Vintages EverYday

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

The Badoo and the Possums


Recently The Badoo's independent, cheeky streak has come in very, very handy.

She was in the baby room (the Joeys) at her daycare and she wanted to move up to the big kid room (the Possums).  The Possums is for 3 - 4 year olds, but The Badoo doesn't believe in age appropriateness. She wanted out of the baby room and in with those Possums.

For a while now we've had the potty in the lounge room - proudly being referred to as the 'place where big girls who don't wear nappies go'. The Badoo was glancing over at the potty with a 'yeah, whatever' shrug for a week or so.

Then one Saturday she grabbed me by the hand and took me over to the potty. Proudly she gestured to the wee in the bowl. She beamed her Badoo smile and said "I'm a big girl, I need undies". We were beyond proud. Especially when she didn't miss a beat the entire weekend without nappies. Numbers 1 and 2 were dutifully deposited into the potty without any reminder (to be honest it all happened so suddenly that LOML and I kept forgetting that she was in the middle of toilet training). It was like magic.

So, Monday she fronts up to daycare and announces that she'll be going into the Possums room thank you very much. "Look!" she said to the Possum teacher, lifting up her skirt. "No nappies! I'm ready to be a Possum." The Possum teacher must have hesitated slightly. "The toilets are in the Possum room," The Badoo said pointedly. "I need to be a Possum."

What can you say to that? The Badoo is now proudly mixing it up with the Possums and flashing her undies at every opportunity. Ah, that Badoo. She's a little bit mental, she's a little bit grumpy but she's a whole lotta clever.


Have your children ever surprised you beyond words with their ability to adapt and conquer? Are you afraid, very afraid?

Quuens of the World

Sunday, November 28, 2010

When I grow up I want to be a something...


The temperamental climate at work has meant that I've been thinking about my 'career' a lot lately. I say 'career' because I abandoned the notion of a Career the instant I clapped eyes on my firstborn. While once I thought 'climbing the ladder' was a purposeful and interesting way to spend my time, nowadays I have a job and I'm happy with that. But sometimes I think 'coulda, shoulda, woulda...'

I'm 'in advertising', I used to be 'in marketing' and then at one stage I was 'in PR'. What I really want for the Tsunamis is that they be A Something.  A plumber, a delivery driver, a doctor, a farmer, a zoo keeper, a researcher... just A Something. A Something that has a bit of meaning, that's a Career, a Vocation.

At my work the expression 'we're not saving lives' is often raised to try to quell the hysteria that builds when we are behind on our mega-urgent, mega-important drop-dead oh-dear-god-are-we-going-to-make-it  deadline... to put an advertisement into a newspaper. (Hmmmm... I wonder what the neurosurgeons say when they are equally as Stressed Out with Very Pressing and Important Matters?)

I'd like the Tsunamis to be able to say "Me? Oh, I'm A..." and launch into a riveting account of their day doing something important. "I saved a woman's house from flooding" or "I helped birth a baby elephant" or "I introduced three new people to the artwork of Bugalugs".

Maxi used to want to work in a museum but now he wants to be A Film Maker and make films about animals (or Zhu Zhu pets judging by his debut film which wrapped about a month ago and is currently in editing). Cappers wants to assist Maxi to make films about animals (not surprisingly she used to want to assist Maxi at the museum). But in her spare time she wants to be An Artist. The Badoo is practicing to become A Kickboxing / Headbutting / Martial Arts Expert. She's but moments away...

Do you have aspirations for your children? What do they want to be when they grow up?


[Image by Ben Heine]

Saturday, November 27, 2010

♥ Loving unexpected kindness




Ivy Designs. I know what you're thinking. You're thinking "doesn't Maxabella mention Wynona and Ivy Designs every other post? What is this, some kind of blog affair?" 

Why yes, yes it is.

A while ago I purchased some really lovely clothes from Wynona's online store. Some sweet little pedal pushers, a top, some hair things and the dress that The Badoo wore to her Christening. My favourite little girl's dress ever (you can see it hanging above the bed here).

