Birthday Discounts

I went out yesterday to Garden City and had a day to myself - something I haven't done in a long time. Usually I stay home and do some needlepoint or painting. But I wanted to get away from the house instead.

I had some Birthday Discounts I had to cash in at Garden City and when they come around, they usually only last a month; so thought I should jump on them while I had them. I also had to pick up some art gear too... mainly magnets for a new line of work I'm looking at.

Anyway, I packed my handbag, locked up the house and was on my way. I always have fun going out to these places as sometimes I never know what I'll be doing - like yesterday was a bit of a pantser day. I had a fair idea of what I needed to do, but no list of things. I did look at other stores of things I haven't seen before and wanted to just have a look at for a while before Christmas came along (yeah, I suss out stores for presents before I spend my money).

Well, I went to Riot Art and bought some large magnets for a project I'm working on, then was off to Priceline and bought something there as well. And then walked all the way up to the other end to Strand Bags where I had a membership with them and had a Birthday Voucher to use there as well; so I used that. I bought a new purse for myself. It's very cute, green and bigger than my other Roxy purse. It also hides a lot more things than the Roxy purse too; which is good. 

Then, I was off to Gloria Jeans for my free coffee - yep, it was my Birthday coffee. I had that with a piece of orange and almond slice; very lovely and not too sweet. While I was there, I changed over stuff from my old purse to the new one and texted Mum to drop in to see her for a few minutes. 

Well, by the time I got home it was just past 1pm or so.  I jumped on here and looked around the internet and then thought to get offline and start looking at something to eat - by then it was around 3pm. I had had fun yesterday being out and about - something I haven't done in over a month, and should do more often. Until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here.

Party Weekend

This past week, I've been out shopping, looking at a new way of painting my coat hangers and working on donating some of my Crafty Pegs gear to a raffle for a tattoo shop... yep, busy, busy, busy!

I've also gotten in and done some grocery shopping, housework and laundry for this weekend.  I went out to paint the town red on Friday night with a couple of friends. Man, we had a  great time!

Historically, the saying for 'paint the town red' has mixed answer to the question on Google.  The most accurate one was found here and I think it might be right. There are other meanings which are less fun around, but this one is documented in greater detail.

Anyway, we headed out to West End for dinner at Grill'd where the food and music there was great! I love eating there whenever I get into town (which isn't often) and then we took off to The Wickham to take in a band in Fortitude Valley. We sat in the beer garden where there were gas heaters and blankets on offer to keep the punters warm with lovely cushions on the wooden seats to make sure we stayed put! What a way to keep the customers happy!  And to make it even more worth our while, there's a huge Anthony Lister painting up on the wall which is only a few months old... very cool!
Before long, us three were walking to Spring Hill to our next place: a karaoke bar! Yep, we sang and danced the next three hours away. We caught a train home and got to bed at 1:30am... a great night out for all of us.

However, I didn't sleep well. My left leg cramped up really badly and I had to find a 'sweet spot' for it to stop. Two hours after we all went to bed, I finally got to sleep - this meant I was asleep at 4am instead of 2am. Not a good time for me at all.
Last night, I was hoping it didn't happen again - so I put some PainAway on my leg and was out like a light before 11pm. Yep, I was in bed a little before 10:30pm; I was so tired, and I slept straight through until 6am this morning when my alarm woke me.

My feet still hurt, my legs don't; but I can't wait to get back out there and enjoy the sights of Brisbane by night again. There's so much more to do than there used to be; as I hadn't been into the city by night for over five years. 

So, what was your weekend like? Busy, relaxing, partying or a bit of everything? Until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here.

A Spare Month... Busy As Hell!

I thought having a month without a market to go to would be relaxing... boy was I wrong!  This week I have had almost every day out and about.  

On Sunday, I went to a friends' house to cook them Easter Lunch and to catch up with them - as I hadn't seen them in ages, along with Will Cornivus.  I didn't get home until around 9pm!  But my stir-fry was wonderful!

Then Monday was a public holiday.  I slept in, and caught up with a few things around the house.  Then, on Tuesday, I checked the mail, bought some antihistamines and went to the Logan Art Gallery to pick up a copy of my roster.  Well!  That turned into an afternoon of me being up to my elbows in plaster!  I seriously didn't mean it to be, but it did.  I found myself making a plaster torso with some teenagers and a couple of adults.  It was so much fun!

That night, I was out and about at the Logan North Library learning how to write a memoir at Karen Tyrrell's course there.  It was only about an hour or so long but I scored some great information on what to do and what not to do; and I have some good ideas on how to write mine... well, okay, a couple of them.

Wednesday was the longest day out shopping ever!  I left the house at 8:45am and arrived home at around midday or so.  I had over-spent - and in a good way too!  I bought new pillows for my bed, found some great clothes at Life Line and then bought a couple of badges for ANZAC Day for Mum, Dad and myself.  Then, I was off to Coles for a top-up shop.  I had to buy a few things I needed for the house and around the place... and before I knew it, I was off home.  But I did spend a lot of money... more than I was supposed to, but then, I guess that happens sometimes.

Yesterday, I did a lot of laundry and hung it out.  I did so much laundry that I had to pull out the clothes horse and use it outside... yeah there wasn't enough room on the clothes line.  But most of it got dry.  I had to use the clothes horse inside and put the jeans and skirts on it overnight.  Otherwise the rest of the all was dried. 
I did go out yesterday to look at a jacket in 'Rivers' at Springwood.  They were having a sale of coatigans - these are long cardigans - and I had my eye on a burgundy one which was only $18 down from $30... not a bad price if you ask me.  However when I arrived there, they only had them in XXL and not Small... and the size would have been massive in Small anyway.  So, I looked around and found the other styles were nice, but in colours which made me looked either washed out or enormous.  So, I did gave up on looking at the jackets and looked at underwear and socks (because I do need to buy new pairs in each).  I found a cool pair of knickers and a nice pair of socks and then there were some scarves which I could throw into the car this Winter just in case I needed them.  they weren't too long and could pack away in the boot of the car; and the scarves were only $1.00 each!  So, I sorted through them and found the colours I loved and grabbed them.
I got to Mum and Dad's place - eventually - put the ANZAC badges on the counter and sat down and did some knitting with a cup of tea next to me.  I thought they would arrive home within the next hour or so.  However, they didn't.  Time marched on, and I looked at my watch... I needed to get home and pull in the laundry.  So, I texted Mum and told her I had to head off home.  It ended up that they were hanging out at an Aunt and Uncle's place in Holland Park.
I arrived home, pulled in the laundry - like I said - and then made a pizza dough just as 'Mork & Mindy' came on the television.  It turned out to be a good evening of pizza, finishing off my Easter chocolate.  

