views from down under

We have a house!

2010-12-25T19:49:00.000+11:00

also posted at: http://rhombergglobetrotters.blogspot.com
Don't forget to move your bookmarks to the above blog! We are moving!!! Follow us there....

In honor of our soon to be new home-land, Andrew received a build your own Vincent Van Gogh house for Christmas. Jim picked it up on his interview trip through Amsterdam in November.

After a great Christmas dinner at the Ford's house this afternoon, the Rhomberg boys sat down and re-constructed a piece of history. I'd say it turned out quite well. Not that I'd want to live in it. A bit too cramped for my style, but very stylish nonetheless.

We are on the move

2010-12-24T20:32:00.000+11:00

Some of you may have heard.
Others of you may have guessed from the cryptic photo blog from the beginning of December.
Jim has accepted a job in the Netherlands starting late in January so we are on the move once again.

We are no longer going to be the family down under, but rather a better way to describe us would be a globe trotting family... so in light of that news, we are moving to a new address and a new blog space... you can find us at:

http://rhombergglobetrotters.blogspot.com/

So, bookmark that site and I'll try to keep up with our movings and musings as we go from the land of Oz to the of Windmills and Tulips.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T20:18:00.000+11:00

Haven't posted much lately, but lots has been going on. So, we'll post some photos of holiday cheer here.

Jim celebrating down under Santa style with 'Aussie egg nog' (VB Beer!)

Kids Decorating Gingerbread Cookies

Kids in front of the huge Christmas tree in Martin Place - Sydney's version of Rockerfeller Center's Christmas Tree without the ice rink!

Setting Up the Christmas Tree

2010-12-12T20:53:00.000+11:00

Where in the world are the Rhombergs

2010-12-05T18:39:00.000+11:00

All of us are awake on Sunday December 5th. Two of us just woke up -- two of us are just going to bed.

Two of us are still enjoying warm-ish weather, if not humid weather.

Two of us are not exactly enjoying weather that we haven't seen since we moved away from Chicago five Christmases ago. (One of us is still thrilled by the sight of huge fluffy snowflakes falling from the sky) Two of us are not thrilled when the wind whips that snow into our faces and we can't see where we are.

Two of us are spending a week with the grandparents -- having a great time.

Two of us are spending a week together -- having a great time (we hope!)

Two of us are hoping we packed enough warm clothes to keep from freezing articles of our body off from the earliest snows of the season in this region.

So, where are we two and why are we here...

(No posting comments grandparents, Sam, Debbie and P&K)

Nature

2010-12-01T07:45:00.000+11:00

Nature

One sunny day a farmer was farming his crops. When he went back into his house he heard some rumbling noises. He looked out the window, but no one was there.

He was walking outside when he saw a person cutting down his crops. The farmer yelled “STOP!” and chased him all around. He looked back at his field and there was nothing there.

The next morning the farmer went outside with lots of seeds in his hands. He put the seeds in the ground and hoped they would grow.

About a month later the crops were fully grown.

By Andrew R 12/1/10

New News Coming

2010-11-29T19:09:00.001+11:00

Watch this space...

How bad do I need kitties???

2010-11-29T19:08:00.000+11:00

Like a scene from a Hitchcock Movie

2010-10-27T16:06:00.000+11:00

Here I was minding my own business (ok, surfing the web - or skyping mom or something I think) and I hear this horrible squawking noise. Not five minutes after mom had just commented on how she could hear the birds chirping in the background. And I had said, "Yes, that's because I have the door to the back open because it's so nice out." Oh and the front door too to get a nice cross breeze. (And that's because we don't have screens)
So back to the squawking, then there's this panicked fluttering and thumping sound, so I look out of the corner of my eye and see not one but TWO myna birds in my bay kitchen window. Trying unsuccessfully to fly out. Very unsuccessfully. I very casually walk over to the sliding doors and open them even wider, hoping to not get them spooked and try to find something to shooo them out of the kitchen with.
Dumb birds. They would rather keep flying into the window then go to the fresh wide open airway I have now made for them. Smart little birdy makes a break for it and flies out the patio door to freedom. His pal just keeps flying into the bay window. Flutter, thump thump. Flutter, thump thump. He gets out of his daze enough to fly to the CLOSED kitchen window. You know, the one with BARS ON IT. No little birdy, no getting out that way. So, he hops to the floor and starts walking around. I am waving papers at him to direct him out. Not taking directions to well... Finally dumb bird two makes his way to the FRONT DOOR and leaves. Good riddance.
Could have been worse though...

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming

2010-10-25T12:35:00.000+11:00

Its been a few months since my last real posting. Many things have happened.

Hmmm… Haven’t really posted anything since July. Not that there wasn’t anything to post. Just many things going on. Travelling to the states. Moving to a new house. Kids going to school. Too many activities to keep up with.

When we moved here, I expected to be here 18 months to 2 years. Come December (in 6 weeks) it will be four years! I never expected it to be that long. Time has flown by, but there are times I have hit the writing wall. 18 to 24 months of writing was easy to do. But 48 months, that’s a whole different ballgame. I think I just needed a break.

I get these postings in my head, but the energy just isn't there. Finally uploaded photos, so I now I just need to catch up.

Bear with me as I try to catch up… and take it day by day. We are still here, still busy.

Might try different things too. Who knows.

Friday Flouro Disco

2010-10-22T19:27:00.001+11:00

The band hosted a disco Friday night to raise money for new instruments and to help pay for the Senior band’s country band trip at the end of November.

From 5.30-7.30 the kids get to have a sausage sizzle and get their hair sprayed with fluoro hair spray, nails painted, faces painted, buy glo-bands and dance their feet off.

Andrew loved having his fingernails painted orange, yellow, red and purple. Had to get a double spray of hairspray (he can thank his mommy for that).

Sister came home with fingernails painted, face painted (to match Serena) , glo-bands and sparkle hair spray.

Non-traditional birthday

2010-10-19T22:04:00.000+11:00

This year I turned 38. I am now in the same age number as Jim (finally!!).

This is the 3rd birthday I get to celebrate in Australia. The day started out with a birthday song and signs from the kids. Then off to school as usual.

As I opened the door to take Emmalee to school, a box dropped in on me. I opened it to find a dozen beautiful fresh cut long stem roses from Jim.

Tuesday is scripture day, so I had to teach year 2 & 3 right away at school. First off was my year 2’s. One of my students has the same birthday, so while the teacher was telling him happy birthday I told him it was the best day ever to have a birthday. Which led her to figure out that it was my birthday. So, my 2nd grade class sang happy birthday and then I got to blow out my first birthday candle of the day. Then my lovely son mentioned it to the year 3 teacher, so I got my 3rd graders to sing to me, too.

Off to coffee I go. Nick, the coffee guy surprises me with a special coffee top.

Then Jim comes home from his work meeting early enough that he offered to pick up the kids from school so I even got a birthday nap. – I had to set a timer for him to make sure he remembered to leave in time to pick up the kids, and to make sure that I could fall asleep and not worry. But it always scores daddy points for Jim when he shows up to pick up the kids.

After the clarinet and flute lessons we headed over to Borruso’s for a non-cooking dinner for me. Then off to the house for birthday cake that Jim ‘brought home’ from the work meeting and birthday songs.

Unfortunately the birthday celebrations had to come to an end. Jim had to go to the Netherlands for work. The airlines had a car coming to pick him up at 7.45 and we would be left behind. Lucky for me the kids were great about his leaving and went to bed well. I was left to enjoy the rest of the evening on the couch with my pint of Ben and Jerry’s Caramel Swirl Ice Cream that I found at Woolies. YUMMY!!!

Happy 4th of July

2010-07-05T03:27:00.002+10:00

From our 2nd Firecracker!!!

Drowning Doesn't Look Like Drowning

2010-07-04T12:24:00.000+10:00

This is from my SIL, Katie. Just a reminder while we are back in the States for the summer. That drowning is a silent killer. And why I don't take my eyes -- or ears off the kids or a second while they are swimming... at the pool or at the beach. Even at 8 and 10. And with our old house sitting up on the deck while they were one level below me was just too far away -- I wasn't comfortable... I know drowning can happen in seconds. Faster than even a parent can run.

Thanks Katie for reminding everyone...

article from http://mariovittone.com/2010/05/154/

Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning

by Mario on May 19, 2010

in Boating Safety,Coast Guard,gCaptain

The new captain jumped from the cockpit, fully dressed, and sprinted through the water. A former lifeguard, he kept his eyes on his victim as he headed straight for the owners who were swimming between their anchored sportfisher and the beach. “I think he thinks you’re drowning,” the husband said to his wife. They had been splashing each other and she had screamed but now they were just standing, neck-deep on the sand bar. “We’re fine, what is he doing?” she asked, a little annoyed. “We’re fine!” the husband yelled, waving him off, but his captain kept swimming hard. ”Move!” he barked as he sprinted between the stunned owners. Directly behind them, not ten feet away, their nine-year-old daughter was drowning. Safely above the surface in the arms of the captain, she burst into tears, “Daddy!”

How did this captain know, from fifty feet away, what the father couldn’t recognize from just ten? Drowning is not the violent, splashing, call for help that most people expect. The captain was trained to recognize drowning by experts and years of experience. The father, on the other hand, had learned what drowning looks like by watching television. If you spend time on or near the water (hint: that’s all of us) then you should make sure that you and your crew knows what to look for whenever people enter the water. Until she cried a tearful, “Daddy,” she hadn’t made a sound. As a former Coast Guard rescue swimmer, I wasn’t surprised at all by this story. Drowning is almost always a deceptively quiet event. The waving, splashing, and yelling that dramatic conditioning (television) prepares us to look for, is rarely seen in real life.

The Instinctive Drowning Response – so named by Francesco A. Pia, Ph.D., is what people do to avoid actual or perceived suffocation in the water. And it does not look like most people expect. There is very little splashing, no waving, and no yelling or calls for help of any kind. To get an idea of just how quiet and undramatic from the surface drowning can be, consider this: It is the number two cause of accidental death in children, age 15 and under (just behind vehicle accidents) – of the approximately 750 children who will drown next year, about 375 of them will do so within 25 yards of a parent or other adult. In ten percent of those drownings, the adult will actually watch them do it, having no idea it is happening (source: CDC). Drowning does not look like drowning – Dr. Pia, in an article in the Coast Guard’s On Scene Magazine, described the instinctive drowning response like this:

Except in rare circumstances, drowning people are physiologically unable to call out for help. Th e respiratory system was designed for breathing. Speech is the secondary or overlaid function. Breathing must be fulfilled, before speech occurs.
Drowning people’s mouths alternately sink below and reappear above the surface of the water. The mouths of drowning people are not above the surface of the water long enough for them to exhale, inhale, and call out for help. When the drowning people’s mouths are above the surface, they exhale and inhale quickly as their mouths start to sink below the surface of the water.
Drowning people cannot wave for help. Nature instinctively forces them to extend their arms laterally and press down on the water’s surface. Pressing down on the surface of the water, permits drowning people to leverage their bodies so they can lift their mouths out of the water to breathe.
Throughout the Instinctive Drowning Response, drowning people cannot voluntarily control their arm movements. Physiologically, drowning people who are struggling on the surface of the water cannot stop drowning and perform voluntary movements such as waving for help, moving toward a rescuer, or reaching out for a piece of rescue equipment.
From beginning to end of the Instinctive Drowning Response people’s bodies remain upright in the water, with no evidence of a supporting kick. Unless rescued by a trained lifeguard, these drowning people can only struggle on the surface of the water from 20 to 60 seconds before submersion occurs.

