Making plans

The last couple of months have seen our little family spending lazy evenings outdoors watching The Bean potter around, hosting many get-togethers with family and friends (a good time for it, because we can’t fit everyone inside our little home in the colder months), and generally loafing about complaining about the heat.

It has been a lovely break and because the weather has started to cool (for now, anyway) I find myself with more energy, itching to make some plans for the coming year.

Super shorty

When I received my new camera I was struck by the familiar urge to buy a new lens. I’ve been on a seemingly never-ending quest to find the ‘perfect’ everyday lens to add to my collection – a real challenge when I have a budget of $0. My wish list includes this lovely piece of machinery but until money starts growing on trees, on my wish list is where it will stay.

Imagine how pleased I was to read some glowing reviews about this little beauty, and a steal at just a couple of hundred dollars! 

Tomorrow

A few weeks ago a friend of mine experienced a devastating tragedy—the sudden and unexpected loss of her teenage son. It goes without saying that I cannot begin to comprehend the depth of her despair, nor can I fathom how she can even summon the energy to get out of bed every day. 

While many around her have moved back into their daily routines, she and her family have embarked on a terrible journey of grief where they have no escape. Her children must be dressed and fed, the bills need to be paid, the chores need to be done—all the while knowing that she will never have any answers about why this happened, waking up each morning and remembering that her first born is gone.

The best things in life are free

My house has always been full of clutter—clean and generally tidy, but cluttered. Now that we have a toddler in the house, the clutter levels are at an all-time high. I didn’t realise exactly how many ‘things’ and exactly how much ‘stuff’ would accompany the arrival of The Bean. Not that I’m blaming her of course, I’ve always been a hoarder.

Hyvää Joulua!

At the tender age of 20 months The Bean has barely begun to understand Christmas and all it entails, but what a lovely couple of days we have had.

I’ve heard parents say that the best part of Christmas celebrations is watching the excitement as their child opens their presents, and I think I’m beginning to understand that sentiment. The Bean was carefully tearing the wrapping of a gift when she exclaimed “Oh WOW! Oh WOW! Elli HAPPY!” It was one of the first times I have heard her describe her own emotional state and, combined with the sheer joy on her face, it brought a tear to my eye.

Shutterbug

Over the weekend the unthinkable happened—my DSLR died. It's probably fair to say that I in fact killed it with over-use. That camera was my faithful companion for the last four years capturing over 100,000 moments in time. My camera feels like an extension of myself, so of course it all of a sudden felt like a piece of me was missing. From capturing family, friends, pets and wildlife, to traveling the world with me, and capturing the birth of my beautiful daughter, the camera has been like a trusted friend. 

Going bush

Just 20 minutes from our home is a beautiful nature reserve that is back to its former glory after bushfires devastated the area almost 10 years ago. Tidbinbilla holds a special place in my heart—I did my work experience there as a teen and spent a lot of time visiting the reserve back when I was still dreaming of becoming a park ranger.

I have such wonderful memories of the time I spent there, not least of all experiencing all of the beautiful and unique wildlife that inhabited the area. Sadly, ninety percent of the animals lost their lives in the fires, but today the population is flourishing once more.