Winter is coming

Winter creeps up and the kilos creep up on the butt and thighs.
Have a twinge on the inside of my knee, think it was going up and down the stairs on the weekend, (at least 20 up and downs at the last count) doing housework and assembling Ikea, checking on Kelly, making cuppas, answering doors.
Anyway had a twinge and thought a gym session probably would be ok!! Ummm, no, rest would have been a better alternative. I now have a sore bit right in behind my knee and slightly sore 'hammy'. And it cramps. So gym has been off the menu for a couple of days. Massage and heat tonight.
Couldn't be old age, could it?
Well it had better get better cos I have entered a freeeeeeee fun run. Yeah c'mon there has to be a catch, nothing in life is freeeeeeee.
The Eastlink Funrun is 6km running limping through the Mullum Mullum and Melba tunnels on the new motorway (as opposed to 'free'way). Followed by a festival, should be fun.
Was tempted to do the 10km bike ride with Kelstar on her pink go-go mobile with streamers flapping from the handlebars, but not sure if her legs can pummel through that distance.

Ikea hands

I have ended up with a blister on my middle finger and one on my palm :-O
Hey don't all jump to conclusions, I have been busy assembling all my Ikea stuff.

Dad helped me with the bed last night and oh it was soooo luxurious actually sleeping off the floor. So of course Kelly had to test the new mattress out. Is that a possum outside my window?? Is it the train to Flinders St?? No, Kelly snoring like a trooper all night - guess the new mattress got her approval.

I did the 2 bedside tables quite easily actually. Very proud of myself.

Then, the tallboy. Mmmmm. Well I confess. I did actually turn the instructions so they corresponded to how I had set things up. I did catch myself doing such a girlie thing and tutted to myself. Kelly 'helped' on and off. And she had her tap dancing concert playing on the tv, with opera songs on repeat....aaaargggghhh help me. Then she yells up stairs, who are you talking to Mum??? Um...well...actually myself...1st sign of madness

But now I am stuck. Three quarters of the way through and discover I have a faulty screw!!! Yep just my luck, nothing worse than a screw that won't get a grip!!
Might have to go for the long nail and give it a good bang. A good bang = a good screw.
Oh what are all you dirty dirty minded people thinking?

Finally bought new toilet seat and fitted it. I am getting quite handy at this home maintenance stuff. I must say I really felt a sense of job satisfaction with my Ikea stuff even though I couldn't finish it.
Wish I could have that feeling at my paid job.

Gotta love Ikea

After a day doing stocktake for the 3rd time in 7 months :( I really needed my Ikea shopping spree.
My friend and I can spend hours in that shop buying nothing much or having a big big spend up, which happened tonight.
I needed a new bed, wanted a new mattress, bedside tables and tallboy - so got the lot!!
Luckily I had thought to take my dads ute and we struggled with putting all the stuff on the back, where are the nice strong young men when you need them!! We had built up a bit of a sweat then realised that we needed to tie it on. As both of us were born without testicles and hence missed out on the rope tieing upper gene, I went to find some Ikea male who could help us.
Unfortunately on a misty cold late Friday evening all I could find was a male relic who freely admitted he missed out on boyscouts and couldn't tie a knot to save himself.
Now he is unique, I had yet to come across a male who doesn't do all those complicated loops, triple somersaults, knots, throw overs and unders and double twist to finish!!
What is wrong with the female version of a double knot and hope for the best?
Anyway all loaded and off home, both starving. Ikea restaurant closed at 7.30 :( but Thai takeaway and red wine more than made up for it :)
Guess what I will be doing all weekend.
Reading instructions and trying to put my bed together
Wish me luck!!
Oh and we are already planning our next trip!!

Goodbye and good luck to Boon

Last weeks shocking news.
Well it would be a total understatement to say that the whole accounts/admin department were shocked to hear that Boon was out the door. We had always joked that he would be the last one out and don't forget to turn off the lights.
20 years of your life is a long time but Boon there is life after Norgren and you deserve much better than how you have been treated. We are all walking around in a bit of a daze and I gotta tell you that the morale has sunk to further depths. I feel that we are aboard the Norgren Titanic and "thars an iceberg ahead capt'n"
Boon, I know you used to read my blog to keep up with my activities. So please please please if you are still reading send your private email address to my Norgren email and I will reply via my Gmail. Or give Francine a call, as we want to keep in touch and would love to go out for a farewell lunch or dinner - don't forget to bring the Johnny Walker!!