(Source: On Scene Magazine: Fall 2006)

This doesn’t mean that a person that is yelling for help and thrashing isn’t in real trouble – they are experiencing aquatic distress. Not always present before the instinctive drowning response, aquatic distress doesn’t last long – but unlike true drowning, these victims can still assist in their own rescue. They can grab lifelines, throw rings, etc.
Look for these other signs of drowning when persons are n the water:

Head low in the water, mouth at water level
Head tilted back with mouth open
Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus
Eyes closed
Hair over forehead or eyes
Not using legs – Vertical
Hyperventilating or gasping
Trying to swim in a particular direction but not making headway
Trying to roll over on the back
Ladder climb, rarely out of the water.

So if a crew member falls overboard and every looks O.K. – don’t be too sure. Sometimes the most common indication that someone is drowning is that they don’t look like they’re drowning. They may just look like they are treading water and looking up at the deck. One way to be sure? Ask them: “Are you alright?” If they can answer at all – they probably are. If they return a blank stare – you may have less than 30 seconds to get to them. And parents: children playing in the water make noise. When they get quiet, you get to them and find out why.
___________
Mario’s Note: Thanks to all of you who have posted and linked and Tweeted and shared this article. As soon as I get home (July 7th) I’ll upload a short video along with a pool safety checklist. Thanks again for all the support.
disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily those of the Department of Homeland Security or the U.S. Coast Guard.

Read the article at gCaptain.com.

A Prairie Home Companion - Ravinia

2010-07-03T20:45:00.000+10:00

From Ravinia - A Prairie Home Companion

Saturday we got to bring the kids back to Ravinia again. Its been 4 years since we left and maybe 5 since the Justin Roberts (kids) concert we took them to a LONG time ago. They don't remember it at all. And it hasn't changed much at all -- other than no smoking allowed, which I think is great.
Garrison Keillor has a radio show that is broadcast live and we got to be there for it! I am not sure how much of it the kids understood, but I thought it was great. If you want to hear what we got to listen to, here is the link:

http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/programs/2010/07/03/

The show opened with a 4th of July Open Song. It was an ode to those who dream the impossible dream. You can listen to it here... http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/programs/2010/07/03/scripts/open.shtml

The kids got to laze around on chairs and on the blanket while snacking away on picnic food and listening to the show. The weather was nice, if not a bit warm. Not a cloud in the sky. It was a beautiful way to spend a Saturday.

Day in the Windy City

2010-07-02T22:35:00.000+10:00

Friday was a busy day. We got up early(ish) to head into Chicago for a big day of adventure.

Our day started with a stop at the American Girl Store -- where else? Emmalee has been planning this stop for the last 12 months. Meticulously thinking through the best ways to spend her hard earned and saved money. Pouring through the AG catalogs for ideas. Making lists. Discussing them with her 'girls' And Friday was the big day.

From July 2 - Chicago Trip

It all came down to this:

Ear piercing for Katie with extra earrings
A hair brush and sun hat for Katie
A lounge/futon chair that folds out into a bed for Katie (that is small enough to pack into a suitcase!)

Gramma Sandi surprised her with a red bikini for Katie and a beautiful tap dancing outfit for her too. Mom got Emmalee an American Girl sun hat. Damage completed in approximately 1 hour.

From July 2 - Chicago Trip

Boys survived 4 minutes in the store before they were released to go out into the wilds of the city (Hershey's Chocolate Shop for s'mores and other chocolate goodies). They were good natured upon return - feigning interest in what Emmalee had bought and what she still wanted to get.

From July 2 - Chicago Trip

Then onto the good at FOOD LIFE at Water Tower Place. Where you can order anything you want in the food court and just swipe a card. You just pay at the end. Prices weren't too bad and there are at least 8 different food types to choose from. Makes it easy for groups to find different styles to suit all.

From July 2 - Chicago Trip

After lunch we headed over to the Museum of Science and Industry. They had a new weather exhibit that we were all interested in, as well as the OMNIMAX theater that we had gotten tickets for.
The kids were really interested in the weather exhibit. I would say we spent the majority of our time there. We did go see other things, but as you can see, quite a few of the photos were taken there...

We watched an OMNIMAX movie about the Tahitian Wave which was good and fit in with what the kids were learning about oceans and waves, so it ticked some boxes about education on the trip. Jim went to see the one about the Hubble Telescope, which he really liked.
Afterwards, we left when the museum closed. Dad took us on a scenic tour of the South Side of Chicago, thru 95th Street and Evergreen Park to avoid I94 and 4th of July weekend traffic. So what normally takes 10 minutes, took over an hour to drive. Instead of driving north, we drove South West. Jim still isn't sure what dad was doing.
But we ended up calling Sam and decided to meet him at UNO's in Schaumburg (eventually) for dinner. Had to get a deep dish pizza fix in for Jim before he leaves. Arrived there at 8pm (after leaving museum at 5.45pm. Kids were getting antcy and hungry. But UNO's didn't dissappoint.

From American Girl

Jim got his deep dish pie and was satisfied. He can go back to Sydney and survive another year without artery clogging 2 inch thick cheesey pizza!

From American Girl

Supper Out at the Legion

2010-06-18T14:03:00.002+10:00

Tonight in honor of Grandma, Bryan suggested that we all go to the Legion Hall for supper. Since Grandma loved going out - and going out to the Legion was one of her favorites, we chose there.

There was a specific time table we followed -- couldn't get there at 6 when the doors opened -- that would have embarrassed her. Couldn't go too late because the good salads would be gone. So 7pm was the decided time for the group of 11 of us to meet up there.

As we walked in, Jaeda and I were on the outs -- everyone else seemed to know someone and was hugging, so Jaeda joked that maybe we should be hugging, too. Eventually they found a table big enough for all of us.

Ordering was another story -- then dad ordered wine -- asked for the best red they had -- eventually got to a merlot. Ended up being a whole whopping $7 a bottle. Not a glass, a bottle. Nice change from Sydney prices. Dinner was a bit of a debacle. No one got quite what they ordered, when they should have gotten it, from the baked potatoes running out to the steaks being cooked a bit more than we would have liked -- and taking a good hour plus to come out. But gave lots of time to chat. LOTS OF TIME.

And in the end.... What did the bill come to???? A grand total of $106. For 11 people to have steak and side dish with salad. Unbelievable!!! And I have the photo to prove it.

Jump to the Future

2010-06-18T09:44:00.000+10:00

Star Date June 16, 2010

Sounds like a Star Trek episode. Almost feels like one.

Two months of no blogging. And now I am in a completely new house. New country. New time zone. Without a husband or children. And its really weird.

After much pushing and prodding to bring the blog back to life, it is back online.

I have arrived in the USA safe and sound. Touched down on Monday in Chicago. Hit the road Tuesday morning at 8.07am. Arrived in South Dakota by 9pm at the Atteberry Farm. Hit the couch for a quick sleep by 11.30 and was up for a day of sorting by 8.30 on Wednesday with everyone.

Its been weird. Not something I can put into words quite yet. The house doesn't look the same. Definitely doesn't smell the same. Doesn't feel the same. There is a void here that won't be filled again. I know this is the last time I will be here and it really bring conflicting feelings out. The memories are strong. They make me smile, they bring tears to my eyes. I can't imagine what they are doing to mom and all her siblings right now.

Went up to Grammas grave to see her for the first time. That is when it really hit me that it was real. It was so strong it physically knocked me over. I couldn't stand up after sitting down with her. I have never felt that way before. Something just kept drawing me back down.

I am glad I am here though. Being with everyone is helping. And I know that is part of what I need to help me to move on...

Boys vs Girls

2010-06-18T09:36:00.000+10:00

Isn't that the way it always happens? Boys do one thing, girls do another?

Jim is the first to point out that I am the first to ADMIT that I am NOT an outdoorsy girl. If there is an option to do the lazy, relaxing weekend option vs the outdoorsy, rugged option – gee, guess which one I would pick….

Jim felt like going to Balmoral Beach and was trying to drum up support for his choice. Not my idea of how I was wanting to spend my Saturday. And I had already told Mom I was going to take her into the city to the Rocks Market to pick up some gifts for people back in the states (wonder who they are…), get more coffee pods and a couple of other things. So I had an out. Anything that has the word shopping remotely attached to it will attract Emmalee's attention, so she chose to avoid the beach. Which left Andrew and Dad.

So, we split up and Andrew, Jim and Dad went off to Balmoral Beach for lunch of fish and chips at the beach. And the girls headed into the city for some shopping. I think both groups worked out quite well. Mom made out well at the Rocks Market – she got a cool sweater that can be worn 7 different ways and some other things. We got our coffee pods and walked past a St. Patrick's Day parade that was just starting out.

GMOTUS and GOTUS head to New Zealand

2010-06-18T09:35:00.002+10:00

Another early flight – Grammy and Grampy are determined to make sure that I don't get my beauty (or my un-grumpy) sleep while they are here. Had to get them to the airport and Jim got the kids to school again.

One week touring the South Island of New Zealand. A few less suitcases, a cell phone with instructions to buy a SIM card upon landing so they can contact us from over there and an itinerary based on weather. What more could they ask for? And what could possibly go wrong? Stay tuned…

GMOTUS and GOTUS Have Landed

2010-06-18T09:35:00.001+10:00

What is up with these early morning flights? Had to set the alarm at 6.30 to go and get Grammy of the United States and Grampy of the United States at the Airport. Left Jim with the kids to get the off to school for band, with an 8am drop-off. Not too bad – he could get into work by 8.30.

I got to the airport with plenty of time to spare. Got a great parking spot. Waited for them and finally see them wheeling the trolley with three big suitcases, two roll-aboards, 1 HUGE Rubbermaid tote and a couple of small bags with them. All to fit into my Holden Astra. ALONG with them (and me!) Luckily with a little engineering and tight squeezing we made it without leaving anything or anyone behind.

We even made it back to Northbridge in time to say hello to the kids before the 9.10 bell rang. They were quite excited to see the grandparents before school I think.

Got home and the unloading began. Out came all the goodies I had requested. And all the goodies Debbie had requested were sorted out and bagged and ready to go to Maggios for our coffee date with Debbie. Had to have a breakfast and coffee to start out the trip for Mom and Dad at Maggios. Debbie said it was like Hanukkah for her getting all of her Clinique and Kindle goodies as soon as Mom and Dad arrived.

Came home and finished unpacking and rested up for the rest of the day. Of course we had to be at school for pick-up or the kids would have not been so forgiving. Then off for pizza at Borussos for dinner. Funny thing was dad was so tired he could hardly hold on to his wine glass – and he had hardly anything to drink – it was just tiredness and jetlag. Had to tuck them into bed just after 8.15 – had to give them props for staying up that late!

Time Sure Stops for No One

2010-06-18T09:35:00.000+10:00

Here it is Friday the 16^th of April. And I haven't blogged in over a month and a half. Can't say its because there has been nothing going on. More like too much going on and not enough motivation or desire to keep up with it. So, guess while Jim is watching 'Friday Night Footy' I'lll try to catch up at least a little bit. Or until my fingers give out.

Since January the owners of the house have been trying (to no avail) to sell the house we are renting, which has meant open houses and inspections. Not happy places for me. At all. So I haven't been in a happy place to feel like writing for blogging. Just trying to get by day by day. Still no resolution on that front. In fact, the agent has requested two more showings, to which Jim has said no. So we are at an impass. Not sure what is going to happen now. Whether they will insist we show it or we will have to ask to move on to other residence (since we figure at lease end we will be kicked to the kerb anyway!)

Let's see… since March 5^th a lot has happened… kids have finished their first term of school. Andrew has gotten his first reconciliation, and Mom and Dad finally made it over to see us. After the cancelled trip in December, they made it here March 19^th not too worse for the wear. Can't say how they'll be when they leave tho!

Harry Connick Jr.

2010-06-18T09:34:00.000+10:00

New Orleans meets the Opera House. Quite a combination. You can take the boy outta the bayou, buy you can't take the bayou outta the boy.

