Author Archives: Kylie G

Jun 14 2012
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travel

Even the best laid plans can go “a-stray”

I become quite anxious before I embark on a big trip, more so now that I have a husband and two kids to organize than back when it was just me. Planning also encompasses the other members of the family… 3 dogs, a temperamental cat and two black chickens.

And so it was decided after much consideration, changing of minds and a wonderfully generous offer from our dear friends Dan & Bec, that our two youngest Border Collies would go to their place in the city for a holiday with their 3 kids and Japanese Spitz, Billy. Two days before departure Aaron packs up the dogs, an old cubby that is now their giant kennel and off they go.

6.30am day before departure we get a phone call from Dan… “Ahh, Dude, the dogs are missing”. Speechless at the thought of our two babies lost in the big city, Aaron is sent off to find them. Stress and sadness are two emotions anyone can do without but the day before a big trip is not a good time to have your heart rate peaking so early in the morning.

Poor Dan & Bec would have been every bit as stressed, we always find a way of bringing drama to anything we share with those guys…..

Just boarded, to be continued.

…… Alright, so just got into Denver, missed a flight and have 5 hours to wait for the next one. It’s a good time to finish this story…

Anyway, Aaron went out to find our babies, knowing that in suburbia, with busy roads, our chances of finding them were relatively low to zero. It was a devastating thought. Not only could they get hit by a car but they could also be taken home by someone and we may never find them again.

When Aaron got there, he walked down the street from Dan & Bec’s house and called out the dogs’ names a few times and a lady came out of a house in her robe and said “Are you looking for a couple of dogs?”. “They’re in our yard”.

Wow! Prayers answered! Both dogs safe, in fact a little spoiled after the 17 year old female occupant of the house felt sorry for the trembling pooches so she decided to sleep with them in the cold garage for the night.

What wonderful good people. Thank heavens they heard the dogs outside and took them in.

The dogs came home with Aaron, we realised that they weren’t ready to be away from home and would only try to escape again and again. We have lovely people coming to the house each day who can feed them. Although Dan & Bec were fired from dog-sitting, the decision was made to be kind to them as they don’t need that daily stress. And, I told Aaron that if he left the dogs behind he had to absolutely guarantee that they wouldn’t get out again or … what was it I said… “I will STAB you”. Hey, I was traumatised.

Next day we headed to the airport for a journey that would take 24 hours (now we’re rocking 30 thanks to the missed flight). More updates on our trip after I’ve had some sleep!

Thanks Dan & Bec, it was good while it lasted. xx

Jun 11 2012
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Come fly with me!

In three days this family of four head off for our biggest adventure since the boys were born.  We’re taking off for almost 4 weeks of fun, family and feasting in the USA.  My boys have never been on a plane before so they’re absolutely beside themselves with excitement that their first trip is on a really freaking big plane  (I seriously need them to calm down before they pop a vein).

We’re hitting Texas, Colorado, Arizona and Califormia plus a couple of other States that we’ll drive through along the way.  That’s right – road trip…my all time favourite holiday.  It’s been 15 years since Aaron and I were in the US and we can’t wait to be back.  Follow the blog to catch all the photos and our daily (perhaps a little ambitious) report on what’s happening.

Now, where can I get a good fanny pack? (Already speakin’ the lingo)

English: Wall Street, Manhattan, New York, USA...

Jun 09 2012
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Life Image

Hello World

“I built those two boys in my belly and I see a part of myself in their bright, happy faces”

Today is my birthday. Just like any other day but with cake. Good cake actually and that’s what sets it apart from any other day with cake.

When I was a kid I spent 364 days of the year anxiously counting down to my next birthday (365 every leap year). The promise of awesome presents wrapped up in pretty paper and if I was lucky, a bow on top, was everything to a kid.

When I was a teenager I spent 364/5 days of the year counting down to my next birthday not only for the presents, but also because for one day of the year I was the most important person in my group of friends and everyone had to do what I wanted.

In my twenties I spent the rest of the year counting down to my next birthday just so I could see how many bunches of flowers would arrive from secret admirers and there was also the obligatory, awesome night out with my friends to celebrate. You know… the kind of night that starts with fluffy pink cocktails, a few “woohoo”s and ends with me vomiting into my handbag during the taxi ride home.

Pre-kids, in my thirties, I spent 364/5 days of the year counting down to an awesome shopping trip where I got to spend a crap-load of hard earned cash on boots, stilettos and designer clothes and then end with a night of fine dining and expensive wine.

Now, I spend 364/5 days of the year avoiding the countdown, trying not to think about my sliding mortality, looking forward to being able to justify the purchase of some new knickers and brand name make-up that won’t make my eyes water. It’s the only day of the year that I can command household chores be completed by the other residents of the house. The only day of the year that I can drag the family through IKEA and they all have to grin and bear it.

Is it normal to be disappointed that birthdays just aren’t as exciting as they used to be? Is it normal to reach an age where you actually want to start counting backwards at your next birthday?

This birthday started off with a sleep-in while my husband tidied, vacuumed and picked up 253 socks and 24 shoes off the living room floor. Then, when he was done, my bedroom door flew open and my two boys jumped on the bed full of excitement as their dad followed with my favourite lemon tart lit up by a modest display of candles and of course he was singing ‘happy birthday’. I caught sight of myself in the mirror, bleary eyes, puffy face, hair frizzy and messy. My face was framed in the mirror by greasy little boy hand-prints on the glass and I made a mental note to attack those with Windex later in the day.

Was I happy with this birthday? Was it good enough to want to spend the next 364 days counting down to the next one? You bet! I found that wonderful husband in a crowded bar after 31 years of searching the world with very high expectations. I built those two boys in my belly and I see a part of myself in their bright, happy faces. I choose to spend my birthday buying sensible underwear and mid-price cosmetics while I spend the other 364 days of the year buying the boots, stilettos and designer clothes on sale and hiding them in my wardrobe until enough time has passed for me to drag them out and say “Oh, this old thing? I’ve had it for ages”.

Happy birthday to me xx

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