I have spent the last year trying to sort out my finances, redefine my life, reconnect with family and friends and find some stability and security in my living and parenting arrangements. They were my goals for this year, and I think I have done pretty well. I am happy with the choices that I have made and the place were I am in my life. I talk more frequently with my sister and my parents, and although it is probably not often enough, I think that we are all okay with where we are at the moment. I have wonderful friends that are friends with me, and not just because I am a part of a couple, and I tied up some loose ends as well, and said goodbye to some old friends as well. I have a loving and healthy relationship, built on an understanding that we are two individuals that have chosen to share our journey together, and that we enrich our lives by supporting and loving the other, but not necessarily living in each others pockets. I am comfortable in my co-parenting relationship with Ava's Dad, and confident that I am doing the best for her. I am growing in my role as a step-parent, and I actively try to be bigger, kinder, wiser and stronger for all my family members.
But all these goals related to people around me. My family, my friends, Ava, and whilst that is all sorted out now and in a place where I am happy with the connections I have, in 2011 I will be focusing, and in a very selfish way, on me.
I have always been a Mummy. I was the one at parties, looking after people and holding their hair. I have always been house and garden proud, always enjoying babysitting, looking after people, helping out, nurturing, loving....you get the picture. And I am not in the habit of putting other people first. However, next year I have to.
My health has declined this year, and I have managed to find a couple of problems and an extra 15 kilos along the way. This has affected my work and also how I feel about myself. Yes, I don't look overweight. Yes, I carry myself and dress very well. BUT, I need to regain my health, I need to reach a healthy body weight and I need to put myself first.
So, I am doing a few things. I have rejoined the Biggest Loser Club online, to use the food diary and nutritionist advice and all the other amazing tools they have on the site. I am not going to yo-yo around with shakes and pills any more, I am going to eat real food and lose weight slowly.
I am going to make exercise a part of my daily routine....well, with more dance classes than ever next year, I really don't have a choice!!! In order to keep teaching dance, I really do need to not put on anymore weight.
I am seeing a nutritionist, to have my everyday diet evaluated and to see where I can make some healthy changes and ensure I am getting all my vitamins and minerals and maintaining a correct calorie in to calorie out ratio.
The biggest change next year, however, is that I am not doing any shows. Acting and Musical Theatre have been a big part of my life for the past 4 years, and I have made some amazing memories and grown so much as a performer, but the time commitment is too great, and while it brings me a great deal of joy, it also steals time away from my daughter and myself. Independent theatre in Perth is an amazing, vibrant and very professional community, who will still be there when I have myself in order. I will miss it, but I think I will have so much fun redefining who I am that I will survive one year without it.
I am so excited for this new adventure, and I love the person that I am, and that I now have the freedom to continually grow and reinvent myself.
Watch this space in 2011!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Christmas Day
Christmas! What a whirlwind of excitement, stress and spending! It's the spending that has me down at the moment; I think we spent more than last year again, and last year wasn't cheap.... hmmmm.
This year was the first year that I said no to the crazy antics and whims of my family, and announced that I was staying at home. I am sick of house hopping, eating too much and then moving onto yet another venue where you give more pressies (at which time you are usually over it!) and then proceed to eat more. So, after much stress I (tearfully and very forcefully) announced that my priority was my family, and that we were staying at home.
It was more difficult to do than I had imagined, because everyone has different ideas in their head about what the perfect Christmas entails. Some people want a big cooked lunch, with roast chicken, gravy, warm sides, pudding and ice cream, followed by eggnog and carols. Some people want to drink themselves into a stupor and lay about in the pool all day with friends. Some people want to give gifts to every single person they know, from the postman to the guy that serves them in the tool shop. And some people just want a quiet, intimate day, uninterrupted by normal routines to reconnect and celebrate the bonds they share. You don't get three guesses to guess which one was mine.
People have such vivid and emotional connections to their own memories of Christmas that when things get in the way of the realisation of that vision, things can get ugly. People can become so wrapped up in what think should happen that they can forget the true spirit of the Christmas season.
Whatever your religious or spiritual convictions, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the embodiment of the Christian God. Whilst it doesn't always seem like it, especially when you are down to your last $50 and you still have 3 pressies and bonbons to buy, the holiday period is a celebration of hope. Hope that we can live in a better world. Hope that people can put aside their differences and love one another. Hope that the simple act of giving can remind someone that they are special, and loved and needed. Hope that this life doesn't amount to nothing when we are gone. Hope that one day we can agree to be different, and be okay with that.
