Christmas Shopping Craziness!

There are some days I wonder why I go out at all; but then I remember the reason and realise that if I didn't, I'd regret it.  Yesterday was one of those days.  I had to go out, but I really didn't want to battle the crush of Garden City and all the shoppers, kids on School Holidays, children meeting Santa and me getting my Christmas shopping finished up.

The worse thing was that I had to bus it in and back; which made it even worse because that's the time-muncher.  Just waiting for buses and how long they take to get anywhere is draining; and yet a good majority of us do it every day.

Garden City was chock-a-block full of people!  The moment I got off the bus, I wanted to come home.  I don't like crowds; and never really have liked them for a while now.  However, Christmas shopping is something I normally get done before this time of the year... sometime at the end of November and withing the first week of December; it saves me being anywhere near too many people.

Anyway, I had my list of who to buy for and money in my pocket... I was a woman on a mission and I was hoping to get home before 2pm; before everyone began rushing to get home to make dinner.  I had something to buy for Gabe (my brother), Mum, Little Miss Stevie and I wanted to buy a major present for myself from Howard's Storage I saw in their catalogue; and maybe drool over a portable clothes horse while I'm there (you know something to buy for the new year).  

Well, all was going to plan until I ran out of money and had to get some more; which I did.  I then thought Riley might like some from Smiggle; and didn't spend too much there as it can get expensive in that kiosk!  But there's so many cool things there... and I know I could have gone overboard; but I bought something she'd need.  And it was then I remembered I had forgotten to buy my Nivia Day Cream... so I had to walk to the other end of Garden City again and then all the way back again.

By this time, I wanted a coffee; my brain was screaming for one.  My feet were bugging for me to sit down.  I found 'Gloria Jeans' and got myself an Ice Coffee and a seat and relaxed in the dull, drone of the coffee house.  I do love this place.  No matter how noisy it gets here; I do find a little piece of solitude in it.  I wrote out what I had bought for everyone and was pleased with my day out.  More than please, I was content.  This meant I didn't have to go out again until next week... and even then, it'll be for a top-up shop and that's it.

While I sat at my table in Gloria Jeans, I chatted with a lady who had her 3-year-old son and her 5 month old baby boy there.  She was taking a breather too; and she said that I looked tired from all my shopping.  I said that I'm pleased that I no longer have to go Christmas shopping.  It's been stressful and horrible because it's normally finished by now for me; but my money's been all over the place so I've had to split it into two trips instead.  

Once home, I put everything next to the tree and I headed upstairs to check the net.  I've been running my last bookbox surprise this Christmas; where I wrap up gifts of books, put them into an Express Post bag and send them off to lucky Bookcrosser... so far I have four people who want in.  And seeing they'll be wrapped in Christmas paper, it makes it all the more exciting.

I've also begun cleaning up the yard, sweeping out the carport, sorted out my Mt TBR and re-organised a part of my garden to look like what I want it to look like.  And so far, I'm pleased.  Now, all I need to do is save a bit of money and then go to Bunnings and get some stuff there (potting mix, plants, large pots and of the like) to make my back yard look lovely.  But I have been pulling out the long grass around the edges; and it looks great; and looks even better with the lawn mowed too.

Well, that's all from me so far.  I've had a morning of washing up, laundry and knocking pipes (again).  But I'm surviving; as usual.  Until my next post, take care and Merry Christmas!

Around the Corner

At long last, the sun has come out and heated up Brisbane; but not for long.  It's muggy and the cicadas are ringing around the place on their ever-changing, maddening chorus on the air.  Yes, it's hot during the day, warm at night and we're all drinking more water all the time.  I feel like I'm getting nowhere fast with my Christmas shopping; as I've still got a little ways to go on it.  Christmas cards are dribbling in one by one through the mail and I'm reading more books as the time comes closer to another thing around the corner from us - besides Christmas.... New Year's Eve.

This year, I'll be spending it up here in Brisbane instead of at Brunswick Heads.  I think the early rain - and the rain yet to come - has put me off going to the coast this time around.  Last year wasn't fun seeing how wet it turned out to be; and the year before, the annex collapsed in on us, holding many litres of water before my alarm went off.  That was not an experience I wish to repeat again too soon!  And I don't think Dad wants that either (he didn't exactly handle it all that well).

