Four Months of Driving

It's been four months since I began driving a car and I've loved it and hated it at the same time.  I love the freedom I've had; and hated the idiots who think they own the road because they've been on there longer than I have.  I can't stand the 'P' Platers who fiddle and fart around in their cars putting on make-up and twiddling with their hair, who indicate too little - or not at all - when changing lanes, and I hate it when it's the end of the day, everyone's tired, and there's always some dumbarse in my blind spot who thinks I can see them - and I can't - and they wonder why I nearly run them off the road when I change lanes on them and don't see them.  Then, they grumble and mutter while sitting right up the arse of my car thinking I'll be intimidated by them sitting there when it'll get them exactly - well - nowhere really fast.

I'm a veteran driver who had to give away driving 15 years ago or so because I have Epilepsy.  Now back then there were nutty drivers everywhere, I owned a gorgeous Celica and 'Little Vroom' and I went everywhere and anywhere together... I had music blaring out of the speakers and I loved driving.  I had people trying to run me off the road all the time, but I learned to drive offensively and I didn't care who I cut off, so long I could get home safely.  And I never told my parents how rough it got out there.  But I did wonder if they knew... I'm not sure if they did.

Now all these years later, I'm driving again.  And even though I'm in a big 6 cylinder Pajero 4X4, I have no idea how people don't see me... I mean, it's twice the size of my old red Celica and has a louder, greedier engine... so just how in the hell nobody sees this vehicle on the road is beyond me.
But I've had people just pull out in front of me without looking (and these are people who are 60+ who think they own the road) and when I beep the horn, they flip me the bird!  I never cut people off - well not on purpose - and this man thought he's just pull out from the kurb and into traffic without looking and cut me off... I nearly ran up the backside of his car!  Now, you can imagine my frustration, can't you?

It's amazing what happens once people get their license... the laziness, the sheer weirdness they get up to and think it's okay.  I try to keep my driving as normal as possible these days - unlike when I was younger - as I don't with to break any laws I can't afford to pay for; seeing how strict things are these days.  So, what things bug you when you drive?  Or do you wish to keep quiet about it?  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.

I've Finished It!

At last!  I've finished it!  Yes!  My Four Month Makeover of my home and gardens has been completed; and I have 2 weeks to spare!  Sure, there's a few little pots to buy, but what's a pot or two and some potting mix?  All the majorly huge stuff is done; all thanks to having access to a car.  If I didn't have that, I wouldn't have been able to get all of the things I wanted to get done, well done.

This morning was the day I finally finished up on one of the things around the garden and now, I can kick back and enjoy the results of my hard work.  And you know, it's difficult not to find something to do around the place... a little plant here, repotting there... yeah, I've become addicted to fixing up my place.  But I'll have to push myself to just enjoy the work I've put into the place and make sure I don't buy anything unless I have to.  

There's still stuff I didn't get for the garden which I wanted to.  For example, there were the solar lights I missed out on buying - but I might ask for a good set for Christmas.  I want to also get a proper bird bath to attract birds to my garden again.  And now, I'm going to save up big for a couple of park benches I want to put around the garden to make it look and feel lovely.  I told Gabe about this plan - which is just a finishing touch really - and he thought it sounds great, but they're expensive, and he has warned me about getting addicted to home renovations.  I said I know I could get addicted (and I do feel the pull of it bugging me) and that I'm pushing myself to sit down and enjoy what I've done.  However, after working on a project for so long, I've found it hard to just sit down and enjoy it for what it is now... have you ever found it hard to do that?

Anyway, last night, I invited a neighbour over for dinner - he was moving out today and he was stuffed from packing everything - and we sat out in the back yard chatting.  He said I had done a great job on my yard; and the new setting was gorgeous; and the seats were very comfy... and for $179.00, it was well worth it.  However, we found we were being eaten alive by the mozzies!  How in the hell did I happen to get mozzies in my yard?  So, we rushed inside and today I looked around my little bit of dirt for stagnant water.  Sure enough I found 2 buckets of it with plants going rotten in the bottom both of them!  So, I tipped out the water and threw out the plants immediately.  By sunset, I won't have any mosquitoes!  And by next week, they won't be around my yard anymore.  

Well, anyway, for the next week or so, I'll be busily sorting out Mum and Dad's house, visiting a friend, shopping for a birthday gift and doing a huge shop for Mum and Dad for when they arrive home.  I can't wait until this month is finished... so much is going on in it.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm 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.

A Busy Week Ahead!

I have one very busy week ahead; and I'm looking forward to it.  You see, so much is going to be done around here and at Mum and Dad's house, I'll be exhausted by Sunday... mark my words.  And I'll be working hard next week too!  

Today, I was out early to buy myself a new outdoor setting!  I had scored a few Bunnings Vouchers, cash and earned some money over the weekend to be able to afford it.  First off, I had saved up $50 towards it.  So, I'm pretty happy about this purchase; plus it makes my yard look and feel very complete.  However it's not.  I have to get the park benches to complete it the look I'm going for... I only need three and that's going to make my yard finished - well kinda - but you know what I mean.

Tomorrow, I have shopping day.  Grocery shopping is one thing I can't avoid; but it's a good day out for me to get away from my Four Month Makeover of this place.  It gives me a chance to get back out into the real world and just be myself for a change.  It's something I do enjoy doing it's a very social thing to do.  Weirdly true.

Thursday is another day out and about.  I'll be at IKEA looking at buying a 3-step ladder and then off to Bunnings to buy some pots for the little plants next to my back door.  It's not too late to repot them.  Then, I'll be home for the rest of the day.  Those two things shouldn't take me too long.  On the way home, I'll drop in to Mum and Dad's and water the plants and see how they're going.

Friday will be my clean-up day here.  I'll be hanging about my house, doing laundry, vacuuming, tidying up and cleaning up and doing what needs to be done around here before the weekend.
Then on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, I'll pop around to Mum and Dad's place to water and feed the lawn and water that into the place.  I've watered the plants today.  But by then, they'll need another watering.  While I'm there, I'll do some pruning of the hedges around the front of the place and clip back a few things to tidy up the place a little in preparation for their return.