At least that is what I believe, and what I celebrate every year.
So we had breakfast and lunch at our house. The girls woke up on Christmas morning and crawled into our bed, still not really understanding how this day was different to any other. Nanny and Granddad slept over, as well as Uncle Pear, and we were joined by Poppy to open presents. Breakfast was a full cooked English breakfast, lunch was cold meat and salad. After lunch, Ava headed off to her other home to enjoy the second half of Christmas with her Daddy, Auntie Toad who flew all the way from Los Angeles to be with her family and see her niece, Nanny and Pop. In hindsight, there couldn't have been a sweeter day; It was perfect.
Oh....and I got a really nifty camera from His Majesty...... expect photos! :)
This year was the first year that I said no to the crazy antics and whims of my family, and announced that I was staying at home. I am sick of house hopping, eating too much and then moving onto yet another venue where you give more pressies (at which time you are usually over it!) and then proceed to eat more. So, after much stress I (tearfully and very forcefully) announced that my priority was my family, and that we were staying at home.
It was more difficult to do than I had imagined, because everyone has different ideas in their head about what the perfect Christmas entails. Some people want a big cooked lunch, with roast chicken, gravy, warm sides, pudding and ice cream, followed by eggnog and carols. Some people want to drink themselves into a stupor and lay about in the pool all day with friends. Some people want to give gifts to every single person they know, from the postman to the guy that serves them in the tool shop. And some people just want a quiet, intimate day, uninterrupted by normal routines to reconnect and celebrate the bonds they share. You don't get three guesses to guess which one was mine.
People have such vivid and emotional connections to their own memories of Christmas that when things get in the way of the realisation of that vision, things can get ugly. People can become so wrapped up in what think should happen that they can forget the true spirit of the Christmas season.
Whatever your religious or spiritual convictions, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the embodiment of the Christian God. Whilst it doesn't always seem like it, especially when you are down to your last $50 and you still have 3 pressies and bonbons to buy, the holiday period is a celebration of hope. Hope that we can live in a better world. Hope that people can put aside their differences and love one another. Hope that the simple act of giving can remind someone that they are special, and loved and needed. Hope that this life doesn't amount to nothing when we are gone. Hope that one day we can agree to be different, and be okay with that.
At least that is what I believe, and what I celebrate every year.
So we had breakfast and lunch at our house. The girls woke up on Christmas morning and crawled into our bed, still not really understanding how this day was different to any other. Nanny and Granddad slept over, as well as Uncle Pear, and we were joined by Poppy to open presents. Breakfast was a full cooked English breakfast, lunch was cold meat and salad. After lunch, Ava headed off to her other home to enjoy the second half of Christmas with her Daddy, Auntie Toad who flew all the way from Los Angeles to be with her family and see her niece, Nanny and Pop. In hindsight, there couldn't have been a sweeter day; It was perfect.
 |
| Ava and Poppy on Christmas Day |
Thursday, December 23, 2010
A festival of the effluent.....errrrr, I mean affluent.
I am so glad my Christmas shopping is done! I do not have to brave any more shops, tomorrow I can just prepare all the food and ensure my house is clean and tidy for our guests....PHEW!
I was doing the food shop today, so that I could still get nice, fresh produce and so that I didn't have to go anywhere near the shops tomorrow, and I had gotten everything on my list. Eggs for salads and breakfast? Check. Rocket, zucchini, pasta, coleslaw? Check. Drinks? Check.
As I was going towards the checkout, I was plagued with doubts about the contents of my trolley; it looked very small and filled with fresh things, compared to other shoppers trolleys. Where were my lollies? Shortbread? Rumballs? Nibbles? Entree? Sweets? Second Sweets? After dinner mints? Well, you get the picture.
I had everything on my list to make 10 people a full cooked breakfast and 7 people lunch. Why am I doubting myself? Because Christmas is a festival of the affluent.....which today felt a little on the effluent side. People expect to gorge themselves on rich, indulgent foods. Not just for one meal, but two or three. (Or more, depending on how many family parties you are attending!) Having a feast is a time honoured symbol of wealth, and that translates into the modern Christmas tradition of eating and drinking until we feel sick. Or be sick.
The thing is, we have evolved since then. We don't believe that the earth is flat, or that Mercury is a cure for constipation (or anything for that matter!), or that blood letting does anything more than relieve you of some much needed blood and probably give you a nasty headache. So why do we have to buy every Christmas food and table decoration and confection?
