Thursday, September 30, 2010

September Is Something Different!

I've had the best month for a lot of things going right - and wrong; but I didn't let any of that bother me.  September has turned from being a month of being stuck in a book about the brain; to finishing the book... which was great!  And I found it the most inspiring book around.  It's 'The Brain That Changes Itself' by Norman Doidge, MD.  And what a man!  He's written about what doctors have suspected for over a century about the brain; but have been taught that the brain is hardwired, however, it's not... instead it's very plastic and can learn and relearn things through forming new pathways and turning them into highways through use.  Yep, our brain is very much a use, or lose it item of our body.
But that was near the end of this month.  At the beginning of the month, I found a big bag of books!  Honestly, it was so much fun!  There I was 15 minutes early for the bus and I saw this bag of books sitting outside somebody's house waiting for pick-up.  So, I dug in and looked!  And they were vampire romance and old-fashioned romance.  So, I picked up the bag and took them home.  What a find!  And in very reasonable condition too!
Then, on 3rd, September, Mum and I finally got the the Traffic Signaling Box finished!  We had to put a sun on the Top Hat section of it and that took four hours to get done. Once it was done, we looked upon it happily... and found it looked more complete.  And now, it really jumps out on dull days.  Mum said she'd love to do another one with me next year once I have another design approved.  Yay!
Father's Day came and I hadn't bought my Dad anything; and my older brother was out of town.  Dad felt a little left out.  So, seeing I couldn't get over to their place, I did a blog entry for him... and he loved it.  He thought it was straight from the heart and very well-thought out.  I said to him that it's there whenever he wants to see it; just look up the label of 'Father's Day' and it'll be there for him.
I tried to get back into The Big Tidy-Up again, but failed... my allergies began to kick in and I felt terrible.  So, I thought to do what I could and see how far I got... which wasn't far, I tell ya now.  Anyway, I thought to write a blog entry about how living in a spotless house wasn't my forte and it found it funny how it was so easy to write.  My allergies are still bothering now.
Before we knew it, it was Mum's Birthday.  So, I did a lovely blog entry for her... and she loved it.  Then the next night, we all took her out for dinner at the Vietnamese Restaurant in Chinatown in Fortitude Valley.  It was great!  There was the Moon Festival that was being celebrated where they were playing drums and dragons were running and dancing around the Chinatown Mall... but we didn't see the dragons; however we did see the costumes.  The sounds of the drums were amazing though.  They vibrated through the floor and walls of the restaurant during our dinner; but had stopped by the time the bill had come around, we had sung 'Happy Birthday' to three different tunes and ended up getting a slice of birthday cake from another table, just for getting it right. 
Otherwise, I didn't do anything too outrageous or different this month.  I planted some Bok Choy; which I'll need to buy some beer for... to keep the slugs from eating (yep, they love getting into the booze).  Otherwise, I've had a rather sedate month. Next month might be a little more exciting.  Until then, take care!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Almost Finished.

School holidays are almost finished here in Australia and that means a lot of people are hoping that the first day back is dryer than it has been in the last few weeks.  Honestly, it's been so wet and weird lately that the kids around that place haven't had a chance to stretch their legs outside and have fun!  Instead, they're watching the days go by and rain tumble from the grey clouds; washing their fun plans away with the dirt and grime they're so used to getting into.
This also means the parents are fed up with having them around their feet too.  They have to either go to work and come home to them saying that there was nothing to do.  So, when they get back to school, it'll feel like they've never really been on holidays.
For me, I've been stuck inside too.  Normally, I get myself outside and into the sun in Spring and read a few books before the rush'n'hurry of Christmas comes along.  It may sound like an early start to things for some, but really, I have to begin now to give my family a good Christmas.  I began looking around for Christmas pressies about a month ago and began asking them what they wanted about a week ago.  They don't find it all that strange now, but they used to.
I know what I'm getting my niece... she'll love it.  I just have find something cool for the rest of the family.  Dad's normally the hardest to buy for, though.  Just what do you get for somebody who's got everything?
But really, I'm looking forward to when all the kids go back to school.  While I was out shopping today, I don't think I've ever apologised so much to kids in all my life.  I bumped into so many who were out with their folks shopping.  They were either waiting for them or trying to help with the shopping (and just getting in the way) or they were taking off from their folks when they saw something in another shop they wanted to look at; leaving their parents struggling with the shopping trolley or bags of groceries walking in the opposite direction toward the carpark calling out: "Leaving now!  I'm not going to wait for you!" and grumbling under their breath, "God kill me now; or send them back to school."
Actually, on the way to do my shopping, I was on the bus and there was a kid who ran up to the bus as it was driving away and he grabbed at the second lot of doors.  They automatically opened while the bus was still in motion; which caused the bus driver to stop the bus, get off the tell the kid off.  One of the passengers said that the kid was heading towards being a delinquent; and/or prison.  She said that he was around 9 years old and he didn't go to school and just went around vandalising everything; thinking he could get away with it.  This included cars on sales lots.  The police can't do anything about him and his parents don't care.  It's such a shame when a child like this falls between the cracks; and yet nobody does anything about him.  Well, all we can do is wait until he's 16 and then he'll get a taste of what happens in Juvenile Detention Centres.  If that doesn't work, jail might.
I think a lot of the kids are looking forward to going back to school; despite having to get up early again and getting back into the books.  It's the sheer boredom that these school holidays have brought that have had kids on edge for the last two weeks.  It doesn't matter how many times they were taken to the movies or to indoor go-kart tracks, parents do run out of things to do for them.  So, bring on school!  
I never thought I'd say that... even now.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Sunday Lazy Sunday

As the day draws to a close, here in Logan City, and clouds skud over the sky.  I realise that my birthday is next Tuesday... yep, the 5th, October.  It's the same day at Sir Bob Geldof and Guy Pearce; and I'm excited.  I love my birthday; truly I do.  I always have found it very cool to have a certain day of the year where everyone gets one person pressies, takes them out somewhere fun and they feel special for that day when they were born.
But today, I found, was very lazy.  I didn't wish to read the paper.  Nothing really caught my eye that I wanted to read.  I didn't want to read the book I had put aside to read... even though it's a lovely and charming fiction story set in early last Century and involves spending a month in a gorgeous castle in Italy... wonderful!  I almost didn't want to play the piano, but I did just to figure out how to play a new tune I've been trying to get my head around.  And I got my head around it... even though it drove me nuts while I did.
Yesterday, the AFL Premiership Game in Melbourne came to a draw between Collingwood and St. Kilda!  68 all!  Now they have to play a game this week to break it... weird and not fair on the players.  This is a weekend when Bathurst and the NRL Grand Final is on... not a fair lot of events to choose from when you like two of them.  But it's how it's turned out.

