OK ... so the roast pumpkin soup didn't get made today!
BUT ... I DID make the banana, date and walnut cake, vegan style. I prefer it to my old faithful and original banana and walnut cake which isn't vegan! The vegan one is much more moist and delicious!
I also got a recipe today, off a nice old bloke, for a flourless orange cake ... good for coeliacs, which I hope to try out over the weekend some time.
If it's nice enough, I will share the recipe with a coeliac friend of mine ... who knows who she is ***waves hand frantically*** Hi Kaz!!
I'm pretty sure it will be nicer than a certain batch of gluten free pikelets that we tasted last week!! UGH!
Tomorrow, if the rain holds off, I should be setting up my stall at the local markets. I can only pray that the weather is a little warmer than today. I even wore tracksuit pants today!
Also, tomorrow night, Adoring Husband and I have a party to attend. It's a special occasion, so I will be taking my camera and I hope to get some nice photos that could even possibly be posted here.
After returning to Toot's and Doch's house today (for the third time in a fortnight!) to finally set up their computer/internet/email properly and with the correct device, I am decidedly worn out tonight.
I usually like to wait until Adoring Husband's snoring has passed beyond breaking the sound barrier, to a steady rhythm that lulls me to sleep, before I go to bed, but tonight I'm going to kick him in the ribs and just tell him to ... well I don't want to start using bad words in my posts so ... 'Be Quiet!'
My take-away chinese dinner has also upset my tummy a little, so, as the snoring echoes through the house, I will sign off for now and get some beauty sleep before my big day tomorrow!
Have a great day!!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Another One Bites the Dust!
This morning, I completed another item from my 'fifty two things to do before I turn fifty two' list.
I got up at dawn and Adoring Husband drove me down to the beach to take photos of the sunrise. It wasn't as spectacular as the last few mornings, but I got a couple of nice photos.
The weather forecast is not good for the next few days, so I doubt that there will be any more sunrise/sunset photos for a while!
Adoring Husband dropped me off, came home to get ready for golf and then returned to pick me up.
I'd also like to introduce another local ...
This is Suzy, the border collie. She is a sweet natured, friendly dog owned by a lovely local lady whom I bartered with today.
She gave me a pumpkin out of her garden and a lovely hand knitted scarf that she made herself, in return for a dozen eggs from my lovely laying chookies.
Suzy's owner was one of the first people I met when we moved here and she made me feel very welcome.
So tomorrow, I'll be making roast pumpkin soup and I really MUST use those blackening bananas to make the vegan banana, date and walnut cake before they have to be tossed out!
Hopefully it will be a rainy day ... perfect cooking weather!
Tonight the Bare-chested Chef did home-cooked pizzas. He makes the BEST pizza crust in the universe! My pizza had artichoke, capsicum, mushroom, zucchini, beans and cashews. Bloody bewdiful!
The boys washed the dishes while Vegan Chickie and I played very raucously with Chicklet. I'm not sure who, out of the three of us, were the loudest! But there was lots of giggling and teasing and shrieking and singing going on!
Now I am going to focus on one of my favourite TV programs ... Grey's Anatomy.
Nite all!
I got up at dawn and Adoring Husband drove me down to the beach to take photos of the sunrise. It wasn't as spectacular as the last few mornings, but I got a couple of nice photos.
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| The moment just before the sun peeks over the horizon! |
Adoring Husband dropped me off, came home to get ready for golf and then returned to pick me up.
I'd also like to introduce another local ...
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| Suzy recognised me as she ran along the beach and excitedly ran to me, wagging her tail. |
She gave me a pumpkin out of her garden and a lovely hand knitted scarf that she made herself, in return for a dozen eggs from my lovely laying chookies.
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| It's a regular morning ritual. |
So tomorrow, I'll be making roast pumpkin soup and I really MUST use those blackening bananas to make the vegan banana, date and walnut cake before they have to be tossed out!
Hopefully it will be a rainy day ... perfect cooking weather!
Tonight the Bare-chested Chef did home-cooked pizzas. He makes the BEST pizza crust in the universe! My pizza had artichoke, capsicum, mushroom, zucchini, beans and cashews. Bloody bewdiful!
The boys washed the dishes while Vegan Chickie and I played very raucously with Chicklet. I'm not sure who, out of the three of us, were the loudest! But there was lots of giggling and teasing and shrieking and singing going on!
Now I am going to focus on one of my favourite TV programs ... Grey's Anatomy.
Nite all!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Ugh! Hate Those Meeces to Pieces!
There is currently a mouse plague in New South Wales!
I will be in New South Wales for two weeks next month and I'll be staying in a farmhouse on a farm in the middle of nowhere. Right in the middle of the mouse plague! Ugh!
In 1982, I lived in Cootamundra in New South Wales and there was a mouse plague happening around the time that I gave birth to Number One Son.
He slept in a bassinette which rested on a chrome frame with wheels, in our bedroom. I could wheel the frame around the house while he slept, so it was portable and convenient.
The mice were so bad in this plague that I had to cover the bassinette with a big sheet of mosquito netting and I used a large piece of elasticised lace to hold the netting tight around the bassinette.
Some mornings I would wake up to find mouse poo on top of the netting! Ugh!
One morning as I opened a box of cereal for breakfast, a mouse jumped out of the box and onto my hand! Ugh!
They are so tiny and so fragile, I don't understand the reasoning for disliking them so strongly, but they send shivers up my spine.
My step niece had a pet rat once. It was just like a giant mouse. Ugh!
Anyway, my post is brief again tonight, but I will add a couple of sunset photos from tonight. There was too much heavy cloud to get a spectacular sunset, but I got a couple of interesting shots.
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| It only lasted momentarily, but the pretty pink on the horizon was too nice to miss! |
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| Just as the sun was about to disappear, a crack appeared in the clouds and let some light bathe this yacht. |
Do you think that the people living in those boats on the river would be safe from mice? Rats desert sinking ships. Do you think they swim out to floating boats? I must ask a boatie!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Today!
Today, we are up to disc two of 'Friends'.
Today, I missed getting some good sunrise photographs because I had to go to water aerobics, but Adoring Husband jumped in the car, drove down to the river and took a few shots before having to leave for golf.
Today, I went to water aerobics and had a fill-in teacher because our usual teacher had a sick child to tend to. We had a real workout instead of the usual gentle exercise. I enjoyed it!
Today, seven of us met for morning tea at the bakery and sat outside in the sunshine drinking coffee and catching up. It was lovely.
Today, I had some quality time with Chicklet (Yes, any time with Chicklet :o) is quality time!).
Today, I took some photos of Vegan Chickie and Chicklet to possibly be published in the ABA (Australian Breastfeeding Association) calendar for next year.
http://www.facebook.com/abacalendar
We got lots of good shots, but thanks to the Bare-chested Chef, these smiley ones are some of my favourites!
Today, I get dinner cooked for me by the Bare-chested Chef!
Today, I had a terrible chocolate hangover from the half block of chocolate that I ate yesterday. I tossed and turned all night, slept poorly and woke with a very fuzzy head, but I felt better and better as the day wore on.
Today, I found a magazine with one hundred different beading projects inside. Then I realised that I must complete module one of my studies before starting something new!
Today, I remembered that ....
Today has been a good day!
Today, I missed getting some good sunrise photographs because I had to go to water aerobics, but Adoring Husband jumped in the car, drove down to the river and took a few shots before having to leave for golf.
Today, I went to water aerobics and had a fill-in teacher because our usual teacher had a sick child to tend to. We had a real workout instead of the usual gentle exercise. I enjoyed it!
Today, seven of us met for morning tea at the bakery and sat outside in the sunshine drinking coffee and catching up. It was lovely.
Today, I had some quality time with Chicklet (Yes, any time with Chicklet :o) is quality time!).
Today, I took some photos of Vegan Chickie and Chicklet to possibly be published in the ABA (Australian Breastfeeding Association) calendar for next year.
http://www.facebook.com/abacalendar
We got lots of good shots, but thanks to the Bare-chested Chef, these smiley ones are some of my favourites!
Today, I get dinner cooked for me by the Bare-chested Chef!
Today, I had a terrible chocolate hangover from the half block of chocolate that I ate yesterday. I tossed and turned all night, slept poorly and woke with a very fuzzy head, but I felt better and better as the day wore on.
Today, I found a magazine with one hundred different beading projects inside. Then I realised that I must complete module one of my studies before starting something new!
Today, I remembered that ....
Today has been a good day!
Queen - Seaside Rendezvous
Day 11 - A song from my favourite band. (I don't have ONE favourite band, but Queen is one of my many favourites!)
Monday, June 6, 2011
How much chocolate is too much chocolate?
Oh how I wish I'd had my trusty camera with me this morning at golf!
In the fifteen minute drive to golf, all the paddocks along the road had a soft mist suspended over them and the sun was shining through the tall trees so that the rays were highlighted through the foliage. It was so pretty!
