Hangin' With My Bro!

Today, my older brother, Gabe, and I went to Garden City and hung out together.  It's something we don't get to do very often alone and we had fun; but it was also a belated birthday lunch from him too.  He hadn't gotten me anything for my birthday this year; so he took me out on the last day of the year and spoiled me instead.  How cool is that?

He picked me up at around 10:30am and we drove to the shopping centre and parked, grabbed a coffee and I got the lid on the mine for the first time in about six months without spilling it everywhere.  I was so happy; and Gabe wondered why... well, I had to tell him about the time - about 6 months ago - when I spilled my ice moch/coffee everywhere because the lids didn't fit properly; and I had gone through about 4 lids and when I thought the lid was going to work; it made the whole container slip and not only did I wear it, it went down half the side of the counter and the next customer was splattered by it too.  He couldn't believe it!  I told him that I hadn't put a lid on my coffee until today because I terrified of spilling the stuff on myself.  He joked saying it meant I was growing up. :P

He bought me a pair of sunglasses that were very cool; and replace my old pair that I've had for about 15 years.  Now, I've been meaning to buy a nice pair, but each time I've done that - and believe me I did it once - they didn't last 3 weeks.  So, I forked out $10 for my next pair and they lasted me around 15 years all because they looked butt-ugly enough not to be stolen.

Anyway, we went into different shops and had a look around and then I checked out my extra Westfield Voucher that arrived in the mail and found it was still active (if had not been and had been canceled, I would have handed it straight back); so that gave us more money to play with, a plus for us! 

Well, we were off to Zellows to get either a store credit or my money back; and we ended up getting a refund.  And seeing the bag was a gift, I gave my brother the rest of the first Westfield Voucher I had (around $50) to spend on anything he wanted.  He was amazed.  I said that I had one to play with already and to that the money was something that would be better spent there by him than me.  Unfortunately, he ended up giving it back just before we went off to lunch where he paid and we sat and talked for a bit about everything and anything.  He asked about my neighbours and we talked about Asia and how life is there and how we are too stressed out here and how we are making ourselves sick from being too clean and having too many vaccines for the flu flying around the place.  We agreed on a lot of things and it was great to just chill and talk.

We were off after a while looking at a music shop, getting some beer and a few things from 'Wild' then it was time to head off home.  We had enjoyed our day; and we don't do it enough I reckon.  

It was the best day I've had in a long time... and on the last day of my year of 2010.  Normally,I would have spent it hanging out here reading or computing.  Today was so much more exciting and fun and I totally enjoyed hanging out with my older brother.  Until my next post... which will - ironically - be next year!  Take care and party on!

December's Something Different!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Westfield Sales!

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

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

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

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

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

Boxing Day Rain and Sleepiness

Well, it's finally Boxing Day.  This is the day when we all sleep in after the orgy of greed; after the presents have been handed out, after we have all eaten ourselves into a stupor and then not wanted dinner... and worse of all... we can't sleep because we're all overtired from all that socialising on the big day of Christmas.  Yep, Boxing Day is the day where we all kick back, relax and drink in the day as we wait for our brains to catch up with whatever we've missed out on otherwise.  

Today, though, I woke to a day that was as dreary - or worse - as yesterday.  It's raining, cloudy and boring; except I have all my presents ready to use.  My laundry hamper is sitting just outside my bedroom door in use right now, I put the metal fish my brother bought in Asia on top of the sub-woofer (to keep Little Miss Stevie off it) and my Zumba Kit is sitting by the dvd player waiting for me to use it.  And this afternoon - around 3pm - I'm going to put in one of the dvds and give it a try.  I hope I like it; and I'm sure I will.

Today, of all days, we as people don't want to go anywhere or do anything too extreme.  Today, being Boxing Day, the sales are on, the bad movies continue on television and the weather should be nice, hot and sunny; but it isn't.  So, people have taken their kids to the movies and grabbed the best dvds from their collections, jumped online and pulled out the books they've been meaning to read.  After all, it's school holidays and this is the time when people get into the things they don't have the time for during the year.  

For me, I have this day reserved to do absolutely zilch.  It's a day where I sleep in, kick back and watch the day slip by and not feel horrible about it.  I have movie marathons, read a few chapters from a book, leave the washing up for another day (but I didn't this morning.  It badly needed to be done).  Today has been fun for me to do nothing much on the computer and not feel bad about it; not feel as though I need to be somewhere.  But tomorrow, it'll be different.

Yes, tomorrow, I am going to begin sorting out my dvd collection and putting it into an Index book so I know exactly what movies I have and they'll be in some kind of order.  Plus that index book will be stored with the dvds in the cabinet or nearby somewhere so I can keep tabs on what ones I get; seeing my collection is rather big now.

