Things I learned this week including that it's possible to be too stylin'

We're off on holiyays this weekend! A whole week of... well... much the same really. But in a fabulously fun and new location (more on this on Sunday). And I don't have to go into the office, so that's well worth celebrating!! Look out for some fabulous guest posts here in Maxabellaland next week, all writing on the theme of 'what my children taught me about myself'. I can't wait.

This week I learned a few things worth noting...

1. It is possible to be too stylin'. As much as I eagerly anticipated the launch of Fleur Wood's Food Fashion Friends ( I love all three of these things!) , on closer inspection I found it to be oh-so-very over-styled, forced and pretentious. The thought of sitting down to dinner with those fabulous... ah... well... wankers put me right off my food. Did I miss something? Perhaps it's a diet manual?

2. Finance types really do seem to think that we can predict the future with all this 'forecasting' business they insist on. Scoff, life is too short to plan, my friend, I may live like a gypsy but I don't carry a crystal ball. Sorry, what was that? You're paying me good money to know how to do a budget forecast? Oh. I'm right on top of that, Rose!?

3. I care about the fate of the Bali Nine. I appreciate that drugs kill and what they did was illegal and that they knew the punishment before they committed the crime. I know that. But the thought of these young people being gunned down by a firing squad makes me want to curl up in a ball and weep for the loneliness of a life half lived.

4. I don't like spending nights away from home for work (I almost wrote 'on business' but I didn't want to join Fleur's wanky gang). I sort of knew this already, but here I am in Melbourne, away from my family and I'm missing them so very much. Which is a shame as I know I should appreciate the fact that my job gives me a night away here and there to myself... but indeed when it all comes down to it, the Missing seems to be far more important than the Myself.

5. Under no circumstances should you put more than two Eclipse mints in your mouth at the same time. Danger, I repeat, danger. I can still hardly talk my mouth was that numb. (I notice a few of you heading off to find the Eclipse mints... danger, danger! Oh, does no-one ever listen to me!?)

Did you learn anything new this week? Have you ever been a bit too zealous with the mints and lived to regret it?

[Image of Fleur Wood's Friends Food Fashion via The Kitchen Inc]

Ms Nosybella: Do you really...?

Lovely ladies and gents (LOML, Dad, Glen... you know who you are, fellas*)

I'll cut to the chase this week. I just want to know your answers to two personal hygiene questions and then I'll be on my way. Don't fret, not tooooo personal.

1. Do you really put sunscreen on yourself / your children every single day?

Because I don't. I kid myself that I have issues with the chemical content on young skin (and possibly I do) but the real reason is that I hate the greasy, sticky, smelly feeling it gives you all day. It's like walking around with a latex glove plastered to your face.

Plus I'm desperately lazy.

I just tell the tsunamis to stay out of the sun as much as possible, to cover up and to wear their hats. I do the same for me.  I confess I may have smirked just a little bit when I read about Aussie kids with Vitamin D deficiency. There'll be none of that around here, thank you very much.**

2. Do you really moisturise top to toe every day?

Because I don't. See 'desperately lazy' above. I do my face, neck and décolletage (see, gone all fancy pants on you there...) every night, but I just couldn't be arsed (don't worry, it didn't last) to do the full body thing. Every week or so I feel guilty and slather myself in the stuff for days in a row and then I slacken off again. Skin seems okay.

So, I guess I really want to know if you take better care of yourself than I do of me...

'Til next time

* If there are any other fellas that read my blog, please let me know.
** DO NOT under any circumstances remind me of this post when I write about my melanomas.

[Image: ouch, I've forgotten where I collected this one from. Badness]

Lost in imagination

I'm endlessly fascinated by children's ability to create worlds full of amazing nooks and crannies. Mine can be lost for days roaming with dinosaurs or taking high-tea at parties or trekking in jungles or visiting with fairies or saving endangered species... on and on and on goes their childhood voyage.

I've written before about how important I think creativity is in life, so we do everything we can to nurture childhood imagination. Hoping against hope that we find a way to solidify these magical worlds so that they may remain with the tsunamis for life. Their rooms are havens for creating and all inventions are proudly displayed. Paints and pencils and glitter are always within easy reach (my carpets do not agree with this tactic). Within reason, the tsunamis are free to wander and explore their hearts' desire. We talk about night dreams and day dreams and in-between dreams. We break up our routine and let our hair fly in the wind as often as we can.

Will this be enough? Will the expectations of schooling and society mean the tsunamis' unique take on the world will be stifled and lost? What more can we do to help them stay in the vast, endless worlds they create for themselves?

Do you have any thoughts or suggestions for helping children hang onto their wondrous creativity? How do you nurture creativity in your own children, or even in yourself?


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Lyrics blog: Keep The Faith

... Continuing a wonderful idea that @doublebeee had ...

Ever since I first listened to the album Keep The Faith stood out for me. Back then I was only starting to learn English so I felt it before fully understanding what was about (it did help it had the lyrics on that beautifully designed sleeve).



Through the years this song has been a source of inspiration and energy for me. It has that gospel sound to it. Undeniably beautiful with powerful vocals it reaches for the depth of ones soul with an amazing effect of lifting it above hardship and trouble.

Bruce Swedien recalls the song took a lot out of Michael while recording it in a 1992 Rolling Stone article (Michael Jackson's "Dangerous" Mind) with trying to find the right key.

