VARIETIES OF LIFE

It's an Amineko Party

2012-01-08T19:21:00.001+11:00

Hi Everyone ...

Yesterday (Saturday) I joined a group of women, two of whom I have known via blogging and Facebook for five or so years, but have never actually met face to face. One of these lovely ladies, Susan (along with her beautiful daughter Renata) has regular get togethers, which she calls UFO days (or occasionally Stitch & Bitch days !), where the attendees bring whatever stitching / knitting / crocheting / whatever project they happen to be working on, along with a plate of something to share for lunch. Susan has been inviting me to join this group for quite a few months, but various circumstances have stopped me from being able to attend. This month, I decided that nothing would stop me from attending !!

So, after dropping Elisabeth off at work in the morning, I filled my car up with petrol, and off I went with my Google Maps instructions on how to get there. It took around 2 hours, there was a bit of traffic, but eventually I got there, just before 11am.

There were around 8 or 9 women there, as the day progressed, and the room was full of crafting and chatting. We had a lovely lunch, there was a great variety, and lots of it. I had made some mini quiches, which everyone seemed to like, as they were all eaten.

Susan has a family of Amineko cats (and a dog) which she has crocheted, so I took my Amineko cat, Neko, along for a visit ... he loved meeting Susan's critters, and it seemed they had lots of fun catching up.

Here is a photo of the 4 of them ... My Neko is the one on the left !!

Here is a photo of Susan, Renata and myself (hmmm, you'd think I would've smiled a little bit, wouldn't you !?!?! I've never liked myself in photos, and in this one I am all shiny ... oh well ... Susan and Renata look great !!)

As the afternoon progressed, the sky started to darken, and as the majority of us had travelled from Melbourne (the gathering was just outside of Castlemaine), people started heading home so as not to get caught in the forecast storm. I left around 4pm, and had an easy drive home, arriving just as the rain started spitting.

I had a great day meeting these lovely two ladies, along with all the other ladies that were there. I am really bad with names, so unfortunately I cannot remember most of their names ... I hope they forgive me when next we meet, if I don't know them by name !!!

I just want to say a big thank you to Susan and Renata for inviting me, and for opening their home on a regular basis like this. I look forward to joining the group again, as it was a wonderful day.

Happy crafting, everyone ...

Take care,

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

2012-01-03T15:06:00.000+11:00

Hello Everyone !!

Hope you had an enjoyable slide into the New Year ... it's incredible to think it is already 2012 ... it seems like only yesterday that we were welcoming (or dreading !?!?!) the new Millennium ... and now it is 12 years later ... wow, how time flies !!!

We have been enjoying holidays since December 23rd (that was Baron's last day of work for the year), although Elisabeth hasn't been fortunate enough to have a holiday break this Summer ... she hasn't been working long enough yet !!

We celebrated Christmas Eve with my parents, and had a wonderful time, as always, eating, talking, exchanging presents, drinking, and just enjoying each other's company.

Christmas Day was fairly quiet for Baron and I ... Elisabeth spent most of the day with her (now ex) boyfriend and family, but came home with a good friend for dinner outside by the spa ... it was a lovely evening, with lovely weather (and a few too many mozzies, unfortunately !!).

We had a quiet Boxing Day at home, then Baron and I headed off the next morning to join friends on the Murray River, near Barooga, for a few days (poor Elisabeth had work, so she stayed home !). We had fun, enjoyed the company of lovely people, but I felt bad about leaving Elisabeth home alone. We arrived back home on the 30th December.

New Year's Eve, as soon as Elisabeth finished work around 5pm, the three of us headed off to Bonnie Doon, to celebrate New Years with all of our friends at Peppin Point. We had a great time, partied hard, and (unfortunately) felt a bit seedy for New Year's Day (particularly Baron, who slept through half the day !!!).

This photo is the whole gang, just after midnight, posing for a (very drunken) group shot ...

We went out in our friend's boat in the afternoon on New Years Day, for a while, had a swim, and enjoyed the great weather ... it was quite hot up there !!

My beautiful daughter sitting in the front of the boat ...

Going under the Bonnie Doon bridges ...

Looking toward the bridge on Dry Creek Road, Bonnie Doon ...

We came home yesterday (Monday), before the day got too hot, and have had the airconditioning on almost non stop ever since (only turning it off briefly, as it iced up overnight ... must've got humid overnight!).

I picked up Bambi this morning, from the boarding cattery ... the silly cat has been meowing not stop, wanting cuddles and attention, going in, and out, and in, and out ... OMG, wish I had a revolving door, or a cat flap, for her !!!

It seems weird being home already ... we are usually away for a full two weeks ! Baron doesn't go back to work till the 9th January. We plan on doing a lot of nothing between now and then ... maybe go for a drive or two, and do some stuff around the house (maybe !!).

I hope your holidays are going well, and the weather, wherever you are, is being kind. Enjoy your time with family and friends.

Until next time ...

Take care,

2011-12-22T11:01:00.002+11:00

Hello Everyone,

I know it has been some time since I posted (even with my good intentions, time has gotten away from me ... again !!), but I hope you can forgive me.

Life has been hectic, I have been sewing my little heart out, creating Christmas Presents for people ... and in doing so, I ran out of time to write and post Christmas Cards.

Please accept my apologies (for those of you who usually receive cards from me), as you won't be receiving one from me this year. My aim, for next year, is to write them in early November, so they are ready to post by the beginning of December. I have even written in my diary to do so ... let's hope this happens.

So, on that note, I would like to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a Very Merry Christmas, and a Safe and Prosperous New Year.

Please stay safe on the roads, don't drink and drive ... make it through the holiday period alive.

Until next year, love and best wishes from my family to you and your families ...

Take care,

(Connie)

I've Got A Job ... Yayyyyy !!!

2011-10-24T20:22:00.000+11:00

Hi Everyone !!

As the title says ... I've got a job ... yay !!

During the past couple of years I have had a few casual / part time jobs, nothing permanent, nothing steady, always unpredictable from week to week ... all through choice, I didn't want full time work, just casual, so I could come and go as I pleased. Most recently was a temporary position, 8.30 till 5, four days a week, customer service ... this was way too many hours, I hated it, my family hated it ... plus dealing with unhappy customers via phone and email is not my "cup of tea". After three months, this job ended, and at the same time, a previous data entry job I also had, shut up shop, no more shifts there ... sooo, I was left with no job at all. Which, initially, was great ... I finally had time again to do all those things I couldn't do during that time I was working 4 days a week (quilting, scrapbooking, catching up with friends, reading, etc.). I did miss the money, which sure came in handy.

After awhile, I started getting bored ... I lost motivation, felt flat and down, and I felt lonely, too. Baron has his shift work, and Elisabeth was at school and working ... I spent a lot of time alone (which ordinarily doesn't bother me). So, I started job hunting !!

Looking through the local paper, I noticed a job for Casual / Relieving School Crossing Supervisors with the local Council ... yep, the people we also refer to as "Lollipop Ladies (or men)". I thought to myself that this might be fun, a maximum of 10 hours a week (2 hours per day), the money was pretty good, and they get school holidays off !!! I spoke it over with Baron and Elisabeth, and they said to go for it ... so I did !!

I sent in my Resume and covering letter. I heard back from them soon after, and was asked to come in for a group interview. During this session, we did a few little tests and a bit of role playing, and filled in the paperwork for a Police Check. Then went home to await a phone call.

I got a call from the Council soon after, requesting that I attend a pre-employment medical, followed by a function test (to see if I could perform to the ability that was required for the job).

The other day, I got a phone call saying I had passed the Police Check, medical and function test, and to go ahead and put in the paperwork for a Working With Children's Check. I did that this morning, then rang the Council to advise them. They said congratulations, and made an appointment for me to come in late next week to fill in (more) paperwork, and get my uniform and equipment.

I am officially a "Lollypop Lady" ... how cute is that !?!?!

For the time being, it is casual ... I go where I am needed (when people are off sick, on holidays, or whatever). I've been told that if a position becomes available that I am interested in, I can apply for it ... so I may get my own crossing in time. At this stage, I probably won't be working every day ... but who knows. My first appointment will be with a senior Supervisor, to assist me for a day or so ... it is on the job training.

Not sure I really like the uniform much ... fluouro yellow / green is interesting !! And the hat ... well, I'm not a fan of "hat hair" !! But, all that is minor ... I can deal with it, it's no big deal !! I am really looking forward to the job ... I love kids, and think it will be fun.

So, I am a little bit excited about what is to come ... hope I like it, hope I can do the job properly, hope the kids like me, hope the parents like me !!

Wish me luck ...

Take care,

My Bucket List

2011-10-20T15:16:00.000+11:00

It seems like everybody has, or is in the process of putting together, a Bucket List ... a list of all the goals you want to achieve, dreams you want to fulfill and life-experiences you desire to experience before you die. So, I thought I might join in, and share mine with you. Do you have a Bucket List you'd like to share ??

Here's mine (it is a work in progress, so I might be adding to it from time to time, as I think of things that I have forgotten !!).

Take a cruise & tour through Alaska and Canada (and whilst in the area, visit a dear blog friend in Newfoundland ... you know who you are !!).
Visit the Grand Canyon, the Painted Desert in Arizona, Yellowstone National Park, the Colorado Rocky Mountains ... and travel the whole of Route 66 in the USA.
Cuddle / pat a tiger ... a real tiger, not a household pet that thinks it's a tiger (I've got one of those !!)
Stand on the edge of an active volcano and feel the heat, smell the smells, and experience the fear and danger of it all.
Take a cruise down the River Rhine / Danube.
Visit Auschwitz in Poland, or what remains of it.
Visit Machu Picchu in Peru.
Take some gourmet cooking classes.
Visit Cape York, Far North Queensland, again ... and see the things we missed out on last time we were there !!
Win Tattslotto (I can dream, can't I !?!?!)
Get down to my ideal weight.
Find an exercise program that I enjoy, and will continue with.
Organise a family reunion, and encourage everyone to forget the past and keep in touch.
See my daughter happily married, with children, if that is what she chooses to do.
See my daughter complete her apprenticeship, and become a qualified hairdresser with her own successful salon (once again, if that is what she chooses to do).
Travel around Australia with my hubby, stopping where we want, when we want.
Live to a ripe old-age.
Ride all of the world's largest Roller Coasters.
Swim with dolphins.
Get a tattoo (only a little one !!).
Go to a deserted island, and spend some time living like a native.
See The Northern Lights.
Write a book and have it published.
Visit the Pyramids in Egypt.
Physically meet more of the people I have "met" through blogging and facebook.
Make a difference in someone's life.
Take a photography course.
Go on an African Safari.
Appear in a movie, or TV show.
Take part in a archaeological dig.
Learn another language.
Learn to play the guitar.
Buy the beautiful Aboriginal work of art I fell in love with in a gallery in Hahndorf.
Take a "Mystery Flight".
Always stay true to myself, and to those that I love.
Travel by boat / houseboat the entire length of the Murray River.
Be the best person I can be.
See a "real" UFO.
Be debt free.
Stand on the mountain-top where Julie Andrews is singing "The Hills Are Alive" at the beginning of The Sound Of Music.
Complete all the Unfinished Projects I have stashed away in my craft room.
Reconnect with old friends that I haven't seen for years.
Continue to love, and spend as much time as possible, with my wonderful parents.
Start visiting the blood bank again to donate blood.
Visit Niagara Falls, and watch somebody going over them in a barrel.
Go exploring with a metal detector, and find a big hunk of gold.
Buy a Brand New car, just to experience that "new car" smell, and watch the odometer turn over from 000000 to 000001.
Buy a Digital SLR Camera, with all the bits and bobs that go with it.
Own a convertible car, and drive with the top down, the sun shining, and the wind in our hair.
Do something great for my parents.
Learn to draw.
Ride in a limo whilst sipping champagne.
See Uluru (Ayers Rock) after a big rainstorm.
Visit Wolf Creek Crater in W.A., and watch the movie Wolf Creek whilst there !!
Live life to the fullest.

Kids ...

2011-10-16T10:52:00.003+11:00

Hi There !!

I've often wondered if kids these days realise how good they have it (well, the majority of them have it good, I know there are exceptions). They have so much handed to them on a platter, it's a wonder they are able to get on in this world on their own. I think we, as parents, often do too much for our kids ... I know that I am guilty of this !!

For example :

My daughter (I've always called her Chicky on this blog, but you all probably know her name is Elisabeth) is currently doing Year 11 at Tafe (this course is the equivalent to Year 11 VCE, only trade orientated, rather than academia orientated). She needs to catch a train or bus from a local bus depot each morning to get there. She could catch a bus from the end of a nearby street, but that would mean her getting up and leaving the house earlier than she already does (we usually leave home around 7.25am). So, I drive her to the bus depotevery school morning. She does catch the bus home, though, getting home at around 5.30pm ... a long day away from home !!

Chicky also works part-time (at a hairdressing salon in Knox City, usually all day Wednesdays, Thursday and Friday nights, all day Saturday and all day most Sundays). I usually take her at the start of her shift, and wait around (sometimes for up to an hour) for her to come out at the end of her shift, to take her home again. I also drop her over at her boyfriend's place, and pick her up. I am her taxi driver (but do I get paid ... NOOOOO .... I could be earning a fortune !!).

On Saturday nights, she often stays over at a friend's place ... so instead of me sleeping in like a normal person, and letting her find her own way to work (her friend doesn't live too far away from there... walking distance almost !), I set my alarm, message her at the appropriate time to make sure that she is up and getting ready, then hop in my car to pick her up and take her to work !!! I hope she appreciates it !!

I know you are probably all thinking that I am nuts, that I need to let go and allow her to become more independent ... but she is my only child, a girl, she is not yet 18 ... she will grow up and become independent soon enough !! Whilst I can still help her, I will ... so there !!! Am I nuts ... for sure ... but that's just me !!! I'm sure that I'm not the only one out there somewhat over-protective of my child !?!?! There will be a time, soon enough, I am sure, that I will be wishing that she wasn't independent, that I knew where she was, that she needed me ... I can't say that I am looking forward to that time very much :(

As far as Chicky is concerned, she is a good kid, who genuinely appreciates what she has (mostly), and doesn't really take advantage of our generosity (any more than a normal teenager does, anyway !!). But, when watching TV, and walking through the shopping centres, it isn't hard to pick out the kids that are taking major advantage of their good fortune, and generally being horrible people ... they are nasty to their parents, and just treat everyone like dirt, as though they are better than everyone else. These kids need a swift kick up their behinds, and need to be taught that life isn't just all about them. It's sad to see, as these are the kids that will find it hard to get on with their lives, and who will get themselves in trouble.

Kids sure are a product of their environment ... and I hope that the environment that Chicky has grown up in will will help her become a responsible adult, who is kind and loving towards others, and won't let others take advantage of her. So far, so good ...

So, that was my spiel for this post ... sorry it was a ramble, but it was what was on my mind at the time.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Take care,

Holidaying With Friends (part two)

2011-10-13T18:56:00.004+11:00

This is a continuation of the previous post. As before, if you click on each photo, it will enlarge it.

The Trip Home ...

On Friday 7th October, 8am, we departed Goolwa, South Australia, for our journey home. We had planned to do some detours along the way, overnighting 2 nights, to arrive home on Sunday.

We stopped for morning tea at a place along the Limestone Coast, called Salt Creek ... interesting little roadhouse, staffed by a young woman who was backpacking her way around the country.

We then headed down to the beach.

From there on, we got back on the highway, going through Kingston S.E., the home of the Big Lobster.

We then headed into Robe for lunch, and a visit to the Information Centre, where we got some maps and information in order to do some beach / sand dune driving. We chose to do the our trip through the Little Dip Conservation Park. The guy in the information centre said there wouldn't be much actual beach driving ... well, he was wrong, there was, and it was fun.

After this, we headed to Beachport, where we overnighted. We explored, and had dinner, which we had made that morning in the Thermal Cooker ... what we had made as a stew, due to all the shaking around in the car, turned out to be a soup ... but yummy nonetheless !!!

Next morning, another 8am start, we departed Beachport and headed to Mount Gambier. We wanted to explore a couple of particular attractions that we had heard so much about.

Firstly, the Umpherston Sinkhole ...

After this, we headed out to the Blue Lake ... apparently it becomes much brighter blue during the warmer months, but we were impressed with the blue it was at the time.

From here we went into the centre of town, where the Cave Gardens were situated.

We decided we'd seen enough of Mount Gambier for the time being ... we will make another trip there some time in the future ... we needed to get moving.

Next stop was the Princess Margaret Rose Caves, just over the SA/Victorian Border. They were amazingly beautiful caves, and it was a bonus that we didn't need to stoop over to enter them (just climb down a bunch of stairs, and, unfortunately, back up those darn stairs to get out again !!).

Then we headed back out to the coast, and visited Cape Bridgewater. There was a huge windfarm there, which had me totally fascinated. Those windmills are huuuuuge, and they make the most awesome humming noise as they spin !!!

We headed down to the Petrified Forest ...

Then over to the Blowhole Rocks area ...

From here we thought we'd better skedaddle, as it was getting late-ish, and we still had to find somewhere to stay ... we headed to Portland. We found lovely accommodation, reasonably priced, settled in briefly, then headed to the pub for dinner.

Next morning, Sunday 9th October, was our last morning, and we were aiming to explore the Great Ocean Road briefly, before heading home.

First stop, Bay of Islands ...

Then London Bridge ...

Next was The Arch ...

Then into Port Campbell, where we visited another Visitors Information Centre (you know, there are always wonderful knick-knacks and souveniers to purchase in these places, along with all the free information and pamphlets you can acquire !).

The coastline along the Great Ocean Road is just spectacular ... my photos don't really do it justice.

Next was the Loch Ard Gorge ...

From here, we headed a little bit further down the road to see the Twelve Apostles (there are no longer 12 of them, only 8, I think). Seems that the only way you can see them now is via a very touristy visitors centre, which more than likely demands payment to walk through it, then through a tunnel under the road, and out to a viewing platform. We didn't have time to fight our way through the hordes of tourists that were there, and we thought that we could glimpse them further down the road. Sigh, this wasn't the case, they were in a cove we couldn't see from where we could get in. We will have to make another trip out this way, just to see them (I have never seen them, and have always wanted to).

From here, we headed to Apollo Bay for a quick lunch on the run, then headed inland to make a bee-line for home. We finally arrived home at about 5.30pm.

We drove 2,611 kilometres in our car (plus another 700+ in Jack & Melinda's car on Kangaroo Island), and fortunately had no car problems.

We had a wonderful holiday, very full-on ... we were all exhausted by the end of it. But it was worth it. We saw some amazing places, and have decided that we want to go back and spend more time in a few of them at a later date (in particular, around the Robe area, to do some more sand driving !).

I would like to thank Jack and Melinda for their company ... they are both awesome people, and I couldn't think of anyone else I would have wanted to share this holiday with.

Anyway, enough for now ... I'm sure you are all sick of reading and looking at my pictures. Thank you, though, if you have perservered this far. I appreciate that you have taken the time to enjoy our holiday.

Looking forward to our next holiday ...

Take care,

Holidaying With Friends (part one)

2011-10-11T15:57:00.002+11:00

Hi There !!

