A Question For You ...

Hello Fellow Bloggers,

I need your advice ...

My theme song, "What's New Pussycat?" has been a part of this blog for a very long time now ... I love it (Don't laugh, but I have actually put it on my mobile/cell phone as a ringtone !!!), but I'm not really sure whether you all do !! I'm wondering whether it has worn out it's welcome.

Here's where you come in ...

Could you please let me know whether I should keep the song on my blog, or should I get rid of it ??? What do you think ??? Be honest, now !!

All opinions greatfully accepted, and I won't be offended if you really, really hate it, and choose to tell me so !!

I will go with the majority vote.

Thanks everyone ... looking forward to hearing what you have to say.

Take care,

Friday Again ...

We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly embracing each other.

-- Luciano de Crescenzo --

It has been fairly busy in the world of Meow. As you probably know, I have a casual / part-time job. I am doing 2 to 3 days per week, which is more than enough. The days go quickly, as it is quite busy. The people there are lovely, and there seem to be interesting converstations going on all around me all day !! I sit at my workstation, with one ear plugged into my ipod headphones, and the other listening to the chatting around me (and joining in, too, of course ... me being the chatter-box that I am !!). All the while, still doing my work. The work is fairly easy, pretty repetitive, but OK. For someone like me, who doesn't mind sitting in front of a computer all day, it's ideal !! I didn't need to go out and buy a new wardrobe, either. Jeans are fine, as is pretty much anything (of course, I wouldn't go in track-pants, or anything sloppy like that, although some do !!!). I cherish my time at home all the more, now, although I have always loved being at home, anyway. I am becoming more organised, with my housework, washing, cooking, etc., and also my blogging time. I am even finding time to sleep (tee-hee!!).

Chicky has just finished her last day of Term 1 at school. They now have 2 weeks of holidays, which Easter being in the middle weekend of it. We are heading up to Bonnie Doon on Good Friday, staying until the following weekend. Aaaah, a week and a bit of R & R ... nice. That's the good thing about working casual, I can take the time off with out any problems. Besides, the work will be almost non-existent for the next couple of weeks, due to the holidays and Easter, and we get lots of university students coming in then, anyway.

We have been getting some wonderful rain, over the past couple of days. Hopefully, it is the start of the end of the drought. Fingers crossed. It has gotten quite cool, too. I actually cranked up the central / ducted heating today, to blow out all the dust (I had the doors and window open, so we wouldn't suffocate !!). It hasn't been used since probably September or early October, so it's incredible the dust that accumulates in the ducts !! All is nice and sweet smelling, now, so I can happily turn the heating on tonight, if it gets cold enough (I could've done with it last night !!). Although, now I need to do some dusting LOL !!

Chicky is off with some friends at the movies at the moment, and she is going to "Walking With Dinosaurs" tomorrow. We (that is, Hubby, Chicky and I) are off to the Caulfield Caravan and Camping Show on Sunday, to drool over the camper trailer we want to buy !! Not sure if I've mentioned it, but we want to buy a TVan ... not too sure if they have been distributed OS yet, but they sure are popular over here. They are a funny looking little thing ... I'll try and find a picture, and share it with you in another post. Whilst there, we'll probably pick up a gazillion brochures and things, about places we want to go, as we always seem to do. Then we come home, browse through them, and sit and dream ... sigh !!!

Anyway, I had better go ... almost time to pick up Chicky !!

I hope you all have a wonderful, amazing weekend.

Stay safe, and take care,

CATS ON TUESDAY # 12

We all know what independant, two-faced critters cats can be (don't deny it, it is all true !!). They generally do what they want, when they want to do it ... no rules for them, they're the boss, we're the slaves !!

