Trip home USA

In August I went home to spend time with my Mom and Dad in Indiana. I had not been home since December 2012, so it was a long over due trip!

On my way home I stopped over in Sydney and had a quick layover catch up with my bestie Mel.  Mel is my Canadian sister and I am glad our paths crossed in Australia!

After 35+ hours of travel I made it to Indiana. I got up early the next morning and did what every girl does when she gets home and has very bad jet lag.. Took the dog and cat for a walk. 

I helped Mom at the cat shelter for two days. I got to feed this sweet little kitten, who now has found a forever home!

I caught up with my old friends, Phil and Laura Mott. I also go to meet Phil's beautiful wife Kristen and his adorable son Noah. So thankful for old friends! We meet up at the fair, can't get better then that!

Some things never change, and I have to say the Indiana State Fair is still as amazing as I remember. Mom and I watched the horse shows, rode the tractor pull around the grounds, had lots of food including a lemon shake up. Saw the chicken and bunny barn, saw sheep and goats. It was a great day!

Me and Mom inside the newly renovated Pepsi Colosseum that I am sure has a new name I can't remember, but its great inside and they kept the rustic charm. Good job Indianapolis! 

Oh and I am so glad I got to see the horses with Mom, even the old lady that plays the organ in the middle of the ring is still there. 

Big Wheels...

After almost 2 years of waiting I finally got to meet this sweet girl. I gave Wren Rush her first Mango Seed and I want the world to know she loved it!

Low fog, its the small things you miss.

When I think of home in the summer this is what I see. My Mom on a John Deer and the old red truck full of mulch. Your garden looked beautiful Mom!

I got lots of cuddles off crazy TomTom, he's and odd ball but he has won my heart.

Went to the children's museum!

Here's Mom hard at work at the cat shelter!

I am not accustomed to American grocery stores anymore. I got lost looking for cool-whip. 

Me and the coolest cat at the shelter. Sir Thomas. If I could have brought him back to Perth with me I would have.

Good friends Sarah and Kurtis! Thanks for spending time with me and sharing Wren, she is a doll!

Drinks is the city, seems all the cool kids hang on Mass Ave now.

yeah.. I waited 2 years for these hot wings.. and they tasted great!

My friend Holly traveled to see me in Indiana and we spent the weekend hanging out and even went to the Zoo. Holly and I met while we both lived in Perth, she is from Michigan but lives in Duluth Minnesota now. Holly and her husband Sam became as close as family while we all lived in Perth together. I am so thankful for her friendship!

So funny to have a formal dinner with Mom, Dad and Holly, three people who have all been to my home in Perth.  As an expat this kind of thing does not happen very often. Holly heard a lot about my family and Indiana home while we both lived in Perth. It was such a joy to actually get to share my family home with her. 

Holly got a tour of Mom's garden!

Holly and Jack even became friends, so glad they got to meet!

Mary 2 and Mary 1. So glad I got to see Mary 1 while I was in town! Mary and I are childhood friends, I meet her before I could string two words together. Mary and her sister Kristen have a special place in my heart aways.

Dad got a new car while I was in town. Looking good Dad!

We took a lovely family trip to the lake for a few nights. Jack fell in the lake, a raccoon moved into Mom and Dad's room, I fished from a canoe, Dad and I paddle boated. I swan, we had a fire and roasted marshmellows. I even got to have a somemore! 

Dad and a sun fish! 

Hanging with Dad fireside at the lake!

 Me and crazy TomTom again.

Dad must love me cause he let me drive his new car. It was fast!

Me and Wren, blowin bubbles. 

Mom, Dad and I traveled to Fort Worth for my cousin Sean's wedding. I got to spend two afternoons with my Aunt Gretchen, my only Aunt on my Dad's side. Love you Aunt G, im so glad I got to see you!!

Me and Dad in Fort Worth

Me and the King of Greenfields.

Sean marrying his beautiful wife Michelle, so glad we got to be there for it. 

From Fort Worth I flew back to Australia, I went to a really cool aquarium in Dallas after I dropped Mom and Dad off at the airport.