So, this year, I've got plans to read, play the piano and just simply hang out around my house and tend to my garden.  I've got some potted plants to help, some shrubs to shape and some other lovely things to do around the place as the Summer rolls on; and I'll be using money from my accounts to do it, as well as some money I've saved up from shopping and my pension.  

This week is my last posting away on Bookcrossing; and it's going to be a fun one called The Christmas Bookbox Surprise.  I pick out some books, wrap them separately in paper and send them to a lucky Bookcrosser I choose off my list of ones who want to be in the draw.  I've gotten them to send me their addresses via e-mail first; so I don't have to tell them who's won, the parcel just shows up in the mail and they get the surprise for Christmas!  Sounds like fun?  It is... and then by around February next year, I'll have my house and garden looking and feeling lovely for another year because I've been looking after it in between the showers of rain; and I'll be on my Bookcrossing fun'n'games again!

Well, this is my holidays planned out ... roughly... there's not real plan; it's just something I find that if I have a rough guideline, it helps.  I've yet to:

Organise my Mt TBR for next year

Tidy up the home office

Clean up the bathroom, laundry and kitchen completely (I have a plumber coming before Christmas)

Vacuum and Dust everywhere

Put away all my laundry

Finish my Christmas Shopping

And this is just this week I have to get all this done.  The gardening stuff will be done over the school holidays and so I'll be working on it a little bit at a time; as I love my garden and how a little bit goes a long way with it.  Mainly, I need to repot my Large Leaf Jade.  It's getting low in the pot and so needs a few bags of potting mix put in underneath the tree itself.  Seeing it was a housewarming gift, I'm proud to see it has survived 8 years so far with me quite happily by the fence - even when possums have fallen on it off the compost dome and off the fence by accident.

So, there are my plans for this year.  What are yours in your part of the world?  Be it inside keeping warm or outside enjoying the warmth of the Australian sun, what are you up to at this time of year?

This Year - A Quick Look At 2010!

This year has certainly been very different... a lot of things have changed in my life; and a few things have stayed the same.  But mainly, I've seen a lot of changes in my life; some good, some interesting.

January

I arrived home from Brunswick Heads to a house without any 8-legged residents waiting for me.  I was thankful my plan to poison my house within an inch of its life before leaving was a good idea... about 5 months later, I got my first spider... YUK!  

I joined up with 365Project.  This is a site where you upload a photo a day which shows what you've been doing each day.  I found it hard at first; but then once I got into the swing of it, it began to be fun and my photography improved too.

Mum and I both pulled a ligament in the same foot!  How weird is that??? We had to get our left foot strapped by our podiatrist and he told us to take it easy on our feet.  I did mine in by my orthotics not being properly installed in my shoes; they were moved forward a little, thus the pulled ligament.

February

This month, Little Miss Stevie has some health problems.  I was worried she might have been losing her sight, but when I got her to Greencross Vets, the vet told me she was overweight.  So, I had to cut back on her food and make sure she was exercising - flying around the room three or four times a day.  

Mum did out her Tupperware cupboard and I got first dibs on it... so I could toss out anything that was worn out.  Yay!  Now, this stuff has a lifetime warranty on it... very cool. I've been using it all too.

This month, I began doing out my house.  This was the year to try and keep my house tidy; or try at the very least.  So, this month, I began cleaning out cupboards, rooms and areas of the house that were screaming out to be cleaned out.  And I made great leaps forward too.  The kitchen pantry was attacked first... as was the Second Pantry upstairs in the office.  Then, I cleaned up the Mt TBR and started tidying up here a little.  It was looking good. The lounge was opened up and sprayed for any creepy-crawlies that may be living in it and the fridge got a good cleaning out.

I was given a credenza by some friends of our who were moving to a retirement village.  It's from the 1970's, so it fits all my vinyls in it, tapes and other things too... a very nice piece of furniture.

This month, I also received my 10 year badge for being a volunteer in Logan City and at the Logan Art Gallery.  Mum and Dad were there and were proud of me.  Another 20 people also received their badges too; and Doug Cartright retired from there.

