Easter

A crown of thorns
A mothers grief
The curtain torn in two.

An empty cross
Stone rolled away
Signs of life anew.

Things I am going to do when I can walk again

In case you missed it, I recently broke my ankle.

For the past seven weeks, my right foot has been encased in a glamorous boot held immobile, meaning I am unable to do many tasks others take for granted.

With three weeks to go, I am starting to build a bucket list of things I am looking forward to doing again.

1. DRIVING!!! Oh, how I miss the comfort of my little Corolla and listening to music of my own choice uninterrupted on my way to work, singing at the top of my voice.

2. Getting up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night without disturbing my other half with the tearing sound of Velcro as I re-boot.

3. Taking a walk to the local cafe for my morning coffee. Yes, I could get there ok with crutches, but carrying the coffee back to the office just isn’t an option.

4. Wearing shoes. That match.

5. Shopping. You know the kind I mean, a leisurely afternoon browsing the plaza and buying clothes and house things because you want them, not because you need to come up with something for dinner.

6. Driving. Whenever I want to.

7. Teaching my daughter to drive because she turns 18 soon and even if she does an hour a day she probably won’t have enough hours to go for her licence before Christmas.

8. Running a million little errands that aren’t important enough to get my driver / husband to take care of, but are building up into a long, annoying “to do” list.

9. Waxing my legs. So glad it’s not summer!

10. Not having to explain how I broke my ankle, and laughing along with the inevitable comment – “See, exercise is not good for you!!” Bloody hilarious.

Pray for speedy healing everyone because six weeks has became an additional four weeks and I have discovered a limit to my reputation of saintly patience. Not to mention the control freak in me is straining to be set free again.

Thank you.

Stopped in my tracks!!!

STOPPED IN MY TRACKS
A poem by Liz Flynn.

It only took a moment, a lack of concentration;
One minute I was laughing, next in excruciation.
Overwhelming pain arose and took my breath away,
For while I was not focusing, I rolled my ankle today.

A normal Saturday morning, I had loads of things to do –
Shopping, cleaning, washing, dishes – taxi duties too
I spent the morning with my kids and left some jobs to wait.
Now I regret putting them off, having got up far too late.

And as I had on Saturdays past, a fitness class attended
Established a routine and goal, health problems being amended.
I was all fired up and keen to start, and do a warm up run;
I turned and stepped upon a rock hidden by the glare of the sun.

My foot rolled sideways, I heard a pop that didn’t sound too good!
“Ouch” I cried, and swore out loud, then waves of pain ensued.
Supportive friends brought a chair and ice and lots of sympathy.
I was brave, and carried on, a simple upper body workout for me.

Home I drove not dwelling on the tightness in my shoe
Until at last seated on my couch I gazed at my foot in rue.
Not since my youthful netball days had I an ankle sprain,
But I could tell from the spreading swell it was my turn again.

Two days of limping around the house, I thought I was okay.
On Monday went to see the doctor who got me an xray.
A standard ankle sprain he’d thought until I had returned,
“I wasn’t expecting that!” he said, and then I got concerned.

“It’s broken, yes, that means six weeks in a boot or plaster.”
I stared at him in shock at first, thinking this was a disaster!!
He set me straight advising me he had delivered far worse news
(It’s easier to feel sorry for yourself than put on other peoples shoes).

So here I am stuck on a couch for six weeks of no driving,
No exercise, no shopping trips, my thoughts on just surviving.
I’ll be ok, I’m sure I’ll get my independence back,
But it’s frustrating how a silly thing can stop you in your tracks.

The Lazy Person’s Blog

Here’s why you should never leave your bag in the car when you go into the local library to sit in peace and continue writing your novel:

You will inevitably leave your usb stick with said novel word doc file safely in your bag – in the car. Yes, you will.

And when you discover that it is not with you, you will not go back out to the car and retrieve it. No, you won’t.

It’s getting dark out there now. And you were keen to get writing straight away.
So no. It can stay safely in the car.

You can blog about it instead. Cause why not?

MY NEW OFFICE – ONE YEAR ON

So I posted last year about moving my business into an office after working from home for fourteen years.

It’s been a year and I promised updates – so here we are.

What a difference running your business from a “real” office makes!!

If you had asked me a year ago did I think I would feel any different about how my business would operate from an office, my opinion would have been “not really”. We would be producing the same work, generally the same office hours, with the same level of professionalism as always.

