MrL, the VIP

A few weeks back now, MrL was given a VIP ticket from his work, to attend the Official Formula One 'Black and White Chequered Flag Ball', which was held at the new hotel he had/still is, working at.

The next morning, after I woke, downstairs MrL had left his 'goodie bag' each seat had been given for me to help myself to.  (He ended up swiping 3! lol)  I swear, it felt like Christmas to see what goodies he was given.

He told me he got to walk the red carpet (there is a photo out there on the net, but I won't point you in the direction) and the Moet flowed freely all night. =)

Father's Day 2011

During the week MrL went out and bought himself a present, a new Blackberry Playbook. As he is one of those blokes who can be pretty difficult to buy for, I suggested that the Playbook be his Father's Day gift, as we were trying to justify the cash.  So, a Playbook it was and he was very happy with his present.

So during the reminder of the week, Monet and I were busting our brains on what she could 'physically' give her father.  We came up with the idea of a 'voucher book'.  I got busy on the laptop and typed up (with Monet's help) some vouchers like "Please be QUIET for one hour", "Tickle my back for 15 minutes", "No playing downstairs" etc., etc.,...  We printed it all out, cut them up, stapled them together to form a voucher book.  When Monet gave it to MrL he thought it was terrific.

No vouchers have been used yet, but give him a day or two...

On Tuesday just been, Monet decided she was going to write her dad a book as a gift.  She shut herself in her room for an hour and wrote and illustrated a picture book, which we stapled together and she gave to him this afternoon.  He stated it was the best present he had ever received.  That was quite possibly the best thing he could have said to a budding author.

(And no, we don't own a pet cat, let alone one called Lucy.)

We decided that we were going to go out for a mid-afternoon lunch today, and remembering that our working week is Sunday to Thursday, things didn't quite go to plan. He is currently working the summer hours of 3am till 1pm, which he never does. MrL is a worker - a hard worker - who gives his job everything he has got (most of the time). The work site he is working on, were told that the Head Honcho Sheikh of Abu Dhabi was coming for a visit today, so MrL did a good 12 hour day, with the Sheikh not showing (always the way eh?)


With a tired MrL returning home closer to four pm, I took the four of us to the Noodle House at the Souk Qaryat Al Beri as it is one restaurant we know that does not close between the hours of 3:30 and 7pm.  It was nice for us to go out on a late Sunday afternoon for a change.

The Grand Mosque opposite to where we were.

Happy Father's Day to MrL, a fab dad to Monet and Lily, and to my own terrific dad, H. =)

June 29, 1996

2 people.
12 house moves.
1 interstate move.
1 international move.
15 car changes (approximately).
4 London trips.
1 apartment purchase.
(Too many to count), joyous moments.
2 beautiful daughters.
15 years together, today, June 29, 2011.

Happy 15th year together Lyndon.

xx

Ski Dubai

Last week MrL and I decided that it was about time we took Monet to Ski Dubai. So on a 44 degree day, we did.  Today.

Miss Lily was pretty much petrified of the place, thanks to some gentleman who thought it might be a good idea to throw a snow ball at the window, where the general public can look into the snow park, above her head.  From that moment on, she screamed whenever her and I went near the big planes of windows that look into the 'play park'.  Thank goodness our plans didn't include her or I paying to get in! (Under 3s aren't allowed in anyway)

I did manage to get Lily to stick around in the stroller long enough to see her father and sister enter the park.  (It did help that I bought some soft MandM-laced American cookies.)

Lily and I didn't stick around for too long, it was all too much for her and she promptly feel asleep for a good 90 minutes in her stroller, whilst I was browsing (for bargains - of course!) at H&M.

MrL rang after about an hour to say that they had had enough.  I was (very) surprised to hear that Monet had been on the 'bob-sled' ride - those things go damn fast and she's not one for fast rides!  They tobogganed and basically enjoyed their experience in the cold (-4 degrees Celsius) brrrr brrrr snow in the middle of the desert.

(Have to mention too that we met up beforehand with an old friend who was visiting on business with her youngung (same age as Lily with the same blond locks - oh she was gorgeous!) and husband - very lovely to see a face from, not only Australia, but our home town! Thanks C.)

Loopy OR How To Tell If Someone Is Visiting From London Who Spends Quite A Bit Of Time In Ireland As Of Late.

