OH My good lord what a night we had last night!!

THE BANKSIES WERE ON THE TOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

We ROCKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

WE WERE SO BLOODY DRUNK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

And I wasn't too seedy today (all things considered)

 

Here are some fun shots that are from my camera. Seeings as both Peta and Casey had theirs there as well we shall have several zillion more!! Probably on facebook - shock horror!

 

We all met at Borders in the city, where I FINALLY bought the Twilight series (already up to p300 in the first book and I only had it for an hour last night and 3 hours today - I like I like I like)

 

Then we headed to Heros on Hunter. We knew it would be a good night when the guy at the desk was having fun flirting with Peta! I got cracked onto by some old bloke at the bar who told me my hair was shorter than the last time he saw me!! I thought he had just confused me with Peta (that happens alot when Im out in the company of her work collegues, and ex work collegues), but no, he hadn't! Peta didnt know who he was!! THen I made friends with 'book man' who was this gay guy sitting at our table!

After we drank 2 bottles of red, a shot and several glasses of champers Casey's friend, Merci joined us from her Salsa class and we headed off to the MEnzies to sing the night away!!!

 

I dont remember much about that walk - I did find half an apple pie in my handbag this arvo...... :)

 

The hotel was so much fun. It was the best place to do Karaoke because it was dim (I think , maybe just i was?) and we sang and sang. Peeties friend, Dan, found herself a man, then found herself almost chucked out! It was funny!

Then Peta's dear man came in and picked us all up and drove us all home!!!! So no terrible trains for the drunk 36 year old in the middle of the night!

 

       

 

Where is your cell phone? ~ desk

Where is your significant other ~ bike

Your hair colour ~ Brown
Your mother ~ Diane

Your father ~ Leslie

Your favourite thing ~ Reading
Your dream last night ~ book

Your dream/goal ~ Scotland

Your hobby ~ Blogging
Your fear ~ death
Where do you want to be in 6 years ~ Happy
Where were you last night ~ RG

What you're not ~ Happy
One of your wish list items ~ Happiness

Where you grew up ~ Fantastic!
Last thing you did ~ microwave
What are you wearing ~ shoes!
Your TV ~ MammaMia (cheat!)
Your pet ~ Chewbacca
Your computer ~ Love!

Your mood ~ calm
Missing someone ~ Francis! :p
Your car ~ DREAM

Something you're not wearing ~ rings
Favourite store ~ Borders

Your summer ~ Calalla
Love someone ~ Children
Favourite colour ~ blue
When is the last time you laughed ~ Today
Last time you cried ~ Sunday
Who do you want to tag ~ Clique!

 

 

After Mamma Mia the other day I raced out of the cinema, sent a msg to Sal in Townsville 'YOU MUST SEE THIS MOVIE!' crossed the road to the car and got my phone out to ring Peta to check she had seen it. Low and behold - a missed call, just a minute before, from Peta!

 

I rang her back.

 

She was ringing me about Queen's Play (the 2nd Francis book).

 

Firstly we chatted about Mamma Mia and how I think it is better than Moulin Rouge, of which Peet expletived and expletived and said no! (but I still think it is, and for me to say that is phenomenal!)

 

Secondly to talk about Francis in Queens Play.

 

In the course of that talk we got onto Harry Potter.

 

Suddenly Peta said 'OMG - SNAPE IS FRANCIS!! He is Justine, he is! Think about it, he dies for her, unrequited love, he lives a life that he hates, he is smart-arsed and malevolent etc etc etc'

 

And you know - she is right!!!

A few weeks ago Darcy bugged and bugged Casey to straighten her hair. Those beautiful natural ringlets were all gone!

 

She thought she was just SOOOOO precious!!

She kept swishing her hands through it  & patted it and wanted to wear it out constantly.

 

Thankfully we are back to the curls now - thanks to Wednesday swimming lessons!!! *g*

 

 

Here I go again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

And here I DO go again...

THIS MOVIE WAS AMAZING!!

 

After the eisteddfod on Sunday we firstly went to collect Dee and Daddy from the birthday party and then up to Mac Square for pizza for lunch and to watch the Toa's and Arnold's dance.

