I am packing today for the wedding of Tim's cousin in Melbourne.
First- I pack my pretty, summery pink dress with the deeper pink flowers which is what I really want to wear but know I will be too cold in it. I pack it anyway
Second- I pack my lovely multi-coloured pashmena- which unfortunately doesn't really go with my pink dress
Third- I pack my gray sequened top with my black skirt which does go with my pashmena
Fourth- I pack my my dress jacket- just in case it is too cold for just the pashmena
Fifth- I pack my silver shoes. Silver goes with everything- yay!
Sixth- I pack my jewlery which of course goes perfectly with the pink dress but will be okay with my other outfit.
Seventh- I pack Tim's blue shirt, black pants, jacket, and blue rose tie. The outfit he can and will wear rain, hail or 40 degrees. The same outfit he has worn to every wedding since I've known him with the exception of our own.
The only time I've ever wished that I was a man.
love B
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Cleaning
I hate cleaning.
I will say it again, I hate cleaning!
But I do it anyway...some of the time.
I have done some much cleaning this week! The clothes that have been in boxes are finally in shelves, the spare room is no longer the dumping ground of household clutter, and the study...well, that's next weeks project! And Saturday, the kitchen was tidied- the dishwasher emptied and stacked, I cooked almost everything I had intended to cook that week, and I even took the rubbish out. Ordinarily Tim stacks the dish washer and takes out the rubbish but he'd had a super full on week at College and so I thought I'd give him a break.
And I came home on Sunday- my full-on ministry day. Came home at 9pm, cooked tea and thought- the dishwasher needs emptying.
I think that's why I hate cleaning. It's such a constant task. You work hard, you get everything exactly how you want it- and then just by living a normal messy life you have to start over again. And the dishwasher you neatly stack...well the very act of stacking it means that it then has to be un-stacked.
Yet, as I began to unstack, I remembered my initial excitement when Mum (who was in Sydney before we moved up and checked out our place) told me that there was a dishwasher. When I realised what a blessing that would be. When I knew how much easier it would be to have people over. When I knew how much cleaner our house could be, if we didn't spend all that time doing dishes by hand. And I felt a bit silly. How easy to take things for granted. God had blessed us with this unexpected bonus- this tool for making the things I find so hard about being a wife that little bit easier...and I was complaining about unstacking.
I hate cleaning. But I'm getting better at doing it anyway.
love B
I will say it again, I hate cleaning!
But I do it anyway...some of the time.
I have done some much cleaning this week! The clothes that have been in boxes are finally in shelves, the spare room is no longer the dumping ground of household clutter, and the study...well, that's next weeks project! And Saturday, the kitchen was tidied- the dishwasher emptied and stacked, I cooked almost everything I had intended to cook that week, and I even took the rubbish out. Ordinarily Tim stacks the dish washer and takes out the rubbish but he'd had a super full on week at College and so I thought I'd give him a break.
And I came home on Sunday- my full-on ministry day. Came home at 9pm, cooked tea and thought- the dishwasher needs emptying.
I think that's why I hate cleaning. It's such a constant task. You work hard, you get everything exactly how you want it- and then just by living a normal messy life you have to start over again. And the dishwasher you neatly stack...well the very act of stacking it means that it then has to be un-stacked.
Yet, as I began to unstack, I remembered my initial excitement when Mum (who was in Sydney before we moved up and checked out our place) told me that there was a dishwasher. When I realised what a blessing that would be. When I knew how much easier it would be to have people over. When I knew how much cleaner our house could be, if we didn't spend all that time doing dishes by hand. And I felt a bit silly. How easy to take things for granted. God had blessed us with this unexpected bonus- this tool for making the things I find so hard about being a wife that little bit easier...and I was complaining about unstacking.
I hate cleaning. But I'm getting better at doing it anyway.
love B
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Slacko BG
Oh, I'm so naughty!
It's been ages since I've posted. The reason is kind of sad. I felt like I should do a blog post about the fires- but everytime I tried it just didn't sound right. I was so sad about it- but not sure how best to put it into words. So I didn't post.
But I do feel so very sad for those who lost homes/lives. It made me miss Victoria so much, I wanted to be there with those I love.
But instead I am here in Sydney...and keeping pretty busy too.
Today I had to laugh. One of my favourite scene's from the movie "Little Women" is when the Professor meets Jo and knows she's a writer. She's don't know why, until he points out the ink on her fingers- the tell tale sign. I think I always liked it because I wanted to be a writer too, and I always have inky hands (usually because I chew the ends of my pens and they leak but lets just pretend it's because I'm a writer).