I left a little comment on Wynona's blog to tell her about the dress so she could see a picture of The Badoo wearing one of her designs. I thought that if I was a designer, I would love to see pictures of my customers happy in my designs. I left the comment and thought nothing of it...

... until I got a package in the mail. Wrapped beautifully and brimming with all the gorgeous things you see in my (really bad) photo above. A sweet Peony skirt and matching iron-on applique patch. A little lollipop hairclip. A hairband made of the most delicately patterned paisley fabric. All snug in a lovely Ivy Designs calico bag. And a note saying 'You surprised me with The Badoo's dress for her christening, how flattered am I! So here's a surprise for you gorgeous'.


I can't tell you how touched I was. I just adore every one of the gifts that Wynona has sent and her kindness has stayed with me for days. An unexpected kindness really is what makes the world go round. Thank you, thank you, Wynona!

Have you ever been delighted by a surprise in the mail? And do you sometimes feel like you've stumbled into the sweetest place on earth here in blogland?



The Bunnies of Miami - Oct 1965 issue

Friday, November 26, 2010

This week I'm grateful for... jobs


I went to a mine in the middle of bloody nowhere this week. We took a 2 hour 'mudhopper' flight out of Townsville into central Far North Queensland. Three and a half driving hours north west of Mount Isa. Yes, as middle-of-bloody-nowhere as that! It was rather romantic to experience somewhere that remote and special to meet some of the people who fly in to work out that way. But it was truly sobering to put a 'face' to the seemingly endless number of mine disasters that are happening in our world these days.

This week I'm grateful for...

1. My job - I have it, it interests me, it takes me on adventures a surprising number of times for a basic office worker!

2. LOML's job - because he's not going down into a mine every day.

3. Milk - as one miner put it "you can't afford to be lactose-intolerbullshit' around here. You need to drink your milk or you don't stay healthy.


So, what's making you smile today? Grab my Grateful button from my sidebar if you like (see, over there... I've got a buttton!!), link back your own Grateful post below and then pop over to visit other bloggers who are spreading a little sunshine.  No hurry - we're all about laaaaazy Saturdays. Link is open all week. Happy day to you!



[Image by Tourism Bridgend]

First issue of Playboy magazine

The first issue of Playboy 1953
The first issue, published in December 1953, did not carry a date, as Hefner was unsure whether there would be a second issue. It was produced in Hefner's Hyde Park kitchen. The first centerfold was Marilyn Monroe, although the picture used had originally been taken for a calendar, rather than for Playboy. The first issue was an immediate sensation; it sold out within a matter of weeks. Known circulation was 53,991 (Source: Playboy Collector's Association Playboy Magazine Price Guide). The cover price was 50¢. Copies of the first issue in Mint to Near Mint condition sold for over $5,000 in 2002.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Things I learned this week including that all a boy really needs is a spider


Happy 'less than a month until Christmas' to you! We did Santa letters this week and amazingly the Tsunamis couldn't think of more than 157 things to ask for this year. Their letters were each only 11 pages long. It's a Christmas Miracle.

Aside from learning that my children are as materialistic and greedy as ever, I also learned:

1. The best game in the world for little boys is catching ants and flinging them onto Golden Orb or St Andrew's spiderwebs and watching the 'pet spider' sort out his dinner. To be honest, it's also the best game in the world for little boys' mothers too - I have lost HOURS this week alone....

2. My life is not complete without a personalised wooden stamp from Love to Create. And, as it says on the box, it would "make a fantastic wedding gift" if the wedding couple had already moved into their 'forever' home because what exactly do you do with an address stamp for an address you no longer need to stamp?

3. RikRak Studio is not only the place to go for a showcase of the Beautiful and the Handmade, she is also having an AMAZING Happy Holidays giveaway that you would be nuts to miss out on... NUTS. Get over there! No wait, finish reading my post first and then get over there...!

