Wednesday, December 30, 2015

2015 - What a Year!

It's been most certainly a busy year for me. I've gotten a lot done around my house; as well as a lot done in my life.

I still have my Little Green Machine; and it's running very well. It did have to get a look at around November as the coils stuffed up and so I was without a car for a few days. However, she's been running well since.

But at the beginning of the year, I got a lot done. The decluttering of this townhouse intensified and I threw out more rubbish and gave away more things I didn't need. I reorganised the kitchen in such a way I really didn't have to look for anything by rummaging anymore - and I discovered Lazy Suzans... yes, those retro merry-go-rounds everyone seems to be using for the fridge, pantry and even the bathroom. 

The chair I worked on in the beginning of the year came home about a month later after it was finished being reupholstered ... and now it takes pride of place in my office where I sit in it after writing for hours on end, want to chill out at the end of a long day, or just sit and read in it whenever I want to - but I never get far and end up falling asleep in the lovely thing.

I scored myself my first tattoo on my right wrist of a semi-colon; for the Semi-colon Campaign. However, I'm not stopping at just that little bit of ink - I've planned to get myself another few before my life is through. I'm saving up to get Angel Wings on the back of my left shoulder. The reason for this is personal and spiritual - besides, if I told you guys, you'd probably laugh - so I'm getting it for my own reasons. When I get a tattoo, I won't be getting it because it's cute, there will be a story behind it. This time, it's hard to explain, but when I do get it, I'll tell you why. It will be next year I'll be doing it, though.

But the year hasn't been all roses. I recently had my sun cancers removed from my arms and my right hand - talk about painful! There were 6 of them and they weren't on the surface, they had to be cut out while I knocked out (this part I didn't mind; as I didn't want to be awake for any of it). And when I did wake up, I found that the ones on the hand the doctor said he was going to burn off, he ended up cutting out. He came into post-op and told me that they were deeper than he anticipated and he had to do what he did. 
These took so long to heal and I had to really care for them - making sure they healed up properly. So, I Googled some after-surgery oils to apply; and found Coconut Oil did the trick - and man, did it work! From the first application, I could feel it working its magic on my scar on my hand. And it's only gotten better since then.

Christmas crept up on all of us. One minute it was my 42nd, Pizza Party at my brother's house with family and close friends, and the next thing you know, I was scaring the crap out of kids on Halloween and Christmas adverts were being screamed at us on the television set. Fortunately for me, I had already done most of my Christmas shopping and had only a few things to pull together - yep, I'm always prepared and start my shopping around September or so. My Christmas Cards are posted off in November and then there's the decorations to put up around the place - which were late this year, but with my hand and arms the way they were, well, I had a good excuse to be slow. But they got there.

New Year's Eve is tomorrow and there's still preparation to get done. I'm looking forward to not spending another depressing one here in the unit complex. The last one I spent here, I was on my own and there were parties going on around the place and yet people knew I was on my own, and not a single one invited me for a drink or to to hang out. So, usually, I'd head to the coast... but I went there to recover from the surgery. This time, I'll be somewhere else. We'll be chilling out and enjoying our night with friends, food and music. That's how it's supposed to be enjoyed. 

So, I hope you are all enjoying your New Year's this year with people you love, at a place you're enjoying yourself. If you're driving take care, don't rush, don't drink'n'drive... and if you've had a few, have a designated driver who will take you home or call a cab (that's what they're there for). We need to see you all into the New Year and into the future. Until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here.

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Merry Christmas!

It's been a good couple of days with a sour ending last night. However, the good outweighs the bad in my case; as I received what I wanted, and gave more than I received.

On 24th, December, we gathered at my cousin, Kate's, place and had a wonderful Dutch Christmas where we ate more food than humanly possible, exchanged gifts, then scoffed down more food and coffee. Riley didn't know what to expect, as this was her first Christmas away from her Mum; and she hadn't seen a family Christmas where nobody was fighting. I asked how she was going a few times, she said okay, but I knew she was just sussing out the room and watching the party.

