Naked Eyes - Always Something There to Remind Me

This one's for Jonathan! It was a toss up between this and MADNESS. Enjoy.

Drop In And Visit

I'd consider moving to Iowa to live in this Victorian beauty. I don't think I can do the 'no fence' thing though. I'd feel too exposed. My library complete with comfy old leather wing chair would reside in that amazing cuppola... aaah I can see me now.....

What A Night

It's been a long time between posts but I guess now I'm in my 40's you can't expect too much. On Saturday I felt fabulous, sprightly, alert and champing at the bit to get to my party. By Sunday afternoon I felt every single second of 40 years. I think I aged about a decade in 24 hours!

After a lovely brunch with the family at Gourmet On Gamon, I headed down to set up the venue. Lanterns were hung, table was set, the very helpful Surfer Boy lugged multiple tables and 20 chairs from our place to the Studio. He then scampered off with the kids to his Mum's and I had the house to myself to glam up.

The caterer arrived, everyone turned up looking fabulous and I had a fantastic night. There was a lot of food, drink, laughs, and some very dodgy but enthusiastic dancing. We wrapped up in the wee small hours and headed home for a few hours shut eye before the clean up began. Poor Surfer Boy, not only did he have to set up, he also had to lug everything home again and on top of forking out the cash for the big night, he didn't score an invite!! Even I think he was majorly ripped off. Might be time to reward the poor bugger!!

Hopefully my 20 wonderful girls also had a good night, because I'm way too old to throw another bash for quite a while. I have paved the way and now I'm looking forward to sitting back and watching everyone else hit 40.

A Passion For Fashion

A couple of girls have asked me what they should wear to my 40th - casual with a bit of fancy! - but it took me until Thursday to realise that it was all very well suggesting outfits for them, but what about the Birthday Girl?? How could it completely have slipped my mind that I would actually need to come up with something to wear on Saturday? SHIT SHIT SHIT! This was a disaster waiting to happen as there is nothing more depressing than getting ready for a big night and being unhappy with the outcome - not an auspicious start to my big night.

Off I rushed to Highpoint - the Fashion Capital!!! - with 3 hours until late night trading finished.
Miracle - I actually found something I am fairly happy with and hopefully after a much needed haircut and colour I'll be rearing to go. I EVEN BOUGHT HEELS - and they're RED and patent black - swish!! Just need to sort out the accessories now...

Last night the lovely, and extremely glamorous Megan accompanied me to Chapel Street (the actual fashion capital of Melbourne) for an evening of retail therapy. The hardest part of this outing being the search for an outfit cool enough to go shopping in Chapel St in!!! Go figure!
After another pair of killer heels, some earrings and a massive bling ring we called it a night and took ourselves off for a great bowl of pasta and a LOT of gossip and hysterical laughing, the kind where tears pour down your face. It was fabulous and better therapy for tired and careworn mums than a week at a spa - well almost.

With a bit of luck and some Nancy Gantz I won't look completely hideous when I turn 40. Fingers crossed everyone.

What Are Little Boys Made Of?

Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails.

This is what happens when you let Moondoggie play in the back yard with his Dad. He came in to ask me if he could keep his new pets in the kitchen. When I suggested they NOT COME IN THE HOUSE he decided to put them in my newly planted pot of Daphne!!!!!!

Sugar Coma

Aaaaahhhhhh! Now this is the cake I want!!!!!

Birthday Time

I received this in my inbox tonight -

Just a reminder that I'm not leaving a comment on your Blog until you write about your Birthday festival!!!!
11 days to go .................

Sooo.. it is in fact my birthday coming up and as I am a huge believer in the birthday festival I agree that I should make a fuss of my own. On the 21st, the shortest night of the year, I am turning 40!!!!

After a slow start and tossing many ideas for a celebration up in the air, I have settled on a dinner party with 20 of my wonderful girl friends. Surfer boy suggested it and I can not think of a better way of celebrating the last 40 years than spending it with the girls who have supported me, loved me, encouraged me, partied with me, put up with me, and always, always been there for me.

Clever Surfer boy - he also gets out of having to make a speech which I have a sneaking suspicion may have been the point all along.

Lucky me - I also get to celebrate again with my wonderful extended family which consists of another 7 fabulous and inspiring women. (Also another 8 handsome men and 10 Nieces and nephews, but it's all about the chicks this year.) There is nothing like extending your big day with multiple functions!!!

