Oh, For the Love Of....

It's 5.30am. I'm up and wide awake. I'd rather not be. I would rather be in bed until 7.00am ('cause I don't have to be out until then).

What on earth does a person with an hour and a half extra in the mornings do???


P.S. It's now 6.30am and I'm still not impressed. It would appear I'm having an early start at work today. Off to get ready. Grrrrrrrrr

The Holiday Owie

I think I might have overdone the decorating this year. I spent several hours over this weekend and the last reaching up to hand tinsel, lights and decorations from the ceiling, windows etc.

This morning, I woke up with a pinched muscle in my shoulder. And it hurts like hell.

Not impressed at all. I need to start looking into hiring a professional decorator I think.

That or get Dad somehow into the spirit to help me (why don't men like decorating for christmas, can someone tell me that please?)!

'Tis the Season!

Tis the Season for:

Christmas Carols - they are planning all day every day at home and in my car.
Baking and Cooking - nothing is more wonderful than christmas cooking.
Decorating - It is most definitely starting to look like christmas around the house now.

And my favourite:

Christmas/Holiday movies - I love going to see the holiday movies at the cinema but I also love watching my holiday dvd collection.

Tonight - The Family Stone.

Coming soon, The Holiday, Love Actually, The Santa Clause (1,2 and 3). Plus all of the christmas cartoon classics.

I don't know why but this year especially I'm thinking alot about the christmas I spent in the States and had a white christmas. Christmas in the states was certainly one of my top three favourite christmas's. The lights, the snow, the atmosphere. I loved it. And also not forgetting some of the most beautiful houses I visited while I was there. *sigh* Maybe I'll go back for chrissie next year!

But this year, I'll just have to pray for a christmas "snow" miracle!

Bells That Jingle

It's that time of year again. My FAVOURITE time of the year. It's also the most wonderful time.

I've started decorating the house. The tree is up but half decorated. I have aways to go to have everything completed. I've started decking out the office at work as well.

Next on the list - cooking. The plum pudding is made (thanks mum) and next week I'm moving onto my christmas baking. Gingerbread and danish cookies are standards. But this year, I'm making an addition. I have found a recipe for yummy white chocolate truffles that I'm going to turn into Snowmen.

Let the carolling begin!

My Least Favourite Words!

Coming Soon.......

I have been anxiously watching the village cinemas website to find out when Twilight will be out in Tasmania (because we are such a big "city" they can only show maybe 4 or 5 movies at a time) and all I keep seeing next to Twilight is ... Coming Soon.

Come on people - give it to me now. NOW I said.

Does flying to Melbourne to see the movie seem a little desperate?? Perhaps.

I saw that Marley & Me is out soon also. Hmmmm, I would love to see it but now I will be blubbing heavily at the end. Why must it end so sad?

My other hated phrase of the week is "did we tell you" and "where you aware that....".
No you didn't tell me and no, I wasn't aware.

For the record, unless you tell me then duh, obviously I won't be aware. Must I always be the one to bring come sense to the world?

p.s. It's after 8.00pm and the sun is only just starting to set - how cool is that?!

Yes Dear!

I love my new job - I love it to bits. But I feel I need impart some important knowledge about dealing with me.

I love helping people out, particularly when they are quite obviously scared or nervous and it's so satisfying to see them calm down and feel better about the day they are about to return to because I've been able to assure them that everything is ok - nothing to worry about mate!

However, there is that part of me that comes out fighting. This is generally brought out by the "ferals" and "nasties" that I also have the joy of dealing with. Just you try it and I'll come out guns blazing. I don't take no crap - I'll tell you what's what in no uncertain terms. I won't be rude but I ain't no pushover buddy (they didn't call me switch bitch at my first job as a receptionist for nothing).

And then there are the lovely "dears" who I have never spoken to before in my life who call me darling, dear or love. I don't mind people who call me sweetheart, darl, love or dear. These people are called my friends. You, "dear" stranger are not my friend, especially when you take that tone with me. You may be 60, but darlin', I'll take you down.

And so endeth the lesson!

Santa Land Melbourne

A sign that warms my heart (and makes my purse scream with fear)

They even have a train that goes through a tunnel for the kids (and not forgetting Santa of course)!

How can you not go nuts here? This is just part of the blue section.

Aaah, I'm ready to head back already!

Coming To You This December!!!

Last weekend was the first annual mother/daughter christmas trip to Melbourne. It was also the weekend that we had tickets to see Andre Rieu. It marked the beginning of the christmas season for me. It also heralded a bout of measles for me and mum.

It has given me the opportunity to start planning my 2008 christmas season. As much as I love holidays, Christmas is my very favourite time of year. I love decking the house out, making it feel festive and cosy. I love playing carols and watching christmas movies (and I have accumulated quite a selection so that the almost 6 or so weeks that I keep everything going we don't get tired of them all), I love playing my virtual fireplace dvd with all of the lights out and the christmas lights that are hung with care around the room lit, I love my christmas baking sessions - especially those with mum.

I have all of this to look forward to!

And, now, after spending a week at home sick - I have the battle plan all prepared and I'm heading off to war.

Let the festive season commence!!!

p.s. For anyone who happens to be in Melbourne in November over the weekend of the Myer Christmas Parade - this is the best time to do your christmas shopping. Everything is now in all the stores and they are totally empty because everyone is at the parade. And Myer has all christmas stuff in Santa Land 25% off. Now that's christmas spirit!!!!

Blankety Blank

I feel like blogging tonight - but I don't know what I want to blog.

I am ready to take the violin back up - but I'm procrastinating about picking up the phone and calling teachers.

I am thinking about taking photography classes - yet again, procrastinating.

I am however starting a walking club at work. We start tomorrow morning at 8.15am sharp.

I'm getting there, slowly but surely!

Getting Crafty

Aaah, long weekends. There is nothing better. Well, except for holidays maybe.

Today is officially recreation day in Tasmania. Friday - halloween. So, that must mean it's the annual Tasmania Craft Fair!!! Which means a day trip to Deloraine and travelling to 12 different sites to see artists from all over Australia and New Zealand.

And, unlike today, it was beautiful, sunny and HOT. So very very hot. I'm not liking this summer lark at all.

However, it was a great day for a drive. I picked up several cool things (I'm especially loving my lead-lighting tree decorations that I bought - they are so cool). And, ice cream. Special Tasmanian ice-cream. Quite possibly two servings of ice cream. I'm bad I know, but I figure I walked it off throughout the day.

Oh, and wine. Some yummy yummy wine.

I love living in Tasmania!!! (You also know you are living in the country if you keep driving behind hay bales!).

Wedding Fever (and other updates)!

I am not gone - I'm still here.

My baby brother is now officially a husband - and I now officially have a sister (in-law).

It was such a beautiful day. Exactly how I dream of my wedding day turning out. Perfect weather, your closest loved ones, wine, laughter and perhaps a few tears (yes, I cried throughout the whole ceremony. Hey, I love weddings, what can I say!)

My sister-in-law (how weird does it feel to be saying that) looked stunning. She was so beautiful. And my brother looked so handsome. There is something about suits that make him look gorgeous!

The day was wonderful and followed by a night of revelry with family dinner at the local sizzler. Sounds tacky but I had a ball (a special thanks to Brissiemum - my cousin - who made the extra special trip with DH and her kids from the other side of town just for dinner. It meant so much to me to be able to see them that night as I was so disheartened at being so near yet not seeing them. I love you and miss you all).

