What's going on with our Claire???

Life is just not right and definately at times not fair!

I have been holding off on posting anything about this topic purely because of my lack of knowledge on the subject but it is really bothering me.

My sister, Claire and her husband Jamie have seperated although not everyone knows. It has been several weeks now. After 9 years of marriage and 4 children apparently "it's just not working anymore" and hasn't been for a long while. This saddens me.

Not only I have always look upon my sister, her lifestyle and her family with jealousy and admiration but due to the fact that Claire and I aren't as close as normal sisters should be I had no idea of what was really going on.

Seven years younger than me, and for what I saw I always thought she was happy with her lifestyle. She was young when she met Jamie, I think around 16 but they have been together ever since. As I mentioned she has 4 young boys (Kyle 10, Stuart 8, Wesley 5 and Angus 2) which are her world, she has a house, a social network, involvement in the school and kinder, positions on severeal committees, a candle business (party plan), morning and afternoon teas with friends and a most of all a husband that actually adores her. Obviously what I see isn't the same as what she does.

I haven't caught up with her yet and it is hard enough getting to talk to her on the phone. When we do speak she's more interested in what is happening with me and my family while I am trying to find out what is happening with her. Needless to say our conversations are going around in circles.

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I really want to visit her but not sure of how the reception will be. Selfishly, I don't think I could emotionally handle her lack of sisterly love at the moment. I have battled many demons regarding my relationship with my sister and have always blamed it on something I have done or the person that I am. Finally, with the help of Noel, my mam and my close friends, I am coming to realise that maybe it's not me, maybe it's not my fault but in all truth although I am nearly okay with it I am not 100% convinced as yet. Maybe it's all that she has been going through these last few years is why we don't have a sister to sister relationship? Who knows?

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She is not very forthcoming with information about this situation to me or with anyone else for that fact (actually she is not a very forthcoming person at any time). To be honest what she is saying isn't really making that much sense or providing any genuine reasoning behind her decision. That worries me a lot as I am a firm believer that "because" is not an answer to a question if you know what I mean. There needs to be something solid, some reason why she has decided to end her relationship, an icident or an issue that is leading her to turn not only her life upside down but the life of her husband and their children. Don't get me wrong, I will support her depending of course on some certain circumstances but she needs to be honest and open with me.

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Although our relationship (for that reason I am not aware of?) has been distant and almost non-existent I don't want her to think she has to do this on her own. I want her to know that I am here for her, that we are all here for her and that we love her no matter what her decision is.

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The only thing I am praying for is that she does make the right decision in the long run....

A weekend full of love and laughter...

Another weekend that went as quickly as it came.....
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On Saturday it was Valentines Day and we celebrated it just like any "married" couple would... with the kids. This was our choice as at the moment with all the devastation and sorrow surrounding us it was good to be together as a family. The saddness is so strong that one cannot help but hug your family, kiss them and definately cwch up with them.
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Normally, Noel and I do not put any emphasis on Valentines Day but like I said we made sure that the LOVE was definately in the house this year. So we decoarated the dining table, planned a nice meal and had a surprise or two up our sleeves for the kids.
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Dinner started with a Mixed Seafood Platter and Noel's Chilli and Ginger Scallops! Yum what a way to begin the feast!
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Then we went up to the Carnival which was quite close to us at the local shopping centre. After convincing Oliver to go on the Cha Cha we couldn't get him off. As we had set off up there late we were able to go on 3 rides - first the Cha Cha, then the Dodgem Cars (where we all drove our own cars - Alex thought it was ace and caused a lot of bumping when she got the hang of it!!) and then it was back on the Cha Cha! Needless to say I was feeling quick ill in the tummy by the time we got off.
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Back home for a superbly cooked Veal cutlet with a Bacon and Mushroom Sauce - many thanks to the Man of the House.
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It was then definately time to relax, we all watched a movie called Forbidden Kingdom whilst eating chocolate love hearts!!
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Needless to say - Sunday was a day of rest.....

The devastation continues......

Can you imagine this?

This is a photograph that was taken looking north from Doncaster over at the mountain ranges towards Whittlesea and King Lake areas. Just the intensity of the fire in the dusk is enough to send shivers up my spine and bring on the goosebumps.

