Week 25

June 24th - A sunny winter's day and the view from our bedroom window is one of green grass but bare trees. I miss the summer shade of the trees.

June 23rd - We had the carpets cleaned today - very much needed! As I had to get things off the floor, I decided that I may as well re-organise my craft space and office. Looks good doesn't it!


June 22nd - The trip back to Melbourne was another good drive. I was surprised at the extent of the bushfire damage this far to the west. What really struck me was the carpet of green ... it was such a contrast to the burnt, black tree trunks.


June 21st - We headed to Wagga Wagga for an ice skate. Ella and Sophie's first experience and a tentative start didn't deter the excitement of going it alone.


June 20th - Party Day and Sophie looked so gorgeous in her Fairy Princess outfit. Her party in the park was great - lots of room for the kids to run around, yell and scream and disturb no-one! Spilt drinks and squished food wasn't a problem either!


June 19th - Travelling up the Hume Freeway is a good trip. It usually takes me about 3 and a half hours with a stop on the way to stretch my legs and get a drink. It was a beautiful sunny drive today.


June 18th - Sophie's 4th birthday today. We are going to Disney on Ice in a couple of weeks so this little present from The Body Shop is so she has something for her birthday.

Week 24

June 17th - I had an appointment at 9.30 this morning so I went to the gym early (for me anyway!) and it was still quite dark at 7.32! I must admit, it felt good to have done my circuit early!


June 16th - I haven't seen so much fog as we've been having over the past few days, in a long, long time. The fog descends early in the evening and driving is quite a task. Our weather is really changing!


June 15th - There's nothing like a bowl of hot porridge on a cold, cold morning. It not only warms me up, it fills me up. Goldilocks certainly had the right idea!


June 14th - We headed out early this morning to go into the city for a seminar (too early for a Sunday morning) and these four hot air balloons were gracing the sky above us. They are amazing how quickly they travel and they looked majestic in the blue sky.


June 13th - Inundated with junk mail! Is it just my imagination or are we really getting more and more in our letter boxes? There were so many here today. Where is the paperless culture we are supposed to be getting!


June 12th - We had been told about this wonderful Boutique Brewery right near our place and after a meal at the local club we decided to check it out ... what a vibrant little place ... and for someone who really doesn't like beer, it was a really nice drink!


June 11th - I love fresh flowers and it's been ages since I had them in the house. These lilies are the most vibrant pink colour and they smell divine! I must do this more often, the house feels great with fresh, colourful flowers!

Week 23

June 10th - Getting up at 6.30am for a Rotary Breakfast was worth it as we had John Michael Howson as the Guest Speaker. He is a lovely man who knows how to entertain!


June 9th - I saw this beautiful, vibrant rainbow on the way home from lunch in the city. I had to find a safe spot to park so I could photograph it - by the time I did, most of it was gone.


June 8th - Our 18th anniversary and we went to the Dandenongs for a late lunch. We ended up in Olinda in a great restaurant cafe with an open fire ... just as well because the hail came down and covered everything!


June 7th - More eating and drinking! Tasted some lovely reds and some beautiful cheeses at a friend's place.


June 6th - There are a mass of pigeons at one of our local shopping malls that congregate near the centre entrance and don't move for anything walking towards them.


June 5th - I have been busy making invitations to the Rotary Changeover Dinner where we will be VIP guests! Should be a busy year!


June 4th - The local TAFE College has regular dinners where the students 'practise' on the public. It was an interesting evening with students who had very little English and the food, although slow, was good (and cam in more interesting forms!)

Week 22

June 3rd - Chadstone Shopping Centre is undergoing a massive extension ... well it's actually been going over a year now ... shops keep moving spots, car parking changes constantly, roads are blocked without warning ... and I gather there is still 12 months work ahead. With about 20,000 car spaces who knows how big it is all going to be!


June 2nd - This is the book I am currently reading ... well I've actually started a Bryce Courtney book also, Fishing for Stars, but this book has been recommended to me so many times I decided to get it started.


June 1st - The cyclamen is just beautiful! It still has heaps of flowers to bloom yet. I am so rapt that I have got a second year out of it ... with a mass of flowers as well!


May 31st - Guess I've been watching too much MasterChef! Decided to bake a cake today ... a bit tricky with the old oven. It always surprises me when something turns out okay though!


May 30th - It seems like so long ago that Grace has played Netball ... holidays, wrong times, missed games ... we finally got to see her play today. Very proud! The wind was penetratingly cold though!


May 29th - I decided that I needed to streamline my exercise program. There were too many times I missed gym classes because of other happenings. So I've joined Curves - a 30 minute workout and it's all done. Feels great!


