The Misadventures of Carmy and Jeff!

2025 Review

noreply@blogger.com (Carmy) — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 14:57:00 +0000

What was the best part of 2025?

December is always my favourite time of the year. If you’re looking at the photos you’ll see so much happens in December and it’s lots of fun but exhausting. Throughout the year I also enjoyed spending time with family and our pets and having a few mini holidays.

We continued having Friday night dinners at my parents house this year which turned into Mum and Chris helping me with schoolwork. It has made such a huge difference to my school year having the little bit of extra help!

What was the worst part of 2025?

2025 saw lots of things happen in my workplace that were quite sad with both staff and students/families having very difficult and sad things happen in their lives.

What was the biggest surprise of 2025?

We had a few unexpected things happen during the year, some good and some not so good.

Mum, Dad and Chris welcome to furry family member named Elsa.

We had a cyclone come down this way which didn’t end up affecting us very much and we also had an earthquake.

We went on a couple of holidays this year. We started the year at the Q1 on the Gold Coast, went to Mount Tambourine in the middle of the year, stayed in Brisbane at the end of the year and also at the end of the year had a road trip to Coffs Harbour.

I took on the challenge of learning how to make sourdough bread this year along with sourdough recipes.

I received an award at the end of the year for excellence in teaching which was a surprise.

Our blue Camry was written off in a minor road accident and we ended up purchasing a new car. We were going to get a RAV4 but in the end we got an electric Tesla which we are both very happy with. We named it 'Spaceship'.

We quietly paid off our house!

Jeff completed his bachelor degree in computer science!!

Wrap up your year with a name that fits.

Hard work always pays off even when it takes a long time.

What will you be doing on New Years Eve?

We are going to my parents' house to have pizza and play a murder mystery type escape room game.

What have you been listening to in 2025?

I always listen to a mixture of Christian music and mainstream pop music. This year was a lot of Kelly Clarkson, Ed Sheeran and some K-pop songs. Also, lots of songs from the Wicked movies. I discovered the song A River Flows in You and found this very helpful when I was writing reports or planning.

What have you been watching (TV shows/movies) of 2025?

I watched a variety of TV shows in 2025 - The Rookie, The Resident, K-pop demon hunters, Gilmore Girls, Brooklyn 99, House, The Good Wife. We saw a few good movies - Wicked For Good was my favourite but we also saw The Minecraft movie, Lilo and Stitch, Jurassic Rebirth and Superman. I also just watched the new Bridget Jones movie.

What was the best book you read in 2025?

Not much reading though I do have a few books on my bedside table. I did read over half of Wonder to my class and The Callers for English assessment.

The year ahead

What are you most looking forward in 2026?

We’re planning a few holidays in 2026 - to Japan in April, to see the sunflowers in Kalbar, a cruise for my 40th birthday and Gold Coast at the end of the year. We also have tickets to see Josh Groban.

Is there anything you are not looking forward to in 2026?

Getting back into the swing of work, mandated PD and once again setting up my classroom. I'm also not a big fan of flying so the trip to and from Japan isn't what I'm looking forward too.

What are your top goals for 2026?

Same as usual - work-life balance, get more sleep and walk with Winnie more often.

What change would you like to see in the world in 2026?

We’ve just seen a terrible tragedy occur just before Christmas because of hate towards others. This needs to change and tolerance for others no matter who they are or what they believe needs to happen.

Our Christmas carols seem to have a focus on peace and good to all mankind but now we actually need to do those actions, not just sing or listen to them.

Some random photos throughout the year

Brand new car - Spaceship

Mum, Dad and Chris' new fur baby Elsa

Watching TV in the car.

NAIDOC at school

First week back of 2026

Learning sourdough this year - bread, English muffins and croissants.

Learnt to make butter too

First day back of term 3 and a flat tyre

Collecting used cups for technology

Friday night dinner turned into marking

Successful sourdough

Coffee at the markets

Visiting the Ekka

Creating science lessons

Jack visited

A little award for teacher appreciation day

Ekka 2025

Father's Day

Craft can be messy

Blueberry, lemon and custard focaccia

Mew furniture

Whole grain sourdough

We took Gracie out to Proston

Boating on the dam

Book week - Little Miss Giggles

Measuring!

