Storm chaser.....as if?

Lightning almost hit our house!  Yes, you heard me...LIGHTNING!  You know the first thought that ran through my mind..."Shoot, I need to pay the renters insurance." 

So hear is the whole story....

Addie and I were playing trains (her new favorite toy...Thomas) (I so have a tomboy), when a storm started drifting it's way over our house.  Thunder started rolling and Guinness (the smartest yet most timid dog alive) started to get scared.  She is completely an outside dog except when weather permits...eg...too hot, too cold, or when it storms really bad.  So I thought I would let her in the house so she would stay calm.  While closing the back door, I hear a loud crack, look outside and see the tree out the back is raining it's insides!  CRAZY!  Now, if you have never been to Australia, you may not know that Gum Trees or Eucalyptus trees are the native tree and are everywhere.  They are also called "widow makers" because large, huge tree branches can fall at any moment, therefore, striking a farmer at any moment, making his wife a widow.  So considering the large size of these trees it seems logical to be afraid that if it "decided" to fall down, it may hit the house (or catch on fire for that matter!).  But luckily it stayed put but with a large scar.

Anyway, still safe and sound in Australia!

                                       (Adeline wanted to see the tree with its insides out.)

                                  (Adeline perfecting the fake laugh/smile for the camera)

                                               (The trees insides....out.)

                                              (A picture of the tree from the house.)

Love is in the air...

                                    (My hero saving us from the snake on our window)

Today I lived my dream and the entire reason I live here in Australia.  I laid on the beach all day long!  It was wonderful!  So of course I had lots of time to think...

I mostly thought about all the things people were doing around me.  I play a game with myself and like to come up with reasons why people are at the beach.  You know, if they are on holiday or if they live in town; if they are dating or married, or worse...secret lovers!  

But today was interesting because as I looked around there were heaps of old people.  I mean it must have been the retirement villages day to go to the beach.  But seemingly they were quite lively.  Most were lying around reading books or chit-chatting with each other. But the couples seemed to all be in the water, wading in the waves.  It was quite cute.  Some were splashing and others were holding hands.  

And it made me think of my Daniel.  How are we going to be when we are older...are we going to be that couple that ends up hating the beach because our fair thin skin will burn so easily, or are we going to be basking in the sun like we do now, frolicking in the water, holding hands and splashing each other in a flirting manner?  Only God knows.  

And then I thought, oh crap!  It's Valentines Day this weekend!  I forgot!  So I quickly said a thank you in my mind to these cute couples and rushed off to get Daniel a card!  Whew!  

Happy Valentine's to you all but especially my Daniel!

Do I have something in my teeth?

I suppose it's only a matter of time that our children become "mini-me's"...I just didn't think it would happen with Adeline so soon.  Let me explain in more detail what I am talking about....

I have always had a few pet hates...to name a few...

1. Talking on the phone while someone else is eating.  I hate listening to someone chew on the phone.  

2.  Watching someone blow their nose...ewwww.

3.  Watching someone pick their nose...double ewwww.

4.   Talking to someone when they have food in their teeth and you don't hear anything they are saying because they have that little bit of food stuck and it is so distracting....I am the person who tells you, no matter who you are or how long I have known you.

Those are the few items that just bug me, nag me, annoy me to know end.  It's funny how these pet hates carry on to our children....

I can remember driving in the car with my wonderful Mother and looking over and seeing this huge massive piece of food in her teeth, and I say annoyed

Me: Mom, you have this huge piece of food in your teeth.

Mom: Oh is it bothering you (as she smiles really big to rub it in)

Me: Yes, gross, get it out

Mom: Ok, where is it at

I show her getting so grossed out....

She tries to get it out with no luck and keeps asking

Mom: Did I get it yet?

Me: No!  It's gross!

And when she finally gets it, my Mother laughs and says 

Mom: When you have a daughter she is going to do the same thing to you...you just wait.

Well Mom, my time has come.  And she is only 3!  I can only imagine what it's going to be like when she is a teenager!

Adeline: Mom, you have something in your teeth.

Me: Really (smiling really big) where is it?

Adeline: Right there (pointing to my teeth)

Me: Did I get it (after picking at it to try and get it out)

Adeline: Uhhhh, actually no

Me: Did I get it now (having another shot at it with my fingernail)

Adeline: Uhhhh, actually no.   Gross Mom!

So I get up and go to the bathroom to get it out and as I do I start cracking up reflecting back to all those times I nagged my mother.  What goes around, comes around and I am getting so scared!!!!