in pieces

These were my top 5 highlights of Christmas 2005! 5.Kris Kringle Instead of buying presents for everyone in the family, we decided to draw names this Christmas. Mum had me...and of course since it was our first Christmas here, she spoiled me and went waaaay over the limit. She basically bought everything that I put on my list and extras! Purple Luggage - so I could bring everything back that we got here. Butterfly tea cups and saucers - extremely cute! Pink Wrap around dress - adorable Gorgeous Butterfly Clip Butterfly scarf from China. Book of Australian Stories Leigh and I decided to save our money to put towards an Ipod Nano, but both caved in for "little" presents for each other for Christmas Day. Leigh got me a delicate silver bracelet, and I got him a yellow shirt, surfer necklace, and a Homer pez dispenser (which he loves!) 4. Family It's quite an experience being so far away from home for Christmas. This was my first tiune away from my Canadian family, and I hav...

Ben, and his MAF flying friend Matt, took Leigh and I on a 3 hour joy ride in a Cessna 172 ?? I think... It was so much fun. And what gorgeous views. We travelled from Melbourne down to the south coast, along the coast and back up. We landed in LaTrobe to get more fuel, and continued on. If you have a fear of flying I wouldn't suggest going in a small plane! on the coast we hit some good turbulance throwing us up and down. Fortunately we kept our food down. Well, Matt was actually having lunch at the time, not thinking anything of it,... Ben commented "wow, I've never been thrown out of my seat before!" but also had a very relaxed look about him. From that point on, I felt a little ill... but we sure had a great time - and got some great photos! What couple gets to go on a scenic flying tour for free on their honeymoon? Thanks Ben and Matt!

Leigh and I hosted a grande event - An Interactive Christmas Party! The evening started with a delightful array of hors d'oerves and Leigh's famous Thai Coconut Soup over a rousing game of Rummiking. Then we moved into the Dining room where we ate ham, and potatoes and corn. Under our plates I had placed a number of different roles and requirements that each party guest was expected to fulfill. The laughs continued on all evening as Mark was a born "preacher man", Ben continued to make toasts all evening, and Simon had to get people to come over and cut his food, since he couldn't use his right hand. Leigh was sarcastic man, I only spoke gibberish, Ross told stories of when he was young, Carlene interrupted with Christmas carols, and Sarah fed her mom and reminded us of the dangers of life. Later on we retired to the living room where we opened small gifts for each other. The girls watched "Elf" the movie, and boys got started on Poker. I guess Ben and L...

The other day, I had a hankering for mom's homemade fresh baked buns - YUM! So I went through all of the hallaballoo of calling mom and getting her to send me the recipe, and getting all the proper ingredients for it as well. It was the perfect time to make them too, as we were having guests over for lunch, and I thought it would be great to impress them with mom's good ol' homemade buns! It wasn't to be...as the buns turned out horribly wrong. Really doughy hockey pucks...Ross (Leigh's dad) who usually will encourage me on anything I've done, even said we should throw them out into the bushes - the dog won't even eat them... harumph! Well, I started cleaning the baking dishes, and of course this specific tap is very tempermental, and it chose this opportunity (5 min before guests arrive) to spray all over my shirt and all over the floor. "Oh Dangit" Leigh's mom, Carlene, sees my predicament, and hurriedly stops what she is doing, to help me ...

Look who's come to town! YWAM Vancouver takes on Melbourne...

I had a bit of trouble getting this decoration on the tree, but nothing these farm muscles couldn't handle... Sarah and I decorating...in shorts and tank tops. weird. ps - I made the shorts. (yes those are butterflies!)

Some of you may remember the lovely Louise (standing at the front, wearing green on my wedding day) Well, she has just annou nced that she and Kurtis just got engaged on top of Grouse Mountain. Leigh says "Way to go Kurtis - that's how you do it up right!" We are absolutely thrilled for them...We think the world of you both! Many Blessings!

Look out Australia, Angela has stepped behind the wheel. What a thrill. Just ask Leigh about it! Sarah is aces at dancing. This is her group at the opening for the Pacific school games. Can you pick out which one is her? There were thousands of people there attending, and it was quite a thrilling event, to be a part of this. Also I met Canadian athletes all the way down here ready to compete.

Leigh and I went to see where his brother Dean, and Dean's girlfriend Penne, work - as tour guides in an underground mine, and as an actor. It was truly a great experience. An entire town has been consutructed on a hill overlooking Ballarat, but is set in the 1800's. All the actors in town "play" their parts throughout the day and carry on as if their lives were set back in this time period. The stores in the town, actually sell thier advertized items, such as western wear, soap and candy, bakery items, and jewellry. The village has cottages, and churches, and the fire brigade, and a place to mine for gold too. The place is huge. Actors are calling out to other actors and asking about their day, and their families, etc. They play-act all day while they are on set...basically living in the old town Later in the evening we attended "Blood on the Southern Cross" which was an amazing 2 hour show of the history of the people and the land...and did you know that ...

