Fortnight round up:

1. 2.

You know it's Winter when it's warmer outside than it is inside.

You know it's Winter when you hear a whirring come from the other side of the toilet door only to discover it's your Husband with the fan heater warming the toilet up before he does his bizz.

You know it's Winter when someone breaks into your rental property to steal the HOT WATER CYLINDER! it took me ages to be able to laugh at that, but man... a hot water cylinder?

(At least they were considerate and didn't break the window. )

Well, my fortnight has been chocka block of happenings and events, kicking off at number 20.

20. Someone stole our Hot Water Cylinder!!!!

19. The Nat rat turned 21 and threw a 1950's party!

Apparently Nat was an ugly baby, I dont remember... I just remember her putting me off wanting to go to Church by singing "Were following Jeeeeesus, just like Matthew, Peter and John". She had some ugly years though, namely getting her big people teeth, but then grew into them and gave me nits. Love you little Sis. xo

Sing it Gramps.

18. My house is completely sterile. It shines more then my Daddio's bald head (and no it's not because my Computer is broken.... I take my Wifely duties seriously... sometimes). Thanks Mum for teaching me cleanliness is next to the crazy train. I'm even bold enough to say my entire house is cleaner than PEARL BROWNS! *gasp!*..... just don't ask me if I cleaned the Ceiling or behind the Stove... I don't want to lie to you.

17. I got woken up pretty abruptly at about 4.30am on Wednesday morning. By nothing in particular. I remember how Samuel was awoken, so I asked, "is that you Lord?". I got up and through His Word was spoken to about being expectant, keeping an eternal perspective and when things are difficult... keep hiking. Nice.

16. I tried to teach Steve's girlfriend how to speak "Hori". She has since kept her distance.

15. I stared at an old man in town that was wearing no shoes but socks. I felt convicted that night, and realised I should have bought him a pair. (I could even have given him mine but I reckon socks with high heels are so nineties.)

14. I discovered the awesomeness of .... "BIBLEMAN". Soak it in my friends. Soak it in.

Cypher: "You sure know your Bible"

Bibleman: "That's why they call me.... BIBLEMAN"

(Cue "Dun Dun DUNN!" music with a face zoom-in).

13. My new D.I.Y project! I'm so excited about this but can't reveal it until it's done and given to the intended recipient. *Sigh*. Watch this space. (NOT LITERALLY). Watch out Paisley Jade, Betty aka "Martha Stewart" is comin for you. (NOT LITERALLY). I don't actually know why I just bought Paisley Jade into all this, she's an innocent bystander.... I think cause she's Supermum and is very threatening at being the most awesome chick on the Planet. You need to wear a cape Paisley Jade... and have a utility belt loaded up with recipes, crochet patterns, bandaids, maybe a Softie here and there... maybe a child here and there...

12. I made the most amazing breakfast for myself and my favourite fleabag yesterday when the Hubby was at Mahi. When it comes to cooking for myself, I tend to opt out and go for an easy alternative.... like toast. Not yesterday. I'm not as much of a pro when it comes to pancakes as my Husband is, but I thought it was about time I gave myself some tender lovin care and made pancakes for my Dog and I. I just hope he doesnt have a heart attack.

11. Someone stole our Dog Kennel!!!!!! and it wasn't even cool enough to steal, we would've given it away.

10. I have some AMAZING and SHOCKING news that can't be revealled until....... (and no I'm not pregnant! get original eh!)

9. I dared Dan to rock on the little rocking horse at the National Bank while we were waiting for our Banking Consultant, he looked at me and told me to settle down or he'll disown me.

8. WE'RE SELLING OUR HOUSE!!! I know, I know what a bad time to sell, but if Kevin Luke can't talk us out of it, then NO-ONE can talk us out of it. Ka Ching!

7. I came across the funniest and coolest old ads that are pretty sexist towards Women. Cmon ladies, see the funny side...



6. My Mum is an amazing Woman. She lives in another Country. She has 6 laughs. She has a cool superhero title, "Captain". She starts preparing for Christmas in January. She sends me massive boxes of cool things like Clothes, Jewellery, Trinkets, Vege books, Oils etc. She always wins when we have pinching wars. She's 5"1 and at perfect height for me to rest my arm on her head. She wasn't a lot older than I am when we lost our Dad but fought on raising 3 Children on her own. She has the funniest sense of humour and quickest wit. She always knows the right things to say. She has so much experience to teach us from. She always encourages me in ways I never expect. She is the best cook I know, right up there with my Asian Aunty, Aunty Marcella. She always sounds soooo excited to hear my voice when I say "Hi Mum" in a phone call. And I can't wait for her to visit in September! Love ya Mama! xo

5. I managed to snatch up three books I've been wanting to read for aaaages from the local Library and I didn't even have to hold anyone at knifepoint!."Adam" and "Saint" by Ted Dekker, and the second book "Forgiven" in the "Firstborn" series by Karen Kingsbury. Two awesome Christian Authors that are in hot demand and that I hardly ever find. Woot! (For the record, I don't carry knives with me, but I reckon one of those swiss army card things could be handy).