Some of my favourites highlights of the day, night and trip in total:

• Seeing the flowers for the wedding. I had reservations about artificial flowers being used for all of the flowers, but was pleasantly suprised. They looked real from a distance - very impressed.
• That my brother's old workmates took time off work to come and watch the ceremony. I thought that was especially nice of them. And good to catch up with them as well.
• Watching my brother get married. It seemed so surreal - I can't believe he's all grown up now.
• Seeing my aunt who we all thought would not make it to the wedding or be around at all by now after a very serious bout of illness recently. She looked magnificient all things considered and her sense of humour hasn't dampened. Love you Aunty C - I'm so glad you were there.
• Watching my "adopted" nephew (Brissiemum's son and my second cousin) work his way through the buffet. 12, yes 12 plates of food plus one ice cream cone. I'm still don't know how he didn't get sick.
• Hearing all of the fabulous one liners my "adopted niece (Brissiemum's daughter and my second cousin) come up with. Among the top 5 are her statement after Brissiemum told me how the superteen vomited on their driveway after a buffet pig out - said by Young Miss "There was watermelon in there too." Thanks for the visual Miss.
• Coming home. Even though I am Brisbane born and bred until 3 months ago - I don't miss living there. I just miss my family. But I love Tassie with all of my heart and it was so good to come home.

I know there were so many other wonderful moments throughout the day but these are my favourites so far.

I have started working in my new position at work and become a official employee as of Tuesday. Weekends are pretty much booked up until christmas and I have already started planning christmas lunch, decorations etc. It is absolutely my favourite time of year. I just wish it would be colder. Spring has officially arrived in Tasmania and I am in mourning for winter. I detest summer with a passion. However, I now have a family visit in January to look forward to and the big 30 is looming on the horizon.

What a busy end of 2008 and busy 2009 it shall be!

Ever So Clever

I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!!!

Onto the celebrations.

Tomorrow - the local county fair!!!!

Hot Chocolate for you, Hot Chocolate for me!!!

I have a nightly ritual. I cannot go to bed and get a good night's sleep without my cup of hot chocolate.

I LOVE hot chocolate. Especially since I forever gave up tea and coffee (I may have sneaked to odd tea in but didn't really enjoy them). Hot chocolate is now my beverage of choice.

It has now extended to me taking a hot chocolate in a travel mug in the mornings for the drive to work and that early kick to start my day. I sometimes buy one from my favourite gluten free cafe down the road from work when I need a pick-me up during the day. And, luckily, I am surrounded by hot chocolating women at work, united by a love of chocolate that is hot.

What do I drink when not in a hot choccie mood - you can never beat a nice glass of milk or drink of water.

I'm so boring!!

Now, who's put the kettle on???

Kicks and Giggles

OH. MY. GOD!!!!

This morning I had the interviews for both of the jobs advertised at work.

Normally I rock at job interviews. I haven't been in an interview yet that I haven't knocked out of the park. I have been offered the job I've interviewed for probably 96% of the time.

Today, I was a bundle of nerves. I felt totally sick before I went in and I was prattling along throughout the entire interview. I'm sure I did well, but I am so desperate to get one of these jobs that I think I freaked myself out totally.

So, what better way to recover from a very long and tiring day but a day off the the local town fair/show. Oh, I suppose I should also pick Mum and Dad up from the airport.

Now, who remembers what time they are flying in???

Game Over

Why oh why did they have to show it down here.

While I love AFL, what I don't love is Rugby League. Today is Grand Final day for the NRL. And, much to my chagrin, Dad was able to find a cable channel covering the game.

Please let the game end quickly before my ears start to bleed!!!

How To Save Daylight

Can you believe it is so easy. Just wind your clock forward one hour. If it is that easy, why don't they do it in Queensland???

At the risk of sounding like a child.....

Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah - I've got daylight saving!!!!

Bring on the 9.00pm sunsets!

Duck, Duck......Goose???

Question:
How do you know you live in a small country town?
Answer:
When 3 geese waddle past your drive way and up the street in the middle of the day as if it is quite normal for them to do so.

Question:
How do you know that one of the people in the house that the geese waddle past did not grow up in the country?
Answer:
When she thinks the first two geese are actually great big ducks!

Question:
What does a new to the country girl do when she sees geese waddling up a little country road in the middle of the day?
Answer:
Squeal that there are geese (or ducks, whatever!) waddling past the house, runs out with the camera and proceeds to check in neighbours driveways to get pictures of said geese only to find they are nowhere to be found (apparently geese can fly - did you know that???)

Question:
Who is the goose why did all of the above
Answer:
You are looking at her
(Do I feel like a goose or what?)

Music For The Masses

I'm in a little trouble. I think.

I've done more unpacking (hey, I don't care if I've been in my new home for nearly 3 months - I will unpack as I feel like it. Okay, perhaps I'm just procrastinating - do you blame me?)

I unearthed a small container of my favourite cd's a few weeks ago. My absolute favourites that I play all the time. A little Ella Fitzgerald, Van Morrison, Pearl Jam, Nickelback and quite a few compilations. I was rather pleased because now I had something to listen to (there doesn't seem to be any radio down here except triple j - I can only take triple j in small doses. Generally the drive to work and that's it).

Anyway, I found a huge, and I mean HUGE, box of more cd's the other day. And I was rather frightened. How much many have I spent on cd's over the years. I seriously don't remember buying half of these things. And what's worse, I probably only listened to them once and bought them for one song on an entire album. Since the advent of itunes, I have been able to significantly reduce my cd spendage but I don't know what to do with the ones I don't listen to. I should start putting them onto itunes I guess but do I try to sell some off? I just don't know.

One other thing that came flooding back while going through the cd's. I can't believe how many memories are triggered by certain songs. So, if for entertainment purposes only, here are the songs that played a huge part in my life.

• My first ever cd that I got (a birthday present) - New Kids on the Block
• The first ever cd that I bought - an early nineties compilation. I still love popping it into my stereo every now and again. I still feel like I'm 13 when I listen to it.
• Kriss-Kross - Jump : My first ever high school dance
• Bryan Adams - Please Forgive Me : My first ever slow dance with a boy (awwww), my first ever kiss (double awww and yes, it was with the same boy) and what started my love affair with Bryan Adams. Incidently Bryan Adams was also the first ever concert I went to see. Still in my top 3 favourite concerts as well.
• The Rembrandts - Friends theme song : The year I graduated high school and Friends was a huge thing at school. I loved Friends then and still do now. The theme song from the show was our theme song for our graduation as well. I can't believe that was 12 years ago now!
• Chumbawamba - Tubthumping : The year I turned 18 and officially became an adult. My first time out clubbing this was the first song I actually danced to. Still not sure how on earth we danced to that song.
• UB40 - Red Red Wine : Played at one of my favourite pubs on a particularly great night out with a huge group of friends. Sadly the pub burnt down a few months ago but I still love UB40, some 10 years later
• Backstreet Boys - My first and last serious boyfriend gave me one of their cd singles. I still wish I didn't associate BSB with that idiot.
• Robbie Williams : I went through a big Robbie phase when I got my first proper, grown-up job. This was also when I turned 21. It was also the same year I travelled to the US for the first time (ah, my home away from home).
• Nickelback : My first "grown-up" concert
• Dido - Life For Rent : I kept listening to this song whenever I wanted to back out of the big move to Tassie or when I have second thoughts about doing things. This is my motivational song.
• Jason Mraz - I'm Yours : My new favourite song. I hope that one day I meet someone who I feel like I'm theirs! Barry Watson, are you free???