When we arrived at golf, the freshly mown grass was glistening with dew and looked like diamonds twinkling all over the ground.
The long shadows of the trees stretched across the glistening grass and the water hazards were like mini lakes with lilies lying flat on the mirror-like surface and the soft mist was rising above them.
As I played my game, I was imagining all the different angles that I could take the photos - which would explain, to some extent, why my game was a bit off!
When I arrived home, and after some lovely cuddles and a stroll through the garden with my Chicklet, I settled down on the couch with Adoring Husband, to begin watching the complete series of 'Friends', of which the boxed set arrived in the mail today!
I grabbed a family block of Limited Edition Tropical Pineapple Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate out of the pantry and proceeded to eat half of it!!
My favourite flavour out of the Cadbury Snack chocolate has always been the pineapple and for more than twenty years I have wished for a whole block made with just pineapple!
Last week I walked into our local supermarket and lo and behold!!!! There on the shelf was a whole block of Limited Edition Tropical Pineapple!!
I thought all my christmas's had come at once, so I bought a block, not realising at the time that it was 'limited edition'.
The following day, Vegan Chickie and the Bare-chested Chef returned from a grocery shopping trip and handed me six family sized blocks of the same chocolate. **drool**
About an hour after eating half a block of chocolate today, I began falling asleep on the couch and eventually had to concede defeat and lie on the bed for a nap.
Ninety minutes later, I dragged myself out of bed feeling no better than before the nap!
So I'm thinking that I MAY have eaten too much chocolate in one sitting! I'm thinking that perhaps one row of this chocolate may be the limit for each sitting!
A comment was made that I looked stoned! Yes, chocolate is my drug of choice!
What I'd really like to know is, how much chocolate is too much chocolate, and does it vary from brand to brand or flavour to flavour??
In the fifteen minute drive to golf, all the paddocks along the road had a soft mist suspended over them and the sun was shining through the tall trees so that the rays were highlighted through the foliage. It was so pretty!
When we arrived at golf, the freshly mown grass was glistening with dew and looked like diamonds twinkling all over the ground.
The long shadows of the trees stretched across the glistening grass and the water hazards were like mini lakes with lilies lying flat on the mirror-like surface and the soft mist was rising above them.
As I played my game, I was imagining all the different angles that I could take the photos - which would explain, to some extent, why my game was a bit off!
When I arrived home, and after some lovely cuddles and a stroll through the garden with my Chicklet, I settled down on the couch with Adoring Husband, to begin watching the complete series of 'Friends', of which the boxed set arrived in the mail today!
I grabbed a family block of Limited Edition Tropical Pineapple Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate out of the pantry and proceeded to eat half of it!!
My favourite flavour out of the Cadbury Snack chocolate has always been the pineapple and for more than twenty years I have wished for a whole block made with just pineapple!
Last week I walked into our local supermarket and lo and behold!!!! There on the shelf was a whole block of Limited Edition Tropical Pineapple!!
I thought all my christmas's had come at once, so I bought a block, not realising at the time that it was 'limited edition'.
The following day, Vegan Chickie and the Bare-chested Chef returned from a grocery shopping trip and handed me six family sized blocks of the same chocolate. **drool**
About an hour after eating half a block of chocolate today, I began falling asleep on the couch and eventually had to concede defeat and lie on the bed for a nap.
Ninety minutes later, I dragged myself out of bed feeling no better than before the nap!
So I'm thinking that I MAY have eaten too much chocolate in one sitting! I'm thinking that perhaps one row of this chocolate may be the limit for each sitting!
A comment was made that I looked stoned! Yes, chocolate is my drug of choice!
What I'd really like to know is, how much chocolate is too much chocolate, and does it vary from brand to brand or flavour to flavour??
**********
These photos were taken thirty minutes apart!
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| Sunsets change so quickly. |
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| The colours are amazing. |
Norah Jones - Sunrise
Day 10 - A song that I can fall asleep to. (Anything by Nora Jones relaxes me enough to sleep)
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Love Doing Nothing
My favourite thing in the world is to do absolutely nothing.
When somebody asks me what I've been up to, the answer is generally 'nothing'! And sometimes I feel bad, like I SHOULD have been doing something more interesting. But really, I prefer to do nothing.
Instead of sweeping the floors, I would rather lie in my hammock in the Winter sunshine.
I prefer to sit on the couch looking at photos on my laptop, than working in the garden.
Sitting on the park bench seat by the river watching the comings and goings is my choice over hanging out the washing.
When I go away on holidays, I like to spend an afternoon in the motel room instead of taking a hike or a guided tour.
Ordering take-away and eating in is a much easier option for me, than dressing up and going to a restaurant.
If Adoring Husband travels to Sydney to visit his Mum for a few days, I like to spend my time locked away in my lounge room watching movies alone and eating junk food.
Adoring Husband, on the other hand, likes to DO everything and anything. He has so much energy. When he chooses to do something, he puts his whole heart and soul into it.
At home, there is always something to be done ... no time to be sitting down! A few hours in the garden to clear the weeds, prune the fruit trees, clean the chook pen, mow the lawn, cut the edges, water the pot plants and wash the car.
When we're on holidays, he has to try a different restaurant every night, take the guided tour, find the closest markets, trek through the rainforest, go to the cheese factory, find the art gallery, visit the alpaca farm, jump on the steam train, experience the theme park and learn all the local history.
I'm exhausted just writing the words!
He uses up so much energy that when he sits down, he falls asleep in less than ten minutes!
Between the pair of us, it works out quite well. He forces me to do more exciting things when we are on holidays and I force him to sit down and relax at home sometimes. We balance each other out.
Sometimes, I need to direct his energy towards something meaningful and sometimes he has to give me the motivation and energy to do something more important.
It's his energy that keeps our friendships with others alive. I choose a lot of friends with a high energy level because they get me moving and stop me from stagnating at home.
A regular exercise routine with friends keeps me motivated to continue with it every week. A regular weekly social gathering pushes me to dress up and turn up.
If it was purely up to me ... I would love to do absolutely nothing!
When somebody asks me what I've been up to, the answer is generally 'nothing'! And sometimes I feel bad, like I SHOULD have been doing something more interesting. But really, I prefer to do nothing.
Instead of sweeping the floors, I would rather lie in my hammock in the Winter sunshine.
I prefer to sit on the couch looking at photos on my laptop, than working in the garden.
Sitting on the park bench seat by the river watching the comings and goings is my choice over hanging out the washing.
When I go away on holidays, I like to spend an afternoon in the motel room instead of taking a hike or a guided tour.
Ordering take-away and eating in is a much easier option for me, than dressing up and going to a restaurant.
If Adoring Husband travels to Sydney to visit his Mum for a few days, I like to spend my time locked away in my lounge room watching movies alone and eating junk food.
Adoring Husband, on the other hand, likes to DO everything and anything. He has so much energy. When he chooses to do something, he puts his whole heart and soul into it.
At home, there is always something to be done ... no time to be sitting down! A few hours in the garden to clear the weeds, prune the fruit trees, clean the chook pen, mow the lawn, cut the edges, water the pot plants and wash the car.
When we're on holidays, he has to try a different restaurant every night, take the guided tour, find the closest markets, trek through the rainforest, go to the cheese factory, find the art gallery, visit the alpaca farm, jump on the steam train, experience the theme park and learn all the local history.
I'm exhausted just writing the words!
He uses up so much energy that when he sits down, he falls asleep in less than ten minutes!
Between the pair of us, it works out quite well. He forces me to do more exciting things when we are on holidays and I force him to sit down and relax at home sometimes. We balance each other out.
Sometimes, I need to direct his energy towards something meaningful and sometimes he has to give me the motivation and energy to do something more important.
It's his energy that keeps our friendships with others alive. I choose a lot of friends with a high energy level because they get me moving and stop me from stagnating at home.
A regular exercise routine with friends keeps me motivated to continue with it every week. A regular weekly social gathering pushes me to dress up and turn up.
If it was purely up to me ... I would love to do absolutely nothing!
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| Another fiery one ... tonight's sunset taken from my front garden. |
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Foggy Winter Morning
How interesting to wake up this morning to find thick fog blanketing our town!
At 7.15am, Adoring Husband and I grabbed our cameras and headed down to the river. We rushed around taking as many photos as possible, fully expecting that the fog would lift before 8am. How wrong we were!
It was almost 10am before it finally lifted, so we had lots of opportunities right along the bank and then out to the beach to get some interesting photos.
The fog tried to lift two or three times during those three hours, but just as we caught a glimpse of the blue sky, the fog closed in again!
There were a good number of people out and about with their cameras, so sometimes it was difficult to take a clear shot without other photographers in view.
I think our favourite moment of the morning, was finding this kangaroo with a joey in her pouch. Unfortunately, the grass was so long that in most shots, it obscured our view of the joey, but I was lucky enough to get a couple of clear-ish photos.
