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!)

Baby Steps

Nothing is ever easy in the UAE.

In Australia when you have a baby this is what happens, (if memory serves me correct).

1. 1. You give birth to your baby.
2. 2. Paperwork is filled out for the government to see if you are eligible for child support and for your 'Baby Bonus'.
3. 3. Paperwork filled out and a payment made to obtain a birth certificate.
   

Now, we are Australians who have given birth to a child in the United Arab Emirates.  This is what happens here.

1. 1. You give birth to your baby.
2. 2. Your doctor, a receptionist, your husband fill out paperwork and a small fee paid to obtain the Notification of Birth certificate.  This includes coloured copies of both parents passports, resident visas, marriage certificate.
3. 3. Husband to take the Notification of Birth to the National Health Authority to obtain birth certificates; one in English, one in Arabic at a cost.
4. 4. Birth certificates to be authenticated by the UAE government.
5. 5. Paperwork for Australian Citizenship to be filled out and signed by either an Australian Citizen working in a particular industry, in the country you are living in, or by a citizen working in a particular industry in the country you are living in.   At a cost.  This includes coloured photocopies of both parents passports, visas, birth certificates and marriage certificate.
6. 6. After waiting for the citizenship to come through (could take a number of weeks), an Australian Passport can be applied (and paid) for.  
7. 7. Residency Visa can be applied (and paid) for once Passport is obtained.  The child that is born in the UAE has 120 days where they can live in the country without a visa.  (This gives us up until January 3).  To get the visa, the passport is taken and can take up to 3 weeks to come through.
8. 8. After all the steps are done, you can relax.

Lots of steps eh?  We are currently at step 5, which was a little stressful for a moment there.  The fact that most people we know here do not fit the criteria was a worry.  And for any one of us or our neighbours to actually know an Emiratie was also proving a stress.  I do know an Australian nurse living in Al Ain (about 150km east of here) and as my last resort she offered to drive to Ab Dabs to verify who Lily was.  But then I thought of one of our lovely neighbours who I thought 'might' fit one of the criteria, or if not, she might know someone who does.

Well 'N' came to my rescue as she was able to verify Lily's photo as she fitted into one of the criteria.  *phew*  Lyndon is off to Dubai tomorrow to drop off the paperwork, so fingers crossed that her citizenship comes through within the next few weeks.  

Nothing is ever easy in this country, but by jingo ringo, doing it all for Lily is worth it.  Time and money.

'Bout Time I Blogged.

You know how it is.  

I've been busy, alright!  Well kinda.

Last Monday Lyndon and I celebrated 13 years together, so I lashed out and bought some lovely new perfume I had been eyeing off for myself...

and we all went out to dinner at the Shangri-La for the Buffet, which was delicious.  And rather filling to say the least. 

Monet finished up Kindergarten last Tuesday and when I picked her up, she looked like this, my own beautiful butterfly...

Even though she only did a term of Nursery School she is off to Primary School come late August.  Or is that late September?  The Government can't seem to make up their minds in regards to the school year starting - during or after Ramadan?  That is the question.  I hope it is answered soon.  Then I know if Monet has 9 weeks Summer holidays or 12.  Hey, what's 3 weeks? *smirk*

We've been craftin', bakin', cookin', singin' and shoppin' together since last week.

Monet has spent hours colouring-in (per usual) and making loads of Chinese paper lanterns (which now hang down the staircase on homemade paper chains).  We've changed her room around, watched DVDs together (too many Barbie movies, Three Pigs and a Baby, A Night at the Museum #2 and Coraline - I love this movie!) and cleaned.  She's been a good helping hand to her 'big mumma'.

Me?  Just the usual.  

Been reading the Twilight series, watching DVD's (The Reader - better than I thought it would be, Angels & Demons - I preferred the book to the movie),  baking and cleaning, washing and sorting, (nesting!), entertaining the girl, Twittering, playing bloody addictive Scrabble on Facebook along with Farming!, changing the bedrooms around (Lyndon helped of course), whinging about my size, spending, visits to my Syrian Dentist (root canals don't hurt after the nerve has died - they just hurt the hip pocket), and visits to my Iraqi Doctor for regular pregnancy checkups. (Hopefully nine more weeks to go!)  Been building up our supply of Vegemite (there has been a clear shortage of the stuff over the past few months, so when I spy a jar it must be bought!) and we were glad when our order of a box of 'Export Quality' Four & Twenty Beef Pies arrived via the Dubai AFL club! (Trust me, Meat Pies have never tasted so bloody good - and I am not usually one to enjoy a pie!)

