my electronic timecapsule

More layouts...

2012-02-12T20:13:00.000+11:00

The weekend has flown by with not much achieved, oh well we don't need to be hectic every minute.

Here are some more layouts

Number 6

Love this girl beyond words

Number 7

and her funny ways

Number 8

Also love this one, love them apart, love them together.

Love all of them.

Lightning...

2012-02-10T21:54:00.001+11:00

Last night we saw a spectacular light show in the western sky.

I captured some of it on video, which is not as good as the real thing, but as close as I could get.

We came in after a while and checked out the bureau's radar page to see that the activity seemed to be centred over Warrnambool. It was very intense and I was glad not to be camping out with that going on. No rain fell on us, maybe tomorrow we'll get some.

I can see a face in the cloud, can you?

Queen of the Lake...

2012-02-05T19:47:00.001+11:00

Albert Park Lake to be exact.

I was up bright & early and saw a very pretty sunrise on my way into the city to run in the Brazillian Butterfly sponsored 'Queen of the Lake' fun run.

My anxiety about car parking was relieved when I arrived at 7:10 am to find the "limited carparking" was easy to find and only $2.30 for an all day spot right next to the start line. I picked up my race bib and timing tag, perused the stalls, watched a fashion parade of sports gear (all looks the same to me) and made use of the facilities before the 0830 start.

The weather was warm, already 24 degrees at 0630, cloudy and windy. We lined up in 3 waves and I got stuck in the middle of the second wave. Even a novice like me knows that if you are going to walk you need to stick to the back of the pack so we who want to run don't have to weave and stumble around you. Not today. Many walkers slowed down many a runner.

Other than that the event was well run, the track around the lake very nice to run on, apart from a pipe that had broken overnight & left an unavoidable puddle & bog that cooled off my feet. The head wind on the way back made choppy waves on the lake and slowed us all down. We had to tuck our heads down & keep plodding on.

At the end we picked up our goodie bags, including a visor and a bottle of this refreshing water

Thanks Emma & Tom for a very refreshing drink. I'll keep my eye out for their products in future, it was just what I needed to quench my thirst.

Got my results early in the afternoon: Overall place 460 (2,500 registered for 5km/10km/walk) in 34:59.3. Age category 68th.

I was home by 1030, in time for a shower and lunch before heading down to Maddingley park to help out at the First Aid Tent at the Car Show

It was still hot, very windy and very very dusty. Mandy & I spent the afternoon chatting, no medical emergencies major or minor diverted our attention. Mandy was very well set up with the portable O2 cykinder and automatic defib. 3 bandaids were dished out for the whole day.

Then it rained a bit...at least thats one night off the watering

Then I did my ironing...I'm sort of ready for the week

Then I finished my book...and I'm itching to start another but maybe I'll go to bed early instead. Or I could read in bed and pretend I'm resting.

Free Friday...

2012-02-03T21:39:00.000+11:00

First up this morning I battled horrendous traffic (for Bacchus Marsh) to get Erin to school. She started back on Wednesday and the traffic was bad but today was worse as we had to drive past the other school which was having their first day today. The 4 km trip took 18 minutes because we left a little later seeing as I was not heading to work.

Instead of heading to my favourite running spot I left the car at school and set off on my first day of the 'Bridge to 10k' program. This turns out to be quite a good route. The school is on the edge of town and this road is an unsealed country road. Only 3 cars passed me ( one of which sped past me and showered me with dust and stones ... a** hole). As I was running I thought to myself how isolated it is out here, what if I get knocked over, no-one knows where I am, I don't have my phone...my mind was playing tricks on me because out in the middle of this nowhere land I thought I could smell pancakes or waffles or cake or something delicious. About 5km out I came to a railway crossing and wouldn't you know it the bells start ringing and here comes the Ballarat train! I waved to the driver so he knew I was waiting. After it passed I turned back anyway, now I know that the rail line is my half way point.

I'll use that route again, very few people, no dogs, no dog poo, just flies and the cows and me. But next time I'll tell someone where I'll be.

Hot & cold activities...

2012-01-30T22:39:00.000+11:00

The school holidays are winding up, the last few days slipping away from us.

Erin's weeks have been filled with Christmas, sleeping in, visits with friends, camping at the beach, bike riding, swimming, face timing, facebooking and the last 2 days with a trip to Adventure Park and today ice skating at the Icehouse.

Yesterday was hot and sunny, perfect for playing on the water slides. Today was still hot and the Icehouse was a cool place to be.

skating around on the Bradbury rink

While the girls were skating I popped over to have a look at Costco. Now I am not a member and when I walked in the entrance I was handed a book of coupons and not given a second glance. I wanted to have a look around before I signed up so thats what I did. No one stopped me, no one asked to see any ID, I just browsed. When I asked a helpful staff member what the process was to join up he looked at me quizzically and asked how did I get in? I just walked in the entrance door I told him. He was a bit puzzled. I gather they dont usually let you browse around before you sign up. Lucky for me I did just that. Nothing grabbed me and said "I am such a bargain you cant leave without me". Some things are peculiar to Costco so a bit hard to tell if it is a true saving but nothing was a must have or convinced me to part with $60 to join up. Maybe if it was close by I would go regularly to get some cheap bog rolls but its not for me.

So after that disappointment I went over to a pretty deserted Harbour Town and found some bathers in a Rebel clearance store that were a bargain.

Now after a lovely 5 days off I must strip off my jewellery and trim my nails to head back to work tomorrow.

Hot Sunday...

2012-01-29T19:33:00.000+11:00

Its been a hot weekend and that always curtails my activities. I like to find a cool spot and venture out to the backyard or clothesline only when necessary.

This hot weather means I haven't had a run or a chance to use this new toy

My lovely husband bought me my very own bike, the first one bought for me since I was a little girl. I've been riding a donation and the kids bikes of late. So as soon as it cools off I'm off.

I've completed another 2 layouts

number 4

A page about bits of Summer that we find on holiday

And another page from this Christmas

number 5

My total of 50 pages for the year is on track.

I have an idea for a couple more pages which have been partly inspired by a focus on Teens by Write.Click.Scrapbook.

I took a photo of this plant that Erin made me buy. I plan to include journalling about how I often indulge her, how she can wear me down to purchase things I hadn't planned to and about our relationship as she matures.

I also got inspiration from that same site to scrap a page about my memories of my Nana and how much I loved her. I just have to find a photo that captures how I remember her later in her life.

Australia Day...

2012-01-26T22:22:00.001+11:00

Happy Australia Day!

For lots of people it means a day of clebrating with BBQs and fireworks, citizenship ceremonies and Australia day honours.

For me it was a laid back start to a 5 day stretch of leave. It felt like a Saturday not a Thursday, I even waited for Funny Home Videos to start after the news.

I did get a run in this morning but being a public holiday there were heaps of people down there already. It was a bit of funny lap as the track was closed along the river section. Not sure if it was part of the park rangers strike action or something to do with the lettuce farm tractor access.

Hayley begrudgingly helped me fix up my iPod which I had managed to wipe clean last night doing an update. She gets frustrated with me when I ask the same questions but I don't find iTunes easy to navigate and I thought I was pretty switched on with various programs. Good news is that I now have Bridge to 10k running with a music track. I will start that officially on Saturday almost 12 months to the day since I started my running adventure with the 5k program.

I'm off now to start my third borrowed book.

Busy...

2012-01-22T21:18:00.000+11:00

A friend from work loaned me 4 books to read and that has quite distracted me from my goal of working on my 50 layouts. I had started on a couple and once I get back into my routine I will be able to continue on.

Number 3

Also keeping me busy is training for a run on Feb 5th (fingers crossed for cool weather), and trying to keep up with watering the garden in this warm weather. I would like it to rain just enough to top up the diminishing tanks and give me a break from watering. After dinner I go out into my garden and water and potter around, it is such a nice place to be.

If I didn't have to go to work I could get so much more done.

Distracted...

2012-01-19T21:38:00.000+11:00

Back to paid employment this week and I have been a little distracted by that and also by trying to decide whether to go ahead and commit to buying a camper trailer to continue our adventures.

So distracted it wasn't until late this morning I remembered it is our 27th wedding anniversary today. It nearly slipped by us unacknowledged.

Luckily we can text each other during work hours to say 'Happy Anniversary to you'. 27 years doesn't get a mention in the front of your diary with which item you should commemorate it. It barely rates a mention. I have to hold out for another 3 years to get to 'pearl'.

I think this year will be celebrated with canvas.

Dangerous...

2012-01-14T20:17:00.001+11:00

I was looking forward to celebrating my 50th birthday with a helicopter ride. I have always wanted to and thought that might be a fun way to mark the milestone.

Might be a bit risky, several incidents lately have made me rethink the thrill seeker thing

The girl who survived 20m fall when her bungee cord snapped at Victoria Falls might put one off that pursuit.

Loads of people celebrate all kinds of events by going ballooning, but even that can turn bad.

The woman who died in this New York helicopter crash was celebrating her 40th birthday.

We tend to forget about the risks involved when we set out to experience some ventures but on balance many people have enjoyed these pursuits.

Just don't do a Google search of 'accidents' before you go or you will never leave the couch.

Edited to add:

Seems I can cross cruising off the list now too

Big plans...

2012-01-13T21:31:00.000+11:00

I had planned to do another long bike ride today along the Barwon River but the weather was not conducive so Erin and I went along my running track beside our river instead.

From Erin's photos I realise I still run like a duck.

But this style of running will see me do 6 Fun Runs this year. Beginning on Feb 5th I will be running beside other rivers, lakes and tracks aroung the city. I am thinking of doing the longer race on April 1st so I can go in the Domain tunnel and over the Bolte bridge. Still some time to decide. After swimming in the ocean at Port Fairy I have talked myself out of doing the Biathlon at Brighton Beach, the swim part was too hard.

