Bearmaking and a New Challenge

My bearmaking has taken a back seat in my life at the moment as I'm flat out with kids, work & study. However, I still love to read what everyone is up to in your blogs! Whilst reading Ginger's blog, bearbits, I came across her latest post (well, der!) and she is undertaking a fun challenge in July that I'm going to join in on! It is based on a challenge Ginger came across on another blog, A Feathered Nest. Well, you can read all about it here at bearbits.

The challenge Ginger is proposing is:

Come on - join in the fun! Pop over to bearbits and let Ginger know!



A space for Bears

The bears want this blog to be theirs, so I have anew blog that is for my ramblings and work and family stuff - leaving this blog for my adventures in the bear world.

Come and visit me over at 365 Days of Beckie!!!

Orphans

Due to space restrictions, I will be putting some bears from my own collection up for adoption. I'll put their photos and details up here - so keep an eye on this space!

I finally know what I want to do when I grow up!!!

Yes - I finally know what I really want to do with my life!!! It's only taken me thirty-something years to come to a decision... but let's not rush these things! I definitely, 100% positively want to focus my IT skills towards becoming a computer forensic specialist. Just like Abby in NCIS - only realistic LOL! It is such a weight lifted off my shoulders, feeling of freedom finally knowing what I really, really want to do with my life!

Of course, I still love my bears and will keep making them on the side, but in t his life I do need to do something that actually pays the bills...

I've started studying again - under the tuition of my dad and my hubby. My dad lectures Internet Security to Masters level students at one of the top universities here in Melbourne, so I have access to the courses he lectures, and of course one-on-one tutoring :) Hubby is big in IT here, and working as a System Architect knows a fair bit about security. Pretty lucky for me :)

I'm absolutely LOVING studying again - especially since I am actually studying what I actually want to do  rather than something that will just get me a job. Albeit, having studied computer science in the past and worked for 20+ years in the industry kinda helps me focus on forensic IT!

And it is a great escape from a few woes of family life at the  moment - a few worrying problems are afoot, but I'm trying not to get stressed over them and just get on with things. Diving into study helps a lot, as does personal training - which I have started this month and am also loving!!!

Feeding the brain & losing the fat - a good path to be on!!!

xx Bec

Awww... Aren't they cute!

It's supposed to be Wordless Wednesday, BUT...

I just need to rant! So I am abandoning Wordless Wednesday this week to think out loud via my blog. I was running around all day to medical appointments for various family members and now it feels like my head is on the verge of exploding - "thrashing" as we say in the computer industry... Know how I feel? Information overload... Too much for me to process all in one day... What to deal with first, my level of involvement in various situations, where to start... *sigh*

To add to all of that, I have decided to move my focus with work from general IT consulting to becoming a Security Specialist (or whatever you want to call it...) - after much swinging between systems security and project management along the way. So, back to the books for me!

Reflecting on everything, I guess lots of drama and change is heaps better than nothing going on at all!

Melbourne - Castlemaine - Melbourne - Castlemaine - Melbourne

What a weekend! We finally found ourselves with a weekend with no birthday party commitments for either munchkin nor any commitments for the grown ups (well - what commitments do I ever have that don't involve the kid's social lives??!!) So, we decided to spend the weekend at my parent's new place in Castlemaine (about 1hr30mins NW of Melbourne - they moved there almost 2 months ago) which we have been wanting to do ever since they moved, but with one birthday or another we simply hadn't found the time.

Welcome doggie...

So I packed the car Friday afternoon, picked the kids up from school, picked hubby up from work and we all headed up to Castlemaine. We arrived in perfect time for a scrumptious lamb roast cooked perfectly by my dad (thanks dad!) A relaxing Friday night and a lazy Saturday were enjoyed by all - Saturday afternoon particuarly enjoyed by myself & hubby as we got to leave the munchkins with the grandparents and go wine tasting at a few of the 30-odd wineries in the local area - yummy! I definitely, absolutely, positively, 100% without hesitation reccomend BRESS - simply gorgeous wine - their shiraz range is spectacular! Fabulous food too, apparently, but the kitchen was closed when we got there. The Red Capsicum Relish we picked up, however, was extremely yummy with the bangers & mash we had for dinner!!!

Cate & Del @ the MS Walk

Sunday I had promised Cate (of Keep Cate Busy) to do the MS Walk/Fun Run (well, the 5km walk anyway!) back in Melbourne... Hmmmm... I'll just grab the train. Checked the timetable - I'd have to get the 6.15am. Nope, not going to catch the train. I'll drive. So I did. Left 8am and got to the walk, met up with Cate & other blogging buddies and did the 5km walk in plenty of time. (Del of Superrelish is walking with a backpack because she is in training to walk the Kokoda Trail for the 2nd time - just in case you were wondering...)



Crowd waiting to start the MS Walk

I enjoyed lunch with the girls and then wondered how hubby & the munchkins were going to get home with all our stuff and, more importantly, all the wine we bought on Saturday arvo! Yep - you guessed it - I hopped in the car and drove back up to Castlemaine. Nuts, I know!!! But I did get to see one of my uncles and cousins which was a nice surprise! Had a nice relaxing remainder of Sunday, packed everyone up and after dinner we headed back home to Melbourne (with hubby driving this time! I'm not totally nuts!)

Looking at my schedule for this coming week I am so glad I had a wonderful relaxing weekend with my family and a great time with good friends! Thank you all!