Well, I best be going.  Night is drawing ever closer and I have yet to cover the Bok Choy so the possums don't make a meal out of the young sprouts of it.  Have a great night and take care.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

New Things Needed!

Wow!  There's so much I need around the placed... and it's just stuff that need replacing.  Like, the whole unit complex needs new fences - but what's new?  Those fences have been falling down since I arrived.  I need new clothes, but I never have the money; but all I need to do is save up a little.
Most of all, I have been needing a new dvd player... and last night proved it most of all when the remote control died on me.  Even though I changed the batteries over and rolled them around, the stupid thing just gave up the ghost.  So, I had to crawl right up to the player and press the right buttons to get it working properly.  Bugger!  If it's not the speakers cutting out one me whenever they want, it's the damned remote control dying on me.
And if it's not that, the whole machine will keep my dvd's hostage and not play them, give them to me or anything.  And worst times for it to do that is when I get given a burnt dvd... a copied one... it'll stop and start, get all jittery and then freeze up.  It's then, the whole dvd's in immanent danger of being held captive inside my player!  The only way to get it out is for me to turn the whole machine off and turn it back on; and only then will it spit it out for about three seconds and then pull the tray back in!  Yep, I gotta be quick to get the disk out.  My cheap, no-name dvd player gets really mean when it figures out it's got a burnt disk inside it and the disk hasn't been finished properly.  It acts like a spoilt child having a tantrum; and I have to tread carefully around it.  More recently, I have just avoided putting the unfinished burnt dvds inside it to get around its tantrums.
And if it's not my dvd player, it's my VCR.  If I use a tape too many times, it won't rewind fast enough for me to tape something... even if I rewind the tape half an hour before I want to use it.  It's as if it's doing it slowly to make sure I miss the program on purpose!  Stupid bloody machine!  We create them, and the worse we treat the them, the better they run; yet when they do fall apart, it's when we need them the most... school holidays, when we're down with the flu or a cold and when it's pouring rain and there's nothing on the television and it's a Saturday night!  Aaargh!  Typical bloody machines!
We most certainly do create them for them to drive us completely nuts!

Friday, September 24, 2010

One Week Down - One To Go!

I've had a weird kinda week.  I've been a day ahead of myself the whole time and I don't know why; and I skipped a day on 365 project!  How that happened, I'm not sure.  Weird, eh?
Well, it's the end of the first week of school holidays and it's been raining on and off all week.  We've had weather where it's hot one day and cold the next; pouring rain in the morning and stinking hot and sunny by lunch time... so it makes me wonder what the hell's going to be happening next week?  Are we in for more of the same?  And what are the kids going to be doing?  Will they be able to entertain themselves for another week if it all begins to rain continuously again like last week?  If not, well, it's going to be pretty horrendous. 
For me, this week has had me doing my laundry in little bits and pieces because of the weirdness of the weather, practicing a piece of music I'm ready to put through the shredder because my right hand can play it, but my left hand can't and I've just come to the end of a book I've been reading for a bout a month; all because it's a non-fiction.  They take me longer to read because of the information takes longer to sink in and for me to remember it all.  As I've come to the end of that book, I've begun another called 'Enchanted April'.  Fortunately, it's a fiction book and I'm gliding on through it quite easily.  Phew!  Fiction novels again!  Yay!  But it's always good to get my nose into non-fictions once in a while - to educate instead of entertain the brain.  
Also this week, I've had three parcels show up in as many days!  It's the beginning of the Holiday Gift Giving event that begins here in September and finishes around Christmas!  What and enjoyable time of year this is.  This is around the time we also do our Halloween Swap and other fun stuff too.  For example, I did a random postcard send-out last year when I was at Brunswick Heads; and I'll be doing another one this year.  It'll be fun!  
Then, I've got Christmas Presents to purchase between now and December.  So, it's time to get myself back out into the shopping centres again and working on who may want what.  I've been knitting myself a blanket for next year; so knitting anyone anything is out of the question for now.  So, I'll be purchasing things for people now... mainly little things that they'll want and need.  And yes, Dad's always the toughest one to buy for.
Well, so far this week, I've had my time to myself.  It's been a slow - yet relaxing - week of reading, writing, editing, cooking and practicing the piano.  I've enjoyed it.  However, my 37th, birthday is coming up (yep, I'm almost 40... but I'm not worried about it).  I gotta get my hair trimmed before my birthday and I'm thinking of doing out my wardrobe and buying some new clothes for Summer over the next few months; so I have something to wear to the coast.  Now, that'll be good!  I'll even get myself a new coastal/beach bag and trade in my old purple one.  I don't use that anymore; unless somebody in my family wants it.

Well, I best be going.  It's almost lunch time.  And Little Miss Stevie is now eating pear!  Isn't that great?  I'm so pleased with her!  I wonder if she'll do it again for me today.  Until my next post, take care.

Monday, September 20, 2010

3D Overload

When I was young, 3D was a very expensive process to do with films.  When my parents were young, it was also very a expensive - if not an absolute luxury - have in a film.  In the last two years, 3D films have been made even more popular through new glasses, new techniques and new technology.  However, not everyone likes them; and they have their reasons.
I'm a very big movie fan and have enjoyed going to the movies for a majority of my life.  However when I go to the movies now, it's often advertised for the 3D movie-goers and not for the people who enjoy the 2D movie experience.  Being an Epileptic, it's something I have avoided since it became something big on the screens.
Like I said, 3D has been around for a long time; longer than me.  But the technology has just gotten better.  This means it also means it screws with our brains more, makes us tired faster and does stuff to us that we don't yet realise.  And when I attended this year's Epilepsy Symposium here in Brisbane, we had quite a few people with this condition tell the Neurologists that the 3D films were terrible for them; that they were having seizures a few days later when they were perfectly stablised beforehand.
So, really, what is this new technology doing to our brains?  I know that it's not good for us; as I've refused to see a 3D film and have always asked to see if any film I want to see is in 2D as well.  And well, of course it is; but why put something in 3D if the film-makers know it may not be good for us?  To make money... and it's crap that that's what makes the world go round.  
Now there's 3D televisions and the Hi-Fi stores are encouraging us to get these televisions to be in our homes.  So, let's say, you invite your friends over and one of them brings over somebody who's Epileptic?  What then?  Do you expect them to sit in the other room while you all enjoy the 3D film you've rented just for the rest of you?  How selfish can these Hi-Fi places be!  Yeah, it's great for the people who have a passion for the films; but when you have this condition, some people see it as a minor problem when really, it's your own health you're looking out for.
Now, everything is advertised for 3D viewing.  The movies are not shown for 2D - only 3D - and that really gets on my nerves.  The reason being is that I have phone the cinemas and ask what seems like a stupid question:  'Is this film in 2D as it wasn't advertised that it is/was?'  And normally the answer is yes.  But really, do we have to ask?  We should have the answers given to us in the advertising... it's just two little letters to add onto the end of the advertising jingle:  'In 2D and 3D... showing now!' 