After Andrew's reconciliation, we raced home, did the gifts, got the kids jammied up and had Debbie come over so we could go see Harry Connick Jr. at the Sydney Opera House. It was our 2^nd show there and the 1^st for mom and dad. We just squeaked in for time – left mom and Jim down at the bar to get a drink while dad and I went to grab the tickets at will call – and came back to slurp the drinks down before rushing back to the Opera House for the 9pm show. He was the only act with a brass and string band. And a grand piano of course. Our seats were dead center, but pretty far back. Still quite good. Especially for last minute booking over the weekend.

He started the set with just singing and having the band accompany him. That was good. He's a pretty funny guy when he talks and tells stories. Then he went over to the piano. His piano playing is amazing. I just don't like it when he goes off on one of his tangential riffs for ever and ever. It just goes on and on and on. Seriously dude, bring it back in. I was getting bored. His playing is great, but the riffing just gets to be a bit much.

He brought in a New Orleans trumpet player to play with him that I just loved. I like that type of nightclub sound. Then he brought out his daughter who is hardly older than Emmalee. The thought of being able to say that you sang at the Sydney Opera House when you were a pre-teen would just be amazing. And then of course I was sitting then just adding the years to Emme's age thinking of how big she would be when she got to be that age and it was just killing me!!!

The show was good, but not a Josh Groban show. I think I would have liked Harry Connick Jr. better in a smaller venue like a nightclub or a jazz club. Maybe its just me. But that is just the way I was feeling.

I do know that Mom and Dad said they enjoyed it – and 4 days into the trip they were able to stay awake for the whole show!

First Reconciliation

2010-04-16T20:42:00.003+10:00

Tonight Andrew received yet another of his Catholic sacraments. It was his chance to receive his first Reconciliation. He has been waiting for this for weeks.

Surprisingly, the idea of confessing his wrongs or sins really didn't bother him. In fact, with a 6.30 pm ceremony, at 6pm he stunned me by saying he wanted to sit in the front row and really wanted to leave NOW so he could be there in time to get the front row. So, we had to hurry dinner along so I could take him straight there while the rest of the family finished dinner and got ready.

The advantage of being in the front row was that Fr. Rex sought me out to do a reading since they didn't have any of the parts pre-coordinated in advance. I guess while I was doing the reading, Emmalee commented that I sure sounded "American". Hmmmmm….. I wonder why! Don't know what's going to happen to this church when we move away – no more Eucharistic Ministers, scripture teacher, helpers, readers, etc. Gonna take a chunk out of volunteerism I think.

But back to Andrew. He sat in the front row with 6 of his guy friends and they listened through the whole service. It was really neat to watch them as they paid attention (and goofed around a bit) I could see bits of each of them as they might be when they grow up. When it was his turn to go up for his confession, he was the first up and he just bounded up the steps of the altar to Fr. Rex and didn't hesitate at all. There was no fear or doubt in his step. I was very proud of him. And when he came back I could see that he had thought about what was discussed, so whatever he talked about (I had said it was personal and I wasn't going to ask him about it – it was between him and God and the priest) must have sunk in a bit.

As the night went on, it was getting late and he was getting tired. You could see it in his poor little face. And he knew he has presents from his grandparents waiting, so as soon as it was over we scooted out and came home to open up a beautiful rosewood rosary from the holy land from Grammy and Grampy. Grandma and Grandpa Rhomberg gave him a crucifix with saints on it.

I dedicate this to

2010-03-05T06:55:00.000+11:00

all the geeks in my life...

my kids who adore Richard Hammond's Blast Lab, my Dad, my brothers, and those of you who like to see things like Blue Man Group and do things just to see what happens when you do something...

6 Million

2010-03-04T12:09:00.001+11:00

Going once. Going twice.
Nope. Not gone. Not gone at all...

After over a month of open houses and intrusions of photos and surveyors and agents and stuff -- the auction was last night. I managed to make it in as the auctioneer was offering 5.6 million. I mean seriously -- who has that much money??? Not five minutes later it was up to 6 million dollars. And then it was finished. And we knew nothing last night. Nothing.

So this morning I stormed (ok walked) into the agent and tried to find out what was going on. I hate not knowing. Supposedly the 6 million was 'passed in' which means that that the reserve was not met, so it was not “on the market” and it was not going to sell at that price. (Thanks to Deb for the correct definition of passed in!) The sellers wanted more (6.5), the buyers didn't want to spend that much.

UGH! So, now the agent/sellers want 2 more sets of people to go thru the house again on Saturday at 11.

And so it begins again. And again.

A Sign

2010-02-06T16:40:00.000+11:00

Less than 12 hours after I finally got around to posting my gramma Millie post, I got a sign from her... not quite the hug, but some thing that tells me she is still here with me... I walked into the Coles after coffee this morning to grab a few things and what was the first thing I see -- bright red gladiolus -- I have NEVER seen them here before. So I had to buy them. I know they were meant for me to find and bring a smile to my face.

Thank you...

Yum Cha With Deb

2010-02-04T23:12:00.000+11:00

Today was supposed to be a downloading girls lunch where the 'coffee club' were supposed to go out for lunch and 'download' about the kids new teachers and the school year so far, without kids -- but a few moms were not feeling well, had sick kids or just were worn out already, so we had to postpone ALREADY!!!

Deb and I, not feeling the need to give up on a pre-planned lunch date, decided to go out anyway. Headed to Westfield Chatswood for Yum Cha. I'd only been for Yum Cha once before, which in the States is called, Dim Sum. Its basically:Yum cha a dining experience which involves drinking Chinese tea and eating dim sum dishes. Yum cha is Cantonese which literally means "drink tea". In the US and UK, the phrase dim sum is often mistakenly used in place of yum cha. In fact, in Cantonese, dim sum (點心, Pinyin: diǎnxīn) refers to the wide range of small dishes, whereas yum cha, or "drinking tea", refers to the entire dining experience.

Dim sum is a varied range of small dishes (a concept similar to tapas) eaten for breakfast, brunch or afternoon tea, as part of the yum cha dining experience. Dishes are usually steamed or fried and may be savoury or sweet. They include steamed buns such as char siu baau, assorted dumplings, siu mai, and rice noodle rolls, which contain a range of ingredients, including beef, chicken, pork, prawns and vegetarian options. Typical desserts include egg tarts, sai mai lo (tapioca pudding) and mango pudding. Many dim sum/yum cha restaurants also offer plates of steamed green vegetables, roasted meats, congee porridge, and soups.

Dim sum can be cooked by steaming and frying, among other methods. The dim sum are usually small and normally served as three or four pieces in one dish. It is customary to order family style, sharing dishes among all members of the dining party. Because of the small portions people can try a wide variety of food.
Yum Cha is wheeled around on trolleys, but specials are more likely ordered from a menu. Traditionally, the cost of the meal was calculated based on the number and size of dishes left on the patron's table at the end. In modern dim sum restaurants, dim sum servers mark orders by stamping a card on the table. Servers in some restaurants even use different stamps so that sales statistics for each server can be recorded (which is how our total was recorded.

Deb and I are a pretty good match for Yum Cha, except that she doesn't eat pork. Which means, I get the pork and prawn dumplings all to myself -- and she gets the seafood dumplings all to herself. We ended up sitting in a dead spot for a bit of the time -- the carts with the good dumplings kept missing us. But once they found us, we were set for the afternoon. That is of course, AFTER we ordered our Chinese broccoli, so we had our vegetable for the day. To go with our, lets see, 2 orders of 4 prawn dumplings, 2 orders of prawn and pork dumplings (which I didn't totally finish), 1 order of sesame prawn rolls, 1 order of scallop dumplings, and 1 order Chinese broccoli. No dessert. No tofu, bean curd or deep fried chickens feet. UGH!

I do think we'll have to take mom and dad there when they visit. They'll really like it and dad will probably want to sample a bit of everything. There were so many carts rolling by and I am not as adventurous as Debbie and mom and dad are.

Basketball Has Begun

2010-02-04T22:00:00.000+11:00

We survived the first major basketball rivalry of the year. It pitted brothers vs. sisters. Years 3 vs. Years 4. Boys vs. Girls. And no blood was shed. No tears were spilled. It was a tough game. Hard fought. Fairly played.
The girls did very well for having NEVER played together as a team before.

They looked so sharp in their matching black jerseys. Boys looked a little more thrown together in their unmatched t-shirts, like a group of boys just coming together to play a pickup game of ball. But once the game started, those boys came together like a well oiled machine -- passing the ball, shooting every chance they got. Over half of them made baskets.
The girls gave it 100% of their effort all the time. Emma M. ran that court back and forth, up and down. She was the most aggressive player along with Georgia. Emmalee I think is the tallest, so she was good on defense -- getting her arms over players to block shots. They did a good job passing to each other, now we just need to work on shooting. I think they might have scored a basket or two IF they would have actually shot at the basket instead of just dribbling and passing!
But, like the girls said, its not the score that counts in this league, its learning and having fun!!!

Housing Update

2010-02-04T21:48:00.001+11:00

Eeeeesssshhhhhh. I don't think I would ever want to sell a house here in Sydney. It seems to be a pain in the BUTT.

Let's see. I had to be around so they could take photos of the exterior.

Then I had to be around so they could take photos of the interior.

Then I had to be around so they could have someone walk around to sketch in dimensions of all the rooms of the house.

Next they will put signs up in the front of the house and then down at the waterfront area of the property.
(As of Wednesday am - signs are up and neighbors are 'sticky beaking' at the signs and on the website to see the plans)
---Want to take a look yourself -- click this link

OUR NORTHBRIDGE HOUSE FOR SALE

Then they will start with Saturday and Wednesday 11-11.45 open houses, for which I have to have the house in a very presentable, tidy stage. And during time of open houses, I have to be available to open the house for agents, and again be available to close house back up, but not be around DURING the open house. NICE! Complete strangers pawing through our things six different times and I have no control over it.

Then in mid-March the house will be auctioned, and if an appropriate seven figure number is reached, it will be sold.

After that date, depending on whether such purchaser decides if they will occupy or choose to continue renting it out, we will have until July 1^st to find another location to call home.

yippee. (note sarcasm in voice)

I don't like Mondays

2010-02-01T18:44:00.052+11:00

Who ever said Mondays are yucky, I have to agree. Let's run down how mine ended up today...

Started the morning off with a great start. Alarm at 7am. Showered, dressed and kids lunches made by 7.45am.

Daughter hissy fit starts at 7.30 due to A4 binder not the proper size (after looking at 4 stores based on her description only to have her change it at bedtime Sunday night!)

Offer to take her to store to find different one if she dresses since brother and I am ready at 7.45. Fit continues and increases.

Continues thru to 8.30 when I suggest piling into car to go to Woolies to get the binder to be done with it and still make it to school on time.

Back out of drive, daughter gets out of car, demands house keys because of forgotten plastic SHOPPING bags 'needed' for school (which we could have gotten at Woolies)

I refuse on principle, stating that I had reminded both verbally night before and this morning and with typed checklist for to-do's for Monday morning.

Fit continues to spirals with feet being slammed into back of front seat and all the way into ribcage of brother as he sits trying to be patient. Time now 8.47am. No time for Woolies.

Drive to school. Daughter refuses to leave car. Lock her in. Walk son to before school door where kids are walking in, kiss him good-bye while watching car/daughter and seeing destruction happening inside of car. UGH!

Walk back to car. Strong arm her from car. Tell her that I will not spend my day chasing this binder for her after her attitude. Walk her to class and kiss her good-bye. Kiss boy good-bye.

Take car in for annual car registration inspection. Drop keys, hope for the best.

Receive phone call 10 minutes later. Informed that front two tires (tyres in AUS) are beyond safety reqs and need new ones. $380 later. Plus inspection.

One hour later. Registration completed. New tires. Same car.

Stop by home to login to NRMA to purchase GREENSLIP to be up to date on required registration for car. $400 or so later.Up to date. YIPEE. That is the sound of my wallet saying good-bye to the credit card once again and money leaving faster than Jim can earn it this month. Jan/Feb is a rough month for cash inflow/outflow for us!