We have just returned from a wonderful 10 days away, and I thought I might share what we have been up to, along with quite a few photos (I guess if you click on any photo, it will enlarge it to view it better) ... here goes ...

We left home at 4.30am on Friday 30th September (we, being Connie, Baron and Elisabeth), along with our dear friends, Jack and Melinda. We were heading to South Australia to spend a week at a resort in Goolwa, which is near the mouth of the mighty Murray River.

The scenery along the way was beautiful, as always (Australia is such an amazing country, there is rarely a place where you cannot find something of beauty or interest !).

On driving near Horsham, near the Grampians, in Victoria, we passed by a wind farm in the distance. These ginormous windmills have fascinated me for quite some time.

After a couple of stops for toilet breaks, morning tea and lunch, we arrived at our resort, the Marine Cove Resort, in Goolwa around 3pm, where we unpacked, relaxed briefly, then headed into the shops to do a bit of food shopping, and got some fish and chips for dinner.

View from our Balcony, Unit 4, overlooking the resort

Next morning, we decided to explore the local area, starting with Goolwa Wharf. There is much history there, and some interesting vessels.

We then headed over to Hindmarsh Island, which used to be serviced by a ferry, but now has a wonderful bridge.

We heading across the island, searching for a view of the Mouth of the Murray River ... where it reaches the sea ... it seems there was a better view from another area, but this is the view we got !!

Jack, Baron, Melinda and Elisabeth in front of the Mouth of the Murray

After exploring the island awhile, we decided to head out to Victor Harbour, which is a coastal town on the South Australian Fleurieu Peninsula. It is a pretty town, with a horse drawn tram, which usually takes people out to Granite Island ... unfortunately for us, due to building works, the tram was out of action.

We went for a drive out to The Bluff, a hill not far out of Victor Harbour.

View from the top, looking down at our cars

View of the coastline from The Bluff

From there, we went to Blowhole Beach, in one of the National Parks.

Next day, the 2nd October, we headed off into the Adelaide Hills, to a lovely little town called Hahndorf. Once again, a town with lots of history, and a town with a big German heritage. One of the pubs was celebrating Oktoberfest, and there was a band playing "oom-pa-pa" music. We explored all the shops, spent a bit of money, took a few photos.

From there we drove on to the Toy Factory, which has a wildlife park attached.

Our next 4WD and caravan !?!

We detoured via a Cheese Factory, and a Chocolate Factory, before heading into the National Motor Museum. We only had an hour before it closed, so made our way through quite quickly. As is the norm, Baron took lots of photos of cars and motorbikes ... I only took a couple. The following car really took my fancy.

Then we headed home for dinner, and some relaxation time !!

The next day, Monday, we had an early start for a drive down to Cape Jervis to catch the ferry over to Kangaroo Island. It is a 45 minute ferry ride, and there was a bit of swell, which I just thought was great fun !!

Our first stop on the island, after the obligatory Visitors Information Centre (these are great places, with loads of free brochures, and the staff are usually a wealth of information), we headed over to Cape Willoughby, where there is a beautiful lighthouse.

Whilst at Cape Willoughby, we also explored the cliffs. Unfortunately, I had a bit of a mishap, which could have been very serious (deadly, even) had I of continued slipping. I tried stepping down closer to the cliff's edge, and my foot slipped on some gravel, I landed very heavily on my butt and hands, very panicked, thinking I was going to go over. Everyone came running, I think they thought I was a goner, too. Very frightening, but I'm ok, and all's well that ends well. Made me think alot more about where I placed my feet, from then on, though !!

From here, we went over to the other end of the island, to the Flinders Chase National Park, and visited the lighthouse there.

Admiralty Arch was beautiful, but the sun was in the wrong place to do the photos justice. There were lots of seals there, but in the photos they just look like rocks !!

A short drive took us over to Remarkable Rocks, which was my main reason for wanting to go to Kangaroo Island. These rocks are just spectacular. We hung around waiting for the sunset, to catch the changes in colours on the rocks ... but of course, it clouded over just before the sun set !! We waited all that time, in howling wind !!

From here, it was a fairly long drive back to American Beach, where we had booked our accommodation for the night.

The next morning, there was a beautiful sunrise, which only Baron ventured out to photograph.

Once breakfasted and re-packed, we headed out to Seal Bay, which houses a very large population of Australia Sea Lions, which look somewhat like seals. We took a tour onto the beach, but couldn't walk far, as there were seals everywhere, and being a conservation park, we weren't allowed to disturb them. There was also a whale skeleton in the dunes.

After Seal Bay, we explored a bit more of the island ... Little Sahara (which is an enormous group of sand hills, where people can use boards to slide down), Emu Bay Lavender Farm (where we, of course, bought some items), and various other places ... before heading back to the ferry for our trip back to the mainland.

After a well earned sleep in and lazy morning, we decided to head back to Victor Harbour ... I had seen a Quilt / Patchwork shop there I wanted to visit, as well as visiting Granite Island. As mentioned earlier, the tram to Granite Island wasn't operational, so we walked. It was threatening rain, but the sky was kind to us !!

We didn't see any penguins, but they obviously live on the island !!

After Granite Island, Elisabeth and I decided to go on one of the rides in the small amusement park ... the Cha Cha, it was fun, we laughed a lot !!! Then we went shopping, and headed back to the Resort, where we ate, drank, had a swim and spa, and had a good time !!

Next morning, the 6th October, was our last night in the area. We decided to drive into Adelaide ... we thought we couldn't be this close to Adelaide and not go there, so that's what we did !! We drove through town ... it's a lovely city, not as high-rise as what I am used to here in Melbourne, but very beautiful ... lots of churches and gardens. We drove through to Port Adelaide, where we booked onto a Dolphin Cruise ... a good bargain for $18 each for 2 hours (including a yummy lunch !!).

From here, we took a trip into Murray Bridge.

We then headed back to the resort in Goolwa for dinner, then to pack and get ready for our trip home.

On the road back to our resort, we came across a family of swans ...

I might leave it here, and continue the rest in another post later on, as I'm afraid of posting too many photos, in case it gets lost in cyberspace somewhere !!

Thanks for reading / looking thus far ... plenty more photos to come !!!

Take care,

Back Again ... Hopefully !!!

2011-09-29T19:47:00.003+10:00

Hi Everyone !!

It's been quite some time since I have written here, and on the past occasions when I have, I have said that I intend getting back into it !! As you can see, that hasn't happened !! This time may be just the same, but my intentions are good.

A good friend of mine has just decided to get back into blogging, so I guess that has encouraged me to give it another go, also. Here's hoping that it actually happens this time !!

I notice that Blogger has a new dashboard (again!!) ... hope it is easier to manage, and easier to post pictures to !! Let's try it ...

This is a current picture of my beautiful Bambi kitty ... last weekend it was the 6 year anniversary of our adopting her ... this makes her around 6 years and 8 months old. She is a lot of fun.

We are heading off tomorrow for a week's holiday in South Australia with our dearest friends, Jack & Melinda. We intend visiting places like Kangaroo Island, Hahndorf, the Barossa Valley, Robe, Mt Gambier. Should have a stack of new photos when we get back ... I hope to share some of them here.

So, what have I been up to since we last spoke ??? Hmmm .....

August 2010 we did a few day trips here and there, as well as spending a weekend on the Murray River, in and around Cobram, with our good friends Jack & Melinda.

September 2010 we went on a week long camping holiday (again with Jack & Melinda) to Batemans Bay, NSW, and travelled home via the coast ... it was a great week, with wonderful weather.

November 2010 we went with our neighbours to a property in Gippsland, belonging to the Nissan 4WD club, for a long weekend of camping and 4WDing ... great fun.

December 2010 was, of course, Christmas, and camping ... this time we spent 2 weeks around the Bonnie Doon area, both camping, and sharing a glorious house with friends. Good weather, good company, great time !! We also did a few day trips here and there.

January 2011 was the continuation of our Christmas holidays. I also attended a photo day in the city with a friend, hosted by a professional photographer, who taught us how to use our cameras, and take better photos.

February 2011 was an interesting month ... more day trips, a lovely evening at the beach with Elisabeth, and our street, house and block got flooded ... my car even filled up with water !!! Fortunately, no lasting damage !!

March 2011 we went camping again for the Labour Day long weekend. A lovely place called James Camping Reserve. Elisabeth and I also participated in Relay for Life again this year.

April 2011 was Easter, and we went camping, again, to Lake Eildon, a lovely place in The Pines called Picnic Point. We went with a couple of lovely families, and had a great time. Campfires, camp oven cooking, and fun galore !!

Since April, we have done a number of day trips, caught up with friends, and overall have had a great life !!

Elisabeth now has a job, part time at present, but (hopefully) turning into a full-time hairdressing apprenticeship once school finishes in a few weeks.

I had an almost full time job for a few months, temporary, helping a friend in Customer Service at Lincraft. Not really comfortable with telephone and email complaints, but the money sure was nice !! My other casual job is also finished, as the contract we were all working on has run out ... so there are a number of us girls now out of work. I have applied with the local council to be a School Crossing Supervisor. I'll let you know if I get the job !! Sounds like fun !!

Baron is well, and still working at the same place he has been at since he starting his printing apprenticeship back in the early 80s. Shift work is getting harder, as he gets older, but he seems to love his job (most of the time !!).

So, I guess that's it for now ... a (not-so) brief run down on what I've been up to since I last wrote.

I do keep in touch with what you all are up to in your blogs, via Google Reader ... I may not always comment, but please know that I do read (most of the time !!).

Anyway, hope to be back here again real soon.

Take care,

Scary Stuff !!

2010-06-28T16:09:00.000+10:00

What a day ...

My baby girl (well, not so baby really ... she's 16 years old) passed her test for her Learner's Permit today. She did really well, and is very excited. She has been studying really hard, and doing the practice tests offered by Vicroads online. Wish she studied half as hard for her school exams !!

Anyway, this means she is now allowed to drive with a supervising licenced driver beside her. She has to total up 120 hours of driving, all logged in a special book, including 10 hours of night time driving, before she is allowed to go for her driving test (once she turns 18). Then she will have a probationery licence for 3 years, the first of which she must display a red P Plate (red background, white P), and the 2nd and 3rd years she must display a green P plate (green background, white P), the whole 3 years being .00 blood alcohol level ... no drinking and driving !!

She has had a little drive or two in the 4WD, out bush, off the main roads ... Baron took her, and she coped quite well. She is pretty nervous about driving on real roads, though. We will probably start on the weekend, in a local industrial estate, when all the factories are closed, and thus the roads are empty ... apparently this is what all the learner drivers do ... road experience, without the traffic experience, yet !! Both Baron and I drive manuals ... his a big Nissan Patrol 4WD, mine a little Daewoo Lanos ... two very different cars. The poor kid has no choice but to learn on a manual car ...

We have decided that Baron will take her initially ... he has more patience !! My dad took me in the beginning, too, as Mum and I would just clashed ... as I imagine Elisabeth and I would, too.

So, this is where we are at right now ... me, a nervous mum, with a teenager who needs to learn to drive.

Wish us luck, people ...

Take care,

The Quilting Kitty

2010-06-22T21:05:00.000+10:00

Hey There,

Just a quick note to let you know that I have started a new blog ... The Quilting Kitty ... just for all my quilting stuff, so that I don't have to bore you on here !!

This is the link, if you are interested ...

http://wolfgirlkittyquilt.blogspot.com/

I hope to continue toupdate both of these blogs ... this one and the new one ... as often as possible.

Take care,

My Year (so far) In Pictures ...

2010-06-21T18:32:00.013+10:00

Thought I might give you a brief photo journey of what we've been up to this year ...

Our campsite set up on the banks of the Murray River near Cobram / Barooga in December / January ... it was very hot ... we had a ball !!

The beautiful Murray River from our campsite, at sundown.

Visitors at our campsite, on our last day !

Mum, Dad, Baron and myself having a few drink in our spa on a hot day ... the spa had been out of action for a number of years, but Baron managed to get it up and running again. We still need to get the heating aspect of it fixed, but in the hot weather, who needed heating !!

At a waterfall, during our day trip to Woods Point.

A waterfall, found during our drive to Woods Point.

A view of an old property at Woods Point.

An old building in Woods Point.

We had a ripper hail storm during February ... these are just two of the hailstones (they had already shrunk somewhat at this stage !!) ... they did a lot of damage (my car still bears the scars !)

At Easter we stayed at a Farmstay / Campground near Buchan called Stonehenge for five days ... we had a lovely time, and the weather behaved, too !!

Within The Royal Caves at Buchan.

In the Royal Caves at Buchan.

A view from a lookout outside Lakes Entrance, on a day trip from Buchan, during the Easter break.

Elisabeth's grafitti in the sand at Lakes Entrance.

An old rail bridge we discovered on our way back from Lakes Entrance to Buchan.

A little Koala we saw whilst driving near Buchan.

McKillops Bridge, spanning the Snowy River

The Snowy River (it used to be a huge river ... somewhat depleted these days due to it being dammed for hydro-electricity ... I think !)

Portsea Surf Beach ... Mothers Day 2010

Elisabeth & Baron on the pier at Rye ... Mothers Day 2010

A view from the Rye Pier ... Melbourne is in the distance

Well, that's just a brief group of photos of what we've been up to this year ... there are plenty more photos (obviously) ... and we have done other things ... life has been pretty busy. I hope to share more of my world with you again soon.

Don't be shocked ... two posts from me in a matter of a couple of days !!! Hopefully this will now become a regular occurrance again !!)

Bye for now ..

Take care,

Just Checking In !!

2010-06-19T17:41:00.004+10:00

Howdy Blogger Friends,

Yep, it's been absolutely ages since I last posted (ummm, think it was Christmas ... ooops !!) ... but you will all be happy to know that I am still alive.

I've been browsing through your blogs, through Google Reader ... so please know that I haven't forgotten you all.

I also follow many of you on Facebook ... there aren't many of you anymore that aren't Facebookers, though. For those of you who aren't ... I am so sorry I haven't been in touch ... please know that I do think about you all regularly.

My world has been plodding along nicely. Haven't done any major 4WD trips this year. Haven't even done alot of camping (other than Christmas / New Year on the Murray River, near Cobram/Barooga ... and Easter at Buchan, exploring the Buchan Caves.) ... we have simply been enjoying life !!

We are all well, and fighting fit (oh, other than Winter colds ... but they are only minor). Baron was very ill back in April, spent a week in hospital ... but he's all better now, thank goodness.

Elisabeth (Chicky) is 16 years old now ... quite the young lady. She goes for her Learners Permit in a couple of weeks ... look out world, there will be a new driver on the road. Although, fortunately for us, she cannot drive alone until she turns 18, and has passed her driving test.

I have been attending a couple of classes this year, through the local U3A. One class, Creative Writing, is heaps of fun, and allows me to do plenty of short story and poetry writing ... I may just have to share some stuff I have written with you next time !! Another class, Beginners Patchwork, has got me back into sewing ... big time !! So far, I have made a bag, and a Quillow (pictures below) ... and am working on a sampler quilt (using aboriginal / indigenous fabrics), and a Stack & Slash quilt. It is heaps of fun, and at times, quite challenging !!

This is the handbag I made ... I was pleased with how it turned out !!

Another photo of the handbag

The front of the Quillow

The Quillow showing the back

The Quillow folded up into a pillow ... Quilt to Pillow, hence ... Quillow !!!

Ummm, what else can I tell you .... Oh yeah, Bambi is still a happy and healthy kitty cat ... she continues to get more and more cuddly (when we got her she was a very aloof cat ... we are gradually wearing that out of her !!). She seems to genuinely love us, and is forever wanting a pat and cuddle and a sleep on my lap. Nothing nicer than a cold winter's night, sitting in front of the telly, with a kitty curled up on your lap !!

Hmmm, I guess that's enough from me for now ... as usual, I hope to be back soon.

Sending love and best wishes to you all.

Take care,

Merry Christmas

2009-12-17T17:51:00.004+11:00

Hello, Dear Blog Friends,

Just thought I'd take this opportunity to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas, and a Safe and Prosperous New Year.

Hope you get to spend quality time with your families, or special friends, and have the opportunity to have lots of fun, and even fit in some relaxation time !!

Please remember to not drink and drive, and if you are doing any travelling during the holiday break, please drive carefully, and stop regularly to revive yourself ... Stop, Revive & Survive (isn't that what all the ads say these days ??)

Looking forward to getting back into the blogging world in the New Year (yes, I know I have been saying that for quite some time ... just bear with me, it will happen !!).

So, until next year, stay safe ....

Take care,

Happy Blogaversary To Me !!

2009-11-28T11:42:00.002+11:00

Hi There,

I know it's been awhile, and I'm not going to make any excuses ... suffice to say, I am here now !!

And, it is my 4 year anniversary of my first blog post today, the 28th of November.

Wow, 4 years of blogging (although during the past year the posts have been few and far between !)

I still remember the excitement, and hesitation, on starting this blog. Wondering if anyone would actually read what I wrote, wondering if anyone would comment. It has been an incredible experience, this whole blogging thing, and I feel sad that I have not continued it with the gusto that I began. But, I am still here, and I do still regularly read many of your blogs via my google reader (although I don't comment as often as I should).

I just want to say thank you to each and every one of you, who have made this blogging experience so incredibly special to me. You are all wonderful, amazing people, and I feel so very special to have "met" you all.

I hope to still be around on the blog scene for some time yet, even though it may be sporadically !! So, keep an eye open for those rare updates to my blog ... you may even find something interesting to read or look at !!!

Enjoy your weekend everyone ...

Take care,

Bushfires / Wild Fires

2009-08-05T12:16:00.002+10:00

Just a little, quick post, to let all my Canadian friends know that I am thinking of them, and hoping that they are safe and well away from the terrible fires we are seeing reported on the news over here. Your support earlier this year when this country was going through the same thing was amazing ... I just hope that we can be just as supportive to you all.

Stay safe and take care,

Bambi The Beautiful

2009-07-12T20:30:00.002+10:00

I took this photo, and a couple of others, a few hours ago ... just as the naughty kitty stole my computer chair !!

She is wearing her winter coat, and sporting a layer of winter blubber, too !!! She looks absolutely healthy and gorgous (although I am a bit annoyed that I forgot to put on red-eye on the camera, and one of her eyes looks a bit odd !!).

Thought you might like to see how she is looking these days, as it has been awhile since I posted a current picture of her.

Hope you have been having a great weekend. Mine is almost over.

Take care,

Catching Up ...

2009-07-10T18:58:00.006+10:00

Oh My Goodness, it has been such a long time sinc I have posted to this blog, and I sincerely apologise for that. Life has gotten in the way (and, I guess, so has Facebook !!). In one way, it is fortunate that so many of you, my blog friends, are also on Facebook, so we haven't really lost contact at all. For those of you who are not on Facebook, I will be by your blogs soon to see what you have been up to !!

So, on to what I have been doing since early March ....

