Its been a while!!

So much has been happening since I last logged on. Heather, Dylan & Jack arrived for a holiday on the 8th. We did so much in the 8 days they were here - took the train to Brisbane and met up with my niece Jen for morning tea. Mothers Day I was completely spoilt with Dylan making me breakfast in bed which consisted of scrambled eggs and bacon........delicious, then we went to Rosser Park with Leeanne, Brent & Caitlin and had a KFC picinic, just us 'girls' and the 'kids', unfortunatley we had a flat tyre on Leeannes car however some extremely nice gentlemen fixed it for us, then we all had family dinner at Leeannes. Monday was a rest day followed by Tepanyaki for dinner, this was probably one of the highlights of the holiday, the boys just loved the food and the showmanship of the Chef. Tuesday we had breakfast at Sharks before we went to Movie World, where Jack saw a different side of Grandma (he saw what happens when you are really naughty and get on her wrong side!). Wednesday we went to Q1, followed by Infinity - wow what an experience, I'm still not sure if I was laughing or crying but I do know I was rather scared several times BUT I'd go back and do it all again, after a double Baskin & Robbins icecream to settle us down! we then went to Timezone. Thursday we spent at Harbour Town before picking Caiti up from kinder and taking her to Sharks for afternoon tea, as she had missed out on Tuesday when Brent spent the day with us. Friday it was time to say goodbye.
I have since started working full-time on an eight week contract for DFP Recruitment at Centrelink Tweed Heads - yes I go interstate to work. There are 8 Temps in our group and they are great to work with, as are the permanent staff sitting around us. Don't know that I would be able to continue on permanently there as I keep falling asleep at 7.30 each night. Takes between 3/4 hour to an hour depending on traffic, however the Tugun By-pass is due to open on Monday which should cut about 10 mins off the trip.
Was a little dissapointed when my beloved Bulldogs lost last week - however I thought the loss might give them the inspiration they needed to beat the Hawks today. I received a text message on Sunday evening from my son 'they choked' so I have been praying all week that the Bulldogs would come out and defeat his Hawks and they sure did, however my glee at being able to gloat was thwarted as neither he nor Heather & Jack answered their phones when I rang.
Last night St Kevins school had their annual Trivia night which Leeanne organised - this year the theme was colours and yes our team was you guessed it PINK, we didn't win but only finished 4 points behind the winners - must confess though that Grandma was a big winner I won the lucky door prize of a digital camera and 3rd prize in the raffle of a wine cooler, wine and shortbread, it seems the Lotto numbers are avoiding me though.
Till next time..............Bulldogs for Premiers............woof

Winning Weekend

Last time we flew to Sydney and drove out to Wellington we got lost leaving the airport, so this time we took 'B.....ing Betty' our Navman to guide us.....she guided us up back streets and lanes so we missed the traffic lights and traffic. Once we get on Parramatta Road we know our way, however I decided to leave Betty on to remind Bill every time he went over the speed limit! To cut the story short......get to Bathurst and Betty guides us past our normal turn, we thought great she knows a short cut back to the Highway.........after 46km of bitumen road, it became gravel, the gravel became a pioneer track, thru the disused gold mines of Ophir......finally there was a sign to Mullion Creek which I knew was on the 'locals short cut from Wellington to Orange' and we detoured from Bettys instructions and let me tell you Betty got quite upset!! Went straight to visit Mum at Maranatha - unfortunately there was not a glimmer of recognition and it even took a lot of effort to get her to remember the names of her three children, Saturday morning she was a little brighter. Dementia is a terrible illness, so much harder on the family than the patient - I will be eternally grateful for the wonderful care of the staff at Maranatha. Saturday we drove back to Sydney. Took the light rail to the Casino - we love the buffet meal there.
Sunday after wandering around we had a late breakfast then walked to the SCG to the football, quite a steep walk but good for the heart and soul!! I'd purchased our tickets thru the Western Bulldogs so we were seated with the cheer squad and supporters - what a fabulous atmosphere and I wore my jacket and scarf with pride - I'm still a little hoarse today from chanting and singing - we caught up with some friends from the Gold Coast and we went back to the after match meet the players function at Paddo RSL - they had a raffle, the winner of which had the choice of either a Bulldog jumper or football autographed by all the players. Rocket Rodney Eade drew out the tickets and the first winner chose the jumper, the next two tickets drawn the people weren't there so couldn't win, on the third redraw you guessed it YES it was me.....I'd had two champagnes so I was pretty happy, I got a kiss from Rodney and was able to say hello and congratulations to two of my favourite players Brad Johnson & Robert Murphy.......the football is now sitting pride of place on top of the wall unit in the lounge out of the way of little fingers.......I could be in possession of a football signed by the 2008 premiers. Yesterday we went to the Queen Victoria Building - had another late breakfast, watched the clock do its thing at 11am, then took the train to Circular Quay. While waiting for the Ferry to Watsons Bay we saw a couple of Bulldog supporters and got talking and ended up sitting with them while we ate our seafood basket from Doyles..........can understand why everyone in Sydney raves about Doyles. Arrived home around 9pm - wanted to fall into bed straight away as I've come back with a head cold - however our waterbed had sprung another leak while we were away, so it was into the spare bed. Today we had Mr Waterbed come and fit a new bladder!
Only two more sleeps and my 'little men' arrive.....yes H I'm looking forward to seeing you too!!!