Gracie and Dana off to China in January

New Christmas lights

We had our house painted

My first dancing bun was a success!

The Big Pineapple with Wistari

Escape room with Josh

Battered with rain at school

Teacher appreciation flower from a parent

Halloween

Father's Day

Seeing Wicked For Good

Misty was unwell but is doing well now.

Winnie's first trip in the Tesla just before hail hit. No damage thank goodness!

Strike day working = ice blocks from a parent!

Elsa met Marvel

Our possum friend

A very special present from a parent.

First swim of the summer

Last day of school woohoo!

Gracie teaching me to make loom band bracelets

Our 15th wedding anniversary

Fishing in January

Car got written off in an accident

The most amazing fireworks in Aura

Breakfast at Warrior

Mum minding Gracie's guineas

Golden Beach

Mum's new furbaby Elsa

Classroom setup

Mum delicious sponge cake

Gracie and Dana arrived home from China

Who remembers these?

BB gave me a Valentine's cookie

New draws

Saying goodbye to Nana's unit

Two birds flew down to us just before we left Nana and Poppy's unit for the last time!

Work friends

Cyclone Alred on it's way

Winnie helping Jeff finish his last assignment

Mother's Day

Jeff finished uni!

I got a teaching Excellence award!

New car... maybe!

Celebrating Nana and Poppy for their birthdays

Almost picked up this guy by accident.

Holidays

Coffs Harbour in December for Gracie's birthday!

Gold Coast - January

Q1 got hit my lightning while we were in it. Didn't notice anything.

Mt Tambourine to visit family in June/July

Brisbane for a wedding in December

Birthdays

Visiting Nana and Poppy to leave flowers.

Christmas

Christmas Day 2025

noreply@blogger.com (Carmy) — Thu, 25 Dec 2025 23:53:00 +0000

The Last Day til Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Carmy) — Thu, 25 Dec 2025 23:19:00 +0000

The last day till Christmas and we spent the morning sleeping in and getting ready for the final Santa duties. It was a pretty easy one with the weather being quite overcast and the whole event just being Santa photos. Lots of families came to visit and it was especially fun seeing all the people dressed in matching outfits.

We came back home again and spent the rest of the evening getting ready for Christmas Day. I made French onion and mushroom pasta bake for dinner which surprisingly turned out to be delicious. We opened a present each and spent time with Winnie while watching Christmas carols.

Happy last day till Christmas everyone. I hope you have a very special Christmas day with family.

The 2nd Day til Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Carmy) — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 08:03:00 +0000

The 2nd day til Christmas was a gloomy, sleep in kind of day. Josh, Kate and their kids dropped by for a visit and to see Winnie and have a drive in the new car. We had subway for lunch and were soon off for Santa duties at the holiday park!

Santa joined the disco for a dance before taking photos and handing out lollies. After we got coffee and visited Jeff’s parents then did a little late night Kmart shop.

We took our last opportunity to see the drive through Christmas lights before heading home where I finished all the present wrapping and food prep for Christmas Day while watching Love Actually and Christmas Carols in the domain. I finished in the early hours of the morning.

The 3rd Day til Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Carmy) — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 05:40:00 +0000

Wow the third new till Christmas… I’m exhausted. Today was another big day. It started out with coffee as any good day should and our mower man came out which was perfect timing. We met Gracie who picked up her guinea pigs and took her back to our place for some lunch and dance practice ready for the carols tonight.

We met up with our other little niece and together the girls had a dance practice before it was time for the Peregian Christmas carols. We finished off the night with McDonald’s and ice cream. It was a very late night.

4th Day til Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Carmy) — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 07:25:00 +0000

My 4th day of Christmas involved lots of washing from our trip. We went to watch Gracie in a Christmas play at the Chinese church which I really enjoyed.

The rest of our afternoon was spent looking after both of the little nieces and pet sitting 2 chihuahuas. We watched The Grinch and made it home after 10pm.

