Sunday, 24 March 2013
Liam's ding! Level 25
Great night out to a Brazilian BBQ house for Liam's birthday, that little bit more special as Liz organised it and she is vegetarian.Green says go, red says stop. One by one, peeps around the table joked that these funny little things were traffic lights, only to be told 'yes' that's exactly what they are!
Moight
Sunday, 13 January 2013
January, Jacquie & John
So our summer holidays haven't been awesome. Matt's new job is going well, but a little stressful as he 'finds his feet' being his own boss and everything. Mr Smokey's illness and subsequent passing made Xmas & NY a major downer. And just to top things off... since new years, I have been sick, really sick. Some sort of flu thing with the works - fevers, chills, body aches, headaches and a horrendous cough - wracking my whole body until I (occasionally) throw up. I was even tested for whooping cough - which came back clear, thankfully!
In among this we did have a highlight, a visit from Matt's mum, Jacquie and her husband John. They caught the train down from Brissie (not as nice as they had hoped) and stayed in the city. Matt met up with them most days and I ventured out a couple of times. We showed them around our 'hood and Jacquie wanted to visit Vaucluse House. They bought Matt and me passes to the 'Historic Houses Trust of NSW' (http://www.hht.net.au) and we visited a few sites/museums.
In among this we did have a highlight, a visit from Matt's mum, Jacquie and her husband John. They caught the train down from Brissie (not as nice as they had hoped) and stayed in the city. Matt met up with them most days and I ventured out a couple of times. We showed them around our 'hood and Jacquie wanted to visit Vaucluse House. They bought Matt and me passes to the 'Historic Houses Trust of NSW' (http://www.hht.net.au) and we visited a few sites/museums.
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| Addison Road markets |
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| In the carpark, lol! |
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| Ferry to Manly with Jacquie's friend, Karin. Matt and I also enjoyed catching up with Karin again, she's a cracker. |
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| Elizabeth Bay House |
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| Great weather for sight seeing! This day we did an air-conditioned car trip. |
Friday, 28 December 2012
Farewell Smokey
Today we said goodbye to Mister Smokey. He lived a long and loved life. He may have only lived with us for the past 2 years & 2 months, but Matt knew him since he was a kitten and in the time Smokey lived with us, he had a big, positive and lasting impact on our lives and relationship.
Rest assured, those who knew and loved this little guy, it was peaceful. In the past week his body just failed around him. He was increasingly lethargic, stopped eating and became rapidly thinner and weaker. Even this morning, he could barely stand but insisted on putting his head on our laps or hands and even wrapped his paw/claws around our fingers. We took him to the vet for what was due to be an injection for his arthritis but we strongly suspected what the prognosis and advice would be be.
He passed away under the gentle intervention of two Vets that clearly cared for him too, with his head in Matt's hands and paw wrapped around my finger.
Rest assured, those who knew and loved this little guy, it was peaceful. In the past week his body just failed around him. He was increasingly lethargic, stopped eating and became rapidly thinner and weaker. Even this morning, he could barely stand but insisted on putting his head on our laps or hands and even wrapped his paw/claws around our fingers. We took him to the vet for what was due to be an injection for his arthritis but we strongly suspected what the prognosis and advice would be be.
He passed away under the gentle intervention of two Vets that clearly cared for him too, with his head in Matt's hands and paw wrapped around my finger.
Smokey McMillan
Sept 1993 - Dec 2012
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| Both of these hoomans belong to me |
Thursday, 22 November 2012
Kitchen Garden - November 2012
A fairly big reorganisation with the news that we will staying here at least another 12 months (yay). Making way for planned expansions.
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| Making seed tape |
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| Under spotlight. In this small space is: sunflower, corn, tomato, capsicum, summer squash, zuchini, sweet potato, luffa, carrot, lettuce, strawberries, brown onion, spring onion |
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| Herbs near the kitchen\back door |
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| Away from the wall - better access, air flow and sun |
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| The start of the mushroom kingdom |
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| For tonight's stir fry dinner |
Monday, 19 November 2012
Busy busy, a lot of rambling
Hi, I know I have been quiet again lately, with the change of seasons, and a bit of an attitude adjustment, I have actually been super busy. Some recent highlights include:
- did a 'mini' triathalon - one of the Pink series and have another this coming Sunday. Went freeform/meditative dancing with Nina - something I have had in the back of mind to do for ages. I am also starting a rollerskating class tomorrow night, with some friends from work and have been going to the gym regularly including completing an 8 week program being a prac subject for Matt. Despite being active and eating reasonably well, my weight and heath has not improved. *too much information warning* Recently I also hurt my back, and my weight no doubt contributed to this as well as the lack of success to date in making a baby. Just today my GP has referred me to an endocrinologist and doing some other stuff too - hopefully some answers soon.