"I thought we'd have a major, major problem," I told him, 'Pull yourself together, face this now.' And it was late. I said, 'We're not going home until you've sung this all the way through. Then we'll go home and be able to sleep and continue.' That was scary. But he did it. He pulled himself together. We went in the studio, cut a whole new demo and recorded a scratch vocal all way through. A situation like that could have been a real block. We didn't leave studio till dawn."

I Know That Keepin' The Faith
Means Never Givin' Up On Love
But The Power That Love Has To Make It Right

Glen Ballard said Michael is an "incredible singer". "He'll spend two years making a record, then go out and sing all the lead vocals in a week. He's got such confidence and ability. I've worked with him sitting at a piano and having him sing, and it's just a religious experience - the guy is amazing... he's expressive, has great pitch, does incredible backgrounds. His backgrounds are probably as good as anybody I've ever heard - they're textures unto themselves."

 

 

While Teddy Riley is quoted to say  "I really admire the work that went into this track. Anything Michael does, I can admire. It doesn't really remind you of any of his other songs; this one's a bit different to his usual tracks but it stands out. Michael's always innovative. With this track, I just think he went another way due to the structure of the track and the instruments used. Well, that and him working with Glen Ballard with the writing on it – they kind of went head-on with that track."

If You Call Out Loud
Will It Get Inside

"The thing that sometimes seems to get overlooked about 

Michael Jackson is what an absolutely phenomenal singer he was. 

He had one of the greatest gospel shouts of the 20th Century, quite possibly the last of it's kind.

Jerry Dammers (The Specials)

 

How many times have we found ourselves looking for something to hang onto. Something or someone who will save us and help us pull through? Daily struggles take sometimes the best of us and we forget we have this amazing resource inside of us. 

 

And You Can Say The Words
Like You Understand
But The Power's In Believing
So Give Yourself
A Chance

I find it hard to express into words the effect this song has on me. 

I Know That Keepin' The Faith
Means Never Givin' Up On Love

There have been many times when I thought about giving up. And sometimes I did. But this song always brought me back to trying. 

I almost never consciously set out to listen to it. But somehow it played when I needed to hear it. 

 

Lift Up Your Head
And Show The World You Got Pride
Go For What You Want
Don't Let 'Em Get In Your Way
You Can Be A Winner
If You Keep The Faith
Straighten Out Yourself
And Get Your Mind On Track
Dust Off Your Butt
And Get Your Self-Respect Back
You've Known Me Long Enough
To Know That I Don't Play
Take It Like You Want It
But You Got To Keep The Faith

 

"Keep The Faith" Credits

* Written and composed by Glen Ballard, Siedah Garrett and Michael Jackson
* Produced by Michael Jackson
* Co-produced by Bruce Swedien
* Recorded and mixed by Bruce Swedien
* Solo and background vocals: Michael Jackson
* Arrangement by Glen Ballard, Jerry Hey and Rhett Lawrence
* Choir arrangement by Andrae and Sandra Crouch, featuring the Andrae Crouch Singers
* Background vocals: Siedah Garret and Shanice Wilson
* Piano and bass: Jai Winding
* Drums, percussion and synthesizer: Rhett Lawrence
* Drums and percussion: Bruce Swedien
* Synthesizers: Michael Boddicker
* Guitar: David Williams

 

Also read:

Bruce Swedien: Recording Michael Jackson

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov09/articles/swedien.htm

Clutter bygod begone

I don't like clutter. Ignore the fact that I seem to have developed a rampant bird ornament collection. I don't like clutter.

Contrary to appearances (frizzy, bit rough around the edges), I'm a very organised individual (super smooth, no edges). Having too much mess around me just makes me feel a bit psycho. Order = peace. Order = easy. Order = good.

That said, I can't stand a 'minimalist' approach to life either. I like lived in, I like things around me that make me feel happy. I'm a little bit messy and a tad suspicious of those that aren't.  And I'm nowhere near as neat as I'd like to be.

But in Maxabellaland everything has a container to return home to at night. I can't wax lyrical enough about good storage space and good storage containers. Not that you need to fill every available storage surface. My favourite place in my house is an empty drawer. A drawer. Empty. Makes me feel at peace with the world every time I look at it.*

You see, I try very hard not to buy clutter in the first place, but it's difficult to keep it totally at bay and allow the tsunamis to have a life at the same time. You know what I'm talking about: the stuff. So many artworks you could paper your house both inside and out. Lots and lots and lots of little bits that are supposed to go with other little bits but have been orphaned. A zoo of stuffed animals that you're pretty sure are breeding like they're all rabbits. You just know you will be picking up that same stuffed pink fluffy bear and green giraffe with the smug smile on its face** when you're child is doing their final exams.

Every now and then*** I have a total clear-out. I get rid of all the bits and the pieces and the stuff and the nonsense. I put it either back in its rightful place or in the bin if its past its useful date or in the bag for children who will love it more than you do by packing it away after they've played with it instead of leaving it in the middle of the hallway for your mother to trip over when she comes in the door with five bags of groceries in each hand.

 I love my clear outs. That wonderful sensation you get when everything is in its spot, where everything just works. Lasts about five minutes at my place (and god knows I've never successfully found a solution to the 'third drawer down' problem or the 'random basket of stuff on the bench' problem) but I live (and plan!) in hope.



* I know this makes me borderline weird, but you have no idea how relaxing an empty drawer can be.
** I hate that giraffe.
*** Ok, practically weekly but I'm not, like, obsessive or anything.