Happy 4th Birthday Jetstar!

Yeah! We are off to Cairns again next February......yes I know its the wet season but hey its a holiday and when it only costs you $68.00 (including insurance) for return airfares who's complaining. As you can see we encountered the wet season this year. Fares were $4 each way if you only had carry on bags or $14 each way if you opted to have baggage. Thank you Jetstar.
Helen & John went home this morning - glad I left for Coolangatta early, the Tugun by-pass is almost finished and currently with the testing of lights and the finishing touches being done traffic was moving at a slow pace. If you book to fly with Tiger Airlines do make sure you get there well and truly before the cut off time - I witnessed two lots of late arrivals turned away this morning, possibly they were late due to the traffic snarls. 'Tis very interesting people watching at an airport.
Received my autographed copy of Catch The Wind by Damien Leith in the mail yesterday - gave it a good work out today.
Have a few emails to catch up on again .........seeing Helen & I spent 2 hours last night trying to get through to the Jetstar site - Helen missed out though I think it unfair as she was in the process of completing her booking at 9.58 and finally it went through at 10.02 but came up with a message saying the sale had closed and her tickets couldn't be processed!
Anyone looking at flying with only carry on baggage or on an international flight where you are only allowed 10ml bottles - I have found some great products in small sizes and also the refillable bottles and jars. Just ask me and I'll pass on the information.
Yesterday we met up Peter and Carol for lunch at Robina.......which reminds me I meant to ring them to see if they missed the traffic jam after an horrific accident on the M1. Then today we went to Labrador AFL club for lunch with my friend Robyn .....3 course meal for $7.95 - great value, soup was vegetable, I had Shepherds Pie while Bill & Robyn had fish and chips followed by fruit salad & cream.
Peter, Helen & I all bought tickets in last nights Oz Lotto - sorry to say ours were not the winning Gold Coast tickets.
Oooh I just noticed Jetstar have some more bargains......

RE-CONNECTED!!!

