Sometimes it sucks

This is when it sucks.  I came home tonight from a fabulous evening with dear friends to find out that my best friend’s mother had passed away. WHAT?! That is exactly what I said.  I just don’t understand how my life can go so wonderfully and everyone else’s can be so turned upside down!  Let me start with telling you OUR story:

 

I graduated from Daniel High School in 1991 and entered Converse College. I met Lynn Joiner at Converse College and thought she was a big snob.  She had perfect hair and a strand of pearls. Reason to hate her, right?!  It took a few friends (Shannon and Epsie,mainly) to convince me she was alright. I grew to love Lynn over the course of our year at Converse.  Lynn and I decided to transfer to Clemson and move in together.  It only took a few months before we were dating brothers.  We lived in perfect bliss when we started dating brothers.  We made big plans! When Rett and Tony’s sister got married, we tackled each other for the bouquet.  We wanted to make a good impression for all the “Cartersvillians”.  At any rate, I won.  I am pretty sure someone has a picture to prove it.  My point is to tell you that I love my dear friend, Lynn Joiner Rutland. Her parents were the sweetest people I have ever known.  I would give anything in the world to be able to hug her and those around her.  Again, this is when being in Australia sucks. Lynn Joiner Rutland, you are my friend, my sister-in-law, my soul mate.  I love you!

Thanksgiving

Last week I was in the middle of scrubbing the bathtub when I thought, “Wow. It’s Thanksgiving.” When I went to pick up the children, I greeted one of my American friends at school with a “Happy Thanksgiving” in my baseball cap and grimy self from cleaning the house all day.  I guess it was a mixture of cleaning my house, the lack of Fall décor, and the 80 degree weather that made it not feel like Thanksgiving Day.  I was surprised, though, that although I miss my family dearly, I wasn’t overwhelmed with sadness.  I realized quickly my thankful thought of the day:  I grew up in a basketball family that spent many years traveling over Thanksgiving. If we weren’t traveling, we were feeding a bunch of hungry, very tall boys.  Thanksgiving is about making a point to give thanks and enjoying time with those around you (whether it is family, friends, or both).  This year, I am overwhelmed with things to give “thanks”.  We weren’t able to spend the special day with our family, but we were able to have a celebration with some dear friends.

Our Thanksgiving Day was celebrated on Saturday.  Preparing a Thanksgiving meal in Australia is a bit different because you can’t always find the ingredients you need. Thankfully, Gaby and Julie have been here a couple of years, so they are pros. I have a lot to learn about making my own pie crust, preparing the dressing, and roasting pumpkins for pumpkin pie before next Thanksgiving!  We had a day full of GREAT food and laughter (mainly due to my lack of skill in pie crust making).

             Here is Gaby, frying up one of the turkeys. It was "DU-LICIOUS!"

    

So, the kids may have gotten a little wild. No worries, I took care of it. Right, gang?

 

 

 

 

Perfect Angels! They did seem to have so much fun!

 

 

Our "Thankful Tree".  Everyone wrote something they were thankful for on a leaf. Tony didn't love the idea, but I did! I loved reading all of the thankful comments, but my favorite remark came from Gaby. It said, "I am thankful for one of the good things about coming to Australia: Having the Rutland Family as friends for life."

 

 

Me, Janelle, and Julie

 

I am thankful for God's many blessings!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

 

 

High School Interview

People often say, “Man time flies” or “where did the time go”.  The older I get, the more often those words seep from my lips.  As I sat at the local high school this morning registering my baby girl (high school in Australia begins in the 8^th grade), those and many other thoughts came to my mind.  Hannah Grace had her final interview this morning to complete the registration process. The assistant deputy was lovely and made both of us feel very welcome. The purpose of the interview is so the school can begin to get to know each of the 90 incoming Year 8’s on a personal level. She asked questions to find out her interests, what achievements she has made that she is proud of, what she aspires to be in life, and (the biggest of all in Hannah Grace’s mind) was there any one in particular she would like to have in class with her. As the interview was being carried out, I thought, “How in the world am I sitting here? Wasn’t it yesterday that Papa Ace was leading a group of us in the hospital room, singing ‘Miss Grace’”? I felt my face start to tingle. A good sign I was going to either throw up or pass out. I found myself nodding and smiling as the assistant deputy talked about the wonderful school and the accomplishments of their students, all the while telling myself to keep it together.  There were several minutes there that I couldn’t tell you exactly what was said. I didn’t pass out, though. “Just keep smiling,” I thought. The principal ended up joining us at the end of the interview. A thirty minute interview turned into an hour. I feel that Hannah Grace will be in great hands!  So, in the words of my brother-in-law, “HERE WE GO”! On the up-side, they have a “wine and cheese” gathering for the new parents once school starts in January.  I’m in!