Then, next week, I'll be there to do some housework.  I have to change the sheets on their bed from Winter to Summer, vacuum the house, dust, do the laundry and then water the plants outside again and make sure they're okay... it'll only be in the last few days before their return that I'll be out doing the shopping for them, so the house is ready for them to live in again.  Well, until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.

My Birthday Was.....

... spent taking a friend to hospital.  Yeah, not what I really wanted to do, but I had to.  Geoff showed up at my place ready to help celebrate my 40th and within minutes began to feel sick.  Within around half and hour I had the ambulance there at my place and he was laying down on my bed looking horrible, red and his hands were clammy.  And yet the ambos said he was okay.  They took him off to hospital anyway and I followed them there. 
Once at Logan Hospital, I didn't know where to go.  You see, I'm usually the one being taken to the hospital in the back of one those big red and white buses... not the scared friend following that thing to the place.  So, I had to figure out my way there and home; really weirda and hard to make out I knew where I was going, when really I just guessing.

Well, I got there, got really impatient with the nursing staff - and didn't mean to - and then had to wait for a bit before they'd let me see him.  Once I did, I helped by just being there for Geoff.  He looked a lot better than he at my place.  But I was told to go back to my place as we were expecting another friend by around 2pm and it was half an hour away from that by that time... okay, time was getting away from us!  So, I drove back to my place (and didn't get lost) and then Mick showed up and we sat around for an hour or so and waited for Geoff to call us to pick him up.  This time, I remembered how to get to the hospital and back.  

Once back at my place, I got some food into Geoff.  He was starving... so I made up a platter of cheeses, grapes, nuts and cranberries; all the good and healthy foods and no junk.  I had a bottle of Root Beer and we all sat outside and ate some of the food before we decided to start on our work.
You see, I wanted to get in and do some modelling for some artists on my birthday at my place.  I was hoping to earn some cash.  So, I organised my place to have the room and feel of a studio; and it did.  I had picked out some vinyls, some costumes and thought of some poses to do and we were finally getting into working.  I did 20 minutes poses - four of them - and it worked out well.  We listened to Santana, INXS and totally enjoyed a cake that Geoff made and the day turned around for us.  Now, today, I'm sore through my legs and a bit of my back and shoulders as the soreness catches up with me; not to mention tired.  I used costume to make the whole thing a bit more of a challenge and it really made a difference.  By around 9pm, we had finished and I saw Geoff and Mick's work and they said they totally enjoyed the art... and were stuffed too.  I made some plunger coffee and by around 10pm, they were on their way home.  
I washed up a bit before locking up the house and finally checking the e-mails and going to bed.  I crashed and woke up to my alarm at 6am.  I'm still tired, but I made $35 last night for 3 hours work.  Totally worth the sore muscles from modelling.  And my friend, Geoff, is feeling tired, but he's told me he's feeling better than he was yesterday.

So, today, I'm here at home just chilling out.  I'll be taking down the decorations from my birthday, washing up, putting out the rubbish and plainly tidying up from yesterday... just little things to get me ready for this week.
For example, I've realised that I'm looking at being able to pick up the outdoor setting I've had my eye on for the last month on Tuesday!!!  Yay!  I was going to do that today, but I don't really feel up to driving a car.  So, that is something to look forward to.... and one step closer to finishing my garden.  There are park benches to go yet, but I'll get them in time... one at a time... as they're not cheap; and I love the look of them.  They'll be to replace the old outdoor chairs as they're beginning to fall apart now too, and so to have my place looking as pretty as possible is my main ideal, and the outdoor setting comes first, then the seats, and it'll look just the way I want it to.  However, the seats will be done up by next year.

Well, that's been my weekend.  How's yours been?  As busy and strange as mine?  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.  

Cleaning Day

There are days where I just jump in and tidy up the house because it looks like a cyclone's hit it.  And today is one of those days.  

This morning, there was a heavy fog outside, and the sun struggled to get through it.  This meant a hot day... good!  This also meant a great day for laundry.  So, the moment I got up and dressed, I stripped the bed, grabbed the laundry and put on the sheets.  Then, while that was going on, I prepared breakfast, did some washing up, put on the radio and opened the house.  
By this time, it was 8:30am and I checked my To-Do List on my iPod (yeah, these are free off iTunes and are very cool).  I had a couple of my jobs on the go... this usually happens when I get going with housework on days like this.  
Once I had finished breakfast, I thought to get my butt outside and shift the Pajero and sweep out the car port of leaves.  However, when I walked past the front left side, I found a Praying Mantis holding onto the front tyre.  So, I put the car keys in a safe place, picked him up and found a nice tree for him to hang out in.  I don't know if he was happy or not, but I did go and get my camera and took a few photos of him.  He was so cute and I got to pat him a little too - which he did mind me doing. 
Anyway, I shifted the car, swept out the car port and put the car back and crossed off one thing on the list that got done.  Then, by around 10am, the laundry was all done - or as much as I could fit on the line.  I still have the handwashing to do tomorrow and a few other things too before it's all done.  I had done one lot of washing up, and so I wiped up the first lot and have another lot to get done.  Then, I paid a phone bill for Mum and Dad and I checked the water in piano and refilled the glass (it wasn't empty, but I did it anyway).

Then, I was outside taking photos of the garden to make a journal of what's been going on in my garden over the last four months.  It's been a lot!  And I'm darned proud of what my place looks like now... despite the few hiccups that have happened with it all.  I'm still moving plants around to make my garden look good and I'm hoping to have my place looking and feeling the way I want it before my folks get home.  

Yep, cleaning days are big, long and tiring; but they're kinda fun as you usually find that you get a lot done, and you feel better when you go to bed and you're sleeping in a nice set of clean sheets.  I do enjoy getting the place cleaned up - even though it's hard work.  Paying the bills, checking that I have everything on my shopping list and putting out rubbish is some of my favourite parts of cleaning days; as it makes me feel as though I've accomplished something big... it's put everything in my life in perspective and squares things off until the next time I have to clean up the place.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.