I had a wonderful trip home and these pictures don't even scratch the surface of all I got up to and the people who shared their time with me. Im so thankful for my American home.

I have been gone 9 years now, hard to believe. Going home is wonderful, but at the same time it is a reminder of all the family and friends I miss dearly. Living abroad is a constant roller-coaster of emotions. I love my life in Australia and I know it is where I want to be. But I love my American home, family and friends, and I am so thankful to them for understanding that my life is in Australia, and still loving me anyway. 

Im also so thankful for my parents who gave me big strong wings, strong enough to venture far from home but who always remind me that they love me and accept me no matter where I roam. I love you Mom and Dad, and I miss you everyday. 

I am looking forward to planning another trip home soon. As always there is never enough time to see and do everything I want to!

Thanks to Graham for supporting my trip home for 4 weeks, I missed you so much and in many ways going home is not the same without you. I hope the next time I fly over the Pacific its with you Razza. 

List of Graham's passions past and present.

Graham and I have been together for 1 decade now!! 10 years!!

During our decade together Graham has had a long list of hobbies and passions. I thought I better make a list of all the ones I can remember now so in 10 years time I can look back on the first 10 years. I don't think I can remember all of these forvever. So I am going to do a big brain dump now so I can refill.

These hobbies lasted from anywhere to a couple or years, days or weeks... 

To be listed as a hobby or passion they must have taken up at least 72 hours of his free time, either researching, participating in or thinking about them. He must have shown at least 1 oz of frantic passion for them to make the list. (frantic passion = obsessively researching & talking about them)

Here we go:

Fireworks - Graham built firework rack in Indiana and put on a show for all his friends and family

Knifes / Blades - This hobby was going long before me.

Knife Sharpening - This one comes back every couple of years.

Lawn Bowls - Still going

Speakers  - Almost over

Building a bookshelf - Still has yet to happen be we have fantastic plans waiting and ready.

Refinishing our outdoor furniture - Looks great, still chairs left to finish. 

Cats - Still going, sometimes he looks up cats up for adoption. I love this about him.. but its so hard to say no.

Beach fishing - Always a passion

Fly fishing - Always a passion

Buying me vintage dresses - I liked this one the best, bless him. Wish it lasted longer. 

Antique glassware - Sparked by our upstairs neighbour of good taste.

Vacations planning to Malaysia - Still going

Designing and organising our shed - Completed

Cycling - Still going

Rum and Scotch - This one will never end

Weight supplements and vitamins - Glad this one is over.

Modle Airplanes - This came to a dramatic end when his favourite plane caught an updraft and literally flew away without him.

BBQ repaire and maintenance - This is a good one, although we currently have two BBQs. 

Our Washing Machine - Graham loves it.. and he doesn't like the way I sometimes misload it. He is also great at repairing it...

BB Guns / Air Rifle - This ended when we moved to Australia, but not before he accidentally shot me in the foot (at Christmas time, while home visiting my parents, nothing welcomes you home like a good shot to the foot. God Bless America) 

Stethoscopes - kind of essential for a Doctor.

Studying - This one defiantly counts

Im sure he spent a lot of time thinking about how he could beat the dealer at blackjack in 2011/12

Cooking a pastry encased chicken - Successful

Tequila - This has fizzled out a little bit but is never far from reigniting.

Wine - Tasting, researching and buying wine for cellaring. I love that we share this passion but sometimes I do think we have WAY TOO MUCH GOOD WINE in the cellaring phase, and not enough in the drinking..

Gardening - Looking for good seeds, planting them, tending them, watering them all of which I am thankful.

Pipes - Buying smoking pipes and tobacco and enjoying with friends. This is a old one now and he doesn't do it often, but he has a nice collection going.

A few photos of Graham enjoying his passions:

Gardening 

A good old fashioned Pipe smoke with friends

Lawn Bowls

Gardening is best done with the ones you love. Graham and his Nan at her Garden. So sweet.

