While I'm sure many of us here in the Southern Hemisphere have often wondered what it would be like to be lucky enough to experience a white Christmas, I'm also very surethis is not quite how we expected it to be.
Mind you all this rain and hail was dumped on us in a matter of an hour and during a balmy 29℃ afternoon!
We thought our street had been hit pretty hard…
At least it was, until we went down to check on my brother in-laws place and saw all this…
Hubby tried his best to make light of the situation, but of coarse there was no denying that the damage would be extensive.
Guys, clearly you need to be more specific if ever asking Santa for waterfront living.
So I'm pretty sure I may be getting a nervous breakdown for Christmas.
This Monday heralds the first of my fully booked 12 hour days right through to Friday - a feat which could well be the death of me.
I swore I wouldn't talk about work on here (conflicts of interest radi radi ra) but what the hey, lets live dangerously.
The thing is I'm actually not complaining (surprised? Me too), if anything I'm rather excited! A bit nervous, but excited.
All of my closest clients, who've become more like friends than patrons over the years, sharing their pre Christmas experiences while allowing me to primp and preen them all to perfection for the holidays.
Trailing in one after the other, filling my home with chatter and cheer.
Yes it's busy and I barely give myself time to stop and grab a bite in between but I love it!
I love the gossip, I love the smiles, I love the glistening array of freshly painted nails and glowing bodies parading out my door.
The exchange of Christmas cards and tokens of appreciation for each other are just the bonus star on the tree of contentment.
Yes, my dear friends, it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas xox
Past boyfriends in particular… inspired by the ones who got away.
(or missed out depending on how you look at it)
I worked hard to block out a lot of those years.
I managed to have so much boy trouble in such a short space of time yet now can barely remember the old songs I used to pine over.
I'm pretty sure I even made a mix tape which I gave to one old boyfriend during my reluctance to be broken up with. (the term "bunny boiler" comes to mind when I think of myself during that particular relationship.)
I've chosen to tie this post to Thea's theme as I was planning on sharing these songs to describe my current desire to move on from the old at this time of year anyway.
I always find as the old year draws to a close it brings with it a sense of reflection on the past and how far I've come. (If anywhere at all).
It could seem to me as though I've made no progress at all really…
The New Year sees us entering our 6th cycle of infertility.
Another Christmas without the fluttering joy at sharing this one with our very own special news.
and at once I knew, I was not magnificent...
While I could easily spend the holidays wallowing in self pity, that would be rather counterproductive. (and very un-Christmassy for all unfortunate enough to be involved)
Much like dwelling on my silliness during my teenage years, I instead choose to take comfort in knowing I've definitely learnt a thing or two about myself since then.
That through discomfort and disappointment comes immense growth and strength in character.
So in the spirit of moving on and moving up I give you; Shake It Out
Thankfully I saw my first dawn in the form of hubby's appearance in my life and at the tender age of 17.
While I'm still hoping to see the Sun rise in my life once again,
for that, at least, I consider myself very lucky.
Very lucky indeed.
Wish I'd known about this super cute sky blue version sooner. My favourite colour!!! - Swoon...
Firstly, I do love so so many things about Daydream Lily
(seriously, what's not to love?) but right now it's mostly because I am SO excited to have finally found out about the Four Corner Store - Thank you Liss!
Is it just me or am I always the last to know about such things?
Oh this wonderful world on-line, it never ceases to amaze me…
So anyway, I may have gone a little nuts on there aaaand I may have blown a bit too much of the Chrissy budget on MeMeMe goodies… well not that much really but then there wasn't that much left over in the kitty to spend...
Still, Merry Christmas to me!
Can't wait to play with my Kodak & Fuji Grab Bags, I even scored myself some Lucky film… yea I'm a silly sucker for gimmicks.
Now if only I could stop going through whole rolls in under a day!
p.s. if any of you are wondering what to get me for Christmas there's your clue *nudge nudge, wink wink*
So it seems the early bird gets the worm.
Even after just one night of umm-ing and ah-ing, that short bout of hesitation turned out to make my mind up for me.
The new Shadow Shot Sunday will be shared amongst four others at it's new home of… website to be announced this Sunday @Hey Harriet.
Oh well it's probably for the best as I was more than a little unsure of myself and wasn't 100% about the whole "sharing a meme" thing with so many others (I'm a greedy purple people meme eater).
So for now I'll take pleasure in the chance to dip a toe in the water by being a standby host, should the need arise, and leave the meme running to those with more experience and know-how.