Well, I don't. I don't need a weeks worth of leftovers, and I certainly don't need to gorge myself. I am going to make a beautiful big green salad and a pasta salad, and have coleslaw, ham, turkey and some nice, fresh bread rolls. For sweets we will have some homemade pud, icecream and cream, and that will be more than enough, thank you very much.
Happy and healthy eating everyone!
I was doing the food shop today, so that I could still get nice, fresh produce and so that I didn't have to go anywhere near the shops tomorrow, and I had gotten everything on my list. Eggs for salads and breakfast? Check. Rocket, zucchini, pasta, coleslaw? Check. Drinks? Check.
As I was going towards the checkout, I was plagued with doubts about the contents of my trolley; it looked very small and filled with fresh things, compared to other shoppers trolleys. Where were my lollies? Shortbread? Rumballs? Nibbles? Entree? Sweets? Second Sweets? After dinner mints? Well, you get the picture.
I had everything on my list to make 10 people a full cooked breakfast and 7 people lunch. Why am I doubting myself? Because Christmas is a festival of the affluent.....which today felt a little on the effluent side. People expect to gorge themselves on rich, indulgent foods. Not just for one meal, but two or three. (Or more, depending on how many family parties you are attending!) Having a feast is a time honoured symbol of wealth, and that translates into the modern Christmas tradition of eating and drinking until we feel sick. Or be sick.
The thing is, we have evolved since then. We don't believe that the earth is flat, or that Mercury is a cure for constipation (or anything for that matter!), or that blood letting does anything more than relieve you of some much needed blood and probably give you a nasty headache. So why do we have to buy every Christmas food and table decoration and confection?
Well, I don't. I don't need a weeks worth of leftovers, and I certainly don't need to gorge myself. I am going to make a beautiful big green salad and a pasta salad, and have coleslaw, ham, turkey and some nice, fresh bread rolls. For sweets we will have some homemade pud, icecream and cream, and that will be more than enough, thank you very much.
Happy and healthy eating everyone!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Best Ever Christmas Presents
There are three Christmas presents that stand out for me as being all round awesome presents for a couple of reasons. Here they are:
3. My guitar
Given to me by Ava's Dad, when I was sure I wanted to learn the guitar and even though I gave up lessons when I was heavily pregnant and haven't touched it again, I still treasure it. The gift of music and the chance to learn something new is a special gift indeed.
2. My lawn mower
Two years ago, I had just bought my first house, and spent hours maintaining the gardens. I was completely floored when my Dad bought me a lawn mower... a practical and long lasting present, one that I would use over and over again.
1. My Sewing Machine
When I was 15 or so, my Dad bought me a sewing machine for Christmas. This amazing present I still use to this day, and it has helped my grow into a competant seamstress. I love making and creating new things, and recently I have used my skills to do costumes. Although I haven't used it for myself in a while, I treasure it so very much. My Dad is a doer, a very practical man who both works hard and takes time to enjoy life. And he buys nifty Christmas presents.
Comment and tell me the best present you ever recieved and why.
3. My guitar
Given to me by Ava's Dad, when I was sure I wanted to learn the guitar and even though I gave up lessons when I was heavily pregnant and haven't touched it again, I still treasure it. The gift of music and the chance to learn something new is a special gift indeed.
2. My lawn mower
Two years ago, I had just bought my first house, and spent hours maintaining the gardens. I was completely floored when my Dad bought me a lawn mower... a practical and long lasting present, one that I would use over and over again.
1. My Sewing Machine
When I was 15 or so, my Dad bought me a sewing machine for Christmas. This amazing present I still use to this day, and it has helped my grow into a competant seamstress. I love making and creating new things, and recently I have used my skills to do costumes. Although I haven't used it for myself in a while, I treasure it so very much. My Dad is a doer, a very practical man who both works hard and takes time to enjoy life. And he buys nifty Christmas presents.
Comment and tell me the best present you ever recieved and why.