4. I don't know how I've existed up until now without this perfect bedside lamp...

5. I hate my new "Grateful" banner but I'm too lazy to change it right now.


How was your week? Did you learn anything new to share with the group today?

_____________________________________________________

Edited on Saturday:

I changed my button. I don't know why I didn't like the old button, but I like the new one a lot. Sorry for any trouble for those lovelies who had the banner button in their sidebar... love you! x

[Image by Sarah Rosiee]

TV ad

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Freddie Mercury (5 September 1946 – 24 November 1991)



"A concert is not a live rendition of our album. It's a theatrical event."
Freddie Mercury
It pretty much sums up what Freddie brought to the stage. But it only begins to tell the story about what Freddie Mercury and Queen mean to music and the world.
To call him a legends would be too little considering how this word is thrown around about everybody who gets on the cover of a magazine


"When I'm dead, I want to be remembered as a musician of some worth and substance."
Freddie Mercury 

He used to say his melodies are better than the lyrics but I bet many of you will disagree with him. Both lyrics and melodies are so powerful and have borrowed his style and personality. I do not intend to take anything away from the other Queen musicians - amazing themselves. I will not get into that. This is not an analysis.
This post is simply to remember and honor one of the greatest music entertainers that ever lived.
A man who dedicated his life to bringing joy through music and share his talent with the world.

A lot of ink has been used in writing about his. Controversies, tabloid reports, critics (about his music and his image) and so on - but what remains is the gift he gave to the world - himself.
The show went on through all the good and bad in his life. 


My favorite album is "Made In Heaven". I'm sure many will argue with me on this. It might not have the musical force of "A Night At The Opera"' for example.
But it's the simple fact that this last album was finished just based on will power. 
While his body rapidly loosing the battle with AIDS he found comfort in recording.
And is his voice that breaks through. Not many rock artists pay attention to that. He used his voice to add depth and character to the songs and the public responded. 
In April 1992 took place The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS Awareness. At the end of George Michael's rendition of "Somebody To Love" the public offered a wonderful tribute by singing the final phrase of the song exactly like Freddie used to do it.

It wasn't a big surprise to me that he and Michael connected and according to Brian May they became close friends. The two demo songs that we know of that surfaced - "State Of Shock" and there "Must Be More To Life Than This" - left us with just many questions starting in "What if ...?"


I'm going to end up this post with the song Brian May wrote and that I think expresses what we all feel about loosing him. About loosing them ..... our heroes. All of them. Including the unsung ones.


"One by one
Only the good die young
They're only flyin' too close to the sun
Cryin' for nothing
Cryin' for no-one
No-one but you"


We must continue to educate ourselves and others about HIV/AIDS and support research for its eradication.

The Elizabeth Taylor HIV/AIDS Foundation

amFAR - The Foundation for AIDS research
AIDS.org

Also read 
Michael by Peter Freestone (Freddie Mercury's personal assistant)


The November Chronicles: What's on my fridge?


Can you believe a whole October went by and I didn't take photos of my fridge? What's wrong with me?

I know my Fridge Chronicles are probably a little bit boring, but just skip over the post if you're yawning. I like it. The things that accumulate on the fridge are either very important, or very random. Either way, it's a record of life in Maxabellaland and I do treasure it. So please, bear with me.


One of the Secret Blogging Business bits that I hardly mention is just how generous bloggers are. I have won some AMAZING giveaways from some AMAZING blogs.  I received a gorgeous "Carried away by Bats" print from Candace Jean via Rik Rak Studio giveaway. She sent me this sweet note on beautifully illustrated stationery. You gotta love bloggers.


Then there are all the delightful things you can buy from shops like Lark and Rudy and the Dodo. I just love online shopping. The variety. The hunt. The handmade. Once I got over the need to 'touch things' I haven't looked back. The way most stores package their goodies is like getting a birthday gift in the mail (except, you know, you bought if for yourself...)