Gabe, my brother, loved the single malt fully-imported whiskey from Speyside, Scotland. Dad was impressed I found something that was such good quality for a good price - and Gabe loved it as he tried some of it when he arrived home; was too good to share with his buddies, so he's hiding that one on them - hehehee.
Kat received at pendant from me which was petrified wood. She loved it. I bought it off the silversmith himself at the gallery and she was impressed that I picked one that wasn't too heavy and the colour was just right. 
Mum and Dad's presents were given to them on Christmas Day, so I wasn't unwrapping mine alone here at home. I don't like being alone at Christmas; not since Little Miss Stevie died - it's just to depressing. I still miss her horribly.

At Mum and Dad's place, we exchanged gifts and enjoyed watching 'Arthur Christmas', an animated movie which had us falling around the lounge room laughing! It would have been hilarious on the big screen, but it was brilliantly done. 
I bought my folks two dvds - 'The King's Speech' and 'Mrs Brown's Boys D'Movie' and a few other things that I thought they'd love. Then I gave them a hand-crafted box I bought at the Logan Art Gallery; which Mum adored. They said they'd watch the movies down the coast and they would put the box to good use around the house - or even store their coasters in it on the coffee table in the lounge room... 
Lunch was leftovers and freshly peeled prawns. And of course we all ate too much food. But then, that's what Christmas is all about. We split up the food and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon watching another Christmas move with Michael Keaton in it and then I went home just before they left for the coast again.

The sour ending was last night. One of my neighbour's has a new girlfriend, and for some reason or another, we don't really get along (okay, we can't always get along with everyone, that's fine). So, I've kept to myself, minded my own business and done my own thing. She's made sure to pick on me, stick her face in mine and whenever possible scream abusive names at me when I've tried to talk to her about one thing or another. Yep, she rude. I'm not the only person she's rude to like this - so it's not an isolated incident. 
But last night, I was watching a movie and I heard what I thought was teenagers outside my house and to opened the door and told them to shut up; but it was her and her daughter. She screamed abuse at me as I closed the door... but I heard every word and I reopened it told her to piss off and really slammed the door. She upped the antie and became louder until she got into her car and drove away.
Last night, I wrote an email to the right authorities about the months of abuse I've copped because of her. I'm not putting up with her doing this to me.

But today, I was hanging out my laundry when I heard her boyfriend tell her that he heard what went on last night and he wanted her to apologise to me. She told him to bugger off and that she wanted me to apologise to her. He said that I had been very quiet today - and I had - and that they had better start looking for another place to live because he knows I've written an email. She got snotty about it, but didn't knock on my door. I don't expect her to get it that screaming abuse at somebody isn't right... but at the very least, admit it when she's not the nicest person to be around.

Anyway, I hope you've all had a better Christmas than I have in the end. At least most of my Christmas was wonderful. I have got plans in place for next year: save up for a new tattoo on the back of my left shoulder of Angel wings. And I'll be working on a sign post of fictional lands (similar to the one you see in M*A*S*H) to put in my garden. Until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

A Day Filled With Cooking!

I wanted to sleep in today - but I didn't because it turned very hot very quickly. Instead, I sat on the computer for a few hours after breakfast and opened a Pinterest account for mainly my craft gear.

Then at around midday, I jumped offline and started preparing the Turkish Carrot Dip. For those who don't know, I've got a label down the side called 'Recipes' and you can find it there. It's a fun one to do and has only 4 ingredients; but you have to be patient and don't use too much garlic or you can ruin this dish. While the carrots were cooling, I started on the two Christmas Cakes. I had to cook the pumpkin in one pot and the dried cranberries and blueberries with spice, some sugar and a cup of water in another pot; then let the whole lot cool (once I put a teaspoon of bi-carb soda into the second pot). Then, it once it all cooled down, the real action of the day started!

I greased the Christmas Tree-shaped tins, lit the oven and put the cooked, grated carrot into the serving bowl of yoghurt with a pinch of salt and garlic... which was kept chilled in the fridge over this time.

By the time the cakes were cooked, the kitchen was a mess and I was on the phone with a friend of mine who was in real need of a good talk. By the time the cakes were cooled, I had the dip in the fridge, the oven turned off and was thinking about what to have for dinner... and my friend had to go because she was having dinner too. 