I am also finding new artists all the time that I fall in love with.... Jason Mraz, Ida Maria, Demi Lovato.

Any suggestions for a new favourite???

Who Are You???

Ok, so I've just finished watching the first season of Samantha Who (hey, I'm home and I'm sick and I can't do anything except sleep or watch tv - and damn it, that's what I intend to do) and I'm totally hooked.

Apart from the fact that I'm a HUGE Barry Watson and Christina Applegate fan (where can I find myself a gorgeously cute and handsome Barry of my own - I love him and I want one!!!!) it is so funny to watch. And yet, educational at the same time (oh my god - I really am old).

Maybe I paid a little more attention to it than I normally would but it really hit home in a way I didn't expect. Perhaps it's because that new chance that Samantha gets is what I got. Well, not in the way that she did, but I was so unhappy in my old life that this year I finally found the courage to start all over again.

You know the saying about the grass being greener. Everyone always says you don't appreciate your life until you jump the fence and try the grass for yourself. Once you do, you'll be thankful for your life. Well you know what, I've jumped the fence and I'm not jumping back.

Without getting too soppy and sentimental, I am totally in love with my new life and the new me. I didn't think it was possible to feel this content with the decisions I've made in my life lately. I have the enormous joy of being able to say that I've found a job and workplace that I am totally in love with. It's the first job I've been in my entire life that I would happily spend the rest of my life working there.

I'm more motivated than ever in my entire life to exercise. I'm trying things that I always wanted to try but never had the courage to do. I'm making new friends and am not scared to be myself. I'm learning how to not take comments or random things personally. I'm learning how to say no (which is a massive accomplishment for the eternal people pleaser). I'm learning to accept me for me. I'm trying to not be ashamed of the things that I love and not pretend to love things that I think will make people like me better for. Damn it, I love Disney and I'm not ashamed to say it anymore.

So, in summary - when people tell you that rather than groaning about your life change it and just be yourself - believe me, it isn't easy to do but so totally worth it in the end!

You may even end up suprising yourself!!!!!!

This is so not where I saw this blog entry going however I am brave enough to say that I just don't care!!!

Oh and who knew that Barry Watson with a short haircut and semi-beard was so god-damn gorgeous?! Yum.

Spring Chickens

Can you teach an old dog new tricks???

Ok now I'm not admitting to being old (nearly 30 isn't old, right???) and dog - well we won't go there. I'm nice, really!!!

Anyway, I am loving spring more and more each day. It is now officially day two of spring and even though I can't really do anything right now I'm already planning on my spring and summer activities.

However, this summer I am going to start doing things that I haven't done for years.

This summer, I am going to buy a bike and start cycling again. I haven't ridden a bike since I was probably, oh I don't know, 10...12... somewhere around there. I wasn't very good at it back then, but this time, I going to conquer a bicycle.

I'm going to start running. I have a running buddy lined up - just as soon as I can get back out and start exercising again.

I'm going to go hiking. Never did it, always wanted to. Now that I'm living in Tasmania (seemingly the hiking capital of Australia) I'm going to start.

Swimming - maybe. Could be too cold. Haven't decided yet.

I'm going to play golf more. I bought a golf set a couple of years ago and haven't used it that much. This year - it's going to get a real workout!

Play softball - I've already joined a team.

I'm going to go to the local fairs. I think I can call them that because they are not really like the Brisbane ekke - we have the city show and then local town shows. My town even has it's own little fair. And I've already got a group of friends to go with - so excited!!!

See - don't you wish you lived in Tassie right now?

If only just to see this accident prone idiot make an ass of herself all summer long!!!! See, should be fun :o)

Cleveland - Not My Hometown, Just a Spot on the Map

In reply to Brissiemum's comment:

I am no longer a Queenslander. I am now a Taswegian flying to Queensland for a family wedding. I follow the Geelong Cats over the Brisbane Lions. Rugby League - what's that??? Summer days at the beach - it's to cold to go swimming!!! Yep, most definitely a Taswegian now. I'm such a traitor!!!

Oh, BTW - can you please turn the furnace down before I arrive!!! We don't want me to melt on the day, do we?

Upside - plenty of wine so maybe I won't notice it by the time the reception starts. Good plan, don't you think?

Cleveland Bound

It's almost that time.

Now that we are officially into October I think I can now stop counting down to little brother's wedding in weeks and starting counting in days. It is 24 days until my baby bro is a married man.

And now that it has finally sunk in that the wedding really IS right around the corner I've realised that it also means that in just a few weeks I'm heading back to my old stomping ground. My brother and the soon to be Mrs are getting married in the Redlands - where we both grew up and lived well into our twenties. Cleveland, Wellington Point, Alexandra Hills, Capalaba - all areas where my formative years were spent. Where I got my first job. Where I bought my first house. We are staying in Cleveland for the wedding and it's going to be a bit surreal I think. That and the amount of traffic will probably scare the beejesus out of me. I'm used to a traffic jam that involves 5 cars now. Not 50.

It's hard to believe that when we fly up for the wedding it will have been close to 4 months since moving to Tasmania. And it feels like a lifetime away. I no longer refer to it as home - it's now the mainland. I'm dreading the wedding in part because it's going to be so hot compared to Tassie. I am loving living in a colder climate.

Speaking of colder climates (and getting way off topic) spring has started to arrive here now. And it is glorious. The farms are full of baby lambs (I so want to nab a couple and bring them home) and baby ponies and baby calves. The hedges and lanes are starting to come alive with the trees and bushes starting to sprout leaves and flowers and blossums. It is the most magnificient sight to see.

I just wish that it didn't mean the end of snow and cold weather for the year.

Any Body in the Road Gets Knocked Over

It's become common knowledge within my family that I am, essentially, the black sheep of the family, so to speak.

And that doesn't mean what you think it means. Most of my family still talk to me (when they are in good moods that is - some members of my family and I have a love-hate relationship. We love to hate each other and hate to love each other quite often - I wish this wasn't the case and have tried to remedy on more occasions than I can count but, sadly, have slowed down in my efforts. Not very christian but something I will continue to work on until the day I die) and, now that I'm "all growed up" I get along better with alot more of my cousins than I did when we were younger. It probably has alot to do with the fact that aside from maybe a half dozen of my cousins, the remainder of my cousins are all at least 10 years older than me. Quite a large age gap but I am very lucky to be able to say that at least one of them is like my older sister now. She's great for advice, always listens when I want to have a whinge and, above all else, has a deep love of all things romantic, BBC and such. Love ya K!

Anyway, I digress. I'm not a traditional black sheep. I'm a literal black sheep. That is, I am totally, utterly and completely accident prone and usually covered in bruises. If there is anything to run into, trip over, cut yourself on I am the first one there.

The tales of my misfortunes have become legend in our household especially. A week doesn't go by when you hear the echo of an "OW" drift from some corner of the house. Nobody bothers to ask who it was and what happened unless it was a particularly loud ow, a swear word was uttered or I enter the room holding a body part and looking for sympathy.

So, for those counting along at home, here is the current approximately tally of the most accident prone person you will ever (and do I mean EVER) encounter in your entire life.