Capper's friend Lola sent her a thank you letter after coming to her Mermaid Party. Her favourite thing at the party was the "Earthquakes". This is where LOML lies on the trampoline with 27 kids and bounces them all over the place. Many squeals and much laughter later, he collapses with exhaustion. Bless that fun-loving LOML.


Another month, another party invite. This time it was Blake's party up the road. Maxi-Taxi was a bit out of his element (he only knew a couple of the boys) so he instantly regressed into skirt-clinger mode. I had a lovely time being that "mum who won't just do the drop off". You know That Mum.


I was Door Bitch at the School Disco. "Is your mum or dad outside? No? Well, get back in there and have FUN, you hear me?" Some of those kids were downright sneaky, pretending to have a Mum or Dad waiting outside so they could go play on the play equipment. But don't worry, they were soon off my list.

Don't be fooled by the $5 entry fee. I didn't get away from that place without a $23 hole in my pocket.
 sausage sizzle for kids and parents!!! glow bracelets! treats! drinks! iceblocks! 


So, tell me, what's on your fridge / noticeboard / calendar / head this month?*


* I'm not doing the linky anymore. I can't take the pain of a massive white space under my announcement with an average of 3 people linking up. I'm just not strong enough...

Hitler spotted in a crowd in August 1914

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Ms Nosybella: What would you...?


Hello Kind (or not so? Read on...) Readers

There was an incident at my place a weekend or so ago. Let's just say that I lost my temper and made my MIL cry (a little bit). I felt like such a bully. It's an ugly, ugly side of me that I have never embraced but seem unable to be free of.

Fortunately, I can count on... three hands the number of times I've lost my temper and barked at someone. But I would love to change my fiery, redhead ways if I could. That and keeping my big mouth shut when it's not my turn to speak. And my incessant need for instant gratification has to go too. Oh and I wouldn't mind being a lot more patient when it comes to teaching my children new things. Plus I talk to much. I go on and on and on and... well, you know that already.

My question this time is: what would you change about yourself if you could?

'Til next time

[Image by Anton Tang]

Anniversary - A Year of L.O.V.E

When Michael Jackson passed, the feeling of loss and grief was quite overwhelming. I somewhat felt alone in my mourning of MJ; coming a small conservative, reserved town in Virginia, I wasn't sure if anyone truly understood what this lost meant to me:
This was the loss of innocence; I always felt like a young teen singing to my "BAD" poster when I listened to MJ, like I'm frozen in time. When our personal "Peter Pan" ascended to heaven, I had to slowly come to the realization this was the end of an era.
My life changed when I met a certain group of ladies - starting with @doublebeee and @Kiki_MJFan4life, I started to share my personal thoughts of MJ, his music, his style, his buckles...
Then I had interaction with @mike1909, @angelzaroundus, and @ichliebemjj, reflecting on MJ's kindness and gentle spirit. 
Finally, I met @Cassarah_ and @Gimevacarezza discussed the charitable work of MJ and the rest was HIStory.
All the elements fore mentioned were a part of a blog, "It's All For Love", I didn't consider myself as a "blogger", but with MJ as the canvass, it was easy to get on board! The blog started discussing children's issues, as we know this was something very close to MJ's.
As the webteam team grew, it became a place of remembrance of MJ's life, career, charity, style, music, and of course, his heart.
Learning more about MJ's suffering has made me aware of my footprint on this planet, meeting the members of the webteam has encouraged me to look deep within myself and try to "make that change".
I'm very happy to be a part of this international sisterhood. I've always said we all have a purpose on this planet; MJ's purpose was to bring us together, for that I'm grateful.
We'll always love you more.


@sohappi
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"We all have to give and we all have to do what we can to help end the needless suffering in the world."

