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Dear All,

This year has been such a great year for the family. Apologies for the group email but there is so much to fill you in on.

The year started with Cathy going to high school at Primrose. Who would have thought that our baby girl is all grown up and has had to wear green all day every day for five days of the school week for the whole lone year. (That will teach her to be nice to me.) She is doing well, making friends and seems to be enjoying the rigours of her schedule. Basketball and rowing in summer, netball and tae kwon do in winter and piano lessons. She is also hoping to start learning French next year. What a star.

Cameron started in Year 11. Neither he nor I could quite believe that his final year 12 exams start in Year 11. Doesn’t seem logical at all but who am I to question the school. Anyway, he has been struggling with a number of his subjects but isn’t too worried about the end result. Charles has promised to take him into the firm when he has finished so he should be OK on finding a job front.

We all went to Fiji for a holiday in winter. Our winter, not their winter. (In fact, I’m not sure they do have winter.) Regardless, it was hot, sunny and beautiful. Our days were spent sailing catamarans, swimming, sunbaking and drinking cocktails by the horizon pool at the resort. And the Fijians are lovely people, always friendly and calm and terrific waiters. It was a lovely time for all four of us.

Charles has been away working overseas quite a lot this year. Dubai, LA, New York and a couple of side trips to France and a few other European countries just new to the EU. That European Union seems to be really getting those countries right on track. Apparently, according to Charles, you don’t need another language now. English goes everywhere you do. I am hoping that the next time Charles has to go to Paris he will take me too. I haven’t been overseas for many years (Fiji and New Zealand the year before doesn’t really count does it) and I would love to go shopping in Paris. I read so much about their style and savoir fair it would be just wonderful to wander those little streets and alleys I have heard so much about.

Sometimes I’m not so sure I shouldn’t have done more travelling myself earlier. I don’t mean with the kids when they were younger (God, you can’t do anything with them in shops. I remember when Cathy was just four years old and I was trying on a dress in a very exclusive store – Armani if you must know – and as I came out in the shell pink chiffon spaghetti strap treasure that was going to be just perfect for Charles’ Xmas in July party, Cathy walked up to me and ran her grubby little hands right down the front of the dress. I mean really I was very annoyed. Not as annoyed as the shop assistant but she calmed down when I said I would still buy it although it was a little embarrassing for them when the ambulance still turned up to revive her and there she was walking about after Cathy.) I mean with girlfriends or by myself. You know, all that see the world, throw caution to the wind stuff.

Anyway, I will be off to Paris in 2009. I just know it. And even if Charles’ PA, that awful Christine, has to come as well I won’t mind.

Anyway, back to the news. Charles’ became a Senior Partner and Managing Director of the company this year. Isn’t that terrific. It does mean his workload is much heavier but as he and I both agreed, a sacrifice isn’t a sacrifice when it is made for the good of all. We are very happy. He even bought me a new diamond ring. With rubies and a champagne gold setting. It is divine. And it really sparkles, and is sparkling now as I type at my little desk with the afternoon sun streaming through the French doors – the whole room lights up as the rays hit the inner warmth of the diamond, such a naturally beautiful stone. Charles’ really is a man who knows how to keep a girl!

We’ve been cutting down on our carbon emissions this year. We’ve gone solar and gas and renewable energy for all things. We also sold the Land Rover and I bought one of the Prius cars. Not so roomy but easy to park and run about in. Perfect for the school and sport runs. And it’s terrific. (Since I bought mine the whole street has bought them as well. It is lovely to know that a small change can make a bigger change.)

I also only buy organic food now and we use an environmentally sound washing powder for the dishwasher and a nicer one (the smell is better) for the clothes. The spa pool is run off its own energy source (I’m not sure what but I’ll check with Bruce the maintenance man before sending this) and we recycle water throughout the garden and tennis court. All in all we are doing our bit for the world. And we are happy to do it. No complaints at all. Even when I cut back on my weekly baths I didn’t mind. I just use more moisturiser (the Lancome body one – its gorgeous) and have a luxurious bath once a month. (I try to coincide it with my massages and my beauty bar visits – a tip for those struggling with the whole wasting water vs body maintenance thing).

Charles and I bought some new art for the loungeroom as well this year. Very exciting new work by the artist Hany Armanius and Siz. All that conceptual art of Hany’s is good for the brain (and the colours of moulds really set off the couch and the walls). Cameron really liked Siz’ take on magazine culture and street art. So much so that he spent an entire weekend spray painting his room and then sticking up cut outs from magazines all over his bedroom walls. (I tried not to mind but I really still don’t know why he needed quite so many pictures of female genitalia – I mean they weren’t pretty pictures at all. Not like some of the art that Charles has shown me. I’m not sure if I should be worrying about that boy – Cameron I mean not Charles. Charles is perfect. But Cameron did use hot pink spray paint on every wall of his room. It really didn't match anything and was a complete pain to get off the glass of the doors.)

Just off to re-fill my gin – just a little one so the big C won’t even notice! I’ve got a half hour before I have to pick up Cathy from piano lessons - just enough time. I’ll be back – don’t worry!!

abientot (that’s French for ‘so long, see you soon’ )
xxx

El(aine)