Sailing Sydney Harbour

No more complaining, this is what we did on Saturday afternoon, it was my gift to hubby for our wedding anniversary.

It was a beautiful afternoon sailing on Sydney Harbour, the sun was shining for us which was quite a miracle given the weather we have had lately. We loved every minute as we both enjoy sailing, but not usually in such luxury.

Then we finished the day at Sumac, a Moroccan Restaurant overlooking Darling Harbour

If you're ever in Sydney and want a good restaurant, I recommend it. Nicest I've been to in a long time. Good service, good prices, great atmosphere and the food was delicious.
There is a photo here but for some reason it's not showing on the blog. You can take a look at www.sumacrestaurant.com.au

It's Raining and I'm Bored

Given the name of this blog I really shouldn't complain, but it has been raining a lot and I have been sick with a nasty throat infection and youngest child has recently recovered from glandular fever. I'm sick of being sick and so bored with staying home. Still haven't sent letter to sister yet. I made a great start on it and then stalled. Might have another go at it tomorrow.
(many hours later) On a happier note, eldest child and I snuck out to the movies today and saw Bridge to Terabithia. It was interesting. We agreed that it had its good bits but just didn't quite get it right. It seemed like the storyline hadn't been fully developed. It's a kids movie but I don't reccomend it for young children. I just enjoyed going out with my daughter, shes a blessing and a delight.

Random

OK Ladies (and gents). I had a random thought this morning as I was rushing to get ready for church. (rushing because when I woke up we had a houseful of very clean teenage girls and no hot water, good motivation to get up earliert and beat the rush!)
So back to the random thought, on average how long does it take you to get ready showered/groomed etc, inc make up and hair. Does culture make a difference and # of kids or any other factors you can think of.
I reckon I have it down to about 45 mins if I am doing hair, less if not. This is at least half the time it used to take me when I was younger.
We had 2 lovely American ladies staying with us years ago and they seemed to take a lot longer, I put it down to americans having higher grooming/glamour standards than we Aussies.
Tell me what you think.

The Bumble Bee Dance

OMG! This guy really gets into his job!

Its been a while

Its been a while and so much has been happening, I don't know where to begin. I really haven't felt like posting, which is odd because I have always thought I was an externaliser rather than an internaliser because I love to talk about things. But I guess sometimes I need to think it through for a while first.
So the big news is I have a younger sister who I have a fairly distant relationship with for a lot of reasons. 1. 12 year age gap. 2. Spent years living quite a distance from her and barely survived my young adult/ early parenting years and so didn't put much time into my other relationships during that time. 3. By the time I began doing that she had started to lose the plot.
She is angry, rude and aggeressive whenever things don't go her way, got into a bad group of friends, into drugs, partnered up with guys who we have since discovered are rapists, murderers, theives and spouse bashers.
She has 4 children with # 5 on the way. Mum has had them in her care for the past few years and sister just keeps having more. At present she is in a court enforced 9 month rehabilitation program due to a burglery she committed.
So heres the deal, as part of her rehab program she has written a letter explaining what it has been like for her the last 6-7 years and expressing her distress that her family (besides mum) have abandoned her and that her sisters all have a relationship (there are 4 of us all together) have excluded her from our relationship.
So I have been trying to process all the emotions that have surfaced since I have recieved her letter.
I really do love her but just don't think I want her in my life while she is the way she is. This is largely due to a desire to protect my children, but also to protect myself.
Part of the problem is that Mum has no boundaries and gives her completely unconditional love and support. What this means is that 1.you can't have a relationship with mum without being dragged in to the whole sordid affair. She and Mum (and 4 very unpleasant children) come as a package deal. And 2. She expects the same from others and thinks her behaviour is somehow ok.
The letter by the way was all about how she has been affected, it made no mention of the possible impact of her choices and actions on anyone else.
So, thats what I've been thinking about lately. I think I need to write a reply soon but keep putting it off because its all so unpleasant.