Michael Jackson & Friends
The Adventure of Humanity" Announcement
March 23, 1999






[...] children have certain inalienable rights, and the gradual erosion of those rights has led to scores of children worldwide being denied the joys and security of childhood. I would therefore like to propose tonight that we instal in every home a Children's Universal Bill of Rights, the tenets of which are:
• The right to be loved, without having to earn it
• The right to be protected, without having to deserve it
• The right to feel valuable, even if you came into the world with nothing
• The right to be listened to without having to be interesting
• The right to be read a bedtime story without having to compete with the evening news or EastEnders
• The right to an education without having to dodge bullets at schools
• The right to be thought of as adorable (even if you have a face that only a mother could love).Friends, the foundation of all human knowledge, the beginning of human consciousness, must be that each and every one of us is an object of love. Before you know if you have red hair or brown, before you know if you are black or white, before you know of what religion you are a part, you have to know that you are loved.
 
Michael Jackson
Oxford Union Speech, March 6, 2001






Michael Jackson's music has accompanied me through my life. I have always loved his music and his magical performances. But even more than being a fan of the artist I have been a follower of the man, as a supporter of general welfare and tolerance for people of all colors, races, characters and social statuses, and as active ambassador for children worldwide and their rights.
It is Michael's spirit that brought our webteam together. In november 2009 we started with this blog, which is of course MJ-related. To us this means: never getting tired of caring about whatever is going on in the world.
To run this blog was not really a decision, it was more like something made me starting it. There were more reasons speaking against it - not just my rather limited skills in english. My head said NO - but my heart said YES. Today I call myself being very, very fortunate to have met my sisters, living on 4 continents in 5 countries. Words fail me to express -and this is no matter of language skills- how grateful I am and how much your love and support adds to my life.

Thank you, Ladies, for all the smiles you brought to my face 
and the tears you brought to my eyes. 
I love you.

@Cassarah


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"There are two kinds of music. 
One comes from the strings of a guitar, 
the other from the strings of the heart. 
One sound comes from a chamber orchestra, 
the other from the beating of the heart's chamber. 
One comes from an instrument of graphite and wood, 
the other from an organ of flesh and blood.
This loftier music I speak of tonight is more pleasing than the notes of the most gifted composers, more moving than a marching band, more harmonious than a thousand voices joined in hymn and more powerful than all the world's percussion instruments combined. 
That ... sweet and sound of love."

Michael Jackson (Carnagie Hall speech)





I was slow in accepting @Cassarah's invitation to team up to build this blog. I don't know to this day how she went past my lame excuses for not saying yes. Truth is it was just too hard for me to deal with my emotions.
Trying to write this the words "labor of love" came to my mind - but they would not apply here because being part of the blog required no effort, on the contrary it's been a source of energy and healing.
It's wonderful to have this place to share my thoughts and most of all I'm proud to be part of this project aimed at raising awareness about children and other social issues.
I have no doubt that the love we share is changing the world for the better.


Beyond this i hope you know how grateful I am to have you sisters.


Much love
@mike1909
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Words fail me when it comes to my feelings for our blog and the blog team. I can't even begin.
Let me try to put this straight and simple.
I love Michael Jackson, and I feel him loving me back through this sisterhood. We have gathered together because of him. We share our grief of losing him, the pain that is never going to cease, and in the process we help each other to learn and grow in so many levels. By the blog itself, we are a miniature world with teammates from different parts of the world, and we are tightly interconnected, 
while at the same time open to the whole world. 
It's a miracle.
Loving Michael in his death gives me pain, but he rewarded me with much, much more love. 
This blog is a manifestation of this love.
Sisters, you are all gifts from him to me. Thank you for being here, and I love you more.

@ichliebemjj

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I decided to pull a quote from a review that I did of "This Is It," it feels like a fitting metaphor on how we formed this partnership in the first place.
"Michael had the generosity and heart to elevate those around him. Even when the musicians made errors, he would remind them “This is why we have rehearsal.” When he gave direction and sensed the slightest hesitation from his band or crew, he’d give his direction, punctuated with “God Bless You,” “I Love You” or “Its all for L.O.V.E.”
Michael's presence is everywhere, and he reminds us all the time that everything we do should be in the name of L.O.V.E., but even when it isn't, as human beings, we have the opportunity,and the free will to make it right again.

