December 14. Day 349. Good on ya mum

It's been a big week for my family. In the space of just two days my mum witnessed both a grand daughter and a daughter graduate. That doesn't happen every day. My niece Scarlett was the first of her generation to wear the cap and gown which made it special. My sister Lisa is quite experienced at this sort of thing. This is her fourth university graduation which, by any measure, is quite the achievement. Lisa is one of the most committed, dedicated and hard working and high achieving students I have ever met. She makes study look easy. She does, however, seem to court disaster when it comes to the actual business of graduating. As I recall, she almost missed her first graduation because she found herself deadlocked in my parents' house. Today I was the one who missed the ceremony. I was there, in the venue on time and in my gown ready to join the academic procession to cheer on my little sis. My phone rang. My darling son, who only very recently got his drivers licence, had just had a little bingle with a parked car in our street. Understandably he was a bit shaken. But that's not the worst of it - the car he hit belonged to my sister. So I had to leave to sort a few things out. But there was plenty of family support for Lisa. Joining mum in the audience were Lisa's husband Don and daughters Lucy and Amelia. It is, after all, a proud family moment. I arrived just in time for a celebratory drink and photos and for a little explanation about the small matter of a fender bender.

December 13. Day 348. Well groomed

It was the same every day. I'd drop a toddler resisting and crying off to day care.
It broke my heart.
It made me feel like the worst mother in the whole world.
Some days I would feel sick in the stomach for hours.
And then when I picked my boy up he would be happily playing.
The staff would report that it had been a "lovely day".
And I'd feel happily and relieved - until the next day and we'd do it all again.
So it was today with my fur babies.
As soon as the car pulled up outside the groomers the whinging started.
It developed into a hard core pulling towards the door out of there as the time came to hand them over.
But I know you have to be cruel to be kind so I handed them over and left.
The agreed pick up time was 3pm.
When I got there Rumple was finished but Winkle was still on the grooming table with the finishing touches being applied.
She was being as good as gold, as quiet as a mouse and as still as a statue.
I wondered if Winkle had a doppelganger, an unusually well behaved body double. 
She was clearly not under the influence of a sedative, she was just content. 
And then just to confirm my observations she delivered a lick to the face of the groomer.
Seriously.
Sorry Winkle, your cover is blown. 
That "woe is me" act will not work ever again... well not until next time. 
Parent guilt defies all logic.

December 12. Day 347. The Graduates

In its own way a university graduation certificate is like a Golden Ticket to enter Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. It's very precious and will open doors accessible only to the chosen ones. But after that it comes down to what you do with it. Not all graduates will end up with the chocolate factory or with a tribe of Oompa Loompas working for them. But having the certificate increases your chances significantly. Today's world might be uncertain for new graduates but it has always been so. Emma Griffiths, the guest speaker at today's QUT graduation ceremony reminded students to never lose sight of why they studied journalism in the first place. And, she said, remain true to yourself. It's a fine lesson. I have another one. Wear good shoes. How you define good is up to you. It might be sensible, or pretty, or expensive. But in graduations where your main job is to walk across a stage or in journalism where shoe leather reporting has always been a sign of quality, the footwear counts. Choose wisely and never forget that there are many, many out there who would kill to be able to walk in your shoes.
Graduation ceremonies are always bitter sweet. Some might say that the speeches are long but so are the opportunities to check out the parade of footwear. This is true but more it's sending another group of students off into the big world of post university life. It's a big step. We wish you all well and order you to keep in touch, or else.
And today there's one graduate I'll be keeping a closer eye on than the rest. My lovely niece Scarlett graduated from Griffith University tonight. She's the first one in this generation to do so and we are all proud of her. Plus she wore sensible yet attractive shoes. She'll go far.

December 11. Day 346. Fly away

Boo hoo. I do agree, there is no place like home - some places are better especially when you are just visiting and in holiday mode. This weekend on Stradbroke Island was pretty special. We had an 11am deadline to be on the ferry home and that meant an early rise to be down on the beach at the crack of dawn.
On the way back to our holiday house, I checked the koala trees but yesterday's occupant had moved during the night to find a fresh supply of gum leaves.
But across the road a couple of kangaroos were grazing.
Clearly 'roos who live around housing estates are used to people and the presence of a mad woman with a camera didn't disturb their breakfast one bit.
It's sad that it had to end but on the upside it is less than a week we will be at the Sunshine Coast for a two week beach break with dogs.
I can't wait. Too many days at the beach are barely enough.

December 10. Day 345. Not the Claw. The Claw

I feel I can finally call myself an Australian.
I mean people in countries far away tend to think those of us who live in the land girt by sea have koalas and kangaroos on our doorstep.
Well this weekend I do.
There's a koala tree just outside the front gate and kangaroos grazing on the footpath. It's not as though I haven't seen either in their natural environment before but not in suburbia where I spend most of my life.
And not only that the koalas I've seen previously have always been perched at the top of the tree.
I only saw them because someone pointed them out and even then it wasn't much than a grey shadow that you could just make out.
Today's napping marsupial was in the first fork when we saw him this morning. This afternoon it had crawled up a little but clearly a very comfy, very snoozy koala.
Even for a born and bred Aussie that's pretty exciting.

December 9. Day 344. Friends with benefits

 So when friends who have just bought a house on Stradbroke Island invite you over for the weekend, what are you to do?
Say "yes" or .... actually there is no or.
The only decision is what to pack (and what lie to tell the dogs because the house isn't canine friendly).
So at 11am we boarded the Stradbroke Island ferry at which time it was raining. Not the best start I admit. But after a delightful lunch and a nap the skies had cleared and it was perfect for a long walk along the beach.
I bet the couple with the afternoon beach wedding were even happier than we were about the change of weather. It was sweaty but the afternoon breeze was refreshing and because Drama Teen and I are soft, we were content to sit on the beach and watch as Peter and Alison stripped off and went for a swim. Then there was champagne and fresh prawns and oysters for dinner followed by games.
Yep, it's good to have friends with benefits.

December 8. Day 343. Mirror, mirror on the wall

 Quite possibly I am the most directionally challenged person on the face of the earth. I think I was off sick when they were handing out navigational skills.Truthfully, I don't know left from right. Unfortunately my son has inherited this "super lack-of-power". So if you were putting together teams for a maze challenge we would be the bottom of the pack. But hey, we're up for a challenge. So today we found ourselves at the House of Mirrors at the Powerhouse. It's a seemingly endless labyrinth of mirrors which is making its mainland Australia debut in Brisbane. According to the blurb it could take between five and 20 minutes to find your way out. According to the gate attendants, some people need to be rescued. I was pretty sure we'd be in the second group especially as I hadn't brought any breadcrumbs. But we were out in closer to the five than the 20 minute mark. Neither of us has any idea how we managed it but we were in agreement that it was a huge amount of fun getting there. Give it a go. But you'll have to find your way to the Powerhouse before Sunday. After that the problem won't be getting out it will be getting in as it will have found its way to another venue to challenge other unsuspecting thrill seekers. Bring breadcrumbs just in case.