365 Days ... 52 Weeks ... 1 Year: January 2009

Week 5

Feb 4th - Now that school has been finalised, today Grace and I went out to get the basics - summer uniform and books - everything is frustratingly expensive! Why can't uniforms be like normal clothes and text books be a reasonable price! And then there are school fees, and sport fees and .....

Feb 3rd - It's alot cooler, around 29 degrees - but still quite hot and muggy. I have been enjoying lemon squash drinks - thirst quenching and cooling. I haven't felt like a Chai Latte for a while now!

Feb 2nd - The big day had arrived - Ella's first day at school. She looked so cute in her school uniform. She was cool and calm but it was Nell who was teary and needed a cuddle!

It rained on the drive home and Melbourne, at 27 degrees, is a such a relief from the searing heat of NE Victoria.

Feb 1 - It continued with 40+ degrees in Wodonga. We had air conditioned breakfast at the Golf Club, a cool shop at the Plaza then a wonderful swim in the pool. Late afternoon, the thunder and lightning was followed by some large drops of rain - enough to get wet but soon dried off again in the humidity and heat.

Jan 31 - 45 degrees in Albury and Ella had a birthday party held in a Gymnastics Clubhouse that was an old Chicken Shed made from corrugated iron - it was cooler outside in the sun than it was inside! When I picked her up she was exhausted and very red-faced! A swim helped cool things down.

Jan 30th - I travelled to Wodonga (3 1/2 hours) to celebrate Phoebe's 1st Birthday. The car trip was such a relief with air conditioning! The party was outside with large fans to keep us cool(er) and the pool was well used! Loved the gorgeous lanterns!

Jan 29th - It's another scorcher in Melbourne today. Even last night didn't drop past 28. It feels very draining but, daily life keeps on going regardless! The Shopping Centres are always a respite from the heat! This is the fan that is keeping me a bit cooler in my office (but I'm still dripping from the heat!).

So, till next week ...

Week 4

Jan 28th - The second day of the seminar, it was 43 degrees outside and even the air-conditioning didn't feel cold. Mind you the room was comfortable but I didn't need to cover my bare shoulders. Hard to focus today!

Jan 27th - Rob and I attended Day 1 of a seminar today called Your Financial Diamond - very interesting! We were in an airconditioned room - I even needed a wrap to stop the cold air on my skin even though it was 39 degrees outside! We overlooked a beautiful courtyard.

Jan 26th - Happy Australia Day! Not doing much today really, just relaxing and enjoying the beautiful weather and catching up with bits and pieces around home.

Jan 25th - We headed into the city to enjoy the sites with close friends - we visited Chloe at Young & Jacksons, walked the city lanes, explored the new shopping ardcades and centres, visited Southbank and even saw a very funny and musical live show - "It's Not Countdown!" Had so many photos to chose from but I still love the graffiti street art!

Jan 24th - Australia Day Weekend and we are having some dear friends stay with us so I thought seeing that I will probably not be going to my Boxing Circuit class on Monday, I'd do it this morning! How's that for committment! Part of the class is a cycle segment.

Jan 23rd - It's been so dry here in Melbourne and with the water restrictions we aren't allowed to water our lawns. The past few hot and then windy days have taken its tollon our back 'lawn' - if you can call it that!

Jan 22nd - What a sad sight - our poor little fish are swimming around in a dirty tank! The water is clean! The glass is rather greenish though! Funny litttle things actually milled around when I was taking the photo!

Week 3

Jan 21st - Grace and I went to Melbourne Park for a day at the Australian Open. It was a long day - from 11.30am till 9pm (Grace left at 6.15) but it was a day of excitement (and boredom!). I only got a little bit burnt!

Jan 20th - Grace has wanted a nose stud for many years and we have always said "Wait until you are 15!" Well, 3 weeks off 15 and we agreed to her getting one. I watched the procedure and I'm glad it was her not me!

Jan 19th - A hot, dry day spent inside away from the heat. The Australian Tennis Open started today. I actually sat and watched some of it tonight after finishing some work.

Jan 18th - I love being outside on warm sunny days and I have set up a section under our pergola with the table and chairs to enjoy breakfast (and the papers) in the sun.

Jan 17th - Rob & I drove through the Yarra Ranges and ended up at Warburton. We strolled along the Yarra River banks, watching the water tumble over the rocks, the baby ducklings and the children paddling. We had a yummy lunch in a cute cafe called Three Sugars.

Jan 16th - Boring day because I spent alot of it in front of the computer working on Rob's site - going over and over, editing, resizing pictures, re-finding pictures - it all takes sooooo long!

Jan 15th - With my Chai Tea, my new teapot and my new milk frother I am able to make Chai Latte just like my favourite cafe does it!

Till next week!

Week 2

Jan 14th - Wednesday - my day to scrap - so I headed to Wendy's and we spent the afternoon chatting and scrapping! A very pleasant day!

Jan 13th - I haven't really been watching cricket but I must say the new 20/20 game was very exciting - especially as Australia won the game! It's very quick - not like test matches that get boring - and it's always when I look away from the TV that someone goes out!

Jan 12th - It was such a hot day today, my plants really needed a drink - it's so hard with all the restrictions! I try to use shower water or I use the watering can if it's not our day to water. They have become very hardy though!

Jan 11th - After babysitting Phoebe for the night, we all (all my children & grandchildren) met at a park near Chris & Cazz's place for lunch before the Fothergills headed back to Wodonga after a 6 days in Melbourne.

Jan 10th - We have inherited a new friend - I call her(?) Maggie. She is getting quite friendly and I feed her either bread or mince. I think she prefers the mince though! I know it's her because she has a feather sticking up. If it falls out I'm in trouble.

Jan 9th - Nell and I are bad when it comes to shopping - another day where the pusher was stacked up with bags! We always have trouble getting into shops with narrow aisles!

Jan 8th - We've had such lovely weather lately - not too hot - and I just love waking up in the morning to this view! Always helps me to start the day feeling good (well most times anyway!)

So until next week ...

Hello 2009! Week 1

The 365 Challenge ... what am I getting into? I am not really a 'good' photographer and I am not always disciplined - so this is just what I need to stretch me to learn something new!

It is also a great way to keep a diary of the year - better than a normal journal!

So here goes - Week 1 ...

Jan 1st - Grace went away with friends for a beachside holiday - lucky girl!