Wednesday 29 February 2012

just Be Nice

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Okay?


Ciao for now...
 

Tuesday 28 February 2012

Yet More Corners...

My Kimmi-dolls beside my bed. Aren't they sweet?
Drawer front in my sideboard
I l-o-v-e my couch in my Good Room
Sleek cupboard over the stove top
candles everywhere - background too
I found this rock years ago. I l-o-v-e it too
Artwork a la Master T
In my bathroom. Thinking I should change the yellow tinge to blue
Cupboard front in my sideboard

I am not sure really why I am taking so many photos of the inside of my house.. Oh, hang on. Yes I do know. I should be doing my talk for TAFE. Huh! Go figure. Nothing much has changed since high school. Still leave it all to the last minute. Thought I might be a bit more disciplined by now. Obviously not...


Ciao for now...

 

Monday 27 February 2012

just Coffee...

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Needing a bit of this after attending a conference a-l-l weekend and predicting a busy week ahead. The family bonded very nicely with me out of the picture. I received a text from the Silver Fox asking me where my gym clothes were as he was doing a wash! Awww! It is SO good to have him back. Me? I was getting me some edu-mi-cation, sleeping in a luxurious hotel room, having meals prepared for me, mingling with professionals.....

Someone has to do it!

But in all seriousness, this sort of outing is r-e-a-l-l-y good for the soul. Boosts those little emotional bank quickly to replenish the energy stores for weeks. I have been in my industry for more than 17 years and take the opportunity to catch up with colleagues from the 'old days', find out what they are up to on a professional and personal front. Motivation is increased and a sense of kinship and silent support lingers for months ahead.

So thanks for the planets aligning so I can easily step out of my usual life for 24 hours of educational and emotional nourishment.

Remember, take time to replenish your petrol tanks, even if it is just with little things like a catch up for coffee...



Ciao for now...



 

Friday 24 February 2012

just Teaching...

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So, remember how I finished my Cert IV in Training and Assessment?
Then I applied for a casual job in a TAFE?
Then got an interview?
Then got the job?

Well, they rang me last week to do my first teaching session

"Why not?" I said to myself. "I can do this. I am in my 40s. I can do anything really"

So I said "I'd love to" to my boss as "why not" might have sounded a bit... well... flippant

So. Job Done.

I have my first teaching session

Did I mention it is a t-h-r-e-e (3) hour teaching session?

3 hours!!!!

OMG!!!

Best whip something up I suppose. Jeepers!! None of this 1/2 hour here or sitting in on a session there....

Nope.

Straight in to the deep end

Oh well, I can do this

I'm sure

Can't I?







 Ciao for now...

 

Thursday 23 February 2012

just SNAP...

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 I have discovered something new. Maybe an illness. Maybe I'm an inventor. Maybe... I'm getting old?

What is it?

It is "The SNAP"

Sound interesting?

Read on....

It is  a "Sudden Nap" aka SNAP. It occurs anywhere, anytime and can last anywhere from 5 minutes to 8 hours.

When I least expect it... Boom! I'm gone-ski to the land of nod

It usually happens during the last 5 minutes of a long awaiting TV show so the ending is n-e-v-e-r known. It even happens when I am sitting in a chair even. Sitting people, sitting!!

I'm not sure why it is happening now. Maybe I am catching up after the Silver Fox being away for 9 months. 9 months of broken sleep. Not sure.

All I know is that it comes in very handy sometimes to have a little "snap"

I'm liking it AND I can highly recommend it


 Ciao for now...


 

Wednesday 22 February 2012

just Bliss...

Miss T and the Silver Fox together

Life has been sweet since the Silver Fox has been back. It has been..... so easy really. I didn't think it would as I thought we would have a bit of a settling-in period. Oh, don't get me wrong, we did disagree about brands of tuna and which shop has the best roast chickens - all the important stuff. But. He has been so engaged in our family life. More so than I remember before he went away for 9 months. More so than.... well, forever really.

He drives Miss T home from school, goes to teacher/parent meetings, picks Mater T up from Scouts, does the shopping and washing (Hmmm, I'm a bit OCD about my washing and after my good Witchery T-shirts were put in the dryer.....), takes Master T BMX riding for h-o-u-r-s, even arranged a run with Miss T this morning at 5.30!! Look I know that to some of you this sounds perfectly normal but in my family the Silver Fox has always worked long hours and was just not around for all the usual stuff. When they asked him to work on Saturday he said 'I have missed more than 9 months of Saturdays with my family, I won't be working Saturdays'. or words to that effect. He is also less stressed and is so relaxed.

