I'm not a Mum.....I'm an Aunty!!!

Shortbread Time!!!

2010-04-23T07:55:00.000-07:00

the best shortbread on the block!!!

see more at thebestfoodontheblog.blogspot.com

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2010-04-11T23:34:00.000-07:00

In Melbourne, in Chaos!!!!

2010-03-06T22:06:00.000-08:00

How to be Calm in the middle of Chaos:

Surrender & Accept the situation
Focus & Trust your intuition
Move into action & Make decisions on the run
Take the lead and hope others will follow!

What an incredible experience we had yesterday in Melbourne!!!

I wanted to go to Melbourne to do a workshop, so we decided to jump on a train and go to Melbourne for the day - sounds simple enough, but living approx. 4 hours drive from Melbourne makes it a bit of a challenge if you have to rely on public transport, not only to get to Melbourne but to get through the suburbs of Melbourne to where we had to go......but we thought we'd give it a go just to see how it works.....can't be too hard...?
Well, it was just fun, fun, fun from the start!
Considering when we got on the train, we couldn't even get into our carriage, let alone our seats [- there was a group of elderly people who didn't understand English, blocking the entrance with their suitcases and confused about how to manage themselves] we perhaps should have taken that as a warning of what was to come!!! We didn't let that deter us or think anything was unusual we just went into the next carriage, which was almost completely empty and sat ourselves down in an empty 3 seater where we could stretch out and relax and enjoy the trip.

We arrived in Melbourne on time, and quickly found our way to the suburban platforms where we could catch a Frankston bound train to Highett. We got off at Highett where we would supposedly catch our 1st bus to Southland and then once there, we would look for our 2nd bus........well, as luck has it, I asked a nice lady on the street if she knew where the bus stop was? She asked me where exactly did we have to go, so after telling her our destination, she suggested we jump in her car and she'll drive us there! Whoopee!!!
So thankfully, we got a lift right to the door from our new acquaintance, and just as well, as their didn't seem to be any buses in sight.....I was very grateful, but unfortunately the address I asked her to write down for me, [so that I could send her a thank you card] got washed away with the rain.....but at least we had made it in time for my workshop!

[...and again, as luck has it, I looked her up on the internet and eventually found her on facebook!]

We even had time to have a cuppa and eat the rest of our home-made sandwiches, before I got into my glass seminar and Franz went for a walk back to Southland (about an hours walk away!) The glass workshop was in a shed with a tin roof, so when the rain started (quite a novelty for me - living in a drought-stricken area - don't get to hear rain that much - and definitely NOT that MUCH at once!!!!) I looked up a few times out the window to see the huge deluge and it was making such a noise!!! It was the most deafening of sounds and such a humongous storm and the thought of Franz walking back to meet me nearly sent me into a panic, but I just put my attention back to my work, head down and continued to concentrate on what I was doing and trust that he will work out what to do....we were in the middle of an industrial area, so unless he managed to get a cab/taxi at the shopping centre he would be awfully wet and maybe injured from the tennis ball sized hail stones that were falling from the sky so ferrociously.....but what could I do?......back to my glass and trust.....!
that was all happening up until about 3pm

[I'm writing this in instalments; so this is a gap of time to be filled in as I remember and have time to fill it in.......]

after 4pm
We had no idea what was happening when we found ourselves in the middle of the 'Melbourne Chaos' yesterday - on a suburban train going to Southern Cross to connect with our country train to Swan Hill - then suddenly it stops (@ Caulfield station) and an announcement came over saying that '...the tracks were blocked and we couldn't go any further, and we all had to get off the train and find our own way!' It was unbelievable.... here we were stuck at Caulfield and we had to catch our homeward train at 5.35pm or wait 24hours for the next one!!!.......I just took one look back at Franz and said 'follow me!' and lucky he was wearing a bright red t-shirt as it was then easy for me to find him amongst the hundreds of people now scrambling toward the road to look for a tram or bus or taxi! It was obvious we weren't the only ones wanting to get to Southern Cross, there were people with suitcases, and I offered a couple of people the chance to share a taxi with us (if we could get one!)....but most people just wanted to keep moving......naturally a lot were confused but at the same time incredibly calm and focused, friendly & polite.....we all knew we had to get somewhere, and everyone was handling it in their own ways and moving toward their goal of getting a ride to somewhere!
No buses, not a tram in site, and of course NO taxis to be seen, and just as we were wondering what to do next...a taxi came out of NOwhere and I gave one look at Franz and called "just jump out on the road and get it!!!" Well, it worked! (must've been that bright red t-shirt) the taxi stopped and we jumped in and I could hear faintly 'no I'm going with this lady!' as we collected a grateful 'fare-sharer' along the way!
We were happy, we were dry and our lovely Punjabi taxi driver was just the best saviour you could ever hope or wish for! He was a dream and although he was also astounded by the events unfolding before us, and having genuine concern for all the stranded people, he took it all in his stride and had a plan from the beginning to get us there one way or another.......all we could do was just surrender (ie. it was completely out of our control!) and enjoy the ride and trust we would get there!!!!