Well, today I had to laugh. I was sorting through some paint containers from playgroup and in the process my hands took on a multi-coloured nature that I couldn't wash away. I just laughed, looked at my hands and thought "I must be a Children's worker".
I think I'm starting to really love my job! But it does tire me out. I'm more and more thankful for the privelege of four days a week. It means I can fit in College related things which is appearing to be really important. I'm still getting to see many of my dear College friends- and have joined a College wives Bible study which should be a great encouragement. I feel so thankful for the decision that we made for me to work and not study...not that I should be surprised. God knew all along!
The wedding season is about to kick in- with two lightening trips down to Melbourne for Tim's cousin and Tim's sisters wedding. It should be lots of fun. Hopefully I will be able to stalk some pictures off facebook to put here when they happen ;)
Anyway- that's enough for tonight. One day I will get back to thoughtful posts instead of just updates. One day...
love B
It's been ages since I've posted. The reason is kind of sad. I felt like I should do a blog post about the fires- but everytime I tried it just didn't sound right. I was so sad about it- but not sure how best to put it into words. So I didn't post.
But I do feel so very sad for those who lost homes/lives. It made me miss Victoria so much, I wanted to be there with those I love.
But instead I am here in Sydney...and keeping pretty busy too.
Today I had to laugh. One of my favourite scene's from the movie "Little Women" is when the Professor meets Jo and knows she's a writer. She's don't know why, until he points out the ink on her fingers- the tell tale sign. I think I always liked it because I wanted to be a writer too, and I always have inky hands (usually because I chew the ends of my pens and they leak but lets just pretend it's because I'm a writer).
Well, today I had to laugh. I was sorting through some paint containers from playgroup and in the process my hands took on a multi-coloured nature that I couldn't wash away. I just laughed, looked at my hands and thought "I must be a Children's worker".
I think I'm starting to really love my job! But it does tire me out. I'm more and more thankful for the privelege of four days a week. It means I can fit in College related things which is appearing to be really important. I'm still getting to see many of my dear College friends- and have joined a College wives Bible study which should be a great encouragement. I feel so thankful for the decision that we made for me to work and not study...not that I should be surprised. God knew all along!
The wedding season is about to kick in- with two lightening trips down to Melbourne for Tim's cousin and Tim's sisters wedding. It should be lots of fun. Hopefully I will be able to stalk some pictures off facebook to put here when they happen ;)
Anyway- that's enough for tonight. One day I will get back to thoughtful posts instead of just updates. One day...
love B
Friday, February 6, 2009
Working Four days
Yesterday was the test.
When I was approached about the possibility of working at our church, it was only going to be able to be a four day job. Tim and I ummed and arrd (is that how you spell it ;) about me perhaps doing a day of study, or working on the other day- but seeing as we could afford for me not to- it was decided that it would be better if I just worked four days.
And suddenly open to me was an amazing possibility that I could dedicate half a day a week to fiction writing. I know that doesn't sound that exciting- and many a weeks will find me spending that much time on my story anyway. But a whole half day- dedicated- where I do nothing else. A set time which is my writing time. It just seems so authorial and cool!
Yesterday was the test.
I've been working for three weeks. The first week I worked 5 days a week, so that during the second week I could work 3 days and have a night away with Tim for our anniversary. So yesterday was the first day to try it.
What was it like?
It was strange.
Firstly, I was a lot more critical of my own work. I kept writing things and thinking things like "This is just rubbish, why am i bothering to set aside time for this", and "This is going to take me at least 5 more years to get this done and right. Is it worth it?". Dedicating time to it seems to give it a certain respect that I don't always think it deserves. Luckily Tim has read some and loved it- so I can always go to him for encouragement to persevere.
Secondly, having devoted time to it meant that I did things that are necessary for the story writing process but that I put off during my "free time" writing because they are frustrating and a little bit boring. One of the struggles I've had in my story is getting my head around both the history of the fictional nation around which my story is based, and to get some consistency in the timing of the actually events with in the story- particularly in relation to ages of characters. Because the whole thing spans 12 years- and various characters come in and out of the story- I need to make sure that their ages are consistent with what I want them to be able to do. Doesn't sound very exciting does it? But it's necessary, and so I spent two hours today putting together a timeline to keep it all together.
Thirdly, having this time meant that the story was rolling around in my head all day, and even some of the day before as I prepared for it. And last night I ended up staying up too late, doing some "fun" writing just because I'd been thinking about things I wanted to put on screen. Since I've found writing is 3 parts thinking 1 part writing- the more thinking I do, the more I am likely to be able to put on paper writing that is actually good. And it seems, the more time I set aside to write- the more thinking I do at other times.
