![APRIL-CALENDAR [2015]](https://kimlhine.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/april-calendar-2015.jpg?w=300&h=225)
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Today is brought to you by the letter “M” and since my blog is all about my family it seems like the obvious choice for “M” would be “Mother” but I refuse to do that! and then I thought I’d do “Me” but let’s face it, it’s my blog and everything written on her is from my perspective or about me in a way.. so then I went to Facebook and put the question out there…
“What can I blog about for the letter “M”?”
and I got some good insights and great suggestions and one of them was… “Memories“
So who’s “Memories“? I could use mine but again most of this blog is about “MY” memories, like when you met my Dad and My babies, and all but one (so far) of my children, my wedding and my in-laws, so how would that be different? So I’ve decided that today is a Guess post kinda day.. So I went back to Facebook and asked if anyone wanted to write a “memory” of them and I to inbox me or email me and I would add their “memory” and a photo if I had one. I’ve got a few to share with you…
“Memories“
From my cousin who’s known me longest!
Lee and I at a Red hatter’s event, we are under 50 so technically we are “pinkies”
I like the memory of me grilling Rob on his age when he first met you. I was in my Kcuzz protective mode and Rob was standing in your lounge at Marjorie St and I said “How old are. You? Aren’t you a bit old for her? LOL…. glad I didn’t scare him off xo
Another one of you offering a dirty old rag to cover the gash on my hand from karate chopping a broken window in that burnt out house LOL
My thoughts: Ha ha!! remember I told you all about my wedding and in there I added the start of how “The Bloke” (you’ll meet him soon, Letter “R”) and I met, and Lee was the chaperon.. seems it stood out for her also!!
As for the burnt out house.. we lived in Richmond growing up, and a house in the next street had caught fire and was a burnt out shell, we used to play in there and explore looking for anything that we might “souvenir” this one [articular day, Lee (I guess we were maybe 10 and 12) decided that she was into “Karate” like her brother Reg and would show me this karate chip she had learnt “it goes like this” says Lee and Bam, she karate chopped a window and sliced open the sie of her hand. We knew we were in trouble because A- we were not supposed to be in there and B- Lee was bleeding pretty bad, so I looked around for something to wipe away the blood or to stop i and I picked up a dirty old rag and wrapped her hand in it and took her home to my Parents, My Dad took one look at it and drove her to the DR, minus the dirty rag, she ended up with stitches and we ended up with a stiff lecture! Got her plenty of attention at school though..
Another school memory I have of Lee was one day we were in class, it was “wet day timetable” which meant we got to stay inside and do “quiet stuff” like drawing or art or reading, but Lee wanted to show me this scene in the TV show the night before “The Incredible Hulk” she of course was the “incredible Hulk” and (I am laughing even as I remember this!!) so she’s up on the table, because obviously the “Incredible hulk” is HUGE and Lee was not!! and she was doing her best impersonation and her hands were shaped like claws in an attempt to make them look bigger I guess and she was just about to rip her hands down the teachers poster board and doing that guttural sound that the “Incredible Hulk” used to make and I could see the teacher walking into the room behind her and I couldn’t get her attention she was so into “incredible hulk” mode, just as she was about to rip her hands down his poster display he yells “LEE MCGRATH!! WHAT THE BLOODY HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING” she was so into her role she spun around at him and “growled” her best growl at him,with her little clawed hands up at him and I was sitting there shrinking into my seat, everyone in the school was scared of him, I wanted to be anywhere but there.. and then her clawed hands came down by her side and her normal voice returned and she replied “oh just playing sir!” but even he couldn’t help but turn away and laugh!
From my bestie Deanne-
Taken- Easter 2015 at St.Leonards “the Last Supper” while camping.
Ok what stands our for me in my memories of us is both our weddings
Deanne and Steve’s wedding January 30th 1993
Besties for always!! With Deanne.
And you being there for the birth of two of my children in all those times you were there holding my hand and giving me the love and support and strength that I needed to make it through the most life changing events of my life. I’m very grateful that God made sure we met.
My thoughts: Ahh yes Deanne and Steve’s wedding.. it was the first time I’d been in a wedding that was NOT my sisters. I was so nervous that day, more nervous than at my own wedding. We had to meet at the hair dresser with freshly washed hair, I have fine hair so it always looks crappy.. so I walked in and there was Sandra getting her hair done, she had masses of hair, and of course Deanne’s always had masses of hair, and the poor hair dresser looked at me and asked “What am I doing to her??” Deanne said “the same!” as everyone looked at Sandra and Deanne they were doubtful.. but in the end look at the head of hair I had!! Amazing.. I was scared to move too much in case it all came tumbling out of the very hair-sprayed tangle of curls. And these photos look so easy but Sandra and I had to take turns sitting on garbage bags so that out dresses would not get dirty and we had to dig the heels of our shoes into the side of the hill to stop from sliding down the hill!! What an amazing day it was!
And I was so proud to go with Deanne and Steve to the birth of their first two sons, with number one- Zachary I was pregnant with my son Jarrah and I remember holding him as a brand newbie and feeling Jarrah kicking from within. Deanne and I had huge hopes that our boys would be as close as we were, we were so lucky that our children grew up together as we were able to be as close as always.
