Champagne – a breakfast beverage! For those that follow my socials, you’ll know I always start any journey with bubbles, so why not this one.

Why is it my bubbles taste better earlier in the day? I find myself loving a glass or two (or 10) at lunchtime as opposed to dinner.

Family…

Week one has been a very family-focused week. Following the horrendous storms that plagued the Gold Coast over the Christmas and New Year period, my sister and her family were still without power some 9 days later. Due to go on their annual holiday, with Matt’s mum scheduled to look after their menagerie, managing with no power, no running water or flushing toilets would certainly be a challenge for an elderly lady.

Considering the cancellation of their holiday, the family rallied. It’s easy for me, I’m on my own. Throw a few clothes in a bag, a bottle of bubbles and I’m off to camp in the mountains!

A wayward dog and three contentious cats await me as their master slave for the coming week. Upon arrival I’m met with bewilderment from the abandoned residents although once they realise I’m responsible for their survival, attitudes are quickly adjusted!

This week was also time for a catch up with cousins who’ve been absent for many years due to work, family, distance and excuses! I fondly remember as a teenage girl my older cousin visiting with his army mates, certainly bought me street cred, that’s for sure.

Since his retirement we’ve had more time to reconnect, get to know our respective families, and of course, reminisce about being kids and the shared exploits of attending music concerts and mosh pits! I envisage this is what having an older brother would have been like.

Wayne and Gavin can definitely be classified as oenophiles, I would think the value of their cellars would impact the GDP of a small country! I’ve been fortunate to share a bottle or two and look forward to many more gatherings and celebrations in the years to come.

Family First!

My mother has instilled into myself and my sisters, family before all others. Whilst like any family, we’ve all had our moments I can say that I firmly believe we will always be there for each other, especially in times of need.

I know that I’ve passed this on to my girls. One of my proudest achievements is seeing how close Manon and Dana are. When they gang up on me, I know that when my time comes, they’ll be fine. They’ll always be there for each other and for the next generation, those precious grand-babies!

I can only hope that I’ve imprinted family values enough to ensure my kids look after me in my old age! As I grow older, I may need to be kinder to them, offer them more incentives to keep me around!