Then we went to the movies (2nd time in 2 weeks - we saw Clone Wars the previous Sunday)

 

CJ had already seen Mamma Mia with Casey, but was keen to see it again. Con had been bugging me to take him. I desperately wanted to see it but just couldn't find the time.

I AM SO GLAD WE WENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I smiled from start to finish. Just like I did in Altar Boyz a few months ago. It is the most totally 'feel good' movie I have seen for a very very very long time.

I remember I enjoyed the musical - but not this much. Perhaps it's a stage in my life atm - but whatever it is/was - I just lapped up the whole feeling and emotion and let go.

 

I can't wait to see it again!

FUNKY CONNOR TOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

No words can adequately describe the impro that Connor did today at the Dance Blitz eisteddfod in Campbelltown. NO WORDS!!!!!

 

However - this is what the judges report said...

 

- What an opening!!

- Would have liked a few more steps

- The caterpillar rolls were hard to beat

- What a man!

- Good job!

Highly Commended!!

 

He also did is jazz solo, which he won. He danced it very well today - and the report reflects that too. I wish I had paid for a copy of that too, as he did it very well.

 

- Some strong jazz work shown.

- Excellent jack jumps

- I can see you stretching your toes super hard, well done!

- Oh my! What muscles!

 - Make sure you stretch your arms in your cartwheels.

- Good use of prop

- Really good effort, well done!

IST

 

The poor adjudicator was in fits trying to control herself during the 6 years section today!!!

 

Con was so very proud of his impro! He came off buzzing and told me that it was great fun! I said 'I loved it matey, I wish you'd put a cartwheel and some more spins in it or something' he said "i know, but I was just listening to the funky town and doing the funky moves' Well yes, you were doing that darl! I think that he danced his jazz so well after it because he was in such a good mood from the fun and freedom of the impro!! LOL!

 

Here is the video of the impro - my apologies if you haven't gone to the bathroom to wee before you watch it......

 

     

I saw this on POST SECRET this week, and it (again) reminds me of Francis. This is what he thought needed to happen to he and Phillipa. For Peta and Lorraine,  come back and watch it again when you have read Checkmate and you will agree! It is obviously a different situation - but the emotion is so similar.

 

 

It is the part from 2.10min

 

I think I have to go and find the movie from the video shop.....

 

    

Last Saturday night Ceilidh, Connor, Darcy, Casey, Brodie, Ashley and Greer represented my studio at Parramatta RSL Pipe Bands Scottish Tattoo. They only had a 10min slot. (Last year Kirstin was a part of that slot)

 

Well 10mins isn't much - dancing-wise as you know. So it was only 3 dances that the girls (and Boy) did.

 

Firstly, Casey did Jenny of the Braes by Battlefield Band. Brought back lots of memories. That has been her solo chorey for 6 years now! Then Brodie, Connor and Greer did a Swords - which received a rousing cheer at the end. Then we had 'Dancing Shoes' which is actually a country and western song, but has fiddle throughout it - and sounds 'folksy'. It is the most beautiful story, about a little girl who loves dancing and grows up dancing around. So we had Darcy as the Time Fairy in her little pink tutu, then Ceilidh played the Little Girl, Ashley played the Teenager and Casey played the Bride. It was beautiful!

 

Both Peta and Mark videoed it, so as soon as we have a copy I will upload them onto utube and post on here.

 

We didnt get home until almost 1am. They had nibblies and drinks on for the cast after the show. It was a great night, and they've asked us back again next year!!

Here are some photos of the kids from the night before and after we had danced. We had 1.5 hours to kill after we had danced - so we went downstairs and they had a play, made up a talent show, and played pingpong and Brodie had a lesson from Casey!! lol

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tell Me On A Sunday......Please

 

Sally and I just got home from out Monthy theatre experience.

 

It was much fun and very nice to see this new version of "song and dance' by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

I had just written a very long blog about it - but the computer crashed on me and frankly I can't be bothered doing it again!