The 5th Day til Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Carmy) — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 14:30:00 +0000

Our 5th day til Christmas was also our last day of our holiday. We packed up and headed back home. We stopped along the way for coffee and a charge and made it home by mid afternoon.

I had groceries delivered (way too many) and then we were off for Jeff to be Santa again at a family event. We stayed until the event finished and had pizza in the park. Then we finished the night off by going back to mum and dad‘s house to pick up Winnie who was very excited to see us and came home for a late night snack.

The 6th Day til Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Carmy) — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 03:54:00 +0000

The 6th day til Christmas was our last day at Coffs Harbour. We went out for breakfast and enjoyed looking through the shops. On our way out of Coffs we dropped into The Big Banana lolly and chocolate shop as we missed out yesterday. Then we settled in for a 3 hour drive back to the Gold Coast.

Gracie needed to do a little of her own Christmas shopping so we stopped for her to do that, charge the car and eat lunch.

We made it to our last accommodation late afternoon then went into Surfers Paradise to visit the beach market and get dinner. Gracie, Jeff and I did the Ripley’s mirror maze which was a lot of fun.

Another great day and our holiday almost over.

The 7th Day til Christmas 2025

noreply@blogger.com (Carmy) — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 02:55:00 +0000

Our 7th day til Christmas was a big one. We spent the whole day at The Big Banana. There was so much to do - arcade games, 4D simulator, ice skating, giant slide, bumper cars, water park, a coaster, laser tag and mini golf (which we didn’t get to). We even enjoyed frozen bananas dipped in chocolate and got photos in front of the big banana. Such a fun but exhausting day!

We dropped by the shops on the way home for supplies and car charging. Back at the apartment we played some tennis and ate left overs for dinner. We finished off the night watching part 2 of The Christmas Chronicles and slept very well that night.

The 8th Day til Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Carmy) — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 09:50:00 +0000

The 8th day til Christmas was a travel day from Ballina to Coff’s Harbour. We stopped along the way for snacks and charging and had a smooth trip to our next apartment.

We walked down to the beach right outside our apartment and walked in the water while Gracie collected colourful rocks. The rest of the afternoon was spent swimming in the pool.

For dinner we enjoyed a dumpling restaurant then went for a long drive to look at Christmas lights. We finished off the night back at the apartment watching Christmas Chronicles.

9th Day til Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Carmy) — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 11:21:00 +0000

We spent the 9th day til Christmas we were exploring Ballina and Byron Bay. We visited the Byron Bay lighthouse and did some of the walks. Then we went into the main area looked through shops, and enjoyed lunch.

We dropped by the The Big Prawn on the way back which was just in the Bunnings car park. We looked very much like tourists getting photos in front of it haha!

Once back at the apartment we chilled before heading to an Italian restaurant with an amazing beach view for dinner. After dinner we dipped our toes in the pool for a bit before trying to put together some tiny Christmas LEGO (Dana was the only successful one).

10th Day til Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Carmy) — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 01:07:00 +0000

It’s the 10th day til Christmas and we set off on a road trip to Coffs Harbour with Gracie, Dana and her mum.

We stopped along the way for breakfast, lunch, shopping and car charging and arrived in Ballina for our first stop around 5:30pm.

Our apartment is beautiful with an ocean and river views, 3 bedrooms and a spa. We even had the pool to ourselves for a nighttime swim. Gracie had us playing a jelly bean game where some tasted nice and some disgusting. That didn’t last long and we finished off the night watching the original Grinch!

11th Day til Christmas 2025

noreply@blogger.com (Carmy) — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 02:35:00 +0000

The 11th day til Christmas was lots and lots of cleaning. Washing, vacuuming, mopping, packing, tidying and so much more. That’s just how it is after a busy couple of weeks of work. Now our house is perfectly clean and tidy.

Jeff took some of mum’s delicious biscuits over to Winnie’s breeders as a Christmas gift and at night time we had pizza out with the cousins.

It was a late night once we got home finishing the cleaning and packing ready for our holiday the next day.

12th Day til Christmas 2025

noreply@blogger.com (Carmy) — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 09:46:00 +0000

Here goes 2025’s 12 days til Christmas. I’m not sure if I’ll add in a voiceover or not so the days that don’t will have a description of what we got up to.

