Meeting Billy Black!

On Saturday 24th April, Leah and I went to the Twilight Convention held at Sydney's UTS. What a gr8 day. We sat in the auditorium and listened to Q & A sessions with Gil Birmingham (Billy Black), Boo Boo Stewart (Seth), Christian Serratos (Angela) and Daniel Cudmore (Felix - from The Volturi).... We met and had our photo taken with Gil (as pictured)! I kinda wish we had gotten our photo taken with Daniel as well...we didn't realise that minus the Volturi get-up, the guy is really HOT! LOL ... Really tall too - 6ft6"!!! It was wonderful to catch up with Leah - it had been a whole year since I had seen her (when we had spent the night in the city with Nai at the Sheraton 4 Points)... Leah, if you're reading this, I miss you so much already! I promise I will be up in June! Love u xxx

Princesses of the RATBAG variety!!!

Princess Ratbags!

Burn Baby Burn!

A Night at Hellfire

On Friday 16th April, Shannon, Leanne and I ventured into Darlinghurst to the club, Hellfire! Whilst bondage clubs are not generally my scene, I was surprised at how friendly, respectful and non-invasive the people were there. Everyone seemed to respect everyone else. No-one gawked or sneered at anyone and no-one was sleazy. We had a gr8 night dancing, drinking and socialising and it definitely was fun to dress up. As I am into circuses atm (after reading "Water for Elephants"), I dressed as a circus ring-leader...complete with top hat and whip. Shannon vamped it up and wore a bright red corset, satin mini, boots and fishnets! Leanne wore a skimpy strappy black backless dress and heels with dark eye make-up. Well girls, I must say it was VERY DIFFERENT, but fun all the same. I had a gr8 night. Thanks a bunch xxx

Run Rabbit Run!

Going Native

On Easter Saturday, Ash, Jhi, Sare and myself headed into Centennial Park for a video shoot with Jeff for a band called "Boy and Bear". The shoot took place in "The Woods" and all who turned up for the shoot (dressed corporately) were fitted out in their "Woodsfolk" attire and scattered throughout the sun-lit woods for the tale to be told...going corporately NATIVE! Dim had made a bulk of the costumes (Jeff had been allocated a budget for this) and came up with some wonderful "Indian-styled" outfits made entirely of men's ties as well as a "Book Owl" made from the torn pages of an actual book....my soon to be Sister-in-Law is one talented girl! Ashley played the love interest in the clip (the Wood-King's beautiful daughter). Sarah and Jack were Native woods-children, I played the book owl, Dim played a deer, Jhi a Guard, and Jefferton, the King of the Woods! A payed actor played the main "Corporate guy turned Native Indian"...and everyone else various birds, woods-people and Indian Natives.

What a fun day!

The finished clip will be aired on Video Hits on May 10 I think, but will post when I am 100%. I can't wait to see it on TV...how funny and who would have ever thought I would be in a video clip with my brother, sister-in-law, both my kids and my nephew! LOL Good one Jeffers! U are a legend! Thanks for my role as the Book Owl. I'm really chuffed! The photos are wonderful too. I've just posted a couple of my favourites, as there are over 100 - too many to post here!

Hope u enjoy xxx

P.S The song is called "The Rabbit Song"...looking forward to seeing it soon!!!

Easter 2010

Happy Easter

Here's a few random photos from on and around our family Easter, 2010 - from Miss 6's Easter Hat Parade at school to a fun-filled day in Centennial Park (Easter Saturday) filming the video clip for "Boy and Bear's" new song, "The Rabbit Song". Jeff was asked to direct the clip and he had us all dressed as various Woods Folk in a gorgeously quirky take on going Corporately Native!

Thursday - Sarah's Easter Hat Parade
Good Friday - Lunch at The Crest (Gary, Me and Sarah)
Easter Saturday - Boy and Bear shoot in Centennial Park
Easter Sunday - Eggs eggs eggs and dinner with Ash and Sarah at Nulla Nulla
Easter Monday - Lunch at Gymea Hotel

Hope you all had a love and chocolate filled Easter. Much love, Cathy xxx

A brief ME update!!!

Just a quickie post this morning over a strong coffee - down to one a day now... one very strong, super sized coffee, given, but one all the same! I just wanted to post that my weight-loss is going well. Having finally found an exercise I like is making all the difference. Apart from the thought and total fear of seeing another snake on the track, I am walking and running on a daily basis and love it!

I start at the "Florence Parade Track" and power walk to the end, up and around the "Visitors Centre" and back down as far as the "Bundoona Track" ...then I run the "Bundoona Track" to the end, walk up and around the "Visitors Centre" again and back down the "Florence Pde Track" to the beginning of the "Bundoona Track" and run again. I run the "Bundoona Track" 2-3 times and by the time I complete my morning exercise, I have done around 7000 steps, 550 calories and all in around 55-65 mins (depending on whether I looped twice or three times)...it's usually twice and for the past 2 days I have been doing it in 54 mins! Yay to me! I have decided that when I crack the 50 mins, I will officially add the 3rd lap! As for now, I am happy with what I am doing. Initially I only power walked. Now I have added the run, so I definitely feel that my fitness is progressing.