From my Sister-in-law Leanne..
Leanne and I, March 2014 At Amber’s 21st birthday.
My memories….. I remember the first day we met you. You guys had waited all day for us at Carol’s but through mis-communication we weren’t coming till later. When we arrive you had already left but you came back. You had 2 gorgeous girls. It was such a tough time for Bill but you all made him feel so welcome. We discovered some similarities and coincidences. I still find it so amazing especially with Ben. Danielle was born the exact day as Murray’s daughter. Ben is also Murray’s sons name. Ben’s middle name is John and if he had been a girl he was going to be called Kim. All before we even knew of you guys. I remembered the day you guys came with us to Cowaar weir. I remember you going on the rope and swinging out into the water and the kids going in the canoe I remember cricket games in our back yard as we all tried to get to know each other. I remember the fun we had at Danielle’s engagement party. I remember how sick you got doing shots at my 50th with Bill. I remember Bills surprise Christmas present for you. A horse back ride for you and him. I remember that even though you weren’t confident you still did it and made a memory for you and your brother.
My Handsome brother Bill and I. At Amber’s 21st!
My Thoughts: Oh Leanne made me cry!!
Little bit of back history.. when my Mother had my brother Bill she didn’t think she could cope with 5 children on her own, she was separated from my father at that stage and the elder siblings have a different father (our family tree is VERY tangled) So she gave my only full-blooded brother up for adoption she gave him to my Paternal Aunt’s, husband’s cousin (told ya it was tangled… stay with me.. there’s a happy ending!) Anyways, there was this photo in the family album, dated 1965 and it was a baby sitting in a white wicker basket, so many times I’d asked “Who is this baby?” and always been told it’s you… but I wasn’t born till 1967 so couldn’t have been me.. then I happened to ask one of my sister and her reaction gave the story away, it wasn’t me and all she would say was “ask Mum” well my family have a policy of not telling things they don’t want to face so I went along the premise that something bad had happened, maybe that baby had died, I didn’t know and I didn’t ask. I was currently pregnant with my first daughter and so I let it go until one day my Mother confronted me about asking my sister questions and did I want to know the truth? part of me was scared of the answer but I agreed I wanted to know and so she made me swear I would never talk to my Dad about it.. I will always regret that decision, she went on to tell me that I had a full-blooded brother his name was “Wayne” (that’s what she called him at birth) but then she mixed up the details for the rest of his life apart from the one truth “he’s got a good life better than I could give him so leave him alone” Even if I wanted to find him, with that information back them before I knew what “internet” was I couldn’t have found him. I had no access to my Dad’s sister since they had a falling out many years before.. so I went on knowing that somewhere in the world was a boy who shared my DNA, one all of my own, instead of always being “half sisters or brothers” In April 1994 my Dad died, and it began a horrible year, in October that year I turned 25.. quarter of a century, and I refused to celebrate it because it took two of them to make me one was gone, that would be my last birthday celebration.. but I agreed to go to my sister’s for dinner only! My mother was living with her. After dinner as we ate cake, the phone rang and my sister answered it and said “Oh MY GOD, I’ll put Mum on”
Mum was on the phone for ages, I had no idea my whole life was about to change and I still believe that my father sent him to me on that day to stop me from pining for my Dad! Apparently “Wayne” had found out about being adopted and had gone to my Aunt who he also called “Aunty Shirley” and she had told him everything and (Thankfully I have thanked her many times since!) gave him Mum’s contact details… he was calling to ask if he could meet her. My Mother on her end, obviously in shock went on to tell him “You have brothers and sisters,” and named the all except ME!! his only REAL sister. When she got off the phone I asked her “Why didn’t you tell him about me?” and her reply as it had been in the past was “oh I forgot about you” Gee thanks and here it is my 25th birthday! That was the beginning of the end for my Mother and I.
She had made elaborate plans for him and his family to come next Friday which was getting close to her birthday to meet us all, So my husband arranged to have the day off work, arrangements were made (wrongly) to meet at a certain time, we brought food and photos and waited, and waited and waited, she had no contact details for him and after 5 hours we guessed he wasn’t coming so we left and went to visit some friends. As we were leaving hr friends house, we had to go home almost past my sisters so I thought I’d just check if there was any news.. and she said “he’s here, he’s waiting for you Hurry up!” as though it was MY fault that I was late. We got there and I was nervous, this was my Blood, the only one who had MY blood, what if he didn’t like me? would he be like me? or Mum or Dad?” so many questions. I walked in the door and he stood up, and he was the image of my father.. I knew it! Dad had sent him to console me! My father had beautiful black hair and “Bill” had almost gingery, he got that from Mum’s side. My Mother looked up and aid “oh this is your sister Kim, she’s the bitch of the family” Bam!! there it was first impressions made! I hated her right there.
Then My Mother and two sisters went on to tell him and his family every bad things I had ever done in my life.. as if I had done so many bad things, not a single nice thing. I wanted to die right there, I wanted to be anywhere but there. This sure wasn’t what I had imagined our first meeting to be. I still cringe when I think of that day!