Tomorrow, I'll be finding places for my gifts.  Okay, I've begun doing that, but the rest of the it all will put away and the place will have a quick going over; as I didn't have the energy yesterday or last night.  So, seeing today it the nothing day for most of us, I'm looking forward to tomorrow... the day where I get into working on my things for everything to begin looking good again.

Until my next post, take care and I hope you had a very Merry Christmas; receiving all you wished for and more.

A Day of Giving And Receiving

This morning, I was woken up by my alarm at what felt like an inopportune time:  6am.  After a 1am curfew from spending Christmas Eve at the Koppenol's house, I felt tired and grumpy and didn't want out of my bed at all.  Just looking out my window described my attitude: bleak.  It was cloudy and raining.  Some Christmas Day it started out to be.  So, I reset the alarm and closed my eyes; only to be woken up again by a text message from my brother talking about Jebus Krost and how is was his birthday; and his gift to my brother was a passport into his own brain... hehe... yep, that's my bro!   I replied that I thought I was the only one who got that present; then I got up, dressed and began getting ready to go out.  Today, was going to be a long one.

I went downstairs with my camera, shoes in hand and everything else to the tree and found my presents I had bought myself; and I unwrapped them.  My first one was the 30th Anniversary Edition of Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon'.  I love it as I was born the year it was pressed; and so I thought to get it mainly for that and the great music on it.  I also got myself a beautiful new laundry hamper I put together while the vinyl played on my turntable.  It was a great morning; and I totally enjoyed my own pressies to myself.  I had also gotten myself a Leftie's Day Diary too 2011.  Not bad, eh?

Before long,  I was out the door with the presents for everyone else packed and meeting Mum and Dad down the front on the footpath.  It was raining gently and the roads were slick and almost empty all the way to Gabe and Kat's place; we were grateful.  But as we drove, the rain became heavier.  And as we pulled up to their house, I rolled up my trouser legs so my cuffs wouldn't get wet or dirty, grabbed my bag of gift, the umbrella, my bag and camera and another bag or two off Mum and Dad and headed in.

 

After we had the presents put under the tree and I had been introduced to Lynn from next door, we got into some delicious pancakes and tea.  Then, after we had filled up a little, Katrina put on the sparkly hat and played Santa; handing out the gifts to everyone.  We all had a great time getting out gifts, ripping off the paper and being surprised.  I received exactly what I wanted this year:  a Zumba Kit.  I asked for one thing; and that was it.  Everyone enjoyed what I bought them and Mum loved the block of chocolate and the $20 Bunnings voucher I gave her.  Gabe and Kat loved the two bags of Single Origin coffee and storage container I got them (I told them about Garden City's 'Gloria Jeans' and they said they had to have a look at the ones that are bigger and have the coffees for sale around their area; as they don't know of any).

Then, we grabbed more food of eggs, fried ham, avocado on freshly made bread that Gabe made... all wonderfully, delicious food and we jumped right in!  We ate until we were stuffed; and then Gabe made us freshly brewed coffee!  Yummo!  After cleaning up, we were shown their photos and movies from Asia and I played on their video game machine,  Mum played the one-armed bandit and I went outside and got some lovely photos of the chickens.  

Lynn is a lovely lady; and a real card!  She has a great sense of humour and isn't your average old person.  She's quick off the mark and can carry a good conversation without getting boring about anything.  We all enjoyed her quick wit and humour; as she made us laugh at everything this morning.

Too soon, it was around 3pm and time to leave.  Mum, Dad and I were off to Cameron and Kelly Killips' house to see the family there; and we had a bit of a drive ahead of us.  But as with this morning, there wasn't much traffic on the road; so it only took around 20 minutes to get to Holland Park.  Once there, we found Natalie and Stuart were there with their little girl, Arabella, and we stayed for a few hours eating cheese and biscuits, chocolate, Christmas cake and Almond Crescents over coffee.   All the while Matthew and Harrison played and ran around while it sprinkled rain.  By around 7pm, we decided to leave and head off home.  I got home by around 7:20pm and showed Mum and Dad what I had gotten myself for Christmas and they were really impressed with the vinyl and the laundry hamper; and Mum loved the ornament that was meant Bookcrossing's dearly departed member, oi-reader.  

