I love the beach in the evenings just after everyone has left for the day to eat their dinners and rehydrate, or tuck their exhausted but happy children into bed. You would never know from the smooth look of this windswept beach that just hours earlier hundreds of people crowded it’s shores due to a massive surf life saving competition. The strong sea breeze this afternoon has smoothed the footprints and four-wheeler tracks in the sand, leaving the quiet beach with a feeling of untouchedness and peace. The only hint of the days activities is the faint scent of hotdogs still lingering in the air. Hotdogs mixed with seaweed mixed with salty water occupied my olfactory sensors as I took these images a couple of hours ago at Quinns Beach near mums. I love the feeling of the ocean wind washing through me; I find it cleansing to my often tormented and slightly cuckoo soul. I have missed this place - there is almost nothing more relaxing to me than watching a sunset over the ocean, alone.
Geepers creepers I haven’t posted for a while aye! How slack am I! You know what it is? It’s because I knew that I was making you all barf with jealousy over those hawaii pics, so I had to pull back a little hahahaha. Nah, just kidding ya! But guess, what? I have some SERIOUSLY EXCITING NEWS: Phoenix walked 5 steps ALL BY HERSELF yesterday!!! She walked from mum to me and back again over and over and over and over – woohoo! And then today, she stepped away from her walker and started dancing to Hannah Montana!!! No hands! Arrrrr!!! So exciting!!! I am so proud of my beautiful and very determined little girl. She is blossoming here in Australia and it has been to wonderful to see. This morning I woke up to her cuddling me in bed – she had her leg and arm across my body and was patting me gently. What a sweety. ”I love cuggles” she said quietly, in her whisper voice because I was asleep. Then she sang a song to herself.
Our journey in Australia so far has mainly been: Enjoying Friendships; treasuring, cultivating and renewing friendships. I have missed having friends! I love you all so much! Australia has also marked the first proper singing lessons for me. I love the challenge. I love it when I ‘get it’. I get frustrated with 32 years of bad singing habits that I have to ‘unlearn’. But let me tell you, I now have a whole new respect for opera singers – I BOW DOWN AND WORSHIP YOU ALL!!!! Even the bad ones! I worship you too because I understand how difficult it is to sing like that and have it sound beautiful now…
I have also been capturing a lot of images-of-love for friends and old clients…
hee hee little cutie pies. Phoenix loved playing on their farm SO MUCH!!! Unfortunately, I have become a little too busy, and long for the feeling of ‘holidaying’ to return. I’ve had to turn down several photo shoots – which is always hard to do because I love it so much :)
Mmmmm and we’ve also been spending time at the beach *bliss*
Since being in Australia for such a long period of time, I have also taken the opportunity (interestingly) to take note of my hormones and how my mood is affected at different stages of my cycle – holy cow! I have never, ever done this before and what a nut am I!! I mean, I knew I was kind of cuckoo, but heck, I am all over the place: happy, sad, horny, angry, hateful, loving, paranoid, trustful – ARRRG! What a nightmare!! AB-SO-LUTE NIGHTMARE!! Today I discovered that just before I ovulate and just after, I think the whole world hates me for one or two days. Geesh! Is anyone else like this? Is it just me?
Laughed = Check. Touched a Sting Ray = Check. Made Phoenix Giggle = Check. Forty Minute Chinese Massage = Check. Kissed on The Hand By a Handsome Man in a Wheelchair = Check. Photographed by My Daughter from an Extremely Low Angle = check. Today was a good day.
A special world for you and me
A special bond one cannot see
It wraps us up in its cocoon
And holds us fiercely in its womb.
Its fingers spread like fine spun gold
Gently nestling us to the fold
Like silken thread it holds us fast
Bonds like this are meant to last.
And though at times a thread may break
A new one forms in its wake
To bind us closer and keep us strong
In a special world, where we belong.
The Warhammer Nerd Gene runs deep in this family. My husband has it; my son has it; I have it… And only a true carrier of the gene could make a Halloween costume this cool out of card board.
