Belated Blogging

I cannot seem to get my act together lately so am belatedly blogging best birthday wishes to my beautiful little bliss, Glenda, and my bella Aunty Irene (I have another name for her but those who've read Roald Dhal would think it uncomplimentry, so I won't tell you!!!)

It was Glenda's birthday on the 7th... I don't remember her birth as I'm only 21 months older than her, but I do recall that it was a Sunday, that her birthweight was a little higher than mine, and that she's the fair, smiling, benevolent one (compared to me.... hence the name Bliss)

No really, she brings sunshine into the lives of those she knows and loves, and I suspect even into the lives of those she doesn't really know... I have a memory of a Christian folk singer's song about sunshine at the edge of my brain (Help me Mum, what is it?? Evie...)  Glenda used to love that song.

Anyway... over the years we've done the usual sister kind of things, and mostly I look back in fondness.  Recently too, as we caught up over hot drinks post a session at the Rivoli we had to agree that our relationship has gone from a difficult patch to a new strength.  So I just want to Thank God for giving me such a beautiful little sis, and thank my sister for the encouragement and support she's lavished on me over the years.  I really do appreciate it!

Now to Aunty Irene... what can I say?  You're the third of five sisters... born on March 12th, my only Aunty who doesn't have children of her own, and.... I would have to say you're the Aunt who keeps in touch most often and keeps the memory of my special West Australian family close by.  You always have a cuppa and a listening ear ready, you've always demonstrated love, interest, enjoyment in the things I've achieved (or not quite), the times we've spent together, the letters and phone calls we've exchanged, and even the advice that you've dispenced is so treasured and appreciated.  Though we've never lived nearby one another, you've always been close.  So thank you for always making an effort with your distant neices and nephews and I'll continue to look forward the next pot of PoW, or G&T, or new & delicious Indian restaurant... that we can share together!  

Happy Birthday Aunty Irene, sorry I didn't get that birthday card in the post... an extra special letter on the way... but glad that you were spoilt on your special day (and apologies from Tim that he woke you!!) (wink)  here's a pic  of Mum and Irene with Mum's place in Schopfheim in the background (Irene gets to visit her more often than I do)... which one is which?

It's all about a 4 day week!

Well, some days are better than others, and if you can see what time I posted my last entry... you will know why today is not one of my better days... but that's just the thing... because I work a 4 day week (and I have to be at work on Friday for a meeting at 0830) I decided the best thing for me to do was to have a MHD today and work on Friday instead.... no doctors, no use of sick leave... Yep, its all about flexi-time!

And I get to sleep in on Monday, as I have a medical appointment at the Northen Hospital at 10am... so no point in busting my gut to get to work at 0830 on Monday only to leave at 0900 to get from Elsternwick to Epping.  So I'll do a half, day on Monday... which means Friday work makes even more sense as I have a case conference pretty well straight after lunch on Monday.

Busy, busy, busy... but with flexi-time... not insane or sick!

Here's to keeping my love of the job and not burning out -

cheers....

and hope you're Tuesday is going good too <><

On the big C

Commitment that is.... Just thinking about it a lot, mainly as regarding my faith... and also my failure so far to live up to my New Year's resolution to "get 'round to it"... so I'm recommiting to that as well!

The reason the big C is on my mind is that my little church has been celebrating Commitment Month this February... but as C-month ends... Lent begins and I have another 4 weeks to think about commitment.

If you've never heard of Lent before it's the 40 days (excluding Sundays) preceeding Easter Sunday.  It begins on Ash Wednesday... (which I'm fairly certain was called that before 1983, when Victoria's last worst bushfires were)... but I'm not sure why its called "Ash" Wednesday... something to do with ashes most likely (and not the one's that the Australian and English Cricket teams compete for!!) [Boy, am I digressing... a bad habit of mine when I'm tired!!]

During Lent Christians are encouraged to fast and pray leading up to Easter... I don't think I'll be fasting from meals this year as I'm trying to put on weight... but will have to think of something else to fast from before Wednesday....