So that was a lovely start to our day. We finished the day by having a few drinks with friends around a bonfire on an empty block two houses away from us.
It's a very cool night and the fire was great (who doesn't enjoy sitting outside around a fire on a clear, starry night?) but even I began to feel chilled after a couple of hours, so I snuck home and found my warm slippers to thaw out my icy toes!
Now it's time to curl up in bed for some more sleep and I hope that tomorrow brings some more interesting photographic opportunities.
I could possibly spend some quality time snapping away at my Chicklet, instead of relying on Vegan Chickie to take all the great baby shots!
I might just stay snuggled up in bed if it's another foggy Winter morning!
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| Shags leaving the river mouth in the fog. |
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| A beautiful cobweb above the rocks on the bank of the river. |
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| The first time the fog attempted to lift, it provided this beautiful white arch touching the water. |
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| After the fog closed in for the second time. |
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| A mother kangaroo and the joey in her pouch. Always an exciting find! |
So that was a lovely start to our day. We finished the day by having a few drinks with friends around a bonfire on an empty block two houses away from us.
It's a very cool night and the fire was great (who doesn't enjoy sitting outside around a fire on a clear, starry night?) but even I began to feel chilled after a couple of hours, so I snuck home and found my warm slippers to thaw out my icy toes!
Now it's time to curl up in bed for some more sleep and I hope that tomorrow brings some more interesting photographic opportunities.
I could possibly spend some quality time snapping away at my Chicklet, instead of relying on Vegan Chickie to take all the great baby shots!
I might just stay snuggled up in bed if it's another foggy Winter morning!
Briefly ... before I turn into a pumpkin.
It's late. I'm tired.
I've had things to do, people to see, places to go, photos to take, modules to study, baby sign language to learn, sick Adoring Husbands to tend to, programs to install and granddaughters to cuddle!
It was a nice evening with friends at the Bowls Club tonight. I won $160 on Keno. We had our own personal taxi service in the Bare-chested Chef, who made himself available to take us there and then unexpectedly have to pick us up. He's a good man.
I'm looking forward to placing my head on the pillow tonight and drifting off to attend to some sweet dreams.
I apologise for this token effort and I hope to make up for it tomorrow, but it's after midnight and I feel myself turning into a pumpkin!
Good night to all and to all a good night :o)
I've had things to do, people to see, places to go, photos to take, modules to study, baby sign language to learn, sick Adoring Husbands to tend to, programs to install and granddaughters to cuddle!
It was a nice evening with friends at the Bowls Club tonight. I won $160 on Keno. We had our own personal taxi service in the Bare-chested Chef, who made himself available to take us there and then unexpectedly have to pick us up. He's a good man.
I'm looking forward to placing my head on the pillow tonight and drifting off to attend to some sweet dreams.
I apologise for this token effort and I hope to make up for it tomorrow, but it's after midnight and I feel myself turning into a pumpkin!
Good night to all and to all a good night :o)
Friday, June 3, 2011
Mac Davis -- It's Hard To Be Humble
Day 7 - A song that reminds me of a certain event. Mac Davis - It's hard to be humble (Dad's favourite song played at his funeral)
Thursday, June 2, 2011
The Age of 'Planking'!
The first time that I heard the term 'planking' was on facebook a few weeks ago, when somebody complained about a young man being arrested for 'planking' on a police car. I had to Google it!
I found this description.
The lying down game (also known as planking, or face downs) is an activity, popular in Asia, consisting of lying face down in an unusual or incongruous location. The hands must touch the sides of the body, and having a photograph of the participant taken and posted on the internet is an integral part of the game. Players compete to find the most unusual and original location in which to play. The location should also be as public as possible, and as many people as possible should be involved.
Personally, I can't see the attraction, but in my youth, I probably would have joined in. I don't think there is any harm in it as long as they aren't putting themselves or others in danger.
Planking on balcony rails, train tracks or light poles is probably, in my opinion, not such a good idea.
Last weekend my 77 yr old male friend, whom I shall call Tweedle Dum (for the obvious reasons), went on a day train trip with a bunch of other locals. The tour included morning tea and lunch and it was a good, fun group that went along.
Somehow, a conversation sprung up about 'planking'. During the course of that conversation, one of the ladies dared Tweedle Dum to 'plank' NAKED, on the 'seat of knowledge' at the boat ramp.
Knowing the lady who made the dare, I can just imagine how this conversation transpired. She is loud and colourful and funny and full of laughter.
I wonder how many strangers were on the same carriage and had to listen to the raucous laughter from the group!
Anyway, Tweedle Dum wholeheartedly accepted the dare, and it was agreed that he would 'plank' NAKED on the following Tuesday morning.
(I agree! Naked planking does NOT conjure a pretty picture!)
He made the announcement to all and sundry on Monday morning and I suggested that I cancel my water aerobics so that I could attend the 'planking' with my camera to take the photo, which I would then post onto facebook!
He agreed. I warned that if I cancelled my aerobics and he chickened out, that I would be very upset and he would be in big trouble!
He promised that he would complete the dare!
I didn't believe him.
I went to aerobics.
He DIDN'T complete the dare AND he blamed ME because I wasn't there!
I wasn't even part of the original deal!!
So now he refuses to reschedule the 'planking', saying that we had our chance and we blew it! The other ladies are desperately trying to change his mind.
Perhaps I can convince him that he will create a new record by being the oldest 'planker' in the history of 'planking'?
If you have any ideas, please let me know. If we can convince him to finally complete the dare, I will provide tasteful photos to prove that he completed it.
It is the age of 'planking' and we are working on 'planking' for the aged.
I found this description.
The lying down game (also known as planking, or face downs) is an activity, popular in Asia, consisting of lying face down in an unusual or incongruous location. The hands must touch the sides of the body, and having a photograph of the participant taken and posted on the internet is an integral part of the game. Players compete to find the most unusual and original location in which to play. The location should also be as public as possible, and as many people as possible should be involved.
Personally, I can't see the attraction, but in my youth, I probably would have joined in. I don't think there is any harm in it as long as they aren't putting themselves or others in danger.
Planking on balcony rails, train tracks or light poles is probably, in my opinion, not such a good idea.
Last weekend my 77 yr old male friend, whom I shall call Tweedle Dum (for the obvious reasons), went on a day train trip with a bunch of other locals. The tour included morning tea and lunch and it was a good, fun group that went along.
Somehow, a conversation sprung up about 'planking'. During the course of that conversation, one of the ladies dared Tweedle Dum to 'plank' NAKED, on the 'seat of knowledge' at the boat ramp.
Knowing the lady who made the dare, I can just imagine how this conversation transpired. She is loud and colourful and funny and full of laughter.
I wonder how many strangers were on the same carriage and had to listen to the raucous laughter from the group!
Anyway, Tweedle Dum wholeheartedly accepted the dare, and it was agreed that he would 'plank' NAKED on the following Tuesday morning.
(I agree! Naked planking does NOT conjure a pretty picture!)
He made the announcement to all and sundry on Monday morning and I suggested that I cancel my water aerobics so that I could attend the 'planking' with my camera to take the photo, which I would then post onto facebook!
He agreed. I warned that if I cancelled my aerobics and he chickened out, that I would be very upset and he would be in big trouble!
He promised that he would complete the dare!
I didn't believe him.
I went to aerobics.
He DIDN'T complete the dare AND he blamed ME because I wasn't there!
I wasn't even part of the original deal!!
So now he refuses to reschedule the 'planking', saying that we had our chance and we blew it! The other ladies are desperately trying to change his mind.
Perhaps I can convince him that he will create a new record by being the oldest 'planker' in the history of 'planking'?
If you have any ideas, please let me know. If we can convince him to finally complete the dare, I will provide tasteful photos to prove that he completed it.
It is the age of 'planking' and we are working on 'planking' for the aged.
Hush - Glad All Over
Day 6 - A song that reminds me of somewhere (Cross country event at high school 1975 and our group of friends all singing this together)
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
I Can See!!
Picked up my new glasses today! Now I can see the 'hot' builders working across the road AND I can read the 'blah blah blah' study pages AND I can look at the river without squinting in the bright sunshine!
I now must purchase a new handbag, (oh what a shame) because I have to carry three glasses cases everywhere with me, along with all the usual paraphernalia!
One for the reading glasses, one for the distance glasses and one for the sunglasses. Oh the joys of being a woman getting older.
I also got the upgraded version of Photoshop. Not a big fan of Photoshop, but it's required in my studies, so I don't have a big choice in the matter.
It's also been suggested that I acquire some 'noise cancelling' headphones! That would be for study purposes only of course ... unless Adoring Husband gets that verbal diarrhoea thing happening and they might come in handy for that too! hehehe
Gotta share my new favourite photo of Chicklet with you today. The photo was taken by Vegan Chickie while sharing some play time in the hammock one morning recently.