Sooo, the dinner is on - not of course in my own home - the lovely Jodie and Sis have lent me their studio and along with Sandy from Store 6 who will be feeding us a delicious meal, my Mum is waitressing and with a bit of luck a lot of fun will be had by all.

Now to think of some ideas for the '40 gifts for 40 years' rule. Poor Surfer Boy.

Here's the front of my invite - Just a few of my Favourite Things.

Ode To Joy

One of the most sumptuously costumed films I have ever seen was Marie Antoinette.
This picture can render me speechless. The colour and texture in this shot makes my heart sing.
Just wanted to share it.
.

Carrie Causes Mayhem In Yarraville

Last night I was absolutely astonished at the amount of women who live in Yarraville and it's surrounds. There are hoards of them and apparently I am the only one of this multitude who did not watch Sex And The City devotedly! It honestly crossed my mind that if the movie didn't screen for some reason there would be a massive stampede of angry women through the streets of Yarraville and nothing would stand in their way. Luckily all went smoothly.

For a non-believer I found myself at the midnight pre-view of SITC on Monday night, and back again on Tuesday night for round 2!! Why? You may well ask.

My lovely friend Krissa works for the Sun Theater and invited me along to their pre-view screening and who am I to knock back a free movie and a girls night out? I figured that even if the movie was shit I would still have had a chance to catch up with Krissa and have a natter. Unfortunately I had already committed to seeing the movie with some of the Prep Mums from Gidget's school and really didn't want to back out of that either. Once again I decided that a chat and a cuppa with a lovely group of girls far outweighed the possibility of sitting through SITC twice in the space of 24 hours.

I was never a fan of the show - I didn't dislike it, I just didn't love it.

I figured that I knew enough about the girls and their history to not hate the movie so off I trotted feeling slightly guilty that someone as ambivalent as myself was getting to see the movie before so many die-hard Carrie fans.

Imagine my surprise when not only did I not hate it - I actually really enjoyed it!!!

I even enjoyed it just as much the second time!!

So the moral of this tale is this - even if you weren't a Sex In The City fan, the movie stands alone as a great chick flick with a lot of depth and heart. It is well worth the hype from a script point of view and engendered much interesting discussion over a few Cosmopolitans afterwards.

Build It And They Will Come

Surfer Boy is completely incapable of relaxing and doing nothing for a whole weekend. These new gates appeared this weekend -

Sometime last week he decided that he didn't like our current gates which, by the way, are perfectly fine and are the same as the rest of the fence! He subsequently disappeared out to his shed for hours at a time.

.

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He designed his own to match the little gate he made for me when the fence was built.

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Don't get me wrong, I love the new gates, but really... were they necessary??

Half an hour after fitting the new gates he started looking around for a new project!!!! What is wrong with just lounging around doing nothing all weekend? I seem to be able to manage it.

Everybody Needs Good Neighbours.

To keep with the theme this week it's a huge happy birthday to Jason Donovan today!

Here's Australia's answer to Becks and Posh, then and now....

Aaaaaaah!!!

Our Kylie Turns 40!!!

Today is the 40th birthday of a woman that I have admired for many years. Today Kylie Minogue hits a new decade and I wanted to take a tiny glimpse back at some Kylie images from an amazing career that has spanned 3 decades and does not look like stopping any time soon.

Happy Birthday Kylie...

Go'n To The Country

Keith would have been proud of me this weekend. I packed up the family and headed up country. Mum and Dad have been house sitting in Myrtleford so it seemed the perfect opportunity to get off our city arses and head to the Mountains.

Ben and I spent Friday buying up on glubs (gloves), beanies, hot water bottles, thermals etc. and felt we were all set to brave the elements. We drove up after school on Friday and after 4 hours in the car tumbled out to be greeted by a toasty fire and a massive big screen TV!!! Not exactly roughing it!

We spent Saturday morning at Bright, tumbling in the glorious Autumn leaves and basking in the sun. There is nothing like not being able to feel your toes but getting a tanned face.

Sunday was spent in Beechworth as the kids had heard a rumour that the greatest Lolly Shop in the WORLD was there. There was no rest for us until we found it. I must admit it was pretty magical! I thought Ben was going to implode! To our great astonishment both kids chose 1 pissy little lolly each and turned down our offer of getting them something else as well. They never cease to amaze me.

We capped off the weekend with a cheery visit to the cemetery. (As you do) James wanted to visit the Chinese cemetery that he remembered visiting when he was little. He was amazed to find it had shrunk, or he was bigger, one or the other.

3 hours home, stop at Maccas, and a very successful and enjoyable trip was had by all.