And yes, that is the truth. But I’ve noticed the following:

1. My ability to focus at work has improved tremendously.
Not being domestically inclined I was never distracted by the dishes or washing while working from home, although my husband (who also works mainly from home) and I managed weekly lunch dates, and kept up easily with each other’s comings and goings. But wow, having other people (the kids) at home while I was trying to work had literally split my head into two, only I didn’t realise it.
At work now, I am 100% at work. I am not worried about the argument I can hear brewing at the other end of the house. I am not interrupted by the classic “What’s to eat?”, and I am not dying to get out there and find out what happened at school today (because I am a parent who takes an active interest in school, not because any dramas occur regularly).
I am also not interrupted by the “I forgot my lunch / laptop / notice” message, because they have now realised I am not just around the corner and can easily stop what I am doing and run these things around to them.

2. People are very prejudiced against people who work from home.
Again, I never would have thought this. I was busy enough in my home office and my business was clearly growing due to the excessive piles of archive boxes building up in my storage places. But after we had moved, the comments we received, while very positive, had the undercurrent feeling of “now you are a real business” or “you won’t be able to keep the washing up to date now” or “now we can refer friends and colleagues to you”. Ouch! Had these people taken us seriously ten years ago, I might have had to move into an office ten years ago.

3. People are happy to drop into an office any time during business hours.
I have visitors all day, every day now. Sales people, and people asking for directions are common. But clients are happy to drop by with bits of information they previously would have felt compelled to book an appointment for or at least call ahead to make sure I am there. I love seeing everyone but it can disrupt my work flow.

But it’s all good my friends. I am extremely happy even though I now have to commute to work – ten minutes really isn’t that long. I have discovered the best coffee on the Peninsula. I never used to drink coffee. And the best part is the magnificent sunsets I regularly see on my way home driving along the beach road. I am lucky to live and work in a beautiful part of Australia.

The kids have coped magnificently with me being absent after school, and my husband has been amazing. He can now cook three different meals, and has taken on a lot of “domestic” duties that I had previously tried to manage as well as working almost full time.

I have said before that my business was ready for me to move out years ago, but personally, I wasn’t quite ready to relinquish my involvement with the kid’s everyday life. It was important for me to be there when they got home from school every day, and have dinner ready as early as possible.

Blissfully, they are growing up, and last year the timing was right for this big step for my small business. I have known it every day as I unlock my little haven, and welcome clients old and new.

So without reservation I say to you – work from home as long as it is convenient, and while your children are young. But don’t deny your business, and yourself, the chance to thrive. Put it “out there” in the real world as soon as you are ready.

The Night Before a SAC (For VCE Parents)

With apologies to Clement Clarke Moore

‘Twas the night before a SAC, and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, except the click of a mouse
And the clacking of keys on the laptop, full of fear
And the hopes of the VCE student living here.
She would often gaze longingly across to her bed
While visions of A’s or F’s dance in her head.
And her father and I escape to our lounge room
Hiding in peace and escaping the gloom.
When out of her room there arose such a clatter
We flew down the hall to see what was the matter?
Then we stopped at the door of the studier’s den
We hesitate knowing we can’t just waltz in.
Lest we interrupt some important activity
(Or accidently cast eyes on her Facebook newsfeed)
When what to our wondering eyes did appear?
But a very clean room with no dust anywhere.
The curtains were open, and clothes off the floor
Everything in place – not just chucked behind the door.
Books neatly stacked on the table displayed
Next to a bed that was carefully made.
With blankets and cushions and soft toys just so.
Her lamp cast a warming and welcoming glow.
So this was the racket that disturbed us so late ‐
Our dear student has learned to procrastinate!
She sat at her desk ‐ not her usual self,
And we laughed when we saw her, in spite of ourself
She spoke not a word, but went straight back to work
Reading Shakespeare and waved us away, with a jerk
Of her hand ‐ disdain only a teen can convey
We shrugged our shoulders and hurried away.
Some time past midnight her light was extinguished
Exhausted by Literature, History and English.
The VCE Student in peak preparation ‐
A SAC is as bad as an examination.
United with parents across the state we say
All your hard work will payoff one day.
Meanwhile, we love you, and are so very proud
But next time you clean up try not be so loud!

**********************************

Note:  VCE – Victorian Certificate of Education (the final year of high school in Victoria, Australia).  A SAC is School Assessed Coursework often performed under test conditions.  It counts towards final results, although not a much as final exams.

I am NOT a pet owner.

I am NOT a pet owner.

Don’t want to, never have, never will if I can help it.

You may think I am making a bold statement, but I am in my mid forties. Let’s face it, if I was ever going to have a pet, I would have by now.
Sure, my head is turned by cute little puppies. The small ones with the large eyes. I can recognise cuteness when I see it. There are one or two animals, pets of friends that I can melt for. But I really DO NOT want one for myself.

Why? I hear you ask. Actually if you are a pet lover you probably have stopped reading by now in boredom and disdain. But I am going to give you my reasons, there’s only three, but I think they are really good ones.