As for weight loss, I have lost 8.2kg (as at Friday last week). I will weigh again this Friday. Fingers crossed. I have 3 weeks and 3 days till my night out with Shan, Son and Leah (in which we have to get into our "sexy" outfits...LOL) and exactly one month till Leah comes down from Qld for the Sydney Twilight Convention. I am hoping to have another 5kg off by then. At that stage I will have about an even 10 to put me back where I want to be....to tell you the truth, I can't believe I let my weight get so out of control, but I guess stress does some awful things.

Til l8tr xxx

Greek Festival 2010

On Saturday 21st March, Shan, Mum, Sarah and I headed into Darling Harbour for the 28th Annual Greek Festival. Mmmmm... what to say??? Well, it was OK I guess. A bit disappointing. I guess I thought it would be more "Greek" than it was...maybe I was just expecting too much. Anyways, it was a nice day (though a touch too hot for my liking) and we enjoyed being together as we always do. Sarah had a fine time of it, and as the whole of Darling Harbour seemed to cater for kids - from bungy trampolining to craft and facepainting - she ended up spoilt and a large part of the day was centred around her. No complaints there...LOL! So Greek Festival itself turned out to be a bit of a flop, but not to worry. I think anything in comparison to the real thing was going to leave us a little on the empty side :0( I wanna go back!!!

Sarah Update!!!

Miss Sarah is in 1Gold with Mrs Shepherd this year. Although they split the kids up this year (and her best friend Phoebe is no longer in her class), she still has Jasmin and Tiarn in her class, which is a bonus.

Sarah really likes Yr1. She likes her teacher. And she seems to be learning at the rate of knots! Every week there are 2 double-sided work sheets for homework to be handed in on a Friday - 2 pages are maths and 2 pages are writing (including a spelling word list they must do nightly as they are tested on a Friday).

Sarah has "news" on a Monday, Tuesday is "library day", Thursday is "sport's day"...they also spend time on the computers and in scripture.

Currently in class, the kids are learning "history", more specifically, their own history and where they as people, fit into their histories. The kids were asked to each bring a family item of importance that demonstrated something historical and also something which was part of their own history. David lent Sarah a framed set of photos of the harbour bridge before, during and after it's construction in the early 30's. Fits into our history of Sydney and of Australia, and also Sarah's own personal history as two of her Great Grandfather's worked on the construction of the bridge - one on bolting, the other on lighting. They will be doing various projects and drawings in relation to their history item.

All in all, Yr 1 is shaping up well. Sarah seems happy and content. She is a Level 9 reader and we do a "home-reader" together nightly. She has also started dancing with the school and goes to a dancing class before school every Friday, which she absolutely loves! We are also going to be looking into "The Music Bus" as an option for Sarah to learn an instrument of her choice. The bus comes to the school every week, so it's easily accessible. For the first time ever, too, Sarah did a season of sport outside of school - summer soccer. It only went for about 9 weeks or so, but she did learn how to be in a team, and the basics of soccer. Plus, she looked really cute in her soccer gear....and boy was she fast when the full-time whistle blew. I'm pretty sure she was first or second in line for an ice block on more than one occasion...LOL!

Anyways, Til L8tr xxx

To Miss Sarah...keep up the gr8 work little bee. Mummy loves your guts xxx

Ashley Update

Ash is currently in Term 2 of Yr 12 at KHS. Her subjects are 2U Maths, 2U English, 2U Society and Culture, 2U Legal Studies, 2U French and 2U French Extension (3U French).

So far Ash is doing really well. She studies A LOT though...maybe 5 hours a day+, and there has been days (Fridays for eg when she finishes school at 10.30) where I have seen her put in a solid 10 hours of study! It's ridiculous I know, but she really wants to get an ATAR in the 90's. Law and Psychology are her 2 chosen fields. I think she would like to study at Wollongong, but she is also currently looking into finishing her degree in France (thanks Shan for the info)...

Ash does get panicky at times...especially now that the half yearly's are in a week and a half and every assessment mark counts towards her final grade. She is managing to hold it together (just), though at times I can see her starting to split around the seams! She is doing everything possible to keep on top of things, including maths tutoring at Miranda Tutoring Centre once a week. As it is near to exams, I have been getting her a double session and this week, it's 3! I need to win Lotto...LOL! Anyways, I have seen all the effort she has been putting in to her studies over the past months and I just KNOW all the hard work will pay off and she will be in the uni course of her choosing next year...or the year after if she decides to take an official GAP year.

Good Luck Baby Girl. I know you will blitz your mid-yearly! I love u always xxx

...P.S An endless supply of chocolate is also required (apparently) to get her through her study. I bought her 3 large blocks, had them wrapped and gift-carded and delivered to her school for an added pick me up!

Be Brave and Shave!!!

On Thursday 11th March, it was "Be Brave and Shave" day at school...gold coin donations were given to raise money for the Leukemia Foundation and the kids were allowed to colour their hair for the occasion. Sarah chose bright red! We sprayed her hair before school and took a piccie or two...I think she looks gr8 as a red head. Just like Mummy!

xxx

Super Swimming Star!!!

