Happy Halloween

Sunday 31st October, 2010

Happy Halloween to all those who celebrate it!  Halloween is starting to become more acceptable in Australia, even the supermarkets had carving pumpkins this year.   There are more and more decorations to buy, more dress up costumes and more Halloween related items.

Woolworths in the city had an area set aside specifically for Halloween.

For a few years now we have had some kids come around trick or treating and we get into the spirit of Halloween by having some goodie bags for them.  Last year some of them even dressed up.  I wish more people would get involved.

From the Lens..........Our Good Witch trying to make herself look scary

Who Wants To Squeeze the Bee?

Saturday 30th October, 2010

This morning we woke to a bit more drizzle then some sunshine.  Prepared and cooked dinner for tonight.

Went into the city (needed another photo printed from Tony's printer at work) and Katie wanted to go back to  Waffles and Coffee to have some Potato bread.  Unfortunately they don't do it on weekends.  Instead we had Honey bread and Tony had Chocolate and Honey bread.  It was yum! yum! yum!

Katie told us that honey comes from bees.  "How do they get the honey?" I asked her.  "The man catches all the bees and he squeezes them until the honey comes out," she said.

Came home around 4.00pm as Jodi was dropping Tanecia and Taylor off as they are staying the night.  The girls have been playing together, there has been lots of laughing and they have been listening to music.  

Trying to get them to go to bed is nigh impossible, getting them to go to sleep is a miracle.  Taylor is fine to go to bed but then the other two go and she is woken up by their talking and laughing.  

They commandeer our bed, so Tony and I sleep in the double bed in the spare room.  

Rain, Rain and More Rain

Friday 29th October, 2010

Warm temperatures overnight but they are forecasting rain for later this morning.  They say we should get up to 30mm.  The weather has a real tropical feel about it.  This weather is supposed to last til about mid week next week......*sigh*

Picked Katie up and driving back through the city Tony's building (as we call it) was shrouded in cloud.

Went and had dinner at the hotel, some shopping and then home.  So far the heavy rain forecasted has not eventuated, it has only been the annoying stuff...... constant drizzle.

From the Lens........threatening skies

Finally......The Tax Is Done

Thursday 28th October, 2010

Jodi rang and it looks like we will be having Tanecia and Taylor stay on Saturday night.  Katie will also be here.

Yay!!!  we have finally done Tony's tax.  I don't know why we delay in doing it as it is so easy to lodge it online.  We have been doing it online for a few years now and the Tax Office has a lot of the information already, like bank interest, info about private health, medicare information. 

I think it is just getting all the other paperwork in order.  Perhaps next year we will be more organised.  Hmmm I have heard that somewhere before lol. 

From the Lens..........first rose for spring

 A single rose can be my garden

a single friend, my world

~  Leo Buscaglia  ~

                                                            

Lunch

Wednesday 27th October, 2010

Met Dianne at Elizabeth Shopping Centre as she had been to watch Taylors' class at swimming lessons at the swimming centre.

While having lunch Jodi joined us and then she took us to show us her wedding ring she had picked out.

After Jodi left to pick up the girls from school Dianne and I went and did some shopping....got a couple more Christmas presents crossed off the list.

Got home just before Tony and so he suggested we go out for dinner.  We thought we would try the Hampstead Hotel.....it was very nice.  Had the best schnitzel I have had for ages with chilli and lime bearnaise sauce.  Then I was a bit naughty and we shared pecan pie for dessert. 

Change of Plans

Tuesday 26th October, 2010

Dianne rang this morning.  We had organised to go out for coffee and lunch on Thursday but she now suggested we go Wednesday instead as Megan has a funeral to go to Thursday and wants Dianne to look after Phoebe.

That's OK with me so stuff I wanted to do tomorrow can now be done Thursday.  I've got to get the washing finished today and some ironing done.

Managed to get in a few more loads of washing and all the ironing done.

