Bulimba Farewell

“Sappy.” That is how my child described his emotions during our last few days in Bulimba. Ellis walked into the kitchen one morning and said, “Mom, I am feeling sappy.” When I asked what he meant, he replied, “Well, I am sad to leave my friends here, but I am happy about going back to the states.” Yep, I felt sappy, too. While we had so much to look forward to in the states, the thought of saying goodbye to our dear friends tore at our heartstrings. Quite honestly, I know it was our last good-bye for many of them. Over the Christmas holiday, one of my favorite childhood friends asked me, “Are you really that happy or is that your Facebook life?” I got a good chuckle because she would totally be the one to call my bluff, but there was no bluff to be called. As happy as I was for a year and a half, I was just as sad those last few days.  I try to remind myself that I am one lucky girl to have experienced the Bulimba lifestyle. I am even luckier to have encountered such wonderful friends. So, thanks to my precious Rosie, “Until I see you again my friend, until I see you again…”

 

Now bear with me as I post some of my last moments in Bulimba.

 

 

I know this is fuzzy, but I love this crew!

The awesome foursome, minus Joy. See you in Paris, girls!

One of the things I will miss the most is walking Ellis to school. Here is Ellis with one of my favorite "Lollipop Ladies".

Dinner at the Customs House, my favorite restaurant.

Our fabulous neighbors, Gwyn and Lynn. On one of our last nights, he made a FEAST of steak, hamburgers, and sausages. I am not kidding! That doesn't include Lynn's variety of fabulous sides!

Hannah and Hannah Grace at Max Brenner's. Hannah was our first sleepover guest in Australia. What a doll!

Ellis had a handful of good Bud's. Here he is with one of them.

I loved the fresh squeezed juices and homemade lemonade! I didn't get a picture of my juice, but here is my favorite lemonade!

My dear friend, Jen. Sorry you had to miss work...not really.

Catching up with Katie at Custom's House. I told you it was one of my favorite places!

 

Oh, how I will miss those sunsets!

 

Our lawn bowling friends, the Gelaudes. I don't remember who won our last match. Haha!

 

The children got in on the action, too.

My Monday morning walking buddy, Erica. Our last trip up Main Street. The picture doesn't do it justice. This hill is STEEP!

A spur of the moment visit with Rosie and Stefania.

I am hoping I will see you in Canada!

One of my many scrabble dates with Amy. Say what you want, we had fun!

 

We will have to settle for Words With Friends for now.

Last Bunco: Funny enough, this picture was taken before the wine!

 

Our last Aussie lunch with the Gelaudes. See you in Houston!

 

Hannah Grace and Bri. Many tears were shed when Hannah Grace had to say goodbye.

Last play with Jakob, Lucas, and Tom. Here they are climbing the Memorial Park trees-Ellis's favorite!

Jakob's mom was so kind to bring along some treats.

 

I am not sure what they are doing here, but I love it! I still get teary-eyed when I think about the fun Ellis had with these boys!

 

My friends and I gathered for a wonderful lunch before I left. They gave me this beautiful Bulimba painting and a Stephanie Alexander cookbook. One day maybe I will be able to sit down and read their notes without shedding so many tears!

Forget the tissues, I brought a whole roll of toilet paper!

 

Toni and Jen, cracking me up. Don't they blend right in to the picture?

 

This is a perfect Erica and Rosie picture! Erica has a fabulous laugh and I LOVE that Rosie is ready to knock me out for taking so many pictures!

 

"Until I see you again my friends, until I see you again...."

Hugs to you all!

 

 

To ease the pain of leaving, we made a few pit stops on the way back to South Carolina.  Tony’s parents met us in Hawaii for a few days of relaxation. They then took the children back to the East coast where they were able to watch my dad and his team participate in the NCAA tournament. Meanwhile, Tony and I had a few more days of bliss in Napa with friends that I adore (and that live much closer, I might add)!

Giggy and Hannah Grace strolling the beaches of Hawaii

Anyone surprised?

 

Seriously the BEST pineapple shaved ice!

Hang ten!

Hannah Grace's highlight of the trip.

 

 

If you are ever in Hawaii, I highly recommend eating at Roy's!

 

 

OFF TO YOUNTVILLE, CA

 

 

Ready for our bike tour through wine country! Whose idea was this, anyway?

 

 

I was pretty impressed with my skills of taking pictures while riding a bike! There was only one time that I almost ate dirt.

 

Dinner after our wine tour. Notice our drinks?

 

Muir Woods National Monument

 

Hog Island Oysters=DELISH! I hate to admit it was worth the 6AM wake up call, Mark!

So, it is back to reality. The kids are in school, Tony has begun work in Houston, and I am still happy (Really, Krista).

 

 

 

 

Holiday Highlights

I never realized that the question, “Where are you from?” could be so complicated. For some reason, I was asked this question several times on our last visit to the states. Each time I found myself perplexed when it came to my answer. It would seem silly to answer in my southern accent, “Australia.” Later on I pondered on how I should have answered. Here is what I came up with: I am from Nashville, TN where I was born to two loving parents. Nashville is also where Boone and Sally Swain put their mark on me.  I am from Mobile, AL where the Counts, Crawford, Ashurst, and Koblas families all put their stamp on me. Mobile is also where my fabulous sister and brother were brought into this world.  I am from Clemson, SC where, in my younger years,  the King’s, Bowie’s, Harris’s, Taylor’s, Mike Massar, Evelyn Boykin, Linda Rettew, Amy Sefick, Krista McDonald, Anna Cobb, and too many other friends to count helped to mold me and make me a better person. In my adult life, Clemson has brought new friends that I will always cherish.  Although, I didn’t live there, I am from the panhandle of Florida where my aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents loved me and helped raise me.  I currently live in Australia, where my friends have been like family. So my answer is, “It is complicated.” It isn’t possible to list everyone, but I love that so many people loved, raised, and continue to guide me on my path in life. Man, I am a lucky girl.