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Mum's Birthday Dinner

Last night, we went out to Fortitude Valley here in Brisbane to a Vietnamese Restaurant on Wickham Street; Chinatown.  My brother and his girlfriend and Aunty Narelle and Uncle Iain also came to dinner.  It was a great place to eat.  We ordered the banquet; and us vegetarians had our own meals (which we found very filling too).  I had a go at some of the banquet meals and found them delicious!  Then, Mum had some Deep Fried Ice-cream... a great end to a lovely night.
At the next table, there was also another birthday party.  The lady there was celebrating her 60th; and they brought a huge cake.  Well, the whole restaurant broke into song of Happy Birthday; and then to make the night complete, our table sang Happy Birthday to the tune of 'God Save The Queen', 'Advance Australia Fair' and 'Waltzing Matilda'... that got us all a sliver of the lady's cake.  And what a cake!  It was delectable; and tasted like it had been soaked in something that tasted like aniseed; how lovely!  And there were nuts coating the outside with chocolate drizzled over the top... the whole cake was white.  Yummo!  We loved it and thanked her very much for the taste.  
After we paid the bill and left, we decided a walk through Chinatown would be nice.  It has had a big facelift over the last six months; and so has been closed off for a while until now.  We walked through and found the old bricks that made up the paving have been replaced with proper large grey pavers.  The whole place has new lanterns, lights and statues for it all.  There used to be a few little temples around; which were falling apart, but now they've been taken out to have these lovely statues of fish and fountains of water put in their places instead.
When we got to the top of the mall, we found a massive metal bell that used to be at the bottom of the mall encased in either perspex or glass.  Around the base of the bell are white river rocks; and at the base of the whole perspex case and base, there's three plaques of 'Lest We Forget' in three languages.  It's very beautiful and touching to see in such a place. 
While we were at the top of the Chinatown Mall, I spotted a shop I hadn't been to in about a year and half and said it was a very cool place. We walked around this little shop that had all kinds of things from rude and funny cards to new-age teas, incense sticks, cones (incense in a cone shape that is more intense and burns slower) and bags, strange hats and funny dice game called 'Pot' (the rules are hilarious; but I can't tell you complete).  And then, they had energy pops made from natural energy plants and small badges with insults and cartoon characters on them. I bought four for $10 because they were very retro and I loved them; and they were completely me.  
By this time, it was around 10pm and Gabe and Kat had to take off to the next train; and the rain had died down.  So, we said our goodbyes to them and they left to go to the station.  Mum, Dad and Aunty Narelle and Uncle Iain and I walked down Chinatown Mall and Mum and I took some more photos of the fish statue.  And this is when I spotted something I had never seen before.  During dinner, we had hear - and felt - drums being played outside.  They were loud and brilliantly played!  I loved the sound of them; but Dad kept asking what they were.  As we walked past a restaurant, I spotted the dragon heads and the drums all piled up outside the place; and guys who used them having their dinner all still in costume!  It was so cool to get photo of the dragon heads and drums.  I love the colours and how beautifully made they are.
Well, Mum saw my photos and thought they were wonderful.  But it was time to head off home.  We noticed it was a quiet night out there last night; compared to most Saturday nights.  I think it was because of the smoke haze or the rain that kept most people inside.  Either way, we had a great night out on the town.  It was very colourful and enjoyable in every way.  Until next time, take care!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Happy Birthday Mum!

Today is my Mum's birthday; and she's a great person to have a Mum.  She's a brilliant and intelligent woman who is always there for my brother and me when we need her; or anyone.  And today is her day. 

Mum is a one in a million.  She has helped me through so many things and has made me laugh, cry and been the best person I know in my life.  I've learnt so much from her; from cooking, sewing and how to care for myself to knowing when how to talk to somebody and what to buy somebody when they're feeling down.
She has bought me so many things that I've lost count - honestly I have - and when we get together, we end up laughing so much we cry, then forgetting what we were talking about. 

We go to the movies together and have seen some of the greatest stuff around lately.  Afterwards, even though I've had a headache sometimes, we've had something to eat and walked around Garden City.  It's been wonderful to spend time with you on those days.
I've taken you to the preview movies I've won on Triple M and even took you too Mooloolaba when I won a 3-day trip up there... because there wasn't anyone else I'd take.  We had so much fun doing our thing, having a good laugh and enjoying ourselves in the lovely warm sun and going to markets.  And the drive home was a great adventure too; with me taking us the long way around.

During our lives, you've been always there - as I've said - and haven't judged us on our actions.  You're our rock, our support system and our one and only Mum who will always be there for when we need you.  For me, you're my carer (as I've got Epilepsy) and so you've seen me through a lot of crap that a lot of my people have walked away from me for.  I've lost friends because of my disability and kept only a few because they're mature enough to know it'll be okay most of the time.  But you've always been there to help me because you're my Mum and you love me.  
In recent years, my condition has been controlled; making my life a lot easier and so there's been fewer bad days for me and a lot less stress on your mind for you.

So, Happy Birthday Mum!  Enjoy your day and I hope you received all your pressies you've wished for.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Pay Day!

Today it was a lovely hot day with the sun out shining brightly and a gorgeous Spring wind blowing.  It has been absolutely perfect to be outside for the day; and outside I went as it was pay day and I had shopping to do.
First things was first, I posted off two parcels for Bookcrossing.  One went sea mail and the other went air mail; then I took off to the bus stop; but I didn't get very far.  Just before I got to Park Road, I saw an envelope on the footpath and found it was addressed to a street in Rochedale.  It was crossed and ready to be delivered, but it was clearly in the wrong suburb; so I walked back to the post office and handed it over the counter.   They took it off my hands and said: 'Oh dear, another one.' It seems there must have been more letters that have been found.  I didn't ask for details as they were looking worried.
Anyway, I went back on my way and caught the bus to Triple C where I went to Life Line and found two lovely bags and a darling wallet.  One bag was crocheted and brightly coloured; a rainbow bag.  It has a long strap and is just gorgeous!  I love it, and can't wait to use it.  The other bag is a cotton one which also has a long strap - the strap is wider and the colour is a mottled blue with a dragon on the front flap of it; very colourful.  The wallet is a lovely little thing and just perfect for anything I need it for.  So, they are the three things I purchased at Life Line; it all came up to around $12.00 or so, a lot cheaper than my usual price.