Michael Daric from Davki Security came down from Brisbane and so Tony went out to dinner at Rigoni's with him and the security guys, David and Barry.  I had to go in and pick him up.  It wasn't late as Michael was flying back to Brisbane and had to leave around 7.15pm. 

From the Lens..........setting sun on the gums

A Very Quiet Day

Monday 25th October, 2010

Today was a very quiet day.  A bit of washing, a bit of cleaning, a bit of shopping and dinner at our favourite cafe.

From the Lens...........

Happy Birthday Dianne!

Sunday 24th October, 2010

Happy Birthday Dianne!  Jodi is having a surprise lunch for her mum today and asked us to go.  I made a tuna bake to take.

It was a nice afternoon, helped Tanecia to get her iPod Touch to work on the computer, she couldn't get it to recognise it and therefore couldn't get her music transferred.  She was happy when Tony got it to work for her.

Taylor's rabbit is growing fast from when I last saw it.  Here is Pumpkin Rose....

They have a mini zoo with birds, dogs, frogs, turtle, lizard, water skink and the rabbit.



Anyone for Bowling?

Saturday 23rd October, 2010

The day started grey and gloomy but as it wore on the sun came out making it rather pleasant to be out and about. 

Went and did some more Christmas shopping, so now I have only got to buy for four more.  Why do I leave the hardest to last?

Tanecia celebrated her 13th birthday with 14 of her friends at the Golden Grove 10 Pin Bowling Centre.   After we had dinner at home Tony and I walked there as we only live a few minutes away.

Katie would have loved to have been there as well but unfortunately we didn't have her this weekend.  Troy and Rick played the game machines for Taylor and with all the tickets they got (some 1400 plus) she had a nice choice of prizes to choose.  She chose a ring for us to give to Katie because she couldn't be there.  Thankyou Taylor!

It was a great night, even the men folk (Rick, Jeff, Troy, Mark and Tony) had a game, and the Bowling Centre gave Tanecia a bowling ball as a memento.

Tony's Dad passed away on this day in 1971.  Unfortunately I did not have the privilege of knowing him as Tony and I met in April of 1972.

TGIF!!!

Friday 22nd October, 2010

Yaaayyyyyy!!! Friday once again which only means one thing......the weekend is around the corner!!!!

Off to have my nails done and then into the city to meet Tony.  Went and had coffee and then went to do some shopping.....Tony bought me some perfume.....Lola by Marc Jacobs.  It was in a gift pack with a body lotion, bath and shower gel, and a miniature bottle of the perfume all in a lovely box.  How spoilt am I???? lol

We decided to go to the Central Market to get some fruit and veges for the weekend.  This is a well known tourist spot as I believe it is one of the best fresh produce markets in Australia.  If you are after food, any type of food, you get it here from meat, fish, cheese, yoghurt, breads, fruit, vegetables,  nuts, oils, flowers, plants,  sweets.....just about everything.

There are lots of eateries in and around the market with Gouger Street being a well known restaurant strip.

To Cull Or Not To Cull

Thursday 21st October, 2010

This debate has raised it's ugly head again as to whether farmers on Kangaroo Island should be able to cull the Koalas.

The farmers say the Koalas are eating all the vegetation and in time there will be nothing left for them to live on.

My personal opinion is to let the farmers cull them.  I do not believe they will cull them out of existence.  Farmers are allowed to kill many pests that cause damage to their crops and or kill their stock such as rabbits, foxes, mice and kangaroos. 

Why should the Koala be any different?  Admittedly they are cute, but we should stop listening to the tourists who say we should leave them alone and let them be.   Most tourists only see them in Wildlife Parks anyway.

By the way.......they are NOT bears!!!  They are marsupials and eat eucalyptus leaves, but depending on their location within Australia, depends on what type of eucalyptus they eat.

Tony's Mum died on this day 24 years ago (1986).  She is lovingly remembered by us all.

Happy Birthday Tanecia

Wednesday 20th October, 2010

Happy 13th Birthday Tanecia.  You are now a teenager.  You will experience so much in these next few years. At 16 you will be able to get your Learners driving licence, at 18 you will be legally allowed to drink and to vote in Federal and State elections.  