Well, I just wanted to share with you how privileged I feel that such a creature is able to show me such love. Yes, my Bambi loves me .... I know it's true .... she tells me in so many ways. She singles me out, when we are all sitting in the loungeroom, with willing laps awaiting her presence. She choses to sleep with, and on, me ... rather than with Hubby or Chicky. She comes inside throughout the day, walks over to me, looks up at me and meows ... just so I will give her a pat ... then she happily goes back outside to play. She licks me, and rubs against me, and just generally snuggles with me. OK, I know that I am the one that feeds her, so she knows that I am the one she needs to be nice to !! But, I feel it goes deeper than that ... she loves me, I know she does !!!

Bambi

I had just such a deep and meaningful relationship with my dear old Ratbag, too. He was a great old boy, who showed me his love in many more ways than Bambi does ... with great head-butts and face rubs ... gosh I miss that !!

Ratbag

I think that being loved by a four-legged furry critter is just the best feeling in the world. It should be part of all our lives. It is something so very special.

Take care,

Ratbag ...

Someone (huge apologies, I cannot remember who it was) sent me to a website the other day, and it was all about cats (how unusual !!). Anyway, as I browsed through it, I came across a section entitled Cat Poems. I looked through them, and read them, and cried my eyes out !! One poem in particular, the one I have printed below so you all can have a good cry (if you are that way inclined !!), immediately made me think of my old cat Ratbag, who we had to put to sleep back in October 2004. It was a difficult time, and this poem just made me think of it.

This is a photo of Ratbag, taken back in 1992 ... he was probably only about 5 years old then. He was 16 when he left us.

If it should be that I grow frail and weak

And pain should wake me from my sleep,

Then you must do what must be done,

For this last battle can't be won.

You will be sad, I'll understand,

But don't let your grief then stay your hand,

For this day more than all the rest,

Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,

What is to come will hold no fears,

You wouldn't want me to suffer, so,

When the time comes, please let me go.

Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,

Only stay with me, until the end

And hold me firm and speak to me

Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will agree

It is a kindness you do to me

Although my tail its last has waved

From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Don't grieve that it must be you

Who has to decide this thing to do,

We've been so close - we two - these years,

Don't let your heart hold any tears.

~Author Unknown~

I hope I haven't made you all too sad, I just wanted to share this most beautiful (and very heart-wrenching) poem with you all. Hope you had the tissues ready !!

I'll change the subject here, OK !!

Just a question, for some reason when I open my own blog, my "What's New Pussycat" doesn't seem to be playing. Is it working for you ??

Have a great week.

Take care,

300 posts (ooops, that would be .... 301) !!!

Hello everyone, just a quick one from me today, to let you know that ... whoo-hoo ... I posted my 300th post yesterday (I think it was yesterday ... last post I posted, anyway !!). How cool is that?!? Never thought I'd make it past 100, let alone 300 ... go me !!! It's been such great fun, and I have had the privilege of meeting all you wonderful people, and sharing in your world via your blogs. Here's to another 300 !!

I also wanted to say that I hope you all

HAVE A GREAT WEEK

And that I ...

I hope to be able to drop by your blogs in the next couple of days.

Until next time ...

Take care,

It's Raining, It's Pouring .....

Yay, it has been raining most of the night ... good, steady, drenching rain, too !! It came after a stinking 37ºC (around 100ºF) hot and windy day. Such a weird thing to happen, this late in March. Apparently it was the hottest late March day since about 1940. It was also around 25ºC overnight (on Thursday night), which made for a very tiring day on Friday. (Shame ... the rain has eased off for the moment ... hope we will get heaps more.)