[Image from Run with Scissors - a really fab blog of a gal who judging by this pic is presumably living the life I so desire.]

The September Chronicles: What's on your fridge?

I started the Fridge Chronicles waaaaay back in July (is it just me or are months getting longer?). I have actually been amazed at how much my fridge changes month on month. I'm a regular de-clutterer (a post on this tomorrow) and conversely also a bit of a gatherer... so I guess this adds up to a surprisingly active fridge.

Two things of note here:

1. Love The Kids Are Alright about 3 weeks ago so why the postcard is still on the fridge is a bit of a mystery. Could it be because I have a bit of a girl crush on both Julianne Moore and Annette Benning?

2. Behind the postie is an invite for Cappers to a party. O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!* She has another friend! Of sorts. I quote: "I suppose I could play with her since she's invited me to her party and everything." You can kind of see why invites have been thin on the ground for my friendly, charming and welcoming daughter (!).

Speaking of events... check out LOML in the back row 3rd from the left.  Year 10, before significant weight loss of 1989. There was definitely more of my Italian to love back in those days. We unearthed this gem last week, buried in the historical artefacts of his  father's garage.

The Cappers starts school next year and orientation starts in mid-October.  I can't believe my baby girl starts Big School. Sob! Of course, she is absolutely raring to go. It's a totally different vibe to what we faced with Maxi-Taxi shuddering every time school was mentioned. They are very different little people indeed.

I did the Triple P (not 4P as false advertised in the August Chronicles) and I've got the certificate to prove it... Weird, huh? What on earth am I supposed to do with such a thing? Put it in my CV in case I'm ever looking for another gig as a parent?

To the right, a letter to Maxi-Taxi from his Gran. Received a month ago, as yet unanswered. Getting Maxi-Taxi to do writing outside of the classroom is nigh on impossible. We live in hope.

To the left, another Cappers party invite! Yes, two in one month. The second invitation is from our lovely neighbours up the road who we rarely see but like a lot. They have a daughter starting school with Cappers next year and their clever mumma has obviously decided that it's time the girls got together a bit more. It's addressed to "Abbie" (not my daughter's name, but hey, we'll take it!). We really like the family, but Cappers has been a reluctant participant in any family gatherings. The reason?

"Emma's bossy, I don't like her," she announced after one playdate. 

"Maybe you should let her know that you wish you could sometimes be the one to decide what to do," I suggested helpfully (secretly thinking, well if Cappers think she's bossy Emma must be like the Rupert Murdoch of the playground set).

She thought about this for a while and then said, "Nah, she's not worth it". 

Like I said, friendly, charming and welcoming. That's my girl.

* With sincere apologies to Mr Caroll's Jabberwocky.

Come join in the Fridge Chronicles. It's a great monthly record of the little bits and pieces that are happening over at your place. The linky stays open until 21October, so link up any time.

♥ Loving paper cranes

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I've long admired the art of origami and I guess the purest form of that to me is the paper crane. A sweet little package of perfection and hope.

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[Image via weheartit]

Sandy and the 1000 paper cranes is a sweet little blog and adventure. Sandy plans to make 1000 paper cranes and leave them wherever she goes for others to delight in. The cranes each carry an inspirational word to give a delightful pause in the finder's day. My favourite word so far (she is up to 160 cranes as I write) is 'Giddy'. But I also like Radiant, Quaint, Thankful and good old Joy, Happy and Thankful.

What's your favourite word of inspiration?


PS - The September Fridge Chronicles linky starts tomorrow! Go on, you know you're dying to join in the fun. Post your noticeboard if your fridge isn't magnetised... anything that chronicles your daily life...

PPS - The post is part of Anna's ♥ Much Love ♥ Mondays. Click over to Anna's to post your own loves.

This Saturday I'm grateful for... MILs

Here in Maxabellaland, Saturday is traditionally a sport, shop, sort the clothes, sweep the floors, strangle the Tsunamis (insert other 's' words here - no pun intended) kinda day. But it's nice to pause to appreciate the things in your life that are positive and affirming, whatever they may be. I thought it might be nice for us all to do a Saturday Grateful post and link up for lovely bloggy visits.


This Saturday I'm grateful for...

1. Maria's cannelloni. One of the great benefits of being married to an Italian is his mama's home cooking. LOML's mama makes the best ricotta and spinach canelloni and guess who's going there for dinner tonight?

2. My drip irrigation system. I am watering the garden right now. Look at me watering.

3. Tuckshops. There is a place on earth where you can still buy something for 20c.

What's making you smile today? Sign up to the linky and enjoy visiting other grateful bloggers today.

[Image via weheartit, is, of course, scrummy, loveable gelato which sums up my Italian MIL to a t.]

Things I learned this week including that I do go on and on and on

Happy Friyay to you you! Last day of Term 3 for all the NSW public school kiddlets, so two weeks of freeeeedom awaits them. During the second week of hols (4 - 10 October), we're off on a family holiday to the beach. I've got a delicious holiday planned for Maxabella loves... too. A week of outstanding writers blogging about "What my children have taught me about myself", all culminating in a fab giveaway on Friday... so stay tuned, I'll remind you throughout next week!!

I've learned a lot this week... but check out number one before you settle in.

1. So hard to find the time to read my massively long posts when there are so many other blogs to visit in the frenzy that is Friday. So in future I'm going to try not to learn so much.