During this time you will finish your High School education and either go onto University or into employment.  You have many big decisions to make as to what career path you would like to take.

You could get into a serious relationship during this time.  You could take on a part time job either in fast food or retail.  These years prepare you for adulthood.

Make the most of them, for one day you will look back on them and realise they were some of the best years of your life.

Tuesday's Musings

Tuesday 19th October, 2010

*from my window......the goldfish are frolicking in the pond.  Do fish frolick?.......hmmm I wonder!
*am reading........the website of Adelaide Now.....gives me all the news I want
*I am eating.........an orange
*I am wearing.........still in my jammies
*I should be doing...........Tony's tax papers
*from the kitchen........dishes are calling but I am not listening
*listening to...........the radio, would be lost without a radio.  If I was on a deserted island a radio would be the thing I would take.
*on my mind.........Tori, hope she is doing OK


From the Lens.........this is definitely not my prince!!

Shopping Is Full Of Surprises

Monday 18th October, 2010

Today is the start of a new week and I really have to get Tony's paperwork for his tax together sometime this week as we only have until the 31st October in which to lodge it.

While we were shopping last night suddenly we heard this voice say, "You're Tony and Judy aren't you?"  Looked at the guy but had no idea who he was until he said what his name was.  It was Wayne Hughes and his wife Sue.

OMG they were neighbours of ours back in the 70's and 80's until they sold their house in 1984 and moved away.  Can't believe it was that long ago.   Over the years we had lost contact as they had moved again as we found out.  We had a great chat and promised to catch up again for coffee.  They have 3 boys and it's so hard to believe that they are now in their 30's with families of their own.

Where have the years gone?  I look back on our life and can't believe that we are nearing our 'twilight years'.  Crikey! we had better start growing up.

From the Lens.........sun sets on Adelaide

Australia's First Saint

Sunday 17th October, 2010

Today is an historic day for the Catholic Church in Australia.
Mary MacKillop is going to be cannonised as a saint by the Pope in Rome today and she will be known as "Saint Mary of the Cross".

She opened her first school at Penola in South Australia's South East region in 1866.  She went to the farming town as a governess at the age of 18 and established an order "Sisters of St Joseph" which was to teach and help Australia's rural poor.  

For a few months now Katie has wanted a second piercing in her ears.  She wanted to have it done yesterday while we were at the Plaza but I told her to confirm it with her mum first.  So guess what?  Off we went to the Plaza today for her to have her ears pierced for the second time.

She was told she would have to have one ear done at a time to which she said she was OK with.....they normally have two people who do the ears at the same time.  When the time came closer to have it done (we had to book in), she said she was nervous.   After the first ear was done she said it hurt and after the second one went in she didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

From here we went down to Largs Bay as she wanted to ride her bike.  It's an old bike we got from the neighbours who were giving it away and we thought it would be alright for Katie to ride whenever she came over.

Luckily the weather was quite cool and so we didn't have to worry about any of these.......

Tony and I walk down here regularly during the warmer months and we have only seen one snake during that time.  Brown snakes are found here and are poisonous.

Katie gave up riding the bike finding that walking along the rocks was much more exciting.

Girl's Day Out

Saturday 16th October, 2010

Today was the annual shutdown for Tony's work, the day when all the contractors come in, turn everything off, work on what is needed to be fixed and slowly everything is restored back to normal hopefully without any further problems.

Katie and I had the day to ourselves.  We caught the bus to  Tea Tree Plaza and went and saw the movie "Diary of a Wimpy Kid".  It was most enjoyable.  Then we had a browse through the shops.  She bought herself a new Beanie Kid....a witch bear.

My weakness is perfume.....I LOVE it!!!  I think I have converted Katie as she loves to spray all the perfumes onto the cards.  She calls this her perfume collection.  As we passed the Chanel counter she wanted to have sprays of some of the perfumes and as she picked up Chanel No5 I said to her that this perfume is my ultimate favourite.