 

 

 

 

I saw the new trailer for HP Half Blood Prince on Sunday. When they showed the bit where Tom Riddle was at the orphanage I had pictured that exactly. It was like I was seeing the movie a 2nd time. I KNEW that was what it would look like.

I love reading so very very very very very much. It isn't just to 'pass the time' or just 'for enjoyment' it is an obession. I actually see the story acted out in front of me.

 

I read Checkmate (again) last week. I had to, I needed a Francis-Fix after reading the Niccolo books. I have lent all my Lymond Chronicles to Lorraine, but I have 2 copies of the most important one- Checkmate. I had to have, my first copy is falling apart and has scribbles in the margins and post it notes throughout it.

 

Peta has just started the FCoL books again and it was exciting to get texts from her  yesterday asking me 'does Richard know he is acting, does Sybilla' and 'Im getting warm fuzzy feelings about the blind girl' I can see Richard fighting Francis in the dell in HExham. I can see Christine lying on the sofa whilst Francis plays to her and the jealous 10 year old Phillipa watching in the distance. I can see the twinkle in Sybilla's eye as she makes the 'philosphers stone'.

I am obsessed!!! :)

Last year Peta or Leanne (I can't remember whom) gave me a pirate copy of Amazing Grace with Ioan Gruffudd. I have only just gotten around to watching it. Not only did I learn a zillion things about the Period that the Act for the Abolition of Slavery was passed in England, I learnt about England's youngest ever Prime Minister (William Pitt was voted PM at age 24!) As well as the amazing William Wilberforce (the person whom the movie is about) but about the person who wrote the hymn AMAZING GRACE.

Mum had told me years ago a story about this hymn. How it was such a beautiful song and beautiful prayer but (when she was growing up) it wasn't allowed to be sung in the catholic church because it was written by a Anglican - bloody ridiculous but typical. That was all I knew about it. Of course it is a tune I hear ALL THE TIME - seeings as Im always surrounded by bagpipes or Scottish people. The man who wrote it was John Newman and here is some info I just found on a website about him. THe story is AMAZING....GRACE.....

 

 

“Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see!”

These lyrics by John Newton, slave trader, echo in the memories of most of us. He grew up in a rough, sea-faring family. His mother taught him Bible stories and how to pray, but she died when he was just seven years old. He slid into a world of debauchery, gambling, drinking, cursing, and fighting. He wasn’t any good in school. His dad got him a job on a ship but he ran away. He was captured by a gang and pressed into service on another ship, mutinied, and was finally traded into the slave business.

The job fit his personality—he was good at it! Eventually he became captain and even the sailors were intimidated by his fearsome cursing. His ship would load up with goods from Great Britain which were used to trade for slaves to come to this country. He wanted to make a profit, because he needed the money in order to marry the woman he loved. Perhaps there was a soft spot hidden deep within his heart.

From Newton’s extensive journals and letters, we have the earliest account of what it was really like to engage in the slave trade. Various stories are told about his conversion to the Christian ministry. The most dramatic story takes place on his slave ship, which was loaded with human cargo for sale. A terrible storm blew up and threatened to break the ship apart and send it plunging to the depths of the ocean. All Newton could do was to lash himself to the ship’s wheel and wrestle with it all night long while the words to the hymn “Amazing Grace” wrote themselves in his mind. When it looked as if all would be lost, he shouted out, “If this is it, Lord have mercy on us all.”

By morning the storm passed. Newton was just as startled as anyone about his calling upon God for mercy. Where did that come from? The legend goes that he turned the ship around right then and took the slaves back to Africa. The real story is that his conversion was much more gradual. He crisscrossed the ocean several more times, but eventually he did get out of the business and became a preacher. He and another fellow wrote a new hymn every other week for services, and Amazing Grace is one of those hymns

 

 

 

It was brilliant

From the boys and from Dee...

 

  

 

The camera was in my bag and the settings had turned to the 'moon and stars' one. We had fun taking photos once we knew it was on there!

Yesterday I had to book the car in for a service.

 

Seeings as the service centre is in the centre of Liverpool and seeeings as Im trying to get a bit healthier (starting the REAL health kick next Monday - but will blog about that soon) I dropped the car down and we walked home. It' about 2km from there to home, so a healthy bit of walking!

