Fishing at the Southend drain

When I was a kid I remember going fishing here a fair bit. Mainly with my mum, or my Gran. Gran lived in Southend, and we'd spend a lot of time here in the holidays.

It seemed fitting that I ended up here in the afternoon with my daughters on Mothers Day on a whim. I can't remember who's idea that was, but after the idea had stewed around in my brain, I quickly packed the car and we were down the road.

Such a peaceful place despite the sound of motorbikes buzzing about when we got there.

Summer and Brett are not the most patient of fisher people. Isabel and I are kindred spirits when it comes to fishing. As the rain set in around five o'clock, she and I donned our jackets and hoods and would not budge. The other two sitting in the car reminding us it was raining(like we didn't know that), and Summer could be clearly heard complaining in the back seat.

We had already caught two good mullets, and the fish had gone off the bite but I didn't want to spoil Isabel's determination and perseverance. I know that feeling oh so well, she is just like me when it comes to fishing. We could stand there all day. I guess it shows we have hope, faith and persistence. It's not such a bad thing.

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May #52weeksofmemories

17. Colour

An colourful, early mothers day present from school

Izzy painting her sisters face. She's supposed to be a tiger.

18. Water

Walking around Lake McIntyre for the school fun run.

The view of the lake from one of the bird watching huts. By the end of winter, all that green is under water.

19. With mum

Sneaking out to spend time with mum, when she's supposed to be in bed.

20. From the side

Siding at the old Tantanoola train station.

By the side of the road. Had to pull over so she could wee. It was a beautiful day.

21. Animal



Painted at playgroup today. This is our dog, Peppi. Complete with black spots.
It doesn't even matter that she gave him six legs. 

Mothers day fizzer

Every year I always go into mother's day with great expectations. It's no wonder I get disappointed. One day of the year. One day!

The truth is, it is a day, the same as every other. Besides the ten minutes after the kids wake, with the excitement of it actually being Sunday morning and they have presents to give, they are oblivious to it for the rest of the day.

I would have loved breakfast in bed, a sleep in, someone else to be responsible for cooking tea. These are great expectations.

I see so many social media statuses, saying things like 'I hope you get spoiled rotten on mothers day'. I just shrug it off, and wonder if this is just unrealistic, do mothers really get spoiled on mothers day? Am I just missing the point? 

Motherhood is hard and relentless. Relentless with a capital R, when you hardly get a break from them, especially out of the house. Should I just be grateful I have kids at all, or do I have the right to feel a little ripped off in the 'spoiled' department?

Brett stayed in Pelican Point overnight, he's been shifting and placing rainwater tanks at the holiday house. Really it wouldn't have mattered if he was here anyway. 

Last year I ate toast in bed, someone got back into bed and had a nice sleep in. I got up and cleaned up the aftermath of them cooking me breakfast. Mothers day over.

Yesterday morning I was woken by the kids. Izzy asked me after a few minutes when she should give me my presents. I told her now, if she wanted to. They were very excited. I gave Izzy five bucks to spend at the school mothers day stall. She chose a key ring and card. I also got a button tree she made at school to hold my jewellery. I may keep that tree forever. Summer gave me a $20 Coles Myer gift card. I was kinda miffed we don't have a Liquorland in town, because that baby would have been spent by now!

The morning was spent at the community garden and after we dropped into my mums place. I did get a kick out of seeing the girls giving their nana her present and their homemade heart cards.

By the time we got back well after lunch, Brett was home. Mind you the night before, he said he'd be back before I went to the gardens. He must have had a hard, late night because he didn't move off the lounge for the rest of the day. Nice.

The best part of the day was just before the kids bedtime, both the girls curled up with me on the lounge. Izzy had her head on my shoulder, and Summer snuggled in and threw her arms around my neck and said, "I love you mum!". I cuddled her hard. After a long day, constantly telling myself not to be upset about dumb expectations, it was just what I needed.  I did get spoiled, eventually.

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Muzzas Day

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child

Sophia Loren

Muzza is what my brother calls my mum. I suppose it's what most Aussies do to people names. Take these for example; Darren = Dazza, Sharon = Shazza. Karen = Kazza, Mother = Muzza, you get the drift.

As usual, and I don't expect much more, I didn't get my sleep in for Mothers Day, but geez, it would have been nice! I did get pressies in bed. A pair of earrings from Summer, and a mug from Izzy. 

In true Brett style, all bought from the local cheap shop, god love him. At least the earrings don't hurt my ears, and how could I not love them, the kids were as happy as larry at how much I loved them. I think they loved the boxes they came in more, just quietly.

Izzy couldn't keep the secret(a trait she gets from her dad), she let me in on what I was getting a couple of days before. It went something like this, "We got a present, earrings and a tea towel with pink on it. But we not tell you". 

What she meant to say was "tea cup". The next day(Saturday) she told me again, but added that Summer got me earrings, and she got me a tea towel with pink on it. Too bloody cute! I didn't tell Brett, but someone who saw it on facebook did.

Jake came to stay the weekend. He got me chrysanthemums and some hand lotion. Love that kid. Even though he'll turn 21 this year, he's still my boy. The boy that went fishing with his nanna on Saturday. 

We had lunch at my mums, and as usual it was more like an all you can eat buffet. Get togethers at Mums always are.

My home is in my mother’s eyes George Nance

We looked through old family photos and Gran told stories that went for longer than they should have because she would forget what she was talking about. We sat in the shed with the fire going, the footy was on the telly, Gran was happy the Crows were winning and the kids had a ball. 

Gran and Summer girl