Week 51

December 24th - All ready for Santa's visit. Looks rather miserly - I thought about years past where the amount of presents under the tree was ludicrous! There are only 3 of us here tonight - lots of love in these packages (there is still one not put out as it's a surprise!)

December 23rd - There's nothing like waiting for the phone to ring and finding yourself sinking lower as the day progresses and the anticipated call doesn't eventuate. I so hope that we'll know before Christmas Day if we are making a move or not.

December 22nd - I felt guilty about not having a Christmas tree when one of Gracie's friends made a comment about us not having a one. So, I decided to get a small one then I wouldn't need to do a major decorate and unpack in a matter of two weeks. It's a cute fibre optic one - very colourful!


December 21st - This is what our hallway looks like right now - packed boxes. We are still not sure if we are moving but if we need to be out by 7th January then I can't afford to wait to start packing. At least I am doing a clean out and de-clutter in the meantime!

December 20th - This is the most amazing shop I have ever been in! I love it! It is so cramped and messy and often it is impossible to get down the aisle - but, you can almost find anything you want in it - and all going cheaply!!

December 19th - How neat and tidy do these CD's look! It took me most of the day to organise and re-sort the collection. I got rid of a few strays and found the covers for others. This is only 1/3 of the collection - but hey, doesn't it look great!

December 18th - I've finally got my car back! It's so wonderful! And how new and shiny it looks! The downside is that one key is still missing so we need to make sure it is 'penned in' at night time. Until I get the locks changed.

Week 50

December 17th - Well, it looks like we are moving house for the first time in 12 years. exciting and daunting at the same time. As we are downsizing, we will need to get rid of some surplus furniture - this bed being one of them. I took some photos for it to be sold on EBay and decided to take this one for today's pic.

December 16th - And still more gifts! My women's group is 2 years old tonight. We had dinner at Doyles, on the outside deck overlooking the marina. And Kris Kringle brought me some Lavender Bath Salts Scrub. How did he know I loved Lavender?

December 15th - Our wonderful cleaner give me an annual Christmas gift of the most yummy biscuits, beautifully packaged together with some tasty home made wine. I feel very spoilt.

December 14th - Gypsy caught a bird in the middle of the night and brought it inside, much to my horror - Rob was away so I had to enlist Grace to remove it. Fortunately, Gypsy grabbed the bird and fled the scene before Grace got to her. These telltale feathers were all that was left the next day.

December 13th - I had the girls overnight and we went to one of the local parks for a play after tea. Phoebe just ran and ran and ran across the playground bridges and tracks. Ella loved the foot bells and Sophie was enamoured by this lizard. Great fun had by all!

December 12th - I have had this notice-board for many, many years and over time have added little mementoes to it. There are some old photos of the family here! It hangs near my desk and glances bring back some great memories.

December 11th - I received a gift voucher for my birthday and I saw this trio for sale so rather than buy one book I made the most of my money and invested in some great reading. I enjoy Paulina Simmons books - they have a mysterious and complex energy about them.

December 10th - This drum was a birthday present a few years ago. It is handmade with natural materials and has been 'blessed' with spirit. It makes the most amazing resonance and you can feel it right though your body.

Week 49

December 9th - A crescent moon in our Crescent! I love to see this moon hanging in the night sky. It looks brilliant in the pitch black.

December 8th - Only 3 weeks ago, Chadstone Shopping Centre looked like another building site - but lo and behold, it was an amazing 'overnight' transformation when all the new malls were opened up and the new shops appeared ready for business - Christmas business that is!

December 7th - I thought it might be nice to have the swing seat out in the garden so we could take advantage of the beautiful sunny day - and so we did! It probably won't be good when the temperature gets hotter though.

December 6th - With a plethora of coffee shops and cafes along the street it is easy to get a coffee at any time on any day along Glenferrie Road. These coffees were drunk after a couple of glasses of wine bought during Happy Hour!

December 5th - We have a small estate just around the corner from us, with very large houses (on very small plots!) Nearly every house though is decorated for Christmas and they look very magical and majestic.

December 4th - Since I have been using Rob's car, I have managed to get my phone going via bluetooth. so now when we are both in the car, it is a race to see who's phone connect the first - it's usually mine but Rob doesn't stop trying to beat me!

December 3rd - Back for one day and Gracie's already into performing. This performance is for the end of year presentation night for school. She did fantastically as usual!

Week 48

December 2nd - I have joined a women's group that is associated with Rotary. I like the meetings - very entertaining and with the essence of charity as well. We had our Christmas dinner tonight with an hilarious rendition of 'The Twelve Days of Christmas"!

December 1st - Yes, here I am at the airport yet again! I had to pick up Grace for the final time this year - and without my little car available and Rob needing his car as well as a bad experience with the Hertz car hire, I was left to make my way across town and make sure I wasn't late for the flight arrival.

November 30th - Grace did this braid herself! I think that's so clever seeing I have problems doing it on her head let alone doing it on my own head! Love her new hair colour too!