 

Becuase we were going to pop into Westfiels on the way past to have a coffee and pick up some 'messages' I decided it would be VERY cute if Dee had her big pram with her.

Katie Arnold gave Darcy this pram a few weeks ago. Katie still loves it, but she is now nearly 8, so it was time or it to move on.

Darcy adores it, and she was the talk of the shops walking around with 'the twins' in it!! We had our morning tea and them we walked home. She only started complaining when we got to the school - so we were almost home by then. My legs are a bit achey this morn! lol

 

     

 

 

Woohooo - we have another Harry book coming - sorta kinda - not really -  but enough to make things good!!

 

You can go to the Borders site to find out more... http://www.borders.com.au

 

The kids are driving me NUTSO atm.  They are so off the air (as am I - hence no doubt why they are) and so ratbaggish.

 

Ceilidh had to walk to school yesterday because she stormed out of the house in a huff as she was in big trouble for losing her jazz shoes AGAIN (3 times in 3 weeks). I overheard her say " I hate this family, i dont want to be a part of it anymore". So she walked to school because she was so nasty. "girls who don't want to be a part of this family don't get a lift in the car to school. How could you say that about your brother and sister as well. I know you're angry and Daddy and Me but to say that about the family means that you think that about Connor and Darcy also. I am so upset and disapointed.''

 

Then Connor was in the back of the car last night playing game boy and Casey and I heard "oh shit!" come from his seat. Got home, mouth washed out with soap - straight to bed... He is banned from DS and Xbox for a week.

 

Dee is just being a 3 year old bratskie.

 

*sigh* kids..........

 

Ps - still can't find the jazz shoes.......

The other week I was searching the 'scottish shop' sites for some overshoes for the kids at RG. We are going to do a huge order of them, for the kids to put over their jazz shoes, to try and keep them from ruining them at rehearsals.

Anyway.

I went to www.highlandxpress.com to search for them and whilst I was playing around I found a photo of Ceilidh that I had sent Mary Beth when Ceilidh was first born. MB, from the shop, had sent me a 'birth gift' for Ceilidh, and it was the little shoes that she is wearing in the photo.

 

It was taken at Campbelltown competition. So she would have been 7 weeks old!


Ceilidh who turned NINE in April!! Wow! I was blown away when I found it again. I hadn't seen that picture in years. It was so lovely!!

This other photo was of Ceilidh at the Grand Australasian at the beginning of July. She won the Swords in Novice and was very happy as it was her last square!

Boy has she grown up!!

Here is the link to MaryBeth's page: www.highlandxpress.com/MINPUMPS.html

 

 

   

Whilst clicking about on BLOGGER last night I came across this awesome site!!

I love it!

 

The person is in Canada and he is recording the 'last place finishes' in every Gold MEdal event in the olympics!

 

I reckon this is great. Those last place finishes are still amazingly awesome athletes to even get to the olympics!

 

 

Please find below the entry that states what his DFL blog is about...

 

Let the Games Begin

Yesterday we had to say farewell to DanMan or HandyMan Dan or Uncle Dan, or even just Daniel!.

It was very sad. Poor Casey was a mess :(

 

My 3 were very upset. Dan has been beautiful with them whilst he was here, and they really love him. The tears at the airport weren't just from the girls, let me tell you....

 

I have had pipe-dream plays with zuji.com.au to see how much it would cost for me to take the 3 kids over at Xmas time, and for just the 4 of us, on a very VERY budget flight it is over $8000. That's just the flights *sigh*

 

On the way home from the airport we dropped COnnor at Peta and Johns for a "LORD OF THE RINGS" computer night!!!! :) He had a really great time, although he was a bit frightened with the actual 'bed time' after being fed stories about Peta's snores and dribbles! They tend to forget that he is a child and his overactive imagination gets spooked easily!!

 

Today was spent sleeping in for me (8am! woohoo) and then going back to bed to read until 11. Then over to Parra RSL to check out stage for a 'do' we have next Saturday night.

All in all a lovely Sunday, all whilst Danman is flying home to Deutchland....