It's Tuesday already....

So much has happened, is happening and will happen I don’t really know where to start….

Sharon had her housewarming party on Saturday night. It was great fun and also wonderful to put faces to her friend’s names as we had heard so much about them. I believe the party finished up at 2am but we were long gone due to Oliver’s football the Sunday morning.

Mam has had her birthday (Happy Birthday for the 24th June) and loved her I-Pod that Dad gave her. She was very surprised and impressed with the songs that we programmed on for her. They both seemed to be enjoying there holiday so far and loving the electric blanket that we all bought mam for her birthday. The nights have been cold so it was a brilliant present.

Oliver played well with his football even managing to get a free kick and did some wonderful bumping. Daniel the coach was quite happy with the team’s performance. Alex didn’t go to Auskick so we all went to watch Oliver play. I think he liked the fact that we were all there with him.

I have finally done something with my hair. I got it cut short at the back and the left but have left the fringe and right had side a little longer. I quite like it but it is a little modern and taking awhile to get used to. At least it looks heaps and I mean heaps better than the bob with the “flying nun” side curls.

Parent/teacher interviews went really well last night. Alex is doing okay but needs to refrain from stirring up a couple of the boys in her class (apparently she knows which are the best to target!) and has to learn to take responsibility for her actions. Besides the fact that she is a very dominant child she is working really well and teacher is very happy. Oliver’s teacher too is happy and is glad that he has made some clear improvements since last year (big sigh of relief from Noel and myself). Overall he is doing good and needs to focus on organising himself better and overall achieving a larger amount of work completed.

We received an invitation for my sister, Claire’s, 30th birthday present in the mail yesterday. It is the only contact made since the phone conversation and my card. So don’t know what to really think. Mam is due to arrive next Tuesday and I don’t even know what is happening with that.

Enough rambling (definitely caught up with everything – I hope!)

Families - what the??????

FINALLY a breakthrough!

Sean has spoken with Mam and Dad before they left on their trip up north. He has told them that he would really appreciate his parents being there at the birth of his first child. Vicky has realised that the situation we have all been living this last 12 months isn’t going to go away.

I am not sure how things will change but at least something is happening.

A lot of bridge to cross yet but I am sure "the Murray's" as a family unit we will get there!

My side on the otherhand looks absolutely hopeless!!!

aaaaarrrrrgggghhhhhh!!!!

My sister Claire!

My life is becoming consumed with guilt and sadness over the relationship that my sister and I have.

I am sure that she hates me and for some reason I don’t blame her.

We don’t live that far away from each other but it might as well be separate continents for all the times we see each other.

I know that the two of us are both very different people. I would just really love to be able to pop in to her house, have a cuppa and a chat. I would really love her to pop in to my house and do the same. It would be great to go shopping together – I wouldn’t even care if it were just for groceries!

I sent her a card the other day. In fact it went in the post box on Monday 11th June. It was a blank card – inside I wrote that I was thinking of her, that I was proud of her and that I love her. I also said I was sorry that we weren’t close, not sure why we aren’t but would like to be.

Claire hasn’t mentioned it at all!

I know that I haven’t been the best sister but I hate feeling like I don’t have a sister at all!

Sunday's ups and downs.....

Wow - what a day Sunday was.

Up early once again for Under 9's football and Auskick. Great catching up with Sharon for a chat whilst Tom and Alex run their little legs off at a mock grid match. Then we went over to clubrooms to see how Oliver and the Under 9 White's went with their match - they lost. But Oliver seemed to enjoy himself.

We all went for lunch with Mam and Dad - Sophia's in Frankston. But for some reason today it was awful. Other times we have been so impressed and recommended the food etc to everyone... yesterday really changed our minds. The first waiter looked liked he was really doing a lot but in actual fact he wasn't doing anything. Took away a bottle of wine to be opened and I swear it was about 10 minutes before it came back. The entree of calamari was rubbery and greasy. Mam and dad's pizza base looked very doughy and undercooked, my pasta was fairly tasteless whereas Noel's rib-eye was probably the best meal ordered except for the overcooked vegetables. Even my pasta devouring kids turned their noses up at the lasagne!! Guess where we won't be going again???

Then it was back up to the clubrooms (6pm) for the game reports and awards presentation.

Up at the football club, Noel and I are starting to get to know more and more of the committee members, coaches and the regulars. Last night was a really great night up the club. For not only did I publish the first newsletter for the Karingal Bulls (hopefully it was up to standard) but both Noel and I left the club as really proud parents. Oliver was given the Bull of the Week award for his on ground performance. He received a medal (will publish photo tomorrow) which he wore with pride all night and it took me a while to get it from around his neck whilst yelling at him to go to bed! Alex was really proud of her brother also but insisted that she share in the glory and had to have a turn of wearing it around her neck... lol!!

But Oliver recieving his award changed everyone's outlook on the whole day!! Well done Oliver - you make us all very proud.

Gotta fly.

The dreaded lurggies.......

This week has flown by. Tuesday I had a huge onset of the flu, which is still lingering today, but I am back at work. Alex was also sick yesterday – my poor little princess coughing most of Wednesday evening and Thursday. We both went to the doctors yesterday and have both got a course of antibiotics to follow. Luckily for Alex her’s is a syrup whereas my tablets are the size of horse tranquillisers!! Thankfully Noel and Oliver have missed this bug – touch wood.

Should be having a quiet weekend with nothing major planned at all except it’s back to football on Sunday (it was ace having a sleep in last Sunday). I think we will be catching up with Mam and Dad for lunch on Sunday also as they have postponed their departure until Tuesday as they too have had the dreaded lurggies.

A satisfyingly full weekend.....

Hhhhmmmm once again another weekend has come and gone - this one was quite different as it was the Queen's birthday long weekend and it was very enjoyable.

