I am limping, guys.
I’m on a slow dongle (settle down) that’s giving my laptop some pissy lame excuse for “internet connection” while we swap providers. I hereby solemnly declare…..
We left them at Christmas time because Steve grew indignant that we couldn’t get ADSL2+ here with them (they took their time rolling it out) so we changed providers. WELL. Hasn’t that been haphazard, to say the least? Let me just say, I know why their plans were so cheap. Down-time was a lot higher than what we’d previously experienced with TPG.
Now we’re moving back to them and changing a few other home services around as well. But this interim period is going to be around twenty days long. I reached 50% of my limit in a DAY, folks! This does not bode well for blog posts (or visiting yours).
So please know that’s why I’ve gone quiet. Bad timing, really, given that Blogopolis is just around the corner. I can’t very well keep up with what you’re all doing. Ack. Ah well, can’t be helped. If you think there’s something monumentous that I haven’t commented on…. fill me in if you see me on the day. Yes?
Now, to me being a winner: No, really. I won something! From the very delightful and amusing Megan Blandford (she Writes Out Loud…). Thanks so much, I was very surprised to win the Coles Myer voucher. And very chuffed.
I have a cold. I feel like shite. That is all I can say about that.
My baby girl turns five on Wednesday. As with many of her milestones (and all of her birthdays), I am heading into the strange bittersweet balance-dance of being happy for her, proud of her (and us) and thinking about Ella. Not sad, not anything really. Just… holding her in my awareness more, I guess.
The other day, Lolly had a dear friend over. They played joyfully for five hours straight and both had eyes standing out on stilts when she went home. During the afternoon, I was doing dishes while the girls sat at the kitchen bench eating sandwiches.
I heard my daughter tell her friend, totally unrelated to anything they were nattering about.
I didn’t turn around. Didn’t weigh in at all, although I listened keenly to how her friend would respond. Lolly tends to throw this in at moments that don’t seem to fit. But they do to her. And this is what I respect about her and the friends she will no doubt gravitate towards and learn to keep – for her friend merely said, “Ah” with a half-interested, half-”this-sandwich-is-yum” tone.
Simplicity, people. Simplicity is what I need to get back to. And ADSL2+.
So, I will see you when and where I see you! If you’re wondering where I am, just imagine me under my pile of tissues, stalled by my grossly underweight data usage cap and struggling with my own self-imposed project to “keep it simple.” Mark my words, though, I WILL be back with birthday cake photos some day soon.
Sounds like your broadband needs a band-aid… hope the internet docs sort it out soon! In the meantime happy birthday to your little one… !
I feel your data cap pain. Since Lil has discovered my iPad and the iView app, she's been chewing through our download limit like smarties. We used 70% of our quota in a week. I'm with internode, whose service is great, but a bit expensive and the diversity of plans they offer here isn't great. If I lived in Sydney I could pay $5 a month less and double my quota, but being two hours drive from there, all I can do is pay $70 a month for a bigger cap. I don't want to do that.
Colds suck. I haven't been able to shake mine. Oh to be healthy for more than a few days at a time! Feel better soon.
And happy birthday to the LGBB xox
Steve: Thanks for her birthday wishes! Sorry I haven't been by in a while. Please leave the welcome mat out for me to warm me feet on though, yes? xx
Tenille: Aghhhhh to data caps! Never again! I've gone from unlimited DL to this… We've always liked TPG, only moved cos of that faster internet rollout being slow. Now they have it, we'll be back on a really great plan with them (we will be saving nearly $100pm on our home services incl. ph/mob!). Sorry to hear you've been sick so often as well. Can't complain, this is my first since last year.
Isnt that amazing how Lolly opens up that easily about her sister? I think its beautiful she includes her memory in her everyday world with such ease
I LOVE how kids keep it so simple. You wait for the friend's reaction like we wait for the adult person's reaction, and you keep waiting. Because there's no awkwardness, no changing of the taboo subject, just acknowledgement. Gorgeous. There is a lesson to be learned there. I love that she just slips it in so casually too, it's a fact of life, and Ella is not forgotten, mentioned like she would comment on anyone in her family. Treasure that about your girl, she will keep the memory alive with you, in such an effortless way.
Happy birthday to sweet sweet Lolly for Wednesday
xxx
Lolly's words have me choked.
And I never realised – Lolly and Charlie are born on the same day, a year apart.
xxxx
Donna: It is pretty cool, hey. Especially considering these things she says come after no recent conversation or mention of Ella. It's really pure and unforced.
Alliecat: Oh what lovely wise words. Thank you so much, you give me so much every time you comment here xx Good luck! (again!!)
Lucy: I know you're so busy, so thank you profusely for taking the time to comment. I had no idea they share a birthday either! x
The welcome mat is always out for you, m'dear, please use it. By that I mean you're always welcome not that you need to wipe your shoes…
You can has ADSL2? I has the jealousness.
Hope you feel better soon.
Happy, happy birthday Lolly. Five is magical.
Sometimes kids just want to be heard. And unlike us adults, they don't often need or want an answer or a break down of what was said, they just want to say it. I love them for that. We could learn from that sometimes I think.
As for the 20 days… HURRY UP!!!!!!!!