fotos: http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery

More Photos:

Hailstones hit Melbourne!

Complete Chaos in Melbourne!!

Stunning pictures as wild weather hits Melbourne!!!

The journey into the city was another adventure, but in the end we got there.....to be continued!

Great to be home!

My Blue Pendant with Blue Glass Beads

2010-02-25T03:51:00.000-08:00

Knight in Clay!

2010-02-24T14:09:00.000-08:00

Our Sweet Niece's gorgeous boy!

1st Day of School ♥ Knight

2010-01-29T22:34:00.000-08:00

Knight - keen & ready to go!

1st Day of School ♥ Leo

2010-01-29T22:32:00.000-08:00

Leo's first day of School...supported by big sister, Lily ♥

Videos for Nan

2010-01-29T21:59:00.000-08:00

Find more videos like this on Love being a mother

Find more videos like this on Love being a mother

Find more videos like this on Love being a mother

So I married a Sculptor!

2010-01-16T17:42:00.000-08:00

Some of my husband's Clay Sculptures

And here are some really 'cool sculptures' from China!

I found these wonderful photos on Elizabeth Kain's Blog

Elizabeth Kain: Seattleite in Hong Kong

Beyond Awesome!!

See more amazing sculptures.....

....and ice castles here @
Harbin Ice & Snow Sculpture in China

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Great day at Tocumwal!

2010-01-09T19:31:00.000-08:00

What a nice little town Tocumwal is!
We had a lovely 'family' visit over at Tocumwal on Tuesday,
where we went to visit my nephew, who was up from Melbourne visiting his father!

Here are a few pics for you:

My Sister Barb and her son Ryan, enjoying a fun time!

Me, with my sister and nephew in the background

Mum, Ryan, Jan & John Clark (Ryan's dad and his wife)

Franz, Mum and Barb

Franz enjoying the Artwork in Tocumwal

Beautiful murals in the main street of Tocumwal

Where's Tocumwal? Up from Koonoomoo!

Hello to Hamish

2010-01-07T18:55:00.001-08:00

This is Hamish, he thinks he lives here...

Today is number 8!

2010-01-04T07:14:00.000-08:00

OK, time to get back into it!
A number 8 day is all about: Organization, business and commerce, immortality, resurrection, new beginnings, success/failure, and The Goddess or Gaia as the Great Mother.

03.01.2010

2010-01-03T20:01:00.000-08:00

Today is a number 7 day!

A day of introspection, peace and quiet,

and a little bit of isolation thrown in!
Another good day for reflection, and review! Whereas yesterday was more about enjoyment and relaxation, today is more for spending a quiet day on your own. The extended family that may have come together for the Christmas and New Year celebrations start to go back home, and you can enjoy a bit of quiet time with yourself or your own family.

02.01.2010

2010-01-02T19:48:00.000-08:00

The second day of 2010 is a number 6...

A day of Love, harmony, connection, perfection, family, tolerance, public service, and servitude to others. A good day to celebrate, catch up with old friends, join in the fun and festivities before getting back to a normal routine. A good time to relax and start to tweak some of your plans and ideas for the future! Mull over some of the ideas you have and write down your goals for the year, the month or the week! Any start is a good start, and taking small steps will get you on your way!
Remember:
'Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, you can achieve!'
[quote from Napolean Hill... among others]

2010 - the Year of Opportunity!

2010-01-01T20:27:00.000-08:00

Love that a new year is here! I just love new years...
It's just so refreshing, even though it is 'just another day' it brings with it such a positive feeling, a collective force of energy all around the world, rejoicing the break of a new day, a new year, and a new decade..... that one can't help feelng at least a little buzz of optimism! It is not the time for making the same old resolutions that don't work, (and only serve to make us feel bad!) but a time for reviewing, planning, dreaming, creating, and generally getting ready for a fresh 'new start'.
The buzz on twitter and facebook certainly shows that is the case anyway and I can really attest to feeling it!
Photo Courtesy of Flickr

Today is a number 5:
Exciting, changeable and a good day for seeking new things. It's about new directions, change and adventure! Enjoy!!!

