New do

 As Bethany pointed out, it isn't very exciting when I go to the hairdresser because it is never a big change. There aren't many big change options out there for people with only a few centimeters of hair and who cannot come at paying to colour so little. Bethany, on the other hand, had plenty of scope for something new and she wanted a bob with a fringe.

 Once we got to this stage, we realised how pretty she looked without the fringe. My hairdresser pointed out that fringes are broadening so I really wanted to stop and took this photo in the hopes of convincing Bethany who had her heart set on that fringe.

She pondered for a good five minutes......

...and came around to our way of thinking!

Of course, she is only 8 and I could have simply stated that she wasn't allowed the fringe, but she had been so looking forward to this hairdresser visit, and in the 'pick your battles' arena I usually think hair is a battle I am willing to forfeit, so I was very pleased that Bethany could see how very grown up her new hair is.

Family time

A cacophony of delight, that's what I'm calling our time with Tim, Shona and the kids. Lots of hugs, noise, food, coffee, chocolate, piggy backs, angels, cupcakes and fun. I was the only one who had met the twins before, so everyone was very excited, and Andrew and I were keen to see how the house would go with six visitors.

Poor Pumpkin didn't get a 'fuzzy' drink.

Angelic!

The prettiest hair.

It helps that the two little slept in with Tim and Shona, but there was plenty of room for sleeping, playing and crawling. Starting tomorrow, we have visitors for two whole weeks. Bring it on!

Guy Sebastian

I'll catch up to real time soon, but I did want to tell you about Joss' surprise birthday present last Sunday night. The timing wasn't brilliant, I'd not have chosen to go to an 8pm concert on a Sunday after a church weekend away, but the tickets were purchased in February.

Every summer, when we go to Bermagui, we listen to a lot of pop music in the car - stuff we can all enjoy to varying degrees. Britt Nicole has featured pretty heavily as the sound of our summer, but last year Guy Sebastian was played too. When Joss heard he was coming to Wagga, she was very keen to go, but the tickets sold out in fifteen minutes and I failed to get some in the traditional way. Thankfully, I had other means at my disposal, and I kept the tickets a secret. It paid off, she was very excited.

I hadn't given any thought at all of what to expect, so I was pleasantly surprised. There was a support act; a fellow with three names, none of which I can remember, but he was very good. We had an interval and Joss got some crispy M&Ms and one of those little cylinders of Pringles and then Guy came on after 9pm! It was the proper deal. Complicated set with video screens and special lighting. His band came from all over the world and he sang until after 11. I knew more songs than I expected to and he had everyone up dancing.

I remember watching that original series of Australian Idol when he was the winner. It was great to see a regular Christian on TV, you know, one that doesn't turn out to be the murderer in the crime show. He gave his Bible to another of the contestants. It was very sad to see that he has given his faith away, but he is a great singer, very personable and it is very nice of him to go to so many regional areas.

It was Joss' first real concert and she loved it. If I remember correctly, mine was Dire Straits at the Sydney Entertainment Centre with Mum and Dad. What was your first proper concert?

We're back

Actually, we had the Internet connected over a week ago but have been crazy busy. School assignments are the bane of my existence. I have a few things to catch you up on, but it is late and I still have to walk Milo, so I'll just tell you about our weekend away.

On Friday afternoon, after work, we packed the car and headed out of town and up into the hills for a church weekend away. I usually shop, clean and wash on the weekends, so adjustments and sacrifices had to be made, but it was well worth it. Talbingo is a couple of hours away, almost at the snow, on the edge of Talbingo Dam and it is beautiful. It can be cold, but we had sparkling weather.

Great Bible teaching, fellowship, circus skills for the kids, walking, running and playing made for a refreshing time away. I'd like to visit again.

Tomorrow is the last day of school for Bethany and Toby (Joss finished yesterday) and my last day of work for four days. Best of all, Tim, Shona and their many little people are coming tomorrow evening! I can't wait.

Still offline

Progress has been made, we have three boxes attached to the house, but we are not yet connected. Perhaps this week? We're happy to wait since we are getting the NBN, super fast Internet! 

There has been lots going on. Bethany had a friend over on our long weekend Monday, Toby and Joss came home from PY Winter Camp exhausted but elated and Bethany helped me at the Muddi Markets. I'm looking forward to being able to share it all without using my phone!

The Long Weekend

A long weekend is just what we need. Joss and Tobes have gone away and left us with just Bethany. They have gone to Presbyterian Youth (PY) Winter Camp. Toby is at Deer Park just south of Sydney and Joss at Stanwell Tops, near Wollongong. Bethany is enjoying having us to herself.
There was no sleeping late yesterday morning as we had our yearly shift rosters on the egg and bacon roll stand at the Farmers' Markets. It was very cold and foggy, we thought no one was going to come out on such a morning, but there were brave folk and then the fog lifted and we sold everything! Wagga Cycling Club doesn't need to have members selling chocolates because bacon and egg rolls at the Farmers' Markets every month do the trick!
We were on with lovely people and had fun until Andrew git a nasty burn on his hand. There was a doctor among us, though as an obstetrician, burns aren't really his thing. He gave good advice, though, and the burn is much better than expected.I am almost ready to call my obstetrician by his first name because he is just a regular person. There is just something about the person who helps you deliver your babies.
After church today, Muddi Markets. Then, I can relax! And clean the house.....

The Great Gatsby

The cinema smells like stale popcorn, not an especially enticing aroma, but as cinemas have always smelt that way, it's nostalgic. Wagga's cinema isn't small and independent, but somehow it reminds me of going to funny little cinemas like the one at Avoca, where I saw The Jewel in the Nile and Legend, or Roseville, where I saw The Princess Bride.
I don't think I am going to remember going to The Great Gatsby so many years later, but we did have fun dressing up and going for coffee afterwards. It wasn't a bad film, I just wasn't thrilled by it. It was disconcerting to see lots of Australian actors and Jack Thompson's accent was very unexpected! I won't bore you with what was changed or left out but will just say that the costumes were great and I enjoy an evening out with friends.
Kristy wore her beautiful, new, red cloche and I wore a dress I bought at a funny little shop in Chatswood, called Entity, in the late eighties when I was in year 10,11 or 12. I remember standing on the train station, wearing this dress into the city during the day. Teenagers don't mind a bit of overdressing.