Off to new dentist. Told I brush my teeth too much (Is there such a thing?). I need to floss more (Yes, I knew that -- story of my life - Same as Dr. Damko) And I get a new TMJ mouthpiece. Fitting on Wednesday.

Home to work on laundry. Same old Same Old.

Pick Up Time. While walking in past oval to get kids, I hit a pot-hole in the asphalt. Down I go. Very graceful... in a skirt. Managed to go down only on one leg since I was in a skirt-- was in front of a dad figure, so needed to keep lady-like. HA HA HA. So, had lovely road-rash down the front of my left leg from my knee cap to the middle of my shin and then ripped up my ankle. Blood was pouring from my ankle. Very graceless. Emma came up and helped me to the bench to attempt to catch my dignity or what was left of it.

Found the kids, Daughter still had the attitude. Brought it to swimming all through the car ride. Very lovely. Patched my ankle up at swimming.

Managed to talk to Jim at end of swimming and he finally realized that I was swinging by a very, very fine thread and it was to his advantage to get home ASAP.

Came home from swimming. Kids didn't listen or do anything on the do after school list until Jim got home. I sat on the couch outside reading my Kindle trying my best not to move, cry or damage anything until Jim got home.

Rubbed antibiotic cream on damaged areas while trying not to throw up or cry too much. Not to self - don't do this again very soon...

Really didn't like this Monday. Hope next Monday much much better...

A Gut Punch

2010-01-31T14:32:00.003+11:00

Ever have one of those moments where you are just sitting there minding your own business and then all of a sudden something happens and you get all the air knocked out of your stomach?

I had that happen this morning at church. Actually its been happening lately at church. Not sure why its been at church more than any other place other than its one of the places where the kids are forced to be quite for a little while and I can just be inside my own head for a while and not think about what needs to be done around my own life.

So, there I am, minding my own business, listening to Fr. Curry during the homily about a finite number of years on this earth and going back to this small town he grew up in and how things changed from when he grew up (as one would expect) and then it happened. It was like I needed to see Gramma one more time to tell her good-bye.

To see Colome.

To walk the dusty dirt roads.

To see the wildflowers in the pastures.

Hear the wind in the weeping willow tree (even though its not even there any more).

See the old dilapidated drive in where we watched Star Wars with huge paper bags of home popped pop corn and riding the swing set in the front of the drive in.

To smell the earthy smell of the cellar where we would go if there was a tornado siren, remembering where I cried and cried when I left Winnie the pooh in the house and had Grandpa Bob run back to get him, being so young not knowing what danger really was, just knowing how much I needed the comfort of that stuffed animal.

Even though Gramma Millie wasn't Catholic, there are songs that remind me of her.
She always sang with such a strong, confident voice. She dressed up, no matter the weather. She was proud to be there. I was proud to be able to share our church here with her. To show her that we are involved as a family here.

I may not have been able to give her that one last hug, that one that I feel like I am so needing to give to her right now. Or maybe the one that I needed her to give me. The one that told me that it was ok to let go. Its probably more about me than anything. Over a month has passed and the hurt is still very raw for me. I don't know why it feels so fresh to me now. What has changed to make it hurt like this now. What is different. But it does. It hurts so badly. Life is full of ifs. If I had known last summer was the last time I was going to see her. If I had known that day was going to be the last time we would talk on the computer. If. If. If.

I Love You Gramma

Elementary My Dear Watson

2010-01-29T22:58:00.005+11:00

What do you get when you have two movie vouchers that expire at the end of the month, no sitter and a movie you want to see? A problem…

Unless… you barter with a friend… That is where Debbie comes in. We had offered to watch her kids so she and Greg could go to a show in a couple of weeks so she said pick a date when she could watch our kids. Didn't think I would actually pop up with a date immediately, but I did… said how about Friday… he he he he he he… Told her we had tickets that were going to expire if we didn't use them and about the situation. Figured that she would kinda get a night off. Once the kids were in bed, she could hang out and surf the net or read or whatever and have not read adult housekeeping responsibilities like you normally feel you do at home.

Worked out fine for her. She wasn't busy. Came over on time. Brought her surfing gear. Told her how to get online. How to work my Kindle. Where the peppermint bark and other assorted sweet treats were in the house and she was set.

Off Jim and I went. To go see Sherlock Holmes. Not a lot of other movies out that I wanted to go see and I didn't give Jim the list of movies that were out. He gets to watch movies on the plane when he goes to Singapore, so he gets to see more current movies than I do, so I let myself get first choice! Anyway, I had wanted to see it.

I quite liked it. Didn't realize it was Guy Ritchie movie until it was done. Then some of the filmography made sense. Like the fight scenes and such. But it was good and sure left room for a sequel. I would have to say that Robert Downey Jr. seems to have cleaned up his act quite a bit or sure is quite the actor. Then again, I have always liked him. And we saw some really good previews of movies this time around for things we might actually like to see.

Decent date night and even made it home by 10, so sitter wasn't even home too late!

4th School Year Start!

2010-01-28T10:00:00.000+11:00

I can't believe we have started the kids for their fourth start of school here in Australia.

Emmalee is now in year four and Andrew is now in year three.

The 2010 school year officially started with a super long week – Thursday and Friday! Dropped the kids off at school at 9 and Freedom Day began for the moms with coffee for nine of us at Maggios!

Picked the kids up at 3.10 and found out that Emmalee got Mrs. Brack (a lovely choice as she had moved up from year 2) and Andrew got TK Ogawa (the skipping teacher – a super choice), so I am very pleased with the teacher choices this year.

As for the school yard, it is quite different from last year. It's a cross between a prison yard and a construction zone. They are in the process of building the new school building of classrooms, so everything is all mixed up. They did manage to get the COLA (covered outdoor learning area) completed so when they are lined up, the sun isn't beating down on them, but all the demountables (or portable classrooms) are now mushed up together in a tiny space. Guess there is no room for kids to get lost any more. Hopefully the construction will go quickly and not too loudly.

Looking forward to next week and a whole week of learning and activities. See how wiped out the kids end up.

Australia Day 2010

2010-01-26T00:01:00.001+11:00

Sizzle

2010-01-23T11:31:00.000+11:00

All we need is a little butter and salt and pepper...

Its that hot right now at 11.15am. And its only going to get hotter today and maybe tomorrow. Know we aren't going to get any sympathy from our friends/family in the States and Canada but OH WELL!!!!

Off to the pool to cool off -- because we can!

Budding Arteest

2010-01-20T18:48:00.002+11:00

Andrew has been getting into art for the last few months. So much that most mornings before school I would find him hunkered down at the art table drawing something, from animals to comics to abstract art.
So, this school holidays with the cancellation of our special family guests, the kids got to attend extra holiday camps and Andrew got a few days of Art Camp (note the day with Eric Bana' kids a couple of days ago...)
Well, Wednesday afternoon he finished up with his favorite class ever -- cartoon and comics, taught by a real live animator. (Yes, as opposed to a dead one I suppose? No, one that makes money animating things I guess)
I had a great time and his comic The Museum is in the collection that follows),
He sculpted, he sketched, he drew, he water-colored, he acrylic-ed, he painted, he animated and comicked and so much more. He was in his element. I think he turning into a well rounded young man.

Almost like we're on a holiday

2010-01-20T15:58:00.000+11:00

Jim had a dentist appointment this morning here in Northbridge so he decided not to go into work (I know...) so not only did he get the pleasure of a morning kayak and a swim with the kids, he also got a bit of work done from home BEFORE dropping Andrew off at his art class at 9.30 this morning.

From Lunch with Jim

Then we took Emmalee out for a coffee (and a mini cupcake for her) at Austini's before Jim ran off to his appointment and she went to her dance class.

When he got done with his class we met up and decided to go to lunch together. A guilty pleasure.

From Lunch with Jim

Went down to Balmoral Beach since it is ABSOLUTELY beautiful out. It's a picture perfect day... puffy clouds in the sky, slight breeze, 80 degrees and sunny. We'd never eaten at Bather's Pavilion and it has been on our list of places to eat for a while but we've just not made it there yet. Today seemed like the perfect day with no kids and beautiful weather.
Got a window seat. Saw the head chef, 'Serge' dining with what must have been his toughest critics ever -- his family! Or at least I would like to think they would be the toughest critics... Food was OK but I think they are highly over-rated for what we got besides the view. The view was beautiful. And it was definitely like being on vacation together.

From Lunch with Jim

That is until we had to get into the car and head back home so that Jim could make it back for his 1.30 call to the lawyers for work. You know all play and no work would make Jim a very dull boy.

(a post script to this story is that Jim did make an adjustment to his schedule so that he could watch Emme's dance production at 2.30 before scuttling out the door to make his 3pm conference call in the car at 3pm with his boss on the way to a 3.30 meeting in North Ryde then turning around for a 7pm tennis match!)

How many more shoes have to drop?

2010-01-19T13:19:00.002+11:00

On the way to tennis on Wednesday a neighbor waved us down in the street. I stopped and she asked us what was happening with our house and the owners. I said we didn't know. She said she has heard through the grapevine that the house was going to be sold, but we hadn't heard anything. So she said she would keep her ear to the ground.

The next day less than 2 minutes after drop-off Jim calls and tells me that the owners have decided to put the house to auction and will be showing the house as of the first Saturday of February and then every Wednesday and Saturday in February. Then they will be auctioning the house on March 3^rd. We do have an ironclad lease until July 1^st. So even if the house sold and went through closure, they cannot have us out until then, but still. We now have to go through the deal with people trouncing through our house five times. It's just makes me sick. I don't want to have to move again. Pack up again. Find a new house again. Unpack again. Especially in June/July when we should be back in the States visiting people.

I am selfish. I don't want to have to deal with not being messy. I keep the house clean. It's not dirty. But it's messy. So I have to keep after the kids time after time more than usual. We have to move all the valuables and computer equipment each time. All the Wii equipment. It's just a pain. And for the most part – I am the one who gets to deal with it because it's me who is around to deal – Jim is at work on Wednesdays.

I thought 2010 was supposed to be a new year with new prospects and good times.

Celebrity Spotting

2010-01-18T09:34:00.003+11:00

Happy Monday. What a way to start the week.

Usually to have two weeks left in school holidays means its going to be a long 10ish days of kids not getting along and playing referee between them. Luckily today is not one of those days. In fact, it was a bright sunny Monday morning.

Andrew decided to take art classes M-W this week at the Northbridge art school here in town. So after a painless (yes, I said painless) morning, I walk the kids into school to drop him off and before I even get into the doorway my eyes start yelling to my brain – ERIC BANA ERIC BANA ERIC BANA. DO YOU SEE ERIC BANA?????? MAKE SURE YOUR MOUTH IS CLOSED. DO YOU SEE ERIC BANA?????? IS IT REALLY ERIC BANA?

I usher the kids in making sure not to trip on the steps and draw undue attention to myself as no one is staring at the only man in the room that I think is a dead ringer for the movie star Eric Bana. Then I hear him speak and I am convinced it is Eric Bana. T-shirt and boardies. Sunnies on his head. Salt and pepper stubble. Less than a foot away from me!!! I dig out my iPhone and text Jim my news and try to figure out how to subtly take a photo of Andrew without drawing attention to myself. Can't figure it out darn it! He drops off two kids for the sculpture class and leaves. I tell Andrew to make friends with those two kids jokingly because their dad is a movie star. He doesn't get it. So I tell him I am joking. And to forget it. And then I go home and figure out his son is 10 and realize I should have had Emmalee hit on HIM... JUST KIDDING!!!! Although he will most likely end up looking like his dad, which really isn't too bad, just the name Klaus leaves a bit to work on.

