Little Pleasures

A few weeks ago I heard one of my favourite songs from original Evita the Soundtrack, with Julie Covington, as Eva.
I was in my Saturday Morning ballet class and our teacher was playing through a famous musical soundtracks collection, especially for ballet class. Anyway, I heard this tune and immediately recognised it. "High Flying, Adored".
I couldn't get it out of my head.
When we got home, I searched for the stylus to our Turntable..!!! It wasn't anywhere to be seen. I really wanted to Play this soundtrack, the new one with Madonna, just doesn't do the musical justice.
There was several other Vinyl records I was bursting to play as well.
We fixed the Turntable situation by purchasing a new one. It was easier than sourcing a stylus that may not be compatible with our old turntable..... and I was a teenager again playing all my records and enjoying the lovely quality that a record produces, opposed to CDs.

So, I owe my Ballet teacher totally responsible for this extravagent outburst. We told him last lesson and he was totally oblivious to the fiasco that his soundtrack collection created. It has been fun teaching Brid the art of the 'record player' and its delicacy. She has embraced it and has been playing all types of our old LP's.
  

The Magnificat.......

Today is the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady....

Luke 1:46-55

Mary's Song of Praise: The Magnificat

⁴⁶ And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
⁴⁹ for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
⁵⁰ And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
⁵¹ He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
⁵² he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
⁵³ he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
⁵⁵ as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Its so quite.....but WHY

It's pretty quite around here this week..
WHY you may ask???
Dermot is away. He was asked to go Skiing with a friend.
I encouraged him to go. I thought He would enjoy a week away, particularly in Male company.
I am so pleased he took our friend up on the offer.
Saturday, saw him preparing for his Trip. He chopped lots of wood for our fire. Ranging from very small kindling to much bigger pieces.
I helped him pack and shop for a few little treats.
Yesterday at 6.45 saw me wave off Dermot to catch his lift to the snow.
Dermot has never been to our Aussie snow before. He has always hesitated to take us as a family, as we know it quite expensive.
I took the 3 of out children to the snow when they were younger. We kept our costs down and had a wonderful time.
I am really Praying that Dermot not only has a great time but enjoys the companionship.

 Brid and I are here by ourselves, Brid steadily moving through her assigned workload. Me, answering the phones and keeping messages as needed for Dermot.

Getting back to the quite. It was odd not having Dermot here on a Sunday, We went off to Mass last night and that was odd too. Dermot is always beside me, healways hold my hand and we receive Holy Eucharist together. Brid normally sits with the choir, but last night we sat together.

We ourselves don't have any big plans just our normal everyday things.

Dermot called today. " I am off to learn how to fall with Grace". I had to laugh. Its been a long time since he was on skis. ( And then it was in the Swiss Alps- I tried to prepare him that the Australian Alps are totally different).

So its hot water bottles and extra blankes for me this week?

I was admiring a lovely tray that my Mum has when I was visiting last.  It was an oval shape with proteas covered by glass. It had rattan wound around the sides to make the sides and the handles. I did remember it being at my Nannas’ place and  overlooking it as a child. But there was something about it I liked very much.

I pressed Mum for where it was from. “Was it Nannas?” I queried.  I learnt that not only was it not Nannas but it was my Great Great Grandmothers –Ma Cross as we call her. “wow”. I was taken aback.  
I asked where she normally stores it. Mum replied it is normally downstairs. It’s an area that I don’t often go into it, as the door is shut. As I haven’t lived at home for 25 years I just don’t venture there.
So at this moment she had no real spot for it. I began suggesting spots to put it but nowhere I suggested was appropriate for various reasons.
I mentioned in passing that I needed to replace my present tray, as mine was coming apart at the corners.  It has become quite unsteady if used as a breakfast bed tray.
I thought no more about my comment and just admired the tray  as the antique it was.  
I put the kettle on for a cuppa with Mum and she said, “You can have it if you like?”
“Oh no Mum you hold onto it”.
She insisted and all of a sudden I was given this tray. The only stipulation. “It must stay in the family, so make sure the girls know that”.
When I got home, I was stumped. Where to put it. Yes it was hard decision to make, because it is quite big. I thought it would fit above my microwave, but alas it was too wide.
So I positioned it on my kitchen table with our fruit on it. So it is being used every day.  I can take the fruit off it when I need it. I will probably find a more suitable spot for it but for now it works well.