I've had sinus lately, and it feels like a cold; but it's not really.  And everyone I've spoken to has had the same thing this week or last week!  So, it's been going around really quickly.  Anyway, I'm getting over mine pretty fast... I've been taking the antihistamines, Horse Radish and Garlic pills twice a day and sleeping like a log at night on new pillows (speaking of which, I have to give Mum and Dad the old ones for the van).  

Today, I'm home again for most of the day.  I have a chiropractor's appointment this afternoon, so I will be hopefully staying here at home and taking it easy until then.  Tomorrow, I have another full day out and on Sunday I'm hanging out here to see how it all goes with my house again... so how was your week?  Busy like mine?  Or SSDD (same shit, different day)... Stephen King has come up with some wonderful quotes hasn't he?  Well until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here. 

It's A Friday!

That's right!  Friday, and school holidays are under way too.  It's pouring rain - at long last - and I've got house work to catch up on too.  Yeah, I've been lazy in that area of my life.

I've tried to keep the kitchen tidy, but just can't be bothered to keep on washing up... so plates are piled up on the sink.  And then, there's the laundry to be put away, which I get half done, and give up on. 

Truthfully, it's my attention span that's the problem.  But I have read two books, begun a painting, almost finished some Christmas presents and posted off two Christmas cards for an online exchange and sent off a 3kg bookbag.  So, I've been busy in other ways.

Also, this week, I've had a flat tyre on the car, been to Mum and Dad's place to help with the Christmas Tree, hung out with a friend of mine on Monday and also went to my Craft Group's last gathering.  Otherwise, we've been getting one storm after another, and then rainy days which are more challenging than we think seeing it's normally the time when we all love to get in and do our laundry early in the mornings.  However, with all the rain about, it's difficult to do that.

Not that I'm complaining about it - we really do need it after all the heat and dry we've had.

Tomorrow, I'm off to a writer's group in the morning and my volunteer work in the afternoon.  It's a full day out.  So, I'm hoping to stay home here and just chill out, getting the work that needs to be done finished up... so I'll be good and rested for tomorrow.  Plus if the weather holds out well, it'll be a good day for the markets at the gallery.  I've also gotten myself almost ready for Christmas... almost... you know, there's those gifts that are to be finished off over the weekend, varnished and wrapped, then it's all done!  Until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here.

A Pinched Nerve; Not A Tickler

It's Halloween and I'm in pain.  Yep, I've had to rest my left arm from doing any craft... this is no fair.  I also am not allowed on a computer.

Okay, I got around that last one.  

I rolled up a towel and am leaning on it.

Over the past week, my left arm has been giving me horrible pain - and on Wednesday night, I just couldn't sleep.  So, what happened?  I went to the doctors yesterday and I've pinched and inflamed my Ulna nerve... yowch!  Not exactly what I thought it would have been, but at least I know how to treat it.  The doctor said for me to sit and read a book; so I have been doing that, and surfing the net and looking at things.

But this year, I'm not celebrating Halloween.  For the first time ever, I can't dress up my house and get the spooky on for the kids - not that any of them ever showed up at my place.  I'm unable to carve a pumpkin and I just can't afford the lollies or anything.  
So, what I have done is bring my Halloween Box over to my parent's house so Mum can dip into it this year.  I also brought over the decorations so they can have the fun I normally have.  It was missing a few things, but she said it's good I went to the trouble of making up the baggies of kookie stuff for the kids.  

Anyway, I've been sitting here just looking around Facebook and reading a few things.  My left arm is still twinging a little from time to time; otherwise I'm good.  The main problem I have is that this arm will take a while to heal seeing I'm left-handed and have been trying to feed myself and do other things with my right hand, things I do normally with my left arm... I know that sounds silly, but as much rest as possible will help it in every way.

How fortunate was I that my older brother broke my little finger on my left hand when I was 12?  Yep, I have been in this position before, yonks ago... and now I'm back in it again over 25 years later.  Oh well, I guess things happen for a reason... I think this has happened to tell me to slow down; and slow down I'll have to do.  Until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember I'm always here... and have a good'n'spooky Halloween - all 3 days of it - as tonight is the first day of the 3-day celebration of the dead.  Tomorrow is All Saint's Day and 2nd, November is The Day of the Dead - where people who celebrate this time of year dress in black and celebrate the 3-day festival to its fullest.  It's also the best time of year to talk to anyone who's passed away.

Woudn't You Know It...

I've been going well this week. There's been late nights, but I've been sleeping so well!  I've been eating well, taking care of myself, making sure I'm going well with my stress too.

Then, I went out yesterday to get some last-minute things and dropped by Mum and Dad's house.  I was suffering from some sinus - and let's face it, it's Spring, and I get hay-fever, I'm bound to get this problem - and so I ignored it.  I started sneezing a lot last night, took an antihistamine and made sure my dinner had a huge amount of garlic in and chilled out after dinner.

I even went to bed at around 10pm... yeah, now that's early!

But, I didn't sleep well.  The sinus kept me up all night and I woke this morning with a cold!  Now, I didn't get the usual warning of an earache, so how did I score a cold without my warning?  I'm still trying to figure this out... but I'm also thinking about the Mama Mia Mini Market tomorrow night; and still want to attend it as I've been told that it's a great place to make money.

I can't miss it!  I don't want to.