March

I put down my first book from sheer boredom... it was 'Under The Dome' by Stephen King.  It's a tome of a book and just wouldn't get on with the story.  So, being bored out of my mind, I put it down.

On 8th, I went out with friends to 'The Globe' Theatre to see 'Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars'.  Unfortunately, it was getting too flashy for me and smell of the mould was disgusting; so Geoff took me out of there to New Farm Park where we walked around for a while at a photographic exhibition... very cool.  I was out for dinner too; and had a great day out.

26th, March was Purple Shirt Day.  It's to remind people that Epilepsy is something to be noticed in the community.  So, I went all out and wore not only a purple shirt, but purple, socks, undies, scarf and took along a purple bag and mobile phone holder too!  Very much my colour!

April

This month was horrible.  My next door neighbour of two years, Abdul, sold his house and new people moved in.  Each weekend, they worked from 7am - 5pm on something about the place for about 5 weeks.  It drove me nuts.  They've got loud cars and dug out two trees from the garden.  They painted the inside, played loud music and were rude to me when I asked if they could turn it down.  Well, she was; but another wasn't; he compromised.  They got their pipes fixed by their son but this made my pipe hammer; which isn't good for my house.  

I've had Little Miss Stevie for 5 years.  So, on 365Project, I put forth a theme of Animals of April; and a lot of people took part.  For each day of April, I put up a photo of Little Miss Steve from the last 3 1/2 years; and nearly every day, she was on the Popular page.  Such a cutie.

I got my 'Victor' Paling & Co. piano tuned this month... and found out it was from the 1920's!  This lovely old piano means more to me now than ever did.  And it sounds just so lovely too.

May

I scored big at Rockaways with some great vinyls at a vinyl sale... how could I say no?  It was a great feeling to get some wonderful pre-loved things that I know somebody else enjoyed.

8th, May saw Mum and I going to Meadobrook Park for a Volunteers Day.  This was to thank all the volunteers of Logan City; and was put on by Logan City Council.  We got to meet Dean Vegas too!  He was a great performer; despite his full-length Elvis suit being incredibly hot for him to wear.

Between 17th & 22nd May, Mum and I went off to Mooloolaba.  I had won a three days up there thanks to Triple M Brisbane; and Mum was the person I chose to take with me.  So, we had a ball.  Mum also pegged on another few days to make it decent break.  Dad got to care for Little Miss Stevie and we got to see the lovely days and nights on the Sunshine Coast.

29th, May was a sad day.  I found out that Gary Coleman died aged: 42.  He had had a lot of problems and was a very angry young man.  Now, I hope he rests in peace.

June

This month was incredibly busy.  From 1st, June when I helped Doug Cartright with designing a blog for an interstate artist... then he let me make a jewelry box in his studios, to the end of the month; I felt like I didn't have any time to myself to scratch.  Especially seeing my neighbours have been quite noisily leaving the house by around 6am or before.

4th, June, I was at the GoMA to see Ron Mueck's artwork.  Photography was encouraged; but we were all asked to turn off the flash of our cameras.  So, I got some great photos, had a good look at them outside, then went back and got some more.

8th, June, Mum and I went to see a preview of 'The A-Team' courtesy of Triple M Brisbane.  It was at Garden City and we loved it... such a funny film and it was like a movie-length episode of the television show.  And seeing we enjoyed the tv. show, we enjoyed the movie too.

Throughout this month, the Big Tidy-Up continued - as it has for the last few months - and 'The Mixed Favourites Book Baggie' arrived home from its trip around Australia.  I also bought a 'Clifford' dog at the Garden City branch of QBD... such a cute little thing!

Then, I found out my neighbour didn't like me playing my piano.  I had bought some music to improve my dexterity and tried it out on the Queen's Birthday Weekend.  Well, the first try of anything is going to be hard; so I did my best and was patient.  Then, suddenly I heard a shrill scream:  'Stop playing that!' I didn't because it's in my house and I wanted to get it right.  Eventually, I did because I was getting nowhere with it and went for a walk; at which point my neighbour watched me leave my house and then 10 minutes later she watched me come home.  Really creepy.

24th June saw Mum and I at the Epilepsy Symposium at the P.A. Hospital.  It was a long day and very informative.  My neurologist was there and we chatted quickly before she was on the podium for her talk.  It was so good to see her.