I really do prefer to have the freedom to join in or butt out at will anyway…
And who knows, maybe down the line I'll get the guts to start my very own linky - Just as soon as I find something that'll spark enough interest for you all to join in on with me : )
Hmmm….
I have, what feels like, a really huge decision to make.
You all know how much I love joining in on memes….
ie: Much Love Monday, Wordless Wednesday, Polly Dolly, Sunday Sessions AND Shadow Shot Sunday to name but a few. Need I go on?
Tonight though I'm seriously thinking about taking that love one step further but am scared that I'll just manage to put my foot in it instead...
The ever lovely Tracy of Hey Harriet fame aka: Shadow Shot Sunday announced today that next Sunday will be her last one as host of this fabulous photography project.
I'm sure I wasn't the only one shocked and saddened at the prospect that it would all be over so soon.
Although technically it's been on going for the last 3 years, so many have only just begun to participate and lets face it we're selfish and never want it to end.
While a few have mentioned they'll continue the theme on their respective blogs, Tracy's put a call out for anyone who's brave enough to take up the challenge of running this meme in the future to contact her with their interest.
Cue: me and my foot…
Just as soon as I expressed my interest it instantly opened the flood gates of self doubt: Will I be able to commit to such a project every Sunday? Do I want to expose myself to so many new readers or am I happier within the safety of obscurity? Will I be judged as unworthy of filling such talented shoes? How will taking this on affect my blog either good or bad? I'm so new to all this blogging business what if I just totally suck at the whole thing and this makes my suckiness even more apparent…
But then I think; What do I really have to lose? If I'm sharing this responsibility with others then it's not such a burden right? And who said it's a burden anyway? This could be a wonderful opportunity to open myself and this humble little blog to a whole new level… I always said I wanted a theme… I could start a separate blog if I didn't want it to affect my personal stuff but then there's no reason I need to commit only to Sundays - I can still blog about my regular stuff on the other days.
Oh I'm making myself dizzy just writing about all this.
I do have a few days to mull it over so if all else fails I can simply say thanks but no thanks (and forever kick myself while merely participating in someone else's ability to be brave).
Aaahhh… What if, what if… my doubts will be the death of me.
I really want to take the leap but I'm scared… eek!
Tell me, if I started a Shadow Shot linky would you join?
This week I'm featuring some Chilled Out tunes for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
It's been quite the scorcher these past few days and now with the cool change upon us I'm dedicating the afternoon to reminiscing the weekends summery festivities… dumplings with friends till late, picnics by the water while watching the change roll in and cuddles in bed with a Summer storm crashing around and above me.
What are your favourite tunes to inspire a midsummer nights dream?
My apologies now to all my non-Greek readers but I simply had to share this amazing piece of history I found today while browsing through one of my cousins Facebook pages.
These old folk songs invoke so much emotion in me regardless of what they happen to be about.
The voices, the music, are so unique and sadly I'm not nearly as exposed to it here in Australia as I was when living in Greece.
(Despite Melbourne having the largest population of Greeks outside of Athens!)
Reveka
So I give a great big thank you to the special girl above who, when I saw her last, was merely a baby back in Greece yet now has blossomed into an insightful and intelligent young lady.
Bonding with her now as a young adult via Facebook (see, I don't just use it for stalking) I'm amazed that we've been worlds apart yet sharing similar joys and interests all this time.
With a maturity and sensitivity beyond her years I can see that she will grow to be a graceful and enchanting woman.
Although, I'd still like her to know that while that day will inevitably come I hope she can appreciate the beautiful and special person that she is right now… Regardless of how awkward she may feel sometimes.
(I see so much of myself at that age in you - I know exactly what you're going through.)
Thank you for reminding me of my roots and that our families hearts are a place we can always call home.
Every day come rain, hail or shine, Oscar pines at the front door till I can let him out to snooze on the porch in the morning light.
It's become a bit of a ritual around here - until this week at least when he was groomed to the point of baldness and hasn't moved from his baby bean bag for fear of shame and either frostbite or sunburn.
Poor puppy.
Someone needs to tell him that it's only hair and will grow back.
Someone else needs to tell Mother Nature that it's meant to be Summer and that my doggy is shorn and ready ; )
This week Dani from Danimezzahas inspired Polly to wear Navy Stripes and she's taken to the trend like a fish to water.
She's using this opportunity to take her friends sailing on her yacht over the weekend and cant wait to take a dip in the Aegean sea.
Hope she packed the sunscreen.