Next Week...

It's been a little while since I last pottered around my garden, fixed something in my house, replaced an item and threw out an old thing or did something big to make my house work better.  Well, okay, it's only been since last Saturday, but it feels as thought it's been forever...  and this makes me feel lazy.

I have until next Thursday or so to buy new things.  These things are going to be a new folding 2-step ladder for the kitchen, a couple of metres of Muslin and an Easy-Step Matt for the back door.  Now, in the process, I'll be putting money away to save up for something the back yard I found at 'Barbeques Galore' at the Home-Maker Centre which will look great!  It's a two-seat outdoor setting, which is white, rust-proofed and very pretty; and you all know I've been looking for something like this for a long time - and I have tried looking online, through the free sites and on The Trading Post too - and so actually buying one is my best bet.  I'm just looking forward to having my house fixed up by the time Mum and Dad come back home next month.  And you know, that month will zoom by!  

Today, I did major, heavy housework for the first time in 2 months - since my Tennis Elbow!  I have been able to move heavy furniture and actually clean up the living room, dust and wash the kitchen floor!  The house looks and feels clean!  How good is that?  It's wonderful!  I feel great!  Now, that's downstairs done, I'll get in and do upstairs tomorrow morning before it gets too hot.  Might even get out and buy that Easy-Step Matt while I'm out at my folks' house checking on it.  

There's still things to get done here - as you all know - but I'm working at my own pace.  And I'm hoping to get everything I want to get done soon.  One thing I did get rolling is the plumbing report to my neighbour's landlord.  It's been very quiet next door for the last day or so... not a single sound at all has come from there for the last 48 hours.  So, I don't know if they're home or not.  But I am hoping the plumbing gets fixed up completely soon and that the water hammer is remedied; and that I don't have to live with it anymore.  This is so when we do wish to sell my place, it will definitely sell, and sell easily.  Well, until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.

Saving Up Again

As you all know, I've been taking on a Four Month Makeover of my house.  It's been a huge project and I've totally enjoyed the challenge - and there have been times where I've had to take a week or two off - but I've jumped straight back into it again and been enjoying the time cleaning out, straightening up and organising.

Now has come the time again for me to sit back and wait.  It's been such a roller-coaster ride of work, work, work that sitting down and waiting for money to save up again is hard to do.  But I do have work to do here with my new Crafty Pegs business, so that'll keep me busy, and I still have some housework that has been neglected since I started too.

I'm saving up for a little table and chairs set made from wrought iron that I spotted at Bunnings which is going to cost me around $140.  Now, I did look around at freecycle and givet before I decided to get in and buy this piece but nobody was selling one or giving it away.  So, I'm stuck with buying one brand new.  I also looked around The Trading Post site too and there was nothing there I could find within Brisbane or the Gold Coast that I could get that wasn't over-priced.  And for $140, I'm getting a sweet deal really seeing that most people who sell through the classifides think their furniture is worth more than it really is.

But in reality, my Four Month Makeover is almost finished... I have to only do a few more little things and that's it really.  I'm so pleased to say that if I didn't have access to a car, I wouldn't have been able to get all the things I wanted to get done completed... but then, the stuff I've gotten done isn't really finished, it's just something I have begun, hasn't it?

Today, I'm at home to get into the housework, wash up, wash the floors, vacuum and sweep out the car port.  I was hoping to drive out and price the Car Lovers place on Logan Road, but I think I'll wait until the time Mum and Dad come home from holidays before I take it in to be washed so it's cleaner for Mum.  I will rinse it off over the next few days or so.  But I still have to get rid of the old bedroom furniture from 4 months ago.  Yes, I still haven't given it away, sold it or been able to dump it because givvet hasn't sent anyone to pick it up, I haven't been able to get anyone from a charity to pick it up, and nobody will help me dump it.  I also have a dryer in my house which is a fire hazard, and yet I can't get rid of that either.  I don't want it and it's still hanging up on my wall, unplugged and as useful as a screen door on a submarine.  So, I still have things to get rid of around my house that are big things; things that have been around here for a long time and make my place look horrible.

Well, I guess I'll have to wait until next month for help, for somebody to get rid of these items for me.  I've done the best I can with them so far.  But they're still a pain the butt, and it's not my choice to have them still around my place.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm still here.

Wet Monday

It's raining.  Yep, I woke this morning to a cloudy sky and cool temperatures.  Then, after a nice hot shower, I sat down to nice hot bowl of porridge with bananas and dried cranberries and looked outside to find it was raining.... wonderful!  I'm serious!  I'm so happy to see the rain finally here.  
It's been so long since we have had rain that I thought it would never come.  Now, it's around 5pm in the afternoon and the day is really dull - so much so, I have had to turn on a light in the office to see where I'm going.

But I've had a long day out and about.  I'm glad I did get out today, as I spent my weekend here at home.  it was a nice quiet one where I could relax and sleep here for once.  And seeing I haven't been able to sleep here for a while, it's been nice to catch up with what I've wanted to do here instead of at my parents' house.  But the time is coming where I will have to get over there and work on their house to make it ready for them to return home.
There's vacuuming and dusting to get done, their bed sheets to change, the whole house to open up and air out, shopping to get done and floors to wash.  I have the lawn to look after too as it looks a little dead from the very dry Winter we've had.  So, lawn food is called for.
Anyway, a lot of this stuff won't take too long and I'm hoping it'll be okay for me get on with what still needs to be done here.  I have a modeling thing to do, my birthday to organise (and Gabe and Kat are helping we with that) and then there's the folks coming home... we can't wait until that happens.

I have had a good time with the use of the car.  However, I do think Dad thinks I'm going to live at their house for the next few months... I don't know what they think I do in my life, but there's more to me than they think.  Gabe's noticed how trapped I've been without a car as he and Kat visited last Saturday and saw a huge difference in my place when they walked through my door.  It was tidier, more organised, he found I had thrown out a lot of stuff and my garden was looking better (out the front and the back yard too).  It's something he hadn't really taken note of until I began driving again... and that's hard when people don't notice that kind thing.  What's going to be hard is when Mum takes back her car... wow... jeez, that's going to be a big gap in my life again.  I'll have to ask for the use of it and not just jump in it and go.