Little Chicklet is growing up so fast! She's so happy and so cute! This photo makes me smile every time I look at it :o)
Well, I have a home made vegetarian pizza with my name on it, calling me to the dinner table right now ... made by the best pizza maker in my life ... the Bare-chested Chef!
Now I can even see what I'm eating!!
Muppet Movie - The Rainbow Connection
Day 5 - A song that reminds me of someone (My Mum and Vegan Chickie)
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
All I can read is blah blah blah!
Ok, so I downloaded the first module in my course and began to read ... but all I could see was 'blah blah blah'.
It's all about the technicalities of cameras. Lens sizes. Mega pixels. Format sizes. Focal length. Eighty eight pages of 'blah blah blah'.
I hope it's like golf when you play the first hole and you play like crap. It's a good thing to get the crap out of the way straight up, then you go on to the good stuff!
Tomorrow, I pick up my new reading glasses, so perhaps the 'blah blah blah' will make better sense when I can see it more clearly through a new lens!
One thing is certain. I must find myself a quiet little hideaway to study. A place where Adoring Husband knows is off limits to all things except my creativity!
There is a time to listen to incessant chatter and there is a time to study ... and never the two shall meet!
We made our way to the river this afternoon so that we could be ready for the sunset if it happened. It certainly wasn't as fiery as last night, but it was still very pretty.
Tomorrow is looking to being a big day starting with the collection of the new glasses, grocery chopping, replacing some shelving in the new oven, visiting a friend in the afternoon and possibly playing tennis with a new group of ladies, if I can squeeze it in.
I should now get some sleep so that I will be re-generated enough to fit everything comfortably into my day.
All I ask is that when I close my eyes to meet the sandman, I don't see or hear the dreaded 'blah blah blah'!
It's all about the technicalities of cameras. Lens sizes. Mega pixels. Format sizes. Focal length. Eighty eight pages of 'blah blah blah'.
I hope it's like golf when you play the first hole and you play like crap. It's a good thing to get the crap out of the way straight up, then you go on to the good stuff!
Tomorrow, I pick up my new reading glasses, so perhaps the 'blah blah blah' will make better sense when I can see it more clearly through a new lens!
One thing is certain. I must find myself a quiet little hideaway to study. A place where Adoring Husband knows is off limits to all things except my creativity!
There is a time to listen to incessant chatter and there is a time to study ... and never the two shall meet!
We made our way to the river this afternoon so that we could be ready for the sunset if it happened. It certainly wasn't as fiery as last night, but it was still very pretty.
Tomorrow is looking to being a big day starting with the collection of the new glasses, grocery chopping, replacing some shelving in the new oven, visiting a friend in the afternoon and possibly playing tennis with a new group of ladies, if I can squeeze it in.
I should now get some sleep so that I will be re-generated enough to fit everything comfortably into my day.
All I ask is that when I close my eyes to meet the sandman, I don't see or hear the dreaded 'blah blah blah'!
Monday, May 30, 2011
I'm Committed!
Well! I've done it!
This afternoon I enrolled in a Diploma in Photography course!
Adoring Husband and I discussed it a while ago. He did some research. I did some investigation into the Professional Photographers who are involved in the course and one of them impressed me so much that I made the decision based on the fact that he is a Guest Tutor with the Institute and runs International Travel Photography Tours.
His name is Chris Mclennan and his photography is amazing and spectacular! I can only dream about taking photos at his level, but that is my goal!
I actually have two goals.
The other one is to be able to have an intelligent conversation with other photographers using language and jargon that only true photographers can understand!
So I've made the commitment and now I must focus on completing twelve modules and twelve interactive assignments over the coming months.
Speaking of photography... this was the sky about twenty minutes after I signed up for the course.
If you didn't know any better, you would swear it was a bushfire behind the line of trees.
In actual fact it was a sunset combined with a late afternoon storm. Quite spectacular!
So now I am committed and hopefully it will only be to study in this course and not into some funny farm sometime down the track!
Wish me luck!
This afternoon I enrolled in a Diploma in Photography course!
Adoring Husband and I discussed it a while ago. He did some research. I did some investigation into the Professional Photographers who are involved in the course and one of them impressed me so much that I made the decision based on the fact that he is a Guest Tutor with the Institute and runs International Travel Photography Tours.
His name is Chris Mclennan and his photography is amazing and spectacular! I can only dream about taking photos at his level, but that is my goal!
I actually have two goals.
The other one is to be able to have an intelligent conversation with other photographers using language and jargon that only true photographers can understand!
So I've made the commitment and now I must focus on completing twelve modules and twelve interactive assignments over the coming months.
Speaking of photography... this was the sky about twenty minutes after I signed up for the course.
 |
| Such a fiery sky |
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| The crows were cawing to each other |
So now I am committed and hopefully it will only be to study in this course and not into some funny farm sometime down the track!
Wish me luck!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Some Simple Joys
One of the greatest simple joys in life is sliding between crisp clean sheets when you go to bed at night :o)
I got to experience that joy last night.
For three days, Adoring Husband was confined to bed with a mild flu. I wanted him to keep his germs away from the rest of the family and he needed to get well quickly so that he could attend a photography workshop in Maleny this weekend.
After he left yesterday morning, I stripped the bed of his germy bedding and replaced it with fresh, crisp, clean bedding.
I had a whole, huge, king-sized bed with clean bedding all to myself last night. The cold night breeze floating through the windows while I was snuggled up with the doona pulled up to my chin, surrounded by nine pillows and cushions and the serenity of a snore-free environment.
Pure bliss :o)
I should clarify that Adoring Husband's very loud snoring DOESN'T keep me awake at night. It kind of lulls me to sleep with it's rhythmic vibrations!
Adoring Husband might even comment about some snoring coming out of somebody else's nose and mouth in the bedroom!
As we speak, Adoring Husband is on the road and returning home from his successful workshop weekend and the Bare-chested Chef is preparing to cook dinner tonight ... another of life's simple pleasures ... for me anyway.
One more simple joy experienced today was watching Chicklet laughing and talking with her Mum and Dad.
She is such a happy little girl and the love just bubbles up in everyone when she smiles and talks and does her cute baby stuff. So cute and pink and chubby!
So, tonight, my sheets will no longer be crisp and fresh and the environment will no longer be snore-free but I hope to have Adoring Husband home safe and sound and I still have the simple joy of Chicklet's happy, sparkling smile :o)
I got to experience that joy last night.
For three days, Adoring Husband was confined to bed with a mild flu. I wanted him to keep his germs away from the rest of the family and he needed to get well quickly so that he could attend a photography workshop in Maleny this weekend.
After he left yesterday morning, I stripped the bed of his germy bedding and replaced it with fresh, crisp, clean bedding.
I had a whole, huge, king-sized bed with clean bedding all to myself last night. The cold night breeze floating through the windows while I was snuggled up with the doona pulled up to my chin, surrounded by nine pillows and cushions and the serenity of a snore-free environment.
Pure bliss :o)
I should clarify that Adoring Husband's very loud snoring DOESN'T keep me awake at night. It kind of lulls me to sleep with it's rhythmic vibrations!
Adoring Husband might even comment about some snoring coming out of somebody else's nose and mouth in the bedroom!
As we speak, Adoring Husband is on the road and returning home from his successful workshop weekend and the Bare-chested Chef is preparing to cook dinner tonight ... another of life's simple pleasures ... for me anyway.
One more simple joy experienced today was watching Chicklet laughing and talking with her Mum and Dad.
She is such a happy little girl and the love just bubbles up in everyone when she smiles and talks and does her cute baby stuff. So cute and pink and chubby!
So, tonight, my sheets will no longer be crisp and fresh and the environment will no longer be snore-free but I hope to have Adoring Husband home safe and sound and I still have the simple joy of Chicklet's happy, sparkling smile :o)
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Old vs New
A year ago, and through a good friend, I met an elderly couple, Toots and Dochs. Toots is about to turn 80 and Dochs is a couple of years younger. They are a wonderful couple who I really like a lot.
Their friends and family convinced them to buy a computer and learn about the internet, emailing and Skype.
So they bought themselves a Dell computer and decided to use a pre-paid wireless USB for their internet connection.
They bought all of this in October last year. Three months later I saw them at our Bowls Club and they asked me if I could visit them and teach them how to send emails and set up Skype for them.
I agreed to this, thinking that it would take me about an hour to show them the basics.
When I arrived at 3pm on a Friday afternoon in January, I discovered that nobody had yet set up an email account for them, nor had their internet connection device been installed.
In the three months since they had purchased everything, they had misplaced some of the information required to set it all up, so it took some time just to gather that information.
They had prior plans for 4.30 pm that same day, so I arranged to return the following day to finish the job.
I dragged Adoring Husband along the following day, because he is much faster at setting these things up than I.
A few phone calls and a few hours later, we had set up their email accounts and their internet access and downloaded Skype for them. They invited us to stay for dinner as a 'thank you' and we had a lovely evening getting to know each other.
