conniefrances

Star gazing

2009-06-21T22:31:00.004+10:00

Mallacoota - fishing at Easter
Canberra - war, politics, museum, artsy stuff and Irish bar on Queen's birthday weekend
Barossa Valley t.b.a.

No time or inclination to blog, too busy star gazing
So this is my last post

Keep smiling and I will keep twinkling :-D

Over and out

Hears to ewe, Uncle Grant

2009-04-14T21:38:00.000+10:00

A Little Poem Regarding Computer Spell Checkers . .

Eye halve a spelling chequer
It came with my pea sea
It plainly marques four my revue
Miss steaks eye kin knot sea.

Eye strike a key and type a word
And weight four it two say
Weather eye am wrong oar write
It shows me strait a weigh.

As soon as a mist ache is maid
It nose bee fore two long
And eye can put the error rite
Its rare lea ever wrong.

Eye have run this poem threw it
I am shore your pleased two no
Its letter perfect awl the weigh
My chequer tolled me sew.

I am stimulated

2009-03-12T19:27:00.002+11:00

Thanks Mr Rudd for your stimulus package
You are pushing my buttons
$1850 to be deposited into my account tomorrow - ooohhh oooohhh oh oh oh
I am financial again

Kelly goes to the Dark Side

2009-02-20T17:09:00.002+11:00

My Mighty Tigers household is under threat.
"Good Old Collingwood forever" is being sung here and in the car
Black and white hair ties are being worn to school
Though tonight she is swinging towards Carlton. At least Uncle Eden will be happy.

Could be worse
She could be barracking for...

Who am I kidding?
It is bad

Tigers v Magpies next week could be the clincher

C'mon Richo and Benny Cousins, don't let me down

Things that are important

2009-02-09T21:36:00.007+11:00

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned
Mother Nature was in a furious mood on Saturday, sizzling heat (all time record 46.4 degrees), hot Northerly wind.
Unfortunately, perfect bush fire weather.
And now Victoria is burning.

To lose your home and everything you materially possess - how devastating.
My thoughts are with the country folk who have lost family, friends, homes. Entire townships have been burnt down. The fire was reported to be going at 140km/h. It is the worst natural disaster in Australia's recorded history. The death toll keeps rising.

This morning as I did an energetic 3km treadie run and 40 floor stepper workout, I let my mind wander (which I often do) and thought about what was most important to me.

What if I had 30 mins to pack my car?
Of course Kelly would be first on my list. I would attempt to get Ockie into her cage but not at the expense of Kelly and myself.
And that was it!! - Sorry fish

Ok so if I delved a little further some handy things to have but still non-essential would be
My passport/birth certificate file
Some water
Some clothes
My external hard drive which has a lot of photos - maybe some of Kellys baby photo albums

The only material thing that I am quite sentimental about is my Nan's garnet ring. This could not be replaced but 99% of the time I am wearing it. However I would and could live without it.

So all this bad news swirling around got me into a nostalgic mood and I have been looking at some old photos of Kelly - check this one out - how cute. I always tell Kelly that I asked for the best looking baby at the hospital to take home :D

Give your kids/partner/mum/dad an extra kiss tonight.
Be grateful for what you have

xx

Message from the Vibrant One

2009-02-04T22:33:00.004+11:00

Well 2009 has certainly started off exceptionally well. Told you all it is gonna be my year. All my friends and family you are welcome to enjoy the ride with me so jump on this wave of success.

I have secured the plastic surgeon receptionist position for 15 hours per week starting March. In the meantime the plant hire place wants me back in a couple of weeks for however many hours I can give them - could be up to 6 months work but very unpredictable. And a temp agency has asked me in for a chat tomorrow. I had better enjoy my last few weeks of bumming around, gonna be a busy few months.

My sister's family will be in Melbourne for approx 3 months. Kelly is relishing her big cousin role and is idolised by Zach and Jayde. After Jayde had tears when Kelly came home, Zach thought it would be the best option if Kelly just moved in with them!! It is good to spend some quality time with them all before they head back to WA. Mmmm WA in Spring sounds a tempting holiday destination!

Confuscious says "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do."

I am up and running and loving my life.

Keep twinkling

Happy Happy Happy New Year

2009-01-13T23:47:00.006+11:00

2009 is my year for sure. All my horoscopes say so, so it must be true.

I had the best New Years Eve and birthday I have had in years. Stayed in Melbourne, had predinner drinks, went for dinner to a Vietnamese restaurant in Richmond, watched the midnight fireworks at Birrarung Marr and finally hit the sack around 3am. Bit weary the next day but a lovely birthday dinner was in order so a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do.

The fireworks were amazing. I love fireworks. The beginning of a New Year. The feeling of belonging, to this great country, Australia and to the place to be, Melbourne.

Now I need to get a job. I have had six weeks off and if I wish to lead the life to which I am accustomed I need to get some money coming in. Positive thinking reaps positive results.

But first things first, have to organise celebration of my birthday (albeit belatedly). Could be about 16 people coming so I am gonna have to fill them up. Rough plans in my head are - a Webber with 3 different types of roast, bbq'd corn on the cob, scalloped potatoes, selection of salads, few wines or beers and a Wii challenge. Yes Kelstar got a Wii for Xmas and I have been busily honing my bowling and tennis skills.

Keep smiling :-) it is easy, just lift up the two sides of your mouth simultaneously!!

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
Dr. Seuss
US author & illustrator (1904 - 1991)

Back on the band wagon

2008-12-16T20:29:00.007+11:00

Benny Cousins all is forgiven.

Go those Mighty Tigers

Oh, we're from Tigerland,
A fighting fury, we're from Tigerland,
In any weather you will see us with a grin,
Risking head and shin,
If we're behind then never mind,
We'll fight and fight and win.

For we're from Tigerland,
We'll never weaken 'til the final siren's gone.
Like the Tigers of old,
We're strong and we're bold.
For we're from Tiger yellow and black,
For we're from Tigerland.

Happy Birthday Gazza

2008-12-12T13:17:00.003+11:00

50 tomorrow!!
Bet you feel 30 on the inside
Life is a bitch!!

Hope you have a great day and see you for drinks in them thar hills.

Have a spanking good time :D

Glimpse into the future

2008-12-09T00:09:00.006+11:00

Kelly wants straight hair.
Kelly has very curly hair.
Kelly has hair that refuses to co-operate most mornings.

I used to call her hair a bird's nest until one day I discovered how literally she had taken me. She was about 4 years old and refused to sit under a tree at a park, frightened that the birds in the tree were going to nest in her hair!!

Kelly had her hair straightened on the weekend by her aunty. Shower time is tedious with no amount of water to be let near her hair.

She looks much older to me and it gives me a worrying glimpse into the future. She did inherit half my genes you know :-D

Is it true or just a vicious rumour??

2008-12-03T21:50:00.003+11:00

I have heard that there is an alternative to us women of the world slaving over the waste of time housework.
No it couldn't be true
But if it is
I want one

Keep smiling

Big Party night Saturday - must start taking my Vitamin B's now

Home and hosed

2008-11-30T20:59:00.003+11:00

Well I thought I was tired before holidays!! Action packed 5 days. We visited Dreamworld yet again and I will never ever go on the Wipeout ever ever in my life again. I don't care that 11 and 12 years olds can review this ride and say that they enjoyed it. Jen had the kids at WiggleWorld, Rob didn't get on it so basically I was just keeping Mark company. Within 10 seconds I was telling him how much I 'hated' him. I had my legs spread as wide as could be, my right leg jammed under Marks and I couldn't stop its nervous quivering. I was totally terrified. A few swear words could be heard amidst the apologies I was throwing to the teenage boys sitting next to me!! I kept my eyes shut the whole ride and went off to the quite tame by comparison, Cyclone Roller Coaster to recover!!
Too much food, alcohol, late nights, food, early mornings, food. I came back a big rolly polly. First stop, The Gym. Treadmill creaked and groaned as my jelly belly tossed up and down. Sight not to behold.
We also brought back our new addition to our household, Ockie the Abyssinian. The flight was a bit turbulent and the landing was all over the show so she was very relieved to see our 2 friendly faces looking in her cage saying her name. She is 11 years old and has settled in quite nicely. She is a bit spooked by the great outdoors. The neighbourhood cats have been over to check her out and the first train that went past scared her a little. But she has done a bit of exploring and spent the majority of the weekend out in the backyard.
My casual position finished up last Friday but they have asked me in on Tuesday - how does that work??!! Anyway job hunting is now on my agenda, probably gonna be a bit difficult before Xmas but take it as it comes. I applied for a dream job on Thursday but so far no response. I will just enjoy some time off before life becomes busy again.
Had lovely Lime Leaf Thai dinner last night, curry and red wine, followed by dvd's and red wine on the white wine couch (so called cos it is a cream couch!!) - very enjoyable
Lifes great
Now wheres the position vacant ads

one word

2008-11-24T21:39:00.001+11:00

k-nackered

and it gets even better

2008-11-15T22:20:00.003+11:00

My new boss (albeit temporary casual one!!) likes to bet on the gee-gees. All his mates ring up and he goes to great lengths justifying why or why not he has picked a particular horse in a particular race on a particular track.
I put my once yearly bet on the Melbourne Cup - $5 each way on Viewed - number 10. Basically I did it because the Sunday paper writer said to pray for rain and it had rained buckets for two days. But unbeknown to me it wasn't a heavy track!! But Bart Cummings did train him and he is the record holder.
So history shows that Viewed won!! And the odds were something like 46-1 so I pocketed $302. You gotta love that!! Now I jokingly try to give my boss tips!!!

And the even better thing is that Kelly and I are jetting off to Queensland soon, only 5 days but wow they are gonna be action packed. Dreamworld, Wet 'n Wild, Casino/dinner - 3 things booked already. And we will bring our new house mate back. Ockie the cat...photos soon!!

We both need the break and are both looking forward to catching up with my sisters family again - twice in 6 months!!

Couching it

2008-11-02T17:10:00.004+11:00

Oh remember those child-free days!! How much time did I have??

Well this weekend I am child free until Monday night. I have Kelly for Cup Day - gotta love having a Public Holiday for a horse race. I love being an Australian, Victorian, Melburnian (and can someone please explain why we drop the 'o' from Melbourne to Melburnian?)

So last night I wasted time - fantastically delicious

Hit the couch with takeaway Thai, a couple bottles of red, some dodgy DVD's and some great company.

Who would have thought this 41 year old still had it in her, 5.00am bed beckoned and of course I woke up at 7.00!!

Totally in recovery mode today. Water, toast/bread, water, lollies, water, read paper

Weekend ramblings

2008-10-26T22:11:00.004+11:00

We had fantastic weather this weekend. It was quite warm, a little humid but overcast.
I had a great workout at the gym this morning, running 4 km's then doing core work then onto lower body workout. As I was doing step ups with HUUUUGE weights (well it felt like it!) my hair plastered to my head, red face, yeah I am not a pretty exerciser...I noticed a guy through the window staring at me on his way to the pool. As he turned the corner he did the ol' sneak out of the corner of his eye then a few paces on he did the full stare again!! Well I met his full stare with a poke out of my tongue!!! Luckily he found it funny and we both shared a huge grin...totally sprung!!! Gave me my first giggle of the day.
Actually I have been giggling a lot lately. And got my loud laugh happening at work. Best thing I ever did was get out of that Norgren hellhole and get my twinkle back in my eye :-)

So to enjoy the warm weather we headed off to Como House for an open garden day. Jazz band, snag in bread on the lawn, devonshire tea, croquet, lovely gardens. The flowers contrasted with the background of the Aussie bush hills. And all this within a short drive of our place. Rhododendron gardens next Saturday.