But that'll be a bit down the road and after they return.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.

Lazy Sunday

Today is the first truly lazy Sunday I've had in over two months.  Honestly, I'm sitting here online and it's not yet midday and I'm totally enjoying the quiet of the day before hectic beginning of the working week again.

Yes... it's been a very busy 3 months for me since Mum and Dad flew off overseas; and now I've had time to sit down and take in what I've gotten done, I feel as thought I'm being lazy and almost bad that I'm not doing anything.  Weird, eh?  But really, it's nice to have a day to myself to do what I want.  Then, I can get in and do some pegs and pencils, work on some other wonderful things around here and not have to worry about much else.

But I'm hoping to save up for a few things while I'm taking my time with a couple of things around here.  There's a wrought iron table and chairs set at Bunnings I spotted for $139.00 which I spotted while looking for dolly pegs.  But before I wrote down the price, I searched online for a table and chairs just like it and didn't find anyone giving one away - not on freecycle or e-bay or anywhere - so I looked through The Trading Post online too, there's nothing on there (and besides, people are expecting too much money for their second-hand items).  So, I've begun saving up for the outdoor setting myself.  It won't take long to have the money in my account and in-hand seeing I've got most of my stuff done around the place anyway, and I do have most of my Four-Month Makeover done.  There's just the finishing touches to get done around here.

There's still a few plants I want to get in and repot and a bookcase or two I want to replace around here with sturdier bookcases, but I'm going to concentrate on finishing the garden first, and then see how I go on seeing the details of my project; after all the devil's in the details of a project isn't it?  I do enjoy making sure it's all done up properly and working well.  But if waiting for a particular part of my project to be finished and financed is called for, well, I guess that's just what I have to do.

Gabe asked me yesterday where I got the money for my project, and I said that I had it all sitting in my savings for a while until I got the use of Mum's car.  Once I spent a bit of money, I waited until the next pay, spent more money and then went to cheap stores and spent more... it eventually added up to getting all of what I wanted done. 
I've just checked my iPod for the jobs that need to get done.  And I've checked off the list the art area being cleaned up... now I have only two more things to finish:  the backyard, and the lounge room.  With a month and a half left to go, I'm right on shedule to getting everything done up, finished and tidied up.  I can't wait until my project is complete.

But then, it's not really complete - is it?  There will always be something for me to do here, something to replace, something to get removed... something to make sure I'll have to get put in to make my house feel, look and run better all because I want it to.  Well, until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.

Back Home Again

I came home yesterday.  I miss being in my own place, my bed and doing my own thing.  Besides, my house was pigstye and really needed cleaning up because Gabe and Kat were coming over to visit.

Anyway, I arrived home and found the neighbours were very quiet.  They didn't use their taps unless they really needed to and she did a laundry run at around 4pm instead of midnight.  I'm happy about this, but how long it'll last for is something to be seen.

Today, Gabe and Kat arrived here and they were really impressed at how much I've gotten done around here.  Gabe loved the shelving unit I bought at Sam's Warehouse and Kat needed a rest so caught some zeds on my bed; which she loved!  She said the mattress was so lovely and firm and the blanket was nice and warm as was the duvet.  
But I also let them into a project I'm getting done here with the plumber.  I'm getting all my plastic taps replaced with chrome ones because the plastic ones are old and cracked.  And then he's also fixing up sewage venting hole in the backyard which has been left open for the last 7 years; and isn't meant to be like that, so he said he'd fix that too.  Gabe reckons it'll give the place a little more class and make it easier to sell too.  Also, he's happy that I've gotten out in the car a lot too - more than he realised I would. 
Then, while we were at lunch at a Turkish place at The Underwood Marketplace, he commented that he hadn't realised how trapped I had been without a car.  I said that before I began driving again, it would take me 4 - 5 hours to get one thing done; if I was lucky.  I'd have to catch the bus to where I was going, make sure I could do what I needed to do, or get what I could get, pay for delivery if needs be, and then catch a bus - or 2 - home.  By that time, it would be late afternoon and I'd only just beat the delivery of my item home... he shook his head not realising things took so long.  I said that with a car, I could get 4 or 5 things done in 3 hours and be home and have the afternoon to myself to wash up from the morning, pull in the laundry and pay the bills.  It made life so much easier.  And grocery shopping has been cut in half because I get my fruit and veggies on the way to Coles, and I'm home a bit after midday.

Before lunch, we were at IKEA.  Man!  I truly hate that place.  It's so full of crap and things we need - and yet don't - and then we all get lost on the way out that I don't go there very often.  This was first time in over 2 years I've been there and I nearly got lost twice.  Gabe and Kat were looking at buying a new lounge, but they have to measure their old one first as there were so many to pick from.  Then, I was there to chose a chair for my art area - one which is swivell and is on wheels for easy movement, and it doesn't take up much room.  Well, I found my chair and then, a new strainer for my washing up for my knives and forks.  Then, I found a small sifter that was perfect for when I make pizzas.  All up I spent around $35.00... not bad for a day out at a massive Danish furniture store full of crap I don't need.

Well, how was your Saturday?  All good I hope.  Mine was good and full of visitors, shopping and new things from IKEA.  But we had fun while we were there.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.