Well, I have uploaded my picture for tomorrow today.  I have put away my drink - which I never used today - and I've put away my pressies and haven't found any places for them yet.  But I will.... don't worry.  I hope you spent a wonderful day with your family - or whoever you normally spend Christmas with - and enjoyed your day.  No matter how you spent it, together with family, or on your own enjoying the day flow quietly by, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas To You All!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Last Shop Before Christmas

It was crazy out there!  There were kids, parents and anyone else crazy enough to go shopping out there today grabbing the groceries today... and yep, I was one of them.  I had to buy Little Miss Stevie's Christmas pressie and then rush through Woolworths and the walk to K-Mart Plaza, hand in the Wishing Tree present and meet Susan - a great friend of mine - for a coffee before I went shopping for the fortnight.  I handed in the scarf and two little beanies and the lady by the door said they looked just lovely; and was very impressed that I had made the myself.  She commented that not many people go to the trouble of doing that kind of thing; especially at this time of the year for people they don't know.  I think it doesn't matter who you know - or don't - everyone deserves something hand-made at least once or twice in their lives.

When I met up with Susan, I asked if she could help me with a big favour; and that was to take me home from shopping because cabs were going to be hen's teeth today.  She said she would; and I made sure I wasn't putting her out.  So, we sat down with our coffees and chatted about everything and had a good laugh about things, before we took off to Coles and she walked through with me picking up some thing for her home on the way too.  We got through the checkout and looked outside to see it was pouring rain!  Well, we walked out to the car, packed the boot and got in feeling a little damp but not in spirits.

She drove the car right in under my car port and helped me in with my groceries as she looked around my house; as she hadn't been here before.  She loves Little Miss Stevie and thought she was the cutest thing; even if she didn't say anything back.  And Grandma's piano was smaller than what she thought it would be; but sounds just lovely.  I showed her my office upstairs and she was blown away by the amount of books I had collected over the years; knowing I loved books this much.  

It was a good few hours to spend with my wonderful friend; even if we spent some of it shopping.  The main thing was that we caught up with each other this year.  We enjoy keeping in contact via e-mail and will continue to do so.  It's still wet outside and I just realised I forgot the yoghurt for a dip I have to make on Christmas Eve.  So, I have to go for a wander to the shop down the road to get it.  Well, no rest for the wicked... until my next post, take care and Merry Christmas.

The Weather Outside is Frightful!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Storm Season Comes In With A Bang!

Yesterday, we had a big storm hit Brisbane at around 4:30pm; then another hit later that night on the other side of town.  Yep, Australia's storm season has begun with a bang; and not a whimper.

The day felt very hot and sticky and nothing I did helped cool me down.  Birds were going nuts, the fan was brought out of storage, all the windows were open and even Little Miss Stevie was thrilled to be in the breezeway for once!  But when those threatening clouds darkened our skies, everything began to take on a different feel.  I went outside and took as many photos as I could before the thunder began to grumble around the place; and before I had to begin thinking about closing up the house.  However, if it wasn't the rain and wind that brought in the water, the noise of the hail was horrifying.  I taped it on my camera from my carport while I was on the phone with Mum.  She couldn't believe how noisy it was and put me on speaker on her mobile so everyone down the coast could hear too.  And just look at the size of them!  I picked these up from my backyard; and have kept them in my freezer in a bag to show my folks when they come home for Christmas. 

And if yesterday was just a taste for things to come, today was something else all together!  I hadn't noticed anything was out of the ordinary until I looked up from computing at around midday or so and the sky was dark, the house dark and everything was very humid.  So, I turned the sound off on the speakers and heard thunder grumbling just off in the distance.  Quickly, I switched off the computer and unplugged everything; including the modem.  Windows were half-closed, I grabbed the torch, a book, found the battery-run radio and prepared for a storm; because this one looked like something I could read through.  Just a bit of thunder and lightning and rain.

Boy, was I wrong about that!

This storm was anything but tamed.  I was soon running around opening the side gate and keeping it open with a length of wood, sweeping out the carport - because it flooded - and wiping down the glass of the windows because all of them had to be shut.  This storm came from all directions; not just one direction, then turned around and then the other.  It was wind, rain, blinding lightning and thunder that made me cringe when it crashed through the clouds.  I really didn't want to be out in it, but had no real choice.

By the time it had ended, and I went outside to see the damage, I found that my front door stoop had flooded, my carport was just draining from the inch of water that had turned it into a river, my back lawn squished under my thongs and we had had 41mm of rain in about half an hour.  But it felt like the storm lasted a lot longer than that.  I broke a broom while I was sweeping water from my carport; so had to use my other one.  In the end, I got wet anyway; but not as soaked as I did yesterday.  The one thing was thankful for was that the storm drain next to my house was still open.

Well, we're in for more storms until Sunday (as I said) and so, it's going to be a bumpy few days.  Until my next post, take care and Merry Christmas! 

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!