July

I had an allergic reaction to a generic brand of Topamax... this is something I bought to save money; and instead I found it just plainly didn't work.  So, I'm stuck with the more expensive brand now.

On 11th, I had friends drop by and the power drop out.  So, once they went off home, I called Energex and they told me that it was going to be restored later and later in the night.  Bummer.  Oh well, I was going out anyway.  So, I got ready early and used my reading light to read my books and a head lamp to play the piano until I got bored and Mum and Dad picked me up and we all went out to Katrina's birthday at Punjab Palace in West End.

27th, Mum and I went to see 'Inception' at the movies.  And what a great movie it was!  I loved it.  Gotta get it on dvd when it comes out!

Also in this week, my paints for the Urban Smart Projects arrived at Mum and Dad's place.  This is something I've been looking forward to doing for a while.

August

I was very ill for the first week or so of this month horrible headaches.  So, I was off to the chiropractor and he said that I had moved my head in a funny way and my neckbones had pushed up against the base of my skull causing the headaches... ouch!  Once he moved them off there, I felt immediate relief.  Thank you, Dion!

For a good part of this month, Mum and I painted a Traffic Signaling Box across the road from my unit complex.  We had fun doing this and enjoyed all kinds of weather.

I won preview tickets to see 'Salt' in the city courtesy of Triple M Brisbane.  And of course I took Mum with me to see it... and what a movie!  It was fantastic!  

September

I read the most inspiring book this month by a doctor in Toronto.  Dr Norman Doidge, M.D. wrote 'The Brain That Changes Itself' and when I got into it and found bits of myself in it, I was kept awake at night thinking he was talking about my brain and how far it's come.  Being a person who can recognise numbers, but doesn't know what they're value is, whose comprehension was terrible when she was two and had lost her co-ordinations completely after a massive seizure at that age, I've come an awful long way.  A part of my brain may never work again, but the rest of it is always learning.  Thank you Dr Doidge for not only writing the book but for also for answering my e-mail; you're brilliant.

I found a bag of vampire romance books outside a house on my way to a bus stop.. .picked them up and took them home.  What a find!  I have yet to read them still, but I do look forward to getting my nose into them all. 

On 3rd, September, Mum and I finished the Traffic Signaling box.  It's not a Da Vinci, but it's lovely and really does stand out on a dull day; and that's what I wanted it to do.  It's called 'Spring Comes Early'.  

October

For the first week or so of this month, I did a complete clean up of my unit; with the rain around, there wasn't anything else to do... I was officially bored out of my mind enough to tidy my house within an inch of its life!

So, it looked good for my birthday.

I received some good pressies on that day... most comprising of $50 lots.  There was a $50 book voucher, a $50 Rockaways voucher and other things too.  Dad got me a book that he keeps asking me if I've finished yet... unfortunately, I haven't gotten to it but it's on my Mt TBR to get my nose into it.

On 9th, saw us all at Gabe and Kat's place to celebrate Gabe and Riley's birthday as Gabe and Kat wouldn't be in the country by the time they came around.  So, we had the birthdays then.  I gave Gabe a bottle of scotch and Jeff Beck's 'Truth' from 1967-68 studio recordings.  He was stoked about it; but there was no turntable to play it on yet. Bummer.

On 16th, we froze our butts off at Uncle Allen's house for his birthday.  It was a lovely affair and he brought out bottles of unopened scotch that was from years ago... and he didn't know when he had gotten it.  Even poor Jay didn't want to freeze and found the warmest room in the house; smart little woofy.

Halloween was fun.  I carved two pumpkins, dressed up and watched the 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' on my new surround sound system.  Then, some kids came around and got some lollies off me and I walked them around the complex to trick'or'treat and saw them home.  

November

Melbourne Cup Day was on the Day of the Dead; so I dressed in black for the occasion.  Mum and I went to the Epilepsy Queensland Luncheon for this day.  I had put down my bets at the TAB; so had Mum.  There was an Elvis Impersonator there and we got a table right at the front and with the big screen in front of us.  Lunch could have been better for vegetarians as the meat eaters got a better deal.  But I won $88 and Mum won too. 