R.I.P. Men In Trees

Cancelled!

There is nothing to say!

Actually, yes there is... how kooky is this chick???

Anne Heche says she can't afford to pay her ex-husband child and spousal support now that her series "Men in Trees" has been canceled, People reports.
Heche says she only has one job, a small movie role for which she was paid $65,000, the amount she received for one episode of "Men in Trees."
A judge ruled she won't have to pay ex-husband Coley Laffoon the July payment, but the judge wants updated income and expense information from Heche.

Oh Poor Anne! Maybe the aliens took her money?

Let's Get Physical, Physical.....

Remember a little while ago I told you I had joined the Gym? Well you'll be pleased to know (some of you may be shocked to know) that I have actually been going. In fact I am averaging 3 to 4 times a week!!

I have discovered that not only do I get to do a workout - which let's face it is not high on my list of fun things to do - but there is A MASSAGE CHAIR. And not just some pissy vibrating thing like at the hairdressers, but a real, close-your-eyes-and-you'd-think -there-was-a-big-Swedish-guy kind of massage chair. I am seriously in love. IT EVEN HEATS UP!!! I was a cat in a past life so a warm chair that rubs you in all the right places is so far beyond good it should be illegal. Now as if this wasn't enough to see me sneaking off to the gym every spare moment - they have a cafe!!! Well, an area with tables, magazines, and free tea and coffee. How good is that??

Now my workout is my incentive to get to the good stuff. You should see me power through those weights to get to my massage chair and a hot cuppa!!

Here is what my beautiful Massage Chair looks like - isn't he beautiful?

And this is what I have now added to my 40th birthday gift registry!!! (How good is it in pink?!)

And finally a couple of shots of me in action at the gym!!! Looking hot aren't I?!

(It shouldn't take you long to work out that I am in fact a brunette and about 20 kilo heavier than this chickie.)

Tom Williams - Dancing With The Stars

I knew I'd eventually be able to find a shirtless Tom Williams (see eye-candy) but I didn't realise I'd find this!!! Enjoy....I certainly did!!!

I need your help.
Who is the lucky fella to be eye candy this week???
I know you must have someone you'd like to see.... come on lurkers who is it going to be??

Ugly Dolls

I just posted about these guys over at the CHALK blog but I wanted to show you here too 'cause I'm soooooooo excited that they have finally arrived.

Is It Just Me

Why does 2 hours disappear everytime I type the word YOUTUBE into my computer??

Drop In And Visit

This is very appropriately called 'Icing Sugar Cottage'. Considering I have a dread of being cold I seem to be attracted to homes in the snow!

Unfortunately I can't remember where I get my images as I have a huge file of photos that I have collected over the years, so if this photo is yours I apologise.

What The Hell Is Wrong With Me?

Please tell me there is someone, anyone, else who cried at the Logies!!!!

I'm beginning to have a suspicion that my husband is right and I am, in fact, a nutcase! It all started with Heath. I usually well up big time in the Memorandum montage, we have lost so many fine young talents over the last few years, but this year I sobbed. I couldn't stop! I think I have somehow managed to pretend that Heath did not in fact die and he is out there somewhere doing his thing.

You can't argue with a Memorandum Montage though. It's a sledgehammer to the guts. Heath is dead.

I had just started to recover and compose myself when they announced the nominees for Most Outstanding Public Affairs Report! Australian Story won for their intimate documentary based on Belinda Emmett, partly made before she lost her battle with life. And Jen sobs again.

To cap it all off the lovely Kate Ritchie deservedly won the Gold and although this was very exciting, her speech completely did me in. More sobbing and with very sore eyes I sheepishly packed myself off to bed.

I am pathetic!

Surfer Boy is correct.

What Makes Me Cry?

This makes me cry every time.
Sarah Buxton is my favourite female vocalist and song writer so I thought I'd share this with you. I hope you like it.

Moondoggie Turns 4!

This blog is turning into a bit of a love-in, what with our wedding anniversary, Gidget turning 6 and now my gorgeous Moondoggie turning 4.


I feel like I am constantly raving about my family but bare with me for one more family milestone. After that you have at least a month off until the next one - MY 40th!!! (And you just know that will be a long post!)

Moondoggie appeared 3 weeks early back in 2004 and I fell madly in love with him.

Is has a lovely sweet nature and, like Lola, he is 'small and very funny'. He provides Gidget and I with constant amusement and is always first up for a kiss and and a cuddle if there's one offering. His favourite colour is green, he loves kisses, Boba Fett and the Power Rangers. He is a constant delight and I absolutely can not get enough of him.