Not only did Kimbofo bring with her some 'William & Catherine' gifts, she also brought along with her some gifts purchased during a couple of visits to the Emerald Isle.

Our place seems awash with green it seems... (don't ask about the 'specks' Monet is wearing - all will be revealed in the weeks ahead about those! lol)

The Final Countdown...

The countdown has been on since we got here, but now it is only two more sleeps till we spy Lyndon on Aussie soil once more! In the mean while I have to tell you that Little Miss Monet has been very good. So good in fact, I am wondering if my memories of a not-very-good Monet was something I made up in my head!

She has had a delightful time lately, keeping busy at both sets of Grandparent's homes. At Nanna and Poppy's she's busy riding bikes in their backyard and at Grandma and Grandad's she's been busy doing 'art stuff', including the ever popular bubble blowing...

(As you might notice from the photos, Miss Monet really has her own style of dressing - she loves colours that girl!)

Yesterday I was fortunate (again) to be in the company of H&B in her home in suburban Melbourne. Lee used her photographic skills (and I took the opportunity) to take photographs of Little Miss Lily, my talkative little doll. I'm looking forward to seeing the images in the future! Whilst Lily was being photographed, Monet, with great pleasure, cuddled and coo-ed over the pet Guinea Pigs which are pets of Lee's MC and Danger Boy.

(You may have noticed the 'plaster' on Monet's knee - she fell over whilst playing with the boys - she did exactly the same thing last year when we visited! Children. Huh!)

I'm sure Monet dreamt of Guinea Pigs last night and I am also sure that if we too, lived in suburban Australia, in a house, Monet would be getting a couple of those pets! We had a sweet time at H&B's and look forward to another meeting down the track sometime in the future.

I can't wait to tell Lyndon just how very good his eldest daughter has been. And I am pretty sure Lyndon can't wait to be reunited with all of us. He won't believe how good Monet has been and he certainly won't recognise Lily - she's changed so much in the past two weeks, it isn't funny!

Get Going...

It has been a while hasn't it?

I've been busy organising our impending trip back to Australia, something we find we are needing.  The girls and I leave and arrive two weeks before Lyndon can join us, which people look at me horrified that I am flying alone with a newbie.  Monet is an old hand at flying so she'll (hopefully) won't be a problem and I'm sure Lily will be fine.  We've had 'dramas' with getting Lily an Exit Visa but that is now all sorted and we're now set to go.  My dad emailed to say there is excitement growing at the prospect of us returning for a holiday and I'm very much looking forward to it. 

As much as I do enjoy living here, I feel it is time to have a visit back in Australia.  I'm finding that I need a break from this country as I find I am getting more and more annoyed with certain things, like driving for example and the way certain things are done is honestly shitting me.  Lyndon feels the same, especially now as he has been socondered(?) to a company in Dubai and has been doing stupid hours up there, a 150kms away from us at Abu Dhabi.  

We enjoy being ex-pats but we are now wondering where our next step is leading us.  Monet is a happy kid in school and at home (most of the time) so I'm sure we'll see out the schooling year (till June) and then reevaluate our situation and take it from there.  Who knows, maybe after this UAE-break, we'll see everything in a new light again.  Maybe I just need an Oz-dose.

Lily is now a thriving 11-week old who is a joy to be with.  I'm sure she's not far off her first giggle (yay!) and is happy most of the time lying in her rocker or on her play gym but I think her favourite place to be is to hang in the Baby Bjorn and nap near my chest.  She's not silly!  I'm looking forward to the family to meet her for the first time and I'm sure my dad won't recognise her as the newborn we brought home close to 11 weeks ago.

The lovely and talented (& now famous!) Tracey has made a cute as a button Christmas dress for Miss Lily to wear so I am looking forward to seeing our baby in it (& I will be sure to post a photo of her in it when the time arrives!) 

  

Lyndon and I (even some of the neighbours have commented) have noticed that Monet must have had a growth spurt.  She has such long lovely legs and her face has got bigger and prettier.  She brought home her first school report card last week and we're very proud of her.  For that, we gave her a ticket back to Australia for a holiday.  *heehee*  (gee, I used to get 5 bucks for a good report! How times have changed! *smirk*)

(This photo was taken by a friend who was a parent on a recent school excursion to 'Children's World' in Dubai.)

Not sure when I'll be back posting, hopefully not too far down the track.  And from a place that isn't the UAE.  (Thanks to those of you who have been back checking this blog - hopefully I get my blog-groove back some time in the near future!)