Christmas Cheer
I stumbled upon a blog entry that kinda tickled my fancy on http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/ The link to the facebook article (where I first saw it) is here: http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/1-simple-strategy-to-save-2000-this-holiday-and-make-everyone-love-you-forever/
I was very daunted this morning, as I logged onto my early morning facebook, about getting the last five christmas presents. Actually, I was actually anxious beyond belief, and when I read this, my world seemed to shrink even more and my anxiety grow with every heartbeat. Why was I even going to the shops? What if someone beeps me in the car park? What if I can't find anything? What will I eat for lunch? (and other similar things) His Majesty got a panicked and rather rude text message (sorry my love.......) that everyone was getting wine. That's it. Even Ava's Daddy from Ava and Ava's Nanny and Pop. Wine from a 2 year old.What? She's precocious!
Then I started to calm down a bit.
My family buy gifts. That's what they do. I am a bit of a hippy and a minimalist, and I would be very okay with just a meal together and a hug, but I am 100% certain that my family members wouldn't be. I think they would be hurt, and a little pissed off. I also think that anything homemade would get sneered at as being cheap and worthless. Hey! I didn't say my family was perfect! (Personally, I love homemade Christmas foods. Fudge, Rumballs, Shortbread....all of it. This year I got a beautiful parcel of homemade White Christmas, Rumballs, Apricot Balls an other christmassy goodness from my friends mum, and I so appreciate the time and effort that went into the making of the sweets and the presentation. Thank you Ruth!)
So, I do agree very heartily with giving freedom. I would love for someone to give the gift of a massage or a facial, or offer to come and mop my floors, or even better, take me out for lunch. I would love someone to give me a coles myer voucher, so I didn't have to stress as much about food shopping the next week. A lot of my stresses are money worries, so cash is great! If someone came to me and asked me if I wanted to start highland dancing with them, and they would pay the first 5 weeks for me, NO WORRIES!
There is one thing that I think the author of this blog has missed. I love memories, and I want them documented, so I can reflect on the past. I love people sending me photos of their family, and of me and my family too. I love new opportunities to make memories. I love photo frames, photos on mugs, written recollections; anything that celebrates the year that has been.
So, the things I have given people this year are all precious, but not neccessarily expensive, items. I can't quite talk about them yet (!) because then that would ruin the surprise, but they are all things that people have wanted.
Yes, this year I am giving "things". There are no stupid, gadgety items, no socks and jocks. Things that people want, like cameras, pictures of grandchildren, tools for making things and books. Useful and wanted things, but things, none the less. In the new year, I am going to try and give more "experiences". Buy someone a helicopter flight. Offer to organise piano lessons. I am also going to let people know that I have enough things. I really do! There are a couple of things that I want, that I think would enrich my life:
A camera (I actually don't have one. But I have an iphone, so really, I can live without it)
A new computer. (This one is dying....But still working. I can also live without it)
A Bike. (I would really like to be able to ride to work and the shops when I don't have Ava, and it would help me stay fit and reduce my carbon footprint)
A bedroom suite (we don't have one. I would just like my clothes to be neat and tidy. But really not urgent at all)
And I can't really think of anything else I want! I have a big backyard full of healthy vegetables that I am very proud of, a lovely, clean roof over my head, clothes, furniture, a supportive and loving partner, and a beautiful young family that I share with some amazing people. What more could I want!!!
In an ideal world, I would really like to give away all my earthly posessions and become a vagrant, with a nuetral carbon footprint, dreadlocks, bare feet and no fixed address. The reality is that I have a young family, who need stability and security. So for now, I do what I can, live and give with my minimal (but meaningful) things and dream of the day where the saying "It's the thought that counts" is true.
I was very daunted this morning, as I logged onto my early morning facebook, about getting the last five christmas presents. Actually, I was actually anxious beyond belief, and when I read this, my world seemed to shrink even more and my anxiety grow with every heartbeat. Why was I even going to the shops? What if someone beeps me in the car park? What if I can't find anything? What will I eat for lunch? (and other similar things) His Majesty got a panicked and rather rude text message (sorry my love.......) that everyone was getting wine. That's it. Even Ava's Daddy from Ava and Ava's Nanny and Pop. Wine from a 2 year old.What? She's precocious!
Then I started to calm down a bit.
My family buy gifts. That's what they do. I am a bit of a hippy and a minimalist, and I would be very okay with just a meal together and a hug, but I am 100% certain that my family members wouldn't be. I think they would be hurt, and a little pissed off. I also think that anything homemade would get sneered at as being cheap and worthless. Hey! I didn't say my family was perfect! (Personally, I love homemade Christmas foods. Fudge, Rumballs, Shortbread....all of it. This year I got a beautiful parcel of homemade White Christmas, Rumballs, Apricot Balls an other christmassy goodness from my friends mum, and I so appreciate the time and effort that went into the making of the sweets and the presentation. Thank you Ruth!)