"mmm, yes these will make good wine"-Graham

Beach Fishing

What a collection!
Im so honoured to be married to a man of so many passions, and so grateful that he has chosen me to share his passions with.
Graham you are so full of the love of life and adventure. There isn't much you won't "give a go". Your gentle and patient, loving an kind. Im so proud to be your wife.

Can't wait to see what the next 10 years brings!
I love you!
Your Mary Moo

If I'm Honest

I have infertility…..
I hate it…..
I hate that I have to deal with the "When are you going to have children" questions.
I hate that I have to stare in the face of fertility fear, pain and guilt all the time. ALL THE TIME.
I hate that my friends don't know what to say to me about it.
I hate my friends feel awkward telling me their successes.
I hate it…..

I have no idea how to talk about my infertility. Most of the time I'm just honest with everyone… which is exhausting.. because when you get asked "When are you going to have children" it takes me nearly an hour to tell my story and half the time the woman I tell about it end up needing conforming from me because they don't know how to react.  That makes it more exhausting.

Then I spend the next 30 minutes listening to them tell me every success story they know of IVF or miracle pregnancies. I have heard a lot of these now….

Honestly I don't want to hear anymore of these stories because they DO NOT make me feel better. Actually they make me feel even more infertile.

I never act rudely to these stories because I know the person telling me them means well and wants to give me hope. And I truly appreciate the sentiment. But I think a reassuring hug would make me feel better. Or just a pat on the back and a "thanks for sharing this information with me" statement would do.

Im not okay with my infertility, but I have no choice but to be "okay" with it.
Just like all the other things in life you are forced to be "okay" with like natural disasters and deaths of loved ones. Same deal. You don't want it.. but it happens to you anyway.

So I'm just being honest here.
I have no idea how to deal with this issue.. Im doing my best.
I don't really feel like talking about it. But if I do I will let you know.
I just needed to get it out there.
(and don't worry, I'm getting all the care in the world on this issue)

Winter Time

Its winter in Perth again.
The rains have come back this year stronger then they have in years past. This is a great thing for Western Australia because it means we will have full damns this summer.
However all this rain makes things a little dreary and makes drying your laundry a struggle. I know I talk about that alot... but until you live with out a dryer in the winter you have no idea.

Heres what I've been up to!

My pots are coming along. Im picking these up this week!

Graham and Kit picked me up one night from work in June. I was surprised. Also surprised that I "had" to sit in the back because Kit was comfortable in the front seat. Love my two red cats!

Sadly my boss Pippa left Buzz in June. I was very sad to see her go. Im only just getting along without her in the office. I miss seeing her everyday and having our daily chats. We are good friends and I look forward to seeing her soon.

I took Sarah dancing. I even dressed her up. We had a fun night!

We have a new dance workshop at Buzz for kids aged 2-5 years old. Its based off a popular children's book called Giraffes Can't Dance. This is Nicole reading it to a bunch of very cute kids. I am so glad this workshop and book are going out on tour this year. WIN WIN!

This is me and my Kentucky Sister. April and I met in Perth but we could be related! April and her lovely (Aussie) hubby Wayne just welcomed their first child into the world in June. She was a little early (10 weeks) but she is doing great. April got tickets to see Keith Urban for Christmas from Wayne. All she wanted to do was go to this concert, and yes 1 week after having her baby girl April and I made it to the concert. It was a great night and I was delighted to be her guest. But the best part is just being this beautiful girls friend. She is the only other girl my age I know who is from the midwest and is married to an Australian. Im so glad the Lord brought our life journeys together. 

Great seats at Keith Urban. What a great night. Truly a talented and kind Artist. 

Thanks Santa Wayne and April for spoiling me!!!

Strait after the Keith Urban concert April and Wayne dropped me off at the airport for the redeye to Brisbane (other side of the country a 5 hour flight).

I spent a week in Brisbane at two confrences. The Major Performing Arts Forum for Education Officers and the International Teaching Artist Conference.  I had a wonderful time. I learnt so much and made new connections. 

A LARGE foldable book I made with some of my ITAC2 conference mates. A great way to extend literacy skills in the Pilbara and Kimberly. I look forward to showing Nicole this next week!