We gave them a very basic lesson on creating and sending an email and departed, giving them our phone number and telling them to contact us to set up another day for us to visit and give some more lessons on emails and Skyping.
FOUR MONTHS LATER I ran into them again and they told me that they were having trouble sending an email and that it kept giving them an error message.
They had lost our phone number. So I promised to visit them the following morning (this morning) and check it out for them.
They had attempted to send this email two months ago!
It took ninety minutes over the phone, for the internet service provider to discover that the USB stick provided for the internet connection was faulty! Luckily, it's still under warrantee and they will get a replacement.
So next week, I will be paying them ANOTHER visit to get this sorted. ***sigh***
It's such a shame that they have encountered so many problems along the way. We tell them how simple it all is and how happy they will be to have easy access to their friends and family through emails and Skype ... but then it takes months of obstacles along the way.
I can understand why the older generation are afraid of this technology.
Toots found great pleasure in the fact that the new connection is being sent via snail mail ... "because it's a good old fashioned service that doesn't let you down!"
If it was painful for you to read this post ... imagine how painful this task has been for me!! Just wanted to share the load and I'd really appreciate some positive energy to be sent in my direction so that next week, it will all be finished without any more challenges to overcome!
Thank you for your time :o)
Their friends and family convinced them to buy a computer and learn about the internet, emailing and Skype.
So they bought themselves a Dell computer and decided to use a pre-paid wireless USB for their internet connection.
They bought all of this in October last year. Three months later I saw them at our Bowls Club and they asked me if I could visit them and teach them how to send emails and set up Skype for them.
I agreed to this, thinking that it would take me about an hour to show them the basics.
When I arrived at 3pm on a Friday afternoon in January, I discovered that nobody had yet set up an email account for them, nor had their internet connection device been installed.
In the three months since they had purchased everything, they had misplaced some of the information required to set it all up, so it took some time just to gather that information.
They had prior plans for 4.30 pm that same day, so I arranged to return the following day to finish the job.
I dragged Adoring Husband along the following day, because he is much faster at setting these things up than I.
A few phone calls and a few hours later, we had set up their email accounts and their internet access and downloaded Skype for them. They invited us to stay for dinner as a 'thank you' and we had a lovely evening getting to know each other.
We gave them a very basic lesson on creating and sending an email and departed, giving them our phone number and telling them to contact us to set up another day for us to visit and give some more lessons on emails and Skyping.
FOUR MONTHS LATER I ran into them again and they told me that they were having trouble sending an email and that it kept giving them an error message.
They had lost our phone number. So I promised to visit them the following morning (this morning) and check it out for them.
They had attempted to send this email two months ago!
It took ninety minutes over the phone, for the internet service provider to discover that the USB stick provided for the internet connection was faulty! Luckily, it's still under warrantee and they will get a replacement.
So next week, I will be paying them ANOTHER visit to get this sorted. ***sigh***
It's such a shame that they have encountered so many problems along the way. We tell them how simple it all is and how happy they will be to have easy access to their friends and family through emails and Skype ... but then it takes months of obstacles along the way.
I can understand why the older generation are afraid of this technology.
Toots found great pleasure in the fact that the new connection is being sent via snail mail ... "because it's a good old fashioned service that doesn't let you down!"
If it was painful for you to read this post ... imagine how painful this task has been for me!! Just wanted to share the load and I'd really appreciate some positive energy to be sent in my direction so that next week, it will all be finished without any more challenges to overcome!
Thank you for your time :o)
Friday, May 27, 2011
More Difficult Than You'd Imagine
Because I have spent the last few hours of my time trying to find a song for Day 15 on this list, my brain is too tired to focus on a new post, so at the suggestion of Vegan Chickie, I am sharing this challenge with you, so that you can share it with your friends and family, or just challenge yourself!
The thirty day song challenge.
Find the YouTube video as well as listing the name of the song and the name of the band.
Day 1 - Your favourite song.
Day 2 - Your least favourite song.
Day 3 - A song that makes you happy.
Day 4 - A song that makes you sad.
Day 5 - A song that reminds you of someone.
Day 6 - A song that reminds you of somewhere.
Day 7 - A song that reminds you of a certain event.
Day 8 - A song that you know all the words to.
Day 9 - A song that you can dance to.
Day 10 - A song that makes you fall asleep.
Day 11 - A song from your favourite band.
Day 12 - A song from a band that you hate.
Day 13 - A song that is a guilty pleasure.
Day 14 - A song that no-one would expect you to love.
Day 15 - A song that describes you.
Day 16 - A song that you used to love but now hate.
Day 17 - A song that you hear often on the radio.
Day 18 - A song that you wish you heard on the radio.
Day 19 - A song from your favourite album.
Day 20 - A song that you listen to when you're angry.
Day 21 - A song that you listen to when you're happy.
Day 22 - A song that you listen to when you're sad.
Day 23 - A song that you want to play at your wedding.
Day 24 - A song that you want to play at your funeral.
Day 25 - A song that makes you laugh.
Day 26 - A song that you can play on an instrument.
Day 27 - A song that you wish you could play.
Day 28 - A song that makes you feel guilty.
Day 29 - A song from your childhood.
Day 30 - Your favourite song at this time last year.
At first glance, this challenge looks fun and interesting, but on closer inspection and under pressure, some of these songs are really quite difficult to think of!
So, I challenge you ... it's more difficult than you'd imagine!
The thirty day song challenge.
Find the YouTube video as well as listing the name of the song and the name of the band.
Day 1 - Your favourite song.
Day 2 - Your least favourite song.
Day 3 - A song that makes you happy.
Day 4 - A song that makes you sad.
Day 5 - A song that reminds you of someone.
Day 6 - A song that reminds you of somewhere.
Day 7 - A song that reminds you of a certain event.
Day 8 - A song that you know all the words to.
Day 9 - A song that you can dance to.
Day 10 - A song that makes you fall asleep.
Day 11 - A song from your favourite band.
Day 12 - A song from a band that you hate.
Day 13 - A song that is a guilty pleasure.
Day 14 - A song that no-one would expect you to love.
Day 15 - A song that describes you.
Day 16 - A song that you used to love but now hate.
Day 17 - A song that you hear often on the radio.
Day 18 - A song that you wish you heard on the radio.
Day 19 - A song from your favourite album.
Day 20 - A song that you listen to when you're angry.
Day 21 - A song that you listen to when you're happy.
Day 22 - A song that you listen to when you're sad.
Day 23 - A song that you want to play at your wedding.
Day 24 - A song that you want to play at your funeral.
Day 25 - A song that makes you laugh.
Day 26 - A song that you can play on an instrument.
Day 27 - A song that you wish you could play.
Day 28 - A song that makes you feel guilty.
Day 29 - A song from your childhood.
Day 30 - Your favourite song at this time last year.
At first glance, this challenge looks fun and interesting, but on closer inspection and under pressure, some of these songs are really quite difficult to think of!
So, I challenge you ... it's more difficult than you'd imagine!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
QUEENSLANDER!!!
Wahoo!! My team won State of Origin last night!! CHAMPIONS! One game down, two to go!
Adoring Husband had spent the day in bed with flu and just to make it worse, he barracks for the opposition!
I fed him up on home-made chicken soup, hot honey and lemon, freshly squeezed orange juice, olive leaf extract and Vitamin C tablets. He is improving quickly :o)
I would like to take this opportunity to offer my commiserations **snigger snigger** and I wish you the best of luck in the next game.
Although he should be familiar with that losing feeling ... after all, we have won five years in a row now **cheesy grin**
My morning at the 'Seat of Knowledge' was quite glorious. I thought the weather was beautiful, but the locals were all wearing gloves, jackets, scarves and beanies. I was wearing a sleeveless top and three-quarter length shorts. I am often questioned about my unusual body temperature.
The tide going out created a beautiful sand tree on the shore.
In the early morning light, some fishermen preparing to go out for a day of fishing.
The old 'Moon River' boat, usually moored up river, but out for the day for the first time in three years. Looking in need of some TLC!
But more importantly .. QUEENSLAND WON STATE OF ORIGIN LAST NIGHT!! CHAMPIONS!!
Adoring Husband had spent the day in bed with flu and just to make it worse, he barracks for the opposition!
I fed him up on home-made chicken soup, hot honey and lemon, freshly squeezed orange juice, olive leaf extract and Vitamin C tablets. He is improving quickly :o)
I would like to take this opportunity to offer my commiserations **snigger snigger** and I wish you the best of luck in the next game.
Although he should be familiar with that losing feeling ... after all, we have won five years in a row now **cheesy grin**
My morning at the 'Seat of Knowledge' was quite glorious. I thought the weather was beautiful, but the locals were all wearing gloves, jackets, scarves and beanies. I was wearing a sleeveless top and three-quarter length shorts. I am often questioned about my unusual body temperature.
