I love watching babies interact with mirrors. It reminds me of this pic I included on a previous Friday Funny.
Friday, January 10, 2014
Friday Funny
Rory meets....Rory! Hehe
I love watching babies interact with mirrors. It reminds me of this pic I included on a previous Friday Funny.
I love watching babies interact with mirrors. It reminds me of this pic I included on a previous Friday Funny.
Thursday, January 09, 2014
Rachel's 30th
The last 30th I went to in 2013 was in mid December, and it's fitting that the last one for the year should be for my oldest friend. Rachel and I known each other since kindy days and went to the same primary and high school as well. It was probably Year 6 (1994) that we started becoming good friends, although we count our friendship since kindy (1988).
Rachel booked out a local cafe in Albany for a private dinner. My parents looked after Rory so I could go out child-free. Unfortunately Duncan couldn't make it because of harvest. It was a lovely, relaxed evening with a harpist providing background music.
I don't have many friends in their 20s left now.
Rachel booked out a local cafe in Albany for a private dinner. My parents looked after Rory so I could go out child-free. Unfortunately Duncan couldn't make it because of harvest. It was a lovely, relaxed evening with a harpist providing background music.
I don't have many friends in their 20s left now.
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| Hehe I love my placecard. To Rachel, I'm always Sed |
Wednesday, January 08, 2014
Three Years...It Cannot Be
Since I said goodbye to thee.
If she'd been alive, she and Rory would be getting ready to celebrate their 101st and 1st birthdays respectively on the 19th January.
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| My Nan's memorial plaque at the cemetery in Albany (her ashes were scattered) |
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| The great grandson she never got to meet |
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| How I remember her |
If she'd been alive, she and Rory would be getting ready to celebrate their 101st and 1st birthdays respectively on the 19th January.
Monday, January 06, 2014
Shopping Ethically
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| Image is from here |
After that, I couldn't buy any clothes made in Bangladesh with a clear conscience. Now some Christians would argue that boycotting is not a solution, that if we don't buy the products then the people will be out of work, resulting in them being poorer still. I was glad to see that Oxfam has released a list of the clothing companies that have signed the Bangladesh Worker Safety Accord. There is a petition here to sign if you're interested.
But this only addresses the building safety and does nothing for fair wages and workers' rights. I wish I could shop at some of my favourite stores now that they're on the 'nice' list, but, the truth is, they still fail in many other areas.
Shop Ethical is an online consumer guide (they also have a booklet and a smart phone app available) which details and rates each company behind popular brands according to their environmental and social impact. And some of them fail big time - oh my! Definitely a big conscience prick there! They are evaluated independently (so not by any company seeking to badmouth their rivals or blow their own trumpet) - see the FAQs for how it works. It's NOT about persuading people to buy the more expensive brands instead of cheaper ones - some of the classier brands receive a bad rap as well. Nor is it about product quality - the product itself could be excellent, but the company who makes it exploits their workers in developing countries, tests on animals, and uses poor environmental practices.
Now I've taken the hard step of trying to shop ethically when it comes to food and clothes. It's not easy! Some 'good' brands are not available in small country towns. Some of my favourites don't get a good rap. I love a bargain as much as anyone. It's very tempting to pretend I never saw that documentary, that I never visited the Shop Ethical website or bought the app.
But I can't. If I claim I love Jesus, then I must love my neighbour. Not turn a blind eye because I want to shop how I want. Not continue on my merry way because it inconveniences me, a rich, white Westerner. Not support companies which exploit people made in God's image for profit.
This is one of my hopes for 2014 and beyond. We each can make a difference.
This post has been entered in the January edition of the Christian Blog Carnival. If you're a Christian blogger and would like to enter one of your recent posts, submit it here today.
Friday, January 03, 2014
The Bubba: 9-10 Months
The bubba is on the move! He started commando crawling at 9.5 months and, although he can crawl on all fours, he much prefers slithering. He should be in the army!
The house has been somewhat rearranged and bubba-proofed. Now he's started pulling himself up. Oh my!
He had his first trip to the pool (and just loved the water), and two delightful visits from interstate friends.
I'm really enjoying this stage. He crawls around and entertains himself. I can even get a few things done - it's fabulous!
The house has been somewhat rearranged and bubba-proofed. Now he's started pulling himself up. Oh my!
He had his first trip to the pool (and just loved the water), and two delightful visits from interstate friends.
I'm really enjoying this stage. He crawls around and entertains himself. I can even get a few things done - it's fabulous!
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| Future best friends perhaps? Ebony says, "NOT!" |
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| Where's Rory? |
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| There he is! |
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| Poor tired fellow. |
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| Someone loves his swing - an early Christmas present from Nanna and Pop. |
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| Yes, peekaboo is his favourite game. He loves curtains and all kinds of cloths (we call him 'The Man of the Cloth'). |
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| Cuddles for Nanna |
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| Wrestling with Daddy |
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| With his friend Marcus who was visiting from NSW |
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| Attempting a family photo after church (Rory was very grumpy) |
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| Ahhh a sleeping bubba, finally |
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| Having a great time feeding himself broccoli, cauliflower and carrot for lunch |
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| A prison for bubbas. |
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| With his friend Ruth from Sydney. "It's not that funny, Ruth. Really!" says Rory. |
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| Getting a Christmas present from Santa. |
Thursday, January 02, 2014
Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) by Quindon Tarver
Hands up who remembers this song? Well, it's more dialogue set to music, really. I was in Year 9 when it was included in the Triple J Hottest 100. Man, that seems like yonks ago now.
I don't agree with everything in this song, so I've just included the lyrics that I do like. Some great advice to start the new year.
Ladies and gentleman of the class of 1997, wear sunscreen.
If I could only offer you one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.
