OrganiSed Chaos » Australia

Contentment

anonymum — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:00:19 +0000

Not exactly sure who looks the happiest here, Poppy or Zoe.
It’s hard to tell I think.
There is nothing quite like the bond between grandfather and granddaughter is there?
I must give credit to Kelly for the pic, which was taken at Christmas.
There were many more she took, but this is my favourite, if for nothing other than the happiness that is evident in both of them.

Achieve

anonymum — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:02:56 +0000

Throughout the year, Kelly has done To do lists.
As each item on the list is completed, she goes back and crosses it off.
I’ve always thought it a great idea because it gives a person not only some purpose, but things to aspire to.
On New Years Day, Kel did another one.
You’ll find it here.
At the bottom of that post, there is a line that grabbed me.

Feel free to write your own list. If you do, please be sure to let me know. Who knows, if there are enough of us I may devote a page to it and get a webring/blogroll happening for it…

Sounded like a good idea to me, so I thought I’d give it a go and do my own list.
Like Kel, these are not resolutions because I don’t do them, so I’ll say “these are the things I want to achieve this year”
None of them are impossible or unrealistic, so there is no reason I can’t do them either.
{A couple of them are the same, but then we are mother and daughter so it’s not that surprising, and these are in no particular order}

not

badly

Certainly not lofty ambitions, nor are there a lot of them, but they’re more than enough of a challenge to keep me occupied throughout the year.
If you want to play along, feel free, and if you let Kelly know that would be a bonus.
For now, I’m off to check out what TAFE have on offer in the culinary skills department.

Organised soɐɥɔ

anonymum — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:00:55 +0000

The title of this post is the normal state of my life, so I felt it nothing less than appropriate I call my second home just that.
It was a flippant comment made by Kelly one night when we were discussing what name was best once I’d decided to change the name of my blog.
It struck a chord, and seemed more than fitting for the place where I’ve logged some serious hours.
When I say serious, I mean serious.
If I added the time up, it would be staggering, without a doubt.
For the inverted text in the tagline, I thank ~m.
He sent me the link some time ago, and I’ve been waiting for the right time to use it.
Given Australia is considered “down under” again I could think of nothing more appropriate.
Not only that, it adds to the chaos I think {in an organised way of course!}
I thank the same person for being my sounding board in relation to the theme.
His and my idea of how a blog should be just so are very, very similar, so who better to pick the shit out of it as I fiddled to get it right in the last few days?
So there you have it people.
Organised chaos it is, and soɐɥɔ pǝsıuɐƃɹo it will stay.
As well as this change, I’ll be making an attempt to be a better blog buddy this year.
The last few months have been mad, mad, mad for me, but I’m hoping to see that turn to some semblance of normality with the new year {whatever normality is, of course!}
I want to get back to posting, and visiting, daily.
There was a time when I did not miss a day to visit and comment and that’s the way I like to be, so let’s see how I go shall we?
No, it’s not a resolution because I don’t do them, but it is something I want to do.
Please let me know what you think of the name and the theme.
Feel free to let me know if you find a 3 column, dark theme with a customisable header as well.
I’ve been looking for one for God only knows how long, so I’m pretty much over it.
Maybe the original theme whore will manage to find one somewhere??
That’s me, I’m off to do some visiting!
Oh, and Happy New Year!
There are fireworks for the occasion as well, and don’t forget to check out the rotating header images!
Wicked!!
I hope 2010 is good to you and brings all you hope for, and deserve.

If that’s Christmas, we’ve had it

anonymum — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:07:36 +0000

So Christmas 2009 is done and dusted.
We had a good one.
Went and did Santa with the part of the family we weren’t spending it with before we left, and made 2 children very, very happy, plus delivered a very special teddy bear, to a very special little boy, from some very special friends.
On the plane the next day to see those we see far too little of in normal times.
Santa came to Mark and I throughout the year, so we didn’t do the present thing for each other.
Between a trip to America {which included a Christmas in July}, a new laptop and flights down south we figured we were out close to 20k, so we decided being together with family was enough for us this year.
Given we’re also going back to America this coming July as well, we thought that would add to the booty we already have/had!
Sounded like a plan to us anyway.

We will hold in our memories and hearts both the brilliant time we had in July and the wonderful time we had watching 5 of our 8 grandchildren rip open their presents on Christmas morning, and the priceless gift of being grandparents to those same 5, who we don’t get to spoil very often, and then of course there was a madcap Skype call!!