The tide going out created a beautiful sand tree on the shore.
In the early morning light, some fishermen preparing to go out for a day of fishing.
The old 'Moon River' boat, usually moored up river, but out for the day for the first time in three years. Looking in need of some TLC!
But more importantly .. QUEENSLAND WON STATE OF ORIGIN LAST NIGHT!! CHAMPIONS!!
QUEENSLANDER!!!!
(Sorry Darling. I hope your health is back to normal soon.)
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
That Time Again
Today does not just mark the first State of Origin football game. It also marks the sixth anniversary of my Mum's passing. She would have been 71 yrs old this year.
She was a HUGE football fan and followed her beloved Brisbane Broncos team with a lot of passion. She was an even bigger fan of State of Origin football and was a 'true blue' Queenslander.
We all lived hundreds of kilometres apart, so if we weren't at the stadium watching the game live, Mum, Squirt (my little sister) and I were in our respective living rooms watching it live on telly and texting vigorously every time our team scored or whenever we were annoyed at the referee decisions.
At the end of the games, we would phone each other and squeal and cheer loudly if we'd won or we'd moan and groan with disgust if we'd lost.
It was at the very end of the first State of Origin game in 2005 that my mother died suddenly of a heart attack in her lounge chair. There was no phone call that night and no response to my last text message.
So, as much as we love State of Origin time, the first game every year is tinged with sadness as we remember our lovely Mum.
This year, for me, is even sadder and I've struggled with my emotions today.
I miss her more than ever because we have little Chicklet. Mum would have loved being a Great Grandmother and would be spoiling Chicklet rotten by now.
I imagine that she would have been here in my living room this year for the first State of Origin game, because Vegan Chickie, the Bare-chested Chef and Chicklet have just moved back to Australia and she would have been here quick smart to cuddle our new baby.
So, since it's that time again, I'll be wearing my State of Origin gear tonight and, as usual, waving the flag for Queensland, but wishing we were all together as a big happy family sharing the love for the game and for each other.
She was a HUGE football fan and followed her beloved Brisbane Broncos team with a lot of passion. She was an even bigger fan of State of Origin football and was a 'true blue' Queenslander.
We all lived hundreds of kilometres apart, so if we weren't at the stadium watching the game live, Mum, Squirt (my little sister) and I were in our respective living rooms watching it live on telly and texting vigorously every time our team scored or whenever we were annoyed at the referee decisions.
At the end of the games, we would phone each other and squeal and cheer loudly if we'd won or we'd moan and groan with disgust if we'd lost.
It was at the very end of the first State of Origin game in 2005 that my mother died suddenly of a heart attack in her lounge chair. There was no phone call that night and no response to my last text message.
 |
| Our favourite photo of Mum when she was about 16 yrs old. |
So, as much as we love State of Origin time, the first game every year is tinged with sadness as we remember our lovely Mum.
This year, for me, is even sadder and I've struggled with my emotions today.
I miss her more than ever because we have little Chicklet. Mum would have loved being a Great Grandmother and would be spoiling Chicklet rotten by now.
I imagine that she would have been here in my living room this year for the first State of Origin game, because Vegan Chickie, the Bare-chested Chef and Chicklet have just moved back to Australia and she would have been here quick smart to cuddle our new baby.
So, since it's that time again, I'll be wearing my State of Origin gear tonight and, as usual, waving the flag for Queensland, but wishing we were all together as a big happy family sharing the love for the game and for each other.
 |
| Me, flying the flag |
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
A Plethora of Parties
I had a movie day with the ladies today. Four of us (Beauty, Mrs V, Lady Lynne and I) went to aqua aerobics and then met Kaz afterwards for morning tea, before making our way to the cinema.
We watched 'Water For Elephants', which stars one of my favourite actors, Rob Pattinson, and we really enjoyed it, although we were all very disturbed by the animal cruelty and the evil main character.
There seems to be a run of good movies coming to the cinema, so I might be spending a bit of time there in the next few weeks.
We're looking forward to a couple of parties coming up in our near future.
I thought I would post some photos of parties that we've held or attended over the last two years. The first party that Adoring Husband and I hosted was a 'P' party, four months after we moved here.
We had a pirate, pyjama girl, pregnant school girl, priest, painter, proctologist, pensioner, punk and a princess among others.
We've had dinner parties, a karaoke party, New Years Eve parties etc etc etc.
A sixties/seventies party.
A sports party.
Christmas party
A dinner party.
A sixtieth birthday party.
That's just a few of our parties. Generally speaking, a good time was had by all. We drank, we ate, we danced, we laughed, we sang and we got to know each other.
After such a plethora of parties, I'm starting to believe that less is more, because I just don't have the energy to keep up with the weekly parties anymore.
 |
| (left to right) Lady Lynne, Age, Aussie H, Kaz and Beauty (No Mrs V in this one) |
There seems to be a run of good movies coming to the cinema, so I might be spending a bit of time there in the next few weeks.
We're looking forward to a couple of parties coming up in our near future.
I thought I would post some photos of parties that we've held or attended over the last two years. The first party that Adoring Husband and I hosted was a 'P' party, four months after we moved here.
We had a pirate, pyjama girl, pregnant school girl, priest, painter, proctologist, pensioner, punk and a princess among others.
We've had dinner parties, a karaoke party, New Years Eve parties etc etc etc.
 |
| Aussie H and I at Karaoke |
 |
| A bit of effort for 60s/70s (that's me with the margarita!) |
 |
| Woman of Many Talents and I pretending to be at the race track and bowling. |
 |
| Kaz and her Mum having fun with Santa (who looks suspiciously like Adoring Husband) |
 |
| A dinner party that turned musical as the alcohol flowed. |
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| The one with the tiara turned 60. |
After such a plethora of parties, I'm starting to believe that less is more, because I just don't have the energy to keep up with the weekly parties anymore.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Lady Musgrave Recommendation
Last year, for my honeymoon, I went to Agnes Water with my girlfriends for four days.
It was kind of a work trip, come honeymoon, come girly weekend. I got to take a couple of tours and I was there to take photos for a tourism website. We did two tours. One of them was to Lady Musgrave Island.
Lady Musgrave is a small, but beautiful island approximately two hours boat ride from the town of 1770, which is about ten minutes from Agnes Water.
There are no buildings or structures on the island. Just a walking track through a mini forest of Pisonia trees, beautiful white sandy beaches and it's surrounded by the bluest, cleanest water I've ever seen.
It is also surrounded by a magnificent reef which is home to numerous varieties of fish, sea turtles and giant clams among other amazing sea creatures.
For a few months of the year, the mini forest is full of thousands of birds in the form of gulls and terns that mate and nest on the island. Apparently the noise of the birds is deafening and you have to wear protective clothing because the bird droppings are like rain showers.
I was there the week after the birds had left, so the island was beautifully silent and surprisingly clean.
Green and Loggerhead turtles nest on the island from November to February each year and the island is closed to campers in February and March to protect the hatchlings.
The tours include guided walks on the island, snorkelling, reef fishing and rides on a glass bottom boat to view the reef. A delicious lunch is also included.
We had a fabulous day and even though I am not a big fan of boat travel that far from land, it was so worth it and I highly recommend the tours to anybody, young or old.
I think I might take Adoring Husband up there. He would love it and the photo opportunities are so worth it!
So, if you're wondering what to do for your next holiday and want something different, try a Lady Musgrave Island tour!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Like a Shag on a Rock.
Apparently, when the Shags start flying along the river out to sea, it means the Winter Whiting are biting.
Last year, Adoring Husband and I took the boat out to check what all the fuss was about with the Winter Whiting. We had heard about people fishing for thirty minutes to each bring their quota of fifty Winter Whiting home.
So we motored out of the mouth of the river and along the coast line for what seemed like forever, until we saw, way off in the distance, a gathering of boats.
We headed towards the gathering and soon came across about thirty boats, ranging from small tinnies to larger craft with about six people on board and all with a line over the side.
The boats were so close to each other, that they were almost touching and the fishing frenzy was amazing! No sooner had they dropped the baited line over the side, than they were bringing it straight back up with a Winter Whiting on the hook!
We anchored our boat about twenty feet away from the group and threw our line over the side.
NOTHING.
So we moved a bit closer and tried again.
NOTHING.
We discovered that the patch of water where the Winter Whiting bite is very small and you must be inside that small patch to catch anything. You need to squeeze your boat in between all the other boats and become a part of the crowd.
I can't remember how many fish we caught that day. Maybe only five. Our boat kept floating outside of the fishing patch. The other boats only stayed for a short time because each person was catching fifty Whiting in a short time and then had to leave.
Every time one boat left, another was there to take it's place. It was quite a spectacle to watch! I had never seen anything like it in my life and I spent days animatedly regaling the story to anyone who would listen.