Fortunately, I got everything done that I needed to, quite early in the day, on Friday. I dropped Chicky off at school at 10 past 8 (they start at 20 past 8), then went grocery shopping. I was home again by 9 ... not bad going, huh ?!?! I was going to go out again, to exchange my MiniMax (CDMA portable internet doodad) for the new 3G network internet doodad, but decided I couldn't be bothered ... too hot. I caught up on emails, fiddled around, tidied up a bit, and then parked myself on the couch for the rest of the day, reading (I finished a great Faye Kellerman Book ... Stone Kiss) and watching TV. I was actually waiting for the Foxtel Cable repair man, who was coming "between 12 noon and 5pm" to sort out a problem we were having with our cable TV thingy ! Our doorbell doesn't work, and the airconditioner was on (which is in the wall above my computer desk, and quite noisy ... but oh-so cool !), and I was worried I wouldn't hear him when he arrived, so I stayed in the lounge room all afternoon (it was a good excuse to vegetate for the day, anyway !!). The repair man finally arrived around 4pm, fixed the problem in around 15 minutes, and was gone !!! Shame they can't pinpoint an arrival time better ... I could have had 4 hours of running around, shopping, etc ... oh well !!

The rest of my week went well, too. I worked on Wednesday and Thursday ... had really good days, which went very fast. I am getting better organised, with my work and home routine, now, so things are going very nicely. I have been doing some yummy cooking (even though they were pretty fast meals ... nutritious, though !!) Looking forward to cooler weather, when I can make soups, casseroles, and other one-pot meals, where I can make enough for a couple of days ... much easier on those days I work !!

Oh well, that's enough for me for now. Hope you all have a great weekend. We are about to head off to netball (it's week 2 of the "Winter" season for Chicky !!). Then off to my parent's place for lunch, then back home. Chicky is going to the local school fair this afternoon, with a couple of friends ... she is mega-excited, can't wait to go on the rides (if I was honest, I'd say I wanted to go on with her, too, but I won't cramp her style ... she doesn't need mum along !!). Hubby and I will meet them there later this afternoon, before it gets dark, to walk them home (no parking to be found, anywhere near the fair ... it is pretty full-on).

Daylight savings finishes tonight here in Victoria. Better remember to change my clocks (now, do I put them forward, or back ... hmmmmm !!!).

Take care,

CATS ON TUESDAY # 11 (A Day Early !!!)

This is a "wordless" Cats On Tuesday, for your viewing pleasure. Just a bunch of kitty pics I thought were cute and fun. Enjoy ...

Take care,

It's Almost The Weekend ... Yipee !

Isn't this the most amazing photo ... the photographer was so lucky to catch the cat's tongue in such a way. Chicky found this photo on the internet, whilst collecting cat pictures. How spiky is this cat's tongue !?!?! No wonder it feels like sand-paper when a cat licks you !!

I hope you have all had a wonderful week. Mine has been pretty full on. It will probably take me a couple of weeks to get used to working (even though it is only for 2 days a week). I am enjoying what I am doing, though, so I think I have done the right thing in getting a job !! It gives me another social outlet, too ... I can chat to other adults (not just kids and school mums ... not that there is anything wrong with that !!). Now I just need to adapt my routine (do I even have one !?!?!) so that everything still gets done that needs to get done (you know, the washing, housework, cooking, shopping ... oh yeah, and, of course, the blogging ... that's the most important one !!).

Grrrr, am I the only one who, when posting a picture in Blogger, it sometimes posts a gazillion (ok, that's slightly exaggerated) copies of the same pic, and heaps of spacing between lines of text already typed ?? What's with that ?? It doesn't do it all the time, but when it does ... Grrrrr !!!!

So, what's on your agenda for the weekend ??? Not too much on mine !! Hope yours is a good one.

Take care,

Testing, Testing, 1.2.3......

Hello fellow Bloggers,

Just a quick note from me, to try out a new program I have found ... Windows Live Writer (Beta), which (apparently ... let's see if it works) should allow me to post to my blog, and insert pictures much easier ... hmmm, I wonder.

Here goes, I'm going to press post ... hang on, I'll add a piccy !!

OK, scrap that idea ... apparently my weblog does not support the uploading of pictures ?!?!?!

Let's try the text, though ... PUBLISH ...

UPDATE>>> Well, although I'm disappointed that it wouldn't upload a picture ... I think I need to work on that one !! I am impressed with the speed with which it uploaded my post ... nice and simple, too !! Have a look yourselves, it might work for you. Or, if any of you already use it, let me know if it allows you to upload pictures, please !!