So, today, I packed the car and checked the stall sizes on Facebook and then ... well, I've been pumping myself with vitamins and minerals.  I've been eating plenty of super fruits and foods since I woke up and even took a boiling hot shower to clear out the sinus' this morning (and will grab another one this arvo to clear them out again).  I'm going to knock this damned cold on the head before it picks up speed on me.  I'm not going to let it effect me - not after I've been waiting to go to this market.

I just hope it doesn't rain tomorrow night as I'm not under cover... fingers crossed, knock on wood and anything else for good luck.  But really, don't you hate it when something like a cold shows up to wreck a good streak of good health?  Yeah, me too... oh well, it was bound to happen sooner or later.  Until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here. 

A Long Weekend Ahead

Today, I went out for a few hours, and I had a few things to get done.  Seeing I had been home for two days working hard on the new line of products for the Creative Markets, I'm happy I got a chance to go out and get some things done.

I was gone from the house by 10am or so, after I found out the car was covered in cat pee!  Yuk!  Well, I didn't have time to wash the car until I'd get home. So, I sprayed the windscreen and cleaned it off to drive and made my way out... well, until I found somebody had put all the wheelie bins along the fence behind the car.  These same 5 or so bins have been sitting in the same space for the last 3 - 6 months, so I dumped one where it was supposed to be, and threw the others in a heap at the back of the complex.  It's not my responsibility to return them to the people's home - it's the tenant's responsibility to pick them up; and if they don't, the Caretaker returns them.  Leaving them outside my place isn't something to be done.  So, I let my Dad know what I'd done (so if anyone bugs him about it, he could back me up) and went on my way.

I drove over to the Hyperdome to pick up some more spray varnish for my next day of varnishing (which will be on Tuesday, while everyone is at work or school).  And then, I made my way back around the ridges to look at some charity stores to pick up some men's ties.  There were some lovely ones at the Op Shop at Logan Central, but I bought only two there.  And then I drove to Vinnies on the Service Road and found another five or so to add to the cushion... they look great!  There's plenty of colours and I'm looking forward to adding them to this Secret Santa cushion for the lady I'm making it for... all hand-stitched!  I hope she likes it.  

On my way home, I checked the mail and came home, where I immediately hosed off the car and washed it.  Stupid cats... wish they didn't pissed all over my car.  Made the damned thing stink.  But now, it's nice and clean and I'm looking forward to being able to drive my car over the weekend if I need to.

This arvo, I'll be working on more works for Tuesday's Varnish'n'Wrap Day.  And over the weekend, I'll be packing for next week.  I'll be hanging out at my brother's house for a couple of days... it'll be a good few days to get to know the area, seeing I have a car now.  I'll also be working on some pegs and the cushion too.  I'll also keep in touch with you all from there.  Until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here.

I'm So Excited!

This weekend is going to be an exciting one!  I have a a lot of work happening for me over the next few days and yet, I'm hoping to get my butt into slow motion to be ready for it.

You see I've been working hard over the week I normally take off before the Creative Markets.  This is the week I normally try to keep for myself to have a bit of 'me' time... however this month didn't work out that way.  Oh well, can't win them all, right?

Today, though I varnished and wrapped up all the stock I needed to take with me to the markets this month - and some for next month - and then sat back and did nothing, zero, bupkiss... yep, I'm not doing anything tomorrow either.  Well, okay, after my Romance Writer's Group, I'm not doing anything.  But then, my writer's group is a relaxing thing for me as it's about my passion of writing.  But tomorrow, I'll be packing the car and getting my butt ready to go... then, sitting down and probably reading a book or sitting on the computer and writing my next chapter of another book, or editing my flash fiction.

I'm hoping to get in and just hang out and do nothing tomorrow... just to relax for myself.  Then, I snag myself an early night and I won't be in a hurry to get to the markets on the way there.  It'll be a good day.  But like my title says:  I'm so excited!  Well, I'm excited about family coming to my market stall on Sunday.  My brother, his girlfriend and my niece, Riley are coming to see to attend the market and see my stall.  It'll be fun!  It's the first time they've ever seen my stall in action.  And I'm working on changing it up again too... adding to it so my new line of goodies have a place to be.  But I'm not saying anything yet on what it will look like, just that my table will have to move back a little and things will look slightly different, and yet the same.

Anyway, I'm really happy with the progress I've made with the work I've done.  So far, I've made 4 picture frames, 6 Mega-Pegs and I'm looking forward to doing more of them next month so I have a good line of them to sell at the August Creative Markets - which will be now known as 'The Handmade & Boutique Markets' ... a mouthful, but a much better and more descriptive way of showing them off.

I'm just thankful today is a nice sunny day.  I've been able to get my laundry out on the line, and it's drying well.  I also got the car washed and I've gotten the clothes clean that I want to wear to the markets on Sunday too.  All I need is a couple of good early nights and I'll be set.

So, how has your week been?  As busy as mine?  Or same old, same old?  Until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here.

Black Friday... or is it?

Today turned out pretty good.  Yeah, it's overcast, looking like rain and the hall table was a shit of the thing to put together when it arrived, but it turned out good.

I had my laundry overloading the indoor clothes horse this afternoon - but it was mostly dry, with only the sleeves and waistbands of the clothes being damp.  So, it didn't rain as much as was forcast... this is something I'm happy about.  

I got some organising done too.  The skirts in my closet are now hanging up in my wardrobe... all of them... they have made room for the scarves and shawls that were in my tall boy set of drawers in my bedroom.  However, there weren't enough hangers for my jeans; so next week, I'll have to get some more and two wicker boxes.  The boxes are for the scarves and shawls and I'll label them as such so I know what's in them.  