I think this little one has something to do with our family life sailing smoothly. The love she has created is amazing and she is so very sweet.
Miss Ginger Sass

So, life is pretty good here at the moment. Pretty darn good...







Ciao for now...

 

Tuesday 21 February 2012

Surprise...



I have booked a little surprise for my sister and I when we go to Byron for our couple of nights together... We aren't staying here but having a little...visit, shall we say!

She will be very excited........ to say the least.

Got to spoil a Sister now don't we?


 Ciao for now...

 

Monday 20 February 2012

Bath Anyone?...


The above view greets me every morning and although it might look enticing, we overlook a park so a bath on the verandah would not be the secluded, relaxed experience it should be. There is trouble here. Big time!

We still have a water leak in the bathroom. All stemming from 'the Great Flood' back in 2011.


Now as the Silver Fox built the house and knows every nail, every screw, every nook and cranny.... he is perplexed to say the least. Infact perplexed doesn't really describe his angst. I believe the following photos best describe his feelings:
Bath? What bath?
Shower mixer- gone-ski



Yep. Demolished bathroom, taps off, toilets out, laundry shoots murdered, vanities shifted and skirtings off. To no avail. He still hasn't found that leak as it sneakily drips down the laundry shoot to the laundry,  swelling the gyprock and pooling below.

(Bit dramatic this morning am I not?)

Here is a quick few pics of the scene from the laundry up.
Looking up from the laundry
Looking down the laundry shoot from the bathroom


So we are in limbo. Betwixed and between. what now? Does he put it all together with fingers crossed and hope for the best? Probably not. Probably get out his Indiana Jones hat and keep searching.

Luckily we are at the beginning of our internet time so I am able to upload all these photos..... (only 6 months left on my contract and then I am out of there....)

Have a lovely Monday folks,







 Ciao for now...



 

Friday 17 February 2012

Friday Hooray....

I've brought work home with me this weekend. Tricky to do in my line of business but I am w-a-y hehind in the paperwork department so nose to the grindstone it wil be. After my challenge, the washing, getting Ginger clipped, seeing my parents, a bike ride, finishing cleaning my bedroom and the kitchen, having an early morning walk with my gorgeous friend and her doggies....

Phew! Feel weary already

Master T has just fallen off his scooter so I've dried his tears, patched up where he has scrapped off some bark and put his wrist in ice. I am pleased to see he can wiggle his wrist nicely now as Friday night at our local Emergency is somewhat interesting but borders on spooky really. We have done it before. Him and I. When he broke the left wrist after a nasty skateboard stack at a crazy-hair disco. His hair was blue. The Emergency staff and patrons were none surprised. We were outshone by the crazy lady wearing gold spandex.

So hooray that we don't need to visit on this occasion.

I have started back on my Challenge at the gym and tomorrow we have stairs. Noice! Is it wrong that I really look forward to having a coffee and bacon and eggs with my team mates after? Only on a Saturday but the thought keeps me trying harder. Yesterday I did a 5 km run AND a 7.5 km bike ride. Please don't think I am bragging, it is just that I am still amazed that I can do it and live!


No pic today as I have sent this from my IPad and can't figure out how?








Ciao for now...

Thursday 16 February 2012

just Humid...

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Where we live it gets hot and steamy. Not really this sort of 'hot and steamy' but it rains alot and everything sort of gets soggy and sticky. The floors and furniture get wet and our clothes sort of get musty. Not painting a very good picture am I of life here? It is what it is. We live on the coast and rain is part of our weeks. But really in Australia, rain is a part of our lives. And droughts come to think of it.

I digress...

So when the Silver Fox was on his cleaning frenzy we sorted out our walk in wardrobe and he borrowed a humidifier from the neighbours to 'see what would happen', after noting that it was kind of musty in there. He is like that. A bit of an experimenter at times.

So he shut the door of the wardrobe and turned on the humidifier.

Guess how much water it collected.

Go on guess. Now the room isn't airtight so apparently it was also drawing air from the the bedroom.

Guess how much.

So far.....

38 liters of water!

Yep. You read right. 38 f-l-i-p-p-i-n-g liters of water from the atmosphere in my wardrobe/bedroom.