Stories of triumph and survival are forthcoming which is proving that miracles can happen. People have been found after days of hiding out in what can only be described as hell on earth. Families are being reunited with loved ones and the nation as a whole is coming together and providing so much in the way of donations, both money and material items.

However it's not just us humans that are affected, its all the wildlife not to mention the pets, that don't have the resources that we do.

Many people have opened up their homes as wildlife shelters, which again is a wonderful thing to do in itself.

These "wild" animals are making their way into peoples homes just in search of water and something to cool off in! Amazing really as normally we would only get a chance sighting when driving through the bush or at a zoo/sanctuary.

But its the stories of loss that are consuming us as a nation. As I mentioned a few days ago, there was fears that some of the fire outbreaks were delibrately lit only to have it confirmed this morning that the Churchill and Marysville fires were the work of arsonists! How can someone do this? How can someone unleash such carnage and devastion on innocent people and their families?

I can only imagine that there will never be the correct words spoken to explain these last few days....

What a weekend ... both good and bad!

What can I say or where do I start?

It's Monday and I am back at work after a "great weekend" on a personal level but on an emotional level a "devastating" weekend.

I am sitting here at work listening to the radio, listening to what one could only describe as horrific and unimaginable to the average person. I cannot even begin to imagine what the people living in the fire stricken areas are going through and to be honest, wouldn't even know where to begin.

Currently Victoria is living through what has been recorded as our worst bushfire on record in modern history.

The current loss of life stands at 108 with many people still missing, presumed dead. Men, woman and children among that figure.

Complete towns being wiped out by the raging flames which fire fighters and volunteers are struggling to control. Towns that we have driven through, stopped and purchased things at especially when we are out in the 4WD.

My thoughts, wishes and prayers are with all those touched/affected by the bushfires. My heart reaches out to these people, families loosing their properties and all their belongings, farmers losing all their crops and livestock, basically their whole worlds. Not to mention all the family pets that have also been killed by the fires.

However the thing I find the saddest to comprehend is that there is suspicion that some or many of the fires have been deliberately lit. How could anyone in their right minds consider doing such a inhuman thing as lighting a fire especially during our summer, which has been unbelievably hot and humid this year? If caught, the monster or monsters face a minimum of 15 years just for lighting the fires, but this would undoubtedly increase due to all of the lives lose - all of the "MURDER".

Driving to work this morning, the reality of it hit home. The area near where I work was also afftected and is now black in places and at 8am this morning still smoldering here and there. The residents surrounding the quarry actually took refuge inside the open space of the quarry, bringing family, belongings, pets and even horses to the safe haven. Both these photos are at the end of the street where I work.... sad isn't it. Even at 4.30pm on Monday afternoon the CFA were still dousing small fires.


My supervisor at work, Rod, isn't at work today. He has spent the whole weekend facing the fires as he is a CFA Volunteer. I spoke to him yesterday, and although tired he was okay but I must say it was really good to hear his voice. He has rung into work again today so thankfully all is still well with him. From what I understand he is actually fighting the fire that is threatening the town where he lives. Also my boss is on edge listening to the radio as fire is threatening area near his house.

As for us, besides watching many news broadcasts we did manage to have a good family weekend. Saturday night we went to Julien and Deb's house for "thankyou for helping us move" bbq. It was a good night and as it was such a hot day, it was really nice not to have to cook. Saying that I did make two salads, a Roast Pumpkin Salad and Crunchy Asian Salad, but they were definately not too difficult. The kids had lots of fun as there was quite a few kids there. We left quite late, probably too early if you ask Noel, but I worked in the morning and was very tired.

Sunday was just a day at home, doing the usual cleaning etc but also did quite a lot of cooking. There was a fair amount of laughter even though having the tv on in the background added a touch of sadness to the air. The kids played on the computer - god only knows what games they have downloaded this time! Sunday dinner was Peking Duck and yes we actually cooked the duck ourselves. Quite fiddly and to be honest, easier to buy in Springvale. Alex and I also made Raspberry Brownie Slice, which I think everyone enjoyed, and I know the kids were thrilled at the prospect of actually taking cake to school for morning tea (trust me that's a rare event in itself!)

As I said my thoughts are with all the fire-affected families.......

Irresistable......

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Who could resist these two??? I know that I cannot!! But I am being a little one-sided I think.

