Well it’s official. After 24 hours of flying West, I’m home.

With mixed feelings.

It’s tough leaving someone you love for someone you love. And it’s tough to leave a home you adore for a home you adore. Will I ever get used to having my heart stretched across the globe?

Here is a collection of little moments from my time back home. I gathered these moments in my diary, and although I didn’t have time to post, I wrote down my post ideas and thoughts as they came to me. And this one is the start of many to come, I hope you enjoy…

waking up to the call of the kookaburras.

sitting, chatting and laughing on the porch with my cousin.

finding memories around every corner.

wearing a singlet on a winter’s day…

spending many precious moments with this little one: my new goddaughter…

drying my cream cashlama cardigan in the warm winter sun…

doing my washing in a laundry room.

driving along pittwater road and seeing glimpses of ocean everywhere.

seeing the yellow wattle bloom and appear luminescent against the blue blue sky.

sun-drying my hair while sipping tea with manuka honey…

snacking on vita wheats with butter and vegemite.

seeing ocean behind and ocean in front…

seeing palm trees in the landscape.

radio hopping and finding acdc’s thunderstruck. turning it up LOUD.

laughing at Ed Kavalee. And wondering, what is it about his voice that I adore.

coming home with sand in my shoes…

indulging in a hot bath nearly every evening while listening to the eucalypts sway in the night breeze…

and being reminded by each moment that australia truly is an amazing place.

just this image. and this song. again.

Once upon a time, back in my Indigo days (for new readers this term can be explained here, here, and here), I had employees. One of them was a young girl named Jo. Not only was she one of the best darn employees I could have ever wished for, but she has since become a fabulous and dear friend. The other day while looking through old photos and knick knacks I happened upon this postcard that I remembered she had left me one afternoon at the shop. From memory it was attached to a little gift, and I remember thinking how serene the image was, and then bursting out laughing when I turned the card. I just had to share it with you…

The gift of her card made my day, and the gift of stumbling upon it still makes my day. Dear Jo, you are a treasure.

xx

You are about to notice a 48 hour lapse in my posts starting from now. Why? Because I’m in transit. There has been no time to organise guest bloggers. There has not even been time to say pollypickedapocketfullofpoppiesforherpuppy. I have needed to make a swift change of plans which I will fill you in on the details once at my destination. I hope you don’t mind that you will all be coming with me.

So there’s no time to dawdle: just grab your toothbrush, grab your bagel, blow everyone a kiss and get moving! I promise to fill you in on our whereabouts once there. In the meantime, I shall leave you with my second drawing of Miss Harriet.

xx

PS. oh I meant to do the proper blog thing and say “meanwhile, feel free to leaf through my blog archives”. When will I get this thing right?

I know it’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed your company. And of course I do miss you, you know that. But right now I need your advice. Well first of all, do you mind that I drew all over you? You see, I’ve now discovered I can draw all over my photos. And, well, you know how I’ve always wanted to draw all over you but I wasn’t allowed? So you understand right?

But, well, let’s not dilly dally as time is of the essence and your advice means alot to me. You’ve been such a wonderful friend – you’ve always been there when I’ve needed you. You’ve never judged me, nor did you protest when my boyfriend(s) used to sneak through your window. When I was upset, you comforted me, and when I was scared, you wrapped me up like a cocoon, only allowing luscious streams of sunshine in, you made me feel so safe. However you must not be biased, okay – try not to let your emotions get in the way of your good sense. Because I know how much we love each other’s company, and this is really not about you. Or me.

I need you to tell me what to do: Is my place here, in le petit bateau, or right now, do I need to be there, with you, close to her.

Thank you, dear room. I look forward to your reply.

PS Thank you for looking after all my books while I’ve been away. You know how much that means to me since I have never let anyone else near them.

PPS and most of all, thank you for sharing yourself as a refuge. I know how much she loves your company too. She’ll be back soon. She will.

PPPS perhaps I took a little too much artistic license with my floral arrangement? It’s not exactly like the protea bouquet I left you with. I’ll try to be more subtle next time.

xx