Post Mix

I had another encounter with Australian vs. American words the other day when we were at Subway.  We had ordered our sandwiches and were ready to pay when the guy behind the counter asked if we wanted any drinks. I said “Sure, we’ll take two fountain drinks.” He looked puzzled and the girl next to him chimed in, “Fountain?” I could tell she didn’t understand, so I formed my hand like I was holding a cup and loudly, yet slowly (because that’s what I do when someone doesn’t understand) I said, “FOOUUNTAIN”. She looks at me confused, “Water?”  At this point, we all started giggling.  So now, I start talking even louder and more slowly, and flail my hands in the air as I try to explain what I meant by fountain drink. Not sure why it didn’t occur to me to take her around the corner and point to the machine, but I didn’t.  My hand motions and obnoxious voice worked, though. The boy and girl looked at each other and almost simultaneously said, “Aaaahhhh, post mix!”

Note to self:

Post Mix= Fountain Drink

Melbourne Cup

Tuesday was the day of the much anticipated Melbourne Cup. I should give you a preview of the activities leading up to the festivities, though.

On Monday, after a restless night of sleep due to the pool pump, I decided to treat myself to a manicure.  I should have known everyone in town would be doing the same thing due to the Cup being the very next day!  After touring the mall, I decided to find the shortest line to get my nails done.  Note to self:  Do not find the shortest line!  Nyenahjsuang (I am sure that is not how you spell it) went straight to work on my nails.  She talked (in a language I didn’t understand) the whole time and ripped away at my cuticles.  I was prepared to put Neosporin on my fingers, straight away!  I was pretty certain whatever she was saying in her language was naughty as the “head lady” kept giving her the evil eye.  At one point the head lady said, “Nyenahjsuang, you take lunch?!”  All I could think was, “Wait, My nails aren’t painted yet!”  No worries, my nails were finished.  The only problem was getting in the car.  I carefully found my keys in my purse and clicked the unlock button.  As I opened the door, I realized (ONCE AGAIN) that I was on the wrong side of the car.  In an instant, my newly polished nails were ruined.  I didn’t squeal, but I flicked my hand around so quickly to shut the door that I ruined my perfectly manicured left hand.  One day, I will master my friend Janelle’s maneuver of calmly placing her bags down in the passenger seat! I decided to call it a day after that!

On Tuesday, the festivities began! I met up with Amy and Erica so that we could walk to the party together.  I should mention that the party we went to was another fundraiser held by the school.  I love these fundraisers!  Before heading to Ahmet’s (the place for the party), we popped into the TAB. I have walked by this place numerous times, but never realized what it was. The TAB was a happening place on Tuesday because this is where some serious bets are placed.  I was the big spender, betting a whopping $10 on “Americain” (I had to choose that horse) to win, place, or show. He didn’t do either of those! We walked on to Ahmets and were greeted with a glass of champagne. The day was full of laughter, door prizes, good food, and of course the race! We stayed until it was time to pick up the children.  I should add that, after walking around town in my heels all day, my feet were ruined!  My sweet friend, Julie, dropped everything to come and pick us up and carry us home!  Thank you, Julie!

Placing all bets! I look like I know what I am doing, don't I?

 

TROUBLE!

 

Utensils? Silly Chryssa! Just pick it up and eat it with your hands!

 

Lots of laughs!

 

 

 

sorry

This is a very impromptu blog, but I had to share.  I was sitting on the couch with my children tonight watching the X-Factor.  I am not sure what brought the conversation up, but we started talking about how Australians are so free with their words.  Hannah Grace said, “Yes, my friend Hannah is so sweet, but she was upset the other day and said, ‘Holy fucking shit’”.  Go ahead and pull yourself off of the floor because I already did.  Ellis went along and piped in, “Yeah, my friend slammed his finger in the door and said, ‘oh fuck!.’”

 

I am sorry for not bleeping out these words, but you need the opportunity to pull yourself off of the carpet as I did.