Drumroll please..Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce to you

You may have read in previous posts that the blogs I link to on my sidebar are my friends. I currently don't link to any other blogs, although I do look at other blogs. For me blogging is about friendship, and I find that I do not sustain an interest in a blog unless the blogger is already a friend or becomes one. And because of that, the blogs I link to aren't necessarily anything like mine, just as your friends can be wonderfully different from you. Which may mean that you ignore my links, as you don't know what the blogs will be about. So I thought I would introduce you to my current crop of links. I also want to do this, because I have been reflecting lately on what an encouraging and inspiring lot they all are and wanted to sing their praises.


Andrew aka Jubilee Man: Andrew and my husband were in each other's bridal parties, and when they saw each other more often they were full of in jokes that only they understood! Bhaer misses him very much. Andrew is a minister, husband (see Cecily below) and father. Andrew's blog is full of different treasures: thoughtful theology, musings on life, ministry and family, and also loads of wonderful photography shot by himself.


Byron aka nothing new under the sun: Byron and I have only met online, but have since discovered so many connections we can't understand why we have never met. He is doing his PhD on the church at the moment, and I can't wait to see where it goes. His blog is my stop for a good theological think - but Byron is never just about the academy, so he also engages meaningfully with real world issues such as politics and the environment.

Cecily aka I love sunny day is married to Andrew, and is a friend from Uni days. She is one of those amazing inspiring women who is able to put her hand to almost anything. She is a published author, and she often shares what she is currently writing on her blog. She also tells you about her latest projects and passions, and about mothering her 3 kids (one of whom is in the autism spectrum). She does everything with flair and love.


John aka Smulospace is a friend of mine from college days. He has an enquiring mind, always willing to entertain the views of others and think things through. His blog is a meeting place for emerging church discussion. A refreshing change in a blogger, he tries to provoke discussion rather than hold forth on his own opinion all the time. A necessary voice of critique for the church today, he doesn't come across, as some do, as Mr Negativity, but rather still a lover of Jesus and his people.

Kaylene aka my life as a (not so) yummy mummy is another old Uni friend. Like me, she is a mum of 2 small boys - incredibly only about 13 months apart - so I take my hat off to her! A very smart woman, she has a high powered career but her heart is with her 2 boys. She blogs about the intersection of her work and children, and shares about the joys and challenges of mothering in a genuine, frank and heartfelt manner.


Kristen aka the babies stole my brain and I were in the bridal parties of each other's weddings and we are often spending time on Facebook or the phone together when we should be doing other things - Kris is a lifeline for me. Kristen is in ministry with her husband. Kris's eclectic blog showcases her wideranging interests, as she fills it with her engaging thoughts on parenthood, ministry, the church, the world and pop culture. And if the Babies did steal her brain, then they must have given her an even better one back (don't play her at word games!)

Mark aka Honest approach and I were in a Bible study group together for a few years. We were 2 of the most outspoken members of the group, and we derived much enjoyment from debating things together. Mark is one of those people who is never happy just to take something as read, he always wants to ask why first - we really need people like him in the world! His blog focusses on faith and spiritual growth in a serious minded and thoughtful way.

Mim aka Mim's muddle is married to a school friend of my husband and pretty quickly became my friend too. Mim is a mother of 3 kids and has just gone back to the workforce - she is a person who take an active interest in many many things, and this makes her blog very interesting - read about wildlife, jewellery making, sci fi, historic re-enactment, feminism, food... and her family, all written about with honesty, humour and heart.

Nicole aka 168 hours is the wife of a college friend. We have only recently met in person, but because of her open and caring online presence, I feel like I know her well! She is a mother to 3 young kids. Her blog encourages and challenges other Christian women, especially mothers, to live lives that every day transcend the everyday in serving God and others. She also is a poet and shares great poetry written by herself and others.

Prue aka My life as the good twin is a friend from uni days (and a playgroup friend now). Prue is a mother of 2, botanist, botanical artist and crafter. She is an incredibly multitalented person, and shares her always accomplished art, craft, sewing and breadmaking, as well as opening up about her life as a mum. She also shares her wry, funny and insightful observations about life and the world.

So, go visit them, be kind to them, and maybe become friends too.

Living to a good old age??

My grandmother continues in hospital, alive and slowly getting better, but not very happy or motivated to stay alive. It almost seems that maybe it would have been kinder if she had died, but I trust in God that there is a reason for her staying with us. She turns 90 in less a month, and watching her and also remembering my grandfather post 90 (he died aged 93 a couple of years ago), I recently said to my family that I wasn’t sure I wanted to stay alive past 90, particularly as I have a hope of better things! Of course, medicine may improve the lot of 90 year olds in 56 years time. (on the other hand I do wish to get past the death ages of my other grandparents, one 50s and the other 60s )

I have been reflecting a lot on what makes old age liveable. I thought I might share with you my thoughts about this, though I suspect I will be thinking through these issues continually as I age. So, here are my preliminary thoughts.