Yes, our internet is now back up and running.........certainly had the technical boys confused for a while, turns out the modem was in the last throes of dying that's what was causing the cutting out of the internet........however all fixed now thanks to Rodney the IT specialist sent out from Australis and Harvey Norman. Well, we just have to get a new modem to replace the one Rodney has loaned us then everything should be running smoothly again.
What did you do with no internet I can hear my family ask........I cleaned up my 'for follow up' emails, caught up with my bookkeeping, scrapbooked several pages, downloaded my photos onto memory stick, went to work, spent time with Caiti making cards, reading......found plenty to do!
On Tuesday my sister & brother-in-law, Helen & John arrived from Victoria for a week. There was a little bit of drama at the Tiger Terminal at Coolangatta when three armed policemen arrived just prior to their plane landing......someone had left a black bag at the security check-in and was not claiming it, I watched it being scanned.........and from what I've watched on Border Patrol I'd say it contained contraband and someone got cold feet!
Wednesday we just relaxed around home before Helen & I went to get some lunch and were propositioned by a gorgeous guy selling nail stuff.....offered to come home and cook and clean if I spent the $50 on his product - Helen got a better offer, he'd be her toy boy!!!. Boy was it a tempting offer and hard to refuse!!!
Wednesday evening we had dinner at Mario's at Broadbeach with our brother Peter and his family - its not very often the three of us get together. Yummy food......real Italian.
Thursday we went into Q1 - Bills over it now, three times is enough he says, me I love the views and spent some time pointing out the sights to a visiting Englishman. Wow.....what a fabulous job that would be, being a guide on the 71st floor of Q1......I could do that! Followed up with lunch at Surfers Paradise Surf Club, first time we have had a meal there. Went to Pacific Fair, via millionaires row - Hedges Avenue - then Helen cooked traditional Swedish meatballs for dinner.
Friday we had breakfast at Suzannes after which Helen & I started looking up some more of our family tree - I contacted a lovely lady Pauline who is a very distant relation and has found some further information for me......I finally found out my maternal great-grandparents were George & Emma Margaret Harris (nee Adams) and I have emailed the Berkshire County for information on obtaining birth certificates and marriage certificates.........ideally I need to be able to lock myself away for a couple of days and just keep on surfing..........Bill was keen to assist me in this and made me breakfast this morning.....charcoal crumpets - the thought was there! We had to go out for a short time and then two little people didn't want to go and watch their Dad play soccer and how can you refuse when they appear with white chocolate mud cake for afternoon tea!!!!
Helen & John are spending the weekend in Toowoomba as their first exchange student Buoy graduates from Uni today - Buoy came back to Australia to do her Masters and has also found love and is getting married on Monday before she and Michael go back to visit her family in Thailand. They plan to return to Australia and open up a Thai Restaurant - I'm hoping on the Gold Coast, Helen's hoping Shepparton!!
'Tis now nearly bedtime, just watched my beloved Bulldogs thrash the West Coast Eagles.....great win. Bit worried about next week, think the Swans might be their first loss for the year....and YES I'll be there.
Logged onto ninemsn.com.au/mapmyfitness and mapped out the route Bill & I walk each morning.........well worth a look at, covers all States, has fitness tips etc.

Just One Of Those Days!

My well laid plans were thwarted once again! With Bill at work for a few hours I planned to go upstairs to 'my workplace' and tackle THE LIST. The list is all the things I need to do but keep forgetting about unless I write THE LIST. Things went well for 10 minutes then the internet went down again...so I put the list aside and worked on my canvas collage of our - OK I'll be honest my GOALS, DREAMS & AIMS for the future - -yes its pink and its got Bling on it!
Had just finished it when Leeanne rang and a little person asked so sweetly 'can I come round for a bit Grandma'. I'd much rather play with Caiti than tackle The List!
Caiti's favourite DVD of the moment is Spirit, and although its been played many many times, today was the first time I actually sat down and watched the end. After this we did some 'scrapbooking' I started to make an engagement card and Caiti made a Mothers Day card, then it was time for her to go home. Grandma was pretty special today as she got a splinter out of Caiti's toe without hurting - by using magic ice and magic tweezers.
My new mobile is awaiting collection at the Post Office - so I'm pretty excited about that. Guess what I'll be doing during the ad breaks tonight....Tuesday nights is one of my favourite nights for TV at the moment.....am hoping Russell and Julia are the finalists on It Takes Two, although Virginia is good, there's something about her that I find irritating.....then its time for All Saints....so Bill finally gets to use the computer!!!

