What the...

10.30 pm - snuggled under doona, house still, eyelids heavy. Daughter and friend staying over quiet - DVD quiet. All is well.
 Deaf-ear piercing scream.
Swearing.
Banging, thumping, thudding.
More screaming.
Roof collapse?
Homicidal, axe wielding maniac at the window?
Riotous laughter.
Huntsman!
'Want me to get it?'
Giggle giggle. Scream.
'I'm right Mum.'
Scream, thud, bump, slam, gasp, swear - repeat for 30 minutes.
Husband, who refused to be stereotypical and rush to the rescue, swears harder and louder, flings back the doona and storms to the room of fear.
House-shaking thud.
Hurrumphs back to bed. 'It's dead now.'
Calm descends once more - punctured by giggles.

Floods!

How heartbreaking are the images of devastation in newspapers and on TV at the moment. It's impossible not to be moved by the survivors' stories and the tales of loss.
At the same time, the stories of courage, generosity and survival are uplifting.
If you, like so many others, are keen to help financially, here's a new way you might be interested in -Authors for Queensland.
Authors have donated books, artwork, school sessions, manuscript assessments, plus more all of which are being auction with all funds raised going to the Premiers Relief Appeal.
Check out the website and start bidding. There's something for everyone!
 http://authorsforqueensland.wordpress.com/

And, while we're on the topic, how amazing is Premier Anna Bligh?  Each day, her leadership and compassion shines!

Happy New Year!

The last few months have been amazing in so many ways.
We headed to Europe, which was incredible! Everywhere we went - Rome, Florence, Milan, Lucerne, Paris and London - were amazing, but if I had to pick a highlight, at gunpoint - Rome! The noise, people, humour, traffic, age, style - WOW! Probably has something to do with my Italian ancestry.
Learnt a few things overseas too!
1. Always cross roads in Romes with locals, or nuns. Nuns = best option.
2. Don't step on the grass at the Vatican.
3. Italians love noise. (That's my excuse for being loud!)
4. Smoking in Europe is very common.

5. Hawkers in Paris are very fast runners when pursued by police on bikes.
6. Escargots make sixteen-year-old dry retch.
7.In conflict between lift and tour guide - lift wins.
8. Motorbike riders in Malaysia are more dangerous than Roman traffic.
9. Haggling is not fun.

Vatican

10. I can't wait to go back!
Now to finish my work in progress!