Yep, today wasn't that bad.  I still have a long way to go.  There's still a lot of cleaning up to do, a lot of doing out do and a fair few charity store runs to to be done as well; but I'm happy with the stuff I've donated, thrown out and bought.  The house is looking and feeling good.
And I've left the last room - the toughest room - to take the longest.  It's my office.  There's so much in here, I will take my time and see how I do.  And seeing I have transformed the rest of the house into a lovely home with my taste throughout, I'll have to do the same with my office.  Right now, it looks and feels like just another junk room filled with books and handbags; but I want it to be an inviting room so I want to be here... anyone can be in here.  And I want to put in a lounge chair... a nice retro one where I can curl up and read a book.  However, there are a few things I'll have to get rid of before I do that... and that will be next year's big purchase, as it'll be something old, something I can't find in just any furniture store and something I'll spend a lot of time using in here... and it's gotta be comfortable too - like I said - so I can sort through my books, enjoy my collection and make sure this room stays the way it is... my library with a few collectables. 

These are my plans for my place.  What are yours?  Mine have been a long time coming, and I've had to kick myself in the butt to get them going lately... and it's been fun to work on such old-fashioned things to have them work out so well!  Over the next year, I'll be working on making sure I get the look I want and working hard on making sure everything works out... and that will take time to do.  Until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here.

A Weekend Full of Housework

I have a weekend full of housework and cleaning up.  Yep, seeing I spent most of my week out on the road, I have mostly neglected tidying up the house, putting away the laundry and cleaning the bathroom and washing the floors.

So, I'm going to do just that this weekend.  I'm doing all the usual housework as well as the bigger stuff I was supposed to do on Thursday when I was out all day looking for a cork for the terrarium at Bardon and having lunch at Mt Coot-tha.

Tomorrow, I'm up at sparrow-fart to catch the guys at Harvey Norman to pick up the hall table I picked up today.  
Okay, I'll start at the beginning with this one.  I ordered in a gorgeous, solid timber hall table for the top of my stairs.  I had been looking for something like this for about a year now, and I finally found one at Harvey Norman at Garden City.  So, on Tuesday, I ordered it in and yesterday, when I arrived home, I found a message on my machine letting me know it had arrived.  So, today, I took my time and got there to pick it up.  I had other things to get done, but I didn't rush.  I paid the rest of the money off on it ($200) and drove up there, backed my car in, popped the boot open and the guy put it in... no probs.  When I got home, I got it up the stairs and into my bedroom safely on my two-wheel trolley and gently laid it down, opened it, pulled all the stuffing from around it only to find one end was broken clean in half!  I was stunned!  It's a good solid table, and something must have hit it bloody hard to break the end of it as it was hanging by the screws.  I called the place and told them, got photos (as they asked me to for evidence for the supplier - because Harvey Norman was as upset about this as I was/am) and then I had to move the thing into my office.  As I did, the broken bit dropped off into the box... man, it just didn't have chance.  So, the guys are coming tomorrow morning at 7:30am, because I'm the first job on the list.  They did try to come tonight, as they put me on the last job of the night, but they got held up longer at their previous job and asked if it was okay for them to come tomorrow... hey, no probs, I'm going to be home for most of the weekend.

So there was my Friday.  Not rushed, but upsetting to say the least.  I hated what happened to my table, but am happy something is being done about it.

Anyway, tomorrow and Sunday, I'm going to get the lawn mowed, the car washed, one of my sun-loving plants repotted (and it's spiney too).  Then, I'm going to do out my wardrobe completely, vacuum, dust, clean the bathroom and toilets and then measure up the bathroom window for a curtain.  I have the rod and holders that will be on the window, but I just need a few more things and it'll be done.  I want my bathroom to look more like it's part of my home and less like it's part of a hotel... I know that sound terrible, but it's how it feels to me.  My bathroom has a very cold feel to it; and yet outside it, it's my home.

Monday is going to be a day of me catching up with reading, writing and critiquing some works... I hope I get more work in the garden done too if it's not raining too much.  I might even get some varnishing done on Tuesday or Wednesday.  Truthfully, I don't want my week next week to be filled up too much.  I just want to be home most of the time to chill out and enjoy my new terrarium and be here for when the new hall table is delivered.

So, what are the plans for your long weekend?  Partying?  Chilling out or just plain old working around the house?  Until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here.

Yay! It's Friday!

I do love Fridays.... this means a good weekend of fun is to be had by me and others around me.

But yesterday, I got a lot done; and I'm pleased with myself.  The filing was done - well, there's on more bag of it to look through - and then, I got the car washed, the piano polished and the top of it cleaned up (so there's only things on it that look good on it).  Then, I put away all my dvds, cds and packed up all my books and put them into a bag and brought them into the office to put away.

Well, that was yesterday done... as polishing the piano took over an hour to do; she looks just gorgeous!

Today, I paid my phone bill, called my folks and said hi (as they're on holidays) and then was out and about in The Green Machine for a few hours.  I had to get to their place to pick up some veggies from their fridge.  I grabbed the pumpkin and made plans for a couple of cakes with that.  The rest of the veggies were left for Aunty Helen to pick up.  
Then, I picked up the mail on the way to Super A-Mart Furniture Store to look at a hall table I've been eying off... I'll be saving up the money to get it.  But I have only a metre to use in my house.  So, I'll have to look around more at places to see what else will be around; what other furniture there might be available.  I still have to shop around at other stores to find the right kind of deal for what I want.  This has been going on for almost a year now, and I still haven't found the right hall table for my house.  How frustrating can you get?  But then, I've always been told that patience is a virtue. 

I arrived home and got stuck right into making two cakes for the next few days.  One is for tomorrow's writer's gathering at the Loganholme Library and the other is for the Queen Bees Craft Group... but the first one didn't quite work out the way I had hoped, so I'll be taking the other one to both; halving it for the occassions.  That's just the thing about making things from scratch, sometimes, they don't work out, while other times they do.

Tonight, I'll be getting myself an early night, so I can get to my destination tomorrow on time.  Then, I'll be off to Garden City to look at hall tables and then, on the way home, I'll look in on Fantastic Furniture to see what kind of hall tables they have there.  I really do want to get this thing before Winter settles in here.  And I want to get my photos for the corner and staircase going too, so my house feels and looks like a home.  Until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember I'm always here.