Then after I leave I do my best to make sure I tell EVERYONE I know about my first real life reach out and ALMOST touch a celebrity sighting.

We are in trouble here

2010-01-17T10:41:00.005+11:00

Jim has a little account set up with the local TAB which means something about betting here in Australia. He piddles around with $1 and $2 bets on NFL and NBA accounts just for the fun of it.

The Australian Open has just started today and the children are really into tennis. Evidently Jim's parents would let him make little bets when he was young, so he is letting them make three one dollar bets on the Open this year just to make them feel involved.

On the way to Church yesterday, our lovely little boy announced in the car that if he bet $100 on Rafa and won he could win enough money to buy a Babolat tennis racket – the one that he is enamored with. Oh boy! That is why we are limiting to the $1 bets!!!!

Jim's New Year's Resolution 2010

2010-01-15T21:23:00.000+11:00

One of Jim's New Year's Resolutions -- which funnily enough actually involves me is to learn how to cook. Or learn a bit more how to be more self sufficient in the kitchen.
So he took his first step Friday by grilling a pizza. I had made the dough earlier in the week when we ran out of gas for the grill, so we needed to get it made before it lost all its pizzaz.

From Jim's Pizza Grillin

I taught him how to roll out the dough using a rolling pin. Then he cooked it on the grill. He topped it with sauce, sausage (he bought himself at the store!) mushrooms, black olives, fresh mozzarella and shredded cheese and a few black olives, along with some fresh basil.

From Jim's Pizza Grillin

He then finished it off for the final grilling. Two pizzas completed.

From Jim's Pizza Grillin

The kids pronounced his creations a success and devoured them while watching Garfield 2, the movie. They loved them!

Tennis Camp

2010-01-15T13:54:00.001+11:00

The kids did a week of intense tennis training last week. Five days of 9.30 – 3.30 tennis camp with instructors to teach them forehand, backhand, volleys, serves and more. Both kids did wonderfully.

In fact they did so well that at the end of the week BOTH of them took home a trophy. Andrew got the high points score trophy and Emmalee got the encouragement award (which is the award given to the person who encourages their fellow teammates and tries their hardest). They have improved so much these last few days. Jim and I are really proud of them.

Too much dependence on natural resources

2010-01-12T18:37:00.000+11:00

makes one a little but too lax in their day to day life.
For example, tonight I had this simple but yummy dinner planned for the family. Grilled pizza. Went to Harris Farms and Hudsons Butchers to get all the fresh ingredients. Planned to cook outside to avoid heating up the house. We didn't have the air conditioning on, rather choosing to let the sea breeze cool down the house during the afternoon by opening the front and back doors.
Hit the pool as a family -- yes, even the princess got into the pool - was warm enough for me. I think I've been in more than 10 times this season!!! Gotta be a record for outdoor pools for me. Anyway, got a 30 minute dip in the pool then headed up. Lit the bbq, nipped into the shower to clean off. By the time I got out, it had quit. Jim tried to re-lite it. No go.
So, that meant no grilled pizza for the night. Off to plan B. Quick spaghetti and meatballs. Already had the italian sausage cooked up, so just added the meatballs from the weekend and added in spaghetti sauce. We were well on our way. Not a bad 30 minute meal that had to be whipped up before Jim's 6pm conference call. Even had 10 minutes to spare.

Sometimes I Wonder

2010-01-11T17:33:00.001+11:00

Today I dropped the kids off for the first day of their week long tennis camp. Its run thru the group that gives them tennis lessons before school. I know we are privileged enough to be able to afford to give the kids weekly lessons. They aren't one on one lessons - they are group lessons. And this is a group daily camp. The kids have no name clothes and normal tennis rackets. Nothing special.
Yet, as I signed them in, all around I saw signs of wealth. Kids kicking Babolat rackets across the floor. Babolat bag after Babolat bag. Rackets that I know cost upwards of $300 each. For kids under 12 years old! Jim won't even spend that much on a racket and he plays in a group weekly.
I wonder if these children even understand the amount of money that is being spent on them to keep them occupied. We are doing it to help them further their interests. They seem to like tennis right now. As long as they like it, I will encourage them. Same with dance and music and art. If we can afford to support their learning and expand their knowledge that way, I am all for it. But I just can't see any reason to spend the excess money on the 'gear' just to have labels to go with the sport. It just doesn't make sense. And I will try my very best to not be one of those mothers who has to compete to keep up with the others to have my children have the best and the newest name brands in hopes that it will make them the star athlete or top of the group.
*** I have to make an addendum to this post. Now that Jim has come home and seen the kids, he commented that Emmalee is wearing a Puma tennis set and Andrew is wearing Nike shorts. Shorts, mind you that were bought on major clearance at Kohls, and E's set a gift from Gramma Rhomberg, but I guess they are name brands nonetheless. So, I am guilty of name branding my kids a bit. But they don't know what the brands are and for sure aren't requesting them by name to wear them.

Sometimes its tough to be nine

2010-01-10T19:54:00.001+11:00

Tonight we had another one of our major meltdowns before bed. Not sure exactly what set it off. Could be the thought of tennis camp on Monday morning and not knowing anyone but her brother there. Or the thought of not getting dessert because she didn't eat all of the chicken/vegetables on her plate as requested by her parents. Or just because she is a girl. Or because the air had too much oxygen in it. Or because she was too tired. Or because we looked at her funny. Or one of a million other reasons. Who knows.
But its rough to be nine.
After locking the door on us and having a good 30+ minute cry she finally unlocked the door and let me in for a cuddle. We talked for a bit and then I tried a relaxation technique on her that we had talked about a few times.
The one where you think about relaxing each part of your body one deep breath at a time from the top of your head all the way down to your toes. So I started with her breathing in and out, gently stroking her head, then her forehead, her eyebrows, her eyelids, her nose, cheeks, ears, lips. chin and so on. I think by the time I got to her shoulders she was sound asleep.
It was nice to see her so peaceful after such a rough time and I wish that I could use that technique to calm her down more often, but I am thankful it worked just this one time.

I feel so much better

2010-01-05T19:25:00.000+11:00

The oven repairman came today. He not only called before he came, but he came on time! We had been without an oven since the 30th so my baking-ness has been quite out of sorts. Not being able to bake for over a week was a bit rough going.
Evidently I blew an element. He said it was quite common. The more an oven is used, the quicker it happens. It has a two year warranty, so I am guessing it shouldn't happen within 2 years. (Note to self -- haven't been in this house 2 years yet and oven was new --- guess I used it too much!!!!)
So, broke the oven in tonight with a batch of banana chip muffins for kids' breakfast. House smells baked in again. Yummy! Yummy!

Mirror Mirror

2010-01-05T19:22:00.000+11:00

on the wall... who is the fairest of them all?

all day long she is playing with her hair, primping in front of the mirror, changing her clothes, strutting her stuff, looking at jewelry, loving nail polish and lip gloss. And MASCARA if I would let her.

In fact, she has been brushing her hair for the last hour and 20 minutes while watching Scooby Doo. If she has less than two hair do's a day, that's a slow day!

Santa knew what type of girl she was so he brought her a full length mirror to admire herself. And admire herself she does!

Happy New Year! 2010!!!!

2010-01-01T00:01:00.001+11:00

Happy New Year to all our friends and family across the world.

As we have already rung in the new year here in Sydney, we are off to a well needed sleep.

We hope that everyone has a wonderful celebration, can reflect on the past year -- its good and its bad -- and look forward to a bigger and better 2010. A new year brings new hope and our hope is that it is a peaceful year filled with happiness and health for all.

Keeping my fingers crossed Sam!

2009-12-28T11:09:00.000+11:00

Time sure goes quickly

2009-12-27T22:18:00.000+11:00

Its 10pm Sunday night. The boys are having their Tiger Woods Wii rematch for the 3rd time (?). Its nice having another guy around to give someone for Jim to play with. They have played wii every night since we got back from Terrigal. Just something I don't tend to do with him I guess.
Can't believe in 13 hours Sam will be on a plane back to Alaska. I know he can't believe it either. Time just blew past. But I think in the whirlwind trip here he has managed to see quite a bit -- Downtown Sydney on day one, Melbourne and the Yarra Valley days 2-4, Terrigal days 5-7. Then back to Northbridge for Christmas Eve through now. Despite the dreary weather since we returned from Terrigal, we managed to celebrate Christmas with the outdoor mass at church. They tried fishing a couple of times from the dock. And this afternoon we even snuck in a Captain Cook Cruise so he got to see the fancy shoreline all around Sydney. Not bad. Not bad.

Tomorrow is going to be a sad one. The kids will be saying goodbye to their fun uncle -- the one who plays wii with them and laughs at all their jokes. Daddy will be heading back into work.
And it will be just the three of us. -- hoping mommy doesn't blow her top with the kids. Will just have to practice breathing. Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, Breathe out.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T23:38:00.000+11:00

The stockings are hung in the hallway with care
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon will be here.
Just knowing we're the 1st stop
Of many he'll make...
Sets the kids' excitement levels
Waaaaaaay past earthquake!
Through the gusting winds of Australia
To the blizzard in the Midwest
We know he'll deliver pressies
For those marked with good and the best.
Our thoughts go with those
Who aren't with us this day
But we know that our love for them
In our hearts it will stay.

So, Merry Christmas to you
And to you and to you
From Nikki and Jim,
Emmalee and Andrew

We will miss you

2009-12-18T23:25:00.000+11:00

On Friday we lost a treasured member of our family. My Gramma Millie passed away after bravely battling with heart and kidney problems for the last few months. She was so full of love and life and will be missed by everyone who knew her and especially our family who spent the most time with her.
Although I wasn't able to be with her in the hospital, we did get to Skype on Wednesday. The kids (her great grandkids) sang Hark the Herald Angels Sing to her and it was beautiful to watch her face light up when they did that.
Its times like these that it again is so hard to be away from family. It makes me treasure the time I have together with them when I can get it. And we were fortunate enough to spend a few days with her this past July. I am so thankful to Becki & Jim and Bryan for driving her out (and Gramma Shea). Having that time to spend with her means the world to me. That visit will probably stay with Andrew who got to play Scrabble with his great grandma and with Emmalee who got to show her great gramma the apron she sewed all by herself.
I could go into a list of the memories that I have of her, but there isn't enough time or space to do her justice. Just knowing that she is with Grandpa in heaven and looking down on all of us in peace will have to do. I love you and miss you so much Gramma.

He's Here!!!

2009-12-17T22:08:00.000+11:00

Three sleeps and counting

2009-12-14T22:10:00.000+11:00

Until Uncle Sam visits. The kids are soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited.

So until then, we are keeping our fingers crossed, touching wood and whatever else brings good luck to him so there are no storms to delay his flight or anything else turbulent that can happen!

Presentation Day

2009-12-14T21:58:00.000+11:00

This afternoon I attended my first presentation day ceremony at Northbridge. I got a letter from Mrs. Donlan, the principal, on Friday requesting my presence since Emmalee would be receiving an award of some type during this ceremony for students in years 3-6. Having not attended one before I didn't know what to expect. Or how many kids would receive recognition.
Well, let's just say Jim and I are very proud of Emmalee. She has grown alot this year, both socially and academically. I think she is finally getting into the groove of school and her teacher has publicly recognized it. She received an award for consistent effort in her class of 3P. She was one of 5 students from 3P to receive individual class awards.
So, hats off to her! And well done!!!

Emmalee's Dance Performance

2009-12-12T21:47:00.001+11:00

Quick videos from Saturday's performance. Emmalee is in the silver sequin top, black shorts with puffy pink hair and a pink sequin hairband...

"Freeze"

From JDS Dance Performance

"Release Me"

From JDS Dance Performance

"Mom doesn't know the name of it"

From JDS Dance Performance

"Step in Time"

From JDS Dance Performance

Christmas Carols Concert

2009-12-08T22:01:00.000+11:00

Emmalee was part of the band AND primary proms for this year's Christmas Concert at school. The training band played a few songs and her proms group sang 3 songs. It was very good. Only disappointing part was that the audience was rather chatty and kids kept running around and it was very distracting. But the performers were great.