Bill and I at Leanne’s 50th Birthday
Doing those dreaded shots with my Evil daughter Jasmin and my Brother Bill.
And then doing shots with my brother Bill at Leanne’s 50th birthday, Leanne and Bill had just come home from an extended American trip and he was telling us about this new drink he’d discovered “yagermeister” and would I do a shot with him, I’m still looking for approval and acceptance so I said “yeah why not?” STUPID!! I am not a big drinker I am even LESS of one now… that night was a blank for me I’ve got photos but that’s about all.. I spent the next day comatose in bed or vomiting up my stomach lining, and vowing NEVER TO DRINK AGAIN!!
For the Christmas present that was classic and I still laugh but I wasn’t laughing then! My Brother gave me a box of Chocolate Mint thins and a note saying “This entitles you to a day of fun and adventure with Bill” sounded intriguing, so we planned to go to stay with Bill and Leanne and spend the day with my Brother,,, OH MY GOSH!! he took me horse riding, now horses and I do not mix, but I wasn’t about to let my brother down and besides that I had the worst toothache, it ended up turning into an abscess and I was taking pain killers like M & M’s. I got on the horse did 3/4’s of the ride OKish and then as we headed back the horse started to bolt.. Bill’s yelling at me to pull the reins and the more everyone yelled the less in control I was and then he started to laugh and laugh and he almost fell off his horse laughing at me! Finally a lady came out of the stables and grabbed the horse’s bridle as I was leaning over the edge about to do a creative dismount!! as my “loving brother” called it.. he laughed all the way home and re told the story all day! Disaster.. I think basically I suck at being his sister!!
Thoughts from my daughter Amber-
Amber and I at my nephews wedding January 3rd 2015
Some may say my mother and I are like to peas in a pod we have always had a strong connection like any mother and daughter we have our ups and downs there’s laughter and tears screaming and yelling happiness and sadness but we have always but just a step away from each other there are many memories mum and I share and it’s hard to pick my favourites there are days when we go to the local shops and just buy junkfood which normally is pineapple donuts and a chocolate bar for a snack and then a kebab or a chicken focaccia for lunch then we go home watch Dr Phil or a movie and pig out!
Another favourite memory I share with my mum was when I gave birth to my daughter Scarlett having mum in the delivery room with me and seeing the smile on her face once Scarlett arrived iv never seen such happiness before.
I could go on forever but everyday memories are made and I have everyday to look forward to sharing more with my Mum.
Amber and I at her Baby Shower October 2014, I was so sick with a kidney infection
“Selfies” Amber with Star Son and I.
My thoughts: Amber and I have a Love/Hate relationship, we love to hate each other some days! Amber’s moved out of home three times and three times she’s come back, she knows that this is her soft place to fall I am always her Mother I will never lead her wrong and both girls know that they can tell me anything with out judgement only advice given when asked for it, support 24/7, that’s always been a given.
And I left the best till last- Thoughts from my husband-
Bruce the bag piper went to school with my f-I-Law.
So many family memories from our Sunday “family day” outings to places like the Lerderderg Gorge, Kyneton botanic gardens, fish and chips on the beach at Williamstown but one of my favourites is when we did our first campIng trip. We have a tradition of going to a different town to celebrate ANZAC day.
I suggested one year that we go camping… Shock horror…. Kim had not much luck with camping in the past and reluctantly agreed to give it a try. This particular year, there was a locust plague so we put mesh over the radiator, bought a new second-hand tent and headed off to Swan Hill for a long weekend. We drove for 4 1-2 hours in torrential rain, pulled up at the little Murray River where the rain promptly stopped. it was a sign as it was really heavy rain for the whole trip. Needless to say that there was no more rain until we were 5 minutes away from completing our pack up after 3 days. Since then, we had toured half of Australia with our tents and camping gear and I now have a very keen camper. To spend 8 weeks on our half lap of Australia driving over 10,000 km’s and setting and packing up a couple of tents every 2 or 3 days with every day fantastic is a memory that will stay forever.
Our first ever camping trip,Swan Hill 2008
My thoughts;Ahh my Bloke, had been raving about camping trips and had all these cool photos to show me, when we had five children living at home I was not keen at all, knowing Jarrah had ADHD and ODD, camping in the wilds out of his routine would have been hellish! So it wasn’t until 2008 that I gave in and said “OK let’s do it.” we used to go camping when I was a little girl I had happy memories of that but in my early 20’s we (my new husband and some friends) went camping to Lakes entrance, all was going well so we went out on a day trip and left the windows of the tent up to let some air in, it rained the tent was flooded and we spent a cold wet, sleepless night, I swore never again, Motel only for me.. until 2008.. I feared another episode of wet camping with the torrential rain but miraculously it stopped.. and we had the best time, we aim to go camping 4 times a year at least. My most favourite camping trip was 2012, we did the half lap of Australia 3 months it was amazing and later this year we are doing the second half!!
September 2012, Family wedding
April 2012 A different family wedding.
About to become Grand parents- Mother’s Day 2013
Ahhh too happy memories.. and for those of you who don’t like long posts I sincerely apologize in advance!!
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Kim L Hine 