You know how it is when it is 50 degrees outside.  

(A quick word on the weather.  Yeah, it is hot, but you must remember that homes over here have been built to handle such conditions.  It isn't like in Oz where when you have a few 40+ degree days in a row your house becomes like an oven (even with air con) - homes are made fully from concrete and (most) with ducted air conditioning.  You wouldn't even know it was 50 degrees out there when it is half the degrees inside...)  

Winter?

Monet and I are now on the Final Count Down to our date with a silver jet.  Two weeks today we would have been already reunited with our Lyndon.  We are missing him terribly but knowing that it isn't many more sleeps helps a lot.  He feels the same.  Five weeks apart is just too long for all involed.  But we are coping and we are all safe and well, besides being a little cold.  Well, Monet and I are a little cold, not Lyndon.  

It is icy cold outdoors today.  None of us would be at all surprised if it actually snowed (remembering we are eights day away from Summer here in Australia!)  I have friends camping this weekend near Cape Liptrap and I was planning a visit, but I have had second thoughts.  

Monet and I have spent the past week at both sets of (Grand)parent's homes.  We have spent time with Monet's cousins...

and visiting one of my old friends in Inverloch, who has a dog Monet quite adored...  

This week Monet and I are venturing to Melbourne and popping in to visit H&B which I am looking forward to, and having a shop in Chadstone with both of Monet's Grandmothers.  

I am hoping the weather cheers up, these cold grey days are doing my head in.  Tracey in Townsville (about 400-odd kilometers south of Cairns) is sitting beside her air-conditioner today and here I am, sitting snug by the Coonara trying to defrost my frozen toes.  

I know where I'd rather be if given a choice. 

Yep, that's right, with Lyndon.

Itchy Feet

I got my car yesterday - it was transported from Cairns to Melbourne via truck.  It is nice to have my own wheels again and Monet was thrilled to have her own booster seat back.  It doesn't take much to please her....at times.  (Just don't go asking me how many times she's been grumpy lately!)

It feels like the middle of winter in country Victoria today.  Lyndon's parents had lit their fire because they knew Monet and I were popping in to visit for a while this morning.  Good thinking Nanna!

Lyndon's sister had her heater on when we spent a bit of time there today.  (I think she knew I'd whinge otherwise! *heehee*)  

Lyndon has settled nicely into life, half the world away from Monet and I.  He states it is the best decision we've ever made by moving over there.  He is looking at getting his two girls over there in the first week of December.   He has been busy shopping for a few needed items.  Like this oven for example...  (Nice shoes!)

See how nice and shiny and big it is.  And it is all mine!  *mwah haha*  Italian made, gas hot plates (haven't had gas hot plates for about 3 years!) and an electric fan-forced oven.  *sigh*  (In case you didn't know, all places in the UAE come without an oven and white and electrical goods are dirt cheap!)

Can't wait to go sitting by this pool too, which belongs to the place we will be living at...

I can already imagine Monet in there having a blast and me sitting on one of the pool lounges.

Roll on December!

(Flower shots taken in my parent's garden, the last two photos via Lyndon's mobile phone camera.)

Blue Skies, Nothin' But Blue Skies...

Because I know it has been cool in parts of this great country of ours, I thought I would show off with the Far North Queensland, gorgeous weather we had over the weekend.  

Saturday was a pearler of a day.

Monet and I spent a while at our local park.  She was desperate to ride her bike after a week of rainy weather...

Nothing like keeping your child happy.  (And letting her wear what she wants from her wardrobe.  I hope you like what she was wearing as she wears similar clothing each day.  As soon as she gets up she's in her wardrobe choosing clothes and dressing herself.  Sometimes I just have to smile at her - she says she likes being colourful.  You're telling me!)

We spent a good while feeding the fish in the pond in the park.  There are some huge suckers in that water and hundreds of tiny little fish who enjoy the bread we break up and throw in the water.  Obviously this was to the displeasure of the group of four teenagers (two couples) who were probably wishing we'd disappear so they could snuggle up to each other!  *snigger snigger*  They left the pond before we did, after being rather destructive by throwing loose cobblestones into the water.  *Urgh*

With the clear blue skies and sun shining it made me grateful that the day was like it was.  Sometimes you tend to forget that the weather up here in Cairns CAN be gorgeous as you tend to forget when all you can see is grey.