I shopped at Woolworths where I kept on hearing somebody wolf-whistling (this is something I normally ignore as it's insulting to women) and when I heard it behind me I turned to give the guy a mouthful to find it was a 4 year-old kid!  His mother told him off and ordered him to stop doing that... boy!  He must have picked it up off his Dad.  All I could do was pick up my basket again and walk away.
My walk to Logan Central Plaza was nice with the lovely breeze keeping me cool and sun warming my face.  There were crows cawing as they sat on the edge of the buildings and annoying me as I walked.  It was just a lovely walk there; not exhausting like it usually is.
Once there, I paid off some of my layby at Woodys' and talked to Carol about 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice' and she said she'll go and see it before the kids do.  Then, she wants to see 'Salt' too and said that Steven told her that I had been to a preview night and said it was brilliant.  I said it was; except people were dumb when it came to the time and kids.  Such as the couple who arrived with the new-born and had to leave soon after and people who walked in dribs and drabs 10 minutes in to the movie.  She was disgusted that happened; but happy that it was such a great film.
Anyway, I went to the pet shop and accidentally ticked off the parrot there.  All I did was pet her wing and she screeched her head off.  I tried to calm her down but she got louder; poor little darling.  So, I bought my budgie seed and stuck around until she settled and I whistled to her a bit until she was okay, then went on my way.
I bought nearly all I needed at Coles and had to get another $20 out for cab fare.  Oh well, I was just covering all my bases; best to have more than you need than just enough.  I told the cab driver that I had done a TSB and he said he had noticed it was painted and thought it was lovely with the sun on the top.  I'm so happy people like my design.  I'll have to do more of them and really get a reputation for them.
Well, I've been home for a few hours now and have been chilling out on the net.  It's a nice afternoon to do not much else but read or play piano; but I think I'll leave that until tomorrow after my shift at the Gallery.  Until next time, take care. 

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Sunday At Last.

This weekend, I've spent most of my time looking for things; and a little of my time finding things I didn't know I was looking for them.  Strange how that happens.  But it's true.  I've been trying to write my life story every few years - as it occurs - because I don't have the best memory to remember it in ten years' time.  So, I'm writing it now.  Well, anyway, I'm writing this book and I've been looking for some hand-written stuff - a notebook - and do you think I could find it in the usual hiding spots?  Nope.  
Well, when I was about to give up, I grabbed an odd notebook from my desk and well, what do you know, it's the original notebook I've been looking for this whole weekend!  So, yesterday afternoon, I sat outside and went through a good part of it and found out what was going to be in this book and what was going to be left out.  The problem is:  I have written a good part of the book already and it's nowhere to be found.  Oh well, I'll start again.
Also this weekend, I've played some great vinyls.  When there's not much to listen to on the radio, or what on the television, I break out my vinyl collection and listen to great music that I've bought over the years.  And the wonderful thing is that it brings back some brilliant memories.  It helps with my writing.  Don't you notice that about music?  No matter where I am, if I hear a great song - and I remember where I was at a particular time when it was playing once - I can easily go back there mentally.

Well, I had a good weekend; as far as I was concerned on Saturday.  I had everything put in to the slow cooker for pumpkin soup, switched on the machine and then came upstairs to while away some hours on the net.  Well, 2pm came and I decided enough time has been spent and I checked on the soup to find the whole thing was still stone cold!  I wondered where I had gone wrong; then checked everything and realised I hadn't turned the slow cooker on at the wall!  What a doofus I felt like!  So, I didn't have the soup last night for dinner, instead I'll have it tonight for dinner as well as tomorrow night.
Today, I did another thing that was absent-minded.  I went out to the paper shop and bought 'The Courier Mail' instead of 'The Sunday Mail'.  I did think the paper was on the heavier side this morning, until I opened it and saw it was the wrong paper.  So, I took it back and asked to exchange it.  Thankfully the people let me.  Jeez, two days in a row and I do two funny things.  At least I know I'm lot losing it completely.  
 Last night, I watched 'Sparticus' with Kirk Douglas in it.  It was made in 1960 and I gotta say:  his son looks very much like him;  but Kirk has a more dignified stance.  The movie went until around 11pm; without any commercials, but I found it riveting.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Friday At Last.

It's the end of another week; but I've still got a busy afternoon ahead of me.  And the weekend holds a few big events too.  But today, it's raining; even though it started out looking lovely.  Well, at least I got to check the mail and do a few things before it all began to get cool and rainy on us.
Right now, the birds are singing outside while the rain pours again.  The grey clouds are dulling the day down and I've had to turn on the light here in the office because once it get dark here, this room not only gets cold, but it also becomes very dark too.  But I've been busy on here.  I uploaded my photo onto 365 project of an unopened Native Iris, checked both my e-mail accounts and looked around on Bookcrossing.  Then, I harvested my farm on Farmville.  I don't have much money on there, but it's a cool thing to chill out on.
Today, I have plans to get into action before I have two friends arriving.  One of them has to return something I lent him; and the other tagged along to go to IKEA because it's near my place.  So, a quick tidy-up downstairs is needed.  It won't take long, and because the weather is a downer, I'll be using some music to get things going along.  Maybe some B52's or something just as good like 'Santana'.
Well, the toilets up here need to be cleaned, as does the basin and I have to put some clothes away in the bedroom too.  I also need to changed the sheets on the bed (but I'll do that tomorrow when I can wash them).  Then, I might even turn the mattress too and clean under the bed as well; all tomorrow.
The office still needs work.  I still have to put things away and sorting through other things too.  There's books to register on Bookcrossing and the desk here to tidy up completely so I can find things.  But it's getting there; really it is.  I'm finding that this place has to get messy first before it gets tidy and that can stress me out in a major way.  Otherwise, this is going okay.  I've been able to work through bags of stuff and have found up to three 'green' bags (synthetic grocery bags I take shopping every fortnight) and that's great!