2. Amazingly, it is possible to be funny and stylish at the same time. Who knew? Check out Woogy's abode featured by Louise at Table Tonic. Love your style, Woogy. Love Louise's blog too!

3. And then there were four reminded me that it makes no difference what your carb / protein / fat ratio is, just so long as you keep that kilojoules input less than your output, you'll lose weight. I think the reason people think high-protein diets work is that you're just cutting out an entire food group so you're actually eating less.

4. A good way to help children deal with teasing is to let them know that they can't choose what other people are going to say about them, but they can choose how they are going to let others' make them feel. I actually think this is the sentiment behind the schoolyard chant "sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me". I'm not going to let your silly words hurt me, say them all you like.

5. Whether you work outside the home full-time, part-time or no-time, it's important to remember that this is your life and no-one can tell you how to live it best for you. So if you're stressed out and not coping, have a big think about what you can do to make things better. Ask for help, just say no, switch things up, live on less and make your life the best fit for you and your family it can possibly be.

I hope you had a great week. Did you learn anything to share?

PS - I've started a Saturday Grateful linky, so swing by tomorrow if you'd like to join in.

PPS - Head on over to Lori's for your weekly floggers with other fabulous bloggers.

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Ms Nosybella: what's your best...?

Dear Earthlings

Lovely to be back...s t r e t c h. I've been inspired by Pink Patent Mary Janes (easy to be) and I'm asking for handy household hints today. I gave her my best laundry tip yesterday (fill up the fabric softener with half vinegar and half water and add 8 drops of lavender essential oil... soft, fluffy, clothes and beautifully fragrant!).

Do you do things a bit different to the 'norm'... a couple of short cuts or earth-friendly cleaning solutions that smell nice? I get the bicarb and vinegar one-stop solution for all cleaning needs. I do. But it just doesn't smell good and I've had no joy tackling a mouldy bathroom with this solution...

So, tell me, what are your top tips for keeping things fresh around the home?

'Til next time.

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Children´s Day: Poem: What Children Know

Children know laughter
They know tears
Children know peace
They know chaos
Children know acceptance
They know rejection
Children know joy
They know pain
Children know abundance
They know lack
Children know health
They know illness
Children know fulfillment
They know emptiness
Children know hope
They know dismay
Children know love
They know hatred
What they don’t know is WHY!

(Credits to: Namie Elisha)

"When I see children, I see the face of God. 
That's why I love them so much. That's what I see." 
~Michael Jackson, 2003 60 Minutes with Ed Bradley

*

Should more women be working full-time?

I've gotta stop reading the Sydney Morning Herald... or at, the very least, LOML has to stop sending me such thought-provoking articles. Monday it was the redhead thing, yesterday it was the women working part-time thing. Goodbye 'light hearted, easy on the eye' post, heeeeellllo 'WTF?' post.

The article proposes that because more Australian women work part-time, we lag behind the rest of the world in terms of equality on the domestic front. In Denmark (darn those pesky Scandanavian cousins that seem to get everything right!) the women mainly work full-time and both partners share the bulk of domestic responsibility. Here in Australia, with many of us working part-time, we're left picking up the domestic slack as well as beavering away at our working responsibilities. So, they conclude that the less a woman is at work in her job, the more likely she is to be scrubbing the floors or looking after children at home.

Cough. I'm just not sure how working full-time is going to help mothers improve this work-life balance. What did I miss?  I work part-time (4 days per week, Wednesdays at home) so I can spend more time with my children. So, if working part-time means I'm 'working harder' at that, then I'm very happy indeed. And hats off to mothers who take the 'no-time' approach and focus on their home and raising their children. I think the researchers who made some of these conclusions seem to have forgotten that 'childcare' is actually what's involved when you have children. Caring for children is kinda why we had them!! How can going out to work full-time possibly give you more of that sort of quality of life?

Contrary to popular opinion, the self-cleaning house is still a few years away. So doing the chores is part of the 'life' in work / life  balance whether we like it or not. It's the same amount of work involved whether we work full, part or no-time.  And (just quietly as I may get shot for saying this) at my place the reason the woman does the bulk of the housework is because the woman demands the bulk of the standards.

So, how can women working full-time give us more time to spend with our children and enhance our lives exactly? Comparing Australia with other countries and then assuming that work sits outside of cultural differences doesn't help anyone. Why not suggest that everyone starts working part-time instead? Because it there's one thing I agree with the research findings about, it's that both the men and women of Australia could do with a bit of a re-think on the hours they devote to their bosses!

What are your thoughts about all of this? How do you manage work and home - part-time or full-time? Or have you chosen to stop working to focus on home? Did your partner ever consider doing the same? Are you happy with your work /life balance? Will I ever stop asking questions?

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The world is a dangerous place for those wearing fanta pants

An article has come out fighting in the Sydney Morning Herald claiming that teasing a redhead isn't racist or prejudice.. You'll note from a previous post I wrote about reds, that I can take the ginger nut biscuit jabs on the chin. You kind of have to. Years of experience have taught me that people generally don't have any issues with redheads... they just tease us, er, because they're jealous? Because they have unresolved childhood parental issues? Because... um.