Videos will be added shortly with video versions of the musical numbers....

Beautiful Music

2009-12-05T19:08:00.000+11:00

We decided to treat ourselves to an early Christmas present. One the whole family can use and enjoy before Christmas and then all year long.
Since we put our piano in storage when we moved to Sydney, Jim has been music-less. For someone who enjoys music and has it just ooze out of his fingertips when he is near piano keys, its been a long 3 years.
After much research we decided on a Yamaha electric piano. It is encased in a pretty wood cabinet and doesn't have all the bells and whistles of an electronic keyboard, but it has more than we need.
Just see how the boys are already making beautiful music...

From Beautiful Music

In the Mood

2009-11-30T19:45:00.000+11:00

Although the weather outside isn't frightful, at times today it was quite delightful. (Except for the rains that have been happening on and off -- but its not the same as snow falling.)

From Decorating for Christmas

The kids have been dying for Christmas, counting down the days until Grammy and Grampy AND our special guest arrive. So, that means Christmas decorations are brought out. And tonight was the night. We decorated the tree with care. Reminding ourselves of the ornaments and where they came from and who they represent. A really nice tradition.

If only it wasn't 65F -- we'd feel like drinking the hot chocolate Jim and I both are craving.

Our Spanish Nativity set and the Dubuque wooden angels remind us of Jim's family.

The stockings are hung in the hallway with care (Yes, one for each of our guests!!!)

Pumpkin Pie Anyone?

2009-11-27T08:00:00.000+11:00

Happy Thanksgiving (thanks to my little brother for the awesome image!)

Can anyone understand why I DON'T like pumpkin pie!???

Someone Up There Has It Out For Me

2009-11-16T22:43:00.000+11:00

I am taking this seriously -- as a personal attack on me.
Seems like who ever orders weather around here likes to play a cruel, cruel joke on me right at bed time.
Once again a roof shaking thunderstorm has rolled in just as the kids have been tucked into bed. No, couldn't be an hour before while they are still up or an hour later when they are so asleep lightning could strike in their room and they wouldn't notice -- only when I tuck them in tight and tell them not to get out of their rooms until morning. (Mean mean mommie I know!)
Tonight I could see the storm rolling in. Starts with just a low growl and rumble. Almost airplane like. Then just snippets of lightning with a touch of thunder. And once I am settled in on the couch for the night, BOOOOOOOOOOM! Then the windows shake.
Count one, two, three, four and look who is walking out their door. First comes Andrew saying he is afraid of the thunder (hmmmm.... that's such a convenient excuse when its bedtime!) So I tuck him back in and turn the music up so it covers some of the noise. Even consent to leave the light on so he can't see the lightning strikes. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! Again, right after I get the book opened back up - haven't even started reading the page again and out comes Emmalee. Same story. I send her back. Tuck her in. Placate her sad emotions about something that has happened at school. And off to the couch I go. Not ten minutes later, through pelting rain (which understandably sounds like hail on her corregated roof outside of her window) she meanders out to tell me she sees a line on her window and is afraid. Having no patience anymore (ever?) I tell her to lay down on our bed and I'll send her to her own after the storm is over. Less than five minutes later she is asleep. Hmmmmm...
If anyone can tell me why these storms just happen to hit over MY house right as I am putting MY kids to bed, I am all ears!

Smells like Austin

2009-11-12T16:31:00.000+11:00

I know its a funny post title, but I am sitting in my office space here in Northbridge with the window wide open. In my usual position of working on the computer, I have started a mission to organize the photos I have on all seven hard drives as well as printed ones so we don't lose any records of the kids as they grow.
Well, the wind happens to be blowing in the right direction to blow the scent of jasmine flowers in the window. I can close my eyes and feel like I am back on the deck of our first house in Austin. I planted two jasmine bushes in the corner of the the deck so it would vine and grow up. In the afternoons and evenings (when it wasn't too sweltering hot for me to be outside) I would go out there and just inhale the heavenly scent.

To this day it is one of my very favorite smells.
The last house here had it growing in the back yard, so every once in a while I would get a hint of it, but here we are bordered on two sides by it, so we get a good fragrance going when ever the winds are right. I can't go past a jasmine bush without walking up and smelling one. The scent can relax me like nothing else. I don't know why that is, it's not like we could grow it in the mid-west so I couldn't have it in Grayslake. But something about that floral, heady fragrance -- and with the breeze making the wind chimes blow, I am just enjoying it all.

There really is nothing like spring. Even though there are days I think autumn is my favorite season, since being in Sydney I have to say spring with all the smells and colors and breezes.

If only I could bottle that feeling (and smell), I think I would be quite the happy mommy!

Time Really Does Fly

2009-11-10T22:14:00.000+11:00

A recent attempt at cleaning out the garage has put me into a nostalgic frame of mind. I happened to run across a folder in which I had placed memorabilia from high school. Mostly 1989. TWENTY YEARS AGO!

Here I am, in the year 2009. 37 years old. With a husband and two kids. Living abroad. Experiencing new cultures and places.

When I was seventeen, I was barely aware of my future. I had my circle of friends, my inner circle of friends, my band friends and life that revolved around all of the activities involved with those things. I was hardly thinking about college, let alone growing up and becoming an adult.

Yet, here I am twenty years later, looking at an envelope filled with my 17th birthday cards and a menu from Ed Debevics, where if I recall, Kim, Pam, Michelle and I went for my birthday lunch. Inside the menu is the stack of cards with wishes from my BFFs. Thoughts for bright futures and exciting times. All from girlfriends who I thought I would still have as BFFs after high school. I could not have been more wrong. We each went out separate ways after graduation, for our own reasons. In fact, I didn't make it to the 10 or 15 year reunion, so I haven't seen most classmates since graduation. Thanks to Facebook (oh the horrors!), I did get in touch with a couple of them. It was a pleasant surprise to 'friend' them after all this time. But, it seems some friendships lasted the test of time - those girls who stayed around Lake County are still going strong with the friendships. And what I have now is a passing acquaintance with them with pleasantries posted on birthdays and such.

With each year that has passed since then, I have learned lessons from friendships. Learned who are true friends and who are just 'friends'. I have recently realized that until I grew up, friendships really weren't quite complete. With each friend I made, I took things from them -- learned things which I hope make me a better friend to those I meet now. I am not sure I ever opened myself up enough in the past to give back and be a true friend. To those friends, I apologize. If we were to meet today, I think I would have more to offer you, but it is because of you that I have those things to offer.

In the last three years, I have met and befriended a group of ladies that I feel like I can truly call real friends. They are the ones that I trust to look after my children, not only if I am having a bad day or a migraine, but if I get the chance to get away from it all and go away with Jim. These friends, people I have known for only a small portion of my life, help me to be a better person. They let me open up and be myself and laugh at or with me when I do something ridiculous, especially being the token 'silly American' here. I tell them stories and secrets that I haven't told most people. We exchange stories about kids and about ourselves that seem like you would only tell family. Or someone you have known all your life. Its a comforting feeling. One that makes me want to greet the day with a smile. Or look forward to that coffee break after a horrific school drop-off. Knowing that there is a sympathetic ear or a shoulder to cry on. That is what I have learned real friendship is like.

So, when people tell you that time really does fly -- the teenager in you will think there is no way possible. Time is marching by too slowly to ever seem like the future will happen. Yet, one day you are an adult and you will stumble across something and it will make you stop in your tracks...and you'll see how much time has flown by.

Whew... its a been quite a day

2009-11-03T19:08:00.001+11:00

Today is the day that almost all of Australia comes to a standstill at 3pm. No where else have I heard of such big to-do over three and a half minutes. Today is the Melbourne Cup. A day to wear your fancy clothes (if you are going to a party, the racetrack or a late luncheon to watch), a silly feathered hairpiece and a chance to slack off in the afternoon. Almost $100 million is bet on this race alone! And the funniest bit is that it was 'shocking' that Shocking won the race.
Then, today is the first day the kids are without Gramma Rhomberg in the morning. And they got along fine. Andrew even carried out Emme's flute, saying he is 'acting like Gramma' even tho she wasn't there. I could only wish it would continue -- even for a week!
On top of it all, as I type at 7pm, it is 94F outside. And that is in the shade with the sun going down. I would venture a guess that it hit close to 100F today in the peak of the heat. The kids hit the pool afterschool (after their second iceblocks of the day) and swam for over 90 minutes. Jim even came home to enjoy a dip in the pool. The heat isn't expected to last (hopefully since I think there is a front stalled and the pressure is killing my head) and we should be back to traditional temperatures tomorrow.

Halloween 2009

2009-10-31T20:33:00.000+11:00

This is our third Halloween in Australia. Which means it was the 3rd Halloween walk I organized. Sounds like everyone had a good time!

Mary and Jim go Kayaking

2009-10-31T20:28:00.000+11:00

Jim took his mom for a kayak ride this morning. She even survived without getting dunked or flipped. I think she had a good time, just very tiring.

Dinner with the Cassis Family

2009-10-24T20:58:00.000+11:00

After talking with Mary the other day and she had commented how much she liked Greek food, I volunteered Greg Cassis to cook us a Greek meal since he did such a nice job when my parents were here last year. He took us up on the volunteering and brought over 3 backstraps of marinated lamb and homemade tzatziki sauce.
I made greek marinated chicken breasts and baked up some pita chips. After the appetizers were out for a bit, the kids all decided to hop in the pool for a quick COLD swim. Of course ours were the last ones out. Even the local kids (Alex & Aaron) didn't make it all that long!!!
After everyone scarfed down lots of appetizers, we still made room to put away 2 of the 3 lamb pieces and all the chicken along with the haloumi cheese Greg pan fried and the greek salad we ate with dinner. Oh, then there was the dessert... left over birthday chocolate torte, caramel slices and lemon bars. Way too much food, but way too yummy too!

I think everyone had a good time. The food was good, drinks were good and friends were good. As Deb and Greg rounded up the kids to leave, we found Sabrina sitting on Emmalee's bed getting read a bedtime story. It was so cute.

My Gramma

2009-10-24T15:46:00.000+11:00

This is just a quick post to let my Gramma Millie know I am thinking about her and praying for her from far away.
I got an email from Mom yesterday telling me Gramma was ambulanced to the hospital in Sioux Falls, SD on Tuesday night in the US. Luckily mom and dad were still around so that she went to the dr. in the first place and that she had someone to be there with her for the 3+ hour ride to the heart hospital.
It is occasions like this that really rip me apart. Being so far away from my whole family and not being able to go see them if/when I want when things like this happen is just really difficult for me. I don't even know if I would have gone over had we still lived in IL, but just the option of being able to go is no longer there.
I have talked to Gramma and mom each day since I found out. She seems to be doing a bit better. She is surrounded by many talented doctors and specialists in the heart hospital, so I know that she should be in good hands. But those hands aren't mine to give her a hug or to hold her hand when she is laying there in the hospital bed. The best I can do is call her from 6000 miles away and chat for a few minutes.
I know that is all I can do and mom says Gramma appreciates it when I do call, but for someone who is still fortunate enough to have both of her grandmothers still alive (and normally in fairly good health) it is hard to be soo soo far away.

Gramma with the kids in 2005 - She is a calming influence!

So for now I am sending my thoughts, my love, long distance hugs and prayers to you Gramma. Get better soon! We all love you!
Highlights from her visit just about a year ago...

I am the ONLY sane person

2009-10-24T14:28:00.000+11:00

in our family...

You see, its 72F (22.2C) outside and 77F (25C) in our pool. Guess who is swimming...

Emmalee is Student of the Week!!!

