Friends Friday - I mean, Family Friday...

Children in my life is a relatively new concept.  The first I was re-introduced to little people was my now niece, Piper.  I met her on Micko and my first date (Dave and Krabes wedding)... She was around 18 months old, bald as a badger and proudly pushing her own stroller along.

Ned was to follow... then the surprise arrival of the little bundle of joy that is Gidget.  And now, I'm a proud aunt of 3 of the best looking little fanta pants you ever did see!

Jack (my brother-in-law) has recently started shooting professionally.  His work with children is incredible - in fact, his photographs all round are not just technically fantastic but visually awe inspiring!  And just to show off how adorable my little relatives are... Here is some of Jack's handy work:

First came the lovely Piper...  Now 7 years old - freaks me out that she's not in nappies, stringing a couple of words together...

And Ned followed a couple of years later - he looks like an angel...  Now 5 and heading off to big boys school next year - it seems like just yesterday we were sitting around Jude's dining table, Lu with her chair pushed right back to make way for her watermelon of a belly.

And the happy, delightful Gidget...  Wow how time flies!

Granted, Lu took this one... 4 in the bed and the little one said... 

This is just so adorable I couldn't help myself!  One of the times I like children the most - when they are sleeping!

Gidget recently celebrated her 1st birthday and Micko and I picked her up an adorable little dress for summer.  Jack emailed this through this morning...

I'm thinking perhaps I want kids just so I can give them cool names, dress them in rad outfits and play games.  What?  You say it's more work than that?  Huh, well forget it!  I'll just take the cuddles I can steal on visits thanks very much!  Oh and of course buy them presents!

Check Jack's work out here:  

www.stardustphotography.com.au

If you're anywhere from the NSW North Coast to north of Brisbane... give him a go!  You know what they say... blink and you'll miss it!  And looking at these pics... I'm glad Jack's philosophy seems to be  'click or you'll miss it'.  

Negative Nancy - Pet Hates

Glass half full?  Or half empty?


As you'd probably already be aware, I'm a big believer in perception... meaning that everything in life is coloured the way you perceive it to be.  Green is only green if you think it's green and who knows if the green I see is the same as the green you see?   And when I say perception I'm guess I also need to mention perspective!  I'm a big fan of putting things into perspective... things can always be much worse than they are.  A silver lining can be found in most shit things in life.

I have a friend who becomes more and more negative the older she becomes.  She can find something bad in everything, has some real trust issues and tends to bring up every shit thing thats happened to the people around her whenever we talk.  This is having a massively negative effect on her day to day life.  She expects shit, therefore gets shit...  and I guess, also thinks she deserves shit - otherwise she wouldn't be expecting it, nor getting it.  It's also having a negative effect on the people around her.  People are starting to become reluctant to hang out with her... the last thing you need is to be brought down each and every time you talk to someone.

For example, recently I got so busy with work, I had to put on an editor.  I tried to find someone local but had no luck, so I got on odesk and found a great guy to help out.  He is the bomb!  And truly is a god send (or whatev the agnostic version of god send is).  He recently took on a great deal of responsibility handling everything while I was in Melbourne for Nanna's funeral.  It was a relief to know my business was in capable and trustworthy hands.

Her response?   'Karls, you are so trusting.  I don't know how you could trust that he wouldn't try to rip you off.  He is overseas after all... and the internet, I just don't trust it at all!'

My response, 'Well, that's the difference between you and me.  I put my faith in humanity and in life and  I've never really had it back fire in my face.'

Harsh?  Well, I guess so...  and before I go any further, you may be thinking that I have lead a blessed life where I've been sheltered from shit and have known only happiness... To that I say a big fat bullshit!   While I've copped my fair share of crap and had some pretty shitty things happen to me, I'm not going to let these things define who I am and how I live.  The shit is probably why I'm well equipped to deal with what life dishes out..  I don't like to dwell -  I do like to deal with things  - don't worry I'm not in denial.  I take responsibility for the role I've played in all of life's crap and by moving on, I take back my power.


I think I've probably mentioned this before, but of my pet hates are 'what if' people.  I'm not saying I go out like a bull at a gate and don't think over my decisions... I do!  I carefully weigh up the pro's and con's and if I think it's a risk worth taking... I go for it!  And most importantly I leave the negativity at the door. 


 Seriously, what is the worst that could happen?  And if you fall off the horse, aren't you supposed to jump straight back on?   Isn't something good sometimes worth taking a risk for?


If a friendship is draining more energy than it's providing... when is the time to move on?  Just because you've been friends for 20 years, does that mean you must remain friends for the rest of your life?  Why do you feel so bad when you outgrow people?  The answers, I'm quite sure I already know but I still find it really hard to let go.  Especially when they really haven't done wrong by you... you've both changed and gone in different directions.


