A Tad Homesick

If yesterday is anything to go by, I really wished I was closer to home at Logan City right now.  Shopping yesterday was a train wreck and I hated it.  
As I pointed out, Life Line was a complete rip-off; as their prices were dreadfully high for a charity store.  And the things they were selling cheaply weren't supposed to be sold at the cheaper prices, but a little elevated.  The clothes - no matter how nice - should have been discounted more so to be competitive with Target and K-Mart not their equal.  I could have walked into Rivers and bought two dresses for the price of one dress in Life Line here at Sandgate.
And Woolworths was disgusting.  Because they have monopolised the town centre, they have the last say of who buys where.  So, they can put the prices up or down and people have to pay them.  This is very wrong.  Now, what they need to do is put a Coles in nearby and the competition would be equal and people would have a choice.  Sandgate Town Centre would grow and they wouldn't have to cut any bus services.
Yeah, you read right... they're cutting buses here.  They have a few of them running around the area and they are cutting one bus - 310 - and a train to Toombul Shopping Town.  Now, the latter is being cut for 6 months, but that's a long time if you don't have any other way to get to Toombul.  And they're not going to put in a connecting bus service between here and Toombul Shopping Town; which really is bad.

What this area needs is a collection of shops to connect everything together.  There are spots of shops and cafes, but they are in little clumps where nobody goes, buses can't get to them and nobody can just walk to them on a whim.  I spotted a cafe in a clump of shops I wanted to look at, but I can't get there unless I catch a bus - and time it right - and I really, really want to, walk home.  This will suck badly.  So, what they need to do is make it worthwhile to get there.  This place is too spread out, with everything too far from each other and not enough people talking to each other.  I haven't spoken to a single neighbour since I arrived here over a week ago; not even to say hello, and this makes me feel very isolated.  But if I was at home, I'd have plenty of people to say hi to in a morning or afternoon.  

In the last few days, I had a big problem with ants.  They had invaded the guest house and were making themselves right at home.  I fought them off and used cinnamon sticks and vinegar to keep them out of this place.  But getting rid of them initially was hard.  I was going to spray them with insecticide but there wasn't a single can of the stuff in the house.  I knocked on a neighbour's door across the road, and he wasn't home.  However, I found that most people weren't... so I wondered how I'd get rid of them until I found the above remedy online.  
This invasion has really bothered me though.  I don't like the idea of having to battle something on my own when I can't lay my hands on a can of surface spray... even I have some of that stuff sitting around my house just in case I need it.  I've even got Ant Sand for the bigger nests of ants; but not here.

But I have been homesick because of all the above things.  I'm so used to having a green grocer down the road all the time.  It's so good to know that if I ever need anything at home, I can just take a wander down to The Big Apple and all I need is right there for me to pick up.  I've missed eating at 'Rocky's Bakehouse' too... yeah, I really have.  I miss the bus ride to Logan Central to do my shopping where everything is very cheap and I can walk everywhere and catch a cab home that is under $15. 
Most of all, I'm really missing my place.  I miss books, vinyls, kitchen, garden, piano ... everything about my place... in particular, my bed!  There's something about having your own place that really makes it real.  I don't mind living like this; but if there was a green grocer and a few things that were of interest nearby, I'd have more fun being here.  However, there isn't.  It takes money to get anywhere... whereas I could walk to a thrift shop or across the road to the post office or just 10 minutes to the chemist or 5 minutes to buy the Sunday paper.  It takes much longer here.  Well, it's just homesickness... and I hate it.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm/cool and remember, I'm always here.

Busy, Relaxed Weekend

This weekend was an unusual one.  I had a lot to do, and yet it ended with me coming home late from Brisbane City in the afternoon on Sunday.  

On Saturday, I had Mum and Dad over for afternoon tea, however, I had to begin cleaning my house up on Friday night to get it nice and tidy for that occasion.  Fortunately, 'The Sound of Music' was on the television and there were some classic music on there to work to.  I got in and washed up, cleaned up the lounge room, put away the knitting, took the laundry upstairs and cleaned down the kitchen table and then washed all the floors before closing up the house and going upstairs to hang out on the net for a while and going to bed.

On Saturday, I vacuumed the downstairs, put out the rubbish, swept the floors, cleaned up the corners of the kitchen, dusted and bought Dad a Birthday pressie and a card.  Now, normally, I just get him a card, but this time I though a little pressie would be good.  I got all this fixed up in two hours as I was online until around midday or so and Mum and Dad were here by around 4pm.  I had made up a platter of food and some plunger coffee and ice tea (which I had organised the night before) and we sat down and ate and chatted.  Dad loved the coffee and nibbles, read last Sunday's paper and asked if I could play a bit of the piano for him.  I did but I have been out of practice lately; and so made a few mistakes.  Mum took some photos of me playing; which made me a more nervous and I made more mistakes (isn't that always the way?).  Then, we were out in my yard and looking around.  Dad tightened up my clothes line with two shifting spanners I had bought so it wouldn't move and Mum sat in the shade under my kitchen window and perused my yard that had grown since mid-January.  They had a lovely time looking around the place and weren't impressed with the condition of the fences; but then nobody is.  Before long, they had to go home and it was almost time for me to cook dinner.

On Sunday, I was off to New Farm Park to attend a Sunday Meditation which is held once a month with a group I'm beginning to go to.  Even though it was Dad's birthday, I really didn't want to miss this; and this was the reason why i had Mum and Dad over on Saturday for afternoon tea, to spend time with them for Dad's birthday.  They dropped me off at the ferry terminal (and Dad had never driven all the way down there, so I had to give him directions; and he was impressed that there was a round-a-bout there to get out).  And I did the silly thing and walked straight past Will and to the tree we were at last time.  So, I got out my mobile and called him and asked where he was and we ended up spotting each other across the park... really funny.

One by one, we all showed up and we were going to go to the big gazebo but decided to use one of the trees instead.  This time, we nabbed ourselves a picnic table; and there was so much food we could barely fit it all on there!  Packets of chips were ripped open, home-made cakes were brought along, dips, crackers and other great food was put out for everyone to eat.  We chatted and talked and brought out our crystals and meditated in small groups, talked about different things such as dreams and unusual occurrences and other things we don't dare talk to our families about.  This is a place - people - who have experienced things that others dismiss as an over-active imagination whereas these people don't.  I had one lady - Deb - look at my dream journals and she helped me greatly into what they mainly covered.  The one thing she was amazed at was that they were so detailed; that I remembered so much so easily and quickly; and she said that was a good thing.

Then, we got in and did our group meditation.  Deb led the Tree and Earth meditation.  It was a great one, going for around twenty minutes which just flew by!  Then, we all sat around and talked about what each of us got out of it.  I enjoyed the feeling of togetherness it brought with a group of twenty strangers and friends.  This was my first time at a large group meditation and it won't be my last.  next time, I'll have to take along some of my crystals; in particular my Rose Quartz.  

