the pay off

Just wanted to say that 'letting it all go' has paid off big time. I received a lovely letter and apology pretty much straight away.

So worth it.

letting it all go

Sometimes I feel really great about life, and there are other times when it is just plain ho hum.

Today a 15 year old weight was lifted off my shoulders and it feels awesome.

Usually I pride myself in being someone who doesn't hold grudges and gets over stuff. But I have to admit, I've been clinging onto something I should have let go of long ago.

You see, I've been angry at someone. Angry because this person really hurt me and others who I cared about. They lied about me. And basically the friendship I thought was real, simply was not.

If I could look at my life, I could say that I feel good about most things that I have done, or I have treated people to the best of my ability. I've even "forgiven and forgotten".

But after hearing about this person from another friend (who has been absent from my life for quite some time now), I got all upset and angry all over again. And it's this fragmented friendship that sits in the back of my head unresolved and getting bitter with age.

So grumbling and getting upset about it for the most part of the day, I got on with it: washing, a pre-production meeting at the office, caught up with an old friend, grocery shopping, putting my boy down for his midday sleep, getting my work done at the home office, then the afternoon chores such as preparing dinner, preparing my son for bed and all that goes with it.

When it was all done, I lay on the couch and picked up a book I've been picking up and putting down for some time now, but just haven't finished. You could say it was timely, but the book is called "Seven Secrets for Feeling Fantastic" and the chapter I started reading was "Looking to the right things".

There it was in black and white. As I got to the subheading "Friends and Foes" I thought, this is ridiculous. I have to let this bitterness go. It has to go to God finally, and forever.

And just like that I got over it. And you know what? It feels great.

Nothing has really changed in reality, but my heart and my mind has changed. My mutual friend had given me the opportunity to contact this person, and I did it. I told her, it was okay. And despite the hurt, it's in the past.

And it really is.

our boy is two

I guess it had to happen: our boy turned two in May. And I would sound like every other mother who says how quickly the time flies, and how I can't believe he is two already.

But I AM a mother, and so will agree wholeheartedly to all the other things that mothers say too.

Some of the highlights of the past year have included being able to have great conversations with him now, giving him instructions which he now can do perfectly, and of course, the best bit where they still love you unconditionally.

Isn't it the best? And I believe it gets better as it happens for a few more years yet.

So to celebrate unconditional love and all the best bits, we had professional photos taken on the boy's birthday - which really was a milestone for more than just him. Why it's our girls' that have also made pretty important steps too - Kelly has recently turned 21, and Leah 18. Big steps for everyone.

And the photos will be there for us to remember forever this moment. And as Kelly said, "I want us to be this way forever".

Wouldn't it be nice?

bonds baby search 2008

It's official. I am a pretentious mother.

And I have proof.

Madison was entered into the Bond Baby Search 2008.

It was for a few reasons, curiosity being the main contender. Oh, and I think my boy's the best looking little guy to enter this world. (Me and every other mother.)

But I've got to admit, I thought it would be mad, but it was madder than mad. Busier than busy, and just a bit ridiculous.

Ange was the one who convinced me to come as she was entering her boy Charlie. I thought I would just keep her company, but then she told me to register because "you never know, Madison could be the face they're looking for."

And I was hooked.

So, on Friday I was up at some ungodly hour (5:30am) because I wanted to squeeze a gym session in first before glamming up (1) my boy, and then (2) myself. Then I had to get to Ange's by 8am so we could make the trek to Chaddy. Even after all the planning Madison was still in his PJ's when we arrived at Ange's.

We arrived at Chadstone by 9:10am after what could feel like a full day already (what with moving the babyseat into Ange's car - oh, THAT was fun). We entered the shopping centre and expected a pumping shopping centre. But it was not to be.

But with another few shops later, the reality was before us. A full circle around the Bonds Stage that went the length of half the centre. Those who haven't been to the "Fashion Capital" it's awfully HUGE!

So, by the time we actually FOUND the end of the line, Chaddy Security told us the line was 'closed' at that point and to come back in half an hour.

Truth be told, we agreed not to take it too seriously, so we shopped for the boys (shoes, pants, tops and beanies), then had a yummy hot chockie (Ange, we must go there again!), then shopped some more.

Just before we headed home after our 'big day out', at 11:45am, we thought we'd check out the line again.

And, it was smaller.

Much smaller.

So we jumped back in the queue. And after the Chaddy Security discouraging us (again), we thought it was worth the wait.

And it was.

By 12:15pm the boys had their photos taken and they were IN the comp.

The only problem was both the boys were so exhausted (read, mothers too) they weren't really into having a photo taken and were all grizzly.

I guess we will find out on Monday, 26 May when they announce the finalists. But somehow I get the feeling, the boys will be winners in our hearts.

And that's enough for me.

Above: Me, Charlie and Madison; Ange and Charlie; Madison showing more interest in his sandwich than the baby search.

freak storm

One quiet afternoon after hanging the washing out, I sat down to my computer to do some work. I did think perhaps it was going to rain, but hung the washing out anyway.

So, it starting raining. Then it got louder, and louder.

I thought perhaps I'd run out and get the washing. But then it was too late.

By the time I grabbed the basket and pegs, hailstones (very big ones I might add) were teaming down and the backyard was actually white. Like snow.

Yes, very white.

It was amazing.

Even two hours later, the street was still white. Very pretty.

Not to mention it was freezing cold!