I love them thar hills

Three weeks to Queensland holiday - YAY

Twinkle Twinkle

2008-10-20T17:51:00.003+11:00

I love people who have a twinkle in their eye. Lots of kids have it but fewer adults. Get that twinkle back people and hey do you know all the words??

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky!

When the blazing sun is gone,
When the nothing shines upon,
Then you show your little light,
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.

Then the traveller in the dark,
Thanks you for your tiny spark,
He could not see which way to go,
If you did not twinkle so.

In the dark blue sky you keep,
And often through my curtains peep,
For you never shut your eye,
Till the sun is in the sky.

As your bright and tiny spark,
Lights the traveller in the dark,—
Though I know not what you are,
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.

A career change in the wind

2008-10-15T22:35:00.002+11:00

http://www.theage.com.au/news/news/melbourne-airport-scanners-will-show-genitals/2008/10/15/1223750083412.html

Well hey it pays the bills!!!

4 kms in 30 mins

2008-10-09T21:26:00.006+11:00

Last night I aimed to do 3 k's but I was huffing and puffing quite nicely along so decided to go for 4 k's. Umm err well it also helped that there was a nice butted guy on the tready in front of me but no matter how hard I ran I never caught up to him :D hehe

I am thinking of trying to organise a Karaoke night. I think they have Karaoke at the Knox Club on a Saturday night...anyone interested?? Go for dinner, drinks and a sing, drinks and a sing, or any combination that you feel inclined to do...

My personal Karaoke favourite which is accompanied by my frantic ABBA-like arm movements is

'Oh now go
Walk out the door
Just turn around now
You're not welcome anymore
Weren't you the one who tried to hurt me with goodbye
Did ya think I'd crumble, did ya think I'd lay down and die

Oh no, not I, I will survive
Ohhh as long as I know how to love
I know I''ll be alive
I've got all my life to live, I've got all my love to give
I will survive, I will survive HEY HEEEEEYYYYYYY'

One drink and I will be up there but you had all better have two drinks to survive my singing!!

What are your favourite singalongs??

C'mon lets do it, email me with your available dates - hoping to do it before we go on our Qld trip middle November

We'll have fun fun fun til her daddy takes the t-bird awaaayyyy

Y M C A

2008-10-01T22:03:00.007+10:00

No mirrors at the YMCA Unisexual gym so hey, I am looking great in my own mind.

Managed 2km's in 16 minutes, not bad considering I was a little tender. Dont want to overdo it in these early days but I was jogging along thinking how I can slowly build up to 3 or 5km so I could enter a Fun Run again. It wasn't that long ago that I ran 10km non-stop in just over an hour.
Went on a different stepper tonight, cross between a stepper and a skiing machine. I got a little CONfused, criss crossed between stepping and skiing for about 20 minutes, must work on my style. Pity the people on the bikes behind me, I was blocking all their natural light!!
Then onto the upright bike, 5 minutes with a bit of weight then 10 minutes freewheeling, much easier on my knee.
Then lots of stretching, think that is the key.

Think I will be sore from that steppie/skiing thingie and will definitely sleep well tonight

The return of The Blob

2008-09-30T22:46:00.004+10:00

The Blob (aka Connie Frances) got off her big fat a#*e and rejoined gym. In my 2 months lay off I have put on 1.5kg, - feels like 5kg each leg :( - not too bad considering the only exercise I have done is raising my hand to my lips to insert chocolates and red wine in copious amounts.

My knee is doing a little protest tonight but has not pulled up too badly.
I did 20 minutes on the Michael Jackson Moon Walker machine, pass me the white glove. Onto the treadmill, did a very slow jog, some may call it a fast walk. I suppose it was 3/4 of the pace I used to do and that wasn't breaking any records. I managed 2 km's in 15 mins and I was quite surprised by my fitness level. Might even consider going in another 10km fun run if body holds up.
Now my heart level is up a little, I whip over to the bike and do a fast pace with little weight for 5 mins, followed by 10 mins with varying weights and speeds. Then stretch stretch stretch.

Oh and btw it is a 'Unisex' gym - first time for me - mmm wonder what Unisex is??

Meet Andy Dec Rus - warts and all

2008-09-23T21:29:00.004+10:00

Kelly and I sometimes have a different way of communicating. It is usually (but not always) when I am trying to get some info out of her.
I ask her questions out of the side of my mouth in a low mumbling voice. She then replies out of the side of her mouth in the lowest voice that she can muster.
We were having one such discussion this morning in bed. I mentioned that I could talk out of one side of my mouth better than the other and demonstrated it. She had a go and said 'Nah Mum I'm just as good both sides cos I'm Andy-Dec-Rus!!'

Oh and as for warts - yep another childhood germy thingie has attacked our household. Kelly has 3 plantar warts on the soles of her feet. I am going to try a traditional remedy on one foot and a natural remedy on the other. Traditional remedy involved a trip to the chemist and $16 later. Natural remedy is $3 bottle of apple cider vinegar and at least I can use it in Summer salads if it isn't successful.

Work is great, thanks for asking, though I am totally k-nackered. Have got Thursday off and I am looking forward to a sleep in and a very relaxing day.

If you dont have friends you dont really have a life

2008-09-21T22:56:00.006+10:00

Mark Twain - The proper work of a friend is to side with you when you are in the wrong. Nearly everyone will side with you when you are in the right

Happy Birthday Grant.

You have been (and I hope will continue to be ) the most fantastic friend I could have wished for in my life. You have been there through all my ups and downs, ready with advice when I wanted it, a shoulder (or two) to cry on and always ready for a joke and a laugh.

In actual fact, I think that you know more about me than I know myself! Especially when I get THAT look.

I will always treasure the many happy memories I have of working with you. I hope that we can continue our friendship outside of our working lives.

I always think of your hysterical giggle (who has ever heard of a man hysterically giggling?), your teary eyes (hey look is there something in my eye?) and how you had the same sense of humour as me (dirty dirty man).

Words are sometimes inadequate but what you wrote in my 1st Norgren leaving card was quite appropriate and also got me a bit teary...

By chance we met
By choice we are friends

Happy Birthday mate
and a big BOO from Kelly!!

PS - Sorry about the Sainters - good effort

Spare the rock, spoil the child?

2008-09-16T22:58:00.003+10:00

I was brought up with Leo Sayer 'You know I can't dance', Rawhide on repeat on those long Qld trips (rock em out roll em in, RAWHIIIIIDE, RAWHIDE), Neil Diamond's Hot August Night (yeah ok he was fairly cool), The Carpenters (time to go to the baaathroom) and the list goes on and on....

Well now I am a parent :-D

Tonight was so funny

Kelly was trying to get in my good books and decided to make my bed. Gasp, what, it wasn't made this morning!! Sorry I digress. I hurt myself and instead of swearing I said 'Mamma Mia' to which Kelly replied 'Oh Mum, you're not gonna start singing THAT song again'.

Well of course I had to start singing and dancing ABBA style. Kelly wasn't impressed with my dancing!!

I went off to cook dinner and I heard a little squeaky voice coming from upstairs 'Yes I was broken hearted...!!!"

Storm in a teacup

2008-09-15T20:51:00.002+10:00

Oops

I must have danced the rain dance
Winter has returned - blowing a gale, freezing cold, rainy

Try as you might Miserable Winter, Enthusiastic Spring will not succumb.

New job going well. Brain strained and drained. But hey I am happy to be out of the Norgren Nightmare.

Spring has Sprung

2008-09-14T10:25:00.005+10:00

Sun Sun Sun
Yay Yay Yay

Layers of clothing come off.
Mowers and whipper snippers going.
Barbeques to be had.
Thanks Gill for a great BBQ last night and Happy Birthday for Tuesday.

Today I'm off to spend my eBay money. Going to Berwick Potteries to hopefully buy a new sandstone look letterbox. Nice coffee shops in Berwick so maybe a cake and coffee could be in order - noice

This is smiling weather so SMILE you miserable baaaastards!!! :-D

How did I do it?

2008-09-11T20:44:00.005+10:00

Kelly's School Production was on today.
I went to the Matinee and dragged poor Dad along. I did tell a little white lie and told him it would only go for an hour or so...ummm...errrr...2 hours later!!

I don't know quite how I did it but I've got the cutest best looking kid in the whole of Lysterfield Primary!! Kelly was half singing and half chatting to her friend beside her...cute!!

Some of the older kids had pre-recorded interviews that showed on a screen. They had interviewed Red Symons, Lysterfield's Principal and a selection of kids. Kelly was one of them!! As the production was about food they had asked the kids what were their favourite foods. Most kids said Pizza or Maccas but Kelly yelled out 'Vegetables' - oh yeah what century was that in??!!

One poor father was dragged up onto the stage and ended up stealing the scene. A few bloopers were made along the way - gotta love that.

Kelly is off doing night performance - her Dad is watching this one - I went to the Village and enjoyed a Thai meal washed down with a glass or two of Shiraz. Hard choice but someones gotta do it.

Keep smiling and make everyone wonder what you are smiling at ;-)

Bonking in the Garden - part two

2008-09-07T18:20:00.012+10:00

Well I believe I have a lot of totally dirty minded friends and relatives (Yes Uncle Brian you ARE included). So I thought I would put this entry in as part two just for fun - haha tricked you!!

Can you see the blaze of Coprosma Karo Red hedges? Ok they may be small but hey it it aint the size that counts - yeah yeah I have been told that many times over the years :-)

60 plants planted out, some twice due to my Dad's exacting nature. Not far enough away from the path!! 5cm short - well he can be a pedantic perfectionist! I zipped my lip, let Mum and Dad 'discuss' the pros and cons and silently went about the business of digging up about 25 plants. Once they were replanted to everyones satisfaction, we built up the garden beds with more dirt and topped off with mulch. A lot of work but hey the end result is/will be fantastic.

Front garden is mostly complete. I have enough burgundy coloured plants and need a bit more yellow. So this afternoon scooted off to Bunnings for a browse with no success (after Fathers Day duties of course).

Back garden is next on the agenda. Kelly's fairy garden has been promised first. The site is already selected next to the camellia (cos fairies adore camellias!!). A few paper daisies, a selection of grasses and a plant called Fairy something or rather have already been purchased. Kelly has claimed the garden arch which has already been adorned with fairies, fairy wings and other girlie stuff. Need to chop down 2 ugly, leggy Pittosporums.

Not much will be left of the original garden, the lemon tree, a camellia, 2 azaleas, couple of ground covers and a few native fushcias.

