Another Day in Paradise

Woke up to another gorgeous, sunny, sparkly day in Paradise with my lovely family this morning. How lucky am I?! I'm not going to let the endless mountain of laundry get to me. The machine does it all anyway.

I'm going to go out into the streets of Bundeena and find some inspiration. And perhaps find the Sunday paper and a cup of tea at the local coffee shop.

And then when we come back I want to start measuring out our planned vegie-patch. I've been reading up on growing our own vegies. I'm excited about it, tho I'm by no means a 'green-thumb'. But surely growing a couple of lettuces, some tomatoes and herbs can't be that difficult? Watch this space... I might turn into a Vasili yet! (Have you watched Vasili's Garden on SBS?)



Hooroo!



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Powerful Stuff

I have just spend the last hour or so reading Katrina's Social X-Rays. What a powerful blog! I have never met you, Katrina, but reading a story like yours puts my little complaints in perspective. I'm sure the grated apple/rice shot was the best you have ever tasted! I haven't commented on your blog yet as we are back on dial-up for the moment, so everything takes forever. But I look forward to meeting you one day. You've been an inspiration to me today.

It's good to know you are SAFE and that you have ACCESS to all the LOVE you could possibly need.

*888*Wishing you all things Wonderful*888*



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I'm Ba-ack!

In case you wondered where I went; spend some time under the doona, a lot of time running around getting sicker, but MOST time trying to get our computer/modem/phoneline/wireless to work. Oh-my-Gawd, I tried to BREATHE, BREATHE, BREATHE, but ended up HYPERVENTILATING! And it still isn't fixed. Arrgh!!! If anyone has any bright suggestions about how to get wireless to work, I'm all ears. We have established that it isn't the hardware. So they tell me it is our house. But we had another wireless device work perfectly well when we were still on dial-up. I have to now race off as I'm running late for an appointment as I just spend another HOUR on the phone. But I am back, I promise!

In...Out...In...Out...

Breathe
Breathe
Breathe

grab that paper-bag!

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Safety cannot be under-estimated

One of the big things amongst us DAGgers is Safety. It really is easily taken for granted that we live in a safe society, in safe surroundings.

Just today I realised I wasn't being 'safe' in that I was taking flu-medication that I shouldn't have, as I am still breastfeeding. Didn't even occur to me! So I cut it out immediately and thus my flu has returned with a vengence! Never mind, I rather sneeze and sniffle a couple of days longer, that exposing my little Angel to anything that might be unsafe for her.

And yesterday, while I was preparing dinner this channel 9 helicopter kept circling right above our home. I knew it wasn't bushfires, and it couldn't be a plane that went down in the ocean either as it was pointed in-land. Turns out the second floor of a home in the street behind us had collapsed while they were pouring concrete. One man died. Just like that. I am shocked, and feel so sad for the man's family. I don't know who he was, but obviously he wasn't safe.

And then the poor citizens in Georgia. They're not safe. Mother's just like myself, leaving their homes with their children to find safety...where? And why? It's a mess in this world.

I wish I had the answer. Perhaps all we can do is being aware, and sharing that awareness with the world. And thus perhaps bring change, one conversation at the time.

Be safe, always

Schatzi



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Dutch-Aussie-Connection

Ok, I'll quit the Dutch-thing now, but thought this was quite amusing....





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The Dutch National Anthem

Hi EveryOne and All!

Had a lovely day today. Started with a boxercise class out in the park. Got my muscles working and filled my lungs with lovely fresh air. Then two of my beautiful friends, Chris and Michel visited and brought a yummie and healthy lunch. We hung out and watched the swimming at the Olympics. Michael Phelps was pretty much winning everything. So I kept hearing the American National Anthem. Haven't heard the Dutch Anthem yet, so thought I'll just put it on my blog.

So, pass the Dutchie and sing along!

Hooroo!
*888*DAG.com

Feeling more DAGgy than 888DAG today!

We went out to Sydney Institution 'The Basement' last night and had a lovely dinner and watched a very groovy band. Unfortunately our long-awaited night out was somewhat tempered by my on-coming flu. My sister and her partner had kindly offered to baby-sit. Thankfully Miss M was very well-behaved and they didn't hear a peep out of her. Until of course at 5.30 am this morning, but by that time we were back at hand. I feel like an absolute zombie today, complete with sore muscles, headache, shivers and sweats. So not my most inspired day.