The reason I'm writing this post isn't really to do with redheads. It's to do with teasing and bullying in general. Did being teased as a child / adolescent 'toughen me up' and 'make me a stronger person'? Probably. But it also made me feel ugly, humiliated, ashamed, outcast, bewildered and angry. You only become tougher and stronger and funnier because you end up having to fight the demons inside as well as outside. Bullying torments kids, it always has. It cuts them deep where people can't always see and sometimes where they can.

Does something have to be racist or prejudicing a minority group for it to be wrong? I think not.

To this day I still get 'good natured' teasing... How oh how can we ever teach our children that bullying is wrong if their adult role models are doing it themselves? Can a child tell the difference between calling a redhead a ranga or calling a black person a darkie? See, it's really plain how hurtful comments can be when you put them into context like that.

My hair colour doesn't define me any more than the colour of a person's skin defines them.

I wish supposedly mature adults would stop making blonde jokes, redhead jokes, fat jokes, female jokes... it's endless the way we carry on. And I wish supposedly mature adults would stop defending hurtful remarks as being 'harmless',  'a bit of fun', 'can't you take a joke?' It really. isn't. funny. I wish we could all just grow up and be the people we want our kids to be.

Maybe then our children will learn that teasing and bullying hurts people in ways they can't imagine. Oh, please, maybe then.


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Hanging out with my inner teen

True confession: I adore teenage movies. It seems I just never grew out of my John Hughes phase. Forget the fact that I'm a 39 year old mother of three. Actually, I think that's the main reason I still like these films - they let me forget that I'm a 39 year old mother of three.

Yesterday I settled in for Easy A. It's one of the best teen movies I've ever seen (and we're talking over 20 years of dedicated watching here, folks). I laughed, I cried, I winced, I cowered, I guffawed. It's that good. Emma Stone is a modern day Molly Ringwald, but fortunately wittier, prettier and much less pathetic. Her parents are to-die-for (I can't say I ever even noticed Molly's parents in any of her flicks... teen flick parents are clearly aimed at, well, parents).

Of course, the real charm of teen movies these days is getting to hang out with the real-life teens who go to see them. As I sat in the cinema surrounded by over 120 teenage girls yesterday, I couldn't help but get sucked into the effervescent fizz and pop of teen-girl life. The energy level in that cinema was of football stadium standard. Everywhere I looked there was a colourful display of hand flapping, lip smacking, hip-waggling, oh-mi-godding motion.

Do mums of teen girls feel the way I felt all the time? Alive with the spirit of what if. The rush of perfect dramas, the excitement of anything can happen, the raw possibilities of living. Being with those girls made me want to tap dance on a moon lit by dazzling stars. Forget the inner child, the inner teen, like, totally rocks.

So, do go see Easy A. It's a top little film and the teenage girl inside you will thank you for it. Then again... she probably won't!

One woman show

It's the soul that stands out.

Through the years I've known Jennifer Batten as (mainly) Michael Jackson's tour guitarist. I was in the stadium in Bucharest for the HIStory tour concert. Not to many people can stand next to Michael Jackson on stage and make a strong impression.

Yet again we're talking about the lady that also stood next to Les Paul and Jeff Beck and was never the sidekick but part of the main act. 

This post was triggered by my experience last night at a music event I attended in Bucharest, Romania - Ziua Chitarelor (Guitars Day) which brought together Jennifer Batten, basist Stuart Hamm (who together with drummer Mike Vanderhule deserve a statue for their marathon last night supporting all the guitarist without knowing the songs in advance), guitarists Andreas Oberg, Dave Martone, Michael Lee Firkins, Damjan Pajcinoski and Dragianni.

I went there as a Michael Jackson fan wanting to say thank you to Jennifer for being part of the magic and also because it was Michael and his passion for music that allowed me to discover my own. I also went there as a guitar addict (I picked up a guitar when I was 5 and ever since I kept on playing - I'm not a guitar player but just someone who enjoys the sound and the feel of it and plays for amusement and to shake off the bad ) and someone who cannot imagine life without music.

And I went there wanting to experience live the Two Hands Rock approach - the wonderful tapping and hear without an intermediary the sounds of Jennifer's guitar.

She took the stage for a master class and a short show but she rocked the house. What stands out is how "clean" and natural, unaltered the guitar sounds when she plays. Not a single note is forced.

On her own or sharing the stage with the others she is always leading in an powerful but not aggressive way.

Songs by Michael, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix as well as songs of her own - whatever she played was high quality rock filled with soul - that music soul that people can recognize by feel.

It's hard to describe in words the connection and the experience of it all but the energy and the joy I got from the day I'll carry inside with me.

I love Jennifer for the guitar hero that she is (about that - next to me sat a group of teenage boys, talking about band rehearsals asking themselves and me when will Jennifer be on again after her master class) and for the person that she is. 

She never developed a complex from being called as Michael Jackson guitarist and she is still now, she made herself available to the fans, and she is a musician who never stopped being herself, never stopped sharing her passion for music with the audience. She is one of the greatest guitarist of all time and by default she broke down barriers by showing the guys how to rock.

Thank you Jennifer ! It was magic.

Current shows

http://www.batten.com/Current-Shows.html

Jennifer Batten on Twitter

http://twitter.com/mondocongo

A Very Happy Birthday, mike1909

 

Credits for the picture: www.hifriendz.com

Your birthday 

is a special time to celebrate

the gift that YOU are to us, dear sister.

The entire blog-team is grateful to have met you. We wish you for the next year of your life that some of your wishes will come true- and that some may be left so that you can dream up many new. Thank you for all your L.O.V.E and neverending support and compassion.