10 - The number of toes broken
2 - The number of times each toe has been broken
1 - Foot broken on my last overseas holiday
1 - Knee that landed upon a letter opener and went straight through (excellent for grossing out the ungrossable mother!!!)
10 - Fingers and thumbs that have been broken or fractured
2 - The number of times each finger and thumb been broken or fractured
1 - The number of times I have fallen off the top of the back stairs and landed on the ground below (off the first story and over the balcony no less)
2 - The number of times I have stepped on either broken glass or oyster shells at the beach and ripped the bottom of my foot open
1 - The number of times I fell into the pool and landed on the edge on my back
1 - The number of times I slipped and fell down the internal stairs landing on my back
6 - The number of times I have smacked my elbows so hard against something that I ripped them open (and no, it really isn't funny when you do that to your funny bone)
2 - The number of times I have split my head open

More times than I can count - bruises on smacked heads, legs, thighs, toes, knee caps, arms, hands, elbows, hips and ankles against any surface I can find.


And if you think that is bad, I have serious trouble walking a straight line. God help me if the police asked me to walk a straight line for a sobriety test. No officer, I'm not drunk just really unbalanced!!!!!

Thanks to the girls at work for figuring out why I cannot walk straight - apparently it has something to do with depth perception. Yes - insert obvious joke here!!! Explains why I needed glasses so badly though (the fact that wearing glasses hasn't helped doesn't).

Mommy, I Have An Owie

It's days like the last few days that make me wish I was a guy.

Isn't it bad enough we have to deal with "monthly issues", childbirth and menopause.

Without making everyone feel as sick as I do right now (though maybe that would make ME feel better if everyone else was sick as well) I have another cyst that, joy of joys, burst while I was at work on Wednesday.

It hurts. It hurts bad.

I would really rather be at work right now rather than hugging a hot water bottle and wishing I wasn't a woman this week.

I might be nearly 30 but I still want my mommy!!!! Nothing makes you feel better than a hug and sympathy from your momma!

It's Never Too Early

I have officially started getting in a halloween mood.

Starting with today's brownie baking (and using my halloween tupperware for the first time - YAY!)

All Hail to the Snail

A weird sort of day. And certainly not one I was expecting.

The weather channel predicted high winds, showers/rain and storms for us today, snow on the mountains and a graziers warning........ it didn't prepare me for what we received:

8.00am: Bright, sunny and warm with no wind
10.30am: Cloudy, slighty windy and a bit chilly - but bearable
11.40am: Gale force wind, freezing cold, pelting rain and....... hail, 2 claps of thunder and one lightening strike
11.45am: Strong wind, blue sky and birds singing
12.30pm: Slight wind, blue sky and... rain??? No idea where that is coming from!
12.50pm: Windy, blue sky and just gorgeous
1.25pm: Sudden gale force wind that came from nowhere, followed immediately by.... you guessed it, hail, 2 claps of thunder and one lightening strike
1.35pm: Windy (with a tree down across the road), blue sky but with a chill

I thought today we were living in Melbourne or England. We sure do get 4 seasons in a day down here.

My favourite part of the day................... On our way back from lunch (at my favourite bakery, eating the most yummy steak sandwiches you could ever eat in your life - all enjoyed fireside) mum was trying to explain how she thought it was more than likely that it would be sleeting instead of hailing in our town:

Me: OMG - look at the hail. It's like it's raining little pebbles. How cute!
Dad: What hail, isn't it just heavy rain?
Me: No dad - look at the hail bits stuck to your window
Dad: Oh, yeah, I see it now - how amazing is that?
Mum: I bet it's snailing at home!!!
Me: ?????
Dad: ?????
Mum: Do you think?
Me (straining skywards looking for falling snails): I don't think there are any snails mum
Mum: Not snails, sleet and hail!
Me: Oh, you mean SNAILS!!!!

DOH!!!! I think the mountain air has gone to our heads!

References Galore..........Sort-of

To my soon-to-be new softball team-mates......

See, I told you I came with prior playing credentials!

........... It's just that I was only 11 at the time!!!!!

The Final Countdown

I have been slack. I haven't posted a proper post for over a week now.

Things have been busy. I have gotten into the groove of things at work. It seems like I've been there for 3 months, not 3 weeks. I'm still waiting for the outcome of the application screening process but will hopefully have had an interview and have an answer if I get a more permanent job in the next 5 weeks.

I can't believe that 5 weeks on Friday my baby brother will be getting married. It seems like only yesterday he and I were little kids zooming around our house in the cardboard boxes (do you remember those little brother?? You used to scream your head off, you loved it so much. Probably explains the fascination with air force jet planes).

So, in honour (though 5 weeks early) of my little brother's "coming of age" I have decided to dedicate this blog post to him.

FOR MY BABY BROTHER!

• Who loves a good game of golf...
• Who found way too much pleasure in flushing his lego and baby toys down the toilet......
• Who always was the bright spark in the family (generally obtained by sticking fingers in electrical sockets).......
• Who was always my best friend from the day he was born.....
• And who will always be my baby brother, no matter how old he is, and no matter if he is married.....

Congratulations C and G!!! I hope you both have a wonderful life together.
Now hurry up with those nieces and nephews - I'm not getting any younger you know!!!!

Well Blow Me Down and Call Me Winded

It's blowing a 100 kilometre breeze outside.

I literally got nearly knocked off my feet this afternoon whilst walking up the road from work to deliver some documents. I couldn't believe it. You could just about jump in the air and land in the same spot you jumped off.

Driving home this afternoon my car actually rocked (and not in the good way). It was so windy that my car kept skidding slightly off the road.

Seriously scary stuff.

This wasn't in the brochure!!!!!

CAUTION..... Slippery When Wet

To:

The farmer who was out checking his lambs - You rock!!!

Jetstar - Time to hire pilots who know landing in crosswinds is not a desirable thing to do

The Truck Driver who thought it would be a good idea to try and get me to pee my pants - Congratulations... it worked

The Two idiots (not surprisingly who looked about 10) who thought drag racing at the lights in the wet was a good idea - way to go geniuses... I'll see you both in court

The dame who thought driving through a puddle and splashing me in the process was funny..... It was so funny I'm still laughing...btw my dry cleaning bill is in the post

The scientists working on the Hadron Collider - Ok, enough already, turn the fan down to low

And finally.....

The people at Toyota - Next time, I want a tank please!

A Matter Of Opinion

Someone emailed this to me at work.

And I have to admit, I never really thought about it in these terms. I guess it all depends on what angle you are looking at it from! (ok, get your mind out of the gutter - I didn't mean it like that!)

What's The Time Mr Wolf???

Is Mummy home yet Nanna?

Why isn't she home yet??

What about now??? Is she home now? Why won't she come home nowwwwww????

Thunder and Lightning

How exciting is my life right now???

We have just been through our first official Tasmanian storm - and I'm all excited.

Life is currently a series of firsts!!!

Eye Of The Tiger

Quick post about my Rocky Balboa moment......

I'm at work and I finally made it all the way, running up the three flights of stairs without my legs giving way. I did my little Rocky dance on the third floor and I'm sure security quite enjoyed watching it on the security cameras.

I'm thinking next week when I try to make two laps of the stairs they will start setting the Rocky or Eye of the Tiger soundtracks to my routine!

Hoo-Hah!

For My Dad

• Who drives me to work when I use the puppy dog eyes
• Who let me move back home after finally moving out
• Who lets me have the remote sometimes
• Who eats whatever I cook, and always loves it
• Who helped me buy my first car
• Who built a cat run/enclosure so my cats wouldn't be able to get out and run free
• Who helped me write my job applications for nearly a week
• Who always gives me a hug when I need it

And finally, who has always give me the freedom and space I needed but was always watching out for me, even when I didn't think he needed to.