On Thursday night, Leigh and I headed to Melbourne. It was a bitter sweet event. 1. We reached our 2 month anniversary. (Joy) 2. My mac hard-drive died - ( Sorrow) It is truly difficult for me to say this especially after all the times I've spent claiming superiority. Yet it has been 4 years of no trouble, and we went into a great MAC place, and they were super helpful - they're able to save the files, and put a double-the size- hard drive in for $200, and it will be better than good-as-new. Which turned my sorrow into joy! 3. Sight Seeing (Joy and Sorrow) I love Melbourne. It is a beautiful city, and Leigh and I spent some time walking the streets getting familiar with the sites. The skyscrapers are very unique and beautiful! We had a great time, however with the cost of parking, I should have just hired a chauffer for the day! It cost us over $30 for 2 hours. YIKES! 3. We saw SIMON!!!! (incredible Joy!) It was great to hang out with an old friend from YWAM ...

Did you know that they don't have basements here in the land "DOWN UNDER"? Weird eh?

Well the day finally came! The Ballarat cup. This was a day similar in ways to Vancouver's Celebration of Lights *Fireworks* and Kerroberts' Jamboree Days, or Boxing day at Walmart...The whole community is involved and it's busy and fun with tonnes of people milling about. A slight difference would be, that everyone is dressed up and wearing hats or funky things in their hair. Men are wearing suits, at least ties, and women are wearing the latest fashions, and feathers...yes folks, many a chicken died for this event. Champagne flows freely, and people are yelling for their horses to win - so essentially they can buy more champagne...So maybe not a whole lot like Boxing day? I created my hat, as hats were being sold at $150 a pop, and I also did Sarah and Her friends hair. It was fun. We picked 2 horses to put small bids on, and were thrilled at the end when Leigh's pick won...Mine didn't place - I wonder if he even finished the race? Anyways, now we have to figure ...

Leigh took me away for the weekend up to Echuca. Well really Leigh's brother Mark needed us to bring up the boat for him and his mates who were "celebrating" another school year-end there. They had rented a houseboat for the week, and were floating down the Murray River, and we were to bring the other boat up so that they could water ski. So we took this opportunity to be on holiday away from home! We stayed in a little cabin beside the Murray River and even got on a steamer the next day to go for a little "tourist adventure". Us and 50 old very lovely, people...Man, I love holidays! Thankfully it was too cold to water ski with the boys, as I'm still a little paranoid to hop into the river (brown from mud), not knowing what you might come across in there - Crocodiles, snakes, eels, dead bodies...who knows!!! Anyways, we didn't go water skiing with the boys! whew! And Leigh and I had a great time otherwise. Later Leigh took me and his sister Sarah to a cl...

This week, I had the opportunity to travel with Leigh's dad Ross in his Semi Truck. It was awesome! I felt like we owned the road. Also, I was able to see the Aussie move "The Castle" I would reccommend this movie for anyone! Two thumbs wa---ay up!

10. Kangaroos 9. The Ute 8. The Weather 7. Speed "Limits" hardly exist 6. Half-Full-Flush Toilets 5. Cheese is half the price as in Canada. 4. Round-A-Bouts 3. Tim-Tams 2. No tax or tipping required. 1. The People (esp. Sarah!) Tell me the 10 favourites of where you are...

My husband is not only "HOT" but he is also a great cook. In this picture you will see a Thai Coconut Currey Chicken Soup and Sweet and Sour Veggies. He also made Chili lamb, with coconut cream and coriander. YUM -YUM!!! Wade would have loved it! I made apple-strawberry-rhubarb crumble for dessert. Jo would have loved that. He re's a picture of Ross and Carlene's house. Today Ross' sister Merle and Neil came to visit. They are great! I have almost met the entire family now. Tonight's menu: Chicken caesar salad and cheese toast Glenna style. In honour of my awesome sister.