As you may have been aware, we have been looking for ages for a new camper trailer (that was the reason we sold our permanent site at Bonnie Doon). We constantly looked on the internet, on the Trading Post, Ebay, etc., to see if there was any of the particular type (a Track TVan) that we were after, at the price we wanted to pay. By pure coincidence, Hubby was online on the Trading Post, when all of a sudden, up popped a new advertisement for a TVan. Turns out it was exactly what we were after, with all the accessories that we wanted, AND at the price we wanted to pay !! The only problem was, it was in Cairns, and we were in Melbourne (for all you non-Aussies, we are basically at the southern end of the country, Cairns is almost all the way to the north). We rang the people and discussed the camper with them ... decided it was for sure what we wanted. Next, we had to figure out our finances and options ... and decided we would go for it. We sorted out the money, booked airfares to Cairns, arranged a hire-car (with a tow-bar) and off we went. We flew up to Cairns on Monday 23rd March, early in the morning, arrived and collected our hire car, and headed off to collect our camper. It was love at first sight !!! After spending an hour or so with the sellers, who explained numerous things about the camper, we were off. We started driving home straight away (it was going to be over 3,000 kilometres till we got home !!). First overnight stop ... Townsville ... 348km (we didn't go hugely far, as we were very, very tired, after the excitement of the past couple days, and the early flight). It was hot in Townsville ... very humid ... something we weren't used to, as the weather was starting to cool in Melbourne at this stage !! We had picked out a lovely caravan park, and met some nice people. We had packed bedding, so we were able to sleep in the camper at night, saving money on accommodation. We ate on the run, at Roadhouses, McDonalds, KFC, and wherever. Not particularly nourishing, but filling, none-the-less !! Next morning, very early, we headed off again, stopping as little as possible (only for nourishment, petrol, toilet stops ... nothing much else). We got just over 870km, to Banana (south of Rockhampton), where we stopped for the night ... it was a very basic caravan park, but it had showers and toilets ... what more could we ask for. Next morning, again very early, off we went again ... this time we made 1014km to Dubbo, where we once again overnighted (this time in another really nice caravan park). Another early morning, and we headed for home ... 874km later. It was total madness, driving such distances in so little time ... we left on Monday, arrived home Thursday night ... OMG, were we tired. We had left Chicky at home with my parents ... didn't see the point in taking her out of school for a week, just so she could spend it sitting in a car !! But, we were soooo happy, we had our TVan, and it was just perfect ... it is what we have been wanting for quite some time, and we were excited to have finally gone one of our very own.

Our hire car and camper in a caravan park in Townsville

Next up, early April, and it is the school holidays. We had booked, months ago, a week in a resort in Bright (using our Timeshare). Of course, by this stage, we only wanted to go camping in our new camper, but the holiday was booked ... so off we went !! It was a great week, we took along a friend for Chicky, and we did a lot of exploring. We explored Bright; went driving around the district, doing a bit of 4WDing; went for a drive up to Mt Buffalo, found a lovely bush camping area up there; went to Beechworth, checking out all the history there, and lunched in the Beechworth Bakery; went to Albury / Wodonga, vising the Hume Weir ... sad to see how little water is in there ... less than 10%. We had a wonderful time, took plenty of photos, and did a lot of relaxing, too.

Autumn trees as we drive into Bright

We returned home the day before Good Friday, quickly unpacked, then repacked, and packed up the camper for a brief trip over Easter into the Victorian High Country. Chicky had made arrangements some weeks before we got the camper, to stay with a friend a Bonnie Doon, and was hesitant to change those plans, as she wanted to catch up with friends at the caravan park ... we weren't overly happy that she wouldn't be joining us, but understood her reasons. Anyway, after dropping Chicky off at Bonnie Doon, we headed into the High Country, to a lovely spot in the King Valley, near the King Hut. We had a perfect spot, on the banks of a flowing creek/river, in a gorgeous part of the country. We stayed here for 3 nights, constantly missing our daughter, but we had a lovely time. We were out of mobile phone range, which distressed me a little, as we couldn't keep in contact with Chicky, particularly on Easter Sunday ... but we all survived, and all had a great weekend.

Hubby enjoying a beer by the fire at our campsite in the King Valley

Late April brought Chicky's 15th birthday ... she had a bit of a gathering / party at the local roller skating rink, with a bunch of her friends. We also had a family day here at home, to celebrate her birthday. We kept it all fairly simple ... next year, her 16th, I imagine will be a big one !!

Not sure if I'd mentioned it at any stage, but I have joined Curves, a women's only gym. It is great fun, and I am trying to go as often as possible. Sometimes, the motivation isn't there, and I really need to push myself ... but life's like that sometimes. I am starting to see results, and am very happy with the program. I would recommend Curves to anyone.

I am still happily scrapbooking away ... currently, I am working on Chicky's dance photos ... it is great fun, and I enjoy the challenge of making every page different, and coming up with new ideas.

It was Hubby's birthday in late May ... we didn't do much, just a family gathering.

I went for an audition for Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Hot Seat ... ummm, that's all I'm going to say about that one !!

I have been majorly obsessed with the Twilight movie and books ... couldn't help myself, they are very addictive books ... read them twice through (there are 4 books, and they are all over 500 pages each) ... and have watched the movie a number of times. Can't wait for the next movie.

I am still working, only a couple of days per week ... just casual data entry ... but the social aspect of the work environment is great, and the girls (and guys) I work with are lots of fun.

Just last week, we had 5 days camping in Echuca (we were hanging out to use the camper, and decided that although it is very cold ... the middle of winter ... we would give it a go !!). We chose a nice caravan park, with a powered site (so we could take electric heaters !!). We had a great time. We explored new, and old, Echuca; went for a paddle steamer cruise, with lunch on board; went mud bashing in the Barmah Forest (well, it was just a drive, but as it had been raining, the tracks were very muddy !!); caught up with friends from Kyabram; and came home via Cobram and Yarrawonga, exploring our old camping area (Dead River Beach). We were horrified, when in Yarrawonga, to see that Lake Mulwala was empty. We also came home past Lake Nillahcootie (also extremely low), and Lake Eildon (last count, it was around 14%). Very sad to see how the drought is affecting the water levels. Although, it is great to see that the countryside was very green, due to the fact that we have had some rain throughout the Winter so far.

The PS Emmylou ... we had a wonderful lunch cruise onboard

Umm, what else can I tell you ??? Might leave it there ... I've probably bored you enough with my rambling writing for now.

Hope you are all doing well, and life is treating you as well as it could be.

Love to all of you, and your families ...

Take care,

A Drive Through The Fire Ravaged Toolangi State Forest

2009-03-01T18:59:00.003+11:00

We decided to go for a drive to Yea on Saturday, something we do quite regularly, as there are some lovely shops and things in Yea. Anyway, it was the first time we'd been through the area from here to Yea since the bushfires started 3 weeks ago. I guess curiosity got the better of us, and we wanted to see for ourselves what had happened out there. We knew not to go to any of the townships that had been destroyed by the fires ... the police were at the entrance to the roads heading into them anyway. It wouldn't have been fair, as the people who lived there would probably be there, trying to rebuild their lives, and certainly wouldn't want (or need) sightseers hanging around. So, we just travelled through Yarra Glen, via the Melba Highway, to Yea. The roads were quite busy, with a lot of traffic going both ways.

We were horrified by what we saw, once we got out past Yarra Glen, and toward Dixons Creek. The fire had destroyed so much, and you could see how hard the people must've fought, to save their homes. Many sheds and outbuildings, fences, and the like were destroyed, but from what we could see, along the Melba Highway, most of the houses were saved (I can't imagine what it was like further in toward Kinglake, though ... ).

Once we entered the State Forest, into what we call The Slide, we were stunned by what we saw. The whole forest was wiped out, the tree trunks were blackened, the leaves (when there were any left) were all brown and crispy, and there was not a single blade of grass or anything remotely green remaining ... just bare, scorched earth. It was just awful. This used to be a beautiful, lush forest, with a river running deep down beside the road (which we'd never seen, due to the abundant vegetation). We were able to see how steep the hills were, alongside the road (once again, this was never that evident, due to the amount of trees and shrubs and the like that covered everything). I've got to say, I was sitting there, with my mouth open, aghast at what I saw. It is so, so very sad.

As we got to the outer edge of the forest, there were patches of green, which the fire obviously had missed. And heading out toward Glenburn there were big blackened areas, and smaller green ones. Unfortunately, the fires don't seem to have hindered the progress of the North-South Pipeline ... they were busy working away, and have completed heaps more since we were out that way last.

We knew the Glenburn Hotel had been destroyed, but it was so sad to see. This hotel used to always be busy, with bikers, and drivers alike, stopping for a quick drink, or a meal, or a catch up with friends. It was a great little pub. Now, it is just ruins. Again ... so sad.

The remains of the Glenburn Hotel

We kept driving, through to Yea, where we stopped for a drink and a nibble, then turned around and came home, through that devastation once again.

It really makes you think, how difficult it must be for the firefighters, and what an amazing job they do. They have been fighting these fires non-stop now, for 3 weeks ... they must be exhausted. And the poor, poor people who have lost everything (not to mention those who have lost family members). I pray that it rains soon, so the poor guys can have a break, and our state can start the long road to recovery.

What looks like ash in the foreground, is actually burnt hay bales.

Take care,

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

2009-02-10T15:09:00.004+11:00

Hi everyone !!

Thought I'd better update my blog ... it has been long overdue. I think the last post was a Christmas one ... duh, it is now February 10 ... oops !!

We had a wonderful Christmas, and a great New Year, and 2009 has been pretty good so far.

In case any of you have been seeing the news reports on the devastating bushfires here in Victoria, and were wondering if we were OK ... well, we are !! Fortunately, we are in the suburbs, many kilometres away from the fires. Although, we are very familiar with many of the areas that have been devastated by the fires, and know people whose properties are still under threat from the fires ... please pray that they will be OK, and the fire will turn away from them. One of my blog and facebook friends is currently going through a horrendous time, as her brother-in-law has been missing since Saturday ... his property is within one of the areas devastated by the fires. My thoughts go out to all those people who have lost friends, family members, pets and/or property ... I really cannot imagine what they are going through. It is a terrible time for all, and so very tragic. It is all the more horrific when you realise that some of the fires were deliberately lit ...

A friend of mine posted the following pic on her Facebook, courtesty of the Herald Sun website (I think) ... thought I might share it too ...

The fire fighters, and emergency services personnel are doing an amazing job, in terrible conditions ... but this photo says so much more.

I'll try and blog more often, and I apologise once again for not visiting your blogs often enough. As I've said before, I do catch up on many of them via Google Reader, although don't always comment. If anyone is interested, here is my Facebook address ... http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=638705177 ... drop by, or add me as a friend ... I'd love to share another cyber world with you, too !!

Take care everyone,

Merry Christmas Everyone

2008-12-23T09:05:00.002+11:00

Just a quick post to wish each and every one of you a

Very Merry Christmas

and a

Safe and Happy New Year.

Sending hugs and best wishes

from

Connie xxx

Alphabet Blogging - D is For ....

2008-12-22T17:00:00.013+11:00

Howdy !!

It's been awhile, I know ... but I'm here now !!!

How have you all been ?? Life has been keeping me pretty busy, as has all this Christmas jazz ... shopping, cards, parties, etc., etc. !!!

Demon Blogger (now there's a "D") finally let me upload pictures (although it took quite some time !!) ... is anyone else having problems ??

On with the Alphabet Blogging ...

D Is For - DANCING ....

As you know, my darling daughter, who I call Chicky on this blog, is into dancing. At the end of November the dance school she attends held their annual Performance. It was wonderful ... the costumes were fabulous, the dancing was exceptional, the kids dancing had a ball, and the audience loved it.

D Is For - DAUGHTER ...

A follow on from the above ...

Chicky has just completed Year 8, her second year of high school/secondary college. She brought home her school report last week ... she passed, thank goodness !! She didn't do too badly, either !! We were pleasantly surprised with her end of year results, as we weren't expecting miracles ... she seems to be more interested in a social life than an academic one !! We may just have to push a little bit more next year, particularly when it comes to homework and revision !!

Chicky is a great girl, we get along very well, so far she continues to tell me everything that goes on in her life !! I don't expect this to continue forever ... she is 14 ... and I'm sure there will come a time when she becomes a horrible teenager (hopefully for just a brief time, though !!). So far, I think I am very lucky that she remains a loving, caring, easy to get along with young lady. Fingers crossed that she remains that way !!

D Is For - DAFFODILS ...

I love flowers ... in particular, I love Daffodils. They smell so beautiful. They are a symbol of Spring ... when I see a daffodil, I know that lovely weather isn't too far away. It is such a shame, though, that the flowering season for daffodils is so short !!

D Is For - DAEWOO ...

I got a new (well, not new, but second-hand) car back in March this year. I think I posted about it back then, not sure. Anyway, it is a cute little Daewoo Lanos. It is red/burgundy in colour. It is a 2 door hatch, but is quite roomy inside. It can seat 5 (it has seatbelts for 5, anyway !!), although the most I have had in it is 4 adults. It is a 5 speed manual ... great fun to drive, makes me feel like a teenager again. It is easy to park, as it is such a small car. It has a bit of get up and go, too ... quite zippy, really !!

D Is For - DOLLARS ...

Hmmm, wish I had a few more !!!

D Is For - DAD ...

I love my dad !! He is an amazing person, who has led a wonderfully amazing life. Dad is turning 70 next May, but has the looks and the health of a man 20 years younger, I think. He is fitter than most men half his age ... this is probably due to the fact that he spent the majority of his working life in Australia outdoors, building houses !! Dad is a bricklayer, and a very good one at that. Although he has now retired, and no longer builds houses, he still keeps himself very fit. I think I am very lucky to have a dad like the one I have ... he is just the best. Dad and Mum have been married for 44 years ... and are still very happy together. They do everything together, and really enjoy life. They go dancing at least every second Saturday, and are out with friends or have visitors at least once or twice a week. In fact, their social life is busier than mine !! Dad loves being a grandfather ... and Chicky loves being his grand-daughter. Dad was born in Germany, and migrated to Australia in 1959. He is very much an Aussie, yet both him and Mum retain their German heritage, which I find great. Quite simply, I am very lucky to have a Dad like my dad ... he is the best.

D Is For - DIET ...

A rude word in my world !! OK, I know I am overweight, and I know I really need to lose quite a bit of weight. I also need to get fit. However, I don't believe "going on a Diet" is the way to go about it !! As far as I am concerned, getting where I want to go (losing weight and getting fit) involves a permanent lifestyle change, and re-educating myself, rather than going on a "diet". From what I have seen, and from what I have tried ... most diets just don't work. OK, the majority of diets help you lose weight, but so many of them just don't educate you on how you should be eating ... they just give you substitutes (like shake-drinks or pills), that make it easier to lose the weight, or they provide you with ready-made meals. Once you've stopped this "diet", so many people go back to their old habits, and the weight returns. So, in the new year, my goal is to re-educate myself to change my eating habits, as well as my exercise habits, and create a permanent new ME !!!

D Is For - DUST ....

Dust ... the bane of my life !!! I can dust my house, and within 24 hours, it seems to be back ... what's with that !?!?! I've gotten to the stage where I've decided that I can live with the dust ... it's not hurting anyone, it's "clean" dust ... it hasn't been there long !!! I'm not stressing about the dust anymore. There's a huge different between dust and dirt. My house is clean (albeit dusty at times) ... I vacuum regularly, keep my bathroom and toilet clean, ensure my kitchen in clean and tidy ... it's only the dust that's the problem. Oh well !!!

D Is For - DOH ...

I'm not a Simpsons fan, particularly, but I do like Homer's saying ... DOH !!!

D Is For - DONE ENOUGH NOW !!! ....

Yep, that's enough for me with the alphabet blogging for now.

Catch you on the flip side !!

Take care,

Alphabet Blogging - C Is For ....

2008-10-26T16:20:00.005+11:00

Howdy, I'm back for another installment of "Alphabet Blogging". This time it's the letter "C" ...

C Is For - COFFEE SCROLLS...

I just did some baking, haven't done any for absolutely ages, and made some yummy Coffee Scrolls. For those of you that don't know what they are, they are a spicy fruit scroll bun thingy, with lots of cinnamon and icing ... mmmmm !! Even the raw dough smelled delicious, and it was totally frustrating waiting for the dough to do it's rising thing, before baking them. But, they were well worth the wait. Chicky has demolished 4 of them already, almost straight from the oven. I've had one ... I'm going to go slowly, and enjoy the moment !!! And, wow, does my house smell good now ... nothing nicer than walking into a house that has something baking, or just finished baking.

C Is For - CHICKY ...

Hmmm, what can I say about Chicky !!! She is my 14 year old daughter, who is absolutely gorgeous. She is a happy, popular girl, who is growing up way too fast. She is in Year 8 at school and doing OK. Don't think she'll ever be a brain surgeon, though. She has her heart set on becoming a Hairdresser !! Nothing wrong with that ... I'm looking forward to being her guinea pig when she starts learning and needs hair models !!!

C Is For - CATS ...

Cats, cats, cats ... now I don't imagine there are any of you out there that don't realise how much I love cats !!! Cats are such amazing critters ... I think I wrote a little bit about them in B Is For Bambi (my cat !!). Here are a few cat quotes I found ...

Cats can work out mathematically the exact place to sit that will cause most inconvenience.

There are few things in life more heartwarming than to be welcomed by a cat.

The reason cats climb is so that they can look down on almost every other animal - it's also the reason they hate birds.

No amount of time can erase the memory of a good cat, and no amount of masking tape can ever totally remove his fur from your couch.

Dogs come when they're called; cats take a message and get back to you later.

My cat speaks sign language with her tail.

In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.

It isn't the size of the cat, it's the size of the love in the cat.

I could keep going, there are so many quotes. Suffice to say ... I LOVE CATS !!!

C Is For - COMPUTERS...

Well, I guess we have to be computer geeks to some extent, to be in this world of Blogging. We have to have some knowledge about computers ... even if it is just how to turn it on, and how to get into Blogger !!!

I have been a computer geek for quite some years now ... I think I bought my first computer back in the late 80s ... well before Windows was around. I loved it, and thought it was incredible. I was able to do so many things with it, and even tought myself a bit of basic programming. In comparison to the computers we are all using now, though ... that computer was a dinosaur !!! These days, I have 2 laptops ... the newer one is a Toshiba, which I have had for a little over 12 months. I love, love, love it. It uses Windows Vista, which initially I was worried about ... but it is a great operating system (at least I think so), and I haven't had any problems with it (touch wood). My other laptop, an NEC model, runs Windows XP, and Chicky now has it in her room. The computers share the internet, using a wireless router. I thought I was pretty clever setting this up all on my lonesome !!! A month or so back, I even had to reformat the whole computer (the older NEC), as Chicky had downloaded all sorts of crap on it, and it just froze all the time. Now, that was a learning process ... although it all went smoothly ... thank goodness.

C Is For - CAMPING ...

Camping is just fabulous. I have been camping in various forms since I was a little girl. Initially in small tents, then larger tents. Since Hubby and I have been together, we have had a few tents. The current one, the newest, is a Black Wolf tent, and is super quick to erect. We needed something more practical, as the previous tent had a gazillion pegs and poles, and took ages to put up. And when you do the sort of travelling / camping that we sometimes do (one night stops, meaning the tent has to be put and and down each day ... OMG), having a tent that takes so much work is very exhausting. That being said, we were travelling with that tent for 7 weeks, back in 2005, when we did our big Cape York Adventure in far north Queensland. It was an experience ... one I would do again in a heartbeat.

