I Am Still Here ... Only Not As Often !!

Hello everyone,

I owe another huge apology ... last post I promised I would get around to visit everyone, but once again I haven't. It's not that I don't want to, I really do. I just can't seem to get the time to sit and blog for hours like I used to. I am really, really busy ... life is a whirlwind. I haven't even been able to give my Travel Writing course the time it needs ... I have to finish all the assignments and exams by next week Thursday ... OMG !! I am also putting together a photo story DVD of my parent's photos from Germany ... all 1400+ of them ... adding transitions and music and stuff !! This will take some time, but is fun to do. Then I am working most weeks 3 days ... Monday, Wednesday, Friday. I don't know how you all do it, those of you who work full-time

Anyway, I guess I just wanted to say hi to you all (as the little photo show above shows), and let you know I am still alive. I will get back to regular blogging eventually, and I will try to drop by to visit as often as I can. Please don't forget me ... I appreciate all the friendships I have made via blogging ... you are all amazing people

Till next time

Take care, hugs to you all,

What Have I Been Up To ?

Hello Everyone ... I'm back again !! Seems like I keep having these blog breaks, unintentionally of course, but that's the way it is in my world at the moment !!

So, what have I been up to ?? Well ....

My parents returned home from their trip to Germany last Thursday. It was wonderful to see them, it was a very loooong seven weeks. They had a brilliant time, touring areas they had never seen, and catching up with lots of friends and rellies whilst over there. They took a heap of photos, which I am still yet to see ... soon, I hope.

I worked on Friday, which ended up being a reasonably long day ... I'm not used to working 3 days, rather I usually do only 2 ... Monday and Wednesday. But, the money is always nice .... I went out today and lashed out on a new gadget for my iPod ... an iFM, which turns my iPod into an FM radio with a little remote control. Really cool, I loooove gadgets !!

On Saturday, Chicky and I went along to a netball match, where her best friend was playing. It was a grand final, a great close game, but unfortunately, her friend's team lost ... only just, though. We then headed off to do a bit of shopping, then to catch up with my mum and dad. Saturday night, Chicky has a sleep-over party at another friend's place. Seems they decided not to sleep all night, so when I picked her up Sunday morning, she (and all the others, too) was an absolute mess ... pale, tired and grumpy !! What fun !! A sleep-deprived 13 year old girl is not the best person to be around !! I sent her to bed early, and she went quite willingly ... surprise, surprise !!

Sunday was a potter-around, doing housework, kind of day !! Caught up on the washing, and my house now looks sparkly clean again !!

Monday I worked all day, then Chicky had a dance class in the evening. Whilst she was in dance class, I sat in the car (for an hour and a half) and read. I don't mind this, it gives me some me-time, in the little coccoon of my car, with the radio or iPod playing. I am still reading the Harry Potter books. Since the new one came out a few weeks ago, I read it, then went back to the beginning and started again. Now, after reading all 6 older books, I am back re-reading the latest one ... and I am discovering stuff I seem to have missed the first time around. They really are great books ... J.K. Rowling is a brilliant writer ... at least I think so !!

Now, today, I am in computer mode ... I hope to get around to many of your blogs today, and the remainder during the rest of the week. I have been browsing, through Google Reader, and goodness ... some of you sure have been busy. I look forward to having a good old read, and leaving comments.

I have been honoured with another award ... a Nice Matters Award ... this time from 2 wonderful ladies ... Merle and Connie. Thank you, both of you ... I constantly feel priviledged to have met you all, and love this blog world we all play in.

Now, I need to choose 8 people to hand this award on to. It has been doing the rounds, so I probably will be doubling up, you may have already received this award. Now, who to choose ...

1. Chloe
2. DaybyDay
3. Diane
4. Melinda
5. Greeneyes
6. Clare
7. Nicole
8. Michelle

I could have chosen many, many more ... next time !!

So, what have you been up to ?? Hope you had a brilliant weekend.

Enjoy the remainder of your week.

Take care,

Since I Last Posted ...

Hello !!

It's been almost a week since my last post ... OMG, where has the time gone !! So, what have I been up to, you ask ... weeeeeellllll ...