Urgh...

Two words for you.  Bloody.  Optus.

This morning I was without a mobile phone, a home phone and (God-forbid) INTERNET.  With Lyndon down in South-East Queensland on business, I was worried that he wouldn't hear from me and wonder if I was okay.  Lucky I could make local calls on the home phone as I needed to make a doctor's appointment for my 'night-coughing' daughter.  

Apparently a major 'Optus' fiber optic cable had been cut on the border of New South Wales and Queensland, cutting our state off from the rest of Australia, those who use the Optus systems.  You can read the whole story here.  

It just made me wonder what did we do in the days before we communicated via phone and computers.  Did I actually go and buy a paper to read the headlines?  Probably.  Did I write letters to family back home and friends around the corner?  Probably.  

My phone isn't accepting phone calls, but I can text now, after five hours of No Service.  The Internet has only just come back on line (lucky I already knew The Pope had hit Sydney *snigger snigger*) and Lyndon rang the home phone about an hour ago to see how we were.  

Bloody Optus.  But at least they've given me something to blog about after a week of blogger's block.

Like Sands Through The Hour Glass *giggle giggle*

The weather the last few days have been a bit 'grey' but last week Cairns showing off its glorious best.  I know because they are the days when we go down to our local beach.  And we did that last week, five days out of seven.

I'm not really one to go in the water though when the weather has been cool.  Cooler weather equals cooler water.  (!)  I can't say the same for Lyndon and Monet though, as they frolicked in the water on the weekend. Besides not being a fan of cool water (I'm too much of a Queensland wuss now with the water temperature being 20 degrees Celsius, it is still too cool for me) and I'm not a fan of waves with murky water, as our local beach was last weekend.  (However if the water was crystal clear and warmer I probably would have jumped in.  I'm fussy like that.)  

Instead, I stayed dry on the sand and kept a close eye on them.  

Monet really enjoys being down the beach - I hope she remembers days like those in years to come.  We spend ages building little sandcastles and collecting little shells and rocks to put on them, we spend ages doing drawings in the sand...

(This one is a joint effort of both Monet and I and our portrait of Lyndon!)

...and ages running around and laughing.  

*sigh*

But today (and all this week in fact) it has been grey.  I needed to brighten up my day a little.

*sigh*

Update...

For someone who rarely gets sick, I've been sick! Urgh. I spent Thursday evening looking inside the toilet bowl which is not a good image, I know. Lyndon had to take yesterday off work to look after Monet whilst I spent the day in bed snoozing. I feel much better today, thanks for asking.

We've got a lot going on at the moment in our household, so I don't know if it was all catching up on me or if I had a 24 hour bug or what. I do suspect it might have to do with dehydration for the fact the past week has been so rainy and cool by Cairns Wet season standards (about 29-30 with about 85% humidity) and then on Thursday the temperature to jumped up to about 33-34 with even higher humidity. The weather is playing with my body. I'm putting it down to that.

It is not long before our big holiday and we'll be jetting off in a silver jet bound for the other side of the world. Monet cannot wait for the fact she actually 'gets' the clothes I have up high in my wardrobe for our trip. I never knew my daughter was so 'into' clothes until now. Talk about fussy and Little Miss Independent (you have no idea!) She has chosen all her new threads which we had to buy because her wardrobe is a constant 'summer' one, so some 'winter' threads have been purchased. She's become obsessed with cooler weather, wanting to constantly wear scarf, mittens and hats. What have I done!!!???!!! I swear she changes her clothes she's wearing about 5 times a day lately. Think she's so good being able to reach them in her wardrobe and put them on by herself. As I type this she's changing her clothes for the 3rd time, no actually, the 4th time today and it's not even 1pm.

I have been busy booking and organising our trip. We're visiting Venice for a few days and have confirmed our accommodation where we'll be staying here...

Of course I'm not spilling the beans on the hotel's name but it looks gorgeous. (That's the entrance) I'm hoping it will be as nice as what the pictures look as you can never be quite 100% sure can you?

Train tickets have been purchased, planes booked and hotels too. My birthday is coming up and I have requested tickets for a morning tour for Monet and I do see this, not far out of Paris...