These days, though, we are on the lookout (whilst saving hard) for an off road camper ... a particular unit called a TVan !! It is an Australian designed camper, which can go anywhere your four wheel drive can go. That's what we want !!! Can't wait !!!

C Is For - CRYING ...

Did plenty of that a couple of weeks ago !!! We finally sold our caravan at Bonnie Doon ... which had been on the market for well over 12 months. We've had it for around 12 years, and have had so much fun up there. But, as we want to buy the off road camper, we decided that we have to sacrifice something ... and the caravan was it. Anyway, as much as we wanted to sell it, when the time came to hand over the keys to the new owners, it was heartbreaking. I was sobbing like you wouldn't believe ... I couldn't talk !!! Chicky wasn't much better, either !! It was just horrible. We have now gotten past the crying, though ... although it is a strange feeling knowing we don't have that caravan anymore, and can't just throw some clothes and food into a bag and head up there. It was like a small holiday home, with kitchen, bedrooms, bathroom, toilet. Oh well, we are back to being tenties / campers again. We are actually booked into the same caravan park for Christmas / New Years ... it's gonna be weird seeing someone else in our old van !!!

C Is For - Can't Think Of Any More Right Now !! ...

Hmmm, the mind is blank, and I think I have written enough. Hope this Alphabet Blogging isn't boring you too much !! I must get around to visiting everyone again soon, too !!

Hope you are all well, and have a great week.

Take care,

Alphabet Blogging - B Is For ...

2008-10-07T08:29:00.004+11:00

Howdy,

Now for the next instalment of Alphabet Blogging ...

B Is For ... BACK TO REALITY ...

Yep, reality has returned in the Meow household !!! The school holidays are over (gosh, two weeks fly by, don't they !?!), Chicky is back at school for her final term of Year 8, Hubby is back at work ... and I am still at home LOL. I return to work tomorrow (Wednesday) ... working only 2 shifts this week, Wednesday and Friday. Next week I have three ... Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

We had a wonderful two weeks, spending the first week in The Grampians (see previous post), and the second week at our caravan in Bonnie Doon. We had some gorgeous Spring weather (tending toward Summer weather at times), but now it is back to Winter weather ... blah !!

You know, I really enjoy spending quality time with my family during the holidays, away from the reality of being at home (you know, housework, homework, work-work ... stuff like that!!). It is just something so special, something to remember for ever ... being a family, having fun, enjoying life to it's fullest, exploring new places.

B Is For ... BAMBI ...

Bambi ... now what can I say about her !?! She is my gorgeous, snuggly, huggable, lovable kitty cat ... who can also be the naughtiest little critter !! We have had her since September 2005, she was 8 months old when we got her ... she had been abandoned, and was picked up and brought to an animal shelter. She was a very timid, frightened, skinny little thing when we got her. Nothing like what she is now. Now she is a well fed, happy, fairly well adjusted, friendly kitty (although can be quite skittish, when someone new enters the house, or when I vaccuum !!!). She also rules the house, and us humans who live in it !!! But, isn't that normal for a household with a cat in it !?! I love being a cat slave !!! I also love the attention she chooses to give me ... the purrs, the kisses (licks), and smooches she bestows on me. I feel so special. And I really believe that I am special ... cats choose who they share their love with ... they are very particular !!

B Is For ... BONNIE DOON ...

This photo was taken just the other day, early in the morning. My Hubby woke up early, and went walking with the camera ... the mist was just lifting, and it was just beautiful out there.

According to the Bonnie Doon Website ... "Bonnie Doon is a small town situated in North East Victoria on the edge of Lake Eildon and is the Gateway to The HIGH COUNTRY. It is most well known these days as a holiday/weekend destination for waterskiiers, fisherman and boat enthusiasts." Bonnie Doon is also the location of parts of the great Aussie movie, The Castle. If you've never seen this movie, you don't know what you are missing. It is great fun, very corny, and stars some great, well known, Aussie actors.

We have been coming to Bonnie Doon for probably 16 or so years. Originally, we were campers, in our trusty tent. Then, we bought our caravan, a permanent, annual site in a caravan park called Peppin Point, back in early 1996. We have spent the great majority of our holidays there since then. We have met some amazing people there, and had some amazing fun. Unfortunately, we have now sold the caravan, and will be going up next Saturday for the last times as annuals ... and will be handing over the keys to the new owners. I actually feel rather sad about this, although it is something we have been wanting to do for quite some time (we want to buy an off road camper and do some more travelling ... and realised we can't do it all, so had to relinquish something ... and Bonnie Doon it had to be !). I imagine we will be heading up this way now and then, but camping (either in our tent, or when we get our camper), rather than the way we have been doing it for the past 12 years. Oh well, life is always full of changes, isn't it.

B Is For ... BLOGGING ...

I have been blogging now for almost three years, and I love, love, love it. Although in recent times I haven't been at it as regularly as I used to, I still really enjoy it. I have "met" some amazing people in the Blogosphere, and have also physically met some of them. The majority of bloggers that I have "met" come across as genuinely lovely people. I guess we are drawn to blogs that we can relate to, and the people who write them appear to be people who we may connect with in the real world. I feel that the majority of the time, the way people appear in their blogs, is the way they really are (at least in the blogs I read!!). I'm probably rather naive in thinking this way, but I feel it would be very difficult trying to be someone you are not, post after post after post, without giving yourself away somehow. I'm probably wrong, but this is the way I feel ... OK !?!

B Is For ... Better Go Now, Time's Getting Away From Me ...

Enough for me for now ... I have bored (another "B") you enough for this post. I'll be back with the next instalment soon.

Enjoy your week.

Take care,

The Grampians

2008-09-28T20:32:00.005+10:00

I know this isn't the Alphabet Blogging format I started last post, but I just wanted to share with you some photos of our trip to the Grampians that we just returned from. We had a great time, the weather was (mostly) wonderful, and it is such an amazing place.

I have uploaded around 40 photos for you to have a look at. Blogger takes too long to upload photos, in my opinion, so this is the link where you can (hopefully) view these photos ... here. Please let me know if this link doesn't work.

Here's a brief outline of what we got up to during the week ...

Day 1 ... just a lazy one, walked into town, back to the campground, spent the afternoon chatting and eating and drinking ... then it rained !!

Day 2 ... a busy, energetic one !!! Firstly we went to Silverband Falls ... a leisurely stroll through the bush, to a beautiful waterfall that just disappears into the rocks. Then we went to Boroka Lookout, with magnificent views over the valley. Then to Lake Wartook ... a water reservoir, which I think provides some drinking / irrigation water for the district. Then off to McKenzie Falls ... last time we were there, we just took the upper walk to the lookout. This time, I was talked into taking the scenic route to the bottom of the falls. OMG ... the stairs ... around 260 of them, and they are steep ... boy are they steep !! Going down was OK, bit scary !! But ... coming up ... OMG, was that hard work, I thought I was going to die !!! My legs were shaky, and my chest was heaving (I think it's time I got myself fit !!). However, the hard work was worth it (I think !!) ... the falls are amazing, and I feel like I really achieved something (apart from nearly killing myself!!). Next, off to Reids Lookout ... not much walking there, but another stunning view !! Then back to the campground to rest and recouperate !!

Day 3 ... We decided to take it easy, and just do some driving around. Firstly the Gap Winery (we sampled and bought some wine ... yummy), then the Halls Gap Wildlife Park, then a Lavendar Farm. We took a dirt track back to the main road, then went to the Halls Gap pub for lunch. Afterward we decided we needed to walk off lunch, and headed up to Venus Baths ... oops, my mother slipped and fell in !! No damage done, other than to her ego (I'm sure she must be sore, but won't admit it) !!

Day 4 ... Another lazy one (for the girls, at least!!) ... the men played 9 holes of golf, and we ladies stayed back at camp ... drinking and relaxing. When the guys returned, we played footy, darts, and all manner of other stuff ... a fun day !!

Day 5 ... Back to Reids Lookout, and then off to The Balconies ... a leisurely walk to an amazing lookout, and interesting rock formations. Then we headed off to Zumsteins Historical Reserve for a bit of a look-see. Then the Heatherlie Quarry, where much of the bluestone type rock was mined, and still is for a few important city buildings. Lots of historical stuff here ... very interesting. Then we went to town, had some lunch and icecreams. Nice finish to a lovely day.

Day 6 ... A brief drive into Halls Gap, to the Information Centre and Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Then back to camp to watch the AFL Grand Final ... yay, my footy team won ... Go Hawks. Overnight the weather turned ultra-windy, and a bit of rain ... oh well.

Day 7 ... that's today ... packed up and came home. A great week's holiday ... we are already booked in for the same time next year ... can't wait.

Anyway, we are off again the day after tomorrow, for a week at Bonnie Doon. I will post more soon.

See ya ....

Take care,

Alphabet Blogging - A Is For ....

2008-09-20T18:46:00.007+10:00

Hi There,

Thought I might try a bit of Themed Blogging. I've seen something similar on a couple of blogs, as I was blog surfing today, but they were posted as weekly memes. This Theme I want to use each time I blog (I hope) !!

Ok, so what I thought I might do is what I am calling "Alphabet Blogging". Each post, whether it is daily, weekly, or whenever I get around to it (LOL) will be under the title ... Alphabet Blogging - A Is For .... (or what ever letter I happen to be up to). The post will be about one or more items using the particular letter. I aim to post about things pertaining to me, my life, my life, my loves ... simply something about my world.

Have a read, and please comment (if you wish to) and tell me what you think about this idea. If you like it, please feel free to use the idea, too.

So, here we go ....

A is for .... AUSTRALIA ...

Australia is the country I was born in, the country I live in, the country I love.

According to Wikipedia ...

"Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the southern hemisphere comprising the mainland of the world's smallest continent, the major island of Tasmania, and numerous other islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.N4 Neighbouring countries include Indonesia, East Timor, and Papua New Guinea to the north, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia to the northeast, and New Zealand to the southeast. Australia is the only single country to occupy an entire continent.
The Australian mainland has been inhabited for more than 42,000 years by indigenous Australians.[4] After sporadic visits by fishermen from the north and then European discovery by Dutch explorers in 1606,[5] the eastern half of Australia was later claimed by the British in 1770 and initially settled through penal transportation to the colony of New South Wales, commencing on 26 January 1788. As the population grew and new areas were explored, another five largely self-governing Crown Colonies were established during the 19th century.
On 1 January 1901, the six colonies became a federation, and the Commonwealth of Australia was formed. Since federation, Australia has maintained a stable liberal democratic political system and remains a Commonwealth realm. The capital city is Canberra, located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The population is just over 21.3 million, with approximately 60% of the population concentrated in and around the mainland state capitals of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide."

This is the Australian Flag ... note the beautiful Southern Cross depicted thereon.

This is a map of Australia ...

A is for ... ADVENTURES ...

My family and I love heading out into this gorgeous country of ours, travelling and exploring, on what we call our Adventures. We have had a few already, the longest one being for just over 7 weeks, exploring Far North Queensland's Cape York Peninsula.

A is for ... ANNIVERSARY ...

Hubby and I will be celebrating our 20th Wedding Anniversary on December 4th ... whoo-hoo.

A is for ... ATTITUDE ...

Something my 14 year old daughter has plenty of !!!

A is for ... ALL DONE FOR NOW ...

So, what do you think of the idea ... it seems workable ... hopefully I can come up with something more interesting than what I wrote this time around !!! Oh well, trial and error !!

Anyway (hey, that's another A !!), I had better sign off now. We are heading off in the morning for a week's camping. Can't wait. We are pretty much sorted and packed ... just got to put the last few things in the car in the morning (food and clothes and toiletries). It has been raining and windy most of today, hopefully it will clear up tomorrow ... fingers crossed.

Have a great week everyone, and I will try and drop back to post and visit during the week.

Be good, and take care,

Swap Cards

2008-09-18T16:28:00.012+10:00

Back when I was a kid (seems like a lifetime ago), we collected, and traded/swapped what we called "Swap Cards" ... these were usually the size of standard playing cards, and very often had the markings on the reverse of these playing cards (maybe they were part of a pack, who knows). Often, though, they were produced solely as swap cards, and had blank backs. It was a fun past-time, and I remember spending many a lunch or recess comparing and swapping cards with my friends.

I used to have heaps of cards ... I recently discovered what was left of my collection. Thanks to Gina, who revived my interest in my swapcards, I decided to scan them all in and share them on this blog. Please enjoy viewing the swap cards that gave me so much enjoyment when I was a kid.

Hope you enjoyed viewing these cards.

I am off on Sunday for a week's camping in The Grampians, in Western Victoria. The Grampians are a rocky mountain range, with some beautiful walks and views. I hope to return with new muscles in my legs !!! and plenty of photos. When we return, we will only be home for a couple of days, then we are off to Bonnie Doon for about 5 days, enjoying the remainder of the school holidays.

SO, in case I don't get back on here for awhile, hope you have a great weekend, and a wonderful couple of weeks.

Catch you when I get back ...

Take care,

400th Post ... No, not this one ... the previous one !!!

2008-09-18T16:28:00.002+10:00

Yay, Me !!! My previous post was Number 400 !!! Whoo-hoo !!!

Take care,

Friends

2008-09-14T18:24:00.002+10:00

A dear friend of mine is working her way over some pretty huge obstacles at the moment (she is going through chemotherapy for Ovarian Cancer, whilst continuing to care for her two disabled children ... who need 24/7 care). Fortunately, she has a loving, supportive, extremely helpful husband and 13 year old son, and a massive support system of friends and family.

What amazes me about her, is her constant positivity. I am sure she has her moments, but on the whole, she remains the most positive person I have ever met. I know that if anyone can beat this horrible disease ... she can.

Each week (and often during the week, also), she sends out a newsletter/email to her huge network of email friends ... at the bottom of the email she always includes something extra, what she calls "Mush". I just received this week's email, and at the bottom of it, she added this little bit of "Mush" ...

Happiness keeps you Sweet,

Trials keep you Strong,

Sorrows keep you Human,

Failures keep you Humble,

Success keeps you Glowing ,

But Only Friends Keep You Going!

I just thought the words were wonderful, and had to share them.

Hope you all have a wonderful week.

Take care,

2008-09-11T21:34:00.004+10:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a great Friday,

and hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Take care,

2008-09-10T07:23:00.002+10:00

It was Father's Day here in Australia on Sunday ... we had a lovely day.

We picked up my parents and drove out to Yea, about 50 minutes from home, for lunch at the Peppercorn Hotel. It was a lovely meal, and the place is just gorgeous ... a renovated old hotel, with exposed, rough, brick walls and old wooden floors. There were open fireplaces, and a generally old-time atmosphere. The food, however, was far from old-fashioned ... it was modern, and lovely.

After lunch we went for a drive around the area, showing my parents some places we had discovered whilst going down various dirt roads in our 4 wheel drive. They drive a "normal" car, and don't go exploring like we do. We showed them the old rail tunnel, which I have showed in photographs in the past, which is now a dirt/gravel road that cars can use. Fascinating.

It was great fun ... I always enjoy spending time with my parents ... as a matter of fact, we are going camping to the Grampians with them in 2 weeks ... they'll be in their caravan, us in our tent.

On Monday, Hubby and I went for another drive ... we needed to collect some things from our van at Bonnie Doon, to take on our camping trip. On the way we passed an old shed which, for the past few years, I had been wanting to photograph (don't ask why, I just did !!). So, we stopped and I took this photograph ...

I was really happy with the photo, as the colours of the freshly budding trees matched nicely with the colors of the rust and old-ness of the shed. Not bad, huh !?!

Anyway, I had better finish here ... gotta go to work !!

Hope to catch up again soon.

Take care,

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

2008-09-07T09:15:00.003+10:00

Well, it's Father's Day here in Australia ... not sure about the rest of the world ... it seems to be different everywhere !!

I just wanted to do a quick post to wish all the fathers and grandfathers out there a wonderful day ... hope your families lavish you with love and attention.

Enjoy !!

Take care,

2008-09-03T07:40:00.002+10:00

Hi There !!

Just a little post from me, to let you know that I AM still alive !!! Life continues to be busy, but very enjoyable.

I spent a weekend recently at Phillip Island, on a scrapbooking retreat. It was great fun, got lots of pages finished in the album I am working on, and enjoyed the company of around 90 other women who were doing the very same thing. I plan on going again next year. It was actually quite strange ... I had never been away for a weekend before, without my Hubby and Chicky. They were left at home, alone with each other, to fend for themselves. It seems they coped OK !!!

I am still working 2 or 3 days a week. Still enjoying it ... at least I enjoy the company of my fellow workmates (the work is a bit boring, but you can't have everything, can you !?!?)

I usually spend Thursdays with my Mum ... we go shopping, have lunch, and do mum & daughter stuff. It is lovely, and we get along so well. Dad (who is retired) usually takes this opportunity to go and have a game of golf with a mate !!

Ummm ... what else ??? Bambi is well, still a naughty kitty (but then, what kitty isn't naughty !!). Chicky is enjoying Year 8 at school . She is quite popular, with both the boys and girls, and forever has parties to go to and friends visiting, or her visiting friends. It's great to see. She is still playing netball (they won their grand final recently), and dancing. The concert this year should be a good one. Hubby is well, also. Still doing the shit work, and fiddling around with his four wheel drive. He is obsessed with that car !!! But I love him dearly.

So, that's about it for me. Best get myself ready for work this morning. Should be a busy day.

Hope to drop by and visit your blogs soon.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Until next time ...

Take care,

Sunday, Sunny Sunday!

2008-07-06T12:03:00.002+10:00

Hi everyone,

It's a gorgeous, sunny, Winter's day here in Melbourne. The neighbours are mowing their lawns, the hubby is fiddling with his car, and the world is good.

I am sitting here, still with wet hair, having just finished my breakfast. That is not so weird, you may say, but it is just after 12 midday !!! Breakfast ??? Perhaps that should be brunch !!

I had an extremely lazy morning. I did awake at around 7.30am, but decided I wasn't getting up. I turned on the bedside light (it was still dark-ish outside), and picked up my book. Well, that was the end of me !! It was the last 1/4 of the book ... the best part, I think, of any book !! I couldn't put it down, and continued reading until 1/4 to 11. I finished it though ... it was wonderful.

Now, however, I feel a sense of let-down, or sadness. I get like that when I finish a good book. It's almost like losing a friend, when you shut the book for the last time. Does anyone else feel like that, or am I just crazy !?!?!

Anyway, it was a Barbara Delinsky book, titled Looking For Peyton Place. I have read quite a few of her books lately, and I really enjoy her writing. It isn't as in-depth or gory as my usual read (of the likes of Jeffrey Deaver, James Patterson, Kathy Reichs, Jonathan and Fay Kellerman, and others), but a good read non-the-less. She is very descriptive, and there is always some romance in her novels. I need to find more of her books, I think !!!