It was fabulous to see my Dad too.
I’ve not seen him in close to 3 years, so as you can well imagine I enjoyed the few short hours we had.
With Christmas out of the way, my mind turns to the New Year, and what awaits us.
First and foremost, for me anyway, will be a new blog name and tagline, plus a new theme to play with.
That will happen at midnight on December 31st.
The New year for me heralds a new beginning and a whole year to enjoy life and whatever it has to offer as I thank the stars I’m alive with a wonderful husband and family to share it with.
Work holds much before the end of February with 3 stock takes to be done, and all that after end of half year.
Hmmm. Thinking about it that way makes me wonder if I need to add another vitamin to my morning collection??
Could be an idea.
Before the end of December we have little miss Zoe’s birthday {tomorrow actually} Caleb is in early January, as is Isaac, and it also sees a good friend have a birthday, so I’m sure there will be some mayhem to create there!

February will see Mark and blondies birthday {on the same day} Wil’s, March has us into Sarah, Stella, Kelly’s and Steve’s birthday, April will bring Melissa’s, May is mine, our anniversary and Mother’s day all within a week of each other.
Mid June sees Lucas turn 1, then on top of that I’ll have end of financial year at the end of June, then we’ll be on the plane to Boston in mid July, so before we know it half the year will be gone again!
Scares the bejesus out of me when I think about it that way, but that’s life I guess?
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again.
Time is a predator.
It waits for nothing and noone.
It stalks us until it decides there is none left for us, one by one.
Other than the new blog name, I don’t think there will be another post before the new year, so I will take the opportunity to wish everyone the best for 2010, and I hope all your dreams come true.
I’ll try to do the rounds before then, however make no promises other than I will do my best.
I hope your Christmas was everything you wished for, and that Santa was good to you with nothing less than you all deserved.

Welcome Home

michaelm — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 01:15:07 +0000

Wanted to welcome the two of you home.
I’m hoping that Christmas was fabulous for the both of you and all the family.
We so enjoyed the Skype call on Christmas Eve!
Crazy though, huh?

Miss you both and praying you make it home safe.
*Moe, your plugins are up to date as is the new 2.9 version of Wordpress.
Didn’t want you working too hard when you came home.
btw- check your plugins. I uploaded a little surprise for you.
If I had admin on Oz, I would have done the same.
Malarky Monday can wait until next week!
Welcome home, folks, welcome home . . .
Later gators

A little song while you’re unpacking

Christmas past

anonymum — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 23:07:57 +0000

As we hurtle towards Christmas, my mind, as it generally does, has gone into reflection mode.
It turns to times when all was well within my world, there were no family arguments, nor was the phrase “dysfunctional family” coined.
A time when family was first and foremost, no matter what.
Everyone was talking to everyone else, and whilst disagreements may have occurred throughout the year, we would always forgive and forget when Christmas rolled around.
In the true spirit of the season, anything from the previous 12 months was buried amidst our love for one another.
Goodwill abounded and, in the interests of seeing people we care about happy, forgiveness was rife.
Family came together as one, regardless of any perceived, or real, transgressions that had been visited upon one another since the previous year.
Slightly ashamed looks may be seen, heartfelt apologies made, and there were sometimes many, many tears, but there was not a recrimination to be seen. They were banished from the house.
I was bought up to believe that family must come first, and they must stick together.
I was also taught that whilst some things may seem unforgivable at the time, every dog deserves a second chance.
Maybe not a 3rd one, but absolutely a 2nd one.
As I grow older, I realise there is little point in carrying something on forever, because one day, the people involved {be it me, you or someone else} will be gone.
With their passing, also gone will be the opportunity to tell that person how much you loved them, regardless of how it may have seemed at times.
Without going into detail, know that I have first hand experience regarding these things.
Very close first hand experience.
I’ve been the one to make the first move when needed, and it’s quite the pleasant feeling to know I did the right thing.
Trust me on this.
Don’t let too many Christmas’s go past before you realise what someone means to you, and that whatever happened isn’t really that big a deal, no matter how bad you think it was.
You never know how many Christmas’s you have left to do it.
Besides, is Christmas not about a birth?
A birth is a new beginning, so there really is no better time, surely?