I've been busy working these past 2 days ... gosh, I've got a sore butt, from sitting all day (it seems different to when I'm sitting all day here at home in front of the computer ... maybe I get up and wander around more often ... to the fridge, to the pantry, to the fridge, to the loo !!!!) I am enjoying work, though ... the money sure is nice, too !!

Anyway, gotta go ... need to do some stuff, and watch a bit of TV (Lost is on ... yay !!).

Have a great Friday, everyone (or Thursday, if that's where you are still at ... it's almost 8.30pm here).

Take care,

MEOW

Another Wonderful Long Weekend Away ...

Hello Everyone,

We arrived home last night (Monday) after a wonderful 4 days away at our caravan at Bonnie Doon (for those of you who don't know where that is, it is in Central - Northern Victoria, which is in the South East of Australia).

The weather was fabulous, if a bit windy the past day and a half. The sun never stopped shining (except at night, of course !!), and it was not too hot.

We left home bright and early Friday morning, taking along a friend for Chicky. The traffic was light, and we made good time, arriving well before lunch. We unpacked, and settled down for a relaxation session !! Hubby's sister and her hubby and kids were coming up, too, so it would be a fun and kid-filled weekend !!

Friday was a lazy type day, with a lot of catching up with people, sitting and chatting, eating and drinking ... the perfect way to start a weekend !!

Saturday started off with the magical sunset I shared with you last post. The day became quite hot, and the kids spent most of it in and out of the pool !! Later in the afternoon, we did a bit of 4WDing in the lake (don't worry, there is no water, our cars didn't need to be submarines!!), and more eating and drinking. In the evening we visited friends in the caravan park, who were having a sort of house warming ... they had just finished building their cabin, and it was their first big weekend there.

Sunday we decided to go off on a drive into the high country, or at least into whatever area we were able to get into, as alot of it was still closed as a result of the bushfires during December and January.

We entered the high country via the Jamieson end of the Howqua Track (this was where we drove in briefly about 6 weeks ago, when we went exploring looking for where the fires had been ... I shared some photos back in late January), and followed the track through the fire ravaged mountains ... so terribly sad to see.

As much as it was so sad to see the burn out countryside, it was actually very interesting, as with there being no tree cover, we were able to see so much more. It is very beautiful countryside, very rugged ... it must have been so difficult for the fire-fighters. We could see many signs of the work that was done by the fire-fighters ... bulldozed trees (to create fire-breaks), bulldozed tracks, and generally just a lot of mess !! I imagine the Parks & Wildlife people will be through eventually to do a huge cleanup ... there were many trees down, although the majority of them had already been removed from the tracks.

What amazed me, was how much regeneration had already occurred. There were so many trees, which had started regrowing ... they almost looked fluffy, with the greenery coming straight from their trunks ... no branches, they had burnt and fallen off. Quite bizarre looking, really, but very beautiful. Nature is simply amazing, with it's capacity to survive such a catastrophe.

Many trees looked like they had just got undressed !! Their black bark had just peeled off, revealing a beautiful white or yellow or red trunk underneath ... quite undamaged !! Almost like it had on a suit of armour, and then removed it !!

The track got quite agressive in places, particularly in the area where I took the above photo. It was very steep ... we had the car in 4WD low range, first gear ... the gears were pulling up the car, rather than having to use the brakes. 4WD's are wonderful inventions !!

I was totally fascinated by the scenery ... as you've probably figured from past photos on this blog ... I love trees, any shape, any form !!

We stopped for a quick picnic lunch at an area which I think was called Fry's Flat. There was a lovely little creek / river down there (unfortunately there wasn't a heap of water, but it was still flowing !). It was incredibly picturesque. The lovely greenery of this area, surrounded by hills devastated by fire ... what an amazing contrast.

After lunch, we basically continued along the track, through Sheepyard Flat, and back out onto the highway near Merrijig, then continued back into Mansfield and on to Bonnie Doon, back to the caravan park.