Queensland Holiday

Ok so did you want to know how our Queensland holiday went?
No? Well bad luck!! We headed North to thaw out.
What did we do?
Enjoyed 25 degrees weather, full of sun, fun and we were busy busy busy.
Rocked up Thursday after a very early cold start in Melbourne, stripped off clothes, it really is warm up here, thought Jen was exaggerating. Picked up Zach from school and he and Kelly were very excited to see each other. Thursday night went to NSW for dinner (20 minute drive!!) and met up with old friends from Vic.
Friday we went and did a bit of shopping and went to the beach for a few hours. Friday night, few drinks and a bit of crapping on.
Saturday was Kelly's 7th birthday. Went to Brisbane for a Buddha festival and market, enjoyable day out. Kids played in a man-made beach beside the Brissy river. Came home to watch replay of Aussie Rules. Had a beautiful seafood pizza, after I scraped all the seafood from the box back onto the base. Thanks Rob! Followed by lovely 3 layered icecream cake, strawberry, cookies and cream and bubblegum :D. Then took off to the casino at 11 o'clock at night. Got home about 2.30, god I'm gonna be tired when Zach hits the floor running at 6am :(
Sunday, I am definitely very tired, relax at the beach park while the kids played - Jen and Mark got some quality time at the Goldclass movies and lunching.
Sunday night get all revved up again for the Australian Outback Extravanganza - totally loved it, if anyone is considering going and slightly put off because it aint cheap, dont think about it, just do it. Fantastic!! I didn't think Kelly would get that into it, but she was totally enthralled. The horses were so well trained, doing dancing to music, girls doing handstands on their backs, galloping around the arena. Food and atmosphere were great. Definitely would go back and see it again. Maybe I would try and not get lost on the way AND on the way back!!!
C - "Jen the railway station is on my right"
J - "It cant be on your right it must be on your left - how did you get THERE??"
C- "Oh hang on, I just will go around the roundabout, yes it is now on my left!!!"

Poor Kelly, back seat driver was stressing cos she didnt want to miss the show, though her tragically misguided mother had forseen the future and had left plenty of time to get lost and to be found again.

Monday we went to Surfers to try and get on the Aquaduck, booked out so we went on the Jetboat instead. Kelly totally loved the speed, and was laughing all the way through the fast turns and spins. I got off looking like a drowned rat.
Tuesday went to Movieworld - see previous post of us all looking totally scared on the 'kids' ride Scooby Doo. Whole day spent there and we were very lucky to get a special deal for May only - 50% off - yay. Mark loved the Superman ride, no way I was getting on that one.
Wednesday, going home day. Went up to the local chocolate cafe...mmmm...got a taste for mocha's up in Queensland...mocha and cake, what better way to end a great holiday.

Zach and Kelly got on so well, they really compliment each other. And as for Jayde, omg she is soooo cute, even got me a bit clucky!! Kelly really enjoys her big cousin role.
Tears at the airport and Kelly and I cried in each others arms on the plane...she is such an emotional kid, wonder where she gets it from?
Thanks Jen and Mark for having us, had a fantastic break and rejuvenated the batteries.

Last eBay fix

Sold 5 things on eBay tonight...jury is out whether I continue to dabble and HAVE to offer Paypal.

Though with all my shopping sprees of late and job insecurity, I may have to keep it up.
Sunday bought lurvely flannelette sheets. So last night got in brand new sheets, coupled with my flanny pj's, bedsocks (well it was cold in the foothills!!)...middle of the night, woke up gasping, too hot, too hot, fling everything off...oh no couldnt possibly be the start of the hot flushes, I am waaaay too young for that, aren't I?
Oh so what else did I buy I hear you groan. Some new towels for downstairs 'guest' bathroom, lovely Sheridan - on special too. Oh I bought myself a new handbag, wallet and change purse, whats one without the other - on special as well.
Birthday present for one of Kel's mates, few house maintenance items and must measure up that toilet seat, very cold porcelain in the 'wee' hours of the morning :D
Actually went for a crockpot (note to self to call it a slow cooker in company ppphhht) and errr well might try and get one next week ;-)
Keep happy and warm

Shes got back :-D

This is my reaction to my 1.3kg holiday addition to my butt and thighs.
My sister thinks its funny, oldest friend wants to laugh but thinks better of it and Kelly is totally horrified!!
Jennifer Lopez eat your heart out...the gym pants were a bit snug tonight and the 5km took 36 minutes of hard yakka.
And the winter comfort food beckons...

JDE comic

Old Norgren saying...its got to get better
New Norgren saying...this is a joke!!

Kelly was a crack up tonight with her friend across road, conversation went like this...

Friend "Im not listening to you"
Kelly "What?"
Friend "I said Im not listening to you"
Kelly "What?"
Friend "I SAID IM NOT LISTENING TO YOU"
Kelly "What?? Ive got my ears closed and cant hear you!!"

Man I cracked up, she has so got my sense of 'umour Kimmy

Greedy eBay

Big hoohah at the moment with eBay. From June the something, sellers can only accept Paypal or COD. Quite convenient especially as Paypal is owned by eBay. Double dipping on fees.

New Aussie site is called Oztion
Have some Kelly clothes to sell so might give the new site a go.
Gonna sell my gas Godin heater as well...anyone interested? Can't find a retailer here and I think it will be a limited market...what a quandary...I'm so undecided (whats new!)...how much do I put on it, how do I market it??

Shower screen comes on Tuesday, finally we will be able to use upstairs bathroom...oh except I need a new toilet seat, cold porcelain is not too welcoming.
Next project, split aircon/heater to be installed and Godin heater to be banished.
Need a second job to finance all this

Have scanned Movieworld pics (but still at work). Will post Scooby Doo ride pic showing Kelly absolutely scared out of her wits and Jen swearing in the back.

Back to school
Back to work

Boohoo

Happy birthday Kelly Aleisha

Kelly turns 7 today at precisely 3.07pm. The time is etched forever on my memory and forever on certain body parts, never to be the same again!
Lots of presents, phone calls and fun.
Happy birthday beautiful.
Your Mum loves you very much.
xxx