I have to say it. I LOVE MY FAMILY!

I owe my parents a water tank full of gratitude and probably a lot more.   They have let me move back home.  This has been such a blessing for me as I have been able to work part time so I can finish my writing course.  If I wasn't able to move back home then I would have had to quit my course.  Therefore they are wonderful!    I have a pretty good relationship with my parents.  My mum is a bit of a nutter although my father holds her in check, much to her annoyance at times.  I am told by my siblings that I am my father's "Golden Child".  Completely untrue. My theory is that I have a similar personality to my mother and the interests of my father therefore I get along with more ease than my siblings because they all have similar personalities to my father and interests of my mother.    

I know it's been said before but my sisters are my best friends.  I have one older and one younger and I love them dearly.  My older sister is my second mum, my encouragement and she embraces me unconditionally.   My younger sister is the entertainer, pushes me to try new things and humours me when I mother her.  I'm 32 and she is 27 and I still hold her hand when we cross the road.  She used to try to pull away but I think she has given up and just lets me do it.  I'm not sure what her husband thinks of it.   We share lots of giggles, clothes, tea, chocolate and books.   They both give me what I need, different but the same, and I hope I do the same for them.  

My brother calls me at least twice a week just to say hi and see how I am.   His most repeated quote in connection with me is "You smell like a donkey".   Enough said.

My nieces and nephews are a delightful bunch.  Ranging from 9 down to 2 they each have there own little quirks and interesting personalities.   One must always where socks to bed in cold or hot weather.  She won't sleep otherwise.   Another is desperate to reach puberty and any sign of hair on his body makes him rub his hands together and say "I think I'm hitting puuuuberrrtyyyy!"   Another still is a little melodramatic and spends most of his time harrumphing in a corner or steam rolling over his sister.   Yet another spends all her days changing into one fairy dress after another and making sure all the outfits she wears not only match in colour but also in the same tones of that colour, right down to socks and knickers.   

I have in-laws too which are all different form each other and I love them all.

I consider myself blessed with my very special family.

Did I offend you?

There are just some things that irk me more than others.  In this instance it's the misuse of words both in speech and the written form.  Be aware that I myself fall victim at one time or another (not with these particular issues but others) and berate myself for my weakness, however, I do my darnedest to avoid these trappings.   I'm really not sure if this is just something that happens in Australia, I think it may be, only because it flows from Australian slang.   

The following list makes me shudder, roll my eyes and sigh in disgust:

• you's instead of you all.  e.g., What are you's guys doing? or How are you's?
• should've been written as should of e.g. You should of seen it, instead of, You should have seen it.
• Calling people Shazza, Daz, Kaz instead of Sharon, Darren and Karen.  Therefore no children of mine will EVER be called these or similar names.   

I also cannot abide the use of these phrases:

• It is what it is
• At the end of the day ....

I do apologise if my comments offend you and suggest you try another blog. 

My animal friends

These are the animals that my stories are based on.  They each have their own personality and quirks 

which is what I love about them.

This is Rosie.  She cries when she wants you to give her a pat and will follow you around the farm.

This fellow here in the middle is Naughty.  Aptly named for his behaviour.   He pushes through the fence on a regular basis and has learnt how to unlock the gate and let himself into the yard to eat my father's plants and get to the bags of bread in the barn.  He is quite greedy when it comes to bread but is also happy to follow you around and let you scratch him.   He snorts at you when he sees you in the yard and answers to his name.   The little girl beside him on the left is Georgie who will only eat bread if you hand feed her.  You could drop a piece of bread right in front of her and she won't eat.  The little guy on the right is just unfortunate looking and has no name.

Things that I would like to say but I won't because that's just mean.

• What did you do to your hair?  UGH!  It looks like you let a rat chew the ends.  And the colour!  Did the rat wee on your head once it finished eating?  You paid HOW much for it?

• I've decided I'm not going to listen to you for several reasons.  

1. You bore me.
2. Your breath stinks and you stand far too close.
3. You're an idiot.
4. I'm not interested in discussing the trauma you went through during the birth of your children.

• You've been introduced to me as if I should know you.  I don't.  I can't even put a face to the name.   Is there a purpose to this meeting?  Do you have any clue why we have been introduced?   I don't like the look of you.  This conversation is over. 

• If you are trying to repulse me you are doing a great job.  

I realise that I appear to be quite a horrible person but please remember the title of this blog.    Rest assured though there could be more to add.

I have chosen a few more of my favourite photos from my travels.  One place in particular left me quite speechless.  I felt a real sense of coming home and was reluctant to leave the area.   These photos show Glencoe and surrounding areas in Scotland.    I was quite inspired and just wanted to sit somewhere in this beauty, bury my head in paper and write page after page of a novel that was forming in my mind while I was there.   I guess to sum it up in one word - while sounding terribly cliched- is BREATH-TAKING!  

Oh the places we go!

I went on a Mediterranean and European holiday for two months last year and among the many shots that were taken there were a few that stood out.   The photos are of local people and I think that's why I love these so much.  

The trendiest hobo in Paris. 

 Really enjoyed this guy's music in Cartagena, Spain.

She was enjoying an ice cream at 9:30 in the morning in Monte Carlo. 

This was in York, England.

Ah Correspondence!

Thought I would add random correspondence my sisters and I have written to each other in previous years.  They are quite entertaining and always bring a smile and a giggle.

Dearest Mother and Sisters,
I do hope this missive finds you all in good health.  It has been quite vexing to have you all together while I am so far away from your charming company.   I do loathe the absence of all your company and also any tidbits of information I may garner from you!   Perhaps we may all unite during the Easter festivities and luxuriate in many a cup of tea and joyful moment.  I must tell you that I find purchasing a mode of transportation most irksome.  The decisions and choices! Oh my! Large or small, roof top or no, black or green.  Most taxing indeed! I feel faint just writing to you regarding it.   I am so pleased that Father has agreed to alleviate some of the pressure during this time.    I must end here for my maid has come to dress me for the dinner hour.
With great love and affection,
Your sister Kirsten.

Step lively Madam!

I'm a firm believer that everyone has a walking song.  This is a tune that naturally fits the rhythm of your steps as you walk.  My problem is that I haven't worked out what this tune is yet.    Another One Bites The Dust by Queen pops up when I am out walking for exercise because I like to step lively but I haven't confirmed that as my definite walking song.   I think it may be Catalania by Bert Kaempfert but I will need to go for a walk to check that one again.    I take small steps so my song is a little faster than others may be. What I really need to do is take my iPod with me and go through my list.   What is your walking song?

Step 1.

I thought starting a blog would be easier than what it is.  Maybe I'm just stupid because I am really having difficulty getting this all to work.  Give me a week and I will be a pro but for now you will have to bare with me.  By the time I tell anyone I have a blog I will probably have gotten rid of this post (can I even do that?) and this will all be old hat. We'll see.   I must tell you that I have decided to do a blog because I want to tell all the world about all the things I think are wonderful, terrible and mediocre.