Premo! It’s your birthday bro-and a fitting day it was. We had blue skies and glorious spring in the air, and I thought a lot about you. This last half a year was truly special getting to live near you and see a whole lot of you. I think it was very sweet of the Lord to do that, seeing as I left home when you were pretty young, and always missed being able to live with you.

The Prem

I was happy to find out for myself what a fine young man you are. You are sweet, and warmhearted and always up for a good laugh. You’re a charmer – that’s for sure, but you don’t take yourself too seriously, which is a mercy! You have a way about you of taking a situation as it comes, and making something great out of it – and in the bargain, you always make people feel comfortable and better for knowing you. You are true about your love for the Lord and others, and you always see the good in people. You are gold!

Premo with the boys

I know you have tons of friends and people who admire you, because they tell me so, but somehow I like to think that as your sis I get a unique glimpse into your heart. You are a champion, a warrior. I know Mum would be very proud of you, and all that you have been through and bested. I know I am. Dad and Mum are too, so don’t forget it.

Rager

Don’t forget how much we love you and admire you! You make us kool by association. Ha ha. Love you bro, and hey, I look forward to what the new year will bring you. I know He has the best waiting. XXX

Have you ever….

Sung someone to sleep? Dream On My Child, for Alex
Been to a psychiatrist? Yes, hated it, but passed with admirable results. LOL.
Baked a cake without a recipe? God no.
Recorded your voice? In Japan, with Mike Fogarty and Vin -best times.
Written a novel? Tried hard to write something truly sappy as a teen, now I struggle to update my little blog.
Had a paying job? Vince reckons I was the golden goose. Double LOL.
Lost a loved-one? My Mum.
Been in a band? Front man?
Danced in front of people? Part of the musical career.
Wanted children? I didn’t think about having kids much, but I love the little rascal of mine.
Been to a concert? Favorite was Enrique Iglesias, One Night Stand

Cried yourself to sleep? I’m stellar at it.

Met someone famous? Too many, but Ricky Ponting is my favorite.
Wanted to be famous? No. Wanted to be worthy.
Used a rhyming dictionary? Might have in school?
Drew/painted a piece of art to completion? Love it!
Streaked? God no.
Gone somewhere deliberately in the hopes of running into someone? Weak, yes.
Felt so incapable of expressing love that you cried? Was incapable.
Written a song? Yes.
Climbed a mountain? Not on purpose.
Wished you were the opposite gender? Never
Stayed up all night? Used to be my favorite past time. I considered sleep a waste of time, until a small baby took away my right to uninterrupted sleep.
Been heartbroken? Carry the scars.
Been in love with someone who had no idea? Yes.

Do you…
Stop reading books halfway through? Can’t put a book down once I start it, and I often read the end first to make sure its worth it. Crazy.
Sleep during movies? Not really.
Cry during movies? Uh huh. Most recently when watching The Duchess, and she has to give her baby girl away. I can’t imagine the pain or the cruel, raw heartlessness of a society that feeds on it.
Talk a lot? When I am happy.
Sleep better alone? Don’t know, I’m not awake to check on myself.
Own a pair of glasses? No
Pinch pennies? Don’t usually deal in coins.
Quickly lose interest in projects? Not often.
Misplace things? Not usually. Unless I hide something in one of my safe places.
Love math? Hopeless at it.
Know a lot of random facts? Some people say I do, and I pick up a range of facts, but only on certain topics.
Do romantic, thoughtful things for the people you love? I hope so. Without romance, I would die.
Have difficulty getting rid of things you don’t use? Not usually, just difficulty finding the time to.
Notice and remember little things about people? I wish I was better at this.
Prefer wine to beer? Yes
Do an accent? Yaar boss
Enjoy the spotlight? Used to it.
Love board games? Truly do. Sooo much fun with Steph.
Buy your own shampoo or toothpaste? Uh huh
Wish people would stop talking about you? they’ll run out soon enough.
Keep a journal? No
Enjoy exotic foods? Love spicy food.
Cook elaborately for yourself? Ha ha
Have expensive taste? So I am told.
Write on yourself? Used to.
Stay up late? Always
Absolutely love your perfume/cologne or use it because you have it? LOVE  Deep Red. Hoping for Chance.
Wish you could be someplace else? I’ll never tell.
Miss people? All the time. You know who you are.
Organize to a fault? (Weeping with laughter)
Take a long time to be satisfied with your work? Never satisfied.
Wear clothes that are too big for you? Try not to.
Own more than 10 pens? Ahh yes, and lovin’ it!
Wear make-up every day? Not every day.
Get angry often? Recently, a lot. Usually, hardly.

I’m sorry for neglecting you for the past few days. I promised to update daily – and I will continue to try.

These pics are for Mum, Dad and Sara:

We have gorgeous weather today, and are having a Home Day!! Whoo hoo. I love me some Home. Here’s a few highlights of my full and blessed life recently: (In no particular order.)

- Charity added me on Skype and we talked for the first time in ages. I love that lady.

-Got to have a looong catch up with Lynn, and saw Ginny and Young Jack. What a killer name! And I love talking with you Lynn – its nice to have a touch of family.

-Lynn put us on speaker phone with my bestest Sara. I miss you sooooo much Sara and am dying to get my hands on that Jared!

- Jamin moved in for awhile. I know for a FACT that SOME people are pretty stoked. I don’t mind either – heh!