♥ Loving pom poms

I go through phases, it's true. Some stay (garlands), some go (gingham) but generally when I love something, I really, really love it.

I wonder how long my new tissue pom pom affair will last? I just can't get enough of them lately. I am making some for the Cappers' mermaid party in October and generally just looking at pictures of them because they make me feel good. Weirdness.

You can find instructions on how to make them via Martha Stewart Weddings (where else!).

This post is part of Anna's ♥ Much Love ♥ Monday. Visit her blog on Monday to find more lovable things.

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This Saturday I'm grateful for... warm hugs

Here in Maxabellaland, Saturday is traditionally a sport, shop, sort the clothes, sweep the floors, strangle the Tsunamis (insert other 's' words here - no pun intended) kinda day. But on Maxabella loves... I've been making Saturday my 'grateful day'.

It's nice to pause to appreciate the things in your life that are positive and affirming, whatever they may be. I thought it might be nice for us all to do a Saturday Grateful post and link up for lovely bloggy visits.

This Saturday I'm grateful for...

1. Warm hugs. I had a bit of a rough time this week. Thank goodness for warm hugs and kind words from the lovely LOML.

2. Big tries. That extra effort that I know the tsunamis are making at something they don't really like, just to please their mumma.

3. Schools. I love the fact that while technology changes and lessons are learned differently, the contented ebb and flow of today's school is just as I remember it.

What's making you smile today? Sign up to the linky and enjoy visiting other grateful bloggers today.

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Things I learned this week including that you have to follow the rules

Happy Friyay! How was your week? It's such a cliche but time and time again I find myself wondering how we got to the end so quickly. Apart from the year I spent in a one hour meeting on Monday, this week has flown.

1. So, you may recall that I didn't refrigerate my Hyacinth bulbs and back in May I smugly just stuck them in the ground anyway? Well, they came up and I was very excited (and smug) but then they didn't flower. So, I've learnt my lesson, you have to follow the rules.

2. Mel from From Little Things has come up with a way to make a mundane household chore like hanging out the clothes just a little tiny bit more inspirational. On the subject of inspirational cleaning, am I also the only one who buys top-of-the-range organically birthed cleaning products just to make myself feel better about scrubbing those floors?

3. My "reply" post this week taught me that it's very easy to appear harsher in print than if you said the same things in person. I apologise to Kahli if I upset her in any way, that was certainly not my intention. On reflection, I'm not proud of the personal tone that my argument took. I embrace all honest versions of motherhood and I never wish to be disrespectful or hurtful. I would rather hurt myself. I intend to be gentler with my criticisms in future. You have been warmed. (Sorry about the stupid pun, I can't help myself - I always make stupid jokes when I'm upset.)

4. A helmet-cam video of a transmission tower repair technician enlightened me to the fact that they free-climb a 1,768 foot tower in order to repair its light beacon (to give you an indication of how far up these guys work, the light beacon is there so airplanes won't fly into the tower...). Warning, the video is actually mind numbingly boring, in an interesting kind of way.

5. To write the number '5' correctly we say 'draw his body and his tummy and don't forget his hat'.

6. I really, really like that Dita von Teese.

7. I found a mummy crafty blog out there called Sean the Prawn. Aside from me telling you that it's a really great little blog, you have to check it out on the name alone, right? I just love it!

8. If I'm Still Here is an elaborate practical joke, I've been laughing along with it all for months. Can't wait to see it.

9. I found this article on oh dee doh Incorporating Children Into the Decor hi.larious. I pictured children hung neatly on the walls besides the Jackson Pollocks. I don't even recall thinking that an odd thing. Let's face it, these 'showroom' houses must hang their kids up on the walls in order to be so styled and clean. (For the purpose of remaining critical and scathing, we'll just ignore the fact that my home has already 'incorporated' most of these ideas, okay?)

10. The 'bag tag' I bought from Loved (Little Ted Canvas's gorgeous brand) makes a fabulous over sized pendant. I gathered compliments all day when I wore my sweet Alice in Wonderland version (it has Alice and the squirrel on the front and the white rabbit checking his fob on the back). Of course, there was one smarty pants who asked me if I was wearing a handy coaster around my neck, but there's always a comedienne, huh?

How was your week? Did you learn anything new to share?

* PS - Of course I'm flogging over at Lori's. Just a note on this, I have actually tried a few other 'Follows' and while I have met some really wonderful bloggers this way, for the most part I've found they really are just about getting 'follows' which I find a bit meaningless really. Why follow a blog just to get a follower on your own blog? Am I missing something? In contrast, Flog Your Blog Friday has really interesting, thoughtful blogs that I love visiting and being a part of their community. After months of being 'part of the gang' I really feel like we are a little club of Friday (and other day) friends. New company is always welcome and you don't have to **FOLLOW BACK!** unless you really want to. Just saying.

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The best bits are the little bits: part 1

When Maxi-Taxi was born he was the worst sleeping newborn in the history of the world (really, the entire history, I swear). I'd had a 40 hour labour (that's a whole working week right there!), was recovering from a couple of complications from the resulting CS and about 2 winks of sleep in as many weeks. 


Ah, welcome to motherhood, you'll like it here.


When LOML went back to work after 2 weeks, my mum stepped in to help me out.  She was the best.


