Words and Pictures - Souvenirs

This is my most favourite souvenir from my big trip. A native American Indian silver and turquoise ring, purchased from the Grand Canyon. I stopped wearing my wedding and engagement rings a couple of years ago, as my finger rebelled against them. Being in the humidity of Honduras seemed to cure my hands of their issues (dry, itchy skin and puffiness) and I truly felt the need to wear a ring again. The lovely Mr M bought this beauty for me, and it kinda felt like getting engaged all over again. This is a souvenir that I will always treasure.

PS excuse the close up of my hand that is showing my age and my lack of manicures!

Thanks Pip for giving me the opportunity to share.

Words and Pictures - Catching Up

This weekend is all about catching up, before we go away.

Miss A is having 4 friends come tonight to do what teen girls do best (sure to involve clothes, makeup, cameras, pizza and lollies)

We are catching up our special friends on Saturday. Dinner out, followed by dessert and coffee at home. And surely several bottles of wine. The singstar is sure to make an appearance.

Sunday is catch up with the family day. Afternoon tea with brothers, sisters, parents (not mine who are still in Queensland) and assorted children. Sure to involve chocolate biscuits, tea and cake.

I think I have just made the link - catching up involves FOOD.

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Words and Pictures - Cold Feet

A dichotomy
I hate to be too hot in bed, yet I cannot sleep if my feet are cold. I often wear socks to bed, yet I love the sensation of cool cotton sheets against my skin. I turn the pillow to find the coollest spot, yet I may have a hot shower before bed, if my feet are cold. In the morning, however, discarded socks are on the floor.

More words and pictures
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Words and Pictures - A Long Drive

I'll set the scene: It was April 1990. I was 19. I was a student teacher on the trip of a lifetime. I was in the US to combine teaching rounds and touristy stuff. I embarked on a very long drive, in a bus, on a tour titled the Western Wonders. There were 17 other student teachers, a young Japanese couple on their honeymoon and a handful of other older couples. It was 10 days, driving through lots of desert to visit the so-called Western Wonders - The Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Bryce Canyon, Mammoth Lakes, San Francisco, Monterey, Phoenix, Zion National Park and Las Vegas. Did I mention there was lots of driving through endless desert? What do you know and appreciate when you are 19?

I spent 4 weeks teaching a Grade 4 class at Sunnyslope Elementary School, in San Diego. What an education for me that was! I wish I could go back as a confident adult, not a shy teen who knew little about teaching! I had a perm and wore culottes too!