- Played Quizorama with Ia, Mike, Jeff, Steph and Pri. A mixed bag of goodies, but I sat in awe of Ia’s hair most of the night. Girl has some curl power!

- Steph has been spoiling me as usual – long hot baths, cold grapefruit lu cha, crispy cashews, midnight crossword games, back rubs, foot rubs, hot Dilmah, spending money, romantic movies, night drives in the mountains, and the sweetest kisses ever. I heart my man!

- Spending an inordinate time with Alex everyday. Such a luxury, and I am memorizing his every little move. He is making me into a mother.

“You should envy me such love.” (Lygia – Quo Vadis)

I’d like to send a shout-out to the Towers – a massive thank you for letting me bring my small man over for school and more! You have no idea how much your care means to this tired out, stressed mum. I love him to pieces and just want the best in life for him. I know that I’m nothing special, but he is, so going out of your way to help us give him a good education and great friends and a lovely environment means the world to me!

I’m going to stagger off to bed now after a bittersweet day:

-School with Alex, great fun!

-Coffee with Steph and Pri – awesome!

-The Starting Point – my life has just begun!

-The evening – a mixed bag.

Today had its on peculiar beauty, and I loved it, but now I just want to cry. Good nite. XXX

Vinnie is the best, and its painful to think that I’ll soon be leaving him behind. Weep! One of my oldest and my bestest. He’s been there from the beginning of my journey to becoming Australian, and somehow hasn’t chucked me yet.  Vinnie came along when I was a terrified 11 year old, and somehow made me feel that it was ok to be me. He’s mentored me in my love of music, and will always be my only claim to fame. We’ve both lost family members, but his quiet courage  keeps me going. He got me out of a terrible place and for that I will always be grateful.

This weekend he had us over to his place for a glass of wine, movie, BBQ and all. It made me realize more than ever how sad I’ll be to leave. How will I survive?

At least he doesnt “do” blogs…..so I’m pretty sure I’ll get away with my cyber weepfest. Cry for me?

This is for Kari, and any other friendlies out there..

Last year, May 3rd, just hours away from Alex’s 1st birthday party, I slipped on a very wet floor – broke the fibula in my left ankle. I screamed. The pain was deathly and in the emergency room they determined I had to have mandatory surgery – which I did after eight painful and thirsty hours.

A rod and six screws later and I woke up understanding nothing except a deep hankering for morphine.  Add five days in the hospital and off I was in a wheelchair till November.

Here’s the painful truth:

To be continued…

Things have been pretty rough lately, and I’ll tell you this – not fun! But life is more than fun and so we carry on. I’m still here, and He still loves me, so that’s more than enough.

I am a SAHWM!  Starting Monday, I’ll be teaching my little man five days a week! A massive change, but pretty fun. I’m happy that I’ll be fully involved and that we have some plan for stability in his little life.

Ive done a lot of early learning educating in the past, and teaching has always been fun. Right now my head is full of lesson plans, Montessori, and more – such fun! Of course I am bound to a wheelchair/crutches right now, so that makes it more of a challenge.

So here’s how it will go: I will have Alex for the first six hours of the day, and then work for the next six. In order to make it work, certain things are a must. I need to start my day around 5:30 am, time for meditation and Word. The evenings will be full of planning school, home care, packing lunches, ironing, etc. And early bedtimes!

I’ve decided to keep this blog updated daily – so that I am forced to evaluate my progress. I need to make sure that I get enough rest and nutrition: I’ve just had surgery, and have battled chronic bronchitis/bronchial asthma for six months now. Not good.

I’m on a sugar fast – that should help. And I will leave you with a pic of the two cousins. Such manliness.

This is Alex's trendy hairstyle - Dad's idea!

Nothing about this blog is going to be very recent, so if that’s what you’re looking for ….don’t. LOL

I found a treasure chest of memories in my little purse buddy. After these meager words, scroll through and then go rest your eyes – nothing is really clear. Kind of like my life these days. It’s all been set on its head.

If you drink Chivas Regal and own a book that should have been called Too Busy Not To Party, then you will know of what I speak.

In other news, I could use a friend. Maybe one who would loan me the use of their left leg for a month. And I’ve gone and said use twice in the same paragraph – make that 3X.

Also, I cried tonight, as a dear friend is finally tasting the first sweet draught of freedom in two years! I cannot imagine the bravery, courage, and faith it has taken him to get through each day. It humbles me. Just the glimpse of open sky, fresh breeze, the love of many……  I vow to square my shoulders and press on. Sam, my thoughts are with you, and we all love you dearly.

Feeding the animals

Check out their short lil' gowns!

Doesn't get it from me!

Steph with Premo (of robprem.blogspot fame!)

Here's looking at you kid

Hey! Just recovering from the best birthday dinner. Mary’s son James took us all out to the Grand Hyatt, and we partied like there was no tomorrow. The two cousins were there, and rocked the place as usual. There was red wine, gold ribbon, delish pink salmon and an awful lot of chocolate. James, you are the best, and Happy Birthday to a wonderful mum, grandmother and Pisces!

I’m sorry darlings, but I can’t find my hard drive with pics of my second trip to Japan. So I shall post some of my first trip, and hope that you can feel the love!

Sushi love

Two of my favorite hotties

I think about him everyday!

Studs. (Best partay guys ever!)

Loved the tatami so much, we want it in our new house

Also, tonite I am missing:

Mari

Leika

Sean

Mike D

Oli