She sprayed it onto the Chanel card, had a sniff and said, "No Nanna, I don't like it".

"Leave it for a little while and have another smell" I told her.
She did this but then said "It doesn't smell right".

I asked her, "What do you mean?"

She replied, "It smells like dried up wee, see even where I sprayed it Nanna, it is yellow."

Oops! sorry Coco Chanel.

From the Plaza we caught the bus into town and called into Tony's work for a toilet break.  Then she decided she wanted to go on the train down to Noarlunga.  We walked down to the railway station but just missed it and had to wait another 58 minutes for the next one and so we decided to catch the train to Belair instead.

After we came back from Belair we walked back to Tony's work and on the way called into Waffles and Coffee and had a delicious Fruit Belgian Waffle, a waffle covered in cream and topped with strawberries, kiwi fruit and banana.  It was yummalicious!!!

By this time it was getting close to 6.00 pm so Katie rang Tony and he told her that he was finished at work, and so then we went back to meet him and decided to go to the Pancake Kitchen for tea.

What a day!!!  Katie loved it and told Poppa,"Nanna and I had the best time".

Back to Winter

Friday 15th October, 2010

Brrr it's cold and wet this morning.  They were forecasting strong winds as well, hope they don't eventuate.  I can take the cold as long as there is no wind.

Finally the government is doing something about hoon driving.  Today they crushed 2 cars, admittedly they weren't worth much and were barely road worthy but if  they are going to do it to these 2 then they have to do it for ALL hoon drivers.

The cars that have some value, are going to be sold and the funds put towards the Victims of Crime.  They have a Maserati that's been impounded apparently,  I would love to see that crushed and also other cars that are worth more, then and only then would that send a message to these hoon drivers that the government is serious about stamping out this loutish behaviour. 

Picked up Katie tonight as she is staying for the weekend.  She wanted to know whether we had chosen a Prime Minister yet.

 I said,  "yes, Julia Gillard, (she represents the Labor Party) that's why we had to go and vote a couple of months ago". 

"Well then what was the Labour Day long weekend for?" she asked. 

We had to explain to her that it was for the workers who wanted an 8 hour working day many many years ago.   She thought it was the day we chose a Prime Minister.

From the Lens.......raindrops

Chi Chi Chi! Le Le Le!

Thursday 14th October, 2010

"Chi Chi Chi Le Le Le, We are the miners of Chile" was the chant that went up as each miner came to the surface.  Last night when we went to bed 11 miners had been brought to the surface, this morning when we woke up 21 men were safely on  ground level.

Luis Urzua, the 33rd miner preparing to enter the capsule Phoenix 11

By 11.30 am Adelaide time the last miner was rescued.  What a wonderful moment!!!  4 more rescuers had been sent down underground and so they had to bring 6 rescuers back up which they completed successfully as well.  Viva Chile!!!

Luis Urzua safely brought to the surface meeting with the Chilean Presidnet, Sebastian Pinera

Today would have also been my Mum's 86th birthday.

The weather has turned nasty and tomorrow and the weekend we are in for some wintry weather.  It is pouring with rain at the moment.  After the few warm days we have had the garden could do with some rain again.

 

An Incredible Day

Wednesday 13th October, 2010

I have spent most of the afternoon and evening watching the miners being rescued in Copiapo, Chile.  A landslide happened back on the 5th August trapping 33 miners and it wasn't until the 22nd August that the men got a note to the surface and the authorities then realised that these men were still alive.  Planning then went into action to work out how to bring these miners up to ground level.

The first man was brought to the surface just after 1.00pm Adelaide time.  What an incredible achievement to all those involved.  It may be painstakingly slow but to bring all 33 men safely to the surface would be just unbelievable.

Watching the relatives faces as the capsule comes to the top and they see their loved one for the first time in 2 months made me weep.  It was so emotional.  The men look so well too, not like they have been underground for the last 69 days.