On the 12th day til Christmas I was exhausted from finishing up the school year the day before. The morning consisted mostly of sleeping and eating with a little bit of much needed cleaning.

We spend the afternoon at the Coolum Christmas carols where the two little cousins danced on stage and Jeff was Santa. It was the perfect afternoon to sit on the grass and listen to music.

We went home, ate dinner and soon after I was back to bed. Holidays are for resting right?

2024 Review

noreply@blogger.com (Carmy) — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:36:00 +0000

Here’s my annual review of the 2024 year as it comes to a close.

What was the best part of 2024?

Throughout 2024 we only took two short holidays, but they were absolutely the best. A 2 night stay in Brisbane at the Emporium hotel South bank. This was for my birthday and we saw Wicked at Qpac. We basically did nothing but watch TV, sleep and order Uber eats. On the second night we scrolled hand in hand through the fairly lit trees and markets to do Christmas shopping together and eat dinner. It was glorious!

The other holiday was a few weeks later and was just one night away (but felt much longer) in the Gold Coast hinterland for Gracie’s 10th birthday. Our accommodation had lots of animals that we could feed and a spa and pool overlooking the Gold Coast. We also went to Paradise Country, Wet n Wild and SeaWorld. Gracie forced me onto one of the waterslide rides and declared ‘we’re dare devils now’ when we got to the bottom and survived. I’m not a ride/waterslide kind of person. In the evening, we explored Surfers Paradise markets and saw the Christmas decorations. The next morning, we enjoyed Pancakes on the Rocks. It was the most perfect night away and I wouldn’t change a thing about it.

Throughout the year we also enjoyed spending time with family. Sometimes going places, other times just sitting around at home. But you can’t beat family time, it is the best!

What was the worst part of 2024?

Sadly in 2024 we lost quite a few family and friends. Whilst all were very sad to lose, the closest to me were Puss right at the beginning of January and Nana at the end of August. We loved both of them dearly and miss them greatly. They both lived long and wonderful lives but that doesn’t change how sad it was to say goodbye.

I always like the Winnie the Pooh quote - how lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. It’s very true and I know how lucky I am to have had them both and will carry them in my heart forever.

What was the biggest surprise of 2024?

No mega big surprises that jump to mind. My cousin welcomed her daughter in April. I took on a challenging school year and made it to the end happily. Winnie became Jeff’s service dog and is in ongoing training.

Wrap up your year with a name that fits.

Bittersweet. We had a great year but with some very sad losses.

What will you be doing on New Years Eve?

We’re spending New Year Eve in the day time with my nieces and family. At nighttime Jeff, Marvel, Winnie and I are enjoying a platter of our favourite foods and movies in peace and quiet.

What have you been listening to in 2024?

I’m not very adventurous with music so same as usual - Ed Sheeran, Delta, Missy Higgins; that kind of music. We also saw Wicked the stage musical and the Wicked movie so I’ve been listening to those soundtracks.

What was the best TV show of 2024?

I’m currently watching The Resident which I’m loving. Some other highlights of the year were Rush, Sabrina, The Crown (what an ending), Traitors (bit weird), Doctor Doctor.

What was the best book you read in 2024?

I find it difficult to read at night at the moment because my eye drops make my sight quite blurry and if I wait long enough for them to settle down I usually fall asleep whilst reading!

In the last week of school I quickly read a book called ‘Is that You Ruthie?’ A true story about a little indigenous girl at a mission out in Cherbourg in the 1950s. I’m going to be reading it to my class for English next year and wanted to be familiar with the text. Very eye opening.

What was the best film of 2024?

Wicked. I loved every minute of it. Other films I saw were Inside Out 2, Leave the World Behind, Fool me Once and we re-watched all the Batman’s.

The year ahead

What are you most looking forward in 2025?

Nothing in particular to look forward to. I’ll be enjoying a few weeks of holiday in January and we might take a short holiday to the Gold Coast in the next few weeks.

Is there anything you are not looking forward to in 2025?