2009-10-22T18:49:00.002+11:00

At today's school assembly, Emmalee was presented with the student of the week award. It is her first and very special. Her teacher, Miss Pattison has so many nice things to say about Emmalee and why she was the only one chosen!

Channeling my inner Ty Pennington

2009-10-20T12:18:00.002+11:00

I have a million (ok an overstatement, but not by much according to Jim!) of necklaces and bracelets. Something about pretty things and jewelry and being a girl?!!!

Anyway, since we moved into this house I have been using a system of 3M hooks to hold my necklaces on the side of our 'closet' which is really just weak sort of walls that we hang our clothes inside of. Everytime the closet doors slide, my necklaces slide from side to side and it makes a terrible noise. Especially when one member of the family gets up really early to go to work and realizes he forgot something and has to sneak in to get it at 5.30am. Yes, that early.

So, I have had this project in my head for a while that I can just build a ladder-like thingey out of wood from Bunnings (AUS version of Home Depot) without too many tools or trouble. I bought the wood the week of school holidays, but it was just too cold and rainy to work on it outside. The two sticks had been sitting in the garage for the past two weeks.

But, now it is near 80 degrees and sunny out. The kids are back to school and I thought now is a good time to give it a try.

Measured out the wood and divided it evenly. Measured twice, cut once. Then started the assembly with just tiny nails. Worked like a charm. For the jewelry holders themselves, I just pounded in upholstery pins in two fun styles and spread them among the four horizontal pieces.

After assembly, but before hanging on wall with jewelry.

Hanging on wall with jewelry.

Happy Birthday to me

2009-10-19T23:19:00.000+11:00

Today I celebrated my 37th birthday. Nope - not worried about the age at all. Half the time I don't remember how old I am anyway until I do the math from 1972. UGH!
Plus, I got a new IL drivers' license and it doesn't even have a photo and its still valid. Oh the joys of being an expat overseas.
Celebrated the day with kids going back to school for the first day of Term 4. Then off to a relaxing acupuncture appointment to fix the nasty headaches that were creeping back after missing a week. Then a quiet afternoon of reading and a nap. Then swimming lessons for the kids and Jim coming home early for a family dinner.
Opened presents after dinner and then blew out the candle on my yummy super dark chocolate torte.

From Nikki's Bday

After that, we skeedaddled and left the kids with gramma. Went to enjoy a free movie of my choice from the local cinema since it was my birthday. Chose to see Mao's Last Dancer in the La Premeire section, which meant cozy loveseats for two, a bar and snack menu as well as free popcorn and soda. Only had to pay for Jim's half of the ticket (which he definitely ate/drank in popcorn and soda).

The movie was really good - story and visually. It was screened at the Toronto Film Festival in September and released her shortly after. Not sure if it'll come out in the US, but the primary character is now an Australian citizen. In fact, he was named the Australian Father of the Year in 2009.

Left Hand Red, Right Foot Green

2009-10-18T17:58:00.000+11:00

What happens when two flexible and silly kids and one rather in-flexible adult play Twister? Hilarity ensues...

She's Got the Music in Her

2009-10-15T15:55:00.000+11:00

While Emmalee was sorting her sea shell on vacation, she couldn't help but to break out a few dance moves in between sorting. I love how she is just so free to do what moves her (especially when she doesn't know anyone is watching her)

Free Babysitting

2009-10-14T21:24:00.002+11:00

Mary offered to hang out with the kids tonight so Jim and I could go out for dinner. Already bought a frozen pizza for the kids, so rather than make her eat cheese on cardboard, we got her a yummy looking chicken salad to eat while we were gone.

Left them all with the promise of watching the Karate Kid and ice cream cones for dessert. Oh, and the promise of an early bedtime. Andrew was waning on the tennis court at 4pm.

So, met a couple we met at the pool for happy hour. They were on their out for the night and suggested we meet up for a quick drink before we headed out for our respective 'date nights' while all the kids were under the care of babysitters.

After drinks Jim and I went into Coffs Harbour city center. Drove the long way around to get there, but found the main street eventually. Parked the car and at an Asian Restaurant. Can't remember the exact name. It was really good. Started with roti bread (for Jim) and Money bags (minced chicken, peanuts and veggie parcels with a spicy sour dipping sauce) then had Tom Yum Goong soup and then finished with a prawn, calamari and chicken and glass noodle salad. Yummy once I picked out the red peppers (Jim assured me there wouldn't be much according to his gourmet cooking experience) and red onions. Oh and put a bit of the soup broth over it for a twist on the flavor.

Came home and found gramma still awake (I called it) and that gramma conned the kids into staying up til 8.30 so SHE could watch the end of the Karate Kid. How funny.

We had a slice of the caramel mud cake I got this afternoon and a glass of icy cold milk. Great way to cap off the evening. Now off to bed and a good night's sleep before tennis at 9 tomorrow.

Shell Collecting

2009-10-14T17:24:00.004+11:00

I took Emmalee down to the beach today to watch the surfing competition that was going on. Instead of being interested in the goings on, we decided to walk the beach and look for pretty rocks and shells.

I can remember being her age and walking the beach with my parents in Hawaii or other places and doing the exact same thing. Don't know what it is about shells or beaches or rocks that attract little girls (who knows, I'll take Andrew tomorrow and see what he thinks…) but it seems to be magical.

She spent the whole walk of the beach collecting until her crocs were stuffed full. If she had bigger shoes or pockets, I am sure she would have collected even more.

Then we came back and she spent over an hour cleaning her shells and organizing them. Now she is ready to go for more!

Surfing Competition

2009-10-14T17:23:00.004+11:00

There just happens to be an under 16 surfing completion at Diggers Beach, just behind the resort we are staying at. Jim and I stopped down and watched for a few minutes. Then after a while I offered to take Emmalee down to the beach to watch. I thought she might be interested, since I remember loving to watch surfing at that age. It just amazes me how the power of the waves can be harnessed by such a small board. In a way, I can see how people think surfing can be a 'religion'. You have to have absolute trust in the ocean and faith in yourself. It think its quite peaceful and amazing.

The waves aren't too great, but there were some good rides we saw. Think I'll go back tomorrow to watch a bit more.

Andrew ‘Roddick’ Rhomberg

2009-10-14T16:38:00.000+11:00

Both kids have been really into tennis lately with the new tennis lessons and last week's tennis camp. Andrew especially.

Jim booked the courts here and Jim, the kids and Mary went over to hit the ball around first thing this morning. After a bit I met them and got to hit around, too.

Then this afternoon they went back to the courts while Emmalee and I went to collect shells.

Andrew was wiped out but still wanted to hit it around. This is him giving it his best…

Koala Hospital

2009-10-12T19:36:00.000+11:00

After we checked into our hotel in Port Macquarie, we got a few brochures for the goings on around town (slim pickings if you ask me) and we found out there was a tour of the local Koala Hospital at 3pm. So, at 2.53 we piled into the car and hurried along the main drag to get to the hospital.

Squeaked in just in time – Jim dropped us off to join in the tour as he parked the car. Don't think we really needed to hurry. It wasn't a big place and the tours were quite casual. We caught up at the first stop a male koala who was there recuperating from an accident I think.

Learned a bit about koalas – like one of the main things they get treated for by doctors is Chlamydia. They have two fingers webbed together. And they are solitary creatures. Guess that is why we never see two or more together except at the zoo. Saw one that had been mauled by a dog, another that is their celebrity – a 16 year old named Birthday Girl, who had been visiting the hospital for the last 13 years. She is now a permanent member of their 'family' since she has severe arthritis in her hips.

It was interesting, but as we were with the kids, it got boring quickly. Especially with the knowledge there was a gift shop where they could spend their hard earned money. So, I took them over and they both managed to part with a bit of money and walked away with koala memorabilia.

Waves Bowling

2009-10-12T17:23:00.000+11:00

With not a lot to do in Port Macquarie, we offered an afternoon of bowling to the kids. They jumped for joy and we headed over to the local bowling alley. It didn't look like much from the outside, but it was ok inside.

Got the kids all hooked up with bumpers for bowling and the three adults went without. They had a blast. Between the bowling and the ride on motorcycle video game (which they never put money into but had a great time riding) I think we got our money's worth. Both kids got a strike or a spare and had a lot of fun. Jim of course won and I dragged up into last place as Mary did really well in the last frame.

If bowling wasn't so expensive in Sydney, I think we would do it a bit more often with the kids. Too bad.

Funny how things trigger memories

2009-10-12T17:04:00.000+11:00

Just this afternoon on the drive to Port Macquarie with the sun shining brightly (and hotly) through the front window, I turned my watch around so the face was on the inside of my arm. As I did that, I was hit by a really strong memory of my grandpa Bob. He used to wear this old, classic, simple white faced watch on his left wrist, but with it facing the inside of his wrist. How very strange that by doing something as simple as that I got a trip down memory lane.

I thought how I was excited to be bringing his first great grandchild into the world and how the last time I saw him was on a quick trip before the baby shower for Emmalee. Wasn't sure it was right to go thru with it after having just buried him, but mom said to go ahead. I was able to tell him about the baby (didn't know if Emmalee was a girl or boy) before he passed, but a bit of him lives on in her name. I chose Emma after his mother, my great grandmother. It was such a beautiful name. And in a way a tribute to that part of my family.

Although Emmalee will never know her great grandpa (either of them actually), I had many years of knowing my grandpas. And I hope that she gets the opportunity to know her grandpas for as long as I did and even longer. I am not sure what things about them will trigger a memory for her, but I know there are going to be some for each of her grandpas. And that every memory will be special to her, like mine are for me.

Tennis Camp 2009

2009-10-09T17:25:00.002+11:00

The kids made it through four days of intensive tennis camp -- from 9.30 - 3.30 T-Fri. All four days it was forecasted to rain, hail, blow gale force winds, etc. Was surprised they weren't predicting a dust storm, too! But someone was watching over them -- days 1-3 it didn't rain at all until camp was completely over. And then it cleared up by morning. Then today, the last day with tournaments and all, it didn't rain until lunch time. The rain came down, lightly and wet, but not too hard or too windy.
Both kids made it to the quarter final bracket of the Division 3 (7-9 year olds) and got slated to play each other based on overall score. Didn't know how well it was going to go over -- little brother vs. big sister, but I kissed them goodbye and wished them both luck.
I arrived a few minutes before camp was over and they were in the middle of the awards ceremony. Both of our kids managed to walk away with certificates AND trophies. And not all kids got anything more than a certificate, so it was quite an accomplishment. I found out the quarterfinal match was a tough one with Andrew squeaking out a win over his sister with a score of 7-6. So it was a really close, hard fought game.
Andrew is excited to go back to another camp, so maybe over the summer holidays. And both are excited to start lessons up again once term 4 begins.

Tennis Camp - Day 1

2009-10-06T18:42:00.002+11:00

Today the kids both started a 4 day (week long) tennis camp. It runs from 9.30 - 3.30 so they will be getting four days of intensive tennis training.
They were 'graded' and placed into groups of 8 or 9 kids at their skill level.
When I picked them up, they were all smiles. I asked what the best part of the day was and each replied (separately) that everything was and when asked what part they liked the least, they replied nothing! So, I think it was a success.
Now, I just have to hope it doesn't rain for the next three days like it is threatening to. Seriously -- at 5 tonite the sky just opened up and poured. All I can do is hope it will be the same for the next three days -- rain AFTER 3pm so the kids don't get soaked or rained out! Because sadly it is a high of 60 all three days and a 40% chance of rain. UGH!

