can see!!  When we were in Costco last week he spotted a roasting pan,...

My mum and dad in 1975, taken after our Sunday morning meeting (assembly)  Happy birthday dad Each week I phone my dad (as I live in another state to my parents) and we have a long chat about: the weather, my garden, how my vegetables are growing (and he always gives me some tips on what I should be doing next), the family and the state of the economy!  Sometimes we talk so long that my mother tells us to get off the phone as it is getting late. My dad cooks all the meals, washes the clothes, keeps the house clean and tidy, does the grocery shopping - he is my mums full time carer and he does a BRILLIANT job.  Like most carers, they are unsung heroes. They keep loved ones out of nursing homes and save the government billions.  My dad use to be a farmer, now he runs the home and he does a very good job. This is why it is so important for all boys to be taught the skills of running a home as one never knows when they will need to us...

  H appy B irthday to my dear brother. Its your birthday today . . . ~oOo~ And a special thank-you to my eldest son who took me out for dinner on Friday night as a birthday gift.  We all had a lovely time and the food and service was excellent.  Ate too much and talked to much - the best sort of evening. ~oOo~

http://www.spencermeagher.com/Portraits.html Last week I read a lovely story of  a elderly lady (Miriam Schmierer) who has just turned 111 (born 20 August 1899) - she has experienced three different centuries, outlived her husband, two sons, three brothers and five sisters and was born before Australia had chosen its first prime minister.  Asked about her long life, she replied: " My main interest is my spiritual life, my faith ," she said. " Because of my age I have had more opportunity to spread the word about my faith and the benefits of living a Christian life. I'm very fortunate to still have my memory and be able to write. " I was touched by these words, finding them inspirational in this day where people no longer wish to live a Christian life.  It is my birthday today and I am a year older - yes, I know this normally occurs and there isn’t much I can do about it.  But it got me thinking. I am in my 40’s (quite a few years before I reach 50!), my childr...

My eldest son turned 22 today - wow - where have all the years gone.  The photo above is Tristan at 6 days and now 22 years later he is an independent man (well almost - I still need to wash his clothes otherwise he forgets).  Below is a drawing Tristan drew of himself when he was 12 (for school).  The teacher was so impressed she asked me to come into the classroom to see it.  It is now framed and hanging on the wall.   It is a very good likeness. Tristan has decided that neither I nor his girlfriend (Kat) would be able to bake his Chocolate Mud Cake properly so he is cooking it himself and icing it.  I can't wait to see it - he is decorating it with a picture of a computer part (using icing) - did I tell you that he a computer nerd!!! I took both my sons and their girlfriends out for lunch today - I will post some photos when I take them off Tristan's camera.  We went to a very nice Italian restaurant "Bella Vista" that cooks great pasta an...

Happy Birthday Stephen - I hope your day wasn't all work!!! This is a photo of Stephen and I when we were kids? Cute!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Caius and Wendy and Danny ( + Bill Gates of Microsoft and Jonas Salk who developed the vaccine against Polio !) Below are some cute photos of Caius as a little boy. He was (and still is) a very caring lovable boy with a cheeky grin who knows how to convince his mother to do things for him!! We had pizzas and cheesecake for dinner which was very nice.

I spent the Sunday with David and Judith and had a lovely time. The weather was much improved so I was able to go for a walk around Davids garden and eat some of his asparagus (which I discovered tastes great raw). It was Carl's 15th birthday (my nephew)and above he is cutting his birthday cheesecake (which was delicious). Below is Jo (my niece) also cutting the same cake!! Judy, Carl and Rachel (Jo friend) having a good laugh!! I think Judy is standing on her tippy toes so she could be a bit little taller! Below is Jess (David's dog) - she is "rounding up the chickens" - they didn't seem to give much thought to Jess at all.