Love you ladies and MJ Forever,

@AA 






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I've been a fan of Michael's since I was 2 years old, when i think to some of my earliest memories his name appears in all of them. Michael Jackson gave me confidence when I needed it,strength when I needed it....when he died I felt like a part of myself died too. I couldn't put into words how I felt & when I did try it seemed as though people around me didn't get it. I felt lost like no one understood it was then I started meeting the girls that would change my life. I remember talking with @sohappi & @angelzaroundus first & I remember finally feeling like someone got me & someone understood I met the rest of the wonderful sisterhood after that & soon after joined the blog team. I can't believe it's the anniversary of our little blog but at the same time I think to myself, it's only been a year? I say that because it feels like I've known these beautiful girls for so much longer. I don't know what I would do without them, I can't even remember my life without them in it. This blog for me has been kind of a rebirth of the part of me i thought I lost when MJ passed. I feel blessed to be a part of this blog & even more to be part of an amazing sisterhood of ladies that have changed my life forever :)


@Kiki_MJFan4life

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"In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe"

Michael Jackson (Oxford Union Speech, 2001)


Words fail me when I tried to talk about what the blog means to me and what Michael Jackson means to me. I guess the best thing to write about both is by writing about one at a time. I'll start with the meaning of Michael Jackson in my life and his impact on it.
Since I was a child Michael Jackson was a very important part of my life. I remember to see thriller with my brother for the first time and I was so scared but his voice and the rhythm I couldn't stop watching it!. I started to listen to him at the age of 4 and at that age I wasn't into all the philanthropy thing but as I was growing up I was learning more and more from and about him. He taught me about music of course, about respect, about love, about care, about how much doing charitable works and helping people in need can make you feel better but the most important lesson I learned from him was to speak up for those who can't, for what it's right, for uncover the lies and for many more reasons.
Through Michael Jackson I knew a new world full of magic and love.
When he died I was and still am overwhelmed with sadness and pain, I cried so much and I thought nobody would understand me or feel the same sadness but one day I met a wonderful lady @doublebeee who showed me a blog post, after I read the blog I was amazed of how the blog represented Michael's spirit, I automatically knew I wanted to be a part of that act of  L.O.V.E so I asked to @doublebeee If I could and when she said she talked to the girls and they all agreed. I met an amazing group of ladies who shared my beliefs and most important the love I feel for Michael and the will to change the world and continue to his legacy. This girls teach me so much everyday and they make me feel so loved that I can't say nothing but Thank you. Thank you for letting me be a part of the blog, for teaching me something new everyday, for being there for me when I need it and lots of other things. Through you and Michael I'm a better person. 
Thank you again sisters!.
I feel lucky to have you.
L.O.V.E.

@GimeVacarezza

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"Can it be I stayed away too long? Did I leave your mind while I was gone?"
Michael Jackson - I Wanna Be Where You Are

June 25, 2009 marked a night for me that was changing me in so many ways. I don't even wanna go back there to this night of shock I spent in front of the TV seeing what I never thought I would see... and I never knew what it would do to me.
The weeks that followed I spent reminiscing about what Michael meant to me and to my life over the many years he's in my life. A million memories returned and my grief was just unbearable. I felt lonely and confused and didn't really believe anyone else would feel or even understand what he meant to me. I hardly even recognized myself.
Just out of curiosity and despair I joined Twitter because CNN was reporting that fans all over the world were discussing Michael and his meaning there. 
That was the start of something I never expected or thought would be possible... I met some amazing people there who clearly felt the same about Michael and wouldn't judge my feelings.
I now call them my sisters! We're what I think represents Michael's dream he never stopped repeating: An international family of L.O.V.E. joined in the purpose of spreading the love, holding on to Michael's legacy and grow on each other in many different ways.
When mike1909 and Cassarah started the "It's All For L.O.V.E." blog, I was happy to join and have another outlet to read and spread Michael's message and to be a counterpart of what mass media tried to do to Michael over all those years. 
Now it's our turn to "make that change"!!! And we do. It's great to see how it works and how we are able to reach people all over the world. With love, not controversy.
Thank you my sweet sisters for letting me being a part of you and this amazing journey. I love you! 