Rainy Days -- Museum Days

2009-10-03T14:17:00.000+10:00

Since the meteorologists around town all threatened rain for the entire weekend, we decided to take advantage of the non-sunny day and hit a museum. We chose the Australian Museum because Jim had never been there. I thought I had only been once but upon further inspection of the photos I have here, I guess I went with both kids' classes. OOPS!
Seemed quite a few more Sydney-siders had the same idea as us, because when we got to the museum (after finding a GREAT parking spot), we stood in a long, slow line waiting to get in. Once we did, the kids picked up their passports to adventure, a new initiative the government has to get kids/families to experience cultural things. Kids get the passports stamped at various places around the city and beyond. Somewhat similar to the passports they got when we went to Disney a few years back.
First thing in we had to visit the dinosaurs. Don't know what it is, but the both LOVE that exhibit. Then off to see Australian animals and the water life. Found out there are two meter long worms just under the surface of beach sand and the lines we always thought were water running back out to sea are probably the worms wriggling along. EWWWW!

They have a really great hands-on area, so we had to visit that twice. Andrew got to try on a tortoise shell. They both spent time looking at things thru a microscope. Nice way for them to learn.

Headed up the road for lunch and got caught in a downpour on the way back. Jim had to re feed the parking meter, so he ran up one side of the street and the kids and I did the other. He managed to catch up to us as we got to the museum steps. Then we went in to see the star exhibit. The Mysteries of Egypt. They had a few artifacts, but nothing like the Field Museum. A few sarcophagus, dozen or so carvings, so hieroglyphics in limestone, a bit of jewels and a CT scan of a mummy so the kids could see what was inside. Seeing as their attention span was/is much shorter than mine, the exhibit was about the right size for them. But I could have stayed longer or wished to see more.

Little Emme Temple

2009-09-27T07:19:00.000+10:00

Look who is sporting curly hair for school...
No, its not a perm or her natural curls. Just the result of sleeping all night in rollers. But oh how cute!

Red Dust

2009-09-23T14:28:00.000+10:00

An environmental phenomenon occurred while we were sleeping last night. I had come home in a thunderstorm, but not expecting wild weather at all. Unfortunately, wild only begins to describe what was happening.
Due to the fact I had a semi-late night out, I was trying my best to sleep til 7am. The kids are usually pretty good about minding their own business till then or if I am lucky they start on getting ready for school. Well, not this morning. Around 6.30 Andrew came in to tell me the sky was pink. I told him it was the sunrise and not to bother me again until after 7. A few minutes later Emme came in and said the sky was red. Again I pleaded 'sunrise'. Rolled over and dozed till 7.
Then when I stumbled out of bed and opened the curtains, I immediately saw they weren't kidding. Instead of the normal morning fog we often get over the bay behind the house, we were engulfed in a red/orange haze. Flipped on the news to hear that Sydney is in the midst of one of the worst dust storms ever in history. Think Wizard of Oz meets the Grapes of Wrath. Or something like that. No tumbleweeds, but I wouldn't have been surprised to see things flying by in the sky.

View from our deck to the right

View from our deck to the left

View from our deck straight over the pool

View from our driveway looking at house

The dust was so fine that it just filled the air. You could feel it in your lungs, your skin, your eyes, everything. ICK! It kept the dusting up until a huge westerly blew in around 2 and cleared up the sky. But you can imagine what 80-100km/h winds would do to dust that had settled on the ground!
Everything was coated with a fine powdery rust colored dust. The ping pong table, the ground, the plants, the cars. It is just awful. Found out quite a few kids were kept home from school to keep them out of the dust. Being the mean mom I am (not that the kids requested to stay home anyway), I took them to school. Was pleasantly surprised to find ALL the doors shut to the classrooms, so that they were trying to keep the most dust out that they could. Kids survived the day and now they can 'live to tell the tale!'

Aladdin Jr. at NPS

2009-09-15T20:48:00.000+10:00

Last night Emmalee made her debut as a cloud in the Northbridge Public School's production of Aladdin Jr. She and her classmates from 3P danced to A Whole New World as clouds while Aladdin and Jasmine sang.
Starting her theatrical debut as a cloud -- must be taking after her meteorological uncle... weather and all you know...

Emmalee's 1st Communion

2009-09-13T19:11:00.003+10:00

Today Emmalee completed the final sacrament of initiation into the Catholic Church here at St. Philip Neri in Northbridge. She made her 1st communion with her classmates at 11am. She looked radiant, you could really see the Holy Spirit glowing from within her.

Taronga Zoo Trip

2009-09-08T19:16:00.001+10:00

Andrew's class took a trip to Taronga Zoo to further their studies of the African Animals. We got to see baby elephant Luk Chai, who came out to greet zoo visitors for the first time the Sunday before we arrived.
I was lucky (?) enough to be one of the parents who accompanied the class on their excursion, so I got to see the kids as they enjoyed the animals and the beautiful 70 degree spring day.

Father's Day 2009

2009-09-05T19:18:00.000+10:00

This year I decided to to a proper Father's Day for the dad in our family. Instead of the normal breakfast in bed (which totally disappointed the kids), we went for coffee Saturday morning and I informed Jim that he was going on an adventure. One he (and the kids who have BIG mouths ) didn't know about.
I had packed the car the night before (luckily without his knowledge -- boys can be so non-noticing) with all the gear we needed for an overnight stay in a beach town.
Drove up the coast to Ettalong Beach and spent Saturday night in a Mantra hotel with a beautiful heated (just not heated enough for my princess taste) pool. Would say dad and the kids had a wonderful weekend.

I couldn't do it

2009-08-19T15:26:00.003+10:00

For the next 2 hours I am the mother 'in charge of' four 7-8 year old boys. OH MY GOODNESS. The testosterone. The noise. The danger.
The Sydney thunderbolts play a game this afternoon at 4.45 so I have the honor of bringing Andrew and his teammates, Kyle, Fergus and Jono home to play before the game.
THE NOISE. I don't think ear plugs would even help. Our poor neighbors.
Its like a set of Evil Kineval or something -- scooters flying down the sloped driveway and skateboards whizzing down trying to avoid balls being pitched or kicked at the rider. All the while devouring a bag of chocolate chip cookies and some fruit.
So, for the next hour+ I will be cringing with every yell or howl that happens, every thud that their bodies make and be praying that no one breaks anything vital while I am in charge.
So in short, I am lucky to have only a boy and a girl. I am lucky to have only a boy and a girl. Otherwise I'd probably have a mental breakdown before bedtime. (Remind me of that when they make me angry...)

Almost Perfect Day

2009-08-17T20:19:00.002+10:00

Yesterday the weathermen said it was going to hit 29C (84F). It didn't get quite that warm, but it was nice enough for Jim to want to spend the afternoon at the beach.

Today, it was a totally different story. A predicted high of 23C (74F). And it started out warm -- left for school and it was 66 already. Sun was shining. Not a breeze to be cooling thing off. Beauty of a day. And by mid-day (noon) it had hit 22.5. Without a doubt we hit the predicted daily temp and I was loving it. This is the type of day I love -- with the exception of a lazy warm weather rain where I can enjoy a thunderstorm (from a safe distance) and listen to the rain falling with windows open and not freeze.

But today was just beautiful and we have a whole week of near perfection predicted days. If only it could stay like this...

Mon

23°C | 9°C

Tue

19°C | 8°C

Wed

21°C | 8°C

Thu

22°C | 9°C

Don’t really feel guilty tho

2009-08-14T17:22:00.001+10:00

Tonight is the night of the annual fundraiser for the kids' school. And we are not going. We went to the last two. I lived thru (barely) the coordination of last year's for Emmalee's class. This year I just couldn't be bothered. Even though its Andrew's year. Just couldn't be bothered.

Not sure if it was just the theme – Northbridge goes Bollywood. You'd think the color and exoticness would get my attention. But the thought of Indian food as the only food choice for the night. Shelling out $80 per ticket – before alcohol. Sitting at one of six tables of SIXTY people. Outdoors at night, under a marquis. Using the kid's toilets across the school yard in the dark. Dressing up in 'bollywood style' – Saris and the such (Aunt Marci graciously did offer up the use of her sari, so I would have had a beautiful one, but I declined after deciding not to buy a ticket.) And then being expected to bid on auction items and spend even more money – not to mention the sitter. I just wasn't up for it.

Sad thing is Jim probably would have gone. He likes the Indian food. Doesn't get it enough with me as the primary cook in the family. Only when I am away or he goes out with work people. But being the gentleman that he is, he let us skip this year. So, instead of Indian cuisine this evening, we will be feasting on yummy brick oven pizza. Much more my choice for the evening.

Blogging Rut

2009-08-14T17:13:00.001+10:00

I have hit a blogging rut lately. Ever since I have been back I get these great ideas about things to write about on the blog, but when it comes to actually sitting down and typing them up – the creativity dies. Kaput. Gone.

So, I haven't been blogging. Daily life is the same. School, band, basketball, swimming, homework. The occasional baking extravaganza. But just not blogging. I am sure it is something that will fix, but until then, I will be in and out.

Rhomberg Zoo

2009-08-08T13:07:00.000+10:00

Special Effects

2009-07-26T14:43:00.000+10:00

On the plane ride home, while unable to sleep, I got the opportunity to watch a couple of movies. First was so un-special that I couldn't remember it until I went onto the United site to look it up. Dumb chick flick.
The second movie choice was much better. I chose Star Trek. I am not really a trekkie. Not at all, but I remember weekend nights or maybe afternoons with my parents, while growing up, watching the original Star Trek. So, I thought I would give it a shot. I am glad I did. It was really good. It had the whole back story of how the crew of the Enterprise came together.
And the best part of it was thanks to the turbulence, it was like a full body experience. I was hurtling the space in an airplane and the turbulence fit right in with the movie. Kinda cool...

Mario "Andrew'tti

2009-07-23T09:41:00.005+10:00

Stopped by the Young's house for a play and lunch today. While the sun was still shining, Kathy got out Ali's Razor Scooter (electric powered) and let Andrew have a 'go' at it. He took off like lightning. Never slowed down. Kathy said there sure is a difference between how boys ride and how girls ride it.

You should have seen him go. Kept riding circles thru the yard, doing figure eights and an 'obstacle course' around their trees. I have a feeling someone is going to want one when he moves back!

Geronimo

2009-07-21T18:36:00.001+10:00

Swimming with the Dermody kids. Our kids think they are full blooded cousins, not in-law sort of cousins. And no reason to dispel that idea. Family is family...

More s’mores, please

2009-07-14T11:35:00.000+10:00

Mom and Dad’s next door neighbor, Alex has his two grandkids visiting this week and they have been playing with Andrew and Emmalee. His grandson is 7, too so he is a perfect playmate for Andrew.

The other day Alex promised the kids a real old-fashioned campfire and s’mores. They could talk about nothing else. They even told the dentist they were having s’mores tonight.So, after dinner Alex fired up his brand new fire pit in the back yard and brought out the graham crackers, Hersheys bars and marshmallows. They had walked to the lake yesterday and found six perfect, green sticks – just right for roasting marshmallows.

All the kids took turns loading the marshmallows on the sticks, then cooking them. They all had different techniques. Emmalee likes to CHAR hers. Watch it set on fire then blow it out and start cooking it again. Black and crispy on the outside, just like Gramma Millie. Andrew likes to cook his slowly until the outside starts to brown and bubble and the inside is gooey. Both made exceptional s’mores (if you like them, unlike me who thinks they are too sweet!).

After they each had a Hershey bar’s worth of s’mores (and then some) with extra marshmallows on the side, I called the sugar high quits and said no more. Mean mommy I am, but after 8.30 I have to draw the line somewhere.

They chased the dogs around Alex’s back yard until they got bored and then the boys went in the front to play catch (yes, Jim – baseball!!!) and the girls rode scooters thru grandpa’s running sprinkler.

Just as the lightning bugs came out, the fun ended and they were ushered off to showers to remove the layers of bug spray and campfire smoke.

I hope these are the summer nights that memories are made of. I know even though a campfire gives me a headache after a while, it sure brings back memories of the different ones I have been a part of, whether it was in South Dakota with family, northern Wisconsin with the Grades, back in Grayslake with neighbors or summer camp as a kid.