Ever since I had my cleaning frenzy the other week, and have relocated the fish tank ... this is what the cat spends a lot of time doing ...

Sometimes she sits and watches, other times she bats at the glass, scaring the bejesus out of the poor wittle fishy !! Cats !!

On Friday night I went to a party plan thing at a friend's place. It was a Body Shop party. There was some lovely stuff there ... of course I had to buy something !!

On Saturday, Chicky and I went to the netball, to watch another of her club's teams play in the grand final ... they won, yay !!

Saturday night we went to a Netball Presentation Night. It was fun, there was a disco for the kids (and the adults, if they so desired !!), and all the kids got trophy.

Hmmm, what did we do Sunday ?? Can't remember, oh well !!

Monday was a work day, then Chicky and Hubby attended a dad and child evening at school ... they did a cooking activity, and bought home a yummy Pineapple Upside Down Cake that they cooked together (and apparently made a heap of mess in the process !!).

Tuesday I had a lovely visit with Gina, at her place. She has an amazing house, with the most wonderful treasures throughout. She showed me all her linen, tablecloths, stitchings, shared some photos, her swapcard collection, and all sorts of fun stuff. She made us a yummy pizza for lunch, and we chatted the whole afternoon through. Thank you Gina, it was a great day ... hope we can do it again sometime soon.

Wednesday I worked again ... long day.

And, today ... Thursday ... I did my groceries, and then popped over to my parent's house, to drop over some milk, flowers, a cake, turn on the heater, tidy up a bit ... they are coming home from a 7 week trip to Germany, tonight. I can't wait to see them. It feels like they've been gone forever. We are off to the airport in a couple hours, to have a quick dinner, then wait for them to arrive ... whoo-hoo.

I will tell you all about it next post.

Gotta go, hope you are all well ... till next time.

Take care,

Chicky at Healesville Sanctuary

Hi Everyone,

Hope you have been having a great week. Mine has been fairly quiet ... I worked Monday and Wednesday, went grocery shopping Thursday, and spent a lot of time reading. I have had a nice, lazy-type week !!

Chicky, however, after being unwell on Tuesday, recovered nicely, and was able to attend a planned school excursion to Healesville Sanctuary.

"Healesville Sanctuary is only an hour from Melbourne, but a visit there will take you closer to Australia’s unique wildlife than you ever thought possible. Featuring wild encounters and unique experiences with Australian wildlife amongst the sights, sounds and scents of the stunning bushland surrounds."

Healesville is one of 3 stunning zoos here in Melbourne ... Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo are the other two. Healesville is full of amazing Australian wildlife, and there are many opportunities for interaction with the animals and birds.

Chicky was one of a group of 16 year 7 and 8 students who attended on the day, chosen from amongst those who had a "High Achiever or Honours" level in their Grade Point Averages. The school subsidised the day, so we only had to pay $10. This included a teaching program ...

Predator! The Devil in Peril: Years 7 & 8
Investigating the facial tumour disease in Tasmanian Devils

Students investigate the complexity of issues surrounding the endangered Tasmanian Devil and the impact of the facial tumor disease. How do we identify a diseased Devil? What scientific and veterinary investigations can we apply? How do we recognise diseased tissue?What impact would it have on the food chain if the Devil as a top order predator became extinct? What solutions to the problem can students develop and suggest? How can the captive breeding program at Healesville Sanctuary help? Students are challenged to examine all the issues and investigate the disease at the Australian Wildlife Health Centre.

Apparently this disease is making a huge dent in the population of Tasmanian Devils, and will quite possibly wipe them out, if a solution cannot be found. Chicky told me of some really sad photos that were displayed, showing these poor animals suffering from this disease. It sounds like a very cruel disease. As much as they are really ugly, smelly, strange little animals, they deserve as much of a chance of a good life as any other.

The kids had a wonderful day, and Chicky took a bucket-load of photos. Here are just a few of them for your enjoyment ...