An Anniversary I Wish We Didn't Have To Remember

September Third is one of those dates that is etched in Lyndon and my minds forever.  For different reasons at the time but now in union.  

Five years ago today I began the early signs of labour with Monet.  It was an exciting time, living in a lovely (rented) house in Rye, on Melbourne's Mornington Peninsular.  Lyndon had started a new job only a couple of weeks before in Melbourne's inner-city in the construction industry.  We were happy, our goals were being achieved and life was good.  

I was home alone when my first 'sign' of labour was going to happen.  I rang Lyndon excitedly and told him.  "I'll come home" he said.  (He worked over an hour drive away.)  "No, it's okay, I'm okay, you stay" was my response.  I wish instead I told him to "hell yeah, get your butt home!"  But I didn't.  

Less than sixty minutes later I received a phone call from Lyndon.  He spoke in a stuttery voice.  There were tears in that voice...I knew something was wrong.  Really wrong.  

"He's dead.  He's dead.  I'm coming home...I'm on my way home."

Dial tone.

My phone rang again.  

"I'm okay. I'm okay. But he's dead.  He died right next to me.  I'm on my way home."

Everyone's worst nightmare.  A workplace death.

He shouldn't have been allowed to drive home in such an upset state.  But I know Lyndon and he would have insisted he was okay.  

I had a call from Lyndon's dad who wanted to know if I was okay and had I spoken to Lyndon.  Lyndon had called him and Lyndon's dad had heard a news flash on the radio.

Lyndon and a fellow (apprentice) carpenter, were both working on a Construction site in Albert Park.  A new high rise apartment complex that was being built upon a famous Melbourne landmark.  As concrete was being poured a beam underneath was becoming unstable and both boys were sent down a level to re fix the beam.  Whilst concrete was still being poured above them.  Still.  Being.  Poured.  

As they were trying to fix the beam, the beam broke, concrete flowed through and the young man, not one meter away from my Lyndon, was instantly killed.  

You can read about the story here and here.

Today we remember forever young Nathan and his family.  

I'm glad it is not them remembering us, five years on.

Lunch Date

Lyndon and I went out for lunch yesterday, alone, to celebrate our first anniversary.  Our lovely neighbour Karen took Monet for a couple of hours whilst Lyndon and I went to the Shangri-La for our lunch.  

It was so nice there, visiting on a day where it had been raining and everything looked so fresh and clean.  We figured the rain had washed away the sand from the dreadful sand storms we've been getting from Saudi Arabia over the past couple of weeks.

We couldn't make up our mind between the Al-la-Carte Menu or the Buffet.  We decided on the buffet so we got to sample a lot of foods; Asian, Italian, Indian, Middle Eastern cuisines.  Nice.  And I couldn't miss out on dessert now could I?

We returned home a couple of hours later and I collected Monet from a few doors down.  I was greeted with a big hug from her, apparently I was 'missed', but missed quite happily mind you.  

Monet returned home with me soon after and then put on her delightful little dress from our wedding last year and paraded around, showing the neighbours.  Looked rather special with her new shoes I bought her last week...  (sorry, no pic available of her dressing up)

Paper

It is coming up to two weeks since my last post - *I know*.  Suffering from Blogger's Block and to be honest, having a bit of a break.  I know you fellow bloggers understand.

Not too much happening around these parts besides the fact that Miss Monet now has a spacer in her mouth (to stop teeth growing in directions they shouldn't) and Lyndon is in the process of having dental work done too.  (It'll be my go next.  *heehee*)  So we've been keeping our finger on the pulse in terms of teeth around here.  Fascinating stuff really.

But the reason I am blogging today, is to say that today, March 29th, marks Lyndon and my 1st wedding anniversary.  We've come a long way in a year and what an eventful year we have had.  But a year has past and this time last year we had a terrific day.  It was everything we wanted it to be.

Happy 1st Wedding Anniversary Mr. Lyndon.  xx

Thirty + One Day

Here is the cake;

Didn't quite fit 30 ladybirds, but we sure did count 30 candles correctly!

All lit up the cake looked great...