I was also able to do some more scrapping and organising today

number 2

50 layouts...

2012-01-11T23:13:00.000+11:00

I'm setting myself a challenge for 2012 of the scrapbooking kind.

I want to complete 50 layouts this year. I've seen people challenge themselves to complete 100 in 12 months but I am going for 50. Less pressure on me. And that is still 1 a week which might not seem like much but sometimes a busy life gets in the way of hobbies.

I am starting with this one, which I technically started last year but finished and put away today, so it has become the inaugural one.

number 1

I have planned out about 10 more layouts and printed photos from our Christmas, beach, holiday snaps for them. I found a new/old folder and have sketched out some ideas and put them together so I remember my plans. Do I have 50 events this year that are scrap worthy? maybe I will have to go back to my stash of older photos to finish or even redo some of the earlier layouts that I dont like anymore.

On another (running) note, fitting as this first layout is about running, I went for a run this afternoon in the chilly wind and light sideways rain. It was the best run I have had for ages, I just kept going. Instead of my ipod to listen to, which is still at big Sisters with the SLR, I just focused on my breathing and kept going and going, saying to myself 'just to the end of this row', 'just to the next bench', 'just to the carpark' until I was done.

That feeling of achievement is what others talk about...I get it.

Tea & scones...

2012-01-10T22:45:00.001+11:00

When you are given one of these for Christmas

you can make Devonshire scones that look like this

And wash it down with a cup of tea.

I was able to buy this very cute tea cosy in Port Fairy.

I was told these mini cosies that fit a 1 cup teapot were knitted by the local women of the CWA. The colours really appealed to me.

Watch out now I have a cream whipper, we'll be having cream with everything. I'm thinking brandy snaps, iced coffees and more scones.

And even more running.

St Patricks...

2012-01-08T19:48:00.000+11:00

During our trip to Koroit I had a blast from the past.

From about 35 years in the past.

I was taken back this far by a visit to St Patricks convent, now a luxury boutique hotel. When I stayed there last it was a dorm style school camp.

My original photo

My friends Debbie and Christina sitting on the front step

And this hedge is mostly gone. I remember the boys climbing up to emerge triumphant at the top.

The photos are a bit yellowed and haven't scanned up very well.

I'm glad to have been able to retrace those steps from so long ago. It would have been good to have a poke around inside but it wasn't luxury accomodation in those days so it probably looks quite different.

New things...

2012-01-05T17:56:00.000+11:00

This is our 4th year holidaying in Port Fairy and apart from going to the beach and the local shops we have tried a couple of new things this year.

Yesterday we walked from Killarney Beach back to East Beach at Port Fairy, some 8.5 kms

The Killarney Beach end was more rocky than 'our' end and the girls would have like to spend much longer there exploring the rock pools.

They came across this mast

it was quite windy and cool as we walked along, too bad you need wind to get waves like this

Today Erin and I headed off on a bike ride. 17 kms each way along the rail trail to Koroit. It was relatively flat but hard going in some places because of a head wind.

We had to have some refreshments before we could continue on

Olivia and Louise had kindly loaned us their bikes, having done the ride last week, and met us in Koroit. Its only a 10 min car trip but 1.5 hours with pedal power.

Tonight I need a massage but am unlikely to get one.

Couldn't imagine doing the Great Victorian Bike ride.

January 2, 40 degrees...

2012-01-02T22:51:00.000+11:00

Where do you not want to be on a 40 degree day????

You do not want to be in a tent

Even under those tall trees at the back of this picture that line the Moyne River the hot wind makes you feel terrible.

Even at the beach it is only while you are jumping in the waves that you get any relief. By the time you have walked back to the caravan you are dry and hot again. My carefully sunscreening of my feet had limited effect and my toes are a bit more burned today. Those slip on shoes made out of wetsuit material might be the answer.

Thankfully this extreme heat is forecast to last only 1 day then back to more manageable temperatures. I saw on the news tonight that nearby Warrnambool reached 43 degrees. That would have been around the time the caravan park lost power and we nearly lost our minds. Back to the beach to try to cool off and by dinner time a cool change had come through, we may survive after all.

New Year 2012...

2012-01-01T17:43:00.000+11:00

This first post is usually full of resolutions, hopes, dreams blah blah blah and that will probably come in the not too distant future. But for today I am on holiday, I'm relaxing and enjoying the pace of a Port Fairy start to the year.

Last night we had seafood and fireworks to see in the New Year.

Today we have had swimming and of all things a duck race to start off 2012 in a frivolous way

More serious things will come.

The present...

2011-12-30T20:24:00.000+11:00

I forgot to show you my Christmas present, made for me by my talented husband.

This handmade structure will now receive our mail in style.

Why...

2011-12-28T20:24:00.000+11:00

Why the long face?

Morgan is sad we are going

We are off the the beach for a few days, I may not get a chance to post depending on how laid back and relaxed I am, and depending on whether technology on the coast is cooperative.

I am taking the old SLR camera to get reacquainted with film but will still take a load of digital pics as well. I've got a new book to read and while I want to relax I also want to maintain my training as well. My niece is keen to be my running partner and as I am planning to do a biathlon in February which is a 250 beach swim then a 3km run, it will be a good chance to see if I can run at all after a swim.

Have a happy & safe New Year, I'll see you on the flip side!

Family...

2011-12-27T12:02:00.001+11:00

These 3 sisters

produced this next generation of family

A wet end...

2011-12-26T12:00:00.002+11:00

On our drive home from Christmas lunch we were caught up in a terrible downpour with next to no visibility on the highway. I was relieved to know that Callum had made it safely home on his motorbike an hour before the storm. It seemed to clear a little as we pulled into the driveway but it pelted down and flooded the backyard within minutes. More thunder and hail scared the dog almost inside out.

25mls collected in our rain gauge. The trees in the Avenue were shredded by the hail, there was a lot of leaf litter on the road and also on the track as I ran this morning. The strawberry farm will be a mess and what was left of the cherries will now be gone too. This morning much of the lettuce farm was still under water. The SES were called out to hundreds of calls disrupting their festivities, not what you want to do when you are in a turkey stupor.

Luckily we had no damage and the tank I had let get low is now well and truly topped up.

A wonderful day...

2011-12-25T23:43:00.000+11:00

It has been a wonderful day and even a huge storm this evening hasn't spoiled it one bit.

It began this morning with a frenzy of wrapping paper and all peoples happy with their gifts

Then up to Little Sis' property to eat our traditional Christmas dinner. Done the same way every year, easy to organise, no dramas and always delicious.

Hayley took loads of photos as usual and this year she was playing around with a new wide angle lens. These are some of my favourites from today

And finally from our family to yours

Its been a wonderful, Merry Christmas

Merry...

2011-12-25T09:00:00.001+11:00

Here in Australia we dont say Happy Holidays as much as Merry Christmas or Happy Christmas but I like this image put up by Google for our pleasure this year.

Whatever and however you celebrate this year, best wishes for health, happiness and adventure!

December 24th...

2011-12-24T09:25:00.000+11:00

Christmas Eve is the last minute day.

Last minute to prepare food.

Last minute to get to the shops with everyone else on the planet, or so it seems, to get that last loaf of bread. We all know that the shops will reopen on Boxing Day and we once again will be able to buy bread but today that seems too far off.

Last minute to stare at the pile of presents and have a little panic. Panic that it is enough & it is fair and it looks fair and what else can I get.

Might be a little late but here are some things on my wish list...

Of course I would need a new 4 wheel drive to tow it, but thats a given isn't it?

I'd love to stay at home if this pool was in the backyard

If that is too pricey a cool $5400 white gold Tiffany bracelet will do

Or just this initial pendant and chain would be OK

I might have left my wish list a bit late but we'll see how well ~~Santa~~ the family have been listening to subtle hints.

I'm off to marinate prawns and make stuffing.

Bring it on...

2011-12-22T22:08:00.000+11:00

Last day of paid employment for the year was worked today.
Three weeks of lovely holidays to follow.

Just a few odd things to do before Sunday.

Bring on the relaxing.

A productive day...

2011-12-19T22:25:00.000+11:00

A quick post while we wait for Chris' mother and sister to arrive to stay the night before Mena heads off to Qld for a while.

It was a very productive day getting some last minute things finished off and even fitting in a bicycle ride to hand deliver some Christmas cards. I got a tip from Ness when I had coffee with her this morning, a product for cleaning the shower that she said worked well & was easy to use, She was right Easy off Bam foam in an aerosol can went on easy and cleaned up the shower to be guest ready.

And now the rocky road has been sliced up ready to distribute tomorrow. 3 more days of work and holidays here we come.

Jib Jab fun...

2011-12-17T00:00:00.001+11:00

Our Christmas fun

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Catch up...

2011-12-16T22:48:00.000+11:00

Today I was able to catch up on a little housework before a haircut and some shopping. My list is considerably smaller after our expedition. I should be able to finish off the baking this weekend and if Chris will take me to Highpoint on the bike, so I can avoid car park hassles, the shopping will also be done.

I found some twigs with fairy lights (sounds exotic doesn't it) and some small baubles and have made up another Christmas feature for the family room. It was hard today just to focus on what I needed to get and not get caught up in lots of lovely things I'd like.

The helpful girl at Dusk told me why my candles smoke (one of them in a sconce had left a smoky mark on the wall) I need to trim the wick after each lighting and extinguish with a snuffer to keep the wick straight. I could have bought a nifty tool set to do that but I politely declined, thinking to myself - I can trim a wick.