I love you Dad

Happy Father's Day from your little girl!

It's All Water Under The Bridge

I haven't died. I'm still around.

I've spent the last week writing job applications for the two positions that opened up at my temporary work. And I am hoping and praying I get one of them as I really want to stay. I realised this week that since the move and starting this new job that I am happier than I have ever been in my entire life. I'm getting fitter (and have lost some weight as a result. Running up and down 3 flights of stairs each morning also helps!) and I'm meeting new people and subsequently have started making new friends. Life is good!!!!

According to my father, he doesn't just get a day for father's day, he gets an entire weekend. Not sure how he figures that one, but I'll play along this time. It meant a day out today and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

We drove over the Batman Bridge which, for a bridge, was actually quite lovely.

We also drove through Beaconsfield. For all you aussies following along, you'll know why Beaconsfield is now famous through-out Australia because of the mine collapse that happened a couple of years ago now. It is so hard to believe that the mine is actually situated right in the middle of the town. So surreal. And sad at the same time because you also think about Larry Knight who died in the collapse, and the two survivors. I guess it hit a little closer to home for me than any other stranger because I get to see all the comings and goings for the inquest into the collapse and death of Larry each day from work. Very sad.

Tonight, however, my focus is on finding something suitable to wear to my brother's wedding. I had a dress that I bought, but have now decided against. Why oh why is it so hard to find something nice?! I might just wear a garbage bag I think!

I'm also starting to panic slightly because I bought a wedding present for them before I moved, however I haven't located it as yet. I'd better find it in the next few weeks or I'm up the creek without a paddle. Bollocks!

Update: I just found two, yes two, totally fabulous dresses on ebay. I am going to look so god-damn gorgeous at this wedding it's positively sinful (sp?).

Downsides:

1) Is it possible to look so damn cute at your brother's wedding, that it would be considered in bad taste. In my defence, I am not trying to upstage the bride and not hook up with any hottie there (not that there are going to be any hotties there - well, except me, it's all family).

2) The dresses are currently on location in England. Bollocks!

Luck Be This Lady!

What a great near end to the week.

My team at work were falling over themselves yesterday morning to tell me that the job position that I am currently temping is has been advertised as a 5 month fixed-term contract. Yay! They have also advertised a permanent full time job in the front-end department that works with us, Double Yay.

I have started writing my applications as we speak and am hoping that I will be a shoo-in for one of them!

Kiddies - Consider Yourselves Warned!!!

Don't ever break the law. EVER!

Today, as a part of my new job I had the privilege (?) of taking a tour through the underbelly of the police station watch-house, remand centre and prisoner tunnels to the courthouse.

It is seriously SCARY. Seriously. The cells are dark, smell horrible and look terrible to have to spend any amount of time in. The officers who man the watch-house and remand centre are big dudes. Huge dudes (they were incredibly nice to me, but I'm sure that would change should I ever have the misfortune of being arrested). The further into the rabbit warren we delved the more determined I become of never finding myself entering through the prisoner entrance.

For everyone that has kids, send them to me and I'll make sure they never find themselves on the wrong side of the law. I might even organise a tour for them. Shock therapy works a treat. I'm sure that many of the adults and kids that go through the system might not be there had they seen how it really works when you are in trouble.

Seriously scary stuff!!!

A Whole Lotta Love

I am in love!!!

I had my first day back at work today and I had a ball. I have never, ever described any job I've ever had in this way. I have also never had such a good time on my first day.

Even though I can't mention whereabouts I'm working on this blog, I can tell you that it is so interesting. I get so see people from all walks of life, and see some of the processes that keep our lovely state running.

I have my fingers crossed and am saying my prayers every night that I might get a permanent job out of this and not just a temping contract.

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Back To The Salt Mines

In one hour and 20 minutes, it's back to work *sigh*

After having taken a lengthy time out today I head back to work - and I'm freakin'!

Why oh why must we all work?

Mending Fences

We (meaning Dad) are currently rebuilding and repainting the fences surrounding our house.

The cats literally turned themselves inside out and gave us headaches because they weren't allowed outside all day unless they had harnesses and leads on as the deck, drive and garden are not currently fully enclosed.

Guess it's going to be a noisy few days until the swanky new cat enclosure is complete.

You Like Me, You Really Really Like Me

Yay - as of 4.07pm this afternoon, I am a working woman - albeit temporarily.

Whoever would have thought that I would get excited about going back to work

Fingers crossed they decide to make the job a permanent position.

If I Were Shoes, Where Would I Hide???

Mum sends in the sniffer "cat" to locate her missing shoes!!!

I Get Knocked Down.... And Can't Get Up Again

Olympic boxing at it's best.....

Both boxers KO'd each other and hit the mat at the same time.

ECW Wrestling Federation is probably lining up to sign them both as we speak.....

I'm Gonna Wash That Red Right Outta My Hair

The Request:

Please get rid of the red that you somehow managed to get in half of my hair yesterday along with the honey blonde.

The Result:

I am now two shades of red.

Flipping heck - my only option now (aside from finding another hairdress, paying more money to fix the muck-ups) is to try washing my hair two to three times a day and try and wash the colour down to a manageable level.

I detest looking for new hairdressers!

Climb Every Mountain

Or in this case, climb a trailer full of "stuff" covered in a silver tarp.

To the cats, a snow covered mountain top - that makes them taller than me!

(Look black cat, you can see for miles and miles!!!)

(What Yeti?? I don't see a Yeti???)

(I shall smote thee with one look unless you bring me food.... NOW PEASANT!)

Ain't No Sunshine

Mummy, where did the sunshine go???

What's Your SGP?

Secret Guilty Pleasures!!!

So, I guess it won't be so secret now, but I absolutely LOVE soft boiled (well, I like them really runny with the whites just cooked - I have this down to an art when boiling!!!) eggs with soldier toast.

Runny eggs and soldier toast was what mum always let me have when I was sick as a kid. And it became the comfort food of choice when I was sick or feeling a bit down as I grew into a teenager and now into my adulthood.

But here's the odd thing. I don't like runny eggs and soldier toast for breakfast. For me, the guilty pleasure is in eating runny eggs and soldier toast for dinner (and maybe for lunch if I really am hankering after it). It's weird - there is something so satisfying about having eggs and toast for tea. It's kinda of like having grilled cheese on toast for lunch. It's not a heavy meal but it just fills you up in a way no other food could.

BTW - this doesn't mean I refuse to eat eggs for breakfast. However I only like poached eggs or eggs benedict for breakfast. I am very fussy about what sort of eggs I eat at certain times of day.

Hmmm - I wonder if eggs for dinner and eggs for breakfast would be overdoing it????

I See Red!!!

I hate to admit it, but I get my hair coloured - blonde. I'm not dyeing it lighter as I am naturally blonde but I like to change the shades of blonde I have. Until recent months that is, when I made the decision to go darker. A shade of honey brown I think it is.

I loved my hairdresser in Queensland. It took me forever to find one that I truly loved and I hated leaving her. She got my hair. She understood my hair. And better still, she always understood what colour I was talking about, no matter how vague my description was.

Today I braved uncharted waters and tried a new hairdresser here in Tassie. I put if off for as long as I could but I couldn't deny the fact last week that my hair was driving me nuts. It was time for a cut and colour. All was going great guns during the hairdressing session and the immediate hours following.

