Family Birthday

Sometimes some habits never change. I took my mom out shopping on Friday because she has been sick and hasn't been out shopping in weeks. Mom decides to by banana's, white bread and heaps of frozen cheese burgers. As we are leaving she asks if I can stop at McDonald's where she brought herself some double cheese burgers. Last night we decide to take her out to a restaurant with the whole family for her 64th birthday (we also thought it might help cheer her up as she was just told she has emphysema because of her smoking :o( ). We order healthy food and she orders cheese burgers. So I guess no matter how much we love someone we always have our free agency.

Despite this it was a fun night. Richard came from Sydney with his partner, and Scarlett and her new partner came along; the only ones missing was James and his partner. Becca and Emily played on lots of games and had a great time. It was really nice to go out as a family. Happy birthday Mom; thank-you for bringing me to this earth and I hope you have many more happy years.

Going home

We picked up our tickets last night. We will be going "home" to California for our niece's wedding, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. Mr D is so stoked. It will be the first time Becky has been on a plane and the first time her Vo'Vo's (Grandparents) have seen her. I am sure she will charm them as much as she does us. Mr D told his mom and she is already planning to show us some houses in the neighbourhood that we can buy so we live there permenantly , (LOL; don't all mother-in-law's do that). I am going to focus on the good because I just got word that my surgery is scheduled for August 6th. So if I focus on the good the bad won't seem overwhelming, right?

Organizing

How much stuff do we collect??? How much do we think we need and never really use? I was fortunate enough to do my final year University project was on Domestic Squalor and Compulsive Hoarding and some of the things I found out really hit home. I was raised by loving parents who often fought over my mom's collecting of things. I am not refering to simple stamps or ornaments but rather stuff many of us would call junk. My parents divorced when I was 16, and after that point my mom's hoarding got worse. Endless boxes thoughout the house and clothes and junk. My mom now live in a retirement village and when we go to visit there is no where to sit because of the endless boxes, clothes and romance novels (we are talking nearly shoulder height). I have tried in the past to help my mom but it got us no where. I think that is why I love Mr D's organized life. If we don't use something we get rid of it. And when I think that perhaps we need to get extra clothing or toys to "just be prepared" Mr D just smiles and asks if we really need it. Although I must admit I do still get nervous when we have visitors I must admit our house is clean and organized. My bestfriend M.D is also super organized and always on time. Whilst she was here last week we were trading tips on habits we have for organizing our family/life. She loved the fact that I always fold sheet in a set and put them in a pillowcase so I just have to go to the cupboard and grab the pillowcase to make a bed. How do you keep things organized?

Job or no job?

I am not sure why; perhaps it was insecurity; Insecurity in my abilities; but today I went for a job interview. I just wanted to see if I still have what it takes to get a job (as I haven't worked since before Becky was born two years ago).It was a community organisation and they are offering over $50,000 (starting salary)but they want someone full-time. They seemed very interested in me and they asked me to come in for the interview just 20 minutes after I emailed them my application. I walked out of the interview and decided I didn't want the job. I guess I am enjoying being a mom right now.Is that dumb? I realise that us both working would make us economically better off, but am left wondering what it would cost our family. It's school holidays here now. And it is nice to just have the family around.James came home for 2 weeks from university. It was good to see him; I don't think any of the kids realise how much I miss them when they are gone. Richard is suppose to be coming down next weekend for Nanna's 64th birthday.We are planning on taking her out to a restraurant. Last week I had my best friend from High School come and stay here with two of her kids. My friend and I have known each other since we were 13 years old and she is the one that I trust with most of my lifes secrets.She is the one I have turned to each tiime I have experienced trouble. For just a few days we were able to just go out and chat and be ourselves. That felt good. I think I need to get more time like that.

Mr D's new job

Mr D has always been a computer geek. Anything technical and he is on it. He worked in the Silicon Valley and he worked with weapons guidence system for the U.S in Iraq (I bagged him out about that one). Recently he decided to take a career change. A pay cut and He decided to "give back". Mr D has accepted a job working as a supervisor with disabled people who are re-making bikes for the community. I was shocked. Throughout the years Mr D has said that as a community worker I am a bleeding heart. I am the type of person who has always brought the strays home, and wondered what cause I could help with next. Once again he is the one that teaches me lessons. He is the one the kids will wake in the middle of the night. He is the one who will take us all on a mystery adventure. He will listen to my crazy ideas; laugh, and then rationally explain why it couldn't possibly work. He is usually the first one up in the morning & often the last in bed a night. He is the athletic one who challenges me when I get lazy. He loves music, that most wouldn't even understand. He is not afraid to cry; like when our dog Raider had to be put down. He will wear a tie to church even when he hates ties. He is usually always on time. He plans things in advance; even to the point of laying out his clothes the night before. His clothing cupboard is perfect; even color co-ordinated. He eats vegetarian food, despite being raised a meat eater. He texts me for no reason. He stands up at the table until I sit down when we go out to eat. He will open a door for me. He moved half way around the world for me. He is full of suprises and I love him. I don't know how his first day will go today, but I know I am in awe of him. Thank-you Mr D for being a great husband, father and friend. And Happy U.S Father's Day

Poverty in our city

As I walked out of the Mall pushing my shopping and racing to pick up the children, I noticed a woman (in her twenties)sobbing with a small child on her hip. She was talking with a man who looked like he had stopped to ask her what her problem was. The thought crossed my mind that I should help her. I have often seen people in need & I am sorry to saw; I pause....& think too much before helping. Mr D is the complete opposite. I remember when we were dating, we were all dressed up nicely to go out to eat in Sydney and as we walked toward the restruant a motorcyclist came off his turning bike in the middle of the intersection. The road was busy, but Mr D didn't pause. He ran out straight onto the road and assisted the rider. As the biker stood he toward over Mr D & the bike was huge. The biker & Mr D stuggled to lift the heavy bike, but they worked together & the cyclist was on his way. I paused. I didn't help. Would the biker want my help? Would I be in the road? All my doubts stopped me helping. I turned back to help the woman, & she was gone. Once again I thought, I had waited too long. I should have just helped. After packing the groceries away in my car I looked up & saw this woman approaching another person. She seemed very hesitent to approach anyone. I decided to stop thinking & just act. I went to her & asked if I could help. She explained that her partner had left them on the weekend & had cleared out their bank account. She had only found out when she had gone with her daughter to buy groceries & there wasn't a cent left in their account. I asked if she had gone to the local welfare groups as I could take her there if she needed. She said that they had but help would be a day or so away. Her little daughter looked to be about 3 years old. She looked well looked after & saddened by her mothers problems. As we spoke she told her mom that she was hungry. I felt that all I could do was to hand her some money. She seemed surprised that I handed her $20 insted of small change. But, I remember being in similar situations when my first marriage ended. No I didn't beg; but I was overwhelmed & we were left with no money, most of our furniture gone & no food. I wished I could have done more. I pray that this family is taken care of. Amen.

A cute message

Last night as I sat in bed. I really felt that I should contact my eldest children; Richard, James & Scarlett. I try not to pester them & contact them every day or even every week. They are growing up so fast & they seem to be on their own journies, so to have mom contacting them all the time would probably just bother them. I sent them messages & although I only heard back from James it made my night. He sent me this link He said it reminded him of me. I always dreamed of working with communities like this. That is one of the main reasons I originally studied nursing. I love my kids!!