4. I drank the yuckest carrot juice from that lolly shop in the "Town Basin". I generally love carrot juice, but this one tasted like they left the green stalk on it and possibly threw in a handful of dirt.

3. I'm bored of my Cat. He used to be fun. Now he's full of mood swings and only interested in three things. 1. Food. 2. Sleep. 3. Meowing when it's got to an important part in a movie.

2. I watched "Chocolat" while eating chocolate.

1. The bestfriends multiplied and now have a beautiful baby human!!! Congratulations Onerahi G's.

Let me tell you, I'm actually glad we finally got through last week, it was long and seemed neverending.
Looking forward to the adventures God has in stall ahead...

The Screaming Baby Chronicles: Episode 1: Pre Arrival Party

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the following words:

♥Gumboots,

♥Pearls,

♥Calf Barn,

♥Dresses,

♥Haybails,

♥A pregnant belly,

♥Fresh out of the Cow, Milk?

Alice in Wonderland Tea Party?

Me too.

A very pregnant friend of mine deserved a baby shower so this is it documented in photo form.

Invites: Front

Invites: Back

"Don't be late for a very important date. We are celebrating baby Harris' miracle of life. By order of the Queen of Hearts, you are hereby summoned to attend".

Croquet.

Esther had to cheat to keep up.

Bex being a good sport.

Hillbillies.

I made all the confetti and stars, the pain in my fingertips were way worse than the pain that comes with cutting your nails too short.

Our budget didn't allow for big luxurious club chairs. Haybails were the extent of it.

Oooooh.

Aaaaah.

Lanterns.

"Eat Me"... I did.

Intently hanging on every word.

Music:

Brooke Fraser. Michael Buble. Michael Battersby. Paul Wright. Shawn McDonald. Sixpence None The Richer. Colby Caillat. Goo Goo Dolls. Donovan Frankenreiter. James Morrison. Jack Johnson. Jason Mraz. John Mayer. The Fray. Lifehouse. Paul Wright. Paramore. Pete Murray. Righteous Brothers. Sade. Shooting Stars. Seal. Rob Thomas/ Santana. The Verve. Warren Barfield. Yellowcard. Robin Thicke. Ben Harper. Simon and Garfunkel. Norah Jones. Lynard Skynard. Eric Clapton. G. Love And Special Sauce. Simply Red. Fleetwood Mac. Gabriella Cilmi. Jamiroquai. Mark Ronson. Paula Cole. Phantom Planet.

We were tired of lame baby shower games so opted for a good ole game of Croquet and just sitting around eating, opening presents and drinking tea like ladies.

Unstructured parties are off the hizzay!

Back from the bludge.

My creation, originally uploaded by superlizabeth.

Ok, so I'm not dead or locked up in the slammer.
I've been uber busy of late, and now things have slowed down a tad so I've got some spare moments to cash in on by adding some of my Flickr favs.

Today:
Is wet and rainy. Lovely weather to move the cat and steal its warm spot curling up on the couch, drinking a Milo and watching Dr. Phil.

Mood:
I feel old for 4 reasons:
1. I have two wrinkles.
2. My left knee creaks.
3. I forgot how old I was the other day.
4. I turned my neck to the left and completely pulled it, so now I'm all stiff backed and have to turn my whole body to look out the window.

To Do:
♦ Draw in new journal.
♦ Get out of Pyjamas.
♦ Stop avoiding laundry pile.
♦ Dust all the dust.
♦ Make an amazing lunch for Husband.
♦ Find a new hobby.

Music:
♠ Lead me to the Cross - Brooke Fraser
♠ Splish Splash I was takin a bath - Bobby Darin

Memory:
Getting my jacket caught in the train door while it was closing in Newcastle, Australia.

Right now, I wish:
I was reading a book under a willow tree with homemade lemonade in the Mississippi summer.

Polyvore

I'm in a pink and purple mood today.