Happy Birthday Moondoggie!

CHALK Comes Of Age!

I've just been over at the CHALK blog writing about this.... and thought I may as well post it over here too.

It appeared in this month's edition of The Age's Melbourne Magazine and we are thrilled.

Birthday Festa

I'm starting to get blogging withdrawals! Is that weird?

What with two birthdays in one week it has been quite hectic over here. No time to scratch let alone blog. As you know, Gidg' turned 6 on Thursday and we had a delightful group of girls over after school for a party. All went well, fun was had by all and my cake even turned out well...

The girls had a lovely time designing cupcakes and making their own plates. We even had an Easter Egg Hunt as requested by Gidget. I did go a little into teacher mode but all went swimmingly and they were a joy.

By 5.30 it was all over and we all collapsed in a heap.

Sunday we batted up again and had both sets of grandparents, various Uncles and Aunty's, and numerous cousins over for lunch - more baking, more eating, more pressies, more collapsing!!

Now we have the eye of the storm, the calm before it's Moondoggie's turn. He turns 4 on Thursday but I'll tell you all about that another day!! My problem now is building up some enthusiasm to create some sort of birthday cake. Gidget got an ice cream Barbie cake & a Fairy Cloud cake so I can't very well skimp out on Moondoggie's. Any suggestions?

(And to all those of little faith - I did make both the cakes myself. I may hate cooking but everyone knows I get off on an excuse to decorate.)

(p.s. You may also notice in one of the photos that Moondoggie actually has a cake - made by his Grandma and completely smothered in lollies - he thought it was Fantastic.)

Gidget Turns Six

My beautiful baby girl turned 6 today.

She is a joy and a blessing, a kind hearted soul who treads softly on the world.

Gidget is my sweet, sweet baby who tries to do her best in everything she does and cares about the feelings of those around her. I am so proud of her and am continually humbled by her presense in my life.

I love you my Gidget.

Stop Talking About It And Do It!

I joined a gym today!
I KNOW!!!!
Amazing huh?

(Oh God, what have I done.....)

Dish Pig.

God I hate doing the dishes!!!
Surfer Boy is away again and I'm stuck doing his chores. He does the dishes every night and I'd forgotton what an annoying job it is. We have the world's smallest sink with an equally minute draining board. It only takes someone to have a snack for the dishes to pile up. I NEED A DISHWASHER, or my husband back!!

Drop In And Visit

Anna over at Absolutely Beautiful Things posted about this house during the week and I have not been able to keep my eyes off it. It soothes my soul and has become my latest screen saver so I can gaze all day if I choose.

It's actually for sale at the moment so I might just take a sneaky trip down to Sorrento so I can stroll around the garden and pretend I can afford it!

Want to come?

P.S. Pop over to Kristine's blog and do the quiz...The boys from 'Nothing To Wear?' tell you what style you are. Fascinating.

Till Death...

8 Years ago today Surfer Boy and I tied the knot. We dragged all our family and friends to the top of a sand dune at the place where we met and were blessed with a glorious sunny April day with not a breath of wind. (Which believe me, is a blessing, as that sand dune is one windy spot for 360 days of the year.)

It was also the longest isle any bride has ever had to traipse down but I didn't think of that until I was actually doing it. I am not known for my love of exercise so I think many of the guests found my hike amusing. (note - cars parked on other side of lighthouse!)

We borrowed 2 fabulous old Holdens from friends and made our leisurely way to The Old School Hall for our party. We had no speeches, or weddingy stuff, just lots of yummy food, dear friends, a cake made of doughnuts,

and an inordinate amount of dancing! I am one of those poor unfortunates who has a husband who is a much better dancer than I am. I am no slouch, just unlucky in that Surfer Boy is unusually good for a straight man. This makes for a great party as he is usually the first one on the floor, along with every dance-mad member of his family. The Surfer Boy Family goes off on a dance floor.

We had an absolute ball and there is not one thing I would change about our day.....

Especially my choice of groom! I am constantly amazed at my good fortune - Surfer Boy is the most supportive, laid back, constant person I have ever met. He allows me complete freedom to be myself and pursue my passions. He believes utterly that marriage is an equal partnership and shows it in a thousand ways every day. After 8 years of marriage and 13 years together I am more in love with him than ever. (Maybe he should read this post 'cause I'm sure I don't tell him enough). Happy Anniversary Surfer Boy!