I am so sorry you weren't able to make it to the party. You both featured in a number of photos in the slideshow I left running on the Mac during the night.
The party was wonderful -- I am still enjoying the memories from it. Especially the speeches (Scott, Neil & Chris) and conversations with so many people. Geoff was up to his usual standard as MC. Belinda did an outstanding job with the meal; we had a spit roast, salads and potato bake for around 70 guests. She made a roast pumpkin and sweet corn soup for entrée which people are still talking about!
I have built a 15m2 paved area out the front of our house (with a fair bit of help) which worked so well with the number of guests and the spit roast. Scott did an outstanding job with sound and lighting. We had fires in several places, the biggest in a 44 gallon drum (sourced by Pete Andrew) that was out the front.
The whole atmosphere was wonderful. The last guests left at 2.30AM.
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
Some reflections on my party
My 40th Birthday Party
The original invitation and program recorded here for posterity...Master of Ceremonies: The indomitable Geoff Stoddart…
Music Supremo: Scott 'DJ' Lea
7.30 PM People begin to arriveFood: Spring rolls on platters
Pumpkin soup in cups
8.30 PM DinnerFood: Roast beef on spit
Potato bake
Crispy noodle salad
Bread rolls
9.30 PM Dessert & SpeechesFood: Profiteroles (some to form a cake)
Chocolate fountain
Speeches Scott 'Peter' LeaNeil 'James' Pierson
Chris 'John' Ryburn
Solo Heather 'Joy' Hansby"You've got a friend"
Response Wes 'we'll see' Dart
10.30 PM Tea & Coffee
DancingFinish As late as we reasonably can…
That reminds me – I must write a note to our neighbours!
'This is the Story of Star Wars'
You'll know it's time to turn the page when you hear this sound...
Remember those great read-along books from when you were a kid? In the days before computers, DVD and VHS, this was the next best thing for reliving a movie or a TV show. From Goonies to A-Team, Star Wars to Mary Poppins, they made them all!
This site contains an ongoing collection of these out of print books, compiled into convenient Flash files.
My favourites as a child were Star Wars and The Black Hole.
The Man With Blowy Liver
Last Sunday we celebrated with my Dad his 70th birthday. It was an excellent day. He sent me an e-mail yesterday which said:
I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed all the surprises of my birthday and to thank you for the part you and your children played in making the day so successful. The memories of the day will remain with me for the rest of my life.
Part of the day was a special concert that included songs and musical items performed by children and grandchildren. I also took the opportunity to write a poem based on the Australian classic 'The Man From Snowy River' by A. B. 'Banjo' Patterson written in 1890.
My version was titled: 'The Man With Blowy Liver'.
There was movement at Dart station, for the word had passed around
That the Phil with no regrets had come of age,
And according to all sources – he’d secured a plot of ground,
So all the cracks had gathered for the day.
All the tried and noted siblings from the stations near and far
Had mustered at the homestead overnight,
For the children love abiding where the birthday parties are,
And the main course beckons all with its delights.
There was Clarrie boy who made us smile with his relaxing banter,
And the old Pam with her hair and white as snow;
But few could match intensity with Lank’s amazing wit –-
He could talk ‘til hoarse leaving others in the know.
And Westley of the Overflow came down to lend a hand,
No better poet ever held such sway;
Young Natalie could hold her ground, though she was soft and tender,
She learned to talk while tied to cars with chains.
And one was there, with Santa hair on a small and weedy beast,
He was something like a Granddad in disguise,
He liked his Indian curry -- three serves on jasmine rice at least –-
And such as are by connoisseurs’ still prized.
He was hard and tough and cheery – just the sort that won’t say die --
There was courage in his quick but patient tread;
And he bore the badge of gameness in his bright and twinkly eye,
And a proud and lofty snore while on his bed.
But Granddad had a problem, they called it flatulence,
It resounded to the thunder of his tread.
And it seemed to wake the echoes, and they fiercely answered back
From cliffs and crags that beetled overhead.