Out With Mum

Today I was out the door at around 9:30am.  The skies looked overcast and rain spattered on the windscreen a little as I pulled out of the car port as Jethro Tull began to blast from the speakers of my cd player.  Yep, it was going to be a weird old Autumn day here in Brisbane.

I drove to Mum and Dad's place.  Dad was at Air/Sea Rescue Training today and so Mum was on her own today.  And so Mum and I went to the Transport Department to see if I could get a further discount on my regostration for my car... but it looked like because of my plates being purchased and stamp duty, we had a larger amount of money to pay.  Next year it'll be cheaper - well fingers crossed!
Anyway, Mum suggested we go to get some coffee, but I wanted to take her to a bookstore over at Browns Plains and asked if she'd like to go.  She said okay and we took off there.  However, halfway there, she started feeling indigestion really bad.  Fortunately, I knew of a chemist that was not far along the road and pulled in there for her buy some ant-acids.  However, as I pulled into a parking space, I ran over a bottle we both thought was plastic, but it was glass!  Damn!  While I was looking around for somebody to help clean up the glass before moving my car, Mum was looking at how cheap the vitamins were in the place.  Very cool!
Anyway, before we knew it, we were off again.  And I found The Really Good Book Shop, park nearby and opened the door to the place for Mum and she stopped right inside with her mouth open... she was shocked at how many books there were.  She did have a plan of which author she was looking for and how many books she was going to look at buying - if any - but when she walked inside, that all went out the window.  I asked which books she was looking at getting and she told me that she had forgotten and she was taking in the place - absorbing it - and she started to get the giggles.  The lady at the counter saw me and said hi and I introduced Mum to her and she asked Mum what she was looking for, but Mum was still absorbing the place.
They got talking about the bookstore Mum worked at while I was in high school - Charring Cross Bookstore at Chardon's Corner.  And they had heard of it, but didn't know if it was still open or not.  Then, Mum looked around and asked about an author and she was shown the place in the store... so I walked off to the Classics area where I looked into what I could pick up next to read (not that I don't have enough already!), and found myself a copy of 'Slaughterhouse 5' I haven't read it or own a copy of it yet... and have been wanting to, so we got our books and took off to MacDonalds just down the road.
It was a lovely place this one, very open, and enjoyed something to eat and drink while we were there.  And then, we chatted about a few things and watched as people went through the drive through eating, drinking and texting as they drove... wondering how they didn't run their cars into the car in front of them.  
Before long, it was time to head off back to Mum's house and we sorted through some cd's and books and other stuff Mum didn't want.  We listened to some music and I collected together a few things and scored myself a free telephone for upstairs (as that one I have up there was stuffed).  And so, I packed the car, and was back on the road again. 

I arrived home just in time for the rain to pour down from the heavens!  Wow!  How's that for timing?  Well, while it poured, I went out the side door and collected the rest of the my gear and fixed up my house to look like I was home.  It's been a good day out with my Mum.  This weekend, I'm going to catch up with my reading and a bit of housework.  What are you up to?  Until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here.

It's A Friday

Yep, it's the end of the week.  A Friday... the day where everyone goes out to Happy Hour and enjoys their well-earned pay and has takeaway, catches up with mates, families and just kicks back and loves it that they have two days to themselves.

For me, Fridays are usually days where I get a lot of housework done.  I catch up with laundry, washing up, cleaning out my art area and making sure the bins are emptied around my house and put out into the big green wheelie bin in my car port.  This is so I have my two days of bliss to myself.

It's been a busy day for me.  I got two loads of laundry done and one lot of hand-washing.  It all dried - well, except the towels have a bit of damp around the edges, but it's Autumn, that happens every year.  I got a lot of washing up done and the counter looking cleaner.  Then, I put away about 20 Magna-Pegs into a plastic zip-lock bag ready to be varnished next week for the markets the week after.

Then, I hopped online and checked my mail and looked around here.  It's been a busy old week and I'm looking forward to my weekend of hanging out with my family at my brother's house this Sunday for Mother's Day.  We're having lunch there and all bringing something to eat.

I'm looking forward to going.

Anyway, I've also been trying to get some cd's burned but the new ones I bought were the wrong ones - only for pictures - and my car spat out the one I tried it out in.  So, I'll keep that lot for photos only and go back to K-Mart and get some cds to burn music onto for the car; as I don't want to stuff up my original cds.  
Tomorrow, I'll be doing that.  Also tomorrow, I'll be making a huge salad for Sunday.  I love making salads; so much I can put into it and yet it's going to be a lot of fun getting it to work out.  Which reminds me... I must boil some eggs tonight for tomorrow.  I'll be adding in some unsalted cashews, cranberries, eggs, corn, split olives, lettuce, paprika, mushrooms and other great little surprises too... and I'll spice up the mayonaise I've made with something else I've found makes it taste gorgeous.  Yummo... I can't wait until Sunday.

Well, that's been my Friday.  The weekend beckons for us all, doesn't it?  Until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here.

Busy Friday

I had a busy day, but I didn't rush around like I normally do.  It was going to be a hot day, so I took my time getting places and did my thing, stuck to the speed limit and just got home whenever I ended up home.

However, this did mean that I was running around in the car like I was on a scavenger hunt for a good part of my day... which was unusual.  So long the end of my 'hunt' ended up back at my place, well, that's all I cared about.
Anyway, I had an appointment at my optometrist's to look into getting myself a pair of occupational/work glasses for when I do my close-up work with Crafty Pegs; as my reading glasses weren't cutting it, and I'm beginning to get headaches, tired eyes and feeling really tired within myself when I've been working on my craft for long periods of time.  This is something that isn't good for my eyes; and Graeme even said that it can lead to my eyesight worsening more than it should be over a shorter length of time.  And seeing my eyesight is in pretty good nick, we don't want me straining my eyes too much.  So, today, I scored myself two free pairs of glasses; one for reading and one for up-close work.  I stayed with my usual, lovely purple/green frames for my reading glasses (as I love them) and picked out a cool lot of frames for my craft work/up close work.  They'll look totally different from each other so I won't confuse them and the craft glasses will be kept at my craft area too, so I'm not carting them around the place.