I'm not milking cows (WOO!) so I'm wasting my time on Polyvore drooling over all the cool stuff on there.

Mmm.

If I could, I'd be wearing this today.

Sipping a Latte at a Cafe in Paris.

Then I'd go buy a bread stick.

And pick flowers.

Then put it all in the basket on the front of my bike.

Pink by superlizabeth

Brotherhood, Mirrors and Nakedness.

My brother recently became a Christian.

I have no words to express how joyful/greatful/emotional etc. this event has been for my Parents and myself as this event alone is a testimony that God is a prayer answering God.

I went to Australia to visit my brother in February as he'd hit some rough patches regarding just life in general, so I was hoping I could say something /offer something that would miraculously change him.
Yeah.
Apparently God didn't really wanna work that way.

Me: "Yes! I'm here to save the day",
God: "You have growing to do yourself",
Me: " I'm a hero, no autographs sorry",
God: "You're not the humblest person you know"
Me: "I should launch a line of "Betty" Merchandise while I'm at it",
God: "Don't make me pull out my lightening bolts".

(Obviously, the above conversation didn't really happen that way, but I do think God has an awesome and witty sense of humour, amazing half dinosaur half shark cars and most extravagant marshmallow and diamond treehouse mansions ever.)

I went over thinking it was HE that needed encouragement and advice but quickly found out that I apparently was the one on the recipients list.
Don't get me wrong, God used me while I was there. There is no doubt the majority of things that came out of my mouth were directly from Big Daddy, but I did not expect to be challenged, moved, encouraged and brought to my knees in the way I was.

Considering my brothers views toward God pre accepting Christ, I am in complete awe with how God turned this "Saul" character into a "Paul" character. (For his sake I'll spare the Saul details).

My brother has never been the academic.
He's the twenty seven year old man with the attention span of a four year old child.
He's the big half African American guy that looks like he'd beat people up in his spare time, but really..... he plays video games.
The loud one that always had to put "but" in when Mum growled him.
The one that ruins all movies by talking and telling you how it ends.
The one that gets you into trouble at School for making you laugh so hard at such inappropriate times.
The loudest one you know.
The most influential one you know.
The one with all the friends.
The one with the gift of making a stranger feel like a brother.
The one that befriends the homeless man.
The one that takes in the homeless man.
The one that is going into debt for the homeless man.
The one that brings 3 Taxi drivers to the Lord in one week.
The one that has absolutely no care for what others are saying about him behind his back at work, but tells them all he's praying for them.
The one that brings God up at any opportunity in any conversation.
The one that told his Boss who just informed him of being made redundant "God loves you". "I prayed He would give us this opportunity so I could tell you that, so that means He also answers prayer".
The one that goes up to the guy sitting at the bus stop, " Bro, God wanted me to meet you today. Do you realise that this very moment of us meeting he had planned before you were born?
Do you realise that he hears your cries and knows all the hurts you have been through in your life?
He wants you to come back to him today.
He has some plans for you that are going to change your life".

I am so inspired by my big brother.

He cried to me when we were talking on his couch.
He cried to me about how left out he felt when he walked into his Church.
Everyone had their own cliques.
Everyone looked at him no-one said "Hi".
Everyone left after Church together but without him.
He knew no-one and was desperate for a friend.
He was sad that this is how alot of Churches are.
He wasn't being judgemental.
He was talking from the heart. The truth.
I saw myself in those people.
I saw myself looking at the new person, the one seeking God, needing friends, needing to be discipled, needing answers.
I saw myself leaving after Church with my friends, perhaps offering a smile to that new person, then moving on to have lunch with my group.
I was ashamed at how a mirror exposed my reflection. At what I saw.
I was scared that it meant I had to change.
I was scared.
I was scared.
I was scared.

Why?

I'm the person that holds my cards up to my chest.
The one that wasn't good enough.
The one that was scared of what others might have thought.
The one that was decieved by the deciever.
The one that was naked.

"Who told you that you we're naked?" God asked me.
I could hear the hurt in His voice.
He'd asked this question before.
Many times through the years He must've asked this same question to Humanity.
"Who told you that you were naked?"
"Who told you that you weren't good enough?"
"Who told you that the opinion of others is above mine?"
"Who told you that you would never have children?"
"Who told you that you're ugly?"
"Who told you that you have to worry?"
"Who told you that I don't have you in my hands?"
"Who?"
"Who?"
"WHO!"

The answer is obvious. When you consider his role as a deceiver. He has played it well.
Consider your Creator.
Consider His Son.
Consider the price He paid.
Consider your brother.