So, I do agree very heartily with giving freedom. I would love for someone to give the gift of a massage or a facial, or offer to come and mop my floors, or even better, take me out for lunch. I would love someone to give me a coles myer voucher, so I didn't have to stress as much about food shopping the next week. A lot of my stresses are money worries, so cash is great! If someone came to me and asked me if I wanted to start highland dancing with them, and they would pay the first 5 weeks for me, NO WORRIES!
There is one thing that I think the author of this blog has missed. I love memories, and I want them documented, so I can reflect on the past. I love people sending me photos of their family, and of me and my family too. I love new opportunities to make memories. I love photo frames, photos on mugs, written recollections; anything that celebrates the year that has been.
So, the things I have given people this year are all precious, but not neccessarily expensive, items. I can't quite talk about them yet (!) because then that would ruin the surprise, but they are all things that people have wanted.
Yes, this year I am giving "things". There are no stupid, gadgety items, no socks and jocks. Things that people want, like cameras, pictures of grandchildren, tools for making things and books. Useful and wanted things, but things, none the less. In the new year, I am going to try and give more "experiences". Buy someone a helicopter flight. Offer to organise piano lessons. I am also going to let people know that I have enough things. I really do! There are a couple of things that I want, that I think would enrich my life:
A camera (I actually don't have one. But I have an iphone, so really, I can live without it)
A new computer. (This one is dying....But still working. I can also live without it)
A Bike. (I would really like to be able to ride to work and the shops when I don't have Ava, and it would help me stay fit and reduce my carbon footprint)
A bedroom suite (we don't have one. I would just like my clothes to be neat and tidy. But really not urgent at all)
And I can't really think of anything else I want! I have a big backyard full of healthy vegetables that I am very proud of, a lovely, clean roof over my head, clothes, furniture, a supportive and loving partner, and a beautiful young family that I share with some amazing people. What more could I want!!!
In an ideal world, I would really like to give away all my earthly posessions and become a vagrant, with a nuetral carbon footprint, dreadlocks, bare feet and no fixed address. The reality is that I have a young family, who need stability and security. So for now, I do what I can, live and give with my minimal (but meaningful) things and dream of the day where the saying "It's the thought that counts" is true.
Escaping.
"Mummy, I feel.....," Blergh! (Or barf. Or blah. What sound do you think vomit makes? Well, insert it there. Make sense? She spewed.) Ava looked down and inspected a relatively small chuck, but vomit none the less and looked up again. Quite matter of factly and with a smile on her face she says, " Mummy. I'm not sick anymore." Meanwhile, I was dry reaching and trying not to lose control of a car doing 110 on the Brand Highway.
Ava and I have been up to Geraldton for fourish days. Bliss! After losing my Grandpa two weeks ago, and writing and reading the eulogy at the funeral, I was in need of a little bit less city and a little bit more 'Aaaaaahhhhhhh.' My vision was that we would alternate between chilling at home, chilling at the shops and chilling, gorgeously, on the beach. It didn't really go like that, but when does it with a toddler?
Instead we played with my friends animals, had numerous babycinos, shopped, visited family, played cleaning fairies and walked around trying not to spend a whole lot of money, but I still came back recharged and refreshed. I feel like I can actually deal with getting ready for Christmas now. Aaaaaahhhhhhhh.
Ava and I have been up to Geraldton for fourish days. Bliss! After losing my Grandpa two weeks ago, and writing and reading the eulogy at the funeral, I was in need of a little bit less city and a little bit more 'Aaaaaahhhhhhh.' My vision was that we would alternate between chilling at home, chilling at the shops and chilling, gorgeously, on the beach. It didn't really go like that, but when does it with a toddler?
Instead we played with my friends animals, had numerous babycinos, shopped, visited family, played cleaning fairies and walked around trying not to spend a whole lot of money, but I still came back recharged and refreshed. I feel like I can actually deal with getting ready for Christmas now. Aaaaaahhhhhhhh.
My Grandpa's Eulogy.
Charlie Tuffley was my Grandpa, and today I have the honour to deliver his eulogy. It is an honour, because although it has been difficult to put into words the man he was and the amazing ammount he accomplished in his life, I am happy and proud that Charlie is my Grandpa. His love, hard work and example has shaped and moulded our family to what it is today. Charlie was a man of few words, but obviously I didn't inherit this quality, and today I have a lot to say about him.