A Busy Wednesday Morning

I'll start with yesterday; as it was busy too.  I decided around midday yesterday that it was time to get in and clean up the art area of my house.  It had gone on too long with me ignoring it and so I thought it was high time to get my lazy butt down to the back door and start cleaning it up, washing the floor and throw out the back door matt what was stuck - physically stuck! - to the floor!  
I did all that.  I pulled up the matt and found the black crap on the bottom on the matt had stuck to the lino and so I had to get on my hands and knees and scrub the floor with Ajax and hot water and steel wool to get most of it off before anything else; before I could do anything else.  It was exhausting!  But I felt good throwing out that old matt that had been there for so long!
Then, I emptied out the big black box that Dad had bought me as it had outlived its use.  It cleaned it up, wiped it down and put it in the back of the Pajero ready to take it to Mum and Dad's place.  I got in the car today and then drove straight there after checking the mail; taking Dennis Road.  I coasted along the street, taking my time, knowing there'd be roadworks and thought I might be able to get into their driveway.  However I was so wrong about that!  I found half of my folks' street dug up!  It was all being resurfaced between 37 and 41; so they took up the bituman and I couldn't get into their driveway.  So, I was stuck with the big box for an unknown amount of time.  This got me thinking while I was out and about looking at things:  Dad would only fill it with crap.  So, I was better off just giving it away to somebody or to a charity.
Well, while I was out, I went to the bank and pulled out $30 and then went on the hunt for a small card table.  I didn't want anything that was too expensive, just something I could use for my work station at home and fold up when I needed room for something else.  I tried Target, K-Mart, Big-W and then, thought to try out Bunnings.  And it was here I found my card table for $25!  What a great little bargain!  And doesn't it look great at the back door?  All that natural light to work by and that lamp to use when I have to work at night too.  Not a bad set-up so far.
When I arrived home - before I unpacked anything - I noticed that Paul Barrett (Ian's new flatmate) had been out to do some shopping.  So, I locked up the car and walked over to their place and offered up the box to them.  Ian was hesitant, but Paul thought it might be good to put some of his stuff into for storage and grabbed the measuring tape.  he came over, measured up the box and said it looked good, happily taking it off my hands.  I was grateful, saying that Dad would only fill it with crap and it was better he had it than my Dad.  He agreed that I was doing a good thing.
Now, next week, I'll have only the cabinet to get and then I'll be able to put all my stuff in the bags into it and have access all my paint, brushes and other stuff too.  The area will look and feel cleaner and better as well.  I can't wait to get it all done up and finished.  Well, until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm, and remember, I'm always here.  

A Lull In Plans

As I did a few weeks back, I have a lull in my plans.  This is purely a financial setback, but it'll be okay by next week.  
You see, I've got a week of doing nothing - well not nothing per say - but I'll be around the house for this week.  This will give me a chance to get this place looking and feeling better than it has done in a while. 

So, what I'm going to do is empty out the black box in the art area, and start tidying it up and readying it for the makeover I'm planning for it.  
I've spotted a cabinet at Sam's Warehouse for $70 and a card table for my Crafty Pegs work too.  So, I'll be able to clean up the art area next week and make my work area a proper work area for my small business.  I really need it tidied up so my lounge room does clean up better than it has done in the past, and I have a place to sit down and work.  It's going to be the most organised I'll be in a long time with my art work.

But for now, it's a waiting game until I have some money in the pocket.  And after the art bits are all done and put away and everything is sorted out, I'll have to wait a little longer before I can really get my finger out and start doing some serious work done on the garden again.  
However, I'm very happy with what I've accomplished with the things I've done so far.  Seeing I've had access to a car and I've been driving everywhere and doing what I've wanted - and it's saved me a lot of money - I've enjoyed being able to cart stuff home from places where I normally can't, and this is great.

It's only been two months and I've cleaned out my office, my bedroom, fixed up my front garden, tidied up my backyard and worked on some things in the kitchen and have my eye on a cabinet and table for my art area and opened a new small business on Facebook.  This may not seem much, but it all takes time, money and a lot of driving around; and I had no outside help, but it's been fun.

So, how are your projects going?  All great?  I hope so.  Mine are going well, a little behind schedule, I've had a few surprises, and I'm enjoying my time behind the wheel of the car.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.

Thank God It's Friday

Yep, that's all I can say about today... really, I've had a huge week and I'm stuffed.  I just want to go back to bed and crawl under my duvet and go back to sleep again.

But I can't... I have to live out my Friday in the sleepy haze I'm in because that's just how it is.  I've been on the go since Monday working on my garden, shopping and enjoying my life with a car; and people don't realise what it's like to go without a car until you really do for so long.

On Monday, I had craft group.  It was fun, and I found a very lucky ducky of a metal statue - which is sitting in amongst the leaves of a Happy Plant in my backyard as I write.  
On Tuesday, I was out again looking at things for the garden at Bunnings and scored big!  I bought two deleted items from two different Bunnings stores; which were only around the corner from each other.  Very cool.  
Wednesday was shopping day.  I scored a lovely necklace at Life Line for around $7.50 and then walked out, looked to my left and found a basket of bookst sitting there with a sign on the front:  '$3.00ea'.  So, I looked through them as they were all hard cover and I spotted a few Piers Anthony books.  I picked up 4 of his books which turned out to be First Editions and to make my day even better, two of them had been printed in the USA!  I also scored a biography of reclusive writer - Patrick White - and that was a First Edition too!  How's that for a stunner?  I came in under budget for my shopping - despite having to spend a little more money on a few things I needed around other shops - and yet made it home well before midday.  Yep, Wednesday was good, exhausting and fun... I even ordered in Season 8 of Supernatural on dvd and began paying it off.
Yesterday, I was out the door by around 10am, went to Bunnings, bought 2 bags of potting mix, 1 bag of lawn food, looked around and then headed off to a few stores to look for outdoor settings, then drove to Springwood's Reject Store and bought some fairy figurines for the garden and other things and then went to the doctor to get a prescription (and ended up getting all my scripts written up just to be on the safe side) and then I was back home looking at my garden... it was time to get rid of the old white, rotting table in my backyard.  So, I asked Paul, Ian's flatmate to help me, as my right arm isn't quite up to anything too big in the hammering arena yet.  Paul was more than happy to help.  When he saw it, he understood why I needed help with it and gleefully smashed it up and grabbed the recycle bin up the back and put the peices in it.  I appreciated his help.  He also unwrapped some of the figurines and we found one of them was already broken when he opened it... which was disappointing as it was a favourite of mine.  I said I'd take it back and get an exchange; but he said to get it glued back on; I told him I had the receipt still and I'd take it back on Saturday.  So, I bagged it up and it's ready to take back tomorrow.