I *simply* cannot. In case you are wondering, it is Claude Monet's House and Garden. It's been my dream for about 20 years to visit so it is a must! I think I'll need to purchase another memory stick for my camera as I imagine I'll be taking thousands of photos, the majority being taken at Monet's garden!

I hope you're all well, looking at Monet's garden makes me feel a whole heap better...

Rain.

We've had our fair share of rain over the last few days.

Whilst the past three days have been constant (constant, CONSTANT!!) rain, this morning I woke to no rain (Hooray) and I could actually see some blue sky peeping through the clouds. By mid-morning the sky was clear and there was only a handful of clouds. Different story now though. It's back to grey skies and it is raining. Again. The 'Wet Season' has certainly arrived in our neck of the woods.

Don't mind me while I whinge away. I try not to complain though, it's not good for the soul to complain about stuff, but if I'm only complaining about the weather, well, life must be going along sweetly then, right?

What's the weather doing in your part of the world today?

Valentine Kisses

We spent some of yesterday afternoon doing crafty-stuff. As we do. (I swear, at times it feels like I run a 3 year old Kinder for one child!)

We made these....

...Valentine Kisses. Heart shapes on card, cut out by me, coloured-in on one side and kissed on the other side by Monet and her telling me who they were for. The recipents to these kisses will be getting them in the mail within the week. (Hi Grandma, Grandad, Poppy and Nanna!) Each one has been sealed in clear contact. I put mine in my wallet.

Monet enjoyed making them, mainly for the fact that she got to put on some 'lippy' and kiss stuff.

Look at those lips!

I was inspired to do these by Kids Craft Weekly, who send out weekly emails on crafty ideas to do with your children, which I joined a couple of weeks back. (Via Kikimiss). Who needs 3 year old kinder when you have Melody Mum?

(Obviously Queensland does not have the 3 year old Kinder programme, otherwise the littlest memeber of this household would be enjoying her time at Kindergarten once a week. We have Playgroup which we still go to and love but no 3 year old Kinder. *boo hoo*)

Christmas 2007

Besides the youngest member of our household waking up feeling rather grumpy (a case of the all-too-muches, don't ask!) our Christmas Day was spent inside relaxing. I swear we spent the majority of the morning unwrapping gifts, after all, we do live interstate!

When we all first got up at the 'normal' hour of 7am, Monet rushed to see if the reindeer had eaten the carrots she had left out for them (they had), but when she first spied her bike her eyebrows frowned. Apparently, Monet wanted a 'Dora (The Friggin' Explorer)' Bike, NOT a Disney Princesses one. (Who knew!! Obviously not us! All she had requested was a bike, pink or red. And it had to have a basket on the front and streamers off the handles. We thought we had ticked all boxes, but according to Monet, Santa got it wrong..)

(Photo taken Boxing Day when someone was back to her cheerful self!)

When Monet first 'cracked it' Lyndon and I gave each other a knowing look meaning here we go! She was pretty much grumpy all day. She did have her moments, let me tell you!

She cheered up somewhat when Grandma and Grandad gave her an art easel and bits and bobs that are all arty to go with it. So that was fun.

Monet received numerous toys. Fisher Price Little People Plane and Caravan, as requested to Santa along with a requested Barbie car, numerous new books (Yay!!), a new doll and stroller and a My Little Pony baby horse which Monet cuddles and kisses like you wouldn't believe. Hopefully enough new stuff to satisfy her during the wet season when we're banged up inside all day! She also received gifts from my parent's friends which was really thoughtful and appreciated.

Lyndon and I got a few little things each, including a iPod shuffle (yippee!) and some money to put towards our Big Trip next year. That's why Lyndon and I didn't give each other anything (we usually don't anyway) as Lyndon picked up our plane tickets the other week when he was in Brisbane on business. (NO turning back from our trip now!)

We had a nice big (BIG) lunch which was washed down with a glass or two of champagne. I had no room in my tum for my traditional Trifle until about 9pm, when I scoffed a big bowl full. (Oh how I love Trifle!)

We all went for a dip in the pool later on in the afternoon then relaxed on the balcony with a cool drink or two.

It was nice to have my folks here to share in Monet's joy, which didn't really happen because she was pretty moody, alllll day. (But since then, Monet has been her normal good self!)

Can you believe Christmas is over for another year? I hope you all had a great, relaxing holiday. Who knows where Monet, Lyndon and I will be spending Christmas next year... *hmmm*

Drives to Escape the Heat...