Third day this week back to running. I started out at a slower pace as I still had the lingering effects of my URTI, and I'm really pleased to say its been going extremely well. Instead of a week at each level I have skipped through 3 weeks in 3 days. At 8pm the weather is nice and the track is deserted, except for a lot of bunnies of the hippity hop kind. Just as I headed out the door Chris' mother was on the phone to give him some grief and even though I was tired from my shopping day it felt really good to get out and clear my head and leave that guilt trip behind.

So now instead of writing up some of the Christmas cards I have made I'm going to relax in front of the telly and leave it til tomorrow.

And Louise, don't look too hard for that recipe, I cant find the dried strawberries this year and am sick of looking in every supermarket and deli I go past for them.

Like a needle...

2011-12-14T21:27:00.000+11:00

in a haystack.

I was curious to find out the numbers that attended the Toy Run on Sunday. I didn't see anything on the news and there hasn't been any updates on the MRA site. What I did find on the web page was 165 odd photos from the day so I painstakingly looked at all of them.

I was a bit surprised to find this amongst the pics of bikes and more bikes

New Balance...

2011-12-12T20:34:00.000+11:00

Strapped on the ol runners tonight for the first run in about 2 weeks.

I was a bit concerned about how I'd go so I started back at week 1 of the C25K program and did an easy session. I was pleased at how easy it was and should be able to push myself harder tomorrow. No coughing was a real bonus.

The trusty shoes have been very comfortable and no injuries have arisen but the mesh on the toe was no match for my toe nails and needed to be reinforced. The elastoplast bandaids have done the trick even if Hayley thinks it looks 'povo'. These shoes have done a lot of kms since February and I'm planning out my runs for 2012.

Erin had asked for her 'seconds' to be done for Christmas so we went down to the pharmacy this afternoon to oblige. Looks quite sweet but she wont be able to wear 2 pairs at once at school so will have to enjoy them over the summer.

Trust your children to teach you new words.

Toy Run...

2011-12-11T17:33:00.000+11:00

Today was the MRA 2011 Toy Run. We were very concerned about the weather after last nights storms and only decided this morning at 830am that we were definitely going.

A grey cloud followed us all day

Grasshopper got another lesson, after one year of riding this is the first group ride he has been on.

First stop was to fuel up, thanks Dad for the top up

Next stop was Melton to join a smaller group

Callum is doing very well with his riding

Our trip was probably the shortest of the many rides that ended up at the Calder Park Raceway.

It was good to see lots of bikes with presents and decorations

As we got there early we were able to watch a huge group roll in, many thousands thundering up. I'll have to watch the news tonight to see if it gets a mention.

It is hard to get the scale of the event but it was huge

The Boy Racers were in heaven perusing and dreaming. Chris has never wanted a Harley prefering the English Triumph and it seems Callum is following that lead also, dreaming of a bigger Triumph. Harleys outnumbered any other brand about 5 to 1 but the boys were both pleased there were many Triumphs there as well. We only saw 2 Learners and 2 Probationary plates on these bikes and there were scooters, trikes and trailers. They even had a caravan/trike set up and a side car hearse - something for everyone really.

And this young man Lukey Luke put on a spectacular display in a very small space...on a Triumph

I'm sure his Mum is proud of him and all that time spent doing wheelies is paying off.

All in all it was a very good day, we got to spend more time with Callum than we have in a long time and I think he enjoyed it too.

Better but still NQR...

2011-12-09T20:56:00.000+11:00

My cold symptoms are easing off but I am left with a paroxysmal cough that is distressing for me and annoying for everyone within earshot. It is one of those coughs that makes my eyes & nose run and my face to go bright red. No manner of cough drops or water or enquiries as to my 'rightness' helps. I just have to let it pass. I really want to go for a run, or at least a walk, but any sort of activity sets me off. Maybe a few more days will help.

I am pleased with my Christmas progress. I now have baked goods in my pantry and a list for some more. A list really helps me and as I can cross things off I feel better.

The house looks Christmassy

and its hard to get a shot of the tree but its silver/white/blue theme looks very pretty

Erin has finished her school year, last nights' Presentation Night at Dallas Brooks hall winding up a full year. Every year as I battle peak hour traffic to get into the city I grizzle about the distance & the traffic but I enjoy seeing the talents of the students being rewarded. It always falls on a really hot day which turns into a balmy night, not sure how that works out but it does. I thought in another 4 years I'll be done with these city ceremonies but I sat with a colleague whose daughter is a teacher now and she was attending at her request. She thought she was done too. She was amazed at how the school had grown in the 6 years since her daughter had graduated. Its nice to see the full circle of student returning to teach.

My big Sis has not answered me about the recipe I'm looking for but maybe getting her daughter on to a plane to Japan is occupying her thoughts.

Sicker...

2011-12-04T23:42:00.000+11:00

My sore throat has turned into a full blown cold and it is slowing me down when I need to be at full speed.

I want to go for a run but I havent got the puff. I zoomed up to Melton to go the the Nutshack to get some glace fruit and nuts for my christmas baking and...it wasn't there! I had to double zoom to Werribee Plaza along with thousands of other people to the Nutshack there. But I did get it and was able to make a start by making a fruit cake.

I am searching everywhere for a recipe I made last year but cannot locate it with all the other christmas recipes and cuttings. The recipe is for a coconut stack thingy that had dried strawberry in it. It was like a cone shaped macaroon and the dried strawberry was lovely and sweet and a bit different from glace cherries. I couldn't buy the strawberries at Coles today as I did last year, maybe this is a sign its not going to happen this time.

Did I see this recipe at your place Louise? I'm thought it was a Better Homes one but it still eludes me. And it the good ole internet is not helping either. Grrr, I need to move on! And I need to feel better to get lots more done.

The long week...

2011-12-01T21:48:00.000+11:00

I'm nearly at the end of my long week.

Monday was a trip to the city on the train, the travel was OK but I always am glad it is an occasional thing. The study day at St Vincents was very interesting and informative but I was quite distracted by the view from the 11th floor. I don't get up high very often.

After work on Tues it was still 33 degrees and I headed up to the pool to do some laps instead of a run. Erin and her friend came with me and they splashed around. It was very busy with swimming lessons and people cooling off and I think that swim is responsible for my sore throat today.
I'm considering doing a biathlon in February - thats a swim and a run, not a ski and a shoot. The swim is at Brighton Beach and todays EPA report says the poo level at the moment is 'fair'. With all the rain the beaches are contaminated around the bay. I can feel another disease coming on.

I was thinking of my neice on her paddling on a river camp this week when I heard of the death of 2 kayakers in their brand new kayak. I'm sure I would have heard if extremes of weather had spoiled the camp. I was also reminded today that you should make the most of life when I heard of another workplace accident that prevented someones family not to come home from work.

I confirmed today that Erin will be able to go to Canberra with the school next March (just cough up some dough just before Christmas thanks)

Tomorrow I'll head up to Ballarat for another study day. The house is showing the signs of inattention but it will have to wait until the weekend. I want to finish off the house decorations and start some planning for Christmas not just cleaning and washing all weekend.

And I need a rest.

Recipes...

2011-11-28T21:17:00.000+11:00

At this time of year I eagerly look forward to the Christmas edition of some magazines I sometimes buy. I added the Womens Weekly to my purchase of Better Homes & Gardens and Family Circle.

But as I browsed through I could not find many recipes that I thought I would try this year. Amongst the sweets and savouries, puddings and stuffings it seems to the same old same old.

I am pretty disappointed.

Could it be that there is nothing new out there to try.

I might try Donna Hay in the hope she has some new ideas. Otherwise its back to the old faithfuls, not that they are no good, but if I make the same thing every year it might get tired. Every year I must make rum balls, the glace fruit cake, spice cookies, shortbread and gingerbread stars and even last year there were a few new things to try that could become favourites.

My clippings book is full to bursting already but I can always squeeze in another favourite of the future.

Cards...

2011-11-27T21:12:00.000+11:00

Here are some of this years cards

We have been making them over the past few weeks

This is a new design but they are very messy

The maribou trim sheds and sheds, you may not thank me if you get one of these, but often there is a lot of tinsel and glitter drifting around anyway.

We have been doing more stamping than previously

And Erin has been playing with my supplies and has whipped up this one

I've got a busy week coming up, doing work things every day this week. But I am still going to try to get some more crafty things done as well.

The tree...

2011-11-26T20:32:00.000+11:00

is up.

Finally says Erin, she has been nagging at me to put up our Christmas tree. Maybe I will get into the spirit now the blinking, silvery tree is reminding me each day that time is ticking away.

I've been making some Christmas cards and will take some pics tomorrow if the sun comes out.
Today has been really wet, about 50 mls filling the rain gauge and flooding the garden beds and garage. It has been very grey and gloomy. I have some craft projects that I wanted to get finished this year. I should have them done before Christmas is celebrated in our home next Christmas!

Hopefully the weather will improve for Christmas parties and breakups that are coming up.

Results...

2011-11-21T12:47:00.001+11:00

As published in the Geelong Advertiser this morning, our results

39 minutes exactly!

I am really pleased with my result. As you can see I placed 2874 of some nearly 11,000 participants.

Can you see me down there??

As we were running along the sound of running shoes slapping the bitumen made me smile. It was a good feeling on the day and I am still basking in that feeling now, especially as my result is an improvement.

I was feeling that my time for a wet 5km in Lara was a bit slow so went back to recheck the Mothers Day result of 29:56. No wonder it seemed fast, it was only 4km.

So I have improved in both in time and how I actually feel when I am running. This kind of reward makes the training bit seem not so bad and I never thought I would say it but...

I'm looking forward to the next one.

(Can't wait til May, will have to find something in between)

Edited to add: Results published by the Run Geelong team are
Overall position: 2822
Gender position: 1257
Category position 40-49yrs: 238

Run Geelong...