Charles Tuffley was the middle son of Arthur Edwin Tuffley and Agnus Daisy Reilly, and was born in Katanning on the 15th of June, 1931. His parents were farmers and middle aged by the time they had the three boys. They were devout Catholics, instilling in the boys a deep sense of faith and love of God, a well as a strong work ethic. His mother was a very kind ad giving woman, dedicating 20 years of her life to looking after her brother's children.
Charlie was raised on a farm called Bonnie-Donne in Nyabing, located east of Katanning. He went to school at Bungardoon Hall. There were many small halls like this, scattered all over Western Australia for locals to gather for school, church and social events. Charlie and his brothers attended school with 10 other students in mixed grades. with one teacher. Charlie was like any other young boy, and whilst he was visiting his Auntie Vi in Kojonup they came to her house to find two fresh loaves joined in the middle. Hungry, they split the loaves in half and ate the middle, leaving the crust. Feeling quite guilty, they joined the loaves together again with Tarzan grip and took off.
His first job was at the age of 15, was at the Nyabing General Store. Charlie was sports minded and he joined all the local clubs; football, tennis, shooting and cricket. You name it, he was in it. Whilst still living at home they attended church in Dumbleyung on their motorbikes. Sometimes, on the way home, they would secretly acquire a couple of bottles of beer. It was against their parents wishes to drink any alcohol, so to keep the peace (and the beer cold) the beer was stored in the dam, tied to an retrived by a piece of binder twine. Often the sheep would trample the string and they would lose the beer. Charlie and Leo both developed as exceptional swimmers; it's amazing what a little motivation can achieve.
Charlie, like his parents, was a keen traveller. He visited man towns, including Busselton, Carnarvon, Albany and Perth. On one of the trips Charlie went with Tom Lawless, a good Irish shearing mate, and they went to the Irish Club, in Highgate, Perth. As they walked through the door, Pat asked her sister, "Who are the two good looking guys that have just come in?" Towards the end of the night, after a few beers, Charlie asked Patricia Shore for the last dance and then asked if he could escort her home. She said no, obviously! As he had had too much to drink and needing a lift for her sisters, Pat said she would drive them all to her place. They managed to get eleven - six in the back and five in the front - in an FX Holden.
Pat was sure she would never lay eyes on that man again however, Charlie remembered where Pat lived and visited her the next afternoon. On knocking at the front door, Charlie had to meet the entire family; ten daughters and two sons! Robert Shore, Pat's Dad immediately said, "Where do you come from, sonny?"
Charlie answered, "A place called Nyabing."
"And, what do you do?"
"We are wheat and sheep farmers."
"Are you Catholic, son?"
"Yes."
All the important questions it seems.
With a long distance relationship, a lot of letters were sent back and forth and Charlie came to Perth as often as he could. In 1956, after courting for two years, Charlie and Pat were married in St Kieran's Church, now the hall next door. They went to the farmto star their married life. After a short while, Pat's father decided the young couple needed a cow. So he bought Strawberry, and she was taken down to th farm.She was a strange cow; every time she came into season, she would jump the fence in search of a mate. However, she always managed to come home. This happened year after year; a new calf would arrive, and amazingly at the same time Pat was usually having a baby. Since that year, 1957, Charlie and Pat now have a grand total of 50 descendants. Obviously, Charlie and Pat had no television, but a loving marriage.
Charlie and Pat had seven children, two daughters and five sons. In 1969, they decided to move to Perth for te sake of the children's education. As it was imposible to purchase enough land for five sons they share cropped with Leo and Charlie kept sheep. Leaving,and then selling the farm, in Charlie's own words, was the worst thing that he ever did, and his love for farming and the bush always remained with him. They purchased their first real house in Innaloo. This has been the Tuffley family home ever since.
Charlie embraced life and never shied away from a challenge or hard work. In 1977, they bought the Palace Hotel in Ravensthorpe. The business had a lot of promise and Charlie took it in his stride, becoming a publican and boss in a thriving business. He always had a happy and welcoming smile for patrons and although he was a man of few words, he enjoyed a laugh and a drink. In 1987,Charlie and the boys went into partnership in the Belair Gardens Caravans Park, in Geraldton. They worked hard, making improvements including building the campers kitchen, onsite chalets and the playground, as well as undertaking many renovations and improvements. Charlie and the boys spent many hours together, maintaining and improving up until 1994, when Charlie and Pat retired to Innaloo.
