There aren't many things that will get me up at 4am. The World Cup Finals is one of the exceptions. 4 years ago, I was living with friends, one of whom was soccer mad. So much so that he dragged his mattress out into the loungeroom for the month of matches, and tried to watch every single one, regardless of who was playing, all the while holding down a (high-responsibility) full-time job.

I'm not as crazy about soccer. In fact, I don't really like watch the Premier League or whatever they have in Europe/England. That kind of soccer annoys me. All the theatrics get old very quickly. And even though that still goes on in the World Cup finals, 4 years ago I was impressed that Australia weren't buying into that crap.

Last night, I was disappointed that this had changed somewhat. The theatrics I saw from both Germany (my favourite was the guy who grabbed at his leg with a non-existent injury before he even hit the ground!!) and Australia last night was terribly frustrating. That's not what I got up at 4am to watch. Nor was the thrashing that Germany dealt us. I'm not being a sore loser - all credit to Germany. Apart from the first 7 minutes where we seemed to come out kicking (so to speak) they outplayed and outclassed us in every way. They were amazing, and the skill was impressive to watch. We can all admit to that and congratulate our German friends. (Well done boys).

Where was I going with this? I think I just wanted to vent a bit. I don't like watching Aussie football players, whom I'm used to being tough and no-nonsense players (I've been watching Rugby League, Union and AFL too much, clearly) taking dives and crying foul to the referee, when clearly in the replay, there was nothing to it. Why is soccer like this?? It really spoils the game for me and frustrates me no end.

On a brighter note, I also watched the opening match of the World Cup finals on Friday night between South Africa and Mexico. So many people around college had been saying how Mexico were going to win, and convincingly, and I thought "well it doesn't matter, as long as it's a good match." And boy was it ever! And the best thing about it? That South Africa scored the opening goal for the whole World Cup. That was awesome. I think, unless you were born in Mexico, you were barracking for South Africa - I know I was! And not just because half of Hubs' family are from there! Mexico equalised with a good goal, but not before the SA goal keeper had saved some absolute crackers. It really was an entertaining game, without too much theatrics, and with a near-goal to South Africa in the dying minutes that would have won them the game, and that so many people wish had gone in. They have already done their country proud.

I hope to feel that same pride - that my team has played a good, fair, competitive game, win, lose or draw, - when the Socceroos take on Ghana at midnight this Saturday. I'm proud that the Socceroos have done so well to get in to the finals, I just want them to show the world the skill and class that I know they have, and not have to play the silly sissy games that other teams feel the need to play.

This has been Wifey's World Cup. I look forward to joining you again next week.

Posted by Renae at 2:51 PM Comments

So just because I can, I would like to show off my gorgeous Godson and his super-cute new baby brother. Hubs took these photos while we were visiting Brizzie a couple of weekends ago and I can't stop looking at them!!!

It was so nice hanging out with the boys and Mama and Papa as well. We had a cruisey morning with only a little bit of spew and poop, and LOTS of baby cuddles and toddler giggles. Thanks guys! T'was so much fun!

Posted by Renae at 3:53 PM Comments

Prepare for some nonsense. When I was 10 years old, I was involved in my primary school's production of James and the Giant Peach - a play based on Roald Dahl's famous book. When the time came for auditions, everyone wanted to be either Aunt Sponge or Aunt Spiker, (including me - I was a follower), cos clearly, wanting to be one of the insects - a male insect no less - was totally weird. My grade 5 teacher, who I'm not ashamed to say I had a HUGE crush on, suggested I give the Centipede part a try. So I did. And it actually ended up being one of the main parts, with a few solo songs to sing! (I may have been a follower, but I always liked like a bit of attention!)

Mum and I made an awesome costume which consisted of a black shirt, black pants, black top-hat and lots of legs made with stockings stuffed with newspaper, all strung together, dangling off my arms. Was it the best costume there? Well. That's not really for me to say :-)

I practised my lines diligently, and learned my songs by heart. I recall that I was very nervous leading up to it, but I believe I performed well and don't think I forgot any of my lines. And it was a LOT of fun.