Now, I'm about to totally contradict myself... I've just had a brain explosion and I'm in two minds about this... Does a Negative Nancy bring some reason to my generally optimistic persona (are they providing me with some form of perspective?)


People come in and out of your life all the time... but some are harder to say goodbye to - is it the length of time you've spent or the times you've been through together?  Whatever the reasons... Girl break ups suck arse!  


I guess it all boils down to one big question... Should I hang onto the Negative Nancy's in my life, or give them the dick?

Friends Friday - the Krabies

As I've been living outside the blogosphere the last couple of Fridays, I've not had the chance to continue with 'Friends Friday'.  Today, I pick up my bat once more (cricket bat of course - the Aussies aren't doing half bad in the test - at this point anyway), and dedicate this Friday to Krabes.

I've mentioned the wonderful Krabes one or twice before... here and here  

Krabes came to the school during VCE (year 11 & 12) and started to hang out with us bushpigs (our groups nickname).  We had a few arty types (me, Burgo and Mands) and shared many a class with her, so it was only natural we'd try to get our hands of the new girl and convert her from classy to dirty scrubber in one fowl swoop.  It worked a treat and Krabes needed little convincing or converting.  She was ours... cue evil laugh.

Krabes moved to Byron a few years out of school and met Dave.  As I've also mentioned before it was via a visit for Splendour that I came to meet Micko - who was Dave's best mate.  When a mate of mine, Mands, and I decided to move up north Krabes was more than happy to take us under her wing and include us as members of her Byron 'family'.

Krabes is one of the most caring, genuine people I know... Always going out of her way to make sure you feel comfortable and happy... She has a real nuturing nature - soft, very earthy and absolutely lovely.  Also a stunning woman to look at - not that she thinks so.

She now has 2 delicious children - Monty and Harvey - and she is an inspirational mother... the kind that makes me think motherhood could be a good move - even for me.  She is relaxed with her children, but she doesn't take shit.  Always seems to be enjoying the experience (a rarity I've found).  She's also the bitch that looks fabulous pregnant, pops them out and miraculously returns to the hot body she had before in no time.

We've had plenty of good times together... and plenty of crazy times!  Many a night spent on her back deck, up until all hours, talking shit, laughing and drinking copius amounts of cider.  We've shared many a good gig at the Northern, stacks of music festivals, our weddings, a few Christmases and New Years (oh my god the New Years) and parties, parties, parties.  But we've also shared our hopes, our dreams, our concerns and our secrets. She is truly one of those friends who will be there through thick and thin for an eternity and I'm very blessed to have her in my life.

Tomorrow, Krabes and her tribe are coming to stay (was going to be tonight but they had an emergency down in Sydney) and I'm really looking forward to having a few ciders on the back deck, reading her little angels a bed time story then kicking back, with the four of us, listening to music and discussing religion, life, love and everything inbetween.   Her visit couldn't have come at a better time!

Oh and here are a few pics I took at their wedding... back in 2003 (I think?)

Down at Broken Head... Nice day for a peach wedding!

I used to love using 3200 speed film... loved the grainyness - this was a few years before I went digital.

Anyone need a tampon commercial still?

Ahhhh... Kisses for the Mrs.

What a smoking hot bitch!

Friends Friday = Fe

I thought I'd dedicate Fridays to the people in my life that make it so extremely rad.

Today... is dedicated to my other favourite ranga - Fe

Here is a small selection of pics of our times together - most of them are from donkeys years ago, but good for a laugh all the same!

Oh we had the moves... the 80s and early 90s are our specialty!

Bali... the only holiday destination for Fe!

Ummmm... The story of my life really - being a dickhead while other people look gorgeous!

Fe... the storyteller!  Loves a good yarn!

Further evidence - just incase you didn't believe me before!

Obviously belting out a classic!

Bogans on the balcony... have I mentioned I have a sparkler photo problem?

Me, Fe and my bro from another ho, Dirk.

Now... without further delay... Let me introduce you to the KP-24 effect!

Fe and I went to school together, but we didn't really cement a friendship until after school.  Soon after, we became inseperable (much to her husband - my brother from another mother - Dirk's disappointment).  Most nights of the week, I could be found at her place... except Thursday nights - when we'd be feeding our shopping addictions with quality time at Knox... and the weekends - which we'd be out and about feeding our other addiction (karaoke).

Fe has had a tough time of late and I really wish I could be there (in person) for her...but last night, after a week of playing phone tag, we finally got to catch up.  She mentioned one of her all time fav memories of us... A night we will forever call 'The KP-24 Incident'!