Geoff and Vivienne had to leave and were off soon after the meditation, but I stuck around for another hour or so chatting with people, watching people practice yoga moves and helping Will show people how to get the moves right.  I walked over to three of the guys who were trying out The Hero pose - and not getting it right - with Will and he said that I'd be able to do it and asked me to show them.  I took off my sandals and showed them all; with them all cringing as got onto the ground and easily did The Hero pose on the ground.  Then, I made the guys cringe more as I transformed that pose into The Child pose... with all of them saying they couldn't get their backsides down properly.  I said it's all to do with practice and getting their stretches down pat,and they agreed.  I really gotta get back into my yoga more; it's something that I'm not that flexible with right now, but it's good to know it.  

Before long, it was 4:30pm and I had a City Cat to catch.  I said my goodbyes, received three hugs (a big one from Will) and ran off to the ferry terminal and caught it to the Riverside Centre then walked up to Lower Edward Street to catch the 555 to Springwood.  It was about 100 metres to Mum and Dad's house where I could kick off my shoes and relax a little.  After such a long day, my feet were killing me as I hadn't had any arch support in my shoes; but it was a nice relaxing day.  Such a pity I got sunburnt... I did use sunscreen, but them's the breaks I guess.  Until my next post, take care, keep warm and safe and remember, I'm always here. 

Friday Plans For the Weekend

It's been a fruitful week here full of overspending - by accident - followed by me trying to figure out what I'll be doing for this next fortnight with only $80 to live on.  There'll be no takeaway food or luxuries, that's for sure!  I'll be entertaining myself completely this time... no bus trips anywhere to big shopping centres, no visiting anyone and no posting off books or other parcels (even via sea mail) overseas.  Nope, this fortnight, I am going to try and keep that $80 in the bank and keep my money growing just that little bit more.  

This afternoon, I've got a busy lot of work lined up for myself.  With the washing up done, there's the kitchen floor to wash, the rubbish to put out, the laundry to put away, the shopping trolley (with all its reusable bags inside it) to put away, the vacuum to put away, the bathroom to tidy up, the kitchen table to tidy up and clear and then, there books to put away, bags I'm not using to stash in their own places (which I have made a place for each and every one of them; so that shouldn't be a chore) so I can find them again.  Then, I'll have dinner to prepare of chopping up pumpkin, sweet potato and carrots with garlic cloves.  I'm making my very famous orange vegetable combination soup that tastes gorgeous!  I'll also be looking at updating my recipe book too; making sure I've got all my recipes written down so I don't forget them (as I've invented a few new ones over the last year) and I can remember them when I pull the book down.

Yep, I'm going to get as much as I can done before the sun goes down today because I don't want to be working my butt off like I did two weeks ago.  Sure it was fun, but really, my weekends are for kicking back and enjoying reading books, or playing the piano or vinyls... even if it's raining, I'll get into my music or a good movie and it's just to enjoy what I've got right under my roof and not have to go out.  That's my belief of what a weekend is for... it's the end of a week, and work shouldn't be involved; and yet for many households, it is.

So, this weekend, I'm going to have two days where I do pretty much nothing and enjoy what I've got... look around myself and feel pretty good that I have a roof over my head, food in my pantry and fridge, my Grandma's piano to play, vinyls at my disposal (and a turntable that works), a little bird who loves me unconditionally (sometimes!) and all the books I'd ever wish for to read carefully crammed into one little room at the top of the stairs.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.

Queen's Birthday Long Weekend

Well, here we are right in the middle the Queen's Birthday Long Weekend.  It's cold, overcast one minute and sunny the next and I've still got quite a few things to do before this weekend is out; not that I didn't the a lot done in the beginning.

Yesterday, Mum and Dad dropped around and picked up their mail and the Pajero.  Mum was impressed at how I got it backed into my carport after washing it down without a scratch; but I did... and I'm pleased to say she was happy with how the windows looked too.  Dad looked at the yard and fences.  He's going to get the fencer to come around and get my place done; and I asked for 6ft fences all around - and to get the gate fixed too.  He asked why; I said that after Zef and Kylie lost their trees, they've felt as though they haven't got any privacy.  So, a taller fence between us would go a long way to getting that back.  Also, being an end unit, I'm always concerned about people getting into my yard or looking over my fence all the time; so that would be helpful with my privacy.  Also, I don't want to be looking at my nasty next door neighbours ... she whines about looking at me, so a taller fence will fix that; for both of us, as I don't like looking at her either (she's not the nicest person on two feet). 

Then, Mum saw her Poinsettia and agreed that it was rootbound... saying that it was right of me not to move it; but also said it was good that I tried to figure out what was wrong.  Dad said that they'd come back and re-pot it as soon as possible so it doesn't die; as it's a beautiful plant and I know Mum just loves it.  I'm hoping we can save it in time for it to flower before Winter is gone.

This week, Little Miss Stevie hasn't had her covers off her cage;  it's been that cold that she's been playing with them and curling up on her swing in the afternoons for a nap while I close up the house and make sure all the drafts are kept out.  As for me?  I've been taking hot showers during the day and dressing warmly for the afternoon and making sure I eat well, sleep well and warmly and then keep the house as dust-free as possible.  It's hard to do, but it's something we all have to do.  

I am catching up on my reading and knitting as the temperature drops.  I've been sitting in front of the television at night knitting a nice little throw rug for myself and am a quarter way through it so far; and have only been working on it for about month.  I cast on 209 stitches and knitted a garter stitch for the whole thing (as it's an easy stitch to do and fast too; once you  get going). Then, the colours I've chosen are:  maroon, tri-colour purple and black; knitting 20 rows of each.  The maroon is first, tri-colour purple, black, tri-colour purple, then ending with the maroon.  If I feel it needs 20 more rows with the purple or black, I'll add on more as I go along; otherwise, I'll be finishing it with creme tassels on either end and using it to cover my legs soon. I can't wait until it's finished.  As for reading, I've got my nose into a good book titled: 'Tipping the Velvet' by Sarah Waters.  So far, I've read up to chapter 2 and have only had it for a couple of days.  

I'm working on a large painting right now as well.  It's of flowers floating on a dark background.  They look very surreal and lovely.  But I did have my doubts initially when I put the black onto the background at first... as though it could be a wrong move if I didn't like it.  However, I was wrong and it turned out to be a brilliant thing!  I'm just touching up the flowers and getting it all right and then it'll be finished; and time to go onto the next one.