My morning wasn't quite as lazy as my daughter's. Chicky only awoke at 11.30am ... and only because the phone rang !!! What's with teenagers, and their sleep-cycles ?? We have school holidays at the moment, and she is up late in the evenings, watching DVDs and reading, and fiddling with the computer, so I guess that accounts for the late sleep ins. But, OMG, she could do that every day ... what a waste of a day, I feel !! It seems so many teenagers are like that though, according to other mums at work. I don't remember being like that as a teenager. I wanted to make the most of every day, getting as much out of it as I could. But, then, I wasn't a night owl, either ... I needed my sleep, and was generally asleep before 10pm. Boring, yes !! But I enjoyed my days !!

Hubby has been out in the garage since around 6.30am, fiddling with his car. He is on 4 weeks long service leave at the moment. He is spending his time pulling apart his car, and putting a whole new body on it. That's been done, now he has to put it all together again !! Why not buy a whole new car, you may ask !!! Well, he is really happy with the motor, running gear, and everything else on the car ... it was just that the bodywork was rusting away. His friend owns a motor wreckers, and they had gotten in an identical car to his, so they decided to just (simply !?!) swap bodies. Well, what a job !! But he is really enjoying himself. Oh well, I guess it keeps him out from under my feel ... LOL !!!

Hmmm, I guess that's enough from me for now ... 2 posts in the space of a few days is more than I've done in months !!! I had better get moving and enjoy this magical day.

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend.

Until next time ...

Take care,

Happy 4th Of July

2008-07-04T18:43:00.002+10:00

Just wanted to wish all of my US friends a Happy 4th Of July.

Have fun, party on ....

A Pinch And A Punch For The First Of The Month

2008-07-01T08:42:00.002+10:00

Hello everyone,

It's the first of July, and we are having some very bizarre weather here in Melbourne. It is very cold (although, by comparison to Northern Hemisphere Winters, not so cold, really!!) and very windy. I awoke this morning to torrential rain, and the extreme wind, battering my windows ... all of them, from all sides ... scary stuff. A couple of hours later, it is still windy, but the sun is shining, and we have blue skies. It has always been said that Melbourne can bring four seasons in one day ... I think we are having one of those days.

My life continues to be busy, still no time for regular blogging. I have been quite unwell recently, although 100% better now, with a terrible cold and chest infection. I haven't been this sick for years and years ... oh well, life goes on ... I haven't really got time to be sick !!

I have a day off today, am heading over to a friend's for a spot of scrapbooking. Looking forward to the scrapbooking, and the catch up with my friend. Always up for a bit of chatting (or gas-bagging, as we sometimes call it).

Hope you are all well.

Will be back in touch soon.

Take care,

Hi !!

2008-06-03T13:35:00.004+10:00

Hello Friends,

Just a quick hello today from foggy Melbourne. It is currently 10 past 2 on Tuesday afternoon, and only now is the sun starting to pierce through the fog. It was a real pea-souper ... guess who didn't take any photos, though !?!?! I haven't seen it quite this bad for some time. Planes were grounded, and others had to be diverted ... the fog was too thick around the airport !! It seems that it was a universal fog ... all of Melbourne was covered ... from the airport in the north-west, to the outer suburbs where I live, in the east ... and beyond, too, I guess !! More to come in the next few days, too, apparently.

I have a day off today, and have been busy playing with my new multi-function printer. I bought a Canon Pixma MP610, and I got it for a ripper price !! It prints / copies / scans. The print quality of the photos is supposedly photo-lab quality. I have printed a few photos already, and am hugely impressed. Much better than the last printer (which has gone to the great printer-graveyard in the sky !!). I am quite pleased, too, as I just received my latest Choice Magazine (a consumer guide magazine), which lists this printer as the best-buy ... it received great percentages in all the tests, and only came second on the list to another Canon, which was about $100 more expensive !! Whoo-hoo ... I'm glad this one called out to me to buy it !!!

I thought I'd share a few photos from our most recent drive into the high country, a couple of weeks ago. It is really beautiful up there.

Anyway, that's enough from me for now. Hope you are all having a great week.

I'll be back soon ...

Take care,

PS ... I owe a huge apology to all those bloggers whose birthdays I have neglected to acknowledge. A huge happy birthday to everyone who has celebrated a birthday these past few months ... hope you had wonderful days. I really need to organise myself better so I don't keep forgetting things !!

Hello ...

2008-05-28T18:51:00.002+10:00

G'day Mates !!

It's me, your long lost, forever absent, Aussie blogger ... Meow !!

Everytime I post, I apologise for being absent, for not blogging more often, promising to become a regular blogger again. Guess what, nothing's changed yet !! Be assured, though, that I haven't stopped blogging ... I'm still here, if somewhat AWOL !!

Updating from my previous post ... Chicky has recovered from her fractured ankle. She is back to normal, playing netball, dancing, and everything else. No lingering limp or anything. She was very fortunate that it was such a minor fracture. She has also recovered from her tonsilitis ... thank goodness ... and managed NOT to share it with either me or her dad !! She is currently going through mid year exams at school ... a first for her, as last year (year 7) they didn't do formal exams. She doesn't like the exams (I don't think anyone does), and the formality of it (they are all set up in the school gym) is a bit scary !!! I think she'll do OK, though ... at least I hope so !!!

We went up to Bonnie Doon last weekend ... did a bit of four wheel driving up in the High Country. It was very cold up there ... but no snow. There was a bit of frost, and many puddles were iced over ... not something I have seen very often here in Australia !! It does snow in the High Country (the mountains we were on are also our ski slopes), but only in Winter. It doesn't snow down here in the suburbs of Melbourne where I live ... and I've gotta say, thank goodness for that !!!

I have been continuing with my scrapbooking ... I hope to take some photographs of my favorite pages soon, to share them with you ...

Work continues to keep me busy ... 3 days a week ... with life taking over the other 4 days !!!

May has been a busy month ... my Dad had his birthday, Hubby also had a birthday, and Mother's Day. We also went to a 40th party a couple of weeks ago ... a "slutty & sleazy" theme. I generally don't go in for dress up parties, but this one was fun !! I made up some t-shirts for hubby and me to wear ... a bit of a cop-out, but it was a cold night, the party was in a garage, and I'm to old to be dressing slutty !!

Anyway, that's just a little bit about what I have been up to.

Suffice to say, I miss you all, and wish I could be here with you more often. I miss reading all your blogs ... I do try to catch up here and there via Google Reader.

So, until I get a chance to sit down here and visit again (sooner, rather than later), be good, stay safe, and have fun !!

Take care, big hugs to you all ...

Hmmmm....

2008-04-28T08:28:00.003+10:00

Hey There !!

Well, once again, after promising to resume regular blogging, it has been more than three weeks since my last post !! Time flies, doesn't it.

Life has continued to be busy, keeping me away from all you amazing people.

Chicky had a bit of an accident a couple of weeks back ... whilst crossing the road, she stepped off the kerb into a drain ... twisting and fracturing her ankle. We took her to the hospital, where they put her in plaster, saying she wasn't to put any weight on that foot for the time being, and made an appointment for her in a week's time. Two days before the appointment, Chicky was having a bath (her foot was covered with cling wrap, and was haning over the edge of the bath, to keep it dry), and when she stood up after her bath, of course the water went running down her leg, into the plastic, and down into the cast. Fortunately, it was only a half cast (a back slab, they called it, and it was bandaged up to keep it on her leg ... mainly to support the ankle, I guess), and we were able to remove it, before it got all mooshy and yucky !! Went to the appointment with the Orthopeadic (spelling !?!?!) Surgeon, who said the fracture was quite minor, and she was told that she could resume using the foot, using common sense (now, do teenagers have common sense !?!?!). She was given an elastic sock/bandage thingy, just to give her a bit of support. At this stage, she is still limping a little bit, the ankle gets tired and achy quickly, but is well on the mend. She can easily climb up and down stairs now, and is even attempting to run a little. I guess netball will still be a couple of weeks away, although she may attempt her dance class next week (she can easily sit out anything that is too awkward on the ankle).

Poor kid, she is having a bad run ... I picked her up early from school today ... she now has tonsilitis !! At this moment, she is coughing herself stupid, has a temperature, and generally feels like crap. She is on anti-biotics, and paracetemol. I'm guessing that as soon as the anti-biotics kick in, she will start feeling better !!

We went to a 50th birthday party last Saturday ... Hubby's brother's. It was an interesting night, to say the least. Saw some people who we hadn't seen for many years ... now that was an experience ... say no more !!

I have been doing a bit of scrapbooking ... that is fun ... and enjoying going through all my photos, picking out those I want to scrapbook. I have also enjoyed scouring through all the scrapbooking shops in the area ... wow, there is so much gorgeous stuff out there ... it would be easy to go mad and spend a fortune !! I am going to a scrapbooking show this upcoming weekend, in East Burwood, with a friend. Should be good ... lots of stuff to look at (and buy, LOL).

Not sure if I've mentioned it previously, but in August, I am going on a girls weekend to Phillip Island ... scrapbooking. Yes, a scrapbooking weekend !! And I can't wait. I have never been on a weekend away without my hubby and Chicky, never been on a girl's weekend. My friend, RL, scolded me, and told me that I should go on one, and invited me to join her and a couple of other friends on this upcoming weekend. I discussed it with Hubby and Chicky, and they encouraged me to go. Soooo, it is all paid for and organised. Now we just have to wait for August !!!

A couple of weeks ago, I caught up with some fellow bloggers for a 60th birthday lunch. Gina, whose birthday it was, was there ... as was Lee-Ann, Brigid, and another friend of Gina's, Jann. It was a lovely few hours ... we lunched at the Cherry Hill Tavern in Doncaster ... yummy food, good company, lots of chit-chat.

Ummm, not sure that I can think of anything else at this stage !!!

Hope you are all happy and healthy, and keeping out of mischief !!

Enjoy the upcoming weekend ...

Take care,

Another Holiday, Another Bunch Of Photos !!

2008-04-06T19:09:00.010+10:00

Hey there, everyone !

We got back from a 9 day camping holiday on Friday ... we had a lovely time, but it is always great to get home, and back into our own beds.

I have spent much of the weekend washing, and doing housework ... it really needed doing !!

Thought you might like a run-down on our trip, along with a few (well, quite a few !!) photos. I have reduced the size of the photos before uploading, as to upload them in their original size takes ages !! Hope they are big enough to enjoy !!

We left home on Thursday 27th March, heading north, toward Murray Sunset National Park, and the Pink Lakes area. It was raining when we left ... not a good omen. However, it stopped not far out of Melbourne, and what remained was blue skies and sunshine. We stopped in Bendigo for breakfast (McDonalds !), and continued on our way.

Early afternoon, we arrived at the National Park, and began exploring, trying to decide which camping area we would prefer. Both had their pros and cons, and we ended up choosing the second one we came to, due to the cleaner facilities (only a lone pit-toilet, but it was clean), and flatter camping areas.

We began unpacking the car, but stopped quickly, due to being surrounded by feral bees !! Quite scary, and very annoying. We didn't want to start our holiday with bee-stings, so we re-packed the car, and decided not to stay there !!

We explored the area, taking quite a few photos. This first one is of one of the salt lakes, which are, really, pink (although it doesn't really show up in this photo).

Apparently the pink hue is :due to the red pigment beta-carotene (the colour in carrots), secreted by the alga Dunaliella salina. During winter, highly saline ground water seeps down from the surrounding country into the lakes. The water evaporates during the intense heat of summer leaving shimmering salt beds." This following photo is a piece of the salt, held in Chicky's hand, showing how pink it actually is. Beneath the salt layer is black soil, really black like tar !!

Another photo of the lake ...

After exploring, we jumped back in the car, and got back onto the highway, in order to find ourselves somewhere to stay the night !! We ended up just over the Victoria / South Australia border, in a town called Pinaroo. The tiny caravan park was lovely, with clean amenities, and lovely grassy sites. We weren't to know, though, that all night long, the trucks would zoom past ... it felt like they were driving just outside our tent !! Didn't get much sleep ... oh well, life goes on.

Next day, we headed to Renmark, deciding to stay there an extra night ... 3 nights, rather than 2 ... we phoned ahead to check if that was OK .. it was !!

On the way, we had a lovely lunch in a bakery in Loxton ... yummy !!

On arrival in Renmark, we found our caravan park, and set up camp. We had a great site, right on the banks of the river. This is the view from our camp site ... (in the distance is Renmark township and the Renmark Hotel).

It is a beautiful part of the Murray River, really, really wide, and just serene. The following pic is the view through our tent front door ...

We had lots of birdy visitors ... ducks of various varieties, wild turkeys (annoying little critters), sea-gulls (why on earth they appear in the middle of the country, miles away from the coast, is beyond me !!), and this friendly pelican. He just sat there, for hours, posing for photos, preening, and just being a beautiful fellow (or girl, who knows !!). He was waiting for food, and came quite close (actually, that is frightening, as their beaks are very imposing !!).

Toward evening, we scored a magificent sunset ... I think I took way too many photos of it ... here are a couple of them (looking toward Renmark Hotel again) ...

On the Saturday, we had a lazy day, hanging around the caravan park ... the weather was a bit iffy ... we even had a little bit of rain ... nothing drastic, no damage done. It wasn't cold, thank goodness.

Next day, we went for a drive, along the Murray, exploring the lookouts and viewpoints. This photo is taken from the Murtho Forest Lookout ...

Monday, we packed up camp, and headed for Lake Mungo. We stopped in Mildura, and had a yummy lunch at Pizza Hut !!

Arrived at Lake Mungo mid afternoon, found the camp area, and set up camp. Then headed off to the lookout and "Wall of China" area. It is absolutely stunning here, and we were very lucky with the weather. You may remember, in September 2006, we travelled with some friends in this area, but were unable to stay here due to the high winds. We did, then, get some interesting photos ... although the sand was blowing through them all. This time around, nothing but blue skies and sunshine !!

This photo is of an Echidna, who was digging for it's dinner ... it was there for ages, and was quite big.

We explored the area, whilst waiting for the upcoming sunset. Lake Mungo is an archaeologically significant part of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area. 25 to 45,000 years ago the lake covered 135 square kilometres and was about 10 metres deep. It was one of a series of freshwater lakes in the area. The lakes dried up about 14,000 years ago. They are now a huge source of fossils. The original native vegetation was destroyed by overstocking of the properties, and later on by introduced animals (eg. rabbits). Now, the weather is continuing the erosion, producing the amazing formations that can now be found. Following are a few photos taken around the area ...

This photo shows the camping area. We are really, really happy with the tent, it is so roomy, and so quick and easy to put up and take down. Shame we have so much stuff, other than the tent, which takes time to pack into, and onto, the car !!

The next day, we climbed the dunes, and continued to explore. I was amazed at the little pockets of vegetation grown in the sand.

More photos around Lake Mungo ...

This was the highest sand dune in the area ... I climbed it !!! Aren't you proud of me !?!?! It was quite a climb, initially I didn't want to do it, but took on the challenge ... and, I could actually still breathe when I arrived at the top. It was quite a climb !!

Here, there, and everywhere, these pademelons grew ... the birds like the seeds, but I don't think they are edible for humans !!

As we explored some of the historical buildings in the area, I came across this birdy ... haven't had a chance to look him up yet, but he sure was cute ...

This was a shed in one of the properties left in the area ... it's structure fascinated me, as in the time it was built, there were no power tools, everything was done by hand. It is a beautiful old building.

A view from inside the same building ...

These little birdies were everywhere around the campsite. The hang out in large groups ... apparently, according to my Field Guide to the Birds of Australia, it is an Apostlebird. They are fun little birds, but got really annoying (they were very loud !!), as they came really close (cheeky buggers!), and seemed to hear from a distance whenever any food came out !!

On the morning we packed up, Wednesday morning, it had gotten very windy, and very overcast. We decided to skip breakfast, and get packed up ASAP. Fortunately, we were just stuffing the last items into the car, when it started drizzling. The rain didn't take hold at this stage, fortunately, as the roads out get very boggy when wet, and are usually closed to traffic with heavy rains.

Had a quick breakfast in Mildura, and decided to skip the next national park, due to the change in weather and high winds (and, potentially, more bees, as it was near the Pink Lakes national park !!)

We decided to head for Horsham, and on the way it got even windier, and we drove through a wicked dust storm ... at times we could barely see the road !! The following photos are the view through our windscreen ...

We overnighted in a nice motel in Horsham (didn't want to risk putting up the tent in that wind, and it was also raining quite heavily by this stage). A bit of luxury didn't go astray, either.

Next morning we decided to swap our powered tent-site, for a cabin in the caravan park in Halls Gap in the Grampians. The weather had turned very cold, and was still yucky !!

We explored the Grampians, as we headed for Halls Gap. The area was hit quite badly by the storm the previous day, with bits of trees and bark all over the roads. We stopped at McKenzie Falls ... simply beautiful.

The Grampians were quite devastated in the 2006/2007 summer bushfires. It was evident everywhere we went. I am still amazed (I know I have said this before) at how the bush regenerates after bushfires.

A view from the lookout ...

We spent a warm night in the cabin, then packed up, explored a bit more, then headed home a day early. It was too cold and wet to do much walking or hiking, unfortunately. The following is a view from the car, as were started travelling through the Southern Grampians.

We got a small taste of the wonderful area known as The Grampians, and have decided to come back again soon for an extended camping trip, in order to explore all the areas we were unable to this time.

All in all, we had a great trip, we are happy with our tent, and had a lovely time. It was a nice bonding time for the three of us. Fortunately, we enjoy each other's company ... mum, dad and daughter !!

So, that's about it from me this time around. Hope you have enjoyed my holiday run-down. Back to the grindstone tomorrow ... I am working Monday, Wednesday, Friday this week. Hope to be by for a visit soon. Look after yourselves, in the meantime.

Take care,

An Update On Meow

2008-03-19T20:14:00.008+11:00

Hi There,

Thought it was high time I presented you all with another post. It's been ages, and I feel, as usual, like I've been neglecting my blog friends.

So, what have I been up to ...

Well, it was my mum's 60th birthday on the 2nd March, and I spent some time putting together a huge collage poster of photos of her, and stuff that she loves. It turned out great, she cried (she cries at the drop of a hat ... she is a very emotional person !!) ...

It was a lovely party, mainly just family and some close friends ... about 20 people ... we put on a bbq and salads, and stuff ... yummy ... drinks, music, and good old fashined fun. We bought mum this concrete garden statue / ornament thingy, which she loves (once again, she cried ... not sure why, but she did LOL) ...

My poor Mitsubishi Magna finally gave up the ghost. It had been regularly giving me various problems ... overheating, strange noises, brake issues ... this time it was the automatic gearbox ... nothing worse than driving an automatic, which chooses not to use all it's gears, and screams then clunks quite violently into the 3rd gear, all the while putting out a smoke screen whilst stuck in peak hour traffic ... at least no-one could see me LOL. Not nice at all. It did bring things to a head, and we went out and quickly bought me a new car (well, a used car, but it was new to me!!). It is a gorgeous burgundy/red coloured Daewoo Lanos 3 door hatch. It is a 2000 model, with only 74,000km on the clock. It had only had one owner, and all the books and service details were there. We got it for a song. I looooove my new car. It's a 5 speed manual (the Magna was an automatic), and it is such fun driving it, as it is a zippy little car.