November 29th - This 'wireless' printer, we bought especially for the Mac is a dud! It doesn't work wirelessly and I am very disappointed with the photo quality printing! Oh well, it's a good backup printer!

November 28th - Gracie's team were in the Grand Final this morning so i thought I'd go along and cheer even though Gracie was in Queensland. Sadly they lost to a much slicker team on the day - wasn't because they missed Gracie either!

November 27th - Yes, I am a 'Packed to the Rafters' tragic. I love the show, it's very more-ish, lots of fun, laughs and drama. I thought the music would be good for our workshops so bought the two Cd's! Both wonderful listening.

November 26th - What a night! We travelled into the city - amongst a massive traffic jam due to the torrential rain that had fallen during the day and it took us over an hour for what normally takes 20 minutes - but luckily the show Jersey Boys was absolutely fantastic! Great music!

Week 47

November 25th - Grace flew back from Queensland today as she was performing at Street Beat, a show organised by the Victorian Police. Schools in the district were participating as well as visiting the show held at Caulfield Racecourse.


November 24th - Rob bought this camera as our original one wasn't working, our really old Sony has a crack in the viewing screen, even though it still works quite well - it's just hard to see! It is 10 megapixels and cost 1/10th of the cost of the Sony which is 5 megapixels (bought 5 years ago).


November 23rd - I was working on my computer, so engrossed in fact that when I happened to look up from the keyboard, the room was pink! Outside was an amazing sunset that gave off an amazing pink-red tone.


November 22nd - The Queen Victoria Market which is on the north of the Melbourne CBD is an amazing place. Ther is such an array of sights, sounds, savings and souveniers! The fruit is fantastic - fresh and cheap!


Nov 21st - Grace flew off to Queensland today for a 9 day seminar. I will miss her very much - she is such a bright energy around the place lately. Really growing into an amazing young woman.


November 20th - Netball presentation night. Grace's team are in the Under 17 Section 1 group and are doing extremely well - this is their second season in the finals. Hopefully they'll pull it off again even if Grace wont be there.


November 19th - Yes, I know, another Gypsy photo! It never ceases to amaze me where she finds a comfortable (?) bed. The lid of Grace's suitcase was the best offering tonight!

Week 46

November 18th - Here is my poor little car - whoever took it obviously didn't love it like I do! The front is smashed up and it is waiting to go to the smash repairers to be fixed.


November 17th - I went into the city to have lunch with Chris today. I prefer to catch the train in because I don't have to worry about parking or driving. Flinders Street Station is a mixture of old and new. This time of the day it was busy but nothing like the peak hour squash!


November 16th - I spent Sunday changing rooms - back to my little room with a view. My craft stuff is now neatly housed in here ready for me to start scrapping again.


November 15th - I visit an aged care home each Monday to entertain the residents with a Cocktail Hour and some other form of fun. They asked for Sound of Music so i found a cheap DVD to bring along to them. I also have some sing-a-long CD's of Mitch Miller.



November 14th - Here is my Lucky Bamboo Plant that sits on my desk and brings me good luck! At least that is what I am counting on!!


November 13th - We stayed in Traralgon last night, after a friend's retirement dinner and when we came home this morning, this is what we found - no TV! Rob's laptop was gone and so was my lovely new car! Feeling quite distressed and betrayed right now.


November 12th - Happy Birthday to me! What a wonderful surprise from Rob - tickets to see Jersey Boys! I keep hearing how great it is so I am wrapt I get a chance to see it now!

Week 45

November 11th - Many years ago, we had birds nesting in the eaves above the front door so I put some plastic bags into the 'holes'. They were a nuisance because they would fly out when we opened the door! But, another group have pulled the bags out and are now nesting ... these ones don't fly out like the others thank goodness!


November 10th - Heatwave! Melbourne is having a record breaking bout of weather - it's been over 30 degrees for five days with no respite. And the nights have been very warm also. So, out have come the fans!
Very early!


November 9th - We headed back up the NSW coast towards Coolangatta (and our flight home) and as we had some time to spare, we drove into Byron Bay for a drink break. The sun was out but it wasn't that warm. I love the colour of the ocean when it's sunny.


November 8th - After we completed our workshop, Rob and I heade to Yamba, a pretty little coastal town, for tea. We had an ocean view that would have been spectacular with some sunshine. Dinner was very nice though!


November 7th - The rain bucketed down last night and just rained all day. Apparaently around Coffs Harbour there were quite extensive floods. It's not cold but very grey and damp. Just wish we could send some water down south.

November 6th - We flew to the Gold Coast this morning, leaving sunny Melbourne for dismal Queensland and Northern NSW. The Pacific Highway, when not a divided road, had very long lengths of fencing down the middle - safe but unusual!

November 5th - It is so nice to be able to open the curtains and the windows and enjoy the fresh air and the green environment we live in! At least for now before the heat starts to cook everything.