I wonder how much is lurking in the rest of the house?

Weird huh?






Ciao for now...


 

Tuesday 14 February 2012

Frugal February...

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It is nearly half the way through the month and I haven't even discussed "Frugal February" with you yet. It was Faux Fuchsia who got me thinking about it. And also Sarah Ban Bretchnach talks about being 'frugal' alot as being creative rather than stingy.

So we decided to tag along with this thriftiness and not to spend anything that wasn't necessary. No sales, no treats, just living with the basics. No Brands Exclusive. Nothing flash or fancy. Just the basics.

Yep, we can do basics. Luckily the washing machine and the pool filter had the decency to need replacing b-e-f-o-r-e February. (I'm still waiting for the third breakdown. They come in three's you know. Ask anyone and they will agree)

Now today is the day that the Silver Fox and I met 24 years ago. Valentine's Day. Aaawww! I saw him across a crowded room and baa-boom! Well, sort of... The crowded room was a nightclub. And I was sort of out on a date with a nice guy I worked with at a Mexican Restaurant. We weren't on a date at a Mexican restaurant, we worked together AT said restaurant. So, I met up with the Silver Fox the following week. What sort of girl did you think I was to jilt my date!!! We were married some 2 years later. Aaawwww....

But, I think the Silver Fox is r-e-a-l-l-y enjoying this Frugal February business, especially on Valentine's Day. It means no gift. I mean, no bought gift. He says yes to love, a home cooked dinner and us being together. Sounds just right doesn't it? I heard on the news that Australians will spend $300 million dollars on Valentine's presents. That's a lot of money isn't it?

Look, the Silver Fox wasn't first in line for the romantic gene although he is very romantic in a non-consumer way. He likes the 'thought' rather than the hooplah. I know he has the right idea but a little part of me l-o-v-e-s 'hooplah'.

Back to Frugal February. It is rather liberating to say 'no' I must admit. To ask  yourself 'do I r-e-a-l-l-y need that?'

Anyone for Miser March. The Silver Fox thought of it!!


 Ciao for now...



 

Monday 13 February 2012

Weekend Delight...

Balancing just right...
Someone buried the dog as she slept!

Lovely weekend full of family, birthdays and the beach. Miss T and I had an 8km walk with Miss Ginger along the beach. It is probably the first time that Miss T hasn't whinged the whole time. She must be growing up!! The boys went to the skate park for hours and came back hot, tired and happy.

My gorgeous Dad turned 75 and we are all clubbing together to buy him a new laptop with wireless connection so he can get 'on line' from anywhere. My Mum has dementia and as his current computer is in the garage, he doesn't get much 'alone' time to surf the net. Hopefully this will change with the laptop and he can top up his own emotional petrol tank more frequently. Life is a bit tough caring for someone with dementia. My Mum is a little fiesty to say the least and even simple tasks can require lots of negotiation! When he buys all his bits we will send Miss T over to 'set him up'. Teenagers are good like that.

It was also my gorgeous Sister's birthday and I have posted her down a little something to add to her gift. We have changed the way we give pressies to the adults. For birthdays we give a set amount of money so the person can buy something they really want. We give the same amount to each adult and then at Christmas time we only give to the children. I l-o-v-e it because it works so well. Last year I got a DKNY watch for my birthday and the Silver Fox put his money towards an iphone. LJ (Sister) and I are counting down the days to our weekend away. Can't wait to have some quality time with her.

Sad about Whitney isn't it? It is a real pity people are not aware of their worth or their value.


My computer speed has once again returned. Maybe it is time to change my plan to accommodate my internet-hungry family rather than be throttled 2 weeks prior to paying the bill.




 Ciao for now...




 

Saturday 11 February 2012

Memories...

From Google

The Silver Fox and I were cleaning the bedroom, sorting drawers... moving the bed, as you do, when we came across a special memory box I have in my cupboard.

We peeked inside.

There were magazines from when Master T was born, an old softball glove of mine from when I was in primary school, complete with a worn patch on the outside where I used to put my pointer finger outside the glove. Not sure why but from memory we all did it.

There were confirmation gifts for the kiddies, in safe keeping, including a dive watch for Master T from my brother which still keeps perfect time and is big enough to fit the Silver Fox so it might need to be in safe keeping for a few more years yet.

There was even a gorgeous gold cross that was the Silver Fox's when he was confirmed. Very old that!