I hope you all enjoy this exciting New Year
and I genuinely desire that we can all look forward to a brighter, sunnier, joyful, refreshing and abundant 2010!

My new 'Zen for 2010' is: 'breathe.......breathe in SUCCESS and breathe out LOVE'

What are your plans for 2010? Share with me some of your hopes and aspirations for the next decade....2010 a year of opportunity!

Happy New Year 2010 !!!

2009-12-31T07:33:00.001-08:00

What a beautiful transition!!!!!
2009 is over and 2010 has begun, with such an entrance and spectacular night sky from Mother Nature!!!
Heavenly Rain, which we so rarely see, thunder with such a roar, lightning to compete with the fireworks and all at the stroke of midnight!!!
Mother Nature, the greatest Mothers of all gave us a Divine performance to welcome the New Year in!

2010 is gonna be a good one, and I predict we will feel the joy again and again in 2010~!

How do you feel?

2009-12-30T20:14:00.000-08:00

I wonder....are you OK with not being a Mum?

It just occurred to me that perhaps there are a lot of 'non-mums' out there who are suffering, who are NOT happy with not being a mum, or who are trying so hard to be a mum, please share your thoughts if you feel like it, I would love to hear how it is for you...if it helps to share it that is.

I'm not a Mum, I have a Mum.... and I love MUMS!!!

2009-12-30T18:49:00.000-08:00

Although I'm not a Mum, I'm sure I'd be an OK Mum if I were one! ...and I think it needs to be said from the outset, that I certainly don't have anything against Mums! I am not a Mum because it just never happened, not by choice or because I don't like children, or for any other conscious decision, it just didn't happen!

Mum's are great! I love all the Mums I know; but I don't envy them and I don't feel any regrets; I accept and enjoy who I am!
And as I said, I do think I would have been an OK Mum, and there are times I am glad that I'm not a Mum, but I just wanted to mention that I love mums and I don't have any hangups etc. about Mums, or mum's clubs, or mum's groups, blogs etc., etc.!!!

I am a strong, confident, powerful, loving, creative woman and I look forward to sharing my thoughts and life with you, and hopefully hearing from other women (mums and non-mums!) how they experience their daily lives!

looking forward to hearing from you soon :o)

I'm a stay at home working woman, but I'm not a Mum!

2009-12-29T21:46:00.000-08:00

I could say "This is for you!! ...for all you 'non-mums' out there!" But that sounds too pretentious and it is really for me, as I can't speak for anyone else except me, and of course if anyone out there enjoys reading what I think or likes what I have to say that's 'good'.... but I won't lose any sleep if you don't like what I say or if you disagree with me for any reason, because that's your prerogative, (must look that word up!). At the same time, I don't want to generalise or imply that I have all the answers, I don't! So, this is just a Blog about Me and who I think I am!
So why it's called ''I'm not a mum'' ? .....because I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about how there are so many 'mum's clubs/groups/networks/blogs/webpages etc., out there, and so I thought it was time to start one for the non-mums! Not that I think 'we' are not welcome in the mum's groups, I am currently a member of a few, but just the fact that I'm 'not a mum' makes me feel a bit awkward at times when discussion about being one, comes up and so I am proclaiming my 'not a mum' title with pride (but no prejudice!)
And hey, for whatever reason there are a LOT of us who don't have children!
So this is a gesture for any 'non-mums' who may feel the need to have a niche especially for them!
Naturally as one gets older, one gets used to not having kids or being a Mum, and I'm totally fine with 'not being a mum' (so why did i start this blog - you may well ask!) and except for starting this blog, I never usually give it a second thought, but I do know there are a lot of women 'out there' who are NOT fine with not being a mum.....and that started to concern me.....well, I could say:
"Time to stop feeling like you're missing something and time to start gaining some creative power back" .....but it is not so black and white!

So, for whatever reason that you may identify with not being a mum, I'd just like to congratulate you and welcome you aboard, and just because you are 'you' makes you special. You deserve to feel good about yourself (just in case you aren't feeling ok) so if you're not please feel free to leave comments and discuss your feelings and thoughts and maybe we can help each other on our journey.