So overall, i am satisfied with this first stage of the experiment and look forward to next week.
Written so far:48 pages (not all yesterday!)- number to go...who knows ;)
love B
When I was approached about the possibility of working at our church, it was only going to be able to be a four day job. Tim and I ummed and arrd (is that how you spell it ;) about me perhaps doing a day of study, or working on the other day- but seeing as we could afford for me not to- it was decided that it would be better if I just worked four days.
And suddenly open to me was an amazing possibility that I could dedicate half a day a week to fiction writing. I know that doesn't sound that exciting- and many a weeks will find me spending that much time on my story anyway. But a whole half day- dedicated- where I do nothing else. A set time which is my writing time. It just seems so authorial and cool!
Yesterday was the test.
I've been working for three weeks. The first week I worked 5 days a week, so that during the second week I could work 3 days and have a night away with Tim for our anniversary. So yesterday was the first day to try it.
What was it like?
It was strange.
Firstly, I was a lot more critical of my own work. I kept writing things and thinking things like "This is just rubbish, why am i bothering to set aside time for this", and "This is going to take me at least 5 more years to get this done and right. Is it worth it?". Dedicating time to it seems to give it a certain respect that I don't always think it deserves. Luckily Tim has read some and loved it- so I can always go to him for encouragement to persevere.
Secondly, having devoted time to it meant that I did things that are necessary for the story writing process but that I put off during my "free time" writing because they are frustrating and a little bit boring. One of the struggles I've had in my story is getting my head around both the history of the fictional nation around which my story is based, and to get some consistency in the timing of the actually events with in the story- particularly in relation to ages of characters. Because the whole thing spans 12 years- and various characters come in and out of the story- I need to make sure that their ages are consistent with what I want them to be able to do. Doesn't sound very exciting does it? But it's necessary, and so I spent two hours today putting together a timeline to keep it all together.
Thirdly, having this time meant that the story was rolling around in my head all day, and even some of the day before as I prepared for it. And last night I ended up staying up too late, doing some "fun" writing just because I'd been thinking about things I wanted to put on screen. Since I've found writing is 3 parts thinking 1 part writing- the more thinking I do, the more I am likely to be able to put on paper writing that is actually good. And it seems, the more time I set aside to write- the more thinking I do at other times.
So overall, i am satisfied with this first stage of the experiment and look forward to next week.
Written so far:48 pages (not all yesterday!)- number to go...who knows ;)
love B
Friday, January 30, 2009
So Long and so short!
Thursday was Tim and my 4 year anniversary. We had a lovely night away in the Hunter Valley- and despite the excitement of a little "creative" navigating on behalf of google maps- we had a wonderful time when we finally got there ;)
We were talking about how weird it seems that we are at four years. It seems both too long to be right, or too short.
Too long because four years to us sounds like so much time. Two Thirds of high school, all of Uni. Surely that much time can't have passed since our wedding day?
But then it also seems really short- because there is such a comfortable, normal, familiarity to our relationship that makes me think: "Only four years. I feel like we've been together like this forever".
I am very thankful to God for getting us through these last four years- still doing what we promised four years ago. And of course thankful for such a wonderful husband to begin with!
As to the rest of my life- my new job has started, and while I'm still feeling a little overwhelmed with new information and systems and jobs to do- I am very, very thankful that I have had God to help me through. Can't do ministry without him for some reason! Please pray for me, that I will serve him well in my new role.
love B
We were talking about how weird it seems that we are at four years. It seems both too long to be right, or too short.
Too long because four years to us sounds like so much time. Two Thirds of high school, all of Uni. Surely that much time can't have passed since our wedding day?
But then it also seems really short- because there is such a comfortable, normal, familiarity to our relationship that makes me think: "Only four years. I feel like we've been together like this forever".
I am very thankful to God for getting us through these last four years- still doing what we promised four years ago. And of course thankful for such a wonderful husband to begin with!
As to the rest of my life- my new job has started, and while I'm still feeling a little overwhelmed with new information and systems and jobs to do- I am very, very thankful that I have had God to help me through. Can't do ministry without him for some reason! Please pray for me, that I will serve him well in my new role.
love B
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Things I've learnt last year
A few people I've noticed have been listing the different things that they have learnt over the previous year. I thought I'd join in the fun!
