Life as we know it...

I've been caught up being busy doing nothing much. As life sometimes happens.

I went back to work and Erin went back to school, in winter uniform now, so that takes a bit longer in the mornings to negotiate stockings, kilts & ties etc. I have given up hope of ever getting to work early. Or on time. I always manage to get there 2 minutes late.

Chris has changed roles and is now responsible for getting other peoples children to school on time.

ANZAC day came & went. The timing of it this year gave me a lovely 5 days off. The last post always makes me tear up and the little poem "Age shall not weary them..." makes me think of our father whom we lost at just 53 in the hours after an ANZAC day get together 28 years ago. Its a day of reflection for sure.

Hayley has set up her temporary home and has not changed one little bit in her messy ways.

This change has me out of sorts as I hate the mess with things in places they shouldn't. I don't function well when things are disorganized,  I hyperventilate if I ever watch that 'Hoarders' show. I can't bear it.

She is in the process of getting her British passport to give her free reign in the UK. Not that they are giving it up easily but now the application is in with every i dotted and t crossed.

I'm still running 3 days a week and playing tennis twice in the evenings. I was pleased that cardio tennis started back, I really enjoy that work out, partly because I don't have to think of a route or a routine. Steve barks out the orders and we run and hit and run some more. My running training has tapered off in intensity and we need another goal to strive/run towards. Maybe the half marathon of Run Melbourne in July.

We had a surprise visit from Chris' sister Yvonne. She is at a loose end after her restaurant Scullys folded. Such a shame she couldn't make a go of this one but circumstances did not allow it at this time. We instead went to our favourite restaurant 'The Plough' at Myrniong for a lovely meal last night.




It was an odd day yesterday, the weather was balmy, warm & wicked windy. I wore a t shirt during the day and we sat in the courtyard while we dined. The leaves are turning and the grapevine is glorious. Soon I will have to clear the fallen leaves.



And on my days off I have had a chance to play with these new purchases

 While Hayley has taken over the craft room my scrapping has been curtailed and I will get the most done when I visit Big Sister on our regular dates.

I think that's me all caught up now.

Scrapping update...

I haven't shown any new layouts this year. Not since I completed the 50 challenge last year. I have been steadily working along. It has been so nice to have my supplies spread out all over my 'craft room' since Hayley moved out. Looks like she might move back in to save some money before she jets off to the UK. We will have to rearrange a bit and I will give up the craft room, I've really enjoyed it but it will also be nice to have her close before she leaves me.

Here are some 2013 works

I've been wanting to do this layout about Chris' family emigrating to Australia for a while. After I completed it I realised the photo was wrong. It was about 6 years too early.

 So I hunted around and found a correct photo, one actually taken on the ship they travelled on in 1969, the Achille Lauro.

Still more to come...

St Kilda...

No guessing where we went today

 and this pic sums up Erins feelings about the day.

I had a lovely day in the sunshine enjoying the cafe culture of Acland St and our old haunts, she on the other hand was bothered by all the people, the trams, and the smells. Reminds me of the last time I was in Acland St when Erin was about 3 or 4 years old. My mother was with me and Erin kept saying in a loud disgusted voice "Whats that smell?" She isn't much different today. Exotic smells and tastes are not her strong point.

I had to look in all the continental cake shop windows before I chose one delicacy.

I wonder how far you have to run to burn off one of these lovelies, hoping the 7k we did this afternoon will do the trick.

Stackers...

I meant to show this sooner. A gift at Christmas for storing Pandora beads and bracelets.

It is a jewellery box called a Stacker

and as the name suggest you can stack the boxes.

I have just the one and have filled it with my collection of beads, you can get other configurations for other jewellery.

 It is really nice quality from a UK company

I'm really pleased with it and will have to get another if I get any more beads!

Hairy...

I was more than a bit nervous when I saw this in the bathroom this morning

notice also how the rubbish is near not in the bin

There was a lot of hair.

A lot of very black hair.


But I didn't need to be nervous.

from shoulder blade length to this

Erin had given herself the haircut she wanted and had done a great job.

I thought we were going to the hairdressers this week while the school holidays were on but now we don't need to. Maybe she thought I wouldn't make the appointment. Or just got bored. Or impatient.

I think it looks great and she is happy as well. I know from previous hair cutting the mess that is involved and that is partly why I am happy to pay for professionals to do their work. I hate the way the snipped bits of hair get everywhere. Chris clippers his head periodically and his offcuts are like tiny prickles. He at least cleans up after himself. Callum also cuts his own hair into a messy 'doesn't care' look.

Maybe there is a future in hairdressing there.