Easter Celebrations in the Mall...

On Saturday some of Tribals Jewels danced in the Wollongong Mall. Jacqui decided that, for a change, we could wear our favourite skirt, choli, bra, belt etc and in this way we gave the audience more of an idea of the range of costuming available to us. We all matched beautifully, but also, all looked distinctly different with our own style....We did a bit of Improv to warm up and then performed a skirt dance and a very fast group dance. Donna did some work with our new fans and Tamara danced with the wings. Mandylynne hung up her tribal costume for the day and hit the audience with some outstanding cabaret. Dancing with my Tribal sisters on a beautiful autumn day is one of my favourite things to do.... : ) Thanks goes to Donna for this great pic! Photo L to R : Tamara, Me, Donna, Jacqueline and Elle. I think that Dani was on the other side of Tam, just out of this shot.

Today...

Today I really needed to vent to someone without being judged and I also really needed to feel loved......
and this is the man who gave me what I needed and has done so for over 30 years now. John is my rock. He is my friend and I love and respect him dearly. I admire him for the long hours he works and how he copes with having such a dangerous job. I know he is very well-liked and respected by his mates and work colleagues. He loves kids and dogs. He's quiet, with an inner strength I envy, he's patient, generous and devoted to those he loves. When I need space he's happy to let me go and play, but when I need him, he's always there for me. He says things sometimes, all very seriously, that just totally crack me and the kids up and he cooks an awesome wood-fire baked dinner......he does drive me absolutely CRAZY at times..... : P
Marriage can be hard going sometimes, but I've learnt that if you both really work at it, always keep the lines of communication open, listen carefully to each other and give it your all, then maybe one day you'll eventually be able to sit back, relax and bask a little in the safety and comfort of what real love feels like....

Well..Well..Well..

Aren't some people disgusting! ; P

I must say that the steak was great BUT the cleavage was excellent!

Hahahahahahaaaaaaaaaa.....

Valentine's Day....

I don't expect to receive anything for Valentine's Day as I think that treats and gifts and special messages of love should be given randomly throughout the years....not just because people say that today is the day for it. However, having said that, I did buy John some yummy chocolates and then was really pleasantly surprised to receive the most beautiful bunch of red roses from my darling....ain't life grand....and I'll be buying him chocies again next week just because....maybe we can celebrate 'Hump Day' ! hehehehe ; P

Reflections....

Why do we blog?

Some people want to share their experiences and ideas with their friends....some look for feedback and others simply want those closest to them to perhaps love and understand them just a little bit better.

It enables us to use our friends as sounding boards...are we on the right track or are we maybe blowing lotsa smoke out our asses? In any event, it is our right to blow smoke out of our ass as long as we're not hurting others. We hope that our friends might have some of the answers to the issues that, at this moment, are confusing us most. A caring friend's perspective might be just what we need. Perhaps by sharing experiences with others it may help us in some way...they say 'a problem shared is a problem halved'. And it's good to be able to sit back, look at the big picture and reflect. This is how we learn and move forward...hopefully making less and less mistakes as we go.

And then there are those of us that take advantage of this public domain to vent, to share and to question without fear of reproach from our peers. It's nice to be able to have the right of free speech, knowing you won't be crucified for your own opinions even though they may not be the opinions of others. Particularly those who live alone and don't have a partner at home to unburden themselves to, must really appreciate being able to speak so freely and feel safe in the knowledge that people are listening and do care. We don't always want an answer, a judgement or well-meaning advice....sometimes we just want to be heard.

This should be a safe haven in a stressful, crazy world.

I think we blog because we can. It's sociable and friendly...sometimes it's deep and thought provoking...and most of the time it's funny and a good way to relax after a long day at work. Putting pen to paper...or fingers to keypad in this case, can clear our heads...help us unwind and pathe the way to a peaceful nights sleep. Getting all that worries you off your chest is good medicine.

I think that when replying to someones blog, if a comment can't be made in a positive manner...then it shouldn't be made at all. Some of you, I know, have experienced the meaness and negativity of people who have trouble accepting the opinions of others...it's a shame and...

You really have to wonder about some people....

It's not about anger, it's about peace,
It's not about power, it's about grace,
It's not about knowing your enemy -
It's about knowing yourself...

And that's what I think! : )

The Sydney Harbour from Manly...

Here's one shot of the harbour looking out toward the heads....it was an awesome day....all misty and warm....we just sat there for ages and soaked up the view. The water was quite calm....it was a great weekend! : )

Weekends Away....

On January 7th John and I celebrated our Wedding Anniversary by running away to the Manly Pacific on Manly beach. We had a fabulous weekend of very fine dining, relaxed drinking, wandering around art and craft markets and....... ; ) ....... sight seeing! What???? <grin> Anyway....this pic was taken as we sat on the point taking in the view of the most beautiful harbour in the world. I must say that if any of you out there are considering a fun weekend in Sydney, then try Manly for a change rather than Darling Harbour or the Rocks. You can catch a ferry over to the Casino, Taronga Zoo or anywhere else for that matter BUT staying at Manly is great and there's lots to do on that side of the harbour. Great places to eat are Skiffies at Mosman (gorgeous dining on the water and hell Bundies!!!), Insitu at Manly (yum,yum) and a brilliant little Italian restaurant we found aptly named MIR ( Manly Italian Restaurant) to name but a few. It's upstairs almost on the corner at the wharfend of the mall....the food and service were both excellent. So many restaurants...so little time....oh well we'll just have to zoom back up there again soon! It's a hard life but someone's gotta live it. ; D

Muttley West.....

This is my beautiful little Mutticans. He will be 15 years old this September. Muttley loves to snuggle under his blankets...what a baby! He is such a cool little man...wherever I go...he follows! On the weekend he spends most of the day following me around and around the house as I clean. Sometimes I sit in one spot for a while so that he'll lay down and go to sleep and then I sneak off and keep cleaning. As soon as he realises I'm in a different room you hear this little clicky noise on the polished floors and voila....there he is...back on my trail. I can't imagine life without such a beaut little friend as Mutty....Dogs are sooooo special!

Illawarra Folk Festival 2007

This weekend Tribal Jewels performed at the Folk Festival at Bulli. We performed three times over two days and debuted new material with very favourable reviews. I really enjoyed myself as usual. : ) This is a pic of myself, Donna and Danielle doing a skirt dance. How fun are these girls to dance with.....yippeee! The weather was quite hot but we did get some much appreciated cool breezes across the stage every so often. The pic was taken by Miss Jasmine...our little mascot on the day!

Sisters...

For those of you out there that don't have sisters....go and find some.... : )

This pic was taken at our end of year concert in 2006. It is of Yola, Me and Donna in our newest costume...What a wonderful night we had. But then, as if any evening spent dancing to the most talented musicians on the South Coast with the most dynamic and classy dancers the Illawarra has to offer wouldn't be fun!!!!

Am I right or....am I right? : P