Until I got home........

The front half of my hair has turned this odd reddy/coppery/strawberry colour. Which wouldn't be so bad if the bottom and back half were not the nice honey colour it was when I left the hairdresser. The damn woman who washed the initial colour out of my hair obviously didn't get it all out because it wasn't like this when I left the salon. Aaargh!!!!!

So, time for round two. I've rung the salon, told them what happened and they have told me to come back tomorrow to fix it. *fingers crossed* it had better work this time. Because I don't particularly want to walk around town looking like Bozo the clown!

*sigh* I wish my old hairdresser would move to Tassie. Life would be so much simpler.

Do YOU Know The Way To San Jose?????

I got lost. Totally lost. Heed this warning - do not ever give me navigational responsibilities if travelling with me.

I headed into town this morning for a job interview (got offered the job but turned it down - long story but I know I was right to turn it down. Bah, will I never learn?).

Anyway, I was trying to find their office. Launceston city is not big by any means - well not at all. But I'm finding it hard coming from the "big smoke" (Brisbane) where I grew up and knew my way around blindfolded. Now, I'm the one wandering around town with a map in hand trying to find my way.

You might as well set me loose in a maze next time because I'll be just as effective. I spent over ten minutes walking the streets trying to find this office. I couldn't understand it - according to the map I was only one street away but it was never the street name on the sign post.

It occured to me after some time of aimless wandering that I had the map upside down. DUH!!!!!!

And no, I did not stop and ask for directions. Then I would have looked like a real loser!!!!

It's Not Stalking If You Have A Key...... And Other Fond Obsessions!

I don't know what made me think of it, but today whilst doing some more unpacking (that nasty beast) something made me think about a wonderful attitude towards obsession that an old friend of mine holds dear (a little too closely in my opinion).

Said friend is an avid Brisbane Lions supporter. She holds season tickets and never misses a home game - rain, hail or shine. She organises her entire social calender around the football season. She also worships the ground a certain player walks on. To the point that a discussion one evening after several beverages turned to the fact that her favourite player shopped in the same supermarket she used to work in. It eventuated that someone working within the store actually knew where this certain player lived. What then followed was a lively argument regarding the pros and cons of visiting his lovely abode.

This is where the word stalker first entered the discussion and the fact that only a stalker would turn up at player's house uninvited. After pondering this fact, my friend then delivered a gem of a thought. "It's not stalking if you have a key". I'm not sure where she intended to get a key (all part of my "but officer, I didn't know she got a key made" defence), however it has remained imbedded in my memory and cropped up in several drinking topics over the following years.

Ok, getting off topic slightly. After surveying my room after unpacking more boxes today, I felt the need to be ashamed (I wasn't though to be honest, even though I probably should have been). Very ashamed. I can't believe how much disney stuff I have. And it occured to me, I think I may be obsessed. I am way too close to thirty for comfort (I intend to stay 29 forever!!!) and am a disney obsessed freak. I wonder if it is normal to be my age and so enthralled by all things disney. I am, however, slightly comforted by the fact that my soon-to-be SIL is just as obsessed by disney as I am. I'm not sure if that makes it ok, or if it makes us both freaks (my poor brother though, he lived through my disney obsession and now he's moved in with another. He must have killed a muppet in a former life!).

Is it just me or are there unacceptable obsessions to have at certain ages??

Out and About - 17 August

Since arriving in Tasmania, I have suffered from itchy feet syndrome. There are so many places around the state that I'm dying to visit and photograph. So it's no surprise that I already had this weekend somewhat planned in my head. Saturday turned out to be a bit of a non-event since Friday was spent driving to see the heavy snowfall that occured during the weekend. I now have new favourite towns and a little scottish coffee shop that is divine! I'd go every day if I could (there is also a danish restaurant that I spotted in Devonport today that I can't wait to go back and try).

However today was market day (Yay - I love markets!!!) in LaTrobe. I thought it would be bigger and better than it was. I wasn't overly impressed with it, however they have several antique stores (one called Reliquaire is my new doomed store - I'm doomed to visit and never leave empty handed. They have soooooo much stuff, and art deco home reno stuff.... I can totally hear my credit card groaning from the pressure now) that look oh so enticing.

(Frogmore Lane - don't you feel like playing leap frog!!!)

From here, it was a drive down Frogmore Lane (I could totally see several of my family members playing leap frog down this lane - it is gorgeous!) and then onto Devonport. Now I like the new town we are living in. I love the city we live near, but today I fell headlong, head over heels in love with the north-west of Tasmania. Even though I'm stuck in the North-Midlands at the moment, the North-West will be my aim to move to when the time is right (aka when I can afford to move out).

(Waving to all our family on the mainland from all of us here at Mersey Bluff)

(Mersey Bluff overlooking the entrance to the Mersey River. No, we are not in

Liverpool and do not need tuppence to cross it!)

(looking at the snow on Cradle Mountain from the hills of Devonport)

Oh, did I mention the most FANTASTIC chocolate factory, cheese factory and rasberry farm that are along the highway just outside of Devonport. I have worked really hard and lost some weight for my brother's wedding but I'm sure I put on 3 kgs just driving past these places today (ok, there is a small chance that we stopped at the chocolate factory for coffee and ice-cream but hey, for only $1 more you can get two scoops, right mum???) Seriously, don't ever, EVER get the double scoop ice cream from Anvers unless you starved yourself for three days prior. Truly!

And because I am such a trooper I will make a return trip to Anvers asap to get a photo of said double scoop for everyone reading this. 'Cause that's just the kind of girl I am.

Hmmmm, now what to plan for next weekend?????

Things that make you go hmmmm?????

I was reading a family members blog and read some comments posted from a US reader. He was quite thrilled when he found out that there was a Cleveland, Australia. It made me laugh because it reminded me of some funny times working as a travel agent.

Now, technically there are two Clevelands in Australia (I know this because one of them - the QLD one - I used to live the next suburb over and there is one in Tasmania I found out the other day). Did you know there is a Melbourne in Florida, USA. I didn't until I had a client call me in tears because she booked a flight online from Brisbane to Melbourne and couldn't understand why it was thousands of dollars instead of a couple of hundred. Upon checking the ticket she booked, it turned out that she had booked a flight to Melbourne, Fl instead of Melbourne, Vic. I felt sorry for her but a little disturbed by the fact that it didn't twig that a flight to Melbourne doesn't cost $3000.00.

Then there is the delightful women I met whilst working in group travel. This bright spark called wanting flight costs and times from Brisbane. The conversation went like this.

Woman: I want a flight from Brisbane. Can you tell me the cost and flight times?
Me: Not a problem. Where were you wanting to fly to?
Woman: Well, where does Qantas fly?
Me: *Dead silence for 30 seconds while pondering my answer* Well, they fly to pretty much every city with an airport within Australia. Which city did you want to travel to?
Woman: Well if you tell me where they fly I can tell you!

At this point in the conversation, I really felt like asking her if she wanted me to list every city i Australia that Qantas flys to in alphabetical (sp?) order or start from the bottom of Australia and work my way up?

It ranks right up there with people who walk into a travel agency and when you ask them where they are looking at going, they give vague answers..... "somewhere hot" "what's on special" "not sure really".

It's memories like these that make me glad I don't work as a travel agent anymore!!!!!

Bollocks, Bugger and Darn It All!!!

