Last night I was glued to my iphone following updates on Twitter about a possible Australian Labor Party (ALP) leadership spill.  ALP spills are nothing new in the history of Australia, this one however had major ramifications.  The leader of the ALP was currently the Prime Minister of Australia.

At 9:30am this morning a change of leadership did occur and Australia had it’s first female Prime Minister sworn in at 1:00pm.  Julia Gillard became the first female Australian Prime Minister.  Amazing.

Regardless of which side of the political fence you sit on you have to take notice of the historical significance of this moment in time.  For the first time in our history we will be governed by a woman.  For the first time in our history we will be governed by a single person.  For the first time in our history we had a Prime Minister lose his leadership before the end of his first term in office.  A big day of firsts.

For many people it was also the first time they realised that under the Westminster system of government they don’t actually vote for a Prime Minister¹ and therefore the Party could decide to have a change of leadership which would lead to a change of Prime Minister.

Today again reinforced to me the there is no amount of money in this world that would see me take on the responsibility and the scrutiny that comes with being a politician.  I admire all those that have decided to serve their nation in this manner, regardless of their political persuasion. It takes a level of courage that few of us will ever need in our lifetimes, and I’m thankful that there are people out there willing to stand up and be the voice to our nation.

While my opinions about the previous Prime Minister had been waning, my heart did break for him today when he made his final address as the Prime Minister.  I think people tend to forget that he lost his job today, and for anyone that’s a massive blow.  It would be a hundred times harder to lose that job while the nation is watching and commenting.  I admired him for the professionalism and dignity he showed in his final speech.  I think it showed the level of his character to be so gracious under what a lot of people would acknowledge was an unusually hard way to lose your position.

For what it’s worth, I think he made the right decision to not contest the role.  Stepping aside has left him with the option of being able to step back into a pivotal role when his party needs him without having the “numbers” from the vote hanging over his head.  It also allows the party to keep a unified front and not display to the public just how fractured they may be.  Something the Liberal Party would do a lot to learn from.

How will Julia Gillard fair as Prime Minister? That’s for the history books to decide; but she will do as good a job, or as bad a job, as any man would in that position.  The fact that she’s a woman should not be the defining legacy of her leadership.

As one voter in this mighty fine country I wish her well and thank her for standing up and taking on this responsibility when she was called on.  I’m proud this day to have voted for the Australian Labor Party, and I’m equally as proud to be an Australian with a female Prime Minister.  I look forward to the day when it’s no longer of historical significance what the gender of our leaders are and I believe this is one small step towards making that a reality.

¹  The Prime Minister is appointed by the Governor-General, who by convention under the Constitution, must appoint the parliamentary leader of the party, or coalition of parties, which has a majority of seats in the House of Representatives. – http://www.aph.gov.au

This ones for the girls who did the White Star assessment with me tonight – Shona, Ferne, Beth, Nat and Emily. You all rock and I can’t wait to start training with you for our first bout together!

I was singing this song while we were all standing in line in between our assessment tasks. I’d like to say I was as good, if not better, than Jensen but that would be a big fat lie.

I had an awesome night tonight, despite not having skated for five weeks and never having done jumps before.  I passed the endurance part of my test – 20 laps of the track in under 5 minutes.  Everything after that was gravy.

If I pass my white star I’ll start training with the league on Sunday, and then it’ll be training twice a week.  Rock on!

Right now however, I stink and need to get some sleep.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

~ The Ode

For more information about ANZAC Day, please visit the Australian War Memorial’s website.

I must admit I don’t watch the news that often.  I find it depressing and superficial.  So I missed the whole Haiti Earthquake when it happened.  If it wasn’t for a friend telling me about it one day at work I would have been oblivious.  To this day I’ve only caught glimpses of what’s been happening.  Ever since Hurricane Catrina there’s been a rule in our house that bans me from watching CNN or any other news source that’s covering world disasters.  Apparently HUBBY doesn’t like having to deal with me all teary and gun-ho on the couch.  Men?!?!

When the Hurricane happened I wanted to pack up and move to New Orleans to help them rebuild.  Obviously the last thing a city suffering under a crippling natural disaster needs is a gnome that knows nothing about anything.  But I wanted to help.