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. We have plenty to do tomorrow during the day and the night. I have had a good few nights where it's been quiet, except last night where I heard noise but didn't quiet know where it was coming from, so didn't go and have a look for it; instead chose to ignore it. Well, until my next post, take care, stay safe this Christmas Season and remember, I'm always here.

Monday, December 21, 2015

Busy Week Coming Up - For Everyone!

Today is probably the last day where I'll be able to sit on my butt and do almost nothing all day. Okay, I've been doing a few things scatter throughout the day, but I'm making sure I'm not burnt out over this week - yep, I'm getting a full-nights' sleep every night.

Okay, I'm still one of those people who can't sleep all that well on Christmas Eve because it's just the little kid inside me who's excited about the whole day of presents and giving and receiving and all the food and fun of it all. I hope I'm not the only one who's like that.

Of course I'm not.

Well, today, got all the laundry done, the sheets on the bed changed over, other laundry put away, the blanket from Winter/Spring put away and Grandma's 1970's quilt put away too. Now, out on the line is just the laundry from the past week and I'm waiting for it to be good and dry so I can get it in about an hour. 
Otherwise, I've washed up everything and been out and about today to donate a Christmas present to the K-Mart Wishing Tree. I handed in a Christmas mug filled with all kinds of teas (all wrapped), a hand-painted picture frame and a hand-knitted dish cloth... I wrapped it all up in celophane so they don't have to unwrap it all and they can see everything in it. The girl who helped me with the card said it all looked lovely... and was surprised that I thought to add in something hand-made, most people just buy something from K-Mart and hand it in. I'd rather make something than buy something; it's got a more personal touch to it.

Then, I was off to Springwood to pick up some money for tomorrow and some decorations to use in a piece I'm working on... I'll see if it works out. If not, I'll be putting it all away and trying again next year. So far, it hasn't worked. I'll have to look into how it worked for my friend who made one on Facebook. I've worked on it 5 times now, and each time, it's fallen apart. There's more glitter around my living room than on the decorations, and some of them are now broken from me handling them so much... so I think I'll just pack it up and leave it alone.

Anyway, I'm ready for the volunteer work tomorrow morning. And that afternoon, I'll be doing some reading and tidying up around the place so I can chill out without being stressed out. On Wednesday, I'll be making a dip and two cakes for Thursday night, where the family will get together at a cousin's house for Christmas Eve dinner. Then, on Friday, Mum, Dad and I will be hanging out for a light lunch for a few hours and they'll head back to the coast, and I'll be back home.

Yep, a week of busy things happening. But then, it's onto New Years' Eve... I don't know what I'll be doing then. This is my first year of not being anywhere for that night. So, I might have a movie marathon of a particular actor or do something else for the night. I'm not sure yet. Well, until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here.

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Christmas Holiday Volunteering

Man! This week has been so busy I just don't know where to start! 

Wednesday, I was out the door by around 8am or so to do my shopping and home well before midday. I had bought absolutely everything I'd ever want for the fortnight - and a few things I didn't think I'd need, but got anyway (as you never know over this crazy time of year). 

Thursday, I went out again to buy the small things I forgot; like my prescription medications. Yeah, I forgot them. How typical of me to do that... honestly, I did forget them. Then, I bought other stuff which was going to be used over the weekend - hopefully - and if not, I'll use it next year.

Yesterday, I was out and about again to look for a bookstore I've been meaning to look at again. But I found out it was closed. Oh, jeez! It was a great bookstore too - Cumquat Books was the best bookstore around Annerley and I wanted to go there again before the year was out. I was told by the person who owned the vintage clothing store that's there now, that the owner retired from the bookstore arena. This is a difficult thing to do - to retire from selling books... it's like retiring from being a Librarian, you kind of never leave the field because your love of books never really goes away. But the previous owner felt she was getting too old for the game; and I could understand that.
But I was put onto another bookstores around Mount Gravatt. It was the Mount Gravatt Bookshop. It's not far from the Mount Gravatt College of TAFE and I didn't know it was there; and this store has been there on Carrara Street for over 25 years. What a great place! It's in a such an unsuspecting place too - in a line of shops off the main road. Lovely!