But best news for the weekend is that I sold my tag along bike for $168.49 - can you believe it??!! Yahoo yippee, I only paid $100 for it. Now when is that shopping spree :-D

Bonking in the Garden

2008-09-03T22:03:00.003+10:00

This was the name of the seminar I attended with my 7 year old tonight!!

But before your imaginations take you too far...
It was a frog seminar.

Our frog populations are in big strife. Australia is one of the worst places in the world due to the prolonged drought and a bacteria Chytrid Fungus.

A 1 hour talk went an extra 30 minutes by which time Kelly was sitting/laying over me, arms around my neck, squirming, whispering, asking questions!! But that's not all folks.

A field trip was in order. So off we all trooped to Koomba Park.
Craig (the Frog expert) was jumping down into the marshes, shining his torchlight trying to spotlight a frog. Did you hear a Toc, Click, Cluck, Bonk, Whistle??? We heard at least 3 different frogs.

It was dark and cold but invigorating. Back to nature. I really miss my camping days.

Can you see it???

2008-08-31T15:51:00.003+10:00

Can you see the burgundy and yellow colours of my rose garden surrounded by a chocolate coloured hedge?? Maybe even a few petunias peeping through

You can? - Congratulations you are the proud owner of an imaginative, creative mind.
You can't - Ok, so that you don't feel left out, I do acknowledge that it May look like a big patch of wet sodden dirt with a few sticks for roses and a HUGE trench and heaps of work yet to do...but the POTENTIAL, surely you must FEEL it!!

I got interrupted by a big downpour and felt I had done enough for the weekend. I have a stiff neck and back. I have earned my red wine and curry.

Olympics fever

2008-08-31T15:35:00.006+10:00

Kelly won Gold in the FTG carpet ten pin bowls.
Rules are fairly basic - plastic ball, plastic pins, no fixed line, as many turns as you need to get all 10 pins down and lots of jumping and squealing on the spot.

My Dad is very good at this and so he usually volunteers for a game. Also recently discovered that he is very good at Wii lawn bowls, but that is another story.

Off to luncheon, Ladies!

2008-08-26T12:32:00.002+10:00

Yoohoo,

I am relaxing into this enforced period of rest. Actually I am loving it.
Friday nights drinks ended on Saturday with me arriving home in my pumpkin coach.

I had a whole Kelly-free weekend - glorious!! I miss her like crazy but...
Watched Olympics (our pole vaulter's gold was one of the best, I was screaming encouragement at him!), watched a bit of footy and also finished Season 2 of Dexter (totally misunderstood serial-killer!). Got into bed about 2ish.
Sunday, I only left the house to walk to the Village to get the newspaper. Lazed around the house :)
Yesterday went to the nursery and spent $400 on plants!! 60 hedge plants, some vegies, some flowers and shit now I have to plant them. Thinking I will invite Mum and Dad around for dinner and get some help ;-)

Oh and got a phone call yesterday...
Yep I have a job
At least until Xmas
Yep it is at the place where they have frequent BBQ lunches and chockie bickies laid on
Yep it pays well
Yep they are great guys
What's the negative?
5 days per week, but on the positive side, only school hours

Life is good
Must be off, lunching with the ladies

Tada

We did it

2008-08-20T18:59:00.006+10:00

Trish and I went out in style...

Morning tea was enjoyed by the 'ladies' - rich cheesecake and a cointreau almond sponge affair - choices choices, you all know how I am useless at choices, so I had a bit of both!!
Lunch was supplied by the lovely Francine. Indian meat and potato patties, 'wedding' rice (sultanas, crispy onion and cashew nuts) and cucumber yoghurt on the side - absolutely to die for. Oh and we had more cake supplied by Glenda, followed by chocolates.

I didn't shed a tear but did come close. Funny how you should always expect the unexpected. Good ol' down-to-earth, no bullshit Margie gave me a huge hug and a big smooch and wished me the best...ooo nearly lost it. I think that I was better off than Trish cos I had my trial break early last year so I felt that I was ready to move on. I received a sms from Trish to say she was at the hairdressers downing a Cruiser and she was a little in shock!!

So for me, I feel this is the start of something great and it is the next phase in my life. I feel optimistic, relaxed and know that everything will just work out for the best. Also helps that my redundancy money is not taxed!!

The last few days I have spoken to so many people that I have worked with over the years and it been a big blast from the past. Probably gonna be more ex employees than current employees at the pub.

It has been a great ride. I am thankful that I have survived with my liver intact.
Onwards and upwards

Conchka, Condal, CD, signing out

Aaaah the good ol' days

2008-08-13T14:47:00.003+10:00

Hi All,
If you are available to head down to Flanigans (Stamford) Friday ?? Aug anytime from ??pm we would love to see you there for a few beverages and some reminiscing as it is our last day at Norgren.

Love & Kisses
Trish & Connie

Must remember to take my vitamins for the next week or so
There is an excited buzzzzzzzzz in the air

PS If you don't know the date and time then obviously you weren't on the V.I.P. list!!

5 days to go but who is counting!!

2008-08-11T21:04:00.003+10:00

Harvey Dent: The night is darkest just before the dawn. And I promise you, the dawn is coming.

PS Roses looks great - in my mind I have a picture of them in full bloom- a mass of yellow and burgundy

Hot Dates

2008-08-10T12:55:00.003+10:00

I've got a hot date with my front garden. Have 4 roses & a couple of small plants to put it. Finally the rain has stopped so I had better get out of the warm house into the freezing cold, wet garden...sounds tempting does it not?
Then I am off on a hot date with my Dad, first a coffee at the cafe then onto the Cameo to watch Dark Knight.
The rain has started again. But must plant bare rooted roses today. Think of how nice they will look in a few months time.

General Musings

2008-08-08T17:27:00.002+10:00

Got 2 job interviews lined up for next week.
One is for an Athletic clothing company, quite close to home, part time hours, 2 days per week. HR lady sounded very friendly. The other is through a friend, working in a day hospital/plastic surgery. Hold the jokes re plastic surgery, thanks :-) Hours not so user friendly and it would be on a rotating roster. But I have agreed to go in for a chat and see what is on offer.
My sister has invited me to revisit her in Queensland after Norgren job ends. That is sounding like the best offer on the table so far. She has the in-laws visiting though so that is very unfortunate timing.
I really got into my day off yesterday. Went for a brisk long walk (knee is complaining today), 2 loads of clothes washing, grocery shopping (don't go to Aldi's on Thursday, every Knox senior citizen seemed to be there), cup of tea in the sun, tax return completed, long lunch, burned Pride & Prejudice for 3 girls at work, Judge Judy and where has the time gone...pick up Kelly.
6 work days at Norgren left, not that I am counting. And oh the boss came good and agreed to pay me 8 weeks redundancy rather than the 4 weeks originally offered.
Weekend - Kelly nagged me to go rollerblading, don't think I am going to get away with the skates this time.
Want to get rid of the other ugly weeping tree out the front but it is going to take some co-ordination of my parents and ex-husband. Everytime I walk into my house I look at it with distaste, not a good vibe. Getting to the end of the time that it can be transplanted and also the end of the time that bare rooted roses can be put in. I am thinking Burgundy Icebergs standards with a Gold Bunny climber on the side fence...I can picture it. I go to bed with the image in my head.
Must try and start sanding and painting my bookshelf as well.
Lots of housey stuff to be done...I am loving it here

...It is raining outside and it has turned dark. Just got back from finding my daughter, over the road socialising with her girlfriend without telling me where she was going. Wonder where she gets that from??
Life is good from where I am sitting :-D

Has anyone found a whistle?!

2008-08-05T22:53:00.008+10:00

Still recovering from last nights dramas.
Kelly's front tooth was hanging on by a thread - yuk
She could turn it completely around and still it didn't come out - double yuk
When she closed her mouth (yes she does do that occasionally!) the tooth stuck out horizontally - triple yuk
Ok so it needs to come out. It is way past bedtime. I sit down on the bed several times to stop my faint feeling. I get my wiggly teeth phobia from my mother and my sister inherited the gene as well. Deep breath. Poor child has trust that I won't hurt her. Feel sick knowing that I will hurt her but take a good grip on the tooth, quick tug and it is out. Blood everywhere, more tears.
Dangly bit of her gum or inside of tooth still hanging there. Her tongue kept touching it. So she got to sleep in my bed, rolled on her side with instructions to hang her tongue out of the side of her mouth. Poor darling. Tooth fairy was generous. $4 to Kelly and $1 to Mum for being brave!! Kelly said she saw the tooth fairy in the night and she was very small. I asked her why she didn't wake me so I could see her too. She replied, Mum you would have grumbled and scared the fairy away. Mmmm my daughter knows me too well.
Oh and Kelly has lost her whistle. She thought it was hilarious that she know does the same toothy airy whistle that I do!

Windwill vision

2008-08-05T22:24:00.004+10:00

I survived the after school activities at the local library!
We had been missed by the aged librarian. We were in the habit of going every Tuesday afternoon for the free story telling followed by dubious artsy projects. Haven't been since we went on holidays.
So, doing my good mother impersonation, obediently I followed a skipping, non-whistling (more on that later) seven year old into the reading room. Few stories later and we were into making masks. Wasn't that the last activity we did? Never mind. We rolled our sleeves up and started colouring, pasting, scissor curling of paper (hey I can still do that) and applying copious amounts of glitter. A very nice looking mask emerged, with thankfully not much help required from me. Glitter everywhere.
We emerged triumphantly from the library onto the next stop, The Playground.
There is a windmill that is a feature of the park. It has coloured paddles, something I hadn't realised until tonight. The late afternoon sun was hitting the colour of the paddles and was reflecting a rainbow straight into our faces. Behind the windmill, the darkness of the night had begun to set upon the hills and rainclouds threatened.
I had to take a picture. I got one of my very strong spooky feelings. It was a good feeling. The word, 'Vision' popped straight into my head and I just thought to myself that this means something. I wonder what it means??

3 weeks x 3 days x 6 hours = 54

2008-08-01T19:27:00.003+10:00

9 days to go - insert whistling, hand clapping and general noisy frivolities

I have to say that I am totally flattered. Today, I have received numerous interstate phone calls and have chit chatted with the Melbourne office staff with my never ending cuppa on hand. It is nice that I am held in such high regard by my colleagues. And don't take me wrongly, I am not blowing my own trumpet, it is just that I have been pleasantly surprised by the number of people who have bothered to make their feelings known to me.

One of the nicest comments today was by Gill - 'Connie we will really miss THAT laugh' - ok ok so it was a little bit loud and unofficelike (hey is that a word??!!) but what can they do, Sack Me? insert another raucous laugh!!

Oh and another comment by Lynn - 'Connie you look so happy, like you have had a burden lifted off your back and you are relieved' - and that is true...

The end of my 20 years of working life at Norgren is near. It has been quite a ride.

I am in my Happy place

2008-07-31T22:34:00.003+10:00

Now that I am soon to be an umemployed bum, I have had to reshuffle my priorities. My gym membership was already on hold as a result of total inactivity :(
Ok I can do this exercise thing again. I drove in my car to measure the distance to my second closest pub...why I live so close to a range of public drinking places is another story. Anyway it was 1.5 km there so obviously it was 1.5km back.