Fe is a Primary School teacher and as such, on occassion (rare occassions), contracts nits (headlice) from her little friends.  On this particular occassion, I was staying with her while Dirk was away for work.  We ran down to the Pharmacy, picked up some KP-24 (the most popular head lice treatment here) and I got to work on ridding her of the nasty infestation.  Now, Fe has super long luscious locks and it took FOREVER to comb out the dead lice and eggs, but after a few hours we were both satisfied that it was a job well done.  We washed all the bedding, her clothes and anything else that she might have had contact with and we hit the sack - we always slept together in her massive king sized bed.

The next morning, I got up and drove into Melbourne for work.  About halfway through the day, I started to get itchy... a few hours later and my navy blue work vest was white with... you guessed it, lice!  Embarrased I went to the tell the manager I needed to go home - asap! 

On the way home, I swung past another pharmacy and picked up 2 more packs of the dreaded KP-24... this time, we were getting rid of these fucking lice FOR GOOD!  Fe did my hair... then I did hers.  Once again, we washed and scrubbed and ridded ourselves of these lice for the last time.  Hours and hours later, after a few brewskies, we decided to doll ourselves up and head into Melbourne for a well deserved night out.

Mercury Lounge was the destination (oh yeah, nothing but the best Crown Casino action for us - does that place still exist?) and the strangest thing happened... Men starting throwing themselves at us!  I should mention that this is not a regular occurance for me.  They were offering to buy us drinks, trying to strike up converstations left, right and centre and at one point we were dancing inside the circle that surrounded us of good looking men!  Totally weird.  We had a few too many drinks and then decided to drive home (would never, ever, ever do that now and I'm still not sure why we decided to do it then - very unlike both of us).

Fe is a bit of a maniac driver and a bit of speed demon... We were headed down Maroondah Hwy through Ringwood (a 60 k zone) doing 90k's.  Suddenly, out of nowhere, came a cop with sirens blaring and lights flashing.  We pulled over and were so pissed we were actually very relaxed and laughing our tits off about it! 

The cop saunters towards us, Fe winds down the window and with a big smile on her face while battering her long eyelashes she says in a seductive voice...

"Did I do something wrong Officer?"

He smiles (and he's very cute) and says, "Well, you were doing over 90k's in a 60 zone"

She says, seductively, "Was I?  Oh, I'm so sorry"

He replies, "Have you girls had anything to drink tonight"

Fe says, "Yeah, a couple... We've been out in town"

Then... he unbelivably says, "Well, I'll let you off this time.  Off you go... and no speeding, alright?"

We wind up the window and look at each in sheer disbelief and say in unison, "What the fuck!!!", we then piss ourselves laughing and head back to the newly lice free domain... sit up for hours drinking more and chain smoking.

There are a few lessons in this story...

Firstly, don't drink and drive - EVER!  Regardless of whether or not you get caught, or let off, there are much worse outcomes!

Secondly, if you want a good night out, loads of free drink, hot mens attention and a possible pick up (which neither of us did - Fe was married and I wasn't interested) get yourself a pack of KP-24, douse your hair in it and watch the effects! 

That shit is like love potion, obviously containing pheromones that men find irresistible - at least thats the only feasible explanation to the happenings of that night... It's not happened before, and it's certainly never happened since!  Forever to be known, to Fe and I, as the KP-24 effect.

Please note:  there is no scientific evidence to support our theories, but there's no harm in giving it a go... right?

The Awesome Foursome

Yay!  I'm big kev excited!

Two of my favourite peeps are coming to visit!  My awesome youngest broski and his wonderful wife!

Dale is about 5 years younger than I... Due mainly to this age difference, we'd had a relatively strained relationship when I was in my teens and early 20s.  I was crazy - no doubt about it - and living with your older, crazy sister can be detrimental to your development!


During my late teens and early 20s I was a little wilder than I am these days.  I'd come home drunk as a skunk (these days I stay home drunk as a skunk)... perhaps with a fella or, even worse, with a bunch of mates.  We'd party at my place before we'd head out, on our return or both.  These parties involved loud music, dancing on the kitchen bench and plenty of super loud talking.  Poor old Dale would be trying to sleep and I couldn't have cared less.  The young fella was anywhere between around 12 and 20 whilst all this was going on.  My folks were always away... so my place was open slather.


One such night, when I was 17, I had a bunch of mates round (as usual).  There was probably around 10-15 of us... Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Soundgarden and the like were blaring out the stezza and we'd all consumed a little more than out quota.  Dale was attempting to sleep - he was 12.  Every now and then he'd pop out and say 'Karls... can you guys be quiet, I'm trying to sleep!'... I'd just blow him off and send him back to bed. 


Each sink in the house had someone spewing in it... In the main bathroom, one of my ex's was lying upside down in the shower with his clothes on, rinsing the spew off... While I tried to push his previous mess down the sink hole in the bath, resulting in me spewing.. and then madly trying to shove that down too.  Both toilets were occupied, the ensuite and the laundry trough - occupied... in fact, the only sink not being utilised was the kitchen - and that's probably only because it was full of dishes.