2011-11-20T14:16:00.001+11:00

The morning was clear, sunny (only 12 degrees) and perfect for running

This second hill slowed my down, I took this phone pic and then started running again.

We did a lap of Skilled stadium at the end of the 6km rpute and I was doing really well until I psyched myself out and stopped running about 3/4s of the way around. I thought this is crazy, I have run nearly the whole way, including all the way up the first hill, so I then sprinted to the finish line. The timer said 40 minutes so I think my time will be just under that. It was very congested at the start as about 10,000 of us made our way to the start gate.

I tried to get a self pic as no-one would be my official photographer today.

Here I am, an hour after the race, pretty pleased with myself. This was the best run yet (and I hate hills, but I used to hate rain as well)

Weekend rain...

2011-11-19T20:45:00.000+11:00

It hasn't been very nice weather for the Strawberry & Cherry Festival this weekend.

It was very wet this morning and has rained on & off all day. Last night when the cool change came through we had gale force winds and lashing rain, probably not good for the fruit. They were concerned that there wouldn't be enough crop to last the weekend and the weather probably hasn't helped.
Bacchus Marsh is a produce dominant town and this festival usually helps to bring big crowds to devour the fruit. Hopefully tomorrow will be a bit better for them all.

The rain didn't stop my last training day before the fun run tomorrow. I'll be up early to get to the start line.

I'm hoping for good weather too.

More training...

2011-11-15T21:52:00.000+11:00

Today was hot, up to 28 degrees. I wanted to have a run in the count down to the next fun run on Sunday. I dont do well running in high temperatures so was glad when the cool change came. I went down to the track at 7pm and half way through a little rain fell to keep me cool. It felt like a really good run, doing 2 laps of the 3km trail.

I've got my race kit, just a few more days and I will be ready.

Gates...

2011-11-13T23:10:00.000+11:00

The (Bill) Gates as Chris calls them, are finally done.

We had the idea to put an access to the big shed when we fixed up the backyard. Chris had the frames for ages and it was becoming a procrastination point. Chris always wanted to have the access since the shed went up about 5 years ago and I wanted the backyard fixed up first. We would argue back and forth about which should come first and nothing got done. I eventually won and the backyard was done. Since all that work (in June) Chris had gone back to his procrastination about finishing the gate and since then progress has been very slow. Each weekend the weather has been getting warmer or during his week off it was rain that stopped play.

Today was going to be THE day. The day I could stop nagging and finish off this job. I had to help more than I planned and it wasn't that bad a job. I can't see what the hold up was after all.

One last chance at stalling

The frames were in place, we added the colourbond sheets

Chris got to use a couple of his whiz bang power tools

The gates are hung, the fence removed, the middle post dug out, dirt levelled off, a board put in place and the drop bolts attached.

Ta da!!!

Now Chris can procrastinate as long as he likes on moving stuff around in his shed to accomodate the car when he wants to work on it. I don't want/need to be involved, its his domain. Which means it might never happen.

My nagging is done (for now).

My garden grows...

2011-11-12T20:54:00.000+11:00

Remember this garden bed, planted just a few weeks ago?

I had Erin take some pictures this afternoon to check progress

We are very happy to see colourful flowers blooming, making us feel better.

Pippa is also hanging around in the garden,

And she spied my new Emu decorating the garden, a birthday gift from my sister. Chris pinned its feet down as it was prone to falling over in the wind. It is overseeing the kangaroo paw nicely

More examples of Erins photography

Its been a warm, sunny day and I got a bit sunburned replanting a tree out the front. I haven't got my head around sunscreen weather yet.

11/11/11...

2011-11-11T21:10:00.000+11:00

Hayley told me that today is a special day. Apart from being our Remembrance day, the 11th of November 2011 has special significance as a cleansing day.

After a run this morning, after a pause to remember our servicemen and women, I had a cleansing day.

I unblocked a toilet and scrubbed clean a saucepan. The pan was severely burned when Callum was put in charge of cooking the macaroni (he left on his bike and totally forgot about it, the contents of the pot were about to catch fire when the smoke detectors alerted Erin who was in her room with door shut. The burnt pasta on the bottom of the pot was set like concrete. I had tried a couple of the regular things to try to salvage it but it wouldn't budge. In a last ditch effort I sprinkled dishwasher powder in and left it be (forgot about it actually). Today I chipped at it and it started to come away and then a scrub with steel wool and I've saved it from the bin. I have a drawer full of saucepans but this stainless steel one had been my mothers and even though the handle had come off the lid I used it frequently and it looks like I will be able to continue to cook up a storm in it.

Many couples tied the knot today (Happy anniversary to Little sis who got married on this day many years ago too) and some lucky babies have a very memorable birthday. I often think that Hayley nearly had a memorable birthday but missed out by a few hours, she could have shared Princess Beatrices' birthday of 8/8/88 but if you believe in the fate of birthdays/dates she may have had a very different life indeed.

Next year will be the last of these special dates for some time. My calculations say 2/2/22 will be the next one.

Lessons...

2011-11-10T21:17:00.000+11:00

Number 1 son rides a motorbike.

Number 1 son is 20 years old.

Some say these two things shouldn't go together, something about 'immature brains' 'feeling indestructible' and 'risk taking'.

Boy Racer senior is sooo old he has forgotten what it was like to be young and 'indestructible'.

All this was reinforced last night when Melbourne had the worst storms ever forecast and Callum decided he was going into the city to a band signing at a music store. At 5pm. Into the eye of the storm. Despite the best warnings of both parents. And a big sister.

But off he went on his bike (at least he took his wet weather gear), lined up, got some stuff signed and then came home. When he got here Chris was waiting in the driveway, pacing. When he arrived he was very wet but safe and didn't know what all the worry was for. Much like his father had done exactly when he was that risk taking age.

And we didn't get the storms that hit other areas. Lucky for Callum.

Hot

2011-11-08T22:36:00.000+11:00

Ooo it was hot today. And muggy and cloudy. With bursts of alternating grey and sunny skies. Yesterday was a swim day so today was a run day and by 530pm I thought it would be OK. I had thought at the beginning it wouldn't be too bad, still 27 degrees at that time.

But it was tough and I really had to push myself hard to keep going. By the end I was overheated and scarlet faced. I didn't feel well. It took quite a long time to recover.

It made me rethink the next fun run in just 12 days. If it going to be hot I might walk more than running. I might be psyching myself out, thinking about those hills as well.

I'll see on the day, but I'm not going to push myself past my limits just yet.

Soul surfer...

2011-11-06T21:07:00.001+11:00

today I watched this movie.

The story of Bethany Hamilton, the girl who had her arm bitten off by a shark when she was 13. It was a very moving story of how she overcame this handicap to continue with her goal to become a professional surfer.

I really enjoyed this movie, take some time to see it too.

Anxiety...

2011-11-05T22:34:00.000+11:00

I always like to know where I am going and in particular where I will park when I get there.

Take this latest Fun Run for instance. I wasn't concerned about the actual running, I had trained for that part and even if I couldn't run the whole distance it wouldn't be the end of the world. I wasn't concerned about the weather, and in the end the rain didn't spoil my day. I had most of the details under control but did get a bit stressed out the day before about where I would park and how that might affect me.

Likewise with the next Fun Run I have registered for, this one is in Geelong and they are expecting thousands to enter. My biggest concern is where will we all park? and if I have to park a long way away, will I get to the start on time. Maybe I should catch a train and be an hour early or dashing over to the start line. Silly I know but I can't help it. Maybe I should be more concerned about the hilliness of the course and the chance it could be scorching hot. I ran today up my big hill for practice and was red faced for hours afterwards.

If I have to go to a study day at a new venue, the parking issue will be in my mind until I'm sitting in the lecture theatre taking notes. I can vividly remember the anxiety of the first day of each year of Primary school where we had to find our place in a line in an assembly area. I would feel a near panic at not getting in the right place at the right time.

I was thinking about this again this morning as I headed over to Melton to help out in the Festival parade. Erin and I were running a bit late and I knew there would be road closures, Hayley was already up there and luckily she texted me to let me know the start position was nowhere near where the last parade was held.

A bit of anxiety that was really unnecessary in the scheme of things.

The pedometer...

2011-11-01T19:53:00.000+11:00

Hayley bought me a lovely pedometer for my birthday and I have been wearing it to work, on walks and runs. I wore it last week at work and clocked up 5 kms around the unit. It has 3 functions; counts steps and you can read it as steps or kms, and it calculates the calories ( or kilojoules if you prefer). The drawback with the calories function is when you know you have burned up a big whack of energy you don't feel guilty about a little indulgence as a reward.

It was also a very sweet colour and showed me the date and time.

I wore it on the Run on Sunday and didn't give it a second thought until much later that night. I couldn't find it anywhere, not among my soggy clothing or the bag I took. I had lost my lovely pedometer!

I emailed the event organiser hoping someone might have found and handed it in. Imagine my surprise when I got a prompt reply with a positive outcome. Someone had indeed found it and been honest enough to hand it in.

Justin has it and I can pick it up on Friday when I head back to Lara. He did offer to post it but I think its been through enough, it may not survive Aust Post as well.

In hind sight I didn't need to wear a pedometer on that day, I knew the distance I was going to cover and each km was marked so you could check your progress. It has never come loose before so I'm not sure why this time it did, I've been running with it since Hayley gave it to me.

I am still astounded that it will return to me so I can count steps again.

October 31...

2011-10-31T17:58:00.000+11:00

The end of the month. A month that has been full of running, birthdays, no alcohol consumption (which turned out to be very easy I must say), holidays and working.

