18 Years Young.

There have been many moments over the past couple of weeks that I've sat and wondered just where the past 18 years have gone. At times it has seemed as though it's been a very long voyage, but then when I look at Lakeisha, and see the beautiful young woman she has become, I really do have to ask myself where all those years went. It seems like such a short time ago she was just a small child.

As with any parent child relationship, we've had our moments. But I can honestly say that I'm so proud of the person she has grown to be, happy with the improvements she brings to her life, impressed with the choices she makes, and above all just hoping she is happy, healthy is just a nice person to be around. I have no doubt that the wonderful harmony and stability Shane has brought to our lives over the past 7 months has impacted greatly on her life during that time as well. I have noted with much pleasure the immense difference in so many aspects of our lives. I am confident it will continue to set the standard for what is to come.

I really wanted to do something special in marking her 18th Birthday, unfortunately having had several weeks with little work over the past month, it was disappointing to have to abandon the original plan of a big costume party. However, under the circumstances I think I was very pleased with what we came up with. Having a random conversation with our friend Duane in the supermarket one day, I came up with the idea of having a dinner at home for about 12 guests with Duane, who used to work at the restaurant with Lakeisha some time back, as the Surprise Chef.

Many phone calls later, we finally had all the details under control and the plans were set in motion. A surprise party with the friends Lakeisha had lease likely expected to see on her birthday including cousin Nic who she rarely gets to see. Unfortunately we had a couple of casualties along the way with last minute apologies, but it certainly didn't ruin the evening. We were all anticipating the night and least of all Duane didn't disappoint with an absolutely incredible meal.

I have to say the night wouldn't have been anywhere near as special if it weren't for two amazing things. One being the food thanks to Duane, and the second being amazing effort put in by Shane for all the things he did including arranging an amazing cake to just the logistics of getting enough tables, seats, and opening his house up to a bunch of whacky strangers, half of which slept there the night, topping off before the final farewells this morning was a huge batch of the famous Apple & Cinnamon Pancakes.

I have no doubt there a a number of scrapbooking opportunities amongst these. Hopefully time and inspiration will permit as the time goes by, but in the meantime, here are the images from yesterday and last night.....

Another memorable family event!

Once everyone had hit the road, so did Lakeisha and I, off to visit with Paul. Even though we didn't make the trip quite as early as usual, it was great to sit and chat with him. The countdown is on until he is home. Interesting that as I gazed at the one empty chair last night, I couldn't think of anyone I would have preferred to see sitting there. Hang in there my friend. Mere weeks until that roast is in the oven!

She lives....

Yet again poor blog I have deserted you.... And yes Mel - I feel bad. I'm not sure why - whether it's the fact that life seems to be busy, or whether I haven't needed that kind of therapy I can't be sure. Certainly the need for some theraputic talk has not disappeared from my life, but perhaps it's a time for needing a sounding board, someone to reflect my thoughts back from a different perspective than I'm seeing things at present. And while expressing thoughts and feelings is a good thing and being able to look back at what you've written on a blog helps to understand the process of moving through things - sometimes you need to hear a reaction from someone rather than reading more of your own babble.....

Something I've come to appreciate a great deal over the past 4 or 5 years is that it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking the same without thinking about it. We get up in the morning and we do the same things we did yesterday and never really challenge why we do them. What I've come to appreciate over the past 4 or 5 years is that saying "If you want different, do different." I'm guessing thinking comes under that umbrella of thought as well. Think differently. Process the thinking thoughts in a different way and try to see them from a different angle. Sometimes it can be a challenge.

I suspect it's why some people move ahead in life and why the rest just seem to never achieve their goals, hopes and dreams. But for myself I think it's often why I get disappointed or disillusioned with things sometimes. I tend to think on the practical side, look towards the future and try to do things now that will ultimately (hopefully) work towards making things better but also make the now comfortable as well. But that's just me. Some people, I realise, live in the moment with absolutely no thought about tomorrow. And some are simply so obsessed with the future, that they forget about enjoying today, constantly worrying about tomorrow. I guess that makes me middle of the road and sometimes that's a nice place to be but when it doesn't compliment where others are it can sometimes make moving forward a challenge.

The past month has been fraught with emotion and upheaval. Watching someone I love go through pain, physical and/or emotional, is never a pleasant thing for me. Throw into the mix one of the traits I dislike most in people - greed - and you have the recipe for upsetting me a great deal. And so were the days of packing up most of the items Shane has identified his life with throughout the past 30 years, never to be seen again. And while I don't have any problem at all with dividing assets between parties who have separated, I'm astounded at how some people can stoop to all time petty low levels in an effort to get that one last bitch slap in.

Having earmarked, at a guess, around 70% of what was in the house (and that takes into account all of Shanes musical & computer equipment - so there wasn't a whole bunch of anything else left), the day came to come and collect what had been removed to the garage for transport. I'd have to say at this point that I have been enormously proud of how this man has retained a sense of integrity throughout this entire ordeal and was more than fair in his distribution of what went and what stayed. He certainly didn't keep the best for himself in almost all choices. And yet the rape and pillage of the house, which he generously left open so the participants could use the toilet, was absolutely astounding - including if you will, food from the pantry! 7 months absent from the house and she takes food from his pantry? What the? Not to mention a number of items that were actually mine as well. And then when it's all packed ready to go, she leaves him a note telling him how much she still loves him? Yep... as you would. Sweetheart - I've just ripped everything you've ever known for the past 30 years out of your possession - I love you....
Hell it makes sense to you too right?

With that chapter of life closing, I'm certainly eager to move on to a place where life can revolve around making a better life. Pour me a wine - I'll drink to that!

The creative side of me has been a bit blah with a lack of enthusiasm about a lot of things lately. But in those few moments I did get in the mood to do something, I was pretty pleased with what came out of it. I often wish I had more time, or at least felt like I wasn't taking the time from other things, to go and scrap. I suppose it's like everything else, if I'm meant to I will. But anyway, below are the creations of recent weeks. The first is one of a pair of framed pieces from Shane's son's wedding. This one has the invitation and I have another matching frame in which I'll scrap some additional photos, the buttonhole flower Shane wore at the wedding and the gold rings which came with the invitation. I'm thrilled with how this one turned out so I think the pair of them will look really good together.

And the second piece was a Kaisercraft box I decorated for SIL Lyn's 60th Birthday.








Almost feed time at the zoo....