Sometimes I Prefer A Cool Beer

Is there anything better than swimming in a pool on a warm day?

Monet thinks not.

I love to watch her enjoying herself in there.

She's getting quite good; we are slowly teaching her ourselves.

She likes showing off and floating on her back.

The worst thing for her is getting out.  She *never* wants to get out...unless she's bribed with the offer of an icy pole.

I wonder what I will have to offer her to get out of the pool once we're in Abu Dhabi.  She will never, ever want to get out!

Hammer (& Nail) Time

We are having a good clean up around here today.  I'm toiling in the kitchen - wiping out cupboards, cleaning all dishes etc., whilst Lyndon is clearing out the dead plants on the balcony from their lovely huge ceramic pots.  We have a lot of tenants living here we didn't know about, both in the kitchen and in those outdoor pots.  (Can't believe I slept soundly knowing there was a baby gecko lurking in the lounge too last night!)

It is break time here.  'Kid shows' are on the telly and Lyndon has gone down(?)/up(?)/across to Bunnings with a list as long as his arm.  

Friday's night 'gig' for Lyndon was great.  Everyone turned up and a great meal was had by all.  The restaurant owner was very pleased we were all there.  I imagine the bill at the end of the night was quite big.  

Here is Miss Monet and I ready to go out on Friday night (gee two photos of me in the last few days!  What's going on??)...  Notice the new dress for Miss and my new bangle?  *grin*

See those smiles?  Well, mine anyway.  They are genuine.  Can't believe that the ball is rolling with Lyndon finishing up work, with real estate agents we have chosen for the management of this property and the removal company pencilled in from our quotes we sent to the Lyndon's new employers - we could be out of here before we know it!  

*scared*

*excited*

And because any excuse will do, last night the three of us went out for tea and had a lovely meal.  We got 10% off the total bill price, just by mentioning we were locals.  No proof of ID needed either.  Email me if you want the name of the restaurant.  *wink wink* ;-)

Guess I better get back to it.  This place doesn't clean itself you know.

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....)

No Tripod Needed.

Lyndon had to go into work last night for an hour, so Monet and I went in with him and wandered around the Marina/Lagoon area of Cairns.  It might be the last opportunity I have to visit Cairns at night and I wanted some 'night shots' (and a Baskin Robbins ice cream!...mmmmm...any excuse I swear!)

(Click on any image to enlarge)

Monet had a great time paddling around the shallow end of the lagoon.  The water wasn't tempting enough to go 'right in' but if I had of given Monet the opportunity to do so, she would have!

I'm not sure which I enjoyed most.  The ice cream (strawberry cheesecake in a waffle cone - yes, it was delicious) or taking some night shots?  I'm still thinking that one over.

Some Flowers For Her Birthday

Today is my mother's birthday.  I won't spill her age, she probably wouldn't be impressed with me if I did.  You wouldn't know that my mother reads this blog.  She only does when my dad thinks she might like to read something in particular.  You wouldn't know my dad reads this either, he *never* comments.

Anyway, in honour of my mother's birthday, I'm going to give her (and you) some flowers all the way from Claude Monet's Garden in rural France.  

I think my mother should go there, as I know how much she'd enjoy it...

...Monet and I would be happy to chaperon her.

My mother would spend hours ohhing and ahhing over the blooms...

...and if my dad went with her, he'd spend the hours trying to get the perfect photo of the most wonderful garden of my favourite artist.

Happy Birthday Mum.  Enjoy your day.

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.  

What a Surprise!

How surprised we were to receive a belated birthday card (from a lady who has known me since I was 1 year old), in the mail for Monet the other day.

How surprised we were to open the card and find a crisp $10 note in it.

How surprised (I wasn't), when Monet chose to buy one of these with her money.

How surprised I was when she chose that one over another one, which would have given her change to buy a lolly pop with.  

What a surprise!

Soon Her Whole Wardrobe Will Be Full Of Shonky Skirts...

Yes, I have been at it again.  

Sewing that is.

Today's 'blue' gingham number is straight from the 'biglittlesister' collection.  

No orders are taken. (The seamstress isn't too good!)  

The model thinks the sewing is terrific and is keen to give it a go. (Both modeling and sewing, that is, especially since the new series of the US Project Runway is beginning tonight on Arena.)

  

I might not be much of a seamstress, but I'm pretty good at making plugs.

(T-Shirt courtesy of KMart)