The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists,
Whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable,
Than my own meandering experience, I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth, oh never mind,
You will never understand the power and beauty of your youth,
Until they've faded,
But trust me, in twenty years,
You will look back at photos of yourself,
And recall in a way you can't grasp now,
How much possibility lay before you,
And how fabulous you really looked.
You are not as fat as you imagine.
Don't worry about the future,
Know that worrying is as effective
As trying to solve an algebra equation
By chewing bubblegum.
Do one thing every day that scares you.
Sing
Don't be reckless with other people's hearts.
Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss
Don't waste your time on jealousy.
Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind.
The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.
Remember compliments you receive, forget the insults.
If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone.
Enjoy your body, use it every way you can.
Don't be afraid of it, or what other people think of it.
It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.
Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your own living room.
Read the directions even if you don't follow them.
Do not read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings, they are your best link to your past,
And the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go,
But a precious few who should hold on.
Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle.
For as the older you get, the more you need the people
You knew when you were young.
Accept certain inalienable truths.
Prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old,
And when you do, you'll fantasise that when you were young,
Prices were reasonable, politicians were noble,
And children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don't mess too much with your hair,
Or by the time that you're forty,
It will look eighty five.
Be careful whose advice you buy,
But be patient with those who supply it.
But trust me on the sunscreen.
Lyrics sourced from here.
I don't agree with everything in this song, so I've just included the lyrics that I do like. Some great advice to start the new year.
Ladies and gentleman of the class of 1997, wear sunscreen.
If I could only offer you one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.
The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists,
Whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable,
Than my own meandering experience, I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth, oh never mind,
You will never understand the power and beauty of your youth,
Until they've faded,
But trust me, in twenty years,
You will look back at photos of yourself,
And recall in a way you can't grasp now,
How much possibility lay before you,
And how fabulous you really looked.
You are not as fat as you imagine.
Don't worry about the future,
Know that worrying is as effective
As trying to solve an algebra equation
By chewing bubblegum.
Do one thing every day that scares you.
Sing
Don't be reckless with other people's hearts.
Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss
Don't waste your time on jealousy.
Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind.
The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.
Remember compliments you receive, forget the insults.
If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone.
Enjoy your body, use it every way you can.
Don't be afraid of it, or what other people think of it.
It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.
Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your own living room.
Read the directions even if you don't follow them.
Do not read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings, they are your best link to your past,
And the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go,
But a precious few who should hold on.
Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle.
For as the older you get, the more you need the people
You knew when you were young.
Accept certain inalienable truths.
Prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old,
And when you do, you'll fantasise that when you were young,
Prices were reasonable, politicians were noble,
And children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don't mess too much with your hair,
Or by the time that you're forty,
It will look eighty five.
Be careful whose advice you buy,
But be patient with those who supply it.
But trust me on the sunscreen.
Lyrics sourced from here.
Wednesday, January 01, 2014
5 Hopes For 2014
It is with both excitement and trepidation that I announce my hopes for this year and put them firmly in God's hands.
1. Get fit. A friend of mine is the local Zumba instructor. I've always swore I'd never do Zumba. I'm the most unco-ordinated person on the planet, and anything that involves dancing, I look like I have too many legs all tripping over each other. But I've decided to eat my words and give it a go. There's no other high impact aerobic exercise available locally, and I like to exercise with others as it gives me the motivation to give it my all. Netball is out of the question because there is no team at my level and it hurts my back. So, there....I'm go to be Zumba-ing it up on Monday nights this year. Duncan has promised to be home from work in time to look after Rory.
2. Read the Bible regularly. Whether I can be a part of a Bible study or not, I need to really feast on God's Word. I'm not interested in set plans, so I'm going to continue on with the devotional I'm doing, read a Psalm a day, and keep up with the verses and discussion we receive from our pastor via an iphone app.
3. Finish editing my book! Surely this has got to be the year!
4. Shop ethically. Recently, I've been evaluating how my faith in Christ impacts my grocery and clothes shopping. Expect a post on this very soon.
5. Take Rory to playgroup. I've been putting off trying the local playgroup because friends of mine told me they found it very cliquey. Now I've decided that I should give it a go and make up my own mind about people instead of listening to hearsay. A former workmate told me she is planning to go with her new baby so at least I'll know someone. It's hard at the moment because it's on from 9:30-11:30 and that clashes with Rory's morning sleep. When he drops to one sleep a day, then we'll go.
1. Get fit. A friend of mine is the local Zumba instructor. I've always swore I'd never do Zumba. I'm the most unco-ordinated person on the planet, and anything that involves dancing, I look like I have too many legs all tripping over each other. But I've decided to eat my words and give it a go. There's no other high impact aerobic exercise available locally, and I like to exercise with others as it gives me the motivation to give it my all. Netball is out of the question because there is no team at my level and it hurts my back. So, there....I'm go to be Zumba-ing it up on Monday nights this year. Duncan has promised to be home from work in time to look after Rory.
2. Read the Bible regularly. Whether I can be a part of a Bible study or not, I need to really feast on God's Word. I'm not interested in set plans, so I'm going to continue on with the devotional I'm doing, read a Psalm a day, and keep up with the verses and discussion we receive from our pastor via an iphone app.
3. Finish editing my book! Surely this has got to be the year!
4. Shop ethically. Recently, I've been evaluating how my faith in Christ impacts my grocery and clothes shopping. Expect a post on this very soon.
5. Take Rory to playgroup. I've been putting off trying the local playgroup because friends of mine told me they found it very cliquey. Now I've decided that I should give it a go and make up my own mind about people instead of listening to hearsay. A former workmate told me she is planning to go with her new baby so at least I'll know someone. It's hard at the moment because it's on from 9:30-11:30 and that clashes with Rory's morning sleep. When he drops to one sleep a day, then we'll go.
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