Currently it is 9.30 pm and the 9th man is currently being lifted to the top.  He is of some concern due to his health problems and he is the oldest at 63 years of age, but the authorities felt they have done all they could to prepare him.  The capsule takes between 15-20 minutes to come to the surface.  The miners were trapped about 700 metres underground.  Mario Gomez is his name and he safely made it out and it was a really emotional meeting with his wife.

I hope and pray that the next 24 men all make it out safely too, plus the 2 rescue workers that went down on the first two capsule trips.  Many countries, including Australia, offered their expertise in the planning of this rescue mission.

The second man to be rescued, Mario Sepulveda hugs Chilean President Sebastian Pinera

The third man rescued Juan Andes Illanes

Congratulations to all the people involved for making this a most succesful rescue.

Where Is Spring?

Tuesday 12th October, 2010

The beautiful weather we had yesterday was short lived.  Today is showers and the temperature has dropped quite a few degrees.

I think our next door neighbour has fertilised his garden and lawn to take advantage of the rain.  OMG what a smell!!!  I was hanging out some washing and I had to end up coming inside as the smell was so awful.  It also brought out the flies.

At the moment I am listening to the radio while on the computer and each Tuesday night they have the travel show.
They are talking about cruising and it sounds so wonderful.  The only thing is I don't like boats no matter how big or small.  Even when one is moored to the wharf I feel it swaying.  Plus the older I get the more claustrophobic I am becoming and I don't know if I could sleep in a cabin.

At home I can't sleep with the curtains closed or any door closed.  I've got to be able to see out.  When the alarm went off this morning for Tony to get up they were talking about the rescue mission that is about to start for those miners in Chile and how they were going to be brought up to the surface in a capsule.   Just them talking about it made me feel like I was suffocating.

When we went to the movies to see Avatar I was going to walk out as I felt I was suffocating when the people were in and went into those capsules to sleep.  Each time they showed that I had to close my eyes.

I can't even watch documentaries of anything that is under water.  I also hate driving down roads that have large trees growing either side and cover the road.  I've got to be able to see the sky.  I will go up an escalator but will not come down one.  I just cannot put my foot onto that step at the top.  Yet I have no trouble going into a lift (elevator).

All of this has only affected me in the last 10 years or so.  Yeah, I know, I am a strange one.  Most people have phobias of one kind or another and these are mine.

From the Lens.........it is night time outside

The Weather Is Perfect

Monday 11th October, 2010

Today, the weather was perfect.  Temperature was in the high 20's, our first real warm day since autumn.

Made a picnic tea, met Tony and went down to Elder Park and ate it.  It was so relaxing sitting on the banks of the Torrens, watching the rowers, cyclists and joggers.

Geez the seagulls must have extra sensitive noses.  There were none around us at first but as soon as we started eating they flew in from everywhere.  It is funny to watch  them, there was one in particular who kept chasing the others off, there was no way they were going to get his share lol.

A Day For the Revheads

Sunday 10th October, 2010

Today is the 10th day of the 10th month of the 10th year but it's not 10 o'clock hehehe

Four years ago today my Dad passed away.  As time passes his loss gets easier to accept but the memories will last forever.

Another lazy day yay!!!  Tony was in Revhead world as he had the Bathurst 1000 V8 Supercars to watch, the Formula 1 Grand Prix from Japan and then the Motorcycle Grand Prix from Malaysia.  Craig Lowndes and Mark Skaife won Bathurst driving a Holden Commodore.  Holden and Ford are the two rivals in this race and Holden had 8 out of the top 10 place getters.  It's about time some other car manufacturers got involved......it's soooooo boring just watching Holden and Ford racing around the circuit.

From the Lens........Cooked Roast Beef for dinner tonight

Love These Kind Of Days

Saturday 9th October, 2010

Love these kind of days.....doing nothing, so I haven't got much to say.

Have to go into Tony's work later as I want some larger photos (12 x 12) printed off. 

Grrr been into work and the photos I want printed turned out crap.  Now I have to redo them all and make another trip in.