Today, I chatted to the caretaker of my unit/townhouse complex. We haven't talked about things around the place for a long time; and so I thought to see what was what around (as a long-time resident, I do have the right to have a good chat with him) here seeing the party season was upon us now. Last year, a neighbour a few doors down had over a week of parties which kept half the complex awake and nobody liked him very much. This year, I'm hoping that doesn't happen. If it does, I'll be back to writing to the Body Corporate and seeing what happens, and not being able to sleep because of it.

Oh... yay... how... fun...

Well, I went to my volunteer work today at the gallery and it was empty. There were no phone calls, and I bought my future SIL's Christmas present. I hope she likes it. Anyway, it's been a week of being full-on, doing full-on things and all I want is next week being able to kick back do nothing, sleep a full night's sleep and just work on my garden (yeah, I wish! My hand isn't fully healed yet). Otherwise, I'll see how I go with the new craft work I'm hoping to get done before the next markets in February. So, how's your Christmas preparations going? Have you finished your Christmas Shopping, card-sending and everything else yet? Well, until my next post, take care, stay safe, Merry Christmas to you all and remember, I'm always here.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Up and At 'Em! It's Grocery Day!

I find that the closer we get to Christmas, the crazier it becomes out in the shopping centres.

So, I came up with a plan of attack today - yes I said attack, because there's no better word for it. At this time of year, I find that I have to stock up on everything I need, and some things that are luxury items, so I don't need to go out.

However, just after I filled the car with fuel, I returned back to the unit complex to get my prescription for my Topamax when I spotted the rubbish truck pulling into the driveway... well, I did a u-turn and went up the road and decided against trying to pull in next to that thing! I'll get my medication tomorrow. It's something that's not really that urgent, and I can work with it at a chemist up the road.

Well, I bought myself things I had on my list, other things I didn't - like 50+ sunscreen. I know that seems over the top, but after the SCC's I got cut out recently, I'm not taking any chances on my skin anymore. I'm hoping to buy some driving gloves from Super Cheap and will wear long sleeves when I drive, so I don't get any more of these things growing on me.

It's been a strange day, though. I have bought all my groceries, all my fruit and veggies and petrol too. Then, I came home, unloaded and took a look at my hand. It looks good; even after I wrapped it up for the outing. But last night, I put Coconut Oil on it before I went to bed - and during the night when I washed it off - and it's looking so much better. I hope it heals better and faster with this stuff. 
Well, I'm hoping to get through Christmas with no problems with the others; as they were basic, whereas the one on my hand was more complex

Anyway, with the shopping out of the way, there's still a little to get done before Christmas. I've also got some volunteer work before the gallery closes until the New Year... nothing like getting in some good work there. Well, until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here.

Monday, December 14, 2015

Last Christmas Presents bought!

Today, I was up and out the door to get to Garden City to find a good parking spot... yeah, at this time of year, they're difficult to find! I had to buy the last two presents for Christmas - and I was done!

And once I bought my Gloria Jean's Christmas Mug, I thought to settle in and get myself a little ice coffee and just chill out for a bit before going back to the car... really, I had another 3 hours to kill before leaving. So, I sat there with my pressie, enjoying myself, checking out Facebook on the Westfield Shopping Centre wifi (it's free!) and not minding the air-con a bit!

Well, once the drink was gone, I walked back along the old section of the shopping centre and was about to go back to the car through David Jones when I spotted the store called 'Typo'. I have looked at the place before - just before it was officially opened - and thought to have a look at it. Well, this place is chock full of all kinds of notebooks, pens, pencils, retro-looking things and fun stuff I love! 

And I was bad... I was naughty. I bought another notebook! As if I really need another one! But it's very cool and I love it. Anyway, I thought to get it as it's very cool and bought some nice accessories for it too (as you do when you're a writer) like a mechanical pencil and a keyring... yeah, like I need more of those things! 

Well, I made it back home with no money in my purse... and a few things from Bunnings too! No, I didn't overspend there. I got only what I needed - well, only because I could just afford it. Now, I have no money until Wednesday.

And speaking of which, I'm seriously thinking of not going to Coles, but ordering my shopping in online and getting it delivered. I'm not sure if I should or not - just for Christmas - because I really can't stand going grocery shopping at this time of year. The teenagers alone drive me nuts... some of them around my area seem to walk around in a daze for some reason; and no, they're not looking at their phones, they just stare into space muttering about being bored. Weird, eh? Well, until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here.

