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

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!

Another wonderful family day

Today was just as glorious as yesterday...

So we decided to hit Willy Park (aka Williamstown Park)...

Of course the playground was the main attraction...

But the HMAS Castlemaine was also fascinating...

Except I wasn't allowed to take any photos inside the ship...

Meeting a friend for coffee was great fun - especially because he brought along his dog, Buddy...

We then went down the road a bit to the beach and I had a walk...

While the girls had a swim...

And of course we brought home some treasure!

Another wonderful day spent with my wonderful family. Now we're off to have dinner - fish & chips in our local park! Yum!

Bliss on this glorious day

I spent most of today sitting and relaxing in our local park having a good old relax while the kids had a good old play in the fresh air and sunshine...

The girls are playing on the swings, monkey bars, slides and being very creative with the equipment that is on offer - it is fantastic to watch and be a part of! They are also making new friends which is absolutely wonderful!

I snapped a whole lot of pics of the girls playing, of course, and as always Little Miss Attention-Loving Leah was front and centre in most of them!

It is only 11 sleeps until Abigail turns 8!!! Time has gone so fast!!! It seems just yesterday that she was just a brand new bubby lying next to me on the couch...

But that is a whole other post!!!

Back to the glorious day at the park... I am constantly amazed by the creativity of the girls...

All the ways they have come up with to go down the slide alone is commendable!

I'm also extremely grateful for how close the girls are; how close they are as friends even though there is a 3 year age difference between them.

It was a stunning day at the park with my two beautiful girls!!!