Hmmm, what else? Finger puppets from Ikea meant for a present for someone, my old school tie complete with badges, numerous commemorative coins: Commonwealth Games from 1988, Charles and Di getting married and a 1/2 oz gold coin. There was a Bunnykins china set, kept so safe that I don't think anyone actually used it. Bit sad really as that double handled mug would have been very much loved I'm sure. There was even a couple of broaches of my grandmothers made from fly fishing lures. Well, never worn as yet but maybe one day...

But

There was also an airline ticket. Kept safe. So safe that the ink had completely faded away even though I kept it in paper.  I am unsure whose it was and as a reminder for which grand occasion? Was it Miss T's first flight or when we sent her to visit her Aunty, by herself, when she was 5 (5!!! - the things we did to her)

Sad really

I wonder what else in my other little bundles of memories has faded away?




 Ciao for now...


 

Wednesday 8 February 2012

just Heavenly...

My sister and I have set a date for our yearly weekend away together - just the two of us- that we last had in 2007. Done. She is booking her flights tonight and we have decided on Byron Bay as a destination. There are a couple of girlfriends we would like to invite eventually but for now it will just be the two of us. Her and Me. Maybe when we get settled in a routine of taking our yearly get-together, well, yearly, then we might invite our gorgeous friends along. But for now it will just bet he two of us. Hanging out. Having walks. Laughing. Talking.Filling up those emotional petrol tanks. I am soooooo looking forward to it.

Why Byron? well, it has it all doesn't it? Hills, beach. lighthouse, restaurants, shops..... (See tempting huh? No you can't come along this time. Maybe next time OR maybe I can meet you there for a cuppa)
Haven't worked out the details yet of kids, dog, hubbie, school, Saturday sports.... But you know what? I believe in deciding on the goal and the rest will work out. What do you think? Have an idea of where you want to be and how to get there will just happen.




Ciao for now...



Sunday 5 February 2012

just Glorious..

See? glorious!

The weather here has been fan-tasma-gorical! Sunshine galore. Here's what we have been doing:
  • Took the dog for a run
  • Boys spent 3 hours at the skate park
  • Moved a chest of drawers into my room
  • Took Miss T grocery shopping
  • Planned the evening meals for 1 week and bought all the ingredients
  • Swim at the beach
  • Weekly dose of McGuiver (he met a Sasquach today)
  • Moved by bedroom around and filled those lovely empty drawers
Nothing much, pottering really. What have you been doing?







 Ciao for now...




 

Friday 3 February 2012

just Hanging Loose...

Designed and produced by the very talented Miss T one afternoon at the beach. As you do!

You will be pleased to know that the hair saga turned out just fine. I neither looked like a victim of a bear attack nor a clown. In fact, most people didn't really notice and I was able to feel confident again that when people were talking to me they weren't wondering if my mother had been a skunk (white stripe down my parting - varying in width more noticeably each passing week)

Sigh...

What have I been up to? Well, there must be a full moon a-coming because the health industry has been slightly left field all week, not to mention the 28 phone calls I had a day needing to be actioned. Dear world, please note that even though you might like yoghurt, it can not be the o-n-l-y thing in your diet, you need to eat other stuff too. See what I mean?

Sigh...

I have my challenge starting again tomorrow and that will include a fitness test and measurements. I like this first session to be over but I like someone making me exercise even more. Bring on more health I say. I have been very good during the break: no drinking still, healthy diet and lots of activity.

Sigh...

The Silver Fox is STILL on holidays and this will be the longest time he has e-v-e-r had off since 1994 when we did a camping holiday around the west coast of America. He has had the cleaning bug this week and has been doing room by room with sanitizer, cleaning windows, cleaning s bends of the sinks (he kindly left me the contents of mine to see: nice), washing walls, tidying drawers... Who am I to argue?

He was looking for a lost sock and discovered that the bathroom upstairs is STILL leaking (see here regarding the Great Flood of 2011). Now the bathtub is outside on my balcony, the laundry chute is missing (leaving a very quick shortcut to the laundry should this be desired or infact come as a complete surprise to the unaware during the middle of the night) and he STILL hasn't found exactly where the leak is coming from and is talking about digging up the tiles! Joy!

So, I guess we are just hanging out this weekend. First week back at school for us and we have some happy/sad campers but I will save that for another time...





 Ciao for now...



 
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