I haven't played the piano yet this weekend; and I'm looking forward to doing some practice.  It's such a lovely old instrument and I am getting better at it as the months go by.  Compared to last year's struggles, I'm flying through the exercises and now I'm looking at getting a book on how to play a few blues tunes and making them look and sound easy.  There's already a few chords I can play, but I'd like to make them sound like they mean something instead of something I struggle with.  Well, until my next post, take care, keep warm and remember, I'm always here.

Down With A Cold!

It all started when I opened my eyes yesterday morning.  I was clogged up to my eardrums with sinus!  Horrible and debilitating sinus!  I took a walk down to the chemist and picked up some Clarintine and two boxes of tissues and thought I'd be over it by dinner time.

On the way home, I spotted a Hi-Lux van that was broken down turning from Kingston Road into Park Road and the guy behind it got out and offered to help push.  Well, the moment he began to turned red, I rushed across and offered to help too.  Before we knew it, another two people from other cars had come up and were pushing as well.  Traffic from the other direction didn't pause to let us through until the lights changed again and we got our momentum up and going again... then once we got it into Park Road, we all realised how hard that was; how out of shape we were.  But I knew that my car was definitely lighter to push than that van!  

By the time I got home, I had was tired and really needed to take something for my sinus... so I did and began doing some serious housework.  First, though, I jumped on the net for a few hours and got into some serious internet time for about two hours.  Once off that, I put on a few vinyls and turned them up loud as I dusted the entertainment unit, the window sill, television and the piano.  Then, I opened the lid and cleaned all the keys before I sat down and had a practice of a few drills.  It was fun to enjoy that for about an hour!  I loved it.  In between all the housework, and piano playing, I had a boiling hot shower and washed my hair, sat outside and began cleaning up the office.

First, I put away the oscillating fan that usually sits just outside the hall of the kitchen.  I took the feet off it and took it upstairs and put it all into the wardrobe for another year.  It's given me a lot of space not only in the closet, but also downstairs.  Then, I cleaned up the office area in front of it and made sure it was usable and I could get into the closet easily.  I've tossed out a bag of handbags and given away a few other smaller ones I don't need.  I feel good about this; as the charity bags by the front door are getting bigger and my house is looking better.  

The air condition is being used to clear out the dust and mothball smell from the office and I've used the Glen 20 to kill off any germs that have been hanging around since yesterday.

Yesterday, I was so congested I could hardly breath; and the Clarintine didn't work at all.  So, I was feeling pretty bad.  But today, I'm a lot better and the Clarintine is working.  I slept more last night - around 5 hours - and now I've put my pillows out on the line to air so the germs can get away in the fresh air.  

I really hate being sick, but what I really hate is getting a virus; as you can't do anything about them.  You just have to ride it out and wait until it goes away.  Well, until my next post, take care, keep well, and stay safe; and remember, I'm always here. 

New Year 2011

Well, it's the first week into the new year and I didn't make any resolutions.  Last year, I couldn't think of any as I sat out on the fly of the caravan with a notepad in my hand and pen in the other.  So, I went without; and got so much done!  This year, it's pretty much the same and I'll be getting a lot done.

This year, I do have some plans to work more on my garden and enjoy what I have already; instead of pining after what I don't have.  Seeing in the last year, I have been learning a lot of patience with myself and others, I will be putting that into action with what I'll be doing with my year this time.

There's a lot of writing to be done on my books, a lot of reading to accomplish and a lot of Bookcrossing I have to catch up with; not that I'm behind.  Last year, I was very active, and this year, I'll be active again; just I'll be doing fewer activities and enjoying the act of Wild Releasing as I have so many books that need to be set free.

This year, I've got a lot of paintings that need to be finished; and some collage too.  It's something I began working on late last year; and totally enjoyed, and won't let go of just because I have more writing to do or piano practice... or anything else for that matter.  And as John Lennon said: "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans".

So, this year, I'll be taking more photos for 365project and backing off from Farmville (as it's taken up a lot of my time; and really it's not a competition on what level I'm on, it's just a fun game for me).  I'll be reading more and enjoying more of life and getting into going to art openings at the Logan Art Gallery (which I haven't been to any for the past four or so years all because I've used the excuse that I don't like crowds.  Really, it just bites into my routine and I don't want to break this little rut I've put myself into.

This year, I'll be changing over my wardrobe again; and so hitting the charity stores and looking seriously at which kind of fashion I'll be into that I can wear out anywhere and which kind I can wear out nice.  Yes, I don't buy new clothes, books or handbags; everything is preloved and second-hand or on sale at really low prices.  This year is the year I really begin on looking good too with taking up a good exercise regime too; Zumba to begin with and then once I've gotten into the steps, I might even swallow my pride and go to a gym (I've never liked going to them as I've felt like I'm being judged by people there).  If I decide it's not for me, well, at least I've tried them out again.

There's a lot of things I want to try out this year - just like I did last year.  And there's travel involved.  I want to go to the GoMA and see more art exhibitions and enjoy being in a crowded place without feeling like I'm suffocating.  And yet, I love the city of Brisbane because it's not too big and not too small; but it has grown a lot over the last few years too.

This is the year I've planned for myself.  I hope I get in and can make it work; and not trip over anyone who might be interesting enough to catch my eye as well.  So, what are your plans for this year?  Have you got any resolutions; or don't you believe in them?  If so, share yours with us. 

December's Something Different!

This month has certainly been very different.  From the very weird weather to the shopping, I have had my Christmas totally turned around.  How about you?

Now, normally, I would have my present shopping done in one day during the first week of December; however this year, I was relying on the delivery of a $100 Westfield Voucher; only that it didn't arrive and I had to pay for all my Christmas shopping out of my own pocket.  It wasn't exactly great as it set me late in the grocery shopping too.  I finished my Christmas Present shopping on 14th December when it was supposed to be a fortnight before.  Then, my last pay before Christmas was three days before the actual day.  So, I was stuck out there shopping in the over-crowded shopping centres on a wet day; and I had to make sure I got everything I needed so I didn't have to tackle the crowds again.  Fortunately for me, I forgot only one thing and that was yoghurt for Christmas Eve; so I didn't do too badly.

During this month, my family went to Pullenvale to celebrate my Aunty Marj's birthday.  It was another wet day; but with the people there you wouldn't have thought so.  We saw Riley there along with Gabe and Kat.  Then, we had other cousins we hadn't seen in ages.  During the day, some of the kids played their instruments; one of the boys plays the guitar, one of the girls plays the flute and another plays the piano.  All very gifted.  I showed the young flautist my photo with Sir James Galway and his wife, Lady Jeanne and she didn't know who he was.  I told her about him and recommended that she acquaint herself with his music as well as all other different type of flautists.  When I talked to her Dad about James, he said that James was 'too European'.  I found him very much close-minded about James; and have found that people often do this with a lot of musicians and artists; whereas I haven't.  I tried out his favourite flautist (Jane Rutter) and I don't like her style; and she's too heavy when it comes to her playing style.

