This is a beautiful site and it all appeals to my “inner girl”.

“An absorbing, powerful and deeply beautiful novel, a meditation on surfing which becomes a rumination about the very stuff of existence.” Helen Gorden THE OBSERVER

I have read some of his other work, but I think this is the best that I have read so far. I am not sure if I would say that I liked it, but I did find it an experience to read.  Perhaps that doesn’t make sense.  I was left feeling unsatisfied and slightly depressed, but I found that he was able to emerse me in feelings I know too little about and in a strange way left me wanting to experience more of them (and yet another part happy to remain where I am. Perhaps, as in the book, I am one of the ordinary who never will).  Fear, exhilaration, adrenaline, being slightly out of control.

The fist half of the book allowed me insight into a world most people just observe. I did enjoy reading that. Then it became more about the main characters strange sexual relationship. I felt uncomfortable reading this (perhaps that was Wintons intention), but I think mainly because it is against my moral values. Although, having said that, I can see how it developed the story and deepend understanding of the characters.

The book looks at death, flirts with pushing ones self to your limit, and finally (sadly) what happens when people are pushed too far.

I have actually made two new dishes in the last couple of weeks. I made a yummy French Onion soup with cheesy bread. I think Ian liked it alot more than me. I followed the recipe correctly, but it turned out not as thick as I would have hoped (never trust a picture!), but still good. And I also made a potato graten, strange but I have never made this before, not that it was hard.

We are planning on going to The Powerhouse museum soon, that should be a lovely family day. I am really looking fowards to spending some time with just us doing something different.

My small list is slowly going down, but the bigger projects will take a while.

I am also halfway through 12 and 13. In one night! Yay! I spent a lovely Saturday night out with two good friends. Dessert and a movie. I had a delicious Sticky date pudding swimming in caramel sauce at The Savoy in Katoomba (never eaten there) and saw The Proposal (one movie down) at the Edge.  I know that I am not old or middle age or even close to being considered either but I sure felt oldish while buying the tickets. The place was packed with emo teens. I am no longer a teen. Married six years and three kids I am far from a teen, but I don’t think that I am that old  until I am in a room surrounded by akward anxious teenagers. I am so glad I am not at teen anymore.

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past – frequently simple goals such as New Year’s resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Ok, so that is the mission here is my list (it might seem limited, but with three small children I am trying to be at least semi realistic ):

1. Cook a new dish once every fortnight

2.Finish crocheting Aravis’s jumper for next winter

3. Go for a bushwalk at least once a month (weird as I used to go all the time)

4. Complete one term in a drawing or painting class

5.Paint the lounge and dining room

6.Read four new books

7. Travel to a different state with my family

8. Have six nights out with just Ian

9.Have one overnight with just Ian (when Aravis is bigger)

10. Swim in the ocean

11. Play in the snow with the kids

12. Eat at two new restraunts

13. See two movies

14. Take the kids into Sydney to the art gallery, museum and powerhouse museum (different days obviously)

15. Go to Taronga zoo

16.Learn a new skill

17. Be involved in a local community event

18. Plant and not kill a herb garden

19. Go snorkelling again

20. Fly a kite

21. Beat Matty at bowling on Wii sport

22. Lean into the wind at Mt Blackheath

23. Clean up/out Ian’s office/storage room

24. Make a artwork I am happy to display in our home

25. Weed the front garden thoroughly

26. Let go off things I can’t control (deep breath).

27. Run really really fast down a big hill (hmm, the one at  Mt Tomah looks good)

28. Become more involved at church

29. Make a shorter list of bigger things to do before I am 30

28. Start teaching Matty to read music (and Jesse but he might be too little to be interested)

29.

I would ideally like to attend a proper Yoga or Pilates class (for the exercise and the “me time”-is that selfish?), but for the moment I will have to settle for the Wii.

Time to play with Matty, his insistent “Mummy, come on Mummy..” is getting a bit hard to ignore much longer.

The highlight of Mattys trip would have been watching the wedge tailed eagle eat a chicken. He keeps going on and on about that and the crocodile.

It was a lovely day.

“Wolf waking me up.”

“Wolf? What wolf?”

“The TV wolf.” He says quietly with a smile. Then more seriously, “The TV wolf is waking me up!”

Funny little kid. Now the TV wolf is off perhaps he will sleep. Or at least stay in his room for a rest.