Stuff to Do

Isn't it funny how we just exist, without thinking about what a miracle it is in the first place? One molecule different, and I wouldn't be here. Or maybe I would be here, but be a profoundly different person. If my mother hadn't been my mother, or if my dad hadn't been my dad, I wouldn't be me. My whole life would be different, and wouldn't be mine - it would be someone else's life. All the choices that I've made, good bad and extremely ugly, would never have been made. And it is tempting, in thinking especially about the bad choices, to wish that I had made better decisions. If I had though, I wouldn't be here. Even bad decisions can lead to good ends. That's the beauty of having the Creator of the universe know you by name. Only He can take a shattered life and put the pieces together to make something new, something beautiful. My life on this earth isn't perfect, and that's okay. It's the life that's meant for me

As we prepare for the arrival of our daughter, I wanted to record some thoughts I've been having lately, so I can look back on them later.  Most of you know that Lachlan and I had a miscarriage in 2004. Twins, at around 7 weeks or so. If you've never felt that particular form of grief, you can imagine, but you can not know how deep it runs.  When it happened, there were days I wanted to die. I imagined driving off the road and into the ravine on our way to work each day.  I had nothing else to occupy the space where our dreams of a child had been.  I found it impossible to walk past racks of baby clothes, or look at children's books, or even teach my Sunday school class of pre-schoolers. When we fell pregnant again, in February 2006, I was terrified, but cautiously optimistic. When I started spotting again, I was certain that it was the end. In my mind, I had already lost our baby. Having it confirmed by the doctor was secondary. This time, though, I had oth

G'Day! As usual, I have left all the 'going away for the weekend' preparations to the last minute. So everything is a shambles, and we're not ready to go away, and I'm quite frankly too tired to care a whole lot. Here's a short list of what, in my opinion needs to be done before we leave tomorrow: Laundry (4 loads plus bathmat) Packing Clean out fridge (somehow we've gotten dead ants in our fridge) vacuum carpets (the downstairs is like an all-you-can-eat roach buffet, yuck) scrub toilets (I loathe stinky toilets upon return from holiday) Mop kitchen floor This isn't all stuff that I'm planning on doing myself, but rather stuff that I just think should be done before we go away. I don't think I'm being unreasonable, I just don't want to come home on Monday afternoon to a yucky dirty house. We've planned on having takeaways (takeout for the Americans) Monday night, so we don't have to stress about cooking and it can be a low-key e

I'm going to start a scrapbook of flamingo stuff. Newspaper clippings, photos, what have you. It makes me feel closer to my family, but especially my dad. So from now on, my blog will have two Friday themes. Flamingo Montoya Friday, where I post this guy: doing something crazy, and Fight the Frump Friday, in conjunction with Fabulous Fussy over at http://fussypants.typepad.com/ Oh, and by the way, our new lounges are being delivered on Thursday!!! Soft, beautiful lounges that one can actually sleep lounge on (well, most people can't, but I'm short so I'll fit quite nicely). I am SO excited! This is what they look like, but in a pretty pale sage green color. It's a little boxy in appearance for my liking, but by far kinder to the 'sitting parts' than the other ones we tested. That's all I've got for today. Off to do something productive (but not too hard!) XOXO, Sarah

I was rude. I was deeply wrong in my response to you, even if I didn't know it was you. I've been dealing with a lot, as have we all. I don't want to forget you - you're one of the most important people in my life. Please forgive my rudeness, and don't stop talking to me. I'll try and get your email from Mom, because I DO want to talk to you. I hope you are able to forgive my lapse in kindness, and I hope you know how much I love you. Love, Sarah