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Seems like everyone wanted chicken salad sandwiches for lunch today........I lost count of how many I made....got excited if someone only wanted ham, cheese and tomato!
Yesterday we went to Bunnings and got some plants for our garden. Our garden consists of two raised beds - one flower and one vegetable plus numerous pots on the fence and ground. Bill hasn't had much success with his vegies here in Qld, but he does keep on trying. When Rob and Shell moved back to Sale we adopted many of their plants......only one died and that was through an attack of ants! Our chrysanthamum is in bud at the moment. Bill planted all the pots today and now God is assisting their growth by giving us a couple of heavy showers. Without realising it Bill gave our next door neighbour a birthday present.....we had some plants (ex Rob & Shell) which have multiplied and multiplied and multiplied and needed thinnning so he kindly planted them in Shelleys bare garden - she was ecstatic with his 'random act of kindness'.
The stormy weather has meant Austar couldn't install our My Star today - the dish is sited on unit5 so they need to remove the tiles on units 5, 6, and 7 as well as ours and the guys though they wouldn't be too popular if it rained while they had the tiles off!! Maybe tomorrow if not Thursday.
The Cookie and Cream Ice cream was delicious - if I do say so myself - a little rich only need one scoop. Once again I over cooked........so no need to worry about dinner tonight - leftovers it is.
Heard We are the Navy Blues yesterday ...................think it was the first time for 12 months!!!!!!!!!!!
My friend Patsi emailed me yesterday ......'cos I hadn't responded to her email which contained the news that Edwina was engaged.......but I hadn't received the email possibly due to all the internet drop outs I've had......so if you have emailed me and I havn't replied if may not be that I have been slack or am ignoring you!
Photo taken at Rosser Park on Friday....

Great Choice Brent!

When I left you yesterday we were off to have lunch...........Brent decided he would like KFC as a treat and Grandma thought it would be nice to have it at Rosser Park, Gold Coast Botanical Gardens. Although Rosser Park is only approx 1.5km from home (a nice walking distance) it had been some time since we'd been and so we were astounded at the improvements which had been made. After eating our KFC we went walking, smelling, feeling and admiring the plants, there are movement activated information posts, so it was permissible to touch the plants in some gardens!, we watched the ducks and other water birds, dragon flys, tadpoles.........if they all were to mature to frogs the GC would be over run by frogs! eels and to Brents great delight a baby tortoise/turtle sunning on a rock. Truly a wonderful hour and a half - its not often that we get to have one-on-one time with the grandkids.
Finally got so frustrated with the fact my internet connection has been dropping off regularly - a real nuisance when you are working from home - I rang Australis and was assisted by a very nice young man James, refreshing that he didn't talk down to me like so many in the IT call centres do. Hopefully, we have fixed the problem............ by unplugging all my phones and filters and then putting them back! Simple when you know how eh?
Sat down last night to watch the Bulldogs on pay TV and after the first 10 mins the screen went blank and a notice came on about technical problems and they would be rectified ASAP, so out came the books for a quiet read - well one of us promptly had a Granny Nap -then suddenly we had a thought maybe its also on one of the 'obscure' digital/hd commercial channels.......YES YES Yes...but the Bombers were staging a comeback.......so instead of biting the fingernails I painted them......but the Boys from the West soon showed those Bombers what for. If we beat the Tigers next week it will be history as we have never won the first five games of a season. Maybe I will be getting that tattoo for my birthday H!!!
The ironing basket was overflowing with three weeks ironing so I got up early this morning to complete ....... I have got very relaxed in my housekeeping since moving to the GC!
Each Sunday night we have a family dinner and its our turn at hosting - found a recipe for Cookies and Cream Ice-cream so have made a tub of that this morning..........looks good enough to eat! Suzanne has two overseas students staying with her at the moment, Cecile is from Switzerland and is here for 13 weeks (9 left) and Yuriko from Japan who is only here for 2 weeks. Lets hope its a nice evening tomorrow so we can spill outside........there's not a lot of room in our little townhouse to fit 10 or more.
Thanks to those who have left comments or emailed me .....off to Sharks for lunch as Bill has to pay his 'punters club' money.........yes - we do eat at home sometimes!!!