Charles Tuffley was a husband, father, grandfather and friend to all of us. As we stand here to honour his life, it is natural to be a little bit sad, but we have so much more to celebrate. I am happy that I have Charlie as my grandfather. I am happy that he is a part of my life and my memories. Who we are and the family we see today is a product of his love and hard work. We should all endevour in our lives to live as he did, working hard without complaining, and with complete and utter devotion to our families. If we could pass on even half of the qualities to our children that he demonstrated in his life, I know we wouldbe better for it.
Charles Tuffley was the middle son of Arthur Edwin Tuffley and Agnus Daisy Reilly, and was born in Katanning on the 15th of June, 1931. His parents were farmers and middle aged by the time they had the three boys. They were devout Catholics, instilling in the boys a deep sense of faith and love of God, a well as a strong work ethic. His mother was a very kind ad giving woman, dedicating 20 years of her life to looking after her brother's children.
Charlie was raised on a farm called Bonnie-Donne in Nyabing, located east of Katanning. He went to school at Bungardoon Hall. There were many small halls like this, scattered all over Western Australia for locals to gather for school, church and social events. Charlie and his brothers attended school with 10 other students in mixed grades. with one teacher. Charlie was like any other young boy, and whilst he was visiting his Auntie Vi in Kojonup they came to her house to find two fresh loaves joined in the middle. Hungry, they split the loaves in half and ate the middle, leaving the crust. Feeling quite guilty, they joined the loaves together again with Tarzan grip and took off.
His first job was at the age of 15, was at the Nyabing General Store. Charlie was sports minded and he joined all the local clubs; football, tennis, shooting and cricket. You name it, he was in it. Whilst still living at home they attended church in Dumbleyung on their motorbikes. Sometimes, on the way home, they would secretly acquire a couple of bottles of beer. It was against their parents wishes to drink any alcohol, so to keep the peace (and the beer cold) the beer was stored in the dam, tied to an retrived by a piece of binder twine. Often the sheep would trample the string and they would lose the beer. Charlie and Leo both developed as exceptional swimmers; it's amazing what a little motivation can achieve.
Charlie, like his parents, was a keen traveller. He visited man towns, including Busselton, Carnarvon, Albany and Perth. On one of the trips Charlie went with Tom Lawless, a good Irish shearing mate, and they went to the Irish Club, in Highgate, Perth. As they walked through the door, Pat asked her sister, "Who are the two good looking guys that have just come in?" Towards the end of the night, after a few beers, Charlie asked Patricia Shore for the last dance and then asked if he could escort her home. She said no, obviously! As he had had too much to drink and needing a lift for her sisters, Pat said she would drive them all to her place. They managed to get eleven - six in the back and five in the front - in an FX Holden.
Pat was sure she would never lay eyes on that man again however, Charlie remembered where Pat lived and visited her the next afternoon. On knocking at the front door, Charlie had to meet the entire family; ten daughters and two sons! Robert Shore, Pat's Dad immediately said, "Where do you come from, sonny?"
Charlie answered, "A place called Nyabing."
"And, what do you do?"
"We are wheat and sheep farmers."
"Are you Catholic, son?"
"Yes."
All the important questions it seems.
With a long distance relationship, a lot of letters were sent back and forth and Charlie came to Perth as often as he could. In 1956, after courting for two years, Charlie and Pat were married in St Kieran's Church, now the hall next door. They went to the farmto star their married life. After a short while, Pat's father decided the young couple needed a cow. So he bought Strawberry, and she was taken down to th farm.She was a strange cow; every time she came into season, she would jump the fence in search of a mate. However, she always managed to come home. This happened year after year; a new calf would arrive, and amazingly at the same time Pat was usually having a baby. Since that year, 1957, Charlie and Pat now have a grand total of 50 descendants. Obviously, Charlie and Pat had no television, but a loving marriage.
Charlie and Pat had seven children, two daughters and five sons. In 1969, they decided to move to Perth for te sake of the children's education. As it was imposible to purchase enough land for five sons they share cropped with Leo and Charlie kept sheep. Leaving,and then selling the farm, in Charlie's own words, was the worst thing that he ever did, and his love for farming and the bush always remained with him. They purchased their first real house in Innaloo. This has been the Tuffley family home ever since.