This month, I bought Little Miss Stevie's very first Christmas Ornament.  It's a gorgeous blue colour with her name in glitter on it... and a silver ribbon on top.  The whole thing comes in a box of its very own; and I bought it for $21 at Garden City.  I thought that seeing she's over 5 years old, she deserved to have an ornament as lovely as this.

Also, this month, my 'Tea, Read & Journal' Book Box arrived home from its long stay in Indonesia.  It landed there and the person there drank all the tea and mixed up all the books; then thought I'd forgotten about it.  So after a few firm - yet useful - e-mails, I got her to send it back to me.  This book box had been traveling around the world for just shy of two years and when it got to the last person, I had to push her to get it back.  Now, that sucks.

A few weeks before this happened, a generous, loving Bookcrosser was taken away from us by Cancer at a young age; and just when the Ornament Exchange was about to start.  So, as Christmas came closer, my ornament still hadn't arrived.  I let TexasWren know and found out that the BCer who passed away was my partner.  TexasWren was lovely enough to ask oi-reader's partner in the UK to send her ornament to me instead.  So, it arrived with a little note at the post office.  So, there I was crying the post office with a little kid asking me if I was okay.  I had to say I had something in my eye and it'll go away soon.

Then, I did a quick look at the year that was 2010!  And what a year!  I got so much done and so many books read, so much rain has fallen, piano practice and had so much fun doing all of the volunteer work, painting a TSB and enjoying all the photography on 365 Project that I'm almost sorry to see this year finish... our first decade of the 21st Century; and it's gone by so quickly.

On 15th, December, Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich and the Redland Bay area copped their first howler of a hail storm!  And what a storm it turned out to be!  I put my film of it up on YouTube and have a lot of hits on it since it's first viewing; over 100 actually.  Otherwise, but it's been fun doing watching Mother Nature have a go at us; and bring all this rain to us.

Then, Christmas Eve was wonderfully celebrated at Oma's place with food gifts and lots of fun.  We got home around 10pm or so as it poured rain outside.  And I got to bed around 1am; as I was still full from eating too much food.  I had spent a lot of time online that night; so I got to talk to people overseas on Facebook.

On Christmas Day, I woke around 6am and unwrapped my pressies, put on my 30th Anniversary of Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon' while I put together my laundry hamper and gave Little Miss Stevie a cuddle and then got ready to go to Gabe and Kat's place for breakfast.  It was a great day of eating, gift-giving and looking at photos of Asia.  It still rained, ants were everywhere and I photographed the chooks and other things around the place.  

Over the last few days, I've indexed my dvds in a large book, found out the annoying bitchy neighbours are away (and have been since Christmas Day night; but for how long, that's the question).  Then, we found out from my plumber that the knocking pipes is actually neighbour's fault if they did anything in the bathroom that changes anything to the shower; well, they probably took out the water arrester and had made my house knock since April.  So, he's coming in next week or so to check my place, make a report and then something will be done.  My nails are still long... and have been since I went to see James Galway. Yay!  I think I've kicked a lifetime habit!  Then, I went out yesterday and used my $100 Westfield Voucher at Garden city; and spent only half of it ... how cool is that?  I love it that it's so hard to spend that kind of money.   I bought a Dr Who mug, a pair of shoes and two books.  I want to buy things I'll actually use and enjoy for a long time and not just use once and throw out.  Well, it's been a very different month.  The sun has finally come out today and so, I've done almost all the washing (not including the hand-washing), posted off something to Mum and Dad, mowed the lawn (as it was up to my ankles) and paid my gas bill... all before 10am!  Now, that's how much energy I've had because my next door neighbours haven't been here to bug the crap out of me or anyone else.  

Well, until next time, I wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year in 2011.  Take care wherever you're celebrating; and remember that it's best to arrive late than not at all, and don't drink and drive.

Westfield Sales!

Today, I woke up and looked outside to a moderately decent day.  There was no rain, but the clouds were still blocking the sun; never mind, I didn't care about that.  I was going to Westfield Garden City to spend up big on my $100 Voucher for the place that I won through Triple M.  Thank you to this music station; I must say as they are the most wicked people in the world to give us Music Jury Members this prize for finishing their 2-hour music survey at the end of November!  I love it that they give away so many things to us.

Well, this morning I was on my way to the bus stop armed with this little red card, my blue trolley and a fair idea of what I wanted to buy.  One of the things was something to do with Dr. Who; another was a nice calendar to put in the kitchen.  And most of all, I needed a new pair of sandals to replace my old slip-ons I got from 'Rivers' outlet store at the coast three years ago.  So, I went through some shops I don't normally go into and searched for shoes, cruised through David Jones and found myself in 'Spend Less Shoes'... and yes, I sneaked a look in at QBD (of course, how could I not get a sneak peek in there?).  And I came home with a small collection of things and still had $53.80 on the card to have a go at for another time.

I bought a pair of sandals at 'Spend Less Shoes' ($20), Dr Who Mug ($12.99), Retro calendar with posters on it (half price at $15.00) and two books at QBD ($13.99).  Not a bad day out if you ask me.  And one of the books is a Matthew Reilly book that one of my old job search people had told me was brilliant; and this was about three years ago (and for me to remember that is pretty good!).

Well, my day out was great.  I loved getting these bargains; and got a wonderful idea on the way home.  With the calendar of retro posters, I thought it would be fun to get myself working in my house to make it look retro too.  So, next year, I'll be looking at charity shops to find things that will make my house look and feel like you've walked into a place from the 1960's or so.  I'm halfway there with the credenza, kitchen table and the piano; all I need to do is change the painting over and I'll be doing that soon enough to make this place look good.

Well, until my next post, take care and I hope you have a Happy New Year.

Merry Christmas To You All!

It's been a busy, busy week of cleaning, shopping and getting my shit together.  But it has worked out in the end.  This week started out okay and orderly.  I had the shopping list in full swing and I was running around the house with a blue notepad and a pen writing down pretty much anything and everything I needed on it.  I had to finish up the knitted scarf I did for the K-Mart Wishing Tree and find the card for it to take in on the Wednesday and make sure I had enough money for the day; then catch the right bus too.

Tuesday was the day I was making sure I had all the laundry done; the day was lovely, with a cool breeze and the sun was out too.  It felt like Autumn had come around to dry our laundry and everyone was in getting as much on their clothes line as they could.  I even got some painting done that afternoon after I pulled out some long grass along the edges of my garden, mowed the lawn and had a nice hot shower and washed my hair.  It was a good day.  Then, it turned cooler and I had to make sure Little Miss Stevie was warm as the rain began to fall again.