With all this being tidied up, I completely forgot that I have been in this townhouse/unit complex for eight years now!  I moved in on 8th, September 2002 and haven't budged from here since.  And has a lot gone on!  
This place used to be so full of problems, Mum and Dad were worried sick about me for a good part of the early years.  We had drug dealers, gun runners and prostitutes and the police were called almost every weekend to deal with something here.  I got into the habit of deadlocking my doors and windows every night out of fear that I'd be broken into.  I didn't make many friends; and the friends I did make I didn't tell them much about me and I didn't let them into my house.  But it was an interesting insight into the slang of what drugs were called (which I won't put up here as this problem is now stamped out here).
We used to get break-ins a lot around here too.  And so, when that happened, we all kept to ourselves and just became spectators as the police did their investigations.  Just before my next door neighbour sold his unit, he was broken into; but I didn't hear anything, even though it was his kitchen window that they smashed and it was Summer when they did it (my back door would have been open; with the screen locked closed).
This unit complex has become a safer place since then.  I feel safe at night to sleep soundly enough that I sleep well; instead of wondering if anyone's going to try something around my place.  I keep to myself and have chosen my friends here wisely.  It's a matter of keeping your friends close but your enemies closer as living in one of these places can really be either a good step or bad one.  It depends on what kind of person you are.  Me?  When I first moved in, this place was drama central; until one day, I decided that if I wanted to join in the drama, it would follow me around.  When I decided to stand back and watch, the drama of the unit complex was like having an episode of 'Neighbours' being played out right in front of me.  All the characters were there, but it was up me if I wanted to be a main character or somebody who stayed in the background.  And being in the background is just as much fun; if not more, until it does really involve me.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Nearing the Week's End

Today, I wasn't hungry, I wasn't feeling to be in any urgent hurry to be anywhere and I felt still tired from having a good night's sleep.  This was unusual; but true.  Yet, I had a lot of things planned that I wanted to do that never got done; some did, but a lot of it will have to wait until tomorrow.
This morning, I grabbed the camera and took off to the post office.  It seems that I'm taking it everywhere with me as I always find a photo opportunity wherever I go now.  And when it's not with me, the best ones are always around; and I'm kickin' myself for leaving it behind!  The sun was shining and there was a lovely breeze going while I walked out of the unit complex and to the curb to wait until the traffic cleared to cross the road.  I didn't have to wait long for that photo
opportunity to show up.  I spotted a tow truck with its unfortunate cargo of an ambulance on its tray.  This was a shot I couldn't let by!  So, out came the camera, and I quickly took a photo!  It was really good!  I could read the towing company's name and even see the Mercedes Benz emblem on the front of the brightly painted vehicle on the back.  What a shot!
Well, I didn't have any mail, so I left the post office empty-handed and bought some milk on the way home.  When I got home, I opened the place up, made my milk drink, changed the radio station and headed up here to the computer.  I had some books to register on Bookcrossing and I thought to use some of my labels some of my BC friends had sent me last year... they're so very cool for making them; and it was time to use them.  So, I did some of that after I harvested my farm, checked my mail, uploaded the photo of the ambulance (properly cropped on picnik of course!) and then Mum called and we chatted for almost two hours about everything.  I sent her the other day's blog entry (Tueday's I think) and she thought the place was looking good.  She does follow my blog, just doesn't get time to read it.

Well, that leads to what I did today.  But I'll begin with yesterday afternoon.  My backyard isn't looking too great.  Well, the potted plants are seeing I've repotted a good lot of them and put away the shade mesh and cleaned up the fence a little with a few new nails.  But the green stuff on the ground isn't lawn... it's a creeper that takes over the lawn and kills it.  So, yesterday, I got in and pulled out two of my rakes and pulled out half of it.  This turned the soil over and made the place look a little chewed, but got rid of a lot of the weed.
Today, I got in and did the rest.  It was pretty tough going because I had to work with the plants and around some of the sewer lids, but I got it done.  My bin is half full of the creeper and I'm ready to get on with the next step of getting my lawn back to what it looked like last year... beautiful.  This is to spray it with some pretty bad-smelling stuff to kill off the creeper completely and then after that, put down lawn seed and food and water it in well.  I know it sounds a lot, but it's what I did years ago to get the first lawn I had.
Once I put everything away, I washed my hands and practiced the piano for 45 minutes.  I felt like I fumbled over everything!  but I have to practice to get better at it all; even if it sounds like crap.  Tomorrow I will get better.  At least I have the patience for it all.  After that, I had a nice hot shower, washed my hair and felt nice and clean from working in the garden. 
Then, the office got another look at after I opened the house again and turned on the television.  I put a whole lot of things to look at in one bag, the stuff to be shredded next to the shredder, my life history stuff with the rest of my life history stuff by the door, lined up my handbags that can't be hung up and saved a few things I had missed.  
Then, while I was booting up the computer, I began doing out the desk a little starting with the section to my right.  It was good look into it all after so long... I found so much there!  And now, it's time to go after an afternoon of tidying up this part of the house.  
I still have a long way to go with cleaning up.  It's an on-going process and I still have to throw out a lot too.  Wish me luck in this as I do in your Spring Clean and tidy up.  Until next time, take care.

An Afternoon of Work


Well, yesterday, once I got off here at around 2pm, I felt really sick.  I had another dizzy spell; not pleasant, I tell ya!  But I drank some water and at something and tried to feel better and kept going.
And the next place I wanted to do was the home office... like I mentioned the other day.  Well, this place had to get better before it got worse.  I had books, a blanket, scarves, clothes, old documents and papers absolutely everywhere!  Like I said, it was beginning to look like something I did want it to look like and less like an office.  So, I began with picking up all the handbags that were sitting around on the floor; and made a vow to myself to stop buying them.  I had enough in the collection; coin purses are easier to contain anyway.  
Once I had them sorted out, I moved all the green bags out of the way and the portable stereo put back into the top shelf of the wardrobe, I started sorting out how much stuff was in these bags exactly.  Most of it was just bank statements.  So, I pulled out the little things I could work with and left the papers; which ended up going into one bag anyway.  The shredding bag was the same and so all that needed shredding went into that.  I found a few things I hadn't been looking for, but I thought were worth keeping for my writing; and added them to my bag of life history stuff (and I really have to sort that out too!  But that will be another day).
Then there was the chair near Grandpa's old writing desk.  It was almost unrecognisable.  So, I folded up the blanket and put it away, pulled all the stuff off it, put the old video tapes, scarves and other things into a bag and found a poster about reading and stuck that up on the end of the medium-sized bookcase just inside my door with Command sticky strips(each time I've put it there with Blu-tak, it's fallen down).  It's been overnight; and it's still there!  Usually it's not.
I sat down after a little while and drank more water as another dizzy spell hit me.   I hate them.  I've been getting them for a while now and they're not good.  I'm seeing a doctor next week, don't worry.
Anyway, it was time to clean up, but first, I had move something.  I moved the three-draw chest of draws in front of the left door of the wardrobe so I can see the bookcase from the door.  I looks better and neater; even if there's a few of the bags still on the floor and the clothes basket in here temporarily. 
There's still a lot to do in this office.  Even after I put away the box of unsoaked stamps, sorted out my birthday cards from last year and put them away and organised a file to put all Bookcrossing postcards and other things into over the next year or so.  It's still going to be a tight squeeze for a few things.  I'm still going to need a few storage boxes for some things here until I begin throwing things out again.