We won't be going out again this year. We only needed to experience it once. But the race is now on again for everyone else to find that little fishing patch and boats are offloaded at the boat ramp in large numbers and they all head towards the mouth of the river in rapid succession.
I sit at The Seat of Knowledge like a Shag on a rock watching all the action unfold. I'm happy to watch them leave and listen to the fishing tales when they return thirty minutes later.
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| Shags flying out to sea. At least twenty flocks like this flew out this morning. |
So we motored out of the mouth of the river and along the coast line for what seemed like forever, until we saw, way off in the distance, a gathering of boats.
We headed towards the gathering and soon came across about thirty boats, ranging from small tinnies to larger craft with about six people on board and all with a line over the side.
The boats were so close to each other, that they were almost touching and the fishing frenzy was amazing! No sooner had they dropped the baited line over the side, than they were bringing it straight back up with a Winter Whiting on the hook!
We anchored our boat about twenty feet away from the group and threw our line over the side.
NOTHING.
So we moved a bit closer and tried again.
NOTHING.
We discovered that the patch of water where the Winter Whiting bite is very small and you must be inside that small patch to catch anything. You need to squeeze your boat in between all the other boats and become a part of the crowd.
I can't remember how many fish we caught that day. Maybe only five. Our boat kept floating outside of the fishing patch. The other boats only stayed for a short time because each person was catching fifty Whiting in a short time and then had to leave.
Every time one boat left, another was there to take it's place. It was quite a spectacle to watch! I had never seen anything like it in my life and I spent days animatedly regaling the story to anyone who would listen.
We won't be going out again this year. We only needed to experience it once. But the race is now on again for everyone else to find that little fishing patch and boats are offloaded at the boat ramp in large numbers and they all head towards the mouth of the river in rapid succession.
I sit at The Seat of Knowledge like a Shag on a rock watching all the action unfold. I'm happy to watch them leave and listen to the fishing tales when they return thirty minutes later.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Fifty til you're sixty
Tonight was birthday dinner night for the youngest of our group, 'Woman of Many Talents'. There was a bit of fun, a few laughs, many drinks, a couple of D&Ms, cake and candles, a short ride home on the courtesy bus and it was all over by 9.30pm!
The times, they are a changing!
Remember the times, that don't seem THAT long ago, when we could party for three days and then after one night of sleep, begin partying all over again?
These days, if we party til after 10pm, we need three days to recover! Another sad side-effect to the ageing process :o(
Still, as my sister-in-law once told me ... think about the only alternative to ageing and what would you choose???
Speaking of the alternative to ageing ... today was supposed to be the end of the world! Somebody on facebook suggested that today was actually 'Judgement Day' and that the end of the world is next year in December.
Somebody else then asked 'How do I know if I've been saved?' Good question.
So far, in my fifty one years on this earth, there have been approximately eleven 'end of the world' dates that I can recall, off the top of my head. I am still here.
I promised a photo of my little Chicklet with her new toy.
I can't begin to describe the overwhelming joy that fills my heart every day, spending this time with her and Vegan Chickie and the Bare-chested Chef.
I never dreamed that being a grandmother could be so amazing. It's one of those experiences that you simply cannot comprehend until you live it.
In the meantime ... the new rule is ... YOU ARE FIFTY TIL YOU ARE SIXTY so I have another nine years of being a fifty year old grandmother.
Ya gotta love that!
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| Woman of Many Talents looking FABULOUS at 50! |
Remember the times, that don't seem THAT long ago, when we could party for three days and then after one night of sleep, begin partying all over again?
These days, if we party til after 10pm, we need three days to recover! Another sad side-effect to the ageing process :o(
Still, as my sister-in-law once told me ... think about the only alternative to ageing and what would you choose???
Speaking of the alternative to ageing ... today was supposed to be the end of the world! Somebody on facebook suggested that today was actually 'Judgement Day' and that the end of the world is next year in December.
Somebody else then asked 'How do I know if I've been saved?' Good question.
So far, in my fifty one years on this earth, there have been approximately eleven 'end of the world' dates that I can recall, off the top of my head. I am still here.
I promised a photo of my little Chicklet with her new toy.
 |
| Hours of fun for the whole family! |
I never dreamed that being a grandmother could be so amazing. It's one of those experiences that you simply cannot comprehend until you live it.
In the meantime ... the new rule is ... YOU ARE FIFTY TIL YOU ARE SIXTY so I have another nine years of being a fifty year old grandmother.
Ya gotta love that!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Check! Check! Check!
We've planted more veggies in the garden and bought some corn seeds and zucchini seedlings today. In a couple of months, we hope, our garden will be abundant with goodness and deliciousness! There will be photos!
I hope I can find lots of recipes for beans because Adoring Husband has gone a little overboard with beans in the garden this season. I hope he loves them as much as he thinks he loves them!
The second thing checked off my 'fifty two things to do before I turn fifty two' list is watching all of the Twilight movies in one day. Vegan Chickie and I had a Twilight marathon last week and I think we might even do that again some time in the near future. You can never get too much Twilight!
Last but not least, today I visited the Optometrist and had my eyes tested for reading glasses. I have worn distance glasses since I was aged thirty, but now, alas, I require reading glasses ***sad face***.
In a good deal, I got distance glasses, reading glasses and two pairs of prescription sunglasses. I haven't worn sunglasses for about twenty years, so I am looking forward to having better protection for my eyes ... especially now that we are living in Queensland where the sun is a bit bright and harsher than down south.
Clothes fade on the washing line in the Summer. I spend about twenty minutes in the morning sunshine every day when I ride my tricycle to the boat ramp and I have a suntan just from doing that. So I figure, the bright morning sunshine can't be doing my eyes too much good either.
The trusty trike was taken in for a long overdue service today. I have ridden it every day for almost three years and it has never been checked. Today it was given some TLC and I hope to get another couple of years worth of safe pedalling.
Chicklet has a new toy as of today so that she can lie on her back and practise her hand/eye co-ordination skills with lots of bright colours and sounds ... I will add a photo tomorrow.
She also has a bit of a 'thing' for Zac Efron. We watched 'High School Musical' today and when Zac came on the screen, she talked very loudly to him! It was so cute :o)
So, my 'Fifty two things' list is being checked off nicely and I am ahead of schedule. The tougher items on the list are yet to come :o)
I hope I can find lots of recipes for beans because Adoring Husband has gone a little overboard with beans in the garden this season. I hope he loves them as much as he thinks he loves them!
The second thing checked off my 'fifty two things to do before I turn fifty two' list is watching all of the Twilight movies in one day. Vegan Chickie and I had a Twilight marathon last week and I think we might even do that again some time in the near future. You can never get too much Twilight!
Last but not least, today I visited the Optometrist and had my eyes tested for reading glasses. I have worn distance glasses since I was aged thirty, but now, alas, I require reading glasses ***sad face***.
In a good deal, I got distance glasses, reading glasses and two pairs of prescription sunglasses. I haven't worn sunglasses for about twenty years, so I am looking forward to having better protection for my eyes ... especially now that we are living in Queensland where the sun is a bit bright and harsher than down south.
Clothes fade on the washing line in the Summer. I spend about twenty minutes in the morning sunshine every day when I ride my tricycle to the boat ramp and I have a suntan just from doing that. So I figure, the bright morning sunshine can't be doing my eyes too much good either.
The trusty trike was taken in for a long overdue service today. I have ridden it every day for almost three years and it has never been checked. Today it was given some TLC and I hope to get another couple of years worth of safe pedalling.
Chicklet has a new toy as of today so that she can lie on her back and practise her hand/eye co-ordination skills with lots of bright colours and sounds ... I will add a photo tomorrow.
She also has a bit of a 'thing' for Zac Efron. We watched 'High School Musical' today and when Zac came on the screen, she talked very loudly to him! It was so cute :o)
So, my 'Fifty two things' list is being checked off nicely and I am ahead of schedule. The tougher items on the list are yet to come :o)
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Perfect as it is!
This is our local dog whisperer. His name is Chris. He and his partner own a local B&B in town, which overlooks the river. They bought it last year, renovated, added a deck and were open for business before Christmas.
His partner does Yoga and Zumba classes in the local hall, while he does his dog training here, in The Bay and in another town thirty minutes from here.
Unfortunately, my mission to get Adoring Husband to the dog whisperer at the next session, has already failed. He will be away doing a photography workshop that weekend, so I have to aim for the fortnight after that instead.
Our town is very small but there are so many activities available for all age groups.
As I've mentioned already, there is dog training, Zumba and Yoga. We also have indoor bowls, lawn bowls, tennis, tai chi, cards, mahjong, bingo, dancing (tap and jazz ballet), singing, tae kwon do, craft, out rigging, two fishing clubs (amateur and blue water), darts, quilting, aerobics and three golf courses within fifteen minutes from town.
There are 'Grey Nomads' who regularly come to town in their camper vans and caravans to stay for the Winter, and who come join the groups every week to play. They travel from all over Australia because our Winter is so mild compared to the southern States.
