I’ve written about how much I love it, how I didn’t want to become a council bludger and probably impressed upon those that still visit just how different it is to anything I’ve ever done before so I won’t be revisiting those things in this post.

I’ve learned a helluva lot in the last 12 months. I’ve learned how to hedge a bush, use a whipper, plenty of plant names -both botantical and common. I’ve discovered that I have a fascination with propagation and my backyard now has a compost bin.

But I’ve learned plenty of non-horticultural-like things too.

People hold council workers to a higher standard than other people, as does the council itself. Outdoor staff are seen as the “face of council” and as such we should be seen to be doing the right thing, no littering, or crossing the road without the little green man etc etc. But we are also seen as lesser kind of person. The general public think they have more right to use the footpath than we do, therefore we should move out of their way, or we are all stereotyped into that aussie favorite of the ‘council bludger’. Lord help you if someone sees you NOT working. Never mind you’ve been working your ass off since 6am, how dare you waste their rates by EATING! One bloke said something rather rude to me one day in a shop about how he pays for my wages so I should be out working, not buying brekkie. I politely told him that like the equipment we used, I needed FUEL to run efficiently. What I really wanted to say isn’t something I should write here….

I’m a lot stronger than I look. I surprise myself and others with what I can achieve physically. And I’ve gotten fitter and stronger since starting. If I had a dollar for every time someone said to me “You right with that Kell?” then I’d be able to retire a few years earlier. I understand that people just don’t want me to hurt myself, but when there are some of the fellas not much bigger than myself, why is it that they aren’t asked the same questions with the same frequency?!!

I’m actually pretty good at what I do. I’m not bragging there, but considering I have never in my life really been the gardening type, I’m doing ok. I seem to pick things up pretty quickly, I’m always asking questions and don’t have to ask twice and when shown how to do something once, I usually get it. I think in time I could take this new direction in my work life and make it a career.

One thing I’ve most definitely learned is that the worst litterers are those that drink alcohol, or eat fast food -in particular hot chips, mcdonalds and chinese-, or those that eat lollipops by the BAGFUL. There is always a direct link between the number of empty alcohol bottles and the amount of rubbish I’m collecting in the mornings. Am I to assume that fast food, lollipop and alcohol providers encourage littering subliminally through their advertising, or that those who are predisposed to fast food/lollipops/alcohol are also those predisposed to littering? Perhaps some uni student or research group could investigate this for me…I’m far too busy picking up rubbish to do so myself.

There is more, but these are the things that stand out right now. Here’s hoping that I learn even more after gaining a permanent position in the near future…..

From Kell

***Just telling the world I love my man, not some weird goodbye message or anything :)***

Anyway, to get to the point of this pathetic post, I did decide that I wouldn’t get into sewing clothes. Wouldn’t you know it though? One simple question from Zoe changes all that.
“Mum, can you make me some pajamas?”

So mum did make her some pajamas…

Here a SimpleViewer Flash gallery should be displayed. Click here to open the post in your browser to see the gallery.

Oh also made another cushion cover, this time for the couch. In suede. To match the couch. Gosh I’m clever aren’t I?!

You’ll notice that I took off the old photos, I may add them again at a later date. I also added a couple of new pics that you may or may not have seen.

You’ll also notice a page called mosaic. If you click on this it will take you to a page containing thumbnails of any pics that have been uploaded. I’m debating whether or not to use this as the front page, what do you reckon? Obviously the latest and random links are pretty self explanatory…

I’ll see if I can find a plugin or something that allows me to add an updated notifier in the sidebar of this page. Otherwise, feel free to subscribe

Enjoy!

***I’ve added a new plugin that creates these cool little flash galleries….it’s awesome! I’ve edited this post to add that instead of the built in gallery***

Enjoy

Here a SimpleViewer Flash gallery should be displayed. Click here to open the post in your browser to see the gallery.

Mine has been a ripper of a day.

(Please forgive the quality of pic, I took it myself with the camera out in front of us, creates an interesting look though don’t you think?!!)

First thing this morning Zoe came and climbed into bed with me. Sweetest feeling in the world is having your arms around your child as you smell their sweet fragrance…

Then off she goes to play on the computer downstairs.

Comes back up periodically to see how awake I am.

Asks when I’m ready for breakfast.

Runs downstairs almost breaking neck when I finally tell her I’m ok for brekkie now.

Runs back upstairs asking if I wanted tea or coffee, because if so she can’t get it. We decide that a glass of milk will suffice.

Runs downstairs almost breaking neck again.

Walks carefully upstairs holding tray containing half glass of milk and cold toast with jam, which was totally delicious - I ate and enjoyed every single mouthful On the tray is the sweetest little note:

Tony gives me my pressie from him and Zoe. A gift voucher for Spotlight….you bloody beauty! He knows me well

Then Zoe tells me I have to come downstairs and look at something on the computer. She has made me something that I need to see. It’s right here if you’d like to see it.

Isn’t she precious?! But there’s still more.

Then she asks if I’m ready for my pressies. They hold a mother’s day stall at the school and she got me a couple of things.

Notice how they are all purple?! My favorite color

That purple flower? It’s a card she made me at school. Opened it up to see a couple of messages.

She’s just the sweetest angel I ever did know. She’s literally made my dream come true by allowing me to be a mother and celebrate mother’s day, and she goes and does all this.

Zoe I love you more than you’ll ever know. Thankyou for making this mother’s day so beautiful.

To my mum, I hope you’ve had a great day. I love you. Looking forward to seeing you in July.

I am in fact writing more these days than I have for quite some time, just not here!

I need to spend some time elsewhere while I sort some things out in my head.

I’m not deserting debambam.net, just not visiting as often.

And I’m sewing more, and taking more photos, and visiting with friends more.

Hope you keep me on your blog roles…and forgive my absences from your neck of the woods.

Heres a couple of photos I’ve taken recently that I really really really like. Hope you do too.

Write to local councils and shopping centers suggesting a fart volatility test before people are allowed to take a dump in a public toilet. Some people should NOT be allowed to empty their bowels anywhere other than their own homes!

It’s days like today that make be damn proud to be an aussie. Proud of our diggers and the sacrifices they’ve made, proud of our current serving members who are prepared to step up should the need arise, and proud of those who came along to show their support.

I took over 400 pics, and to be honest, it didn’t feel like enough. I just wanted to stop some of the old timers and ask them their stories. There was one particular women who knew I was taking her picture, and she graciously allowed me to, and I got the sense there is a fabulous but sad story behind the wrinkles around her eyes which I’m sure have shed many a tear over the years. I truly wanted to talk to her…and I think she knew that. Perhaps the wanting to is enough, she nodded her head ever so slightly as I silently thanked her for posing. I have no doubts that memories -both good and bad- come flooding back each year as she reunites with former comrades and to share them with a complete stranger would be difficult I’m sure.

Here are some of the pics I took. I really wanted to put all of them here….but practicality says that is not a good idea! If you click on the thumbnail, it will take you to the attachment page with a bigger version, underneath each one is the next/previous thumbnails in this gallery….so you can go through all of them if you like! If not, and you want to return here, just click on the “Anzac day” link above the pic.