Friday, December 11, 2015

Catching Up With Laundry and An Old Car

Today, I got to use the new washing machine. Now it took me a few tries to get the right program in it right; and it happily sang to me when it finished - now, that's cute! By 10am or so, I had all my laundry out on the line and it was done - well, okay, most of it was done, I have the towels and hand-washing to do on Monday.

I had prepared some pumpkin last night in a bowl of water to cook this morning to make Christmas Cakes in the shape of Christmas Trees! Well, I had them almost ready to put in the oven when I noticed a car being parked outside my townhouse. There's a 'No Parking' sign in the garden, to keep people from blocking my driveway. And so before I put the cakes in the oven, I went outside to let the person know they had to move the car.
She said that she was going to empty it out and that I wouldn't mind, right? I didn't have anywhere to go today, right? I said I was going out in a few hours, but still it wasn't right to park it in what was technically my driveway. I suggested that she park it in the parking spots provided, but she said she had to clean the car out as it was being collected by a tow truck - it was going to the wreckers. I said that an even better idea would be to back it up to the industrial bin at the back and clean it out up there, so she could do her cleaning out up there. 
Well, right then, she cracked the shits at me. She told me that I was reneging on what I just said - that I had let her park there. I hadn't. I said that she could park it in a better spot... not outside my place. This made her start screaming at me. She called me names, and by this time my next door neighbour came up and said he had heard me - and repeated to her what I had said, that I was right. 
She told us that the care-taker told her to park there, that he knew and that to tell me that she was parking there. I told her that I didn't want her parking outside my house; and it didn't have anything to do with him, and repeated that she was in my driveway to remove the car please. My calmness made her scream at me more. So my neighbour walked up to her and told her to move the car up the back; and that insulting me wasn't going to get her anywhere. While he was talking to her, I took the opportunity to go inside - I'm honestly getting too old for bullshit like this from people who can't take no for an answer. 

Now, I didn't yell at her, I didn't insult her, I didn't call her names. She did the yelling, abusing and screaming. She even made fun of me going inside to close my door against her. I wasn't scared of her - why would I be? I'm over 40 and have gotten to a point in my life where I keep to myself as much as I can. Drama plays nowhere in my life except on television - where it's harmless. This woman was making her circus and her monkeys mine; when they were hers and hers alone. 

I spent the rest of the day hanging out on the net, cooling off here at home and reading a bit... then I took off to the Chiropractors, where I gave them the second Christmas Cake. I was going to give that cake to that neighbour as a peace token - but her insolent behaviour blew that for her, my chiropractors got it instead. Goes to show that you gotta be nice to people, you never know what you'll get in return. The first cake is being taken to my Writer's Group tomorrow for morning tea. Until my next post, take care, stay safe, and remember, I'm always here. 

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Decluttering Time!

What is it with me, Christmas and Decluttering? These two things always seem to go hand in hand of late... and I'm... enjoying (?) it.

Jeez, I've just turned into a full-blown adult, haven't I? Yep, I did... I'm enjoying throwing things out, organising my home and love going into $2.00 stores and finding containers to use for my pantry, cupboards and storage around the house.

Woah! I'm getting ahead of myself!

Yesterday, I dropped off my latest lot of decluttering - and felt damned good about it! - at Vinnies, and found myself looking around at the shop. Well, I was looking for a Lazy-Susan to put in my pantry to use for my herbs. I hoped somebody out there was going to throw one out - as sometimes, people get tired of them. And I found one that was a real blast from the past! It was a lovely 1970's cracker platter! Isn't it just gorgeous? And I love the lid too! So, for just $10.00, I scored a retro piece I could not only use for crackers, but also use to store my large bags of herbs at the back of the pantry until I need them.