Less than a week after Melbourne Cup Day, I was off to see Sir James Galway in concert.  However, I had a bad sinus infection; but that didn't stop me from going.  I totally enjoyed concert and waited in line to see him again - as I had met him before when I was 13 in 1986.  I showed him the photo of us then and he was thrilled to see it!  I asked if he could sign my first vinyl that I bought when I was young and his book; and he was happy to.  And yes, I got another photo with him and his wife, Lady Jeanne.  The moment I got out to the car, I went to tell Dad about the concert and found that my voice was completely gone.

Not long after that, Dad replaced my clothes line.  He was here all day; and heard my place knocking all day; saying it was dreadful.  Now the new one holds four loads of washing - better than the old one by far!

On the last weekend of November, the Logan Art Gallery went on its annual Christmas Party.  This year we were off to the Gold Coast Art Gallery.  Mum couldn't make it this year as she went to attend Ted Lane's 80th instead.  Ted has Prostate Cancer and I was thinking about him the whole time; wishing they had the net and I could upload photos for them to see.  Oh well, I guess if they don't wish for it, you can't force them.  The Gold Coast was lovely, humid but not raining.  We walked around the famous Sculpture Walk and went to Jupiter's Casino for lunch.  What a day it was.  We had lots of fun and dozed on the way home.  

Emotion-filled Week

Actually, it's been a bit of a touchy month.  In the last few weeks, a lovely person on Bookcrossing passed away from cancer.  She lived in America and touched everyone's life in some way over the past few years through books and the forums online.

Then, recently, I received my 'Tea, Read & Journal' book box back from a bumpy ride through Indonesia.  It had been stalled there for almost six months and I found it almost impossible to get it home.  Once it was home, though, I found that this lovely lady (oi-reader was her screen name) had been on the list of people that this box was sent to.  She had made a journal entry and I read it on the way to the doctors.  It was written in August last year when she was at her happiest; when she made pasta sauce with fresh tomatoes and chillis from her garden while her dogs played with the butterflies; while she was falling in love with a wonderful man; while she remembered that her Grandmother used to say that August in the Mid-West was like living in warm applesauce.  Oi-reader wrote her entry at a time in her life when everything was at its freshest and best; and I'm glad it was when she received it.

Yesterday, a few weeks after she lost her fight with Cancer, I received an Ornament Exchange from another Bookcrosser in the UK; who was her partner for this year.  There was a note in the card that really touched me.  This lovely little ornament of a white dove cross-stitched onto a little red pillow was meant for oi-reader; however instead it came to me instead.  This lovely little ornament is something that oi-reader would have loved to hang on her tree at this time of year; and I'm honoured to have received it.  Oi-reader will be in our memories and lives for a long time seeing we received a lot of things through Bookcrossing from her.  I know I have a lot of books that she has registered in my collection; it's just a matter of finding them all and read them.

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.

It's Just Not Christmas Shopping

Now, this year it a little all over the place.  If it's not for you, it is for me.  You see, my usual plan for Christmas is pretty simple.  November is the month where I get all the cards out to my friends.  December is the month where I get my shopping done; and that's all my shopping, but I do it on a particular week and on a particular day.  The week is usually the first week or so and the day is usually a Monday or Friday in that first week.  This year has been all stuffed up.  I don't have the money I usually would have and right now I'm waiting for a gift voucher to arrive in the mail; which thus far hasn't and it's got until next Wednesday to get here.  My December/January issue of 'Good Reading' Magazine has gone AWOL (as it has for many other readers; so I'm not the only one) and I've been out three times to get presents for my family; instead of only once.

This isn't good.  

So, instead of feeling relaxed about the gift-giving this year, I'm stressed out to the hilt.  The weather is horrible and wet - and we're all still wearing our Winter woollies.  I haven't been able to get much laundry done due to this problem.  I still do have a few people to shop for; but that's not a problem; it's just little stuff really.

Yesterday was my one day where I found most of the pressies I wanted to give to people in my family.  I also found a lovely Christmas ornament for my little bird and spent the money on it for her.  I've seen this woman up at Garden City with her glass baubles for a few years and thought I'd never get one; but this year, I picked out a nice blue one and got Stevie's name put on it in gold and silver glitter.  It was worth the money; and the best thing was that a lovely little box came with it so it's protected for next year.  Isn't it just lovely?  I think so.  It looks just gorgeous on the tree too.