Okay, so my very handsome Nephew's birthday was on Saturday the 5th, and I feel terrible that I haven't got a blog on here for him sooner But thankfully, I have had a chance to get a photo from the special "Spiderman" Day of him and his older sister Evee. My sister in law is incredible at creating the BEST birthday parties! So have a great day Jakee, and I love you so much Please keep your eyes open for a gift from us in the mail

I have been overly nervous about walking anywhere in ditches or long grass, cause of my insane fear of snakes. According to everyone it is unheard of to see a snake in this area... Not long after that conversation, I went for run, to overcome my irrational fears. About 10 min into the jaunt... I SAW A SNAKE - and I could hardly breathe, or move. Luckily I got outta there, quickly. I came home and told the story to a slightly skeptical audience. I took Leigh to show him, to prove it to him. It was a brown snake. So Leigh, "How poisonous is this snake?" "Ummm...probably in the top 5" My first thought was what do you do, when bit by a snake? And secondly... Irrational fears, not so irrational after all. And who would be the one to find it? That would be me. Thank goodness it was dead. I can't even blog a photo, cause they freak me out that bad!

Today I decided to do something new. Here is the new top I MADE today! I KNOW...crazy eh? I was so shocked when I finished it, and half liked it. This is my test run, before I actually was going to attempt the REAL-DEAL... And here in the end I actually like the Cheap fabric I found for this test run. Who knows maybe I'll like it better than the real thing?

Today is November 1st in Canada and it's Estella Joy Celeste's 1st birthday! This is my adorable neice. I miss you and love you SO MUCH Love Auntie Angie

Here's photos on the day that Leigh and I celebrated our 1 month anniversary - just 2 days after our Aussie wedding. Note our mode of transport in the background...Leigh absolutely loves this baby...and I chalk it up as a "fun-ride" like at an amusement park or something...Sure is amusing. So we got ALL gussied up, and got in the UTE and went out to a restaurant called "Tellers". We ate.... yup you guessed it Kangaroo! Actually Leigh got the Kangaroo because after meeting such cute animals I opted for steak inside. I mean who cares about cows anyways? he he he Well, truth be told by the end of the meal, I had tried a bite or two, or three???... Mmmmm Cajun Kangaroo? I also bought a hat. Persuaded by Lindsey's story as well as the big thing coming up....the Ballarat Cup! The whole town goes out and celebrates the horse races. All the ladies dress up to the nines, and everyone wears a big eccentric hat. So cool! Based out of Britain, I believe, however, the A...

Here's a couple of shots so you can see a bit of what we get to see! 1. Raindrops 2. Dusk 3.Canola Fields 4.Black Swans

Well my dream came true and I actually got to meet 2 kangaroos! Unfortunately they were not in the wild, but we got to see them at a place in Swan Hill that cares for sick animals. Here's a cute photo of my new friends. So Leigh and I travelled to Swan Hill from Ballarat last week. Leigh grew up in Swan Hill but after he left for Canada, his whole family moved to Ballarat (3 hours away) but of course, all of their family and friends reside in Swan Hill, so we all loaded up and headed to Swan Hill for our Aussie reception (*see previous posts) Here is a photo of the sunset I took on the way... Afterwards, when Leigh's parents and siblings headed back to Ballarat for school and work, we stayed an extra week, to meet more of the family, and his friends, to see the cute town that he is from, and to have the chance to talk in his church. He comes from a fabulous church, very familiar with YWAM. One weird thing was that we met parents of...

Not many brides are lucky enough to wear their dress twice. On Sat. we held our Aussie reception, and we Leigh and I decked ourselves out again. Leigh was a little disappointed of the numbers of people that came, but I think it was great, as it allowed me to meet people on a more personal basis, and TRY to stick names and stories to them! Leigh made and showed an incredible video from when we were married in Canada- which made me cry again! and I wrote a new song for Leigh, which was fun. As well I made an extended slideshow of us growing up, and pictures of who was who in our family, so that people would know my family. Both Sarah and Mark dressed up again too, and MC'd the event. We did a bit of decorating as well, and when we arrived, we were surprised to find that the hall had just been previously used for a Flower show. They had extra bouquets left over (in a harvest theme) which i used for decorating. Also Leigh's Grandma has beautiful rose gardens in her back yar...

HERE'S A BIRTHDAY SHOUT-OUT TO MY AWESOME, FUN, AND "EXTREMELY-GOOD-LOOKING" HUSBAND! (we just watched Zoolander again) Leigh just turned 24 on the 18th of October. He was so excited that he was finally home for his birthday - first time in 4 years! Here's the joke, his dad was called away on an outtrip driving Semi somewhere, and his mom was called away to Horsham for work there! grrr.... can you believe it? So we celebrated with his brothers and sister. The day started with freshly made Cinnamon buns (by me!) and then we woke him up with his presents. He got some great things, one of his favorites being a magnetic globe that just suspended in mid air. It's cool And I got him a fancy new leatherman - THE JUICE S2 - cool! We had Thai peanut satay chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, and green beans for supper. Along with a fabulous Mud Cake - yum! Later on, we had VB Stubbies. Not bad. In the photo, all the balloons behind Leigh were filled with all the messa...