Last weekend (not the weekend just been) it was the hottest Cairns day in over 5 years. It was hot. Really hot. Sticky hot. Walk-out-the-front-door-and-can't-breath hot. It explained Monet's constant grumpiness over the weekend. Poor love was pretty hot, even though we spent time in the pool and in air conditioned comfort of Lyndon's work car.

One of the best ways to escape heat is to go touring. So we did.

Saturday we visited Cairns Crystal Cascades, not that we could be bothered walking that far. (There is a 1.5 kilometre walking track to a big water fall, otherwise a 3 kilometre round trip)Monet was being stubborn and refused to walk or participate in anyway. Her "tummy" wanted to go home. She can be funny when she's grumpy. I try to keep my sense of humour in 'trying' times. Can you spot the smirk on Monet's face? Maybe not, but let me tell you that she was one grumpy child. Nanna will vouch for that, I am sure...


The Cairns Crystal Cascades is about a 20 minute drive from our house, through the hills on the outskirts of the city sprawl. The area is very pretty.



Sunday we decided to head to the tablelands, the area behind the mountains which surround Cairns. It was a long drive, we were gone about 6 or 7 hours but at least we escaped the heat as it is always cooler in the tablelands...

Our first stop was to visit the awesome Cathedral Fig Tree, just near Yungaburra. It is hard to photograph so it doesn't look as powerful as it does when you are standing directly in front of it...


And before you ask, Pickles the Bear, came along for the tour.

Lunch was at the strangely quiet old pub at Yungaburra and then we headed to Millaa Millaa Falls, about another 40 kilometres south.

Even though we had visited the falls before it was still as picturesque as I remember.

Pretty spectacular, but I was annoyed by the lady who was wading in the water in front of the Waterfall, which messed up everyone's postcard perfect photo shots. No consideration I tell you. At least I managed a few shots without her torso in the way.

We went home via the Palmerston Highway to Innisvale and back home north to Cairns.

We were home in time to have a dip in the pool and down a couple of 'coldies' before dinnertime.

It was a long day which involved a lot of driving, but it was nice to show Marianne around this part of the world and have air conditioned car comfort. Gotta love that. Nothing like a drive to escape the heat.

Oh Man!!

It seems as if I have a million ideas, thoughts in my head at the moment and I don't know where to begin. I think this is part of the reason why we never got married in the first place - we're not the center of attention type people, nor the type of people to 'commit' in regards to organising. (Which explains why we do so much travelling on the 'spare-of-the-moment'...)

Wedding plans. Besides spanner in the works getting thrown in our direction, left, right and center I think we've come up with a plan.

Holiday plans. Just about signed, sealed and delivered. At least our plane tickets are getting finalised as I type. *yay* I need to get our (out-of-date-by-too-long-to-renew) passports sorted then organise accommodation, car rental, itinerary sorted.

So much in my head at the moment. And my heart is beating beyond belief.

Personally, I can't wait for us to do this again, but with Monet Lulu included this time....

This was Lyndon and I in July 2000

*GRIN*

...one of those days...

Today is one of those days where it isn't even 9:30am and we've done so much. I've paid the bills, I've done a load of washing, I have tided up, I have vacuumed. I've showered, dressed and feed both Monet and I and walked (with Monet in the pram) down the beach. We paddled in the water and sat on the sand. We then went to the playground and 'played' (as you do) then gone over to the little shop for a couple of things. I have plans to have my dinner marinating before lunch time, a quick drive over to the supermarket to pick up some 'urgent' supplies ie. coffee for Lyndon, then after lunch to go for a swim/play in our pool. It's one of those days when the sun is shining (it is meant to be about 30C here today) and it makes you feel all motivated to get on with life.

Yesterday was one of those days when you felt all motivated to 'do' stuff but didn't quite get around to achieving what you wanted to achieve. But I did 'achieve' going and buying a new pair of bathers/takini/swimmers/cozzies/ TOGS (for Tracey!) and then later on going for a swim in the pool to try them out. No, I will not be posting a photo of me any time soon in my takini but I will say that I felt comfortable and a bit more 'trendy' than I did in my other bathers. And anyway, I can't exactly go uploading photos to this blog at the moment - I'll tell you later.

Yesterday was one of those days when a good pub meal was in order for lunch. We went to the delightful Palm Cove Tavern up the road which was great. It wasn't busy, the food was reasonably priced AND tasty and there was an enclosed children's playground, which is always a bonus. And I love the fact that there was a sign near the tables seated near the playground that read 'If noisy children offend you don't sit here. Sit elsewhere'.