Wednesday was shopping day. I posted away a few things, had the scarf and made sure I had my camera with me when I took off with the blue trolley; as well as a good umbrella.  As soon as I got to the bus stop, it began to rain.  It was such a pity my neighbours had decided to do their sheets at 6am that morning; and it was pouring rain by 9:15am.  While I was out getting Little Miss Stevie her Christmas gift and my fruit and veggies, it showered heavily.  I just had to time my walks between shopping centres and make sure I walked fast enough.

Anyway, I donated my hand-knitted scarf and beanies to the K-Mart Wishing Tree and had to go back and photograph it (as I had forgotten to do that at home) and then I headed off to 'Venus' Cafe' to meet up with Susan Waaga; a wonderful friend of mine from college.  We have made it a habit to meet up before Christmas for a coffee and a chat to catch up.  It's a great way to keep ourselves in contact with each other when we don't see each other during year (even if we do e-mail each other on a frequent basis and I do look forward to her e-mails).  And when we looked outside, I asked if she could help me with my shopping and a trip home as the cabs would be hen's teeth at this time of the year and in this kind of weather.  She was pleased to do it.  My shopping only took 45 minutes or so and I bought everything off my list and she drove right into my driveway; then helped me with my shopping.  Susan hadn't been to my house before and so I showed her around and she loved Little Miss Stevie and Grandma's piano.  I lifted the lid saying it wasn't sounding its best because of the moisture in the air; but once it dries out a little, it plays really well.  Then, I showed her my books collection and Susan was amazed at how many books I had here and she said that it's so good I read so much.  She didn't stay long; as I didn't wish to keep her from anything she might have been wanting to do, which she said was some Scrapbooking she had to catch up on.  Otherwise, she said that my house was lovely.  It was so good to catch up with her; despite the weather.

Thursday was a strange day.  I was over at the post office when a car on Kingston Road cut across from the right hand lane and headed straight for me.  I had been standing on the road a little to see past parked cars (only by about 3 feet) in the rain when I noticed this car doing this; and I thought to get off the road and onto the footpath.  Well, I was on the grassy part of the footpath and the car's front end mounted that, so I back onto the concrete and almost into somebody's front yard!  I was standing there right next to the boundary as the car stopped around 10 - 15 feet from me with the front end on the footpath and the back end on the road.  A man got out of the driver's seat and he had a strong accent saying: 'You fine, you okay.' smiling at me.  He acted as though he knew what he was doing and he did this all the time.  I didn't move from where I was standing until he finished fiddling around in the back seat of his car and drove away.  And even then, I waited until the road was absolutely clear.  I mean, bloody hell!  Two days out from Christmas and some nut does this to me!  I told Mum last night and she said that she was always concerned about me crossing the road where I do there, but is happy that I do take notice of the traffic like that.

Today... well, I've been working on the house.  I've swept the kitchen floor, vacuumed the lounge, checked the mail, been online here for a while and I'm hoping to get more work done around the place... just little stuff to make my life tomorrow easier when I get home seeing it's Christmas Day; and it's going to be a big one.  

So, this might be the last post until Sunday or Monday... so until then, take care and have a very Merry Christmas.  Enjoy the day, drive carefully and don't ever drink and drive.  If you feel you've had too much to drink, call a taxi/cab don't risk it. 

The Weather Outside is Frightful!

Here in Brisbane - and Australia - it most certainly it is!  We've had storms, flooding rains and dreadful heat; and that was in the last week alone, and it's not yet Christmas.  As I look out of my window here in my spare room (which I have long ago turned into a home office full of books, bookmarks and old artworks of mine), it's grey, wet and the temperature has cooled off so much I've changed out of knee-length skirt and into a pair of jeans.  

Yes, the weather outside has most definitely been frightful alright.  It's had me wondering what's in store for us over the long weekend that's coming up this week.  We have four days off; this is to include the public holidays for Christmas Day and Boxing Day, which means Monday and Tuesday are days for us all to be stuck at home and inside if it's going to be raining!  With the kids on holidays, the Christmas pressies are going to become very boring very quickly for them.  So, what's going to be going on in your house?

For me, I'd thought to let you all know, that I'm not going to Brunswick Heads this year.  It's been too wet and miserable and there's been far too many storms for Little Miss Stevie and me to move from the comfort of our home and into a caravan for 7 - 9 days.  So, I've decided to keep us here this year.  Also, I don't wish to waste my parents' money on what will be a horribly wet time for me and them.  I'd rather have unlimited access to my internet, the piano to play, my dvd player and the stereo to use as well as a bigger kitchen than what's in the caravan (even if there's the camp kitchen, I really don't like using that one either).  

On my agenda here in Brisbane, I'll be hopefully seeing 'Tron: Legacy'.  I remember seeing the first one when I was very young and loving it!  Even if nobody else did.  My family enjoyed it too.  Otherwise, I'll be going to the After Christmas Sales and buying a few things I need... like calendars.  I haven't gotten a single one this year.  So, I'll be getting a couple for around the house.  Then, there's reading.  I've sorted out my Mt TBR and it's been whittled downed to about 25 books - all wonderful and brilliant books I've wanted to read this year and some I haven't read before too; like 'Legacy' by David Suzuki... what a great man!  I've wanted to read some of his stuff and now I have something of his I can't wait to read it.

I recently got some dvds off layby and may be watching some of those at night.  But if there's a fine day or so in the new year, I'll be off to Bunnings to purchase some potting mix and a large pot and a few little plants.  Yep, I need to get the yard back into something looking like garden and not an overgrown weed heap.  It looks a little like I've pulled out some long grass - which I have - but I need to work on it more.  It's got me thinking what I may yet do to it.

Anyway, that's my Christmas hopefully filled in with reading, music, gardening, and cleaning.  With all this rain around, it's all I can really do.  So, what have you got planned for the holidays?  Until my next post, take care and Merry Christmas.

Birthday Wishes in Pullenvale

On Sunday, there was a party we went to; and the whole family was going to be there.  Well, okay, Dad's side of the family.  One of our cousins own a large house out at Pullenvale.  Now, out that way there's a lot of houses on large blocks of land; and it's just lovely out in the country kind of area.

We arrived just in time for the rain to start drizzling down as we nibbled on some good food.  Lunchtime was when the rain poured; and we were glad of the large back deck area where the party was being held.  Three tables of adults and the kids were at another one inside.  It was most certainly a day of wonderful food and great company.  I took a long my famous Turkish Carrot Dip, Mum had two bowls of her Potato Salad and then there were three kinds of meat that were cooked really well (so I was told). 

After lunch, we all had a lovely dessert of Pavlova, cheese cake and fruit salad along with pine nuts to top it off.  In the meantime, we watched the rain and the birds flying around.  I spotted a lovely little Rainbow Lorikeet, we all saw and heard two Kookaburras laughing it up and a tree nearby and Mum and a few of us saw a little Mickey Bird trying its best to get a feed from a flower that wasn't giving up its nectar too easily.  The poor little bird was either too heavy for it, too short to reach it or couldn't reach around to the flowers; it just couldn't win!