It was a magical day, spent with fun people (hubby's sister and family). We had an absolute ball. I really wish every day could be such fun !! We ended our day with dinner, drinks and an early night !!

Monday (a public holiday here, for Labour Day) started off much cooler, and quite windy. We started off slowly, sleeping in. Slowly started packing, and doing a bit of housework (ok, caravan work !!), and headed off for home around 1.30pm. Traffic was heavy, heading into Yarra Glen, but nowhere near what it would probably be later in the afternoon. Arrived home, unpacked, bought pizza for tea, and that was about it.

So, all in all, a wonderful long weekend.

How was yours ???

I hope to stop by and visit you all today ... looking forward to catching up with what you all have been up to.

I am working Wednesday and Thursday, shopping and helping my elderly friend at the retirement village on Friday, and then it's the weekend again. Chicky is excited ... netball starts again on Saturday ... whoo-hoo !!

Enjoy your week, everyone.


Take care,

Saturday at Bonnie Doon

Greetings from Bonnie Doon !!



This is the view I awoke to this morning ...

It is a magical day, blue sky and sunshine.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

Back soon ...

Take care,

Wednesday, Wednesday !!

Hello everyone,

Sorry I've been scarce ... too much to do, too little time !!

I am quickly posting this from my Mum's computer, as Hubby and I are over here, so Hubby can help mum set up her new surround sound system. He's good at that sort of stuff. I'm the computer nerd, he's the electronics nerd !! Works for us !!

I apologise for no Cats On Tuesday post this week. Have had a lot on these past couple days, and I'm back to work tomorrow (Thursday), then off to Bonnie Doon for Friday through till Monday (it is a public holiday here on Monday, for Labour Day, and Chicky has a Curriculum Day ... no school ... on Friday). The weather is looking warm for the weekend. We have friends coming up to Bonnie Doon, so there will be plenty to do. Should be fun !!

Somehow, I still need to find time to do washing, shopping, packing, take cat to cattery ... and all this on Thursday, when I'm at work from 9am till whenever !!! Hmmm, should prove to be interesting !! Fortunately, I went to the butcher yesterday, so food for the BBQ is covered !!

I'd better head off ... places to go, people to see !!

Have a good rest of the week, everyone. I will try to visit this evening.

Take care,

I'm A Working Girl !?!?

OK, now you can get your minds out of the gutters ... not THAT kind of a working girl !!

I have a job ... a casual job, only a few days a week. I started today, sort of a training session, but I stayed all day ... and did REAL work !! It's fairly repetitious work, sitting in front of a computer, basically editing and proof-reading and re-formatting stuff. But, for someone like me, who loves being in front of a computer, it is perfect. See, it didn't even worry me, to come home to my own computer, turn it on, and fiddle around some more !! It seems that I can work hours (mostly) to suit me and my family schedule, which I like. The people there are really nice, the atmosphere is fairly casual (no power dressing ... jeans are ok !!). It is just over the road from a large shopping centre, so lunch can be a variety (although I probably will bring some from home). I think I'm gonna like it there !!

I had an interview scheduled for tomorrow, for another job, which I had arranged before this one I went to today fell in my lap. I have actually phoned them to cancel the interview. It seems pointless wasting their time, when I now have a job, which seems perfect (hopefully!!). I think the one I was interviewing for would have been more structured, days and hour-wise, with little chance of school holidays and suff like that. It was also mainly reception work, taking orders over the phone, and a bit of MYOB work. Not really much typing and computer work at all (and everyone knows, I love typing and computers !!). As I may have mentioned, I really don't want to disadvantage Chicky, by my working, as she has after school activities to attend, and her father is a shift worker ... so he isn't always available to take her. So, therefore, this job I now have, seems just the thing.

Anyway, just wanted to tell you my good news.

Thank you, everyone, on behalf of my mum, for all your wonderful birthday wishes for her.

I hope you all had a great weekend.