I think I'll head back to the lounge for another hot Lemsip and some TLC from the husband!

Hooroo!



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Elmer says Difference is Great!

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From all the Lands on Earth we come...

Currently there is an ad on tv that uses that song 'I am, you are, we are Australian". Now I am not Australian (yet). Our Daughter is. But I am Dutch and my Other Half Kiwi. I like that song, it is very catchy. 'We are One, and we are Many, and from all the Lands on Earth we come.' It made me think that probably not many people know where exactly I come from.

I come from a town near Rotterdam called Schiedam ( pronounced; 'skhē'däm'). It is famous for two things; Dutch Gin and the worlds Tallest Windmills. There are currently about 75.000 people living in Schiedam. Two of whom are the most important in the world! My Parents.

At the beginning of this year they made the very BIG decision to move to Australia permanently. Of course I am very excited about that. It'll mean that all the things a lot of families take for granted will be possible for us after being fragmented for nearly 20 years. Christmasses, Birthdays, Weddings, but also the small things, like popping over for a cuppa, or hitting the Sales with Mum (watch out, here we come!). Of course it'll be wonderful for Miss M to grow up knowing her grandparents.

Anyway, I am diverting. What I meant to say is; next time you find yourself in Holland. Don't just go and see Amsterdam. Take the train to Schiedam and check it out. And just in case you were wondering... they have coffee-shops there too! ;)

Happy Days everyone,
*888*

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*888*Crazy with Excitement*888*

Yay! Only one more day and the wait is over! We are just CRAZY with excitement here. I hope everyone has a Wonderful, Exciting and Positive Day.

I'm off to see my very good friend Vanessa to share the love!

Schatzi

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i'm forgetting something...

It's 22:36 and I was all nice and cosy, tucked into bed. Was up again this morning at 05:30, so one would think sleep would come easy... NOT!! I've got too much on my mind and I was going around in circles, driving my other half mad with my sighing and twisting and turning. So decided to get up again.

So what's on my mind? I didn't do any video-ing today, and I feel bad about it. I didn't do any blogging either. I DID do non-stop running around, getting groceries, paying bills, organising our little lives etc etc. Realised at 5 pm that I'd been busting to go since 2 pm!

And still... I'm forgetting something...It came to me as I walked down the stairs just then; I was forgetting to BREATHE!

BREATHE...
BREATHE...
BREATHE...

It's so simple, we all do it so automatically that we forget to do it properly. And when done properly it does bring such clarity, doesn;t it?!

Sweet Dreams EveryOne!

Schatzi

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Thought of the Day

'You are only one thought away from a good feeling'.

**888*Access*888**

I was talking to one of the Mum's at playgroup yesterday. She was telling me that she went into the city with the pram the other day and how difficult it was to get around. I have experienced that more than once myself. I am able-bodied, my only 'handicap' being that I've got a bouncing baby in a pram. So, if I can't get to a shop because the escalator or doorway is too narrow, I just shop elsewhere.

But what about those with a disability? The elderly and frail? The vision-impaired. To them, Access to the community is denied in so many small ways we take for granted. I think it pays to stop and think every now and again.

Be aware, breathe, see what you can change, don't be afraid to offer help and assistance. *888* Inclusion and Access *888*

*888*08-08-08 Is The End Of The Wait!

There is a real buzz in the air... a general feeling of anticipation. I'm sure for some it is the Olympic Games that bring this on. For me, it is more the suspense leading up to a big party, the long-awaited birth of something that will bring Hope and Joy and Togetherness and Fun.

May Your Day Be Bright And Happy.

Sunday morning Love

Our Beautiful-Baby-Alarm-Clock went off at 5 am this morning. I guess Baby tummies don't care whether you have had your beauty-sleep or not.

Blurry eyed I try to find my ugg-boots and brace myself against the cold... only to be met with the Warmest, Brightest, Loveliest smile one can imagine.

I love her so much, the word 'Love' just doesn't do her justice.

She is my World, my Universe. She is my Star, my Breath, my Heart-beat. And the feeling grows and grows with every passing second.

I am blessed. I know that. And I am grateful for every moment I spend in her presence.

*888*For her I want to be a Better Person*888*