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These photo's were taken down at the Balnarring Picnic Races on Australia Day (Jan 26th). Thankfully the weather was nice but not as hot as it was the days to follow.... reaching +40 deg C is not my kind of a joke!!
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I cannot believe my little man is now 10 turning 11 in March. He is in his final year of primary (junior) school and very cheeky but not as cheeky as his sister! It's a strange time at the moment as he is growing. There is that hint of modesty, you know "mam don't look" or closing the bedroom door to get changed, putting on deoderant before getting dressed and then there is the lovingness and innocence of him still being a child. He is begrudgingly playing U11's football this year, but I am not sure if he doesn't want to play or it's the fear of being able to tackle that's worrying him. I believe it to be the later but I am sure he will confide in either Noel or myself soon. He has a newfound love of tennis and wants to do that, so that's an option to look into I suppose.

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Alex on the other hand will be turning 7 in March but one, would at times, think she has been here before or a hell of a lot older!! She is nothing short of being a little chatterbox, even talks and giggles in her sleep. She is starting to develop a love of cooking.. definately follows in mine and Noel's footsteps and forever wants to help out around the house (another good thing!) Alex will also be playing junior football as well this year in the U9's and I think secretly she is excited at the whole concept though she denies it. She has done 3 years of Auskick and excelled.
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Overall it should be an exciting year ahead for them and for us as parents.....

All is good.....

My cherubs survived their first day back at school!! I never thought there was going to be an issue yesterday but as a mam I suppose there is always that little bit of worry for them.

Alex loves Mrs M and the thrill of being a "big girl" at school now being in the middle levels. She came home and explained what the subject they are focussing on this term and that is Australia. Then she went on to tell us in detail everything else she did for the day.

Oliver, on the otherhand, when asked "how his first day was?" replied "good" and that was it! In typical Oliver fashion as he isn't that fond of school. A few more questions later a little more information was released but it was like pulling teeth. But we found out that he likes his new teacher so that is a start. I don't think he was too impressed with having homework on his first day though!

We'll have to see what they say when they get home tonight!

Back to school and back to ROUTINE!

Today is the first day at school for my two little darlin's with one, Alex of course, being excited and awake, teeth brushed, hair brushed, bag packed and asking if it was time to leave all by 6.30am while the other, Oliver, stayed in bed and if he could that is where he would have stayed.

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Both have new teachers and are in new levels. Alex is in Grade 3 and has Mrs M, who Oliver had for both Grade 3 & 4 so I am sure she will find the difference between the two of them refreshing! It's Grade 6 for Oliver this year and he has Ms V. He was moved over to the other 5/6 grade, I am usure as to why, but he is happy with the change. Maybe the change will be as good as a holiday for him??

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As for me I revelled in the fact that today was the first day of being back into ROUTINE. I love routine. We work better with routine. So this morning 5.30am the alarm went off (which allowed me a few minutes of lying there gathering my thoughts) then it was like clockwork. Sandwiches made for all four of us, lunchboxes packed, uniforms ready and waiting for bodies, showers had, school bags and my bag packed, all done and out the door by 6.55am! The children can be left at Before School Care at 7am which is great as I start work at 8am.

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Either Noel or myself will pick them up from school depending on work commitments, etc, tonight Noel will pick them up. For me Monday's is Weight Watchers and I know this week I have a doctors appointment at 5pm also (just to check my BP).

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Normally the kids do their homework when we get in - depending on who has picked them up it can be anywhere between 4.30pm and 5.30pm by the time we walk through the front door. There is no TV or playstation during the school week. The evening routine is just as frantic as the morning and we try in hope to get dinner on the table by no later than 6.30pm, thankfully Noel loves to cook also so that is a great help. If I am running late he will start getting things ready. So needless to say weeknight dinners need to be quick and easy. Then after dinner it's shower and bed by 8.30pm but 8pm if they want to read a book etc.

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Now I know that it doesn't sound all that exciting especially for the kids but come Friday night the weekends are all about them. As most of you know I normally work on Saturday morning but honestly, this gives Noel one 0n one time with them, which he doesn't get when he is chin deep in overtime or night shift. We try to make the weekends fun and do something that interests them. And of course we try to catch up with our family and friends.

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So there you have it - the happenings of the House of Murray. Busy times but fun times and my beloved ROUTINE...