So what is the point of this little story, you may ask? Well. The point is, I may not be able to remember what I did a week ago, but I can still remember the lines to one of my songs in the play:

I’ve eaten fresh mudburgers by the greatest cooks there are
And scrambled eggs and stinkbug’s legs and hornets stewed in tar
And pails of snails and lizards tails and beetles by the jar
A beetle is improved by just a splash of vinegar

I’m mad for crispy wasp-stings on a piece of buttered toast
And pickled spines of porcupines and then a gorgeous roast
Of dragon’s flesh, well hung, not fresh, it costs a pound at most
And comes to you by carriage, If you order it by post

For dinner on my birthday shall I tell you what I chose?
Hot noodles made from strudels on a slice of garden hose
And a rather smelly jelly made from armadillo’s toes
The Jelly is deeeee-licious, but you have to hold your nose

Now comes I do declare
The burden of my speech
These foods are rare, beyond compare
Some are right out of reach
But there’s no doubt I’d go without a million plates of eeeeeeeeeach

For one small mite
One tiny bite
Of this fantastic peeeeeach!


Ridiculous, no?*



* Oh my gosh I just googled the first line of the song and it came up! AND I remembered all the lines correctly! That IS ridiculous...

Posted by Renae at 12:08 PM Comments

Posted by Renae at 2:00 PM Comments

So I promised I'd explain these photos, so here goes. Hubs likes free stuff - who doesn't!? - and he likes to help people out - what a man! - so when he saw an advertisement at uni by 2 photographers starting out, asking for volunteers to pose for couple photos, he jumped at the chance to volunteer our services. And I was happy to oblige. 2 hours posing for photos and smooching with Hubs? Where do I sign!? In return for our time, we have been emailed 8 photos that have been "touched up" (as if we need any "work" done) to look nice an professional. Pretty sweet deal huh!?

The 2 gentlemen who were our paparazzi for the afternoon are getting into the wedding photography industry, so they just wanted some couples to practice on. I think they did a mighty fine job! Although, with subjects like us.... well.... you know....

We were given instructions such as:

"Look lovingly into each other's eyes." Easy.
"Hubs, give Wifey a little kiss..... Uh Hubs, you can stop now.... HUBS!!!" hee hee! Gross!!!
"Here's a water fountain. Do something spontaneous." After I splashed Hubs with water and he tried to get me back, I think the photographer regretted that instruction...

Another one of my favourites:


It was a fun afternoon and really, quite easy "work". I don't know what all these super models complain about. I mean really.

Posted by Renae at 4:31 PM Comments

I'll explain later......

Posted by Renae at 3:05 PM Comments

As I mentioned previously, my cousins and aunty and uncle gave me a red balloon voucher for my birthday in January, and I've finally booked something in! It wasn't even on the voting list I blogged about! This is what I went with: (Quoted directly from the website)

Chocolate Making Workshop

Oh yeah. I'm just a bit excited. The course is in a couple of weeks so I'll let you know how it goes. I might have to wear my stretchy pants! Tee hee!!

Posted by Renae at 1:54 PM Comments

So yeah, I've been pregnant for 15 weeks and have had to keep it to myself for the majority of that time. And let me tell you, it's been tricky. When it comes to other people's secrets, I'm a vault. With extra security. But when it comes to my own secrets, I can rarely keep my trap shut. But this time round, that's exactly what I did. It was hard not being able to share everything with everyone, as I'm usually a big sharer. But the flood gates are open now! Woo hoo!

Don't worry (Nate) I won't be dedicating every blog post from now on to the growing human life inside of me. Just a few. Like this one.

Right now I'm hungry. In fact, I can't actually remember a time in the last 15 weeks that I haven't been hungry. I pretty much knew straight away, even before I peed on a stick, (tmi??) that I was pregnant. I just felt different. I could feel things going on that I'd never felt before. And it was really cool. It still is! Except that I'm hungry. Did I mention that already? "They" (who are "they" anyway??) reckon you only need an extra 300 calories, or 2 pieces of fruit, per day, to keep up with your body's needs. I think "they" are wrong. I have been eating SO much more than that, but have been trying to keep all my "extra food" on the healthy side - fruit, yoghurt, rice crackers and nuts mostly. Apparently the whole "eating for 2" idea has been tossed out the window. Dammit.

So I have to wait another 16 minutes til lunch and it seems like the longest wait in the world. (I know - my life is hard...) The first couple of months I just felt constantly nauseous and eating helped with that, but now I feel like my body is needing extra fuel, so I'm going to give it what it needs.

Aaaaaaaah. I feel much better for sharing all this. Gosh this is going to be a big year for us! And I'm loving every minute!

Posted by Renae at 12:16 PM Comments