To finish off the month I am talking about ... running... again.

Here is my time for yesterdays fun run

5km time: 36:51
Overall position: 186
Gender position: 110
Category position: 19th My category was Masters 45+, they start putting you in the over the hill category pretty quick.
507 competitors had results recorded.

I didn't beat my time from the Mothers Day Classic. I didn't think I would as the conditions yesterday were pretty bad. In May I was able to finish in 29:56. Plenty of room for improvement.

October 30...

2011-10-30T18:57:00.000+11:00

Grey rainy cold wet

These were the conditions for todays Fun Run at Lara.

When I got up I saw the note Hayley had left for me.

It wasn't raining when I set off from Bacchus Marsh but the closer I got to Lara the worse it got. I was wet through waiting in line to pick up my number and timing tag and the pre race warm up did little to warm me up.

But off we started, about 700 of us foolhardy individuals, some to run 10km and some to run just 5. The track was pretty muddy and the grass was sodden. There were some very large puddles. My paper race number lasted about 1km before sliding off in a sodden state. I held the timing strip in my hand for the rest of the way. If I was going to finish this race I want to know my time.

The course was nice and would be much better without the rain. Many marshals were standing with their wet weather gear and umbrellas directing the flow of runners. At one stage I was passed by a Dad (fit looking individual) pushing a running stroller.

Not sure what my time will be, probably slower than Mothers Day, as the conditions were worse.

Thanks to big Sis who came down, got a bit wet herself, and took some pics for me at the end.

I'm just waiting now for the results to go up so I can compare. I'm looking for a PB now I have done 2 timed runs.

And looking for another run to do.

October 29...

2011-10-29T20:30:00.000+11:00

Today was Derby Day in the Spring Racing Carnival. Traditionally you wear black/white fashion.

If I was attending I quite like this dress

with all of its black rosettes.

Someone forgot to tell Dita Von Teese the dress code, she turned up in a bright red dress.

October 28...

2011-10-28T21:58:00.000+11:00

It was a wild windy warm day today and now we are having heavy rain. I can hear the windswept garden soaking up the moisture.

We did manage to dig the hole for the gate post this morning. Chris, muscles pulsing, did the digging part. My job was to scoop the dirt out while he had a rest. By the end I told him it was deep enough when I couldn't reach the bottom any longer. The notches are cut and the concrete is set, the next step is to hang the frames and attach the colourbond sheets.

I also had some nice 'inside' time, between going for a swim, vacuuming the house and helping outside.

I turned a wooden bangle form and 1.5 metres of silk ribbon

into a lovely handmade accessory

Looks a bit washed out in this pic but in real life the colour of the hand dyed silk ribbon is lovely.

Pretty good for about $10.

October 27...

2011-10-27T21:37:00.000+11:00

After a very busy week at work I am looking forward to the next 5 days off.

Cup Day on Tuesday is a public holiday in Melbourne and the schools are having the Monday as well making it a very long weekend. Radically this year I didn't even put $2 in for the ward sweep.

I'm looking forward to some relaxing and a bit of running mixed in. I'm still not convinced about the weather for Sunday, the bureau are still saying showery and cool. I'm putting my trust in my sisters' words that 'it never rains in Lara' and am not expecting to change that status.

We also need to dig a large hole to put in a fence post that will hold up the new gate, That also is weather dependant - not too hot (don't want to get too sweaty), not raining ) because digging in the rain is no fun.

October 26...

2011-10-26T21:07:00.000+11:00

Have you seen the latest in running gear? One could spend a fortune on simple things like sock and shorts. And don't get me started on shoes and swimmers. But the technology in bras and running pants has become ridiculous

These capri pants are $135

but do they make you run faster?

The pants I run in now are 3/4 length and being black and tight fitting are quite hot in the sun. I am considering going to shorts in the hot weather.

Do I go for the slim fitting bike short style or the looser fitting shorts?

Price might be the deciding factor but I am quite taken with the tangerine shorts.

October 25...

2011-10-25T20:00:00.001+11:00

Just a few days til the Lara Fun Run. A few days to do some last minute training. A few days to keep a nervous eye on the weather.

I'm not too sure about this forecast, I'm hoping for a better one closer to the day.

I'm up to week 8 of the 9 week C25k program. I've been walking, running and swimming. I heard a nice quote from Bear Grylls today. He said no matter how hard or tough the thing he is doing is he knows he only has to put up with a relatively short time but the pride he feels from accomplishing it lasts far longer.

I'll think of him next time I am running.

October 24 (belated)...

2011-10-25T19:48:00.000+11:00

Distracted today (she says, posting this a day late) by

Reading... a Jodie Picoult. I borrowed 3 Picoult books from a friend. The first one I enjoyed and finished in about 2 weeks. The second I've had beside my bed for about 2 months and have read only a few pages. I finally gave up and started the third one 'Perfect Match' and cant put it down.

Playing 'words with friends' on facebook...just like scrabble and a huge time waster waiting for your next turn.

Celebrity Apprentice Australia...I was drawn into it and then none of the other jobs got done.

Posting everyday has been harder than I thought at the start of the month. Sometimes you don't have much to say. I don't think I will keep it up after the 31st.

October 23...

2011-10-23T21:01:00.000+11:00

What a contrast in days.

Yesterday was overcast all day then at about 3pm the heavens opened and we had a dumping of rain with spectacular thunder and lightning. At Melton they had hail as well, we managed to miss that but had flooding all over the backyard.

This morning the sky was clear blue and it was warm. Perfect for a ride.

I took these photos as we sped along. Its not easy. I need to take off one of my gloves, take the camera carefully out of my jacket pocket, hold the glove in my left hand while I stick out my arm and try to snap away. Today I tried to get a self portrait of the both of us but it was more effort than I could manage (just think how it would feel if you stuck your arm out of the car window at 80kms/hr, the buffetting is surprising. I prefer to be tucked in behind the Boy Racer)

Once I have finished snapping I have to put the camera back in my pocket and put my glove back on whilst being safe and stable at the same time. I have no idea if any of the pics turn out until we are off the bike and the chance has passed.

We ended up at the local cafe for a coffee at the end of the ride and I asked BR to smile for me,

the bug catcher is a must with an open face helmet

I can tell he is smiling because of the pose.

I love weather like today. Don't need to run the heater or the air con to be comfortable, that's a money saver. Don't need to run the dryer or the electric blanket. The drawback was that by the time I went for my run it was pretty sunny and warm and I got very red faced and hot. Just 1 week left til the Lara Fun Run and I need to get the last training laps in. The forecast for that day at this point is showery and mild but I will probably still be red faced at the finish line.

Its been a good day.

October 22...

2011-10-22T21:30:00.004+11:00

Today I got quite lost in the past leafing through Callum's photo albums. I can hardly recognise the baby that he was.

He was a cuddly, snuggly baby. So very cute and time consuming. As he grew up he tested us in ways that Hayley had never done. We had to put up barricades and locks on things that Hayley had never dared to touch. She knew no meant no, Callum on the hand was wilfull and determined. His language was much slower to come than Hayleys and while it was difficult not to compare 1st borns with 2nd, and girls with boys it did come in his own time. I wonder if this delay added to his frustration which would manifest itself in some lashing out at other children. Playgroup was never a relaxing time for me.

Callum never enjoyed school and tried many sports and activities including the trumpet, which he was quite good at, but never settled on any one thing until he took up the guitar. I've been a spectator at Aus Kick, Roo Ball, Milo Cricket, swimming, karate and tennis.

He split his chin open twice as a toddler and once as a drunken teenager, but had very few injuries or sickness. When he had his tonsils out he sat up soon out of Recovery and downed some sandwiches because his hunger was worse than the pain in his throat.

His lack of interest in school has somewhat diminished his choices out in the workforce, he is yet to find his niche in the world. My hope for him is that he can find something he enjoys so he can go far.

The main thing that struck me was how my scrapping has evolved. His was the first album I put together and it is very influenced by the Creative Memories style that we were first introduced to. Some of it makes me cringe but there is little I would change now. It is still a pleasure to thumb through the pages and remembering his childhood. That was the aim of the album and I have achieved that.

*We never imagined when we named him Callum that his friends would end up calling him Calzo.

October 21..

2011-10-21T22:14:00.001+11:00

The 21st is a special day in our household. This is the day of Callum's birth. 20 years ago our only son was born in a rush and a gush.

My second pregnancy had been much like the first, pretty smooth sailing with only minor irritations. I was working nights at RCH and Chris was working for the railways as a Transit Patrol Officer.We were living in Avondale Heights in a rental house and Hayley was a delightful 3yo.

Callum was due on the 24th October but on the night of the 20th as I was getting up off the couch to go to bed at about 1030pm I felt a little pop and my waters broke. No pain and no sense of urgency I rang a girlfriend to check what to do (?) and then rang my mum. We took Hayley down to her place and then proceded to Essendon Hospital. I still hadn't felt any contractions but we were admitted into a labour/delivery room. Once things did get moving it all happened really quickly. I seemed to go straight from that first contraction to wanting to push. I remember the midwife admonishing me for still having my underwear on, I had gone in with leaky waters so wasn't going without thank you.

Callum was born at 0237 on the morning of 21st October in a precipitous labour. Precipitous labour is one that lasts less than 3 hours and while it might sound great to have it over all so quickly it can be intensely painful, a bit out of control and end up with uterine or perineal damage, more on that soon. As well as being a precipatous birth he was born 'en-caul'. This means he had the membranes over his face when he was born. The midwife cleared it so he could take his first breath. Babies born with the caul are meant to be good swimmers & sailors, it was considered an omen that the child was destined for greatness. Cal is not a great swimmer, has not joined the navy and is yet to find his greatness.