I have been told that running outside is easier. I find it harder. The thin winter air constricts my airways, it is cold and I always feel like the paths are on a slant? Stop making excuses I say to myself, so I hit the bike path that runs parallel for ever along the railway line. I alternated running with brisk walking on the way down, still conscious of my niggly leg. Got into a rhythm with Killers music, then had to abruptly stop to walk and fiddle with my MP3 player as Bindi Irwin music started...forgotten I had put that on for Kelstar.On the way back I was doing the whole Julia Roberts singing in the bath thing with Foo Fighters...that Dave Grohl is just sooo cool. Frightened a little old lady on her electric scooter with my loud singing of Long Road to Ruin.
More walking on the way back than running as the day was beautiful (though cold) and I just enjoyed the passing scenery.
Strange how I got to the pub a lot quicker than I got back. Nothing much has changed in 20 years!!

Post-it note stuck to my forehead...must get back into training for some fun runs...I have a serious case of winter podge!

PS - I have gone the total chop at the hairdressers tonight...gone for the sporty, cutesy style in a great dark shade...I love the freedom of wearing my hair how I like it, being able to dag around in my trakky pants and eating leftovers any night of the damned week that I please

No job but bloody happy :D

Connie is pushed

2008-07-30T22:27:00.009+10:00

She was gonna jump, but she was pushed.
August 22nd, final day. Big night planned at the local. All and sundry invited (but no dickheads!!). Go hard or go home.

Saying of the day - Dickhead are dickheads because they just don’t get it…they cannot be taught. - thanks Buzz for your words of wisdom and thanks to Uncle Grant for getting all puffy chested...I appreciate it

Happy Birthday x 3

2008-07-27T21:10:00.002+10:00

Happy 18th birthday's to Jordan and Ben, the 22nd and 31st July respectively.
Happy 7th birthday to Hannah for the 24th.

Luckily for this blended family all birthdays fall within a 2 week period. They have one big family gathering but 3 cakes...I like that!! Together but separate.
As Kelly and I are foster relatives we went along for an extended afternoon of snags in bread, cake, dip and chips, coffee, more cake, wine, cheesecake, and tea to wash it all down and to settle my tummy!!
I can't believe that 'the boys' are now legally adults...they are still in High School albeit their last year. We have known them since they just turned 11...when they were still in Primary School. They have grown like weeds, sprouted a little facial hair and voices deepened. Soon they will both be driving and attending university.
What a pleasure and a honour to witness your transition into adulthood.
Lynne and Daryl (Brett, Stephanie and partners), you should all be proud of the parts you have played in raising two wonderful boys.

The Twisties Mystery

2008-07-26T14:52:00.003+10:00

I have been accused of a "scheming, vindictive spiteful and sadistic" act. Could it be me??
Was it me??
I do know who it is...but I'm not telling ;-)

PS Google Image Search 'Twisties' - Life's pretty straight without Twisties!!

Self delusion, Shiraz, and Starfish

2008-07-21T21:42:00.007+10:00

I would like to share an email that finally got to me today. Originally it was intended as a comment on this blog but maybe gmail rejected as it was slightly too long!!

But Buzz, I will forgive you as I realise you are (a teeny insy winsy bit) technologically disadvantaged/challenged. "like just give me a phone to make and receive calls, I don't want GPS, surround sound, mini plasma screen and daily horoscopes updates, I just want a phone".

Oh, in my very first paragraph I have successfully proven your points 1 and 2 listed below!! It is not my fault that your favourite saying is 'To infinity and beyond" :D

And as for point 3, well I can honestly say that I have never experienced a 'Starfish' - at least not with someone who had a pulse, oh though there was that time...
Your 'Starfish' experience has given us all many lunchtime laughs but we are laughing with you not at you, honestly!

Maybe the 'Starfish' experience started off with a little Self delusion, followed by a copious amount of Shiraz and ended with the Starfish saying either "You did ok??!!" or "Are you insane?!!!"

PS I loved how you went from
perhaps, maybe, one day I will get a plasma/lcd tv
to ok so what is the best for me, how big, what price, what brand
to me receiving a sms from Grant saying 'Guess what, Leftie went out and bought a tv tonight'
- something I would do, compulsive!!

And as for what was in my coffee, I'm not telling ;-)

EMAIL RECEIVED -

There seems to be some reoccurring themes on this blog. At first, I thought that this was simply the product of someone with way too much time on their hands. But now I can see the real picture.

It was revealed to me today over lunch when someone said to Connie….”what ever is in your coffee, I want some”.

This made me realise the true story, although I am not so sure it has a lot to do with coffee. It well maybe be due to a mixture of coffee in some way…or perhaps more due to a mixture of coffee, alcohol and possibly even pharmaceutical drugs, (prescription or otherwise) but whatever the true cause….the symptoms are posted on the internet for all to see. And I have been told,… that there is quite some readership!

What is not apparent on this blog…and rarely commented on at all…is just how much time occupies Connie’s day in the following activities:

Trying to take the piss out of me.
Trying to think up new, unusual and potentially embarrassing nick names for me.
Making jokes about star fish.

I….on the other hand….try to avoid star fishes at all cost. I have been fairly successful at this of late …. Now I really need to concentrate on also avoiding other aquatic species…especially jelly fish and oysters at low tide.

I on the other hand…have no such spare time. I am currently multitasking…almost unheard of in males…but I am watching Big Brother while typing this letter…and at the same time administering medicinal doses of a varietal Shiraz….. as has been recommended by my therapist and close friends alike.

I am not sure if it is the alcohol or simply self delusion which has made me think tonight that learning French and Spanish right now might be a good thing and that it may actually help with my Italian lessons.

And while we are on the subject of personal development…I think I should let everyone know that I decided to cease immediately my attempts at counseling close friends, neighbors and relatives. The results to date have been less than encouraging. In fact.. it is true to say that matters have been made worse for all concerned and as a result..I think I will focus my attention on the “Responsible Use of Alcohol” classes that the Magistrate said I had to attend.

Who knows????...I might even start a blog!

I Hate School

2008-07-16T22:35:00.003+10:00

I gotta admit I am a little worried about Kelly. Sunday night, she said I don't want to go back to school tomorrow. Maybe a normal reaction after a leisurely 2 weeks off?? But my warning bells rang.
She had a Transport assignment sheet in her schoolbag for the holidays. We dutifully filled out different types of transport we had used. Legs, bikes, rollerblades, car, train, scooter. I asked her Monday morning if she needed to take it back to which she replied 'No'. Well it should have been a 'Yes'...as they worked on it in class and had to write down '6 facts' from the holidays.

All the kids had to give a talk and they had to sit in the teachers chair and the kids had to point out the 'facts'. Bloody hell, I can't remember school being so stressful, especially grade 1.
So I went through it with her Tuesday night, role playing and describing different activities we had done on the holidays and incorporating the transports into it. She was clearly nervous and stressed about it. It was surprising to me actually. She stomped off in a huff, started crying and wrote I Hate School on her paper.

I tried to reason with her and ask her if there was anything else troubling her. She had a small complaint about some playground politics and also that one of her teachers yells?? So I decided to write a letter to the teacher just to ask if there might be something else troubling her. Well I think the teacher handled the situation very poorly. She pulled Kelly aside, basically read out what I had written and put her on the spot, and asked whether anything was wrong. Like if she won't tell me or her father, there is no way a teacher is gonna get the information out of her.
I approached the teacher after school, on the quiet (incorrectly thinking that it was all done discreetly) to which the teacher replied, that there was nothing wrong and that Kelly said that she had been 'just tricking'.
I think not. But she was happier when I picked her up so maybe it was the stress of talking in front of her class and being unsure of stating 6 facts.

You never stop worrying about your kids I suppose. That wasn't in the Motherhood manual they passed out at the hospital. Actually come to think of it, the manual was full of blank pages, you just gotta make it up as you go along and just try your best. :D

Another Aussie claim to fame!

2008-07-14T20:29:00.002+10:00

We DID have the world's oldest blogger but unfortunately she died.

Imagine being 108 - now then I will be able to complain that I am tired!!

I always have a lot of admiration for the seniors who try to keep up with technology.

Hope the stars are in alignment for me at 2.30pm tomorrow...

Think positive, think positive
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The 'armless Dolly

2008-07-14T19:32:00.004+10:00

The stars must be out of alignment :D
I was in a horrible mood today at work. After I had a night of dreaming, tossing and turning and little sleep, I then went to work for the 'waiting' game. Waiting for the call to 'come to my office and here is your golden handshake'. The wait is worse than the actual event but the actual event never came to fruition. It is such a terrible atmosphere and as I am sensitive to atmospheres/surroundings, 6 hours working here is just an overload on me.
I just don't cope well with stress or change or uncertainty at all.

I am totally useless in a crisis.

Anyway I came home and cooked a lovely dinner, real comfort food. Left over lasagne with roasted pumpkin, potato and kumara, sour cream on the side. Mmmm and had a red wine as well.

Poor Kelly was so tired from her first day back at school, pulled all my strings and I went well to keep my cool. The last straw for her was when she was playing with her favourite doll and her arm ripped apart. Man, what a tragedy. She stormed up the stairs, screaming and yelling at me (well she did catch me taking a picture of the amputation!). I tried to placate her to no avail. She stormed down again only to hit her head on the clothes horse and stub her big toe.

I just tried to cuddle her to calm her but even that didn't work. A quick phone call to Nana who advised her to wrap up the doll and the severed arm in a blanket and that she would fix her tomorrow. Thank goodness for Nan's needle and thread skills.

This motherhood caper is hard sometimes. I am tired.

There's no place like Home

2008-07-13T13:10:00.004+10:00

Kelly has got roller blades...aaarrrgghhh...I thought the trampoline was bad enough. Great how her father buys all these wonderful, accident-waiting-to happen things and I am the one who has to deal with them.
Anyway I decided to embrace rather than fight the blades. So off we went to the local skating rink, it hasn't changed since I first went there about 25-30 years ago. Smells like 30 years of sweaty feet and I think the carpeted walls were the original...eww

When I was a teenager it was our thing to meet at the local rink for a couple of hours, skating, socialising and a few goes on the pinnies (I was a Pinball Wizard). Wasn't life simple back then?

So we hit the 'parents skate free' Saturday session for 2.5 hours (yes you read it correctly) I skated around on roller skates, I know it is a bit old fashioned and daggy but stick with what you know, I reckon.
Why am I one of the only parents skating...oh well don't feel self conscious they are the ones missing out, aren't they? Ooo I am not so bad, let go of the rail after the first turn. I used to be good at this, I reassured myself. I started doing the crossover around the turn. No falls though I did run over Kelly's fingers when she fell over and was dragging me down with her!

I started the ball rolling and a few more parents (mostly fathers) got out there. The 'get-real' prize for the day has to go to the Mother walking around the rink in her high heel boots!