Saturday was one of those days when you feel all 'sluggish'. You can't be bothered doing anything, bar take your daughter over to the playground for a run around and a play for a while. I don't think she could even be bothered doing that. It was one of those days when you sit addicted to watching a 9/11 documentary on the Discovery Channel, then put on a movie (the silly Australian movie 'Danny Deckchair') and sip away on a glass(es) of wine.

It was also one of those days when you are sitting there watching the AFL footy, feeling a bit tired when all of a sudden you hear a huge 'skid' then BANG, which gets you rushing out on to the balcony knowing that a car has just written its self off in the light pole across the road from your apartment.

Which turns into one of those nights where you have to call 000 (Australian emergency number) because you don't know if someone has been killed or injured in the ute that had skidded across the road! But it seems as if the dickhead driving was totally drunk and ran away from the scene which gets me all fired up and mad because fools like this don't deserve a license let alone a car. He is darn lucky that no one was walking along the footpath at the time or other cars where on the (usually busy on a Saturday night) road. To say that Hoons drive along the road I live on is an understatement. The skid mark from the car was about 50 metres long, zig zagged all across the road, then BAM, into the light pole. He is lucky he didn't kill himself. Everyone from the neighbourhood (it seemed) came out of their homes to see what was going on and to see if anyone was hurt. Witnesses saw the driver run away from the scene. Authorities didn't take long to get to our address (ambulance, police, fire brigade, sniffer dogs!) It certainly 'perked' us up to say the least. I took photos but as I said before, I am unable to upload photos onto my blog a the moment.

Friday was one of those days when you get up, turn on the computer and discover that you've exceeded your limit on Broadband for the month, so for the following 11 days until your next month begins, you have dial-up speed. S-L-O-W. It happens because your partner and his friend downloaded over 150 songs onto your computer which never happens within a month in this household, so you go over your limit! Urgh. Yep - it was one of those days! I apologise if I don't get around to your blogs for a week, due to the fact it takes too long to download your page and if my patience is wearing thin! *heehee*

So, what type of days have you been having lately?

Chilly Toes

Melbourne greeted Monet and I with a chilly 12 degrees and an icy Arctic wind on Wednesday afternoon. And the weather hasn't changed since. It is still cold and icy and currently about 8 degrees Celsius (if that) outside, but that is okay. I wasn't expecting it to be warm and we kinda came prepared.

My mother and Monet have just made a cake together and Monet's Grandad is doing a fine job of putting Monet to sleep in the evening, by reading books to her in front of the fire. Yes, we are having a fine time away from Cairns and it's current 27 degrees and sunshine. But without Lyndon of course, (that's the downside).

We've been busy visiting family members and spent yesterday lunch at Lyndon's parents place (Hi Marianne!) where we tuckered into 'soul-warming' soup and then to Lyndon's sister's place for dinner. (Hi Sarah!) Sarah cooked a delicious dinner of a cauliflower pasta, followed by Lemon Tart. Yum-oh! Do you know how nice it is to have dinner cooked for you? (And lunch too for that matter!) This morning we visited an old work girlfriend of mine (Hi Kate!) so to say that in the 48 hours into landing in Victoria that we've been on our toes is an understatement. But I do enjoy being busy.

This afternoon it is raining, but its nice and cosy in here and socks to wonders to warm the tootsies! (Who would have thought?)

The next few days are pretty busy too with visiting friends to say G'Day to, Lyndon's parents to stay at, an overnight trip to Melbourne (I'm currently in country Victoria, about 1 1/2 hours out of Melbourne) to visit numerous friends and family too. But come Tuesday when I am back at my parents for a few more relaxing and unplanned days, before we head off back to Queensland where the sun is shining and there is no Arctic breeze!!

I'm sitting back this afternoon and relaxing and letting my parents enjoy their one and only grandchild who loves all her grandparents dearly. I have time to sit down and think about, not what to cook for dinner, but what beer I should go and buy and share with my father and enjoy a slice of the freshly baked Vanilla cake made by my mother and my daughter. *Heehee*

Where Has Our Beautiful Weather Gone?

In the past 4 minutes we have had 4mm of rain. No joke. I'm not smiling. 4mm in 4 mins!

Our weather radar is back to looking like this...

...and I'm sick of it!!