Kory and Maria having fun at Garden City

While I was waiting for the bauble, I went to Gloria Jeans to get a pressie there and a coffee when Maria and Kory - my cousin's wife and his son spotted me picking up my drink.  They were thrilled to have spotted me.  Well, we hung out for a while and took Kory to a gingerbread icing activity where we got some photos of him having fun with red and green icing.  Kory really loved painting on the icing and putting on the jelly beans and smarties too.  We parted ways at City Beach where Maria and Kory were off to buy Anthony his Christmas present.  Me?  I had to pick up my little bird's ornament.  

Before I did, I looked around 'Howard's Storage' and found some lovely stuff I could spend my Westfield Voucher on and then I joined their 'Inspiration' club.  Then I was off to pick up Little Miss Stevie's bauble and then head off home again.  It was a good day of shopping and catching up with Maria and Kory... and I wasn't home for 10 minutes when it poured rain.  Now, how's that for good timing?  Until my next post, take care and Merry Christmas.

Wet Old Days of Christmas

Today is the first day of December, and it's also one of the wettest days I've ever thought of going out in.  But from around 10am, while I was waiting for the bus, it rained and didn't stop.  Before that, it was overcast and humid and that was it.  However today - unlike yesterday - I didn't leave any windows open.  Yesterday, while I was at my volunteer work, it poured rain and because the front window was open, it got inside and Little Miss Stevie wasn't too pleased about getting a little bit damp.  So, once home, I wiped down the window sill and closed the window for her.  I don't know if I'm forgiven yet, but she noticed that the window stayed closed today in case the rain made a return; which it did.

Well, I was off to the doctors to see why I was stuck with this coughing.  It's a tight, annoying cough that's bothering me; and seeing that doctor can't find anything else wrong with me, he's said it might be asthma or reflux.  I hoping it's neither.  The doctor offered one of those tests but I refused it; as I don't think it's asthma or my weight causing this.  It's the leftovers of what's been getting into my sinus'.  But then, what would I know, I'm just a patient.

Anyway, I went looking for my newest copy of 'Good Reading' Magazine and do you think I could find a copy?  Nope.  And every time I asked anyone, they acted as though I just stepped off a time machine - or space ship, take your pick! - and talked to them in a foreign yet familiar language.  Some of them had heard of GM Magazine, but hadn't gotten a copy in since late last year (but, here's the funny part, I had seen it in their shelves - a fresh copy - only two weeks ago!) and others acted interested but really it wasn't their section of the store they managed.  Or the worse thing happened to me was that I got a rookie!  A person who didn't have a clue on what the magazine looked like, what it covered, what date it was supposed to be out on or anything I was trying to tell them.  So, I got one of the places to hold it for me and I'd be in when I could (this Friday) to have a look at it.  The earliest date I was given to have a magazine by was the end of this month!  I don't want January's issue, I want this month's issue!  Stupid how what I want I can't find... unless I go out and find it myself.

Well, that's my day... wet as it is.  Until my next post, take care.

November's Something Different!

This month was most certainly something for me to be talking about.  I had a lot of fun and enjoyment; however I wasn't in the best health for it, which was a bummer.  But I'll explain what happened after I go over this month of different things I did this month.

Halloween was fun.   I dressed up the house more than I did last year.  I put out two Jack'o'lanterns and tied a skull to the door.  Very cool.  But I didn't get that many kids; which was a bit of a bummer... oh well, so long the ones who did come by had fun, that's all that matters.  And we did.  I walked them around the unit complex and back home and we all got lollies too.  I held a Halloween Circle in my back yard for the first time in two years and enjoyed it; I'll be doing more pagan ceremonies once I get my yard back into order.

Melbourne Cup Day was more fun.  Not only is it the only day I put a little money on the horses, but this year it was on the Day of the Dead.  so, I dressed in black just for the occasion.  Mum and I went to an Epilepsy Queensland luncheon and the food was great if you were a meat-eater; but lousy if you were vegetarian.  I could name all the ingredients that were used in my meal from the smell and taste of it... and yet it looked like something I could make at home.  When I attend these things, I'm hoping to eat something that isn't thrown together at the last minute (like this one was because we were served last; after everyone else had eaten) and isn't something I could have thrown together in five minutes flat.  Anyway, we all watched the race and enjoyed ourselves and my horses came first and third; winning me $88.  And you know, I've never lost a Melbourne Cup since I lost my job in 1997.  Not too bad if you ask me.