On Monday 8th February, Ashley had her KHS Swimming Carnival at Caringbah Pools. Needing a 4th for a relay swimming event, Ash volunteered as a bit of a joke and Naomi took these silly pics of her.... Guess what though??? They WON! Yay Ash! How you DO make me laugh!!!

Zoo Pics!!!

Mummy's Takin' Me To The Zoo Tomorrow...We Can Stay All Day!!!

Towards the end of the Summer holidays, David scored some Gold Passes for the Zoo - Yay! Mum, Sarah and I met Jeff at Circular Quay and we all caught the ferry together. We met Dim and Jack at the entrance to the Zoo after a quick lift up the hill from Susi.

We all had a wonderful day. It was hot and sunny, and the kids (Jack and Sare) had a blast together looking at all the animals. We sat on the steps where the bird show usually is for a home-baked frittata for lunch - thanks Dim!

The highlight for the day was definitely seeing the elephants - Luk Chai, the baby elephant was simply gorgeous at playtime, playing with his soccer ball and another ball attached to a rope, which he flung about his head!

The kids also enjoyed splashing about in a man-made rockpool built especially for toddlers and small children. As it was a hot day, there was many a little toddler spashing about - nappies out everywhere...LOL!

Jack and Sarah were in hysterics at the monkey enclosure as we were putting our heads in the monkey cut-out for photos...Jack's laughter was priceless. He thought Sarah was especially funny with her own head, but on the body of an ape!!!

After a long and exhausting, but inexpensive day (thanks a bunch Grandad for the free tix), we headed back by ferry to Circular Quay and hopped a train for home.

Thanks family for a wonderful summer day spent soaking in all the wonders of our Taronga Zoo. Much love xxx

Hello 2010!!!

9 days into the New Year and this is my first post - not a gr8 start, Cathy!

Here's a brief run down of what we've been up to so far.

Drove out to Margy and Trev's at Wilton on New Year's Eve and spent the night all together celebrating Margy's 37th Birthday at Vaby's Restaurant at Picton with her, Trev, the kids, her Mum and Dad and brother, Don. Afterwards we drank Margy's home made sangria outside under the watch of the most magnificent blue moon, ate nibblies, chatted and laughed until around 11.30pm when we headed inside to catch the Sydney fireworks on telly. Happy New Year all!!! Off to bed and poor Miss 6 had a MASSIVE itchy bit down the back of her leg and scratched it relentlessly ALL night - needless to say that whilst I had no hangover to speak of on New Year's Day, I was severely sleep deprived!!! After b&e...compliments of Chef Trev, the kids had another play in the Taj Mahal (the kids monstrous cubby house) and then ducked in quickly next door for a dip in Margy's Mum's pool! Sare and I left at around 1pm I think, but were home by about 3. A different and lovely way to bring in the New Year this year. Thanks Margy and Trev. We had a blast!!!

So far this year money has been a little on the tight side, so we have been doing activities that don't require much cash...well Sarah and I have been - Miss 17 is all cashed up due to all her recent shifts at Nulla Nulla. In fact right now she and Jhi are at the Citigate in Sydney enjoying a hotel buffet breakfast after a night out on the town eating fine food and drinking cocktails! What a life!!! As for Sare and I...well we enjoyed an afternoon down at "Wiggle Bay" making sandcastles and playing in the park, an afternoon picnicing in Camellia Gardens with Dan, Bella, Leanne and Jofess (Joseph), and a gorgeous sun-filled day picnicking and swimming at Wottamolla in the National Park yesterday with Nanny and Grandad - although I managed to get myself sun burnt... It was a lovely day though (even though I kinda sorta broke my diet a little - thanks for the leftover brownies, Dim!!! NOT). Oh well, back on it again today!

At 7.14am on 7th Jan, Tracey gave birth to a new little addition to our family - Lincoln James Riddell, weighing a whopping 8lb14oz. We visited her last night at St George Private...gotta say he looks a LOT like his Daddy. Congrats Trace and Luke - your little boy is just gorgeous! My girls are stoked to have a new cousin ... well 2nd cousin...u know what I mean! LOL...

So far 2010 is shaping up to be a fine year. I have stopped smoking and drinking. I wish I could say that it is easy, but it is a daily struggle and find myself having mind conversations quite often. I will get there. I am determined not to let my vices beat me. I know how I want to be and I wont be dictated to by a packet of cigarettes and a bottle of wine! One day at a time.

I have already read one book this year - The Fantastic Mr Fox (in preparations to go see the movie which is out, with Miss 6), and I have started the first book in the True Blood series. I have also started my journal, and have put all of my paperwork and bills into order.... yay, just over a week into the year, and I am already checking all the resolution boxes!!! Browny points aplenty to one C.McLaren!!!

Anyways, I am off for now, but will be back to post again very soon. Til L8tr xxx

Welcome to the world Baby Lincoln...

Lincoln James Riddell

Born on 7th January, 2010

to Tracey and Luke

at 7:14am

Weighing 8lb14oz, 54cm

Congratulations!!!

Blue Moon....

New Years Eve and Margy's 37th Under the Blue Moon!!!