Be back soon.

Take care,

Happy Birthday Mum ...

It's my mum's birthday today, the 2nd of March. I won't tell you how old she is ... I don't think she'd like that very much !!! This photo, above, was taken when she was about 10 or 12, I think. The following photo is of mum & dad, taken last September, when we went out for lunch for Father's Day. Don't you think my mum is just as beautiful now, as she was as a young girl ?? I sure do, and she is just as beautiful inside, as she is outside. (My dad's pretty hunky, too.)

Have a wonderful day, Mum.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR MUMMYYYYYY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUUUUUU

I love you with all my heart, Mum.

Grrrrr

Grrrrr, I'm trying to visit you all, but all of a sudden the Word Verification on many of your blogs is not showing me anything to verify ... therefore, I cannot comment. Sorry. Will try again later. Hugs to you all.

Take care,

A Quote To Share ...

People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child -- our own two eyes. All is a miracle.

--Thich Nhat Hanh--

Take care,

A PINCH AND A PUNCH FOR THE FIRST OF THE MONTH ...

Hello everyone,

Hope your week is going well. It is Thursday afternoon in my world, and the weather continues to be warm and humid ... not really mega-hot, but very uncomfortably anyway !!

I have had a strange week ... very busy !!

A friend came running over yesterday afternoon, with a phone number for a place about five minutes from me, who are looking for an admin person to work a day or so a week, as they are flat-out busy, and don't have anyone in the office on Wednesdays. Apparently, she was chatting with them, and told them about her friend (that would be me !!) who would be perfect for the job. They gave her their card to give to me, and said for me to give them a call. So, that's what I did. I will be going in for an interview early next week.

Well, a few hours later, a woman (also a friend) from down the street, dropped over. We had been talking a few weeks ago, about where she works. She is in charge of an office that does heaps of data-entry type work, and they are always looking for casual staff to put on their rosters. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I am going in on Monday for a training session, and to see if I like the work (and to see if they like me !!), with the view to work there on Mondays and Thursdays !!

Oh my goodness, it doesn't rain, but it pours ... what's a girl to do ... two jobs (both part time / casual) on the offer !!! I don't know that I really have the time to work 3 days a week (I don't want to disadvantage Chicky, either, with her after school activities). The data-entry job sounds more flexible (it being casual), I would probably be able to get school holidays and stuff off. I'm not sure how things would be with the other, whether it is part-time, or casual ... I've gotta say, casual sure sounds more "up my alley". But, I'll leave the option open, and attend the interview next week for the part time one ... who knows, I might not even be what they want !!! It sounds as if I have the other position (the casual one) for sure !! Gosh !! I still need to leave time for my hubby & daughter, my typing business, my occasional work at the Boarding Cattery, my old-lady friend at the retirement village, and of course, my blogging !! Then there is housework, washing, cooking, reading ... blah, blah, blah !!! Hmmm, guess I have to re-organise myself a little !!

Chicky is off on a school camp at the moment, just for 3 days (Wednesday through Friday). My world is very empty without her around, but I know she is having a ball, and is making many new friends. The purpose of this camp is for all the new Year 7 students to get to know one another, in a way that they probably wouldn't just going to school and classes in a normal way. I hope that she has plenty of stories to tell, and heaps of photos to share, when I pick her up from school Friday afternoon at 3pm. I miss my baby !!

So, it's the 1st of March ... the first day of Autumn here in Australia. Hopefully the rains will come soon ... we are still waiting down here in Melbourne, Victoria !!

I'm sorry, I've gotta go, I am feeling sad all of a sudden. I just had a run-in on the phone with someone who I thought was a friend. She is going through a lot of sh*t in her private life at the moment, but seems to be taking it out on those who care about her (people like myself who have always been there for her). I can't cope with that ... I am not the enemy, and don't like being made to feel that I am. She needs to sort herself out. Excuse me while I go and have a good cry. I hate feeling like this.

Thanks for listening.

Take care,