The Out of The Box children's festival was on while I was in Brisbane. This is a photo of the monster hotel. 

I wish I could bring my cat here as well.. This was a wish hanging off the wishing tree. 

Me at the wishing tree.

I ran into a amazing young artist while in Brisbane. LA based dancer Sadie was in town for the conference and it was wonderful to see her again. Sadie did secondment at Buzz in 2012. Watch out world Sadie's got you by the horns!! 

Graham has had a busy couple weeks. I have hardly seen him! He has been working shift hours in the ER in Midland. So glad this rotation is almost over. I miss seeing him in the evenings and having some time together on the weekend.
Although busy he has been well and enjoying the work he is doing.
I love you Razza!

Thats all from me!

Winds of Change

Recently it seems everyone I know has a big change or challenge to overcome in their lives. It seems the winds of change are blowing for most everyone I know.

These changes have made the month of April and May a difficult time for me and Graham. We have been going through some of our own ups and downs as well continue to try to build a family together. 

But through all the negatives that have been crushing lately we have felt very supported by the people in our lives, family & friends in both the US and Australia.

A few people in particular have spent a lot of their time and love lifting us up. I wanted to talk a little bit about those people.

My Mom and Dad, and In-Laws Karen and Stuart- they are a never ending well of love and support, patient ears and source of sound advice. I could not be luckier to have such amazing role modles in my family.

My friend Sarah here in Perth has been by my side lately, raising me up and being there for me in some very awkward moments. Im so grateful to have a friend close to home that comes with no strings attached. Im so grateful. 

My friend Mel in Sydney is my North American sister I had to travel around the world to meet. We hardly ever get to see each other in person, but we talk either via email, text or phone nearly every day. We are both going through the struggles of fertility and her strength and love see's me through some of the hardest days. Im so grateful I get to share my fertility journey with Mel. She is a shining light. 

My boss Pippa, it could be said we have a very unusual boss employee relationship, we have worked together for 4 years. Over the years Pippa has been my back up at work and in life. Pippa has been going through her own troubles as of late with the passing of her Mum. We have also been working in limbo with the creation of a new company coming in 2015 for some time. This week Pippa got offered a new job and while I am sad I won't get to see her everyday I'm so excited for her new adventure. Now we can finally be Facebook friends. Pippa is my cat baby's emergency contact and more then once she has been mine. Im looking forward to just being Pippa's friend soon.

My rag tag collection of friends down at the Como Bowls Club, we are an odd bunch ranging from 32-90 from places all over the globe. I see these people every week and in a way the Bowls Club in my second home, a place to hang out, air worries and have a laugh. Sometimes when I'm out on a Saturday and Im having a naughty fast food lunch I park at the bowls club and just sit in the car. Of all the places to go sit and eat.. this is the place I pick.

Here's some of the gang on a Friday night. 

These are just a few of the people who have been there for me and Graham as of late. I feel so blessed to live in such a sunny and supportive community of people. 

A few photos as of late: 

Me and my best buddies!! Love these kids.. Thanks Sarah for sharing your beautiful girls with me!

Graham has his cap and grown graduation and his Dad Craig came out for the occasion. It was his first visit to Western Australia. 

Graham a distinguished new Doctor. I made him pose like that.

Oh the joys I get to have at work. I get to make lesson plans and art projects for school kids. This was my star crown I made!

My two red cats on Graham's 33rd Birthday!

We have been busy this year at work. Two productions in under 3 months. Holy cow! Don't try that at home folks it equals way to much work. This was our Primary school show Plain Jane made by Lucas Jervies our Artistic Director. It was a show for Primary/Elementary Audiences and we travelled to schools, the children's hospital, old folks homes, and many places in between. It was a great show and I look forward to it possibly being out on tour again later in the year.

Plain Jane at a Perth Primary School.

Me and my Boss Pippa. We both some how got the same haircut over the weekend, we got to work on Monday and had a good laugh. Clearly we spend a lot of time together. 