Meet Commander Isis, Space Marine. Bow before the Emperor, or prepare to die in a very bloody fashion…
David stole my camera from me this afternoon and turned it around on me – the cheek! I am usually the one all safe behind the lens, the behind-the-scenes chicky making other people look their best, so having the camera up my nose for a change was completely unnerving! I didn’t even know what to do with myself and I thought, is this is what I put people through every time I take their picture? hahaaaaa I am so sorry!! (not really) haahahaaaa
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE these David – thank you so much! I mean, would you just look how lovely and ’stretched out’ you made me look! Noice! xox
I love it when people inspire me. Most of the time, they have no clue that they’re actually doing it. But I tell you, the feeling that consumes my insides when inspiration strikes is a total rush – I love it; I crave it; I need it in my life. Although so much inspires me, I don’t usually think of myself as the one inspiring others so seeing this writeup by Loise on Aussie Scrap Source this morning was awesome – thanks Loise! I am so glad that something I did prompted a spark of inspiration within you! xox
That’s what it’s all about hey. Inspiring each other. Getting the juices flowing.
To see some more of Loise’s AMAZING creative juices, (and I mean, you will DIE at how amazing she is) visit her personal websitehere. To see more of her Aussie Scrap article featuring moi, gohere.
I was also happy to see Shriners Hospital for Children using some of my Kelly-Rae inspired art for their holiday cards this year. It makes me so happy when others enjoy my creations.
To see the other e-cards made from my art or to donate to Shriners, feel free to visit here. I love Shriners, my children get exceptional care there and, it’s free. Shriners have been like angels to me. While we struggled to figure out ways to pay mounting medical debt in the US, Shriners were like this amazing beacon of hope for us giving the children care without the worry of a bill at the end of each visit. Thank you Shriners! xox
Now, here is what is inspiring me personally today:
1. City and Colour’s facebook photos – I love them! Especially this one. I don’t know who the photographer is, but I find this picture thoroughly inspiring. I love ev-er-y-thing about this photograph. EV-ER-Y-THING.
And get this, my friend Ryan took this picture of Haun’s Hill Massacre recently – it was his first pro still-photo shoot (he is a filmographer and usually works with moving images – he is making the transition into still images look so easy!) His composing skills put mine to shame! I am so inspired by this picture and him!
2. I haven’t been able to stop listening/watching this: Montserrat Caballe “Casta diva” at the Thèatre Antique d’Orange. July 20th, 1974. I find this performance completely mesmerizing in not only her vocal perfection, but the enchanting way the breeze brings the whole stage to life. Beautiful. (Just listen to that crowd roar at the end.)
3. And lastly, I have been inspired a lot lately by David, my friend with the beeeeeautiful tenor voice (he is currently with WA Opera). He has also begun giving me classical singing lessons (brave man!) and has been on the other end of my lens quite a lot this week. Here are some of my favorites:
(As you can see, we’ve been having a bit of fun – haha)
So has anything inspired you this week? If so, please share! Maybe it will inspire me too!
Our days of late are spent with friends – both old and new – basking in the wonders that are Australia and singing lessons for me.
Fifi is a lover of sand, just like her mumma. I can’t wait to show her my secret shell beach near mums later this week. Meanwhile, my little guy has gone back to America after two wonderful weeks with us here – I miss you already Isy-Spicey! I love you love you love you!
I love the beach in the evenings just after everyone has left for the day to eat their dinners and rehydrate, or tuck their exhausted but happy children into bed. You would never know from the smooth look of this windswept beach that just hours earlier hundreds of people crowded it’s shores due to a massive surf life saving competition. The strong sea breeze this afternoon has smoothed the footprints and four-wheeler tracks in the sand, leaving the quiet beach with a feeling of untouchedness and peace. The only hint of the days activities is the faint scent of hotdogs still lingering in the air. Hotdogs mixed with seaweed mixed with salty water occupied my olfactory sensors as I took these images a couple of hours ago at Quinns Beach near mums. I love the feeling of the ocean wind washing through me; I find it cleansing to my often tormented and slightly cuckoo soul. I have missed this place - there is almost nothing more relaxing to me than watching a sunset over the ocean, alone.
hee hee little cutie pies. Phoenix loved playing on their farm SO MUCH!!! Unfortunately, I have become a little too busy, and long for the feeling of ‘holidaying’ to return. I’ve had to turn down several photo shoots – which is always hard to do because I love it so much :)
Since being in Australia for such a long period of time, I have also taken the opportunity (interestingly) to take note of my hormones and how my mood is affected at different stages of my cycle – holy cow! I have never, ever done this before and what a nut am I!! I mean, I knew I was kind of cuckoo, but heck, I am all over the place: happy, sad, horny, angry, hateful, loving, paranoid, trustful – ARRRG! What a nightmare!! AB-SO-LUTE NIGHTMARE!! Today I discovered that just before I ovulate and just after, I think the whole world hates me for one or two days. Geesh! Is anyone else like this? Is it just me?
