Situation normal...

Back at work.

Its like I never went away.

But after just 4 days of working I have 5 days off! (Thank you Melbourne Cup Day)

If someone could tell me where my memory stick has disappeared to I'll be very relieved, it has all of my presentations stored on it which represents hours and hours of work.

And I might be imagining things but I feel taller when I walk out of the yoga session.

My leave is over...

Four lovely weeks have zoomed by in one way but in another it has been a good length of time to achieve some of the things I wanted to do. Some of those things were more exciting than others but I am satisfied none the less.

When the children were in Primary School they had to write a diary entry each Monday morning. At the end of the year they would bring their work home and I would read over their many pieces. I have kept some of the books as a reminder of their progress and the way their hand writing had developed. I laugh at these diaries and journals because they alway began 'On the weekend..', mostly they were very mundane activities and some family secrets were revealed in their writing! I am thinking of this as I begin this post.

On my holidays I....

went to 3 parties ☺Yvonnes 40th

                          ☺ Lucy's 21st

                          ☺ Callum's 19th

flew in an aeroplane for the first time in 13 years

visited family, beaches, cafes

had my birthday in another State

watched Spring unfold in my garden and pulled out loads of weeds...look out backyard you're next!

walked beside the river most days, usually when it wasn't raining, the river looks really full

gave blood (and embarrassingly nearly passed out at the end, I've lost all my condition!)

saw the movie 'Eat Pray Love' and enjoyed it. Some reviews made me doubt I would but it was very like the book, so that made it for me. Maybe those reviewers hadn't read the book.

read just one book, but that was enough

scrapped some recent events

made some jewellery and some cakes

tried yoga at the local centre, will probably go back again

was busy at some times and did nothing at others, just the way I like it

went for a ride with the Ulysses club on a beautiful sunny day

spent lots of time with Hayley - lunches at Woodend, Ballarat, before she starts her apprenticeship soon

walked a hundred k's (felt like it) at Chadstone with Vanessa and had a good laugh

had a haircut and helped at an accident - at the same time

did some of the spring cleaning I had planned but not all and thats OK too.

I'm not ready for alarms and uniforms but will go back to work tomorrow with lots of memories of my time off. My first task is to put in a leave form for the next round of holidays!

19...

The girls got up at 6am to pin this little surprise on Callum's door.

Callum's 19th birthday today. Happy birthday Son, hope you have a good one and a fabulous year to finish your teenage years...Enjoy.

The apple 21st...

we had lots of fun at Lucy's 21st last night. The rain held off, there was a fire or two and Karen had done a fantastic job making the apple shed look comfy.


Erin went as a 'pink lady'...

I found that pink jacket in an op shop on Thursday. It cost me a whole $5 and fit her perfectly, some things are just meant to be.

I went as 'granny smith'

 complete with Hayley's apron, Hayley's glow mesh handbag, an op shop dress and a shawl knitted by my sister about 30 years ago (is that right Louise?). Add a wig and glasses and I look pretty much like my mother!

Hayley whipped up a tree costume...variety questionable

There were quite a few Apple iPods...the touch kind

 and the colourful kind

JohnPaul and Mai Pyin came as the 'Big Apple couriers'







There was a couple of Snow Whites and Wicked Witches

 And a William Tell...very clever

 a live band played

lots of people had made an effort which was really great to see, there were lots of apples -red and rotten, farmers, doctors and teacher's pets, even a Statue of Liberty. I was a bit disappointed there was no Tassie references but it was a good night overall.

And the birthday girl had a great time!

Beauty & the Beast...

The announcement for next years show was made at the cast party on Friday night...

Beauty and the Beast it will be.

Quirky timing as B & B is having a revival at the moment. You can buy all sorts of paraphenalia including the DVD. I'm surprised they could get the rights to perform this as anything mainstream costs a fortune, even for a small amateur group.
It was Hayley's favourite movie as a little girl and our copy on video is just about worn thin. She even had a Belle Barbie and a 'Beastly' Ken. The girls are both keen to be in it, Erin has her eye on the 'Chip' part.

Good weather for...

Yesterday was perfect weather for spring cleaning. I was able to open up the house and blow the dust off things that were very dusty. The rain came in around 5pm and we got 40+ mls in the first hour. It has been light and  steady since so it has been perfect to do a bit of crafting today.

While it has been raining I made this headband for Erin from some beads and foam.

We have been invited to Lucy's 21st and the party has an apple theme. Her family have been orchardists in the Marsh for generations and the event will be held in the apple shed with lots of apple associated goodies. It will be a fun, country style affair. We have been asked to dress up in the apple theme and lots of ideas are floating around in my head...granny smith, golden delicious, pink lady (think Grease!), apple picker or even a tree.

I'm off to make some jewellery and maybe do some scrapping...I love holidays!

Quite a feat...

During our interstate trip I read and finished Jessica Watson's book about her fantastic voyage.

It was quite a remarkable journey that she was able to complete, an interesting read. One small point of correction though, she states she sailed by Christmas Island but according to her mapped out route she didn't sail that far north on the western side of Australia. Still a remarkable accomplishment for a 16 year old.

Now I need another book to read...any suggestions?

Not your average hair cut...

Back to school for Erin but I am still on holidays for another 2 weeks...luxury.

Last week I had a quick trim at the hairdresser interrupted by a commotion outside the window. A woman crossing at the pedestrian crossing had been knocked over by a car. Amber, the hairdresser, whipped off my cape and I ran out to render assistance. Her injuries were not immediately life threatening - she was not obviously haemorrhaging and was quite lucid despite the pain she was in. Lots of people had gathered to see if they could help and I knelt beside her until the ambulance came (just a few minutes). She was carted off to hospital and I went back to get the rest of my hair cut.

I had wondered what the extent of her injuries were and if she was OK, more details might be published in the local paper this week. End of story for me or so I thought. My sister rang to tell me she was at a dancing comp in Geelong and talking to someone who was related to someone who had been knocked down by a car in Bacchus Marsh! Her injuries fit the picture but the name was wrong. Could it be the same woman? How many people get knocked down by cars at crossings in Bacchus Marsh?

The mystery goes on.

My birthday...

This year my birthday was celebrated while we were away, which was quite a nice way to do it.

Erin was quite taken with these flowers while we were in NSW, our climate is not quite right for them here

We had a very nice dinner with Duncan, Donna & CJ. They left for their home in Toowoomba early the next morning, leaving us with some extra days on our own.

Terrigal part 4 - Beaches...

Our trip included visits to a few beaches.


The skillion at Terrigal

Terrigal beach on a blowy showery day

Avoca Beach

The surf was up at Avoca

Patonga, a quiet inlet with lots of fishing boats and pelicans

Pearl beach seemed like a lovely family spot, they were constructing/improving the sea baths here.

And finally the view of cosmopolitan Terrigal on a sunny day from our balcony

Picture perfect