See all that darkish blue stuff? It represents rain.

I wish I could send it down south where they desperately need it. We aren't desperate for water up here, after all it is the tropics.

But c'mon, where are those glorious blue sunny skies gone? I haven't seen them around here for weeks. I am in need for some serotonin from the sun....

URGH! This is not the wet season, it is supposed to be the dry season.

Huh!?!

Cold Snap!!

This is going to sound ridiculous. I know. I grew up in rural Victoria and lived in Melbourne for a good 12 years. I know cold. I know freezing cold. I know all about winter mornings and cold snaps. I know all that.

But when it hits 12 degrees Celsius overnight in the tropics of Cairns - man, THAT is cold. To us, it felt like it was about minus 2 degrees. We even tried to see if our air-conditioners are reverse-cycle. They're not. There is (usually) no need for heaters up here. It is unheard of to have such cool weather in the evening.

Even the current 21 degrees seems chilly. We've all got long pants and long sleeves on today. I'm sitting here with a sniffly nose.

The weather is doing bizarre things across this continent.

I can't wait till Friday evening when the low is meant to be back to 21 degrees.

Warm to Cold...

So we've figured it is about time that Monet and I went south for a holiday, to visit family and friends. We've had both lots of parents up here numerous times and it's only fair that we go down and repay their visits. Part of me is really looking forward to it, but the other part is dreading the cold weather. Bone-chilling cold.

Even this morning Monet went out on our back balcony (which catches the sun all day) and said "It's cold out here Mum!" She was right. It was. But it was 19 degrees Celsius. How ridiculous is that? We're complaining that it is 19 degrees!! (That's about in 66 Fahrenheit). I have jeans on today and it is currently about 25 degrees (77F). If we were still living in Melbourne I wouldn't be complaining how cool it was at night at 19C but rather boasting about how hot it was! I'm still shaking my head at myself.

We are flying to Melbourne on August the 1st with a 2 hour stop-over in Sydney. So our plane trip is going to take like 6 hours, but the tickets were cheap so I am not whinging over that. It might be nice for Monet and I to stretch our legs! We fly back out on the 12th, but we are going to Brisbane for 3 nights and meeting Lyndon down there. 2 holidays in 1, we are having. How lucky are we?

Now, because we get around in t-shirts and skirts/shorts/mid-calf pants for most of the year (except today when I am wearing a pair of jeans but I am starting to feel warm so I might have to change), we don't have winter clothes. I have a big winter coat stored at my parents which I will be wearing, but Monet really has nothing. She does not know what flannelette pyjamas are, let alone own any.

That is why the local Department Stores are loving us today.

I have lay-byed for Monet the following; (and you can only imagine how cute and gorgeous the following are) - a pair of Dora the Explorer flannie pjs, a pair of denium jeans, a black pinafore with matching funky top, a fleecy Dora the Explorer tracksuit, a green zip-up fleecy jacket, woollen tights, a pair of Dunlop slip-on shoes and a pair of Gumboots. For myself, a pair of new jeans and a black woollen jumper/cardigan over top thingy (you understand that don't you?) I will need to get myself some shoes that cover my toes. I don't have any.

I love shopping for clothes for an impending holiday. Always have. It is a rule Lyndon and I have. Holiday = new clothes.

Do you ever buy new clothes for impending holidays?

(Sorry, Blogger not liking paragraphs today. Again!!)

'yes' Optus?

'No' thanks.

We've been loyal Optus customers (Telephone company/Internet provider) for quite a few years now, but when the letter arrived in the mail this morning from them, we've decided 'no more'. That was the last straw.

From the 1st of July, the minimum package they are offering all their customers over the board, is to go on a $55 monthly home phone plan, which includes the line rental (usually $26-odd) and 'unlimited' local phone calls. Hello? We don't make any local calls. Zip. Zilch. Zero.

Now, I'm no mathematician, but aren't 'local calls' roughly 30 cents a call, which means roughly $29 worth of local calls which means roughly 100 'local' calls within a month. (What a rough sentence!)

Who do Optus think they are kidding?

Hot tip - Not us!

We make roughly $20 per month of interstate calls but I think we have decided to scrap the home phone altogether if possible. We'd like cable Internet... (Mmm...wouldn't that be nice?) That means no home phone needed.

Lyndon and I have a bit of research to do on the matter.

'Yes' Optus? No, I don't think so anymore...