Less than a week later, I was off to see Sir James Galway in concert at the Concert Hall here in Brisbane for a one night only show.  I had organised my outfit for the last six months when I found out that Mum had bought the tickets.  But what she didn't tell me was that we had floor seats; she did tell me we had balcony seats instead, and apologised profusely.  I was bummed until she led me out to the floor and sat me down and I was stoked that we were sitting only rows from where we sat the last time he was in Brisbane 24 years ago.

After the concert, I lined up to meet him - as did another 200 people.  When it came to my turn, I said that we had met before and showed him the photo of us in 1986 and he was thrilled I had kept it for so long.  I also brought out my vinyl and his book; both of which he signed for me.  He looked at the vinyl and said that he remembered doing that particular one; but told me that he puts out cds now.  I said I know, but I like his vinyls as they sound wonderful and I collect vinyls as a hobby.  Now, I've got them signed and I've also got a photo of us again now.

Not long after that, Dad fixed my clothes line; which broke one day.  he dug up my old one and put in a new one.  it works well; but all he's gotta do now is fill in the rest of the concrete so I don't fall into the holes that he didn't finish off to level them off.  But this new line fits about 4 loads of washing on it instead of 3; now that's an improvement.

I had to go back to my doctor not long after this because my sinus was getting really bad.  At night, my cough was horrible, I was getting into the habit of having boiling hot showers in the morning to clean out anything from the night before.  And the doctor said that my hay fever had turned into a sinus infection; and he put me onto Klacid; an antibiotic.  I've filled out both repeats, but still I've got a dry cough tickling my throat.  However the rest of the infection has dried up and gone away.  While I was at the doctors, he noticed I had wax in my right ear and syringed it out; but he did it wrong and I got a whole lot of water behind the ear drum and it was stuck there for three days.  So, by the time Mum and I went to Gabe and Kats' house to check on it, I was being driven insane by this cotton wool feeling and slowly going deaf in my right ear... grrr... so I bought some ear drops and they did the trick!

The Logan Art Gallery went out their Christmas Party yesterday.  But I've already gone into detail about that.  So, I won't repeat what I've said about that.  I haven't been to Jupiter's Casino since I was around 10, so that's certainly something different.  From what I remember, the place seems smaller somehow... hehe. :P 

Otherwise, the other things I've done that are different this month are:  reading a 6-book series in around 6 weeks.  That's a book a week!  And that includes me reading while I have the sinus infection... pretty good eh?

I have a gorgeous Gloxinia flowering early in my back garden.  It's just lovely.  And seeing I have three other buds ready to bloom, I can't wait until they open too.

So, there you have it, my something different for this month.  I've had my ups and downs... otherwise, it's been a good month.  Take care and until my next month of something different...

Logan Art Gallery Christmas Party

Yesterday, I went out to the annual Christmas Party held for us volunteers at the Logan Art Gallery.  We met at the Gallery an hour later than usual and caught the bus to the Gold Coast Art Gallery.  It was a lovely day; even though the morning was full of heavy showers beforehand.

Christopher Trotter's Dragonfly

I took my camera - of course - and had a ball taking photos.  I got to sit next to one of the regular ladies who I get along with; as Mum wasn't with me this year.  Mum and Dad were off to Toowoomba to attend the birthday party of Ted Lane; a man I've known since I was six or so.  He's not very well and so they thought to go to his party; and seeing I had replied to this one - both parties were on the same day - we couldn't do much about them.  Besides, Ted's birthday was just last week.

The Gold Coast Art Gallery was lovely and the grounds were included in being arty too.  They have a Sculpture Walk where you take a pamphlet with you and you walk the grounds looking at the various sculptures around the parklands; which reach right out the back of the place.  It's amazing and well worth the time and your camera too.  They are made from many types of materials from steel to sandstone and colours as well.  I found blue and purple sculptures dotting the area too.  The best part about this whole walk was that it was well-constructed with a proper pathway which reached right out on the spit and the sculptures were well-spaced as well so they didn't interfere with each other.