I didn’t know how to help.  But this time with Haiti I’ve found the perfect way to feel like I’m helping in some small way.  I’m going to make a Dolly for the Dolly Donations Drive.  I’ve got all the materials that I need right here at home and I finally know how to sew so there’s no excuse.

My goal is to have made and posted the Dolly by Wednesday 24 February.  Hopefully that way it’ll make it to it’s intended destination in time.

If you want to participate too there’s a free doll pattern and tutorial on the blogsite.  There’s also some really helpful information about how to give your doll personality, i.e. a face.

It’s something small, but you just know that some child will love having a companion to listen to their fears, thoughts and laughter.  Not to mention provide them with unlimited hugs.

Etsy: Good Things Will Happen Note Card

I got some very, very, good news today.   I got a job.  Not only did I get a job, but HUBBY got a job yesterday.  It was touch and go there for a few weeks, but once again the LORD has provided and Casa Wilsonia is back on it’s feet.

Having two unemployed people in the one house with bills to pay and no income is a scary position to be in.  We have both been extremely lucky.

I don’t know how people manage with long term unemployment.  Nor do I know how they manage when they have children and they’re unemployed.  The pressure of the stress must be crippling.

Needless to say a large weight has been lifted from our house.  Much rejoicing shall be undertaken tonight.

Yet another Tweet Up today.  This time it involved Alivicwil (of course), Schlep_star (understandably), Spence_84, Crankye, Joolery and Cryingpenguin.  The purpose of today’s gathering? To finally put a body to the voice that is Crankye.  Oh and get a lesson in crochet!

The place of our gathering, Edgar’s Inn.  Normally Edgar’s is a pretty safe bet.  Good location, great food and usually pretty interesting characters.  Today however the weather let us down and so did Edgar’s food.  But never fear the company more than made up for the little disappointments.

Apart from having a terrible hair day I was chuffed to be able to take my Thai Coke shirt on it’s first outing since purchasing it on holiday in 2006.  (It’s the little things in my world!)  I also took along my psychedelic wool and crochet needles.  I showed Crankye what I had learned from studiously studying Meet Me At Mikes tutorials on crocheting.

The previous day I couldn’t get anything to look right to save myself, but the power of Crankye soon had me sorted.  I managed to work out how to start my granny square and continue without it looking like something George had been alone with.  I was really proud.  (Again, it’s the little things!)

It was a wonderful afternoon.  It was awesome to meet some new people, catch up with some old ones and learn a new skill.  I haven’t had a lovely afternoon of lazying about socially in a long time and it’s made me long for more.  It also left me with a hell of a sugar headache.  (Much skittle and smartie action was consumed afterward when we wrapped up the afternoon with some Mario.)

I did manage to start on a less full on wool this afternoon to try and pay more attention to my stitching and get something a little more cohesive going.  I’ve managed to do this so far…

I’m happy with it and I’m planning on making it into a big lap blankie instead of granny squares as I’m all about the practicing at the moment.  Multiple granny squares will definitely be in my future though!

Today being the first of December I have installed our Christmas tree.  Last year we didn’t have the tree up and it didn’t quite feel like Christmas.  This year we’re staying home for Christmas and given all that’s happening in our lives I’ve decided we need some festive cheer.

I purchased our tree the first Christmas HUBBY and I were together.  Year year I buy a Christmas ornament that has the year on it and I try and get ornaments that reflect what we’ve done that year.  I usually head out to the Christmas Barn in Bredbo and purchase individual ornaments for us and our family and friends.  I haven’t had a chance to get out there this year and I’m starting to consider making my own ornaments instead.

Last year when I was in the UK I was lucky enough to be there in time for pre-Christmas shopping so I made sure to buy Christmas ornaments.  Both the puppies have their own ornaments with the year of their birth on there.  We have ornaments celebrating our wedding, our first home and our trips overseas.  I love the there’s so many memories attached to our tree.

I’ve stuck with a basic theme of red and gold.  I occasionally wish I could change the theme, but colour fads come and go but the traditional stick around.  This year I’ve not put any tinsel on the tree.  I’m going for a basic look.  (That and I hate tinsel.)  We have some skeleton ornaments which I adore.  Not really the traditional Christmas message, but it’s reflective of us.