Called into the shops and got Katie one of her Christmas presents.  When I bought my Golliwog she saw one that she wanted so I went and got it for her today.  I see nothing wrong in having a golliwog, I do not find them offensive or racist. 

From the Lens.........A Magpie....this little fella was so friendly, I think he is being fed by the neighbours.  We called him and he came running, not scared of us at all.

Anyone For A Stair Climb?

Friday 8th October, 2010

Today is the Inaugural Stair Climb at Tony's work.  He manages Westpac House which is Adelaide's tallest building (30 floors tenanted, 34 floors in total).  It has been organised to raise money for the Childhood Cancer Association of SA.

They had approximately 600 people take part with participants coming in from Melbourne, Sydney and even New Zealand.  The fastest time to run the 30 floors was 2 minutes 48 seconds with the average time being between 4 - 5 minutes.  Several people found the going tough and had to withdraw at some stage and Tony said quite a few people had asthma attacks.  The only real casualty was that one woman rolled her ankle.

Tony didn't participate, he says he feels he does it often enough during the course of his work, even though he doesn't run it, he walks.  Several people started off running up the stairs but at some stage slowed to a walk.

The organisers were very happy with the end result and now hope to stage it each year.

From the Lens..........nearing the end of the competition

                  The stair wells and the finish line on the 30th Floor

                               The last of the competitors

A Senior's Moment

Thursday 7th October, 2010

When Tony picked up the car up last night from the Automatic Transmission place he left his brief case there LOL and so I have to either go and get it or pick him up from work and collect it on the way home.

Have enjoyed watching the Commonwealth Games, especially the swimming and the gymnastics.  The track and field are on too late for us to watch it live.  Where's the spectators for these events?  I think most of the countries have won more medals than what there has been spectators.  I feel sorry for these elite athletics.....there is no atmosphere for them in which to perform.

Alicia Coutts with her third gold medal

Geoff Huegall (aka Skippy) came out of retirement to race again with his sights set on the London Olympics 2012

Hair Appointment

Wednesday 6th October, 2010

Finally get to go to the hairdresser today to get something done with my hair.  My regular hairdresser has left and the girl I had last time did not do a very good job.  Even Tony made comment about it and normally he says nothing.

We are forecast to have some showers later this afternoon.  I hope not as we have no car at the moment.  Tony took it in to have the gearbox serviced and they have found a problem.....so when he went to pick it up last night it was still on the hoist.  We are hoping the problem is not what they think....if it is we are up for around $3000 to have it fixed.  Will know more later.

Well the car is home but the problem remains....it has to go back but at a more convenient time for us as they want the car for about 3 days.  We are looking around the end November/beginning December. 

The showers didn't eventuate but the wind blew and it is cold.  By Saturday it should warm up again for a few days before another front comes in.

From the Lens............we grow 'em big

Trying To Find My Groove

Tuesday 5th October, 2010

Why is it so hard to get in the groove again after a holiday weekend?  I could climb back into bed right now and it's only 10.20 am.

I have always wanted a Golliwog.  I have seen many different ones but none have really appealed to me but the other day while walking through the shopping centre I saw this one and she just called out to me, wanting me to take her home.  How could I resist.....I fell in love with her instantly.  They also have baby Golliwogs, so that is next on my list.

From the Lens......Meet Winnie

We are on the lookout for another one as Katie has decided she would like one now.  Whenever I have looked at them and she has been with us she would always ask, "What do you want one of them for Nanna?"

Lazy Day

Monday 4th October, 2010

Being a holiday Monday we just lazed around most of the day today.  Tony went and cleaned the car, I spent a non productive day on the computer. 

Usually after going to the country I end up with hayfever and today was no different.  It was quite windy yesterday and I suppose some dust and dry grasses were picked up by it.  Today I have watery eyes, sneezing and itchy throat. 

Tony has just rung up for some pasta take away for dinner, gonna enjoy that and then watch some of the Commonwealth Games tonight........especially the swimming finals of Day 1.

From the Lens.............Encounters of a South Australian kind!!