Then, today, I looked at my Tupperware cupboard and wondered just how the hell I was supposed to find anything in there! So, while I was out, I bought 2 plastic office trays and 4 baskets with handles at Variety1 and organised not only my pantry but also my Tupperware cupboard. In one tray, all the lids lived in it, in the other is where the bottoms were all stacked. If the bottoms are too big, they are next to the tray on the right... easy-peasy! 
The pantry got a right clean-out and I organised all my tinned goods, pasta, anything in bottles, chips and some of the stuff in the bottom of the pantry too... it's all looking great so far. I still have to work out some little things that haven't worked in there, but it's all just teething problems really.

The good thing is that I have a bag of rubbish I've tossed out from the pantry of food I've either opened and forgotten to eat, or food that's expired and got shoved to the back of the pantry... how good is that? Now, to work on the fridge! I've got some of it organised, but not all of it! Until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Wednesday - the day of not much else...

Yesterday, I got a lot of things done around the place. Today, I went out with a boot/trunk filled with things to give to the local charity store and came home with a 1970's lazy-susan cracker dish... okay, it was one thing, and one thing I had been searching for for a while.

I pulled it apart took out the insides and cleaned it up, then pulled out all my herbs and spices and cleaned up the shelf, put the lazy-susan platter part at the back and filled it with the bulk herbs I've been using and tossed out one big container that's been bugging me... and over-loading my pantry. Now, it looks more organised than ever!

I've been online for about an hour or so, and I still have a few things to get done around the place; but they won't need to get done until tomorrow morning, after my stitches come out from my surgery. This is good because I've already done a lot of the big stuff, I just have to do the little stuff... like moving a few things from the laundry and cleaning up the floor after the machine has been moved... and seeing if Dad can take the dryer with him (which doesn't work; actually it's a fire hazard because the timer on that doesn't work either, and so it doesn't have a cool-down on it and keeps getting hotter and hotter until it triggers my smoke alarm... and yes, I don't use it anymore for that particular reason).

Anyway, it's going to rain soon, as I've caught two cockroaches and two little spiders inside the house... I just hope we have a good lot of rain because it's been so dry lately. Until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Busy Day Tuesday

Today, I never thought I'd get out of the house... seriously! I ate a late breakfast and had to figure out what was needed in the pantry - as I didn't do a proper shop last week - and then I was off to get the rest of the Christmas shopping done, and a 'supply run' for the pantry to tide me over until next week.

Well, I checked the mail (yep, found my PO Box key - finally, as I had mis-placed it) and collected a parcel. Then, I was off to Spotlight to find a few things there - which was great! I got talking to a lady there about famous people and writing and publishing. She helped me with a few things and I informed her about InHouse Publishing at Underwood... we both won about that today.

Well, once I was finished there, I went to Logan Central Plaza and bought some smaller things for my family for Christmas and then did the top-up, supply run for the pantry. Then, I was off home! I was back home by around midday with a few bags of goodies. 

Once everything was unpacked, I unloaded the new set of shelves I had found yesterday at the back of the complex and moved it to in front of the storage facility. I have to move to next to the stereo for the next few days, as the new washing machine is coming through on Thursday, and I have to clear things out for Dad.
I also have to put things away for the Christmas Tree to come down. Before I pull that down, I'll put some decorations up around the place so it looks lovely. I already had the streamers out the front and the solar lights out in the back yard... now it's time to make the house look festive. 

Well, I have a few hours of work ahead of me. Until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here.

Monday, December 7, 2015

Thursday - Hurry Up Thursday!

I've gotten better than last week, since I had the bandage removed and since I returned home from the coast. 

No, I can't pick up heavy things with my right hand, but once the stitches come out on Thursday, I'll be good to go! It'll be a frantic bus trip into the city and one home to meet my Dad and brother to get a new washing machine into my house... and how good would that be? That's gonna be fantastic!

I can't wait to get that done.

Yesterday, my hand was hurting me a lot, so I just jumped offline and vegged out on the lounge, watching television. Yep, I was told to rest my hand, so I did. Not a fun thing to do seeing I could see so much I wanted to get done. I ended up watching two movie last night and the beginning of 'City Slickers' and then I washed up and closed up the house, checked my e-mail and went to bed around 10:30pm.

I wasn't so much tired, but I was out of things to do. I'm not allowed to put up my tree or Christmas decorations until next week, and I'm really peeved that I can't do that... I really want them around my house. But I have to put away so many things before I do anything about putting the tree up. Normally, I have my tree up, with the decorations all around the house by now, but the place looks very empty without the tree and pretty decorations up... and I hate that.