Anyway, the backyard looks and feels kinda bare without the big white table there, but it was ready to fall down and so, I'll be looking around for something to put in its place to have the plants sit on and the fairies can hide too... it'll look lovely.  And I'm hoping to get a bird feeder to hang from the tree branch soon too, but that'll take time to find.  

However, I was tired from the day - and week - and so last night, I thought to get an early night.  So, I was off to bed at around 10:30pm.  Unfortunately, my next door neighbour had other ideas.  She thought to get some laundry done instead.  So, I went over there and asked if she could possible do her laundry early today.  She sighed and said to go away and leave her alone, closing the door in my face.  I shouted through it that it's on her lease that if she is making noise that's bothering her neighbours that I have every right to come over and ask her to stop it, and she is obliged to.  She still told me to leave her alone and go away.  She finished the load of laundry, hung it out and slammed the back door.  By the time she did, it was almost midnight.  So, today, I called the Body Corporate and let them know and they told me I had to e-mail them.  I did, telling them that the noise of the mixer taps have been going on for a few years, and it's now just dreadful and it would be a good idea to make the landlord get rid of them and go back to conventional taps then I'd never hear anything and the pipes wouldn't knock or rattle inside the walls; and my neighbour could do laundry whenever she wanted without bothering me.

Well, that was my week.  And like I said, I'm stuffed; and now you know why.  If I had gotten a good night's sleep this week, last night, I wouldn't be so tired.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.

Pots and Statues

Just when I thought everything was at a stand-still in my garden planning, found it's not.  I thought to go window shopping yesterday at Sam's Warehouse and found a metal duck.  He was quite handsome and very cute!  So, I bought him to put in my garden as well as a large pot from the same place for the Happy Plant I scored from Letitia Coyne's place at Park Ridge.  Both of them ended up in the shade area of my garden that afternoon after I returned home from Craft Group.

Then, today, I went out to Bunnings to see what I needed later this week to get for the lawn and potting mix.  I knew I needed more pots from the cheap place but I'd get that on the same day.  
Anyway, I showed up at the Bunnings on Kingston/Logan Road and found a garden mirror there.  However there was no price on it, so I asked how much it was and found it was a deleted item; and it was $14.00 brought down from $39.00 which had been brought down from $59.00!  Wow!  How cool is that?  And how could I resist such a bargain?  So, I wondered how much was on my card and took a chance and swiped it... and it let me have the purchase!  Yay!  
I was off to the next Bunnings on Compton Road.  I needed to price a sitting Buddha - and seeing I didn't find one at the other Bunnings, I thought I'd find one at the smaller one.... and you know I did!  It was sitting way up high on top of the shelves where nobody could reach it; but it was perfect for my garden.  So, I asked how much it was; and low and behold!  I had come across another deleted item!  It was $4.00 brought down from $39.00!  How cool!  So, I took another chance with my card and swiped it and - yippee! - it let me have my sitting Buddha!  I got it out to the car, and I found I had to put it into a seatbelt next to me so it didn't break on the way home.  Yes, it looked funny... I felt stupid while clipping the seatbelt on, but really, I didn't want to break it.  

Once home, I took my items out into the back yard, placed the buddha, hung the mirror on the fence and then took photos... and to think I was only going out to window shop, and scored bargains instead for things I did want and need in the yard.  Anyway, I've gotten a few things that I was hoping to buy later on this week.  So, when Thursday rolls around, I'll be able to spend less money and more time looking at my handy-work.  I'm so pleased at how smoothly this garden is going with its transformation.  It's not as difficult as it was with the front garden; as I've got all the plants already here and I only have to add to them... so that's a plus.  

I do have other plans that just came to me last night for this garden.  I want to make a Fairy Garden in the shade area, get rid of the white table (because it's rotten and won't hold up for much longer) and then, it's a matter of getting another table for the area for the plants - a metal one hopefully - and they'll look good, and I'll have a little somewhere to sit and it'll look cute for my fairy garden in the shade. 
Then, there's the lighting which needs fixing up.  I'm hoping to save up for some good solar lights that work on direct as well as reflective sunlight and they light up my garden at night.  Right now, I've got cheap as dirt solar lights that were $15 for 6 and they only lasted about a month before only 2 of them worked.  Now, only 1 of them works when it wants to; and I bought them March last year.

Anyway, that's what's coming up for the garden... I know this was supposed to take only four months, but it's going to be an on-going project.  I'm just getting most of it done before the deadline so there's a major difference we can all notice before the end of October.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember I'm always here.

A Busy Week Ahead

This week is going to be one where I'm not going to have much time to myself.  But that's okay.  I like keeping busy, it's the way I work.  

Today I have a fair bit to do around the house.  There's the shopping list for this week to organise, the washing up to get done, vacuuming downstairs to do, the bed to make and other things to fix up around the house.  I'd also like to read a bit more of 'The Wastelands' by Stephen King and get myself through it more so I can finish it soon.  Now, it's book three of the series and for me to read this many books of a series in a year is pretty good; seeing I'm an average reader.  I haven't read that many books this year, but then again, I'm also writing a book and editing my work, so that's why there's been a slow-down on my book-reading lately.  I do hate not being able to fully focus on reading books; but the payoff is writing my books and that's wonderful.

This week, I think I have to go to the chiropractors, but I'll also be off to 'Sam's Warehouse' to look at statues and planter pots for my garden.  If I find something worthwhile for the backyard while I'm out, I'll just buy it before payday.  
Then, there's shopping day on Wednesday, and then by Friday, I've gotta get in and buy some lawn seed and more potting mix and get in and plant into the pots from the cheap stores the Happy Plants I got from Park Ridge... I can't wait.  My garden will transform over the next few weeks into something I want.  And the best thing is that I'll be able to work more on it soon.

Yesterday, I was at the Logan Art Gallery where we had a workshop going on in the afternoon.  So, I took took along Mum's laptop and worked on a couple of chapter of 'Fry Nelson: book 4' so I could get through a few chapters while they were in my head and I knew what I wanted to get done; while I was in the zone.  And I got through 1 1/2 chapters!  Very cool.  I can't wait until I finish the trilogy (book 4 is just a working title, but the whole thing is a trilogy as I've added books one and two together) and get it edited and proof-read.  This will take time though, and getting it published is going to take longer than people think.