(Red Kangaroos)

(Chicky and a wallaby)

(A Dingo)

(A couple of nosey Emus)

(A Wedge Tailed Eagle)

(A Tasmanian Devil)

The birds of prey presentation was amazing. You get to sit in an ampitheatre type area, and trained birds ... eagles, owls, and various others ... fly overhead, swooping down to catch the mice and other food that their trainers have for them. It is quite common to feel the bird's wings touch your head, as they swoop low.

It was a very long day ... they left from school at 7.30am, returning at around 5pm. Chicky sure did sleep well that night !!!

So, my friends, it is Friday afternoon, just after 1.30pm as I write. I would like to wish you all a wonderful weekend ... hope the weather, wherever you are, is good (not too hot, or not too cold). Enjoy your days off (if you are not working), and have a good time.

Take care,

Tuesday Trivia ...

Hi Everyone,

Not much to say today, really, but thought I'd check in anyway !!

Chicky came home from school this morning, about an hour after the school day started ... she is all stuffed up with a head cold, and was feeling totally crap. She spent the day on the couch ... isn't it amazing how as the day goes by, and it is almost normal school finish time, those "sick" kids suddenly are feeling really well again !!!

I have finally started snail-mailing out the Blogger Songs CD that I wrote about many, many posts ago. I have sent out all the Aussie ones (I hope ... oh yeah, Gwen ... I need your address, please ... I will email you !!), and a few overseas ones. I will continue to mail out a few each week, until they are all done ... hope some of you don't mind waiting a little longer ... they will get to you !!

I checked out my blog through Firefox the other day ... OMG, my poor dancing kitty is going at 100 mph ... looks really freaky. Think I prefer it through Internet Explorer !! Although, with a few of your blogs, I need to use Firefox, as some freeze with Internet Explorer ... what's with that !?!?

It's been an extremely windy day here today ... the cat is going psycho ... what is it with cats and the wind !! I haven't, yet, had to rescue any washing from the line ... it is all dry, though, but I have been too lazy to take it in !!

I am working tomorrow ... should go quick, as Wednesday's are pretty busy.

Nothing much else, really. My dinner is almost ready ... better get to it before it burns.

Enjoy the remainder of your week, everyone.

Hugs to you all ....

Take care,

Happy Sunday ...

Hello Everyone,

Just a quick g'day from me to you.

It has been a fairly quiet weekend ... did some washing, some cooking, lots of reading, and lots of blog reading (please let me know if I have somehow missed out on visiting your blog ... please forgive me if I have.)

I just wanted to say, too, a big thank you to all of you for your great, thoughtful comments on my last couple of posts. You are all such amazing people, and I cherish all your friendships with all my heart. The blog-world is a wonderful place

Chicky is over at a friend's place, I need to leave in about 1/2 an hour to pick her up ... they are visiting a couple of boys ... OMG, my 13 year old little baby is interested in boys ... that is so not fair !! Now Hubby will have to buy a shotgun (just kidding) for when the boys come a-calling !! She is a pretty girl, with a great little personality, and a lot of friends (OK, I am biased ... but it's all true), so I don't imagine I will be worrying about her being a little wall-flower ... quite the opposite, I guess !! Should be an interesting (?!?!) few years coming up !!

I hope you have all been having a great weekend. It is Sunday late afternoon, 1/4 to 5, as I write this ... my weekend's just about gone ... back to work tomorrow, and then again Wednesday.

I leave you all with a great quote that I currently have on my computer desktop ...

Have a great week.

Take care,

The Sun Is Shining Again !!

Hello everyone, and a big thank you for your wonderful comments on my last post, whilst I was down in the doldrums. I have gotten through it, and my inner sun is shining again, and all is well in my world !!

It was a strange few days, though ... I can't remember when I last felt like that. I hate feeling so down, and lacking motivation, and just feeling awful ... no fun at all. At least it didn't last too long. It's funny, but writing down how I felt in that blog post seemed to help me snap out of it ... I guess, for me, blogging is a form of anti-depressant !! After I gave birth to Chicky, for about 3 or 4 months, I suffered from Post Natal Depression, but just thought it was the baby-blues (maybe it was) ... I was always (and still am) such an "in control" person, so feeling the way I was just wasn't right. It wasn't until I went and saw a doctor, who asked me heaps of questions, checked me over, then actually told me what I was suffering from, and offered to prescribe me anti-depressants ... that I snapped out of it !! Really, within a week or so, I was feeling "normal" again ... I guess actually admitting that I was feeling depressed, seems to reverse the feeling ... with me, at least !!

