Talented young people

You may or may not have come across these young gifted children.

This little girl is so cute and being well trained in His word.
GodTube.com - Little Girl and Psalm 23 - Bluefish TV

This little girl sure can sing. I love how they have let her be innocent and not done a Brittany Spears.
YouTube - Connie Talbot Sings LIVE! at GMTV Album Launch (4:3 version)

This young boy made me cry. How brave is he? And what a voice!
YouTube - Britains Got Talent 2008 Andrew Johnston Good Quality

So you think you can dance? This little lad sure can.
YouTube - Jalen Testerman Shows Ellen His Dance Moves

This young girl is (gifted, genius, a miracle, blessed). Mind boggling.
YouTube - Star King #8 - Five Year Old Blind Genius Pianist (en)

I think they are beautiful and my hearts danced and my tears flowed. I only pray that these children do not get exploited. I was discussing with my friend the pro's and con's of revealing to the world child prodigy's or young talented performers performers. What are your thoughts?

Beep..........Beep......... Beep.....

I have often sat and pondered (and wondered) what it would take to finally topple me over the edge of sanity.


Well, I need ponder no more!

I really can't think of anything worse (at the moment) than that insistent, mind bending, gonna scream, holding on to the edge sound that the (potentially life - saving) smoke alarm gadget makes when it is trying to alert you to a battery change.

Problem/s is (are)

• This place has high ceilings (way, way high)
• I am height challenged
• I do not own a ladder
• My neighbour (who does) is at work
• I can't stand one more beep
• The landlord said (last time) that we were not to touch the smoke alarm (under any circumstances) as it had high voltage
• They called in a very expensive electrician
  
• Landlord has changed his mind (no doubt due to the excessive account from sent electrician)
• I have dragged my chester drawers from my bedroom (the tallest, sturdiest thing in the house) on my own
  
• I think I may have scratched the floor
  
• Standing on tippy toe I just reach the circular thing that houses the battery
• Clearly I'm not up with the technical terms
• Superman clearly screwed it on tight
  
• I have somehow managed to unscrew the cap and have given the electric cord a little tug
• It's now just dangling down
  
• I have this white powdery stuff all over me - oops!
  
• I can't see the battery
• Have to have a fiddle, poke and prod (an obvious death defying act)
• Just spoke to friend whose husband is an electrician ( Sorry Ali, one more beep and I'm over the edge - but thanks for the offer)
• Friend suggests I turn off the power
• Thank God for sane and rational friends
• I've had another coffee and I'm now ready to kill that beep,....beep.... beep....monster
• Have I mentioned that I get a little dizzy when I look upwards. No?
• No problem, I'll just feel my way around without actually looking up (can be done - I hope)
  
• Damn!!!!! It needs one of those four pronged screw drivers.
• Anybody seen that screwdriver thingy- me -bobby?
• My fix it yourself mutterings has woken eldest daughter (can anything else go wrong?)
  
• Eldest daughter not to good in mornings (not exactly crack of dawn!)
• Anybody know how to cut off power?
• Okay, power stays on!

Well, just in case this is my last blog.

It's been fun guys!


------------------------------------------------------------

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

My eldest wants me to make it very clear that she was absolutely instrumental in providing such a positive outcome.

Thank you eldest - you truly are a life - saver!

Mixed emotions

My emotions mirroring the skies above
Dark grey clouds, whitish fluffy clouds, pinkish - purplish murky clouds, hint of clear blue skies
All this within my view
The last show of sun determined to peek through and have her presence acknowledged
One drop of rain felt
Thunderous drops soon follow
I look, I ponder, I listen
Waiting for spirit's whisper
My emotions so like the skies
Tempting to see the deep darkness
Ignoring not, the sun's mighty effort


It's Sunday night. School goes back tomorrow.
A phone call will determine my future.

Day trip

Youngest daughter came into my bedroom (very early) to alert me to the fact that she had rung in 'sick' from work and that she was going back to bed to catch up on some sleep. "Good morning dearest, as soon as I'm fully awake I'm going to come into your room and let you know that I am now awake. And I sure hope you're sleeping at the time!"

Eldest daughter cruised up to me, smiled, asked how I was, what I was up to (subtle as a sledgehammer) and then asked how I felt about her going over to her friends place for the arvo and the evening cause they had made THE BEST pumpkin soup. (N.B she has been spending a lot of time there lately but not doing her share of the chores and is clearly running out of excuses). "NO! But I am happy to go buy some pumpkin and we can make our own pumpkin soup to take on our ' dusk on the beach' family 'togetherness' moment we talked about only 30 min ago. And what do you mean they make the BEST pumpkin soup. I am fairly certain that my pumpkin soup used to be THE BEST. Daughter now in her room chanting the chorus 'I'm bored!" "Well you shouldn't have challenged my pumpkin SOUP!" Daughter suggests that my dusk moment better be brilliant. "(Muttered under breathe) Oh, I'm sure if you're there my lovely, with your current attitude, it should be magnificent.

Went to treat myself to a Kit Kat and found the bag still in the food cupboard, EMPTY. "First born, you had better start running. That will be a great alternative to being bored!"

Eldest daughter comes out of bedroom and has just poured herself a Pepsi drink. "Excuse me, is that MY Pepsi Max you're pouring?........ I thought you hated Pepsi Max?......... What do you mean if there was apple juice you wouldn't be forced to drink my Pepsi Max?....... Exactly how many litres of apple juice is good for you?.......... What do you mean it's my fault you're bored? (This one is definitely her mother's daughter! ) I do make THE BEST pumpkin soup!.... When did this become about the pumpkin soup? ......... I do not have Alzheimer's!