So, that's it... my weekend and my week.  Busy, but fun.  How is your week looking?  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.

Searching...

For the rest of this week, I'm going to be at home nice and quietly catching up with a few things that have been neglected.  

There's the housework, the vacuuming, the cleaning up and washing of the floors to get done.  I have a book to write - now the hard drive of my computer has been replaced yet again.  This is the 3rd hard drive my computer has been installed with.  The HP tech has never seen anything like this before.  I asked him what size it was, and he said it was 1GIG and yet my old external hard drive is only half-used.  So, I think I might need a bigger drive in the near future seeing the computer isn't handling what I do with it; and it's a brand new computer.  So, that's something to look forward to in the next few months.

Anyway, today, I went out for an hour or so to go window shopping for some second-hand furniture for my art area.  Yeah, I know that might have been a little out of place for me, but I thought this morning over breakfast that it might be the cheapest way to go; and the best, seeing some old furniture would work out better size-wise than newer storage units.  But I was mistaken.  A proper second-hand furniture store was far too expensive and I went to Vinnies and they didn't have anything I was looking for.  So, it looks like I'll be looking at IKEA furnture solutions in the next month or so.
Otherwise, next pay, I'll be off to the cheap stores - such as 'The Reject Store' and 'Sam's Warehouse' to pick up some planter pots and statues to put into my back yard... otherwise the potting mix will be coming from my local Bunnings, along with lawn seed!  Yep, in the next pay packet, I'll be very busy indeed working hard on my garden, making it look and feel like it should.  I'm looking forward to pulling it all together over the next month or so.  But then, I'm also looking forward to pulling together my house too; which will take a little more time than I expected.  

I have been totally enjoying myself over the last few months.  With the use of a car, I've been able to get places I normally couldn't and I've been saving money and spending it on things I normally wouldn't be able to.  This has been a wonderful experience, and I've watched my house transform from a dull, empty art canvas, into a beautiful place where I love to be.  I hope I can keep doing this kind of thing after my folks return from overseas and keep up my gardening and working on my house as much as I need to.  Until my next post, take care keep safe and warm, and remember, I'm always here.

Only Tuesday...

It's only Tuesday and I'm frustrated.  Yep, frustrated.  The roadworks at Mum and Dad's house have become so that nobody can get to their houses and they've cut the road.  I had to park up the road in a car park and be walked down to the house and walked back through a 'safe zone' just to check on my parents' house.  It's not a good feeling when you can't do something you've promised to do when others are preventing you to do it.

But then, I'm not to blame really.  There's a company that been contracted by a company to install new storm water drains and a manhole.  However, the road has been cut today and I wasn't allowed near the house with the car.  So, one of the workers walked me to the house and walked me out to my car.  It's a massive job, but I've been told by the Logan City Council that they will be finished by Thursday afternoon and that if there's anything else that needs to be added to the road, they'll add it.  

I've been busily working on my back yard, and looking at what needs to be done, however, I'm hoping to work on getting just enough plants in my yard to enjoy it the way it is, with just enough lush plants to make the shady parts shady enough and pretty enough to pull it together.  And I do hope it does work out in the end; especially with some of my friend's plants I picked up from Park Ridge on Sunday.  
Anyway, yesterday I started to really feel the last week catch up with me.  So, today, being only Tuesday, I went out and did what only needed to be done and came home.  And I'm working around the house today... getting on with what needs to be done, as I've been on the go since Wednesday last week.  Well, I don't have much planned for the rest of the week - and I hope there isn't much planned for it - and so I'll be able to kick back and relax a bit more this week before I'm out and about again to pick up more for the back yard next week, save more money for the art area and work on getting in and working on the back yard... particularly the lawn. 
The last things I'm aiming to get now are:  statues, plaques, good solar lights (as the ones I have now are crap), lawn seed and a few more pots and potting mix for the new plants.  Then, it'll be sweet!  I'm hoping to buy cheap statues, not expensive ones, and the pots I want to buy are going to come from the cheap stores too.  But the rest of the stuff will be coming from Bunnings.  Well, until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here.

A Very Full Weekend

This weekend has been full as full can get!  I have barely had any time to myself; and it was fun too.  Yesterday, I went out to the Logan North Library to a World-Building Workshop for sci-fi month and totally enjoyed it.  Rebecca Timmis ran it and I got more out of it than I expected.
But on the way there, I had to drop off to Mum and Dad's to pay one of their bills and then pick up some pasta on the way home.  However, as I drove up Vanessa Boulevade, I was greeted with an unexpected sign on the corner:  'Road Closed: Local traffic only'.  Seeing I was local traffic, I went through to find the roadworkers had closed the road from just before Mum and Dad's house to just before the Well-Being Centre.  I stopped at the road blocks and observed the old driveway of No. 41's and used it to get to Mum and Dad's driveway.  Some of the road workers were amazed I did; others didn't care.  But then, I had to get out of the place... and this amazed them more I did get out.  
Well, that was the fun part of the day.  When I returned to pick up the pasta, I found what they were doing to the road.  They were putting in preparations for a traffic-slowing island just beyond Mum and Dad's driveway to slow people down.  While they're doing this, they're also replacing the stormwater drains under the road too.  
A strange thing happened when I arrived that morning though.  I parked the Pajero, got inside the house, paid the bill, looked at the itinerary, then left... it took all of 10 - 15 minutes to do all that.  Well, I left by the same way I got in and by the time I arrived back to the corner Vanessa Boulevarde, there had been a head-on collusion between 2 Barina's on the corner!  There were tow trucks there, a fire engine and cops all hanging around... and I was gone only a few minutes!  How could this happen so quickly?  I was shocked.