And upward, ever upward, the crescendo made it’s way,
Where Grandma and her family reside;
And the old man muttered fiercely, "Peace be still for just a day,
No man can hold such wind and smell inside."
And down by French’s Forest, where the local bridges raise
Their torn and rugged battlements on high,
Where the air is clear as crystal, and the white stars fairly blaze
At midnight in the cold and frosty sky,
And where around the Overflow the reedbeds sweep and sway
To the breezes, and the rolling plains are wide,
The Man with Windy Liver is a household word to-day,
And his children tell his story with such pride.
Remote Blogging
Google Reader & RSS -- Wow!
I signed up to a couple and thought to myself -- 'this is pretty good'! It has inspired me to have a crack at this blog thing again.
It's a bit sad that I haven't posted anything since October 2007!!!
Saturday, 2 February 2008
Happy 40th Birthday Scott
Some Recollections
- Uncle Scott playing with children, especially ‘terror tip’.
- Our children all remember Scott jumping out at the end of a hedge maze in country Victoria. The kids all lived on the edge of terror and excitement all at the same time.
- Your snoring… what else can I say!
- Bethany remembers us arriving for a haircut, to find Uncle Scott with a yellow bucket on his head. In a flourish he removed the bucket to expose a bald scalp saying: “This is what Auntie Kate’s doing today”.
- So many DartLea camping adventures. We often think of them when we are on other holidays, but not in their company.
- Camping gadgets – especially his hot plate.
- 4WD gadgets – air compressor, tyre repair kit, sat phone.
- Scott’s questionable sense of direction. Famous Victorian High Country detour – no doubt the new GPS will leave him without excuse!
Some Birthday Quotations
Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.
~Chili Davis
Youth is a wonderful thing. What a crime to waste it on children.
~George Bernard Shaw
Middle age is when your age starts to show around your middle.
~Bob Hope
You're not 40, you're eighteen with 22 years experience.
~Author Unknown
A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman's birthday but never remembers her age.
~Robert Frost
Wisdom doesn't necessarily come with age. Sometimes age just shows up all by itself.
~Tom Wilson
Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened.
~Jennifer Yane
Scott’s Character or perhaps “What is Scott Full Of”
Full of an almost childlike enthusiasm – sometimes I feel like the straight man in a comedy duo. I always seem to take everything so seriously. Scott is good for me, he makes me laugh. Sometimes at him, more often than not at myself!
- Enthusiasm (ἐνθουσιασμός) root - en-theos = in God. An enthusiast is a person inspired by God. The word was invented by early Christians to describe the overwhelming joy that followed the gift of Salvation.
- His enthusiasm is expressed in so many ways; gadgets, camping, 4WDing, organising events, red wine etc. But perhaps most profoundly in worship!
Full of love for Katrina and his boys.
- Scott & Katrina sometimes say that they think they married too young – personally I think this is complete rubbish!!! When two people love each other as much as they so obviously do, why wouldn’t they want to spend as much time together as possible? We’ve been privileged to see the odd dummy spit; but when you camp and travel with another family for over three weeks, they are a bit hard to avoid! But we’ve also seen the looks of absolute love and adoration they give each other when they don’t even know that other people are watching.
- Scott takes delight in the company of his sons. He loves watching their soccer games, and celebrates all their achievements. He is committed to their long term maturity and growth; he doesn’t shy away from the tougher aspects of his role as a dad.
Full of generosity. He is very good at concealing this, but I know many here would have experienced the generosity of this man. Whether through the loan of a car, a bed and a room to sleep in, or cash when you have hit hard times. I have many memories of Scott dropping money into a busker’s hat, or a Salvo’s donation box. Not to mention giving to fundraising events or church offerings. It seems to flow so naturally.
- Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
- Romans 12:13 simply says: “Practice hospitality”
- It has been said that "When you entertain, you bring honour and glory to yourself. Showing hospitality brings honour and glory to God."
Scott and Katrina, your lives have each brought honour and glory to God. We are so privileged to count you as dear friends.
May you enjoy the next 40 years as much as we have enjoyed spending the last 40 with you.