We had heaps of fun and we were quite tired when we got home. The folks dropped in for a late lunch and then Kelly retired to the couch for a couple of Barbie movies. To top off a 'just lurvely' day we watched The Wizard of Oz - can you believe this movie is 69 years old.
There's no place like Home, there's no place like Home

My my, at Waterloo Napoleon did surrender

2008-07-12T17:02:00.004+10:00

Went to see Mamma Mia last night. Mostly it was a feel good 'chick flick'.
I really related to the single mum bringing up beautiful daughter by herself theme. So when the above song came on in a particularly moving scene, I gotta admit that I got a little choked up. I turned to my friend, flapping my hand at my weepy eyes and trying to stop my sobs, to which I got the (not so) comforting 'Oh Connie I knew you would cry at this part!!'
I was an original ABBA fan and still have my 1st vinyl album ever - ABBA Arrival - with the helicopter on the front :-)
Dancing Queen got my feet twitching and I was ready to hit the Karaoke bars :)

Ebaying again

2008-07-09T22:33:00.002+10:00

I have convinced Kelly to get rid of some of her stuff!! But now I have to do deals with her...I will buy you that new doll/pram/girly stuff etc if you let me sell some of your old stuff. She has me wrapped around her little finger. I am selling her table and chairs as we got an old school desk off the hard rubbish!! Gotta love FREE
She decided she wanted to get in the picture and asked me 'what do you think people would pay for me'. Of course, I replied that she was 'priceless'!!
Pic also shows how small (but efficient?) my kitchen really is.

Can I interest anyone in a lemon??

2008-07-06T22:12:00.016+10:00

My new secateurs got a work out today.

Started the transformation of my lemon tree into a manageable standard shape. It is not high which made it a lot easier. Trimmed all the under branches off and as you can see from the container in front, it had heaps of lemons on it.

When I first moved in, it looked quite sick and all the fruit was so so. It is amazing what a good feed and a drink can do - mmm must be a male lemon tree!!

So Kelly and I retired to the trampoline and counted all the lemons. We got 123. Would have been 124 but as I was the heaviest one on the tramp, they kept rolling towards me and I sat on one. Ended up with a very juicy butt cheek!! Kelly thought it was hilarious.

So what to do with 123 lemons??? Well my old reliable drink that I keep coming back to is Southern Comfort and coke with a slice of lemon to take away that ohhhh so sweet taste...mmmm - and I always enjoy one or two with my old mate Rob in QLD!! Maybe a Southern Comfort/Jim Beam with lemon housewarming party could be the go!! With the mandatory BBQ of course. Anyone interested?

Round pegs v Square holes

2008-07-05T23:22:00.005+10:00

Interesting article
When the first blogs (short for web logs, or online diaries) were posted in late 1998, they were a novelty. Today, blogging is so ubiquitous that health professionals have begun investigating the health effects of blogging as an activity - concluding that blogging can foster critical thinking and feelings of connection.
While some commentators have characterised bloggers as lonely, desperate souls in search of validation for their meaningless lives, recent medical research has indicated that the opposite might actually be true: bloggers appear to be less lonely and feel more connected and supported than those who don't blog.

Well occasionally I do feel lonely and a touch desperate (especially when Kelly is tucked up in bed and I have had that second glass of wine!) but yes mostly I feel a connection with my world and supported by my friends and family.

It is funny how we the human race feel the need to classify people. But sometimes we just don't quite fit the mould. I never pictured myself as a sole parent and if I am honest I suppose that in my ideal world, I would be part of a nuclear family. I have accepted that this is not to be for me and mostly I am ok with that. Unfortunately Single Mum still has a stigma attached to it. Mostly criticism is from small minded people fitting perfectly (supposedly) in their square holes and thinking that all round pegs are bludging on the welfare system.

My worst experience was where I was thrust together with a square hole woman who started spouting off about all the childcare benefits that round pegs get and how they should be cut back etc. Ironically she worked for Centrelink!! I was very controlled in the situation and walked away but it did get to me. Needless to say I avoided talking to her in any future social encounters.

B itter - no
I ritated - a little
T ry - walking in my shoes
C rying - helps, don't keep it in
H elp - from my friends will get me through

Slow start

2008-07-05T23:02:00.002+10:00

Woke up late about 8.30 with freezing cold feet. So wandered down to kitchen, zapped a heat bag, wandered back to bed, bag on feet, attempted an 'evil' sudoku, fell back asleep ...Buuzzzzzzzzzzz...who could be buzzing my door bell at this hour...ooops it was 10.30!! Wandered sheepishly to door in pajamas with crrrazy hair, let friend and 2 kids in, barked 'put the kettle on' instructions and quickly had a shower to look half decent (like who am I kidding?)

Two cuppas and a great chat later, off she went to a kids party (hehe have fun) and off I went to meet another friend at Bunnings. Bought some new gardening tools to replace ones that I have lost in all my moves of last year. Off to Banksia Nursery - bought a small bare rooted nectarine. Off to another local nursery, bought Yellow Iceberg standard rose and miniature purple daisies for front garden.

Back home I mowed the lawn for the first time since I have moved here. It took longer to get the mower out of the shed, fuel it up and start it than actually mowing the grass!!. Chat with neighbour who also mowing his lawn then I planted out my front garden. Looks great. I have also planted miniature red roses that I got cheaply at school.
Trimmed lemon tree at back and will have another go tomorrow. Would like to standardise the lemon to stop it spreading and overtaking my small backyard. Will put nectarine somewhere out the back, need to survey the area!! Also, Kelly and I love blood plums so that could be another purchase coming up.

Now I need to decide on the border for the front garden. I have had the formal short hedge look which I still like but I am tending towards a softer edge with an Acacia dwarf. Sooo expensive though. Lots of the grasses are very popular especially now that we have permanent water restrictions. But any plant that survives in my garden has to be tough and drought tolerant :)

I have got at least 3 working days off this week - Yipppppeeee time to clean up around the house and garden and chill out with my lovely daughter.

My heatbag is M.I.A.

2008-07-05T00:05:00.004+10:00

This is the 3rd night that Kelly has been away from home. Funny how when she is around I just want 5 minutes of peace but when she is not here, I miss her :) It is just soooo quiet without her. I am talking away to myself - 1st sign of madness the voices say!!
It is another very cold and frosty night so the flannels are coming out. Gee I miss her sneaking into my bed to warm herself up. A confession though...sssshhhh dont tell anyone...sometimes on the cold nights I let her believe that she is getting a special treat by sleeping yet again in my bed but really I like it...keeps me snuggly and warm.
So in between going to work I have fitted in a spot of grocery and clothes shopping, went and saw a movie with a friend, Will Smith's Hancock - light entertainment, actually enjoyed going to watch the big screen with a box of popcorn getting passed down the line. And we have promised ourselves another night out, one of the shorts looked ok. Finished watching Series 1 of Life and another series that will go unnamed.
Tomorrow will go to the gym - I am managing 3 km's in 20 mins on the dreaded tready followed by 10mins on the wave machine and a 10min light cycle. My knee complaining most of the way on the tready but no problem on the wave machine (which is amazing for me) and the cycle is good once the clicking sounds stop!! I have been doing lots of stretches and think I might be ready to start training for some 5km fun runs that are coming up soon in Melbourne city. Anyone want to come and keep me company??? Think I will give the 10km a miss until I am fully recovered...will that happen now that I have left the big 4 0 behind??
Got next week off for school holidays so will get to spend plenty of time with Kelly, we usually drive each other nuts by about the 5th day!! Will go and buy some of my roses tomorrow so she can help me plant the garden, one day next week. Also thinking we might catch up on some rest and have a pajama day and stay in our pj's all day watching movies and cartoons.
I am thinking of enrolling in an Access course - that is what my casual employer uses and I dont know anything about it. I have been asked to go back there next Tuesday, man I need a bigger bladder with how many cuppas they have in a day, very laid back, chocolate biscuits on tap, sometimes they watch the midday movie in lunchroom, have bbq's for lunch and pub counter lunches on Friday (oh yeah we just divert the phone to our mobiles!!) Does it get any better than that??!! Well the fridge has about 4 different kinds of beer in it, so I did mention to the boss that I wasn't a beer drinker in general (especially after that unfortunate incident back in the 1980's - kidding!) and maybe the token half drunk bottle of recorked wine didn't quite cut it. :D
I think I may like working there!!
Keep warm and safe everyone
xx

The Window

2008-07-02T10:46:00.003+10:00

One of my long term work buddies always used to say
'How can you soar like an eagle when you are surrounded by turkeys'
Last week I bought a good friend a card with the words
'Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly'

Some people say when one door closes, another door opens. But I am thinking that maybe it is not a door but a window. In my mind I can see a little high window with a bright flash of sunshine beckoning me.

Tomorrow I am starting casual work at another place (whilst keeping my current job). The family owned business has down to earth people and importantly no Norgren bullshit.
It is a step in the right direction for me. That was one of my phone calls (Buzz, I know you were curious!!). Not sure how much I am getting paid yet or even the amount of hours I will be required but just take it as it comes. I am sure I will enjoy working here.

I feel that this is only the start of things that have been set in motion. Patience is a virtue they say and maybe that is my lesson out of all of this, cos patience is definitely not one of my strong points.

My world is finally coming together again. Please, friends, help me fly to The Window

Blah Blah Blah

2008-06-27T20:01:00.003+10:00

SCHOOL NEWS
School is done and dusted. Lovely ladies luncheon was had by all. Egg sandwiches, washed down with cups of tea followed by cream cakes, quick exchanges of phone numbers and email addresses and the year is complete.
Phew
Oh and being the modest sort that I am, I am sure all of you out there in cyberland would love to know how my report ended up. I got 98% High Distinction, I was totally rapt, ecstatic. Not really bragging just sharing my good news around!!
WEEKEND NEWS
Off to the footy tomorrow for Tigers v Blues - Kelly's 1st ever attendance at a football match, hope she doesn't get bored or else it gonna be a loooooong 3 hours. The weather is cold and wet, perfect for the hot pie and sauce. Friends son is playing at half time in the Little League.
And I might settle down and watch a few more episodes of Life. I also have Dexter but looks a bit scary and might revisit Spooks from the start. Oh and I need to catch up with Lost. Good weather to sink into the couch with a wine to watch all my TV shows.
GARDEN
So now the ugly weeping tree (like Helloooo who is a pretty weeper/cryer...I gotta be the ugliest cryer ever :D ) oh I digress...yes..the not so pretty weeping tree has been taken out of the front garden and I have a relatively small patch of very bare dirt to do with as I please. I love my roses but the choices!! Aaarghhh anyone who knows me, knows how I am with choices. I love Mr Lincoln, also Just Joey but I have always had the white icebergs because they always have lots of flowers for a long period of time but well, I think I want a change. So do I go for something that blends in with my bricks, probably orange and yellow pastel roses or do I go for a display of colour which include my favourite red?? And do I go for a tall or small standard, bush roses or miniatures or a mixture? I need Jamie Durie to pay a visit!!
But working on the theory that gardens are an evolving piece of art...really I can't go wrong, can I??!!

Widgets

2008-06-26T22:37:00.005+10:00

]

WTF are Widgets?