Why I don’t want a pet:
1. I enjoy my freedom. I can take holidays or go out where and when I want without having to check that it is “pet friendly”, have my pet minded, or book in day care.

2. I have better things to do on my down time than clean up after another being. Pets make mess. Especially the young ones.

3. Having to socialise the animal with other pet owners. I have friends already. I don’t need to start a new social life.

Before you think this is an allegory for not having children (yes it does read that way) – I have three children. Love them all. Except for the being pregnant and giving birth part I would do it all again happily.

And I am not an animal hater. I understand how the companionship of a good pet benefits those suffering with depression, can keep an overactive boy happy, teaches children responsibility. Seeing eye dogs are a miracle.

The closest I have come to pet owning is adopting a dolphin. That’s a hands off, no action required pet . I got a photo on a certificate, and just paid the annual fee. No shopping for food, no cleaning up afterward and no interaction.
My kids have experimented with pet ownership. They have had mice. The smell was awful. My son had goldfish. A few actually. At different times. And that’s the thing.

Pet owners – why do you put yourself through the heartbreak????? You know that these critters don’t have a lifespan anywhere near yours. Over your lifetime you are likely to own up to five dogs that you outlive. More if they like chasing cars.

They say that no parent should outlive their children. I know people who have substituted pets for children in their lives. Have they been warned of the tragedy that awaits them? How can they stand it? Is it worth it?

Sadly, I will never get it. Enjoy your pets. And don’t ask me to babysit them. I’ll help with your kids though.

10 Most Influential Books I’ve Read

The latest thing to go viral on social media (so long Ice Bucket Challenge – awareness goal achieved) is to list your 10 most influential books.

I haven’t been nominated yet, but I am working on my list in preparation….

1. The Bible – even if you are not a practising Christian, which I am, surely you have been entertained by some of these amazing stories – Noah and the Ark, Daniel in the Lion’s Den, Moses being hidden in the river and found by a Princess, Joseph and His Technicolour Dreamcoat, Jesus walking on water, feeding five thousand, born in a stable and dying on a cross only to rise again three days later. Remember this stuff was written well before any Marvel Comics, and even contains pockets of inspiration for our daily lives.

2. Enid Blyton – anything by her really, but the Faraway Tree series was amazing, Moonface was my first true hero. The Children of Cherry Tree Farm (and it’s sequel the Children of Willow Farm) taught me everything I know about animals wild and domestic. And of course the Naughtiest Girl In The School series – the first of a million boarding school stories ending in Harry Potter.

3. Anne of Green Gables. Another series. Given to me by my grandmother, and cherished. What an inspirational character, brilliant love story, and her love of literature inspired me to read more widely and write more often.

4. The Belgariad series by David Eddings. My first introduction to the High Fantasy genre. Discovered during my university years when I would work til late then come home and read until the wee hours. How could you not adore grumpy Belgarath, respect Polgara, cheer for Garion and laugh out loud at the repartee between Silk, Barak, Durnik and the gang.

5. The Testament by John Grisham. I had read all of his books, but this one I keep coming back to. Love it.

6. Rendevous with Rama by Arthur C Clarke. Another series that captured my imagination. The drama of the first book followed by the experiences of one family, peppered with references to historical characters and literature, showing a different view of life in our universe over an extraordinary lifetime.

7. Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. My husband introduced me to this and to understand him I had to practically memorise it. Lucky it is pretty awesome.

8. Pride and Prejudice. Such a satisfying love story.

9. Jane Eyre – even better.

10. Oh dear – can I cram the books of about five more authors into this one point?

– Australian fantasy writer Fiona McIntosh who also introduced me to Robin Hobb and Sara Douglass. A McIntosh fantasy, saga, historical novel or children’s story is guaranteed to be a great ride, occasionally brutal, always very well researched.

– Mary Higgins Clark and Sandra Brown write the best crime thrillers I have read, yet it is Sandra Brown’s Rainwater that brought me to tears. This was a simple novel rather than crime story.

– Matthew Reilly’s The Contest and The Temple. Great reads.

– I mentioned Harry Potter before, but I’ll mention it again. Please note all good books belong in a series. This one combined all the other elements mentioned above – fantasy, boarding school, love story and a Saviour (of a kind).

I am kind of scared to stop here as I am sure I will walk away from my laptop and remember something else (like the Trixie Belden / Nancy Drew books of my youth, or the Stephen Donaldson / James Patterson era of my mid twenties).