It just occurred to me that I really shouldn't be hitting the sales pitch for our town, because I don't want more people coming to live here and pushing the population to the limits.
I love our small town just the way it is!
 |
| These are his dogs that paddle with him every morning like this! |
Unfortunately, my mission to get Adoring Husband to the dog whisperer at the next session, has already failed. He will be away doing a photography workshop that weekend, so I have to aim for the fortnight after that instead.
Our town is very small but there are so many activities available for all age groups.
As I've mentioned already, there is dog training, Zumba and Yoga. We also have indoor bowls, lawn bowls, tennis, tai chi, cards, mahjong, bingo, dancing (tap and jazz ballet), singing, tae kwon do, craft, out rigging, two fishing clubs (amateur and blue water), darts, quilting, aerobics and three golf courses within fifteen minutes from town.
There are 'Grey Nomads' who regularly come to town in their camper vans and caravans to stay for the Winter, and who come join the groups every week to play. They travel from all over Australia because our Winter is so mild compared to the southern States.
It just occurred to me that I really shouldn't be hitting the sales pitch for our town, because I don't want more people coming to live here and pushing the population to the limits.
I love our small town just the way it is!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
State of Origin
First of all, our Sushi last night, was delicious!
Next week is the first 'State of Origin' match between New South Wales and Queensland. For those of you who don't follow the football, Queensland have won the series for five years in a row!
This makes me very happy because I was born in Queensland and I love football!
So my reasoning goes like this. Because Chicklet's first address in Australia is in Queensland, THAT makes her an honorary QUEENSLANDER!!
Adoring Husband bought me some State of Origin dreadlocks made with Queensland colours today and they looked pretty darn good on little Chicklet! Now she has dreadlocks just like her Mum!
Next week she will be dressed in full Queensland State of Origin regalia and there WILL be photos!
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| Healthy and delicious! |
This makes me very happy because I was born in Queensland and I love football!
So my reasoning goes like this. Because Chicklet's first address in Australia is in Queensland, THAT makes her an honorary QUEENSLANDER!!
 |
| The Dreaded Dynamos! |
Next week she will be dressed in full Queensland State of Origin regalia and there WILL be photos!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Grandmotherly Duties
Sushi for dinner tonight :o)
It's been a very enjoyable day for me today. It started with water aerobics which was most invigorating.
Morning tea afterwards with Aussie H, Beauty and Lady Lynne. We sat in our usual spot soaking up the Winter sunshine, sharing some laughs and welcoming Aussie H home from her caring duties with big loving hugs.
A bit of house keeping and then Vegan Chickie and the Bare-chested Chef gathered all of their courage and, for the first time, left their beautiful little Chicklet in the very capable hands of .... MEEEEEEEE!
They only went to the local supermarket, which is approximately a four minute drive from home, but I checked my watch when they left and expected that they would return in about ten minutes.
To my delight and surprise, they were gone for an entire twenty five minutes! Chicklet and I got a nice dose of Vitamin D while we wandered around the garden for ten minutes.
I showed her the plants and flowers in the alfresco area. We watched the builders across the road where they are starting construction on a new home. Lastly we watched the puppies chasing each other around the back yard.
She intently took everything in and was still very happy and relaxed when her Mum and Dad came home from the supermarket.
As they began to make their lunch, little Chicklet fell asleep in my arms, so I crept into the lounge room and slid down onto the couch.
Vegan Chickie handed me a little packet of lollies and a bottle of water. Adoring Husband handed me the baby blanket so that I could protect her from the cool breeze blowing through the front window and I settled down to thirty minutes of pure grandmotherly bliss as she slept soundly with her head resting on my shoulder.
This is what being a grandmother is all about. Feeling the love and soaking up the happiness.
It's been a very enjoyable day for me today. It started with water aerobics which was most invigorating.
Morning tea afterwards with Aussie H, Beauty and Lady Lynne. We sat in our usual spot soaking up the Winter sunshine, sharing some laughs and welcoming Aussie H home from her caring duties with big loving hugs.
A bit of house keeping and then Vegan Chickie and the Bare-chested Chef gathered all of their courage and, for the first time, left their beautiful little Chicklet in the very capable hands of .... MEEEEEEEE!
They only went to the local supermarket, which is approximately a four minute drive from home, but I checked my watch when they left and expected that they would return in about ten minutes.
To my delight and surprise, they were gone for an entire twenty five minutes! Chicklet and I got a nice dose of Vitamin D while we wandered around the garden for ten minutes.
I showed her the plants and flowers in the alfresco area. We watched the builders across the road where they are starting construction on a new home. Lastly we watched the puppies chasing each other around the back yard.
She intently took everything in and was still very happy and relaxed when her Mum and Dad came home from the supermarket.
As they began to make their lunch, little Chicklet fell asleep in my arms, so I crept into the lounge room and slid down onto the couch.
Vegan Chickie handed me a little packet of lollies and a bottle of water. Adoring Husband handed me the baby blanket so that I could protect her from the cool breeze blowing through the front window and I settled down to thirty minutes of pure grandmotherly bliss as she slept soundly with her head resting on my shoulder.
This is what being a grandmother is all about. Feeling the love and soaking up the happiness.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Quality vs Quantity
In short, my day consisted of twenty minutes of excellent quality cuddling time with Adoring Husband while I gathered the courage to leave the warm bed to prepare for nine holes of low quality golf.
Short, but high quality, hammock time.
Two medium quality dvds - being 'The Lake House' and 'A Star is Born' (Barbra & Kris), which created lovely quality Vegan Chickie time.
A number of brief, but top quality, Chicklet times.
Poor quality kitchen time, which in turn produced poor quality food.
Proof of a genuinely high quality son-in-law who ate all of the poor quality food.
Good quality fun and giggling around the dining table triggered by hysteria from low quality sleep.
Toss of a coin quality junk food for after dinner.
Sad quality attempt to post something here at almost 11.30pm when I have to get some sleep before an early start tomorrow morning for water aerobics.
I can't even stay awake long enough to replace quality for quantity. Let's try this again tomorrow :o)
Short, but high quality, hammock time.
Two medium quality dvds - being 'The Lake House' and 'A Star is Born' (Barbra & Kris), which created lovely quality Vegan Chickie time.
A number of brief, but top quality, Chicklet times.
Poor quality kitchen time, which in turn produced poor quality food.
Proof of a genuinely high quality son-in-law who ate all of the poor quality food.
Good quality fun and giggling around the dining table triggered by hysteria from low quality sleep.
Toss of a coin quality junk food for after dinner.
Sad quality attempt to post something here at almost 11.30pm when I have to get some sleep before an early start tomorrow morning for water aerobics.
I can't even stay awake long enough to replace quality for quantity. Let's try this again tomorrow :o)
Sunday, May 15, 2011
A Milestone!
Chicklet rolled over for the first time this morning from her tummy to her back! It was a most exciting moment. She did it twice, just to prove that the first time wasn't a fluke!
Now she's sleeping against her Dad's chest while he reads. They look so perfect together :o)
One of our neighbours just dropped off a bag of different types of chillies and two chilli plants. There will be cooking with chilli over the coming weeks I feel. Good for the metabolism!
Adoring Husband planted the chilli plants in the herb garden and then climbed into the hammock with Psychotic Dogs, who appear to look so 'unpsychotic' in photos!
Have heard nothing but glowing reports about our free dog whisperer in town. I spoke to four different people with dogs yesterday at the markets, after they had been to the park to check him out. They all raved about how great he was.
Some of them had uncontrollable dogs on the leash, others wouldn't take their dogs OFF the lead while on the beach because the dog would run off and not return when called, others needed advice about barking, digging and other various problems.
Next fortnight, I'm going to make it my mission to get Adoring Husband and Psychotic Dogs to the dog whisperer. I do believe Adoring Husband requires some training as well!
They DO say that it's the owners who require training more than the dogs! If I can get Adoring Husband there, it will be another milestone!!
Now she's sleeping against her Dad's chest while he reads. They look so perfect together :o)
 |
| She loves her Daddy :o) |
Adoring Husband planted the chilli plants in the herb garden and then climbed into the hammock with Psychotic Dogs, who appear to look so 'unpsychotic' in photos!
Have heard nothing but glowing reports about our free dog whisperer in town. I spoke to four different people with dogs yesterday at the markets, after they had been to the park to check him out. They all raved about how great he was.
Some of them had uncontrollable dogs on the leash, others wouldn't take their dogs OFF the lead while on the beach because the dog would run off and not return when called, others needed advice about barking, digging and other various problems.
Next fortnight, I'm going to make it my mission to get Adoring Husband and Psychotic Dogs to the dog whisperer. I do believe Adoring Husband requires some training as well!
They DO say that it's the owners who require training more than the dogs! If I can get Adoring Husband there, it will be another milestone!!
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