Anyway ...

I have been in a cleaning frenzy ... I love it (and loathe it, too) when I get like this, as I get so much done. I totally ripped apart my kitchen, cleaned every surface, wiped every item, tossed out anything that hadn't been looked at or touched for awhile .... and now my kitchen looks amazing again. Hubby reckons it looks like when we just moved in !! No clutter, and everything shiny and sparkling !! I am so proud of myself !! I also did all the other normal cleaning ... bathroom, loo, dusting, vacuuming, cleaned fishtanks, etc., etc., etc. I love a clean house ...

Today was fun .... Val came by at around 11.30, picked me up, and we went out for a few hours. We headed into Ferntree Gully, to the Swiss Bakery there, and bought a stack (each) of Laugen Bretzeln ... they are yummy pretzels, well known to Germans and the Swiss. There aren't too many places around the suburbs of Melbourne where you can buy them, so it is worth the trip when you find something yummy like this !! We had a light lunch in a little cafe near there ... a lovely little place, where they grind their own coffee blends ... the smell when you walk through the door is just glorious !! We then explored the shopping strip (not really a great shopping centre ... the attraction was the bakery !!), and visited the patchwork / craft shop. They have the most amazing fabrics there ... and the colours, wow ... if you love patchwork and quilting, you could go crazy in there. Afterwards, the cold wind was getting ridiculous, so we jumped back in the car and came back here, to my place, where we took photos of ourselves, to mark the occasion, eating our pretzels ...

Then I showed Val some photos, and stuff from a couple of trips we had done. We chatted for awhile, then it was time for Val to head home. All in all, it was a great afternoon, I had a wonderful time ... Thanks, Val, it is always a pleasure to catch up with you. Hope we can do it again soon.

I received a fun email today, which I just had to share .... thanks, Ange, for sending it to me ...

THE LAWS OF CAT PHYSICS ...

Law of Cat Inertia
A cat at rest will tend to remain at rest, unless acted upon by some outside force - such as the opening of cat food, or a nearby scurrying mouse.

Law of Cat Motion
A cat will move in a straight line, unless there is a really good reason to change direction.

Law of Cat Magnetics
All blue blazers and black sweaters attract cat hair in direct proportion to the darkness of the fabric.

Law of Cat Stretching
A cat will stretch to a distance proportional to the length of the nap just taken.

Law of Cat Sleeping
All cats must sleep with people whenever possible, in a position as uncomfortable for the people involved as is possible for the cat.

Law of Cat Elongation
A cat can make her body long enough to reach just about any counter top that has anything remotely interesting on it.

Law of Cat Acceleration
A cat will accelerate at a constant rate, until he gets good and ready to stop.

Law of Obedience Resistance
A cat's resistance varies in proportion to a human's desire for her to do something.

First Law of Energy Conservation
Cats know that energy can neither be created nor destroyed and will, therefore, use as little energy as possible.

Second Law of Energy Conservation
Cats also know that energy can only be stored by a lot of napping.

Law of Refrigerator Observation
If a cat watches a refrigerator long enough, someone will come along and take out something good to eat.

Law of Electric Blanket Attraction
Turn on an electric blanket and a cat will jump into bed at the speed of light.

Law of Random Comfort Seeking
A cat will always seek, and usually take over, the most comfortable spot in any given room.

Law of Furniture Replacement
A cat's desire to scratch furniture is directly proportional to the cost of the furniture.

Law of Cat Landing
A cat will always land in the softest place possible.

Law of Pill Rejection
Any pill given to a cat has the potential energy to reach escape velocity.

Law of Cat Composition
A cat is composed of Matter + Anti-Matter + It Doesn't Matter

(Bambi, in a strange pose ... just finished washing herself)

OK, enough from me for now ... I have some blog visiting to do (and I WILL do it, this time !!). Enjoy the remainder of your week, have fun, smile heaps, and stay happy ... I know I will !!

Take care,