May 28th - I'm just delighted with the garden right now - it may look scruffy but I love the messy look ... and it's so green! I did some weeding last week and it felt good to get into the dirt!

Week 21

May 27th- Australia's Biggest Morning Tea event is held in many ways. A friend and neighbour had one at her place this morning and there was no shortage of food (especially yummy, sweet food!)
May 26th - Gypsy is such a character! She always perches herself either inside or on a box, or on top of a bag or case. Tonight was no exception!

May 25th - After a meeting on the other side of the CBD, we headed home past the Arts Centre. I love the way the structure is lit up and the effects of the lighting, especially around the base. One day I'll get another picture of it that shows the detail.

May 24th- Rob and I headed out for our day together and ended up in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. The whole street is an array of quaint and esoteric buildings, people and businesses.


May 23rd - Tonight we went to the MCG for the Dreamtime match between Essendon and Richmond. Before the game, one of the women Elders thanked the original inhabitants of this oval.


May 22nd - I met up with a friend for breakfast at a cafe next to the bay. It was a bit misty but once the sun emerged the bay looked beautiful and this fisherman had to fight the seagulls for the fish!


May 21st - I woke up to a hazy back yard this morning. The first real fog we've had for a long time. I went to the gym and it seemed to get thicker mid morning. It's an eerie sight!

Week 20

May 20th - Somedays getting an interesting photo is not that easy! I do love the Autumn colours that are around but we don't have spectacular deciduous trees in our garden, only the poor old Nectarine tree that loses its leaves!


May 19th - Spider Plants are just the best ground cover - you don't have to really do anything to them, they just multiply all on their own. And they can be transplanted into pots and used inside. These ones came with us when we shifted here 13 years ago.


May 18th - This is my Hall of Fame. I used to make collages of the photos I had ... but that was before I started scrapbooking and found a more creative way to display them.


May 17th - I love the parks around the city. Rob's office is surrounded by parks big and small ... we came back from lunch through this one. It is a lovely little park that feels very peaceful, sadly the water feature has been disconnected.


May 16th - I decided to use Public Transport to head into the city today - thought it would be easier to catch the bus to the station - but I was wrong. The buses are few and far between on the weekend .. I ended up driving to the station instead, and then had to wait for the train that was late.


May 15th - We had our workshop in the city and as we were leaving our venue, the car park next door was closing - it was only 11pm! We've been caught in the past with being locked out and it's not fun having to get back in the morning to pick up the car!


May 14th - Having wireless devices means batteries ... and my mouse and keyboard just seem to eat up the life of them! I'm always having to change them and our recharger doesn't seem to do a very good job.

Week 19

May 13th - Mum loved to make things and we were always bestowed with beautiful, bright gifts and this lovely crotched rug is a lovely keepsake and reminder of her. During he cold evenings it is well used.



May 12th - We don't have many deciduous trees in our street so this autumn shot only shows the few bare limbs and very little colour. I do love the colours of autumn.


May 11th - Driving the car to gym in the colder mornings means that I need to get my squeegee out and clean the dew from all the windows - wish we had a carport or garage!


May 11th - Happy Mother's Day! The day started off with the annual Mother's day Classic walk - we did the 4km's and Ella walked all the way! We then journeyed to Swan Street for a Mother's day brunch with my beautiful family.


May 9th - My niece's engagement party was held across town so the whole tribe of us headed over for a night of chatter (or yelling), laughter and very loud music.


May 8th - Playing computer games has now taken over from the TV, so instead of losing the TV while the girls are here, it is the computer!


May 7th - The beds have been made up and now I am waiting for the beautiful Princess Ella and Princess Sophie to arrive for the weekend.

Week 18

May 6th - A very caring friend bought me this calendar for my birthday last year. Each month it has a wonderful saying/affirmation to ponder on.


May 5th - I love cyclamens. I bought this plant last year and it's been outside since it died down, but, it's starting to flower again and now has pride of place on my desk.


May 4th - Grace gave me this book for Christmas and I have had my nose in it for the last month - she's done well in her choice as I'm really enjoying it.


May 3rd - I had a bowl of lollies on the table and this was what was left over at the end of the day - unfortunately they didn't last very long on our coffee table.


May 2nd - Day 1 was relatively busy but the end of the day was very quiet - guess all the oldies must have gone home for dinner!


May 1st - I was asked to take a stand at the 'Fun for Over 50's' Expo as they needed more things for women. As I haven't done this before, it was a bit of a guess geting it setup - but I must say I'm pleased with it!


April 30th - I have finally got creating and this is a section of one of the heritage layouts I have completed. Looks a bit faded!