Lyndon and I cracked open a bottle of Moet for the occasion.  And doesn't my head feel it today? I have made a mental note to myself to not do the 'Moet' sandwich (thanks Bob-Kat *giggle giggle*) again.  That is beer, followed by Moet champagne, followed by beer again.  Urgh.  Felt fine last night but this morning....headache from hell.  (Poor Birthday boy was feeling the same but he had to go to work!)  

Our dinner of slow-roasted shoulder of lamb was sensational.  I will be sure to post the recipe sometime on that (neglected) recipe blog of mine.  To say that it was probably the best roast lamb meal we've ever eaten is an understatement.  True.  We'll be talking about it for the weeks to follow; this I know.

After dinner and a bit of cake we had a few 'new' friends around to share a drink with.  It was a nice way to end the evening.

We're off to the Shangri-La tonight with a few people from the villas here (who also work with Lyndon), though I doubt I'll be having a drink.  *heehee*  Hope to see the sun set over The Grand Mosque and hear the Carols happening there tonight.  

I wish all my regular readers a relaxing and very Merry Christmas.  Hope you've all been good for Santa...

Oh, and if you are wondering what Monet and I got Lyndon for his birthday....

Thirty

It is Lyndon's birthday today.  The big three-oh!  About time too.

Last week Monet and I chose a gift for him, which the shop assistant wrapped up soooo lovely, don't you agree?

(Gee, I wish I could wrap gifts like that?  Looks too good to unwrap if you ask me.)

Monet and I will start baking him a chocolate cake (Lyndon's request) soon, which we will decorate with 30 candles and 30 of these, (which were Monet's request)...

(The Lady Bird chocolates tub cost about $6AUD!  In Australia these retail for about $1 per lady bird!!)

I am planning on cooking a slow-roasted shoulder of (NZ) Lamb as a Birthday dinner tonight.  I hope it tastes as nice as what it looks like in the recipe book!

Happy Birthday Lyndon.  You *finally* got there and look how far you have come.  

I am so proud of you, you've come a long way from that 17 year old boy who I first spotted in the Safeway supermarket packing shelves, to gaining a carpentry apprenticeship, to now in your current role in an important industry.

We've followed many dreams together, none would not have been achievable without your constant 'get up and go' attitude.  We've achieved a lot together but most importantly you have got to where we dreamed to be and celebrating your 30th where you wanted to be.

We love you and wish you a very Happy 30th Birthday, today and forever...  

Melody and Miss Monetxxxx  

401

Very typical of me, but my last post was actually my 400th post on this version of biglittlesister.  I also forgot to wish my sister's partner a Happy Birthday for the week just past.  I hope I am excused - I have had a lot going on. (As if *you* all didn't know!)

We spent last weekend in Melbourne.  It was nice to do a spot of shopping in some half decent shops, but since when has Melbourne become so blue, tight jean orientated?  *blah* Living in Cairns I swear you can get away with wearing anything, anywhere, but since Melbourne is so fashion savvy it was a good excuse for us to buy a few new threads each.  We really liked the new(ish) DFO at Spencer Street.  (We liked it soooo much better than the Morrabbin Airport one we used to visit when we lived in Melbourne three years ago.)

Much to our delight, the weather was 'pleasant', even though the skies weren't blue.

  

It was nice to wander along Southbank again and meet up with friends at the Riverland Bar, down below Federation Square along the Yarra.   We like that outdoor bar so much, we visited it both on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

We met up with even more friends at a pub in Richmond and enjoyed a dinner out in a Beer Garden.  Monet and I didn't stick around too late as the Cox Plate had been run and there were too many horrible drunk people around, otherwise we had a rather good time.  

All up it was nice to spend a couple of nights in the town we once called home.  We stayed at Oaks on Market which we had stayed at once before.  It is in a good position, is reasonably priced (including buffet breakfast) and we will stay there again down the track.  We also had this view from our hotel room.

As much as we love Melbourne and as much as we tell people how much we are Melbourne people at heart, we know we're not ready to move back there.  Obviously there are other roads for us to travel at the present and according to this article in today's The Age, we've made the right decision.  (You have no idea how many people have asked Lyndon to 'take my business card with you' and asked to pass on their resume.  It is making us think the past 10 months have honestly been worth it and we got in at the right time.)

Today, Lyndon arrived safely in Abu Dhabi.  He is currently amazed by it all (the shops, the compound we'll be living in, the city, the palm trees, the current beautiful heat).  He has already told me how much he thinks Monet and I will love it.  I know he is right.  And I can't wait to get over there too now!