Later, at around 4:30pm, I decided to skip watching the news.  It was cool enough outside to get in and begin raking up the weeds from the back lawn.  Yep, my whole lawn had turned into a massive lot of weeds; a creeper in fact.  So, what I want to do over the next few weeks is pull them all out with the rake and put down good lawn seed, lawn food and make the lawn come back nice and lush just like last year.  I want to be able to mow my lawn and be proud of it.  Seeing I've gotten my pot plants back into order (which didn't take all that long), I'm trying to get my lawn back too before Summer comes along... now that shouldn't take long either.  Until my next post, take care. 

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Not My Forte

Have you ever had somebody tell you that something isn't their forte?  Yep, I thought so.  Well, I gotta say that housework isn't mine.  Okay, I can keep the bills paid, food in the cupboards, the budgie happy and laundry clean... but cleaning a house is something that I just can't seem to do.

There are parts of the place that I can do - like the gardening - where I love to get my hands dirty and repot plants, mow the lawn, clip back branches and really make the place look great.  But when it comes to cleaning the floors, dusting and washing up, I just cringe.  My mind doesn't work that way.  I don't mind doing it once in a while to keep some order in the kitchen, but I find that a tidy house is something that stresses me out so much that I feel sick.
I would much rather be reading a book out the front of my place with a cool drink and a hat on.  Or playing the piano to better my skills at the keyboard; or better still, painting something I meant to finish up weeks ago than doing a whole afternoon of housework.  It's just not the kind of thing that I would all relaxing or all that worthwhile.  Even when I put on music, I don't like doing all that work just to dirty the dishes again.  So, why does my Mum put so much importance on my house being so tidy? Is she so scared somebody's going to drop by?  I don't get visitors... unless is her or Dad.  My brother never comes here.
Actually, I once had the house tidy for him and invited him around when he was on this side of town and he said he didn't have the time.  I lost heart and have let the house slip again when Mum asked me to try and keep it tidy.  I just don't see the point when it's me and ... well... me.
I haven't had a boyfriend in six years and don't really have any intention of getting one anytime soon.  It's not that I don't like men, I just find that relationships are confusing, weird and just plain hurtful in the end.  It's something I'm not interested in getting into and they're messy in every way.
So, I'm trying to tidy up my house for my own well-being.  It may not be as tidy as most homes, but it's as tidy as it's going to get.  I'm still going to be throwing stuff out once in a while, but I think I'm going to be forever tidying up; and that's something I'll have to just deal with as it's just not my forte.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Tuesday Afternoon Tidy-Up

Today, I spent my morning on here and found my TSB was on the Urban Smart Projects site... what thrill it is to get that kind of recognition!  I also talked to a friend of mine on Facebook who was home from work sick as his back was killing him... not a good thing for anyone.

Well, once I had uploaded a photo onto 365 project and checked all my mail about three times, then harvested a few things on Farmville (God, that's a cute little game!), I jumped offline and decided to get into some tidying up.  The very first thing I did was take a few photos of what I wanted to get tidied up.  Another first was, I thought, some music would be good.  So, I put on Santana's 'Moonflower' vinyl that I bought a few weeks ago for $20 at Rockaways and it played wonderfully!  I loved it!  It made dusting and cleaning around the television and stereo that much more fun because I had a beat to go to.

Then, once everything was back in place, I noted down what I had dusted and then got back into it.  The next thing was the storage unit under the stairs.  I put all my unfinished paintings into it and pulled out two empty boxes that went straight in to the wheelie bin for the pick-up tomorrow morning.  Once all that was packed away neatly, I had a clean hallway to the kitchen.  I used the dust buster and vacuumed all the dirt and dust off the floor and skirting and it looked better.
Then, I tossed out two weeks' worth of weekend papers!  Yep, I had accidentally kept the last two weeks of Sunday Mail without meaning to.... oops!  Oh well, it all went in the bin very quickly; along with an
empty tissue box and a broken seat cushion from my kitchen chairs (it's one of the types you buy and tie to your chairs from Sam's Warehouse... not too expensive; just worn out).  Once that was done, I found that I had pulled out a Bunnings canvas bag I had bought some where along the line from the storage unit.  Well, I moved everything that I was going to give to a charity into that bag and found I had more space in that bag and had obtained one of my green bags back!  How good is that?  So, now, I can give more in one go instead of using up all my shopping bags.
Well, that's all I got done this afternoon; as this morning, before I got on the computer, I had done three loads of washing and had to pull it in.  By this time it was 4pm and a good few hours of work had been done.  So far, I'm pleased with my progress of tidying up.  But as I look around myself here in the home office, I'm finding this place a little too messy for what I want it for.  So, this place might be next on my list.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Spring Has Arrived.