A lovely day today. Mum, Dad and I went cross-state driving this afternoon to see some more of our new home state. It was beautiful. We nearly made it to the snow as well. But, as with all great days, there are nearly always downers.

I had a job interview this morning. I kind of got the feeling when I walked in that he had no intention of hiring me. This was confirmed by a phone call at 4.00pm this afternoon. Bugger!

I started to feel sick (probably car sick - very unusual for me though) while waiting for Dad to pick his new car up. Bollocks! (Feeling much better now though - yay)

Leisel Jones and Libby Trickett didn't win gold medals in their races today. Darn it (however all of the gold medals won by Australia so far have been won by the girls - take that fellas!!! yay)

Southern Cross have crossed from the olympics coverage to the AFL match. Bugger - I prefer to watch the olympics (it also means I won't get to watch the end of the cycling and probably some of the swimming. Double bugger!)

No matter, I probably wouldn't have liked the job that I interviewed for (and I obviously wasn't meant to get it anyway), I was only sick for an hour or so and recovered enough to eat mum's vegie patties (yum yum), Leisel and Libby swam their best (and you can't ask for more than that) and SBS is still covering some of the games (just wish it wasn't women's soccer).

As always, a day of ups and downs.

Bring on the weekend!!!!

Welcome to all who come (unless you don't like cats)~!!!

After welcoming so many wonderful (and even more not so wonderful) trades people and sales people through our home in the last month, I have posted the following sign on our front door.........

Rules for Non-Cat Owners Who Visit and Like to Complain About My Cats:
1. They live here. You Don't.
2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture.
3. I like my cat a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, it's an animal. To me they are my adopted children who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and do not speak clearly. Cats are better than kids. They eat less, don't ask for money all the time, are easier to train, usually come when called, never drive your car, don't hang out with drug-using friends, don't smoke or drink, don't worry about buying the latest fashions, don't wear your clothes and don't need a gazillion dollars for college.

Bread crusts will make your hair curly (and other lies my mother/grandmother told me!!!)

I've just started to put dinner on, and while cleaning up the brussel sprouts to put in the pot (yes, I do eat sprouts - I love sprouts!) and I started to think about what my mum and nanna used to tell me and my brother to get us to eat certain foods.

1) Eating your bread crusts will give you curly hair (ummmm, yes my dead straight thick hair does have one errant curly hair - I think it's called frizz).

2) Eating your carrots will help you see in the dark (sure, so long as I can get my night vision goggles in my glasses prescription strength).

3) Eating spinach makes you strong (well, I guess if it worked for Popeye - But I still refuse to smoke a pipe!).

4) Broccoli is just little trees (well, do you see me knawing on the tree trunk outside????).

I'm sure there were more, but these are the ones that really stick in my mind. Mum should be proud that here I am, nearly 30 and finally eating my greens voluntarily. She must have done something right.

Trouble a'brewin!

Not good. Not good at all.

I have now ventured into the Launceston town centre twice. And in two trips I have already managed to suss out my new favourite shops. An umbrella/cool knick knack shop. A homewares shop (with all of the cool and funky kitchen gadgets I love). Shoes (gotta have the shoes). A housewares shop (lots of fab art deco lights/lamps and house decs!). Cafes that look fab (with yummy hot choc as well - and possibly naughty things to eat - yum yum!).

I think I am entering very dangerous territory!

Hung Like a Trojan Horse

Last night, I came down with a virus. And no amount of panadol would make it go away. Last night, the laptop got sick. Very sick, it didn't die, but it wasn't feeling well. I tried to give it a vicks bath, I tried a steam bath, nothing worked. It had it's annual flu shot - but it still got sick.

This morning I performed emergency surgery and I'm pleased to report that the laptop is now resting comfortably and is expected to make a full recovery.

I should have been a doctor!!!! (My brother will be so proud - I fixed it all on my lonesome!).

Yay for Stephanie Rice who just won our first gold medal!!! Brisbane knows how to breed olympic champions!

A Sad Sign of the Times

I've been flicking through the cable channels this afternoon for some background noise while writing job applications and came across the show "Party Planner with David Tutera". Anyone who knows me knows how much I enjoy planning parties and decorating. It one of the reasons I love christmas, easter and halloween so much - the decorating and getting into the spirit of the season.

But the episode airing this afternoon was "Divorce Party". Now, I am all for throwing a party for the smallest reason, but I kind of think a divorce party is a bit disturbing. I just don't like the idea of celebrating the end of something that more than likely started out wonderfully, but for whatever reason, didn't work out in the end. I have no problem with people divorcing (even though it saddens me) but do we really need to through a party in it's honour? I really do think people don't value marriage as they used to.

For the record, should I ever get divorced (and yes, I am well aware that I need meet the love of my life and get married first) there will most definately NOT be a party.

p.s. Anyone who knows suitable candidates for the position of my future husband, I am accepting applications now. No references required.

To Tivo or Not To Tivo

I have been reading through the tv guide listings for the olympics and marking down what we will want to watch (swimming especially) and I saw a big ad for tivo just below the schedule. Do we have tivo in Australia? Apparently. All I know about tivo is what I've seen on Sex and the City and believe me, that isn't much. So when I saw how much tivo costs (we're talking nearly $1000 just to get all of the equipment) I wonder if it's really worth it. Couldn't I just get mystar from austar?? *shrug* I don't know. I wish I knew someone who had tivo who can tell me if it's really worth it?

Had a good giggle this morning though after Mel and Kochie discussed the whole physics of playing badminton and the drift that affects the "c**k". I thought Mel was going to start crying when Kochie started talking how they have climate controlled the badminton venue so there is no drift "c**k". Priceless!!!

Workin' It!

Sometimes I even suprise myself. Today was round one of interviews for finding work. I left feeling rather pleased with myself. Not bad when I usually leave thinking "I shouldn't have said that" or "I should have said this as well". I always think of the perfect thing to say after the fact. Today, however, I was on fighting form. So much so that *fingers crossed* a job has already been lined up for me.

I have to admit, I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself tonight.

So, while I'm patting myself on the back, I'm going to start planning my weekend. A visit to the markets on Sunday is sounding very tempting so far. Not sure what to do on Saturday. 'Spose I should probably do more unpacking. The excitement of unpacking is starting to wear off!

Oh, someone pleaes keep reminding me to get all of my address details changed over. I really must get moving on that! Bah, I'll do it tomorrow.

Productive (perhaps)

Today was a day for tradespeople. We finally have proper house heating (major time YAY!!!!) and the plumber who I thought may have been a mirage finally appeared (didn't fix the tap in my bathroom though - I may have to attempt that myself. It could get ugly).

Today was a day for phone calls. Friends have called to catch up (Hi Amy and Johnny!!! Waving merrily :o) I'll see you at the pub) and agencies have called to set up appointments (hello work!).

Today was a day for thinking about exercise (maybe tomorrow).

Today was a day for more unpacking (hello sunglasses - I've missed you. Oooh, found my long lost filo fax as well - life may now return to normal).

Today was a day for hot water bottles (according to the cats - my bed is now one big hot water bottle).

Today was a day for music (poor old stereo - it'll die of exhaustion tonight but I'm certain I saw it sway along to Jeff Buckley).

Today was not a day for cooking (because I just couldn't be arsed).

Overall, I think today could be called productive!!!!

Snow report: All lifts open, inches and inches of snow fall on Monday night and, wey hey, found out there is a shuttle bus that runs from the city to the ski fields so no driving up the icy road for this little muppet!!!