Well I had a play around and got one on my blog, aren't I just becoming the big geek. Click on the Media Player tab and you can hear Coldplay's new release Violet Hill.

And news from their website
Top of the US pops
June 19, 2008 8:22 pm
We were pleased enough when Viva La Vida reached Number 2 in last week's Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Now it's climbed to Number 1.
Top of the UK pops
June 22, 2008 6:48 pm
Viva La Vida tops UK charts
BBC Radio 1 have just announced that Viva La Vida has become our first ever UK number one single. Amazing.
(Where are you now Crazy Frog?)

I took my love down to Violet Hill
There we sat in snow
All that time she was silent still

So if you love me
Won't you let me know?

If you love me,
Won't you let me know?

I'm loving you Chris Martin ;-)

Tuesday what will I does day

2008-06-24T22:39:00.004+10:00

My first day off for so long and I had booked a physio appointment for my rotten knee. Burnt a big hole in my pocket but finally the clickety clicks have reduced and I have been given the all clear. I still don't trust it completely so will start exercising again with a bit of caution.
Then I have the whole afternoon to myself before school pick up and parent/teacher interview. Ho hum what to do?? Oh I am not used to this, all my friends are at work, oh well go shopping :D
Harvey Norman sales guy very helpful (and btw he smelt gorgeous hmmmmm) um er so I bought a 500gb external drive $121 and a internal DVD burner $33 (unfortunately I overlooked getting when I bought this new computer).
So off home I trotted very pleased with my solo purchases. I think I am getting this I.Tty bitty business. I installed the DVD drive by myself, hardest part was getting the computer cover back on :) and now I am in the process of burning Dexter season 1, episodes 1&2. Ooo the disk has just popped out, wonder if I have been successful??
Oh and I have to make a phone call tomorrow around lunchtime, could be a change coming in my life, keep fingers and toes crossed Kimmy

If a cat could speak, it wouldn't !

2008-06-20T22:14:00.011+10:00

My neighbour commented on how cute our new cat was and he guiltily admitted to feeding it. All well and good, but we don't have a cat.
This young female is just gorgeous. She is quite dark but has tiger like markings through her thick winter coat. She is only quite young and well looked after. I think she may be quite fickle in her affections but she kept us both good company today. She basked in the sun near the window. Checked out the whole house upstairs and downstairs. Decided she liked Kelly's doona to sleep on for a while until I got up to make a cuppa and I lost my seat. She was a bit uncomfortable at being picked up at first but soon was purring.
Yes it is confirmed, I am a cat woman. :P I love their independence, their clean smell, their affection and love (when they feel like it!!)
Kelly got our picture of Pippy out, in her heart shaped frame, and said
"Mum, Pippy will always be with us cos she is in our hearts" Then she proceeded to put the frame over my heart and then hers. We had a cuddle and a quiet reflection. Gee I have a sensitive little 7 year old.
And I confess, we fed our visitor today, but we were only being polite :D

2nd term comes to a close

2008-06-20T21:56:00.003+10:00

Kelly off sick today so we had a cuddle on the couch in the morning, out to lunch at local cafe with Nan and a good read through her school portfolio and report in the arvo. Both ladies of leisure, lovely :) oh and joined by our neighbourhood cat who has totally melted by heart...more on her in next blog
"What Kelly has achieved"
'Kelly has demonstrated outstanding skills and work habits in class activities and is confident, well organised and motivated producing wonderful work. She is a keen reader using fluency and phrasing, recognising when what she has read does not make sense and re-reading to self-correct. Kelly predicts and infers what questions the text might answer. She also retells what she has read logically and includes key ideas. In Writing, it is pleasing to see Kelly writing a range of short sequenced texts including imagined ideas, cards, messages and notes. She uses capital letters, full stops and question marks correctly some of the time. Kelly uses her knowledge of some spelling patterns to generate plausible attempts at spelling unfamiliar words. She listens to conversations and texts including, serialised stories about real or imaginary events with little supporting visual information. In Mathematics, Kelly is able to model, read, record and order two-digit numbers and knows numbers before and after a given number up to 100. She can also count from 0 by 2s, 5s and 10s to a given target. Kelly is able to classify two dimensional shapes accurately, according to properties like the number of sides and faces of the shape. Kelly has been a quiet achiever in I.C.T. this semester, experimenting with a variety of computer software with enthusiasm. Well done on a terrific semester's work, Kelly!'

Well aren't I just the proud Mother Hen :D

She is bordering on grade 2 level for English and Maths. Both her effort and class behaviour are excellent...if only I got some of that nice behaviour at home...just seem to be getting all the oh yeah attitude at the moment. The joys of Motherhood

End of school term looms

2008-06-17T20:45:00.003+10:00

Phew!!
I printed, bound and handed in my much complained about report. My schoolfriend who had also struggled with it finished at the same time. Telstra has made a fortune out of our late night text msgs and phone calls basically just to whinge to each other. Well, we both bound it at the same time and I put my arm around her and we posed to an imaginary camera with big cheesey grins. What a relief!
Had last terminology test and our teacher saved the easiest one for last, woohoo.
Finishing up on Thursday going out for celebratory lunch Thursday week :)

Might take a week off on the school holidays and have a few pajama days with Kelly. She sure needs it. Poor darling. She tells me about 'a girl in her class' who, after lunch, whilst watching Charlotte's Web fell asleep!! Of course it was her...double checked her bag for a teachers 'please explain' note.
Oh and we have to practice catching in the holidays...she only managed a 2 out of 10 with the beanbag catching P.E. exercise...as far as throwing and catching are concerned she is a terrific runner!! Eye/hand co-ordination has never been one of her strong points much to my mums dismay...

Good luck continues for me, stars must be in the right alignment!!

Spooky monster

2008-06-16T21:53:00.006+10:00

Well my good things are on a roll...
Following on from Thursday, a little good thing...it was a phone call actually 'Anonymous' (see previous posts comments).
Today I just had one of my feelings that I should take my phone to morning tea (something that I never do). So I followed my hunch. Well I got another phone call, cant tell you all yet but it is work related...

Now that you are all sooo intrigued, I will totally change the subject and show you a pic of a man "down on h is luck" and how I tried to cheer him up!! I have got a stupid grin on my face because I took it of myself with my mobile camera. Didnt even have Kelly with me as an excuse. Nup, no excuses, Im just a little bit crrrrrazzzyyyy.

Oh and I decided to do something unique and interesting yesterday. We trundled off to the Eastlink open day along with 99,998 other people!! So much for unique but it was kinda fun. Did the 10km bike ride, what a breeze, wish I had attempted the 30 but was wary of my still dodgy knee. Even though the 10km was easy peasy Japanesey on the bike it did give me an appreciation of how far I had run (read shuffled) in my fun runs.

My Nan is around me lately, heard a tinkle of my windchime and the smell of my daphne bush keeps wafting up. I feel very settled in our new home, like I have lived here for years. I feel safe, secure and my world is really shining brightly at the moment. Must try and hold onto that contentment through these winter months.

Red wine, Garfield eyes and finish line in sight

2008-06-14T00:43:00.005+10:00

Enjoying home made pizza with a nice shiraz and a Ribena for Kelly (in her own plastic wine glass) on a Friday night...snuggled up on the couch watching The Whale Rider - (mmm I do have an attraction for the cultural side of the Maori but not the Once Were Warriers side)
Doesn't get much better than that

Bring it on, 1 week to go, 4 nights of staying up to midnight, eyeballs look like Garfield and finally getting to the end of my school assignments, reports and tests.
I can do it, I will do it
And my intuition spooky again...last Saturday I got a strong feeling that something good was going to happen to me this week. I sms'd a few ppl telling them so I have evidence!! But by Wednesday I was doubting myself but...
On Thursday, something small but good did happen to me.

Some pics

2008-06-10T21:34:00.009+10:00

Water Baby

Sensible climbing shoes - NOT!!
and Lysterfield Disco Diva

And it is now official, I have more pairs of Birkenstocks than my German born and bred friend.
Is it going to far too get some Birkie slippers??

Cartilage chaos

2008-06-09T22:31:00.003+10:00

Just a little secret between you and I, but I was a teeny weeny bit worried about my knee that I might have inherited another dodgy maternal gene and developed cartilage problems.
So I booked into the physio for Sunday. Heat is applied for about 25 minutes, then the man genius gets to work.
He poked and delved, firstly into my mind, then into my knee. He came to the conclusion that I have probably strained my leg whilst moving, (bending and lifting) and one little twist the wrong way is all it takes to end up with a dicky leg.
Anyway he really got into the inside of my leg (as you do??!!) and all of a sudden, Crack.
Didn't hurt but I tentatively asked, 'Ummm, what was that exactly??'
Reply 'That was your cartilage popping back into the correct place"
Ooo no wonder I felt like my knee was out of place and that I was working around on a Gigantor leg.
3 stretches, hamstring, quad and calf muscles - all vital to keep my leg in perfect working order - yes I have been a bit slack with the stretching after gym so tut tut now I pay the penalty
Oh and I got the ok to do the 6km on Sunday but it has to be a walk, with a rest halfway - won't be breaking any records.
Better do some walking and cycling this week, feel like a blob :-)

Weekly fine whine

2008-06-05T20:59:00.004+10:00

My kinda good news
My right knee has given good service for 40+ years but
For the first time in my life I have been having anti inflammatory pills.
I have put heat bags on all evening and have rubbed Deep Heat in morning and night.
Not one to stick to the traditional medicines, I am also ingesting Arnica homeopathic pills and rubbing in Arnica cream.
So after resting it all week, finally it feels a little better. Probably the stairs in the house are not helping my cause. Fingers crossed it comes better next week as I would like to go in the 6km run even if it becomes a 6km walk.

My second good news is that finally finally...
I have started working on my school report and guess what
It is not as bad as I originally thought, ironic, hey??!!

Third good news
And it is a looooong weekend this weekend, Queen's Birthday weekend
Saturday=swimming
Sunday=Kelly's schoolfriend birthday party
Monday= SLEEP IN :D

And get this
As it is a public holiday on Monday, one of our part-timers at work was asked to come in for an extra day later in the week so that she still worked the same number of hours. Bad luck that she has 2 small children and is working her guts out on a crappy new system that was not ready to implement.
FFS - so are the management going to set example by working on the weekend??? I think not
I am so over it
What should I do?
Decisions, dilemmas
Need money but don't need the crap

Generation Gap?

2008-06-05T20:48:00.004+10:00

One of the presents I bought for Kelly for her birthday was Mastermind
My sister and I played this game for hours,. We made a few a homegrown rules and variations to the original game along the way.

I have taught Kelly the easy version where you place the black (correct colour and spot) or white (right colour, wrong spot) pegs in holes that correspond to the coloured pegs.

Mum and Kelly had a 'friendly' game tonight.
Nan - Are you sure that white peg is right Kelly?
Kelly - Yes Nan
Nan - But I don't think it can be Kelly
Kelly - Nan, this is not how you played in the 'olden' days!!

Four weeks to go and counting

2008-06-03T22:15:00.004+10:00

My school year is nearly at a close.
Had a very hard test today on the nnnnervous system, gee I was nervous taking that one!! Glad I studied last night, it was by far the most difficult terminology test we have had. We only have Psyche left - had a quick flick through and I gotta tell you that self diagnosis is not a good thing!!