Soon after his birth it became apparent that the placenta would not separate despite the best efforts of midwives and the doctor so I needed a quick GA and manual removal. That too was organised lickety split and soon enough I was opening my eyes to see my newborn son.

We named him Callum John because we liked the name and it was a compromise between Liam and Cameron. John was for my Dad who never got to see any of his grandchildren (and was to have 3 grandsons honour him in this way). He weighed a perfect 7lb 8oz and was the perfect addition to our little family.

Amazing how fast 20 years goes by, sounds like a cliche but so true. Now this little baby is a grown man playing very loud music out in the back shed celebrating the day of his birth.

October 20...

2011-10-20T21:59:00.001+11:00

This arrived in the letterbox today

Opening it revealed a scroll

which was in fact....

an invitation to a Tim Burton themed 21st. Very clever!

have you seen The Corpse Bride? , one of my favourite Tim Burton films

Hayley wants to go as Lydia from Beetlejuice

Should be a fun party if the effort gone into the invitations is any indication.

Some people have too much time on their hands.

October 19...

2011-10-19T20:35:00.000+11:00

So now I am up to date and just going to quickly show you an impulse buy.

Have you tried these?

Our verdict was that the salty sweet chocolately treat was OK, a bit weird, not unpleasant but not quite right.

We wont be needing to get those again. You never know til you give it go.

October 18...

2011-10-19T20:29:00.000+11:00

Many things were working against me that stopped my run of daily posting for October.

Firstly we had a very busy day at work.

Then I put in a run on what was a very hot afternoon, I thought my foofa valve was going to blow, and it took several hours for the red to leave my face.

Next I made a meal for the family including Cal's girlfriend.

I then settled down to read my favourite blogs and some days not many have updated but yesterday was very newsy with lots to catch up on.

By the time I had watched 'The Real Housewives of NYC' the laptop had a little melt down and shut down unexpectedly. With children of all ages using the other computers I just went to bed.

So I will leave you with a pic of a tag found on a recent purchase of Chris'

What the?????

October 17...

2011-10-17T21:44:00.000+11:00

I didn't notice til right now that I posted twice for the 15th of October, forgot about 16 until now. So I made the little adjustment and now I can move on.

Now for the 17th.

I swam 6 kilometres this morning and fiddled around for the rest of the day. I picked up the latest issue of Better Homes & Gardens and sat out in the garden in the sunshine sipping coffee and thinking about the Christmas baking and making I might do, there are some very appealing things in this issue.

Amongst the usual fruit cakes and shortbreads there is cinnamon nut toffees, white hokey-pokey truffles, and sugared twists to try.

I also want to make some of the felt ornaments

I might be able to run the felt through the cuttlebug to cut out some of these christmassy shapes.

These are not from the magazine but are very similar and pretty cute as well

Some food for thought, with just a little motivation I'll be set.

October 16...

2011-10-16T21:51:00.001+11:00

I had to go to work today for a couple of hours to present at a study day. There are no dialysis patients in on a Sunday so all the staff get paid for the day and lots of education, competencies and assessments get completed. Our management is supportive of measures like this even though our continuing professional development is a personal responsibility.

I've been a nurse now for 27 years. The first three were spent at the Alfred Hospital School of Nursing when training to be a nurse was more like an apprenticeship, learning on the job. And much like apprentices everywhere you start at the bottom (literally) and do all the jobs that no-one else wants to do. As you rose up the ranks to second and third year things started to improve. Study block and exams took you away from the wards for a while and out of hospital placements showed you things that lay beyond the wards. No more hospital based training nowadays, students are uni based and do clinical placements. I personally think it is a much better system, producing better educated nurses for our times.

I often hear from older nurses tales from 'back in my day'. Nursing has changed dramatically since those 'good ol days' and the pressures and expectations are very different. There is no comparing. Surgical wards had patients admitted the day before so often you had half the ward filled with well pre op independant people. After surgery a patient might have stayed for a week after relatively minor surgery. Not these days, as my brother in law will attest, even after a hip replacement you don't get a chance to lounge around, thats what home is for!

Here I am, quite off the track! This thought began tonight when Chris & I were discussing whether or not we would ever make a big move in life, like move interstate. Chris would be a bit restricted in his employment but as a nurse I have the flexibility of being able to work pretty much anywhere. The only thing I would not like is to have to go back to shift work. After 27 years I have done my fair share and now have found a very nice position with work I enjoy, am good at* and it doesn't involve shifts. Shift work is for the newly graduated to negotiate around (there are some things that the pecking order needs to remain in place for).

*I can confidently say I am good at my job because I just had my performance appraisal and independant sources confirm it!

October 15...

2011-10-15T22:31:00.000+11:00

Melbourne is famous for having four seasons in one day.

And we have had them all today.

Sunny when I went for a run this morning.

Warm & windy when I was hanging out the washing.

Now cold and raining.

Spring is evident everywhere in my garden except for one tree that will not bud. It was a bare rooted stick when I bought it and it still looks just like a bare stick. I've given it a good chance but I look at it every day and still no action. I am impatient for a shady tree to grow up in that spot and this is not encouraging, might be time for it to be replaced

October 14...

2011-10-14T22:20:00.000+11:00

Random ramblings...

went for a swim this morning, helped ease out the sore back I woke up with. That pilates stretching last night did more than I thought. My back feels fine tonight.

spent the rest of the day cleaning up this messy house. I can't do 2 showers in one day, I'll do the other one tomorrow. I was able to use my newly fixed vac & it was nice to open up the windows on this warm, windy day.

Met with Ness for coffees at Baby Black, a very nice way to spend the afternoon, sitting in the courtyard, sipping lattes.

The neighbours have put their house up for sale, they have been very nice and quiet but I wont miss listening to their dog bark for hours on end. Tonight has been particularly bad, it has been barking for hours. Payback will be next Friday night when Callum has his party. We only have one party a year so it will be our turn to by noisy.

The girls have gone down to the cast party tonight to wind up the Beauty & the Beast season. And to find out what next years show will be. Hayley has just texted me to let me know the news.We had a bet on what they would announce but we were both wrong - there will be no show next year. Erin is more disapointed than Hayley is, I think Hayley would like a break but she may be part of the Grammar's school production next year instead.

October 13...

2011-10-13T21:48:00.000+11:00

Pilates vs Yoga

I had my first pilates session tonight. I've only ever done pilates before by following a video and whenever I do this I am left wondering 'is this the right way, am I doing it right?' By participating in a class you have the benefit of the instuctor picking you up when your plank isn't straight.

I didn't find it much different to the yoga classes I was doing. I thought pilates was a bit more aerobic than yoga but this particular class was very stretchy and not very pulse raising. Actually when I walked out I felt a bit nauseous and headache-ey. I am definitely not very flexible & I'm still not even close to touching my toes. I always thought that was because my leg muscles were tight but the instructor thinks my lower back is also stopping me.

When I used to finish a yoga class I would walk out & feel like I was 6 feet tall. I am hoping I will walk out of these pilates classes with rock hard abs.

October 12...

2011-10-12T20:55:00.000+11:00

Did you know its 74 days til Christmas?

Yep only 74 days.

Yet today I could have bought a Christmas tree, some decorations and some fruit mince pies. I can't think about Christmas yet and don't need an Advent calender when we have the whole month of November to get through.

It needs to get hot first, we need to go to a few break ups (and then go back to work the next day). I have to attend a Christmas concert and stress out about what to buy/make/bake.

I have absolutely no idea what to buy anybody so some inspiration will come in handy, lucky I have a little bit of time.

October 11...

2011-10-11T21:57:00.000+11:00

Looking back...

I started this blog in Oct 2008 it is interesting to see my progression as a blogger.
This is what I was up to in Oct 2009 involving a soccer game & visiting relatives
and last year in Oct 2010 I had an interesting time at the hairdresser

Whenever I go back to work from a holiday I am thinking of the next holiday. I was going to put in a leave form today but it was lucky I was too busy to do so because in the mail this afternoon was a confirmation of our caravan park site. It is for a different week than I thought! but I do think this will be better. Now to get our equipment organised.

October 10...

2011-10-10T21:20:00.000+11:00

Happy Birthday to my sister-in-law and a get well to Chris' other sister who is sitting in hospital with a queried bowel obstruction. I know which sister I'd rather be.

Back to work today and I was sitting in a very cold office mostly reading emails. Tomorrow I'll be off my chair in to a fully booked clinic.

I'm posting these layouts that I finally popped into my album

This school girl was less than enthusiastic about going back to school today. They can wear summer uniform this term if they wish but as todays weather was going to be chilly it was stockings and kilt still. She told me she was one of very few in full uniform but did not regret her decision at all.

October 9...

2011-10-09T20:46:00.000+11:00

I completed week 6 of my 9 week running program. I've been slogging away again in readiness for the Lara Fun Run in 3 weeks time.

The C25K people recommend to run every 2nd day and some other form of exercise like walking or swimming on the other days. And this I have done.

Today was my 'hard walk'

up this hill

and looking back after I have powered up this long incline (doesn't look as bad in these photos)

a quick wave to Leannes' alpacas at the bottom of the hill, turn the corner, back over the freeway

and I'm nearly home.

October 8...

2011-10-08T21:21:00.003+11:00

My technology...

I'm not the most savvy with all the technology but I'm doing my best. I don't have an iphone or an ipad but sit most nights with the lap top atop my lap. I try to update my own blog frequently and like to read posts of bloggers I follow.

Now I'm probably preaching to the converted but I have found a way to make this easier and I'll let you in on my method.

Firstly I subscribe to feeds. It looks like this

when a blog is updated it shows up in bold type and I can click on it and read the latest.