It’s been hard work

anonymum — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:16:36 +0000

Some 8 years ago, we decided we needed a sea change.
At the time we had no idea of where we wanted to go, but had enough trust in fate to know somewhere would present itself when the time was right.
The only thing we knew for sure was it needed to be near the water because we both love it so much.
That was the only set criteria we had.
A year or so after the decision was made, we came to Townsville in order to spend Christmas with 2 of the girls and one grandchild.
After less than 24 hours of being here, we knew.
This is it.
This was where we wanted to be.
It wasn’t only the tropical weather {although that played a big part} it was the more laid back life style, the beaches, just the general feel of the the place.
We felt comfortable, the price of living was reasonable, plus there was a small part of family here, so that was a bonus.
If we’d found somewhere that had no family and felt as comfortable, we would have moved there though.
That family were here was just a bonus.
One of us had to stay behind and keep earning a living while the other went forth to the unknown in order to get a job and establish some sort of base for us, so Mark packed some clothes, hired a car and set off for Queensland.
He stayed with the aforementioned family and set about doing just that.
It took a while, but he got one.
7 months later, I threw my high paying job in, he flew down and collected me and enough stuff to give us a start.
What we bought with us fitted into a 7 x 5 trailer, and it was the bare basics.
We had no intention of spending what money we had on removalists, so we sold, gave away or left behind what we thought we could do without.
Some we put into storage, but not a lot.
It took me 8 months to get a job.
8 long months where we made do with 5 parts of bugger all money, car payments and rent to pay, and still had a need to eat, buy petrol and cigarettes, all the things that go into life.
Since I got that first job, I’ve had another 3 jobs, and I’m into my 4th.
Mark has had just as many, if not more, and finally…finally, we’re back where we started 7 years ago, just before we left Sydney.
We have good, secure, well paying jobs, and in fact Mark has just gotten a promotion and a decent pay rise, I’m a manager in a job I love, and life is on an even keel.
I can assure you, it has not been easy for the last 7 years.
It’s been bloody hard work.
We’ve had to borrow money from our family, and at times, from our children.
There have been times when we’ve come close to separating because of the stress, we’ve fought and argued, and we’ve almost ripped each other apart.
Yet, we persisted, because it’s just what we do.
It’s life, it’s marriage and it was a choice we made, with our eyes wide open.
We wanted to do it.
Would I recommend doing this to anyone else?
Hell yes.
There has been the odd moment when I wondered about our intelligence I have to say, but would I do it all again?
In a heart beat!!!

All puffed up is what I am

anonymum — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:11:22 +0000

As I mentioned in an earlier post, there has been much happening in our lives, and I can assure you, most of it has been pretty shitful.
I won’t go into details, suffice to say the past 6 weeks have not been a happy time, nor has it been easy.
There have been a few times when it was close to falling apart, but as I said not too long ago, we do what we must.
Yesterday, things changed, with a dismissal.
Today it just got better, because Mark got exactly what he’s worked so hard for in the last year.
That one word {yes} will change many things for us, and for others.
The pride I feel tonight is quite extraordinary.
I wouldn’t even know where to start telling this man how proud I am of him, or how much I love him.
Sweetheart, your ethics, integrity, and the things I know you’re going to do from here on in make me smile broadly, and merely reinforce all the reasons I fell in love with you 14 years ago.
I just know how well you’re going to do this, and I look forward to seeing you bounce out of bed in the morning, ready to tackle the day that awaits with the passion I know you have.
Congratulations sweetie.
You earned this one the hard way.
Now I come to think about, I earned it too!!!
Honey, as proud as I am, know this.
You might be a big wig at work, but here at home you’re still just my husband, so you’d best be leaving the big boy boots at the front door my precious!

I love you more than you will ever know, and I’m so proud I’m almost bursting.
Enjoy.
Lord knows you’ve earned it!