The weather has been horrendously hot lately. For the past couple of weeks, it has been in the mid to high 30s ... that's really hot, people. No rain, very dry, and horribly hot. At times, it was also windy ... it was like being in a furnace ... yuck !! Fortunately, a cool change (finally) came through yesterday, and it was a pleasant mid-20s today. Aaaah, much better !!

Yesterday, I picked up Clare O, a friend of Clare's, from London. She was staying with some friends in Bulleen, whilst visiting Melbourne, during her 6 week trip to Australia. We went for a drive to Frankston, where there was a Sand Sculpture Exhibition. The exhibition was amazing, and the sand castles (if you can call them that) were incredible ... all in the theme of Fairytales & Fables. Here are a few photos of my favorites ...

This first one shows Clare in front of the Wizard of Oz sculpture ...

This next one depicts May Gibbs Gumnut Babies ... taken from an Australian children's story .

This one is of the characters from Dorothy Wall's Blinky Bill stories ... another Aussie story.

Puss in Boots ...

Alice in Wonderland ...

This next one was huge, and featured many of the stories from Mother Goose. There were so many things to see, we just had to keep going back to look for more ... just amazing.

Hansel & Gretel ...

Little Red Riding Hood ...

Three Blind Mice (part of the Mother Goose sculpture) ...

Goldilocks & The Three Bears ...

When we had had our fill of admiring and photographing the amazing sand sculptures, it was most definately time for lunch and an eagerly awaited drink (it was still way-hot at this stage ... the cool change hadn't quite hit !!). We went into a restaurant on the foreshore, and ate with our eyes ... we ordered too-big pizzas, which we had to take the remainders home with us. They were yummy, and the cold Pepsi's we had with them were great.

After eating our fill, we headed back outside, where the cool change had hit, and it was now blowing a gale !!! We walked out on the Frankston Pier (getting slightly sand blasted as we traversed the beach), staying near the railing, for fear of being blown over the edge !!! The wind had chopped up the normally calm sea (part of our Port Phillip Bay), and there were waves and white-caps. Fun !!!

We decided to head back to the car, and took a scenic route through the countryside, ending up at Lysterfield Lake. Whilst I actually live quite near to this beautiful lake, I had never actually been there. Now I know what it is like, I will for sure go back. There were people swimming (it was more sheltered here than at the beach, and it had gotten a bit warmer again). It was just lovely.

Back into the car, and over to my place, where a long cold Pepsi was waiting for us ... sightseeing sure works up a thirst !! We chatted for awhile, I shared some of my photos from our travels, and then back into the car to take Clare back to where she was staying, so she could catch up with the people she was staying with !! I struggled with some peak-hour traffic coming home, but not too bad. It was a great day, and I must say, Clare is a lovely person. It felt like we were old friends, and we just chatted away all day. Thank you Clare, for allowing me to be your tour-guide for the day, it was a pleasure !! Here is a photo of the two of us in my lounge-room, before I took Clare home !!

I went back to work today, for my last day until the week starting Monday 7th April, which is after the school holidays (the rosters aren't done yet, so am not sure which days I will be working).

Hubby, Chicky and I are off this weekend to Bonnie Doon for Easter, then back home for a day or two, then we pack the car for a 10 day camping tour around the country-side ... we are doing a couple of days in the Murray Sunset National Park (Vic), a couple of days in Renmark (SA), a couple of days at Lake Mungo National Park (NSW), back into Victoria for a night somewhere, then down to The Grampians for another couple of days. Should be quite a lot of driving, but a lot of exploring, and guaranteed ... a lot of photos !! I'm sure we will have a ball ... just the 3 of us. Can't wait.

So, enough from me for now ... I would like to finish by wishing you all a Very Happy Easter. Stay safe, and happy, and enjoy the extended long weekend. Oh yeah, don't eat too much chocolate !!

Till next time ...

Take care,

A Poem

2008-02-29T16:06:00.003+11:00

I just received this poem in an email from a friend, and I knew I just had to share it. I know many of you can relate ...

I asked the Lord to tell me

Why my house is such a mess.

He asked if I'd been 'computering',

And I had to answer "yes."

He told me to get off my backside

And tidy up the house.

And so I started cleaning up...

The smudges off my mouse.

I wiped and shined the topside.

That really did the trick...

I was just admiring my work...

I didn't mean to 'click.'

But click, I did, and oops I found

A real absorbing site

That I got SO way into...

I was into it all night. ((sigh))

Nothing's changed except my mouse

It's very, very shiny.

I guess my house will stay a mess...

While I sit here on my hiney.

Take care,

A Nomination

2008-02-29T14:58:00.002+11:00

It appears someone has nominated my blog in the PetWellbing.com Pet Website Awards ... here is the badge I am allowed to display on my blog ...

Pet Health Store

I'm not sure who nominated me, but a huuuuuge THANK YOU to whoever it was. The awards program ends in September.

Hello ....

2008-02-28T20:04:00.003+11:00

Hey There,

Just letting you know I'm still alive, but still pretty busy, so haven't had the chance to get around to visit you all yet. I have been visiting here and there, but not everyone. Life is still keeping me away from blogging ... but I don't intend quitting ... I'm here for the long haul.

Work, as usual, is keeping me busy ... three days a week, and the remaining weekdays are generally full with various things, running around, cleaning, shopping, and all sorts of other things.

I have become a little bit obsessed with Facebook at the moment ... I have been playing a number of Scrabulous games (a form of Scrabble), which has been fun.

This Sunday is my mum's 60th birthday (although she really doesn't want to acknowledge that she is turning SIXTY ... OMG !!! We went out and bought her a lovely present today, and I have put together a great collage / poster thing for her, which should embarrass the heck out of her, or make her cry, or both !!! Hopefully she doesn't read this before her birthday, or she will know all about it !!! I will take a photo of it, and share it with you another time.

We have a long weekend coming up soon ... not this weekend, but the next. Our aim is to go camping, however the new tent we have bought, hasn't arrived yet, so we may be just heading up to Bonnie Doon, as usual. We decided to buy a new tent (as our old one has a gazillion pegs, and takes ages to set up, and we like to do short overnight stops, so taking a lot of time setting up is just a pain !!). We chose to buy a new tent in the interim, until our caravan sells, and we can get the money together to buy our Tvan (off road camper). We love camping and getting away, so it was either this, or not go !!

School holidays (2 weeks thereof) are coming up in mid-late March. We have a 10 day trip planned, a very busy 10 days, with a fair number of stops, and a lot of travelling. This is the sort of trip we love, and I just cannot wait. The camera is raring to go, and I can't wait to share some photos with you when we return.

Here is what we have planned ....

Day 1 ... Melbourne to Pink Lakes (in the Murray Sunset National Park, north western Victoria), set up camp (the only facilities here are toilets ... no other amenities), and explore
Day 2 ... Dismantle camp, explore the Murray Sunset National Park, then head to Rocket Lake (still within the park) for an overnight stop ... set up camp (facilities ... toilets only).
Day 3 ... Dismantle camp, head into Mildura (on the border of Victoria and NSW), then along the Sturt highway into South Australia, for our next stop in Renmark ... set up camp (full amenities ... a beautiful caravan park).
Day 4 ... Explore Renmark (and hopefully catch up with some friends who are houseboating on the Murray River, in the vicinity of Renmark). Overnight again in Renmark.
Day 5 ... Dismantle camp, head back into Victoria, then over the border in Mildura to NSW. Head up approx 90 km to Lake Mungo National Park. Set up camp (full amenities, I think), and explore.
Day 6 ... Explore Lake Mungo National Park. The last time we were here, in September 2006, it was mega-windy, so we were unable to stay, and the photos turned out a bit wierd, and we didn't catch the magnificent (so they say) sunsets and sunrises. Hopefully this time all will be perfect. Overnight at Lake Mungo again.
Day 7 ... Dismantle camp, head back to Mildura and Victoria, head down the highway a while, then turn into the Wyperfeld National Park. Explore, and set up camp at one of the camping areas therein (facilities ... toilets only)
Day 8 ... Head south, through the Wyperfeld National Park, through Dimboola, Horsham and down into The Grampians. Arrive at Halls Gap, set up camp (full ameneties ... a glorious caravan park). Explore (if there is enough hours left in the day !)
Day 9 ... Explore The Grampians. Overnight at Halls Gap again.
Day 10 ... Dismantle camp, explore a little more, then head home, back down to Melbourne, and the end of our trip ... sigh !!

All in all, when written down in this manner, it sounds like madness, too much driving, too many putting-ups of the tent ... all in all, too much !!! But .... we're gonna love it, it's what we love to do, and we just cannot wait. It is just the three of us going, so it will be some bonding time, too. I hope to take heaps and heaps of photos ... I will then put together another DVD of them all, putting them to music, with transitions, and stuff. It's great fun.

We haven't ever been to the Murray Sunset National Park, or Wyperfeld National Park. There are quite a few salt lakes therein, and apparently, some amazing scenery. We've also never been to the Grampians, so that should be fun, too. Totally different areas will be visited throughout the trip ... desert, Murray Riverland, desert, desert, lush rocky mountains. Cool !!!

So, that's what we will be getting up to.

I hope everyone has been well, and keeping busy, and out of mischief (or in mischief, if that's what you prefer !!).

I hope to get by and visit you all eventually (I'm sure I have said that numerous times now ... but it will happen, I promise).

Till we next catch up ....

Take care,

The Brain Test

2008-02-21T09:05:00.002+11:00

I found this on someone's blog the other day (for the life of me, I cannot remember who it was though ... sorry!), and thought it was interesting. I took the test, and here are my results ... mostly fairly accurate, I thought. Let me know how you go, if you give it a go !!

The Brain Test

My Result: Right-brained

Most right-brained people like you are flexible in many realms of their lives. Whether picking up on the nuances of musical concerto, appreciating the subtle details in a work of art, or seeing the world from a different perspective, right-brained people are creative, imaginative, and attuned to their surroundings.

People probably see your thinking process as boundless, and that might translate to your physical surroundings as well. Some people think of you as messier than others. It's not that you're disorganized, it's just that you might use different systems to organize (by theme, by subject, by color). Straight alphabetization and rigidly ordered folders are not typical of right-brained behavior.

You are also more intuitive than many. When it comes to reading literature, you probably prefer creative writing or fiction over nonfiction. And when it comes to doing math, you might find you enjoy geometry more than other forms like algebra.

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=brainogt&c=50652

Take care,

Friendship

2008-02-19T12:55:00.002+11:00

Hello everyone, just a quick one from me today, basically to let you know I am still alive. Life, as usual, has been keeping me away from blogging, but I am always thinking of you all, and when I get a chance, I pop onto Google Reader to check out what you all have been writing.

I have a day off work today, and have been busy doing housework, changing sheets, vacuuming ... you know, same old, same old.

I am now quickly fiddling with the internet, then I have some other stuff I need to do (I will go into that in a week or so ... it's still a secret, for reasons you will eventually find out !!).

I just spent a wonderful almost-45 minutes chatting on the telephone to a gorgeous blog-friend on the other side of the big pond. I won't say who, but you know who you are !! It was a great catch up, with both of us talking over the other, in order to get in what we wanted to say (the time delay makes it confusing, as one person starts talking, while the other is still listening, or something like that. Anyway, the time delay makes it wierd !!) The time just flew, and I know for sure that I still had heaps I wanted to say, LOL ... oh well, there's always next time, or MSN, or Facebook, or emailing ! It's funny how someone who I have never physically met, can feel like someone I have known a lifetime. When we talk, we can usually relate to what the other is talking about ... it is almost like we are two peas in a pod, or kindred spirits, or something like that. Whatever it is, I am so very thankful to have made this friendship, and hope it can last a lifetime. The following picture is for you, dear friend ...

Anyway, must go and get onto my next project. Hope you all have a wonderful week.

Take care,

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

2008-02-14T14:48:00.002+11:00

Happy Valentines Day, everyone

Hope your day is magical, and filled with love and happiness.

Take care, huge Valentines Hugs to you all .....

Life Continues ...

2008-02-03T12:31:00.000+11:00

Hello again, thought it was time for another post ... it's been nearly a month since my last one. I feel like I am being a bad blogger, and all my readers are forgetting me through my neglect. I haven't been by and visited like I promised last post ... life has just been such a whirlwind ... will it ever slow down again !?!?!

Anyway, since I last wrote, we have been pretty busy. I have been working 3 days a week, usually Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and the other days have been full of other stuff. It has been school holidays, too, which has kept me busy, although the kids returned to school last Thursday (31st January). My Chicky is now in Year 8, her second year of Secondary School (High School). She is happy to be back, I think, as she missed many of her friends, who she didn't have a chance to catch up with during the holidays.

We had a long weekend a week or so ago ... Australia Day Weekend. We, as usual, headed up to Bonnie Doon. We went for a drive into the High Country again on the Sunday ... this time with only one other car. It was a nice day, not too hot, but apparently very windy down at the lake (which we missed out on whilst we were driving ... yay !). I have some photos to share with you .....

This first photo was one evening at Bonnie Doon, we thought a storm was coming, the thunder and lightening sure happened ... but ... no rain.

This time, we headed around to the right of Mt Buller. We went up toward the Bluff Hut, which had suffered terribly during last Summer's bush fires. Here is just a photo of some burnt trees ...

The following photos were taken a few years back, but they show what the Bluff Hut used to look like (before the fires) ...

They have now started work to rebuild it. This is what it currently looks like ...

It is terribly sad to see how much of the high country was destroyed by the bush fires ... it is even sadder when you see how much of the bush is actually still black (besides the undergrowth). In so many places, the trees are just dead ... no regrowth is happening at all.

We headed in the direction of Lovicks Hut (which is also gone, and apprently no restoration has started), although we decided not to go there, as there wasn't anything much to see, anyway. We stopped at a little clearing for some photos. This one shows a distant glimpse of Mt Buller resort ...

More trees ... this one looks like it is trying to regenerate !!

The following photo was taken through the car windscreen, which had a fine film of dust over it, hence the photos may be a bit milky looking !! This one shows more forest, which doesn't look like it will ever be green again ...

After driving some distance, we arrived down at Pikes Flat, and this wonderful river. It is quite shallow, and crossing over it brings you to another track, taking you further up into the hills again. We didn't do this, this time, but the kids did paddle a bit in the river. It is very beautiful here.

From here we drove a short distance to Bindaree Hut, where we had lunch. This is an old hut, full of spiders and webs, but quite photogenic.

We had to do a bit of a river crossing here, which was quite rocky. If you weren't careful, some damage could be done here. This photo is of the river, near the crossing.

From here, we travelled some way, heading up towards Craigs Hut again. It was the grand opening weekend, for the newly build and finished Craigs Hut. Some of the tracks had been graded, taking away much of the challenge for 4WDers ... I'm sure these tracks will become chewed up again in no time, though. It was like the city centre up there, with so many cars. We had to move aside to let cars pass, in places where the track was just barely wide enough for one car, let alone two. We had never seen it so busy. We weren't actually aware of it being the opening weekend, we only discovered this on the day. We missed all the pomp and ceremony (thank goodness), but there were still many cars in the carpark when we arrived. Someone had even towed up a trailer-load of porta-loos !! There were many people using the facilities that had been built up there ... picnic tables, shelters, bbqs ... it was amazing to see. Although, it has now lost it's sense of loneliness up there ... it used to be just the hut ... very touristy now, unfortunately, but still beautiful.

This photo was taken inside the hut, showing what it used to look like, and how it was after the fires went through.

A view of the surrounding mountains from outside Craigs Hut. The views from this mountaintop are just incredible, and you can see for miles. It was a little bit hazy, though.

The group of us, minus the photographer ... that would be me ... on the verandah of Craigs Hut (a typical pose ... I'm sure many people have, and will, take a similar photo with their own groups of people) ...

The finished hut ... it is just beautiful up here ...

Driving through the Snow Gums on the way to the top of Mt Stirling. It was like driving through an avenue of trees, that were trying to reach over and touch our cars ...

From the top of Mt Stirling, a view of the Mt Buller Ski Village ... the opposite side of the mountain to an earlier photo in this post ...

We had a great day, leaving at around 9am, returning to the caravan park around 5pm. We were all tired, and dusty, but very happy with the day we had. The cars did wonderfully ... it never ceases to amaze me the places one can go in a 4WD vehicle. There were many, many campers in many places throughout the high country. This is something I haven't ever done, but when we sell our caravan, and get our off-road camper trailer (a TVan), we intend to rectify this. Apparently, the TVan can go anywhere the 4WD can go. We aim to prove this !!!

As I mentioned, Chicky is now back at school, so my life is back to being routine. I drive her to school in the mornings, and Mon, Wed & Fri I head off to work. She then comes home by bus. This week, Tuesday, I am heading straighto over to my parents, after dropping Chicky off to school, for a visit. We haven't been catching up as often as I would like, which makes me sad. On Thursday, I will be doing some work over at the boarding cattery, where I always take Bambi when we go away. I often help out there, in varying capacities, usually bookwork or computer stuff, though. Chicky's dance classes resume Monday night, 1/4 to 6 until 7.30pm ... I take here there, and use the time she is dancing to go to the library, do some shopping, or just sit in the car and read. A bit of "me" time, really. Her netball training resumes on the 21st Feb, and the matches resume on the 1st of March. So, that's my life again ... busy, busy, busy.

I have been getting in some reading, though. I have gotten into Di Morrissey novels ... wow, she's brilliant, and her books are set in this wonderful country of Australia. Her writing is just amazing, and I find I cannot put down her books once I start (this has also contributed to my lack of blogging, I'm afraid !!). So far, I have read "The Valley", "Barra Creek", and "The Reef".

I also enjoyed watching alot of the Australian Open Tennis recently. I had many late nights, through watching some amazing matches. Too bad my favorite, Roger Federer, didn't make the finals. Also, it would have been nice if our Aussie, Leyton Hewitt, had've made it to the finals. Oh well, there's always next year.

Anyway, I need to get moving, I have a spare bedroom which I need to attack. It appears there is a floor in there somewhere ... time that I found it again !! I guess it is fortunate that I can keep the door shut on this room, and nobody needs to know what it looks like in there (except me ... sob !!).

So, sending you all big hugs and best wishes. Hope to drop by your blogs soon.

Take care,

What Have I Been Up To ?

2008-01-07T18:34:00.000+11:00

Hello Everyone, and Happy New Year !!

So ... How are you All ?? I'm doing great, and hope you are too.

Before I tell you what I have been up to, I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who has sent me wonderful Christmas Cards, emails and messages, and New Year emails and messages. And a thank you, too, to everyone who has been commenting on my blog ... I am sorry I haven't replied to you all.

Well, we are home again, after being away since Christmas Day.

We had a lovely Christmas Eve with my family, exchanged gifts, ate ourselves fat, and had a great evening. Christmas Morning was for Chicky, who was very happy with her gifts, both on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. She got some great presents, as did her dad and I.