I also have an iGoogle page. I have added a few apps which include a birthday counter, weather updates and my Google reader.

It depends on the blog which way I read each of them. Sometimes you have to subscribe to the RSS feed, so it shows up in 'feeds'.

Or you can add it to your google reader. When that blog updates it shows up in the google reader and I can quickly read the updates I want.

This way I save time clicking on to all the blogs I want to read, wondering if there will be something new. My sister has such a blog that might be updated about every 6 months. I get a nice surprise when a post turns up in the reader. I used to have a long list in my favourites tab but I have been able to trim that right down.

It might take you a while to master the adding & reading part but it has been such a time saver for me. I say 'do yourself a favour' and give it a try.

October 7...

2011-10-07T19:55:00.000+11:00

I was able to spend the day with my big Sister and do some scrapping today. The weather has been spring like for the past week but tonight I can hear thunder rumbling in the darkening sky. On the way home from her place the roads were wet and flooded in parts and our rain gauge showed 13 mls had fallen while we were out. It must have dumped down as everything is sodden.

Our clocks were reset to daylight savings time last Sunday morning (much muttering heard from hubby who changed all of them) and maybe because I have been on holidays with very relaxed days I have hardly noticed a change. I will appreciate the extra daylight when I come home from work now, I will be able to fit in a run or walk in the light of the evening.

October 6 -baking...

2011-10-06T20:29:00.000+11:00

I've had some time to bake during my holiday and have been browsing some new magazines.

I tagged some of the 55+ recipes to just about 10 things to try. Chris hates it when I cook out of cooking mags or recipe books but I get tired of cooking the same things all the time and look for something new to try. If you don't try you don't know, do you?

These little chocolate meringues are a little different from the original recipe

but with some berry sauce they tasted delicious.

With the left over egg yolks I whipped up a batch of lemon butter, yet to be used but will probably go into my lemon slice.

From the same delicious magazine I tried the lamb meatballs on the family, not bad but it won't go into the 'favourites' book. Our Coles butcher has a large range of minces including lamb, pork, pork & veal and veal on its own. I have another recipe for veal & sage meatloaves which we will have soon.

I made some apricot tarts that I saw in a recent Better Homes & Gardens. I didn't follow the recipe exactly but they were really easy and tasted so good.

because I didn't follow the recipe mine didn't look like this picture but I will do them again. Easy to do at short notice if you keep puff pastry and tinned apricots on hand.
Another thing to try to is the chocolate salami, which sounds like it will nice on a cheese platter. I just have to find fresh Medjool dates to put in it.

I'm off to have a chocolate chip cookie with my coffee and find some photos to scrap tomorrow.

October 5...

2011-10-05T12:12:00.000+11:00

It is amazing the things you come across when you are browsing the interwebs.

I came across this

a walking challenge!

Head over to the walktober website if you want to join in the fun. Luckily Hayley gave me a new pedometer for my birthday so I can accurately measure my distances. I would much rather go for a walk than go running but I am still going to count the distances covered either way, it's all about getting out & being active.

October 4...

2011-10-04T20:18:00.000+11:00

A tale of hair.

Before

During

And after

Erin has a fringe

October 3...

2011-10-03T22:14:00.001+11:00

is my birthday! And I have had a lovely day.

High Tea at the Windsor

with one of my favourite girls

We were plied with teas, cakes & tiny pastries. We also had finger sandwiches & scones. Don't tell the Octsober people I had the glass of sparkling Rose'. How could I not? we were in for the whole decadent afternoon tea experience.

The green layered bite on the left tasted like peas and we later found out it was green tea and red bean, it wasn't my favourite. This chocolate and passionfruit bite with the gold leaf was.

Gary was our attentive server and kept us very content.

October 2...

2011-10-02T20:01:00.000+11:00

This time last year

Collingwood were in the AFL Grand Final, this year not as successful as last. Meatloaf sang at the opening this year, also not as successful as hoped. We were in Vic when the draw happened, but when the replay grandfinal was on we were in Terrigal trying to get a table to have dinner out for my birthday. It didn't help that it was the Rugby grandfinal also and everyone in NSW was out celebrating.

We were in NSW to celebrate Chris' sisters' 40th birthday with family. A lot can happen in a year. That sisters' long term relationship has broken up and there has been some ugliness with the cafe, the house and the dog.

7 years ago in October we were nursing our mother in her final weeks

20 years ago I was pregnant with our son

23 years ago I celebrated my birthday with an 8 week old baby Hayley

Birthday photo 2011

Birthday photo 2010

Can you see much difference? Do I look a year older?

October...

2011-10-01T22:55:00.001+10:00

October is birthday month for me. I'm going to post a post every day this month. Some days you'll get gems, other days... whatever I can come up with!

I'm joining a movement called Octsober....a dry month. It wont be difficult as I don't drink that much, less than I used to now that I am trying to lose weight. It will be an interesting test, just how testing it will be I'll tell you on November 1st.

Tonight we went out for a family dinner to celebrate my birthday, the meal was delicious and Callum graced us with his company briefly, long enough to polish off some lamb shanks.

This restaurant has had a few changes of name and chefs over the past 10 years and while the food was nice the choices were very limited.

For ages Chris always ordered a steak whenever we went out for dinner, a decision he always regretted.

It was never tender, never cooked how he liked it and he was always complained. Only recently he has ventured away from ordering steak and on to ordering lamb shanks. He is having mixed success, tonights was not as tender as he expected, he still likes the way I cook them best

We took loads of photos, Erin was being very uncooperative and Callum will not smile but I did manage to get a shot of the 3 of them together. I haven't had one for a while.

It was a very nice start for October.

What's been occupying me...

2011-09-30T21:26:00.000+10:00

this week? My first week of holidays...

glorious sleep ins, much needed because of staying up late

staying up late to do a challenging jigsaw

lounging around the house

shopping with Erin

some gardening and baking and a little scrapping with a couple more small projects on the go.

Not much really but it has been nice and relaxing.

A little project...

2011-09-27T19:04:00.000+10:00

We finally finished the last garden bed today, planting out some seedlings. I put this off, trying to decide what to plant, and have decided on lots of flowering annuals

Here is the before

And the after

And the vegie pot

Just add water and sunshine and I expect loads of flowers

In my garden...

2011-09-26T23:01:00.000+10:00

Spring has arrived

the blossoms and leaf buds have appeared

the daffodils and jonquils have showed their faces

and look who also popped up and showed his face

Nice boy

Training...

2011-09-22T20:46:00.000+10:00

still training and going pretty well on the program. My goal is a 5km run at the end of October and I think I am on track to achieve this. Today was warm and pretty windy and I appreciated the cooling spray from the sprinklers as I ran past the lettuce farms. The next 2 weeks I will be on holidays with Erin so will have a few opportunities to swim, run or walk.

I am also going to book into another 5km run at the end of November This run is at Tabcorp Park and is a fundraiser for a local woman who has just been diagnosed with breast cancer. She has a young family and discovered the cancer at the end of her pregnancy. I'm all into the good causes at the moment.

Relay...

2011-09-18T19:14:00.001+10:00

We did the relay for life overnight, walking around the track from 4pm until 10am this morning. I have had a great time and even managed to get a couple of hours sleep between 2 and 6am. The whole team had a lot of fun. I seemed to pack enough to camp out for a week, not just one night!

At midnight we had to walk in our PJ's with a teddy bear. There were lots of other novelty laps and fun things to keep us entertained. We thought we were a shoe in for the best theme team as we all had our scrubs on but ended up with a prize for the best chicken dance.

We were all pretty tired this morning but very happy with our efforts, raising over $5000 so far. Not too late to add a donation in my name on this link

http://vic.cancercouncilfundraising.org.au/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=324655&langPref=en-CA&Referrer=direct%2fnone

I walked for about 7 hours all up and even did my running program at 6am after just a couple of hours of broken sleep.

We are planning next years event already!

Spring...

2011-09-16T20:19:00.000+10:00

Spring is in the air and that means spring cleaning. I was able to vac the whole house because Mr Fixit lived up to his name and fixed my Dyson vacuum cleaner. The money he had saved us has been innumerable. Maybe now he can get that Tiffany necklace I have my eye on for my birthday.

One thing he could not fix was the kitchen window that Hayley broke recently. She was tapping on the glass to scare off the magpies that were eating the dogs' food and scared herself when the window broke. I took it down to the glazier and cost $85 to have the glass replaced. It's really nice now to look out that new pane and gaze upon my new garden. It's a nice place to be and now that the Spring weather is upon us I love being out there seeing the buds and blossoms. One day I'll be able to bring blooms in instead of buying them at the weekend flower stall.

Relay for life...

2011-09-12T22:28:00.000+10:00

I am involved in this years Relay for Life for the Cancer Council.

Our 27 member team for Djerriwarrh Health Services is going to walk around the oval at Maddingley Park, sing a little karaoke and catch some sleep in tents over the weekend. I'm excited by the weather forecast, looks like it will be quite nice.

I've set a goal for fundraising and am appealing for your help. Please follow the link to make a donation to our team effort, just a $10 donation will help our team and go towards the cancer cause. Amounts over $2 are tax deductible.

http://vic.cancercouncilfundraising.org.au/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=324655&langPref=en-CA&Referrer=direct%2fnone

Hopefully I can combine a little training with a good cause and some fun.

Thankyou

The fat lady has sung...

2011-09-11T21:18:00.001+10:00

the show is over.

They've played the last bars and sung their last encore. The applause has died down and the theatre has been packed up.

The costumes have been put away, maybe to be reincarnated for next years show. I have watched costumes take on a new role for over 10 years now. Even this year the cape 'Belle' wore this year was one 'Sophie' wore in The Chrysalids in '99.