I have been taking a pottery class this May, my work is coming along and I am looking forward to pursuing this more in the coming year. I would love to get good at making functional pieces, bowls, cups, plates and vases.

Graham and I booked a last minute trip down to our favourite place in WA last weekend. We went to Pemberton. I have posted a few blogs about this place. We stayed at a new place. We had our own small cottage with an open fireplace (thats a luxury in a temperate climate) and a BIG bathtub, another luxury I have not had in 8 years. This is me having a selfie with the property owners dog, you can see Graham and the lovely Bev from Beedlup House Cotages ins the background. Beedeleup House Cottages. If you want to learn more about this great accommodation in Pemberton check out this LINK

Graham cooking breakfast at the cottage.

Graham off in the distance under the HUGE Karri trees. 

Oh on our trip we went to our all time favourite cafe. Well mine at least. It specialises in Truffles.. I love truffles and smoked fish.. This makes Pemberton and southwest WA a perfect holiday location for me. 

Road side stalls. This was the cutest one we saw. Apples anyone??

The coming winter months life should slow down a little more. My biggest challenge at the moment is getting my clothes to dry.. I have had the same towels and pants on the line for 2 weeks now.. But it keeps raining.. Im off to the laundramat soon to use the dryer.. Its getting desperate, I'm only down to dresses, and Graham can't wear those at work.

(please my American friends go give your dryer a hug and remind it how much you love it)

Thats all for now. All my love to you and yours.

So much to do!

Gee wizz its March already!! And almost over!
Life has been going at a quick pace recently.
Graham has started working and he has been doing some crazy hours. It was a rough start to the year for him, but I think things have improved a lot as of recently.  He is now busy planning rearranging our living room and putting in a entertainment centre and updating our 15 year old TV into something from this decade. I told him I don't mind what he does as long as it happens quickly. We will see what happens! I don't think I will recognise our apartment when he is done with it.

A few photos of whats been going on.

Work has been busy for me, our new Artistic Director has been busy creating a new show for our March season. It takes place in the Perth Town Hall. Where these two photos of the dancers and actors are taken. The show is called Ecobots and opens March 21.

We have been spending time with our friends Sarah, Paul and the kids. This was a very silly night at our house when Sarah and the girls challenged Graham on some advanced yoga skills... He didn't do very well as you can see. 

 Been watching the snow on Facetime with my parents. Its a record snowy winter in Indiana this year. So glad Mom and Dad can Facetime with me and I get to see all the snow from sunny Perth. 

Paul shared this huge cray fish with us! It was a monster!!! 

Got to spend a beautiful sunny day with these two beautiful ladies at a friends wedding here in Perth. All three doctors wives hanging out. But these two chicks a lot more then that. Not only kind and beautiful they both have BIG brains! One a hospital pharmacist and the other a vet! Im so honoured to call them my friends. 

 Been spending a lot of time with these two adorable kids. Thanks to my friend Sarah for sharing her girls with me. 

 Graham and I went to a few Fringe World shows this year. It was a good time and I really like this photo of Graham under the big sign. We saw some magic acts and circus. 

 A big party at the Bowls Club for some friends birthdays. Here's Graham with some of his best mates at the club. It was a dress up party. Thats why John Lennon features in the photo!

 Graham has been out sailing with Peter this summer. I got to take this photo from the dock. Not a view I normally get to see, instead I am hanging over the front bow like Graham is. 

 Camouflage cat in our back area.. Kit enjoys hanging out the washing with me. 

 A beautiful surprise dinner with Graham at the casino, we went to the BIG Buffet and ate more seafood in one go then I have had in 10 years.. oysters, trout, salmon, prawns, more oysters.... finished off with honey strait off the comb. 

One of my favourite work photos this year. You never know what might happen at a dance company. 

We have a big event coming up. Thats Graham's cap and gown graduation in April. His Father Craig will be coming out for it and we look forward to catching up with him and celebrating all over again. We will finally get to see Dr. Graham Weaire-Buchanan on his diploma and he will also be awarded his prizes for the 3 awards he won. It will be a great time! 

All the best to you and yours.