Then, it was time of Aunty Marge's birthday cake.  It was lovely and big and the candles kept on being blown out by the wind!  Talk about funny.  We all took photos of her cutting her cake and it was delicious!  Then the young kids entertained us with their talents.  Ben played his guitar, Hannah played the flute and sang and the eldest girl played the piano with one of the other children, who played the clarinet.  Then, we were shown a blu-ray disk of the film clip of Brisbane Girls Grammar's 135th Anniversary.  It was great!  About halfway through, the house cat, Echo, came out to rub against anyone who'd pat her.  She ended up sitting in front of me while I tickled her ears, chin and gently ran my fingers down her back (as I can't massage her like normal cats; she's pretty old). Then, to let me know she had had enough, she turned around and gently bit me.  I got up and left her alone as she laid on her side and had a snooze.

Then, people began leaving to go home.  Gabe and Kat had already left to take Riley back to Peta's place.  Then, another lot had left to go home too.  By this time, it was our turn to go as it was beginning to get late.  I arrived home just before 6pm; and Dad still had to fix some plumbing works in my house.

It was a lovely day.  The photos were just gorgeous as was catching up with the family.  And what a place to celebrated Aunty Marge's birthday.

The Wet Day Parade!

Last Thursday was a really hot and sticky day; which led to a massive storm late that night.  It was a real light show of lightning and thunder and it left me feeling tired the next day.  However, it also left Brisbane with cool wet days since.  So, I got in and did the only thing I could:  I tidied up the house in a few days.  The Big Tidy-Up became something of a thing that kept me from being bored.

I began downstairs and cleaned up the lounge room, kitchen and kitchen table.  This was on Saturday and Sunday.  Saturday was pretty basic and I loved being able to vacuum everywhere and ended up having to change the bag over in the vacuum then doing the lounge room floor again.  I dusted too; again.  This place gathers so much dust it's unbelievable.  I had only put together the new Home Theatre System on Thursday afternoon and got it working; and it had already gotten a fine layer of dust on its stand-up speakers!  So, this is something I have to watch.

The kitchen table didn't take very long.  I just kept everything in perspective and what needed to be put away, what belonged upstairs and what needed to be shredded; and it was easy enough.  I also had a rubbish bag that was filled very quickly and put next to the door ready to be taken outside.

 The washing up was done and I cleaned the stove and some of the kitchen cabinet doors and wiped down all the flat surfaces as much as I could.  It was the floor that I didn't get around to and that was a bummer.  But really, I didn't know how long it would take to dry in this weather.

On Sunday, I put way all my clean laundry, hung up anything that was in the chair in my bedroom and made the bed; then pulled the vacuum upstairs and gave the carpet a once over.  There was so much hair!  I couldn't believe I had shed so much of my hair all over the place!  Well, that room was done.  The office was next.

Actually, I had been working on the office since Friday; so there wasn't much I had to do to it.  I had put away a few things and vacuumed it on Saturday after I got the dust buster out and did the stairs, then ran the duster along the skirting of the stairs and the got that clean too.  The vacuum was run along all the skirting of the place and I did the bathroom too.  It was really good to have the hair and dust cleaned up in this place.  

In the office, I cleared the doorway and pulled out two paintings I had gotten framed for when I moved from here; but that never happened.  So, I'm going to look for a place to hang them around the unit.  They look great and I don't want to hide them anymore; so I've taken them downstairs to the lounge room where I've thought of a place for them.  It ought to look good.  I'll let you know where I've put them soon.

Well, last night, Gabe and Kat came over to park the Kombi in the carport for the time they're away.  I offered to start it up every week for them; but Gabe said that the car key was on the house key.  I just want to make sure the Kombi starts when he gets home; that's all and that we don't have to call out the RACQ to get it going.  

Anyway, they had a quick look around, and Kat was amazed how many books I had in this little office and Gabe was surprised that I hadn't moved anything from Grandpa's hand-made desk.  It was rather charming if you ask me... I just bring myself to throw anything out in there.  Kat thought my house looked nice and that Grandma's piano was lovely.  I hope to play it for the family some time in the future; if not this Christmas, next Christmas.  

Well, it's still dull outside.  I've got a hair appointment to get to this morning to get my hair trimmed.  So, I better get going.  Until my next post, take care.

Sunday Lazy Sunday

As the day draws to a close, here in Logan City, and clouds skud over the sky.  I realise that my birthday is next Tuesday... yep, the 5th, October.  It's the same day at Sir Bob Geldof and Guy Pearce; and I'm excited.  I love my birthday; truly I do.  I always have found it very cool to have a certain day of the year where everyone gets one person pressies, takes them out somewhere fun and they feel special for that day when they were born.

But today, I found, was very lazy.  I didn't wish to read the paper.  Nothing really caught my eye that I wanted to read.  I didn't want to read the book I had put aside to read... even though it's a lovely and charming fiction story set in early last Century and involves spending a month in a gorgeous castle in Italy... wonderful!  I almost didn't want to play the piano, but I did just to figure out how to play a new tune I've been trying to get my head around.  And I got my head around it... even though it drove me nuts while I did.

Yesterday, the AFL Premiership Game in Melbourne came to a draw between Collingwood and St. Kilda!  68 all!  Now they have to play a game this week to break it... weird and not fair on the players.  This is a weekend when Bathurst and the NRL Grand Final is on... not a fair lot of events to choose from when you like two of them.  But it's how it's turned out.

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

One Week Down - One To Go!

I've had a weird kinda week.  I've been a day ahead of myself the whole time and I don't know why; and I skipped a day on 365 project!  How that happened, I'm not sure.  Weird, eh?

Well, it's the end of the first week of school holidays and it's been raining on and off all week.  We've had weather where it's hot one day and cold the next; pouring rain in the morning and stinking hot and sunny by lunch time... so it makes me wonder what the hell's going to be happening next week?  Are we in for more of the same?  And what are the kids going to be doing?  Will they be able to entertain themselves for another week if it all begins to rain continuously again like last week?  If not, well, it's going to be pretty horrendous. 

For me, this week has had me doing my laundry in little bits and pieces because of the weirdness of the weather, practicing a piece of music I'm ready to put through the shredder because my right hand can play it, but my left hand can't and I've just come to the end of a book I've been reading for a bout a month; all because it's a non-fiction.  They take me longer to read because of the information takes longer to sink in and for me to remember it all.  As I've come to the end of that book, I've begun another called 'Enchanted April'.  Fortunately, it's a fiction book and I'm gliding on through it quite easily.  Phew!  Fiction novels again!  Yay!  But it's always good to get my nose into non-fictions once in a while - to educate instead of entertain the brain.  