Hayley didn't quite make it through the whole show, having to have a quick breakaway when she wasn't feeling well. (She hadn't been out partying or anything, after a crook neck she now has a sore throat).

Next weekend I'm hoping for good weather as I relay for life. (More on that later)

Turn it back...

2011-09-09T22:49:00.000+10:00

After a week of pondering I ordered 2 of the light cotton Summer tops from the catalogue. Since I did, the weather has turned very chilly. I was looking forward to Spring/Summer and had been falsely lured to clear out the winter woollies from my cupboard. My garden has a Spring look to it as well, with buds and blooms peeping through.

I had to go into the city for a seminar today which was very informative but quite intense. My major decision this morning was which coat to wear. I also added a beret and umbrella to my ensembe. The weekend forecast is more of the same with hail, winds and rain. The last of the Beauty & the Beast shows will run and our weekends will go back to being quiet and schedule free.

And by the time the clothes arrive, the warmer weather will stay a bit longer.

Easy...

2011-08-31T21:37:00.003+10:00

I am poring over my latest Ezibuy catalogue and have noticed some trends

Maxi dresses are definitely IN and I'm thinking of aquiring one this summer. They look nice and cool but I wonder if I am tall enough to pull it off.

The other trend that I always enjoy and am pleased to see is hanging in there is the tunic

I like all of these, plus these

I found a few cardies that appeal

And these also scream summer to me

I just now have to decide which will be THE purchase as my tax return will not cover all the pieces I have earmarked in the catalogue (plus some of these items are very similar to clothes I already own)

I love buying clothes, its a weakness of mine and I blame my mother. She also loved clothes and whilst she wasn't a catalogue browser she made nearly all her own clothes and her sewing machine was always running hot.

Tale as old as time...

2011-08-28T20:03:00.002+10:00

We thoroughly enjoyed watching Beaty & the Beast show, the music, the costumes and lighting really made for a great show. This is the Broadway version based on the Disney film. Apparently the writers added 15 new songs for this version, adding to the 6 from the film. If you've seen the film you aint seen nothing yet.

We were immensely proud of both the girls. As Hayley has performed in so many shows its easy to become a bit blase about her involvement, she always plays so professionally that we have become used to her high standard.

As for Erin, it is fabulous to see her overcoming her shyness & timidness to perform on stage. I think she would rather not being able to see us watching her, but she is doing really well. As always we have to heap equal amounts of praise on both the girls for their achievements.

After sitting in the crowded orchestra pit for hours Hayley comes out with aches & pains and a crick in her neck. Since she broke her fingers in 2006 she has had ongoing problems especially when she plays for any length of time. And 3 shows in one weekend will do that. A bit of Tiger Balm & Nurofen will get her through the next 6.

Erin is tired and heads off to her Outdoor Education camp this week. She wont have much time to recover from camp before the next weekend of shows will begin. This week I have to get my head around thermals, 0 rated sleeping bags and hiking shoes. The weather forecast for Wed - Fri looks pretty good for them.

It's begun...

2011-08-27T11:13:00.000+10:00

Beauty and the Beast has begun its 2011 season in Bacchus Marsh.

This article appeared in the local newspaper.

The rehearsals are done, everything is ready. I think the girls needed something to steady their nerves this morning. The first show is at 1pm today, we are going down for the evening show tonight.

Looking forward to it!

Keep calm...

2011-08-24T22:09:00.000+10:00

I see these signs everywhere

Keep Calm and Carry On was a poster produced by the British government in 1939 during the beginning of World War II, intended to raise the morale of the British public in the event of invasion.

Like these some are really clever

I want this as MY sign

This is going to be my mantra from now on

(Good ol internet, this was surprisingly easy to make)

No excuses...

2011-08-22T20:31:00.000+10:00

My running had dried up to walking.

I have lots of excuses...cold...rainy...dark...too busy.

Of the 4 kilos I lost, 0.5kg has found me again. When I registered for the next fun run I marked on the calendar the 22nd August as the day I would start training for the event. 9 weeks of training, 9 weeks of the couch to 5k program.

Did you notice that today is the 22nd August?

No excuses not to start today, it was sunny & mild. I finished work early. The mud puddles on the track had dried up. I had no other committments to call me away from starting.

So start I did, I took the first steps on day 1 of the program.

And I'm committed to continue...as long as the weather holds.

Tupperware...

2011-08-21T21:41:00.000+10:00

I went to my 37th Tupperware party today. I didn't really need to go, I have a truck load of the stuff but they keep coming up with new things or old things in a new colour and I get sucked into another purchase. And I had 5 bits that need replacing so off I went.
On my way out I said goodbye to Chris and he asked me to get him a new Tupperware container for ... his tobacco. So that is my rationalisation of spending money on more Tupperware, I can off load a daggy container for a new shiny one.
The container the tobacco lived in before was a very dated one that was about 20 years old. It was split and worn out but I was too embarrassed at its shabby state to return it, it is going unceremoniously into the bin. I also store the dog food in a stunning mustard coloured container that in someone elses eyes might be described as retro.

Damn that lifetime guarantee!

Sergeants, nieces, geocaching & painting...

2011-08-20T20:15:00.002+10:00

Chris' niece came to visit us for just one day. She is a Sergeant in the Air Force and is in Melbourne doing a course, her home base is in Toowoomba, Qld. She'll be able to catch up with the Melbourne family while she is here for just 2 weeks. The funny thing about Chris' family is that they are all far flung around Australia and see each infrequently but it is always the same, within a minute of any reunion it is as if they see each other all the time. The old stories come out, new stories are begun and embellishments are added.

Thanks for coming to see us.

Clare put us onto geocaching while she was here. Its something she has started to participate in and it seems to be a worldwide game that is right up our alley.

Geocaching is a real-world outdoor treasure hunting game. Players try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using GPS-enabled devices and then share their experiences online.

Clare found that there is a cache just a few steps from our door so we went out at 1030pm with torches and found our first hidden treasure. It was fun to find the cache, sign it and leave it there for others to find. As soon as Chris can work out the app for his phone I'm sure we will be on the hunt for others.

(check out the link for all the info)

I'm tired today, having been painting all day at the theatre (enchanted objects are all now complete, just in time as this weekend is the last for rehearsing, next weekend the show begins for real!)
I also found the shoe paint for the dancing shoes after travelling to several shopping centres to get the right thing. The black shoes are now 'dark camel' as requested. And let me tell you shoe paint smells like something dead in a can. But it sticks like shite to a blanket, so will last the distance.

Fortuitously I made a big pot of pea soup to have tonight, an easy dinner, a warm bath and an early night will make us all feel better.

M is also for...

2011-08-14T20:42:00.000+10:00

mud.

Which I found in my washing machine.

I knew Cal's work clothes were filthy when I threw them in the machine but I was a bit shocked to see mud in the front loader seal when it was done.

I don't want the machine to go on strike, I already have the vacuum cleaner in my handy hubby's workshop & the little dust buster isn't quite doing the job for me. He is waiting for the 'brushes' to come from the UK, I hope they can sort out those riots so I can get my part.

It's all about me don't you know.

M is for...

2011-08-13T20:43:00.001+10:00

many things but today it is for....molar.

Hayley is off to a themed 21st party, come as something beginning with the letter M (Melanie's party)

She had worked some magic with some polystyrene, material and stuffing.

It even came with a filling

And was modelled on this acrylic tooth made in the clinic (looks too real for me)

Depending on the success of her costume tonight she might wear it in the upcoming Djerriwarrh festival as she has ended up on the organising committee. I think it looks like a tooth but I know what its meant to be.

I had a lovely day yesterday, in my tunic,

We ended up (window) shopping in Armadale & Fitzroy in lots of groovy, expensive places and had a celebrety sighting of Josh & Jenna off 'The Block'. Ness got some bathers for her soon to be trip to Hayman Island. I ended up with a light dress for when I'm lazing about on my summer holiday. I had to put it at the very back of the cupboard for today was quite chilly.

It was a cold start but I rugged up & went down to the theatre to do some more painting. Only 2 weeks til curtains up & still a lot of work to do. Erin was pleased to get into one of her costumes today and it sounded really good while I was painting enchanted objects.

Number one daughter...

2011-08-08T21:28:00.000+10:00

has had another birthday.

At 23 she has become a lovely young woman. Quirky, full of ideas, crafty and just plain lovely.

She wanted a fish eye lens for her camera and a new bike

just imagine this in bright red

Hayley will be be pedalling all over the place

I'm vain...

2011-08-05T21:43:00.000+10:00

and a bit unorganised.

Our wacky winter warm spell has finished & we are back to regular winter programming - cold & wet. My Friday fashion today was comprised of my new favourite purple Metallicus dress which is nice & light. While I was out at Big Sisters today I had to borrow a cardi because after 3 warm days I forgot how to dress for proper Melbourne weather.

I wore the same dress last night with a t shirt when I went into the city for an education forum. I had to go straight into St V's from work and had packed my bag the night before. I even remembered to put in some jewellery & deodorant.

What I had forgotten was to shave my legs in the morning and as I was going to wear short leggings this was going to be a problem.

Because I am vain.

Because it has been cold & I haven't needed to show my legs.

Because I didn't want to show my hairy legs...to people I had never met before and would never see again.

By the end of my working day all the patients had gone and I had a bit of time, I went on the hunt for a disposable razor. Unfortunately I found one in the cannulation trolley. Pity the poor patient who might need a shave from me as the quick job I did on my lower legs was appalling. I was left bleeding, stinging & almost hair free. The throbbing afterwards lasted for ages and was pretty intense, like a burn.

Not one person noticed.

The forum was quite interesting and focused on self care...looking after ourselves so we can continue to care for others.

Next time I'll take that on board.