Belonging

What does belonging mean to you? Do you like to be part of something, does it make you feel good? For me it's a really important part of my life..it helps to give my life meaning and it makes me happy.

Did I tel you I started a new job recently? I'm working in the prep room at the school our kids attend, and I'm loving it! It's so nice to have something new in my life, to be back at work, even though it is only a couple of mornings a week.

When I left my previous position, when I was pregnant with Lucy, I remember the first few days at home so well. Instead of feeling happy to be finished with work I was really struck by the sudden lack of contact with others.

 No one emailed me anymore! My inbox was empty. No one to have lunch with, chat with, I felt really lonely at the time. In hindsight that sudden isolation probably contributed to what turned into post natal depression, it was a difficult time. I often wonder if having a blog during that time would have helped, I like the way new mums can now use the internet to stay in touch with the world, and other people.

Anyway, lately I've been having the reverse experience! I feel super duper connected. It's nice to be involved in the community of the classroom, of the school, as a worker, as well as a parent. I'm enjoying the satisfaction of helping the preppies with their learning, and just being with this gorgeous group of kids is so inspiring and fun. I've been at home a LONG time with my kids and have never regretted it.

 It's always been a priority for me to be there for them in their young years and I've been lucky that I haven't had to work. But any mum knows that it's not always easy, and the space for myself has been pretty limited. So I'm happy, happy, happy to be working!

Not that I've been stuck at home on my own for the last 12 years. I've alway liked to do community based things and I really like to volunteer and be involved. So you can imagine how much I am also LOVING helping out at our new community op shop!  So many great people have come together to make this op shop happen and although I've only done a few hours I"m looking forward to my regular Friday spot. I like that I'm helping those in need, socialising with different people, contributing, belonging.

Yesterday our family went to our local Anzac Day parade and ceremony. The kids held our school banner and marched with their friends down the main street, in support of the brave men and women who fought & died for our country.

It's so good for them to learn about our history, about people who lived before them and have an understanding of how war effects us all. It was a very moving ceremony and I was so glad we were there, to be involved, to be sharing this important event.

Our kids belong to a local football and netball club. It's a very family oriented club and a great way for the kids to learn skills, make friends, see some other parts of Victoria and to have the opportunity to be part of a team. Sometimes they win, sometimes they lose. I don't get to go often enough because I'm usually caught up with the ballet world on Saturdays, but that's ok. Mark is great at taking the older two and I hope we can do swapsies sometimes so we both get to have a turn. I like that my kids are learning the beauty of community, of being part of something bigger than themselves, that they belong.

Lately I've been aware that my interest in blogging is fading a little, I'm just not so motivated to read other blogs or to crap on about my own life too much. I've been thinking about it a lot. Should I just finish up? Should I make more of an effort? What the hell is going on with me..am I just plain lazy?? Why don't I seem to have the time to read about other people's lives anymore? Am I a really crap blogger???

Anyway, the only conclusion I have come to is that I'm too busy belonging in the real world. I love my bloggy friends, I really like my own little blog space so it's not that. I just really love all the things I"m involved with that aren't online and this doesn't leave much time for blogging.

So I'm not going to throw in the towel, I'll still be around here and there. I'm sorry I haven't visited you, it's not that I don't care. I think I've just found lately that my belonging spaces are elsewhere. (Hey that all rhymed...!)

 I hope I'll still have some belonging space in blog land too. We'll see. In the mean time I'd love to hear about what belonging means to you. Are you involved in your community? Does it give you something that makes you feel good too? Do you ever feel a bit isolated or disconnected? Sometimes it's harder in the city but I know that everywhere there is a place for someone, for some kind of belonging. Because we are all important, we all matter and sometimes we need to look outside of ourselves, to find out just how much.

Hope to see you soon  lovely ones...xo

Monday

Lately I have been taking photo's on the way to Ballarat. It's a well worn trip but it never bores me, there are always so many things to look at, to love. Especially houses, old ones in particular. I often look at this one, above, which I think is one of my favourites. I love to think of it's history, of the people who lived here long ago. Imagine the cold winters they had...

And I"ve been noticing these two as well. Two cute piggies who came running over to greet me at the fence. Funny.

On Saturday I headed in to Ballarat early to continue the training I began the week before. As the country side slowly woke up after a cold, cold night, beautiful mist floated over the trees, and hills.

 It was another interesting session and I feel like I've learnt a lot. Much of which can be related to my every day life and own family, not just to foster care.  The sadness & challenges faced by so many families is pretty confronting, it has given me much to think about. I'm not sure where this training will lead me, but it has been a really positive thing to do.

At home, where life is stable and secure, we loved having Charlotte home for the night, to hang with us & have dinner & chats. Check out her famous fish finger 'Combo'...hmmm :)

Yesterday Billy & Lucy set off for a full day of netball & footy at Spring Bank. For the Under 12's it is their version of finals,  several games are played until one team ultimately wins.

The girls did well, Lucy's game has improved so much since the beginning of the season. Sadly they didn't win but tried hard and played like a team.  Bill's team went on to win the Under 12 Lightning Premiership, after not losing a game the whole season!! He was pretty happy when he got home. Dirty, muddy, but smiling from ear to ear.

Rosie has a cold. So today she ate oranges, sucked on vitamin C and drank lots of water. She is staying home today, it will be nice to spend the day with her, just like the old days!