Today, I was out and about across Logan City.  I was out the door by around 11am or so.  I picked up some Devil's Cut Bourbon & Cola for my cousin.  He was going to fix Mum's antenna for me, and I thought to give it to him.  
But first off today, I was off to Park Ridge to visit a friend - and fellow author - Letitia Coyne.  She offered to help me with plants for my garden, and I also found Gus there, my late-friend's cat.  He's settled in nicely and greeted me with his usual stuffiness, but otherwise let me pat him.  Then, we found a tick on his head!  Oh wow!  A tick!  Poor guy, he didn't like it that we pulled it off.
But then, after I collected the plants I had chosen, put then in the back of Mum's car and Letitia and I had said our farewells, I was driving down the road and I began to get itchy.  My mind began to play tricks on me about ticks.  I felt horrible and itchy and wondered if there were any on me!  Blech!  Well, instead of obsessing over it, I thought to drop off to my place and dump the plants in my back yard first... so that if there were any ticks on them, they could drop off and go where they want to go.  Besides, I really needed to grab a drink and get a few things before continuing on to my cousin's house to get the antenna fixed on Mum's car.
I called Anthony and Maria before I left my place and then headed off, and before long, I was there.  Anthony and his son Kory was just finishing up mowing the lawn when I pulled into the driveway and I left the keys on the dash of the car and he went ahead and fixed the car.  Then, I grabbed what was needed from the car and told Maria I had picked up some 'Devil's Cut' Bourbon & Cola for Anthony for fixing up the antenna and she put it in the fridge and I also brought along a plant for her to add to her plants.  
Well, she and I chatted for the time it took for the antenna to be fixed - which was only about an hour - and then I packed up and went out to the car and pulled from the back seat a Large Leaf Jade I had brought over for her.  She was amazed at it!  I told her to keep the stakes in it until the roots re-established (as I back-filled it only a few days ago) and then it would need repotting into a bigger pot next Winter.  Anthony said it was gorgeous and it would make a great addition to their plants.  He asked where I got it from, and I told him it was a pup of my original Large Leaf Jade I received 11 years ago as a housewarming gift and that this one I've given them is around 2 years old; and it'll grow really well now it's well-established.  Maria's thrilled with having a big plant like this, and happy that it's such a lovely plant.  And Kory thought it was cool plant too when he saw it.  He touched the leaves and asked what it was and I told him about it.  After finding a place for the plant on the patio, I said my goodbyes and came home.
But once home, I pulled out the vacuum and two extension cords and vacuumed out the back of Mum's car... and I found a tick rolling around the back of the vehicle!!!  So, I shook out the rug I've been using and vacuumed that too!  Then, checked the boxes I had in the back and changed the bag in the vacuum too!  And once I put away the machine, extension cords and locked up the car, I had a shower (putting my clothes completely separate from my usual laundry) and washed and scrubbed myself and washed my hair (scrubbing my head)... but I still feel itchy!  It's psychosomatic.  I know I don't have any on me, but it's something my mind is playing game on me about.  Ick, ick ick!  So, just to be completely sure, I'm going to be off to the doctors tomorrow and have them check me over completely.  I don't want to take any chances with these little buggers.  
So, how was your weekend?  Relaxing?  Or busy like mine?  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm and remember, I'm always here. 

Weekend Slowdown

This weekend everything caught up with me; and it's been stressful.  I felt sick last night from the week of going out all week, being working on the garden all week, doing housework and catching up with all kinds of things too.  

Then, the worse thing possible happened... my computer crapped itself and I had to figure out how to fix it on my own.  The HP support wasn't open and so I set it back onto the Factory Settings and it took me about 2 hours to work on it and get it working again.
This really pissed me off as this is the second hard drive I've had in this computer since I bought it this time last year, and I'm not going to go out and buy another computer all because the computer company can't get its hard drives to work properly.  So, when I did catch up with the HP support people, they checked the hard drive but said it was really unusual for it to only last 6 months.  The lady said she'll send a guy out to work on the whole computer; and not only the part which stuffed up, because if it's the mother board or something else that is screwing up the hard drive, well, they might have to replace that part or the whole computer for me... which doesn't bother me, I back up all my stuff on my computer onto my external hard drive.  And all my written work - books, poetry, novellas and flash fiction - are all on thumb drives.  So, really I don't have that much saved on the hard drive at all.
I ran this past my brother and he thinks that it might have crapped itself because there's not enough RAM on the hard drive.  Because I'm a blogger and surf the net all the time and I also save all my photos in designated folders over the last 4 or 5 years, it does take up a lot of space.  So, there might not be enough space on the hard drive on this new computer; and Dad bought me something that was too small.  Yeah, Dad bought me this computer... I didn't buy it.  And Gabe said that he should have gotten me a Dell, and not a HP Pavilion as Dell is more reliable and HP are not.  Well, I guess we'll talk about that when they arrive home.  Either way, Dad does need to look into getting this stupid thing away from me and out of my house as I'm not going to keep on using something defective.

Otherwise, I wasn't feeling great yesterday.  So, I grabbed an early night last night; so early, it was around 10pm when I closed up the house and went to bed.  But Mum smsed me and asked me to call her - so I did - and we chatted.  She told me to look after myself.  Soon after, I read a bit of a book and turned out my light.  Well!  Once my head hit the pillow, I was a goner... I woke to my alarm and found I hadn't moved all night.  I had stayed in the same place - on my left side - all night.  Boy!  I must have been tired!  But I felt a lot better.
Today, I bought the paper, washed up a little and made pancakes for breakfast.  Then, I read some of the paper and took it easy until around 10am before I jumped online.  I spent most of my day on the computer hanging out and reading.  Then, this afternoon, I got in and did some writing of my 4th 'Fry Nelson: Bounty Hunter' book; my final book of the series.  It's looking really good too!  I can't wait until it's all finished and I can go back and edit all four books and then make sure they're ready to be published properly by the right people.  That will take time though... and time is what I have right now.

Well, that has been my weekend.  Tomorrow, I have to go to the chemist and fill a prescription and then come home.  Otherwise, I'll be hanging about the house, pulling weeds from the backyard and putting out Feed'n'Weed on the lawn to kill the weeds off and to encourage the lawn to grow.  Until my next post, take care, keep safe and warm (or cool) and remember, I'm always here.