Youngest daughter wingeing and whining and driving just about everyone up the wall with a sore ankle. "Darling, the doctor said it was a very mild sprain". The face has gone like thunder. "I'm not suggesting you're a bit of a hypochondriac at all. The eyebrows are securely knit together and smoke is escaping from her ears. "It has been three days now since you ever so slightly went over on your ankle." There she goes hobbling to her room. "I think a little bit of pumpkin soup will make it all better, my dear." Door slams!


Well, call me weak, call me a pushover or just call me subtly controlling. Eldest went to her friends on the condition she took her sister along and that the next day ( ANZAC day) we were going on a day trip (no excuses, no complaints, no hysterics, no sleep-ins and no mention of pumpkin soup).

Our day trip

Rise and shine

While pretending to be checking Google for directions and attractions I checked on a few of my favorite blogs.

Took a deep breathe as I filled up with petrol (extraordinarily inflated at the moment)

Recovered a little with a coffee.

Okay, Already! I admit I was blogging instead of road mapping!

Waited for a very large bus (full of Americans) to have their turn at discovering the magic of the whispering

Then it was my turn. If you whisper up against one end of the dam it can be heard all the way around the other side. The Americans absolutely loved it and were quite impressed with my tourist guide skills (give me an audience and....)

Took in the view

Drove to Gummeracca to climb the largest rocking horse in the world (that's right, the world!)

Found Melba Chocolate factory and became their official tester.

Drove through a tiny little town (pop 20). Absolutely no shame!

Eldest daughter hijacked the car (something about pumpkin soup?))

Very popular German settlement (Hahndorf). They sell these things called 'bumburners'. Very Hot sausages. I kid you not!

Nearly home. Everyone still talking. I feel a bit embarrassed actually. I considered not showing this last photo. More junk food, after all we had eaten.

It was a great day. We had lots of laughs. By journey's end I had convinced Eldest daughter that I made THE BEST pumpkin soup.

Horton hears a who

Ali has invited readers to join in her 'quite a quote.

I have chosen

"A person's a person, no matter how small."

I recently went to see the movie version of this book and would like to share a few themes and thoughts that I think would make this book/movie a great read/watch.

It is about:

• A lovable, affable elephant named Horton.
• One person's determination, against all odds (being ridiculed, humiliated, sent away, chased, bullied,persecuted), to save a community destined for destruction (death).
• Recognizing the value of all people regardless of their culture or beliefs and that all are worth saving.
• Standing firm in your faith (what you believe).
• Trusting your convictions.
• Encouraging others to stop, listen and hear the truth.
• Hope coming from the smallest in the community (a joey).
• Complacency from people who are more than content with their lot and are not willing to see beyond their own needs and survival and happiness and security - in spite of being in danger of self destruction.
• Fear of humiliation and rejection.
• Seeking your own pathway in life.
• Honoring your families past (heritage).
  
• Family relationships (loyalty).
• Wifely loyalties.
  
• Fear of children being brainwashed by 'public' education.
• Protecting and defending those who can't protect themselves.
• Community living (all should be valued).
• large families.
• Parenting - Mayor attempts to connect with each child individually (he has 96 children)
• Exploration of faith in things unseen (if you can't see, feel or touch something it doesn't mean it does not exist).
• Fear of losing control.
  
• Bullying tactics.
• Rage and anger.
• Name calling.
• Disrespect from child to parent.
• Science lessons (what is lighter than a feather?)
• kindness, integrity, respect, responsibility, persecution, faith, encouragement, change, rejection, fear of humiliation, vendetta's, disrespect, parenting, individuality, creativity, bullying, aggression, persistence.
  

The movie also has some laugh out loud parts. I believe this movie has honored so many Christian values without turning it into a sermon.

Exactly how clever am I?

(Original photo taken along the Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)

Recently I have been getting very excited over this whole new blogging world. The very fact I got one up and running was cause for a song and dance celebration. Last week when I accidentally figured out how to link was a slightly bigger song and dance moment.

But absolutely nothing has compared to tonight's mighty effort of navigating around photo shop.

Okay, so it's not exactly a new or even tricky tool. However, I have found it and now every photo is going to get the photshop make-over.








How absolutely cool is that?

More to the point Exactly how clever am I?

Definitely worthy of the Hallelujah Chorus (at the very least).

Now as soon as I can figure out how to get rid of a few (maybe a few more than a few) kilo's I will put a photo next to my profile and introduce myself proper like.

Reflections

I have thought long and hard about the wisdom of sharing personal trials and troubles through this avenue of blogging. I know that I have given little glimpses but I'm also aware that I want to be brave enough and trusting enough to reveal, like Linds , another 1% of the real me.

Hello my name is Mary and I am going through an incredibly difficult time. I am hurting. I am emotionally vulnerable. I am disappointed in certain people and feel betrayed by others.

I am working through my emotions. I am starting to breathe more easily. I am feeling more and more peace very day.
I am drawing nearer, nearer, nearer to His precious bleeding side.

I feel the closest to God when I survey His wonder and His majesty and His determination to reveals himself (through His creation).

Pausing on the beauty of His creation reminds me that I am on a journey. I am part of His bigger plan.

Traveling along the narrow road. Eyes ahead. Watching, waiting for the beauty that is just around the bend.

Standing strong and tall.

Knowing that at times things will come crashing down but the life giving water will continue to flow. Maybe the walls had to come down.

Holding on tight when the pressures of life rages against you.

Aching knees, lungs whistling, pounding heart. Just one step at a time!

And then you can raise your arms to the heavens . You made it!

Stop and wonder at His majesty - you are even more beautiful.