Wow! What a Weekend!

This weekend past has been huge! 

On Friday, I washed the car and began to pack it for the upcoming market. As I pushed the back seats down,  honey bee zipped in and started pollinating the back window... I'm really not fond of bees. I think it's from my Dad being a beekeeper and him being around the little things for most of my life that I don't like them.

But anyway I got a neighbour to help me get the little worker out of my car so I could finish on packing my car. However, the bee wasn't too happy about being handled and so I headed inside and prepared my lunch for the next day. 
About an hour later, I was outside again and working on the packing again. It didn't take long and pretty soon, the car was ready to go, my lunch and snacks were in the fridge and all I had to do was pack my esky, fill the thermos and take off.

Saturday wasn't busy. But at around 10am, I was quickly packing things and getting my shit together to go. And seeing there wasn't that much to pack, I was going to be okay about everything that day.
I arrived early, unpacked my stuff, found a good park down the road and stuck around until the doors opened and then - seeing I was an hour and half early - I was able to set up without rushing. Yep, my stall looked great! However, on packing up at 6pm, I realised I had forgotten all my medication. So, I rushed it and smacked myself in the head with my large folding table (yeowch!). 
I ended up being 40 minutes late for my medication and copped a very sore forehead. But I got in an unpacked the car and put everything away while I was thinking about it - as it was Father's Day the next day, and I didn't want to be stuck with the unpacking in the morning.

So, I kicked back and didn't do too much but some colouring in with 'The Secret Garden' while 'Supernatural' played on in the background. Yeah, I was very tired and couldn't wait to get to bed.

Sunday morning was good. I got the paper, made some really great pancakes and called Dad for Father's Day. Then, I organised to take some food over to Mum and Dad's place to make a morning tea for them. On the way over there, I went to Bunnings and bought Dad two $20 vouchers and packed in a bottle of chocolate coated nuts and saltanas (the latter being an old favourite of his). I arrived at around 9:30-10am after telling a little fib that I'd be there at 11am... he was surprised and they said they hadn't eaten breakfast yet.
Oh well... I got to feed the wild birds, read a bit of my 'Good Reading' Magazine and have something to drink while I was waiting for them them to have their breakfast. 
Anyway, Dad loved the vouchers and bottle of goodies. He said he hadn't had those for years; and loved it that I remembered he likes them. It's always the simple things that make people the happiest. Well, he loved the morning tea as there was three types of cheeses, three types of biscuits, cashews, dried cranberries, blueberries, grapes, carrots and other goodies too... he was so pleased I had organised it all and brought it to him; and said they might not need lunch, there was so much food.

It was nice we could kick back and enjoy the day for what it was... and it was a such a lovely sunny day. I didn't stay all day, though, I came home around 2pm as I could see Dad wanted to have a nap before getting in and doing other things around his place - and I had stuff to do at my place too.

It was a great weekend.

Then, on Monday, I had my Craft Day. I'm learning needlepoint... it's been a challenge, seeing I'm not a needlepoint kind of person. But, I am getting it. It's all practice and counting the threads in the tapestry. I just hope I get to do more than scissor keepers... I have asked if it'd be a bad thing to look at pin cushions - not big ones, just small ones - and my teacher said that it'd be great to get into working on them. She's really happy I'm looking at doing them, it means my mind isn't stuck on doing just tiny things, I want to do bigger things too. 

Well, that's my last few days. They were big, full-on and busy. And last night I didn't sleep well for some unknown reason; but I'm catching up with the rush and work of the weekend I guess. Well, until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here.

Twenty-Four Hours

It's Father's Day, and a lot has happened in the last twenty-four hours that has made it a totally different day to what it was yesterday.  Yeah, I know that it's like this every day... each day isn't the same as the day before.  But before we get too philosophical about it, I want to tell you guys what happened to me yesterday; as it really did change my life.  