Soon, it was off to Jupiter's Casino for lunch and we couldn't wait as we were ravenous from all that walking and warm day.  The place was lovely and cool and we were led straight into the restaurant and counted off by the staff as we left the bus.  The buffet lunch was absolutely delicious and we all felt totally relaxed as we kicked back and went back for seconds and thirds; and finally dessert and coffee.  Me? I had a lovely salad and a gorgeous dessert of chocolate mousse and bread'n'butter pudding with cream.  My drink was hot chocolate.  All very fresh; I couldn't finish any of it as it was too much.  

After lunch we were given our gifts for being volunteers for the year and then after that, the first year volunteers received their badges.  I decided to find a souvenir shop to get some postcards to post off to some Bookcrossers.  But first, there was the search for the Ladie's loos... and seeing I hadn't been here since I was ten (and my brother and I had gotten ourselves into some trouble zipping up and down the lifts by the staff), I really didn't know my way around the place; also, I don't go into casinos either for my own reasons.  But I did manage to get some lovely postcards (11 for around $5.00 at a newsagency) and found the giftshop; which was an absolute rip-off.  Otherwise, by the time the bus came around, I was ready to have my afternoon Christmas Nap... I think everyone was.

We had had a wonderful day.  I had gotten a good look at some Christopher Trotter's work; and yet nobody knew it was his; and I managed to get a few good photos of it too.  The Sculpture Walk was amazing and we all ate some wonderful food for lunch at one of the best places on the Gold Coast.  Also, our gift was just as lovely. We got a travel mug with a ticket to see the Australian Army Band to play on 14th, December.  What a great way to thank us volunteers.  I totally enjoyed the day.  I also put up the photo album on my facebook for anyone who is on my friends list, you're most welcome to have a look at what I've been talking about more.  Until my next post, take care. 

Shopping Day, Wet Day

Before I went out today, I thought it was going to be nice.  But by the time I had gotten my money transferred, the trolley ready and my shoes on, it was chilly, clouded over and looked like rain.  Wonderful; and I didn't have a good umbrella.  So, I took the farty little one I had in the trolley hoping the wasn't going to be too bad.

I was wrong about that.  Each time I stepped outside a store, it was raining and I had to go out into the rain to get from point A to point B.  So, once I had gotten wet getting to the pet shop, I thought to buy a new umbrella... something that would keep the rain off not only me, but the trolley and my bag too.  So, I went to the Asian store nearby and picked out a really lovely brolly and found out too late that their card machine was out of order; and they only took cash.  So, I had to put the umbrella back and put up with my crappy umbrella outside again.

I ended up with a nice umbrella for around $10 that had two coverings.  One was a black outside covering and the underside was all rainbow coloured.  Very pretty.  I was happy about it and thought it was better than the little broken one I've had since I was in school.  Anyway, the reasons why I replaced it are simple.  I am sick of the old one playing up.  It won't open when I need it to; it'll stick when I press the button and it's pouring rain and I don't have a free hand to make it work.  Then, there's the times it won't close properly.  I've lost count of the times this purple monstrosity won't close over the two clips that are needed so it doesn't fly open by accident while I'm inside... or better still, I'd have wrapped it up and put it away and the handle will suddenly fly up and open on its own.  The old one is dangerous... so I got rid of it in a bin outside Woolworths; simply because I don't think even the poor would want it, because I don't.

Anyway, the new umbrella worked a treat!  While I had it open, my trolley didn't get wet, nor did my handbag or any of me... wonderful!  And I love the colours inside it; and how they peep out the edges of the brolly.

By the time I got home, the sun was shining as though it in spite of me.  Well, tomorrow, I'll be out again to do the beginning of my Christmas Shopping.  I've got Christmas cards to purchase, money to pull out of the bank and then there's other money to look at transferring next week for my big Christmas Shopping Day for December... the one big shop for everyone where I go into Garden City for one day only and never go there again over Christmas - for anything or anyone... not even Dad on his ritual of last minute shopping on Christmas Eve.  The only way I'd go shopping again is for groceries; and even then, it's only fortnightly.  Until my next post, take care.