Well, the car got some cheap petrol in it, I checked the mail, ordered in a book at QBD and found a piece of Royal Doltan at David Jones that Mum broke for half price that I'll buy for her for Easter.  Then, I was off to Bunnings where I tried to find a piece of pipe for a teapot I've got that drips... but it was the wrong size.  So, I'm back to square one with that. 
But never to fear, I found a few fun things to use from there for my Crafty Pegs market.  I picked up a proper peg basket I can put my pegs in to sell and 24 metres of white clothes line to string around my stall.  I'll hang my pegs on it and put Christmas Cards, business cards, Birthday Cards and Postcards on it, to give people ideas of what they can do with the clothes pegs.  I also have to write up some lists to put with the Magna-Pegs, but that'll come with a bit of time.

Before long, I was home.  I found that the kids around the place had been playing in my car port but they were no longer around.  I really don't mind school holidays, but parents around unit complexes really should have some idea what to do with their children during this time.  And they should be telling them to not interfere with anyone's houses while they're out.  I know that makes me sound fussy.  But I've got two cabinets at the back of my car port and if any kids pull them down on themselves while I'm not around, it's not my fault they were there and I wasn't; and not my responsibility.  Until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here.

It's Friday!

Everyone loves Friday.  I love Friday.  There's so much to do on a weekend, and yet so little.  And this weekend, I want to get my pegs worked on again, so much so that I'll have a lot more stock to put out at the end of the month.

However, there'll be a bit of housework... not much, just a bit of vacuuming, dusting and washing the kitchen floor - you know, the basics, before I even consider getting into working on my Crafty Pegs.  I also want to work on Chapter Two of my new book and the last few chapters of my Fry Nelson trilogy... and finish that off before I start looking at book one of that to edit it and fix it up.

But it doesn't mean I haven't been busy this week.  I've been out and about mainly working on my garden, and have bought myself something to help with my physical fitness.  I bought a set of weights - 1kg, 1.5kg and 2kg - that are to start me off on the road to building up my arm muscles and core muscles again.  I know I'm not going to be exactly like I used to be in my 20's, but I'm going to try to get myself to a point where I can pick up heavy items without feeling as though they weigh more than they really do.

Anyway, that was on Wednesday - my really busy day of the week.  Today, I was out and about looking at new things I could do with my stall.  However, I found that I have enough things to work on with it.  Even Mum said to not do too much with my work, unless somebody asks me to.  I am working on trying to get the coathanger to be personalised with writing on them... and hopefully, they'll look good once I get into the swing of doing them.  Otherwise, things are going well.

I was looking for my photos from my childhood for the last week, and just the other day, I found them all!  So, I picked up all my autobiographical stuff and put it into a briefcase I had from when I was working.  I don't want to lose this stuff again.  But then again, I want to organise this briefcase a lot better than it is now so I can work on my life better too.  This will take time.

And speaking of organising... I still have a few things to sort out with my decluttering for the year.  The living room is going well as I've put away all the Christmas and Halloween gear into their proper boxes and looked for my Peace Flags at the same time (without success) and then, I have moved all my tea pots from the credenza to the place where the halloween stuff used to sit.  Yep, I'm trying to make more room on the credenza so it looks better, and cleaner, and I don't have to dust so much.  But honestly, I want to do something with my bathroom... it looks okay, I guess, but I want to do something with it where it has more personality as it looks a little like I'm staying at a hotel, rather than my own home.  Still gotta think about what I want to put in that room.  Sure, it's got a few things that make it purely mine, but I want to put in some touches that say it's mine completely... it just seems a little dull.

So, what have you been up to that has kept you busy this week?  A lot around the house, around town and around your life?  Or have you had a slower week - if it's the latter, lucky you!  I did have a few problems later in the week involving my cousin, who took something I said on facebook the wrong way... but then, you can't please everyone, and you can't always help the people you hope to help in your life.  Well, I hope my cousin feels better in herself soon, not because it'll make me feel better.  Until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here.

I Found The Kitchen Counter!

Yep... I found it!  My kitchen counter has been hiding under a whole pile of junk for years and today and tonight, I found it!

What happened was that I lost power while I was online this morning.  Fortunately, it was after I did two loads of laundry, saw the skies and pulled it all in from outside and put it all on the clothes horse.  Then, two lots of electricians showed up to check on it and it turned out to be something really expensive that had to be done; as half the unit complex had power and the other half didn't... damn!

Anyway, in the two hours I had to myself, I cleaned up the area near the fish tank, and put away a lot of stuff next to the pantry, photographed my Crafty Pegs stuff and put that away.  Then, I put all the photographs on the set of drawers I have sitting at the top of stairs that I'm using as a hall table right now (as I'm saving up for a real hall table).  
I spent around 3 - 4 hours painting; even after the power came back on.  I just got into a groove and didn't wish to leave it. 

Well, before long, it was time to take a break and so I sat down and did some proof-reading for the romance group I'm taking part in tomorrow and took some notes for it.  Then, I was back at it for a little while and made a pizza dough for dinner.

Now, it's late, and I have to get to bed as I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow.  I have to learn to program the Tom-Tom to get me to Waterford tomorrow; and back.  It's going to be an experience.  Until my next post, take care, stay safe and remember, I'm always here.

Busy At Home

Today, I've been busily working away at things that I thought would be done during the week or weekend.  However, I'm glad to busy.

Yesterday, I had a visitor - Jeremy - a gread friend of mine who is from the Gold Coast who dropped in for the day to help me with my computer (and why it keeps on crashing on me).  He's doing an IT course and programming course and loving it.  And so, he looked at my hard drive and said that one of the drives needed reformatting, and yes, 1GIG was far too small for what I need it for - but to save up for a great hard drive, not just a good one.
Then, we had lunch of a home made pizza.  I made the dough and made the whole thing from scratch, and he hadn't eaten a pizza like that before; and was amazed at how deliciously sweet and soft the base was.  He loves meat on his pizzas and yet when I made a vegetarian one, he said didn't seem to matter what was on the top, it was the base that made all the difference; nice and soft in the middle, and crunchy on the outside... yep, that's how it's supposed to taste.