As per usual I worked on Saturday morning. I don't mind working then especially if Noel is home as this gives him some one on one time with the kids. They love spending time with their dad. We decided to have an indian feast for dinner, a few curries, some rice and some bread. Noel and the kids went to Dandenong and bought some of the most delish naan bread from a takeaway shop. We cooked Butter Chicken, Chicken Korma and Noel cooked a special Pork Vindaloo for me and him. The whole dinner was yummy but as usual cooked way too much curry.

Sunday was quite an exciting day - one we had all looked forward to for a few weeks. Mam and Dad were treating the whole family for lunch at the Cuckoo Restaurant in Olinda. I had not been before while the Murray clan had.

It was a good smorgasboard and the kids really loved the entertainment especially Oliver who took part in the bell ringing song! Alex was enthralled with the yodelling. Sean drove which meant both Dad and Noel could relax.

We stayed the night at Mam and Dad's then, another thing we don't do that often. It was good just to relax, chat and spend quality time with them as they go away this Saturday. And yes we had left over curry for supper.

Monday the kids has an Auskick Super Clinic up at St Kilda's home ground, Moorabbin. The kids were really excited all morning as they have met the St Kilda boys before. Alex was looking forward to seeing Brett Voss again. She definately goes weak at the knees when he talks to her. Oliver was just in his element running and kicking the balls amongst his idols. He showed so much confidence and ability - geez I wish he could do that Sunday mornings when he is playing Under 9's!!

Oliver the footy star!!

It looks like Tom and Alex are sizing up their oppositions - other grade 1 children!!!!

Last night was just a quiet one at home - back to reality. Did some shopping, some washing, some homework and then it was off to bed. And bed felt good!!!

No school today

Today is a pupil free day for the kids so it was off to Nana’s and Grandad’s home very early. As the two of them were excited about going for the day there wasn’t much resistance this morning and the fact that it was dad that was taking them I knew there was going to be no arguments or going slow. They got up and got ready. Noel will bring them home tonight when he finishes work.

Oliver and Alex both love their new beanies!!

Life is too short!

Last night I received a phone call from one of my fellow workers. It was a phone call that I was waiting for and the content was of an expected sadness. Stuart, a lovely bloke, had been crushed with devastating news Monday that his sister in law was in hospital after collapsing at work. She had been on life support since then and passed away Wednesday afternoon. I have spent many hours thinking about Stuart and his family. It is bad enough to lose a family member or friend due to old age but Stuart’s loved one was only 33. My heart goes out to Stuart, his brother, his nephew who is only 5 and of course to their immediate families.

It also got me to thinking geez I am only 36.

I spend far too long dwelling over things that have happened and way to much time stressing about things I have no control over. I have honestly realised that I need to lower my expectations and standards that I put on everything. If I don’t I will end up dying being miserable and disappointed in the life that I did lead.

I am going to contact my sister, Claire. I don’t see her at all, only a chance meeting here and there at the moment unless something is planned and it really hurts me. I don’t understand why we are not close. I use to love going bowling together. We laughed and chatted away. I miss her. I need to tell her that I love her and that I am really proud of all she has achieved. I will endeavour to make peace and try to organise getting together.

My mam knows I love her – I tell her all the time. In fact I can’t wait for her to arrive in Melbourne in June. I am long overdue on a hug. And she deserves one too.

A “BIG” shout out to my sister in law, Clare, in Sydney. She knows I think the world of her and we chat regular. Unfortunately don’t see enough of each other either but certainly make up for it when we do get together.

Mam and Dad (Noel’s parents) have been great to me and I really appreciate their love and support. They are off on holidays in the weekend after next and they will be missed. I hope that they really enjoy their holiday up north. Not sure at this stage what date they are expected back – probably when the cold weather has gone away. Can’t say I blame them really.

My only wish is that the rift in the Murray family could be sorted and unfortunately I cannot do anything to help that – it is all up to Vicky now. We can’t make her do anything she doesn’t want to and at the moment she doesn’t see what here actions are doing. Very soon she will be giving birth to her first child and her whole world is going to change. It will be very sad for Sean that day as I don’t think he will have the support of his family at such a wonderful moment in his life - that’s really horrible to say but the reality is that it is because of the situation we are all in at the present…….

Don’t know where this whole situation is going to go but I do know…..

LIFE IS DEFINATELY TOO SHORT TO DO NOTHING!

Home safely - but totally shattered!

Finally got home at around 4.30pm after a long boring drive from Diggers Rest via Parkdale to pick up the kids from Mam and Dad. Good to see familiar faces mind you the fact that mam was home led the good behaviour to last only as far as the end of the court!! I thought while I was out I would grab some groceries and be able to get home and relax!!

AS IF!!!!!!!!!

The kids were ratty all through the shops - whinging about this, moaning about that!!

Got through the front door, frustrated and just about to kill 2 children. Unpacked the groceries, the kids bags, my bags and found the wine in the fridge!! Just about to start to relax and then it was "Mam what's for dinner?" aaaaarrrrrrgggggghhhhhhh - the joys!!

Sunday busy busy once again with football and auskick but managed to do some cleaning and just about all the clothes washing.

Big star for Alex as she actually cleaned her room when I asked her to plus she did a great job!! Oliver's room managed to stay exactly the same!!

I am nearly home....

I have spent the last 3 days in Bendigo doing some training with the staff up at our Axedale Quarry. I am now sitting here working the weighbridge at Diggers Rest as a favour to a very nice manager and foreman. They put me up in Sunbury for the night and I have a lovely meal at an Italian restaurant. It was good to have company last night as travelling alone can be boring.

BUT I am so looking forward to getting home and seeing Noel, Oliver, Alex and my bed!!! Living it up in hotels is okay but there is no place like home - hey Toto???