Whenever, I look at it, it reminds me of my Nanna her Mum Nanna Brogan and her Mum Ma Cross.

A Pointe step

It was with great excitement that we left the house today on our way to the ballet store.. We eagerly dresses and hurried through our daily chores. Brid needed to have her toe nails cut very short and  wear comfortable clothing. Brid chose her dance pants.
Brid has been waiting on this day for some time..Dreaming and wondering what it would be like..
We were heading to the town to pick up our gorgeous Ballet teacher as she was keen to oversee Brids Pointe shoe fitting.
On route we received a call, 'I have locked myself out of the house..' this meant Miss Kristy was unable to come with us. I said to Brid, "Let's pray".  If God wanted her to come with us he will make it happen. Within 5 minutes we got a call- She could come with us... I was quite pleased, as this isn't just a pair of Ballet slippers, these are Pointes. I needed help and from  a trusted teacher, who has Brids best interest in hand..
We arrived at the store, my heart thumping, so I can imagine Brids excitement. We were called over and the fitting began. Firstly, Brid was asked to do a few Ballet feet positions and then each foot was drawn and measured and the length and width taken..

The shelves were being searched for a small size, a narrow foot. At last the moment, Grishko was the first to be tried, Russian pointe was next, then Mindens.
It was around about that time, that I realised Brids' foot was so tiny. These tiny shoes were being put onto her feet, and they were fitting..
Her Teacher and the fitter were talking terminology I was unfamiliar with. I was totally dependant on them and their expertise. Brid was to tell them how her feet felt in each shoe and this determined it being correct, or not, for her feet. 
She stood in second in a grand plie in each shoe and this was were it was noted how the foot felt on her. Was she cramped or was there too much room. Then she walked to the Barre', was asked to rise first on one foot then the both. My heart jumped, she looked so grown up.
All those Demi pointe classes, all those extra stretch lessons to gain her strength in her legs, back and her feet.

The decision was made and the Russian pointe was the one chosen.
I know God was with us in this fitting because as soon as she tried the Russian ones on, I got this sense, these were the ones, but as I knew nothing about this area I said nothing. 
The fitting was written up and the fitter explained several things to me,she drew were the ribbons and elastic was to go and in general was very helpful.
Our dear friends came along as well, and it was Chantelle who piped up, giving advice to Brid and helping her like a loving friend would do. Afterwards Chantelle gave Brid a card congratulating her on Her first Pointe shoes, so special, and so sweet.
It could not have been a more special day..Our friends, our teacher, all there for one reason to support and advice us on this important decision in Brids life, A ballet dancers life..  

Come over and look

The verdict....come over and see what the latest is...

4 big reasons...why...

Lately, I have not been able to spend the time on  posting on my blog or commenting as much as I have in the past...I still read my blog lists, but seem to run out of time to comment...Sorry guys....There are many reasons for this...
1. I gave myself a Challenge several months ago now, to complete my chores before turning on the computer every day..This has been great as sometimes I just don't get to turn it on at all....This has given me amazing freedom...
2. I  created a chore list and a weekly fortnightly monthly- you get the idea chore list. This has certainly been very beneficial to our family..I now know exactly where I am up to in our household chores.
3. We leave early afternoon a few afternoons a week to attend Ballet class for Brid..therefore I am without internet connection...you may say, Why not connect to WiFi..Yes that would be easy, but seriously I am enjoying doing other craft and leisure activities whilst waiting in the Ballet foyer. I have been known to knit, sew, embroid, mend and replace ballet ribbons and make Brids Skirt - with a little help from a friend all in the foyer...
4. ...and the biggest one, is that  I have started adult Beginner Ballet classes. Its been loads of fun, I have learnt so much. I am understanding Ballet terminology and French. I am given position corrections by my ballet teachers, they care so much...
I have lost several kilos and most of all gained more flexibilty in a troublesome hip condition...I practice every chance I get. I am doing at least 1 class, if not 2 a week..
This week is open week At Ballet so I get to watch Brids Classes and she in turn gets to watch mine .The courtesy rules of open week is that she is to not interrupt or  talk during class.
Brid  has been a wonderful help for me. She is very encouraging and supportive, as is Dermot.
So I have made myself a new pledge, I will post once a week, hopefully Friday nights and comment on all those amazing blog posts I have seen lately...

As you can see our life is pretty full and we are all the better for our activities we are participating in....

Love Leanne xxx