It's lovely to feel the seasons changing. Although we have a fair bit of cold weather left to go I'm loving the little signs of Spring. Our chooks are laying (woo hoo) and all around there are buds and flowers,
birds and green, green grass.

                                          Have you heard about Vic's photo game?

It sound like fun, I"m going to give it a go. It might take me past some of my favourite

places. Like Jack's garage doors with their colourful birds.

     Or maybe past this mysterious hedge and gate.

I've never seen anyone going in, or out. Spooky...

I love an adventure so I'm quite excited.  Speaking of which, it's Monday! A new day, a new week! Who knows what will happen. Hope you have a happy one, are you doing anything new or interesting?

See you soon, lovely friends xo

Saturday thoughts...

We've got a bit of a cockatoo situation at the moment. Attracted by the chook scraps a gang of cockatoos has been hanging out in our front yard, chewing the front fence, acting tough and generally being a bit of a nuisance.

They are a beautiful bird though so I can't be too cross. Lovely Betty from the Op Shop suggested I throw some plastic toy snakes on the grass to deter them. It seems to be working!

Do you like this little frock? I couldn't resist this little vintage dress that I found in an oppie the other day. I no longer have anyone who would fit into it...but  it has little white scottie dogs on it...and it's just so sweet!!

I might just hang it on the wall..:)

Yesterday I started cutting up the beautiful grey Italian wool fabric I bought at The Fabric Store.

I was keen to see how a bunny would look using different fabric.  It's more of a stream lined look, I like it! What do you think? 

Today I was so happy & grateful to have the chance to go and watch Billy & Lucy play for the Hepburn Burra's.

I think Bill caught me snapping away here, he looks a bit embarrassed!

Usually we are at ballet on Saturdays so it was ace to have the opportunity to  the kids play footy and netball. And Charlotte came too!

It's been pretty cold and wintery here lately. I think we are all suffering a bit from the winter blues. The kids are a bit ratty, I'm feeling frazzled...it's not all bad but I am feeling a bit house bound. How do you cope in the winter months? Do you get grumpy too?

At least it's good weather for baking! Today we came home and I whipped up some scones...mmmm.

There was a period of total silence (45 seconds maybe...) as everyone happily munched on scones with home made quince jelly and cream. Oh boy, yum yum.

And tonight ! Yes! We are going out to a friends house for dinner, woo hoo! I can't wait.

What are you up to this weekend?

Take care, see you soon xo

My Space

Forgive me friends but you may find this post a little disjointed, a little all over the place. That's life right now and I'm finding space is sometimes hard to find. Or if it's found then which of the ten million things do you fill it with? Perhaps I should take a leaf out of Bill's book and just sit back, and finger knit.

High on the list of the things happening in my space this week has been KEEPING WARM! Yep, winter has come early here in the Big D and I'm all about hats and boots and scarves. I've got my eye on a pair of black Birkenstock boots, ooh, better start saving!  Cooking is all the go too. Apple crumble, made from our own back yard apples,

 and jam drops, just a few of the things we have been enjoying.

Talking of food I took Bill & Sunday to the specialist this week for allergy testing. We already knew Sunday is allergic to peanuts & this was her last check to confirm this. Unfortunately she will have this allergy for life. An ongoing concern for us, and her.  Bill's test revealed he is allergic to cats, dust and most grasses and also shellfish! This we didn't know and it can also be very serious. He goes back soon for more tests to narrow down what particular seafood he is allergic too. Scary stuff.

The kids actually enjoyed the process and found some of it quite funny. It's Rosie's turn next week, fingers crossed it's straight forward

Ok, what else? New chooks, less ducks, busy Saturdays with sport & ballet. Two goals to Bill in his second game, go Billy!

And Shorty, having some Air Time. Turtles need this as their shells can get shell rot, or some such thing.

Two little girls who played happily for two hours after school today, sharing & working things out. Yay!

Anyway, see what I mean? My space is all over the place.  That's family life I guess.Not much bunny making going on..maybe next week? Hey, it's not too late to enter my giveaway! Daisy will be picking out a winner on Friday.

Sleep tight lovely friends, see you soon xo

slipstream...

Ok, it's Monday night already but my head is still in the weekend.  Although a million Monday things have already whirled past me, pulling me along in a week day slip stream,  I still have one foot in Saturday....where I became a footy mum. Yep, and he's wearing No. 18. Ok so I wasn't actually there because I am officially ballet mum on Saturdays, but I heard he had fun, marked the ball, had a kick.

And after a busy, driving, snack making, dance watching Saturday a sleepy Sunday afternoon saw horses,

beautiful, brown eyed, long lashed, horses.

Lucky we live near a ranch where they have trail rides through the bush,

and lucky we have a sweetie pie neighbour friend to go horse riding with! Go Ruby!

We also had a visit to Mum's in Hepburn. I marvelled at her red shoes and blue socks, her jigsaw puzzle, her cute ways,

& her tomatoes all in a row.

Here she is, watering her oasis, a happy face in a cloud of green.

How was your weekend? Was it a fun one?

I think I pulled a muscle chasing ducks around trying to do that damn peep/quack test...but guess what?

Rosie the Duck Lady was spot on! She worked out the boys from the girls just from a photo, amazing.

So we do have seven boys & two girls. Wow.

Off to beddie bies for me, I'm a tired old chook tonight.

Sleep tight lovely friends, and if you're in the mood, pop back

soon for a Dandelion giveaway!! xo