On Christmas Day we headed up to our Caravan at Bonnie Doon. The traffic was light ... I guess everyone was at someone's house from Christmas Lunch. We arrived at Bonnie Doon around lunch time, unpacked, set ourselves up for the holidays, and relaxed ... aaaahhhhh, the serenity. The park was quiet, as most people hadn't arrived yet. During the afternoon and evening, people started to arrive at their 'vans, and even more came on Boxing Day.

Christmas Day evening, we headed over to my cousin's place, who have bought a house in Bonnie Doon, and had a meal there, with various family members. It was a nice evening ... lots of food and drink, and interesting conversation. We headed back to the caravan park around 10ish that evening.

Boxing Day we were meant to head to Benalla to catch up with Hubby's sister and her family, however that didn't happen, as one of the kids had fallen off a horse, and needed medical attention (she is OK now, nothing life threatening, thank goodness). Poor thing, being laid up with a fractured rib and bruised kidney during the Summer holidays.

The day after Boxing Day, my parents came up for a visit ... more eating, drinking, chatting, and a bit of 4WDing (somewhat carefully, though, as my Dad had cracked a rib falling down some stairs a few weeks earlier). He, too, is doing ok now ... thank goodness. We had a great day, as we always do ... my parents are great people, a lot of fun ... we thoroughly enjoy their company.

From then on, it was relax time. Unfortunately, the weather was way too hot. I don't think we had a day under 35C (95F), with many being around 38C (100.4F) and more !! Bl**dy hot, I say !! Fortunately, we had air-conditioning in our caravan/annexe, so we were able to hibernate in there (which we did, frequently). We spent some time down by the water, although the heat was unbearable even there, most of the time (unless you were in the water). At least it cooled down in the evenings, most days ... which made it easy to sleep. There is nothing worse than a stinking hot day, with a hot night also ... no sleep on top of a draining day is not good !!

One day, as we were by the lake, it was getting late in the evening and the sun was beginning to set. Time for some photos, I thought ...

As you probably know by now, I have a thing for strange cloud formations, and trees ... here's another one ...

New Years Eve was a fun night. There was a band playing in the park, and parties going on everywhere. We visited the band, caught up with friends, and attended a party or two. Overall, a fun night ... think I went to bed around 2am ... not bad going, I thought !! I didn't drink too much, as I am not good with hangovers ... don't like that feeling, don't want to do it anymore, I'm getting too old !!

On the 2nd of January we decided to go for a drive into the High Country. We had 3 cars, 3 families. The weather was nice ... fortunately a somewhat cooler day (only around 30C / 86F) ... and a few degrees cooler up in the hills, too !!

As you may remember (or maybe not !!), we suffered terrible bushfires last Summer, in our High Country and many other regions of Victoria. Most of the tracks and roads have re-opened, so we were able to explore. It is really interesting to see how much the bush has regenerated ... although there are many areas where the fire must have been so intense, that the trees haven't come back at all ... they are just dead. The undergrowth has sprung up, though ... I guess it is hard to kill bracken and ferns !!

The track we took, took us through a few river crossings ... lots of fun. Fortunately, the rivers were low, so the crossings were no trouble at all ... very beautiful to look at, though. (And the underneath of the cars got a bit of a wash, too ... bonus !!)

During our drive, we came across a number of huts. A quote from the VHCHA website says ...

"Over the years many huts have been built through out Victoria, serving a variety of purposes. Each has stood as a monument of our history, from the humble dwellings of our pioneers, to the evening retreat after a mans hard days work. Others have been safe havens for those in need or a resting place after trekking some of Australia's most majestical terrain -each one has been a welcomed site, no matter how small, how primitive or for what reason."

I have always found the huts truly interesting, and have developed a real fascinationg and love for them ... unfortunately, we lost a few during last summer's bushfires. Some of those have been rebuilt.

The hut in the following picture is at Pineapple Flat, where we stopped for morning tea.

After leaving Pineapple Flat, we headed up what is known as "The Staircase" ... a very steep, rocky part of the track, which takes after it's name. It is a very challenging track, for most 4WD's, particularly those with not a lot of ground clearance. Fortunately, our 4WD is set up for this sort of stuff, and seemingly walked up the hill ... not a crash or bang was heard. The same can't be said for the other 2 cars in our group ... luckily nothing was damaged ... the noise just sounded awful !!

We continued driving, until we arrived at Lake Cobbler ... a little oasis in the high country. This area was badly burnt last summer, too. Much of the forest is quite dead, as you can see from the following photo ...

Another hut ... Lake Cobbler Hut ... people must have fought hard to save this one, as much of the bush surrounding it was burnt.

We had our lunch whilst at Lake Cobbler ... we all took fresh bread rolls, and all the necessary fillings, along with chairs, and whatever else was needed. Some of the kids decided to go for a swim ... the lake looked so inviting !!

After packing up here, taking more photos, we climbed back into our cars and back-tracked up to Craigs Hut. Craigs Hut was originally built for The Man From Snowy River movies, and has been rebuilt twice now (I think). The last hut was burnt down last summer. They have now built a new one, as can be seen in my photo below, although it is not quite finished. It is still fenced off, and we cannot go near it yet. I think they need to add more finishing touches to make it look "old". Anyway, it already looks fabulous. I just love it up here ... it is the top of a mountain, and the views are just amazing. If you ever get a chance to visit here, please do ... I know you will love it.

The following photo is just of the bushland whilst driving from Craigs Hut, and over the top of Mount Stirling.

This is another hut, as we were heading down the mountain. I'm not sure of it's name, but it is well used.

Overall, we had a fantastic day ... good friends, good scenery, good times ... what more could we want.

Another day, Hubby and I decided to go for a drive and explore the countryside. Chicky decided to head into Benalla with another friend, so she ditched us for the day !!

We headed for Tolmie, another area badly hit by the bushfires last summer. I had never been there, and was eager to explore. It is a gorgeous little town, with a great little pub (which was fought for during the bushfires), but the bushland had been terribly destroyed. Fortunately, much of this has begun to regenerate. Time will be a good healer.

We left Tolmie, heading for Powers Lookout, where we got an amazing view of the countryside. I have a little video, which I will share with you another time, which shows the pretty view, as well as sharing with you the noise made by all the cicadas and other insects ... oh my goodness, it was SOOOOO loud !!!

Leaving the lookout, we arrived at Whitfield, where we stopped for lunch at a little Take-away/General Store, and had the yummiest hamburgers ... mouthwatering !! Bought some drinks, and headed for Lake William Hovell ... a small lake which is part of the Goulburn Murray Waters system. It was interesting to see that is was totally full ... in comparison to the 23% which is what Lake Eildon currently is. You cannot take power boats over 10HP on this lake, and the speed is no more than 5kph. No good for skiers, or wakeboarders and the like. Simply beautiful, though ... there are a few camping areas nearby ... might be a good place to come someday.

There was a track from the bottom end of this lake, which on the map, looked ok, and would take us to the Mt Buller Road eventually. The map didn't mention it was difficult 4WDing, so we thought we'd give it a go !! Little did we know what was in store. The following photo shows a relatively flat section of the track, where it was still fairly wide.

As we drove, the track got narrower, and steeper. We didn't know for how much longer we would be climbing, but it seemed to go on for ever. In hindsight, it was not the sort of hill we should have tackled alone ... it is generally safer to do this sort of stuff with at least one other 4WD, in case something goes wrong. But, we didn't have that, and we just kept going ... higher, and higher and higher !!! There was nowhere to stop and turn back, so we had to keep going. Eventually, we got to the top, and the rest of the track took us along the ridge. It was beautiful up there, a bit damp (looked like it had rained at some stage in the previous 24 hours), and easy driving ... finally.

At the end of this track, before joining another major track, we came across another hut ... Tomohawk Hut. It looked newly built, and was really, really cute.

All the surrounding bush had been burnt ... so I guess this hut had burnt down and needed rebuilding ... they sure did a good job of it.

Nearby, there was a patch of ferns, looking like no fire had even been anywhere nearby. Funny how fire is selective, leaving patches of unburnt forest, whislt devastating others.

Here we joined a major track, then back onto the tarmac, and our trip back to Bonnie Doon. Another fabulous day, and a trip we intend doing again ... this time with others, to share the fun.

The remainder of the holiday was more heat. I veged a lot, watched DVDs, did some scrapbooking, read a couple of books ... all in all, I had a nice, relaxing time, as did Hubby. Chicky was busy with her friends, swimming and the like, although she even had to take time out and hide in the airconditioning sometimes !!

We arrived home yesterday (Sunday 6th), unpacked, did some laundry, and relaxed. Aaahhhh, it's good to be home.

Today I had intended taking down Christmas ... my tree is still happily standing in the living room, and all the decorations are still throughout my house (I did, however, collect and pack up all my Christmas cards). Instead, I picked up the cat from the boarding cattery, did some shopping, and some more laundry, and played on the computer. Tomorrow is another day ... plenty of time. Then I go back to work Wednesday and Friday, with the rest of January being Monday, Wednesday and Friday for work. Chicky goes back to school on the 31st and Hubby goes back to work tomorrow (Tuesday). Sigh ... back to reality !!

Well, there goes, a brief (well, not really) rundown on what I have been up to since Christmas. Hope your Christmas break was as relaxing as mine.

I hope to get by and visit your blogs over the next few days.

Enjoy your week.

Take care,

2007-12-23T16:39:00.000+11:00

A Final Post Before Christmas (maybe !?!?!)

2007-12-20T21:31:00.000+11:00

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick post (or so I say now !) to say Hello to everyone, and to let you know what I have been up to, and where I am at !!

It has been a busy few weeks, what with work and Christmas preparations, but I think I am under control now. I worked my last shift on Monday, and am now on holidays until my next shift on the 9th January. Aaaaah, how nice, knowing there is no work (although in this case, no work means no pay, also !!). I have been busy, in my spare moments, doing Christmas shopping, and am totally done (all except one small item, which I will get in the next day or two). My Christmas cards have been sent (excepting those overseas ones, which I was too late to send). My tree is up, and the house is decorated. Chicky and I will be doing some Christmas baking tomorrow (Friday), after I come back from food shopping. A bit of housework is waiting, but otherwise ... I AM DONE !!!

We will be spending Christmas Eve with my parents ... being from German parentage, it is the way we have always done things ... it's nice doing Christmas in the evening. Christmas morning is for Chicky, who usually has a few things waiting from Santa (although she no longer believes, it is fun to continue what we have always done.

After breakfast on Christmas Day, we sort out our bits and pieces, pack the car, and head off to our caravan at Bonnie Doon for around 2 weeks. Aaaahhhh, I cannot wait. I am looking forward to a change of scenery, and a lot of serenity. Just sitting and reading, scrapbooking, swimming, sunning ... what a life !!

Sooooo, what are your plans ??

I have spent the past few days visiting all your blogs (well, hopefully, all of them). Huge apologies if I happen to have missed yours ... let me know if I have, won't you.

I just want to take this opportunity, once more, to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year. If you don't celebrate Christmas, for whatever reason, I hope you enjoy the holiday season anyway.

I doubt very much that I will be posting again for a couple of weeks ... so, take care everyone, look after yourselves and your families ... and, most of all ... have fun !!

Till next year ....

Take care, hugs to you all,

PS. I forgot to mention ... I had lunch today with two blog buddies ... Gina and Miss Eagle ... at Miss Eagle's place. It was a lovely few hours, and we seemed to all talk non-stop. Miss Eagle has a lovely house, with all sorts of beautiful goodies ... she also has another little house in the backyard, fondly called the Dolls House, with lots and lots of pretty things inside. Drop by her blog, and I am sure you will see many of the things I saw today. A big thank you to Miss Eagle for hosting us today ... it was wonderful, and it was a pleasure to finally meet you.

2007-12-17T18:27:00.000+11:00

Take care,

2007-12-14T14:03:00.000+11:00

Hugs & Best Wishes To All ....

Wishing You All A Merry Christmas

2007-12-08T18:19:00.000+11:00

Hi Everyone,

As has become the norm for me this year, I have continued to be a neglectful blogger. Not that I don't want to blog, I just cannot sit down here long enough to get around to visiting everyone.

Once again, I send out huge apologies to each and every one of you, and hope to get by and visit you all before Christmas.

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

Work ... generally 3 days a week.
Chicky's dance concert a couple of weeks ago ... it went wonderfully, and we pick up the photos next week. Prior to the concert, there were various rehearsals, which I needed to take her to.
Scrapbooking ... I went to a full day workshop last weekend ... it was great fun, and I am really hooked ... oh, to have the time to actually spend on it would be nice !!
Christmas shopping ... need I say more !!
Preparing for Christmas ... the tree is up (finally ... did it just this Thursday), and the house is decorated ... just need to do some final cleaning.
Christmas cards ... hmmm, they are printed (I always do my own), but I still need to prepare the envelopes and send them out. Seems I am probably too late for the Overseas ones ... looks like I have some emailing to do instead !!
Ferrying Chicky around to various things ... sports, dancing, parties, school ... yep, I've become a taxi driver !!
And generally just doing the normal stuff ... housework, washing, shopping, being a good wife (!?!?!), catching up with people (although that hasn't happened much, either!).

So, that's my life ... no time for the important stuff, like blogging. I do so miss you all, and I do, actually, peek into some of your blogs regularly via Google Reader, although, as I've said before, I don't often get a chance to comment.

Anyway, the purpose of this post is to say hi ... sooo, HI !! ... and to extend my best wishes to each and everyone of you in the hope that you have a ...

and a safe, happy and healthy New Year.

We are off on Christmas Day to our caravan at Bonnie Doon, for a two week break. Perhaps this will be our last holiday there, as the van is on the market to sell, and it may just sell over the Christmas break. Then ..... we will be purchasing our longed-for TVan ... can't wait. Then we will be off as often as we can, to various places in this wonderful country of Australia ... but, that's another story !!

So, as I mentioned, I will try to visit you all before Christmas, but I very much doubt that I will post again until the new year (hopefully more regularly than I have been this year).

Huge hugs to you all, and thank you for being my blog buddies throughout the past 2 years (oh yeah, I missed out completely my 2nd blogaversay in late November ... I'll have to wait till next November to celebrate again ... darn it !!)

May your Christmas be wonderful and warm, and spent with loving friends and family.

Take care & catch you in 2008,

Hello ...

2007-11-19T08:49:00.000+11:00

Hi Everyone,

I just want to say a big THANK YOU to all you wonderful people who left me Happy Birthday wishes for the 17th, and to those of you who mentioned my birthday on your own blogs. What a bunch of fantastic people you all are. I feel priviledged to have gotten to "know" you all through the blog world. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Ok, so what have I been up to, since I last posted .... hmmm, that would be about 10 days ago now ... OMG, how slack am I !?!?

Well, as you know, it was my birthday on Saturday ... that was a lovely day, with family coming over to help celebrate Saturday night. A quiet evening, but great fun none-the-less.

I have been busy working Monday / Wednesday / Friday these past few weeks. The remaining weekdays have been busy with houswork, shopping, catching up with friends (and, unfortunately, no blogging ... waaaahhhhh!!). Weekends have been busy with being Chicky's taxi driver, ferrying her to parties, dance rehearsals, netball, and whatever else. OMG, that child has a busier social life than I have !!

I am quickly posting this, before heading off to work, this Monday morning. We are starting later, as the company I work for has moved to a new building, and the computer system is not up and running yet, so we cannot begin work. They originally promised it would be working by Sunday ... and we were meant to start at 8am this morning ... ummmm, nope, that ain't happened !!! Apparently, all will be ready, and we start at 11am. Hmmm, I guess we just have to wait and see !!

As I say everytime I post lately, I hope to drop by all your blogs during the course of this week. Please don't hold me to it, but I will try. Believe it or not, I actually do visit your blogs, via my Google Reader, quite regularly, although usually don't have time to comment. I apologise for this, but that's the way my life is at the moment. I miss you all tremendously, and wish I had the time to visit properly. Thank you, once again, for continuing to perservere with me, and dropping by to see if I am still alive !!

Anyway, I had better make tracks. Hope you all have a fantastic week. We have a forecast of 37C (98.6F) ... that's pretty warm. The past few days have been in the 30s, and there is more of that to come ... and it's not even Summer yet ... darn it !! Hope the temperature isn't too extreme where you live, whether it be cold or hot.

Take care,

I'm Still Here ...

2007-11-08T19:03:00.000+11:00

Hi Everyone,

It has been another busy few weeks, which has left me little time to blog, again !!

We went away last weekend ... Friday afternoon until Tuesday evening. It was lovely ... we just went to our caravan at Bonnie Doon ... plenty of people to catch up with, and things to do. It is always nice, just to get away ... no matter where !!

It actually rained alot over the weekend ... Saturday afternoon, through to Sunday late. It was great, and very much needed.

We had friends come by for a visit on Sunday, they travelled from Kyabram, over near Shepparton, to Bonnie Doon (where we were). Didn't think they would end up coming after all, due to the torrential rain. They have just returned from 7 months travelling around this beautiful country of Australia ... lucky ducks ... that's something we hope to do sometime. It was rather cold, with the wind and rain, so we spent the day inside, looking through their photos, watching some photo dvd's of ours, and talking and eating. A perfectly wonderful day.

We went to the Mansfield Races on Tuesday afternoon, for a few hours. It was my cousins silver wedding anniversary, and they had hired a private marquee for the day. It was great fun, and we caught up with some friends there. Didn't win on the horses, though ... unfortunately ... although we only managed to spend $20 ... big spenders, that we are LOL.

I've been working Monday, Wednesday and often Fridays as well. The remainder of the week is full of chores and catching up with people. You know, there are still things on this wonderful new computer I haven't had time to explore ... can you believe that !?!?!

The upcoming weekend is fairly busy again ... I think the "silly season" has come early here !! I hope to have time to blog sometime this century LOL.

I just want to wish everyone a great weekend ... hope you get to spend lots of time with loved ones ... there is nothing nicer.

Catch up again as soon as I am able.

Take care, and big hugs to you all,

Hello ...

2007-11-01T22:24:00.000+11:00

Hi There ..... I've been a tad busy again this week, haven't had time to scratch, let alone blog !! Hope you have all had a great week, and that you had lots of fun yesterday for Halloween. Chicky went Trick Or Treating last night with a bunch of kids, roaming the neighbourhood, scoring heaps of lollies and chocolates. They dressed up, and had heaps of fun. We are off tomorrow (Friday) for 4 days at Bonnie Doon ... ahhhh, the serenity. Work will be flat out next week, due to Tuesday being a public holiday (and many others ... us included ... taking the Monday off as well). Hopefully I'll get a chance to play on the computer, and come and visit you all at some stage. So, I just want to wish you all a great weekend ... stay safe, and have fun. And for you fellow Melbournians, hope you win big on the Melbourne Cup !!

Take care,

Sunday, Windy Sundy !!

2007-10-28T09:55:00.000+11:00

Hello Everyone,

It's been a week again, since I last blogged. Time flies, doesn't it. I have been pretty busy, as usual, and won't go into what I have been up to. Suffice to say, I haven't had a lot of time to blog ... darn it !!

It is a very windy Sunday here where I live. The sun is out, but I have had to put the outside awnings up, as the wind was buffetting them around, and I was fearful that they might be damaged.