Also this week, I've had three parcels show up in as many days!  It's the beginning of the Holiday Gift Giving event that begins here in September and finishes around Christmas!  What and enjoyable time of year this is.  This is around the time we also do our Halloween Swap and other fun stuff too.  For example, I did a random postcard send-out last year when I was at Brunswick Heads; and I'll be doing another one this year.  It'll be fun!  

Then, I've got Christmas Presents to purchase between now and December.  So, it's time to get myself back out into the shopping centres again and working on who may want what.  I've been knitting myself a blanket for next year; so knitting anyone anything is out of the question for now.  So, I'll be purchasing things for people now... mainly little things that they'll want and need.  And yes, Dad's always the toughest one to buy for.

Well, so far this week, I've had my time to myself.  It's been a slow - yet relaxing - week of reading, writing, editing, cooking and practicing the piano.  I've enjoyed it.  However, my 37th, birthday is coming up (yep, I'm almost 40... but I'm not worried about it).  I gotta get my hair trimmed before my birthday and I'm thinking of doing out my wardrobe and buying some new clothes for Summer over the next few months; so I have something to wear to the coast.  Now, that'll be good!  I'll even get myself a new coastal/beach bag and trade in my old purple one.  I don't use that anymore; unless somebody in my family wants it.

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

It's Friday!

Another week has traveled by and a lot of things were done, a lot of things were left until next time and I found that I needed more hours in a day.  But don't we all?

Today, I hung about on here and uploaded a lovely photo of a Blue-faced Honeyeater.  And what a pretty bird it is!  It's on 365project.  My photo from yesterday made it onto the Popular page!  Sometimes my photos do that... other times they don't.  But I'm not into this for the competition, I just enjoy sharing great photos with people across the globe.

Then, I had a nice hot shower and washed my hair.  It was needing a wash and I was freezing.  So, I killed two birds with one stone and am feeling great.  I also sat outside in the lovely warm Winter sunlight to dry my hair as I read 'Cloud Atlas' and I've read up to page 157; at last count I was up to page 120.  So, I'm getting somewhere with it at long last!  So long I read in the afternoons for about an hour or so and before I go to bed for around the same time, I'll knock over this book quickly.  Then I'll be able to read another one soon.

My Mt. TBR is really getting out of hand; and it's all my fault for wanting to read so many great books all in the one year... even with Clifford following my progress, I'm finding it hard to keep myself to a tight schedule of reading in the afternoons or before bed.  I end up turning out the light after midnight and then wondering if I could finish just one more chapter of that new book I just bought... silly really.

At around 3pm, I jumped on the piano and practiced for around 40 minutes.  I really gotta get back into some serious practice and re-learn some older stuff as well as some new techniques on the keyboard.  In the next few months, I'll be looking at getting some info off the net about the theory of piano and how to do improv; as I was never really taught how to do that.

Now, I'm back on here to update a few things before jumping off, watching the 4:30pm news and preparing dinner (whatever it might be, I'm not sure... I'm never sure until I look in the fridge).  But I'll have a snack to keep away the cravings of junkfood tonight.  

This weekend, I'm hoping to work on the TSB again; and finish it this time.  It will be a lot easier once the drawings are up there and we get the painting of the flowers done.  Then, I'll sit down and do the stalks and leaves.  They won't take long either.  Let's just hope and pray that it hasn't been tagged... I don't want to have to repaint the background again.

Well, during this weekend, I'll be getting the house tidied up, dusting done, laundry put away and washing put outside.  I'll also need to get into some serious reading.  This does mean time away from the computer and my nose in a book for a good part of the afternoons.  I've only read 10 books this year; nowhere near enough my usual quota.  Well, until my next post, keep warm - or cool - whatever your case may be.

A Week of Unexpected Surprises.

Well... my weekend didn't end up the way I planned.  There was no gardening done and so therefore, my garden still looks the same as it did last week.  I was hoping that I had everything repotted before the rain poured down last night.  Oh well, can't win 'em all!

But that wasn't all.  I was bored outa my head by the politics of 'The Worm' and the two people we have no choice in but to pick between as Prime Minister in the next month.  There's bad... or worse.  Take your pick; and hope and pray our country is taken down the right path.  I just wish they'd just work together on this and agree on each other's policies adding it all together in one little pretty parcel we can all look at and say:  yes!  We want that!

But no... that's not what's going to happen.  They've already picked at each other about the details and piddly things before anything else.  This is why I don't like politics too much.  Once they start picking at each other, it's gets to be a mud-slinging match that neither of them will take responsibility for; and that really sticks in my neck.

So, yesterday, I watched the hours tick by slowly as the day became colder... yep, it was an overcast Brisbane day where rain threatened to fall from the close clouds, but really, nothing happened except we got cold.  Stevie's covers didn't move from her cage and I kept the house closed up for the whole weekend to keep us both warm.

On Saturday night, I began reading: 'He Died With A Felafel In His Hand' by John Birmingham.  What a funny book!  This is about a man who's lived in so many shared and rental properties, he's got more stories than he can handle.  And the best thing is that he's an Aussie... so whatever happened is likely to be true!  From page one, I was giggling my head off in bed trying not to laugh too loud as it was getting close to midnight and I found I had to put it down before I moved myself downstairs to have a good laugh out loud at this book!  My brother had recommended this book to me years ago; but I never had the time to read it.  So, when I found it down at Brunswick Heads, I thought it was time to get my nose between its pages.  I got through about 36 pages of it on Saturday night and read up to page 64 last night.  Yep, I think I'll zoom right through this book; and then pick out another good one soon.

My piano playing is going well; but I'm stuck on the scales.  The red book I've been learning out of is making it harder than it should be to play them.  So, I've gone back to the Sheft book to play them; and it's a lot easier.  Now, to memorise them; and it'll be a lot easier for me to pick up the ones in the red book... the one thing I'm not doing is using the cd in the red book.  It's been recorded off an electric piano and so it sounds like they've been playing an organ to me.  Why can't these cd's be recorded on an ordinary plain piano so as not to tick off the adults when we're learning to play?

Well, that was my weekend.  Dull and a little on the boring side.  But it happened.  I'm hoping a little more exciting things happen this week.  I've been invited to see 'Inception' tomorrow and I'm hoping to pick up the box of paint and equipment from the post office on Thursday or Friday.  So, I hope to get Mum to help me with transporting that; as she'll be my companion during my time at the TSB.  Otherwise, I'm expecting a parcel from Finland and another from Jakarta in the next two weeks.  One has a coin purse in it from a lovely Bookcrosser.  The one from Jakarta has been traveling for more than a year; and I can't wait until it arrives home.

Well, that's all from me.  Until my next post, keep warm - or cool - whatever you case may be. 