I went out driving.  I had a few things to get done, pick up and drop off, then I had to check on Mum and Dad's house before I went to the Kingston Butter Factory to see if I could get my Crafty Pegs sold in their shop there.  Seeing my Aunty Lu has two large sections of their store with her craft gear, and she's seen my pegs, she suggested I try their store out.  Even the Logan Art Gallery suggested them.  However the lady who oversaw the craft items sold said no.  She gave me some bull-crap story about the 'economic climate' and that anyone could paint up the pegs.  I told her that it took me 3 hours to do 4 pegs.  She didn't believe me; so I took my nicely wrapped pegs home, unsuccessful in my attempt in selling them.
I was depressed, sad and seriously bummed-out that I hadn't been able to sell anything.  And what really got up my nose was that the lady at the Butter Factory had told me that the weekend markets would be a better place for my pegs.  However, the renting of the stall alone would kill off my prophets and I would never break even.  So, I was back at square one again without even trying.
When I arrived home, I had a headache, it was hot, and I jumped online to tell my friends on Facebook how my day went... I don't often put up anything about how I'm feeling, but this time I did.  Then, one of my friends - a writer - suggested I start a business online with Facebook.  So, I did!  It was so simple!  I created a photo album of the pegs and invited all my friends to 'like' my page and so far, there's 16 likes and 17 people talking about my product!  

This is so very cool!  

And I haven't sold anything yet!

I am back to painting pegs again just last night as my Tennis Elbow has settled enough to let me hold something in my right hand.  I've got 3 set of pegs ready to sell, one of my friends has hinted that her Mum's birthday is coming up and she likes pastel colour (so I'll be starting on those tonight) and then there's another 2 dozen pegs that are varnished and 1 dozen that aren't.  Phew!  I'm ahead of myself, but then, I have to be right now.  So, if I keep myself ahead of schedule, I'll have enough pegs painted and ready for whoever wants them.

Now, it's been a little over 12 hours since I created Mozette's Crafty Pegs on Facebook and I'm stoked!  I've been accepted by people and I didn't have to leave my home to do it!  And I didn't have anyone making lame-arse excuses about 'economic climates' or that my pegs are 'too crafty' to be sold.  I'm doing this my way and people like my work.

And like I said, it's Father's Day.  I think my Dad would be downright proud of me for not taking no for an answer and digging my business heels in doing what I know is right - and that is going ahead and being the best I know I can be.  So, Happy Father's Day, Dad.  I've begun a small business of my own and it started 24 hours ago.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.

No Sleep

Over this weekend, I haven't had much sleep.  This is mainly because I've had the sweats and have been coming down with bad sinus due to the change in the seasons.  However, my usual change-of-season cold has struck at it's regular time... so I'm not surprised about it.  And yeah, don't worry, I'm going to see the doctor about it.
However, having a little sinus yesterday didn't stop me from going out to Garden City.  I caught a bus from down the road - which was horribly late - and went to the bank after buying 'Dandelion Wine' by Ray Bradbury.  Then, it was time to find Dad's present.  Seeing Westfield Garden City had been changing its shops around a lot lately, I had to ask at the Concierge Desk where the bottle shop was.  And once there, I found there was a great variety to choose from.  I picked out one that was on special (and it's a two-for-one deal) and I was well on my way home.  Then, I remembered I had gotten a phone call from Mum during my day there and headed off to Coles to buy some milk.  
I caught another bus to Springwood, walked through Centro Mall to pick up my 'Good Reading' Magazine and arrived at Mum and Dad's place.  Mum was expecting me, but Dad wasn't.  He loved the pressie and suggested we play some darts over some nibblies.  Well!  What fun it was!  I had played the game before when I moved out of home and Dad didn't know I knew how to play... but when it came to playing a more formal game, it was harder for me; but I kept at it because it was something to learn.  We played a game of 500 then we played Cricket... all to do with darts... and it was a lot of fun and used up 3 hours of time before I was driven home at around 2:30pm.  Dad said he had a lot of fun and enjoyed the present.

Last night, I made myself a good lot of comfort food, scoffed into it and kicked back and watched 'Shrek'.  Then when that was over, I almost turned off the television, until I spotted 'Neverland' on there... and didn't realise it went until midnight.  Anyway, I was getting a fever and thought it would be good to break it while I was awake and not sleeping, and so watched the second movie; which went until just past midnight.  After I turned off the tv, switched it off at the wall and locked up all the doors, I headed off to bed.  But I didn't get much sleep there, tossing and turning all night as I sweated up a storm unable to get comfortable.
At around 4am, I tried to find some painkillers around the place only to find them in the little bag next to my bed that holds my medications.  So, I took three and waited for them to take effect - which was pretty quick - and turned out the light.  After that I slept very deeply.  