1) That cockroaches are very, very fast. If you scream, call for your husband and panic- they will be gone long before he gets there to help. There isn't time to even decide what is the most prudent form of distruction. You just grab whatever is within reach and THWACK!
2) That, despite three years of expressing the contrary- having a tidy house is worth it. The lack of crazy 6am starts trying to madly get the place presentable for the guests that are coming over that night has been a rather pleasant change.
3) That of all Tim's wonderful characteristics- one of the most precious and least appreciated by me before last year is his ability to laugh me out of sadness.
4)That when you are struggling to trust God with your life- that's a great time (though there is no bad time!) to turn to the Gospels of Jesus and look at the character of God in the flesh.
5)That writing Fantasy is a great deal more complicated that I ever envisaged! I spent so much more time thinking about my story than actually writing- and I needed too! But its also heaps more fun than I thought it would be too.
6) That with God's help I can be self-controlled about eating.
7) That God really does provide. Not always in the way that I expected- but when I look back over the year that has been, I can see his loving care towards me and Tim.
Thankyou Father for 08. Amen
B
1) That cockroaches are very, very fast. If you scream, call for your husband and panic- they will be gone long before he gets there to help. There isn't time to even decide what is the most prudent form of distruction. You just grab whatever is within reach and THWACK!
2) That, despite three years of expressing the contrary- having a tidy house is worth it. The lack of crazy 6am starts trying to madly get the place presentable for the guests that are coming over that night has been a rather pleasant change.
3) That of all Tim's wonderful characteristics- one of the most precious and least appreciated by me before last year is his ability to laugh me out of sadness.
4)That when you are struggling to trust God with your life- that's a great time (though there is no bad time!) to turn to the Gospels of Jesus and look at the character of God in the flesh.
5)That writing Fantasy is a great deal more complicated that I ever envisaged! I spent so much more time thinking about my story than actually writing- and I needed too! But its also heaps more fun than I thought it would be too.
6) That with God's help I can be self-controlled about eating.
7) That God really does provide. Not always in the way that I expected- but when I look back over the year that has been, I can see his loving care towards me and Tim.
Thankyou Father for 08. Amen
B
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Another year in Sydney
I'm sitting in the study listening to the dulcet tones of machine guns and alien groans.
Tim is playing on his Xbox!
It's nice to be home. I hate to say that, because Sydney isn't really home, and if there is one things my last month in Melbourne has taught me its that Sydney isn't home. But Sydney is a nice place- it's where we have our stuff, it's where many of our friends live- and most importantly- it's where Tim and I live together. Its amazing how "at home" I feel sleeping in my own bed, using my own stuff, and knowing that I have my husband all to myself!
We'll, at least I only have to share him with the Xbox!
And there are so many fun things about living where we live. Last night we went out for our first cheap Thai meal of the year. Today we'll head down King St and grab some coffee while Tim reads and I prepare my kids talk for Sunday. And (I'm really embarrassed to admit this) I've already done my walk down Parramatta road to check out what's new in all the Wedding dress shop displays!
I've got a new job this year working at our church, coordinating the kid's and women's minsitry. This year there are so many things to be excited about, so many new challenges, and lots of things that petrify me.
My New Years resolution is to rejoice with those who rejoice and to morn with those who morn. Might sound a little strange- but as someone who gets wraped up in her own joys and sorrows and forgets the situation of others- it's going to be a massive challenge.
Here ends my first random ramble of the year.
love B
Tim is playing on his Xbox!
It's nice to be home. I hate to say that, because Sydney isn't really home, and if there is one things my last month in Melbourne has taught me its that Sydney isn't home. But Sydney is a nice place- it's where we have our stuff, it's where many of our friends live- and most importantly- it's where Tim and I live together. Its amazing how "at home" I feel sleeping in my own bed, using my own stuff, and knowing that I have my husband all to myself!
We'll, at least I only have to share him with the Xbox!
And there are so many fun things about living where we live. Last night we went out for our first cheap Thai meal of the year. Today we'll head down King St and grab some coffee while Tim reads and I prepare my kids talk for Sunday. And (I'm really embarrassed to admit this) I've already done my walk down Parramatta road to check out what's new in all the Wedding dress shop displays!
I've got a new job this year working at our church, coordinating the kid's and women's minsitry. This year there are so many things to be excited about, so many new challenges, and lots of things that petrify me.
My New Years resolution is to rejoice with those who rejoice and to morn with those who morn. Might sound a little strange- but as someone who gets wraped up in her own joys and sorrows and forgets the situation of others- it's going to be a massive challenge.
Here ends my first random ramble of the year.
love B
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