The Hawks Won!

I had a great day yesterday.  I worked on here in the morning, did some writing and editing and then watched the AFL game on the television between the Hawthorne Hawks and Brisbane Lions at the Aurora Stadium in Launceston, Tasmania.  What a game!  In the first 30 minutes, the Hawks were ahead by around 30 point or so and the Lions hadn't scored yet; actually they were flat out getting their hands on the ball.  Over the next three hours, the Hawks were ahead of the Lions the whole time by around 20 points the whole time!  It was amazing!  I loved it.  And next week, they'll be playing St Kilda.

During half time I was practicing the piano a bit - as I hadn't played it all week - and I thought to try and play it this week every day.  You see, I've been back into my writing again.  And so, my creativeness has come back.  I've found that I'm sleeping better too.  So, as the weeks have passed lately, my writing and artwork has been going well; and so has the piano.

Late yesterday afternoon, Mum and Dad arrived home from the north coast.  And they invited me to go into West End to see my brother's band play.  So, I said I'd think about it.  Then, I realised how boring my Saturday nights have been getting; and thought to take them up on the offer.  So, after making my dinner and running around to get changed, I was ready.  We made it in there just on time (and had a little trouble finding a parking spot because it was a Saturday night).  And my brother played at 'The Music Cafe' on Boundary Street with his band 'The Spruce Moose'.  We caught the end of the first set and the whole of the second set; and they finished just before 9pm. 

It was great to get out and see him play in a cool little place like this one; it's got a better set-up than 'The Boundary' (which is a few doors down) and it's got better seating and sells meals as well as drinks.  The place has a lovely atmosphere too; with its red and black decor and very laid-back feel to the place.  There's a pool room out the back and a few lounges spread throughout for those who like to kick back more to listen to their live music.

It was cold when we left the Music Cafe and we had a little way to walk to get to the Kombi.  My niece was there too to listen to her Dad play.  He let her get an ice cream up the

road and I accompanied her while she bought it.  I then told her about a 'Mary-Kate and Ashley' short-handled bag I had bought for her at a Life Line which I had clean forgotten to bring with me to give her.  Well, Riley was amazed I had found one; and asked if their faces were on it.  I said no, but it was very pretty and had pockets and flowers on it.  She's looking forward to seeing it the next time we meet up again.  Otherwise, here's what it looks like. I know I said it looked like her corduroy jacket, but I was mistaken; and it's made from suede.  Very nice and pretty on the inside too.

Well, when I arrived home, I wasn't tired, so I put on one of the dvds I had paid off last pay called 'The Lost Boys: The Tribe'.  It's the next installment of this cult film.  Corey Feldman was in it and it's years on where he's lost his brother to vampirism and he's a lone Vampire Slayer; but he's moved on from the last town of vamps.  It was good and gross and had its funny parts in it.  I recognised some lines from the old movie classic in it but I guess they couldn't put killing off a vampire any other way than how they did before.  A good - yet gross - movie if not a little corny.  And now, I've just seen a preview of a 'Lost Boys 3 - The Thirst' which looked okay; but I get the feeling that they just showed us all the good parts.

Saturday Night

I've had a good weekend; but it didn't start out that way.  Since my allergic reaction to the cheaper brand of Topamax, I've been a little blah... so it wasn't until Friday afternoon that I actually felt anywhere near my old self again.

Then, Saturday came around and I had some cleaning up to do as a couple of my friends were dropping by.  So, I filled the kettle, ate some nice hot raisin toast and tidied up the lounge so that we'd have somewhere to sit.  Just before they arrived, I practiced my piano and turned on the AFL game between the Hawthorne and Geelong at the MCG.  My friends arrived and I turned the sound down so we could talk.  When the second half finished, I turned the television off as the half-time adverts were going to take about 15 minutes.  Anyway, during that time, we heard a loud bang; and thought it was the construction crew next door at the fire station.  However after my friends left to go home, I found that I had no power.  So, I called up Energex and found that we were going to have no electricity until 5pm.  Bummer!  That's when the gamed finished!  So, I began to get ready for my next appointment for tonight:  Katrina's Birthday Dinner.

I was ready about an hour and a half before I was supposed to be because there was nothing else to do.  I had laundry to bring in at 4pm and so I got that brought in and then I closed up the house, covered Little Miss Stevie and had the candles pulled down and dusted off ready to use.  And before long, I had them all lit and my reading lamp out with the battery-run radio going too.  I checked up on when we were going to get power again and Energex said not until 7pm.  Wonderful, I smsed Mum and Dad and told them I was still sitting in the dark.

So, when we left my place, my side of the street was in complete darkness and Energex crews were working hard at getting a transformer back on track quickly.  We arrived at the Punjab Palace and Gabe and Katrina and her Mum and other friends were there.  It was a good night.  I ordered a mild Tikka Masala with prawns and tried out a sweet Lassi (a milk and yoghurt drink) and they were both delicious.  Gabe told me that the Lassi was something he drank every day he was in India to keep his gut from turning against him.  And I reckon it's a good thing I did drink it; as today, I haven't had the usual reactions I do to Indian food.  It's been pretty mild actually.  

When we finished dinner, we walked to The Boundary Hotel and listened to a wicked blues band called The Blind Dog.  And when they had a break, they called upon some of the local musicians who were locals to the pub to fill in for them.  It was really cool... it was like they jumped in for a jam session for a little while then gave back the gear once the original band took a break.  The place was absolutely jumping when we arrived and we had even more people pile in as the music got louder.  It was fantastic.  They covered some great songs too from James Brown as well (one of my favourites). 

And a funny thing happened.  I sat down on a stool - because my feet were killing me - and almost immediately, an Aussie sat on my left (a very polite one who asked if the seat was taken) and a Maori came to me on my right and tried to chat me up.  Ever since I began clubbing, New Zealanders Maoris have been chatting me up in clubs and pubs.  And since this is the first time I've been in a pub after dark for about a decade, it's as if I never left.  This one got me to take a photo with some people, talked to me about the band and the music and got me to mind his beer while he was went to the men's for a minute.  He was nice and all, but really, I still wonder why he chose to talk to me.  I was there mainly to listen to the music with my family.  Soon after, when he had his back turned, I walked over to Mum and Dad and asked when we were going to take off as I had just looked at my watch and saw it was 10:45pm.  They said they were thinking of going after the end of the song; and we did.

We wished Katrina a happy birthday and Gabe saw us off outside.  He was happy I could make it; so was Katrina.  I left a birthday message on her mobile this morning and she smsed me back saying it was great to see me last night.

Well, once home, I found the power was back on and so I watched the last half hour of 'The Notebook' and went off to bed where I crashed and - on waking this morning - found I hadn't moved an inch from the position I had fallen asleep in.  Boy!  I must have been tired!