Old age becomes liveable if you have:

1. A rich interior life. Although we can do our best to stay in good physical condition for as long as possible, if we live long enough, there comes a time when we will be forced to be less active. We are then forced back on our internal resources more. This is why I think mental exercise as we age is very important. By internal life, I mean continuing to have a rich mental, emotional and spiritual life.

Mental: not just playing bingo and reading mags, but rather continuing to engage with ideas and issues.

Emotional: being other centred in our emotions, letting ourselves be moved by others, rather than retreating inside ourselves.

Spiritual: finding purpose and meaning in life. As a Christian, I intend to be soaking in God’s word, meditating on it, and moreover still allowing God to transform me. I hope to resist the temptation in age to decide I needn’t bother with this anymore. A life without transformation is both dreary and eventually poisonous.

2. A useful life. I hope to work as long as possible, perhaps gradually cutting back on what I do. I hope also in retirement to use my time to help others for as long as I can. As I get less active, I will need to be creative in thinking how to be of service to God and others. Even from a bed or chair I hope I can pray and I can encourage others.

3. A loving life. I hope to have companionship. So I figure it is to my benefit to love others as much as I can, so that they might want to spend a little time round a doddery old lady.

Thanks to all for your concern and prayers about my grandmother. I’ll let you know what happens as I get any news.

Thematic songs

Sparky loves me singing themed seasonal songs for him. He is under the impression that no day or week is ordinary - there is always something special on. Consequently I am always scratching around trying to 1. decide on what the current theme is 2. find songs for it. We are going on a family beach holiday in a month, so the current rage is holiday songs. So far I have contributed Cliff Richard;s summer holiday (which as a bonus for Scout, the video on youtube featured a bus!). Anyone know any good holiday songs?

Proliferation of increasingly narrower genres aka Thomas the Tank Engine does Queen

I recently introduced my boys to Youtube. Sheer foolishness on my part I know, as now I get pestered.

But what has struck me is the development of genres and subgenres within Youtube, I assume becasue of its capacity to reach such a broad base of people.

My boys have a liking for the Thomas the Tank engine genre. Within that I have dicovered subgenres such as what I call Tommypop, thomas images set to a familiar pop/rock song and Tommycam, re-enactments of TTE stories (or sometimes original) using TTE toys. I have included an example of Tommypop above (with a song by Queen - can you guess?)

Holidays with a preschooler

Well, I'm starting to get the hang of this holiday's bizzo.

I thought I might share what we did (not in mind numbing detail I promise) and whether it was worth it!

1. On Sparky's birthday, we went to his very first movie - Beverly Hills Chihuahua. He loved it - not a terribly good movie, but a great choice for your first movie, out of those available recently. G movies are few and far between. I was glad we waited til 4 for his first movie - he was able to go the distance ( well with lots of m and ms).

2. He had a Mcdonald's party. I know, the evil multinational uses this to suck in new addicts. But it was very cheap, they do it all for you, and the kids enjoyed themselves ( except for scout). Very relaxing and was glad I did this rather than hold my own with everything going on for me at that time.

3. We went to a Colin Buchanan concert (Christian kid's performer) - lots of fun and about the right length (30 mins or so) . Sparky was dancing a lot, and even seemed to join another family who had better positions closer to the front. I was glad in the end I didn't take Scout, who would have found it overwhelming I think. We went with my cousins and their kids. It was a great way to see each other.

4. We went to a park with playgroup friends for a BBQ. Scout kept wanting to run off, or do dangerous things on the play equipment - which made me appreciate the advantage of having BBQ areas inside the enclosed playground - which this didn't have, but Collaroy Beach does for instance.

5. Sparky and I had a treat of going to the city on the train after his vaccination. He was very brave about this and didn't cry, I think explaining it earlier that day helped. I also caught up with Kris who was in for Anglican Synod. We had afternoon tea at the hilton, did a round trip on the monorail (He loved this! Kids under 5 are free, possibly because a fall off the platform would be very far to fall indeed....I think with Scout I would definitely restrain him in his stroller for this) and looked around QVB, at the clocks and a toy shop and a model train shop (this was fantastic for Thomas enthusiasts , and I think I better take my Dad who has fond memories of his Hornby set). So a very trainy day.

What did you do?

Grandmother ok

Thanks to all for their concern. My grandmother is still alive, and looks like she will make it. This is n0thing short of miraculous at her age and health. She came out of ICU Saturday night. She has been very depressed, but over the last couple of days has started being happier. She has a long recovery process ahead, and we think it is highly probable she will need to go into a nursing home after that, which she won't like. We suspect she will like it more than she realises, as she will have people around all day.

grandmother sick

Please pray: my grandmother who is almost 90, is in an ICU, is very sick. She hasn't been able to eat for days (due to a bowel obstruction and subsequent operations) and is currently also unable to breathe properly without help. She has done very well to make it through this far, but it is still uncertain.

1,2, 3, 4 - my eldest son has grown some more!

This is a Happy Birthday post for my eldest, Sparky, who turns 4 on 2.10.08 - tomorrow!

For his viewing pleasure, a video from youtube. You might remember the original song from an ipod nano commercial.