At long last, the weather has become warmer and the rains have arrived here in Australia; and about time too!  About a week and a half ago, I was woken up  by Kookaburras cackling their noisy heads off at 2am in the morning; thankfully it was over a weekend and I didn't need to be anywhere the next day.  But while I waited for them to settle, I remember thinking that we had some major rain coming if they were laughing away at night to let us know.  And sure enough, over the weekend, we copped some pretty heavy falls.
On Saturday night, we got around 10mm of rain and that was after I cleaned up the yard and repotted three or four plants and put away the shade cloth.  What a relief I did that!  And then, yesterday, it rained on and off all day and was dull and dark as well.  But it really came down after the sun went down.  And this morning, I checked the rain gauge and found we had gotten 20mm of rain overnight.  What a good lot of rain we had gotten; and I was grateful I didn't need to water anything.
But my weekend didn't just consist of checking the rainfall gauge.  Mum and I finished the Traffic Signaling Box on the Friday afternoon.  And it was just as well; as we're in for more rain this week.  I uploaded the photos on Friday afternoon and called them, but got their answering service; so I left a message.  Then, on Saturday, I fiddled around on the net all day and did some writing.  It's not often I get into my writing; but then, it also means I miss out on playing the piano or reading.  
So, on Sunday - which is Father's Day here in the Southern Hemisphere - I found it was a very wet day.  I hadn't prepared anything for Dad.  I didn't know where my brother was and Dad sounded a little upset on the phone when I called to wish him a Happy Father's Day.  So, I wrote the post below and sent him the link to it via e-mail.  Then, I called them and told him to have a look at it.  A few hours later, I checked on the blog and found he had read it and left a comment.  He really loved what I had said and said it was heartfelt and wonderful.  
For the rest of the afternoon, I practiced the piano for a little over an hour (mainly chords, keys and arpeggios and less of the songs) and then I read about 10 pages of a book I'm getting into titled: 'The Brain That Changes Itself' by Norman Doidge MD.  It's a wonderful way of learning about how the human brain can be manipulated and changed through us reteaching it new things over the old things we've been taught when we were younger.  Once I get my nose into the pages, I normally can't get away from it.
Last night, I made a very delicious spaghetti dish and watched 'Robots' on 72 and then 'Castle' while I washed up, put out the compost and locked up the house against the constant downpour of rain.  At around 11pm, I went off to bed.  It was a good night for sleeping; as I didn't read much and easily fell asleep.
I awoke to a nice sunny day today.  The house has been opened up and the light and warmth is being let in.  There's going to be more days like this in the future where the Spring/Summer breezes will cool the unit down and we'll get some lovely weather to do some serious gardening.  Until then, take care.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Father's Day

Today is Father's Day here in Australia.  It's a dull ol' day outside and has been raining on and off, but that shouldn't stop us from celebrating what this day is all about:  celebrating what our Dad's have done for us.

My Dad's put up with a lot with me and my brother... after all we were all kids once.  He tried to teach me to drive, he's caught many-a Huntsman Spider (of all kinds, but mainly the big hairy kinds that I bolted from like a sissy girl).  He taught me how fix my first - and only - car.  

Dad taught my brother and I values, ethics and brought us up to have integrity and thought for others.  Most of all, Dad made sure we kept a level head about us in times of stress; especially when others were losing theirs.  It's at these times when things can happen very quickly and if there isn't someone there who hasn't got a level head, well, all's lost isn't it? 
Dad taught us both about music.  He liked the old stuff from Buddy Holly to Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs.  But on the same token, we taught him what we liked - and we found out why he didn't like the old music we enjoyed; and so we learnt about respecting other people's tastes in things as well without insulting them.

I learnt a lot about fishing, insects and animals with Dad.  There was how he gutted, filleted and boned fish when we were on holidays.  It was a real education on the anatomy of a fish and how they operated.  And we
rarely bought fish from the market; especially seeing we could catch them from the rivers we camped near.  Also, my brother and I were taught to shell mud crabs too from a young age; and we've gotten faster as years have passed by.  And so, when we go to Brunswick Heads, it's a tradition to have mud crab sandwiches with mayonnaise and pepper for lunch out on the fly of the caravan.  There's nothin' like it!

Dad's not much of a reader, but there are times when
he's gotten his nose into a book.  And when he does, he really enjoys those books.  When Billy Thorpe wrote his biographies, I made sure he got them for his birthdays and he had a good giggle from one page to the next as he read them.  I'm glad I bought those books for him (as I'm a massive reader and will read most things; but Dad doesn't read as much as I do).  I hope to be able to find more books for him to read soon.

Well, I hope I have covered all there is to cover about my Dad for this day.  I wrote this because I have yet to purchase a present for him; and thought this would show my appreciation for him.  My brother and I hadn't planned for anything to be going on today and so it's going to be a little like any other Sunday unfortunately.  Well, except this post. 

Happy Father's Dad.  I hope you enjoy this.  And you know, this will her permanently so you can look at this anytime you want. 

Saturday, September 4, 2010

A Busy Morning But Lazy Day.

This morning, I was up with the birds... it was such a warm night that I slept with just the sheet on and kicked off the blanket.  At around 4am, the rain poured down and cooled of that part of the morning and in my stupor, I pulled the blanket onto me as the cool breeze blew the curtains inward and onto my bed.  When the alarm went off, I kicked off the blanket again and dozed for that hour until I decided it was time to get up at 7:40am.
But it wasn't time for breakfast yet.  I looked outside and made a big decision.  I had looked at the garden yesterday and thought to get my butt into gear and fix up some of the plants before this Spring heat really got the plants growing. 
So, I pulled on my flip-flops, pulled the green shade cloth from the fence and tossed that to one side.  Underneath that were about five pots that had nothing in them; yep everything was either dead, dying or growing weeds.  So, I pulled the weeds out and the dying plants and threw them over near the gate.  Next, I grabbed the Frangipanni and the large, green, square pot and dug a hole in the centre of the pot, pulled out the plant and carefully placed it just off centre and filled it in.  This little darling has a heck of a root system, but will flower this year with the extra room I've given her... however, I will have to repot after Summer's over and it's back to a stump again next year... damn!  I'll just get a massive pot and leave it in it.
then, I grabbed the plant next to it and found it didn't have any room to expand either.  So, I grabbed another big pot and dug a hole in the dirt in that too.  Pulling out the Small Leaf Jade from the old pot was harder, because it had wrapped its roots around and around so tightly.  I had to really bump all that dirt off hard before repotting the poor thing.  Once I did, I watered both of the above plants in and put them back into their original positions.
Then, came time for the cuttings that had been sitting in the Jade's pot. I found some places for those in the old pots.  And they're looking good now.  I also found an old statue of Mozart I forgot I had... all toppled over and mouldy from me putting yoghurt on it years ago.  So, I cleaned him up after breakfast and put him in a place where he could be seen.
Also after breakfast, I grabbed the green shade cloth, pulled the sharp tack-like things off the edges, tossed them and piece of wood away and will be using the cloth for some temporary covering when I plant some Bok Choy and other plants for this Summer; where I'll uncover them during the day and cover and weigh down the cloth at night to keep the possums out.  A good idea until I get a proper green house purchased from my savings.
For the rest of the day, I've been on the net, watching the weather, listening to music and I do have plans to play the piano for an hour or so.  Then, there's a show I taped on ABC1 on Thursday night about music and how it's absolutely a part of our lives that we have it within us. 