You may have gathered by now that I am a “reader”. I practically inhale books and stories, and if I never get around to completing my own novel it’s because I am too absorbed in reading someone else’s. The pile of books “to be read” grows rather than diminishes, but it doesn’t stop me from spending hours in Dymocks, or browsing book stalls at markets, and looking forward to the next publication by my favourite authors.

Whatever. I am off to read a little more Dance With Dragons (yes, Game Of Thrones Book 5) before retiring.

We talk in Seinfeld quotes – don’t you?

So it occurred to me recently that maybe our kids are not as popular at school as they could be.
It appears that most of the kids in Grade 6 have not watched Seinfeld so many times they can quote Elaine off the cuff “No he didn’t – no he didn’t”, and look strangely at our eleven year old when she does.
She looks at them, shrugs, and goes “that’s a shame”, and in typical Seinfeld manner doesn’t really care about anyone else’s opinion.
Obviously, we as a family are big fans of this series that is now apparently 25 years old. Classic episodes such as The Pony Remark, The Bubble Boy and of course The Glasses – “I was bleeding to death”, “No shot, dog bite” “Will this hurt? Yes, very much!)” have provided us with many fabulous lines to fill in awkward pauses or just the right answer when none is needed.
Worse than that, we love 80’s films and pepper our family conversations with quotes from classics such as Fletch – “yeah I assure you”, Beverly Hills Cop – sooo many but the deep belly laugh when we see something ridiculous down the street has to be the best, and of course Uncle Buck – “unbreakable”.
Recently our teenage son was inducted into the Terminator series. His discovery of Arnie quotes and ability to bring them and the accent into any situation “put that cookie down!” had us in stitches earlier today.
That’s when I realised that we are five very different individuals, but a good movie quote can bring us all together.
So what I want to know is – what movie, series, hero does your family quote? Surely we are not on our own here????

Taking my own (Business) advice

This month I have taken the significant step of taking a lease on an office to run my accounting practice from.

I have been running my own practice for the past fourteen years – a lifetime where I have had three children and seen them through primary school.  While I have always prided myself on my professional service, and getting the work/life balance thing right, there have been many occasions, usually during school holidays, where I have despaired during constant interruptions to my work flow.  More significantly, I have simply outgrown the office we built onto our home eight years ago.

Having worked in this industry for nearly twenty years, I am used to seeing businesses go through the cycle of setup, growth, decline and sale / windup.  I have reviewed forecasts and helped many make the decision to “step up” and pursue “world domination”.

Yet I have held myself back for the past few years.  It is so hard to be objective about your own business.  Taking my work outside of the home has several implications for me, and my family, and I have been using that as an excuse to stay put and not take any risks.

But no longer.

Having finally made the decision to move my business out, I started looking for an appropriate office.  Of course, the one I found closest to home was immediately deemed “the best” by me.  My real estate agent brother quickly disagreed.  As did my husband.  And several of my closest.

So I found another, and truly, it is perfect.  It’s previous tenant was another accountant, so it is fully fitted out with all the offices, networking and storage I need.  The rent is affordable.  It’s close to the beach (yes views from reception!), cafes, through traffic, etc.  It’s a further ten minutes drive down the road from home.  (oooh I hear you say, a ten minute commute, what a burden!)

It took me a week to come around to it as the preferred site.  As perfect as it was, it wasn’t home, and my heart kept crying “what about the office closer to home that the kids can walk to after school????”

I had to step back and pretend I was advising one of my clients.  Clearly the further office was better for my business.  I could see it when I put on my “advisor” hat. So I ignored my heart and put in an application which was accepted within an hour.

See the problem with my heart is that it believes my children will always need me close by, and that they cannot possibly cope with change.  I have also loved having my office right next to my husband’s – being able to make lunch together, and share things as they occur during the day rather than save up until we are all home and competing for attention with the kids.  And sometimes the kids get sick and need a parent at home.  Excuses really, that don’t give my children, husband or myself any credit for being able to adjust and cope.  We have had it better than a lot of families in those crucial early years.  Now it is time to step back into the real world and see how the kids can grow up when given the space to do so.

These are my hopes and challenges I will face over the coming months.  Wish me luck!!  Yes I will check back in with updates, so we will all see if my opinions here were naive or insightful.

Actually I’m so excited now! We are not moving out until next month, and while trying to keep churning out the work I am madly arranging phone connections, power, insurance, and the best part, shopping for office furnishings!

Taking my own business advice has definitely been a challenge.  But I am so glad I can now share these experiences with my clients.  I think that the best thing an accountant can do is be able to relate to their clients on matters unrelated to bare numbers, and I have always tried to take a holistic view when analysing businesses.  What I have learned this month is that sometimes you just have to step outside yourself to see what is best.  I guess that is why people go to a business advisor, and why I have now appointed an older acquaintance as my business mentor.