I can’t wait for the Christmas spirit to start seeping into our days.  I adore Christmas time.  I love listening to Carols and Hymns.  (I even listen to them during the year when I need cheering up!)  This year I need to get stocking anchors so I can hang our stocking on the bookshelves.  Need to see if I can find some online…

I want to see a photo or photos of what it is that you collect.
Then if you feel like it you could let us know what your collection rules are;
Does it have to be green? Does it have to be from another country? Does it have to be second hand or a gift? Does it have to be old or complete?…
What constitutes a collection for you? Is it more than three of the same thing? Is it rare things?Is your collection ongoing or is it complete? …what’s your story?

This was the challenge set by Meet Me At Mikes for this weeks My Place & Yours.  I have many collections in the house, little things that are reflective of the different influences on my life.  But there’s only one real collection in the house that is closest to my heart; it’s my rubber duck collection.

The rubber duck collection started in 2005.  Rubber ducks were the “theme” to our wedding reception.  What started off as something just between HUBBY and I turned into one of the best parts of our wedding.  There were over 500 rubber ducks at the wedding.  When we visit homes of our guests all these years later we still see the rubber ducks scattered around people’s homes.

Ever since that fateful day I’ve been collecting rubber ducks on my travels.  I have three ducks that I purchased while in the UK on a working holiday.  I have a Doctor Who duck that I love.  My favorite duck is a tolo duck that’s large and round – just like me.  My favourite ducks to find are Bud Ducks.

I don’t really have any rules for the collection – it just has to be a rubber duck.  The shape’s not even really a consideration seen-as-though I have a rubber duck shaped like Big Ben which I found in London.  Generally I just buy ducks that appeal to me.  People have been giving me rubber ducks as gifts, which is always great.

There’s one rubber duck out there that I’m still hunting for… a rubber duck tattoo.  I’ve never been able to find the perfect looking rubber duck image to translate into a tattoo, but one day I will and when that happens I have just the place to put it.

I have about 30 ducks in my collection scattered through our house and on my work desk.  In my opinion a collection if just three things or more that have a common link.  But it’s really up to the individual I guess.  I’m sure that there’s some collectors rule out there, but I don’t really bother with that sort of thing.  All I know is one day our kids are going to have a great bath time collection!

I’ve been thinking about this concept for the last few days.  I tend to think about this quote whenever I’m weighing up doing something or not. I try not to talk about my personal life too much in this space as I like the escape that it provides.  However the next month is going to see some big changes in my life that will most likely impact on this space.  (To what extent remains to be seen.)

I have surgery booked for December and the outcome of that surgery is going to have life long impacts.  HUBBY and I have spent a lot of time talking about what direction we’re taking with our lives and how best to achieve our goals.  It’s been a really good experience between the two of us.  I feel it’s brought us closer together and solidified our relationship a little more.  It’s funny to think that I thought there would be no more surprises after we got married, but it’s just a constant evolution.  It’s amazing and it’s a blessing; its also bloody hard work.

Life is constantly amazing me.  There’s wonder in every day.  It’s just some days I have to dig really deep to find that wonder and to keep it in focus.  I feel like I’ve been drowning lately in the circumstances and I’ve felt out of control.  However, I feel like a change is coming.  While I can’t control what happens, I can control how I react to it.  So that’s what I’ll do.  After all time just keeps on marching… so you’d better make the most of it.

Quote from Quote Garden, image from Getty Images.

Every year MacDonalds raises money for the Ronald MacDonald House Charities with McHappy Day.  For every Big Mac sold a $1 is donated to the Ronald MacDonald House Charities.

I’ve always believed that the Ronald MacDonald House is a brilliant charity, but after having my first stint in hospital I now believe them to be invaluable.  I can’t imagine being a family with someone ill and not be able to be near them.

Even if you don’t eat MacDonalds you can donate via the website, all you have to do is click on this link.  Every little bit helps and you never know you may one day be in need of the assistance that Ronald MacDonald House Charities provide.