Today, I was out of bed by 7:30am, had a nice, long, hot shower - to clear my nose out - and then dressed warmly and headed downstairs.  Little Miss Stevie was happy to see me.  But she was clumsy in her flight around the room this morning; and wasn't all that happy until I took off the covers and showed her that the sun was out.  Then, I forgot the feed the fishies!  Right up until I began preparing my breakfast, I looked at them and wondered why they appeared so desperate... then it occurred to me that they were hungry.  Doh!  Silly me!  
Anyway, I've got the house opened up, some of the washing up done and music playing.  Today, I'm taking it easy... nothing too strenuous going on except maybe some reading in the sun.  That's about as strenuous as it's going to get.  I do need a fair bit of rest, but I'll rest when my body tells me to.  And I've been eating like a horse over the last few days too... always hungry for food that I don't need.  I guess that's how a cold goes... you feed a cold and starve a fever.  Well, I hope you're feeling better than I am.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember I'm always here.

Father's Day

Yesterday, here in Australia, was Father's Day; seeing it was the first Sunday in Spring.  Today, though, I didn't get to see my Dad until last night at my brother's house for dinner; so I had the day to myself to do whatever I needed to do.

I did call my Dad early to wish him a Happy Father's Day - and accidentally got him out of bed!  Oops on my part. I was already up and about at 7:30am and going to the shops for the paper whereas he was still in bed sleeping in.  I maybe should have let him have a snooze in and left the call until after I returned back from the shop.  

Well, I purchased the paper and my drink that I was taking last night to Gabe's place and then cooked breakfast and settled in to read the paper.  The day turned out to be a strange cold, weird one.  One minute it was warm and sunny, the next cold and wet.  So, I kept Little Miss Stevie's covers and the curtains pulled for the day, until I thought to have a nice hot shower and begin to ready myself to go out at around 2pm.  

By 4:30pm, we were over at Gabe and Kat's place handing out pressies for Father's Day.  Dad's pressie was a pint glass which has on the front '#1 Fisherman'.  The funniest thing about this is that above it, it says: 'from birth' and Mum thought that was brilliantly thought out.  He can't wait to use it.  Gabe thought it was a great pressie.  And I gave him a card with a mouth organ on it and guitars.  I saw them while I was looking for a card for Dad and thought they were really cool!  He loved it and said I didn't have to get him anything; but he's a Dad too, I reckon he needed a card as well.  

Gabe and Kat weren't drinking any booze so I offered him a bottle of Root Beer and - after tasting an opened one - he said yeah he'd like one. He said it tasted a little like Sarsaparilla, but different and a little like Dr Pepper, but not as sweet.  Then, everyone wanted a taste; and they had their own idea of what it tasted like.  Mum thought it tasted like Irish Moss (a cough medicine she uses in Winter) and Dad said it was a little like what Gabe said it was - Sarsaparilla - and then they all asked where I bought it.  I told them the servo next door to me has a range of 'Jones'' drinks.  They have a Grape Ne-hi I've yet to try out; but the Root Beer is something I treat myself to once in a while.   

Gabe made up fresh Fish Tortillas with and we scoffed into them.  After two each, we were full!  He made the Tortillas with corn flour and plain flour; giving them a gorgeous taste and texture; and we had a great variety of food to use, along with some mango chili sauce.  

Mum had brought along some brownies she had baked that afternoon; and they were absolutely delectable.  Made with sour cream, Belgium Chocolate and eggs, they were the most moreish and rich brownies I've tasted in a long time!  We could only eat one each with our green tea.  

So, that was our Father's Day celebration.  The only person missing from our little get-together was Riley; however, she'll be traveling around Asia with Gabe and Kat next week to make up for it.  I left a book on her bed for her to have titled 'My Place' by Sally Morgan with a few foreign bookmarks slotted into the front of it I received a few years ago from Bookcrossing friends.  I hope she likes this book; as it's something I've read in high school and enjoyed it.

On the way home, we dropped in to Uncle Allan's house to give him something and then Mum and Dad dropped me home.  Mum saw my new lounge cover and loved it and picked up 'Red Dog' off me.  I readied myself for bed, but found I wasn't sleepy, so I turned on the television to watch the new show - 'Camelot' - but it had been axed after the first show and the movie 'The Hangover' was put on instead.  How stupid is that! I was so disappointed!  Well, until my next post, take care keep warm and safe and remember, I'm always here.

Dull Moments?