Charlie embraced life and never shied away from a challenge or hard work. In 1977, they bought the Palace Hotel in Ravensthorpe. The business had a lot of promise and Charlie took it in his stride, becoming a publican and boss in a thriving business. He always had a happy and welcoming smile for patrons and although he was a man of few words, he enjoyed a laugh and a drink. In 1987,Charlie and the boys went into partnership in the Belair Gardens Caravans Park, in Geraldton. They worked hard, making improvements including building the campers kitchen, onsite chalets and the playground, as well as undertaking many renovations and improvements. Charlie and the boys spent many hours together, maintaining and improving up until 1994, when Charlie and Pat retired to Innaloo.
Charles Tuffley was a husband, father, grandfather and friend to all of us. As we stand here to honour his life, it is natural to be a little bit sad, but we have so much more to celebrate. I am happy that I have Charlie as my grandfather. I am happy that he is a part of my life and my memories. Who we are and the family we see today is a product of his love and hard work. We should all endevour in our lives to live as he did, working hard without complaining, and with complete and utter devotion to our families. If we could pass on even half of the qualities to our children that he demonstrated in his life, I know we wouldbe better for it.
Friday, December 10, 2010
TOO BUSY!
I am too busy.....Tonight is my first night off in GOD KNOWS HOW LONG and what I am doing? Why, all the things I have neglected for the past month!
1. Bought a Christmas Tree.
Our old tree was a borrowed one from His Majesty's brother-from-another-mother. It held together (just) last Christmas, on top of the TV cabinet, anchored by about 4 bricks. Well, this year, we set everything. Beautiful carols were playing through our tinny computer speakers. Little girls were screaming, but not yet quite at the hitting each other stage. Tinsel decked every inch of the one room designated for Christmas. His Majesty's chest swelled as he picked up the star, the manliest of decorating jobs, and placed it, beaming proudly, upon a rather bedraggled little tree.
10 minutes later, the scene was quite different. Me: Holding tree. His Majesty: under the tree, trying to fix the base, swearing enough to make this high school teacher slightly afraid. Little girls: fighting and crying.
3. Come home and generally collapse in a big heap.
1. Bought a Christmas Tree.
Our old tree was a borrowed one from His Majesty's brother-from-another-mother. It held together (just) last Christmas, on top of the TV cabinet, anchored by about 4 bricks. Well, this year, we set everything. Beautiful carols were playing through our tinny computer speakers. Little girls were screaming, but not yet quite at the hitting each other stage. Tinsel decked every inch of the one room designated for Christmas. His Majesty's chest swelled as he picked up the star, the manliest of decorating jobs, and placed it, beaming proudly, upon a rather bedraggled little tree.
10 minutes later, the scene was quite different. Me: Holding tree. His Majesty: under the tree, trying to fix the base, swearing enough to make this high school teacher slightly afraid. Little girls: fighting and crying.
The tree was left on the floor where it lay, until, this afternoon, I chucked it in the bin. This is what replaced it.
2. Put up tree and pay attention to pets.
This included popping a blanket on the couch and transporting my beautiful rats onto the couch so they could frolic and run around. Hah! They curled up on the fluffy blanket and went to sleep, all except Silvius, who climbed under the blanket and fell asleep. Well, I talked to them, chat chat chat, whilst I put up the tree, and then sat down to give them a poke awake and generally annoy them under the guise of playing with them. Until I noticed that Lyander was limping and had a very swollen, red, angry foot....PANIC STATIONS! I rushed down to the vet, demanded to see someone, announced that, Yes, it was an emergency, and then got told it may be broken, it may be an infection or it may be cancer. Can you be more specific Mr. Vet? Nope. Oh. Sad rattie Mummy. (Luckily it was Dr. Piper, whom I really like, and who actually knows a fair deal about rats)
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| See how swollen it is? Othello is there, being very protective. |
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| Lysander about 2 months ago, a picture of health, in the backyard |
3. Come home and generally collapse in a big heap.
Well, that was the plan, but since then I have medicated a rat, pulled up all the potatoes, watered the veggies, weeded the back yard, de-headed the basil, put on a load of washing, done the dishes, eaten tea, fed the cat and generally not stopped.
I have to work all day tomorrow (stupid over committed, dedicated drama teacher person I am!) and then I AM STOPPING! I AM ACTUALLY HAVING A HOLIDAY!
(Ha ha, yeah right!) (Shut up, voice in my head!) (I'm right and you know it) (...)
Mummies are far too busy.
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