One night she was sitting with him curled on her chest (you know, the standard newborn position) and sent me off to bed at 8pm. She said she would wake me when he was due a feed at eleven. Well, at 4am she came and woke me from the longest, most replenishing sleep I'd had in weeks. Mum had sat there with that child in her arms for 8 hours through the dead of night. Patting him back to sleep when he woke hungry, shooshing him back to dreamland.


When I said to her "Mum, you don't have to do that, really!" she simply said "Bronny, you take care of your baby, and I'll take care of mine." 


Still brings a tear to this day.


It's true that the little bits make up the best bits of memories! ♥




[Image by cassia ]

Mixing mamahood and work: a reply

Yesterday Kahli from little. lovely guest posted her 'Top 5 tips for working mums" over at Fat Mum Slim's. I started to write a comment in reply and then realised that my comment was growing and growing and, really, I should just write my own post and link on back.

So, what made my comment grow and grow?

Well, I had issues. As much as I appreciated where Kahli was coming from (and indeed, on investigation of her site, she seems more than a little lovely herself), I felt that many of her "top five tips" missed the mark for over-stretched, over-committed, over-it mummas. Here are Kahli's tips and my thoughts in reply:


1. Get organised. I’ve found the most important key to success has been organisation. The more organised I am, the less stressed I feel. Plan your weekly meals in advance, order groceries online and always organise as much as you can the night before to avoid a mad rush out the door.

100% agree with you, Kahli so, ah... moving right along.


2. Leave guilt behind. Guilt is often a working mother’s nosy neighbour, popping in when you’re busy, tired or simply feeling low. Try to leave guilt at the door. More often than not, it’s a sign you’re trying to be the best mother you can be and that’s all you – or anyone else – can ask for.

Seriously? A neighbour? Guilt is more like my permanent lodger, popping in all day, every day. I can't leave it at the door because it lives inside me. If I'm going to be a happy mumma and worker, I need to embrace the guilt and make it work hard for its keep. So if I'm feeling guilty about a particular thing, I don't ignore it, I investigate it and try to find ways to change things enough to keep guilt a happy camper.



3. Define work and play. If you’ve found yourself rocking a baby with one arm and responding to emails with another, try separating the two. When you’re working, work and when you’re mothering, mother. Otherwise you may feel you don’t either well. This might mean getting up early or working after your babies are in bed, but you’ll probably find you’re far more productive (and happier) when you do.

This one doesn't come up much for me as I mainly work away from home and when I do work from home my children are in their regular daytime places (school, preschool, with grandparents, daycare). BUT... in general I think the boundaries of 'work time is work time' and 'home time is home time' end up creating more stress than they hope to prevent. Of course they are going to blur - it's not work/life balance, it's just life. Mine changed for the better when I got a BlackBerry that meant that I can do after hours work where ever I am, if that's what I choose to do.

My advice to mums who do work from home and are stressed to the max is to question whether you really can be committed to two full-time jobs that require your attention at the same time. Look for loving childcare alternatives to help you make it work. Or ensure your work knows that you will be working from the hours of 7pm until 1am or whatever works for you. Otherwise, you're really not doing either your babies or your work a favour and it's not fair on anyone. Especially your little ones because if you're anything like me you really like the work you do and can get totally absorbed in it such that a little voice saying "Mummy can I" becomes like nails down a blackboard and it takes everything you've got not to snap bile at your little needy dearheart for interrupting your fun... Yes, I believe in the maxim "you can have it all, just not all at the same time."

As for getting up early to fit yet more stuff into your already over-burdened day, you must be joking, right?



4. Cherish your time off. We all know quality isn’t married to quantity so make your evenings and weekends sacred. Happy memories aren’t based on a catalogue of hours spent together, but rather what you did in the hours you had. The emails, washing and housework can wait.

Unfortunately, the emails, washing and housework really can't wait. If they wait they have a tendency to interbreed and create a giant overflowing inboxing, clothes wrecking, filthy mess loving beast who sucks the very life out of every household it encounters.

I don't know about Kahli, but there is no way I can just down tools and have a sacred evening or weekend as a family knowing that the beast is hungrily eating my house. So my advice here is to get the lot done as quickly as possible (cut any reasonable corner and speed a little - there are no traffic cops here) and then get out of the house for family time so that those little urchins of ours don't start feeding the monster again the second you've finished.


5. Be kind to yourself. Juggling work and the responsibilities of a family can be tough, so be kind to yourself. Take an extra long bath or buy a new magazine. And remember, it really doesn’t matter if your floors aren’t clean enough to serve dinner off. That’s what tables are for.

Be kind to yourself. Let the kids skip a bath or buy a new babysitter. And always remember that this is your actual life, not some weird dream you've found yourself in. So have a laugh whenever you can (laughing at the people with young children who are still trying to keep their floors clean would be a good place to start). That's what life is for.

Did you find Kahli's tips useful? Do you have other tips that might be helpful for over-burdened mothers?
 
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The drip, drip, drip of routine

I've always hated routine. Before the Tsunamis I was the kind of person who would mix up the route to work so I didn't have to do the same thing day in day out. The thought of already knowing today what I was going to do tomorrow was enough to make me feel a bit panicky.

Perfectly suited to young children then!

It's something I've struggled with all my babying years. When I became a mum, I knew I'd need to embrace a routine and in the early days I went so far as to 'Gina Ford' Maxi-Taxi under the assumption that my lack of routine was causing his sleeplessness. Turns out Maxi-Taxi doesn't really like routines either. It was a total, unmitigated disaster and the month we spent with meany Gina was easily the worst month of my parenting career to date.