Evan Almighty - An Ark Inspiration

Have you ever watched a movie or heard a song or read a book that struck a chord?

Albeit a night later than anticipated I finally watched Evan Almighty tonight. Yes, I know it is a comedy, but there were moving undertones to the entire film. I did find it funny, chuckling along in all the right places, but for some reason it was the key undertones that got to me most of all. (If you haven't seen Evan Almighty, look away now) The last scene of the movie where God (Morgan Freeman) divulges that meaning of ARK and how to change the world. You change the world with one Act of Random Kindness at a time.

Having made some major changes to my life in the last 18 months it still doesn't seem like enough. I've always tried to treat people the way I would like to be treated. Now, though, I intend to do more. And I also would like to challenge everyone who reads this blog to bring a little ARK into your lives.

Remember, to change the world you do one Act of Random Kindness at a time!!!

Loon Patrol

Yet another heat pump guy out to give us a quote to remove the silly little wall heater and replace with a heat pump for the entire house is here. We've had an odd-ball collection of guys out here. We've had the nice gay guy who we all liked but stuffed the entire thing up (read earlier posts about him), the creepy old guy who I wouldn't want to be locked in a room with *shudder* and now we have annoying, loony guy. I don't know how many times we have to tell him that the french doors between the hall and lounge do not actually shut (thanks to the genius of the previous owners for doors that do not work). He has done two loops of the house muttering mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm, yuh, yuh, yeah well and repeats again. Well, if you could shut these french doors.... mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm, loony much????????

How do we always manage to find the sales rep nuts when we have people out to do quotes?? Must be a talent!

Fog Blog

It's not snow. It's not rain. It's fog and lots of it. It's 10.15am right now and outside my lounge room window it's looks like a rainy, overcast day. Up until half an hour ago, it was dark enough to be 6.00am. I had to drive half way into town to drop my car off for her first service and could barely see 5 feet in front of the car.

An Almighty Evening

I don't get to spend a lot of time just Dad and I hanging out. I suggested tonight that we watch a movie together as it's one of the few things we enjoy doing together (the other things being golf and walking/hiking. I am intending to add skiing and bicycling to this list over the next few months).

So, tonight's movie pick is Evan Almighty. I bought it ages ago but never actually sat down and watched it. Neither of us have seen it so Evan Almighty it is (I am still stunned that he said he would watch The Family Stone though).

Mr Not Scared Emperor Guy

I'me watching The Disney Channel right now having recently been introduced to The Emperor's New Groove.

Now, I am a HUGE, HUUUUGE disney fan. I love all things disney. I don't care if I'm 29 nearly 30 or 2.

But The Emporer's New Scool is a new discovery for me and I'm loving it!!! Hello, my name is Kuzco, Mr Not Scared Emperor Guy.

Hasta La Bye Bye!!

Games People Play

I didn't realise until last night while watching the nightly news that the Olympics opens on Friday night.

I've never been big on watching sports, especially watching a sport religiously. Much to my father's despair, I especially do not enjoy rugby league (this doesn't mean that I'm not proud of the fact that my dad played A-grade footy in his youth. Just the opposite - I think it's cool to be able to say your dad was a somewhat well known player in his day).

I'm interested to see what China comes up with for the opening ceremony. Our local news station covered the story about the leak from inside the dress rehearsal of the ceremony. It's a shame really, it takes a bit of the magic out of the evening I think.

I'm looking forward to watching the swimming and a few of the other sports. But I am also counting down to the 2010 Vancouver winter games. As much as I love the summer games, I absolutely adore watching the winter games. I am also hoping that I may even be able to go to the Vancouver games. That would be so incredibly cool.

Addiction, Thy Name Is......

Hello, my name is Tanya and I am an addict. A handbag addict. A shoe addict. A recipe book addict. A disney addict.

It sure is a good thing I gave up caffeine and nearly all alcohol (I maybe drink a half glass of wine every month or two), because my other addictions seem to have overtaken my life. I am spending a lazy Sunday doing some more unpacking. And I unpacked one particularly large box that to my horror was full (yes, full) of handbags. All sorts of handbags. Cute little shoulder bags, lovely casual day purses, evening purses, laptop bags, large carry-all bags, totes, general carry bags, bags bags bags. How on earth did I accumulate so many bags. And the worse thing is, a good portion of these bags are creeping onto ten years old. I even found my two favourite purses that I used when I first turned 18 and started going out to clubs and bars. I still have them. I have kept all of them (except for the very few that fell into such disrepair that it was cheaper to toss them or give them to charity).

What's worse is I haven't started to unpack my shoes. I'm afraid to even look in that box.

My bags and shoes lived all over my room in previous houses. Since I have a nice, large bedroom (cheers mum and dad for buying a such a big house) that I decided before the move to get myself organised shoe and bag wise. I bought covers for all of my bags, I bought shoe boxes for all of my shoes. And now I'm a little alarmed when looking at all of them neatly organised - there are so many. I haven't touched my book boxes (Dad is not so subtly hinting that he would like my book boxes to remain packed and stored in the shed until I move out) and barely started opening all of the china and antiques I have collected over my years.

I never really realised just how much stuff I have picked up in my lifetime thus far. Now I have done lots of spring clean outs and several major clean outs (that required several trips to the rubbish dump and I am sure quite a few thankyous from various charity shops - there are several I just about stocked from top to tail). I did the biggest cleanout ever prior to this interstate move.

I think ebay is about to get a new best seller customer!

p.s. I have this amazingly gorgeous pair of lavender Manolo Blahniks that I bought on ebay at a steal but turned out to be just slightly to narrow for me to wear comfortably. However they look gorgeous on Mum. I'm still trying to convince her that she should wear them to my brother's wedding in October. Go on Mum - you'll look smashing!!!!!!!!

Chicken Soup For Your Soul

Very recently the two year anniversary of my nanna's death occured and after a post by my cousin on her blog I have been thinking about her more than ever recently.

So after contemplating what to do for dinner tonight, I decided to make Nanna's old family recipe for chicken soup.

Anyone in our family who spent their years growing up with nanna, spending their school holidays with nanna, or visiting nanna for a weekend during winter when we grew older, you could always smell nanna's chicken soup as you drove into the driveway. Nanna was famous for her soup (though everything she made was always delicious), but this soup in particular holds a special memory in my heart. These smells are the smells of my childhood.

Nanna used to tell me how she and my mother would be in the kitchen together making this soup when my mum was young. Then, as I grew up, I used to help nanna make the soup - talking about life, love and all of the wonderful family stories and memories that I loved to hear about. Cooking with Nanna were some of the greatest times of my life.

Now, making this soup is a ritual between my mother and I. It isn't that mum and I didn't cook together when I was young. Indeed, there are some wonderful photos and memories of cooking as a child with mum. I owe all of my culinary skills to both my nanna and my mum. But now that Nanna is gone, it is a special time that I get to spend with just mum and I. All of those discussions and chats that I used to have with nanna over bubbling soup I now have with mum.

Today's soup making session left me with a thought. I hope if I am ever lucky enough to have a daughter that someday she gets to have that bonding experience over food with my mum that I had with Nanna, and I hope that I get to have the same as well.

Nanna, it's times like these that I miss you so much it hurts, there is no-one who can ever take your place. And Mum, you are the greatest mum in the world - I could not and would not want another mum but you. I love you both!!!