We are doing Excel at the moment and I am enjoying doing all the charts and graphs, haven't done those before. I have a little pesky report that I really really really need to start working on. I have found it very hard to get motivated as it just does not interest me...I think I can, I think I can.
Finished XP, Powerpoint assignment & presentation, 2 Medical packages, audio typing (what a crack up - especially when I sped up/slowed down voices!!), resume and application letters, job placement at the Epworth, few assignments all in the last 4 months...

Phew, no wonder I am tired. But I have really enjoyed it and have met some lovely people along the way. I am a group of 4 that sit together, lunch and laugh together and have tentatively had coffee for the first time outside of school hours. Hopefully we will be able to continue our friendship once school is out. Though there is talk in the camp of the girls doing their Certificate IV so maybe just maybe I might continue too.

Where it will take me?? Not sure
Do I even want to work in this industry?? Not sure

But it has been interesting learning about the human body, polishing up on my computer skills and fun getting to know a different bunch of people. Oh and the floristry students do lovely arrangements of flowers - I am the running joke with how many bunches I buy - but they are cheap!!

Should I sign up for Cert IV?? Apparently can do some at home...mmm tempting

Toilet jokes

2008-06-03T22:02:00.003+10:00

Well I suppose I could only be immune to it for so long. As I had the good sense to give birth to a daughter I have probably avoided it for a little longer but finally they have caught up with me...drum roll please...toilet jokes.
Wee, poo and fart jokes and words now seem to amuse my previously delicate daughter (well maybe I am exaggerating on the delicate just a little!!)
Though it is hard to chastise when I am playing along with the joke.
The other night on the way home Kelly had found an old balloon in the car (amidst her assortment of hair-ties, pens, textas, lolly wrappers, don't even go there). She was blowing it up and letting the air out, much like a whoopee cushion. Well of course I went along with the joke and the "Oh Kelly, you're disgusting" only encouraged her further.
Then in exactly my words and tone of voice, she announces "Oooo Mum I've got pains" and lets the balloon whistle out a beauty.
Well I laughed so hard that I under steered into the roundabout, narrowly missing the gutter.
A good fart joke still funny at 41?? Baaad Mother :-D

Winter is coming

2008-05-29T21:50:00.006+10:00

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

2008-05-25T21:20:00.007+10:00

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

2008-05-23T23:07:00.003+10:00

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

2008-05-22T21:59:00.003+10:00

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

2008-05-21T22:21:00.004+10:00

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

2008-05-19T21:17:00.002+10:00

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

2008-05-13T21:10:00.006+10:00

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

2008-05-12T21:36:00.002+10:00

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

2008-05-10T23:11:00.002+10:00

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

2008-05-03T08:53:00.002+10:00

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

Bewitched 2

2008-04-29T22:16:00.003+10:00

Unfortunately Kelly got a disc with 50 games on it. Bejewelled 2 is very addictive. We fight for the computer chair then I finally relent to make tea. Kelly yells from computer room what level she is onto, I turn hotplates off, run back in to check her progress, run back out to kitchen.
I have great intentions of sitting down and doing my school project(s) and yes I am now a few weeks behind on one, but Bejewelled beckons and I look at my watch and it is nearly midnight!!

Oh and we have a young cat visiting us in the morning...he is quite shy but has greeted us up on the kitchen window sill the last 2 mornings. The big black neighbourhood cat had followed him into the yard this morning. He was eyeballing me from the fence. The young cat is deciding whether he likes us or not.

I still miss Pippy even after 2 years. Still get tears in my eyes when I look at her picture. Are we ready for another animal?

Survival of the fittest

2008-04-29T22:06:00.005+10:00

Ok so I sold out to the big commercial chain but it was just tooo easy
Off to Macca's tonight for celebration of Kelly's 7th birthday. 15 yes fifteeen, very excited girls in a small room...
By the sound of it, fun was had by all. One bent fingernail injury, burgers and nuggets, fries and drinks, icecream cake, face painting and a few detours to drop off extra kids...and I came out alive...phew

Emotional Investment

2008-04-22T20:13:00.007+10:00

Six months on and JDE problems still exist. Yesterday was hilarious.

Q: How many overpaid I.T. experts does it take to work out why nothing is being processed or printed?
A: 1 Scotsman, 1 German, couple of Poms and a few Aussies

Technology used - Whiteboard!!

Lots of talking the talk going on, hit the pub boys cos it aint getting any better...

Countdown

2008-04-20T22:23:00.003+10:00

I must in a nostalgic mood lately...at the gym today watching Countdown doco...wow is it bad to bop along to the 80's music on the tready...oops I think I sang that bit out loud!!
Countdown was a huuuuge part of Aussie teenage culture...have a look at Pat Wilson she looks like a girl version of Boy George...I can only remember that it was soooo cool to do the B O P G I R L...
Molly's interview with bonny Prince Charlie cringeworthy and check out the tie
And Madonna is like a foine woine she definitely has improved with age.
Countdown was the hipper version of Young Talent Time (Tina Arena, Debbie Burns, Dannii Minogue). YTT was for the olds.

Nostalgic Noosa Road Trips

2008-04-19T22:35:00.004+10:00

My mum and dad were big country music fans
This version of Rawhide on YouTube got me giggling...my sister and I used to know every whipcrack...we were forced to listen to it halfway to friggin Queensland.
We only had a choice of Best of Country Music 70' s style cassette or Best of Leo Sayer - You know I can dance :(
Tammy Wynette was another favourite (cringe cringe). Didn't realise Connie had sang I don't wanna play house about a decade before.
And for the Johnny Cash fans, Connie also did a good version of Walk the Line. Well I think so, and she is my namesake and I am hers also according to my online bible Wikipedia.

And they say your first five years are your formulative years...what hope did I have?!

The Money Pit update

2008-04-19T21:36:00.005+10:00

Ok so we had to forgo (isn't that an interesting word) a mini sleep in this morning because the tiler was due at 7.30am. He was here at 7.26 so luckily I had showered and looked half decent for Saturday morning.
Unfortunately Beaumont tiles underestimated shower area (5 tiles too short!!) and overestimated the floor area. They have got to be the most useless (insert expletive here)'s going around. Fancy working in a tile joint and not being able to work out square metreage.
I have already been there 4 times and the icing on the cake was when the assistant(?) said do you fancy a drive to Dandenong today? I kept my cool and replied quite calmly that no I didn't fancy a drive especially as they were to blame for the underestimation. I think my eyes must have got their warning flashes happening because his attitude changed dramatically.
So tiler is back on Tuesday to put on 5 extra tiles and do the grouting. Painter coming Wednesday. Plumber still to be organised...stay tuned

And to add to the drain on the purse strings, my downstairs split system airconditioner according to my a/c guy has had the 'gong'. Whats another 2 grand between friends. Do you know that you can text your aircon and turn it on remotely using your mobile phone???
"Hey aircon Im running late could you have a nice red poured for me and my bath drawn?!"

Hallelujah

2008-04-18T22:54:00.002+10:00

Of course music is a very personal thing, no-one would argue with that.

When I first heard Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah I was moved to tears. It sent shivers down my spine. I make a conscious effort not to overplay it.

At the gym the other night I heard K.D. Lang's version. I have always been a bit ho-hum when it came to K.D. But well we are allowed to change our opinions especially when we are the fairer sex. KD's version is excellent. Didn't give me the spine shivers but there was something about it. Maybe a good background song whilst sipping on a cab sav. (note - gone the full circle, back to my roots of red wine drinking but thats a whole other story!!)

So I did a bit of research and put my trust into Wikipedia. Looks like Leonard Cohen was the original - mm sorry Lenny old mate but I reckon my singing sounds just as good during a Jimmy Barnes concert.

The original isn't always the best and there is always room for improvement.
Hallelujah to that :D

How did I ever cope with dial up??

2008-04-17T22:16:00.003+10:00

I'm up to 68% of my 12Gb limit for the month :-D
Which equates to just over 8 Gig used and 2 weeks to go.

I'm enjoying my computer at last but I'm missing my sleep...a lot!!

Had a giggle to myself in my car tonight.
Behind a car, 50+ male driver - name had to be Scotty.
Why you ask??

Licence plate BMEUP

There is a entire Wikipedia entry on Beam Me Up Scotty

What a ditzy day

2008-04-14T21:01:00.005+10:00

How embarrassment!!
Off to school drop off and it was a bit brisk. Even Kelly felt the cold. She decided to put on her jacket whilst we were standing in the middle of the school yard. As her arm was wriggling through the armhole, she says, Whats this Mum?? Oops my stocking has gone through the wash and she is now holding it up for all the world to see. Could have been worse I spose, could have been my knickers or bra!!
So usually for me, how the day starts is how the day progresses.
I'm cringeing with embarrassment as I am typing.
In the lunch room I decided to get another cuppa. Went past friend who was putting stuff in bin and commented to him that he was dressed very casually today. No response...hmmm strange.
Got my cuppa and on way back to table. He was still standing over the bin with his back to me. I put my hand on his back and gave him a friendly pat/rub and said 'Gee you really are very casual today'
Omg Omg Omg
He turned around and agreed that yes he was very casual today but unfortunately he wasn't who I thought he was. Didnt even know him. I must have looked like a startled deer in the headlights because I was totally dumbstruck, didnt say a word and just rushed back to the table. I was in such a flap I put my arm in someone's soup lid!!
Turns out that the guy was a casual just started in the store that day!! Probably went home to his family and said what a friendly bunch of people we are.
Everyone had a good laugh on me.
I am a ditz - can't deny it any longer just got to live with it :D

Today was a

2008-04-12T21:39:00.003+10:00

Beautiful Day - you gotta love U2 - play it LOUD.