Well, by next Sunday, I'll have them up and the place will be looking lovely. I do have the streamers outside and have only just put up solar lights in the garden yesterday; so that's something. But I like to get it all done at once... then when I have to pull it down, it gets done in one day.

Anyway, I hope you're all keeping well. My hand does get sore from time to time, but that's the stitches pulling on the nerves. I can't ignore it, but it's good to know I'm healing really well. Until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here.

Friday, December 4, 2015

Going Home, Going To The Doctors...

It's been freezing cold over the last couple of nights, and so we've we bunking down with more blankets and socks on our feet. The rain adding to that has made our stay a little more uncomfortable... but seeing i'm going home today, i'm not complaining. 

on the way home, we are dropping in on my surgeon to get my stitches loojed at. he has an office at southport and so we have gotten an appointment at a good time where we'll be on our way to Brisbane. i hope to have the 'boxing mitt' off when i see him; then i'll be able to go backj home and relax at my place... which was the original plan, but i guess the best laid plans don't always play out, right?

yesterday, mum and i were out and about again around Brunswick township. we had a lovely time at a store called 'Whatever' which is one store where you should never miss when you visit brunswick heads. this place has clothes, furnishings, books, tablecloths, sheets, curtains, lamps, bags and all kinds of other lovely things to dream-fill your home with... you know, dream-filling is where you dream of filling your home with things, but realis you far too much crap already to do that.
well, once i spent some money there, we went and looked aroud some other stores. there are some lovely places here...antique stores mainly that are just lovely, but are far too expensive.

we came across one store where it had a whole lot of retro stuff in it from Stars Wars to old Ham Radios and to masks too... then, i noticed the most gorgeous little cat on the counter who was wearing the cutest little collar with a bow on top with diamonties encrusted into it... so cute. the cat's name was 'Pearl', and she was from South America, so we patted her and i told Pearl that she was beautiful in Spanish - only makes sense if you tell a cat who's from a Spanish country they're beautiful in their own language, they'd understand it better... and you know, i think she knew it too. 

but i was searching all these stores for the perfect gift for my neighbours. i had been out to Mullumbimby and around Brunswick Heads, but hadn't found it. then, after lunch, mum and i went to Ocean Shores and i found the gift in FDB's!!! i found a coffee tin and tea tin, they were matching and very retro as well... and i hadn't seen anything like them in brisbane. i also found a butter dish at Target Country for $4.00... something i have been hunting down lately too.

well, i guess the best things show up at the very end of a trip, don't they? i've packed everything, have been ready to been ready to walk out the door for almost an hour, even though we don't leave for another hour or so... dunno really. daylight saving confuses the crap out of me when you have to keep an appointment. until my next post, take care, stay safe, and remember, i'm always here.


Wednesday, December 2, 2015

First Wet Day

it's our first wet day here at Brunswick Heads, and after the heat and storms we've had, it's nice to have the rain falling from the skies.

Yesterday, mum and i were at ocean shores for a few hours to do some grocery shopping and to pick up some new bandages for my arms - as the sticky bandages were starting to pull and get messy. we also picked up some tiny pads which made getting the old bandages less painful. they didn't look much, but they melted the stcky crap away easier than ever! i ended up shaving as much hair off my arms as possible, the putting the new strips of bandages on. i feel so much better, and getting dressed and showering is so much easier - and i am so much more comfortable in bed too.

today, we're finishing off Christmas cards to post off, and then we are off to Mullumbimby. this is an Aboriginal word meaning 'place of many birds' or or 'place of pelicans' i forget which. it's a beautiful little town which has been a safe haven for tourists to visit for a long time. it's not like Byron Bay and it's not quite like Nimbin... it's somewhere in between.

i do love Brunswick Heads though. it has a feel all of its own - an arty-farty kind of town, with small-town charm. besides i have been coming here with my family since i was around 6 years old, so much has changed around here - and all for the better!

Well, i hope you love the background - surfing os iconic of Australia, so i thought to use it. until my next post, take care, stay safe,and remember, i'm always here.