It was a glorious, rather warm day yesterday. We had a 40th birthday party to go to during the day, which was outside, so it was lovely. Then in the evening, Chicky had a 13th birthday party to go to, which was at a roller-skating rink. She had heaps of fun, and came home exhausted. It is just after 10.30am, Sunday morning, as I write ... and she is still asleep !!

Daylight Savings time started at 2am this morning. I love Daylight Savings. I love that it is light for longer in the evenings ... it almost makes it feel like we have a longer day (although I know this isn't true). It allows for more time after school and work to do things outside. Lovely.

I have been busy scanning in all my wedding photos (we have been married almost 19 years). I thought it was time to put them on the computer, as I want to turn them into a Photostory DVD, like I did with our Cape York trip photos, and our Broken Hill trip photos, and also our recent trip to the Shepparton area. It makes looking at the photos more enjoyable, when you can watch them on the TV, and there are lovely transitions, zooms and music added to them ... it almost looks like you are watching a movie, rather than a bunch of still photos. It's been rather nostalgic, looking at all these photos ... 19 years is a very long time, and boy, have fashions changed !! And how we have all aged !!! It is also kind of sad, as quite a few of the older people who attended our wedding are no longer with us. The memories of it all are wonderful, though.

Ooooh, I got an award, check it out ....

Angela at The Life And Times of Gran awarded me with the Sweet Treat award. I am truly honoured to receive this award, and it is such a cute award, too. Thanks, Angela ... you are sweet !

Here's how it works:

1. Once you've been awarded the Sweet Treat Award, make a post and award it to bloggers who you deem "One Sweet Treat to Read" everyday.

2. Make sure you inform those who you awarded that they have won!

3. Grab the button and proudly display it in your sidebar for all your old/new readers to see!

You can read the history of this award at Trista's blog, The Pumkin Patch. I'm going to give this award to those that I feel it is a treat to go and visit, and read as often as I can. If you would like to pass this award on to those that you feel are also deserving, then please do!!

So, who to give the award to ....

Wow, I could go on ... I think 10 is enough ... there are so many of you out there who are worthy of this award ... gosh !!

Anyway, I had better get moving. I need to wake up Chicky, have some breakfast, and get her to a special dance rehearsal at 1pm this afternoon. I also need to do some washing, and some housework ... yuck !!

So, to all of you, enjoy the remainder of your weekend, and have a wonderful week.

( Oh yeah, we have a (sort of) long weekend next weekend (for the Melbourne Cup), and we are going away for a few days ... Friday afternoon until Tuesday evening. Can't wait !! )

Take care,

What Flower Are You ?

2007-10-21T18:56:00.000+10:00

I am a
Snapdragon

What Flower
Are You?

Take the Test and Find Out

The Week That Was

2007-10-20T17:14:00.000+10:00

Hello Everyone,

I hope you have all had a great week. Mine has been busy, hectic, weird ... as per usual !!

I worked Monday and Wednesday (which seems to have become my regular days). Tuesday I was meant to go on a picnic with some fellow bloggers (Val, Gina & Miss Eagle, and others), but some family stuff prevented me from going ... judging by their photos and blog commentary, it was great fun ... wish I could've been there.

Thursday was a day of shopping, housework and cooking ... I had my parents over for dinner, and we had a lovely dinner, and a lovely evening.

Friday was off to the vet with Bambi. Basically for her yearly vaccination, but also for a check-up, as she had been off colour since Monday night. She didn't eat all day Tuesday and Wednesday, and just slept all day, not even going outside, barely moving. I was horrified that something terrible was wrong, and I basically had her dead and buried (in my head) ... that's how freaked out I had become by Thursday. Anyway, turns out she had hurt herself, somewhere in the joint of one of her back legs, and, as cats are prone to do, she decided to sleep herself better. By Thursday morning, she had had a little to eat (some sliced turkey meat, which I hand fed her !!), and some water, and went outside briefly. Friday morning she was almost back to her usual cheeky self. The vet, on Friday, gave her a pain killer needle (as well as her vaccination), and said otherwise she seemed in excellent health. So, we came home, and the silly kitty felt sorry for herself, and slept some more (I think the vet may have hurt her sore leg, during the poking, pulling, and prodding, trying to find out where it hurt !!). Then later Friday evening, she was outside, being her normal curious self, and the little sh*t got herself into a cat fight !!! What's with that ?? Of course, then she came inside, felt sorry for herself, didn't want to eat again, and went to sleep. This morning (Saturday) she woke up sore again ... stupid animal !! Self inflicted this time. She seems ok this afternoon, off and running around outside. Still not hugely interested in food ... I guess that will come back soon !! Cats !!!

As you may (or may not !) know, I got a new computer, running Windows Vista, last week. I love it, and I think I have everything set up on it that I want. It is running beautifully, and so much quicker than the other one. I set up a wireless router, so Chicky and I can now be on the internet at the same time (she on my old computer), and she doesn't have to beg me for the computer, so she can do homework (or chat on MSN, or MySpace, or whatever !!). Anyway, I thought I'd show you what the new machine looks like ...

Ain't it purrty !!!

Anyway, that's enough for me for now ... I plan to spend the next few hours visiting some (if not all) of your blogs, checking up on what you have been up to all week.

In closing, I would like to leave you with the following little pic ...

Take care,

2007-10-17T07:42:00.000+10:00

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick update ...

I am very happy, as I have pretty much sorted out my new computer, and installed most of the programs I want.

I had a few glitches, with not being able to install Itunes, or upload photos to Ebay, or even not being able to open many comment boxes on blogs ... now that is tragic !! Anyway, turns out it was to do with an AdWatch program I had running, part of my Norman Anti Virus Software Suite. So, I sorted it out, and all is working as it should.

I went out and bought a wireless router, so that I can run both laptops, wirelessly, off the same broadband connection. Simple process, and we were up and running in no time. It is such a liberating feeling, knowing I am no longer stuck at the desk when I want to be on the 'net !! And Chicky is pretty happy, too, as she doesn't have to compete with me for computer time !!

I was supposed to be attending a picnic lunch yesterday with some fellow bloggers, Val, Gina & Brigid, and a couple others, but some family things came up that I had to attend to. Shame, as I was really looking forward to going. The weather wasn't really brilliant, though, so I wonder how it all went ... must go and check out their blogs !!

Anyway, enough for me ... I need to take Chicky to school, then get myself sorted for work (I am starting at 10 this morning).

So, have a happy Wednesday, everyone, and a great remainder of the week.

Take care,

A New Computer

2007-10-14T11:36:00.000+10:00

Hi There Everyone,

Hope you are all well, and enjoying the weekend.

I have been a bit distracted from almost everything these past few days ... I got a new computer !!

Yep, a beautiful new toy.

It is a Toshiba Notebook, with lots of goodies ... makes my old (well, only 3 1/2 years old) NEC Notebook look downright dinosaur-like. And the speed ... whoo-hoo, going from 256meg Ram to 2gig Ram is just amazing. I'm having so much fun. This new one runs Windows Vista, and I am having a few teething problems with some software I want to run ... but it is all gradually working out.

For some reason, though, I cannot install Itunes ... it just doesn't want to do it. Also, when I tried to upload some photos onto Ebay, to sell something, it wouldn't let me do that either. If there is anyone reading this who can fill me in on how to solve this, please do ... I would love to hear from you. Thank you.

(UPDATE: I now have Itunes working ... not sure why it didn't want to install initially, but I eventually got it ... yay !! Now I still need to figure out why Ebay wouldn't let me upload photos !!)

Anyway, I'd better go, still got lots of stuff to install on this lovely new toy (oh, and I spose I'd better do some housework, laundry, cooking, too !!).

Will be back soon.

Take care,

She's Back (for now !!!) ...

2007-10-09T20:44:00.000+10:00

Well, hello there ...

It's been awhile (again) since I last posted, but I have a pretty big post for you all today.

As you may (or may not) know, my family and I spent the past 2 weeks on holidays, at 2 seperate locations. For the first week, we took along one of Chicky's best friends, Chooky. The 2 girls had an absolute ball, as did we.

Our first week was spent at Lakeside Country Club, in Numurkah, in North/Central Victoria. It is a gorgeous place, with heaps to do ... an indoor heated pool, spa, sauna, an outdoor pool, tennis courts, beach volley ball court, mini golf, BMX park, a huge lake for canoeing and paddle boat riding, and many, many other things.

Lakeside Country Club is essentially a resort for Timeshare patrons. We have had Timeshare for quite some years now, but don't use it as regularly as we wish we could. The format of our timeshare is that we don't have to go to our nominated resort ... we can go anywhere we like, within the group of eligible resorts.

Anyway, we arrived at Lakeside on Friday evening, settled into our unit (which was great ... 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room, huge kitchen with eating area within, and a laundry - washing machine, dryer, trough - off the kitchen behind a bifold door). We then decided to have a bit of an explore throughout the resort, with the girls deciding to go for a swim !!

Next day, we decided to have a lazy day, staying around the resort. I took the opportunity to take numerous photos (this one, below, is of the extraordinary gardens around the resort ... cactii, how interesting !!)

Hubby had a bit of down-time, as he had hurt his foot on Friday evening ... not really sure how, but it was very painful ... we almost had to make a trip to hospital (he thought it might be broken). He struggled through, though ... he was brave, and didn't want to spoil the holiday for the girls !!

On Sunday, we made a trip into Echuca, which is a town on the Murray River (which borders Victoria and New South Wales). Echuca used to be a thriving port, in the days when paddle steamers did all the fetching and carrying ... before trains and semi-trailers. These days, it is a historical town, with many interesting things to look at.

We took a paddle steamer cruise along the Murray River, on board the PS Pevensey, which was built in 1911. The Pevensey is quite famous, it was used in the filming of "All The Rivers Run", a wonderful movie/mini series from a number of years ago, starring many famous Aussies.

It was a wonderful cruise, with many interesting sights along the river. The old paddle steamers are just fascinating, and are still operated in just the same manner as they were almost 100 years ago. The following photo is the 3 of us ... Hubby, Chicky and myself (I wasn't sure if Chooky's family wanted me to include a photo of her on this blog). We were sitting at the back of the boat, and the view down the Murray is just magical.

This next photo is of a portion of the Old Echuca Wharf, and a couple of old paddle steamers. The river is quite down, around a couple of metres lower than normal ... but still a beautiful place.

The next day (Monday) we had another lazy day at the resort ... more swimming and playing for the kids, more relaxing and reading for me, and hubby watched some TV and played Playstation ... resting his foot !!

Tuesday we took a trip up to Cobram, and checked out a lovely beach (again on the Murray), where we have camped. Once again, we were quite shocked at how low the water was. We then travelled closer to Yarrawonga, to another beach (Dead River Beach) where we spent many wonderful holidays in years past. We also stayed there back in 2005, prior to going to Cape York ... it was sort of a test weekend for all our camping equipment !!

We were horrified at the number of trees exposed by the low water levels, and realising that this was where we always boated and water skiied ... gosh were we lucky that there were never any accidents.

Dead River Beach is a gorgeous place, and it got taste for camping going again ... we can't wait to pack our tent (or our new TVan - when we get it!!), and spend some quality time just sitting on the banks of this mighty river.

Afterward, we headed up the highway to Yarrawonga, briefly, to see how the town looked these days. We hadn't been there for quite some years, and were pleasantly surprised with how it had progressed ... it always was a beautiful town, and still is.

Wednesday was another lazy day at the resort.

Now, Thursday was a special day ....

We went into Shepparton, had a brief shop, and I wandered around the parks taking photos of the cows, which are part of the Shepparton Mooving Art display. Each cow was painted very differently, and were just amazing. I had seen them on Merle's blog some time ago, and knew I just had to see them for myself. The following two photos are my favorites ...

So, after my photographic expedition, Hubby and the girls dropped me off at Merle's house in Shepparton, where I was joining Merle, Gwen and Jeanette for lunch ... a sort of Bloggers convention. (Hubby and the girls headed back into Shepparton, where Hubby supervised the girls getting a bit of retail therapy) !! Jeanette's sister, Pauline, was also there. It was a lovely afternoon, spent with some amazing women ... thank you, ladies, for the great time. I had a ball. Thank you, also, Merle, for your hospitality. Merle put on a wonderful spread for lunch ... I didn't really need to have any dinner that evening ... I was still quite full !! The 5 of us had quite a few laughs, and despite the fact that we hadn't ever physically met, we got along like a house on fire. I hope we get the chance to get together again sometime. Thank you again

Here's a photo of the four of us (sorry, Pauline ... I didn't get one with all 5 of us). Gwen is on the right, Jeanette is beside her, then Merle, and moi !!

Friday morning, we packed up, and headed over to good old faithfull Bonnie Doon, for another week of R & R. Did much of the same old - same old whilst there, but had a lovely time. A few of our friends were there just for the weekend, and we headed off on the Sunday to the Strathbogie Ranges, for a bit of 4WDing ... had a wonderful time, despite it being a bit damp earlier in the day. Half the drive was just basic dirt roads, then we stopped for a picnic lunch, then on to the "real" 4WDing ... quite challenging in places. Didn't get a lot of good photos, due to the strange light from the overcast, bright sky. This photo is just looking down a hill at our "beast". Hubby is just rapt with the truck at the moment, he had spent some money on getting the suspension fixed and many other things underneath the car, as well as new tyres and rims. It's like being in a new car again (despite it's old body !!).

After a week at Bonnie Doon, we headed home. The weekend was spent doing washing, housework and all the same old stuff that needs to be done when returning home after an extended time away. I haven't spent much time on the computer, which is why it has taken me till now to post this. I worked on Monday, today is Tuesday (I spent the day at my parent's, then pricing new notebook computers ... hopefully by next week I'll have a new one ... yippee !!). Tomorrow I work again, then hopefully will have more time to visit.

I hope you have all been well, and look forward to catching up on what you all have been up to.

Till we catch up ... big hugs to you all.

Take care,

Holidays ...

2007-09-26T22:25:00.000+10:00

Greetings from Lakeside Country Club in Numurkah, north central Victoria.

We have been having a wonderful time here, the weather has been great. The photo above is of the lake in the resort. It is a gorgeous place. Chicky and her best friend Chooky are having a ball ... I'll be surprised if they aren't waterlogged by the end of this stay, they are spending so much time in the pool.

Yesterday we went to Cobram and Yarrawonga (briefly), and explored the Murray River between those two towns. I loooooooove the Murray, and as a younger woman, spent many holidays camped on it's banks (gosh, that makes me sound old !!).

On Sunday we went to Echuca, also on theMurray, and took a fascinating paddlesteamer cruise on the Pevensey, which was used in the movie/mini-series All The Rivers Run, and was known therein as The Philadelphia. A great day.

We have also spent some time just relaxing here at the resort.

I will share more with you, along with some photos, when I return home at the end of next week.

Looking forward to tomorrow ... lunch with Merle, Jeanette & Gwen in Shepparton.

Hugs to you all.

Take care,

Hello ...

2007-09-20T21:48:00.000+10:00

Well, as you probably noticed, I once again haven't gotten around to visiting everyone (despite my best intentions !). Huge apologies, once again.

I am quickly just dropping by here to say catch y'all later, as we are heading off tomorrow (Friday) for 2 weeks of R&R ... one in Numurkah (near Shepparton, in North Central Victoria), and the second at old faithful Bonnie Doon.

I hope to hop on the 'net here and there, and may even post. I will try, anyway LOL.

Oh, yeah ... whilst I am at Numurkah, I will be popping down to Shepparton, and catching up with a few of my favorite bloggers ... Merle will be hosting us for lunch, and Jeanette and Gwen are coming along too. Should be a lovely afternoon. I can't wait.

I promise, promise, promise to catch up on all your blogs when we get back, though.

Huge huggly hugs to you all.

Take care,

An Update ...

2007-09-15T09:36:00.000+10:00

Hello, everyone ... well, it's been awhile. I am still in the land of the living ... gosh, have I been living ... too much to do, too little time !! I actually wish I was bored, just so I could have time to sit and do nothing ... but ... being bored is really no fun either, is it !!

That being said, I have been getting in some reading (whilst having breakfast, in the few minutes before falling asleep, and the odd other brief moment !!). I have sort of finished my course (the official bits of it ... the tests and stuff ... now I just need to get into some writing, to practice what I've learnt). I have sort of finished my parent's DVD of their photos from their German trip (we have spent ages putting music to it ... mum has gone through her whole collection, picking out the "just right" german songs to go with all the sections of the DVD) ... I just need to burn them to disc, check how they turned out, make the covers, and do the finishing touches. Work is keeping me busy ... usually 3 days a week, most of them ending around 5.30/6pm ... starting at 9am. Weekends always have something on ... even if it is only being Chicky's taxi !! Laundry and housework are always needing to be done. You know the deal ... I imagine most of you are just as busy as me ... only you all seem to still find the time to blog ! I guess I need to get myself more organised !

I bought myself a webcam this week ... only I don't like it ... I don't like how I look in it ... eeewwww ... I don't think I want to share myself like that LOL. Much better to remain anonymous, I guess !!

My Bambi kitty is doing well ... getting more affectionate day by day. She is so cute.

Chicky is happy in high school ... 3rd term is almost over ... her interim report was pretty good, we are pleased. She is showing genuine interest in boys, these days. She already has had a few boyfriends (although, they really only just call themselves boyfriend and girlfriend ... they don't actually get into the kissing and stuff yet ... thank goodness !!).

Hubby is busy working, and getting his 4WD ready for the anticipated "big trip" (getting all the suspension up to scratch, the airconditioning regassed, new tyres and wheels). Yep, we plan on another big trip sometime in the future (I don't know if you remember, but we did a 7 week trip to Far North Queensland back in 2005). Unfortunately, it won't be such a big trip ... 4 weeks max, I reckon, due to Chicky being in high school ... I really don't want her missing too much school. We can space it out over the school holidays (2 weeks), with one week of each term on either side. At this stage, we probably will head to the Centre of Australia. Hopefully sometime next year ... fingers crossed.

Only another week, then it is the end of Term 3 for the Victorian school year. We will be heading off next Friday afternoon, for a week at a resort in Numurkah (near Shepparton, in north/central Victoria), then another week at our caravan in Bonnie Doon (our caravan is up for sale, so hopefully this won't be our last visit there ... although, if it does sell, we will buy an off-road camper, and can still go to the caravan park to holiday, as casuals rather than permanents, only it will be somewhat different ... back to using the public conveniences ... darn it !!).

Hmmm, what else can I tell you ??? My plan (whether it happens or not, is another story) is to visit each and every one of you during the course of this week, as we will be away for 2 weeks after that, and probably won't blog during that time. After that, my plan (also, who knows whether it will happen) is to get back to regular blogging ... weekly at least.

Huge apologies, once again, for being a neglectful blogger. And thank you, all you amazing people, for your emails, voicing your concern about me ... I AM OK ... just really, really busy !!

Big hugs to you all.

Take care,

2007-09-03T22:09:00.001+10:00

Take care,

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

2007-08-28T09:03:00.000+10:00

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 ?

2007-08-21T10:38:00.000+10:00

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 ...

2007-08-16T15:26:00.000+10:00

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

2007-08-10T12:45:00.000+10:00

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 ...

2007-08-07T17:55:00.000+10:00

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,