Today I went for a lovely walk in the sunshine. I meandered here and there.
Went to the village and picked up all the essentials - Thai menu, Indian menu and pizza menu. Asked the pizza man if he made good pizzas, money back guarantee was the answer in a heavy Indian accent!! Had a giggle about that one - oh my goodness gracious.
Strolled through the local cemetery looking for but not finding great grandparents.
Returned via the other side of the railway, popped into the Art Gallery to check out any upcoming exhibitions - none :(
Ordered Thai for dinner and accompanied by a bucket of housewarming red...mmmm
Fell asleep on the couch and woke myself up with a very cute snore :D

Goodbye Nana Dot

2008-04-08T22:05:00.010+10:00

The scattering of Nana Dot's ashes was held on Sunday at Rosebud pier. It was a lovely day under the circumstances. Strange to catch up with so many people from my past. Though everyone made me feel most welcome and I didn't feel awkward at all.
Nana Dot was Kelly's great grandmother from her Dads side. She was the person who was the centre of the in-laws family. Everyone met at her house once a week for dinner and laughter.
We all have great memories of her...red in the face from too much laughter and not enough breathing, crossing her legs cos she was laughing too hard, too much food, cucumbers, lettuce, roast dinners, rollie cigarettes, having a flutter on the horses and dogs, Carlton blues supporter, cups of tea, more food.
Kelly had a good idea of what Nana Dot was about. I told Kelly that Nana Dot's spirit would always be with us. I explained to her that your spirit is what makes you, not your body but what is inside. As an example I said so your spirit would be happy, funny, loving. She replied so Nana Dot's is kind...out of the mouths of babes.
Zoe and I could get jobs as professional mourners. These days I am so emotional in general and in particular, funerals. Zoe started quite early on and I had to look away from her. The ashes flew out of the urn, straight to the sea. I really felt like her spirit was on its way on the wind. Luke bent over to say, 'Goodbye Nan see you when we get there' and Eden said 'we love you Nan'. The tears flowed and the sobbing started. Zoe and I fell into each others arms with first Nip consoling us then Eden with the ol' stoic pats on the back.
Another bout on the way to the RSL then composed myself. Kelly is so sensitive to my feelings. She held my hand, was extra nice to me and was extremely well behaved for a long emotional day.
Thanks for everything Nana Dot (aka Nana Spot by toddler Kelly).
You will be sadly missed
xx

Tick

2008-04-04T21:41:00.002+11:00

Voluntary placement completed - check
Isn't it ironic - don't you think - I was filled with trepidation at the day that lay before me. Could it possibly be as bad as the previous two days - filing and photocopying when I could be at work earning money.

Strange how things turn out when you are expecting the same or worse.
The ladies at the Freemasons Health Clinic in Clarendon Street were just lovely. I wish I had been there for the three days, well worth the long walk from Richmond station.
I got teamed up with an English girl who was on a working holiday. She has only been in Melbourne for four months and is on the last leg of her round the world ticket. That brought back some lovely memories for me as well.
We had lovely chats in between filing patient records, looking patients up on the computer, pulling records for next weeks consults. It was very basic office stuff but at least I got a feel for how the office was run.
They were very sorry to see me go and wanted to know if I was coming back!! Made me feel very welcome and I could see myself working in that type of environment.
The hospital needs to get with the 21st century. They rely heavily on paper and files. But I suppose they are very conservative.
Back to school next week. Haven't done set homework yet :( aren't I just the rebel!!

Its a competition

2008-04-03T23:06:00.002+11:00

Epworth - 2 days down and 1 to go :-D
Today I was on the neuro ward doing patient packs. Every minute for at least half an hour, one poor woman would scream/moan in pain. Finally they must have sedated her because she was quiet for a couple of hours then started up again. One buzzer was broken so whilst that was being fixed it was constantly buzzing.
Makes you think how lucky you are. I went to the gym tonight thankful that my body is willing and able.
Wish I had taken my mp3 player (loading songs on now so I can take tomorrow). Had a nice long free lunch with the plan to try and finish by 3. Back to the ward. Finished as much as I could and rather than ask for something else I basically said that I had hoped I had helped them out and thanks for having me!! Woohoo...out of there by 2pm. Off to Bridge Road for a spot of shopping waiting on my friend to finish up. She finished at 3, quite pleased with herself until I arrived at reception with shopping bags in tow!!
Challenge for tomorrow to see if we can take a late lunch and not go back??
Tomorrow I am at the Health Check Clinic at the Freemasons opposite Fitzroy Gardens...see what that brings I suppose.
Train journey has been enjoyable as we are both big talkers and we both cant believe it when Richmond station is being announced!!
This morning guy opposite me was busy writing notes and I am quite adept at reading upside down (due to many years of crosswording with Grant). Well he was writing about porn videos, nephro nurses, lighting, directions etc. Kylie had noticed as well and she was having a read, raising her eyebrow at me and we were having private smiles. Must have had big hidden assets cos he wasnt much of a looker.
Bring on the weekend

Gone with the wind...

2008-04-02T20:38:00.003+11:00

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned
Mother Nature was in a premenstrual mood today and totally disrupted Melbourne.
Train services were interrupted due to a lightning strike. Electricity was off at my house for half the day but I was oblivious to that minor detail because we were out lunching and shopping :-)
Bins were strewn all over the roads, big branches (dry from lack of water) came crashing down. The wind was whipping around and a big dust storm covered Melbourne in a red haze.
We escaped relatively unharmed apart from the slight inconvenience of not having power.
Had to scrounge up a match to light the gas hot plates to cook dinner...smoke alarm batteries still work cos I managed to set that off...gee I am good at that!
Kelly and I ate our dinner by candlelight - quite good cos you cant see the burnt bits!!
Haven't heard any trains go past so hopefully they will be running again by the morning so I can do my second day of voluntary work. Going in earlier so we can get a kickstart coffee to fight off the boredom.
SES have a long night of clean ups ahead of them

Foo Fighters

2008-04-01T22:43:00.003+11:00

I am loving the Foo Fighters
The Pretender

Learn to Fly

Road to Ruin

Dave Grohl is soooo cool and a touch cute

Didn't realise he came from Nirvana :D

1 day down 2 to go

2008-04-01T22:33:00.004+11:00

Well I thought JDE sucked but photocopying sucks even more!!
Had my first day at the Epworth today in the Health Information Services department. Basically it is where you go if you want to request your Health Record.
I sms'd my sister at lunchtime to say that all I had done was stand at a photocopier and copy records.
Her reply got me smiling 'God I hope you do more than photocopy! Send me a copy of your arse!'
So yes Jen, it is all I did and here is your request :D

Im a geek freak

2008-03-30T21:19:00.003+11:00

Its official
I need to go to A.A. - Adsl Anonymous
I am totally addicted to my computer now
I had it on most of the day today.

Downloaded some music by Xavier Rudd
Had a play on Google Earth
Checked the news even though I had bought a newspaper :-)
Sent a couple of emails just because
Had a surf around
Had a little look at youtube
Did some listings for eBay

'Im a geek freak' Actually good name for a rapper song
I stare at my screen for hours on end
Its not for the mild, its not for the meek
I type out my emails and click the send
Where did the hours go? Im a geek freak

Mmmmm better stick to the day job

Feel the serenity

2008-03-20T23:20:00.007+11:00

Aint it just so handy to be so close to the train station?
Caught the train into the MCG to see the mighty Tigers beat the Blues. It was a pleasant journey having an uninterrupted chat with my mum. Then surprise surprise we actually won!! The cool night air was a welcome change from the terribly hot weather we have been having. And it felt soo good to sing the Richmond theme song - and scream the Yellow and Black - best song in the league in my humble opinion.

So well well havent I just been so busy governor...

School finished for the term today - a fast and furious 6 weeks - I have done templates/letter writing assignment, 2 terminology tests, XP, Powerpoint (bit to do on holidays) and audio typing (weird). So you would think I might have a little break in the holidays but oh no rest for the wicked. Finish Powerpoint assignment, start research on my selected disease (ewww) and do 3 work placement days at the Epworth in Richmond (that train will come in handy again!!). I am really looking forward to doing placement days though I suspect there will be a lot of filing to do. One of the days is April Fools Day so hopefully we wont get any pranks played on us.

And last but definitely not least, we moved into our new abode.

My mum and dad are unbelievable. They are like energizer rabbits (where are their goddamn off switches). We worked in 38 degree heat carting boxes in, all furniture placed, cleaning cleaning cleaning. Our only sustenance was 2 cups of tea and a sandwich.
Tight schedule - Friday night - all our belongings loaded into one and half truck loads and placed into double garage...old family joke - there was once a time when all my belongings fitted into my Ford Laser (how many times did I leave and return home?)
Saturday - 7 painters came and painted inside and out, carpet cleaner cleaned. Wow looks great. Grout in floor tiles very dirty and had to scrubbed individually - yuk what a job.
Sunday - moved most of furniture and boxes in, still cleaning
Monday - unpack more boxes and sort out
So we have now been here for nearly 2 weeks and only have a couple more boxes to sort out. Computer only just got hooked up to ADSL tonight - luckily I booked it 2 weeks before leaving old joint - problem with exchange - patience is a virtue they say. Computer desk drawers are crammed full of things I might need someday so I think that might be the next place that I start to clean and purge.
I can hardly wait to tackle the garden. One creepy vine has won 1 battle but it wont win the war.
We have yet to walk down to FTG village but we drive through every night. It has a great feel to it. All the shops you could possible need and shopkeepers I have met seem really nice. I love living here already. As I walk out of my front door my view is the mountain - beautiful...feel the serenity!
The first morning I was woken by the 6.15 train to Flinders but I hardly notice them now. Upstairs at night the noise is most noticeable but it is not an ugly noise to me. And there is no traffic noise, just the tweeting of the birds in the morning. Although last night when I went to bed I heard heavy breathing which scared the crap outta me. I was too scared to move and was lying there waiting for my dodgy eyes to adjust to the darkness, twitching them from left to right. Somewhere in the back of my mind I remembered the noise from my childhood. We grew up near a lot of gum trees and the possums used to make that noise. So finally I got the courage to creep to the light switch and peer anxiously out the window - phew nothing - no more heavy breathing for the night :D
I have been invited to Tupperware party over the road already!! Kelly made a few friends just by riding her bike outside.
Its noice Kimmy

Tick Tick

2008-03-03T22:27:00.005+11:00

Had final inspection tonight. The carpet was fairly stained, I think a bit of strategic furniture placement was done for the open inspections. It has a very sweet smell and the agent wanted to open windows as it was giving him a headache. Smelled like those revolting things people put in their power points to let a squirt out now and then. I think agent was a little shaken by the state it was in, so he virtually told me that I should come again Thursday night for another inspection.

The owner has been sick so the garden has gone into a bit of disrepair but that is ok. Will give me a project to organise. Easter could be the go. Better not drop in for a cuppa at Easter unless you want to shovel some dirt around!!

Packing is not going so well. I am sick of living in a hovel. There is crap everywhere. I pack like I clean. A little bit here, a little bit there, go to another room, come back to the same room. I just move stuff from one pile to another. Kelly and I had packed most of her playroom and now look at it!!

I have a test tomorrow for school and I am finding it hard going getting back into the studying. I am enjoying the class work though. Usually tests have quite a few multiple choices so I am hoping for that.

I am tired and emotional. Hope I can get a good sleep in this heat.

Rats deserting a sinking ship

2008-02-29T21:36:00.000+11:00

Top nob in England has mysteriously departed the Norgren Titanic hopefully with no buoyancy vest.
Apparently he was the one who yee-ha'd JDE to the IMI board way back when.
We plebs have all agreed that it looks like Australia was the experiment.
England went online one week ago and now one head has rolled or jumped.
Us sucker Aussies have put up with this crap for four months.
The English originally told us 'You Get What You Get' so every workstation in the place has a YGWYG sticker. Our attempt at humour. If you didnt laugh, you would cry and never stop.
JDE has to be the most frustratingly sloooooooow, mouse clicker happy system in the world.
So far we have had 3 internal, 1 external and 1 key account sales guys pull the pin. Couple of admin people as well.
And as for stocktake, I heard that we were 70K up, then 70K down. Is it so hard??
Long live the AS400 - bullet proof, never broke down, easy and quick to use, reliable information, system controls.
Change is inevitable but change for the better or at least equal...