After Maxi-Taxi refused to be Ginaed we moved into a more loose routine where as long as a pattern of feed, hang out, try to sleep prevailed, we were satisfied. I managed to handle the drip, drip, drip of a routine provided I got out of the house every day and did something completely new as often as possible.

Three Tsunamis in and these days I actually enjoy the rituals of every day living. I still need to break things up every now and then, but I'm much happier in the pocket of routine.  I'm lucky that most days are different in Maxabellaland (the Tsunamis go to different places in the morning or I'm home or I have class in the evening or... something!). It all helps. I still think I would go nuts if every day was exactly the same. In fact, I'm certain that I would.

Do you get regular breaks from your routine? Or, even better, are you lucky enough to thrive on routine?

[Image from My Sweet Prints]

My assignment

VIDEO / AUDIO
Soundtrack throughout: ‘Child of the Troubles’ by Roy Todd ©

Open on close up of Israeli woman –Aaron’s mother ‐ in labour. She is cared for by a midwife and her husband. There is much panting and puffing as she does Lamaze‐ style breathing and clutches her husband’s hand.

SFX: General hum of a hospital

Aaron’s mother (Lamaze breathing)
Hee hee hooooo, hee hee hooooo

Israeli midwife (in Hebrew):
Not too long now. Baby is coming.

Subtitles in English: Not too long now. Baby is coming.

Cut to close up of a Palestinian woman – Abdul‐Haqq’s mother ‐ in labour. She is cared for by a midwife and her husband. There is much panting and puffing as she does Lamaze‐style breathing and clutches her husband’s hand.

SFX: General hum of a hospital

Abdul‐Haqq’s mother (Lamaze breathing):
Hee hee hooooo, hee hee hooooo

Palestinian midwife (in Arabic):
Not too long now. Baby is coming.

Subtitles in English: Not too long now. Baby is coming.

Cut to split screen showing two crying newborn babies, mouths wide.
SFX: Crying babies

Abdul‐Haqq VO in Arabic:

We are born the same.

SUPER 1 (Appears at Abdul‐Haqq VO, stays on screen): We are born the same.

Aaron VO in Hebrew:

We are born the same.

SUPER 2 (Appears at Aaron VO, directly beneath Super 1): We are born the same.


Cut to split screen with parallel shots of Abdul‐ Haqq, a Palestinian solider and Aaron, an Israeli solider, being gunned down during the Israeli‐Palestine conflict.

SFX: Distant sounds of gunfire. Someone cries out. Silence except for lingering notes of music.

Abdul‐Haqq in Arabic:

We will die the same

SUPER 1 (Appears at Abdul‐Haqq VO, stays on screen): We will die the same.

Aaron in Hebrew:

We will die the same.

SUPER 2 (Appears at Aaron VO, directly beneath Super 1): We will die the same.


Cut to shot of Abdul‐Haqq’s grieving mother embracing grieving Aaron’s mother. They cling to each other and weep throughout take.

SFX: Sounds of women weeping.

Abdul‐Haqq VO in English:

We started it.

Aaron VO in English:

We started it

Both Abdul‐Haqq and Aaron VO in unison:

We will end it.

SUPER [fade in at “we will end it”]: We have more in common than you think.

Screen cuts to black.

SUPER [fade out]: We have more in common than you think.

SFX: Final note of song fades away.

ENDS


If you have absolutely no idea what's going on here, see My very own Gruen Transfer Moment for background... x

♥ Loving Simply Hue

I'm addicted to Etsy. I scroll through new stores almost every day, dreaming away about what I'd be buying if it was a 'buying day'. I'm finding Vicky at Simply Hue Designs almost irresistable.  She captures daydreamy, lollipop Summers and creates a little yearning in my heart.

I know it's probably a bit of a fad for some, but I love the vintage look for images (you might have noticed that!) An image has to be more than just photoshopped for me to like it, though. You can't hide bad photography with a bit of saturation and a vignette.

Do you have a favourite Etsy shop to share?

Even though it's Sunday, this post is part of ♥Much Love♥ Monday over at Anna's lovely part of the bloggerspace...

Remembering 9/11, 2001 - What More Can I Give

Today we would like to remember all victims of September 11, 2001 and send prayers to their families and loved ones. And all the victims that had to lose their lives as a reaction to this incident.

Let's hope and pray the world will constantly overcome religious and other differences and we begin to understand living in tolerance of our fellow humans around the world.

“What More Can I Give” (“Todo Para Ti” in Spanish) is a song written by Michael Jackson and recorded by a supergroup of singers following the September 11 attacks in 2001. The inspiration for the song had initially come to Michael after a meeting with the President of South Africa Nelson Mandela in the late 1990s.

Michael rewrote “What More Can I Give” as reaction to the incidents of that day in 2001 and recorded that new version with fellow superstar artists shortly afterward. ”What More Can I Give” was scheduled for release as a charity single, in the hope that $50 million would be raised to aid the survivors and the families of victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Due to the severe problems with Sony Music at the time Michael's dream did not come true. The song was released digitally in 2003 and all proceeds from the sale of the song went to children’s charities.

Let's remember all the lost ones today and forever. Help spreading tolerance and love and ask yourself "What More Can I Give?"





Rest in peace Michael and Luther Vandross. We miss you very much!!!