"I know that keepin' the faith means never givin' up on love. But the power that love has to make it right, makes it, makes it right..."
Michael Jackson - Keep The Faith

@doublebeee

Cause of Death: Lack of L.O.V.E - Child Abuse by Parents

Today our webteam celebrates the anniversary of this blog "One Year oO LOVE" with all of you.
Make note of the contribution to the blog  HERE (<- click)
As always on the 22th of a month this is also our "Children's Day".



Today I would like to remember 3 little Children in place of  millions nameless and faceless children, whose pain and incredibly suffering is caused by their own parents.

I am not writing about the children of Africa or Asia, who have to work hard at a very young age and  contribute to their family´s income . It is not about the children in Africa whose parents are missing all essentials and whose children starve.  These lines are about  children in so-called rich countries of the western world who were  tortured and beaten by their parents,  imprisoned in dark crates, condemned to solitude and absolute isolation. It´s about have children who die who have not yet really lived. It´s  about children, for whom it was probably a relief to pass away.
It´s about children who would still be alive and could enjoy life, if there would have been the LOVE.

Read 3 of the many stories, the shadow share estimated number of non reported cases is high.

• Kevin, a 2 year old boy is found dead in his father´s a small kitchen refrigerator. The child's body is found, after the youth welfare office has made the long overdue decision to take  Kevin into a foster family. At this time, Kevin is already five months dead.

The autopsy reveals that the child´s body shows  more than 20 old and new fractures. The little boy was exposed to constant abuse. Beats to the child´s genital area have left hematomas and must have caused considerable pain.

The father has neither called for  medical help  nor asked for education support for raising a child.

Court has to judge the father´s guilt. But what about the guilt of all the persons who have known this little boy, those who have heard the little boy crying? He "lived" in a tower building,  proximity close to other people. In opposite to this there was no emotional closeness at all.


Jessica´s funeral

• Jessica dies after years of malnutrition. The girl has even pulled out and eaten her hair. It is the biological mother who has  starved her daughter.
The 7 year old child has the weight a  child of 2 year should have.
  


Lea-Sophie´s last resting place


• Lea-Sophie dies of thirst and hunger in her  parent´s home at the age of 5 years. The little girl has the weight of a 1 year old baby.
  
 
  

In all it are millions of children who are tormented  and abused by their own parents.
They were -although it is prohibited by law- even today still whipped with a belt (like Michael Jackson was wiped as a child by his father). Beside the physical abuse  there are also a load of verbal and emotional cruelty that affect the daily lives of many children. Working with children, I learn constantly from their worries, fears, and their boundless desire to be loved by their parents.

In 1972, a little girl who was called Susie was murdered. Michael Jackson composed a song for her and published it in 1995. 

Let us walk -or even better dance- through life with open eyes and make sure not to get blind to the needs of children from the neighborhood.S tand up against anything and anyone who is making this earth becoming hell for children. Be someone who cares... for all the little Susies in this world. 

~Cassarah 
Little Susie...






We have to bring L.O.V.E back into this world.

~Michael Jackson, in: "This Is IT"

plane

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Maxabellaland: A reality check

This one's for Nicole over at Bubby Makes Three who has come up with the brilliant idea of exposing those house porn mags for pitching an impossible dream. People don't / can't live like that in real life. To prove it, we are revealing our real-life homes in all their messy, cluttered, what-the-hell-is-this-thing-and-where-can-I-stash-it glory.

Here's my kitchen which has a permanent morning-after-the-night-before feel to it. Note the carefully prepared 'old beige towel' back drop through the 'picture' window...