Monet and I are now at my parents.  I'm keen to have a drink in honour of all the good things life has in store for my little family at present and to celebrate over 400 posts!  (Any excuse, I know!)

He Leaves Australia Tomorrow...

We won't get to see Lyndon now for at least four weeks. The lucky devil is now in Melbourne awaiting his early flight to Sydney tomorrow before flying off to Abu Dhabi in the afternoon. We figured it was best (and a hell of a lot less stressful) if he left us the day before in country Victoria with family.

So far, so good.

It has been a very strange and long couple of weeks now. It has been two weeks since Lyndon's work visa came through. We've done so much and no wonder I cannot stop yawning. *yawn*

I know once we know Lyndon has safely arrived in our new home city, I will be itching to follow. Once he becomes a resident of Abu Dhabi (takes about a week after he arrives), he can then 'sponsor' Monet and I and we can follow when we are all ready to do so.

I suspect we'll be leaving on a Silver Bird within the next four weeks. *fingers crossed*

(Notice I didn't say anything about the weather in this post?!)

Take A Bow.

It is Lyndon's final day for the company he works for today. Even though he has been a little poorly treated since the resignation letter four weeks ago, we are still very grateful.  (There were numerous people within the company in Brisbane who seemed peed off with Lyndon, but we honestly put it down to jealousy!  True.)  Without the company offering Lyndon a job over two and a half years, we would not have made our home in Cairns, nor would have we probably even thought about moving overseas. (So Marianne and Mum, you can blame them! *heehee*)

We'll be back to being a one car family tonight.  The much loved company car will be returned this afternoon.

I will be 'car-less' for the remaining days?/weeks? here, as Lyndon (in typical Lyndon fashion) has lined up some work for himself in Cairns until his work visa comes through...(hello visa...where are you??)

Tonight we are going out to celebrate with some of his fellow workers for a drink and a feed at a restaurant, literally just down the road from us.  

Monet needed a new dress, apparently... (no, that is not her hat!)

I lashed out and bought a new bangle (a whole $5 from 'Diva')...

I bought the 'office lady' a Krosno glass bowl (gorgeous), all wrapped up and ready to hand over later on (she's been very supportive in the last couple of months especially)...

And Lyndon?  Well, he can rest assured that there is still half a slab of Natural Blonde sitting in the fridge...

and we'll stop off on the way home (I'll have to pick him up remember!) this afternoon and he can buy himself a slab of 'Knappstein' beer, his favourite.

I'm proud of you Lyndon.  Very proud.  

C'mon visa, c'mon!!!

And for something 'completely' off the subject, read this and then watch this.  (In case you didn't realise, I have a soft spot for Mr. Tex Perkins and in case you also didn't realise, this is a piss-take.  I have a soft spot for piss-takes too....)

Time To Smell The Fresh Sea Air...

Monet and I spent a little time down the beach this morning.  Little Miss even rode her bike down there and back (a big effort in itself that, let me tell you!)

We both enjoyed being down there this morning.  Monet was very happy...

...and why shouldn't she have been when this is our local beach?  I think it is truly beautiful.

We've enjoyed living here for the past 18 months out of our 2 and a half years in Cairns.  The beach is lovely when the sun is shining and there is lack of wind (like this morning).  Trust me when I say that our beach doesn't always look like this.   But we are lucky to have a beach that looks like this, even if you can only swim safely in the water for 5 months out of 12.

  

We're waiting here patiently for Lyndon's work visa to enter our inbox.  It shouldn't be too much longer now before the ball starts rolling.  When the ball is rolling it will be faster than a Brett Lee fast ball.

In the meanwhile, we will relax and enjoy the time we have left our little part of Australia.  

Getting There

I am getting there friends.  

The road is tough but I am getting there.  

You have no idea how much your words and knowing I am in your thoughts mean to me.  It is a comforting thought, so I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  You really have helped me along.

Life continues and our life ahead will be both a challenge and an exciting adventure.

Lyndon's job offer arrived last Monday, one of the blackest days in my life.  Lyndon said he didn't know whether to laugh or cry when it arrived in our 'inbox'.  It took him a good half an hour to open it.  I personally think it probably couldn't have arrived at a more appropriate time as it got me through the ordeal I had to endure on the Tuesday.