Then, we took the horrible white hall table back to Sam's Warehouse back.  Well, they were amazed at how badly designed it was.  The lady said there were broken bits on it and I told her that they were like that, and I had to glue some things to make them work, and the drawer guides were all broken too.  I got my money back and they wondered how it all worked if the drawers went in the back the whole thing wasn't flush.  Even check-out guy could see it was totally wrong when he looked at the instructions, then back at it.  He agreed that it couldn't possibly be fixed up as the holes drilled into it were in the wrong places.  I'm so glad that went without a hitch.

Well, I looked at my watch and it was almost 3pm!  Wow, where did that time go?  Oh well.  We drove back here and hung out, chilling until Jeremy's lift came to pick him up.  We chatted in the back yard and he had a few smokes and he said that my place looked nice.  However he did comment that there were a few red ants around, and asked if we had Fire Ants around.... I told him I didn't think so as they're pretty aggressive.  My back neighbour does have very long grass and a lot of weeds - which I have complained about the sight of - but the landlords haven't done anything about.  So, if there's Fire Ants in there, it's a big problem that I didn't bring on.

Anyway, before long, Jeremy had to go.  He picked up all his gear and I walked him to the gate and saw him off.  I had to check my letter box anyway to clear out any junk mail in it.  
Once he was gone, I had some rubbish to put out, tidying up to do and other things to fix up around the place.  And the best thing is that the computer works better than ever!  

This morning, I wanted to get the sewing machine out and do up a hem on some Calico I bought this week for the stall next month.  However, when I put the bobbin, it jammed... I have looked it up online, and I think I put it in wrong.  So, I'll look at it again soon, and see if I can work on it again.  Then, I have all the varnishing to wrap up for the markets.  And hopefully, I'll be finished and ready to start over again by the time school starts next week.  
So, how was your week?  Busy?  Slow?  Readying the kids to get off to school?  All three?  Until my next post, take care, stay safe, and remember, I'm always here.

Thank the Gods It's Friday!

Even though it's been a short little week, I've packed more stuff and outings into it than I ever thought possible.  On Sunday and Monday, I was recovering from my modelling gig on Saturday (a fair bit of me hurt from that day - mainly my feet and legs).  So, I slept and took it easy.
But once Tuesday was here, so were the lower temps.  I grabbed all the money, Bunnings vouchers and car keys and took off to Bunnings and picked up my outdoor setting I've been crushing on for the last 2 months.  Yes!  I finally picked up the major piece of furniture for outside that will make my little garden look like a haven for me.  Now, all I need to do it add a few more little pots for the plants that have outgrown the ones they're in, and the place will be right until next year.  I've already kicked back in one of those lovely chairs this week after shopping and totally enjoyed it - not wanting to get myself out it as it was just lovely and cool in the shade.  So, yes, my choice in this outdoor setting was perfect!

But after Tuesday, my week seemed to speed up - not slow down.  On Wednesday, I was off to do my shopping day.  I got away well before 9am so I could get all my shopping done in as little time as possible and return home well before the heat of the day was upon us.  I did get home at the right time (about half and hour before I usually do) but with $40 less in my pocket.  I bought a few things I needed that weren't on my list.  Oh well, doesn't matter, at least I knew I needed them.
Then, on Thursday, I was out again.  I took off to Bunnings and searched high and low for a pot for one of the plants next to my back door.  I found the pot and was meant to get sandpaper for my Crafty Pegs hobby business - but forgot.  Darn!  So, there I was sitting in traffic almost at IKEA when I remembered that I was I supposed to get the sandpaper.  Oh well, doesn't matter.  Next time!  
Once at IKEA, I got lost not once but twice!  I couldn't find the folding 2-step ladder I wanted for the kitchen and - what was worse - was that I couldn't find a staff member to save my life.  So, I looked around for one who was using a computer.  And what do you know?  I found one!  Yay!  The ladder I wanted was out of stock, so I bought one that was $10 more expensive and black... well, at least I can get to things on the top shelf now.  And the ladder comes with a hanger; which is just as great - but the hanger doesn't come with screws... which is just, well, dumb!
Once I got my butt out of IKEA, I headed over to Mum and Dad's place to drop off their big red esky and to water their plants.  Yeah, it was the middle of the day, but all the plants were in the shade.  So, I stuck around for a good 45 minutes and made sure the plants were well watered before taking off to the doctor's to drop off a Medicare cheque and then ask if there was an appointment available this arvo - fortunately there was - and so I returned 20 minutes later and saw one of the doctors to have her look at a spot I had noticed on my head but didn't know what it was.  Seeing I have a history of sun cancer, I didn't want it turning into something bad by ignoring it.  Fortunately, it's nothing and she said it's harmless and shows up on everyone and is a blister of blood but doesn't need removing or anything.  You can imagine how relieved I am!
After paying the gap, I walked off to Sam's Warehouse to look at their planter pots and found a nice square one for $15.00.  Well, I added that to the cargo of a planter pot from Bunnings and the ladder from IKEA... then I drove home.  In between all this, I had had lunch at Rocky's Bakehouse & Cafe down the road on my folks.  Mum said to go and do that and enjoy a lunch when I had the time; and yesterday was the day I had the time.  
Today... I'm catching up with my housework.  So far, I've changed a lightbulb in my spare room/office, put out 4 loads of washing on the clothes line, did some washing up in the kitchen, put a lamp back downstairs and cleaned the Crafty Pegs table (including the sticky mark off the corner where the bar code was with WD-40).  That was all done before 10am.  This arvo, after 1pm, I'll be cleaning up the place as I'm going to have a friend over for dinner before he moves out of the complex.  Ian has been a good friend to me and I offered dinner to him last night to show how much I appreciate him as a friend.  He asked what we'd be having, I told him home made pizza; he said he'd be here!  
Tomorrow, I'll be at my folks' place to wash Mum's car; it's filthy!  So, I'll take it out into their backyard and wash it there to water the lawn and wash it at the same time... and seeing the day will be a lot nicer and cooler, it'll be a nicer afternoon too.  Also tomorrow, I'll be cleaning out the fridge, changing the sheets on their bed and cleaning the house a bit in preparation for when they arrive home.  It won't take long, and I'm sure they'll appreciate it.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.