Friday, September 3, 2010

A Zipping Week!

It's unbelievable that it's Friday already!  Where did this week disappear to exactly?  For me, it's been very busy; but a little slow at night as I live alone.  Otherwise, after Tuesday, the week slipped by quickly.
On Monday, I was at the Hygienist to get my teeth cleaned.  I hate going there as she uses a cleaning device that sounds like the drill but cleans all the crap off my teeth.  As we get older, though, they clean more stuff off our teeth and dig into our gums; and they really can get sensitive.  But I put up with it as it does help with my dental health.  I was told to floss more and that my brushing is going well.
Tuesday was a day of sitting around and writing, blogging and starting new stories on my vampire fiction and other things too on my writing world.  I had also almost finished a large square of my blanket for next year.  It's looking good.  I'll have to and get more wool soon seeing how fast this is taking shape.  I also wrote out the shopping list for this week, put out the rubbish and ended up skipping playing the piano for that day.
Wednesday was a wicked day for me!  Really, it started out as a blah day; but turned into a lovely one.  I was 15 minutes ahead of schedule for the whole day.  The mail was checked just after 9am, I walked along Kingston Road and past this house that had some bags of stuff sitting out the front when one of the bags had something in it that 'waved' at me.  I could have sworn it was a book cover... and when I turned around and looked closer, I found it was.  When I picked it up, there was another underneath it.... then another and, well, the whole bag was full of books in near-new condition!  So, I looked at the house they were in front of, picked them up and took them home.  Once home, I checked the bag (in case the public had used it as a garbage bag or worse) and found there were only books in it... nothing else.  What a find!  I dumped the lot just inside the front door with my curious little budgie looking on and went on my way to the bus stop.
The day wasn't over.  When I went to the Life Line, I
found a lovely little Oroton evening bag and quite a few other little coin purse and two wallets that looked like they had come in just for me to discover!  I also found a lovely stamp album for opening day stamps.  These are stamps that come in sets of 4, 5 or 6 and come with a commemorative envelope.  More often than not, they are collector's items after a little while because they are put out only once.  So, I got the album for Mum as it was empty.  What a good day for me.  The day was wonderful out shopping as I came in under budget and had purchased all I needed that day for the next two weeks.
Thursday was another day on the net.  I fiddled around on here and spent a good part of my day stuffing around and reading blogs until around midday when I went off to my volunteer work at the Logan Art Gallery.  We had a busy day there of school teachers and students bringing their artwork for 'Artwaves'.  It's an art initiative put on by the Logan Council to encourage kids in schools to take an interest in the arts; and they've really taken it to all kinds of levels where they use mixed media, clay and paintings as well.  The work these students present is fantastic!  Mum picked me up from the Gallery with Jay in the back seat.  What a great surprise to see this wonderful little dog greeting me from the Pajero... I was so surprised and gave her the biggest cuddle when we got to my place; but couldn't let her out of the car.
Then there's today... Mum and I finished the TSB across the road.  We had to put something on the top and complete it; and so I suggested a sun and birds and the people at Urban Smart Projects said that might work.  And so, we did that and it looks good. 
But what a day to do this on!  It was such a hot night and it stinker of day!  My legs got sunburnt and I was drinking either and Ice Break coffee drink or water all day or eating a snack... or resting a lot between coats all because it hot!  Otherwise, it was done within about 4 hours.  Not bad for just one or two things that needed to be finished.  
Tonight, I'm chilling out with some nachoes and a dvd after 8:30pm.  Then, it's off to bed with me.  So, how was your week?  All good and busy I hope. 

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

THE BEST DAY OUT!

Today was the best day for me; but it didn't start that way.  I didn't sleep all that great last night as the moon kept me awake for a good part of it as it drifted across the sky.  I had to keep getting up in my sleep-deprived stupor and pull the curtains closed.  So, when the alarm went off this morning, I felt as though I hadn't had enough sleep.
But that didn't get in my way of making today something great.  Actually, I ran early because I kept myself away from Farmville and the computer before going out.  I also got going at around 9am, so I got to the post office early and happened to be 15minutes early for the bus... what bonus!  This bonus time paid off in a big way!  I walked past this house on Kingston Road where there's been about three bags of stuff left out next to the letterbox for the last three or four
days.  I've been noticing that those bags have been walking lately.  Then, the ALDI bag flapped at me... and I realised it was a book cover!  I turned around and walked back and took a look.  This whole bag was full of books.  I judged that I had plenty of time to take them home and dump them just inside the front door while I did my shopping.  When I arrived home, I pulled the  bag apart (in case there was something in there besides books; with people these days, you never know what they'll put in bags with books.  There's so little respect for them now).  When I found there were just books and nothing else, I was so happy and relieved.  And I made to the bus stop on time too!
Once to my destination of the shopping precinct at Logan Central, I went to Life Line and they had stocked up on little coin purses and handbags.  I was happy to see that my old handbag had been snapped up by somebody who was in need of a preloved bag.  It's so good to see your own stuff picked up off the shelf when you no longer need it.  Well, I found some of the lovely little coin purses were just sweet and bought a fair few of them along with an Oroton
handbag!  And what a lovely bag it is.  It matches the purse one of my friends sent me from the coast!  I'm so thrilled I found its match.
Well, my day got better and better.  At 'Woodys' my television series arrived (the one that Christian Slater is in) and I began paying that off along with my usual dvds on the layby.  But, the down side to my day was that the pet store I usually got Little Miss Stevie's millet from has stopped stocking it because the company they bought it from went out of business.  Bummer!  I said that it was the freshest stuff around; and the lady agreed and said they only buy the fresh stuff (as it's the most popular and best for birds to eat).  She said that seeing there's other pet stores around the area now, I'd probably find fresh stuff there.  I hope I do.  I don't want to have my bird go without her treat of millet because the companies out there go out of business.  I told her that I'd grow it; if only the damned possums didn't eat everything I grew!  She laughed agreeing with me, knowing how I felt.
I bought my medications of Topamax and Epilum and - while I was waiting for them - I went off to the Oriental Shoppe to pick up some Tofu and other Asian things I haven't seen around the shops.  By the time I returned to the chemist, my prescription was ready and I could keep going on with my day.
Coles was my next stop.  I did all my grocery shopping and found that I came up cheaper than expected!  Yay!  How good is that?  I also had more than enough money to buy my 'Good Reading' Magazine and get home by cab!  Yep, this was most definitely a great day out!  The weather even stayed beautiful for it too!