- had my first piano exam - preliminary grade, woot. I got a B which I am happy with as nerves got the better of me and I made lots of mistakes. The feedback was, yes, I made many mistakes but they were minor, I captured the gist of the songs. My teacher and I have developed an ambitious plan to help me achieve my goals. Next up is Muscianship over the summer holidays and Grade 1 piano in Feb.
- as a wedding anniversary gift I bought Matt couple guitar lessons - romantic? Within 3 sessions Matt has quite comfortably caught up to me. I have not done a formal singing lesson in yonks, not since Nat has been busy touring, but would really like to restart them too, if I can find some time.
- tackled a few crafty things lately: crochet beanies and socks, paper-making, making seed tape for the garden, a few gifts/surprises ;) and a few fails.
- the garden is growing. Will do a separate post soon(ish)
- work is going along steady - still loving my Tuesday Toddler Music Group. Waiting to hear if my application to write a paper about the group has been accepted. The DA for the renovations went through council this week and the 'house' is very nearly finished. Next year is going to be challenging . We will all be working off site, mostly from home, hmmm, need to move the craft off my desk. But 2014 will be awesome - essentially triple the size, both in office and therapy space, including a dedicated 'sensory' room and expanded preschool program.
- family are all good. We have been unofficially offered another 12 month lease on our awesome little big house. Mr Smokey is his usual sooky self. Liam and Liz have both moved on from flipping burgers and have 9-5 corporate jobs. Liam with Suncorp and Liz, iinet. Liam plays two games of soccer per week and often goes to the gym with Matt.
- Jake stayed with us last holidays, with Neets and Sam in the city at the same time - separate post to come also. Also visits from my sister, Nita and recently Ewen and Margaret.
- finally, if you haven't heard the news... Matt is now officially a former film editor. He finished up his final gig last month. This has been 'in discussion' for the past two years. He still loves storytelling and may go back but the lifestyle was just too punishing and other things have called. Over the past year, while working full time, he has earned his Cert 3 and 4 in fitness. Now waiting for his rego and ABN to come thru and applying for gym work. The main goal is Uni next year, science. Application in, offers in Jan.
What's your news?
- did a 'mini' triathalon - one of the Pink series and have another this coming Sunday. Went freeform/meditative dancing with Nina - something I have had in the back of mind to do for ages. I am also starting a rollerskating class tomorrow night, with some friends from work and have been going to the gym regularly including completing an 8 week program being a prac subject for Matt. Despite being active and eating reasonably well, my weight and heath has not improved. *too much information warning* Recently I also hurt my back, and my weight no doubt contributed to this as well as the lack of success to date in making a baby. Just today my GP has referred me to an endocrinologist and doing some other stuff too - hopefully some answers soon.
- had my first piano exam - preliminary grade, woot. I got a B which I am happy with as nerves got the better of me and I made lots of mistakes. The feedback was, yes, I made many mistakes but they were minor, I captured the gist of the songs. My teacher and I have developed an ambitious plan to help me achieve my goals. Next up is Muscianship over the summer holidays and Grade 1 piano in Feb.
- as a wedding anniversary gift I bought Matt couple guitar lessons - romantic? Within 3 sessions Matt has quite comfortably caught up to me. I have not done a formal singing lesson in yonks, not since Nat has been busy touring, but would really like to restart them too, if I can find some time.
- tackled a few crafty things lately: crochet beanies and socks, paper-making, making seed tape for the garden, a few gifts/surprises ;) and a few fails.
- the garden is growing. Will do a separate post soon(ish)
- work is going along steady - still loving my Tuesday Toddler Music Group. Waiting to hear if my application to write a paper about the group has been accepted. The DA for the renovations went through council this week and the 'house' is very nearly finished. Next year is going to be challenging . We will all be working off site, mostly from home, hmmm, need to move the craft off my desk. But 2014 will be awesome - essentially triple the size, both in office and therapy space, including a dedicated 'sensory' room and expanded preschool program.
- family are all good. We have been unofficially offered another 12 month lease on our awesome little big house. Mr Smokey is his usual sooky self. Liam and Liz have both moved on from flipping burgers and have 9-5 corporate jobs. Liam with Suncorp and Liz, iinet. Liam plays two games of soccer per week and often goes to the gym with Matt.
- Jake stayed with us last holidays, with Neets and Sam in the city at the same time - separate post to come also. Also visits from my sister, Nita and recently Ewen and Margaret.
- finally, if you haven't heard the news... Matt is now officially a former film editor. He finished up his final gig last month. This has been 'in discussion' for the past two years. He still loves storytelling and may go back but the lifestyle was just too punishing and other things have called. Over the past year, while working full time, he has earned his Cert 3 and 4 in fitness. Now waiting for his rego and ABN to come thru and applying for gym work. The main goal is Uni next year, science. Application in, offers in Jan.