From the looks of it, I’m going to have a fairly tricky class next year. I’m not looking forward to that but you never know, they might turn out okay. I also have to learn a new curriculum which I know will be hard work. Teacher workloads are always enormous but you just have to do the best you can at the time.

What are your top goals for 2025?

- Getting a good work/life balance happening.

- Cooking healthy meals

- Walking Winnie more often

What change would you like to see in the world in 2025?

More tolerance and acceptance for each other. We don’t all have to agree or have the same opinion but being respectful and polite should be necessary always. That’s what I teach my student when we’re trying to solve conflict.

Photos highlights in no particular order.

New Years at Mooloolaba - Jeff made the headband with his 3D printer

New Years near midnight at Brett/Laree event

It's almost healed in this photo but I broke out in a nasty rash that lasted a few weeks in January. Some kind of illness usually catches up with me once I relax into the holidays.

Back to school for 2024 (even have a smile)

Smoking ceremony with the staff to begin the new teaching year.

Setting up a new classroom.

Sarah's wedding

School

Family dinner

Book Week

Father's Day

View from Nana's unit

Jeff and James catching up with their Godparents

Laree's event

Jeff on the sound desk

Crochet that Nana made now hanging in my office.

William helping clean

Chris Hensworth's family bought one of the dogs from the breeders we got Winnie from so our dogs are related! How cool.

Flowers and beautiful card from my student teacher

Plovers taking over our oval at school

A visit to Kingaroy hospital when John became unwell

Hot Pot!

Spooky night at Movie world

Helping out west

Teacher appreciation day

Halloween

Dana and I stuck with a cheese platter while Gracie and Jeff collected lollies

Sarah's wedding

Best vanilla slice around I'm told

A very tired teacher

We got chickens at school

Button art my students created from Nana's huge collection of buttons

A monster truck visited our school

Jeff went camping... I did not!

Lunch at Warrior

I grew a sunflower!

Valentines Day

Flooding

Moonlight from Nana's house

Chinese performance for Gracie

Last night with Gracie's Chinese grandma

Sarah's baby shower

I won this book at a maths workshop (the author of the book was running the workshop)

Started a new teeth care system

Tried to learn Scratch

Met Meggy

Took 90 year 4 students to Australia Zoo

Easter

Visiting the theme parks to use our yearly passes

At Nana's house

Jeff had a triple hernia repair surgery

Lots of butches paper was used in teaching

These were for real spicy!

Winnie became a real assistance dog

Gifts from students

Mum and I discovered this Asian fusion cafe

Marvel was part of the Lyka pilot program for cat food.

Mother's Day cards

Mother's Day

Spoilt by my birthday buddy at school

Sunset from Nana's

Attending a Reading Masterclass with the principal and deputy

Easter bunny footprints

Winnie had surgery to get desexed and have her stomach stapled to avoid bloating issues.

Jeff had 2 teeth removed and spent the night in hospital

Watching the Paris Olympics in the early hours of the morning.

Flowers from Lydia for helping her with her Teacher Aide course

Fell asleep without my own permission. This is what a tired teacher looks like!

Celebrating many birthdays

Holidays we enjoyed!

Christmas time

Christmas Day 2024

noreply@blogger.com (Carmy) — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:56:00 +0000

It was a busy day but here’s a few fun highlights!

Last day til Christmas 2024

noreply@blogger.com (Carmy) — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 02:07:00 +0000

2nd Day til Christmas 2024

noreply@blogger.com (Carmy) — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 22:21:00 +0000

3rd Day til Christmas 2024

noreply@blogger.com (Carmy) — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 02:30:00 +0000

4th Day til Christmas 2024

noreply@blogger.com (Carmy) — Sun, 22 Dec 2024 04:48:00 +0000

5th Day til Christmas 2024

noreply@blogger.com (Carmy) — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 23:01:00 +0000

6th Day til Christmas 2024

noreply@blogger.com (Carmy) — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 01:41:00 +0000

7th Day til Christmas 2024

noreply@blogger.com (Carmy) — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 13:51:00 +0000

8th Day til Christmas 2024

noreply@blogger.com (Carmy) — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 06:44:00 +0000

9th Day til Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Carmy) — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 14:27:00 +0000