Tommow (well today actually) is Shrove Tuesday... well know for eating pancakes, though that is also a tradition whose origins are unknown to me....

The other "events" during Lent are all squished into the last "Holy Week", which begins on Palm Sunday (The Sunday preceeding Easter Sunday, when Jesus entered Jerusalem), continues to Maundy Thursday... the night Jesus was arrested, Good Friday... the day Jesus was crucified (also the day you are SUPPOSED to eat Hot Cross Buns!!)... and finally Easter Sunday... the day Jesus rose from the dead.....

Oooo.... so much to look forward to, I love this time of year, especially because it also ushers in Autumn and I'm SO looking forward to Autumn (and praying it will be a wet one!)

But back to commitment... what do you think I should fast from?  and do you have any suggestions for prayer...?

Why I don't like summer....

It's obvious on a day like today... when the mercury is almost to 40 (celsius)

I just don't like the heat... and now I have to log off as my computer is unmercifully overheating too :(

Promise I'll post again when a cool day comes around... in the meantime, hope this makes you smile....

Hot in the city...

I made the mistake of checking out the Nightmarket at Queen Vic Markets this evening... the concrete in the city was still radiating the high 30s temp, despite the cool change coming through about midday and it was too crowded, too pricey... just overrated... I escaped to the shops on Franklin St and bought myself a groovy new jacket... my little bliss and me are going shopping Friday... so I'll get her to bring her camera and show off the new wares!

PS Work is improving, were back to fully staffed now, but with renovation work going on many of our rooms are closed so I don't have a full caseload - Bliss, think I might even be able to POETS (though for me its really POETF!!) on Friday

Tschuss <><

Tired AND Thankful

I thought of this title last evening as I was journeying home on the train from work... This last month or so has seen a huge turn around in my activity level, also my stress level, and it being "that time of year" a tendency to be reflective!

You see, in the second half of November, I started a new job!! I went back to my roots and returned to working as an Occupational Therapist. What's even more remarkable is that the job started as a locum position, but now I find myself promoted to permanent part-time! (Big Thanks pt 1)

As many of you know all year I've been praying, wishing and hoping for a great new job that would be just perfect for me (and I acknowledge that no job is ever going to be "perfect" but I guess I'm thinking best fit). So far I've really been enjoying the work, the workplace, the people, and my financial worries are definitely improving... but I'm so tired!

Now for further reflection...

1. I love Christmas.

I love that it’s our remembrance festival for the fact that Our Father sent his much beloved and only son into our world. That this remarkable man Jesus was willing to live a human life... beginning at helpless birth... and ending in a way no man before or since has achieved. (If you don't know about this story... then you've got to read it, it'll knock your socks off!!)

I love the associated festivities... the decorations, and Australian summer, the excesses of yummy food shared with family and friends, the exchanging of gifts (though I haven't done any shopping this year... just can't face it). The gathering to sing carols, and remember what Christmas is all about.

And I love the sense of hope it brings... the acknowledgement that perhaps life isn't always grand, indeed its sometimes disgustingly difficult, BUT I made it through another year, and I can start the next year fresh... or we hope for a better year next year, or just know that our God is faithful.

He put us here, just like he put his son here. He loves us, and wants the best for us. We know we don't deserve his blessings, but because of who he is (and if we're being thankful, and real about our faith) he too is faithful to the promises he made.

Does that make sense? My life and me are far from perfect... but as I look back I see just how much my God has taken care of me, how many wonderful opportunities he's given me, how every day he gives me what I need to get from waking to sleeping. It's not easy, in fact I'm struggling to think of a year in my life that hasn't had its ups or downs... but that is what makes it so interesting!!

I love my life, and I want to live it to the full, but most of all I want to give glory to my God; so I'm tired and I'm thankful... and I'm praying that God will bring me through and that I can give him glory.

too much to blog... too little time....

I feel like a complete reprobate (and have I even spelt that right?)... I haven't blogged since October... and so much in my life has changed since then that I don't know where to begin.... I promise I'll come back on Friday with fresh updates, and may even manage something interesting!  For now... bed, I need sleep.... good night xo