Note the absence of freshly baked goods in the cake stand (which is permanently out as it has no home to speak of). The rotting bananas, long past 'fresh banana bread' stage. The three pack of dummies to feed the two year old's unbreakable pack-a-day habit. The broken-down, rusty old dishwasher and resulting piles of dishes in the dish rack (miraculously washed).  The bottles of plonk resting enticingly on the ancient stove top. Numerous containers permanently housed on the dividing-half-wall that screens persnickety dinner guests from the nastiness of preparing said dinner, but still allows the host to join in the chit chat. Oh yes, the kitchen.

Now, meet my Third Drawer Down, where the real me lurks like a festering wound.  Hold your breath, we're diving in...


You will not be surprised to learn that it doesn't actually close properly.

Moving on from the hungover kitchen, down the hall is Capper's bedroom, an oasis for the creative spirit.


Capper's bedroom previously featured in a Maxabella post, but it was the other end of the room that was cunningly displayed. Editing is a beautiful thing, isn't it Home Beautiful?

Here's a close-up of that sweet, little girl desk...


And one of the 'why did I think free-access to art in the bedroom was a great idea' carpet...


... and her sagging art string which was also a great idea at the time but, unlike in the magazines, she refuses to hang just 5 themed pictures tidily in a row.



See the Doll's House and Princess Palace there? They're not faring much better...


Police are investigating the possibility of a homicidal maniac on the loose in Maxabellaland. He's already claimed two victims in the Princess Palace and it is feared that next door he has brutally stabbed Doll's House Mum to death...


... no wait, scrap that. This is a clear case of Death By Ironing After Drinking Large Pot of Tea.

Oh boy did I enjoy that anti-over-styled life moment... So, ah, what's it like at your place?

___________________________________________________________
I rewound this post at the Fibro on 1.4.2011
Clearly I can't get enough humiliation.

Marilyn Monroe

Friday, November 19, 2010

This week I'm grateful for... kites



Today I would  be very much grateful for some sunshine (someshine?) I don't know this El Nina very well, but I'm pretty sure I'm not going to like her very much. I'm beginning to think that the Earth has shifted and Sydney is now located in the Northern Hemisphere...

But there's always a silver lining and this week I'm grateful for...


1. Kites - the only thing I enjoy doing when its windy is flying a cheery, festive, friendly, uplifting kite.

2. Mums - you disappoint them and they love you anyway. Speedy Gonzales recovery, MELM. x

3. MooGoo - I've written about their products before, but this week I am even more grateful for MooGoo because The Badoo tipped half a bottle of the shampoo on her head on Thursday night and it was not a blinding, screaming disaster.


So, what's making you smile today? Grab my Grateful button from my sidebar (see -> over there... I've got a buttton!!), link back your own Grateful post below and then pop over to visit other bloggers who are spreading a little sunshine.  No hurry - we're all about laaaaazy Saturdays. Link is open all week. Happy day to you!



[I am also grateful for delightful images like this one via fffound]

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Things I learned this week including that hipsters are hysterical



This was the week where I wasn't retrenched then I sort of was and then I sort of wasn't and then I definitely wasn't. What a rush.

I've learned a few things along the way...

1. Laughter really is the best remedy. Check out Unhappy Hipsters to see why I still have a smile on my face despite the dreadful week I've had... they are so funny (even though they clearly don't get the joke!).

2. Also keeping me smiling is the resillience of children. Maxi-Taxi's "Battleaxe Fairies" made me realise that whatever happens, self-belief and creativity will get our kids through most things. Just like they've seen their parents through the worst from time to time.

3. Change is good, change is appreciated... but sometimes it sucks the very life out of you.

4. I know it's 'back', I know it can look good, but I just can't like wallpaper.

5. Eating four pieces of a chocolate, maple syrup, kit kat and marshmallow Christening cake is not very condusive to weight loss. The scary thing is, I don't think I really learned this. I think I will probably do the same again next time I encounter the same oozing, lucious, sticky sweetness... darn!


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


[Image by Crisobal Palma via Unhappy Hipsters]
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