What's your news?
Thursday, 27 September 2012
New toys
Not that new any more, but three 'toys' that have made a massive difference to our lives.
Pushies
We have been babysitting a pair of bikes for friends who are living in the UK currently. At the start of the year we decided to dust them off and do some riding. Angus and Cheryl are both very tall and when we had the bikes serviced and adjusted the guy in the shop recommended that I don't ride either or risk hurting myself badly. New bike for Sarah :)
I may had already suspected that, had a look around and even test ridden a couple and found my bike - the Electra Townie. Unfortunately the bike in stock was pink and white, I had a look at the other colour options on the website but decided that pink and white was cute anyway and available now.
Over summer 11/12 we went on a couple of bike outings. I was riding my bike to work whenever I didn't have off-site visits and for quite a few months Matt was consistently riding a bike to his work. Sadly just a month or so before Cheryl returned to Aus, her bike, that Matt had been using, was stolen from his workplace. We have given Cheryl back Angus' bike, so Matt doesn't have a bike at the moment. As the weather warms up we might get him his own, though after riding to work regularly including through winter, Matt's enthusiasm has waned somewhat.
Pushies
We have been babysitting a pair of bikes for friends who are living in the UK currently. At the start of the year we decided to dust them off and do some riding. Angus and Cheryl are both very tall and when we had the bikes serviced and adjusted the guy in the shop recommended that I don't ride either or risk hurting myself badly. New bike for Sarah :)
I may had already suspected that, had a look around and even test ridden a couple and found my bike - the Electra Townie. Unfortunately the bike in stock was pink and white, I had a look at the other colour options on the website but decided that pink and white was cute anyway and available now.
Over summer 11/12 we went on a couple of bike outings. I was riding my bike to work whenever I didn't have off-site visits and for quite a few months Matt was consistently riding a bike to his work. Sadly just a month or so before Cheryl returned to Aus, her bike, that Matt had been using, was stolen from his workplace. We have given Cheryl back Angus' bike, so Matt doesn't have a bike at the moment. As the weather warms up we might get him his own, though after riding to work regularly including through winter, Matt's enthusiasm has waned somewhat.
Rotary, two bin composter - add to one side while the other 'cooks'.
Even though I am gardening in pots I struggle to make enough dirt with just the worm farm. The worm farm also can't handle leaves from the neighbours trees and finished plants - it was frustratingly wasteful to be chucking them in the bin, even if it was a green bin. A while back I found exactly what I wanted on the Interwebs but it was horrendously expensive, so, around my birthday time I was explaining this to mum and using her awesome super sleuth skills she found exactly what I wanted from a local company at half the price. Thanks mum it is working brilliantly. I have harvested the first batch already, the 2nd is nearly cooked and the 3rd batch is filling fast.
Even though I am gardening in pots I struggle to make enough dirt with just the worm farm. The worm farm also can't handle leaves from the neighbours trees and finished plants - it was frustratingly wasteful to be chucking them in the bin, even if it was a green bin. A while back I found exactly what I wanted on the Interwebs but it was horrendously expensive, so, around my birthday time I was explaining this to mum and using her awesome super sleuth skills she found exactly what I wanted from a local company at half the price. Thanks mum it is working brilliantly. I have harvested the first batch already, the 2nd is nearly cooked and the 3rd batch is filling fast.
BTW it came flat packed and I built it nearly entirely myself, by choice. Only needed Matt's long arms to reach inside a couple of times.
The dishwasher
Mid winter our (clothes) washing machine packed it in. It was 2nd hand and a top loader so rather than potentially wasting our time and money on repairs we traded in for a new shiny front loader. As we were researching the options I came across something a had seen previously a while back but never really seriously considered - a half-size, bench top dishwasher, perfect for renters - us. Something inside me snapped. After 5 years of hand washing, having grown up with a dishwasher and now that we have the available bench space I chucked a little hissy fit and insisted that we get it, it was not too difficult to convince Matt :) To misquote Gareth "there is just something more civilised about having a dishwasher"
The dishwasher
Mid winter our (clothes) washing machine packed it in. It was 2nd hand and a top loader so rather than potentially wasting our time and money on repairs we traded in for a new shiny front loader. As we were researching the options I came across something a had seen previously a while back but never really seriously considered - a half-size, bench top dishwasher, perfect for renters - us. Something inside me snapped. After 5 years of hand washing, having grown up with a dishwasher and now that we have the available bench space I chucked a little hissy fit and insisted that we get it, it was not too difficult to convince Matt :) To misquote Gareth "there is just something more civilised about having a dishwasher"
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