It's been an interesting few days.  I've read two books, cleaned up the house, gotten the shopping done, I went out and bought Dad his Father's Day gift and my 'Good Reading Magazine' (and a few other things I needed) and the lounge has a new cover on it; all the while, I have been working on a painting that had been archived in the storage facility for some years which I only dug out last week.

Yep, it's been a very busy week.  I also have stopped scratching from a severe allergic reaction to Garnier Fructis hair products.  I broke out in a horrible rash and had to be put on steroids to make it go away.  Now, all that's itchy is the dry skin I have from shaving my legs; and that's it - or a few ant bites from sitting out the front and reading in the Winter sun.

But this weekend has been strange - weather-wise - as it's been nice and sunny some days, and cool and weirdly overcast the next.  Like today - for example - it's around 19c and cold; yet yesterday was lovely, warm and had a hint of a cool breeze.  Last night, it was cool and poured rain just after I turned out the light at around midnight; and I heard the Boo-Book Owl off in the distance.

Also last night, we had Brisbane's Riverfire take place in the city.  This is to start Brisbane Festival; a two week celebration of our city during Spring.  It happens every year and this massive fireworks display takes over the whole river and is telecast everywhere and simulcast on the radio as well!  What a night!  Nobody who lives in Brisbane misses this spectacle; whether you see it at home or in the city, we all get to watch it at some point.  I have been in the city to see it from all kinds of vantage points (on the river during a party, from one of the many parks and from the verandahs of one of many restaurants that line the Brisbane River to name but a few).  But last night, I saw it from the comfort of my home as I didn't have the money or transport to go into the city and come home.  Maybe next year or so, I'll save up and go and see it from Southbank.

Today, it's Father's Day here in Australia.  I called Dad up early before going out to the service station to buy the paper and to wish him a Happy Father's Day.  Tonight we're all off to my brother's house to have dinner; where I'll give Dad his gift and my brother a card (after all, he's a Dad too).  Also, today, I'm hoping to get into reading another book - as well as the one I'm already reading.  The first one I've got my nose into is 'Metamorphosis' by David Suzuki; which I began yesterday.  It's an interesting insight into our genes, lives and how things change our families over time; morphing us into the people we are now.

Then, the next book I have pulled off the shelves is one I tried to read ages ago - however some bookrings came in from bookcrossing and interrupted it.  It's 'The Mists of Avalon' by Marion Zimmer Bradley.  This will be my second attempt at reading it; and hopefully I'll get through it completely.  This book is about King Arthur - but not just him - it's about the women in his life and the effect they had on him.  

Well, that's about all for today.  I've been busier than usual for the last few days; however, I'm sure it'll slow down enough for me to read more and get my painting worked on as well.  Until my next post, take care, keep warm and safe and remember, I'm always here.

Crazy Friday

It's Friday night and there's nothing on the television worth watching.  I've had a busy as hell day with the sun on my face and skin and I've had the new Chili Pepper's song in my head all day - until around 2pm when it finally faded - then Triple M put it back on and I had it running around in my head again.

I do love this band very much and own around five cds of their and one vinyl.  Anthony Keidis' voice is gorgeous not matter what he sings.  And he's hot to boot!  And who doesn't love the vibe this band puts out?  

Anyway, I was very busy this morning with the two loads of laundry, putting away wiping up from last night and feeding Little Miss Stevie before going out to the bus stop to go to Garden City to find a gift for Dad for Sunday.  I walked around up there for a few hours and found what I needed to find for the day including my 'Good Reading' Magazine for this month and some eggplant (mainly because the ones I found where I normally shop weren't worth buying).  Then, I found out that 'The Pancake Manor' had opened a branch out near the movie cinemas; and had a short stack!  - Yummo!  - before taking off home.  

I was home before 1pm and the day was nice and sunny and beautiful still until sunset.  I had Dad's Father's Day pressie, the house was presentable, the laundry was dry and Little Miss Stevie was drying off from being sprayed (as she didn't wish to take a bath in her bathtub; and yet wanted to in her drinking water; strange little budgie).  

Tonight, though was supposed to be Pizza Takeaway night.  But seeing I had pancakes for lunch, I decided to eat in instead and save my $10 for next month; and so I made my famous Veggie Pasta Bake and ate that for dinner instead.  It was a good choice as it warmed up the house.  

Well, it's getting onto around 10pm and still I'm not too tired.  Might stick around online for a while longer before heading off to bed, read the rest of 'Red Dog' and then turn out the light.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.

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.

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.