TERM 1 Thursdays

Justice has joined up for soccer camp Thursdays after school.

He is very excited.

Today was the second day and he was the goalie!

p.s.I love these soccer boots because even when they're all on the field, dressed identically, and wearing hats

(which I made him remove for the cheesey soccer picture) and far away, I can still tell exactly which one is mine! GO FLOURO!

Tuesday Nights are Fight Nights

MARTIAL ARTS...

Justice did a Ju Jitsu trial when it began for the term Jan 28th. I sort of thought we would play around with trials of karate and judo as well, but he loved Ju Jitsu straight away. Last night was his fourth lesson.

He is definitely getting the hang of the striking, although some of the rolls are still in progress. Its pretty aggressive, so I just count myself lucky they pull their punches...

I think that developing a skill slowly and progressing through levels will be particularly good for Justice who is usually good at everything and sometimes finds attempting things difficult if he believes there is a chance he might fail... This way he continually learns and has to get better slowly instead of mastering it in one go...

Everyone has commented how martial arts are great for kids because it builds concentration and respect, but those are two areas Justice doesn't particularly need growth. For us it is all about the object lesson that some skills take time but are still worth obtaining... Now, if only I can figure out how to do the belt knot without assistance!

A Car Update

Despit the weekend's events, in actuality our car is pretty reliable. Will bought it brand shiny new 9 years ago, and its always been good to us. Except when its not. When its not, its always something pretty big.

Except that the mechanic kept the car three days, tried everything, and it never played up. The timing belt and drive belt had been due, so we went ahead with that while they tried to make the car re-break down without any success. So, $1200 in maintenance later, I might very easily still need repairs... Yuck.

I LOVED the rental car I drove in the meantime though... I am a passionate fan of four doors! If anyone wins the lottery, I would like a Nissan Tiida. And a manicure. But mostly the car...

Will's 34th!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Justice cleaned the benches as a service gift for Dad.

Today was Will's 34th Birthday! We had plans, Justice was going to come into the bakery with me and then we would all go out to lunch at Windaroo Tavern after we finished work at the bakery.

At 4AM we began deliveries, including one downtown Brisbane which never needs Saturday delivery. At 6, after I made the delivery, the car was dead. The instrument panel completely dropped out as I was driving into the city, and the car simply would not start. I called RACQ (equivalent to AAA) to find out my membership had lapsed. On hold for 30 minutes, I ran out of credit on my mobile. After recharging the phone's credit, I had to renew my membership and pay a surcharge since I needed assistance right away (instead of 24 hours after rejoining).

I had to call Sharona and have her collect Will as I still had two deliveries planned, and I had the only bakery keys (both sets) with me.

The RACQ guy came and diagnosed the problem as the fuel pump. He bashed on the fuel line but nothing happened. The guy organised the tow truck (and of course in dowtown Brisbane I was outside of the free towing radius of my home mechanic!) and left. As he pulled to the next set of lights, my instrument panel suddenly lit up. The car turned over! I waved him down like a mad woman, and cancelled the tow truck. The plan was to try and drive it to my mechanic, or at least until I broke down again, hopefully within free towing range...

Will and Sharona arrived and took off with the - now late- deliveries. I drove into the mechanic without incident. Then Justice and I walked into the bakery to work.

After a 13 hour shift Will got to go home. Happy Birthday! We didn't make it to lunch, but I did cook up some lamb cutlets...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILL! Sadly, we obviously are still suffering from our special occasion curse.

These Days...

Our handsome son. Lock up your daughters in 2010! He's only getting cuter...

FIVE YEARS AGO

Can you believe it?

Its been five years since we were in the States (Denver Zoo).

Five years since Justice met his honorary Grandma Cheri.

Five years since I got to see one of my favourite roomies ever.

Five years since Justice met his Aunt Bridgette and Uncle Jim.

Five years since I hung out at Joe's Crab Shack with Suzi and family!

Five years since we went to Seven Falls with Tara and her kids...

Five LONG years since we saw everyone! I MISS YOU!

I Miss Becky

I am reading the 13th Eve Duncan book QUICKSAND and remembering when Becky and I waited for the 3rd book so anxiously back in 2000. As great minds think alike, we both bought it the first day and mailed it to the other. It's rare to be so in sync with someone you met in such random circumstances. I wish I had a picture to post, but we were friends pre-digital and my scanner hates me. I will always treasure the trip we took to Seattle for my birthday and our Vancouver get away. That was my first truly self-indulgent experience, including spa, exclusive salon, 5-star hotel and all the trimmings... I haven't lost many people in my life, and perhaps I feel her absence even more keenly for that reason.