So, we are off to Abu Dhabi in a couple of months time.  We have lots to do around the place (sort, chuck, keep, pack, clean, find tenants etc.,) which will be just the thing I need to keep my mind off things.  Yes, I won't work too hard, I will still be taking it easy!  I'll start next week when Lyndon's mother leaves.  (I had my mum up here for 4 days last week and now Lyndon's mum here for a week.  It has been wonderful.)

Last Thursday night I kept my mind off things by producing this...

...a 'Barbie' cake for Monet's 4th birthday.  A special request from a special little girl.

It is amazing the things you can achieve when you want your mind set somewhere else.  

Big Little Sister

Sorry I haven't been around for a while.  We had some news which gutted me and I thank those of you who emailed me hoping I was okay.  I thank one of you for dedicating a post to me.  You know who you are.   Some of you know my story, some of you do not.  

Here is my story.

I had been counting down to last week as I had plans on posting this for all of you;

Big Little Sister?

Sister Little Big?

Sister Big Little?

Big Sister Little?

Little Sister Big?

No...no....I've got it now...

Little Big Sister.

That's what Monet is  going to be, come March 2009.

I know, a big move AND a baby on its way.  We don't do things by halves around here.  We're rapt to bits.

*yay*

However, last week I received test results for this pregnancy which basically floored me. I was a mess.  After my 12 week scan mixed with my blood results and my maternal age, things are not good.  I have learnt a lot in terms of three conditions this baby could have.  Trisomy 21, Trisomy 13 and Trisomy 18.  21 is known as Down Syndrome.  I have a 1 in 8 chance this is the case.  13 and 18 are usually fatal, with the born baby not surviving, most dying within a week of being birthed, I have a 1 in 2 chance.  What odds hey?  Crap.

We have done lots of soul searching here and lots of why me?  why us? how come?  Yeah, we've been a barrel of laughs around here.  But I'm okay.  I have had time to digest what is going on.  I have had answers from people in the know and I am accepting of what may (or may not) happen.  I have a brilliant girlfriend up here who has been a life saver (of sorts).  I have a couple of close friends in Melbourne, who have been supportive and our families too.

I have further testing to undergo in the very near future.  

Don't feel sorry for me.  Do not judge our decision, what ever that may be.  Remember that many women travel along this road I am on.  Just keep us in your thoughts and send positive vibes my way!

If you know me but you choose not to post a comment (I know there are are a few of you), please don't go around telling everyone this.  This is our personal battle, our news, our business(can you tell we are originally from a small town?) and I'm choosing to tell the news here because my blog friends have expressed concern.  It also helps me by seeing it written down.  (Maybe I should've written this in a personal journal! *heehee*)

We've had some tough battles to fight in the past.  This is the toughest yet.

Answer

Well, those of you who were waiting patiently of where we are moving to, here is your answer...

(Sorry, not the clearest of maps)

The United Arab Emirates and no, not Dubai.  We are moving to the capital of the Emirates, Abu Dhabi, the richest city in the world (believe it or not!). 

We're excited.  I hope you are too!  

We are 99% certain we are going, we're just waiting for the promised 'offer' to arrive via email this coming week if all goes smoothly.  I'm so very proud of Lyndon and really of ourselves, for following a dream that is (finally) becoming a reality.  

It will be a move that we have mentally prepared ourselves for over the past nine months.  That was when we considered the job opportunities over there and applied for said job.  His interview was way back in the first week of April and yes, it has taken that long for him to get a definite answer.  It has been a long (long, long) road and story too (you honestly wouldn't read about what we've been through).  

Fingers crossed the offer comes through soon.  

You know I'll let you know.  

12

Lyndon and I first became a couple 12 years ago today.  (You might remember this post from last year!)  A lot can happen wtihin a year!

It only seems like yesterday we got married, a whole 3 months ago to the date today.  I guess that March 29th will always be remembered and celebrated but one thing we will not let pass is today's date.  I think it is important to remember the 'first date' alongside with your 'wedding anniversary date'.  

Even in the three months since our wedding quite a lot has happened in our lives - our holiday to begin with.  (I'm yet to do the final post on that adventure!)  There have been a few other things I haven't blogged about but probably will in time.  You know how it is.

We're off to dinner tonight, to the fabulous Blue Moon Grill restaurant (check out the menus on the link), in recognition for our 12th year together as a couple.  I'm looking forward to it. 

Happy 12th year anniversary Lyndon.  xx

:-)