Birthday Celebrations Begin!

Tomorrow I'm turning 40.  Yep... life is supposed to begin at that age, but I guess I'm beginning the partying early!  Anyway, I've been receiving things in the mail this week and decided to wait until tomorrow to open them for my birthday.

On Monday, I received a big box in the mail from my brother and his girlfriend and he told me it was an early Birthday pressie... so it's been sitting in my living room for the last 4 days looking at me until tomorrow morning when I rip it open!  
Then, today, I opened my PO Box and found another parcel has been delivered just in time for my birthday.  This one was from my Bookcrossing Birthday Buddy - Wendy - from across town.  So, I added that to the big box in the corner of the living room.

However, I was going out today to have lunch with Aunty Helen, Kate and Oma at The Lion's Den at Springwood.  I arrived there on time and looked around to see just another football club.  I'm not a Lions Supporter, so I didn't join up.  Anyway, before long, Kate showed up and we picked out a table and she gave me a card with some money in it.  She didn't know what to buy me, but it doesn't matter, I'm putting the money towards my outdoor setting; and told her I was saving up for one at Bunnings I'd found.  Then, Aunty Helen and Oma showed up and Aunty Helen gave me two $20 Bunnings Vouchers!  She noticed I had been to and from Bunnings a lot and thought I'd enjoy a bit of help with the money side of it.  Kate said what I was doing at the moment and she suggested looking on e-bay and online for a outdoor setting; but I said that's what I had done first, but nobody was giving away one or selling anything like what I was looking for.  But the one at Bunnings folds up and I can put it away in a storm so it doesn't get thrown around; which she thought was a great idea.  
We had a lovely lunch.  Aunty Helen talked about Italy and Venice and Rome and it was so great to hear about those places.  Then, Kate had to take off to a hair appointment, and we all finished up our meals and were off to McDonalds for coffee.  Boy!  This place was busy as hell!  We sat down and Aunty Helen bought the coffee and we relaxed a little as we chatted more about everything.  Before long, it was time to go.  So, I walked Aunty Helen and Oma out to their car and I then I found my car and went to Mum and Dad's place to borrow the red esky for tomorrow and put some ice packs in it and brought it home.

Tomorrow, I'm having friends over to have a little get-together.  It'll be fun.  I can't wait to get it all working and together.  I have to put up some streamers and balloons and then it'll all be ready; but I'll be doing that tonight.  Anyway, I've had a full day I have some things to get done.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.

WOW! What a week!

During this week, it seems as though I haven't stopped; well, it feels as though I haven't.  Since Monday, I've been out and about doing things and just wish I could sit down and do nothing for a few hours - or a day or so.  Okay, I'll let you in on my horrendously busy week.

On Monday, I was out at my craft group.  I got a good lot of my second last painting started and everyone loved how it was looking.  They were amazed at how it started out as just pencil markings and progressed so far in three hours.
Then, I read a little at Mum and Dad's place.  When I arrived back, Aunty Helen was there and they were chatting about things and I thought to sit and read for about an hour or so before Dad took me home.

On Tuesday, I was up nice and early and got myself ready to go furniture shopping.  However, I wanted to get some housework done first.  I washed up, did three loads of laundry and put away all my clothes from the old bedroom suite into suitcases for this week.  Then in the afternoon, Dad and I went out and scoured the Logan area to find a bedroom suite that was me.  And we found one I loved.  It's called The Westal and has a nice high solid head on it and no foot, but the beside tables weren't what I wanted.  So I asked if we could mix'n'match; when I spotted a set from another bedroom suite and the lady at 'Bedland' said yes.  She said the one I was looking at was called 'The Orlando' and said the tallboy and bedside tables were things I could mix with the one I wanted.  So, by Wednesday afternoon, Mum, Dad and I had ordered in my suite.  

Wednesday had me out grocery shopping.  I also went to K-Mart and bought a set of Summer Queen-sized sheets; but I couldn't find any Winter sheets.  So, I bought the Summer and thought I could find the Winter lot on Thursday at Garden City.  I also bought a kettle at K-Mart and finished up my shopping.

On Thursday, I had to return the kettle to K-Mart as it leaked on the first boil.  I got my money back and went to Garden City to do some other shopping.  Once there, I had my list on my iPod and stuck by it.  I ended up looking for my kettle first - and it turned out to be the most difficult thing to find; finally finding it at Big-W, a nice Kambrook kettle.  Then, I found the sheets I wanted and a mattress protector for the new bed at K-Mart.  Then, at Robin's Kitchen I found a pizza stone and a cutter for $12.95... yep, the place was having a 70% off sale!  I didn't go there because of the stone and cutter, I was hoping to get a kettle, and ended up buying the other things instead... funny how that happens.
Well, my little blue shopping trolley looked and felt very over its usual weight that it fell over a few times - especially on the bus - but I got it home and everything safely off and out of it.  Otherwise everything arrived here safe and sound and all in one piece.  The kettle works, the pizza stone isn't broken.

Today, I was up again early doing laundry.  The day is bright and sunny - for once - and I decided to wash all my new sheets and mattress protector; ready for the new bed arriving next Tuesday!  Yes!  I received a phone call today from 'Bedland' and they advised me of its arrival - mattress and all! - to my little townhouse!  I'm so happy. 
However, I've been busy today too.  I did the laundry, washed up, wiped down the counters, swept the kitchen floor and then went out and checked the mail and did my fruit'n'veggie shopping.  Phew!  What a morning!  I didn't want to do anything else today but sit online and bludge... and you know, I might do just that for the rest of the day.

However, tonight?  I might get in and do some tidying up and moving of a little furniture.  Yeah, I have to ready this place for the new bedroom suite.  So, how was your week? As hectic as mine?  Hope not.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.