Once we'd all emptied our stomachs... the fun times continued.  All except for my best mate - she was sitting on the lounge, bucket in hand, hair lovingly pulled on top of her head by one of us to keep it out of the way.  She wasn't in a good way... not a spewer and stayer.


Blissfully unaware and enjoying myself tremendously I missed hearing a knock at the door.  It was the best mates Mum.  Let's just say she wasn't at all happy!  She ripped my mate out of the couch, started shaking her and screaming... 'What's wrong with you?  What have you taken?'  Then the phone rang... It was my Mum, checking in on Dale.  He came out of his room to answer the phone and what a sight he saw!  One of my girls was on the Mum's back, trying to pull her off my mate... Everyone was screaming and shouting and pissed beyond belief! 


Needless to say, when I moved away at 26,  Dale - I can only imagine - would have been more than happy to see the back of me! 


On a trip to Melbourne, I asked Dale if it would be alright for Micko and I to crash at his place after we'd been out with mates in town.  He seemed very reluctant.  He told me he didn't really want me to stay because I would make too much noise and want to party the whole time.  I assured him that I had done some growing up while living in Byron and I promised not to disturb the peace - which I didn't.  But it did come as a surprise to me that he thought like that... Until, on the next trip, I asked my other bro, Grant and got exactly the same reaction!


The best thing I've ever done was move back to Vic for that stint... Although I hated the weather and sometimes felt very isolated, it certainly solidified my relationship with Dale.  He and Micko get on like a house on fire... we all love Kat to death and Dale and I, surprisingly, are the best of mates.  The truth is that Dale and I are very similar in many ways... although fortunately he missed out on the teenage drunken angst stage.  Over the years we've discovered we share our sense of humour, we are both loyal to the death, enjoy a beer and most importantly, we are not only siblings but friends.


So bring on the next few days.. I say!  We'll be having a fun packed time... enjoying each others company!  I'm super keen for beers and banter on the back deck overlooking our rainforest... Plus beach time, barbies, beer and banter...Good food, perhaps a few cocktails, shitloads of laughs, music blaring (possibly throw in some PJ and Soundgarden for old times sake), singing, dancing, some reminicising (much to Dale's disappointment), dinner's out on the town and a good feed for breakfast at the Jaaning Tree.  Could life be any better?


Bring it on bitch!  Bring it on!

In the name of balance - pet loves

For the sake of balance I thought I should get out there my 10 pet loves... 

1. Closet hippy - not much is better than staring out at the ocean and mountains, walking through a rainforest or sitting on the ground. I can feel myself 'earth' when I do any of these things (and that is very important to a person who never knew how to stay still).   Indigenous Australians are 100% right... Australia, and our land, is a very special and powerful place. 

2. A good sense of humour, a great joke or story... and even better, laughing hysterically to the point when tears are streaming down your face and you need to have a few minutes rest to catch your breath.

3.  A good hug from a friend you haven't seen for a while.

4.  Entertaining friends at my place... putting on a good feed and drinks galore, good conversation, reminiscing and listening to great music!

5.  Catching up with friends that you might not have seen in years, but when you do, it feels like you just saw them yesterday.  Oh, and making new friends.  Especially those that you feel instantly comfortable with.  I totally believe you are a reflection of the company you keep - obviously the company I keep is fucking awesome!

6.  Family... the most important people in my life!  Mum, Dad, bro's, cousins, aunties & uncles and grandparents.  The people who make my life so fantastic - and it totally is!  Christmas day is always the best day of the year.  I love eating and drinking far too much with the people I love most.

7.  Working hard... and reaping the benefits of a job well done.  I love what I do and would continue to do it even if I won lotto and was set up for life!   I'm very lucky, but I have created my own luck.  Once you know what you want in life, it's as easy as taking the necessary steps to get it.  I look at my business and how well it's going and know that it's only because of my hard work, dedication and persistence.

8.  Summer days in the sunshine at a music festival, in the back yard, at a mates place or the deck of the Suffo, sinking a few schooies with awesome folk.  

9.  My wonderful husband, Micko, who has enriched my life greatly.  Although I know I could live without him, my life is better with him around.  Finally I found the healthy relationship I was searching for.  A mutual respect, an understanding of our differences and encouragement to be the best people we can be.  He has taught me so many things... Patience, unconditional love and balance.

10.  Billy... The newest addition to my happy life.  Billy represents all the things that make living so worthwhile.  Loyalty, contentment, cuddles, love and loads of energy.

Oh and last but definitely not least, every single person in my life, right now.  You guys complete the picture!  Each of you bring something special to the table!  You rock the casbah!

Till next time we meet... my friends!