Quality

anonymum — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:09:58 +0000

I was having a discussion with someone recently in regard to quality, and their theory was if it’s cheap, then it’s good enough.
My theory was, and still is, is that there are times when quality simply is the best option, and not merely because you can afford it.
I’ve been in the position of not being able to afford quality, and I believe ultimately it cost me more than if I’d tightened my belt a little more and paid the extra for the better quality.
Below I have given a few examples of odds and sods that I consider are best bought with quality in mind at the time of purchase.
My laptop.
When I got the one I currently have, I went for one of the best, with the best.
Graphics, sound, extended warranty, the whole enchilada.
Given the amount of use it gets, it seemed only sensible to go down that road.
Tea.
If it’s not a decent English breakfast tea? Not interested.
It simply has to be good.
Not outstanding mind you, just good {if it is outstanding, well, that’s just a bonus}
No such thing as a generic brand tea in my cupboard!
Laundry detergent.
I’m a big Radiant fan, preferably liquid.
I love walking past clothes hanging up and smelling the scent of Radiant.
Not only is it the best smelling detergent I’ve used, it gets the clothes bloody clean {bonus!}
Coffee.
As with tea, it needs to be good, be it instant or otherwise.
Not too strong in flavour, but enough to make my taste buds take notice.
No generic brands here either.
Meat.
There are times when an odd cheap cut will make it’s way to my kitchen, but not very often.
Mostly these days it’s good quality, regardless of what type of meat it is.
Shoes.
If it’s something I throw on around the house, whatever will do, but for work or going out, I get good quality {having said that, I have enough for a centipede, yet still I buy more!}
I spend a lot of time on my feet throughout the day, and there is nothing worse than the burn of sore feet because you have crap shoes on.
Dishwashing detergent.
Will NOT compromise here, it’s got to be Morning Fresh.
They used to make a pink grapefruit one, but took it out of production dammit.
I want it back, because the smell of the steam wafting up as the hot water hit it?
OMG, it was nearly better than sex! {nearly sweetie…nearly!!}
Not only that, it was great for cleaning the dishes, so there were pratical applications we well!
Liquid soap.
None of that water filled crap for me, thank you very much!
Our hands touch every single thing in life almost, and that includes my butt, so I want them clean!
Toilet paper.
Of all the things I’ve mentioned, this is the most important!
Women use this product every single time they use the toilet.
Anyone who thinks the quality of paper is irrelevant needs their head read.
Surely there are things similar to these you refuse to compromise on, or am I just a snob???

Such intensity

anonymum — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:00:24 +0000

I understand that life is quite the serious business.
When I say that, it’s meant just as it sounds.
It’s not tongue in cheek, nor is there any humor intended in it, as much as it may seem otherwise.
I mean, think about it.
The alternative is death, and whilst we all know it comes to each of us, it’s not something many people look forward to is it?
{As an aside to this post, I will say my belief is that the thought of death is probably far worse than the actual event itself.
Really, what more is death than a permanent loss of consciousness?
We’re not going to know we’re dead are we?
It does however, disturb me that people may be upset at my demise}
I digress.
Again!
Sorry.
Where was I?
Oh yes!
Whilst I acknowledge that life is quite serious, I want to know when living became the same way?
When I was a kid, living was far less serious than it appears to be these days.
Perhaps it only seemed so because I saw it through the eyes of a child as opposed to an adult who has been around the block a few times, or with a child’s optimism, and through those rose coloured glasses all babies are {seemingly} equipped with at birth?
Surely life is for living?
In recent weeks here in Australia there have been some “interesting” items hit the headlines.
Now if I was a good blogger, I would give you links, but it’s late and I need to get these thoughts out of my head before I lose them, so that train has left the station I’m afraid.
It seems the fun police have taken hold of variety shows and want to put a halt to that great Aussie tradition of taking the piss out of anyone and everyone {including ourselves probably} because Harry Connick Jnr took offence to a skit about Michael Jackson, and Australia has now been branded a racist country all around the world.
On this morning’s breakfast show, people are complaining because somewhere down south, some little people had the nerve to say “Yes, we’ll play jockey and jump on others people’s backs so they can race down the straight at the local horse track, because it looks like fun”
On the same show, there was a report of some people, who apparently have more time than they know what to do with, and they did a study that concluded children under the age of 2 shouldn’t watch television lest it affect their development, and if that’s not enough, once they’re over 2, don’t let them watch more than an hour a day.
This is but a small selection too.
There are many, many more.
My concern is that people are becoming so damned intense about life that they’re forgetting to actually live.
What is life for, if not to live?
When will people stop worrying about what “might” happen if they do this or that, and worry about what “is” happening, here and now?
When will the so called “evolved thinking” people lighten the fuck up, and let people actually live, as opposed to bombarding them with do’s, don’t’s and doom and bloody gloom, so that we can all have a life as opposed to an existence?
Who died and made some of these so called experts, God?
At what point did some elements of society become a bunch of opinionated, whinging, whining, hairy arm pitted, chardonnay drinking, tree hugging twerps that seem to have balls the size of sultanas?
Perhaps I’m getting old and cranky, because these days, every time I hear some “expert” on the TV or radio holding forth {in that freaking nasal tone which seems to be par for course these days} about the newest theory, or study, on what people “need to do” or “what’s good for them”, my immediate thought is life was a lot less intense, and much more fun 40 years ago.
I guess I’m meant to be grateful for the people with all this fabulous advice that I’ve manged to live without for all these years.
How the hell did I manage to get all the way to 52 without them?
*sigh*
Life is for living, not just existing.
Maybe I should have just posted that line?
Would have saved some time in my existence I suppose.