2011 - Year in Review

Merry Christmas!

We have had a fairly quiet Christmas here in Canberra.  We had a lovely morning opening and playing with gifts with the kids and then had a sushi Christmas lunch!  We then had a quiet afternoon with me having a nap in the afternoon while the kids and Spike played some video games together. We then went to our neighbours place for drinks in the afternoon and after dinner more board games in the evening.  Today we've had a quiet morning again and Spike baked some more Christmas cakes to give to our friends as gifts, while I did a bit of gardening in my veggie garden and weeding. This afternoon the kids have had friends over to play more boardgames and tonight we're going to our close friends to have dinner with them.  Should be a good night, though as is the case more often than not this summer, we have had much rain and many storms and the weather is very cool.

We're off to W'gong tomorrow to spend time with Spikes family and then go through Cowra to say hi to my family and then back here for New Years.  Tony and Elissa have moved back to Cowra.  It's been a tough year for him, he had a quad bike roll on top of him and broke 9 ribs and both colar bones.  He is still suffering and hasn't been able to get work yet.  He hopes that this year will be a better one for him.  My mum's mum also passed away this year just recently, so Christmas has been very difficult for her.

My health is a lot better, now that I am aware that I have been suffereing from many food intolerances and am able to change my diet to improve my health.  I had tests recently and discovered that not only am I gluten and lactose intolerant, but also fructose intolerant, and since changing my diet I have so much more energy and feel so much healthier.  I was feeling like I was a hypochondriac.  I've had the energy to exercise more and since I've been eating sensibly too.  I have lost exactly 10kg since August and feel so much better.  I'd like to lose about 5kg more and would be happy with that. Though, I expect that I'll put a little weight on over Christmas and New Year, but will get back on track in the New Year.

Mum is doing fine, but with her Mum passing away this year, she is feeling her mortality and is very emotional when she talks to the kids and I on the phone these days.  She broke down on the phone with the kids yesterday and had to hang up before she spoke to me.  She called me back later in the day when she was more composed.  I know she misses us and and I miss her terribly too.

Zoe graduated from high school last month, and I've attached her formal photo for you.  She got an award at Graduation for excellent achievement and work in Maths and her report was just wonderful.  She's had an amazing time at high school and can't wait to move on to college.  She's now having driving lessons with Spike and doing very well.  She's started working at KFC this year and is loving her job and doing very well.

Grant made it into the ACT Soccer team this year and went to the National Championships and competed. He was very excited about scoring an awesome goal, though we were not there to see it.  :-(  He also made it into the ACT Futsal team and is going to compete in the Nationals in January.  He's playing very well and just needs to get a bit fitter before the 9th.  He finished his first year at high school much better than we had expected after the first semester where he struggled.  He still has issues with time management and being organised, but hopefully next year he'll consolidate his effort and do even better.

I've started singing in the ACT teacher's choir for fun and Spike is still a mad keen soccer player.  He gave me singing lessons with an opera singer for Christmas!!!... But I can't see me ever getting up the courage to do it!  I find it difficult to sing softly in a choir with lots of other people around, so I can't see myself singing out loud on my own, even if it is only in front of a teacher!

Spike's been working hard as usual, but he's doing a little bit more work for the games company that his friend/ex-student now owns, so I think that's been good for him.  He's also the third member in the house who’s a mad keen soccer player and plays winter and summer comps.  It's hard on his body, but he loves it so much it keeps him physically and emotionally fit and well.  He wanted to try to get back into Jujustu this year, but with soccer trainings and games on it just didn't happen.  I know he's still keen, but it's really difficult with the kids being so active as well.

The last big event on our social calendar was our annual Halloween party.  Once again, we all had a great deal of fun cooking and dressing up.  It's fun to see so many of our friends getting into the swing of things and really enjoying themselves.

Well, stay health and I hope that the New Year brings you joy and what you wish for.

Love always,
Maria and family  xxx