 

Here are some pictures that highlight our trip over December and January and include some of the people where I am “from”.

Catching up with the cousins

Deep fried turkey

Making the most of the rain

 

We love our traditions! Papa and Grammy take the kids to Target on Christmas Eve.

 

Mmmm...Oyster roast!

I love Marty's face!

 

The perfect hosts: Randy and Anita

The winning team!

 

Goofy, as always! My sister announced that she is expecting her first! WOOHOO!

Off to gather some clams

You are welcome, Brett!

 

I cracked up watching my dad paddle across the inlet in this boat with Landon and Abby!

 

My sister with her husband, Marty

Aunt Mary Beth and Braylen

Waiting to say, "Happy New Year!"

 

Carolyn Redd and Peggy Chason

 

Loved spending time with the Dillard family

 

 

Braylen and Ellis getting ready to cheer on the Chanticleers

As you can see, Ellis is focused on this game of Putt-Putt

These players made a hole in one!

 

Hannah Grace catching up with Fort Hill Youth Group

Pawpaw and Giggy took the children to a farm

 

Catching up at Blue Heron

 

Just like old times!

Friends since they were babies

 

The children didn't love the shots, but I always love seeing

Dr. Wyatt, Faye, and Erica!

 

They may be years apart in age, but they are two peas in a pod!

Hannah Grace with Savannah, the birthday girl

A fabulous visit with the Shope family!

 

The perfect day with Cheryl and Carsen!

Dr. Ellison helped bring my babies safely into this world! I adore him!

 

 

My Sign

Did you know that 8 of the 10 deadliest snakes in the world live in Australia? I didn’t know that until it was time to move here. People loved sharing that tidbit of information with me. About the time I started to really worry about it, the weather began to warm in Clemson. I saw more copperhead snakes that spring/summer than I ever had before. I took it as a sign: Snakes are everywhere…Go have fun in Australia. Do you know (knock on wood), I have yet to see a snake in the wild over here.

In my last blog, I told you that we are headed to Houston. I am still dreading our move, but I got my sign that it is time to move on:

The first sign was my baby girl sobbing when Anna Catherine dropped us off at the airport. She could hardly catch her breath. Yep, it is time to get her back to the states. Not to worry, her tears were dried up when I told the man trying to cut through the security line that he could go on through if he sang me a song. When asked what song, I requested “Lady”. Kenny Rogers then sang us a couple of lines before scooting through security.  This tickled all three of us…not that my children had a clue about Kenny Rogers!

The second sign came after we had already flown 15 hours to Seoul, Korea. We had a short layover before boarding our plane to Brisbane for another 9 ½ hour flight. I did not want to get on another plane and seriously wanted to throw a tantrum, but I managed to control myself.  The three of us sat in a row of four. The fourth passenger in our row was a twelve year old boy from Korea.  We had a long conversation on how he goes to school in Australia and stays with his aunt and uncle. He broke my heart when he talked about missing his mom sometimes. Well into the flight, I woke up to Ellis leaning on my left shoulder and the little boy on my right shoulder. I wanted desperately to move, but decided it was best for them to both sleep. Here is where my sign comes in: Five hours left in the flight, the little Korean boy sat straight up and I knew what was about to happen. I tried to tell him to go to the bathroom, but I was too late. He vomited EVERYWHERE. I believe I almost broke the button as I pressed it to call the flight attendant. I then flailed my arms in the air, yelling as she almost passed our seat. I give kudos to those sweet flight attendants who cleaned up the mess and continually checked on him during the flight. They didn’t just check on him, they rubbed his arm and talked to him in such a sweet way. She was speaking Korean, so I don’t know what she said, but it sounded comforting.  Unfortunately, the plane was full, so there was no switching of seats. Not only did our row reek of vomit, but he continued to do so up until we landed. There was my sign. The last two times that I have flown from the states to Australia, I have been vomited on. It is time to go back to traveling via car.

My tire swing

Afterall, life is just a tire swing

Jimmy Buffett has a song titled "Life Is Just a Tire Swing". For the past year and a half, I've been enjoying that swing as I toasted new friends, reveled in beautiful sunsets, and toured the east coast of Australia. Now, I feel like someone has taken the rope to my tire swing, twisted it ever so tight, and let go. Now I am spinning so fast, it's hard to see. Life is about adventure, though. Right? Well by now you know I don't have an adventurous bone in my body. I don't camp, I "glamp." My idea of hiking is walking down a nicely cleared path, preferably paved. I am not sure what happened to the adventurous pigtailed girl, with a nasty orange life jacket strangling her neck that would light up when it was time to go fishing on the muddy river in Mobile. The girl that played in the creek behind her house? What about the one that swam in the alligator living waters behind her aunt's house? Not sure. But, I digress.

So, what is the point to this blog? Oh, yeah, adventure--our next one: Houston, Texas. In March,  our family will pack our bags and leave the home and friends we have come to love and start the next step in this journey.

So, off I head to my tire swing. Maybe I'll put my hair in pigtails and strap on a fluorescent orange life jacket.